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).

I was in denial that the Ward family was finished, but I was so happy to meet the King brothers and Ruby! Karla Sorensen is an auto buy author to me, I have loved every single book.
Sorensen weaves a story full of romantic chemistry, lots of laughter and emotion. I consumed this book in a couple of sittings, reading into the wee hours of the night. Slow burn, sweet and a bit spicy!
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

I love Karla Sorensen's books and was very excited to read this one. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about it since it had a slightly different tone than her other series. BUT, I ended up loving it! The second chance aspect was fabulous, the real aspect with the heart transplant and the sports romance (as more of a supporting "character") were all fabulous. Excited to see where this goes as a series.

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.