Oh my goodness! My heart was so full and those tears from earlier? Happy tears. So many emotions while I read this, but most of all, I was happy. Michelle and Audrey were so freaking cute and smitten with each other. I could barely stand it! I’m a big fan of communication and these two excelled at it. Bravo! The spice was so overwhelmingly sexy that I could barely function while I read it. Did I blush? Maybe. Would I read it again? Yes! Anyway, I highly recommend this as a must-read and hope you love it as much as I did. Happy reading!


I’d like to thank NetGalley and Montlake for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is for the gals who watch those oddly sensual pottery making videos on tiktok and think ‘hot’ aka ME! This was my first Rachel Lacey and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved the chemistry between Audrey and Michelle SO much. Michelle especially was so relatable. Her prickliness and guarded nature was so endearing. I loved seeing her walls break down as she begins to trust Audrey. Audrey was such a breath of fresh air with her optimism and steadfast support of those she cares about. I think the two characters worked really well with each other and then progression of their relationship felt really natural. I also loved how the book engaged with queer culture overall and how inclusive it was in all sorts of ways. I read it in one sitting and loved every second!

Learning Curves by Rachel Lacey is a captivating romance that seamlessly intertwines the world of academia with a blossoming love story. The narrative follows Audrey Lind, a bright and enthusiastic young professor who returns to her alma mater, Northshire University, to teach. She finds herself working alongside Dr. Michelle Thompson, her former art history professor, who was once her academic idol and the object of her first female crush.

The chemistry between Audrey and Michelle is palpable, and their dynamic evolves from professional colleagues to something deeper and more personal. Lacey skillfully navigates the complexities of their relationship, exploring themes of age gaps, workplace politics, and the challenges of balancing personal desires with professional aspirations.

The setting of Northshire University adds a charming backdrop to the story, with its academic environment providing a rich context for the characters' interactions. The narrative is engaging, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps readers invested from start to finish.

Overall, Learning Curves is a heartwarming and engaging read that will resonate with anyone who appreciates a well-crafted romance set against the backdrop of academia. Rachel Lacey has once again delivered a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. I definitely
reccomend this book for anyone who loves cozy academia vibes.

My gay heart 🥹💗 The age gap thing does kinda creep me out, especially since there is a former mentor relationship there. If you can get over that, this is such a cute romance!

Learning Curves - Rachel Lacey

Wow. Just, wow. THIS BOOK WAS SO HOT, SO ROMANTIC, SO SEXY, JUST WOW. As you can tell, I have strong feelings for this book. As a bisexual woman, I loved seeing a bisexual woman represented in a sapphic relationship - as it’s not super common in LGBTQ+ literature.

Bisexual woman who happens to be an artist, and an art historian? Check. Older lesbian art historian who was her professor 10 years earlier? Check. Absolute smoke show of a romance that’s built up via gradual friendship? Fucking check. I just loved all of this bloody book, the writing is excellent, the relationship between the main characters is excellent, THE SMUT IS EXCELLENT! Also, really appreciated all the mention of various tea blends, as a Brit, I am naturally obsessed with tea and I loved seeing that on paper!

This is yet another book I stayed up until 2am to finish, yes, my sodding sleep schedule has gone out of the window lately. It was just so bloody perfect, it’s queer, it’s quirky, it’s charming, and it gave me all of the fuzzy feelings.

And the ending? OH, MY HEART. Just; wow, I loved it, I fucking love a sapphic romance and this one was absolutely fantastic, blew me away. I thoroughly recommend reading it the minute it’s out! Its publishing date is September the 2nd 2025, and it’s the perfect autumnal sapphic read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I throughly enjoyed this book and would love to read more from this author. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC