**This is a sequel to Teacher of the Year (reviewed here). There may be spoilers for that book. Proceed with caution.**
Family isn't only about blood. It's about the people we choose.
Olan Stone wants nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with kindergarten teacher Marvin Block. And his daughter, Illona, can’t wait to call Marvin her stepfather. They’re bashert—meant to be. However, as the big day approaches, family tensions and unresolved issues put their future together in jeopardy.
Marvin thought he and Olan had everything all figured out. But he’s realizing that their whirlwind romance may not be the foundation for a lifetime commitment after all. As they struggle through the changes that life is throwing their way, will they be drawn closer together or farther apart? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)
I am so thankful I found out about M.A. Wardell's Teachers in Love series through The Jewish Bookstagram Tour a few years ago, but also I am sad to be done with this series and wish it could keep going. It was great to reunite with Marvin and Olan (from Teacher of the Year) and remember why I adore them so much. And Illona and Gonzo are the icing on the delicious wedding cake.
Husband of the Year is a sweet (and very, very spicy) comfort read. I was verklempt many times. It was great seeing the couples from the other two books, as well. There was just so much to love about it. Plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, as well as ones of sincerity and emotion. Even though part of the story presented a difficult situation, Marvin and Olan worked though it with love and patience. They also had strong support networks. I kind of had a feeling one part of the story would go a certain way and I was so glad that I was right!
I enjoyed the moments with Marvin's students, as they were such a sweet group of kids. I also love how everyone was so accepting of him being gay and so supportive of his relationship and upcoming marriage. It reminded me of Schitt's Creek in this way. If only everyone could be like that in real life. While a lot of aspects of this novel felt too good to be true, it was comforting given all the instability going on in the real world. And, of course, all the Jewish joy was a mechaye.
While I would have liked Marvin and Olan to take turns narrating, like in the middle two books of the series where we get both mens' perspectives, it was nice to get to know Olan better through his long emails to Marvin throughout the novel.
I really, really don't want this series to end, but it ended on a good note and maybe there will be room for a reunion in the future? If you haven't read the Teachers in Love series yet, it's never too late to get started!
I don't cast the books in this series because it's too hard to find the right fit for the main characters, but I'd love to see Carol Kane as Marvin's mom.
Thanks to Forever for the book in exchange for an honest review.
** Intended for mature audiences only. 18+ **
Marshmallow Mountain (with A.J. Truman)
Stirring Spurs
Mistletoe and Mishigas (also from Teachers in Love)
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TW: alcoholism/substance abuse (from supporting characters but mentioned a lot), death from overdose (mentioned but not detailed).
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