Learning Curves
by Rachel Lacey
Ceramics instructor Audrey Lind returns to her old university and finds herself competing with her former professor, Michelle Thompson, for the same position.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Trope
- Rivals to Lovers
- Heat
- Steamy
- Published
- 2025
Reading Options
Learning Curves
As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- A ceramics instructor returns to her alma mater, only to find herself competing for a faculty position against the very professor who once mentored her.
- Fans of academic settings
- Readers who enjoy power-dynamic tropes
- Features Rivals to Lovers
- Clear professional conflict
This may not be ideal if…
- Potential power imbalance concerns inherent to the student-professor history.
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: F/F
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Initially asymmetrical due to the former student-professor dynamic and the competition for a limited professional role.
Age gap: Significant, implied by the former student/professor relationship.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Recommended audience: Adult readers of contemporary romance.
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
After returning to her old university, Audrey Lind discovers that her path forward is blocked by a rival: Michelle Thompson, the professor who previously taught her. As the two compete for a single position, the professional friction begins to ignite a slow-burn romantic connection.
Central Conflict
Professional rivalry between a former student and her professor as they compete for the same university position.
Setting
University ceramics department
Strengths
- Clear professional conflict
- Strong established tropes
Consider before reading
- Potential power imbalance concerns inherent to the student-professor history.
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Rachel Lacey
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Montlake
- Published
- 2025
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781662529238
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This is my book — sign inReading Options
Learning Curves
As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
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