A review by originalbooknerd
Learning Curve by Max Monroe

challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

💥𝙻𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙲𝚞𝚛𝚟𝚎 - 𝙳𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚄𝚗𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚂𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝟷 - 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠💥 

 

Author: Max Monroe 

 

Couple: Scottie Bardeaux & Finnley Hayes 

 

Tropes: Intense first love vibes, Cheerleader virgin meets the tortured bad boy, Grumpy/Sunshine, opposites attract, He FIGHTS for her, College DRAMAAAA, ANGST & loads of tension, Secrets, Twists & turns (you will NOT see coming) 

 

Review: If I had to fall in love with a book then Learning Curve would be the one! Max Monroe kicked off her newest series of interconnected standalone featuring the second generation of her beloved billionaires and their friends in an EPIC fashion! Scottie and Finn hold a dear place in my heart after finishing this book and the story between them is one of the most emotionally invested romances I have EVER read by Max! 

 

Learning Curve has everything we love from Max and while the characters shine on their own, it was the found family vibes that she created with Finn, Scottie, Ace, Julia and Blake that sucked me in. Finn begins this book as a rough character who is so closed off he can’t even begin to understand how to open up. I loved how Max created his character story and inner turmoil to fit with his outward persona and then slowly showed us the way he began to evolve as he let in Ace and then Julia, Blake and Scottie. His complexity as a character was the dynamic part of this book and Max Monroe was able to weave the backstory of the Hayes family and the Winslow family in such a way that your heart couldn’t not break while reading. Finn’s steadfast goal of upending Ty Winslow’s life and in return all of the Winslow siblings’ lives was the epicenter of his storyline and I appreciated that as he began to open up to friends and even accept his feelings about Scottie that his goals began to alter and then change. 

 

Scottie was the sweet and innocent FMC that paired oh so well with Finn’s bad boy side. From the initial meet-cute you could see the sparks flying between them and feel the instant connection these two had within the story. I loved how Scottie was a softer FMC than what I have come to read from Max but also possessed the raw grit to go after what she wanted…even if what she wanted was Finn. Max Monroe set up this book in a way that I was captivated from the first word Scottie had in the prologue, all the way until her deception was laid bare. Her naivety and fear of Finn’s reaction lead us on a journey of intense emotional angst and pining since it led to the third act betrayal and break up but I also felt like it was needed since both of them needed to grow as MCs before settling into their HEA. 

 

Max Monroe threw a ton at us in Learning Curve and the twists and turns she kept punching us with shocked me until the end. The love between Finn and Scottie was combustible and slightly toxic at first but ultimately became soft, sweet and swoon worthy by the end. The way Finn stepped up for Scottie after her accident and then while she was healing and learning who she was again was beautiful to read and kept me in tears while also praying that Scottie would take him back and Max did not disappoint with how she brought them back together. Finn and Scottie are cemented as one of my ultimate book couples and Finn may be the book boyfriend we all secretly pine for from here on out! 

 

**SPOLIERS** 

 

Now…let’s talk about Ace Kelly! His character was the MAN in this book and I did not expect anything less for Thatcher Kelly’s son. I LOVED the way he attached himself like a glued on barnacle to Finn and broke him out of his shell. I also ADORED the pining he did over Julia and cannot wait for their book in this series. Both of them are the perfect blend go their parents from the original Billionaire series Max published and the angst and swoon will be next level for them…I already know! 

 

While Ace and Finn had a hilarious friendship, I knew I would love Ace from the moment Thatcher pulls the ultimate prank on his son in class. The chaos these two stir in next level and I applaud Max for the way she was able to suck Finn into their whirlwind of pranks, bonding and emotional support. 

 

ON another note, I cannot wait to see Lexi and Finn bond more in her book that is set to release next and hope to see more sibling teasing now that Finn is part of the pack. I am also extremely excited to see more of the Winslow family in her book and meet the rest of the Hayes kids more! So far the Dickson University series has exceeded everything I expected and I know it will only get better from here…as each of the second generation gets knocked to their knees in love! 

 

Rating: 100+, Scottie and Finn had me rolling around laughing then shaking my fist angry the next in this emotional whirlwind of a romance by Max Monroe! 

 

Thank you to Hambright PR & Max Monroe for sending me this eARC!