Christy Esmahan

won this book from the GoodReads First Reads giveaways.

This was a quick and easy read. The story is of Harvey Jones, an American who signs up as headmaster at a private school in Spain. The novel details the trials and tribulations of our protagonist as he sets about trying to make the school a better place. Of course being a foreigner (and an American one at that) he is met with opposition from the reigning crew of teachers and administrators.

This is the first book in a series with a somewhat predictable plot. Bueno provides the back story leading to the rest of the series. With this installment we learn who are all the characters and what the basic plot will be; primarily can Harvey survive the hostility and ruthlesssness of his environment and save the school.

With the focus more on character introductions than development, most of the cast comes off as clichéd. Overall Harvey is a strong enough protagonist that you know you have to root for him but it's not going to happen in this book, no, you have to continue the series to find out.

The author gives the reader clear details on the idiosyncracies of Spaniards and the customs of Spain. You can sense the continental essense in her writing and she does an admirable job of portraying Harvey as the Texan that he is without regulating him to a stereotype.

Overall a good read.… (meer)