4 stars

“that’s what it was about. It wasn’t just saying we loved each other—it was showing it. Choosing each other, through all the hard.”

If early 2000s romcoms raised you, this book is definitely for you. It carried that familiar sparkle—the banter, the charm, the comforting rhythm—but it also carried something heavier. something that will settle quietly in your chest and stay there.

Ruby was the kind of heroine I loved immediately. her warmth, her awkwardness, the way she tried so hard to stay whole despite everything. I felt her loneliness, her longing, the ache of wanting to be touched without fear.

then there was Griffin. he wasn’t just the brooding hockey player or the twin she didn’t expect to fall for—he was so much more. I loved that he didn’t try to fix her. he met her where she was. he didn’t pull her out of the dark; he sat beside her in it. their chemistry wasn’t loud or rushed—it built slowly, in the glances, in the jokes, in the quiet.

but this wasn’t just a love story. It was about grief, too. about family wounds that don’t close cleanly. Griffin’s fractured relationship with his twin and Ruby’s past… and when that unraveled, I had to put the book down and breathe. It hurt. but it mattered.

I came in looking for the comfort of a romcom. I left carrying something heavier, something better. a story about healing, not fixing. about being seen, even in your brokenness.

and I’d read it all over again.

many thanks to the author and netgalley for the eARC

If you know me, you all know how much I love Karla, so this is going to be a walk in the park...

Lessons in Heartbreak is a delightful blend of funny, heartfelt, and slow burn romance that left me feeling so warm inside. Karla, as always, masterfully crafted a story that balances emotional depth with lighthearted moments, making it a winning read for me.

The story follows a shy librarian who, in an attempt to overcome her fear of intimacy, hires an escort in attempt to up her dating game. Enter Griffin King, her childhood neighbour turned professional football player, who is decidedly... not the escort she hired. The ensuing mix-up sets the stage for a series of witty and emotionally charged interactions between the two. Seriously, the banter is giving in this book and I LOVED IT.

Griffin is your typical playboy athlete, but there's more to him than meets the eye. His unexpected reentry into the librarian's life brings both chaos and clarity, challenging her to confront her fears and rediscover herself. Their chemistry is on fire, and the slow burn of their relationship development is both satisfying and realistic.

Karla's writing was centre stage as she delved into themes of vulnerability, personal growth, and the complexities of rekindled connections. The characters are well-developed, each with their own quirks and depths that make them relatable and lovable.

Lessons in Heartbreak is a beautifully written romance that captures the essence of both second, and once in a lifetime, chances and the courage it takes to open up your heart.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the advanced readers copy!

While I love this trope, I was not engaged by these characters or their romance. Found it hard to believe and cringe.

Lessons in Heartbreak is the first book in the Kings series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Ruby was awkward and shy, andl Griffin was the complete opposite. He was a football star and a (reformed) player.

I loved these two so much! Griffin brought Ruby out of her shell but not completely changing her; he just helped her gain more confidence.

Their relationship went from lessons to real love, and I loved seeing the two of them fall for each other.

There were some heartbreaking and emotional moments. But there was also so much love.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Sweet Ruby & Griffin. This book was so sweet and the characters were adorable together. Ruby & Griffin found each other again and helped each other grow. Their love story was adorable. Lauren and Marcus were hilarious and provided good levity. Can’t wait to read Barrett’s story with his HEA. The kids were adorable. Enjoyed it so much!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5

This is the first book I have read by Karla Sorenson and I will absolutely be reading more!

Lessons in Heartbreak, book 1 in The Kings series, follows Ruby Tate, a shy librarian, and Griffin King, an NFL player with a bad boy reputation. Their love story is so so sweet. They had amazing chemistry and there was lots of sexual tension. Griffin is so observant of what Ruby needs and a great teacher. Both Ruby and Griffin have their own personal problems but with each other's help they conquer their fears and push each other to be better.

Lauren and Marcus are hilarious side characters. When Ruby and Griffin have difficulties expressing their feelings for one another, Lauren knows exactly how to push them in the right direction.

For fans of:
-He falls first
-Football player x librarian
-Childhood neighbors to lovers
-Dating coach
-Playboy x good girl
-Small town romance

"I knew two things right in that moment: Ruby Tate was so much sexier than she realized. And I was completely fucked."

"A world without Ruby Tate. Fucking unfathomable."

"I see you, Griffin. Not what people say about you or what you used to be. I see you, and I have never respected anyone in my life more."

*Thank you to Netgalley, Montlake, and the author, Karla Sorenson, for the ARC. Opinions expressed are solely my own.

Ahh I loved this book so much. Whenever I pick up a book by Karla, I know I'm going to experience a wide range of emotions. Lessons in Heartbreak was no different. I laughed, I cried, sometimes doing both on the same page. Karla's books always have the perfect amount of angst.

Griffin is perfection and the ideal book boyfriend. I don't think I will ever find a MMC that adores the FMC as much. Ruby may be my favorite FMC. In the beginning she was very reserved and I enjoyed seeing how Griffin brought her out of her shell. I loved banter between the two and the insane chemistry. They just clicked from the beginning.

As always the side characters were great and really add to the story. I have a feeling that Barrett may be getting a book and I would definitely read that! I would love to get more from his side.

If you're looking for a book where you'll love both the FMC and MMC, I highly recommend Lessons in Heartbreak!

Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book early!

This book was honestly just ok. I got bored after a while and had to heavily skim through the book. I feel like ruby didn’t really have any character and was just so bland, but then we were supposed to believe she got an escort??? Ms goody two shoes who literally never did anything wrong bought an escort?? Like that just wasn’t believable to me at all. Griffin was honestly just okay, but was definitely sweet when he needed to be. Overall this book was ok and I might still read on.

“I want all of your days. Every single one, because they’re so f**king precious.”

I didn’t know what to really expect when I started reading this book. I’ve been dipping into more contemporary romances this year and it’s been a refresher for me.

I absolutely adored Ruby and Griffin! The story starts off with our shy, innocent and sweet librarian, Ruby Tate, who bumps into her childhood neighbor, Griffin King, after a mixup at a coffee shop. He’s a playboy, football pro who’s in town after a PR incident, and boy do they remember each other. Ruby fears intimacy and Griffin makes an arrangement with her to sort of “teach” her the art of intimacy.

I cried a few times reading this story. Both Ruby and Griffin have gone through so much and have experienced heartbreak in different ways. These characters learn to love themselves with help from each other and it was so lovely to read about. Ruby gained confidence and Griffin learned what it was like to fall in love. Well they both did. I absolutely loved Lauren and Marcus aka Ruby and Griffin’s individual best friends. Their personalities were so much fun and I could tell how much they cared about Ruby and Griffin.

I am so proud of how far both Ruby and Griffin have come since the beginning of the book. Ruby truly found herself and her confidence, and it was truly inspiring for me as someone who is very shy. Griffin was definitely unexpected seeing how he was a playboy at the beginning and his emotional maturity was on another level throughout the book. There was one scene I loved during the fair, where Griffin showed that he’d do anything to make Ruby smile and aHHH, I wish I knew how that kind of love felt!!

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I did see some characters pop in from another one of Karla’s books that I’m now interested in reading!! Fall in love with Ruby and Griffin as much as I did!

Thank you so much to Good Girls PR, NetGalley, and Montlake for the eARC and to Karla Sorensen for the physical arc! I am so glad I read this book!

Rating: 4.25/5

- football romance
- childhood neighbours
- dating lessons
- friends with benefits
- reformed playboy
- 🌶️🌶️/5
- dual pov
- dual narration by Samantha Brentmoor and Aiden Snow

Lessons in Heartbreak is a small-town, feel-good romance with just the right mix of swoon and soul. Ruby, a charmingly awkward librarian, is on the hunt for dating lessons. Who better to help than Griffin, her childhood neighbour turned NFL star, who's in town for two weeks?

What starts as a lighthearted agreement quickly turns into something deeper. Between the flirty, tension-filled lessons, Jane Austen movie nights, and quiet moments of vulnerability, Griffin starts to fall hard. And honestly? So did I. Their emotional connection is one of the book's standout parts.

Of course, it's Karla Sorensen, so you know the emotional gut-punch is coming. You'll laugh, you'll melt, and you just might tear up in the middle of your workday (guilty 😅).

The audiobook? Phenomenal. Samantha Brentmoor and Aiden Snow are pitch-perfect. Aiden nails Griffin's mix of deep charm and quiet sensitivity, while Samantha brings Ruby's inner monologue to life with warmth and wit. They're an absolute dream team, especially for dual POVs.

Also, can we talk about Griffin's brother and his chaotic kids? If The Kings is truly a series, I need that next book ASAP.

Big thanks to Karla and Brilliance Publishing for the early copy!

So overall I really did enjoy this book. There were a couple of inconsistencies, and one thing that really bothered me was that they kept repeating the escort had a brothel in Vegas which is impossible as its illegal there. Just outside of Vegas is where brothels are so just a tiny bit of research could have fixed that. Also the morning after their first time together, Ruby was looking for her underwear when she didn't have any the night before. You did definitely get the feeling Griffin really did care about Ruby. I of course loved the focus on Darcy's hand flex.

This was a fun opposites attract romance! Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

It’s between Ruby, a shy small town librarian, and Griffin, a cocky football star. They were childhood neighbors, reunited by chance as adults. Ruby is in need of lessons to teach her about sex and romance since she has been so reserved in life it’s hard for her to relax around men.

I loved their opposites attract vibes, and I’m always a fan of spicy lessons. The two of them had the most excellent banter - Ruby is so well behaved but Griffin just really knows how to push her buttons and I loved their snark. I look forward to more from this world!

I will say, the blurb says it’s lighthearted, and that’s true to an extent, but there are definitely some heavier tones that hit midway through the book. So while the banter is funny and witty, I wouldn’t call it lighthearted overall, just as an FYI if those are the vibes you’re looking for!

This was my first read by the author—and the start of a new series, which I’ll definitely continue. A familiar face from another series pops in, which was a nice touch.

The pacing is slow but engaging, with enough backstory to make the characters feel real—not just good-looking archetypes. They start off a bit cliché but develop nicely.

The main characters are likable, smart, and emotionally layered. Their bond grows naturally, and the chemistry is strong. Humor is sprinkled throughout, balancing the more serious themes like health issues.

Side characters shine, too—Lauren stood out right away, and Marcus, though a bit much at first, turns out to be a sweetheart.

One of the best parts? Football players geeking out over *Pride and Prejudice*. Their love for the Darcy hand flex is priceless.

Spice level is around a 4, with some heat and a bit of dirty talk, but the romance has time to breathe. Bonus points for not one, but two epilogues!

*Lessons in Heartbreak* is warm, funny, and romantic and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the series.

Thank you Karla Sorensen and NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Tropes:
Opposites Attract
Football Player x Shy Librarian
Small Town
Dating/Spicy Lessons
Secret Relationship
Childhood Neighbors

This story was absolutely amazing! The banter, storyline, and character growth, it was all perfection!

Ruby & Griffin were childhood neighbors until Ruby's family moved away. Now years later they meet again in a not to traditional way, which leads to Griffin giving Ruby dating and spicy lessons.

I loved the dynamic between Ruby & Griffin. They are opposites that complete each other and bring out the best in each other. Griffin brought excitement into Ruby's life and helped her out of her shell. While Ruby calmed Griffin and helped him see that he was more than just a football player.

I loved seeing the found family trope in this story. Both Ruby & Griffin had so many people who loved and supported them in any way possible. Seeing Griffin with his teammates especially Liam was so heartwarming! I'd love to see the story of Lauren & Marcus!

I would have liked to see more development between the King brothers, but seeing that a big portion of the grudge is on Barrett's side, I'm guessing will see more development in his book.

This was the perfect spicy rom-com and I can't wait to see what's in store for the other King brother!

Karla knocks it out of the park. This book had me feeling all the feels. Laughing, crying, joy and hope.

Shy type A librarian Ruby asks football star Griffin to teach her how to make men want her in the two weeks he's in town.

I loved how Karla writes about normal everyday life activities that Griffin and Ruby experience together. And not grand parties and events because he's a football star.
They share tea, bakery goods, watching period dramas, attending a library paint party and the library carnival. I just enjoyed the normalcy these two shared.
When Griffin finds out Ruby's secret, he shows up for her in all the ways that count. Ruby sees Griffin, truly sees him, not the NFL star persona.
His nickname for her is perfect!
But they promised to not fall in love. What happens now?

You'll just have to read and find out!

Karla writes amazing characters and evokes emotion from her readers, whenever I pick up a book of hers I know I’m in for a treat.

Overall Grade: A-

Tropes: pro football player MMC; small town shy librarian FMC; opposites attract; football/sports romance; small town romance; childhood neighbors; spicy lessons

Karla Sorensen's Lessons in Heartbreak represents a sophisticated exploration of the enemies-to-lovers romance trope, elevated by the author's nuanced approach to character development and psychological depth. This novel showcases Sorensen's ongoing journey as a romance novelist, presenting readers with a deliberately paced narrative that rewards careful attention to its intricate character dynamics.

Unlike Sorensen's typically fast-paced works, Lessons in Heartbreak adopts a more measured approach that serves its thematic content well. The slower pacing allows for the full development of the acrimonious yet increasingly amorous banter between the main characters, Griffin and Ruby. This stylistic choice transforms what could have been superficial antagonism into a rich tapestry of verbal sparring that reveals deeper character motivations and emotional vulnerabilities.

The novel's greatest strength lies in its portrayal of Griffin's character arc. Initially presented as an archetypal "golden retriever" personality, cheerful, uncomplicated, and deliberately surface-level, Griffin undergoes substantial psychological development throughout the narrative. Sorensen employs the effective micro-trope of the MMC lacking self-awareness who gradually develops a deeper understanding through his relationship with the FMC.

Griffin's superficial jocularity serves as a defense mechanism against deeper emotional pain, a psychological complexity that becomes increasingly apparent as Ruby's perspective challenges his worldview. This internal growth creates a compelling contrast with his strained relationship with his twin brother, Barrett, highlighting how genuine connection can foster personal development in ways that familial connection cannot.

Sorensen masterfully executes another sophisticated romance trope: the concept of main characters who "see" each other more clearly than anyone else can. This mutual recognition becomes particularly poignant when contrasted with Griffin's fractured family relationships. The author demonstrates considerable skill in illustrating how true intimacy involves not just attraction but genuine understanding and acceptance of one's partner's authentic self.

The novel's central conflict, Ruby's struggle to choose love despite a health issue, creates substantial emotional stakes without relying on external dramatic devices. Sorensen constructs this internal conflict with careful attention to psychological realism, avoiding the trap of manufactured drama that often weakens contemporary romance narratives. The "soul-deep" attraction that develops between Griffin and Ruby feels earned rather than convenient, a testament to the author's careful character building.

The ancillary characters in Lessons in Heartbreak function as more than mere comic relief or plot devices. Ruby's best friend Lauren, Griffin's young relatives, and his teammate, Marcus create a supporting ecosystem that enhances rather than distracts from the central romance. These characters provide both humor and emotional depth, contributing to a "found family" dynamic that enriches the journey of Griffin and Ruby.

Sorensen's small-town setting feels authentic and lived-in, creating an immersive community atmosphere that makes readers feel genuinely connected to the story's world. This environmental storytelling adds layers of meaning to the character development, as Griffin and Ruby's relationship evolves within a context of genuine community belonging.

What distinguishes Lessons in Heartbreak within the romance genre is Sorensen's commitment to emotional authenticity. The love story she constructs between Griffin and Ruby transcends simple wish fulfillment to explore the genuine challenges and rewards of intimate partnership. Her ability to create believable, aspirational romantic relationships consistently across her body of work establishes her as a significant voice in contemporary romance literature.

Griffin's transformation from self-protective humor to genuine emotional availability represents one of the novel's finest achievements, illustrating how love can serve as a catalyst for personal growth without requiring one partner to sacrifice their essential self.

Lessons in Heartbreak stands as an impressive work of contemporary romance that successfully balances genre conventions with literary sophistication. Sorensen's careful attention to character psychology, her skilled deployment of beloved romance tropes, and her creation of an engaging supporting cast combine to produce a novel that satisfies both intellectually and emotionally.

For readers seeking romance fiction that offers both escapist pleasure and genuine emotional depth, Lessons in Heartbreak provides an ideal reading experience. Sorensen has crafted a love story that feels both fantastical and attainable, creating the kind of aspirational relationship dynamic that defines the best of the romance genre. This novel comes highly recommended for both devoted romance readers and those seeking an introduction to the genre's contemporary sophistication.

I could relate to Ruby as someone close to her age who has 0 proper experience in relationships due to health problems, being an only child who envied others with siblings, and fearing the loss of someone you love so you push them away 🥺 The beginning gave me a bit of The Kiss Quotient vibes by Helen Hoang, then it did a complete 180 and brought in NFL star Griffin, who just so happened to be her former neighbor. I’m so jelly of Ruby’s job. A librarian?! 🥹

Now let’s talk about Griffin. Holy guacamole! This man… this maannn 🫠🫠🫠🫠 Where do you find a guy who called you Birdy when you were little, a golden retriever MMC, fell first as an adult, genuinely got to know you, tried your hobbies (and actually loved them), and then offered spicy lessons while you're both slowly falling in love? Yeah… that’s Griffin 💘

The sports angle isn’t super present since it’s all set during the off-season, but honestly, I didn’t even miss it. The spice leaned fluffy but the chemistry was on point, and I adored how their relationship unfolded. That ending? So satisfying.

This is my honest opinion for the ARC I received. Thank you Karla and NetGalley for the opportunity.

this was such a great read with important lessons about love. The development of both characters were great. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC

I was absolutely hooked from the very first paragraph. Griffin was in the right place at the right time for this meet cute so many years after they had last seen each other and so completely unexpected. The chemistry between these two was off the charts and I loved them giving into it and putting themselves out there for the other and really pushing past what was supposed to be gaining confidence getting experience with spicy lessons.

Griffin might have the bad boy of football reputation but this man watches Jane Austen movies because they are Ruby’s favorite. While exiled in Colorado at his agents house a whole new side of him comes out and it will have you swooning.

Ruby truly had the best friend to push her out of her comfort zone and really cheer her on the whole way as she peeled back all of the systematic armor she wore in the way of an overactive brain and precision in everything she did.

This book pulls out all the emotions with Ruby’s quest to get new experiences and pull her out of her carefully curated shell and Griffin’s bad boy football persona. I did not expect to start the book out laughing and then go through all the emotions while Karla Sorensen tugged on all my heart strings in the way she does best.