Margin of Error

From Rachel Lacey, author of Learning Curves, comes a tender, hopeful romance about how fate is what you’re given but love is what you choose, and how small sparks can change everything.

Two years after an accident in Manhattan almost claimed her life, Marin is determined to take advantage of her second chance. She’s left her husband, her job, even her home to pursue the life she’s always wanted. Now she’s teaching statistics at Northshire University and preparing to do something she’s spent decades dreaming about: date a woman. But the last woman she expects to encounter on her journey is the one she’s been fantasizing about since their chance encounter the morning Marin nearly died.

Charlotte has made big changes in her life since that fateful day too. Most importantly, she’s moved back to her Vermont hometown, determined to finally solve the thirty-year-old mystery of her mother’s disappearance. An unexpected—and unexpectedly intense—friendship? That wasn’t in the plan. Neither was questioning her sexuality, but the more time Charlotte spends with Marin, the more she realizes her feelings run deeper than friendship.

Surely this would be a disaster, both of them being each other’s first, except the chemistry between them feels too strong to deny. But as they get to the heart of the mystery—and the heart of who they are—what brought them together just might tear them apart.

©2026 by Rachel Bates (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Loved it but it could have been shorter

I did enjoy the book but there were some repeatations or 🤔 maybe it was a bit too wordy in some scenes. Overall the story was intriguing and definitely not your normal friends to lovers

What a beautiful story!

loved this book for its late-in-life coming out storyline. It felt real, raw, and honestly so relatable. The emotions hit hard in the best way, and the journey felt authentic instead of rushed or glossed over. As always, Rachel Lacey writes wlw relationships beautifully. full of depth, chemistry, and heart. Life is messy and not one direction. This book embodies life.

A beautiful heart warming story

I loved every second! Not the usual take on friends to lovers and it included a bit of mystery that kept me hooked. Plus a bonus peak at continuing the story with the characters from Learning Curves. Quinn Riley was also phenomenal as always!

Loved the story

This was an over all good story as one would expect from Rachel Lacey. The narration was horrible. The breathy last word on every sentence was so annoying and not needed. By the time the spicy bits hit I was so annoyed with the breathy words that I just couldn’t get into. I wanted this book to just be over all ready. Wished I would have just read the book instead.

Character Chemistry

Wonderful and unique story. Loved the chemistry between the characters. Dialogue was real. I really enjoyed this audiobook.