This was SUCH a cute read!! I absolutely devoured this book, and it left no crumbs! I could put this down for the life of me…. I will definitely be reading more of Karla in the future

5⭐️

✨ Oh wow this was such a beautiful book and felt so different to what I’ve read from Karla before. The topics discussed were handled beautifully and the whole story was the perfect balance of romance and emotional, just perfect!!

✨ Ruby had been through so much and shut herself away from the world, it broke my heart the way she thought she didn’t deserve love but I loved seeing her and Griffin come together. Griffin was such a charmer , I really enjoyed his character and the friendships he had with everyone.

✨ I loved the side characters in this and want them all to get their own books but I’m really hoping for Barrett to get a book.

How thoroughly this woman had humbled me, without intention or forethought. I wasn't sure my life would ever quite look the same after this. After her.'

Lessons in Heartbreak is Karla Sorensen's first book in an all new series and I can already say that I'm down for at least one of the King brothers. Griffin and Ruby's story is fun, sweet, charming, with a bit of some deeper content combining that with the easiest of chemistry. Think small town, opposites attract with a connection from childhood.

Ruby is a small town librarian and she think she needs a little assistance to get her groove back. To get comfortable with who she is and get back out in the dating game. When a blast from her childhood past comes through the door, she thinks HE may be the one to teach her a few lessons. Although this was originally not the case, Griffin easily steps in to the role of a no strings attached lesson giver. But these two have so much more of a connection than what they originally bargained for.

Griffin and Ruby were so good together. I liked that they both gave each other what they needed in order to heal and grow. It just came naturally to both of them. Griffin brought out a more fun side to Ruby and Ruby allowed Griffin to be more relaxed and his true self without the media getting it wrong or skewing their vision of him. It made it easy for them to build a friendship that turned into so much more. Their banter and their chemistry was electric, but also slow to build. Ruby was always holding back with a piece of who she was, but Griffin made whatever they had between them so natural and easy and totally believable. I just adored them together and the way they worked their way up to finally giving in to what they built.

And don't get me started on some of the outrageous side characters. Ruby's BFF and Griffin's teammate are hilarious and such a good addition to their story. Gotta love the confidence of two people that make their odd relationship work. I love when we combine the famous (in Griffin's case, professional football player) with the everyday person to get something magical. And magic is what Sorensen gave us. A perfect blend of humor, emotional and heart. This story and the journey these characters take you on will have you smiling, laughing, and grasping at your heart in your feels. Ruby and Griffin learn to count their blessings with each and every day they are given.

I can't wait for the next King brother's book, but he's gonna have to work for it. Griffin will be tough to beat, but I do love a single dad.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❤️football romance
❤️childhood neighbors
❤️reformed playboy
❤️librarian
❤️opposites attract

Wow! Karla is starting this new series off with a bang! Literally and figuratively.

I absolutely loved Lessons in Heartbreak. The whole idea behind Griffin giving lessons in seduction to Ruby was awesome. The fact that these two knew each other since they were children was just the icing on the cake.

Thank you to Karla Sorenson for the ARC of this book.

You know, I don't think there's a book by Karla Sorensen that I've read that I haven't just absolutely loved. She did her magic again with this one. Ruby and Griffin were so good together. Complete opposites but they brought out the best in each other. Let me just tell you that when you get to the movie scene, if you don't swoon, you don't have a romantic bone in your body LOL This was so good!

Childhood neighbors that find themselves in the same small town, after NFL star Griffin needs a bit of a reboot and runs into Ruby at a local coffee shop. The chemistry and connection were undeniable as Griffin helps Ruby in the spice/relationship department. The story was just so good—the butterflies started at the very beginning and honestly never let up. The two were perfect for each other and this was filled with flirty and funny moments and i found myself laughing out loud so many times. But it was the relationship building, the vulnerability of both characters and the tender moments that really did it for me. I honestly don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll just say this love story gives just a little bit more than your average romance. It’s got heart and heat and I loved Griffin and Ruby so much.

Another absolute hit from Karla. Her writing just keeps getting better, and I am always enthralled by her books. They are unputdownable and always evoke so many emotions. Her characters always shine, and Ruby and Griffin are stellar examples of that. These two had me hooked. I love a shy girl/bad boy and spicy lessons really up the ante. I feel like this book is made for us romcom loving millennials, but those that give us more, the ones that leave an impact and are unforgettable. Here's to another amazing read from Karla, I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

“Teach you what, exactly?” “Teach me how to make a man want me.”

Ruby loves her life as a small town librarian but lately she’s also wanting a bit more in her personal life. So with enough pushing from a friend, she decides to hire an escort to help her get more comfortable with getting intimate with someone. So when she sees who showed up she was shocked, it was her old neighbor Griffin! But there was a bit of a mix up because he so definitely not an escort but a professional football player. With Griffin laying low in town Ruby figured why not ask him for lessons instead. He seems like the right person for the job but also he’s only on town temporarily so it’s a win-win right?

I just love Ruby and Griffin’s banter! They’re hilarious together, they may seem complete opposites but I think that’s what makes them perfect for each other.
Love the little slow burn as they explore their new “relationship” and get to know each other more. Those little touches, lingering looks, Griffin was supposed to be teaching Ruby but what she didn’t realize is that she’s teaching him as well.

You can feel the chemistry between them and so much more. Lots of swoon for sure but there’s some heartfelt moments too. I may have had some teary moments. And when “it” finally happened, my goodness it was perfect.

Another gem from Karla for sure! Such a great start for this series and I can’t wait for more!

Griffin and Ruby have known each other since childhood, but lost touch till they were adults. He’s a professional football player and she’s a librarian in need of help which she asks for from an escort. Believing to be from Griffin, these two have amazing banter and chemistry with one another. She’s tired of being the inexperienced one and he brings out a different side to her, that no one can. They both learn from one another. This was a really cute read.

I received this ARC through the publisher and I am voluntarily reviewing this book, opinions are my own.

Every time I hear that Karla has a new book, I get excited, because she is one of my favorite authors in the world.

This is the story of Ruby and Griffin, a story that seems to have a simple good girl/bad boy trope, but that is just the opening. The characters are so marvelous, with so many layers, that it is enchanting to discover them and you actually can relate to them and their stories.

Their chemistry is outstanding and pulses throughout the whole book, making the story even better. Their banter, their conversations, their instant connection make this story flow seamlessly and, before you know it, it is long past midnight and you cannot put the book down.

I love how the characters evolve during the story, how they open their hearts and consolidate their feelings. I loved Ruby so much! And Griffin deserves all the praise in the world! He is one giant with the softest spot for his shy librarian.

I think this was my favorite book of the month, and definitely is in the top 5 books of the year! It is that good! Karla’s writing is magical! I highly recommend any book by her

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
I came for the cover and stayed for the plot.

Wow! Just, wow!

this was so much more than I hoped for.
The tropes are amazing, but the story? their chemistry? My god!
Griffin and Ruby are so much 😍

“People’s perception of others is always colored by their own issues. Their own insecurities. The things we see in other people— especially when it’s a trait that we’re secretly a little jealous of— twist around in our brain before we’re even aware it’s happened. It becomes an ugly thing to tease them about. Make them feel like they’re doing something wrong, because we’re sick with envy that we don’t have just a little bit of that"


"He was my gravity, and there was no denying it anymore."

"Was this falling in love, then? Not being able to get them out of your head. Missing them like a limb. Replaying all the bursts of time where they made things better. Where their absence feels like a small sort of death to be mourned."

Heartbreaking, heartwarming, mind-blowing. I didn't see this coming, but I'm here for it.

Do yourself a favor and read this ✨️

I will love you through every sunrise and every sunset because we’ve already missed too many ☀️

The biggest thank you to @karla_sorensen , Tina Stokes & @good.girls.pr & Netgalley for proving this eArc & gifting me an Arc paperback for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Lessons in Heartbreak is a small town, opposites attract, football sports romance! 🏈

A playboy football player. A shy librarian. When old friends reunite, opposites attract in a witty and lighthearted romance about taking chances and falling in love against the odds.✨

I loved this book so much. So much that I found myself getting emotional at times. This is the sweetest, most heartfelt romcom book I’ve read. 🥹

It had everything I loved from spice, grand gestures, a playboy, a shy librarian, and more. 🔥

I won’t spoil it…but the library gesture…insane in the most beautiful way.🥹

We have some mixups, laughs, and that romcom cheese, but it was so well written that I could not have asked for anything more!!🙌🏽

Ruby and Griffin have my heart! Their chemistry and the way they fit like two puzzle pieces is perfect! 🧩

The beginning was a good pace for me and I really enjoyed reading! 📖

I rate this book a 5 out of 5.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I would recommend this book to those who love small town romances, opposites attract and spicy lessons. If this sounds like something you like, I recommend you check it out! 🗓️

I’d also love to take a small moment of appreciation again for the paperback, sticker & bookmark! I was so excited to receive this gift! (Check out my reel for my unboxing video)💙💙

Thank you again to Karla Sorensen, Tina Stokes, Netgalley, & Good Girls PR!!💗💗💗

Childhood neighbors that reunite years later unexpectedly and under amusing circumstances. He helps her date and build up her confidence, but ends up falling for her instead. The portrait painting reveal scene was hilarious and sexy. The whole book was exciting and fun to read.

I'm a big fan of Karla Sorensen's writing and especially her sports romance books. This is a first in series and I was very happy with the writing, plot, main and side characters and the emotions throughout the book. I can't wait for the next in series about the other Kind brother.

This book follows Griffin King, the youngest twin of the King brothers and a football star. He is brash, a bit of a player and definitely lives up to his reputation even if that's not who he really wants to portray. When he is put in timeout by his agent for an interview that went viral (and not in a good way), he reconnects with Ruby who was his neighbor when they were kids. Ruby was always shy, a bit of an introvert and smart as all get out. She was always fascinated by the King brothers as a child but Griffin was a bit of a nemesis with his teasing ways. When she confides in Griffin that she wants to be more comfortable dating and putting herself out there, he is all in with helping her with her plan much to her horror. But as the two spend time together, they both get to know each other better and understand what makes the other tick. Griffin wants to be seen as more reliable and can be dependable (much like his twin brother). Ruby wants to experience life; she wants to put herself out there but doesn't necessarily want to find love.

Definitely a lot of additional emotion in this book as the two find their way. I don't want to leave any spoilers but there is definitely a reason that Ruby doesn't want to find love in her life.

Overall a fun, romantic sports romance. Love the writing style that Karla brings.

This book had me in an absolute chokehold—I couldn’t put it down. This funny, emotional, and totally swoony football romance has all the opposites-attract magic I love.

Ruby is a shy, small-town librarian with zero dating experience, and Griffin is her childhood neighbor turned hotshot pro football player with a playboy reputation. When Ruby tries to hire a dating coach to help her get over her fear of intimacy, Griffin shows up by mistake—and things spiral from there in the best way.

Their chemistry is so good, and the slow-burn tension is perfectly done. Griffin calls her “Birdy” (adorable), and their shared past adds so much warmth to the story. One of my favorite parts? Ruby introduces him to period dramas—and Griffin is introduced to the Mr. Darcy hand moment 🥹

What starts as a series of flirty “lessons” turns into something real and emotional. It’s about letting your guard down and falling for someone who sees all of you. Ruby and Griffin’s story is heartfelt, hilarious, and just the right amount of spicy.

If you’re into small-town vibes, witty banter, and football players with secret soft sides, you need to read this 🩷🏈📚

Sheer perfection! I’m not normally a fan of the tropes in this one, but I most definitely AM a fan of Karla Sorensen’s writing, which made me a fan of this book. Heartfelt and fun is how I’d describe this one. Who doesn’t love the hero falling hard for the girl and trying to deny it to himself? A+ as always, Ms. Sorensen.

I really enjoyed this. It had great characters and a storyline i really liked. It had me swooning so many times.

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. At first glance I thought this would be a steamy romance between a playboy football player and a small town librarian but it ended up having more depth than I expected. It highlighted a different kind of grief, a journey of recovery, self acceptance and love.

I loved the slow burn and gradual relationship they built. There was acceptance of each other, patience within their communication, and healing of physical and emotional scars.

The ending felt a little chaotic but I kind of just accepted it and liked how it turned out overall.

The audiobook was perfect. Honestly I’d listen to anything Samantha Brentmoor narrates. She kills it every time. First time listening to Aiden Snow and I have to say that man has the deepest voice I’ve ever heard. I was a bit shocked when I first heard him. I highly recommend this book in audio format.

Perfection!

I absolutely love Karla Sorensen's books! I loved this storyline, and the characters are easy to like! We get a sports, opposites attract, old friends to lovers trope that was charming and warm-hearted. There were times my heart squeezed, I laughed, smiled, and I teared up too! Loved their bantering. A wonderful read! Now I'm going to listen to it!

I have now listened to the audiobook, and it was perfection. I loved the narrators. Definitely favorites of mine. I could listen to them all day. Their voices are so smooth. They gave an emotional performance that had this audiobook rolling like a movie in my head. I wasn't ready ready for it to end.

Lessons in Heartbreak by Karla Sorensen
The Kings series #1. Contemporary romance. Alternating first person POV.
Ruby Tate has always followed the rules and exceeded her parents expectations. At thirty, she’s a respected small-town librarian with the right degrees and volunteering. She has friends but avoids intimacy. She’s just not comfortable with that. Wanting to get past her fears, she hires an escort thinking that’s the best way to avoid heartbreak. She mistakenly believes Griffin King is the escort when he sits at her table in the coffee shop. She remembers Griffin as the twin that was always teasing her when they lived next door to each other. At fifteen, she didn’t know how to deal with that. Even now, she’s not sure, but she’s ready to learn.
Griffin King is in town to scope out a potential football contract. He can’t believe he’s run into the shy Ruby again, and he’s happy to play the role of escort and teach her whatever she wants.

Swoony romance with innocence and a player mixing it up. Although Griffin doesn’t really come off as a player, but maybe that’s because he’s more or less, hiding out in a friend’s house. The two have chemistry left over from their teenage years and time hasn’t lessened the attraction. Sizzling banter and fun to make Ruby comfortable, this couple has all the vibes that make you want to keep reading. A bit spicy, a bit sweet, a whole lot of romance and love.
Alluring. It’s my first book by this author and I’m going to be looking at the backlist.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to keep.