Penelope Douglas

"Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students, trying to forget her past ... Now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing. Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a living, breathing teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet there is something about him that draws Easton in a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn"--

Misconduct

Ilham

Haley Miller

aleksandra

3.5/5

I liked it. Quiet shocking as my relationship with this author is complicated. 


  
    “Dark spaces, quiet places,” he whispered over my mouth. “That’s all we need, Easton.”

garnet

spicy but a lot of stuff was unresolved in favor of a romance. i wanted more character development especially for Jake bc that whole thing was just kind of left dangling.

Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students, trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn't important. She can't let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing... Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a living, breathing teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet...there is something about him that draws Easton in - a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn. Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton's resolve - and reveal what should stay hidden...

Renata

i read this for the 2nd time and this book is so underrated i genuinely never see people talk about this book tylereaston are sexy af i loved so much the plot and the characters and everything was just amazing like amazing really and the tropes of the book just make it even better 

- "Careful," (...) seeing a man set the glass down and immediately kneel in front of me on one knee, avoiding the spot on the carpeting where my drink had spilled.
"Allow me."

- "But the truth was, I kind of did care. I liked my memory of her and hadn't enjoyed a woman nearly as much since our night together, and we'd only talked. Her mystery made the attraction more fun, and I didn't want that ruined. Easton was a woman I'd wanted in my bed, but Ms. Bradbury was off-limits."

- "She acted like she hated me, and I wasn't sure why I cared"(...) "I'd waited, and when she'd walked into the room, her long brown hair spilling around her, I could barely handle it. All I could remember was that same rich hair cascading down the smooth skin of her back as I followed her out to the balcony that night. God, she was beautiful. I didn't care that we were fighting this morning, or that she looked furious with me. She was passionate, and if we'd been in my office instead, that meeting would've ended differently."

- ""It's not often I let people speak to me the way I let you," he confessed. "Nor should I enjoy it as much as I do."

- ""Is my tie straight?" (...)
"You're perfect," he assured me. "Everything about you is perfect."

- "I'm not a jealous man, but for you I might make an exception."

- "She deserved to smile, and for some reason, I wanted to give her that."

- "I've been with enough women to know when it's right and when it's wrong""and when I have you in my hands, it feels more right than anvthing"

- "There's one in France and another in London. And they have beautiful women in Buenos Aires."
"Ugh!"
"But you know why I want the hot little teacher in New Orleans?""Because she fucking gives me what I want better than anyone else."

- "Tyler and I were one and the same. Both of us hated to be handled. Until now. I liked his dominance, and I think he liked mine."

- "Every time I sat still, my head would drift back to her. Her body, her lips, her hunger . . . She was driving me crazy, and I knew right then and there that I hadn't lied to her. I might actually have a crush."

- "The relief in her eyes and the weak little smile she gave me when I admitted how much I wanted her was tearing me up, because what I'd told her was the truth, and I didn't know what the hell to do about it"

- ""Just that it was obvious something was going on." He arched an eyebrow at me. "I see how he looks at you. His face gets softer."

- "I'd been told by friends and wives of friends, employees and colleagues, that I had their vote when election time arrived about a year from now, but I hadn't realized hers was the only one I'd wanted. She actually thought I was worth a damn. I couldn't keep the grin off my face as I stared at the Stricher in front of us. "The first moment I saw you" I inched closer to her-"scowling at that Degas like it was shit on canvas
I looked at her. "I wanted you more than I'd ever wanted anything." The moment I'd set eyes on her, I had to have her."

- "There were only two things I needed and wanted at the same time: Easton and my kid."

- ""I love you, okay?""I love you like crazy, and I've never said that to a woman before, but I'm completely in love with you, Easton Bradbury.""You're going to get me into trouble with that mouth of yours, and I may not get everything I thought I wanted out of life, but if I don't have you and my son, then the rest of it means nothing,""You make me happy, my kid likes you, and I feel like I could do anything if I knew I was going to see you every day. I need you."

- ""You don't belong anywhere I'm not,".
"Home, Patrick," I choked out. "Take us home."

- ""If there's one thing I love about him, it's that he's just like me. We're devoted to our promises."

- "running my thumb over the fff tattoo I'd gotten on the inside of my wrist when he'd proposed this past Mardi Gras at the very same annual ball where we first met the year before. Family, fortune, and future. He'd had the same letters tattooed, but his appeared on the outside of his wrist, right under where his watch sat."

- "Family came first. Always first. We took care of each other and relied on each other. Without the family and without Christian, everything else would be worthless."

- "Do you think we can balance it all?" 
"Our careers, the campaign, children ..
"All we can do is try,""But we don't break our commitment. Family, fortune, future,""None of it means anything without him or you."

- "I'd gotten very good at being weak, and I wasn't ashamed of it. But in truth, I knew it wasn't weak to need people. To need love and connection. You're only strong if you can stand on your own, right? Nope. The truth was, you're happier when you're needed and stronger when you're loved. I could survive without Tyler, but why would I want to? Ever? Nothing could replace him or erase him."

grayson gruber

Elena

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
  


This was the first time that I had a chance to try out this author and I was highly impressed. I loved it. It was such a enjoyable story and I loved what happens in this story. I was pretty glad that I was able to get this in narration format. The set up of the story was quite unique, and the first time I saw a teacher and parent of a student in a romance...so that is always a plus. The narration was interesting to listen to. I will be honest, I am still not sure what I think of the narrators. There were two since there was alternating POV's. But I wasn't able to really enjoy them fully like I wanted. Probably because I felt like they just didn't quite fit. However I loved what Douglas does with the plot here. We have when they first meet at a social function where Easton is out to socialize for her brothers sake. She is still in school so she can be a teacher. But then she meets a mysterious stranger and right when she leaves she learns who he really is Tyler Merrick---successful business and trying out to be a senator for elections soon. And he makes a promise that when they meet up next he won't be letting her go. Skip ahead six months, Easton is a teacher and Tyler has a fourteen year old son. She has unconventional teaching methods and he doesn't like them. Sparks fly, tensions rise and passion explodes. These two make for a wild and explosive combination. Tyler is alpha male all the way and Easton is fiery. I did like the "forbidden romance" feel to the story. We also see the buidling of a relationship between Tyler and his son Christian. This was such a unqiue story and I savoured every minute I had in this story....highly recommend. Its sensual....emotionally driven with stunning characters and a story that won't let the reader go until the end!!

Nora Ellen

I love love love penelope douglas books, I finished credence, misconduct and birthday girl within a week, but I can’t help but notice we have yet to find a father who is not painted as the victim and have yet to find a good (single) mother with a good relationship to the child and their father. There is a reoccurring pattern of bad mothers who blame their child’s father for all negative things, fathers who try *their best* and main characters who emphasize with the fathers but not the mothers…. 

Regardless the books are amazing for what they want to be. And it’s not family friendly literature anyways.

** spoiler alert **
           Mi cosa con los libros de Penelope Douglas, es que me gustan, cómo no, pero no me encantan y eso me irrita.

Siento que esta historia es de las más normalitas y tranquilas que tiene la autora. A pesar de ser la típica historia de romance dudoso de alrededor de 300 y pico páginas; la lectura se me hizo súper rápida, adictiva y liviana. Algo sorprendente porque normalmente los libros de PD se me hacen súper pesados, pero acá no fue el caso.

Solo tengo dos problemas con esta lectura:

Uno: no entendí cuál era el plot en sí más que Easton y Tyler enamorándose. Incluso, el gran conflicto, que se suponía que era la noticia de Tyler enrollándose con la profesora de su hijo, se me hizo demasiado meh. Capaz sea solo yo, pero no entendí todo ese drama alrededor del romance entre esos dos, y que estuvieran todo el tiempo en plan "oh, sí. No sabes cuánto te deseo, pero esto no es correcto *se vuelven a enrollar*".

A mi parecer, había muchos elementos interesantes en esta historia, pero casi todos estos quedaron en nada por no tener una buena trama donde desarrollarse. Me sorprende la capacidad de PD de escribir libros larguísimos donde no pasé absolutamente nada, pero más me sorprende que yo me enganche con estas historias y llegue hasta el final. 

Dos: Entiendo lo del acosador de Easton y todo lo que sucedió con respecto a la muerte de los padres, y hermana, de Easton y Jack; pero la verdad es que quedé tan confundida con la actitud de Easton. Literal estaba amiga, ¿Qué demonios estás haciendo?, y aunque ahora puedo unir los puntos y tener una idea del por qué de muchas de las acciones de Easton tras saber todo ese chisme, debo de confesar que no terminé de entenderla por completo. 

Sin embargo, mi problema acá fue... todo el asunto referente a Jack. Primero, porque no fui capaz de predecir su inminente traición (aunque ahora que lo pienso, quizás sí que fue un poco obvio). Segundo, porque literal en una escena nos revelan que Jack no es tan bueno como se pensaba, que tal vez es un psicópata-asesino-resentido-envidioso y otras cosas más, y pasan unas escenas un poco confusas donde Easton se entera de todo, Jack medio enloquece, Easton sale corriendo, se consigue con Tyler, y luego pasan a otra cosa. Pensé que pasaría algo más, pero lo que sigue son escenas caseras de Tyler y Easton, donde hablan de su relación y otras cosas, y luego el epílogo donde están mágicamente comprometidos, y como que no se vuelve a tocar el tema más sobre Jack y sus tendencias psicópatas. 

Siento que, todo ese tema fue super interesante e impactante, pero al final terminó en nada y se le resta casi que toda la importancia, y ajá quedé un poco decepcionada al respecto. Pero, también me pregunto... ¿Será que leí bien eso? ¿Será que mi cerebro dejó de funcionar a mitad de la madrugada mientras leía esas últimas partes? ¿Será que me toca releer todas esas escenas de nuevo? ¿O de verdad todo eso quedó así de inconcluso y dudoso? 

 Preguntas que nunca obtendrán respuestas. 

Ahora: ¿Cómo dormiré sin saber a qué partido pertenece Tyler? Penelope, amiga, respóndeme ese enigma te lo pido de rodillas 🧎🏻‍♀️

• mature language, sexual scenes, sexual harassment, death, neglectful parents,  PTSD,mentions of grooming & pedophilia, stalking, suicide & etc 

”The truth was, you’re happier when you’re needed and stronger when you’re loved.”

OKAY HEARR ME OUT I WAS TRULY GONNA GIVE THIS A HIGH RATING UNTIL 

1. The “let’s mess around solely for a man’s pleasure and ignorantly fetishise lesbians who are an oppressed group” 

But I did like Misconduct. It was sexy and interesting. 

Danya <3

3.75 ⭐️ 

Genre: Adult Romance 

Age group : Adult 

POV : First person / multiple POV

Characters: 3/5 ⭐️ 

Plot: 2/5 ⭐️ 

Setting/Themes: 4/5 ⭐️ 

Writing: 4/5 ⭐️

Spice : 3/5 ⭐️ 

• Please check TWs & CWs 

• mature language, sexual scenes, sexual harassment, death, neglectful parents,  PTSD,mentions of grooming & pedophilia, stalking, suicide & etc 

• HEA

”The truth was, you’re happier when you’re needed and stronger when you’re loved.”

OKAY HEARR ME OUT I WAS TRULY GONNA GIVE THIS A HIGH RATING UNTIL 

1. The “let’s mess around solely for a man’s pleasure and ignorantly fetishise lesbians who are an oppressed group” 

And few others. 

But I did like Misconduct. It was sexy and interesting. 

From the New York Times bestselling author of Bully and Corrupt comes a love story as forbidden as it is irresistible . . . Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students, trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn't important. She can't let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing . . . Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth but not a living, breathing teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet...there is something about him that draws Easton in-a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn. Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton's resolve - and reveal what should stay hidden . . . Praise for Penelope Douglas: 'Douglas just gets better and better' Samantha Young, author of On Dublin Street and Hero 'Downright explosive.' Publishers Weekly 'As gripping as it was sexy.' Colleen Hoover

JoLee

Tshering Yangzom

Alyssa Amey 

sade head

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads
.

I've been dying for a new Penelope Douglas book since I finished Aflame. I couldn't wait to see her write non-Fall Away characters. And you know what? She's a rockstar. I flipping loved this book. It was hot and sexy. The hero had a dirty mouth and a big heart. (Even if he was pretty complicated.) I loved the heroine. She was sassy and sarcastic and unafraid to be herself. She was a bit damaged from events of the past, but those events shaped her into a great character in this book. The taboo nature of the relationship between them was perfection. And, did I mention it was hot as hell? Because dammmmmnnnnnnn.

When Easton and Tyler meet during Mardi Gras, there's an undeniable attraction between them and things heat up pretty quickly. Of course, things have to get complicated or there wouldn't be a story here. When Easton learns Tyler is the father of one of the more difficult children in her class, things get interesting. They disagree on pretty much everything, but Easton doesn't bend to Tyler's will and I loved that. Hooray for a heroine with a backbone! Through it all, the initial pull they felt for each other is present and they can only resist for so long. 

I loved spending time in both Easton and Tyler's heads during Misconduct. While I fell for Easton nearly immediately, it did take me a little while to warm up to Tyler. He was a complicated man who was torn in a number of directions and, while he was far from perfect, he was a great guy. I enjoyed watching both of these characters grow throughout the book. 

Misconduct just further solidified my love of all things Penelope Douglas. I love her writing and her characters. The story is so good – and it's more than just the hot as hell romance between Easton and Tyler that I enjoyed. The devil is in the details and Penelope gives me all the details I want and more. I found Easton's teaching methods nearly as fascinating as I did the romance. I really liked watching Tyler trying to balance his life and do right by everyone and himself. Things were sweet and spicy and I loved all of it. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Anna // read.all.night 

This was pleasant as fuck & a nice audiobook

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

3.5 stars!

I was so overly excited for this book. I actually grabbed it on Audible and read it as part of the Clean Slate Read-a-Thon since it was released in 2015, giving me the perfect excuse to read it IMMEDIATELY. Sadly, though, it was just pretty "meh" for me. 

Easton, at 23, and Tyler, at 35, have a pretty taboo relationship. And it's not only the slight age difference that's hanging over their heads. Easton is also Tyler's son's teacher. Dating a parent of a student is very frowned upon... well, anywhere. I usually truly adore taboo stories, but for some reason I just didn't fully connect with these two and their relationship.

“Life moves pretty fast,” she stated. “If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” 

Their connection was fun. They're banter was entertaining. But I didn't quite see what they saw in each other, outside of the immediately physical attraction. That is, of course, until the second half of the story where I felt like things really picked up and I started to fully invest in these two. The beginning was quite a struggle though, and that left me a bit disappointed. I'm still very interested in reading more by this author, I think for some reason this one just didn't fully work for me.
 


  
    
      
    
  



Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

Oh. My. God! You guys, I loved Misconduct. SO FREAKING MUCH. It was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it was perfect! Hot, sexy as hell, and utterly perfect! I honestly couldn’t stop grinning (and fanning myself) the whole time I was reading it. I’ve adored all of Penelope Douglas’s books, but I have to say, Misconduct is her HOTTEST one yet. Seriously, the hero is the sexiest DILF I’ve ever read – everyone needs to experience the wonder that is Tyler Marek. ;)

I loooove me some taboo in my romances, so Misconduct is a match made in heaven for me. It’s got a unique twist to it too – it’s not a teacher/student romance, but a teacher/student’s parent romance! So the hero is older, more established, sexier… all sorts of yummy. The heroine, Easton Bradbury, is an ex-tennis player who’s just starting her job as a teacher at a prestigious private school. She’s my favorite kind of heroine – ballsy, feisty, a spitfire, and not afraid to stand her ground against the hero. She’s got a few quirks to her, which made her all the more likable, and a past that had me intrigued.

Now, Tyler… He’s delicious. A total jerk in the beginning, but Penelope Douglas writes him in such an intense, sensual way that I couldn’t help but grudgingly love him (Penelope is just so good at writing lovable jerks). He’s the single father of Christian, one of Easton’s students. He’s ambitious, a powerful man in New Orleans, and deeply, maddeningly attracted to his son’s teacher. But if he decides to pursue a relationship with her – sexual or more – he runs the risk of losing his son, reputation, his bid to becoming Senator… everything.

But now here she was, my kid’s teacher, dangerous and forbidden, which only increased her allure, and she’d been just as hot tonight as she’d been on that balcony all those months ago—the different being now I couldn’t fucking touch her.

Easton and Tyler are smokin' HOT together! Just, WOW. Even before any bedroom activity happens, these two were setting my kindle on fire. There's a fine line between love and hate for these two, and Penelope Douglas writes their tumultuous relationship perfectly. And the forbidden aspect only made the chemistry between them even hotter.

“You belong in my bed every night, and I fucking hate that I can’t have you there,” he gritted out, his hands working between our bodies. “I want to buy you shit just to have you throw it back in my face, and I want to fly you to Fiji just so I can rip a bikini off of you.”

(Like, holy fucking hotness, RIGHT!? There’s more where that came from… so… READ THIS BOOK.)

Easton and Tyler’s story blew me away. But I love that we get so much more than just their romance. Penelope Douglas delves deeply into Easton’s unique method of teaching, which I actually really enjoyed reading. And Tyler, the ambitious man that he is, is stretched so thin between Easton, his son, his company, and trying to run for Senator that he needs to learn to make sacrifices for the things that mean the most to him. He wants to have it all, but he can’t, so will he make changes and put those he loves first in his life for once?

I love the way Penelope Douglas writes. Her books never fail to hook me in and keep me riveted to each page. She has such talent at creating characters that you root for from the very beginning, and at writing addicting stories you don’t want to let go of. And if you couldn’t already tell, Misconduct is another winner from one of my favorite authors. It’s a book that proves why Penelope Douglas continues to be one of my top authors. Everything about this book is fantastic, sexy, well-rounded, well-written, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1El4eDu
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/1Na2qar

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Ashlee

Now, I love all of Penelope Douglas’s books by y’all … why, why, WHY is this one not talked about more? Seriously, so underrated. Age gap, forbidden romance, with romantic suspense elements and social and climate conscious characters? Yes please, thank you.

Misconduct

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