Vermont in the fall, running into an old crush, beautiful handmade ceramics and all about art—there's no better setting for a romance.

At first, the Blurb didn't seem too different from other age-gap romances, between a former student and her favorite teacher, only now it's a reunion between colleagues, and Dr. Michelle Thompson's passion for art and teaching seems to have vanished and instead is a grump academic professor who has strong opinions about hiring a young professor
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Audrey Lind returned to her alma mater, this time to teach, but what she can't understand is the enmity or discomfort that seems to provoke in Dr. Thompson, or how the crush she thought was buried years ago seems to have returned with more intensity.
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This is a cozy romance, between two people who are trying to find their own path, healing and taking new chances
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As a former art student, I can say that I liked all the references, how well-researched the information is, and it even made me curious about pottery.
Rachel Lacey writes characters who go through different stages of their lives and who find themselves at crossroads.

Her characters always find a happy ending or a new chapter, and it's a pleasure to read about their journey and how they discover their own feelings.
You are going to love this story if you like fall-autumn vibes, cozy pottery and flavored tea blends, art and characters proud to be themselves and hold the hand of anyone who isn’t just there yet
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Thanks to Rachel Lacey and her team for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

Where do I even begin with how precious this book was?! I absolutely loved Learning Curves! Audrey being a ceramics artist was so perfect- she’s just the sweetest, most thoughtful character. I also loved that Michelle is British and how, throughout the book, Audrey helped her slowly break out of the shell she had herself so tightly locked in.
The story was lighthearted, but it still had really deep, emotional moments and was incredibly romantic. I loved the student and professor, then enemies to lovers dynamic... ALL the yearning!!! Vermont made such a cozy setting for such a cozy book, and I loved that they both really immersed themselves in women’s studies and women’s art history. The representation of people from all walks of life felt authentic and meaningful.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job. The book felt sweet, honest, and real. The pottery scene was my absolute favorite- I was swooning SO much! It was romantic, real, and beautiful… and maybe just a tiny bit long, but I didn’t mind a bit.
The book is full of emotion, beautifully written, with devastating moments that I literally held in my chest. Did I tear up in the last chapter? Oh, absolutely. This story just stayed with me- it’s heartfelt, romantic, and totally unforgettable.

3.5 ⭐, 2.5 🌶️

This was a fun and adorable sapphic romance with an age gap for a girl that used to crush on her college professor, and not four years later they are colleagues as they both are teaching at the college now! 

I found that while Michelle was a complex character, Audrey just felt bubbly and sweet (with not much else used to talk about her). I liked the comparison of the two based on their feelings on teaching, and Michelle has clearly been through the muck in the years, but I still hoped that both would have more transformation (but I guess in a grumpy sunshine you cant expect the grump/ reclusive one to change to sunshine too).  

While this wasn't my favorite book, I still enjoyed it and am thankful for the opportunity to read it. (Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for an ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review ). Its an easy read and I really enjoyed having a female-female romance with an age gap and workplace romance.

I love a good sapphic romance, but this one wasn't quite my cup of tea. If you don’t like age gap romances, you might want to skip this book—it's definitely not my favorite trope. I think the relationship between Audrey and Michelle would have worked better if they were both professors and did not have the storyline where Michelle was Audrey’s professor years ago. I honestly wish that aspect hadn't been emphasized so much, as it kept reminding me of the uncomfortable power dynamics involved.

That being said, there were some really sweet moments that I found enjoyable, and the setting was perfect. The narration was excellent, and the accents were spot on! Overall, I think this is an easy read if you're looking for something light and cute to enjoy in the fall.

Just in time for autumn, this college professor romance made me nostalgic for the fall semester, working in academia.

Now a professor, Audrey Lind returns to her Alma Mater, Northshire University, and this time as a colleague to the professor she had a massive crush on during her undergrad years.

However, Dr. Michelle Thompson is not the woman she remembers, the one who got her excited about art. Now she’s grumpy and has lost her light. Michelle would love to hate Audrey, but she just can’t and the two build a friendship. When something starts brewing, they agree that the age gap and Audrey’s dreams of tenure mean they should keep things professional, but try telling that to their hearts (and their libidos)!

This was such a fun listen. It made my weekend errands way more fun to run, and it was a delightful listen while cleaning up the house and getting some sewing done. I’m a sucker for an age gap and a student/teacher situation. This one did both but without making it feel taboo or gross. It was respectful of the characters and sutuation. I appreciated that. Also, there is plenty of spice in case you were worried (you weren’t). It’s the perfect time of year to get cozy, conjure fall, and head back to uni with a cute and fun queer romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC of this book.

I tried, I REALLY did. I despise DNFing. But I'm calling it quits at 60%.

I'm just so bored. And life it too short to force yourself to read something you aren't feeling.

Queen Quinn Riley does it again. Honestly, Quinn and Rachel Lacey are pure gold together, and Learning Curves is the latest proof that when the right narrator meets the right story, the result is absolute sapphic magic. With Sapphic September in full swing, this audiobook was exactly what I needed—and Quinn’s performance elevated an already beautiful story into something unforgettable.

Quinn’s voice work is stellar, but I especially adored her accent for Michelle. It captured every ounce of the character’s guarded vulnerability, her grumpy wit, and her eventual softening in a way that made Michelle feel achingly real. You can hear the weight of her disappointments, the quiet yearning she’s too scared to admit, and the reluctant pull toward Audrey that builds with every chapter. That vocal nuance turned Michelle into more than just a love interest—she became a fully embodied woman you root for, flaws and all.

And let’s talk about the story itself, because this book gets it. If you’re craving a slow-burn sapphic romance that simmers with delicious tension, navigates complicated power dynamics with care, and still leaves room for tea-fueled flirtation and pottery wheel seduction, Learning Curves is exactly the ride you want to take.

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.

Quinn Riley is a fantastic narrator. She adds so much to Rachel Lacey's story, and her British accent for Michelle was on point.

Learning Curves by Rachel Lacey is an absolute gem set in the charming and academic world of Northshire University. From former student to assistant professor, Audrey Lind’s journey is a perfect reminder that it's never too late to take a chance on love—especially when that love comes with a delicious age gap, workplace tension, and plenty of heartwarming moments.
Rachel’s signature cozy yet compelling writing style is on full display, making it easy to get lost in the story. Her characters are so beautifully fleshed out—flawed, real, with quirks and rough edges that make them completely relatable. Audrey’s resilience and curiosity about the mysterious Michelle, who’s battered from her personal struggles and university battles, keep the story vibrant and full of emotional depth. Watching this grumpy yet secretly soft-hearted woman slowly open up to Audrey’s warmth is nothing short of lovely.
The plot is well-paced, packed with character development, witty banter, and that irresistible slow burn that never feels slow at all. And speaking of slow burns, the pottery wheel scene? Fire! The longing, lust, and yearning are written so vividly that you’ll be holding your breath—prepare for one of the hottest scenes in recent romance. It’s just enough spice to keep things exciting and authentic, without overwhelming the story’s tender core.
What makes this book even more special is the fantastic narration by Quinn Riley. She brings the characters to life with such nuanced emotion—her performance makes you feel like you’re right there in the room with Audrey and Michelle. Her voice acting is simply phenomenal, completely immersing listeners into this cozy, heartfelt world. If you’ve listened to anything Quinn has narrated, you know she’s an auto-buy for me—and this audiobook is no different. It’s like she’s a part of the story, making it even more memorable.
I also appreciated the shoutouts to Eden Sands and Natalie Keane, adding that extra special touch to an already wonderful story. And even with only a few explicit scenes, Rachel manages to keep the heat high in those moments, making every scene count.
All in all, Learning Curves is a heartwarming, sensual journey of starting over, rediscovering passion, and breaking down walls. It’s cozy, funny, sexy, and deeply touching—exactly the kind of story you want to lose yourself in. Rachel Lacey and Quinn Riley are a dream team, and I’ll happily keep listening and reading whatever they create next.

Audrey had a crush on Michelle back when she was her college advisor. Now Audrey is teaching at her old college, and her office is across the hall from Michelle.

A bit of a slow-burning romance. Age gap. The spice is spicy. The ending was satisfying. Would definitely read this author again.

Audrey starts her first professor job at her alma mater, super excited to teach art to these students. She's also thrilled to be working with her former mentor Dr. Michelle Thompson, but Dr. Thompson is no longer the passionate teacher she remembers.

I found this to be a very slow to warm up book, both in sense of the romance and just the character development. I liked Audrey from the start, but Michelle felt way too prickly for me. I think this made it hard for me to root for them. I also wish we had seen more of the other professors and students in the book to give it more depth.

Tropes
* Grumpy Sunshine
* Age Gap
* Professor Romance
* Sapphic Romance
* Workplace Romance
* Fall Vibes
* Slow Burn

3 stars

While, it wasn't my favorite of Rachel Lacey's books it was a good story. I loved the artsy aspects and seeing them both love their different artistic endeavors. They were definitely two academics and their characters were written that way - very proper and sophisticated!

I enjoyed the dynamic between the two (both professors) but one being a former student. They had good, mature conversations with each other and their families!

Glad to have received the ALC and ALWAYS LOVE Quinn Riley!! She was PERFECT for these two characters!

I have been waiting for this book for some time now and having it did not disappoint. The author and narrator brought the creativeness of being an artist and the intellectualism of education and put them together in this really cute love story.

I liked that the story didn’t rush the love aspect despite the characters clearly having feeling for one another.

While it wasn’t my absolute favourite by the author. I was thoroughly impressed with this story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I could not possibly love these two more. Michelle and Audrey are so perfectly matched. When Michelle was so disenchanted with her position at the university, Audrey brought so my love and light and color into her life. These two hold each other up and support one another in a way that is so sweet and admirable. Thank you SO much to Rachel Lacey for the ALC and thank you ALSO to Quinn Riley for blessing my ears with her crispy crispy ASMR voice.

What a wonderful sapphic age gap, workplace romance perfect for Fall!
I love that there was no miscommunication!

I wish there had been 2 narrators because the 2 MCs are both females and have more distinct voices could have just really pushed this audiobook to perfection. The narrator was great and did what she could but this audiobook would benefit from dual narration for sure.

Thank you to thank NetGalley and Montlake for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel Lacey always delivers great stories and I REALLY loved this latest Sapphic, age gap, workplace romance between two professors set in Vermont in the Fall. There was mutual pining, open communication, a forbidden element and a shared love of art and history. It was also excellent on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Clare Ashton or Allison Cochrun. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Learning Curves by Rachel Lacey was the perfect Fall read and one of my favorite Sapphic romances to date! I knew that I loved Rachel Lacey’s writing style from her previous works Stars Collide and Cover Story. She manages to write complex and endearing characters that always have amazing on page chemistry, leading into their romance perfectly. Learning Curves was no exception. This is the perfect age gap and academia romance, as it takes the problematic elements out of the tropes. I liked that the power dynamic was no longer in place with the professor/student and that they were both established and successful adults. This made the trope work so well for me. The book also focuses on the FMCs healing journey and I liked that the two main characters grew throughout the book and showed growth. The romance was slow-burn because of this and I loved the realistic feeling this gave the romance.

This book translated fantastically into audio. The two characters having different accents made it so that the book was very easy to follow. The narrator Quinn Riley differentiated between the characters very well. The characters were believable, emotional, and acted wonderfully. The book was also very easy to understand even when sped up and the audio quality was great!
Overall, I loved this book and the five star rating is well deserved. I have a new contender for my favorite sapphic romance and I hope that people pick up this perfect fall read!

Learning Curves was a solid read, just not a standout for me. I really liked the premise and thought the academic/art setting added a unique touch. There were definitely some sweet and heartfelt moments between Audrey and Michelle, and the sapphic representation was refreshing. At times the pacing felt a little slow, and I didn’t always stay fully hooked, but overall it was an enjoyable romance. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a softer, slower burn story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)

In this sapphic age-gap, workplace romance we follow Audrey and Michelle, two professors at Northshire University.
I loved this location and I felt that it was very well described.

Michelle and Audrey were great together and so were they individually. I loved how they communicate so openly!

I listened to the audiobook and I adored listening to the narrator!
I devoured this in a day.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher/author for granting me permission to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

When this book was first announced I was stoked, and then it was announced Quinn Riley would be the narrator, and I was over the moon!

All that to say the expectations were HIGH! But the expectations were not only met, they were destroyed/surpassed. This is not an emotionally taxing or highly intellectual book, but what it is, it does very well. It’s like being bundled in a worn hoodie, or a tweed blazer (IYKYK).
The progression of the story isn’t rushed, the characters are relatable and trying to find themselves in the world of academia. But it is through finding and connecting with each other that they find friendship and acceptance. Michelle is on a healing journey, and Audrey’s patience and perseverance is everything. Everyone needs someone like her in their lives.
The warm hug that this book provides is heartwarming for the over-thinkers, the “push through the day” people, and the “rebuilding self-confidence” people. It’s a slight push to think outside of the monotonous and mundane day-to-day and to say yes, or just not say no, or just to apologize… because words are hard.

Quinn Riley, how? What? How!? To be perfectly honest, Quinn with a British accent was at least 50% of the reason I wanted this book. The other 50% is a mix of the “pottery scene” discussion and Rachel Lacey.
Riley didn’t disappoint, her performance of Michelle is so well executed that… well… in true Ana fashion, it’s hard to describe. She executed the subtle shifts of emotion, whether explicitly written or implied in the scene so well I could easily picture all of it in my mind and feel it in my soul! I had the opportunity to eyeball read this book, and Riley made me cry!
Her performance of Audrey was the perfect balance of bubbly and cautious. As a character, Audrey helps Michelle with reassurance and being playful, and the interaction between the two characters comes across so naturally. It’s this lightness combined with comfort and stability that was so heartwarming that it brought me to tears.