Name: Lessons in Corruption
Rating: 4.011029411764706 (136 reviews)
ISBN: 9780995065079

Giana Darling

He was eighteen. The heir to a notorious, criminal MC. And my student. There was no way I could get involved. No way I could stay involved. Then, no way I could get out alive. An MC student/teacher romance.

Lessons in Corruption

Priyanka

Reminded me of Kristen Ashley's books. <br />Loved the storyline and the characters. Good enough read.

Sara Uribe

Re-read October 19th, 2021: Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read again, I loved this on audio!!

March 2020 Review: I continue to forget how much I love a good MC read. And though this didn’t feel like a full on MC romance book, it had aspects of it. This book focuses more on the romance and relationship between King and Cressida, rather than the MC part. Which I didn’t mind one bit. I was unsure at first how I would feel about this book as the hero was younger. And well, if you know me you know I like my men older (Hello hubby 😍) especially the heroes in the books I like to read. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised. King sure knows how to make a girl inside turn to butter, and sweet Cressida though older than King and fresh out of a marriage, she is ready for a fresh start and a bright perspective. That is until the filthy mouth King comes crashing in. Cressida never stood a chance against King and his ability to charm anyone.
 
 
I think for the first time even a book made me blush. And I mean full on red cheeks and fire blooming in my chest kinda blush. Maybe that’s because I was reading it at work, but whatever it was gave me a reaction I’ve never had to another book. Overall, I really enjoyed this read. It felt different than other MC romance reads, but was very refreshing and easy to read. You can really tell with Giana Darlings writing that she takes the time with her books. It’s beautifully written, well thought out and so poetic. Thought there were parts I thought dragged on a bit and kept looping in the same game every so chapters. Other than that, I really liked this read. If you are looking for a really good forbidden student/teacher romance with tons of steam and off the charts tension this book is for you.
 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Deliciously Devious and Forbidden stars.
 
I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kathleen Tom

4 Stars! 

 “𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐞. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐜𝐤.”

*Drooling* *Swooning* Over King Kyle Garro and his possessiveness and his alpha male behavior that almost ripped my panties off hehe! Not to mention his romantic sexy poem. I have always love Mc's Romance since the 1st time I read Soulless & Lawless by T.M Frazier. All that tough dirty sexy bad guy in big Harley bike is killing me softly. And now this-The Fallen Men Series just holy goddamn it so good so amazing and it's driving my ovaries crazy... 

 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐜𝐤. 
 𝐈𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠’𝐬 𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 
 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞. 

 “𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧’ 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝, 
 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 
 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐫. 

 𝐌𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 
 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐠 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐦𝐞, 
 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦. 
 𝐇𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬, 
 𝐚 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬.

And The Female Character, The Good Girl Gone Bad for her man. Her King. The English Teacher that fall in love with her student. She was the girl you want your mom to meet but sadly she will sacrifice anything for Her King because that's what A Queen should do. I love their relationship they push and pull and the lust and love. And, don't forget the mind-blowing sex between them. Go figure the book is worth the read. 

Highly Recommended!

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

  
    
  




Lessons in Corruption is my FIRST Giana Darling book and all I can say is I should be "banging my head against the wall" for not reading her sooner. I had no idea that this book would just pull me in like this. I was completely hooked on this when reading it and read it in one sitting. That doesn't always happen but her writing just sold me completely. I honestly haven't read an MC romance in a while but this one really packed a punch. Now, this does have a forbidden theme to it which is a teacher-student romance and I KNOW how that sounds. But Giana Darling really handled it well and somehow it worked for me. But you should know that going into it. Now I know you may be wondering why I decided to just randomly pick up this author. Well, one of my favorite booktubers Jenn @ The Book Refuge, had her on her show and this author is such a darling and I bought the whole series haha I can't wait to jump into the rest of these books. Highly recommend you watch it here 



 Lessons in Corruption is a powerful story that features:  



 
   King-son of the MC Prez, 18 years old, works in a mechanic shop, goals to get a college degree  
 



 
   Cressida-separated from husband, teacher, 26 years old 
 



My eyes settled on King again, seeing him throw back his head and laugh that laugh I had fallen in love with in the parking lot, that laugh that had been the final catalyst in my marriage. I barely knew the man, who he worked for, what he believed in, what he desired, and yet he had already irrevocably changed my life.



Lessons In Corruption is a story that begins with a moment outside a grocery store, where Cressida sees a man that changes her whole world. She is married, and her husband is wealthy but there is no happiness in her life. It is complete boredom for her, and it's the same day over and over, and no adventure or thrills, and no matter how hard she tries, she knows their marriage isn't what it should be. So Cressida decides to take charge of her life and she leaves her husband, aims for divorce and moves to a small cabin, and becomes a teacher at a high school. What she doesn't expect is to see her mystery man in a bar, and they share a thrilling evening and even though she knows she is a boring woman, there is something about King that draws her into his world even though it's dangerous and forbidden she wants a taste of it. But when she learns that he will be her student, it changes everything. She is stunned that the man she was fallen "head over heels" for, is completely out of her bounds, and if she tastes the forbidden it could mean losing everything she has worked hard for. But sometimes life comes with risk .....so why not dare the risk and embrace a life with King? 



“We’re complicated,” King said again without raising his hand. “People judge everyone based on shallow crap: how hot they are, how rich and academically accomplished. It’s bullshit, because at the end of the day, the one thing everyone can relate to is the grind to get to that place. We all suffer, we all fucking grieve and sin every damn day. It’s that dark stuff that makes those characters real to us.”



Lessons in Corruption was a stunning book that captivated my heart from the very beginning. I didn't know what to do with myself in reading this one. It definitely blew my mind away and I couldn't help but barely contain the excitement in reading this one here. Its a story I honestly didn't expect to like. I was tempted to read these books out of order and technically I did that here (I will be reading the prequel next) but this is the first full-length novel and I don't like to read books like these out of order if I can help it. But from the first chapter, I knew I was in for a whirlwind of a read. Now the dark element to this book is the forbidden theme and the MC backdrop to the story. Now the teacher-student aspects aren't going to be for everyone. Now I have read this trope before and if it is written well, you can enjoy it. I wasn't sure how I felt about the hero being so young. But what did it for me, is King is highly mature for his age. Probably due to being raised in a MC club, and he has all that masculine, intense stare you in the eye vibe going on about him. The hero definitely wasn't what I was expecting, and I am highly pleased about that. 



“Never met a woman like you. Know I won’t again. You find somethin’ worth keepin’, you find a way to fuckin’ keep it. Not gonna stop, and just so you know, I got it that this could get you fired, that this could cause you embarrassment but what I got to say to that is this: whatever pain and ugliness I bring you by bein’ with you, I promise I’ll bring you double that in sweetness and beauty. You hear me on that, because I may be a man without a normal moral compass, but I’m a man who makes a woman a promise, and I’ll die before I break it.”



There is a bit of a age gap but its not huge so I think readers won't mind how much older the heroine is for him. In some ways, King is more mature than Cressida. Cressida, has been sheltered all of her life and then been in a dull marriage. It really showcased the wrong way to be married. If you have a marriage like that, I can see why Cressida would want out of it. Even though at times I thought she was self-consumed, she was so loyal and protective. She does have valid concerns though in her relationship with King and the power dynamic there, and I really felt for her situation. Cressida and King make a solid pairing and their relationship really worked, and its evolution won't be for every reader. It will take time, it will take making mistakes and learning to grow from those mistakes, and adapting to situations you aren't prepared for. 



And I’m not asking you to do that because you’re a fuckin’ hot lay. I’m asking you to risk everything to be my partner, to stand by my side and rule The Fallen men of Entrance, to lie, cheat and steal, to breathe my fuckin’ breath, take my kisses and my cock and reign with me. Be the Iron Queen to my Fallen King



Now for the story itself, we have other factors that come into play with this story. I have a feeling they will be essential for the series as a whole and I really liked seeing this rival MC come into the game, to see the truths laid out on LGBTQ relationships and the bigotry that still exists in our society, and to see such fun family dynamics. I will admit I can't wait for Zeus' book. Man, he is one sexy beast and I need his story in my life. :) But I was really curious about the MC, we don't see much of it in this book. I am hoping we do it in future books. It's more of a backdrop in this book that fit the story I think. There was also a mystery surrounding Cressida's brother, so I found that side plotline interesting especially in how it fits with everything else going on in the story. 



King had arrived in my life like an angel fallen from heaven and ascended from hell like my own real life Satan who whispered rebellion in my ear so winningly I had no choice but to answer his call



Overall I found Lessons in Corruption to be a stunning romance that will tug at your heartstrings in the most unique moments, it's a story of sacrifice, character growth, and learning to fight for love. It's not an easy love story, but it is a love story that captures the soul and will lead its readers down a road you will be eager to travel on.

samantha youngclaus

yes yes yes how did i not read this sooner

JoLee

Age Gap - Older Woman / Younger Man

Love age gap but prefer Older Man / Younger Woman. 

Lessons In Corruption is the first book in The Fallen Men series by Giana Darling. Popular MC romance series I have seen all over IG for some time now. I liked King the son of Zeus the MC President as he acted older than 18 and that worked for me. Cress who is Kings 26 year old teacher is insecure and is hot and cold when it comes to him. I loved Daddy Zeus as he had his sons back with school and his relationship with Cress.

Logan Chisholm

“𝐒𝐚𝐰 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.”

I have never been one to believe in love at first sight or insta-love, but if there is one author out there who could make me believe in it, it's Giana Darling. I have never been so convinced that two people were soulmates more than I was with King & Cress. They fit together so perfectly. I love that King is so unapologetically himself, he doesn't fit the stereotype of the MC president's son. He loves poetry and romance and isn't afraid to show it. His love for Cress is unmatched, and I love how he shows the entire world where is heart lies. While Cressida may have been hesitant about King after finding out he was her student, her loyalty to him was always so strong and she never doubted his character. These two are the textbook definition of soulmates, and they will forever be one of my all time favorite couples.

Shelby Caldwell

BookTok always recommends this one. i've been looking for a good MC series to dive into, but i'm not sure this one hit the spot for me. it was pretty okay, but i'm not sure i'd reread it. i mean, i know how bikers talk (SoA superfan here) but i had issues with how the H spoke. all the apostrophes and shortened words...i just couldn't stop picturing him and hearing him in my head as like, a country bumpkin or something. i realize that may not make sense, but it just bothered me. there were some other icky things i didn't like--i mean, don't get me wrong, i love a good taboo student/teacher romance, but some of it didn't sit right with me. although i didn't really like this one, i kinda find myself invested in the family and want to know what happens with everyone else, so i'll probably end up reading the rest. re: glutton for punishment. 

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME OUT OF THIS SLUMP!

Mariam Mohsen

4.75 stars.
 This book was a truly wonderful one.
 What I really enjoyed about it was the fact that even though this was a MC story the creativity of the author made me love them all and smile and cry with them, king and chress were such an awesome couple and I really loved kings protectiveness when it comes to his girl.
 I really love the fallen men and how the author describes her characters. I'm definitely planning to read more of the series.
 Really injoyed it.
 "“You are the king of all the fears that ruled my life, a man of ferocity and passion and balls to the wall determination and endless, boyish enthusiasm. You crack the soul of life open in your palms and drink your fill. A man like that needs a Queen by his side,” I murmured, repeating my excuse for our breakup back to him in a way that had his eyes clicking to live like flashlights. “And I’m that Queen. I will match your ferocity. I will exceed your passion and challenge your balls to the wall determination. I will see your boyish enthusiasm and raise you my newborn love for life. I will stand beside my biker King and be his rough and tumble Queen, even if it takes me the next ten years to convince you to take me back.”"

Maggie K

3.5/5 stars 

So when I first started this book. I didn't know how I would like it. I will say, the first 50% of the book went by in a flash. The forbidden love was good, but I still don't know how I felt about the teacher romance aspect. 

I had to dock.5 points because I would rather that it be college-aged students, however, I get it because of the ending and their future. 

This is my first read by Giana and I'm glad to say that I am ready to continue the series. I am most excited for Curtains (which I think is the best nickname for ginger). 

This book is definitely one where if you love to read fluffy books with good morals, you shouldn't read it.

Tanya 

HOLY FUCKING HELL THIS BOOK WAS GOOD!!

I had my reservations going into this because the female MC would be the older one in the relationship and that’s not really my thing. However her character was likable and nothing was cringey about it.

“Fit to me
Made for me
Bone of my bone
Broken 
Lost or freed
You are a state of mine
Eternal
Bone Of my bone”

That’s the most heart warming and swoony fucking poem if I’ve ever heard one! 

King has made it onto my list of book boyfriends, I wanna get on the back of his bike. Loyal, strong, confident, filthy as fuck mouth, poetic, gentle, caring, wise beyond his years, shall I continue ?

Ohmigod I can’t even really describe how much I loved this book & to hear this book is only the tip of the iceberg in the series I can’t imagine what else is in store? Fuck

FANNY FLUTTERS
KITTY BUTTERFLIES 
ENDLESS BLUSHING & I’m black so that’s hard as it is but you get all that from this book.

Jamie Trenholm

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

I admit, this was cringy at times, but I'm a goner for this MC world! King slowly stole my heart and I was panting after him like a love-sick puppy. I loved how well-done was the student-teacher trope. I'm now super eager for Zeus Garro's story!

Candyce Kirk

I loved the description of this story and was very intrigued. It's definitely a different story than I'm used to, because I don't think I've ever really read a story with a teacher/student romantic relationship.
Cressida is in a relationship she isn't happy with. Her husband is older than she is and her parents basically handed her over when she was 18. She has always tried being the good girl, but she just can't take it anymore. This is when she takes a chance and wants a divorce. Cressida takes a job as a teacher and is enjoying her new freedom. She sees King outside one afternoon and is instantly charmed by him. Cressida doesn't want to be, but she can't help it. When she finally gives in, she finds out he's her student. Even though she's only 8 years older it's still very wrong. She is having a hard time letting herself be with him and try and keep her job. It's also hard, because King is pretty bossy and she finally has her freedom and doesn't want to give that up. Cressida falls hard though.
King is the son of the leader of a MC and is pretty mature for only being 18. He knows what he wants and doesn't take no for an answer. To be honest this annoyed me in the beginning. I can't stand it when the male character thinks he is the only one who can decide things. Along the way you realize he is a bit sweeter than you realize, but it took me a little while to warm up to him. He is a lot smarter than people think and King doesn't know what he wants in life yet.
They have their ups and downs, but can their love survive the hard world?
I loved seeing Cressida grow during this book. She became her own person after being stuck in a marriage she didn't want for many years. I couldn't stand her parents. How can you do that to your child? The MC was very interesting. They were tough, but definitely a family and they took care of each other. I loved Zeus, haha. He was funny to me.
One of the only reasons I didn't give this book five stars was that the action at the end of the book came a little late for me. It happened fast and was over really fast. I think it would've been interesting to read about that in more detail. And the other reason was the language at times. I'm all for the rough and tough, but some of the terms just aren't my thing. But that's just a personal opinion and I still really enjoyed this book. Even though I'm not a fan of the idea of teachers and students being together I can kind of get it in this case, haha. I am definitely looking forward to see what happens to these characters after this book ends!


Full review to come soon: thebookdutchesses.wordpress.com

Lessons in Corruption

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