Teacher of the Year/Husband of the Year – M.A. Wardell
Reading “Teacher of the Year” and “Husband of the Year” nearly back-to-back clarified what works — and what doesn’t — in M.A. Wardell’s “Teachers in Love” corner of the romance universe.
These books are unapologetically low-stakes, comfort-forward and structurally familiar. They rely on genre beats you can see coming a mile away: quippy friend groups, conveniently timed emotional bombs and a steady drip of spice meant to keep things interesting.
What surprised me, especially in the first book, was how much care Wardell gives to interiority, specifically Marvin’s. There’s an earnestness here that compensates for the artifice. At the same time, reading the sequel made it clear that this series works best when it’s focused on the start of a relationship, not domestic bliss.
I still don’t consider myself a romance-genre loyalist, but this duology reinforced what tends to pull me in – believable actions, restraint with conflict for conflict’s sake plotting and characters who evolve rather than just cycle through set pieces.
I’d still read Wardell again, but I’d be more selective about where I jump in.
Teacher of the Year
The setup is straightforward: Marvin Block is a neurotic but deeply committed kindergarten teacher who wants — and needs — to win Teacher of the Year. Partly for validation, partly because his school’s future depends on it. He’s anxious, still bruised from being cheated on years ago, and very used to being the dependable sidekick.
Enter Olan, the cute single dad of his new student. What could go wrong?
Going in, I expected the usual romance trappings — manufactured drama, lovingly itemized outfits and meals and minor characters who exist purely to stir the pot. And yes, they’re all here, including the well-meaning ex-wife, the conveniently timed ex-fiancé call, the improbably well-behaved kindergartners and the sage BFF.
What I didn’t expect was Marvin’s depth. Wardell gives him real interior tension, especially around passivity, validation and self-worth, and that carried me through moments that might otherwise have felt too glossy.
The chemistry between Marvin and Olan occasionally stretches credibility, but I liked the dynamic. Marvin, usually routine-bound and deferential, discovers a more dominant side with someone who’s accustomed to being in control. That role elasticity felt intentional rather than gimmicky.
There’s also thoughtful bisexual and pansexual representation, and Olan’s addiction and recovery arc is integrated without turning into an obligatory trauma subplot. Plus, there’s a cat, Gonzo, which frankly should count as its own narrative asset.
This is a charming, low-stakes romance that doesn’t pretend to be anything else and that honesty goes a long way
Rating (story): 3.5/5 stars
Rating (narration): 4/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: November 24 – November 28, 2025
Multi-tasking: Good to go. This goes down easy, but you definitely need to be mindful of where you are listening and what you’re doing, because things do get hot - frequently.
Husband of the Year
I picked this up largely because “Teacher of the Year” exceeded my expectations, and because the timing lined up nicely with a craving for something light and indulgent (it was also excellent companion viewing to “Heated Rivalry,” for the record).
The opening chapter is… a choice. Marvin and Olan at a Mexican retreat, having a lot of sex, very enthusiastically. The scenes verge on unintentionally funny, reading less like lived gay intimacy and more like checking the “spice” box.
Where the book improves is in expanding the ensemble. Side characters like Sarah and Isabella get more texture, and even without having read books two and three, it was easy to appreciate how Wardell threads Sheldon and Theo into the narrative.
My two main issues were structural. Olan largely recedes from the story, occupied with off-page family issues, while Marvin shoulders most of the emotional labor. The central plot — adopting Olan’s nephew — never really surprises. The sex scenes, which felt organic in the first book, now feel obligatory.
I wasn’t unhappy reading this, but it did confirm that I would’ve been perfectly content stopping after book one.
The audiobook narration is split this time between Kirt Graves and Torian Brackett. Graves remains excellent, but Brackett’s take on Olan—– especially compared to Graves’ established voice — didn’t quite land.
Thanks to Libro.fm, Hachette Audio and the author for an advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating (story): 3/5 stars
Rating (narration): 3/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (personal library)
Dates read: December 12 – December 18, 2025
Multi-tasking: Good to go. There’s more sex, but it’s so over-the-top it’s not even erotic, so you’re free to listen anywhere!
