I loved it. What a beauty of a book, as with all of Karla's, I didn't want it to end.

She just has a way of describing love in less expected places. I love that they weren't seemingly delusional about each other, but the way things were going was so organic and natural, they had me literally sighing with love with their interactions.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read such a beautiful love. I loved Griffin, and the way he cared for her.

This book had the perfect amount of banter, charm and the classic good girl x bad boy vibes. Griffin and Ruby were the perfectly matched couple and I loved watching them grow through all their issues and come together with their hearts.

What an amazing first book to read by this author Karla Sorensen! I had recently bought 2 books of her's and now after reading this arc, I can not wait to dive into them! This book was top notch! It kept me wanting more! It gave me all the feels that I was looking for in this book, and then some! I devoured this book, and I can not wait for the next book!! I did not want to do any adulting, because all I wanted to do was binge this book, and not stop! 5 Stars all the way baby!!

<b>Oh Karla Sorensen did it again. What an absolutely epic swoony heart wrenching love story from the author. Her writing is so incredible in this one and omg no one writes this level of captivating sex scenes. They are equally butterflies in my stomach and daggers in my heart. Ruby and Griffin delivered the full emotions wheel. Witty. Heartbreaking. Angsty. Heartwarming. Humorous. The whole package and you cannot miss it.</b>

🏈 enemies to lovers
🏈 second chance
🏈 opposites attract
🏈 grumpy sunshine ( reverse)
🏈 good girl bad boy
🏈 golden Retriever
🏈 fake relationship/ friends with benefits

Ruby Tate lived a straight and narrow life. Always the responsible and planner and rule follower one. But she is done and she wants some excitement in her life. Love. Passion. When her path collides with one of her childhood neighbor and current NFL star Griffin King, she never thought the sexy c0cky football will end up the person reaching her arts of seduction..only they fall hard.

<b>I am so obsessed with Griffin. He is grossly misunderstood by the media and most importantly, his twin brother. Forever seen as the fun loving, irresponsible, hot headed playboy. But with Ruby, he can see he isn't all that people see. He is so sweet and caring and protective. He is always trying so hard to make everyone see the other side and sometimes he just go with the flow. Obviously he is ridiculously c0cky and sexy as hell and he has such a sharp sense of humor. Who knew a shy librarian will push him to fall. Ruby comes across as so innocent and cute but she definitely has a hidden sass. They tried to keep it like an arrangement but the chemistry and the connection was too hard to ignore. The author poured her heart and soul in the pages and the readers will feel all the after effects. I loved their banter as Ruby was trying to control her heart behind it and Griffin was trying to get inside her heart. Ruby is an incredibly strong character. She carries so much fear and vulnerability silently and Griffin pushed her to leave her shell and to experience the life fully. At the end, they chose each other over every doubt and pain.</b>

PS OMG Lauren and Marcus made me laugh so hard. I love the glimpses of bromance here.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

This book was so good! The dynamic and back and forth between Griffin and Ruby was some of the best back and forth quick witted dialog I have read! This story made me laugh, cry, want to grab the MCs and scream what are you doing, but I wouldn’t want it any other way! The secondary characters in this one were fantastic!

This is a kinda second chance, slow burn with a lot of angst towards the end. I really enjoyed this one, as I usually do with Karla’s books! I’m hoping we get more of Barrett’s story in book 2 pretty please!

Former childhood neighbors, Bad boy football player x good girl librarian, dating coach/spicy lessons

Five stars. No notes. I read this in under 24 hours. The plot twist had my heart in my stomach. Absolutely love this couple and their journey.

What happens when a quiet, bookish librarian throws caution to the wind and makes a deal with a cocky, scandal-ridden football player? Fireworks. Lots of them.

The first book in the Kings series kicks things off with Ruby Tate—sweet, awkward, painfully shy, and absolutely done with being overlooked. Her attempt to hire an escort to “gain confidence with men” flops in spectacular fashion. So what does she do? She turns to Griffin King: notorious player, tabloid favorite, and the last person anyone expects her to vibe with.

Griffin’s lying low after a PR disaster and a team switch. When Ruby, his childhood neighbor asks him to teach her how to flirt, and how to connect with men, how can he say no? There's just one rule: he’s not allowed to fall for her.

Their chemistry is undeniable. Ruby’s inner fire starts burning hotter with every lesson, and Griffin—used to women throwing themselves at him—can’t stop wanting the one woman who’s off-limits. Add a tangled past, a twin brother twist, and a whole lot of steam, and you’ve got a romance that doesn’t just sizzle—it scorches.

This book was addictive. Slow-burn tension, real emotional stakes—it delivers. Ruby’s transformation is empowering, Griffin’s growth is raw and real, and their story? Utterly unputdownable. If this is how the Kings series starts, buckle up. Things are about to get wild.

I absolutely loved this book. So friggen sweet, and funny just everything I needed it to be!

Ruby and Griffin’s story was perfectttt!! I love a good “teach me how to find my confidence (in ALLLLL the ways)” trope and Karla Sorensen DELIVERED! Griffin and Ruby are the epitome of opposites attract. He’s wild and carefree, and she’s so careful. He brings out a more carefree side of Ruby while she tempers his wild. The perfect complement to each other!!

There isn’t a Karla Sorensen book that I don’t love, and ‘Lessons in Heart Break’ has me dying for more of the King Brother’s. I devoured this story, and I can’t wait for what’s next! Also the secondary characters in this one…chefs kiss…love them too much!

Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher fir the chance to read this book.
Thiis book took me awhile to get into, I just was not feeling Ruby's character. I pushed through and I'm glad I did. The last 100 pages was worth it and the characters grew on me. Overall I did like it and I'm open to reading this author again.

Griffin and Ruby knew each other as kids, but a whole lot of life has happened since Ruby moved away at 15. They are not the same people any more, but they find some comfort in spending time with someone who knew them before. They need each other to help get to the next stage in their lives. This story is full of humor and silliness but also big emotions and fears. (I was afraid that Ruby's backstory involved violence. It does not, in case anyone else wants to know.) I really loved these characters, and I had a hard time putting the book down.

4 1/2 stars because it had a slow start for me. And the beginning, I thought, ugh, not my kind of story, but I pressed on because I've enjoyed every other book of hers before. I'm glad I kept an open mind, because once Ruby's history was revealed, it got much more interesting for me. I also loved seeing their friends Marcus and Lauren (and wouldn't hate a novella about them), and the family dynamic each of them had. The bonus epiloge almost got me to shed a tear or two, it was so sweet and beautiful. I can't wait for more in the series now.

“People get used to seeing you in a certain light. Even if you change, their perception stays the same.”

Lessons in Heartbreak is an exquisitely poignant tale that resonated deeply with me. Ruby and Griffin are utterly captivating, their relationship brimming with warmth and authenticity. They didn’t just bring out the best in each other—they inspired genuine growth, making every page turn a thrill. I found myself completely immersed in their journey.

“I see you, Griffin. Not what people say about you or what you used to be. I see you, and I have never respected anyone in my life more.”

Both characters grappled with the weight of external perceptions, shaping their own actions and fears. Though Griffin began as Ruby’s teacher, she ultimately became a guiding light for him as well, teaching him how to truly open his heart. As they peeled back the layers of their past, they discovered the goodness within each other, forging a bond that empowered them to heal, evolve, and become the individuals they had long aspired to be.

“She pushed me past my fears—allowing me to be more myself than I had my entire life—and I helped her do the same with hers.”

Their flirty banter, smoldering tension, and unspoken longing were absolutely magnetic. Yet, it was their honesty and communication that made their love story unforgettable. Witnessing their emotional evolution—facing fears and embracing vulnerability—was an extraordinary experience. Lessons in Heartbreak is a deeply moving read that had me feeling every emotion, and by the final page, I wasn’t ready to let go. I can only hope this isn’t the last we see of these wonderful characters.

This was a fun read! Ruby’s got some major control issues that stem from childhood, and they’ve made it really hard for her to let people in—especially when it comes to dating. To build confidence and ease back into the dating world, she hires a male escort to help her get more comfortable.

But things take a funny turn when she mistakes him for her old childhood neighbor, Griffin—the guy who used to tease her all the time when they were kids. Griffin, now a pro football player, is laying low at his agent’s house and decides to go along with the mix-up. What starts as a way to kill boredom turns into something deeper as he helps Ruby come out of her shell—and feelings start to grow between them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I always enjoy reading this authors books. They’re fun and flirty and full of heart with a dash of heat. Typically they are low on the spice end, but the spicy scenes are always high on emotional connections which make them extra special. This felt like a classic romance with the bad boy/good girl element, and it had a softness that drew a tear or two from me. I liked Ruby’s backstory a lot- her character was so icy but once you were clued in to the “why” you couldn’t help but adore her. Griffin was the classic player who is stunned to fall in love when he least expected it. Loved all the brother and niece/nephew drama which seems to set up for another book. Kara Sorensen always incorporates fantastic family connections in her books and this one was no different.

Thank you to Karla Sorensen and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book for review.

Book 1 in the Kings Series

This was a heart achingly sweet journey. One of longing to be different, to be seen as so much more than you are. To break free of the restraints that you've tightly put in place around you and ultimately, finding the strength and confidence to live life to the fullest without living in fear of the unknown.

Griffin & Ruby will absolutely break your heart as they find their way to forever, but the ride is so worth the reward. Full of fun, somewhat embarrassingly witty, sarcastic banter and fierce yet oh, so sweet chemistry, these two will have you rooting for them from the very start.

Griffin King, All-Pro Defensive End, finds himself at a crossroads in life. Put in a "timeout" by his agent until they figure out their next move, he finds himself in the small town of Welling Springs, Colorado and face to face with a pleasant surprise from his past. This hot as sin, incredibly charming, devilishly sweet, easygoing man is about to have his world turned completely upside down by one pint sized package.

Ruby Tate is an endearingly shy, somewhat introverted town Librarian. Innocently sweet, yet slightly sassy, she's funny, smart and beautiful. The problem? Her confidence has taken quite a few hits over the years. Looking to make a change in her life, she does something she would normally NEVER do... She hires an escort/dating coach to help regain her shaken confidence and break her out of her intimacy shell when it comes to men. What could possibly go wrong with this plan? Well, everything...

Immediately recognizing him, but mistaking him for the escort that she hired, Ruby is mortified to discover he's not actually who she was expecting at all. And just as she's trying to regain some semblance of control in her downward spiral, Griffin is determined to prove that he's the perfect person to add a little chaos to her otherwise orderly life. A tough sell, all he needs to do is convince her he's the right man for the job at hand... After all, isn't that what friends are for?

Fighting the attraction from the very start, Ruby quickly realizes that he might just be the perfect solution, if they follow the strict rules she has in place. But as they spend more time together and get to know each other on a deeper level, one that not everyone truly gets to see, will they both abide by the number one rule? Don't fall in love...

Let the fun & games begin!!!

With a few beloved guest stars popping by, this slower burn will have you flying through the pages from start to finish! What a great start to an all new series. Ughhh.... I absolutely adore these two!

Lessons in Heartbreak by Karla Sorenson
-The Kings, Book 1-

4/5
2.5/3🌶️ (4-5 scenes)
3/3🦋

•My Thoughts•
Karla is a queen at taking tropes and plot lines that I don’t like and making me enjoy them. I don’t enjoy “spicy lessons” but I definitely ended up enjoying this book. Both of our characters had stereotypes that made them feel confined and boxed in and I loved how they learned that they were so much more than their reputations. This was suprisingly emotional with some moments that packed a big punch and had me tearing up. I really enjoyed their banter and Griffin’s friend and the team dynamics added some welcome levity…especially The Jane Austen moments! So good. The premise of the story definitely lended itself to a “lusty” or physical-forward vibe BUT as the book progresses their emotional connection deepened and I really loved their growth. Excited for this new series and the King brothers!

Thank you to Karla Sorenson for the early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a wild, emotional ride this was! Karla Sorenson hit me right in the damn feels!
This story was so much more than a romance it was about living fully, loving deeply, and never taking a single moment for granted.
Ruby and Griffin? Funny, swoony, and sizzling with sexual tension. I loved how they grew with each other both emotionally and in the best slow burn, banter filled ways.

And let’s talk about the audio… Aiden Snow and Samantha Brentmoor absolutely nailed it! It’s been a hot minute since Aiden graced my ear drums and boy did I miss him. Their chemistry? Amazing!

I really enjoyed this one. The characters were easy to love. Both needed to make some changes in their lives and I can say there was some real character growth in here by the end. There was some family drama on Griffin's side. I do wish there was more closure on that one, but I think we may get that in future books. I thought the pace was perfect and the storyline kept me entertained. It was a very well done small town sports romance and I would recommend.

I love this author and so excited to be able to review her! This one did not disappoint just like all her others. I love how she added in medical issues along with everything else. I can understand Ruby had issues and I would probably feel like same. I just loved Griffin finally saw that. I loved the side characters, they made the story! I can’t wait to read more from this author as she never disappoint.