Review: Really pulled my heart strings
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 18, 2014
In many ways Love Lessons is "tamer" than the other books by Heidi Cullinan that I have read (such as the Special Delivery series), but not emotionally.  This book really dragged me in by the heart strings.  Walter and Kelly come from such different points of views and family situations, but they find what they need in each other, first as friends - and I loved the slow (and sometimes deliciously torturous for the characters and me) build up to their relationship.  The sex (and almost-sex) scenes were both sweet and hot.Both Walter and Kelly are fantastic characters.  Walter is jaded, cynical but also kind - when he decides to help someone he goes all in. Walter has a sadness and fear of happiness which holds him back  He felt that. "...happiness came with sorrow as its anchor." Kelly is self-conscious, naive, and inexperienced, but he is also quite self-aware and tenacious.  I adored him!  He kept trying and believing even when he wanted to die from embarrassment - exactly what Walter needed.I especially enjoyed how the story was not just about Kelly and Walter's relationship, but also their families.  The way Kelly's parents and sister bring Walter into their family was especially moving.Love Lessons also provides a look at how institutes of higher education sometimes make decisions putting budgetary concerns over education and how truly difficult it is to eradicate bullying.I admit to not being that much of a Disney movie fan - I sometimes watch them with my kids. (I do love Wall-E, though.)  So, some of those references were lost on me.  But, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the story.  Can't wait for the second book!Heidi also wrote a free follow-up short which expands on the epilogue:  [book:Frozen Heart|20317058]  Love Lessons should be read first, unless you totally want to spoil the ending.