This was a great book!
Ruby and Griffin are so very different but still complement each other perfectly. I really liked that they were childhood neighbors. So even if they never been friends, they knew each other to some extent.

I loved Griffin with his cool, charming playboy outside but caring, beautiful inside.

This story had a twist that I didn't see coming but in a very good way. It made it exceed my expectations.

I'm definitely going to read the next book in the series as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Karla Sorensen for the opportunity to read to this book early in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: May 20th, 2025

THE ROMANTIC BOSNIAN BLOG REVIEWS

DNF this book at 25% I really wanted to dice in fully but lots of personal dislike and reasons, I just could not get myself to go on and I even tried to leave it and come back and that did not work at all. I am not one to force myself to read a book I do not enjoy.

I am a fan of Karla Sorensen’s books, I enjoy her writing style a lot! Lessons in Heartbreak is a page turner and a book I read in a day. Beautiful in every way, I laughed and cried and felt every emotion in between as Ruby and Griffin made their way into my heart, I love their vulnerabilities, and how they both were just what the other needed. Such an amazing romance, I already can’t wait for book 2 in the series!

I devoured this story as soon as I got it. griffin and ruby gave me all the feels and had me laughing.
this is a fabulous story. This author never fails to disappoint

𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤
𝐿𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘
20 𝑀𝑎𝑦
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Lessons in Heartbreak is yet another special read from KS that packs an emotional punch!

The footballer & the librarian.

What starts off as a fun, light-hearted arrangement, with playboy Griffin giving wall flower Ruby lessons on dating & how to attract a potential partner quickly becomes so much more. Between serious health revelations & time running out on their arrangement, can these two take a chance on love when the future isn't guaranteed?

A beautiful read, where the"heartbreak" is multifaceted and gives rise to the earnest sharing of fears and dreams leaving both characters vulnerable and relatable in a way that had me rooting for them and their HEA.

‘Lesson In Heart Break’ is so much more than the blurb. So much more than any preconceived notion.

I am a woman full of many words but throw a book at me that swept me off my feet, and I tend to lose the words. So here I sit, wordless. I’m hoping as I try to find the words, that I can expel all that I’m feeling.

I must say Sorenson is an immensely talented author. Her writing has a tendency take me places very few authors can. Case in point; Lessons In Heartbreak. I was enraptured from the beginning even though (in my opinion) this story was a slow burn. Griffin and Rubys story was filled to the brim with development, so I never had the chance to be bored. The attention to detail that this author took had me seeing every person, place, or thing for what it was. Do not even get me started on the plot. For the love of all things Holy, this author and her characters led me down a path I never saw coming. The way that was done? With tender loving care. I think the biggest thing in this book that stole my attention was the character growth. Good golly, the growth in both characters was astounding. Subtle and in ways that wasn’t rushed, but perfectly executed. Speaking of characters…

Griffin. In the beginning I wasn’t sure how I truly felt about him because he came off like a F-boy. Oh, how he grew on me though. He is so much more than meets the eye. His growth was my favorite.?

Ruby in my opinion was so relatable in many ways. She was like a ball of anxiety with a spunkiness that not many people got to see. She was a fighter through and through.

‘Lesson In Heartbreak’ had everything to make it the 5 star book it is. To be honest, it is one of my top reads of the year. Not only that, it’s gonna be hard to beat.

This is is a tender, slow-burn romance with a deeply emotional core and just the right balance of humor and heart. Ruby Tate, the rule-following librarian with a yearning for connection, makes an endearing heroine whose vulnerability and quiet strength resonate throughout. Her awkward but sincere attempts to understand intimacy are handled with care, making her growth feel honest and earned. The standout, however, is Griffin King—charismatic on the surface but carrying the weight of a carefully crafted persona. His emotional depth, especially in scenes where he opens up about identity and expectation, elevates the story. His unexpected love for period romances (and those swoon-worthy hand-flex moments) adds layers of softness and sensitivity that contrast beautifully with his public image. Their chemistry grows naturally, and the “dating lessons” trope is executed with charm. The rules they establish—and inevitably break—set up moments of romantic tension, heartfelt revelation, and genuine change for both characters. Though the ending is satisfying, readers may wish for more post-arrangement scenes to savor their fully realized relationship. Overall, it is a heartfelt and introspective romance that explores vulnerability, identity, and the courage it takes to rewrite your own story. A quietly powerful love story that lingers.

Huge thank you to Montlake and Karla Sorensen for the copy of this arc. It was so much fun to read and I’m already hooked on this new series.

Ruby is tired of being the odd man out when it comes to fun in the bedroom. She’s not completely out of the loop… but she’s had some unfortunate past experiences and is ready to let all that go. Her best friend comes up with a wacky solution that just might have some merit. She reluctantly agrees to hire an escort who can help build her confidence, and give her the skillset she needs.

All is going swimmingly until a bad case of mistaken identity strikes. The last person Ruby was expecting to answer her desperate plea was her childhood acquaintance, Griffin. Unfortunately for Ruby, her embarrassment is the gift that keeps on giving, and Griffin might not be the escort she’s looking for…

These two quickly get tangled up in a friends with benefits situation that had me laughing out loud and squealing with glee. I loved the banter between these two, and how they helped each other grow. Griffin is a bad boy with an even worse reputation, and Ruby is pretty hopeless in the dating department. But together? These two are unstoppable!

It was so much fun watching their relationship blossom. They both have pretty heavy pasts, but I loved the way it was handled. Despite the hardships they had gone through, I found myself smiling through this book. I’m very excited to see what’s going to happen in their friend’s relationships. We got a taste of what tropes their stories would be at the end, and I’m already eager for more. (Specifically Barrett!)

Thank you to Karla Sorenson, Montlake and NetGallery for this ARC.

Ruby, a small town librarian, needs help and not the kind of help you get from books. She needs dating and intimacy help, so she had the idea to hire an escort to help her out with her fears.
Who shows up isn't who she expected; her old neighbour turned pro football player Griffin King. She spills everything to him before he reveals he isn't her hired escort and he's in town for a break.

Ruby tries her best to avoid him but Griffin is persistent and an unexpected friendship blossoms between them while he is in town and lines are soon crossed.
Griffin is a known playboy, but there is something about Ruby that keeps him wanting more. He wants to show her what a relationship is like, despite her health concerns.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the chemistry between the 2 MCs. Although they were neighbours during their teens, they weren't friends as such, so it was nice to see a friendship blossom on page. I loved the banter between them and the inevitable spice was nicely done.
I really enjoyed the pacing of the story, not too much slow burn (any more and it would have felt forced) and the deeper aspects of the book were well written (Rubys health being the main aspect along with family differences).

The side characters were great and they were needed in the story, not just added in for the sake of it. I'll be happy to read any subsequent books within the series.

Such a nice lighthearted read and I could barely put it down.

- 𝑳𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒃𝒚 𝑲𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒂 𝑺𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒏, 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒂𝒚 𝟐𝟎𝒕𝒉

𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
✰ 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘴
✰ 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘹 𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯
✰ 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵
✰ 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
✰ 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴

The premise for this book grabbed my attention immediately. I mean childhood frenemies meeting as adults and starting a relationship in which she gets spicy lessons from him? Add that he's a football player and she's a shy librarian and I was sold.
I read this so quickly and had the best time with this. Ruby is such a strong character and it was so easy to love her and want the best for her. Griffin on the other hand is so charming and so swoonworthy. Their dynamic is simply perfect and their banter had me laughing out loud. It was genuinely hilarious!
This book had an emotional element too that I won't spoil but it added depth to the story and the characters.
I have to say I am super curious about Griffin's twin brother 👀 I hope he gets a book soon as well because I would be sat.

Overall this was a great small town sports romance if that's what you're looking for!
Karla has yet to disappoint me and you should definetely give her books a chance if you haven't yet.

*arc kindly provided in exchange of an honest review

When shy small-town librarian, Maggie, accidentally hires the wrong guy to help her with her fear of intimacy, she’s stuck with none other than Griffin King—her childhood neighbour turned smoking-hot football player. What was supposed to be a lesson in dating quickly turns into something deeper as Griffin helps Maggie discover new sides of herself—and him. It’s a love story that breaks all the rules, where the playboy and the good girl are forced to confront what they really want, and what’s worth fighting for.

I loved this book! Very well written story about Ruby and Griffin’s journey to falling in love. I am hoping to hear more about Barrett and his journey to love. Great side characters with a small town vibe and football players with a love of Jane Austen movies were a nice, entertaining touch to this story.

5⭐️ 2🌶️

- childhood neighbors
- small town librarian x pro football player
- spicy lessons
- opposites attract

Griffin. King. Whew!! There is something about childhood friends to adult lovers that has so much emotion and background, I’m truly obsessed.

Ruby is struggling with a fear of intimacy and she doesn’t know who she can go to for help with learning about some….ahem *things.* just as she’s about to turn to strangers, she happens to run into her old childhood neighbor, Griffin. Ruby always had a secret crush on his twin brother, but after she moved away, they lost touch and haven’t seen each other. But now, it just so happens that Griffin is actually in town for a few weeks staying at his agents house to “lie low” after causing some trouble…..Maybe he can help her out with some lessons?

I have enjoyed Karla Sorenson’s books before, so I was very much looking forward to a new series. She did not disappoint!

I love that we start off with two characters who have similar issues, but in very different ways. Griffin and his struggle as always feeling less than next to his brother, and his Birdy with her fear of being less because of her need for control. The way the two characters come together to bring out the best in each other is so beautiful. And any novel that appreciates the hand motion by Darcy is always a win. I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait for the next book in the series!

4.2 Stars
One Liner: This was good!
Ruby, a shy small-town librarian, decided to hire an escort to get over her fear of intimacy without the risk of heartbreak. However, instead of a dating coach, Ruby’s childhood neighbor and pro football player, Griffin King, arrived. He was the escort, but she didn’t know that!
As if the embarrassing mix-up wasn’t enough, Ruby stumbles across Griffin everywhere in their little town. He is more than happy to help her, but with their closeness increasing, Ruby has much to think about.
The story comes in Ruby and Griffin’s first-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
This is my first book by the author. Turns out, this is also the first in a new series, so I intend to read the others.
The pacing is slow, but it doesn’t feel boring. We get enough backstory and depth for the characters to be more than their physical appearances, though there are many references to how hot they look. Note that the characters start as clichés but gradually show they can do much better than that.
The MCs are easy to like. They are smart, sweet, and have their issues to deal with. They inevitably help each other grow, which comes across well as the story progresses. The chemistry is great, too, so it’s not long before we root for them.
There’s enough humor to make the readers laugh or chuckle. This balances the somber elements, especially the scenes dealing with health issues.
The side characters need a special mention. I liked Lauren right away. Wasn’t sure about Marcus, but he proved himself. Don’t be tricked by his OTT act. He is a sweet guy.
My favorite part has to be these hunky football players sighing over classic romances like Pride and Prejudice. How they react to the hand flex by Darcy is adorable!
The book is spicy, probably 4 or more. There’s some dirty talk, but not a lot. However, the story doesn’t feel rushed. There is enough time for feelings to develop.
We have not one but two epilogues. I love it when authors do this. A regular epilogue is great, but when it is followed by an extended one, it is a double bonus.
To summarize, Lessons in Heartbreak is a heartwarming, entertaining, and delightful romance set in a small town. Bring on the next book!
Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Any book with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has a special place in my heart, because my husband also has this condition. Not to a transplant degree, but enough to have open heart surgery at a young age.

I loved the plot to this book, but it felt entirely too long. There were a lot of side scenes that I feel weren’t necessary. In the end, I wanted more chapters with Griffin and Ruby as a couple.

I thought this book was so cute. I relate to the FMC with how she feels like life is a gift and doing the small things in life can bring joy. I think the character development was done really well. I was worried when she said she may only have a a certain amount of years and I thought that would put a damper on the book but the epilogue really wrapped that up.

4 stars

Ruby Tate is a small-town librarian in Colorado who seeks help with dating from an escort. In a turn of events at the local coffee shop, Ruby runs into her childhood neighbor and NFL lineman, Griffin King. What takes place next is sweet, funny, and mildly spicy. Ruby is keeping a secret, one that has changed the trajectory of her life and what her future looks like. She is falling fast for Griffin and his outgoing spirit. Griffin does not "do" relationships, but he cannot stay away from Ruby.

Lessons in Heartbreak is a very sweet book. Ms. Sorensen has written this cast of characters in such a way that they jump off the pages of this book. I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes...

Thank you, Netgalley, for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review.

What a delightful change of pace this read turned out to be! I found the main female character to be incredibly relatable, especially after learning about her health condition—it really shed light on some of her earlier decisions and made them resonate on a deeper level. And then there’s Griffin! He’s the kind of character who just leaps off the page with his charm and warmth. The chemistry between Ruby and Griffin was palpable, filled with longing and tension that kept me hooked. The steamy moments sprinkled throughout added an exciting dynamic to their relationship. Overall, this book was a joy to read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone craving a captivating blend of medical condition rep, second chances, and a charming pro-athlete/librarian romance!

I thought this was so cute. Ruby and Griffin were so cute together. I didn’t see their chemistry at first but towards the 60% mark I did. I loved the little side plot of Lauren and Marcus (hoping they get a book too).
I liked that they kind of knew each other when they were younger. I thought that was a really interesting part of their story.

I don’t think I was really in the mood for a romance which is why the rating is kind of low but I will reread when I’m feeling like it again (hopefully soon).