I just finished reading this story… and wow. I was hooked from chapter one and didn’t put it down for… honestly, I lost count. I stayed up until 2 a.m. night after night, and it felt like I lived through that entire semester with Corbin. I wasn’t just reading—I was in it, walking those halls, sitting in those classes, unraveling alongside him through every twist, betrayal, hookup, and heartbreak.
There were times when I hated Corbin. Truly. I thought he was despicable… cruel, manipulative, emotionally reckless. I kept wondering what had happened to him as a child to make him behave that way. But then I realized: part of my reaction was because he’s so completely opposite from me. My own college experience was nothing like his. Still, in the end, I couldn’t help but admire him. Because as the saying goes, we regret the things we didn’t do more than the things we did. And Corbin did it all. Academically, socially, politically, and personally… he didn’t hold back.
College has a way of magnifying everything. Our youth convinces us that every moment is earth-shattering, that every mistake or connection will define us forever. And Jwolf captures that exactintensity so perfectly. You can feel Corbin learning—about life, about people, about himself… even when he doesn’t yet realize he’s doing it. That level of emotional realism is rare.
And while it’s emotionally deep, make no mistake—this story is also a fun ride. The drama, the sharp dialogue, the absurd moments, the late-night confessions, the chaos of college life. it’s addictive. More than once, I found myself yelling out loud—“No!” or “Oh my God!”—completely shocked at a twist I didn’t see coming. There was even a point when I literally threw my phone down because I needed a minute to collect myself before diving back in. It’s that kind of rollercoaster. The kind that leaves you breathless, a little bit wrecked, and totally hooked.
Also… can we talk about how every single person who has sex with Corbin walks away like they’ve just seen God? I mean, the man apparently has magical powers. At some point, I stopped judging and just thought, “You know what? Put me on the list—I need to experience whatever the hell is going on over there!” Lol
Once I got over the initial shock of Corbin verbally tearing people to shreds, I actually started to look forward to those moments. I’d smile when he stepped up, jabbed someone in the chest, and said a number, that number being the exact count of verbal lashes he was about to unleash. It was savage. It was hilarious. It was so Corbin.
The writing is superb. Jwolf is a natural, a masterful storyteller. His pacing is sharp, his characters are vivid, and his dialogue is impeccable. But what stood out to me most was how honest the story is, especially the inner dialogue. The raw, unfiltered thoughts Corbin has, the ones most of us would never say out loud, are right there on the page. We’ve all had moments of insecurity, jealousy, petty thoughts, unspoken shame… and Jwolf doesn’t flinch. He writes them anyway. And in doing so, he reminds us how human we all are.
The fact that this story is autobiographical absolutely blew my mind. If I had lived through even half of what Corbin did, I’d be in a padded room 20 years later, still rocking back and forth whispering “Pete… Mike… Kevin…” So the resilience behind the story only deepens my admiration.
It’s a shame the story is currently on long-term hold, because The English Year is one of the most emotionally engaging and well-written pieces I’ve read. It’s messy, it’s sharp, it’s vulnerable and it’s unforgettable.
And honestly, I can only hope it’s on hold because someone is turning it into a TV series. It’s that good. It deserves to be seen and felt by a much wider audience.