I’ve been a huge fan of Rachel Lacey for a while now, so Learning Curves was high on my list—and it did not disappoint. This book is everything I love about her writing: heartfelt, inclusive, and full of chemistry that practically leaps off the page.

The romance is sweet, sexy, and so emotionally satisfying. The characters are wonderfully written—flawed, funny, and completely lovable—and their connection feels both authentic and swoon-worthy. Lacey does such a great job balancing lighthearted moments with deeper emotional beats, and the result is a story that feels warm, empowering, and impossible to put down.

If you’re already a fan of Rachel Lacey, this one will absolutely deliver. And if you’re new to her books, Learning Curves is a fantastic place to start. I loved every minute of it.

Arc Review

Truthfully, this was one of the best books I’ve ever read! As someone who is by this book was such a great representation of their relationship as a lesbian and bisexual. I absolutely loved how Audrey corrected Michelle when she got her sexuality wrong. Their connection was truly magical and I loved the writing. The author style was so unique and I truly enjoyed reading her take on art. I truly hated Stuart and spoiler. I was a little sad that Audrey ended up staying at the university. Overall, this is definitely going to be one of my top books of the year! I am beyond grateful for this opportunity! Thank you to Net Gallery for this ARC.

Ps. The Spice was literally so good! Couldn’t put that on good reads because my sister follows me 🤣

Thank you to Rachel Lacey and Montlake for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. ❤️

Oh this is the hot professor and student steamy romance you absolutely must read! Michelle was Audrey's professor in undergrad. Now that Audrey's back at her alma mater as a professor herself, she finds Michelle still teaches there. Only problem is Michelle is burned out. She's tired of teaching. Tired of her not interested students. Just tired. The once amazing professor Audrey remembers has lost her sparkle. Audrey and Michelle's story is beautiful and tender and absolutely on fire spicy! These two were made for each other! Lacey doesn't miss, and this one is no exception! I'm still blushing from the hot and spicy scenes. Will I read it again? You betcha! All the stars to this one!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

Thank you netgalley and Montlake for an advanced copy!

Learning Curves follows Audrey, who is returning to her alma matter to be an art professor, and Michelle, a fellow art professor who was Audrey’s teacher a decade ago and is now coworker. In the sake of all honesty, I probably would’ve dnf’ed if I had not received an advanced copy. The beginning didn’t hook me, and then I felt like nothing happened that made the book stand out to me beyond the premise. The romance was pretty instant for Audrey, whereas I wouldve maybe liked to see some more pining and stress over their situation.

I really wanted to enjoy this. The trope is one of my favorites. But the dialogue was just so forced, and it made the characters kind of unlikable, which in turn made me uninvested in their love story. The spicy parts were relatively good, though, if that’s your primary interest in a romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read the eARC!

Learning Curves is an adorable sapphic romance between Audrey and Michelle. Michelle is a tenured professor at NU, and Audrey was her student years ago (who definitely had a massive crush). Now, Audrey just landed a professor position in the very same department at NU, with their offices right across the hall from each other! Thus beginning a new exploration of a friendship dynamic between the two…or will it become more?

I absolutely loved this book, for so many reasons. I found myself particularly drawn to Michelle as a character and her struggles as a teacher (I majored in Education). Her experiencing a loss of passion, especially seeing her students becoming more and more engrossed in their phones than with the teaching materials, felt all too real. In general I feel as if all of the characters were really fleshed out and had distinct personalities which really helped with the immersion in the story. Also I HAVE to sing praises at the amount of love that was put into the Art history and various artists mentioned throughout the book, it’s clear the author has done a lot of research in earnest. Overall this book was such a breath of fresh air!

I don't think I could be more in love with this book if I tried, I read it in two days (unheard of for me) and was very resentful of having to put it down to do other things (like go to work, who needs work!).
Michelle and Audrey felt so real and well rounded to me, their interactions and the maturity of their relationship from (almost) the outset was beautiful and I was rooting for them from the very beginning. I also loved the deep dive into women in art we got throughout the book and stopped often to google pieces or artist so I knew what was being spoken about which made me feel even more immersed in the story. This book had everything I could have asked for in terms of grumpy/sunshine and age gap romance, my only criticism would be that I wanted MORE!

I could not put this down,, I loved loved loved this one, it was incredible. I think it may be one of my favourite Rachel Lacey books and as I have read nearly her entire discography that says a lot. We see Audrey returning to her Alma Mater as a professor and the professor who inspired her is still there. Only now her inspiration is grumpier and a lot less inspiring stuck in a job she no longer loves after bending to be a tenure professor and to keep her wife happy she is now divorced and in a job she hates. Enter her ex student who is now teaching her dream class which shes been turned down from teaching numerous times they do not get off to the best start. After spending more and more time together they cannot help but let it lead to something more, this book has it all the angst the steaminess. Who knew pottery making would have me swooning.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an early copy of Learning Curves!

Learning Curves is the story of Audrey who is a young doctor and just got a job at the college where she was an undergraduate! She is now colleagues with some teachers she knew when she was a student, including the woman she used to have a crush on.

I LOVED reading about academics and what is going on logistically! It was also great to have Audrey as the main point of view, but also to know Michelle’s perspective. I enjoyed the development of their relationship and also Michelle’s relationship with Muse.
Their communication level was amazing, which prevented the usual miscommunication trope.

The writing was great and the story flowed very easily. I read it all in one day!

I would highly recommend it! I’m giving it 5⭐️

I didn’t care for the two main characters Audrey and Michelle at all. The only thing I liked was that she made ceramics.

Guess who saw the cover and immediately requested this one because it was too tempting? Me. This was absolutely my bad. I do now know how I didn’t see the school in the back or put the “Learning” part of the title together, but this is a romance that takes place at a university.

I somehow didn’t realize this was a school environment, which I am realizing I genuinely can’t do in books. It brings me immediately back to college and I do not want to be back in school again.

With that being said, if you enjoy:
-Sapphic romances
-Excellent writing
-Giggles
-Wonderful character development
-An indulging story
-A book you want on your shelf because the cover is adorable
-A book that will make you feel warm and fuzzy

And you are ok with school settings, then you will love this one.
I can see myself purchasing this book in some time to add to my shelves, and I am really interested in reading more Rachel Lacey after this, as this writing style is luxurious and wonderful.

For me personally for now, I need to put this one down. I got to about 30% in and my brain was not enjoying the school environment, but I wanted to keep reading so badly. I heavily recommend this one and plan to pick it back up at a later time in a few years.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this eARC! This was such a treat. I am leaving this honest feedback voluntarily.

Just finished Learning Curves by @rachelslacey. This was my very first f/f romance, and I couldn’t have gotten a better book to start. From the electric chemistry between Audrey and Michelle to the heartwarming journey of self-discovery and confidence, this story had me hooked from the first chapter.

Rachel writes in a style that made young teacher Audrey and Proffessor Michelle really come to life. It made me reminding my own schooltime, long long ago.
Learning Curves is a great romance book: flirty, empowering, and full of feel-good vibes. Absolutely loved it!
I liked the carrier option in the book very much. Dont stay in a job you don’t like! When a door closes, a new door Will open somewhere!

Thank you #Montlake and NetGalley for the arc in return of an honest review!

Teacher x student and make it sapphic. HECK YES!

Rachel Lacey brings us an amazing story in Learning Curves. From the first moment we meet both FMCs, I felt like we were going to get a beautiful love story. And that's exactly what we get.

This isn't a high drama piece. More like a gentle story of two women who cross paths again in life, only this time there's a mutual attraction instead of one sided crush. We get to follow along as they face challenges with work, their family, and even each other - because learning someone new can sometimes be hard.

While I loved Audrey's bubbly personality, Michelle's ice queen persona really pulled me in. Especially once we got beneath the layers to learn more about her past and why she acted how she did. Each new fact revealed made me love her more.

Things I loved that might make you want to read:
☺️Tweed jacket appreciation
☺️Vermont setting
☺️Age gap
☺️Love after divorce
☺️An adorably cranky cat
☺️Character development (SO GOOD!)
☺️Spice
☺️Third Person POV

Huge thank you to Montlake and Rachel Lacey for allowing me an eARC via NetGalley. This story is well worth the read!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of Learning Curves by Rachel Lacey. This is the story of two professors at a New England College who meet again after prior student Audrey is hired by the school to teach pottery. This is a slow burn open- door romance. The side characters are fully developed and the story line keeps you guessing at how these two will work things out. The dialog is strong and funny - perfect cozy romance to read in the fall.

if you're looking for a cute, contemporary sapphic romance, this one hits all of the marks of a fun and quick read.

professor/professor
age gap
grumpy/sunshine

I loved the dichotomy between being a burnt out professor meets the new professor with shining eyes for her dream job. I loved that Audrey brought out Michelle's love for life again, too.

it wasn't so much an "I can fix her," but more learning by doing, I guess? I thought it was fun to see the ice melt a bit while Michelle found herself again.

The little bit forbidden aspect of Audrey's professor while she was a student felt realistic as well.

Thank you so much to Rachel Lacey, Montlake, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Rachel Lacey, lady, gentlemen and non binary people. I love her books so damn much and this one is not exception. Audrey and Michelle are a huge place in my art.
I mean… age gap, teacher x teacher (but once upon a time they were teacher and student, even if nothing happened between them then), grumpy x sunshine and ice queen? IT MUST BE CHRISTMAS!
Their relationship is so good I cannot think anything else. Really. So, so good. And I love Michelle so damn much. She’s so vibrant and full of life under the ice.
I’m so in love with these two I cannot even explain.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC of this e-book.

A fun, cute, sexy story with a couple that communicates well and no third act break up? Yes please!

I really liked the writing style of this book! At times I was unsure of the relationship dynamic but I did overall like this sapphic romance. I also liked learning about their jobs and the classes they taught.

Learning Curves absolutely filled my heart to the brim, and I am so happy! Rachel Lacey has delivered a sapphic academic romance that is as emotionally rich as it is delightfully sexy.

Michelle and Audrey? Adorable. Smitten. Utterly irresistible. Their chemistry leapt off the page, and their communication was refreshingly mature and there was no third act breakup or unnecessary drama, which I loved. In fact, one of the most standout aspects of this story is how much the characters respect each other, personally and professionally.

The spice? So hot. There’s a particular pottery scene that lives rent free in my head and is one of the hottest I’ve read in a while. Let’s just say... I may have blushed and needed to pause to catch my breath.

Plot wise, the story was solid and beautifully descriptive. You see everything from campus life to wardrobe details to the art history woven throughout. I could easily envision everything, and I really appreciated the depth it added to both setting and character development. The dual POVs were balanced and engaging; Michelle’s journey from burnout to rediscovery was especially compelling, and Audrey’s enthusiasm and maturity made her more than just a lovestruck younger woman. She was her own fully realized person with dreams, talent, and backbone.

Was the dialogue slightly clunky in a few spots? Yes, particularly for Audrey, but it didn’t distract from the story or the joy of reading. This was such an easy, enjoyable read that had me smiling, swooning, and rooting hard for these two.

This book is perfect if you’re craving:

F/F sapphic romance

Professor x former student turned colleague

Age gap (30/42)

Grumpy/sunshine dynamic

No third act breakup

Emotional growth and second chances

Steamy, art inspired scenes

Strong communication and mutual respect

A cozy academic setting with heart

This book was like a warm hug with a spicy twist. Highly recommend if you love slow burns, sapphic stories, and emotionally rich romances.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Lacey, and Montlake for the eARC of this book.