Learning Curves

De: Rachel Lacey

Narrado por: Quinn Riley

From the author of Stars Collide and Cover Story comes a steamy will-they-won’t-they romance about a bright young teacher reconnecting with the jaded professor she once pined for.

For Audrey Lind, working with clay still evokes memories of her favorite professor. The woman’s zeal for art history ignited Audrey’s own academic career—and her tweed blazers and British accent kindled her first female crush. After fate brings Audrey back to Northshire University to teach, she’s thrilled to be working alongside her former mentor, but the grumpy woman she encounters upon her return is nothing like the dynamo she remembers.

Divorce and a stalling career have turned Dr. Michelle Thompson bitter and guarded. When Audrey swoops in to teach the Women in Art class Michelle’s been pitching for years, she longs to hate her. But her young rival is too kind, too enthusiastic, too irresistible. And her passion for life slowly reawakens Michelle’s own.

Wary of age gaps and workplace politics, they suppress their smoldering attraction—until one wine-filled night at the pottery wheel puts their romantic truce to the test. Will they keep things on the tenure track or risk it all for love?

©2025 Rachel Bates. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Fans of slow burns, sexy tweed, and queer sincerity will love this couple.”—Publishers Weekly

Loved this book

This was a wonderful read . I enjoyed the story and the presentation was great. I very much dislike AI narrative.

So good but not long enough!

This storyline was so cute,funny and captivating. The MCs were so different in many ways but also the same when it comes to the love of art and queer woman in art 🎨 I loved that these MCs were raised completely different but still were intelligent, caring woman who fully ended up finding their person within each other. This story was well written with a good amount of realistic spicy sapphic romance that was just right for me. Girl I received all the stomach feels after the clay scene and I was melted by the hearts being drawn on the skin. I kind of want a little novella continuation book the story wasn't long enough but I did enjoy having the little epilogue at the end. Overall 10s across the board when it comes to Rachel and Quinn you can never go wrong with this pair! Highly recommend and I will be re-reading/listening very soon.

Amazing

I’m a physical book lover and this book was my first audiobook and let me tell you, this story had me listening to the book and was able to finished it in two days. I love everything about this books. Will definitely buy the physical book copy too❤️

Work of Art!!!

So enjoyed the build up
The crush
The let down
The attraction that built into the relationship anyone would wish for.
I need a sequel!!! Want more!

It Stands Up to All the Hype

OK - It was everything I'd hoped it would be, I think. If you haven't seen the 2 pieces of arts that Rachel has posted, you should. It helps set the mood for this book perfectly. And based on those pictures, this book really lived up to my expectations. And Shittake mushrooms - you can FEEEL the tug at the heart going on in this story. There’s some brutal truth-telling and a level of honesty going on. You find vulnerabilities where you least expect them. If you like really exploring someone's life work through a book, Rachel does it best here. I thought of Indigo: Storm by Adrian J Smith when I thought of about what books really color a character and their life's work like this. Also if you enjoyed the MC's dynamic in this book, add "A Lesson in Love" bu Harper Bliss into your TBR pile. And Quinn Riley did a STELLAR job narrating this book for BOTH characters. ugh!!! So good.

Age Gap Professor Romance

I love, loved this story of a new professor teaching at the small college she had attended, and falling in love with the professor she once had a crush on when she was a student. There was some drama and some steam to this romance.

Finally a Romance where everyone acts like an adult

I enjoyed that any and all of the conflict didn’t come from stupid misunderstandings or immaturity, but from external life issues. It’s more accurate to real life and made the love more believable and fun.

Another winner for Rachel!

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Both the young teacher and the tenured professor are well-written and very relatable. As a retired teacher, I loved the academic setting and all the history and art references. Their slow burn relationship was sexy and exciting, and their communication felt genuine. On top of the outstanding writing, a shout out goes to Quinn Riley who didn’t just narrate, but performed the heck out of this book! 5*s to her, too!!!

Loved this audiobook and book

Great story and really liked the no breakup during the 3rd act. Fully recommend it to everyone.

No notes, absolute perfection

For once you’re not grabbing at your hair because of a silly miscommunication trope. Michelle and Audrey have my heart.