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Learning to Love Again

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Nalani, a dedicated and compassionate teacher, never expected her life to take a turn when she met Lorenzo, a single father trying to rebuild his life after a painful divorce. When Nalani becomes the teacher of Lorenzo’s daughter, fate plays its hand, intertwining their lives in ways they could never have foreseen.

As Nalani and Lorenzo spend time together, their connection grows stronger, igniting a flame neither of them can ignore. The walls around their hearts crumble as they navigate the complexities of love amidst the challenges of co-parenting and healing from past wounds.

But standing in their way is Lorenzo’s vindictive ex-wife, who refuses to let go of the life she once had. Fueled by jealousy and bitterness, she sets a dangerous plan in motion to break apart the blossoming romance between Nalani and Lorenzo.

Will Nalani and Lorenzo triumph over the storm of deceit and danger, or will they be torn apart by an ex’s ruthless vendetta? Prepare for a heart-pounding journey where love is tested, loyalties are questioned, and the true strength of the human spirit is revealed.

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2023

275 people are currently reading
143 people want to read

About the author

Riley Baxter

38books64followers

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5 stars
454 (59%)
4 stars
218 (28%)
3 stars
71 (9%)
2 stars
17 (2%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for C.M..
5,708 reviews104 followers
November 7, 2023
The vibe was the thing

The vibe in this story was sweet and sassy. The student-teacher connection with a sweet little girl would lead to the dad and the teacher falling in love. Some parts of the story felt like Deja Vu with a similar story I read in the past..... It also was a good remix.
Profile Image for Rashawnda.
1,391 reviews909 followers
December 17, 2024
I went into this read with zero expectations! It wasn’t even on my radar until Audible played a preview of the book after finishing a different one. To say I enjoyed this story is an understatement! The banter between characters had me chuckling and despite Lorenzo’s bum @ss baby mama, I loved the connection between him and Nalani! She was a real one putting up with that bs! 4.5✨’s
Profile Image for Ray.
185 reviews6 followers
July 19, 2024
4.75 ⭐️

Imma be honest, when I first tried this book I was like omg this is gonna be one where the bitter baby mama is too much for her so I thought I didn’t wanna read it if I wasn’t going to get my HEA.

But taking a chance since I have been wanting to see what’s up with this book and I was surprised. Nalani was that girl to me. Her spirit and genuine heart made her easy to love. And Lorenzo literally oozed BDE. He was all about Nalani and was not trying to hide it. His delusional baby mama got exactly what she deserved like she really sat her and had her daughter trying to kill her sibling cause she was made. Like girl what, you that bitter and malicious! Anyway I’m glad her cousin was giving her the business in prison. And I’m glad my baby Londyn got the closure she needed to close that chapter in her life cause her mom only wanted to use her and she deserved better!
Profile Image for Whit.
3,483 reviews45 followers
March 14, 2025
Wow! This is a shocking page turner!!!!!!!!!!

Nalani is the kind of teacher every parent wants for their child. She's compassionate, knowledgeable and actually loves the kids in her care. She constantly seeks interesting and age appropriate content to share with her sweetie-pie students!

The cherry on top is the handsome, too good to be true, father of one of her students. Unfortunately, he comes with the ex-wife from HELL!!!! And what this crazy woman pulls is criminal!
Profile Image for Girl Truss Me.
465 reviews25 followers
November 9, 2023
Lorenzo and Nalani

I really liked Lorenzo and Nalani, I feel Tara got away with a lot and she should have been dealt with she really had no remorse. I am glad when Nalani tried that flight risk Lorenzo was like yeah naw we ain’t doing that…I was like you better let her know Renzo. Everyone should always have a cousin like Benay!!!
Profile Image for Keesha.
341 reviews7 followers
December 1, 2024
Lorenzo is hot for teacher and I’m here for it! Naylani falls for the sexy, single dad of one of her kindergarten students. Everyone is happy except his triflin� ex-wife. Despite not giving two damns about her daughter or husband when she had them, now she’s super pressed when the next woman comes to appreciate all she took for granted. And of course all sorts of foolishness transpires. This was a cute, messy romance.
Profile Image for Chichilovestoread.
327 reviews
January 26, 2025
Thoughts and vibes while reading:

I commend teachers irl!! Let’s go Nalani!

London mother sounds like a bihh..

Definitely a breath of fresh air to read about a teacher and a construction worker.

Please get London away from Tara�

Can’t cry over spilled nut now 😂😂😂😂

Yea Tara is a horrible person.. please seek sole custody of your child Lorenzo.

I haven’t heard you ain’t got to Lie to kick it in a long time. 😂

Ramsey a whole fool 😆

I understand why he did the friends zone thing but he needed to communicate his thoughts and so did she.

That’s bihh Tiara is hateful.. she can’t have him so no one else can???

So happy they fell for each other 💕

Damn not Tiara try to take the baby out?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nikenya Rodney.
609 reviews24 followers
November 11, 2023
Gosh this was a good book that had me all caught up. Lorenzo is a single dad to Londyn who is five. He meets her teacher Nalani and is smitten. He asks her out and their relationship just takes off, however, Lorenzo’s crazy ex tries to derail their lives. Good lawd, that woman was evil. She had no regard for her baby girl with all of her shenanigans. Thank goodness that Lorenzo and Nalani stuck together through all of the foolishness. I won’t give anything away because you’ve got to experience Tara for yourselves.

Anyway, this was a good second chance love story. Lorenzo was a good man who deserved a good woman and Nalani was that woman. They were just perfect together. I absolutely loved this book.
Profile Image for T K Vaugh.
1,203 reviews6 followers
November 27, 2023
Love After the Pain

This is my 1st book by this author!!!…I seen B Love promoting it on IG and decided to take a chance on it!!!…Im so happy I did!!!…This was definitely a book to make you reflect on love lost, love gained & a healing heart!!!…The trauma inflicted on Londyn by her selfish mother was crazy!!!�
The “village� is so lost when jealousy and envy are friends in a person’s life!!!�
Lorenzo did not play about his ladies at all and I was glad to see how promptly he responded to get things handled to make sure his family was safe!!!…He heeded the words of Nalani’s father and protected her, made sure she felt safe!!!�
893 reviews6 followers
November 9, 2023
Learning to love again

This was a really good book and it had me locked in from the beginning. Nalani and Lorenzo were so cute together. You could feel their chemistry off page. I loved how their love for each other was unconditional and was truly what agape love is all about. Little Londyn was cute and I loved the relationship and bond between her and Nalani. Tara was the definition of a bitter, hateful, and spiteful witch and karma was served up to her so quick. The epilogue was just a chef’s kiss ending to such a good story.
Profile Image for Tarsha Woods.
1,076 reviews
November 8, 2023
Weight

Holding on to hurt can hinder your ability for happiness. Family provides support, balance, unconditional love and respect. Bitterness opens the door for trouble that may occur in harming someone that maybe you.

Appreciate all that you have no matter how trivial or gigantic. One person trash maybe another person jewels.
15 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2023
Loved it

I was looking for a good read and this book did not disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning and stayed up late to finish it. I loved that things worked out for them in spite of the things that were thrown their way. I truly believe in karma.
59 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2023
So Good!

Mannnnn the drama in this storytyyyy. That damn baby mama made me want to knock her out with her audacity and manipulation. I loved that despite it all, Nalani and Lorenzo stayed the course and got their HEA. Always a fan of Mrs. Baxter, can’t wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Ondria  Bacon.
552 reviews3 followers
November 8, 2023
What a story

This was great. I did have a slight issue with Nalani ready to bed Lorenzo so soon but that’s just me. I really enjoyed reading about the McCants family. Londyn was so advanced for her age and just as cute. Tara�.. nothing to say on her behalf except KARMA😊
Awesome to read. Riley, I loved it.

Happy Reading‼️
Profile Image for Goddess’ Smut Library &#x1f496;.
264 reviews9 followers
February 2, 2025
I thought this was very well written, and I love the chemistry between the two main characters. But the crazy ex just put it over the top because I didn’t even fathom what she was trying to do until it happened, and I was in shock. But love always wins, and in the end, she got what she deserved.
Profile Image for thebookcritic_.
747 reviews14 followers
April 12, 2025
didn’t like the dialogue

This book was kind of boring and corny. I didn’t like the dialogue. There was definitely some drama though. A lot of things were also over explained. Then the almost third act breakup was so dramatic. Send that lady to jail.
693 reviews4 followers
November 17, 2023
Love Wins over Hate

This is a page turner full of relatable characters and storyline
We have main characters Lorenzo a single parent of 5 year old London and Nalani her teacher who meet and have instant chemistry. But then there is Tara the ex-wife from hell who is vindictive
This is where the rollercoaster begins
Tara is on some mean high level stuff and does some foul things. Lorenzo is definitely an alpha all the way but it gets very dicey for a while
Londyn is so smart and adorable in the story and the supporting characters are people you want in your family
Riley weaved a wonderful love story to let us know the karma is real and that you will reap what you sow in life when you mean evil for people who didn’t do anything to you
The end of this story was great with the epilogue giving us full closure
You leave them with a good feeling in your heart and a smile on your face

Great job Riley
Every book you write keeps getting better
Your talent/gift is awesome
I highly recommend this book and that you look into her catalog
Profile Image for Tasha Millner.
402 reviews3 followers
November 10, 2023
Learning to Love Again

Lorenzo fell hard in love with Nalani while raising his daughter, Londyn who happened to be her student. With both of them having past broken relationships they learned how to love each other despite bitterness from Lorenzo’s ex wife. Their love for each other kept them strong as they triumphed over it all.
Profile Image for Nessa Riley.
32 reviews4 followers
November 16, 2023
Learning To Love again 💕

I love this book like Lorenzo and Nalani chemistry. It had been presented from the first time they met, and it didn’t dwell down. I love the relationship Nalani had with Londyn from the beginning and how much it grew right up until the end of the book even when Trifling Tara tried to rip it apart 💔 what hurt the most is what she put her daughter up to do. I hsdt to Google the name of the pill and ended up down a rabbit hole and the consequences of taking such a pill, especially without a doctors supervision and all I wanted to do was wring Tara's and so I understand how Nalani felt defeated in that moment. But It was wonderful to see how they weather the storm of the custody battle and the trial. Listen, I love a good retribution, and "Benay" let that bitch know its family over everything and Karma is a bitch. I would recommend this book to anyone.
Profile Image for Darnise Williams.
145 reviews13 followers
November 29, 2023
Good read!

I loved this story! Great character development... You can't help but fall in love them. The plot twist was epic! Looking forward to reading more from this Writer.
682 reviews
November 12, 2023
Vickie J

This book was so good I could not believe how a mother would do the things to her child because your ex have moved on and to blackmail was too much, great book
279 reviews2 followers
November 20, 2023
Really cute story. Single dad meets daughter’s teacher. Trouble comes from the x-wife. Evil is to nice a word for her.
567 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2023
Love is a Great Gift

Loves this book. The characters kept the story real. Bitterness is hard on the soul.
I would recomend this book to anyone who had a love and lost it. Karma is a Bit__h.
Profile Image for Geri.
990 reviews6 followers
March 15, 2024
Good read

First, I applaud the author for writing a good story about love overcoming obstacles. I really loved Nalani’s spirit and relationship with her family and close friend Chyna. Lorenzo was a good, hardworking single dad doing the best he can to be there for his daughter and provide her with a stable home life. All good, loved all of that.

What I did find kinda ick was the use of vulgar language throughout which I just found to be unnecessary. What I mean by that is that as a 30+ year old myself, I have never encountered anyone speaking to others - just in casual conversation - like they did in this story. At one point, Lorenzo’s mom even drops the p-word in the presence of the whole family, including 5 year old London.

Next was London’s extensive vocabulary and conversation skills for a 5 year old just going to preschool. I have never, including my own kids heard a 5 year talk this way. She sounded more like a preteen in most conversations. Towards the end, the story did kinda drag, but otherwise, it was a good story.

Overall, good read!
Profile Image for Brooklyn Simpson-Crowder.
107 reviews21 followers
December 6, 2024
Star level: 3.5 stars Spice level: 🌶�
Trope: black love, single father, OWD, instant connection,
Trigger warnings: neglectful parent
Fav quotes: “His dark, smooth skin is enough to have me craving dark chocolate until every one of my teeth needs root canals. The extensive procedures nor the pain would deter me either. That man is hot and unapologetically all the man I could ever need.�
“Any man or woman can warm a bed, but the person you deem to be your forever will cause you to introduce them to a backyard full of your relatives.�
About the book: The first half of the book was really good. Nalani a kindergarten teacher with no time for daring until she meets single father Lorenzo and it was like they had an instant connection. The moment they meet they were smitten with each other but didn’t want to cross lines without involving Lorenzo daughter. Then you had the jealous ex wife that want to but in their relationship every chance she got. And the thing she did to her daughter I’m glad she got what she deserved and they got their happy ending.
Profile Image for Christina.
159 reviews3 followers
February 6, 2025
*2.5ishh

The good:
- the premise - Loved the idea of a teacher/student's parent relationship.
- It started out really cute.

The bad
- the execution - I didn't feel any chemistry between the characters at all! Some of the things Lorenzo would say, would usually make me swoon in another book, but I was just cringing. lol I didn't feel the vibes/chemistry/connection or anything between the main characters.
- the progression - The progression of the relationship was so quick. Nalani was turned off from Lorenzo because of the first Tara encounter, but then she ends up in his bed and then he basically says they are together now without any dating, talking, or anything. lol Then, the things he started saying like I mentioned being was weird and cringe. Even the way he was acting after they were together was weird. lol

Honestly, by about 40%, I could tell this wasn't gonna be a 4-5 stars, but definitely didn't expect to truly not like this.

Profile Image for Keyerra Johnson.
171 reviews
January 29, 2024
this book is teetering on a 3.3 stars. it was just corny to me. the dialogue was just off. especially with londyn. idk�. i was tryna hurry up and finish the book just to get it over with. i liked Nalani’s family. but even then, the brother did too much. lorenzo� just didn’t do it for me. there was a couple excerpts where he talked about nalani’s p***y and it was soooo cringe. just ew. idk. he initiated a kiss then friend zoned her. weird. he also made me mad because she expressed that she loved him and he never said it back, ALTHOUGH, he felt the same way? weird. just weird. the back and forth between him and his best friend or his brother was also corny. lol just ugh. but tara. girl� ya dumb. just dumb. i also hate bitterness. it literally gets you nowhere. but to see her getting beat up like that, is crazy.
Profile Image for Ruby.
512 reviews2 followers
March 2, 2024
Love Prevails!!!

Lorenzo and Nalani's story was such a fun read to me. They met because Lorenzo's daughter, Londyn, was in Nalani's classroom. It was instant chemistry between them. As they begin spending time together, here comes Lorenzo's bitter and jealous ex-wife. I couldn't stand her. How are you going to use your own child to do your dirt? I wanted her to get somebody's hands and in the end, karma won. It just goes to show that family looks out for family no matter the time or place. Despite her evil intentions, love prevailed. I loved Lorenzo and Nalani together and I loved Lorenzo's daughter as well. She was too cute!!! I also loved and respected the type of teacher Nalani was to Londyn and the rest of her students. Great job Ms. Riley!!!
Profile Image for Michelle Dixon.
138 reviews
December 5, 2024
***Listened on audio***

3.5 rounded up. This was a really good easy listen. I laughed a few times and enjoyed the banter. I really liked how the story didn’t have them married in a week and this story progressed over a period of time.
- at times this felt a bit wordy and overly descriptive. I would skip ahead when they got too wordy.
- I appreciated that although both MC’s had a past bad relationship, it didn’t stop them from exploring something with each other. I also appreciated that this felt very relatable and the characters felt like normal people with normal problems
- I also like how despite the ex wife’s antics, Lorenzo and Nalani remained a unit and didn’t let her affect their relationship.
- That damn ex wife got what she deserve.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews

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