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Lessons
Chase Marin is an 18 year-old girl filled with more confusion than common sense. A daughter of affluent parents, Chase is expected to go to college at the University of Arizona and prove herself as equally successful as her big sister. How can she do that when she doesn't even know herself? Dagny Robertson is everything that the Marin's would want in a daughter - too bad Dagney's own parents don't even know their only child, borne from their intense love, exists. Now, Dagny works on her graduate degree while acting as a TA in Psych 101. Can this older woman, once the worshipped babysitter of a lost eight year-old girl, help Chase find herself?
295 pages, Paperback
First published October 19, 2006
8 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
Kim Pritekel
74 books152 followersKim Pritekel is a published author living in Denver, Colorado. She is also a very popular online author of many novels, novellas and short stories. She is the Royal Academy of Bards 2005 Hall of Fame Author.
Her love of writing began at age 9, and she wrote her first novel at age 12, wishing to follow in the footsteps of childhood idol, S.E. Hinton. She was published for the first time at age 24 with her novel, First.
Kim has followed her dreams right into the film industry, writing screenplays for production companies in Los Angeles, as well as for her own production company, Asp Films with business partner, Kelly Neal. Their first feature film, Self Portrait – written, directed and co-produced by Kim – premiered in Denver in June of 2013.
She enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her beloved cats. She is always adding to her ever-growing collection of swords and historic memorabilia. She is a huge fan of music, including musical theater. The "musical" love of her life is Sarah Brightman, who she tosses a mention of in every book she can.
Kim is a writing machine, so come back often to see what she's working on next!
Her love of writing began at age 9, and she wrote her first novel at age 12, wishing to follow in the footsteps of childhood idol, S.E. Hinton. She was published for the first time at age 24 with her novel, First.
Kim has followed her dreams right into the film industry, writing screenplays for production companies in Los Angeles, as well as for her own production company, Asp Films with business partner, Kelly Neal. Their first feature film, Self Portrait – written, directed and co-produced by Kim – premiered in Denver in June of 2013.
She enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her beloved cats. She is always adding to her ever-growing collection of swords and historic memorabilia. She is a huge fan of music, including musical theater. The "musical" love of her life is Sarah Brightman, who she tosses a mention of in every book she can.
Kim is a writing machine, so come back often to see what she's working on next!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 18, 2017
Great read! but same old cliche storyline about being the outcast/black-sheep of the family...(paperback!)
March 26, 2020
This wasn't the scandalized age gap teacher student romance I was afraid of at all. The age difference is 5-6 years. Their relationship was so damn pure. The chemistry between Chase and Dagney was off the charts. Their interactions were so easy and fun. I was all smiles when Chase figured out who Dag was. Since it wasn't multiple povs so many times I was dying to know what Dag was thinking. I over-analyzed every single thing she did. The romance was so slow moving that I now deeply understand the meaning of 'slowburn'. Despite that it didn't get boring or stagnant for a second. Their connection so steadily build that their falling in love was actually believable. It was so good I didn't wanna finish it and now that I have, I miss it.
April 23, 2017
Enjoyable coming of age and into your own story. Not only do I know who I am, I like who I am despite negative vibes coming from the people who are suppose to love you. The character descriptions were so vivid that I felt the emotional roller-coaster and slow romantic burn right along with the main characters. Chase Marin, so caring and likable. Dagney Robertson, so giving and steadfast. Patience can be well worth the outcome.
January 22, 2009
When I first picked up this book, I didn't really know what to expect. What I found was a wonderful love story. I just loved the chemistry between Chase and Dagny. How they become really good friends and then one day realize that they have actually developed feelings for each other that go beyond friendship. Yet they are reluctant to acknowledge the attraction. Read it to find out what happens! You won't be disappointed!
January 25, 2019
2.5 stars rounded up.
August 19, 2012
I have mixed feelings about this book. To be honest, it reads like fan fiction. The good kind where you sit down and just keep reading, enjoying the fuzzy feelings you get from reading about an evolving relationship. The author manages to pull you into the romance without hurrying it along. There is plenty of time for the characters to get used to these new kind of feelings, and the slow pace of the relationship just really works. I was never tired or bored with it. It really is a book you can just curl up with and enjoy.
On the other hand, this book could really have used a bit more editing. For one thing, there are several inconsistencies that should have been caught. One moment we have the character admitting that she loves shopping, several pages later she's always hated it. On one page she is the odd one out, not looking like her family with her light blue eyes, on the next page her family all have blue/light eyes. And then there are the typo's, the switches in tense, the confusion of nouns and verbs, mixing up of 'they're' and 'their' and the complete lack of the word 'than'. I know editing is a pain and something is likely to slip through the maze, but these things happen so very often and can come to grate after a while.
So in the end, this did read like one of this guilty pleasure fanfictions where you just walk away with a whole lot of fuzzy feelings, but you've got to take some imperfections to go with it.
On the other hand, this book could really have used a bit more editing. For one thing, there are several inconsistencies that should have been caught. One moment we have the character admitting that she loves shopping, several pages later she's always hated it. On one page she is the odd one out, not looking like her family with her light blue eyes, on the next page her family all have blue/light eyes. And then there are the typo's, the switches in tense, the confusion of nouns and verbs, mixing up of 'they're' and 'their' and the complete lack of the word 'than'. I know editing is a pain and something is likely to slip through the maze, but these things happen so very often and can come to grate after a while.
So in the end, this did read like one of this guilty pleasure fanfictions where you just walk away with a whole lot of fuzzy feelings, but you've got to take some imperfections to go with it.
December 1, 2016
God...I have literal tears falling right now. It's been a while since I wrote a review, and that's because I couldn't be bothered...but I almost feel obligated to this book, and to the people that haven't read it yet. Chase and Dagny's story is so damn beautiful, so well written that I would forget my surroundings completely. Thank you Kim Pritekel for this gift, this was my first of hers and I can't wait to dive into the rest.
June 2, 2017
Seven years. Seven years this book has sat on my Goodreads. I joined Goodreads in 2010 just so I could keep track of this book. A random find on Amazon, sparking the carefully controlled, deeply and oh so carefully buried, secret of “I really REALLY like girls and no one can know.” The carefully controlled situations where I avoided answering relationship questions directly. The careful idea I attempted that if I was engaged to a man, maybe I could fool myself into being “normal.”
A lot has changed in seven years. I’m the furthest thing from engaged. I happily embrace my being a lesbian. But Chase and Dagny--seven years of sitting in the back of my mind, on my Goodreads, on my Amazon--didn’t get to experience my life lessons as I experienced theirs.
Chase Marin has always been the outcast in her family. Her parents are successful, her sister is a surgeon, and Chase really doesn't care about planning her future or attending college. But she's there to make her parents happy. All Chase really wants to do is drift along and write songs.
Dagny Robertson is Chase's psychology teacher. An otherwise normal fact, except Dagny was once babysitting a very young Chase. The two don't recognize each other at first, but when they do, suddenly they're inseparable.
College becomes an interesting lesson for Chase then. She learns about her passion for performing, joining a band and playing at the campus bar every week; she learns about relationships, which she often struggles to maintain, romantic or platonic; she learns what her parents want aren't her wants, and what that means for her future. And Chase learns a lot about love and friendship.
My biggest problem with Lessons was the writing. It's simplistic, almost independent reader style rather than young adult or even regular fiction. Chase is entering college and we have a first-person perspective, but none of it sounds like a college student or even an older woman who's pretending to be a college student. Except for sudden scenes where Chase has to be the bigger person (and somehow she gains twenty years of experience) she mostly spends her time being, well, a typical heroine we saw far too much in 2006 (when the book was published). She's in her own world, everyone else is annoying and not worth her time. And when she does enter a relationship, her entire life is hinged on that person--until they're separated and she becomes a miserable, moping mess.
Hmm. Sounds kind of familiar.
Not to mention the entire book is missing chunks of time. In one paragraph, we're at the start of the first semester but then we'll get a line break and five months have passed. If Pritekel can't be bothered to write the darn book, could I be bothered to continue reading? Well, I did. The book was only 295 pages. It seemed such a small number, but the book dragged on and on and on... even with all the skipping around.
The relationship between Chase and Dagny is, at first, not entirely convincing. Chase keeps comparing her infatuation with hero worship, and even after Chase realizes she's in love with Dagny, it's not fulfilling. Only later (when Chase starts to gain that twenty years of experience and somehow matures instantly in a scene) does it start to feel like a happy relationship. Which I guess is a good demonstration; no relationship is instantly happy and well-oiled.
I think this book is aimed towards young lesbians. Women who are still coming to terms with their sexuality, maybe women who have had a similar experience as Chase when she tried to tell her parents. The ending of the book is definitely the saving grace of this long, droning book. Yes, I'm spoiling it because it's so hard to find in lesbian fiction: It's a happily ever after! There's (surprise, surprise) another time skip and we see Chase and Dagny later in life. For a genre so full of miserable endings, this one definitely stands out. I can only imagine if I had read it when I originally found it SEVEN years ago, this would have probably been my favorite book as a young, scared lesbian. Now, it just leaves a pleasant taste. Two women in love, two women in lust (and yes there are a few graphic sex scenes), and two women happy in the end. Couldn't ask for more, really.
A lot has changed in seven years. I’m the furthest thing from engaged. I happily embrace my being a lesbian. But Chase and Dagny--seven years of sitting in the back of my mind, on my Goodreads, on my Amazon--didn’t get to experience my life lessons as I experienced theirs.
Chase Marin has always been the outcast in her family. Her parents are successful, her sister is a surgeon, and Chase really doesn't care about planning her future or attending college. But she's there to make her parents happy. All Chase really wants to do is drift along and write songs.
Dagny Robertson is Chase's psychology teacher. An otherwise normal fact, except Dagny was once babysitting a very young Chase. The two don't recognize each other at first, but when they do, suddenly they're inseparable.
College becomes an interesting lesson for Chase then. She learns about her passion for performing, joining a band and playing at the campus bar every week; she learns about relationships, which she often struggles to maintain, romantic or platonic; she learns what her parents want aren't her wants, and what that means for her future. And Chase learns a lot about love and friendship.
My biggest problem with Lessons was the writing. It's simplistic, almost independent reader style rather than young adult or even regular fiction. Chase is entering college and we have a first-person perspective, but none of it sounds like a college student or even an older woman who's pretending to be a college student. Except for sudden scenes where Chase has to be the bigger person (and somehow she gains twenty years of experience) she mostly spends her time being, well, a typical heroine we saw far too much in 2006 (when the book was published). She's in her own world, everyone else is annoying and not worth her time. And when she does enter a relationship, her entire life is hinged on that person--until they're separated and she becomes a miserable, moping mess.
Hmm. Sounds kind of familiar.
Not to mention the entire book is missing chunks of time. In one paragraph, we're at the start of the first semester but then we'll get a line break and five months have passed. If Pritekel can't be bothered to write the darn book, could I be bothered to continue reading? Well, I did. The book was only 295 pages. It seemed such a small number, but the book dragged on and on and on... even with all the skipping around.
The relationship between Chase and Dagny is, at first, not entirely convincing. Chase keeps comparing her infatuation with hero worship, and even after Chase realizes she's in love with Dagny, it's not fulfilling. Only later (when Chase starts to gain that twenty years of experience and somehow matures instantly in a scene) does it start to feel like a happy relationship. Which I guess is a good demonstration; no relationship is instantly happy and well-oiled.
I think this book is aimed towards young lesbians. Women who are still coming to terms with their sexuality, maybe women who have had a similar experience as Chase when she tried to tell her parents. The ending of the book is definitely the saving grace of this long, droning book. Yes, I'm spoiling it because it's so hard to find in lesbian fiction: It's a happily ever after! There's (surprise, surprise) another time skip and we see Chase and Dagny later in life. For a genre so full of miserable endings, this one definitely stands out. I can only imagine if I had read it when I originally found it SEVEN years ago, this would have probably been my favorite book as a young, scared lesbian. Now, it just leaves a pleasant taste. Two women in love, two women in lust (and yes there are a few graphic sex scenes), and two women happy in the end. Couldn't ask for more, really.
December 31, 2020
I enjoyed this sufficiently to overlook any typos and grammatical errors which, for me, is really quite something.
December 8, 2016
This is one of the most disappointing books I've ever read. The writing is littered with cliches, errors, lapses in clarity, lifeless dialogue ("Hi" and "Hey" were common wastes of space), one dimensional characters, and glacial development of those characters/relationships (where there even was any).
I was also very disappointed by the treatment of the student-teacher relationship - how richly it can be explored in terms of its potential for such intense and fulfilling connection, yet enmeshed in social taboo. Dagny was Chase's teacher for part of the book, but they never clashed over boundaries, never had an awkward moment over it, never touched on the age difference (though slight), and saw each other socially as if the whole situation was totally normal just because they had known each other as children. Chase finished her first semester and ended up admiring psychology a lot because of Dagny, but after that semester, the author cast it off, like she got bored with it as a plot device.
Another big issue was that the plot development can hardly even be called development - in the beginning we see Chase with a non-satisfying boyfriend, we see them grow distant, we see her becoming increasingly attracted to and confused by her obsession with Dagny, who clearly also likes her. At this point, absolutely zero of interest happens (some drama with various friends and family members that brings Dagny and Chase closer platonically), until one event pushes them apart. Then everyone's all pathetically sad and more of nothing happens until the end of the book, when we realize that Dagny, who up until that point had been characterized as loving and kind and smart and having literally no flaws, was just being a confused mess for months and really did feel the same for Chase. The plot feels like it starts and stops whenever it pleases and I found myself skimming through most of the latter half of the book looking for places where something interesting happened to Chase.
I could go on, but the bottom line is: don't waste your time with this book.
I was also very disappointed by the treatment of the student-teacher relationship - how richly it can be explored in terms of its potential for such intense and fulfilling connection, yet enmeshed in social taboo. Dagny was Chase's teacher for part of the book, but they never clashed over boundaries, never had an awkward moment over it, never touched on the age difference (though slight), and saw each other socially as if the whole situation was totally normal just because they had known each other as children. Chase finished her first semester and ended up admiring psychology a lot because of Dagny, but after that semester, the author cast it off, like she got bored with it as a plot device.
Another big issue was that the plot development can hardly even be called development - in the beginning we see Chase with a non-satisfying boyfriend, we see them grow distant, we see her becoming increasingly attracted to and confused by her obsession with Dagny, who clearly also likes her. At this point, absolutely zero of interest happens (some drama with various friends and family members that brings Dagny and Chase closer platonically), until one event pushes them apart. Then everyone's all pathetically sad and more of nothing happens until the end of the book, when we realize that Dagny, who up until that point had been characterized as loving and kind and smart and having literally no flaws, was just being a confused mess for months and really did feel the same for Chase. The plot feels like it starts and stops whenever it pleases and I found myself skimming through most of the latter half of the book looking for places where something interesting happened to Chase.
I could go on, but the bottom line is: don't waste your time with this book.
April 10, 2020
Soooo gooood!
November 5, 2022
4.5 Stars
November 27, 2023
I Liked it a lot
January 22, 2024
My favorite book by this author. Really hope it'll be available on Kindle soon.
April 29, 2025
I first discovered Lessons as a child and resisted it as an adult—only to find myself pulled back in and completely absorbed. This is a slow-burn romance, deeply rooted in character development and emotional nuance. Set in a college environment, the story unfolds at a gentle pace, focusing on the psychological and personal growth of two women as they come into themselves and, eventually, each other.
What I love most is the sweet, thoughtful exploration of self-discovery. Pritekel gives her characters space to evolve, which makes their connection feel earned and genuine. Admittedly, the pacing is slow, sometimes bordering on dragged out, but it worked for me. I’ve read this book twice, and each time found myself appreciating the subtle details even more.
My only real complaint is the lack of accessibility: there’s no digital or audio version. As someone who travels often, it’s hard to carry physical books around. If a Kindle or audiobook version ever becomes available, I’ll be the first to buy it.
Thank you, Kim Pritekel, for writing a sweet story!
What I love most is the sweet, thoughtful exploration of self-discovery. Pritekel gives her characters space to evolve, which makes their connection feel earned and genuine. Admittedly, the pacing is slow, sometimes bordering on dragged out, but it worked for me. I’ve read this book twice, and each time found myself appreciating the subtle details even more.
My only real complaint is the lack of accessibility: there’s no digital or audio version. As someone who travels often, it’s hard to carry physical books around. If a Kindle or audiobook version ever becomes available, I’ll be the first to buy it.
Thank you, Kim Pritekel, for writing a sweet story!
July 13, 2015
3.5 stars
Here Pritekel's writing is not yet polished - I bet many would have to nod (their understanding). Nevertheless the story of our heroine is just so relatable in a way that I can't begin to describe. I too have always been a shy girl, a coward who sucked at relationships of all kinds. This book reminds me of the painful time when I entered college; everything was so messed up then. My best friend, who I have known for almost all my life, grew apart from me. But unlike Chase and Carrie we were not able to work it out thus now becoming strangers, walking pass each other on campus without meeting eyes. Everyday I wake up wishing I could be a little braver...
All in all, I love how the author depicts relationships: complicated and unexpected. The only way a relationship can last is through proper communication from both sides (I especially enjoy the part where Dagny and Chase discuss sex like no other lesbian character I have ever read.)
Here Pritekel's writing is not yet polished - I bet many would have to nod (their understanding). Nevertheless the story of our heroine is just so relatable in a way that I can't begin to describe. I too have always been a shy girl, a coward who sucked at relationships of all kinds. This book reminds me of the painful time when I entered college; everything was so messed up then. My best friend, who I have known for almost all my life, grew apart from me. But unlike Chase and Carrie we were not able to work it out thus now becoming strangers, walking pass each other on campus without meeting eyes. Everyday I wake up wishing I could be a little braver...
All in all, I love how the author depicts relationships: complicated and unexpected. The only way a relationship can last is through proper communication from both sides (I especially enjoy the part where Dagny and Chase discuss sex like no other lesbian character I have ever read.)
September 16, 2014
I don't hate this book because it did not manage to stir up enough passion in me for that.
It is classified under LesFic but the first 150 pages or so were just about two women developing a codependent friendship. During that, the sentences and especially emotions were recycled on a far too regular basis. Twice, it was noted that the main character was a "dweller" which is a gross understatement since there was nearly no emotional progress during one and a half years in the book. Along that line the character development was more like an underdevelopment as many characters fit neatly into some or other box of stereotypes.
It was not a horrible read the writing was ok, there were some spelling mistakes and the organisation regarding the chapters was a hot mess.
It is classified under LesFic but the first 150 pages or so were just about two women developing a codependent friendship. During that, the sentences and especially emotions were recycled on a far too regular basis. Twice, it was noted that the main character was a "dweller" which is a gross understatement since there was nearly no emotional progress during one and a half years in the book. Along that line the character development was more like an underdevelopment as many characters fit neatly into some or other box of stereotypes.
It was not a horrible read the writing was ok, there were some spelling mistakes and the organisation regarding the chapters was a hot mess.
July 12, 2016
I really wanted to rate this book 4 1/2 stars, don't get me wrong i loved this novel thoroughly from finish to end. The friendship between the two grew amazingly. the only problem i had were all the spelling mistakes thats why i docked half a star off of the rating. it took away from the story when you notice a spelling error in almost every paragraph. Anyways i would recommend this book to anyone!
July 8, 2014
This is a very unique coming of age story and one of my absolute favourites. I found this on amazon, took a chance and ordered it. I will spend the rest of my life being grateful I did. It isn't the best writing I've read, but I fell in love with the characters, the chemistry and the story. Having an interest in music, psychology and being gay plays a large part in my love for this book, but if you do too then you'll probably love it as well! Take a chance.
March 4, 2012
This is one of my three favorite books ever. On the one hand, it's just a (lesbian) romance, but it goes further than that. 18 year old Chase arrives at college to find that the babysitter she once idolized is now a teaching assistant. Over the course of the book, they both come to learn what is important and possible in their lives. I absolutely adore this book.
April 5, 2014
Absolutely loved it. At first, I thought, "OK, easy to read, there's humour in it, no big deal". But as it kept on, I couldn't leave it off my hands. I had to see what would happen. And I wasn't disappointed. There is something about Kim's descriptions that puts images in your mind, it can make you relate so much! I definitely recommend it!
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June 4, 2011AWWWWWW... So sweet. It just give the world hope. KNowing yourself,being yourself most importantly love yourself. Equality is in question... Anyway, all in all, nice read, took my mind off alot of things. Definitely grateful for that.
March 16, 2008
Love this story...and Kim's a nice girl too!
October 24, 2010
Not my typical book... cool story none-the-less. Very light reading.
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December 3, 2010it's such a loving love story. I really recommend it!
June 10, 2012
Love love love this book!! I have read this book many times since buying the book over four years ago.
March 3, 2013
Lesbian romance. Slow build to the romance, but the characters are fully fleshed out. Good book to curl up with, however it needed better editing.
December 6, 2014
It was recommended to me as a happy ending good romance novel and 100% it is. Great plot with excellent narration made this novel interesting.
January 5, 2015
once I started reading I did not want to put it down
I was so drawn to the characters
chase and dagny are totally believable in their reactions to life's events and each other
I was so drawn to the characters
chase and dagny are totally believable in their reactions to life's events and each other
not-likely-to-finish
July 12, 2017I couldn't get past the first chapter. Needed so much editing and wasn't a fan of the writing style.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews