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Making the Grade Collection Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 446 ratings

Is destroying your reputation worth chasing your dreams?

The Dean’s List:

Grad student River Roberts is a high-class escort. Businessman Jonathan Ferris is a heartbroken client. Falling in love was never in the contract…
With graduation fast approaching, can River and Jonathan see past the price tag and open their hearts to true love?

The Graduate: Paul is charming, intelligent and filthy rich, but what he wants most is to find someone who will love him for what he is, not what he lacks.
Melody Harper shed the weight, but she hasn't been able to shed her insecurities. Her greatest desire is to find a man who will accept her for all that she is.
Can two people looking for truth in themselves discover even more within each other?

Honor Roll:

Grad student Luca Gregorio is leading a double life. Professor's assistant Mim Knight is following her heart. Will Luca's sexy secret ruin their perfect romance?
Caught in a web of sex and lies, can Luca and Mim find the courage to give true love a fighting chance?

The Learning Curve:

Sandra Tierney is a wide-eyed dreamer. Mark Hollings is an iron-willed dean. Can their rivalry turn into true romance?
Locked in a passionate power play, can Sandra and Mark come together for a chance at love, or will they end up brokenhearted?

Editorial Reviews

Review

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm the first one to review the box set wow and love this series want more of the dean's list series .By stacey c. brown on June 8, 2016

About the Author

Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping the love alive. Always a romantic, she is inspired by real-time events mixed with a dose of fiction. She encourages her readers to reach the happily ever after but bask in the afterglow of the perfectly imperfect love.
 
Kelly lives in Colorado at the base of the Rocky Mountains with her husband of twenty-five years, their two dogs, and a bird that hates her. 

In her spare time, she enjoys walking the trails and visiting the mining towns like Cripple Creek. She likes to think it's the ambience that brings her there and not the amazing slot machine in the back of the casino. 
 
In the winter, you'll find her tucked into herseat at The World Arena cheering her beloved Colorado College Tigers Hockey Team.  After several losing seasons she knows there's a win coming soon. Kelly is no fair weather fan. 
 
She has three amazing children, and she wonders how they all turned out to be engineers when only the creative side of her brain seems to work. She just chalks it up to the engineering genes her husband contributed to the mix. 

Creative minds need an outlet and writing books is where she focuses her excess energy.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07JW6W6TX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Book Nook Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 15, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.5 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 633 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Best Sellers Rank: #2,740,718 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 446 ratings

About the author

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Kelly Collins
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Kelly Collins is a bestselling, award-winning author of feel-good small-town romance filled with heart, heat, and happily-ever-afters. Her books are perfect for readers who crave heartwarming contemporary love stories, sassy heroines, and slow-burn romances with cinnamon roll heroes you’ll wish were real.

With humor, charm, and emotional depth, Kelly brings to life tight-knit towns, unforgettable characters, and the kind of love that feels like coming home. When she’s not plotting her next happily-ever-after, she’s sipping strong coffee and dreaming up heroes who are tough on the outside and gooey in the middle.

Come for the charm, stay for the swoon—and don’t be surprised if you fall in love with the whole town.

Click “Follow” to get updates on new releases, special deals, and exclusive content.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
446 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book series engaging and thought-provoking, with believable plots and well-developed characters. The writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer noting the author's unique approach. Customers appreciate the emotional depth, with one review mentioning the ability to feel the characters' emotions.

19 customers mention "Story quality"19 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the stories in the book, finding them believable and thought-provoking, with one customer noting they are about love found unconventionally.

"...Great stories. Compelling. Heartwrenching. Thought-provoking. What would you do if you needed the money." Read more

"Omg such great stories.Making the Grade is a wonderful trip of stories." Read more

"...She gives you believable characters in believable plots that take you away to a place you can really relax...." Read more

"...I really enjoyed all of these sexy but sweet stories." Read more

16 customers mention "Readability"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the books engaging and thoroughly enjoyable, with one customer noting they were well entertained for many hours.

"Great read, not the normal expected find. Most engaging, looking forward to reading more by Kelly Collins. I'm glad I discovered her books!" Read more

"Kelly Collins is a very good author. Nothing complicated or confusing about her books." Read more

"...This book was intriguing, captivating, so very sweet that deals with some major issues. *..." Read more

"...I also loved the notes with tea each morning. It is a wonderful love story...." Read more

11 customers mention "Writing style"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the books, with one noting how each book has its own distinct vibe.

"I thoroughly enjoyed this series. The characters were relatable and well written. The stories were a good mix of humor and seriousness...." Read more

"...Ms. Collins has a very gifted talent to story writing that you will love as she hooks you from the first page. The Dean's List –..." Read more

"...I absolutely loved the writing style. It was fast moving and most interesting...." Read more

"...Going to check out more books by this author. The writing flowed very well. True author...." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the books, with one customer highlighting their favorite female character of the year.

"...She gives you believable characters in believable plots that take you away to a place you can really relax...." Read more

"...I loved River. She was such a strong character. Then, there was Jonathan. He was a wealthy, sexy, lonely man after loosing his wife to cancer...." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed this series. The characters were relatable and well written. The stories were a good mix of humor and seriousness...." Read more

"...As with everything by this author I fell in love with every character and was hooked from page one!..." Read more

5 customers mention "Emotion level"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, with several mentioning they could feel the emotions, and one describing it as heartwrenching.

"...It's an amazing series. Filled with action, love and sorrows. It is well entertained for many hours. I can certainly recommend it." Read more

"...With well placed words, you actually could feel the emotions. That's what a well written love story should be like. My son is an writer/ editor...." Read more

"...Great stories. Compelling. Heartwrenching. Thought-provoking. What would you do if you needed the money." Read more

"These stories took me on an emotional roller coaster ride right along with the main characters...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2017
    It is very easy to get lost in one of Ms. Collins books. She gives you believable characters in believable plots that take you away to a place you can really relax. You can easily fall in love or even hate these people for one reason or another which is what the author wants you to do. At times you find yourself cheering or yelling at them other times you smile and maybe chuckle. Ms. Collins has a very gifted talent to story writing that you will love as she hooks you from the first page.
    The Dean's List –
    River is having a very hard time paying her way through grad school just trying to pay her bills and trying to survive. Her friend has a way to help her she has everything that is needed to make the Dean’s List. This is a club full of secrets and can leave on very lonely as River finds out.

    Jonathan is a widow who isn’t looking for love he is a very well to do member of society that is lonely and wants some company. He is up front with River they both agree on the deal and life goes on until they find their feelings changing for each other. The trouble is he is paying for her time and she doesn’t belong to just him.

    Something happen in the story that starts tearing them apart. Both have secrets will this be the end of their relationship or will they pull together help the other to find there is more to this?

    The Graduate –
    This is Paul’s story it is full of insecure of two people who feel they are lacking and won’t find someone to love. Melody can’t stand to look in the mirror she feels she is overweight really full insecurities as she struggling putting herself through school being a waitress. Paul is a very successful and wealthy financier who has his own issues. He wants to find someone who will love him as he is until than if that time ever comes he will be the member of the Dean’s List. As these two meet and go through some missteps they find they make an connection and have a lot in commend but will they find enough to help each other through their insecurities or are they just putting in time.

    Honor Roll

    Its Luca turn he is a male escort who wants to be debt free when he graduates. Being a gigolo is downright shameful, tiring and not as easy as it is for women. Things must stay up and it is getting harder to keep it up. Then he meets Mim and his life changes the question is will he be able to keep Mim when she finds out what he does for a living? Religion plays a big larger part in this story as do their parents. This book was intriguing, captivating, so very sweet that deals with some major issues.
    *
    This is a wonderful box-set some stories I liked better than others but as a whole it is just delightful.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2017
    Making the grade contains three stories that stand alone but connect. The first story is about grad student River. She's barely making ends meet and a friend tells her about a position through a group called The Dean's List. A position linking college students with high powered men and women looking for companionship aka escort service. Her friend warns River to never fall for her mentor but as soon as she meets Jonathan it's too late. The second is Paul's story. He's s former mentor of River but he wants a real relationship. River set him on the right track by introducing him to Melody but his insecurities could destroy his chance at happiness. The final story belongs to Luca, a classmate of River's. He is a man with a plan and that's to graduate debt free with a job and nothing is going to change that until he meets Mim his professor's TA. His only problem is how does he have a real relationship while working as a male escort? I really enjoyed all of these sexy but sweet stories.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2017
    These books center around The Dean's List, a group of graduate students that their job is to provide "anything" that wealthy alumni wanted, in return for lots of money to get rid zof their debt and meeting people that could give them assistance after graduation in their field, but each was very different.  This is three books that I really enjoyed, and they are all together in this set.

    The Dean's List

    There are lots of time while reading this book, that I would be laughing out loud.  Other times, it was much more serious in nature, which gave a great balance.  I loved River.  She was such a strong character.  Then, there was Jonathan.  He was a wealthy, sexy, lonely man after loosing his wife to cancer.  No matter how many times, River's friend, Jade, warned her not to fall for any of her clients, I was right there hoping right along with her, that she and Jonathan would fall in love with each other.  It is a wonderful story.

    The Graduate

    We met Paul in The Dean's List when he was one of River's clients.  She helped him build his self confidence by showing him that he could still please a woman, even if his "equipment" was really small.  Then he goes out with Melody, that has lost a lot of weight, but she also has low self confidence because of her looks.   So what happens when two people with low self esteem get together, read it to find out.

    Honor Roll

    Luka is an escort trying to graduate debt free.  Everything is fine until he meets Mim.  I loved both characters.  They are both very strong people.  I do not like to include spoilers, but I have to say I loved that Luka did not want to make love to Mim until he was no longer an escort.  I also loved the notes with tea each morning.  It is a wonderful love story.
     
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2017
    Making the grade is a fantastic book package. It starts with The Dean's list is about the young River are struggling financially to get through her university time. Through a friend she gets a job. The Dean's list a university society att offers alumni anything they desire. But a job as prostitutes is harder than she expects especially when one falls in love with a customer. the next book is The graduate who is about Paul. Paul is one of Rivers previous customers. Rich and with the heart in the right place. He's looking for love one who loves him for who he is. Melody is a waitress and have low self-esteem but when she meets Paul, everything's changed. The last book is Honor Roll. It's about Luca one of Rivers colleagues. Luca is a sexy Italian woman whose greatest desire is to be debt free before he is done at the university. His job he has held for years without major problems but when he falls in love with a young girl he gets problems. How do you tell his girlfriend that you are excort. It's an amazing series. Filled with action, love and sorrows. It is well entertained for many hours. I can certainly recommend it.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Karen Galloway
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2017
    I'm new to Kelly Collins' books and I really enjoyed this set. It kept me engrossed throughout. I really enjoyed the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This set has romance and heartbreak and is an intriguing set and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author soon.
  • Louise Fowler
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on January 26, 2017
    an okay read
  • Kristen Lewendon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Is the risk worth the reward?
    Reviewed in Canada on February 19, 2017
    The Dean's List
    I did not want to set this book down. Things like my day job, food, sleep; I saw these as inconveniences keeping me from the book. I am amazed and humbled by the author's ability to write emotion. This book is filled with it. Love, hate, lust, contempt, joy all sparkle through the carefully chosen words that create the secret society of the Dean's List. The characters are so complex and their environment so lush that you feel as if you've been there and know these people well. Their pain was my pain and their triumphs made my heart sing. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
    The Graduate
    The big emotions from the first book continue on in this little interlude. For such a little book it packs a heck of a punch. This is a good reminder that just about all of us have scars. And baggage. That what we show to the world seldom is all that we are. As a woman with more rubenesque proportions, I feel Melody's pain acutely. While I don't have the anatomy to fully understand Paul's situation, I can sympathize with his insecurities. I love how hard both of them work to show how attractive they find one another.
    Honor Roll
    I wouldn't have thought it was possible, but somehow this one has even more emotion packed into the pages than the first book. Luca is so much more than we'd been allowed to see in The Dean's List, and more than he even realizes himself. I loved watching his journey of self-discovery; learning what was worth the payoff and what risks didn't justify the rewards. I was firmly invested in seeing his happily-ever-after, especially after seeing how much work he had to put in for it. Mim is such a sassy little spitfire that I know she's going to keep him on his toes long after this book is over.
  • Tibule
    3.0 out of 5 stars lu 2 histoires sur 3
    Reviewed in France on January 30, 2017
    Bon, la première histoire, j'ai eu du mal jusqu'aux 3/4 parce que c'était rien de moins que de la promo pour la prostitution... de luxe évidemment, mais n'empêche. Puis, le super plan que la prostitution serait le pied et la solution idéale pour financer ses études part en cacahuète et ça allait un peu mieux pour mon sens moral. L'histoire est vue uniquement du point de vue de l'héroïne. C'était pas mal.
    Je me suis laissée tenter par la deuxième histoire assez courte parce que le héros que l'on avait vu dans la première histoire m'intriguait et c'était de son point de vue. j'ai bien aimé.
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  • Deborah
    4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 to 4* River, Paul and Luca
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2017
    I read 'The Dean's List' last year and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it I had considered continuing on with this at the time but my to-read was huge and I couldn't really justify buying another book so I left it but now all three books are free.

    The Dean's List - 4 stars

    I wasn't sure I was going to like this book and I suspect a lot of people might not because basically it's about prostitution, it's dressed up but there's no hiding it, not that it makes any effort to do so.
    River is struggling financially she's working and studying and falling further and further behind it's got to the point where she needs to decide if she should eat or ride the bus.
    Her friend Jade offers her a solution by mentioning the Dean’s List, the Dean’s List is about students seeking ‘sponsorship’ from members in their field of study and these members can be very ‘accommodating' and in return you see to their needs.
    Basically intelligent good looking students can sign up to the Dean's List, their picture is put online for the exclusive clientele to pick from.
    I wasn't sure I'd like it and I did wonder if was smut packaged differently (not that there's anything wrong with that sometimes smut is just what you're looking for) it turns out I really enjoyed this. I liked the characters, River has good reasons for signing up but struggles at times with her decision, I really liked her and the men in her life and I'm so glad one of them in particular gets his own book/novella 'The Graduate' which I'm reading next. Well I was going to read it next but for some reason unlike this book and the one after it's not on KU which I find surprisingly.
    This book surprised me, it was more than I expected and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Jonathan was charismatic and intriguing and from the first moment I wanted them to work out but is that even an option?
    Men (and women) have different reasons for using this service Jonathan makes it clear up front
    "I was married and lost my wife to cancer several years ago. She was irreplaceable. I don’t want the entanglements of a relationship. I’m not interested in pleasing a woman in every aspect of her life. I’m not interested in experiencing the kind of pain I felt when Claire died in my arms.”
    So River knows without a doubt not to think of this as a relationship it's a business arrangement pure and simple, even if she wants it to be so much more.

    The Graduate - 2 stars

    Paul was always a lonely sweet guy, he's in his thirties and has never had a girlfriend, he's rich and successful but he has an incredibly small penis, thumb size and it's ruined his life.
    River (The Dean's List) is the only woman who's ever helped him and the advice she gave has instilled him with the confidence to actually try and date but he knows he needs to win Melody over before he reveals his problem.
    This is a short read, both characters are nice and I was happy to see Paul finally dating but it all fell kind of flat, there wasn't much here and I know Melody has her issues but she started to annoy me with her lack of trust and always jumping to the wrong conclusion.

    The Honor Roll - 3 stars

    Having liked Luca in 'The Dean's List' I was looking forward to his book my only reservation was I assumed, from what I knew of Luca (his clients were all older ladies) and the blurb:
    (Cultured and beautiful, Mim Knight isn’t looking for anything but a quick end to a frustrating workday when Luca Gregorio shows up on the other side of her desk. Despite his too-good-to-be-true looks, he’s different from the trust fund boys she’s used to. He’s fearless, genuine, and sexy as hell)
    That this would be older woman/younger man read and that's just not my thing at all so I nearly passed on this but I'm so glad I didn't because while it is technically an older woman/younger man there's only one year between them, he's twenty-six and she's twenty-seven so it wasn't an issue for me.
    Luca has been doing this job for a while now and it's eating him up inside, he feels riddled with guilt and while in the beginning he enjoyed it what he did now it's just a job, a job he can't wait to get rid of.
    Then he meets Mim and he knows she's the one for him but what chance does he have when his whole life is a lie. He's determined to make it work and while he compartmentalises his life it's difficult because he won't make love to Mim until he's done selling himself but how long can he hold out and how long before she either thinks he's gay not just not interested.
    I enjoyed this book I loved Luca and there's some interesting characters here, my favourite was Judith Kent an eighty four year old woman who wants companionship, she's a rich widow with a big heart and a great sense of humour.

    “Yes, I thought if you came over and organized one of my kitchen drawers, I could tell them you were in my drawers.” She laughed until the remainder of her skin matched her blush.
    "You hired me to come over and clean out your drawers?” This was a first for me.
    "Of course, did you think I wanted you to ravish me? Dear Lord, I could imagine it now. I’d be in traction until my death.” She walked over to a scotch decanter and poured us both a drink. “When you get my age, Luca, you have to find the things that tickle you. Telling my friends that you had your fingers in my drawers is fun.”

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