⭐⭐⭐★
Learning Curves is an age-gap romance that is involving enough to complete. I mention this, because, sadly, more and more books by established authors are not particularly satisfying.
Audrey Lind, 30 is a fresh recruit to teach in her alma mater, Northshire University. She’s excited positive and eager to make an impression so that her temporary position is converted to a permanent one. It’s also the place where she had experience her first female crush on…
Dr. Michelle Thompson, mid-forties and Audrey’s first female crush. She’s no longer the passionate teacher who had made Audrey want to pursue a career in academics. Generally disliked by both colleagues and student, she seems to be just living in countdown mode.
Audrey’s excited to have a new dynamic with Dr. Michelle Thompson, but the latter is, if not an ice-queen, at least a frigid water queen. The unrelenting rudeness could’ve made Michelle an easily dislikeable person — the type that usually makes me wonder why the other MC is making all that effort. However, Lacey develops Michelle with enough care, that she’d not really all that bad. Both the MCs are well-enough characterized, but Michelle is drawn with much more sympathy.
The growth or their relationship and chemistry is very nicely handled.
That said, there are some utterly banal scenes and conversations between the leads, with side characters and even some random cameos that do nothing for plot development, character development or to even add texture to their world. They just exist — most likely to make word count.
What stands out most is the open and constant communication between the leads. There’s a refreshing lack of angst or unnecessary conflict; instead, the focus is on two women finding the courage to pursue what they want and deserve, both in love and in life — together.
The most interesting part of the book was learning about Women in Art. So many overwhelming stories. Michelle has the right idea about writing books about them — each of those artists deserve more, much more, recognition.
A gripe about the cover, though: it doesn’t capture either of the characters. At all. And also kind of sets it to be a romcom — which it isn't.
It’s a story of new beginnings, the joy of embracing who you are and courage to rock the boat enough to make scary changes. It’s not a book that tries to reinvent the wheel, but it delivers a nice easy-read romance.
⭐⭐⭐★
