Learning to Grow

The Education of the Heart #6

by M.A. Innes

Dean
It’s Joel’s fault. Dean’s questions are piling up along with his emotions, but Joel’s parents keep adding more with every overly “helpful” phone call. Just when he thinks it can’t get more stressful, he’s proven wrong. They get invited to dinner.

Joel
He knows his parents’ life lessons have made him the best partner ever, but he’s not sure his boyfriends-slash-Doms understand that. Luckily for him, though, they get invited to dinner, so he can finally show off how not greedy he is and how special his Daddy and his Dom are.

Tate
Dean might have a vast array of new things to worry about, but Tate is busy wondering if his partners know how adorable they are and if they realize just how close to falling in love they all are. But he’s got questions to answer and fun things on their list to explore, so finding time to worry about love just isn’t on his to-do list.

With emotions running high and logic running low, it’ll take being Olive Garden special to remind three adorable cuties just how incredible their future will be.

Genres: M M Romance

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2024

About the author

M.A. Innes writes kinky and curious things like age play, puppy play, sweet guys in lingerie, cute boys in search of a Daddy and more.

When M.A. Innes wants to write a little more mainstream, she writes under the name: Shaw Montgomery

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Reviews

[Kaylee Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF (read to 70%)

I was able to finish the first book in this series, although it wasn't one of my favorites by this author, but I simply could not finish this one. There is something about the way Joel's voice is written that makes me incredibly uncomfortable, and the way he converses with his parents is triggering for me. I typically adore the way this author breathes life into her characters. She has even written other characters that have a slightly similar amount of openness and innocence. However, Joel's open manipulation combined with his over-the-top childlike/innocent tone bothered me the more I read.

Others may find Joel to be endearing, and his unique relationship with his parents enlightening, but I simply found both to be uncomfortable. That being said, I still look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Rainbow Reads and Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

DNF at 36%. This was at least a bit more coherent in the first couple of chapters, but that’s all it really has going for it. She dropped the ball with this duet. Maybe someone should remind her that these books should take priority over free Patreon stories and they should be her main focus? I don’t know. All I know is that these 2 books were hot, fire garbage. Read anything before 2023 or Daddy’s Little Artist from last year if you want decent writing from this author.

[Bailie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! I absolutely loved this book! I think this might be my favorite book in this series and if not it’s definitely a very close second! I love that we get to see their relationship develop and I love getting to see Dean come out of his shell more and more throughout but never truly lose his worry for the ones that he cares about. And I love that we get to see more of his submissive side in this book but I so would have loved to see more of it throughout both books because I love how it calms him down and makes him open to trying new things not only with Tate but also with Joel! Overall, I so wanted more from this book! I would love to see how their relationship continues to develop! Honestly I would love to have a book that is basically a book of epilogues for all the characters in this series to see where their relationship is years down the road! But overall, I really enjoyed this series and I cannot wait to dive further into this authors other books especially the ones that are connected to this series!

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great continuation of the romance between Tate, Dean, and Joel. They are getting more serious about each other, but they're still having fun. This book is full of sexy and hilarious moments, but the hearts of these guys always manage to shine through. Joel and his parents have more unique but well intentioned ideas about relationships, Dean is becoming more comfortable and confident with his role in this kinky throuple, and Tate is loving his boys and embracing his role as "head dom." These young men are learning a lot and still having fun, and they make this reader smile (and laugh) a lot.

[Guy Venturi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing things is important for many people.

Farmers grow crops. Foresters grow trees. Families grow vegetable gardens and flower gardens. But plants are not the only thing that grows.

Animals, spiders, bugs, chickens, cows, horses and many other critters grow around us.

Yet it is the people who grow the most. Physically, socially, mentally, and imaginatively as the world around them evolves.

The more contact with the world and other people, the more the opportunities expand to allow even more growth. It is in families that the best growth and learning happens, especially as trust and love develop the best relationships.

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so many things I love about this book. Usually I plow through this author’s work but this one I took my time and even went back and read parts again. It takes a lot of work and skill when doing a story with three main characters and capture the complexities of their personalities. It was done perfectly here. What really blew my mind is we got so much insight into Joel’s parents too. I do hope we get to see more of these guys. I know we will get glimpses for sure. I love the way this series is done. With two books for each set of characters we get to know them so much deeper.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

With emotions running high and logic running low, it'll take being Olive Garden special to remind three adorable cuties just how incredible their future will be.

I love the dynamic between these three men and the strange role that Joel's parents seem to play in their relationship. Lots of emotions and feelings as they started to think about the future they can have together. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MMM story with mature content and BDSM-like D/s and DDLB dynamics.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dean, Joel, and Tate's book is so much fun! Lots of silly shenanigans both clothed and not. Some fun cameos from characters from other books and lots of laughs. You definitely have to read book 5 first since this is a duet. I really enjoyed watching all three settle into their relationship and understand just how special they are to each other.

[Denise Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun second book in this series.
Joel, Dean and Tate figuring out their relationshIp. With helping Joel out with his desires and fantasies to becoming a real family.
Fun read, loved the way Joel saw life, Dean 's willingness to explore being a daddy and Tate enjoying being a dom.
Thoroughly enjoyed

[Jamie Lee Zonneveld · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars
Learning to Grow is the second book in the duet about Dean, Joel and Tate. It's the 6th book in the Education of the Heart series by M.A. Innes.

I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written. I loved seeing these guys growing their relationship.

[FHR · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this conclusion of this trio’s story, we get to see them fit together as their curiosity builds and leads to more exploration.
Dean who is an overthinking Daddy, Joel being an inquisitive little with parents who add more to the mix and Tate who finds his own as their Dom.

An enjoyable read overall with some memorable scene woven into this story.

[Colleen Cremen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilled with double book storyline

Another great story by MA Innes. I loved the double book. I loved these guys and could read more books about them.
The waiter at the restaurant was great!

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for the ARC, I voluntarily give it an honest review. Its not nosy.. Brady is just a very unique and curious little. Joel on the other hand held that weird conversation just fabulously after all he mad his daddy and Sir so squirming for different reasons.
Finding your person or people is just the best, after all they get you even when you have post steamyy brain.
Dean and Tate finding their footing was hot, Becausing Out of all the POV Joel wins this one hands down..

[Jai Oni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enjoyment: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. This is the continuation of Joel, Dean and Tates story. I loved watching these guys work on their relationships. They were so cute and funny together. This was a fantastic story that I couldn’t put down.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read: August 30, 2024
Second read: February 9, 2025

3.5 stars