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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

293 people are currently reading
174 people want to read

About the author

Riley Baxter

46 books92 followers

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5 stars
494 (57%)
4 stars
255 (29%)
3 stars
87 (10%)
2 stars
21 (2%)
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8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
Profile Image for Mrs..
5,952 reviews105 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 reviews1,092 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 Ebony Essence.
510 reviews22 followers
July 1, 2025
4.5 - So i went on hoopla to find an audiobook that would hopefully be satisfying. With that being said it was. Also i believe this is my read by the author.

This book was a good time. I love the drama and the truth behind some of these crazy co parenting situations. Lorenzo and Nalani had a really good connection. The banter had me literally laughing out loud as well as other funny parts or things characters would say. The family, friends and career were all great touches as well. I feel Riley did a great job developing the story and characters while also moving the story along. With the time jumps i don’t feel like i missed anything or anything was rushed. Can’t wait to read more.
Profile Image for Ray.
192 reviews7 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.
3,623 reviews51 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 ReadnliftwithShar.
1,835 reviews
June 21, 2025
wild!😝

4.5 ⭐️The narrators were really good! 😊 I love a good teacher/parent storyline. The drama was wild, because Tara was a trash mother who felt like she was entitled to having an opinion about who Lorenzo was with - chile the audacity!😒Big Karma came to collect, as per usual!💅🏾
Profile Image for Girl Truss Me.
468 reviews26 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.
513 reviews17 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.
455 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.
748 reviews25 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.
1,485 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!!!…
1,040 reviews8 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.
1,196 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.
66 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.
554 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 &#x1fa77;.
460 reviews19 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_.
858 reviews25 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.
834 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.
438 reviews4 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.
35 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.
165 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.
710 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
323 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.
683 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 Christina.
167 reviews5 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 Jen.
529 reviews3 followers
December 12, 2023
DNF

To be fair. I read a few books that were disappointing prior to this one so my tolerance was already low. One of the gripes I had with the previous books was that the vernacular didn’t match the setting of the book or the description of the characters. It seems like that was going to be the case. At about chapter 2, the conversation between the MMC and his daughter threw me off and killed my interest in reading the rest. I just kept thinking the 5yo said that??? I don’t want to see if that was a one off or something that was going to be consistent throughout the book so I quit.
Profile Image for NeiNey.ThaReadinDoula.
272 reviews9 followers
June 12, 2025
Let me be real—I almost put this book down before I even got started. The second I picked up on bitter baby mama energy, I was like, “Oh no, not this mess again.” I wasn’t about to waste time on drama if my happy ending wasn’t guaranteed. I needed a HEA!

But something told me to give it a chance—and thank goodness I did. Because Nalani? That woman was IT. Soft but strong, real and raw—her vibe was magnetic. I connected with her instantly. And Lorenzo? That man exuded power, confidence, and loyalty. He didn’t play about Nalani, and he didn’t care who knew it. He was fully locked in, and I loved every minute of it.

Now let’s talk about his baby mama—because whew. She wasn’t just bitter, she was unhinged. This woman really had her daughter out here trying to hurt her own sibling out of pure spite. Like, what?! That’s beyond petty—that’s dangerous. She got exactly what was coming to her, and I cheered when her cousin gave her hell behind bars. Deserved.

And my sweet Londyn… that girl carried so much pain, but still held on to hope. Watching her finally cut ties with her manipulative mom and get the closure she needed? That hit me hard. She deserved so much more, and I was so glad she finally got her peace.

This was my first read by Riley Baxter and I wasn’t ready for how much I’d love it. The villain? INFURIATING and not in the best way. The characters? Real, layered, unforgettable. I felt every emotion. Riley snapped with this one, and I’ll definitely be back for more. Pure fire.
Profile Image for Geri.
1,155 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!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews

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