BLOG TOUR - REVIEW: Pass or Fail by Barbara Morgenroth

Desires can be so deep and so demanding, that all sense of what's right and good and appropriate is swept away in order to fulfill those needs.

What does it take to pass Mrs. Gray's English class?

Evan Augustine finds out it doesn't have anything to do with school work but she'll make it about that to gain control. From insinuating herself into their rock band to who they see, Mrs. Gray will stop at nothing to get what she wants--her soulmate. Pass or fail has never been more of a threat in school or in life.

Buy Link: Amazon 

Author Bio:

Barbara was born in New York City and but now lives somewhere else.  Starting her career by writing tweens and YA books, she wound up in television writing soap operas for some years.  Barbara then wrote a couple cookbooks and a nonfiction book on knitting.  She returned to fiction and wrote romantic comedies.

When digital publishing became a possibility, Barbara leaped at the opportunity and has never looked back.  In addition to the 15 traditionally published books she wrote, in digital format Barbara has something to appeal to almost every reader from Mature YAs like the Bad Apple series and the Flash series, to contemporary romances like Love in the Air published by Amazon/Montlake, and Unspeakably Desirable, Nothing Serious and Almost Breathing.

Author Links: Blog l Facebook

My Thoughts: 

Andy has lost control of himself. This woman had stolen something from him, the instinct that had made Andy free, the part that made him obnoxious and contagiously enthusiastic at the same time. He had been fiercely independent, often reckless, and always gloriously bold. Now he was crumbling before her, doing her bidding, panting for her next pat on the head like a little puppy.

Having read Barbara Morgenroth's writing before and falling in love with it, I was super eager to read Pass or Fail. The blurb was really intriguing in that it didn't give too much away. 

The story centres around a group of school friends who are in a band called What/Ev. Their teacher Mrs Gray starts showing an interest in Adam one of the band members. An odd relationship between the two begins despite her being married. Through Adam she insinuates herself not only in decisions concerning the band but also in the lives of band member Evan and the girl he is crazy about Raf. Evan has an immense dislike for Mr's Gray but to protect Raf he goes along with Mrs Grays suggestions. It's at the school dance that Mr's Grays true intentions are revealed and her secrets are exposed.

She nodded. "Yes, you were very clear. Everything in life is Pass or Fail. Evan. Everything. Passing is so much more pleasant than failing."

Pass or Fail was a really quirky little book. Throughout the whole story I was trying to guess what Mr's Gray's angle was. Why the interest in the band and in Adam and Evan? And when her secrets were revealed I was completely shocked. My thoughts hadn't once gone in that direction.

I would have liked to have more of an insight into Mr's Gray. I felt the end of the story was a bit rushed and I still have some questions floating around in my head. I didn't really understand why she went about things the way that she did.

I liked that Evan cared so much for Raf that he was willing to protect her even though he didn't really understand where Mr's Gray was coming from either.

Pass or Fail was a quick read and although I enjoyed Barbara Morgenroth's writing in this one, I would have liked a greater development of the story and characters.

3.5/5 Stars!