Learning Curve

Life Lessons, Book 4

By: Kaje Harper

Narrated by: J.F. Harding

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Mac is afraid he won't recover enough to go back to being a cop; Tony's afraid that he will.

Three months after being injured, Detective Jared MacLean is healing, but he's afraid it may not be enough to go back on the job. He won't give up, though. Being a cop is written deep in Mac’s bones, and he'll do whatever it takes to carry his badge again.

Tony used to wish he could have Mac safely home, but watching his strong husband battle disabilities is far from Tony's dream come true. When Mac is asked to consult on a case involving one of Tony's students, both men will have to face old demons and new fears to find a way to move forward together.

(This is a lightly edited rerelease of the 2013 original, bringing Mac and Tony to their HEA.—content warning for a domestic abuse case, suicide.)

©2013, 2022 Kaje Harper (P)2022 Kaje Harper

Kaje Fan

I really enjoyed this series. I loved Tony and Mac. But Ben stole my heart.

Great story that left me happy

At the end of the last book, Mac was hurt on the job and it was clear he was going to need some recovery time before he could resume his job as a police detective. Tony was, of course, devastated by Mac’s injury. While he helped him in his recovery process, it has to be said that Tony would be happy if Mac never returned. The danger of Mac’s job is a little stressful on their relationship, but I love that Tony isn’t a selfish person. If I was in his place, I am sure I would have the same feelings as him, but he knows that Mac loves his job and is good at it, so he puts aside his fears and hopes for the best.

Despite Mac being on medical leave, a young man with Mac’s name and number is found at a murder scene and Mac is called in to help consult. The college boy used to be in Tony’s class and the dead man is his father’s boyfriend. He only trusts Mac to make sure his father isn’t immediately suspected because of his sexual orientation. The mystery is interesting in this book, but it features mostly as a background to keep the characters busy.

Most of the angst I felt in the first three books has been eliminated. Sure, Mac and Tony will still struggle. Every couple and family will face problems here and there. Mac’s confidence in his ability to do his job has been shaken; Tony has to deal with his fears and want what’s best for Mac. They have two young kids, Ben and Anna, and Tony is working to adopt Ben. A concern has also risen at school about Tony’s role as the head of the gay-straight alliance. Mac’s family is finally introduced and we learn his childhood wasn’t a happy time. But it does explain why Mac joined the police force and why he wants to help others. There are a lot of things going on for these two, but their relationship is stronger than ever, and they face these problems together.

I have really enjoyed this series. At times, you could definitely tell that the original story was written years before more freedoms were extended towards the LGBTQ community. It doesn’t take away from feeling for these characters and their struggles, though. I am hoping there are more books to come, but if there somehow isn’t, I feel content in my heart with where they are right now. J.F. Harding’s narration was the cherry on top of this awesome sundae. He embodies the characters so well, even the kids, and he really brings the emotions to the next level. I definitely recommend this book and the whole series.

Goodbye to our guys

JF Harding, as narrator, brings Book 4, the final in the series to life for us. He’s been perfect for Tony and Mac.

And what can I say, as we’ve come to a conclusion of Tony and Mac’s story, it’s a bit bittersweet. Though it’s great to see their ending, we’ve built quite a relationship with them. Four books in, we know them well, we’ve been through it all so it’s a little hard to say goodbye.

With that said, this was a wonderful installment in their journey. Mac is grumpily and slowly recovering from his injuries, helping more with the children while he’s off. The more he heals the sooner he gets back to work, which is too fast for Tony and too slow for Mac. Though he’s not back yet, he gets drawn into a case that involves one of Tony’s students. While helping to figure out who the murderer is and where the missing boyfriend is, Mac has to also figure out how to be better present with the children and their care and make time for his husband. He also needs to face his new reality, because he will never be 100% his old self.

I love the acknowledgement that real life means you are often pulled in multiple directions and it is sometimes messy, but through it all, it’s the love that keeps you fighting to get through it and build it together.

It’s never an easy road for these two, but it’s always worth it in the end.

Nice conclusion

It felt complete and was an enjoyable listen. A well earned HEA for Tony and Mac.

Terrific

Terrific series, well written, great characters. J F Harding does a fabulous job narrating

A Great Conclusion To The Series!

This audiobook series was fantastic! I'm glad I got to go on Tony and Mac's journey. It was heartbreaking hearing the narrator, J.F. Harding, portray Mac's struggles with his brain injury. Tony and Mac's relationship felt very relatable and realistic. The case that Mac unwittingly gets involved in helps him overcome his fears and invigorates him to rejoin the homicide unit. The case was fascinating but predictable. The audience had a good idea who the killer was. I enjoyed this conclusion to the book series Life Lessons; I will miss the characters and their adventures. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Fabulous end to series

This is book 4 you do need to read in order to understand as this takes up after last book.

I’m not going to do a deep rundown since I’d have to spoil past books.
Tony and Mack are going through many challenges both separately and as a family.
I’ll say there is a lot going on with Mack’s personal struggles, getting called in to consult on a case, Tony dealing with work issues, a hurting student, Mack’s struggles, Mack has to face family pasts he wants kept buried, and the love between two gay professional men.
If you like police detectives, teachers, established couples, angst, love , cute kids and hot mansex this is for you!
I listened on audio and man I loved this narrator. He really nailed Mack’s challenges, brought forth all the excitement, drama snd many voices. If you can get the audio version I highly recommend it.

Love this series! Great conclusion!

FIVE STARS! Highest recommendation!

If I could, I’d infuse my 5 stars with flashing lights, trumpets blaring, and a confetti downpour to show how spectacular this series is. ‘Life Lessons’, the series in which this glorious book is the conclusion, tops my must-reads of the year. Kage Harper is an expert at delivering a solid mystery plot along with an emotional and adult romantic relationship between Mac and Tony. I love, love, LOVE this entire series!

Added to Harper’s gorgeous writing is the out-of-this-world amazing voice acting by JF Harding. His heartfelt–and sometimes heartbreaking–performance of Mac’s character brings Harper’s story of two men forming a loving family, despite life’s obstacles, to next-level brilliance. Did I mention I LOVE this series? Harding is a major reason for that.

Okay, no more superfluous adjectives. Really, just go listen to this series. It’s exceptional (couldn't resist--gotta love a thesaurus!).

Love this series!

Learning Curve is Book 4 in the Life Lessons series and needs to be enjoyed in order as it's and ongoing storyline. In this final book of the series Mac is recovering and wanting to get back to work, and Tony in wanting to be supportive of his husband but is worried for his safety. I love this series, you can't help but love these characters. Tony and Mac are such real authentic characters just trying to live their lives. There is another homicide that needs to be solved this time involving one of Tony's students and his family. I love the way Tony and Mac hold on to each other and draw strength from one another. Their lives aren't easy but together they can weather any storm. We get to see Mac's family in this book and understand more as to why he doesn't enjoy being around them. Mac's so much better off with the family he's created with Tony and their children. I definitely recommend this book and series. 
Narrator J.F. Harding does another amazing job in bringing these characters to life. He has a wonderful voice and adds so much to Tony and Mac's story.

Great Ending to a Great Series

This is a great ending to this series. Mac and Tony have been through a lot together and separately only to come out stronger as a family. The great narration by J. F. Harding just adds to the story also.