Mirror, Mirror (Ashland Book 1) by Christina Nolte

Mirror Mirror is the promising debut novel from Christina Nolte. This is a low angst small town teacher/vice principal romance.


From the blurb:

After a life-shattering clash with his father and the end of a toxic relationship, musical actor Arrick Filan has no more fight to give. Running to the other end of the world and returning to his roots as a small-town teacher seems like a good idea. A temporary solution. At least until his new boss’s enticing smiles threaten to draw him out of the comfort of his shell.

Evan Miller’s a vice principal, adores teaching, and his focus is on his friends, his dog and his job. Setting eyes on the new music teacher at Ashland High has Evan greeting a quest for love with open arms. His relentless attempts at friendship and romance force Arrick to examine his past. Could starting something new with Evan be worth the potential pain? Arrick has kept his heart and history close to his chest, but glimpses at his passion for music and teaching make it impossible for Evan to turn away.


Molly Otto's review:

A well-balanced read from a new author. Both Arrick & Evan have distinctive personalities, so you are easily able to tell whose view you are in even though it's not on chapter headers (as a lot of authors do). A good introduction to a new small town school struggling to strive in a struggling town. The characters show a strong foundation where you want to see more from their story.

The writing style is unique, which is always a bonus to see with so many books out there. Appreciated the flow of the storyline that mixes tenderness with real-life issues. This does end on an HFN vs. a HEA that works and has you curious to try more from this author in the future.


SNik's review:

First in series (Ashland). Boss/employee. Small town. Hurt/comfort. Slow burn. Dual POV. Mild cliffhanger as the series continues. 

A new job, a new country, Arrick leaves behind his acting career and hopes for a new start as a music and physics teacher in the small town of Ashland in Southern California. Hometown boy and vice principal Evan finds himself drawn to Arrick, wanting to know everything about the talented, unwanted cat dad that is Arrick. 

Arrick is as determined to avoid getting to know anyone as Evan is in pursuing him, and once Arrick allows him in they certainly spark something special. There is an interesting secondary cast of characters, some good and some bad, and as this series intends to continue they do have major intersecting storylines with the main characters. Overall an interesting debut with likable main characters and some shared hurdles they have overcome and more on the horizon.


Mirror Mirror is currently available as an e-book, paperback and hardback and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription