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The Professor's Obsession

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Poppy makes a life-altering decision so she can go to college. She sells her V-card to the highest bidder. Little does she know that man will turn out to be her professor.

70 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 27, 2021

About the author

Emma Bray

106 books423 followers
USA Today bestselling author Emma Bray writes intense, steamy romances with possessive alpha males who’ll stop at nothing to claim the women they want. Emma’s instalove stories are filled with heat, passion and happily ever afters.

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5 stars
149 (39%)
4 stars
104 (27%)
3 stars
79 (21%)
2 stars
30 (8%)
1 star
13 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Anne E ♡ emo + OTT Hs.
224 reviews178 followers
February 22, 2023
3.5-star **SPOILERS**

The BAD:
#1. 18yo college-freshman virgin h's out-of-character behavior
It didn't fit h's character to let her BFF talk her into selling her virginity to afford school and dorm. Her BFF talked to her about it and, in ONLY a few minutes, h agreed to sell her body for school money. It didn't make sense to go against her usual caution and reservations and make such a huge decision like this without giving up much thought or time.

The GOOD:
#1. liked h's character for the most part (serious about school, quiet, reserved)

#2. liked that h reverted back to her usual character after her ONS with 30yo stranger H
When she realized that H was her new art professor, she avoided him as much as possible because she didn’t want to jeopardize his job or her schooling.

#3. Good emotionality/S tension/detailed S scenes
Her avoidance helped give some tension in their romance and give her more character depth. It also drove H to stalk her from a distance since he wanted to see her and protect her despite her avoiding him. Liked how this created a more even power play in their relationship so their epilogue 5 years later made sense—with h finishing college and H&h now married with their 1st baby on the way and both becoming successful in their art.

#4. loved H’s stalkery-obsession with his student h

#5. liked that H wasn’t a sleaze or a manho
He had strong reservations about smexxing an escort despite his friend gifting it to him to break his celibacy streak and even more so when he sees shy escort h. He kept giving her a clear “out” to just leave and not be obligated to smex him, despite her already being paid to do so. He did eventually give in and smexxed her, after she told him she felt hurt and embarrassed that he didn't want her.

Sexual History:
18yo h had never been kissed or dated any guy due to being shifted in various foster homes and busy with school. 30yo H was her 1st and only everything (i.e., kiss, oral, sex). No info on H’s past Gfs or lovers. Only that he’d been celibate awhile when his friend asked him, which shows that he wasn’t so sex-led.
Profile Image for Alison.
1,328 reviews108 followers
January 2, 2023
I’ve read this before?

Update: okay, this book was so familiar I was sure the author was republishing it. I was wrong. This book is just SUPER similar to Jessa Kane’s His Prize Pupil. I would argue to say too similar really. If I was this author I wouldn’t be comfortable having a book out this similar to another book already out by a well known author… I’m going to have to lower my rating from five stars to three which is upsetting.

Original review:

I know I’ve read this before but under another title and maybe pen name. To be fair, I do believe there were some updates/edits. Then again I could just be crazy.

I liked this student teacher read a lot. Both characters were really good and I like how tortured Brad was.

I know there’s another book about her friend and I wish I could find it.
June 5, 2022
**2.5/5 stars**

Poppy needs money to go to college and she lets her friend talk her into giving her virginity for money. On the other side, it's Brad's birthday and his rich friend has a surprise for him. He's not really happy about the gift until he meets Poppy and it's lust at first sight and they hit it off. Jump a few weeks later, when she gets to her first class, Brad is revealed to be her art teacher.

This heroine was sweet and naive but something about her was so annoying to me. I get that Poppy didn't want to have a bad reputation or didn't want Brad to lose his job because of her, but there is always a way to make things work...you just gave to talk it through. I just didn't like how she dealt with the problem at hand.

As for Brad, he seemed like a very normal guy at first, but once he saw Poppy, he instantly became obsessed with her. He was possessive, jealous, OTT with some stalker traits...but he was a bit boring. I liked how he pursued Poppy, that's about it.

This was very generic. I feel like it's been done over and over. I liked the teacher-student trope but I wasn't too fond of the selling virginity part. It wasn't bad but I just didn't click with the characters and didn't really care for the plot. I just felt like there wasn't much depth to the story. I usually read a novella throughout the day when I have like five minutes here and there, during pauses, breaks and free time. By the end of the day, I'm normally done with it, but this one actually took me all weekend to go through it. I didn't feel like reading it.

✔️HEA
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Age gap
✔️OTT/ Possessive/ Obsessed/ Jealous H
✔️Sweet/Virgin h
✔️Teacher/Student
✔️No OW/OM
✔️No cheating
✔️Safe
✔️Push and pull
✔️Separation
🔥 Steam level: 2/5
Content warning
Content warning

Would I recommend this novella? Very generic. I personally wasn't invested in the story but I know some people might enjoy it more than me.

**Note that I do not rate novellas and full-length books by the same standards**
Profile Image for Granger McGringot.
1,440 reviews209 followers
May 30, 2021
When I read this, I immediately remembered the similar plot from Jessa Kane's "The Prize Pupil". It had the same plot and outcome. I wished there're some twist or complication for MCs, but none. So, I just gave this a 3.

Virgin h, celibate H
No condoms
No angst
No cheating, No OW/OM, No exes
Dual PoV
Safe read, HEA, Epilogue
Overall score: 3 instalove stars
Profile Image for Jen ♥.
1,278 reviews554 followers
July 1, 2023
Sweet and quick read.

Poppy (18) and Brad (30) met on his birthday party setup by his friends. She signed up in this escort agency to sell her v-card to be able to go to college. They met that night and they had ONS. But she left quickly to avoid the awkwardness of saying goodbye.

Two weeks later, she was late to her art class and she was shocked to see that her professor is Brad.

I have to say I'm really impressed with Poppy, she's the rational one between the two of them. She held her ground and maintained her distance from Brad. She tried everything to stay away from him, because she cares about his job and also about her academic standing. She's not a weak heroine and she doesn't let her attraction to him ruin her chance in college.

As for Brad, he was obsessed with her the first time they met. And when he found out that she is his student, he stalked her everyday to make sure she gets home safe. He even saved her from someone who spiked her drink. He was the main pursuer in this relationship, and he didn't care about his job as long as he could be with her.

Overall, I had fun reading a head strong heroine that never let her hormones decide for her. I really liked it too that she was mature dealing with life, but it's probably because she's an orphan and has been through so many foster homes.

Definitely worth reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for help.
502 reviews4 followers
March 19, 2022
after reading many poorly written novellas this is good for a change
everything you need for a quick escape ^^

but the FMC can get on your nerves, I know I wanted to stuff my unused braincells inside her so she can actually perceive things the way they ACTUALLY are, like her "best friend" is an asshole and Brad for fuck's sake does not regret that night
and omg I thought I teared up at every slight inconvenience damn these novella ladies are giving me tough competition
Profile Image for Viv “BookVixen” Gutierrez .
1,483 reviews384 followers
November 10, 2021
I normally hate and despise the whole “sell my body” trope, even if it’s the first time. Hate what it says about the scumbag willing to buy a woman. And the willingness of the heroine to degrade herself and her body, to let a stranger rut her for money. But Emma managed to somehow make this not gross. And for that reason im giving it 5 stars.


The hero didn’t solicit the use of the heroine, that was courtesy of his loser friends.

Hero wasn’t a manwhore which made it even better. No others, no abuse or cheating of any kind. HEA with epilogue.
Profile Image for ziyuan ʚɞ Reads Dark Smut..
1,032 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2022
Third book of Emma I had read. This one still got my heart, completely!!!

Mine . Fucking mine.

That’s all I can think as I stare down at this beautiful little angel laying underneath me.
I was the first one to claim her, and fuck me, if all I can think about is being the last.

The way she trustingly gave herself to me. The way she fell apart underneath me. Christ, this girl was the perfect virgin, fucking me back eagerly, stroke for stroke, her face the picture of sinful innocence the entire time.

I want to give her the fucking world. I want to know everything about her.


Ohhhhh!!! I am so in love with this one. Brad was a gentleman but became an absolutely ALPHA when he claiming his girl, Poppy.

I’ve been searching for her for weeks, and now she waltzes right into my classroom. My heart is beating a staccato rhythm in tune with my thoughts. My student. She’s my student.

The universe is a cruel bitch.


Karma is a b**ch. HAHAHAHAHA, turned out Poppy was his student, but never one second could he let her go. She was his since the moment he laid his eyes on her.

“So, professor,” I ask him coyly when he finally turns me over and sits me up on his desk to gather me against his chest. “What grade do I get?”

“An A fucking plus,” he growls, “but on one condition.” He looks down at me seriously before continuing, “No more fucking frat parties, and you come home to me from now on.”
I laugh and readily agree, “Done, but only if you’ll teach me everything you know.”

His eyes are like blue flames as he says, “Give me your undivided attention, and there’s much I’ll teach you, my eager little student.”
And then he kisses me, his kiss filled with promise. A promise that I’m finally wiling to accept.


Slight pushing away from heroine, because she doesn’t want Brad lose his job, she was a sweet girl, and I love theirs story so so much!!!

Dirty talk, alpha hero, instalove, taboo, age gap, super sweet sugar romance. ♥️♥️♥️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,669 reviews102 followers
April 5, 2022
Good

This was a very good and sexy story. When Brad and Poppy meet there is undeniable chemistry between the two even though the circumstances are less than perfect. Poppy desperately needs money and signs up to be an escort. Brad and his friends are celebrating his birthday and the guys hire him an escort. He normally would be appalled but the moment he laid eyes on Poppy his whole world changed. Before they could exchange details his buddy comes back with a harem of women and Poppy flees thinking Brad is nothing more than a playboy. They meet again a couple weeks later and both are surprised. Brad is thrilled and will stop at nothing to win his woman back.

Safety and Spoilers
Safe. h goes to a frat party where her friend immediately ditches her. She accepts a drink from a guy she doesn’t know and she ends up drugged. H stops them before anything can happen. I wish we saw the frat guy get punished for drugging her. H and h are interrupted by H’s friend when he busts into the room they’re in with a harem of half naked women. h thinks H is a playboy and she flees before he can stop her. It is mentioned that is been a while for the H since he’s been with anyone and h is a virgin.
Profile Image for LeMiliere.
2,744 reviews15 followers
October 30, 2022
My review is written voluntarily after listening to the audio version of this book

I enjoyed this quick, sweet yet steamy instalove story about Poppy and Brad their meeting may not have been what you would call traditional as it came about when his friends purchased him an escort as a surprise on his 30th Birthday. The escort was Poppy who had been persuaded by her friend to sell her virginity so that she could go to the same college as her. Brad was about to refuse his gift, that is until he caught sight of Poppy, from then on he was smitten!

But just as things were getting interesting, his friend comes back in with a bunch of girls and Poppy not wishing to be one of many took the opportunity to slip away. If she'd stayed she would have found that Brad only wanted her and after she left he spent the next couple of weeks trying to find her again. He'd just about given up on finding his love but then fate stepped in and he discovered she was a new student in his class.

Now he's her professor and should keep his distance, but he was prepared to risk his job to keep his love and even though Poppy tried to put distance between them Brad wasn't having any of it.
Profile Image for hottie men.
843 reviews3 followers
August 2, 2022
The Professor’s Obsession is the story of Poppy and Brad.

She basically sells her virginity for money and is hired to sleep with Brad and it’s insta love and they have an amazing night and she leaves without him knowing but he’s obsessed. He looks for her, search’s her up anywhere he can but it’s like she fell of the face of the earth. Turns out the next day or week, she’s in his art class. Everything tuned to shit but he still wants her. She doesn’t want him to risk his career and basically separates herself from him after one last fuck. After a couple of weeks, he gives her a D on a assignment and she’s mad because she actually did good and turns out he handed in his resignation and just gave the bad grade to make her come to his classroom. After the Dean talks to them, he claims her as his. HEA and pregnancy on the way.

Solid 3.5/5
Profile Image for Alida Hart.
127 reviews4 followers
January 18, 2023
Average

I've read a number of professor/student stories that are really good, they each have their own spin and depth to the characters to make each story it's own. I didn't find that with this story, the characters were very one dimensional (not shallow but not many details about them other than their physical attributes). Although the sexy scenes were a bit spicy they were also a tad awkward and didn't seem to flow the greatest. This story has some potential and with some reworking could be one that stands out from the crowd but as it's written now I can't give it more than 3 stars. Hopefully this author comes back in the future and reworks some of her stories that have the potential to be much better.
279 reviews
April 28, 2021
Short, instant attraction story where Poppy, a struggling young woman, decides to sell herself for a night so she can go to college. Brad's friends "hire" her for him as a birthday surprise. The story was short and had a happy ending. I'm not a fan of the whole escort, virginity selling, young girl pressured into sex work trope - even with a good guy and a happy ending. I did like the writing style, and how hard he worked to find her and keep her safe. He lost any likability for me when he went ahead and had her (in the back of a bar) instead of keeping her safe, but I guess that would have ruined the plot line..... I read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for kymagirl.
4,400 reviews60 followers
October 25, 2022
Poppy (h18) needs money for college and follows her friend's advice to sell her virginity. Brad (H30) is surprised when his friends buy him an escort's services for his birthday. He instantly wants the younger woman and things get very hot and steamy between the two, but he's disappointed when she runs off after a misunderstanding. Unable to find Poppy, Brad is shocked when she turns up as a student in his college art class, and even though the pair are attracted to one another he has a hard time convincing Poppy that he'll do whatever he has to to make her his permanently. Hot and steamy OMYW quickie.
3,800 reviews20 followers
October 29, 2022
Poppy wants to go to college but does not have the money and does not want to get loans. When her bestie suggests they sell their virginity, she is not sure.

Brad is surprised when all his college buddies make the time to be in town together, he knows they are up to something. When his friend tells him he bought him an escort, he has every intention of sending her away. Until he meets Poppy, she is all he wants forever. When she sneaks out before he wakes, he searches for her everywhere.

Brad could not be more shocked when she shows up in his class. He is determined to win over his girl.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jessica.
753 reviews
December 20, 2021
So so

I will say this wasn't my favorite short story. While I loved the alpha male and the somewhat(ok totally) stalkerish ways he had, I just didn't like the fmc. She was beyond naive and as a character who was portrayed as intelligent, she jumped to conclusions so much it was hard to read. Most of the short story was her refusing to see him so we didn't really have much time with them together. I decided to give it 4 stars still because alpha male, stalkerish tendencies and hot sex scenes.
Profile Image for Kirsten Pardini.
614 reviews5 followers
October 24, 2022
Poppy's for sale

An independent woman who's used to getting where she needs to go on her own. Decides to get enough money for college she's going to sell the most precious thing she has. But what if one nights not enough?

Sweet college romance with a touch of forbidden thrown in. Age gap ... check, professor/student... check, selling of virginity ... check, and of course stalking ;p ! Steamy romance with sweet intentions.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
274 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2024
A short sweet and very sexy audiobook. I always prefer a dual narration for dual POV MMC and FMC, but Erika Annette didn't ruin the story for me.

Unfortunately, I listened to this book on Everand, and I didn't get the epilogue that other reviewers have mentioned. Instead, there was a repeat of chapter 2. This was extremely disappointing, and I dropped one star because of the unsatisfactory ending.

I have experienced several audiobooks with missing and/or muddled chapters from Everand, and frankly, it isn't good enough.
April 16, 2024
If you like the old fashioned Harlequin books inherited from your mother, you will like this. I feel that this little insta-love reads should be sweet, easy and not too much drama and so far this writer's style meets my reading requirements without getting me all frazzled and pissed of with some jackalope imaginary H and doormat h.
I give this a 5 star or a 10 on my own personal grading scale.

August 28, 2021
I’ve been on an Emma Bray binge these past few days and this is another fantastic little story! Totally OTT, smutty and fast paced. Emma’s stories remind me a lot of Alexa Riley’s novellas. I hope she will someday write a full novel, because I would gobble that up like a mad woman! Five delicious stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1,365 reviews12 followers
October 24, 2022
Beautiful and cute

Brad and Poppy met in the most unconventional way when his friends set him up with an escort on his birthday and she does it for the first time to save money. Once they meet, sparks fly and the obsession begins. I received a free copy of this Audiobook via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Thea Kubicki.
473 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2022
Brad and Poppy

To celebrate Brad's 30th birthday, old college chums hire an escort for him. Poppy needs money for college and is willing to give up her v-card for it. Thus begins the journey of two wonderfully written characters and their relationship.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jocelyne.
4,437 reviews19 followers
November 1, 2022
I liked Brad and Poppy's sweet forbidden and age-gap romance. Erika Annette did a good job with the narration. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lauren Stockdale.
680 reviews
April 27, 2021
I really enjoyed reading about Poppy and Brad! They were a sweet couple and really steamy. The epilogue was lovely!
978 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2021
Good book

This is a short but good book. The plot isn't all the we can't love each other mess like so many books are.
Profile Image for Winter.
1,992 reviews7 followers
May 26, 2021
3.5 stars So much of this book was spent with the h either running or them having miscommunication that it kind of detracted from the story for me.
Profile Image for haze_books.
328 reviews21 followers
May 28, 2021
really enjoyed this it was sexy it definitely had obsession and the characters were well built for such a short book 😊
Profile Image for Christina Bowling.
1,555 reviews16 followers
October 25, 2022
This was a pretty good book. A few minor things I didn't care for but overall I had fun listening to it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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