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

this wasn’t bad necessarily it just wasn’t good. nothing about the plot or characters stood out and the slow burn was so ridiculously slow that i found myself bored and then out of nowhere they hook up, like 🫠 i wanted to SWOON but i didn’t move a single muscle

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.

This book was utterly adorable. Whilst I left University due to PTSD from my brother’s death, before that I was a Fine Arts major for a short time. This book both brought me back to the joy of those days, and introduced me to new female artists I never would have known of, before. Michelle and Audrey’s story is cozy and sweet, and the perfect allegory for those overcoming trauma (mildly referenced in regards to gaslighting and homophobia) still being worthy of love. It had me laughing out loud, and smiling in their big and small moments. Further words just won’t do this book justice, but please go read it. It’s amazing.

I looooved this book. I felt like I could see parts of myself in both Audrey and Michelle. I loved the grumpy/sunshine pairing and the way Audrey and Michelle’s relationship progressed throughout the book. I also was not surprised to learn that the author lives in Vermont from the author description at the back of the book - I’ve never been to Vermont but the descriptions made me want to visit!! I also loved the unapologetic childfree representation in the book as someone who is childfree by choice, and I loved the healthy communication between the two of them!

I did feel like there was a lot of casual drinking in the book which isn’t a bad thing but just something I noticed as someone who just doesn’t really drink anymore. Another thing I didn’t love but I feel like isn’t necessarily a huge deal for a lot of people is the mention of Audrey’s family having a “man cave” in their house - a “man cave” is a personal pet peeve of mine bc what do you mean this family who all loves each other needs a separate space for the men to be away from the women in the family so they can relax..?

There was one thing about the ending that I didn’t love and felt a little like it was done for the sake of convention which I felt didn’t 100% vibe with the way I perceived the characters, but it definitely didn’t take anything away from the overall story though bc overall I still loved this book! This is the first book that I’ve read by this author but it definitely won’t be the last!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy to read!

Thank you Rachel Lacey, Montlake, and Netgalley for providing me an e-arc for exchange for an honest review.

Audrey and Michelle were two really great characters! I liked their dynamic together. A tiny bit grumpy and sunshine. But grumpy isn’t so grumpy. She’s just stuck in a not-so-great job and misogyny running a muck. Definitely fluffy with a decent side of spice.

Definitely can’t wait to pick up a physical copy in September!

Very cute and easy, lighthearted read with one very hot pottery scene. I loved the bi and lesbian representation as well.

Thank you Rachel Lacey and NetGalley for this incredible ARC!!

First off I love Audrey and Michelle! I love the entire premise of this book….. everything was so well put together and the amount of effort and research that Rachel Lacey had to put into this must have been insane! The whole ‘hot for teacher’ vibe is definitely one of my top tropes!! And the ceramics lesson….. definitely had me hot!!!