This book has been on my radar to read for years due to how highly controversial it is. Admittingly I have put it off for so long because the subject just made me so uncomfortable. My fears were warranted. This entire book was HIGHLY uncomfortable to read. And yet…I couldn’t put it down.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Celeste Price is an eighth-grade English teacher in suburban Tampa. She’s undeniably attractive. She drives a red Corvette with tinted windows. Her husband, Ford, is rich, square-jawed, and devoted to her.
But Celeste’s devotion lies elsewhere. She has a singular sexual obsession—fourteen-year-old boys. Celeste pursues her craving with sociopathic meticulousness and forethought; her sole purpose in becoming a teacher is to fulfill her passion and provide her access to her compulsion. As the novel opens, fall semester at Jefferson Jr. High is beginning.
In mere weeks, Celeste has chosen and lured the lusciously naive Jack Patrick into her web. Jack is enthralled and in awe of his teacher, and, most important, willing to accept Celeste’s terms for a secret relationship—car rides after school; rendezvous at Jack’s house while his single father works late; body-slamming encounters in Celeste’s empty classroom between periods.
Ever mindful of the danger—the perpetual risk of exposure, Jack’s father’s own attraction to her, and the ticking clock as Jack leaves innocent boyhood behind—the hyperbolically insatiable Celeste bypasses each hurdle with swift thinking and shameless determination, even when the solutions involve greater misdeeds than the affair itself. In slaking her sexual thirst, Celeste Price is remorseless and deviously free of hesitation, a monstress driven by pure motivation. She deceives everyone, and cares nothing for anyone or anything but her own pleasure.
My Thoughts:
(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)
The above black and white picture that I took is of the cover of the book that I read. Note the boring cover. Apparently THIS is the other cover version which my library did NOT have…
So there’s that.
This book has been banned at many bookstores across the globe. Others have agreed to stock it but only with a warning sticker affixed to the cover warning patrons that this book is only appropriate if you are over the age of 18.
I’m over 18 (way over). I read it. And while I was reading, the same questions kept repeating themselves in my head:
What the HELL am I reading???
HOW do books like this even get written in the first place?
How do authors even come UP with ideas like this?
How do publishers agree to publish books like this?
If you have a preteen or a teenage son, I would highly recommend skipping this book. Someone on my Facebook page mentioned that she has a 14 year old son and wanted to know my opinion on if she should read this or not. I told her NO! I have a 3 year old son and this book was tough for me to read. There is no way I could have read this if my son were older.
Also, if extremely graphic and detailed sex scenes aren’t your thing, this is NOT a book you will want to read. There are MANY of these scenes. Graphic isn’t even an adequate word for how descriptive and detailed these scenes are. Now I love to read a good sex scene and the more detailed the better…when it’s consensual sex between 2 adults. Reading detailed sex scenes of adults with minors? Absolutely horrific.
The publisher should be ashamed in publishing what is essentially a step by step guide in how to lure and groom underage children into sexual relationships with adults. Disgusting.
At the bottom of each of my book reviews, I link an affiliate link to buy the book and I make a small commission from your purchase. I’m not linking this book because honestly, I can’t in good conscience promote anyone to purchase this book.
If you do feel compelled to read this to see what the hype is about (as I did) I would encourage you to check it out of your local library (as I did) and not give the publisher or the author any reason to believe that creating this type of book and making it available to the public is ok.
If you do choose to buy it…that’s your choice but I truly don’t want any type of commission from such a disgusting and dangerous piece of literature.
I cringe to think what could happen to an innocent child if the wrong person got their hands on this book.
In terms of a literary review, the beginning of the book was so disgusting that it was nearly impossible to read. I absolutely hated every second of reading about how to lure a child (14 year old) into a sexual relationship with an adult. From the reviews I’ve read online, many people never make it past the first few chapters. The middle of the book was a bit easier (not much) to read as it focused more on the story and not on the intentional grooming of a child into a sexual relationship with an adult. The end of the book just seemed rushed.
HOWEVER…
Aside from the rushed ending, the actual writing in this book is fantastic although the subject is so, so awful. I literally couldn’t put it down and read the entire book in 2 days. I HAD to know what was going to happen next! I hate to give this book any kind of positive review but I have to say…I couldn’t stop reading. This author is definitely talented. I would be interested in reading more of her work if the subject was pretty much anything but this.
Also, I can appreciate any book which brings awareness and promotes discussions on otherwise taboo topics such as this. I absolutely hated the way in which this book was written to allow us into the mind of an adult who’s sole purpose was to meticulously create a plan on how she was going to molest children. However, the author clearly has enough literary talent to keep the reader interested enough to continue reading until the end. At least this reader. I truly couldn’t stop reading!
I’m so incredibly conflicted on how I would even rate this book and therefore…I’m just not. No affiliate link, no rating.
The only reason that I’m even writing this blog post is because I mentioned on Facebook and Instagram that I was about to start this book and I know that people are waiting to hear my reaction. I honestly wish I never would have mentioned this book to begin with…I hate that I’m even putting it out there for people to learn about. The very last thing that I would ever want to do with a book such as this is to help promote it in any way (even negatively).
Bottom Line:
The mother in me was furious reading this book. The former teacher in me was appalled reading this book. The woman in me was disgusted reading this book. The reader in me couldn’t put it down.
I would be so curious to hear other opinions on this controversial book. Did you read this one? What did you think? If not…would you want to? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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Book Coffee Happy 
I read the summary of this book online and found it very repulsive! There is no way I would read this!
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Would everyone here calling this book disgusting think the same of Lolita, which is lauded as a work of art and was even made into a movie instead of being banned. The difference is that the FC in Tampa was unapologetic whereas in Lolita the MC was portrayed as a tortured soul. But both, undeniably, did a wrong thing to minors, be it the male character from Lolita or the female character from Tampa. The only difference is the gender.
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This is exactly how I felt reading this – I just do not have the skills to put it into words like you did. And your ending statement is perfect: “The mother in me was furious reading this book. The former teacher in me was appalled reading this book. The woman in me was disgusted reading this book. The reader in me couldn’t put it down.”
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Thank you so much for this comment. I was nervous to post my review of this one and I so appreciate your support! Xo!
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Thanks for the warning and for taking one for the team.
Sincerely,
A mother of a 13 year-old boy
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I’ve got your back.
Sincerely,
A blogger who’s eyes are still burning from all of the disgusting words she read
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I try to avoid books like this. I just don’t feel like putting on the mind and heart of a pedophile in order to “understand” them. Others may disagree, and that’s fine. I also tend to avoid graphic horror books. I understand that there might be fine writing within the pages of these books but that’s not enough to justify what it does to my own sensibilities. I appreciate your review.
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While I understand what you mean, this book isn’t about “understanding” a pedophile. It’s about the psychology of female pedophilia, something rarely discussed or researched (and often dismissed). It’s fine if it’s too upsetting to you to read it, but I just wanted to say this book doesn’t make the main character sympathetic at all.
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I definitely won’t buy it!
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“do not buy this book” seems kind of short sighted. This book doesn’t glamorize or eroticize the subject in any way, in fact it’s my opinion that this would be valuable information for people unaware of the signs of grooming. It also lends a lot of perspective about female pedophiles/predators, something often not discussed nor researched enough. It’s fine to not want to read it because it’s so uncomfortable, but to suggest someone shouldn’t even bother to read it just seems off to me. That’s like saying “don’t read about world war 2” or “don’t read about crimes against women during the balkan conflict” because it’s simply “too hard”.
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“I honestly wish I never would have mentioned this book to begin with…I hate that I’m even putting it out there for people to learn about.” Yet you decided to publish this blog. “The very last thing that I would ever want to do with a book such as this is to help promote it in any way (even negatively).” Yet you did. But you mentioned twice that you couldn’t stop reading it. Just own the fact that you enjoyed the book even though the subject matter is horrific. You don’t have to condone something to be fascinated by it.
Yes, this book can of course be used by pedophiles to learn how to groom children. It can also be used by adults to gain an understanding of how this type of sexual predator thinks and behaves in order to better protect children. I think that’s worth pointing out. And let’s be honest: unless someone is shamefully ignorant, they know that pedophiles have never needed a book to learn how to manipulate. Some serial killers have reported in interviews that they learned how to avoid detection by watching tv shows about police work. Does that mean we shouldn’t have shows about police work?
As for this author’s writing ability… meh. “Shocking” does not equal “good writing.” I’ve read that this book has been compared to Lolita, which is laughable to put it mildly.
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Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Although we do not agree, I appreciate your point of view and I always find it interesting to hear what others think.
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My sister that owns a very established bookstore gave me this book, almost everything I read are her recommendations, or the books she sends me. I LOVED Tampa, over the years I read it three times! It’s hilarious! A great summer read. It’s fiction people! Take a chill pill! Want to delve in reality? Like what the Catholic Church has been doing to boys on the regular for ever? This is a very funny fictional story, very funny and well written. Don’t believe these reviews, a very good read.
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It’s really concerning when you say because it is fiction it is a good read and very funny…what about the subject of the book is funny to you? I didn’t find anything funny whatsoever about this book. It’s actually not a fictional story considering this happens frequently under our noses. And I read somewhere that the author did in fact get inspiration from a specific molestation of a minor by teacher situation. Are you sure you’re more comfortable with the story because you are into that sort of thing yourself, Joe?
If so, maybe you should be put onto a watch list.
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Hey Joe. Serious question and no shade whatsoever: What did you find funny about Tampa? I was grossed out most of the time but could not put the book down. I wasn’t laughing though so I’m just interested in what you found so humorous about the story.
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Tampa is based on a true story.
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it’s not fictional, though it’s based on a true story that the actual author experience If you look up the true meaning of the book
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I haven’t read the book, but as a social worker, the controversy has caught my attention. I don’t know yet if I will be reading it, but if I do, I refuse to purchase it. The reason why I would want to read it is solely to learn the tactics and ways of thinking of pedophiles, both male and female.
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In your case, yes…I think you should definitely read it. Thank you for all that you do!
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It really odd to me that you would write this review stating DO NOT BUY and know nothing about the book. You read the book. You were disgusted by book. There for the book should never be bought? That’s a poor way to review books. This book could be highly educational in understanding signs of abuse with the standard “male criminal, female victim”reversed. It’s also not about their relationship and how to get away with what they were doing, it’s about how the female mind works in a situation as it is not researched enough. Females can be just as predatory as males, yet society forgets that. There was an interesting idea I read when researching this book where if a girl is molested by an adult male it’s a horrific crime, but when a boy is molested by an adult female he’s a hero and the “luckiest guy alive”. Yes this book is a very uncomfortable read that made me want to throw up and not continue, but it was also very eye opening on a very taboo subject that doesn’t get the attention is should. You also say you don’t understand how an author could think of such a thing to write, it’s because it’s based on a true story of a teacher in FL who was caught. If you researched the book before you read it you would know that, which is something you think someone that is reviewing a book would do. Understanding the why it was written and how the idea for the book came about is important, especially when reading a controversial book such as this. You failed to do both and are basing your opinion off your emotion, as a reviewer you should put your biases aside.
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While I most definitely disagree with so many comments that you made here, I do respect that you have your opinions as I have mine. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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for some reason, I can’t figure out what to type a new comment, but to say the question where he said who can come up with this, this is actually based off a real story. Tampa is based on a true story about a beautiful woman with whom Nutting went to school who later had a relationship with a student. The actual teacher, Debra LaFave, who had an affair with her fourteen-year-old student have not read yet but very much so want too even tho I’m 17 and I have son my self I’d be jail with her because I kick her A**
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i agree. The ‘Do not buy’ is more of a judgement given out of an emotional view point of being a mother to a boy and hence, is biased opinion. And the suggestion to not buy it, rather borrow from a library is kind of disgusting. I hope you took the same stand in case of Lolita as well. Its ming boggling how women tend to crack down so hard on other women when they perceive the other women to behave in not so moral ways. I have not seen any blogger say the same about Lolita where a girl child was presented as a ‘temptress’. Now THAT was disgusting! And the guy was presented as a tortured soul who was trying to resist the temptress which was a MERE CHILD!! Basically the man in Lolita did not even take responsibility for his feelings. He just shifted the accountability to a mere girl child. Now that was disgusting! But everyone calls it a work of art and the guy is given a clean chit just because he plays the victim card. Now THAT is truly disgusting!!! And far more dangerous because it shows how men use victim card and even though they are predators, and indulge in predatory behaviour, they shift the blame on the women and other women just jump on the bandwagon and go all out on the women bashing.
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I hear that books like this are made to spread more awareness because this book is also Lia, Tampa, and lorita is based of true story / case Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita is one of the most beloved and notorious novels of all time. And yet very few of its readers know that the subject of the novel was inspired by a real-life case: the 1948 abduction of eleven-year-old Sally Horner. As. Alyssa nuttingsb Was based off her personal experience if you actually look up but true story behind Tampa
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If I hadn’t already read this the whole DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK and all that melodrama about not wanting to make money from it etc would have pretty much guaranteed I was going to buy it. I think most people who like horror, especially extreme horror, will feel the same 😂
Debbie
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I borrowed this book from the library after seeing a few reviews of people saying things like they had ‘made it thru” or “were able to finish” I almost never have issues with books and have read several books that were hard to get though. This one was a no go. I read 1/3 and decided I couldn’t go on. It was interesting to see how her brain worked. She knew it was wrong she didn’t try to justify it as being right.
I have a family member that spent time in prison for child pornography. I would never speak to that family member about that subject. Like seriously what the heck were you thinking. If this book is an inside about their inner thoughts it makes my skin crawl (even worse) to interact with them.
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Okay, I’ll definitely read it now, especially after reading these predictable polemics. Terrified of our own sexual shadows, we humans, these days aren’t we? My advice is worry more about the global starvation of children that you all indirectly cause, rather than a fictional (albeit inspired by rare reality) journey into the seduction of a willing semi-child and brainwashing everybody into thinking it only as ‘abuse’. I’d’ have been in a better place as an adult male if I’d been ‘abused’ in such a way in my adolescence.
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You are a sicko
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I loved it. One of my favorite books of all times. Why? Because the market is *saturated* with older man/younger woman stuff. I mean *everywhere*. It’s practically a requirement and an expectation. Seriously, now that I’ve pointed it out to you, look around and you will see it in nearly every real life and fictional (TV, book, movie, play) relationship. It’s so prevalent that I love to see any fictional depiction of something that’s not the same old boring, tired, status quo crap.
Furthermore, the more these relationships are depicted in fiction, the more we will break the narrative of “women can’t be predators”. Because admit it- you know the general population still doesn’t see it as a big deal and would consider the boy “lucky”. That’s the kind of attitude that allows real life Celeste Price-types to get away with this. Please encourage people to tell minors to look out for *any* adult predator, instead of relying 100% on physiognomy(assessing a person’s character or personality from their outer appearance) to tell who to watch out for.
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I was disgusted by this book and had no qualms about putting it down. Also a parent and teacher, this book was mostly kiddie porn and revolting to my sensibilities.
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“Revolting to my sensibilities”?
Well yeah.. people don’t only read books on topics they support.
“Pornography” is intended to arouse.. that’s the literal definition. If you think that was the authors intent, you are wrong & should actually read it. Almost every work of psychological fiction can be disturbing if you are unable to remember it’s fiction as you’re reading it. Having a front row seat in the mind of a deeply mentally ill hebephilic woman is something you don’t see every day bc so many people are unwilling to acknowledge its existence. I saw this as a warning message & it opened my eyes to how manipulative & sick these types of people can be.
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Do not listen to these people. “Pornography” is defined as material intended for sexual arousal. This is NOT that, but quite the opposite. It is a peek inside the mind of a *deeply* mentally ill, abusive, narcissistic & delusional hebephile who cannot help how sick she is (her perception is the right one, just like you or I). While it is certainly disturbing, it also puts you in the mind of someone who’s attracted to underage people & shows you what their thought process is.. the manipulation, the lengths they go to, to quell their desires. This is a work of fiction & while you need to remind yourself of that throughout the book, you should also be mindful that these ppl really do exist. It’s almost like a warning message to those who don’t understand hebephiles or don’t think women can be one. It’s one of the most well-written books I’ve read & I look forward to reading more from her.
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Also, it’s ridiculous that whoever wrote this article says they couldn’t put the book down but says we shouldn’t give the author our money. This is someone’s hard work.. telling ppl not to pay for it is asinine. Literature is a form of art & art shouldn’t be censored. No one is forcing anyone to read things they don’t want to.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts. While I most definitely do not agree with them, I do appreciate that you took the time to share them.
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Just finished reading this. The subject matter intrigued me because it’s a subject which isn’t really acknowledged (although ‘Notes On A Scandal’ by Zoë Heller did and I think in a better way). When I checked out the description on Amazon I noticed it mentioned it being a satire, so thought I’d give it a go.
I’m not sure I’d really class it as a satire – I feel like if there’d been more on the perpetrator and her court case after she’s been discovered it could have been one – there’s a great bit where she’s hugging her lawyer and they’re acting like it’s a great day for justice she’s not going to jail when she’s clearly guilty as sin. But this part of the book is all in the last 50 pages or so.
It reminded me in places of American Psycho but without the humour attacking the society that earns the shocking bits (and in AP those shocking bits don’t come in until about 100 pages in). So it puts you in the head of a hypersexual statutory rapist who deludes herself there’s nothing wrong about what she’s doing; but then sticks a little too much to the real life story it’s based on to go to any true satirical exaggerations.
I mainly stuck with it wanting to see how she got her comeuppance, and for me the best bits as I say were crammed at the end – but it kept me reading because even if I felt like the plot and other characters didn’t always feel interesting the author really nailed the internal voice of an evil predator.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
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OMG people! please do your homework! If Nutting ( me thinks this name is made up wordplay ) is to be faulted for anything it’s for ripping this story directly from the Tampa newspapers regarding the actual case involving Debra Lafave and her ” relations” with a fourteen year old male student. This reads almost to the day of the events prior to her arrest. shame Alissa. But even more shame to the author of this piece who is pious to publish her real name. Would she like us to start burning books because they offend her! Sorta reminds me of Florida’s wacked out governor! Mark Cohen
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Oh and one more thing.The newer cover is a double entendre only it’s in a picture rather then word form.
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um, shud i read it?
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NEVER allow anyone to effect your right to reject censorship! Yes, if you want to, by all means read it.
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I 100% understand why this is shocking to people. But the truth is, it happens and it happens more often than you think. Watching the news you hear about teachers abusing their positions. If anything, we should all be aware of what a person depraved enough to abuse children thinks and does. This author did not just dream this up. If anything, I commend her bravery and that of the publisher because they knew publishing something so real and raw would undoubtedly cause an outcry from those who are more inclined to be enraged than being willing to seeing the bigger picture. Anyone who reads this and thinks erotica definitely has their mind in the gutter. The subject is repulsive. The writer conveys it as such, through the eyes of a character who sees nothing wrong with it. That’s what a good writer does. They make you feel powerful emotions. Not every emotion is warm and fuzzy.
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https://canadiancrc.com/FEMALE_TEACHER_SEX_OFFENDERS-SEXUAL_ASSAULT_Female_Sexual_Predators-RAPE_MALES.aspx
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Tampa is meant to be disturbing, it’s not proud of it. The author wrote it to make you disturbed. That was the lessons. Do not read is misleading, yes it’s horrible, yes it shows grooming, but stuff like that happens in real life. The author is not saying it’s good, if somebody reads the book and took that away they’re dumb. It’s disturbing to make a point. It’s showing anyone can groom and be creepy in that way.
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