Everyone loves Professor Hunter. He’s tall, dark, and handsome.And completely unobtainable. But it’s the secrets hiding behind his deep browneyes that allures Penny. Secrets darker than she could ever imagine.
James Hunter gave up his billionaire lifestyle in NYC last yearto become a professor. The easiest new rule to follow: don’t fraternize withthe students. It’s easy to follow because he’s become quite the recluse in his newtown – the only way he knows how to keep his secrets buried.
But he never expected to be teaching such a beautiful student.He has to resist her. He needs to walk away. Penny deserves better than a manwith his demons. But she’s daring him to cross the line. And he’s never been oneto resist temptation.
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A Note From Ivy
She’s alive, she’s alive!!!! But things are a little messynow, huh?
I always knew Brooklyn was alive. But I feel my characters’emotions so intensely. So in my head, Brooklyn was dead the whole time untilshe reappeared. I cried during Kennedy’s last scene with Brooklyn in Book 3,because I knew what was coming. I cried in Matt’s last scene with her and throughoutall of Matt’s perspective in Book 3. I was as devastated as you, I promise youthat. I made myself believe she was dead in order to write the emotions aspurely as I could. I felt that death. It was like losing my best friend. I wasdevastated and emotional and honestly, a little depressed after going throughthose emotions while writing book 3 and 4.
And then while I was feeling down…the hate mail startedcoming in. Hate mail for the ending of Book 3 came in droves via email, privatemessages, and social media posts. I’ve seen it in every way. So much hate. Abouthow I’m a terrible person for that ending. How could I be so cruel? How could Ithink as a romance author I had the right to write such an ending? I was toldto stay in my lane. I was told I was a monster. I was told I didn’t care aboutmy fans. I was told no one would ever read a thing I wrote ever again. I wascursed at. Called names. Told that I was worse than Isabella – and no wonder Icould write an evil character like that so easily. And I was told that I shouldbe the one that was dead, not Brooklyn. I was told so many hateful, untruethings. I’m not going to lie, it’s hurt me.
And I had to bite my tongue. Because I knew Brooklyn wasalive. But there was no way in hell I was going to ruin the surprise by tellingthe haters that.
And the hardest part of the last few months? I wrote aboutbullying in my dedication and author note in Book 2 of this series. About howdestructive it is. At the essence of this whole series is the effects ofbullying. Words hurt. People telling me I’m an awful human every day for thepast 6 months has hurt me. I’m actually crying writing this because I’m so tiredof the hate. I’m not naïve. I know the hate won’t stop now because a lot of readerswill still stop after book 3 and never know the truth. But I’m hoping that sharingthis story reminds us all that being cruel is never the answer. This wholeseries is a warning to not behave this way. And I’m horrified that so manypeople missed that pretty important message. But I’m also grateful that thishappened. Because I don’t want anyone reading my books who thinks it’s okay totalk to another person that way.
*Takes a deep breath.* I no longer read hate mail. I deleteit as soon as a message starts out negatively. Because as I said in my previousdedication, I won’t let anyone silence me. I will never stop writing. And forall those “fans” I lost over the “death” of Brooklyn….your loss. You’ll neverget to see how amazing Brooklyn is as an adult. You’re the one missing out. BecauseBook 5 is going to be epic, I promise you that. And my true readers are readingthis and hopefully knowing how much I love them. Because I do. I love you all somuch!
And for all you wonderful readers, get ready for a bumpyride. Because you know Book 5 is going to be a rollercoaster. I wouldn’t haveit any other way.
Ivy Smoak
Wilmington, DE
www.IvySmoak.com
For more of Ivy Smoak’s novels, visit www.IvySmoak.com
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