Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: Learning Curve

SERIES: Franklin U #6

AUTHOR: N.R. Walker

PUBLISHER: BlueHeart Press

LENGTH: 246 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 29, 2022

BLURB:

Cobey Green

There I was, moving into the dorms at Franklin U and not into the shared party house I’d lived in my freshman year. Last year had been all about football and parties, not schoolwork. Which was why my grades tanked. Why I was one failed class away from being kicked off the team.

Why I needed to live on campus and find myself a tutor.

Funny that my new roommate just happens to be a tutor. Funny that he’s oblivious to how hot he is. For a smart guy, he’s pretty clueless. Maybe I could tutor him in how to be more outgoing in exchange for help with calculus? I could teach him how to talk to people, how to make new friends. Hell, maybe I could even help him punch his V card.

Actually, now that I think about it… that’s a really good idea.

Vincent Brandt

And there I was, happy to be back at college, happy to be where I was most comfortable. Happy to be starting another school year, happy to start tutoring again so I could earn some money.

And yes, there I was equal parts excited and dreading to see who my new roommate would be… until Cobey Green’s smiling face appeared at the door. A huge football player loved by everyone, gorgeous, rich, and out of the closet.

Everything I’m not.

It doesn’t help that he’s genuinely a really nice guy. It doesn’t help that I make him laugh and we can talk so easily. And it certainly doesn’t help that we start having private tutoring sessions, which end up way more private than I’d ever dare imagine.

I’d ranked top of my class in every subject since the first grade, yet there I was falling stupidly in love with him.

This was going to be a hell of a year. And one very steep learning curve for both of us.

REVIEW:

The books of the Franklin U, multi-author series are so sweet; the bewitching Learning Curve is no exception. This new adult, opposites-attract, college romance is between a gregarious athlete and his introverted, studious, socially inept roommate. I wouldn’t quite call it a jock/nerd trope because N.R. Walker never indulges those stereotypes, thankfully, and opposed to many sports romances, there are no raging homophobes among the team, for which I’m also grateful. It’s a delightfully refreshing book that more accurately follows a friends-to-lovers formula as the guys get to know each other.

Cobey is a superstar linebacker on the university’s team. He’s Mr. Popular whom everyone knows, loves, and respects for his kindness and wholesomeness. His new roommate, Vincent, generally finds jocks unappealing because of their egos. Cobey is down to earth, though, and really listens. And he’s so cute. His smile turns Vincent to mush. As likable as he is, some think Cobey’s a dumb jock. Vincent, however, looks beyond book smarts and appreciates his other types of intelligence. He needs a tutor, though, to raise his grades and maintain his football scholarship.

Vincent happens to be a tutor. And he’s terrible at peopling. He avoids people and social events like the plague. He’s never been to a party or made friends, let alone done anything of a more intimate nature, which he accidentally blurts out to Cobey:

“For the love of god, can the universe rip open and swallow me whole. I’d even settle for a catastrophic cosmic event that ended all mankind on Earth right now just so I don’t have to live through one more second of this mortifying conversation.”

Recognizing Vincent’s discomfort and bumbling, Cobey suggests a little quid pro quo: Vincent will tutor him in calculus and he’ll tutor Vincent in the art of socializing. Eventually that comes to include tutoring in, um, other things, starting with holding hands – eep! I love the sweetness of hand holding! – all while maintaining Vincent’s closeted status

“Everything you’ve shown me. Every touch, every kindness. I’ve never known physical intimacy before. Not even a hug, really. I never realized how amazing it could be. You showed me that.”

Vincent has never been loved – his mom took off when he was young and his father severely neglected him. He has no family, no basis of love. Cobey, his new friend, Jayda, and Cobey’s parents go a long way in rectifying that. Cobey teaches Vincent that setting boundaries and having respect – for others and yourself – is paramount in any relationship. Just be yourself, be genuine, and people will love you. The problem is, Cobey’s at the center of attention on campus… how will nervous Vincent deal when he’s brought into that spotlight?

I love these boys! The wonderfully developed characters compliment each other perfectly and have sizzling chemistry. This fluffy, angst-free book is one of my favorites in the series. And don’t miss the most spectacularly affordable newspaper clipping at the end of the book! Highly recommended.

RATING: 

BUY LINK:

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