What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

Spoilers.
The literature professor and student (Whitney?) were relatively close in age, like ten years apart or so iirc. Another student had a blatantly obvious crush on the professor. I think her name was Prudence? She was supposed to be annoying and obnoxiously forward, but all I could think while reading it was, "The author wrote her this way because MC got to the professor romantically first." The author was trying to set up a rivalry between the two women for the professor's affections, and I remember disliking it.

The professor, who was tall and possibly with first initial H, let his student girlfriend help grade papers as their relationship progressed. She dropped a paper in shock when she saw it: "(Prudence) had drawn hearts around her name in the upper right corner of the paper, signed as 'Pru.'" Professor looks over at girlfriend and she somewhat flatly describes it. She was shocked that Prudence was still trying for the professor's affection and being so obnoxious.

Student and professor get married at a courthouse around the midway of the novel. A court messenger delivers an order for a paternity suit to the professor. "It's too bad when a man's hit with a paternity suit on his wedding day," he says sympathetically. Student is utterly shocked. It turns out the suit was brought by Prudence. Student storms out. She's understandably convinced her professor cheated on her with Prudence.

A chapter later, both the professor and student confront Prudence. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I didn't know what to do. My boyfriend left me," she says, crying. Professor and student essentially just grumble at this, then go ahead and get married. I think the book ended on a HEA, with the professor retiring after his girlfriend got pregnant.

I think this took place in the East Coast of the USA in the 1990s. I think it was a private university.

The book you're describing sounds like "Jane Eyre Gets Real" by Annabelle Troy. It's a modern retelling of Jane Eyre set in a contemporary university setting. The characters you mentioned, including the literature professor, student Whitney, and the annoying student Prudence, are all part of this retelling. The storyline you described closely matches the plot of this book.

Link for Sidney's suggestion.

Jane Eyre Gets Real by Annabelle Troy.

No, this is not it. Also I remember the book was a standalone, and someone may have had a name starting with M.

Bump

Bump

if you remember exact quotes, maybe try openlibrary's search inside feature?

I checked openlibrary before posting here.

It is NOT "love lessons" by Jacqueline Wilson.

I think this might be A Kiss Remembered by Sandra Brown/Erin St. Claire

Yes! Thank you!