I'm always on the edge of my seat when Rachel has a new book coming out and I am so happy I got to read an ARC for it (patience is not my virtue)!

Audrey gets the job of her dreams as a professor at the university she used to study at. She's excited about this for several reasons. For one thing it is a dream come true. For another she gets the chance to be a collegue to the hot professor who inspired her to become one!

Michelle has turned closed off and guarded after her horrible divorce. When Audrey walks in she is the exact opposite of Michelle's broodiness. I love how Michelle is mature enough to look at herself and find the root of her issues. Granted with a little bit of help of Audrey but still she does the hard work.

I was very drawn to Michelle's feelings and thoughts and I totally get where she is coming from although at times it was a little bit confronting. I loved Audrey's perseverance for her career but also willing to think about the bigger picture of life.

An ARC was given to me via the author and Netgalley in return of an honest review.

This book is an absolute gem. It’s layered, tender, and brimming with the kind of chemistry that makes you feel every stolen glance and hesitant touch. I loved Audrey’s warmth and spark, and how her joy seeps into every scene and slowly melts Michelle’s guarded, hardened edges. The age gap is handled with such sensitivity, never leaning into cliché, but instead offering space for vulnerability, growth, and rediscovery. The writing is smart and intimate, rich with tension and softness in equal measure. I adored it.

This is a typical contemporary romance, if that’s your thing then it’s definitely for you. I enjoyed the read, found it a little hard to get through but overall it is well written and a great love story.

RACHEL LACEY!!!! I cannot believe how amazingly written, thought out and heart driven this book was. I can tell a lot of research went into this book. I absolutely devoured this book. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to have an ARC for an honest review and to Rachel Lacey for emailing me that my copy was available to read.

5 stars all around. Learning Curves is nothing like Rachel Lacey has written before. I learned so much about women in art and the fact that she had two main characters that were professors of art but took a liking and favoritism to women in art history is amazing! Not only were Michelle and Audrey very likable characters, there was an intellectual connection between the both of them from the start with their love of art.

Michelle, recently divorced and untrustworthy of others since her ex-wife just up and left her, has been denied many times by the head of the department to teach a women in art history class. But, when a former student of Michelle's, now professor and co-worker, Audrey, is offered her class. Nothing sits well with Michelle. Especially the future of education. Her drive to teach young minds about art history is gone. She doesn't feel that urge to teach, especially since everything is being taken away from Michelle, like she's being forced out of the university.

Audrey, positive, perky, passionate and driven to teach her classes, finds out that she is co-workers with her past professor and college crush. Michelle wants anything but to be friends with Audrey, but Audrey and her insistent behavior won't let Michelle shut her out. Instead they bond over tea and their love of women in art history.

When Michelle starts to open up to Audrey, she realizes that maybe Audrey is the future of education because of her passion and maybe she should let people in. When one thing turns to another, Michelle and Audrey have to decide is their careers really worth losing over the true love they both aspire.

This is absolutely a must read book by Rachel Lacey.

First of all, can I just say how much of a fantastic writer Rachel Lacey is? She could write about eskimos and the intricate art of building igloos and I'd be invested. I loved the dual POV of Learning Curves and found myself drawn to Michelle more than Audrey. I think her reclusive personality is me to a tee. Audrey was so fun and refreshing though. Overall, the story was beautiful and cozy with loads of LGBTQIA+ rep that was well written and inclusive. I'm a sucker for a student and professor romance but this one was done so eloquently without skimping out on any of the spicy stuff.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Rachel.

As someone who works for a university it is always a pleasure to discover a new sapphic romance set in an academic setting. In Learning Curves we meet two very different academics, Audrey who is a newly minted professor who has been given a 12-month contract at her alma mater, Northshire University, and Michelle, a tenured professor in the same department. Michelle was one of Audrey's favourite lecturers when she was a student 8 years earlier and Audrey had a massive crush on her at the time. On her return to the university as a new staff member she is excited to discover that Dr Thompson is still there and looks forward to meeting her again on a professional footing. She is over her crush, honestly! However, she is stunned and disappointed to discover that Dr Thompson is no longer the engaging teacher that she remembered and that, instead, she is grumpy, and standoffish and definitely not the woman Audrey remembers. After a rough start she sets her mind on winning the jaded woman over and convincing her to be friends.

I loved reading the journey of these two women, wary of age gaps, and workplace politics and Michelle's frustration at losing the Women in Art class she'd been asking to teach for several years to the younger woman and finding more about the reasons why Michelle had lost her self-confidence and dynamic teaching presence. With so much in common in terms of their shared interests, particularly the place of women in the art world, it was almost inevitable that they would spend more time together. However, it takes a wine-filled night including a steamy encounter at the pottery wheel to really get things heating up. The question is whether they can overcome their fears of impacting their careers to give the attraction a chance to develop further.

There are so many layers to this story, and I enjoyed watching them unfold. I also loved immersing myself in the world of art and am very tempted to do more reading about some of the women artists mentioned throughout the book.

I loved it. Grumpy sunshine that could’ve easily fallen into annoying miscommunication, but didn’t. The characters were mature and they talked through their issues and it ends up in a sweet romance. Love this author and will definitely read more of her books!

What a lovely addition to sapphic romance series!! I had some issues with one of the FMC but I think it’s just difference in personality kind of issue. I still very much enjoyed reading this and look forward to the next installments

🥹🥹🥹 The story of Michelle and Audrey is touching and sweet. Michelle was Audrey’s professor and inspiration in college. She always had a crush on her. Now Audrey has returned to the same college, in the same department as Michelle, as a professor herself. Audrey is excited to reconnect with the professor that inspired and influenced her degree and career choice. However, Michelle has changed. Her enthusiasm for teaching that Audrey so
Fondly remembers is diminished.

Michelle has walked through some difficult times, a divorce and is burnt out. Her colleagues in the department aren’t fond of her. Her students aren’t excited by her teaching anymore and she has become an ice queen light. She is resentful Audrey has been given a course she proposed and wanted to teach. She is aware enough of herself to know she is projecting her disappointment onto Audrey. She also finds herself becoming attracted to this much younger woman.

Audrey is a fresh breath of air to teaching. She is excited and vibrant, the way Michelle used to be. Her colleagues like her and students are engaged and excited in her classroom. She is passionate about the material she teaches. And still, she is attracted to Michelle and curious about what has happened to leave her jaded.

As the two reconnect and space between them relaxes, will they be able to explore their feelings for each other?

I enjoyed the story and the chemistry between the MC’s. It’s a soothing balm when characters communicate with honesty and can take accountability for their part in dynamics. The spicy scenes were well done and moved the story along. There is queer,trans, bi, and lesbian representation.

I was given an arc through NetGalley and Montlake Publishing. I leave my review voluntarily.

This was a very cute and charming sapphic read! I binged it in one sitting on the train and can imagine it appealing to romcom readers and LGBTQ+ readers! There wasn't quite enough oomf or chemistry enough for me to give it more than 3 stars but I absolutely enjoyed it! It just didn't wow me enough.

this one was cute and quite unique. we need more sapphic romances because they are literally fire. i'll definitely be checking this author more in the future.

Rachel Lacey was the author that really got me into reading again. Her books are always a hit for me and Learning Curves might be one of my favorites.

Learning Curves is an age gap, academia, and workplace story. Audrey Lind is returning to her college roots as an assistant professor, hoping to get on track for tenure. Audrey’s passion is deep in ceramics but her love for academia was ignited by her former professor and now colleague, Dr. Michelle Thompson. However, it seems that the woman Audrey once adored has grown thorns around herself. Now divorced, Michelle feels that her career and life has stalled and to make things worse, the class she has been pitching for years is going to be taught by her former student. Even with her icy exterior and walls built up, Audrey continues to try to worm herself through to find the passionate woman she had crushed on throughout her college career. Their chemistry is palpable but how long can they hold off.

I really enjoyed reading Learning Curves, Rachel truly outdid herself with this one. The chemistry and tension between Michelle and Audrey was outstanding. I loved the way that Audrey handled Michelle’s insecurities and past experiences. I suddenly have the urge to get into pottery after reading this book, especially that pottery wheel scene. Ghost who? Overall, Learning Curves was a great read. The pace was good, some moments felt a little rushed but nothing that takes away from the story.

I highly recommend reading Learning Curves when it comes out. I know I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy.

Arc review!
What can I say about this book other than I adored it. I love a good student/teacher romance. Audrey a former student of Michelle’s and now coworkers ❤️ I loved the blossoming romance and what became of them. The chemistry was 🔥 and the spice was great too.
The way Audrey and Michelle were with each other made me swoon I absolutely adored it. This is now one of my favourites! Highly recommended 10/10
Thank you to Rachael Lacey for the arc

4.5 rounded up!

This book totally stole my heart! The chemistry was adorable, the romance felt natural, and I loved how warm and queer-affirming the whole story was. It had just the right mix of flirty, emotional, and empowering.

I flew through it with a big smile on my face—only knocking off half a star because I wanted more! Perfect if you’re after a sapphic rom-com that’s full of heart.

Rachel Lacey writes the sweetest dang books! And wow, wow, wow, the Ghost pottery wheel homage was some fine spice, indeed! Audrey and Michelle make such a good couple. They complement each other beautifully, and sharpen each other in the best ways too. Audrey's full of youthful idealism and vigor, and Michelle is burnt out and worn down from navigating the endlessly sexist and brutal gauntlet that is a career in academia. But in learning to love each other, they learn new ways of thinking about the ways they move through the world, too. They swerve and fall deeper in love with their own art. I think this works so well as a double POV romance. Plus, a second chance love story with a Cat of Divorce? Gay and sexy and adorable too. Another five star novel from Rachel Lacey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.

Rachel Lacey did it yet again! I am in love with this book as much as Audrey and Michelle love each other! Every time I read a book of hers I feel every single emotion as it’s described and it kills me, in the best way of course. If you love art AND sapphic books this is for you. The yearning for each other just kept me going I could not stop reading it I’m honestly sad I finished it. I can’t wait to keep reading more of her books! I’d recommend this a million times over and will re-read it atleast 2 more times as it made me so emotional. Thank you for letting me read the Arc I love it so much definitely one of my favorite books and I can’t wait for whatever comes next!

The story wasn’t my favorite but I didn’t hate it. The plot fell flat for me and I caught myself wanting to skim because I was bored. I enjoyed Audrey and how she wore her heart on her sleeve but I struggled to connect with Michelle. I was hoping for a little bit more chemistry and angst between the two. I enjoyed the art part of the book but it was very much focused on that. I will continue to read Rachel’s book! This book just wasn’t for me. Thank you for the advanced copy!

Learning Curves is a lovely, satisfying romance that feels both real and rewarding. Audrey and Michelle’s connection grows through shared passion, honest conversations, and a deep mutual respect that makes their slow-burn relationship really land. It’s a story about finding yourself again—with the help of someone who truly sees you. I finished the book feeling warm, hopeful, and not quite ready to leave their world behind. If you love character-driven stories with slow-burn tension, academic settings, and emotional depth, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Learning Curves releases September 2, 2025

Audrey is a new faculty member and professor at her alma mater, Northshire University. It’s where her love of art flourished, and where she gained the inspiration to pursue academia as an undergrad, thanks to Dr. Thompson’s mentorship.
Now that the dynamics between Audrey and Thompson have shifted from teacher/student to co-workers, Audrey is taken aback by the standoffish disposition that has replaced the passionate woman she once knew.

Lacey excelled in writing an academic setting. I loved the focus on women in art, the navigation of campus politics and committees, and the implementation of the transcription software which made classes more accessible.

I wasn’t expecting this to be such a slow burn romance, but it suited the characters perfectly. With Audrey’s friendship and general enthusiasm, we saw Thompson slowly rediscover her self-confidence after years of being belittled in her marriage and overlooked in a professional setting, which was quite beautiful.
The sensuality of the pottery scene and recreating such a classic moment from <I>Ghost</I> was everything, and I loved how Audrey and Thompson prioritized communication in all aspects of their relationship.

Read this if you like:
- sapphic love (lesbian + bisexual)
- age gap (30/45)
- workplace romance
- grumpy x sunshine
- Vermont setting
- art history + ceramics
- Brits wearing tweed
- having the courage to start over later in life
- love after divorce

Audrey comes back to NU in Vermont now to teach, the university she started her academic career at. At the time she crushed so hard on her professor Michelle Thompson and now coming back as a colleague she is still crushing on her, but Michelle is different these days, she is a big mystery.

It was great to read about how Audrey manages to get Michelle out of her shell and her very sad and lonely existence after her divorce. They get very hot and heavy with time and that is all great. However, in my mind too much focus on art history, teaching and writing and too little on their backstories and romance. It even gets a bit boring at times. An enjoyable read but unfortunately not more than that.

I received a free ARC from the author via NetGalley and leave a review voluntarily.