This was my first time reading something by Karla Sorensen, but I can firmly say it won’t be my last. I was hesitant when I initially started the book because I was uncertain about the whole inexperienced FMC and playboy MMC, but I was pleasantly surprised as things unfolded.

Ruby Tate, small town librarian and all-around good girl (the one who follows the rules and works hard to achieve perfection), doesn’t have the confidence and knowledge on how to form intimate relationships with the opposite sex. She’s not looking for forever, but she does have a sense of longing for more than her solitary life. Her dog Bruiser is a great companion, but she’d love to have a partner to spend time with, without fear of saying or doing the wrong things. Growing up, she wasn’t exposed to a level of natural affection—not to say her parents didn’t love her, but they just focused more on achievements than emotions. She would sit in the tree in the backyard and watch the neighboring kids play every sport imaginable with a sort of wistfulness.

The King twins couldn’t be more like night and day. There was the older of two, Barrett, who was more studious and serious, hardly ever smiling, and the younger, Griffin, the “fun” one, the one who would poke and tease and be the life of the party. Ruby had a crush on Banner, but nothing ever came of it because her family moved away when she was fifteen.

More than a decade later, stuck in a rut and desperate for something, she reluctantly takes the advice of her colleague and best friend, Lauren, and calls in the help of a professional. She couldn’t have known that on the day she sat in the coffee shop waiting to meet the escort who was going to give her some pointers on how to interact more comfortably with men that a face from her past in the form of Griffin King, professional football player and playboy, would happen to be in her small town. She mistakes him for her dating coach, and once she realizes the error, it’s too late to put the cat back in the bag. Not one to let an opportunity pass him by, Griffin agrees to giving Ruby lessons. The rules are simple: it’s for only the time he’s in town, and he’s not to fall in love with her. However, neither of them bargained on what renegotiating the rules would mean in the long run.

I loved the vulnerability of both characters, but Griffin especially. And who knew how much swoon could be produced by this main watching the period romances and appreciating the simplicity of a hand flex or skin to skin contact in a time when this was forbidden or salacious. Griffin’s lines about fitting into a box for so long that you start to believe it and purposely going about playing that part really struck home with me. It’s so easy to conform yourself to that which is expected of you.

Watching Griffin show Ruby how to be more confident was wonderful and I would’ve loved to see more of how their relationship progressed once they stopped pretending it was all part of their arrangement.

Marcus was hilarious and I’d love to read a story about him and Lauren. I’m also very curious who Barrett ends up with (I have some theories on the potential tropes for his book).

I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes:

- (Reformed) playboy/good girl
- Fake dating/dating lessons
- He falls first
- Sports romance

Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for the eARC.

When Karla Sorensen releases a new book, I drop everything to read it—and she never disappoints! Her writing is full of genuine humor, heartfelt emotion, and incredible romantic chemistry between the lead characters. I’ve always loved her large-family, interconnected standalone novels, but this new series starter is a new favorite! I could tell Karla was flexing new creative muscles with these two characters, and they were an absolute joy to read.

Griffin and Ruby were childhood neighbors who reconnect as adults, now at very different points in life. He’s a professional football player; she’s a small-town librarian. Yet despite their differences, they might be exactly what the other needs—if they can overcome their very real fears and take a chance on a lifelong love story. I loved how Griffin brought out Ruby’s inner confidence, helping her find her voice and express her opinions and feelings, all while giving her space to be playful and flirty. And I loved how Ruby grounded Griffin and saw him for more than just a handsome, funny guy.

I adored these two with my whole heart. Their chemistry was off the charts, their banter had me smiling from ear to ear, and their emotional depth snd connection brought me to tears—in that way only a Karla Sorensen novel can. I was rooting for them from the very beginning and loved every moment of their journey to a happily ever after.

Heart warming story about obstacles on our way to accepting love and heartbreak. Loved the emotional roller coaster and highly recommend

4 stars

This was so cute!
I love Griffin. he was so sweet and caring, and I hated how little he felt compared with everyone else in his life.
I also adored Birdy 💗 she was an amazing female lead. I love that she didn't lose herself to be with Griffin. these two truly compliment each other.
The romance was sweet and beautiful, and the plot was fun, so overall, this was a great read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

An absolute classic Karla Sorenson! A swoony, hilarious MMC with a badass FMC who needs a tutor for love and romance? A classic trope done with such skill and excellence! Karla writes with such joy and it really translates on the page- I would truly believe each chapter was a biography it feels so genuine. I loved the relationship between the Kings and the hilarious children (who I am desperate to get a second gen series for!).

I enjoyed this 4.5 star story very much. She was the grumpy one and he was mr sunshine.

Ruby doesn’t get close to anyone. She has her reason’s. Griffin shows up in her home town after not seing him for years. He will draw her out from her shell and what he doesn’t expect to find is a forever with Ruby.

The bantering was fun between these 2. He was the fun one and she doesn’t see him has the football star he is. It has some heartbreaking moments. It was a fun and addicting story. Bottomline this is a must read.

Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I highly recommend this story.

There is just something about Karla's writing where she creates the most swooniest male characters! Griffin King could do no wrong: hot, football star, watches historical period movies, and just know what to say. This is a childhood neighbors to friends (and lovers) where Griffin reappears in Ruby's life (just at the right moment). She is in need of someone to help her learn how to date men better and he happens to be in town for a little vacation. Karla has this way of creating her stories that have real life struggles that may cause some difficulties but always finds the best way to tie everything together in the end. Similar to another book she wrote, where the two lead characters take on the role of caring for their friends' orphaned child, she knows how to bring in difficult topic with a smoothness that helps it flow her writing.

I also noticed this is #1 in a new series, so I am very curious who the next book will be about. (**finger crossed it's Barrett**)

Sometimes a book finds you at exactly the right moment, and Lessons in Heartbreak was that book for me. It’s the kind of story that makes you laugh, swoon, and clutch your chest because you can actually feel the characters falling for each other. Karla Sorensen delivers a romance that’s both charmingly funny and unexpectedly emotional—the ­­kind that sneaks up on you between the flirty banter and football innuendos, and then suddenly you’re crying into your wine glass at 2 a.m.

Small-town librarian Ruby Tate is organized, reserved, and a little risk-averse. So when a misunderstanding leads her to accidentally reunite with her childhood neighbor, now NFL star Griffin King, you just know sparks (and a fair bit of chaos) are about to fly. Their dynamic immediately drew me in with witty banter, smoldering tension, and those small tender moments that made their connection feel real and unhurried. Ruby’s journey to reclaim her confidence is beautifully portrayed, and Griffin’s steady support, along with swoon-worthy touches and whispered nuzzles, made me melt right alongside her.

Griffin is prime book boyfriend material. His patience, teasing charm, and genuine understanding of Ruby made him impossible not to fall for. A surprising midway reveal adds even more emotional weight, peeling back Ruby’s need for control in a really moving way. Their relationship builds quickly, but Sorensen makes every interaction count, layering in trust and vulnerability that feels completely authentic.

The side characters add just the right amount of heart and humor without ever stealing the spotlight. Their family and friends bring warmth and personality to every scene, and a familiar face from a previous book pops up in a way that fans will love. These moments helped make the world feel even richer without distracting from Ruby and Griffin’s story.

While there were a few points where I wasn’t sure where the story would go, it always stayed true to the characters and their growth. The extended epilogue was a perfect touch—hopeful, satisfying, and full of emotion. Lessons in Heartbreak hit all the right notes for me, and I’m already looking forward to spending more time with the King brothers.

I love Karla Sorensen’s books. As soon as I saw this was available on NetGalley, I jumped on it and put it on the top of my TBR. I appreciate that the author creates imperfect characters, who continue to surprise you throughout the book. With this book, we see that trend continue with a blend of emotions woven into this story documenting the character growth of both the FMC and MMC.

Ruby and Griffin take their history and grow it into a supportive and deliciously spicy relationship. Ruby is a librarian seeking to learn how to connect with and date men confidently, without experiencing self-doubt and anxiety. To aid with this endeavor, she hires a male escort to walk her through the dating process. Her childhood neighbor Griffin, who she hasn’t seen in years, and now a professional football player, crosses her path and in a comical case of mistaken identity, Ruby assumes Griffin is the man she hired. After assumptions are corrected, Griffin agrees to aid Ruby in her quest.

Ruby is a little bit of a difficult character for me. Despite being a fully fledged adult, she comes across excessively naïve. Her character does evolve throughout the book, but the naivety never makes sense with the history we are given for her. Being a focused student and goody-two shoes as a teen doesn’t align with the level of inexperience and innocence she shows and took me out of the story at times. Griffin, on the other hand, is a delight. The level of depth and emotional intelligence when interacting with Ruby is special and ultra-attractive. The reputation he is described as having does not seem consistent with what is shown. I almost wish there were more flashbacks showing his unruly behavior as an adult to emphasize how different he is with Ruby. Instead, he comes across as being misunderstood with a heart of gold. Though my absolute favorite part of this book is the best friend side characters. Both are a little crass and sassy but full of love and round out the story nicely.

The way this story was presented seemed incomplete. Usually with this author, we have a story that naturally concludes with the end of the book, while leaving enough loose threads to guide us to the next book in the series. Given Griffin and his brother’s strained relationship, there appeared to be a need for further resolution. Additionally, the absence of genuine family interaction seemed unusual compared to other books by this author. I hope we get a resolution between the brothers in the next book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to more in this series of standalone, interconnected books. If Karla Sorensen writes it, I will read it.

Thank you to Karla Sorensen, Montlake, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this eBook.

I enjoyed this sports romance. There’s something about lessons that always makes a story fun and sexy. I felt for the FMC with her insecurity about her scar. I loved how caring he was.

My first Karla Sorensen book did not disappoint! Ruby's childhood infatuation with her neighbor twins comes full circle when she meets Griffin again years later believing him to be the escort she hired to help with her intimacy issues. As they reconnect, Griffin becomes determined to support Ruby. This book is a masterclass in balancing steamy romance with meaningful life lessons. I was fully invested in Ruby and Griffin's relationship and I'm hoping to see more of Lauren's story in the future.

Give this book a try if you like sports romance (football), librarians, or are a Jane Austen fan. The Jane Austen references were on point!

Thank you Karla Sorensen, Montlake Publishing and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book. All opinions are my own and freely given.

Overall I struggled a bit to get into this one and didn’t really connect with either character. It was quite slow- the majority of the story takes place over a 2 week period- and I just didn’t believe that they had any chemistry. I was not a fan of the nickname ‘birdy’ either.

That being said, I did love the ending and the epilogues- it was really nice to see the couple further on into the future given the short time period from the main part of the book, and I am very intrigued by Bennett’s story which I think is next and definitely want to read.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

I throughly enjoyed this book and would love to read more from this author. Thanks to Betgalley and the publisher for this ARC

I don’t even know where to begin with this book because I absolutely loved it! Griffin and Ruby are just so good together, and I loved that they were childhood friends who lost contact but run into each other by chance as adults. It added a really unique dynamic to their relationship, especially when it came to learning more about the relationship between Griffin and his twin brother. Ruby’s got a hefty backstory of her own too, and I loved how gentle Griffin was with her heart. There’s so much good chemistry and character growth in this book, plus spice and a bit of humor, especially with some of the side characters like Marcus and Lauren. It’s basically exactly what I want from a romance novel! This was my first Karla Sorenson book and I now need to read her entire backlist!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

I loved how their banter was playful, but there was also real emotional growth between the two of them. They’re both so different in so many ways, yet they balance each other perfectly, making for a compelling, slow-burn romance.

Karla is a must-read author and a favorite of mine. I enjoyed this new title and loved how it paired a librarian (my dream job) with a pro football player! It was full of witty banter and spicy scenes. I was entertained the entire time. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was so freaking good! OMG!

If you love the dating coach trope along with the good girl x bad boy trope, this book is your cup of tea. Sorensen does a fantastic job bringing this story to life. It has romance, angst, some humor and hits emotionally. I am shocked by how I have not heard everyone hyping this book up.

Ruby and Griffin are gold. I loved them from the start. Ruby is a relatable heroine that readers will immediately root for. Griffin is heartthrob material. Their romance isn't rushed creating a wonderful slow burn romance. Their chemistry was off the charts but their friendship and emotional connection is what really stole the show for me. It's just so lovely seeing two people be vulnerable with each other.

It's an amazing romance!

Griffin & Ruby ❤️

💕When bad boy footballer Griffin King gets sent to stay in his agent’s holiday home in Colorado, he’s soon climbing the walls in boredom.

💕A visit to the local bakery ends up with Griffin meeting his childhood neighbour Ruby, who spent hours hanging out in the tree in their garden while watching Griffin and twin brother play.

💕Except Ruby is all grown up, managing the town library and in need of some confidence tricks. When the escort she hires puts her off, she asks Griffin for help.

✏️Karla Sorensen’s latest is another beauty that tugs on the heartstrings. What appears on the surface to be the party guy falling for the dainty but responsible librarian who hasn’t had much experience is really so much more in reality. I adored this couple and how they care for each other. I struggled to put Ruby and Griffin’s story down.

My rating 4.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

There’s something so addictive about second-chance romances—especially when they come with banter, spice, and emotional depth. Karla Sorensen delivers all that and more in Lessons in Heartache, a story about two very opposite souls who were once neighbors, then strangers, and now… something neither of them can quite control.

Ruby is every bit the grumpy, rule-following control freak who prefers a good book to any kind of chaos. Griffin? Chaos in human form. A charming, reckless football star sent back home to lay low—and who just so happens to run into Ruby again in the most awkward.

Their dynamic is absolute magic. He’s sunshine personified—teasing, warm, and persistent. She’s guarded, blunt, and fighting every pull in her heart. The grumpy x sunshine tension? Off the charts. Their banter had me grinning like an idiot and the “who hurt you?” emotional undercurrent gave the romance a real weight. Oh, and the spice? Balanced perfectly with the slow-burn tension and vulnerability.

What I especially loved is how both characters are healing in different ways. The story isn’t just about falling in love again—it’s about learning to trust, to let go, and to forgive the past.

If you love:
• Second-chance romance
• Grumpy x sunshine (with sunshine being the guy)
• Small town + library vibes
• Emotional depth mixed with laugh-out-loud moments
• And a male lead who’s basically a golden retriever with emotional damage

…Lessons in Heartbreak needs to be on your radar.

Thank you Karla Sorensen and Netgalley for this ARC because I freakin LOVED ITTTTTT. Karla Sorensen is my new fave contemp romance author!! I cannot wait for the rest of The Kings series!!

Lessons in Heartbreak is a fun sports romance centered around a NFL player and a small town librarian. The tropes of dating coach, football romance, small town romance, childhood neighbors, and slow burn come together in a fun and spicy way. There are some serious parts: heart disease, sibling estrangement, and lack of self confidence are all discussed and help bring the MMC and FMC together for a sweet and comedic ride.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, and now I am eager to read the next book in the series.

This book will be released on May 20th, 2025 on Kindle Unlimited and in stores.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC!