I liked the characters (and not only because I share my name with one of them!), they were both interesting and passionate about what they're teaching.
Women in art is always an interesting subject!
I liked having both points of view; Michelle was the grumpy one and Audrey the sunshine (even though it evolves).
The age gap (~10) was not problematic; they are both teachers (Michelle has been for more years than Audrey).
Audrey is 30 and used to be Michelle's student. Nothing happened before, just a crush on Audrey's part! But now, some years later: it's mutual and none of them realised it at first.
And even now that they are at the same level, Michelle thinks it's wrong to fancy a coworker.
I'm not going to tell you all that happened but:
I appreciated how they managed to communicate and resolve their issues.
The intimate scenes were pleasant and hot to read!
and also: no third act breakup!!

The author did some research on women in arts and it shows! It was interesting to learn some stuff!!

Some parts of Learning Curves really worked for me. The main positive was the academic setting - I loved reading about art and art history teaching. I also appreciated Michelle's storyline of figuring out exactly what she wants to do.

On the flip side, the writing style wasn't my favorite and felt that the forbidden nature of Audrey and Michelle's relationship was resolved too quickly.

I'd be interested in reading future Rachel Lacey work depending on the plot!

Another gem from Rachel Lacey! Grab a seat in the classroom and watch this sweet former student-professor story unfold. A glorious workplace, grumpy-sunshine, age gap that’ll have you swooning!

I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Former art history student Audrey returns to her Alma Mater as a young professor. Working alongside her college crush, the gorgeous Dr. Thompson, is a dream come true. The British art historian isn’t the intriguing and passionate woman she remembers though…

I don’t know how she does it but Rachel Lacey makes me fall for her characters within the first two chapters. Their inner monologue gives such depth to them and makes them so very flawed and human, you instantly want to invite them over for dinner to get to know them more and more.

Michelle might be a closed off grump on the outside, she immediately reveals her soft insides to us as readers. She has resorted to living like a stoic recluse after her divorce, having opinions about everything but no one to ever ask for them. Bitter and resentful she is stuck in her life.

Audrey is relatable from the start. Beginning a new job, becoming peers with the people that trained you. You can just see her walk into the first team meeting:

‘Audrey checked in with her face, making sure she wore an open, friendly smile, because these people were forming critical first impressions of her right now.’

The historical and often forgotten female artists are an important side character throughout the story. Both Michelle and Audrey are passionate about their importance and influence within art history. It made me want to visit exhibits with their work and revel in their brilliance myself.

I love the way that Audrey, as an idealistic and bright eyed young professor, sweeps Michelle off her feet. She literally breathes new life into her and into the slumbering art department. Audrey reminds Michelle of why life should be a joy and that sometimes you might need an unexpected impulse to remind yourself of that. After a little grumbling she actually goes along willingly.

Lacey turns up the thermostat as soon as Audrey and Michelle succumb to their attraction. What I love most about that is that it is another opportunity to grow the connection between these characters and Lacey utilizes every moment. After such a scene you will not only fan yourself but you’ll have fallen for them even more with each page too.

Every new book Lacey publishes is a serious contender to be my favorite. Her characters are multi layered and feel like friends at the end of the book. I just can’t choose anymore! Learning Curves definitely belongs on that list. The cliche is absolutely true: pick up a Rachel Lacey story and you can’t go wrong! So, why not start with this one?

Learning Curves follows Audrey as she starts her dream job as a professor at her alma mater. There, she runs into her favorite professor and first female crush, Michelle. Michelle has lost the passion she used to have for teaching, especially when she learns that Audrey is teaching the class she has always wanted. Now forced to work in the same place, will something more brew between these two professors?

I have been a Rachel Lacey fan for a few years now and I think Learning Curves may be my favorite of hers so far. The academic setting she creates in this Vermont town was so cozy, and I loved it as the backdrop for Audrey and Michelle to fall for each other. Audrey brought out the best in Michelle, bringing passion pack into her life after her divorce. Their dynamic made sense, which can sometimes be difficult with age gap romances like this. If you are looking for a fall-vibe sapphic romance, I would recommend checking this one out!

Another endearing sapphic love story from Lacey. The wide eyed and bubbly Audrey is a perfect foil for the disillusioned Michelle as they grow together as colleagues, friends, and eventually lovers. I love the message that it's never too late to go for what you want and/or try something new which is laid out both in the career and personal lives of the characters.

Getting to read ARCs of Rachel Lacey's books is a gift, and one that I'm incredibly grateful for. She's definitely become one of my must-read authors!

Learning Curves is no exception to my love of her books, and I've got a physical copy pre-ordered as well so that I can have a copy on my bookshelves. It definitely deserves a spot there!

I loved the academic setting of the book, especially with it being set within the art department. This is not an area that I am particularly familiar with, so I definitely liked that there were mentions of real artworks that I could look up. It added a nice layer of realism, plus I got to learn something to boot.

But of course the main draw is the characters. Dr Michelle Thompson was probably my favourite of the two, and I loved learning more about her - both the woman she was during the novel but also the one that Audrey had known during her student years. It was rough at times to see how much life had worn her down in the intervening years. But I could understand so easily what made Michelle who she was. I hated that lingering effects of her ex-wife's behaviour on her. Also that Halloween costume?! I adored that! Actually the whole Halloween party scene was one that really touched me - especially the interaction between Audrey and Kayley. I found myself tearing up at that because I related a lot to Kayley.

Audrey drew me in a little less, but that isn't to say I didn't love her too. It was fun to see her rejoining her place of study as a member of the faculty. I did feel for her though as she struggled with reconciling the Dr Thompson she'd been taught by to the woman she was working with. Audrey's passion for her subject really came through though. Oh and how can I not mention the pottery scene? That was such a moment in the book and I would love to see that bought to life on screen.

I do love an age-gap romance, and I was a little bit sceptical at first about how I would find this one given that it was a lecturer and her former student but actually it really worked for me. I don't think I could do lecturer and current student though!

This is one of those books that I easily lost myself in, and I couldn't help but fall in love with the world created. If I could study at Northshire, I would in a heartbeat. I'd love to read more books set here - especially if it meant seeing Audrey and Michelle again!

Cozy fall grumpy/sunshine perfection.

I loved Audrey and Michelle immediately. I’ve always had a soft spot for hurt grumps and sunshine humans so these two burrowed straight into my heart.

Fall in Vermont was like its own character, adding to the cozy feelings, and warm burn of tension between the two MCs.

Every character leapt off the page, every moment between stoic, broken, Michelle and bubbly, eager, and passionate Audrey vibrated with emotion and possibility.

I fell in love with these two as they fell for each other. But I also feel in love with women in art, afternoon tea, pottery wheels, aloof cats, and with taking a chance on love.

What you’ll get:
•Sapphic Romance
•Tenure Professor/New Professor
•Workplace romance
•Age gap
•Grumpy/Sunshine
•Fall in Vermont
•Pinning
•Animosity (one sided) to Friends to Lovers
•Lesbian and Bi Rep.
•Tea and ceramics as love languages

“Resisting you was the hard part. Being with you has been one of the easiest things I’ve ever done.”

Thank you to Montlake & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

OMGGGGG, this book yall!! I loved Audrey and Michelle so much, they were so perfectly suited for each other. The way Audrey plowed through Michelle’s walls, to bring her out of her shell. The way they communicated so perfectly with each other, and always talked through every single one of their feelings was so refreshing. Their age gap hit perfectly, especially with the added plus of Audrey pining for Michelle for years. And they were spicyyyy as hell, seriously these two were so freaking hot together! And don’t even get me started on the perfect fall setting in Vermont, it was just chefs kiss. And I would be remiss if I didn’t include how much I loved the inclusivity and LBTQ+ representation in this story, it was heartwarming to see!

Seriously, I cannot rave about this one enough, and if you’re looking for a cozy, spicy, and romantic read you have to pick this one up!! This is definitely one I will be rereading so I can hang out with Audrey and Michelle again!

Tropes:
🧡Sapphic Romance
❤️Academic setting
🍁Age gap
🍂No miscommunication
🤍Forced proximity

This was so good! I am always on the lookout for a good sapphic romance and this one was pretty near perfect in my opinion. Definitely one of the best that I've read.

I loved the setup: new professor ends up working alongside her former professor/advisor (and former crush) ten years later only to discover her changed and beaten-down and determines to befriend her. Cue sparks. And it absolutely delivered on everything that premise promised. Even some hot student-teacher roleplay.

Do I love a student-teacher romance? Yes. This is adjacent to it -- close enough, but without the problematic parts.

I always love a good academia romance as well, and it's even better that these are art professors. And yes, the Ghost-inspired ceramics scene was hot.

*Thanks to Montlake for providing an early copy for review.

4.5⭐️

An excellent age-gap academia romance. It brings the trope of being hot for teacher/professor and carries it forward as Dr. Audrey Lind returns to her alma mater 12 years after her original arrival as a new professor in the art history department. Her reintroduction to her former mentor, career inpiration, advisor, and bisexual awakening, Dr. Michelle Thompson, however, does not go particularly well.

Audrey is not deterred. She makes it her mission to make Michelle her friend. Michelle, has become a bit of a pariah in the department since her marriage turned south, and her subsequent divorce. The way she's allowed that to permeate other areas of her life become an integral point in the interplay between them.

One of the things that I really appreciated about their exploration of their blossoming romance was Michelle's refusal to be someone who could even be seen as someone who was using her position of greater power over Audrey to her advantage, as is so common in so many places, especially with men in positions over women.

The excellent communication was also a huge positive point for me. The they made a point to make such clear, upfront communication such a paramount part of their choice to try to be together was beautiful.

The use of real world artists and artwork throughout the book, with one exception, was wonderful and leaves the reader with so much more to explore and learn in such a space that is not nearly taught to us enough. I am so thankful that Rachel did so much research into women artists and has provided some stepping off points.

Learning Curves was a book I was really excited about, but I ended up really struggling to get through it. Despite usually being my type of book, it didn't catch my attention the wayI wanted to.

Sadly, I struggle through it. It felt really slow to me (and I usually enjoy a good slow burn) but there was nothing that really kept me hooked, and it ended up being the kind of books that took me forever to read, being able to read only a few chapters at the time without wanting to put down the book.

I guess this one wasn't for me. I might try another book by Rachel Lacey, to see if it was just this book, or if she might just not be for me.

Rachel Lacey’s Learning Curves is a warm, heartfelt, and undeniably charming sapphic romance that beautifully explores connection, personal growth, and the surprising ways love can take root. At its core, the story follows two women whose paths cross first as student and professor, and later again when both are professors themselves. That initial spark, though seemingly fleeting, lingers across the years, setting the stage for a romance that is as thoughtful as it is swoon-worthy.

What makes this novel shine is the genuine chemistry between the leads. Their relationship develops naturally, moving from professional respect to friendship and ultimately into something far deeper. Lacey takes care to give their bond room to grow, showing how past experiences shape their present selves and how vulnerability becomes the bridge between them. The progression never feels rushed; instead, it unfolds with tenderness and authenticity, making the reader truly root for their happily-ever-after.

The characters themselves are compelling, each bringing her own strengths, insecurities, and hard-won lessons to the relationship. Lacey highlights not only the romantic tension but also the individual journeys of self-discovery. The story balances playful banter and flirty exchanges with thoughtful reflections on identity, ambition, and the courage it takes to embrace love when it presents itself.

Beyond the romance, Learning Curves celebrates growth—both professional and personal. Watching the characters evolve from their first meeting into who they’ve become later in life adds a richness to the story, underscoring how people change but connections can remain. It’s a narrative that resonates not only as a love story but also as a celebration of second chances and timing.

Overall, Learning Curves is a delightful sapphic romance filled with heart, wit, and emotional depth. Rachel Lacey has crafted a story that feels both deeply relatable and joyfully romantic, striking the perfect balance between heartfelt character development and the kind of chemistry that makes readers swoon. It’s a must-read for fans of queer romance who love a mix of warmth, humor, and genuine emotional payoff.

3/5 stars: This is Lacey's 2SLGBTQIA+ Steamy Romance stand-alone set in Vermont which follows a new assistant professor and the grumpy jaded British art history professor she crushed on as an undergraduate who find themselves having to suppress their growing smoldering attraction. But a wine-filled night at the pottery wheel puts their romantic truce to the test. Will they keep things on the tenure track or risk it all for love? Written in dual POV with heart and humor, Lacey's writing and character work are well done; the characters are well-rounded, complex and yet remain likable. Audrey and Michelle are great and I really appreciate seeing the two of them deal with their personal issues so that they can get their HEA together. Additionally, I really enjoyed the cast of diverse characters. I also appreciated all the pottery / art / art history discussions. This age gap (30/45) workplace romance is great, with plenty of banter and OPS scenes that are incredibly steamy.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Montlake in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Unfortunately I DNF'ed this one almost immediately. The writing was just not working which I found weird since I've always loved this author's books.

Delightful. Dr. Audrey Lind is thrilled to get hired back at her undergrad college as professor. She only has a one year contract but of course is hoping the position will become permanent with a tenure track. The professor who inspired her art and interest in academia is now tenured and still teaching in her mid 40s. Dr. Michelle Thompson doesn’t have the spark she once did. Her divorce has made her shy of relationships and her career has been stalling. The last straw for her is that Audrey has been hired to teach a class on women artists that she has been pitching and been denied for years.

Off to a brusk start Audrey makes it her mission to befriend Michelle. They work in the same department and have offices across from one another. While others see Michelle as guarded and unfriendly, Audrey realizes it is her British reserve. These two are lovely as they become friends sipping tea in their afternoons. Of course it helps that Audrey once had a crush on her long ago professor.

This is sweet, warm and just feels good. There is no big drama or last minute break ups. As a bonus for me, I love art and am familiar with the female artists mentioned in the book. The age gap is big but not in the ick zone. And it has the hottest pottery wheel scene since the movie Ghost. I liked their maturity and willingness to talk through issues. And the cover is perfect for this lovely story.

This was such a fun, spicy read - with perfect autumnal vibes for the coming season.

I loved the University setting and the grumpy x sunshine / black cat x Labrador trope was done so well!

Audrey is returning to the University where she was once a student to be a professor. It’s her dream job, the only issue is it’s temporary for a year so she needs to work her hardest to prove she belongs to stay. She’s working alongside the professor she once had a crush on - but Michelle doesn’t seem to be the charismatic and inspiring woman she remembers.

Michelle has lost her spark - she no longer loves teaching and just seems to be going through the motions. She’s struggling after her divorce and the fact her ex wife was pretty terrible. Sworn off relationships and pretty well established as a ‘hermit’ - everyone at the University sees her as unapproachable. That is until Audrey comes back into her life!

Audrey and Michelle has such good tension. That pottery scene!! I really liked their relationship - the way that Michelle inspired Audrey to be a professor when she was a student. And then when she joined as her colleague, Audrey inspired Michelle. They just worked so well together and inspired each other. So cute!

Overall a spicy sapphic read perfect for the autumn season.

ARC copy provided by Montlake & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to Montlake and Netgalley for a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 stars, rounded up to 4.

I enjoyed this one overall. I loved the primary romance and several scenes were quite romantic. But it was a bit more of a slow-burn than I usually like. I’d still recommend to someone who’s like for a good sapphic romance though.

Audrey is returning to her alma mater to teach ceramics and Women in Art, and is surprised to find that her new office is across from a professor whom she adored while she was a student there. And may have also had a big crush on.

I really enjoyed this sapphic, age-gap, "hot-for-teacher" vibes romance. I thought that Audrey's sunshine balanced out Michelle's grumpy and it was easy to see them becoming friends then lovers. I liked the art aspect of the story, especially how passionate both Audrey and Michelle were about lifting up women in the arts. And can we talk about *that* ceramics scene? Talk about steamy tension!
It was frustrating that Michelle continued to bring up her ex-wife throughout the entire book. I know her divorce was recent but it was discouraging that she continued to think about her and talk about her like she was still fixated on her and not the relationship. Audrey was a very supportive listener and deserves all the praise for being open about it all.

~Thank you to Montlake and Rachel Lacey for this ARC. All opinions are my own~

Audrey is starting a new job as an professor at her alma mater, and she is working alongside her favorite teacher (who she used to have a huge crush on!). Michelle has been teaching art history for years, and she is grumpy toward everyone. Audrey is shocked to see that Michelle is no longer the excited, enthusiastic teacher that she once was. As they work together, they become friends, but feelings are simmering for both of them.

Michelle is worried about their age gap, and she is concerned that Audrey was a former student. Audrey is 30, and Michelle is 45. Michelle is also getting over her divorce and working through the pain caused by her ex wife. Audrey and Michelle were so amazing together, and I loved their slow burn.

The setting of Vermont in the fall made this a perfect first read for the month of September.

It's a slow burn, but it gets spicy! I liked the slow burn nature of their relationship because they are colleagues.
I liked learning about women in art history and about pottery. There is a scene with a pottery wheel that is so amazing! There's also no third act breakup.

This was such a great autumn read! The vibes were immaculate. The imagery and descriptions were so immersive, like the apple tea and the way the car smelled. Sometimes the dialogue a little chunky though. Also, I know they were both adults and both women, but their relationship and communication was almost too healthy that it felt like story actually took place within Audrey's fantasy. I did think the college crush on her professor fantasy was fun, but there were about 10 too many mentions of the word 'fantasy.’

Now back to the things I did like! I really appreciated the message that it is important and okay to actually enjoy your life instead of just making money until you die. Preach!!! And I how much character growth Michelle had and how much she still learned about herself in her forties.

I also really enjoyed the art history facts! There was a lot of cool information tied in that didn't feel boring at all. I felt like I was actually learning from the characters rather than the author, which shows truly good writing.

This was a wonderful way to start my autumn reading!