Margin of Error

by Rachel Lacey

From Rachel Lacey, author of Learning Curves, comes a tender, hopeful romance about how fate is what you’re given but love is what you choose, and how small sparks can change everything.

Two years after an accident in Manhattan almost claimed her life, Marin is determined to take advantage of her second chance. She’s left her husband, her job, even her home to pursue the life she’s always wanted. Now she’s teaching statistics at Northshire University and preparing to do something she’s spent decades dreaming about: date a woman. But the last woman she expects to encounter on her journey is the one she’s been fantasizing about since their chance encounter the morning Marin nearly died.

Charlotte has made big changes in her life since that fateful day too. Most importantly, she’s moved back to her Vermont hometown, determined to finally solve the thirty-year-old mystery of her mother’s disappearance. An unexpected—and unexpectedly intense—friendship? That wasn’t in the plan. Neither was questioning her sexuality, but the more time Charlotte spends with Marin, the more she realizes her feelings run deeper than friendship.

Surely this would be a disaster, both of them being each other’s first, except the chemistry between them feels too strong to deny. But as they get to the heart of the mystery—and the heart of who they are—what brought them together just might tear them apart.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, LGBT, Queer, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Contemporary

317 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Rachel Lacey is an award-winning contemporary romance author and semi-reformed travel junkie. She's been climbed by a monkey on a mountain in Japan, gone scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and camped out overnight in New York City for a chance to be an extra in a movie. These days, the majority of her adventures take place on the pages of the books she writes. She lives in the mountains of Vermont with her family and a variety of rescue pets.

Reviews

[milena · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am convinced that Rachel Lacey only writes masterpieces.

Firstly, I loved how characters from her other books were briefly mentioned. It makes me feel like I'm diving into a little world that I never want to leave!

As I said, Rachel Lacey is my absolute favorite author, and with this book she has shown me once again why. No other author can make me feel the same emotions as her books do!

I really liked the plot of the story. Novels where older women discover their sexuality are so desperately needed, and I think Rachel Lacey has done an excellent job of representing this! The book had a perfect balance of action and sweet moments.

Thanks to NetGalley and Rachel Lacey for providing me with an arc! <3 I left this review voluntarily.

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cure to my reading slump? It’s been a little while since I was this locked in to a book this hard. I pretty much knew from page one that this was going to be my next 5-star read.

* Full RTC closer to official publication date!

[Clara Addicted to sapphic books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the prologue scene, without knowing it, Charlotte and Marin are linked for life in a scary and strong scene. The fate factor played a strong part in their story, to put them on the same path again. I like when authors don’t torture me for chapters for the characters to interact with each other. The friendship they develop was really sweet to read and I love how Charlotte cames to terms with her, the jealousy, the self talk. Marin is really likeable too, and I know a lot of women coming out late in life will recognize themselves in her. I really felt the nerves and the exiliration to finally live her truth. The story around Charlotte’s mother added some mystery, but I expected something deeper. I wasn’t a fan of the fight in the end that felt a bit unecessary to me. Lacey’s book are always plaisant and easy to read.

[lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

the highs were high but the lows were abysmally low…

thank you to netgalley and montlake for the arc

[Andrea (looseleftlesbian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️Thank you Rachel Lacey and NetGalley for the ARC! I am not sure why I am surprised that I loved this from the very beginning. I remember looking down at how far I was into the book and I was only 9% through when I literally said out loud, “This is so good.” I loved that Michelle and Audrey made appearances and I loved that Eden Sands was mentioned from Rachel’s other books!

Both MCs are over 40(40 and 47). I thought I might have an issue with relating to them due to this, but that wasn’t an issue at all. The way that Rachel writes her characters makes it so easy to relate to. They are always complex, dimensional characters and Margin of Error is no exception. Exploring the complexities of coming out later in life was realistic and I believe will help a lot of people. The fears, hopes, emotions of these two women were so visceral and well written, that you could feel it coming off the page

I can’t really say the way they met was a meet cute, seeing that Marin almost died right after, but it was unique the way they met and it tied up nicely with the plot and the ending. I was so interested in the missing mom portion of the story. Once again, a unique storyline that kept my attention. Yeah, this is a love story, but it’s so much more!

[clara ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

➥ 4 stars ⋆˚࿔

I can’t believe the academia duology is over now🥲🥲 I loved every single second of it and I’ll miss Marin, Charlotte, Audrey, and Michelle a whole lot. Rtc!

Thank you to Rachel Lacey, Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC! This review was left voluntarily.

[Leyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love me a story with adult sapphics!! Both MCs are in their 40s and busy with their grown up lives and I enjoy that!

The start of this is so good, I was really hooked on this seemingly fated connection between Marin and Charlotte and really hyped to see their story unfold.

I like them and I liked the writing, but I don’t like the finding charlottes mom plot very much, especially in the middle part of the book where I felt like we should’ve been focusing on charlottes journey with her identity and Marins coming out and dating process.. it was just an unwelcome distraction tbh😅😅

Other than that I really enjoyed reading it and give it a solid 3.5✨



I’ve received an ARC through NetGalley but all opinions are my own!

[Lucy Bexley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Lacey is doing some kind of sorcery because I absolutely fly through her books. I don’t want to say too much before this one is out but the plot is rich beyond the romance storyline and I absolutely loved the two MCs discovering things together—I haven’t seen that done before (not that it hasn’t , just not in a book I’ve read). Also, hooray for older heroines!

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC closer to publication date.

[BooksWithSuun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading *Margin of Error* by Rachel Lacey (huge thanks to Rachel and NetGalley for the ARC!). The story follows both Charlotte and Marin as they discover their sexuality, which felt really authentic and made me think of my own coming-out journey. The nervousness, curiosity, and tenderness they experience came across as real and relatable.

Alongside that, there’s a gripping mystery about Charlotte trying to uncover what happened to her mom. Both storylines are emotional and well-written, with a satisfying ending to the mystery.

The writing is very detailed, which I usually enjoy, but here it sometimes slowed the pace and interrupted the flow. The style isn’t my absolute favorite but definitely enjoyable.

The start felt a little slow, but once the “gay panic” moments kicked in, things got way more interesting. I liked the couple, but their chemistry didn’t totally sweep me off my feet. Their love story was still sweet and cute enough to keep me hooked.

All in all, *Margin of Error* is an emotional, heartfelt story about self-discovery and family secrets.

[Yolanda | yolandaannmarie.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Margin of Error releases February 3, 2026

“Not everything can be explained by statistical models, even when you account for the margin of error. Sometimes, you have to trust your instincts and believe in the unbelievable.”

Two years ago, Charlotte’s life was altered when she stepped onto a bus and shared her daily horoscope with the woman sitting next to her, only to end up holding her hand as the woman laid dying on a sidewalk from a car crash.
Desperate for a sense of purpose, Charlotte has returned to her hometown in Vermont in search of answers as to why her mother vanished thirty years ago, but is caught off guard when her newest client as a realtor just so happens to be the woman from the bus whom she thought died.

Let’s start with the things I loved about this book. Marin’s character arc stole the show; I admired her strength in going out of her comfort zone, coming out later in life, and finding a second chance. Her chronic pain was also portrayed really well.
As for the romance, it definitely wasn’t the strongest considering the fact that Charlotte identified as straight for most of the story. At times, the bond between Charlotte and Marin felt more like transference due to the traumatic event they shared, rather than genuine attraction.
I would’ve loved if the reparation between Charlotte and her father had played a larger role in the story to balance out all of the scenes with the puppy.

Margin of Error is a companion novel to Learning Curves. While they can both be read as standalones, you’ll definitely appreciate the cameos of Audrey and Michelle more if you start with Learning Curves.

[Julia Van Dyke · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley provided this book to me as an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. My first ARC!!!

This book was pretty cute, but there was a lot going on in it. I loved the characters and their growth, and their love story was very sweet. Charlotte and Marin each had their side stories going on as well, which were interesting and unique. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

That being said, this book was surprisingly intense. There were a couple of scenes that were intentionally shocking, but were much more in depth than I would have expected, given other aspects of the writing style. I wish I could say more about that, but I don’t want to spoil anything.

Margin of Error was also pretty repetitive. By the end of the novel, I found myself starting to speed read because I often felt like I already knew the gist of what some of the paragraphs were going to say. Some of the repetition felt intentional, perhaps to drive certain points/characteristics home, but some other repetition felt more like the author hasn’t been sure where to put a section and therefore put it in multiple places.

Another thing that bugged me was the level of detail. With events and settings, the details were vivid and often beautiful, but then the dialogue had a distinct lack of detail. In fact, the dialogue felt pretty stiff to me in ways that didn’t feel like they fit the characters.

I’m ultimately glad I read this book as my first ARC. It was a quick, cute, and easy read. 3.75 stars, rounded up

[sapphicliteratureirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrative follows the dual perspectives of Marin and Charlotte as they both find themselves falling for a woman for the first time ✨️

After a bad accident, Marin is embracing a second chance at life. With a new job teaching statistics at a university and a new home in Vermont, she’s ready for a fresh start — including exploring her sexuality. I loved this narrative: Marin, at 47, joyfully embracing life and wanting a girlfriend for the first time. Her excitement is infectious. Watching her join a dating app and put herself out there is light, fun, and genuinely heart-warming.

Charlotte has also recently moved and is drawn into a mystery involving her mother. Her growing friendship with Marin leads her to question her own sexuality, and their dynamic is warm, fun, and wonderfully developed. I loved the steady way the author shows Charlotte’s realisation that she’s interested in Marin — and when she starts finding statistics hot, you know she’s got it baaaaad 🫠

The slow build suits where both characters are emotionally, making the romance feel earned. The chemistry and spice are ⚡️ and sensual, before the story picks up pace. There’s some major drama towards the end that I didn’t see coming. I also really appreciated the inclusion of chronic pain representation, and it was a joy catching up with Audrey and Michelle from 'Learning Curves' 😍

Thinking back to Marin and her love of statistics, the odds of this romance ever happening felt low — neither woman ever imagined it. That’s what makes this such a lovely story about taking a chance ❤️

[RomanceReadingJess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. It was like the warmest winter hug, but still had moments of mystery, intrigue, and angst. Rachel Lacey’s writing is top tier. You can just feel all the emotions on every page.

Charlotte and Marin both had so much character development throughout this story and it was a beautiful story to watch unfold. Now this was a sloooow burn. Even slower than Learning Curves, so it was a bit of torture, but it was SO worth it. The yearning, the restraint, the tension.. it was perfect.

And Ember! The most adorable little side character ever! I love how a pet can add so much emotion and happiness to a story! The emotional stability and support that Ember provided for Marin was so heartwarming and I just fell in love with that puppy right along with them.

This was a late in life coming out mixed with a bi/pan awakening and these two characters shared so many firsts together, but Rachel wrote it all in the best way with so much care and understanding between them. I devoured this book in 24 hours. I finished it at 2 AM and I have no regrets.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw that this ARC was available on Netgalley as a Read Now book, I immediately had to grab it, even though I hadn’t read Learning Curves yet! I have to say that I don’t regret it at all, because I loved this book.

One aspect of the book that I appreciated a lot, is that both Marin and Charlotte realize that they are not straight later in life (in their 40s).. Throughout the book we get to see Marin’s firsts - her first date with a woman, her first kiss with one, as well as all the emotions that come with it. At the same time, we get to see Charlotte come to the realization that she has feelings for Marin. I can see how this book would really appeal to queer individuals who came out later in life, or are still closeted..

I loved how Charlotte and Marin met - it is one of the most unique meet-cutes that I have read in a book. Yet, while them meeting again does feel like fate, they do not fall instantly in love. Instead they develop a beautiful, yet intense friendship. One thing that I appreciated about their friendship is how Charlotte is so supportive of Marin as she deals with her chronic pain.

The final character that I cannot forget to mention is Ember! I grew up owning labradors, so when I saw that one of the MC’s adopts a labrador puppy, I was so excited. He’s so cute, and his antics bring a lot of levity to this story.

The reason why I removed .75 stars from my review is in relationship to the plotline of Charlotte’s mother’s disappearance. While we get to see Charlotte’s interaction’s with characters from her mother’s life, this plotline felt flat to me. This also contributed to the ending feeling a little rushed.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably, because of my age and personal preferences (I definitely lean toward lighthearted, funny romcoms and I’m not a big fan of the friends-to-lovers trope), I’m not exactly the ideal reader for "Margin of Error". Still, I really enjoyed the atmosphere: the wintry setting, the cozy vibes, and the tender romantic tone of the love story!

The plot focuses strongly on the theme of coming out, and at times it reaches some very emotional and even dramatic moments. It’s not a topic that personally resonates with me, but I truly appreciated how sensitively and respectfully the author handled it, especially in showing how complex and deeply felt family dynamics can become during such a vulnerable time.

I liked both main characters: they have wonderful chemistry, and I think many readers over forty will especially relate to their quiet moments of mutual support and gentle understanding. The subplot about Charlotte’s missing mother doesn’t always blend seamlessly with the main storyline, but it does help keep the pacing lively in parts where the narrative otherwise feels a bit too slow. (Because cozy vibes are great, but we probably don’t need to know every detail about Marin’s puppy’s bathroom schedule or Charlotte’s daily breakfast, right?)

That said, the first meeting between the two MCs is absolutely thrilling: fast-paced, full of energy, and genuinely memorable. I also loved the ending; it felt emotionally satisfying and left me with a smile!

If you enjoy sapphic romances by authors like Melissa Brayden, Alexandria Bellefleur, or Clare Lydon, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try!

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

[Kasley.K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sapphic romances with mature leads are often a pleasure to read. For someone who is still young, reading about women who start over or discover themself despite being considered too old to do so (according to old society beliefs) is a source of joy and reassurance. Margin of Error perfectly reflects these experiences.


I found Marin and Charlotte’s first meeting memorable, and I enjoyed Charlotte’s approach to astrology. To follow Marin in her journey was such a pleasure; I found myself rooting for her each time she reached a new milestone.

Charlotte’s quest for answers was a hard one, and I liked how it conflicted with her discovering the nature of her feelings for Marin. I have to admit that I got a bit mad at her.


Ember made me swoon so much. She seemed so cute and sweet. The way she helped Marin warmed my heart.

It’s always cool to see characters from previous books, so I was happy to get some news from Audrey and Michelle, even if… well. You will have to read it to know.


Rachel Lacey keeps making me want to go to Vermont. The descriptions make me want to travel there without all the complications that come with going to the U.S.

Margin of Error is a great winter read if you’re looking for a story about starting over and finding love at an older age.

[callistoscalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own!

📖 Book Review 📖 How many times in your life have you muttered the phrase, “What are the chances?” While you most likely do not know the probability, Marin is a statistic girl through and through but a near death experience has her risking it all for a second chance at her authentic life. Two years after an accident in Manhattan, she revamps her entire life in rural Vermont and starts afresh as a lesbian college professor.

What are the chances she comes face to face with the woman whose face was the last one she saw before nearly crossing over for good? For book stats, we’ll just say very unlikely. As Marin and Charlotte bond over their shared experience and get to know each other, their connection grows in an unexpected way that surprises both of them in the most beautiful fashion. Margin of Error is the cutest, not-at-all nerdy sapphic romance imaginable!

[kelsee · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. Margin of Error was more shocking and intense than I expected it to be. The characters go through some real stuff - BUT this is what brought me to love it so much! Seeing them go through these difficult things in life and learning more about themselves was inspiring.

Marin and Charlotte won my heart and I saw myself in both of them. Both are late blooming sapphics and their experience with that was written so well! Aaaaaaand friends to lovers is by far my favorite trope and it was so perfect in this book.

Overall, definitely recommend - and I’m so glad we got an update on Audrey and Michelle from Learning Curves, too!

[:) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a perfect mix of sapphic romance, complicated pasts and discovering yourself. I loved how horoscopes and fate seemed to get in the way, resulting in this beautiful love story. Both main characters had a lot to accept and grow, and, most of all, learning how to do it together. It's a strangers to friends to lovers story, takes its time to build up, making it all make sense in the end. I really liked it and recommend to anyone who likes contemporary romance and women in love.

Received an e-arc from netgalley in exchange for as honest review. Thank you for the opportunity!

[brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW !!!

4.5 STARS ⭐️

“You’re right that I’ve been running… hiding. I’m a total mess, but I want to be better.” “You can stop running now.”

❄️🐾🧣🚑☁️🏙️☕️🚨🏔️🪬📦🔑📊💼

I am so thankful that I received an ARC copy of Margin of Error and I am super grateful for Rachel Lacey for sending it my way!

Hopping into Marin & Charlotte’s story was really sweet. I must admit that this book was different from what I was expecting after reading Learning Curves. I wasn’t as invested in this love story as Learning Curves but it was still sweet. I love a good friends to lovers troupe and these two ladies are most certainly fated, written in the stars, destined to end up together. Reading Charlotte’s POV in the prologue had me so invested and I knew that we were in for a crazy ride.

“They smiled at each other, and that felt like a sign too. Of what, Charlotte wasn’t sure. But…Something.”

Trigger warning that should be addressed in Margin of Error - near death experience, PTSD, homophobia, internalized homophobia, traumatic accidents, and death/talk of death

In Margin of Error you have Charlotte Danton who just recently moved back to her hometown to solve the 30 year long mystery of her missing mother, reconnect with her father, and maybe find herself along the way. She is swearing off romance and partners after her last relationship with her boyfriend went up in flames. All of this came into place after watching someone die just 2 years ago and it changed her life… for the worse. Being back in Middleton she is remembering all of her bad memories and she just wants to keep them buried deep down but as she meets a new best friend, reconnects with people from her past, and is faced with some surprising truths she has to open MANY can of worms.

“New year, new Charlotte? The problem was, she’d tried out a “new Charlotte” so many times, she almost didn’t know who she was anymore.”

Marin Easterly is recently divorced, recently out as a lesbian, and recently employed at NU in Middleton she is starting over. She is finally living a life for herself at 47. She has waited over 20 years to be her true, authentic self. After a near death experience 2 years ago and a random blonde hair woman on the bus she chose to switch up her life and make a change. She is desperate for love, passion, and a life partner…with a woman. She wants to be open with who she is and stop letting her accident define her. She wants to adopt a puppy and find a wife and she is willing to do anything to make her dreams come true. But, she isn’t expecting to see the blonde haired woman in Middleton 2 years after this accident. She has to figure out how to keep those feelings quiet, just like she did for 20 years of her life.

“No more hiding. That's the promise I made myself when I left Andrew. I won’t apologize for who I am…”

Troupes - femme/femme, hurt/comfort, over 40’s, small town, new beginnings, coming out later in life, mystery, rescue puppy rep, one bed, friends to lovers

“If I’ve learned anything over the last few years, it’s this: Not everything can be explained by statistical models, even when you account for the margin of error. Sometimes, you have to trust your instincts and believe in the unbelievable.”

[Kristene · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (If six stars were allowed)

Margin of Error by Rachel Lacey
Sapphic romance featuring women in their 40s
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️✨ 3.5 out of 5

Content and trigger warnings:

Car accident, loss, near fatal accident, nerve pain, chronic pain, and body limitations.

Also, if you have recently lost a dog, the puppy storyline may make you cry. 👀😭 (the dog doesn’t die, it’s just so sweet!)🐶

I absolutely loved this book. I could easily give it six stars and leave it at that, but Margin of Error deserves a fuller reflection.

While you do not need to read Learning Curves to understand this story, reading it does add depth and richness. I am really enjoying this Vermont university setting, and I sincerely hope Rachel Lacey continues writing stories in this world.

The Beginning:

The opening chapters completely surprised me. I was not expecting how the story began, and that emotional impact hooked me immediately. From that point forward, I could not put the book down.

The Characters:

I loved that both main characters are women in their 40s who are starting over in very real and meaningful ways. Their experiences felt grounded and relatable, and I found myself connecting personally to both of them. The character development was especially strong for Charlotte, whose growth felt thoughtful and well earned.

The Mystery Element:

If you enjoy a touch of mystery woven into your romance, this book delivers that as well. Rachel Lacey includes a mystery subplot that keeps the story engaging and adds meaningful depth, especially to Charlotte’s character. Rather than distracting from the romance, the mystery enhances the emotional arc and gives additional insight into Charlotte’s past, motivations, and inner world. It added tension and curiosity in a way that felt purposeful and well integrated.

The Puppy 🐶:

Many sapphic novels feature cats, which I adore, but the inclusion of a puppy was such a refreshing change. The puppy felt like a storyline of its own rather than a background detail. The book captured the intensity, exhaustion, and tenderness of caring for a puppy in a way that felt incredibly realistic and heartfelt.

The Writing:

The writing style was comfortable, casual, and easy to follow. It allowed me to fully settle into the story without effort. This is only the second book I have read by Rachel Lacey, and it solidified my desire to read much more of her work in the future.

The Relationship:

The relationship felt deeply realistic, especially for two women in their 40s exploring attraction, vulnerability, and identity. I especially appreciated the internal reflections, particularly Charlotte’s. Reading her thoughts brought me back to my own coming out experience and those quiet moments that only make sense in hindsight. It felt validating, honest, and emotionally true.

The Spice 🌶️:

The spice was perfectly placed and never overwhelming. It felt natural to the story and enhanced the relationship rather than distracting from it. Rachel Lacey writes intimacy in a way that fits seamlessly into the narrative, which I truly appreciate. I felt the spice rating aligns with a 3.5/5, but some may consider it a 4/5.

Overall Thoughts:

This was such a cozy and emotionally rich sapphic winter read. I actually read it out loud to my wife while we were in bed at night, and I can confidently say it is a wonderful book for couples to read together 🥰

If there are more books planned in this Vermont university sapphic world, I will be eagerly waiting and happily collecting the entire series ✨

[Sterling Sapphic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay babes, let’s talk about *Margin of Error* by Rachel Lacey because OMG—this book was the warm, cozy queer hug I didn’t know I needed but now can’t stop thinking about.

So first of all, yes, Rachel Lacey is the queen of soft sapphic romance and she *delivers* again with this one. If you’ve been craving a story about women over 40 falling in love, figuring themselves out, and embracing big, beautiful second chances, then welcome home, bestie. This book is *your* cup of tea (with a warm blanket, a cat on your lap, and maybe a little Vermont snow outside the window, let’s be real).

Marin is out here leaving her old life behind—husband, job, whole identity practically—and stepping into this new, brave, beautifully queer version of herself. And she’s doing it with such grace and vulnerability, I was honestly cheering her on from page one. THEN she runs into Charlotte—yes, *the* Charlotte, from a moment they shared two years ago, back when everything was about to change. And babesss… the *slow burn*? The yearning? The way they tiptoe into each other’s lives and suddenly they’re both like, “Oh no… I’ve caught real feelings”? Ugh. *Perfection.*

And let’s not forget—this isn’t just a romance. There’s a little side mystery too, with Charlotte trying to solve the decades-old disappearance of her mom. It adds this gentle layer of suspense that doesn’t take away from the love story but totally enhances it. Plus! If you’re a Lacey fan, you’ll love seeing Audrey and Michelle pop back in for a bit—it felt like a sweet little reunion with friends from past stories.

One of the things I loved most, though, is how beautifully this book celebrates that queer journeys can start at *any* age. Marin and Charlotte are both exploring these parts of themselves later in life, and it’s handled with so much care and softness. We need more of this, okay? More older lesbians, more late bloomers, more stories that say, “Hey babe, it’s *never* too late to find joy, love, or your true self.”

And YES, I am counting down the days for the audiobook because Quinn Riley is narrating and I just *know* it’s going to hit even harder when she brings these babes to life.

So yeah. *Margin of Error* is a soft, sapphic, slow-burn masterpiece with grown women who’ve been through it, found each other, and decided love is worth the risk. I swooned, I smiled, I maybe cried once or twice—10/10, would recommend to every queer cutie looking for a love story that feels real and right and ridiculously comforting.

Read it. Hug it. Pass it to your gay aunt. 💕

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Margin of Error
✍🏻Rachel Lacey
Blurb:
From Rachel Lacey, author of Learning Curves, comes a tender, hopeful romance about how fate is what you’re given but love is what you choose, and how small sparks can change everything.

Two years after an accident in Manhattan almost claimed her life, Marin is determined to take advantage of her second chance. She’s left her husband, her job, even her home to pursue the life she’s always wanted. Now she’s teaching statistics at Northshire University and preparing to do something she’s spent decades dreaming about: date a woman. But the last woman she expects to encounter on her journey is the one she’s been fantasizing about since their chance encounter the morning Marin nearly died.

Charlotte has made big changes in her life since that fateful day too. Most importantly, she’s moved back to her Vermont hometown, determined to finally solve the thirty-year-old mystery of her mother’s disappearance. An unexpected—and unexpectedly intense—friendship? That wasn’t in the plan. Neither was questioning her sexuality, but the more time Charlotte spends with Marin, the more she realizes her feelings run deeper than friendship.

Surely this would be a disaster, both of them being each other’s first, except the chemistry between them feels too strong to deny. But as they get to the heart of the mystery—and the heart of who they are—what brought them together just might tear them apart.
My Thoughts:
This charming sapphic story is low angst but full of heart – perfect for someone looking for a cozy read on winter day.
Margin of Error drew me in at the prologue and kept me hooked for the entire read. This story follows Charlotte and Marin, both in their 40s as they are coming to terms with their sexuality and coming out later in life. This is a friends to lovers story where I really felt the emotions of both women. I was rooting for them as they became new friends and were drawn to each other. The addition of sweet puppy Ember to Marin’s life just added to the story. It was also fun to see Audrey and Michelle (from Learning Curves) again.
Thanks NetGalley, Montlake Publication and Author Rachel Lacey for the advanced copy of "Margin of Error" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#MontlakePublication
#RachelLacey
#MarginofError
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Rhiannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rachel Lacey has been on my radar for a while, but I was a little hesitant to try her books because, generally speaking, I seldom connect with contemporary sapphic romance novels. Still, I was hopeful that I would enjoy this book—and Rachel's work overall—because of the hype surrounding her other titles. As I'm sure you can tell based on the 1-star rating, I did not.

I do want to start by highlighting the things I thought this book did well, which include having a lesbian MC who regularly uses the word "lesbian" to describe herself; having two MCs in their 40s; and discussing somewhat difficult topics like chronic pain, coming out, homophobia, and the death of a parent. Unfortunately, none of that was enough to overpower my dislike of the writing style or complete lack of interest in the plot. The writing itself was extremely casual and simplistic, and I didn't resonate with the humor or care for the pop culture references. It always drives me nuts when authors feel the need to spell everything out for readers rather than trusting them to make inferences and understand things that aren't explicitly stated, and that was the case throughout this book. As for the plot, I think this book suffered from trying to do too much at once. There was the main storyline involving Marin and Charlotte's developing relationship, and most of the smaller plot points directly related to Marin's experiences with starting over post-divorce and moving to Vermont, the totality of which seemed a little too busy for such a short book but also made sense thematically. On top of all of those things, however, there was also a storyline focused on Charlotte reconnecting with her dad and seeking answers about her mom, who disappeared when Charlotte was a child. It felt out of place amongst everything else and was also a bit odd to read about because it only came up a few times and then had a somewhat rushed and coincidental conclusion right at the end of the book.

Anyway, didn't love this. I struggled to care about the MCs, especially Charlotte, or their relationship much and was consistently put off by the writing style and quality. But, if you're more of a contemporary romance reader than I am and enjoy easy, somewhat corny reads, YMMV.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had the chance of reading "Margin of Error" prior to its release, thank you Montlake & NetGalley for the ARC!
I gotta say, I went into this with high expectations. Winter vibes, an author who mostly writes wlw, older lesbians who seem cosmically destined to be a perfect match? On paper, this should have been exacly my kind of book. "I'm ready to fill my life with things I love" says our protagonist Marin at the beginning of the book and damn, so was I when I picked this up! Sadly, despite all the right ingredients, I didn't end up loving it though.

One thing that put me off quite early on was the dialogue, which at times feels like reading an interview between two people instead of natural conversations, mostly because the reader keeps being spoon-fed every single important information through it. It's also just plain awkward at times. Let's just say the one bed trope truly is one of my favs if done correctly, but if I ever have to read "Let's live out your 'only one bed trope'" in a conversation again, I will gauge my eyes out with the nearest sharp object.
And that's exactly where the book and I overall sadly ended up not getting along. I just don't vibe with the way it's written. It's mostly tell instead of show, rushed in some parts and then oddly drawn out in others. Furthermore, certain details about the characters and their backstories are reiterated so often that I got the impression the author assumed the reader might suffer from sudden memory loss if they weren’t mentioned every other chapter over and over again (or sometimes even talked about multiple times as if it was the first time each, which was quite confusing tbh), which ended up making them seem oddly stilted.

That said, the concept of the story itself is solid, the chemistry between the characters sweet (the puppy even sweeter), it's refreshing to read about an older pair of women finding out what they want from life, and I can absolutely see this working well for readers who enjoy a very direct and rather tell-y narrative style. It is not a bad book by any means, just sadly wasn’t for my personal taste as a reader, although I really wanted to love this one.

[Doc Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel Lacey's books always have a way of pulling me into their vortex and enveloping me into their storyline, as her characters bob and weave through their myriad life experiences. Here ability to write believable dialogue is truly a gift!
Continuing in the location of the story from her previous book, Learning Curves, this story follows the chance meeting of two women on a bus in NYC and how their lives continue to impact each other as they move on from that impactful encounter two years later. I am not a fan of sharing spoilers since I like to read books without knowing too much about the characters lives and trajectory..so I'll tread lightly sharing the storyline....ignorance can truly be bliss).
This book centers around a small college town in Vermont where a woman from NYC moves to start a new job and begin a new life after her divorce. Another woman, also from NY, returns home to Vermont to reconnect with her dad after 20 years of having a distanced and awkward relationship. The storyline seems to write itself, if you know anything about relationship tropes, but there's so much more going on in this book and these women's histories. Like every one of us, we bring our personal histories to our friendships and relationships, especially as we get older and experience more life and loss. These experiences color and impact how we proceed with meeting new people, trusting strangers to become new friends, and then possibly moving on to something deeper.
Although some of the characters from her prior work make appearances in Margin of Error, this book is a stand-alone book (but if you haven't already read her prior works, please do!).
I was extremely lucky and thankful to have been provided an ARC of this book from the author and NetGalley and devoured it in no time at all. Once I started reading and connecting with the characters and storyline, I needed to know more.

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this novel a lot. There were multiple layers and subplots in addition to the romance which is something I always appreciate. Also, a puppy, who correctly got a LOT of screen time (the afterward said the author wrote this novel while having a new puppy themselves, and it SHOWS lol). This book did several unexpected things which is another thing which I always appreciate. There isn’t anything wrong with a formulaic sapphic romance novel (clearly I love them) but its always nice to enjoy your favorite thing with a slightly different flavor. This book is a hard-choice toss-up between a high 4 stars or a low 5 stars. Easily a 4.5 if I was able to give part marks.

Highlights:
-Starts with a BANG and certainly got my attention. It was also a neat initial premise that I enjoyed.
-I love a mystery subplot. This novel may not have spent a lot of time on the mystery or conducted it in a way that involved the reader (its not like there were clues we could put together) I still found myself reading along waiting to find out the answers.
-I love the rather meta idea of a character in a sapphic romance novel exploring their sexuality through sapphic romance novels.
-I loved following these protagonists as they rebuilt their lives; in far more ways than just romance.
-Double the “newly gay” vibes. You don’t often see that do you?
-This novel had excellent discussions about the complexities of coming out with your sexuality; at various ages and in various ways.
-Excellent communication…. At times.

Nitpicks:
-There was some very poor communication as well. There were decent reasons for it so I’m mostly giving this one a pass, but it was still a little frustrating at times.
-Note to readers: test your well water before drinking. Its not always good or safe, even if it tastes good.
-I wish there was more time spent on the second half of this novel, or the characters once they got together. Charlotte was worried about a lot of things that we never really got to see resolved (at least not in very much detail). I feel like the entire second half didn’t take its time in the way the first half did.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.

[Fiona Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say that I absolutely loved Margin of Error by Rachel Lacey would be a massive understatement. I particularly loved the fact that it featured two MCs in their 40s who were both going through the process of coming out, albeit at different stages along their self-discovery/coming out trajectories. It was also lovely to have the opportunity to meet two women who were experiencing their first same-sex relationship. Marin has known that she was attracted to women for a long time, but it took an accident almost claiming her life to prompt her to start pursuing the life she’d always wanted. Meanwhile, Charlotte has never knowingly been attracted to women but can’t help feeling the pull towards Marin, however innocently she may initially interpret their initial connection.

I also loved the fact that, while the story, mostly, was a gentle unveiling of their connection, there were still some heart-stopping moments that literally took my breath away.

Meanwhile the story clearly demonstrates the value in having support during the coming out process, irrespective of what age you are going through the process. I loved the way that Marin was able to support one of the students, even as she was still trying to work out how to come out to her family.

Margin of Error is a follow-on from Rachel Lacey’s previous release, Learning Curves although it could still be read as a stand-alone. That being said, Michelle and Audrey from Learning Curves do feature in this story so you may want to go back and read the earlier book first.

I am grateful to Rachel Lacey for providing me with an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[nat ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for this arc.

Rating: I'm between a 2.75 and a 3 stars for this one.

Review: I'm going to try to put my thoughts and feelings as best as possible without being mean. This was not my favorite sapphic romance and it was also my first Rachel Lacey book which does not bode well for me wanting to pick up her other books. I just felt like this story had to much in very little pages, we had the storyline of Charlotte and her wanting to find out what happened to her mother while also wanting to reconnect with her father while also just trying to figure out her sexuality. Then we had Marin who was dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic accident, divorcing, moving to a different state, having a new career, coming out and also getting a new pet for the first time in her life. There were so many things with our main characters that some of those things kinda were left in the air, Charlotte is presented as desperate to find out what happened to her mother but then there were like 5 chapters where that plot line was never mentioned or her father. Then we had Marin who was dealing with coming out to her family but we only got to see two family members reacting to that and then we never got to see if she repaired her relationship with one of her sisters. It just felt like the author put too many plot lines and tried to achieved it in under 300 pages. I also didn't feel the connection with Marin and Charlotte because for like the first 60% of the book she was straight and in her inner monologue you don't see any signals that she is feeling something non platonic towards Marin. It just didn't feel genuine and most of the time felt more and more of a trauma bond than anything. I would still recommend this book to someone who might enjoy it more.