The Freshman Novel

Novel: The Freshman

Author: Louise Collins

Genres: Romance, Prison

Released: 2018

Part of Book Series: Standalone

Summary: Nate Mathews is a murderer. Alfie doesn’t know the details of his crime, and he doesn’t want to. All he knows is Nate Mathews is evil, and his colleagues at Larkwood prison shudder at his name.

But Alfie has caught Nate’s eyes, and they start flirting in the early hours. It’s forbidden, terrifying, but arousing too. One whisper of ‘Freshman’ from Nate, and Alfie’s stomach flutters, and his pulse increases. Alfie knows if he reads Nate’s file his attraction to the criminal will turn to disgust, but he can’t bring himself to do it. He likes Nate. Nate makes him feel wanted, and that’s a first for Alfie.

Is Nate genuine? Or is Alfie destined for heartbreak?

Post’s Author Opinion:
Note: This is a personal opinion, it does not reflect YaoiOtaku’s official position towards the novel.

Second Louise Collins book I read and while it was a good one, it didn’t throw me off like the first one I read, The Psychopath. I don’t think one is better than the other, though. After you read one of them you kind of know what to expect since the setting is similar. I’m going to try and not compare them, instead focusing on just The Freshman.

There was not much character development, there are a lot of things left unexplained and I didn’t quite feel it. There was definitely chemistry between Alfie and Nate, but it didn’t get me riled up, so to say. It was pretty obvious from the start where things were going, but I’m not upset about that, I still enjoyed it; it would have benefitted some more mystery and tension, though.

I have questions for both Alfie and Nate, I didn’t really get to know the characters, to know what made them who they are. Alfie still has a way to go, he just started his adventure into adulthood, but I would have liked some more background. The info was scarce. I did get enough to make an idea about both of them, but not enough to know them.

Despite all that, I did enjoy The Freshman. I especially liked the dialogue and Alfie’s clever replies, as well as his reactions. The chap is pretty brave too. I don’t have much to say about Nate, I have more questions about him than Alfie, but he did have some good moments too.

At some point I am planning on reading The Rat which has a similar setting, and if I learned something so far, it is that I should keep my expectations low, but there’s a pretty good chance I would enjoy that one as well.

What’s your opinion on The Freshman novel? Please let us know in the comments below.