⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars

Okay, so the "I'll teach you" trope is usually not my thing… but of course Karla had to come in and make me eat my words. 😅 Ruby and Griffin's first interaction? Perfection. Literally hooked me from the moment they shared a page.

I loved that their chemistry didn’t have to be slowly simmered—it was already on a low boil and ready to explode in the best way. Watching them embrace the life they actually wanted to live felt so real and satisfying. And the banter? Hilarious. Sharp. Effortless. Every character brought something fun to the table, and the secondary cast had me low-key already planning my imaginary preorder for the next book. 👀

This wasn’t just a romance—it was a journey, and I was all in for every twist, spark, and laugh along the way. Karla, you’ve got me. Again.

Thank you to Karla Sorenson, Montlake, and Netgalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book, but found it a bit difficult to hold my attention for the first few chapters. However, once Ruby told her secret to Griffin the story held my attention all the way through to the end. After that the characters were shown with empathy, humor, and passion. I found myself rooting for their HEA.

What I thought would be a light, flirty read full of banter and teasing turned out to be so much more.

At first, I found it hard to take Griffin King seriously, and I wasn’t entirely sure if there was any real attraction brewing between him and Ruby. But then—everything shifted. There was a moment when the script flipped, and Griffin realized he was in over his head. That’s when it hit me: this character had layers, and I was hooked. I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

Griffin and Ruby take turns healing each other’s wounds, offering strength in moments of doubt, and pushing through challenges—together. Childhood neighbors with a shared past and an unexpected future. On the surface, they seem like opposites, but maybe they’re more alike than they thought.

And can we talk about the epilogues? Both were beautifully done, but that second one? It nearly wrecked me—in the best way. A life so full, despite all the fears. Truly unforgettable.

Falling in love with Griffin King is effortless. Griffin falling in love with Ruby is beautiful. Watching Ruby fall in love with Griffin is freedom.

The tension in this book is off the charts! The slowest of burns. However, the steam between Ruby and Griffin is melting more than the walls they've put up. Griffin is the jester, the good time, the twin you look to for fun. Griffin wants to be seen as more, but he doesn't believe he can shake the party boy image. Ruby is the opposite. The good girl who never steps out. No wild college parties, no string of men yearning for her. Just a quiet life in a quiet town. Until she mistakes Griffin for a reckless decision.

This is all the hallmarks of a classic Karla Sorenson story. I am excited for the next King book!!

This is one book you can totally judge by it’s cover cause the story is just as delicious!!

If you’re a sucker for a good girl, bad guy romance then this one is for you. Small town librarian “learning 😉” from the dirty talking player. That’s a definite yes for me.

Ruby and Griffin are the perfect example of opposites who absolutely attract and I devoured this book in one session with a huge smile on my face. Definitely recommend.

I absolutely loved your writing style and I flew thru this book. The witty banter had me hooked. The mouth on him was great lol Their chemistry and conversation flow was unmatched. I loved the shy librarian and sports guy combo. It got a tad bit predictable towards the end but overall it was a great read. Can't wait to read more from you and keep on writing!!

This book is a whole emotional experience. My goodness, this story is one of those that stays with you long after you read it. I loved the almost poetic nature of Karla Sorensen's writing, the way she weaves powerful imagery into every scene she writes is nothing short of magical.

Griffin and Ruby are both such wonderfully relatable characters and I loved going on their journey from friends to everything right along with them.

This story how we sucked in from the start. Ruby and Griffin are amazing and both have been through so much. Ruby is shy and reserved, but wants to break out of Rochelle and when you learn her backstory, your heart aches for her. Griffin may be a Playboy football player, but there’s something about the way he falls for Ruby and would do anything for her that just owns your heart. This is a must read.

Tgis is a story about healing, not fixing, and being seen even in our brokenness.
If you loved early 2000s romantic comedies, this book is for you. It has that familiar charm—the witty banter and soothing rhythm—but also a deeper significance that lingers in your heart.

Ruby is a heroine I instantly connected with. Her warmth, awkwardness, and determination to stay whole resonated with me. I felt her solitude and the pain of longing for connection without fear.

Then there's Griffin. He’s more than just a brooding hockey player or Ruby's unexpected love interest. I admired that he didn't try to fix her; he simply met her where she was, sitting with her in the darkness rather than pulling her out. Their chemistry built slowly through glances, jokes, and silence. This story is more than a romance; it delves into grief and the family wounds that linger.

Overall such a lovely book! Here's a quote that i really resonated with:
"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."

Thanks to Netgalley amd the publisher for the ARC!

Lessons in Heartbreak by Karla Sorensen is a swoony, slow-burn romance that beautifully blends humor, emotional depth, and heartfelt character growth. The story follows Ruby, a reserved and organized small-town librarian, and Griffin, her childhood neighbor turned NFL star, whose unexpected reunion sparks witty banter, smoldering tension, and tender moments that make their connection feel genuine and unhurried.

What I enjoyed most was how Sorensen skillfully balanced lighthearted moments with deeper emotional themes, particularly Ruby’s journey to reclaim her confidence and Griffin’s steady, supportive presence. Their dynamic of opposites-attract—her careful nature complementing his carefree spirit—felt authentic and engaging. The inclusion of well-developed secondary characters and a warm small-town setting added richness and charm to the narrative.

While the story unfolds at a deliberate pace, the gradual emotional evolution and meaningful communication between Ruby and Griffin made the slow build worthwhile. The heartfelt epilogues, especially the one set ten years later, provided a satisfying and touching conclusion.

Overall, Lessons in Heartbreak is a solid four-star read for fans of slow-burn, character-driven romances with humor, heart, and a touch of steamy chemistry. Karla Sorensen delivers a memorable start to her new series that leaves you eager for more.

✨ 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 ✨

𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗯𝘆 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗮 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻
𝚁𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚎: 𝙼𝚊𝚢 𝟸𝟶𝚝𝚑, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻 — 𝙾𝚞𝚝 𝙽𝚘𝚠!

Thank you so much to @karla_sorenson & @netgalley for the eARC copy of this book! 🫶🏼

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
🩵 football romance
📖 small town librarian
🩵 childhood neighbors
📖 opposites attract
🩵 spicy lessons
📖 he falls first
🩵 open door romance
📖 dual POV

𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦: This was my first by Karla Sorenson & it most definitely will not be my last! I loved Karla’s writing & how it flowed so effortlessly, the in depth emotions that were portrayed on page, & the plot of a small town librarian who is learning how to be more confident/sexy & a playboy pro football athlete who steps up as a coach for these spicy lessons! I loved the character growth with both Ruby & Griffin so much. Griffin just wants to be taken seriously & Ruby wants to be seen as more of a confident & assure woman. They both support & understand each other even though people on the outside misinterpret their real true selves. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!!

This was a great book. Karla Sorensen is always an auto buy author for me and this did not disappoint.

Love, laughter and tears…

I expected a rom-com and in many ways it delivered. Griffin and Ruby’s story was full of laugh out loud moments, sweet scenes and sultry thoughts (and actions). It had a deeper side too which, while unexpected, gave so much heart to their courtship. Second chances, family, and life affect us so much and this was definitely true as the main characters took their time to reconnect, find friendship and eventually love. My favourite parts have to be epilogues though – they seemed to capture the heart and the fun that they fought hard to find and keep…

3.75 ⭐

Tropes:
🏈librarian x football player
📚childhood friends to strangers to lovers
🏈"teach me"
📚opposites attract
🏈reformed playboy x shy librarian
📚slow burn

Ruby is somehow convinced to hire an escort to help her learn how to flirt and find a boyfriend, when who walks in but her childhood friend, Griffin (he was not the escort lol). When Griffin learns that Ruby's looking to get relationship advice, he steps in to help her out with absolutely no ulterior motives during the time that he is in exile after getting into a bit of PR trouble with his twin brother, who is also in the NFL, and also Ruby's former crush.

This book was cute. Definitely a good book for slow burn lovers that loveee a good tension and "will they, won't they." The chemistry was definitely there between those two characters and I was giggling on the inside when they finally got over their crap that there was no attraction to get together!! The plot at times felt slow and unnecessary to me, but overall a cute sports romance story.

Thank you to Karla and Montlake for the eARC.

Yes, Karla Sorensen has once again proved that she is a Queen of romance. Lessons in Heartbreak was incredibly fun, adorably sweet, perfectly spicy, achingly touching, and beautifully content. I heart Ruby and Griffin immeasurably.

I loved this one so much!!! I was hooked immediately and didn’t want to put it down! Luckily I had the audio so I didn’t have to! This was a one sit read/listen for me! I loved Ruby and Griffin so much!! This book had me laughing and feeling all the feels! It’s one of those books that you find yourself getting attached to all the characters and saying goodbye is so hard. Especially because you don’t know if you’ll get to see them again! I do love that there were two epilogues. If you’re in the mood for a sports, opposites attract romances are your jam make sure to pick this one up!!

Received an arc and alc for a honest review.

Argh!!! This lady never fails! I swear each book I read of hers is my favourite!!!

This story has charm, chemistry, beautiful insight, humour and such a wonderful message that I just couldn’t put it down…I was so sad to leave Ruby and Griffin!

Both Ruby and Griffin have so many layers to their characters and I really appreciated how the more we read the more we got to know and understand both of them. Ruby is a little prickly, a lot shy and you would think a little timid when we first meet her….but oh how wrong first impressions can be… she is full of surprises. Her best trait is how she becomes Griffin’s fiercest supporter.

Griffin has a goofy almost childlike energy, he needs to be doing all the time and his aim is to be the life and soul….but again as we read along and get to know him with Ruby there is so much more depth and pain within this giant heart of a man.

I strongly recommend this story, there are some surprises and some moments that really made me think, some wonderful humour and this authors ability to capture human nature and idiosyncrasies is so insightful. Those quiet moments between couples that mean so much, the small conversations that we share that connect us, the quirks and mannerisms that give so much richness to a story….this lady nails it!

I can’t wait to meet the other King brother now….

Lessons in Heartbreak is the kind of story that gives you all the swoony tension of a slow burn romance, while also hitting you right in the chest with emotional depth. The setup is pure gold—Ruby, the sweet small-town librarian, decides to take charge of her personal life in a big way. But when her "escort" turns out to be none other than Griffin, the broody ex-football star and her childhood neighbor? Yeah, that twist had me grinning. Their chemistry is instant but layered with history, hesitation, and just enough awkwardness to make it feel so real. I laughed out loud at their banter more than once—Ruby’s quiet sass and Griffin’s dry charm are a match made in romcom heaven.

But what really got me were the quiet, tender moments. Beneath the flirty lessons and stolen glances, there’s so much heart in how these two broken, guarded people slowly open up to each other. Ruby’s growth was beautifully written—watching her push past fear and embrace vulnerability was so relatable. And Griffin? He’s the kind of hero who makes you believe that patience and kindness are the most attractive qualities a person can have. The emotional payoff when they finally let their guards down? Chef’s kiss.

I just finished this book and now I don’t know what to do with myself. Honestly, I’m a little speechless at how perfect it was.

Ruby and Griffin knew each other as kids but you wouldn’t exactly say they were friends. Ruby now spends her days surrounded by books but there’s a part of her that wants to experience normal intimacy. Griffin is determined to help conquer her fears but this would be risking heartbreak for both of them.

First of all, I laughed my way through most of their story. Ruby and Griffin’s banter was top notch. These two were so fun and I could not get enough. Then the author lowered the “boom” that I was not prepared for. I loved how Griffin stepped in and made Ruby feel safe in her own skin. She saw past his “public persona” and saw the kind soul he really had. Ruby’s story broke my heart so it made me emotional to see It all play out.

Also, I may have squealed when my favorite character by this author showed up. I loved that for me. Another thing I loved was Griffin’s friend, Marcus. He was hilarious and had me laughing out loud. Seriously, every word of this book was perfection!!

The librarian and the sports star. A fun read, I liked how it was told from both points of view. She is expecting a male escort, but when she makes a mistake and finds Griffin instead what will happen. Some emotional parts when you find out about her past.