Kissing Tolstoy by Penny Reid is a humorous and charming romance novel set in a university world. The story follows Anna, a college student with a passion for reading and a quirky sense of humor. When she mistakenly emails her future professor to organize a blind date, she never expects the hot guy in leather pants who shows up to be the same person teaching her Russian Literature class. As Anna and Professor Kroft, also known as Luca, navigate their growing attraction and shared love for Russian literature, they challenge each other's perspectives and embark on a slow-burn romance filled with witty banter and intellectual chemistry.

The book explores themes of self-discovery, academic passion, and the complexities of relationships. Through humorous and relatable characters, Penny Reid weaves a tale of love, growth, and the pursuit of finding one's place in the world, all set against the backdrop of Russian literature and university life.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Anna being quirky and intelligent, while Luca is a principled and complex professor.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is witty and humorous, with strong dialogues and references to Russian literature that add depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot explores a student-teacher romance and a prior blind date, revolving around their interactions and discussions about literature.

Setting:

The setting is primarily a college, focusing on a Russian literature class and various scenes around academia.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow and steady, which some readers found lacking in excitement or drama.

“Russian literature, as you’re likely aware, probes into the complexities and depths of the human soul. And since we are dealing with matters of the soul, I will tolerate no disruptions.” Professor Kr...

Notes:

Anna and Luca had met before his student-teacher role, which made their relationship feel less taboo.

There is a significant age gap: Anna is 21 and Luca is 31, but they are portrayed as intellectual equals.

Anna is an Engineering Major but takes the Russian Lit class for fun, indicating her love for learning.

Summer classes are shorter, so Anna's time with Luca as her teacher is more limited.

Anna is a senior nearing graduation, adding a sense of urgency to their relationship.

Luca is responsible and does not engage in reckless behavior, taking their situation seriously.

Had Anna taken Luca's class earlier, their relationship might have ended tragically, similar to a Russian novel.

Anna and Luca have deep discussions about literature, showcasing their intelligence and mutual respect.

Anna has anxiety and sometimes reacts immaturely, which can frustrate readers.

The book features humorous banter and literary discussions, making it engaging for those interested in books.

Anna is quirky and relatable, making her a character many readers wish was real.

Luca is a well-developed character with a complex relationship with his father's expectations.

The addition of Luca's POV in the expanded version provides more depth to his character and thought process.

Themes of self-discovery and challenging each other's viewpoints are prevalent in their relationship.

Anna's past blind date with Luca leads to awkward yet humorous situations when they reconnect in class.

The author integrates literary references throughout the book, which can be enjoyable for those who appreciate literature.

The book started as a short story and grew into a novella, leading to some readers feeling it might be better as a shorter piece.

The book contains elements of a slow-burn romance, developing emotional connections over time rather than rushing into physical intimacy.

Anna and Luca challenge each other's views on literature, contributing to their bond.

The book portrays a consensual professor-student relationship in a more favorable light compared to other works.

Has Romance?

Yes, romance is a central theme in Kissing Tolstoy.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

What do you do when you discover that your super-hot blind date from months ago is now your super-hot Russian Lit professor?

You overthink everything and pray for a swift end to your misery, of course!

'Kissing Tolstoy' is the first book in the Dear Professor series, is 46k words, and can be read as a standalone. A shorter version of this story (28k words) was entitled 'Nobody Looks Good in Leather Pants' and was available via Penny Reid's newsletter over the course of 2017. more

Ratings (11)

Loved It (5)
Liked It (4)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (29):

Read It (11)
Want To Read (11)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (6)

1 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

It Was OK

3 months

3.5 stars. I normally stay away from teacher/student romances but decided to give this ago. It was very popular a few years ago. It was quite cute and fun romance and I'm interested enough to continue

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Kissing Tolstoy

Penny Reid

Book 1 in the series:Dear Professor