Lessons in Heartbreak by Karla Sorensen absolutely lived up to its name—and I loved every second of it. This was my first time reading anything by Sorensen, and it definitely won’t be my last. Her writing is heartfelt, raw, and emotionally rich in all the right ways.

I hadn’t read a “dating coach” trope before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect—but wow, I didn’t realize how amazing it could be. The dynamic was fresh, layered, and so compelling. Sorensen handled it with depth, humor, and just the right amount of angst.

The emotional journey of the characters felt real and earned. I was completely invested from the first chapter and found myself both laughing and tearing up throughout. This story isn’t just about romance—it's about healing, growth, and finding the courage to love again.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:
💙librarian heroine
🏈football player hero
💙sports romance
🏈spicy lessons
💙childhood neighbors
🏈dual POV
💙 banter

I absolutely adore Karla's books and writing and this was no exception. Karla has this slow burn, emotional, chemistry in all her books that always delivers such a heartwarming story. This is Griffin and Rubys story.

Ruby is one of the most relatable FMC that l've seen from Karla in a while. She's a bit on the innocent and naive side of things. She is well organized, a planner, smart, reserved, and a suffers from inexperience and anxiety.

Griffin, our MMC, is a famous NFL defensive player and completely misunderstood. He is seen as this adult who is never serious, an overgrown playboy who refused to settle down. He's the opposite of Ruby but he's the perfect person for her. He's patient , charismatic, caring and not only thoughtful but the way he genuinely cares for ruby makes you swoon.

Together Ruby and Griffin just worked. On paper they were complete opposites but their genuine friendship, feelings and banter was great throughout the story. Now it was a bit of a slow burn as their story and chemistry developed and I think the side characters like Lauren and Marcus added some witty moments to the story but all in all a solid book from Karla Sorensen

Let me preface this by saying I love Karla’s books and I can’t wait for the next one. That being said, I was disappointed in this one and I totally think it a me issue. I went in expecting a light, fun, teach me how to not be awkward around men, storyline and from page 1 it was much more serious and intense than I was expecting. That’s totally a me issue, so set your tonal expectations accordingly. There were also some tropes that I just don’t love in it but that’s also a personal preference, I know many others will be drawn in by those same tropes. Ruby was too timid for me, she has her reasons but I struggled to relate, maybe if her main reason had been revealed earlier I might’ve had an easier time but I think our personalities are just too different. But the ways I struggled will be things other readers totally get and identify with!

I did enjoy Griffin and his storyline! He’s such a sweetie and I love a “bad boy” with a secret heart of gold. His friend Marcus was a delight too. I wouldn’t be mad if we got a novella or full novel even with his and Lauren’s story. They are a hoot. Sometimes you just don’t connect with a FMC and that’s ok, I loved all the other characters and storylines.

I love a new spin on an old trope, and Karla Sorensen always does it up right. I was smiling from this couple’s introduction, and the story surprised me in the best of ways. Sure, the love lessons aspect is present, but it’s much more a story about a carefree man who finds himself falling for a careful woman, just as she’s decided to be a little bit wild. I loved that our hero was thrown off his axis, and I also loved that the lessons storyline evolved in an unexpected way. I was genuinely surprised by some of the subplots, and the story kept me on my toes. First and foremost, however, the characters were great together, and I was eager to see them find their way towards happily ever after. Another win from Sorensen!

The story follows Ruby, a librarian who usually lives vicariously through books. When a risqué birthday present forces Ruby to confront the reality that she’s never experienced the best parts of sex and dating, she decides to hire an escort to help her feel more comfortable putting herself out there. She’s not planning on hitting the sheets with the guy, she just wants his help. So when her former neighbor shows up at the appointment, Ruby isn’t sure what to think. She hasn’t seen Griffin since they were teenagers, and he was always a bit of a chaotic pest at the time. Now a pro athlete taking a break from the spotlight, Griffin is beyond intrigued to discover all the reasons why Ruby felt the need to hire a professional. As he steps in instead, Griffin grows closer to Ruby in a way neither expected.

The start of a new series, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from these characters, but I really enjoyed what I found. For reasons I will not explain, Ruby hasn’t been living life to the fullest, and she’s looking forward to the opportunity to get out of her comfort zone. Though she hasn’t seen Griffin in years, she’s more comfortable around him than most men, and that allows her to open up more. I loved that Griffin was so patient and supportive. He’s a little wild and carefree, but he’s beyond steady with Ruby. Neither expected to fall during their lessons, so I loved watching them form an emotional connection that runs deeper than anticipated. It was great to see them both learn to love themselves more along the way, and the story goes in some emotional (potentially triggering) directions. It was a refreshing surprise, and an excellent series starter for sure.

Karla! Seriously, what do you put in these books? I could not put this one down! This was full of tropes I love so I expected to like it, but it was so freakin adorable, I was kicking my feet and grinning the whole time!!

Bad boy football player Griffin is banished to his agent's house in a small town in Colorado while his agent tries to clean up his latest mess. While in town, he runs into Ruby, whom he recognizes as the bookish neighbor girl from his youth. But trust me when I say this "meet-cute" is absolutely hilarious, even if you may get a little secondhand embarrassment on Ruby's behalf.

Once she gets over her embarrassment, Ruby comes up with a proposition for Griffin. She asks him to be her "teacher" so she can open up more around guys and start dating again. We all know how this goes, though!! These two were SO cute together. I adored how Griffin started picking up books and movies just because she liked or recommended them. Can we also talk about his buddy Marcus? He was SUCH a fun character and I loved his dynamic with Ruby's friend, Lauren.

This book was everything I had hoped for and more. I truly enjoyed every minute!!

Thank you to Montlake and Karla for this ARC!

Lessons in Heartbreak by Karla Sorensen, published by Montlake is book one in the Kings Series.
Griffin and Ruby know ech other since childhood. They lost contact but now at ages 30 and 33 they run into each other again.
The sports star who has to lay low after a medi scandal and the shy librarian. At first sight they haven't much in common, but they're clearly attracted to each other.
A witty and fun read, opposites attract, small town romance at its finest, 5 stars.

Karla always has such a way of telling a story that makes you obsessively need to keep reading. Playboy MMC and shy FMC, but done in a way where you believe the MMC is really over that life style and she’s the one he wants.

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?