Title: Learning Curve
Series: Life Lessons, Book 4
Author: Kaje Harper
Genre: Contemporary/Mystery/Police Procedural
Length: Novel (360 pages)
Publisher: MLR Press (September 6th, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Blurb: Mac is afraid he’ll never recover enough to go back to being a cop, while Tony is afraid that he will.
Three months after being shot, Detective Jared MacLean is healing, but he’s afraid it may not be enough to go back on the job. He won’t give up, though. Being a cop is written deep in Mac’s bones, and he’ll do whatever it takes to carry his badge again.
Tony used to wish he could have Mac safely home, but watching his strong husband battle disabilities is far from Tony’s dream come true. When Mac is asked to consult on a case involving one of Tony’s students, both men will have to face old demons and new fears to find a way to move forward together
Product Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=KHLRNCRV
Reviewer: GiGi
Review: Wow, I waited a long time for this last book in the series and was not disappointed! I read the blurb and its fitting; however, to me this book is all about relationships, in this case marriage and the hurdles, sacrifices and compromises we need to make to keep those relationships strong. Tony makes sacrifices; many inner dialogues involve what he feels are his selfish needs to have Mac home, to put Tony and the kids first, in thinking a partner safe at home is the best scenario. Other times we see Tony clearly understand that despite the dangers, Mac’s job is part of him; he is born to protect, to save, to put bad guys away.
Mac is fearful of what Tony wants regarding his career as a detective. He knows Tony is fearful of Mac returning to work and getting hurt again, and is trying to find a way to have him understand how important it is, to come to terms with Mac’s job and be supportive of him. Mac struggles in thinking that he won’t be enough, not enough for the job, not enough to be a safe partner at work, not enough to be what Tony needs at home. But Mac is a fighter; he has worked harder than anyone could have expected to make a recovery, and continues to do so with creativity and grit. In this book, we see the daily struggles of raising kids, fighting odds, fighting stereotypes that their community sees them through. On top of all the recovery, tracking down new murder suspects, and community prejudice, Tony and Mac face Mac’s family in crisis. We meet new characters in Mac’s family that explain Mac’s need to protect and serve. If you think your family is dysfunctional…you ain’t got nothing on these folks.
Amidst all this drama, we have a murder unfold involving one of Tony’s students, Tony getting in trouble at school for the way he leads the school’s GSA group, and of course the nail-biting nerves surrounding Tony and Ben’s final court meeting to complete the official adoption. Oh, yes, then the final testimony in the case where Mac got shot to begin with! I also cant’ forget to mention the hot, touching, steaming, emotionally charged love scenes. Like I said, lots of drama packed into this final book! There are so many themes Kaje has woven into this book, but I return to the main ones: sacrifice, and compromise for love and family. I loved this book. It has so much to sink my teeth into! Thanks Kaje Harper for the wonderful ride. I highly recommend this series, read in order.