Lessons in Heartbreak

The Kings

De: Karla Sorensen

Narrado por: Samantha Brentmoor, Aiden Snow

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.

It’s an unwritten rule somewhere: small-town librarians shall not commit spontaneous acts, for fear of mortal embarrassment. I’d certainly just proved it true, though hiring an escort was perfectly logical. How else should I overcome my fear of intimacy without risking heartbreak?

Unfortunately, what came next wasn’t so logical.

Instead of a dating coach, Griffin King showed up. Yes, that Griffin King: my childhood neighbor and now, to my dismay, an obscenely handsome pro football player. He’s not actually an escort, but how was I supposed to know that?

Avoiding him after the mix-up is impossible. The man is everywhere—put in time-out by his agent after a PR snafu. Griffin might be an outrageous flirt determined to torment me until I snap, but he’s also the perfect man to help me.

The lessons aren’t what I thought they’d be. Neither is Griffin. Every time we touch, every time he shows me a different side to myself—and to him—I can’t help but wonder if we’re about to break another rule: the playboy and the good girl aren’t supposed to fall in love.

©2025 by Karla Sorensen. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Never judge a book by its cover

4.5⭐️

📖/🎧
NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER:
Not me thinking this was going to be a 🌶️ palate cleanser from all the mystery/thrillers I’ve been reading..
Jeez, I wasn’t expecting this plot. Slowburn, funny, heartbreaking, and heartfelt.
Love a grand gesture too🥹.

📖:Small Town Romance
🏈:Football player/Librarian
Dual POV, Audiobook Narrators:
Samantha Brentmoor/ Aiden Snow

“We can always learn something from the things we read or watch or listen to. But we have to be open to it, willing to apply it to our lives.”

If this is how the series starts, we're in for it

Obsessed

Okay, I didn’t sign up for this ARC because I was drowning in life, but a friend of mine did get it and she’d been yelling at me about this book for weeks. By the time pub day hit, I had already preordered the audiobook, and the moment it landed in my app, I dropped everything to start listening.

Aiden Snow and Samantha Brentmoor were perfect. They brought so much depth to Ruby and Griffin. They nailed both the emotional beats and the light banter. Truly spot-on casting.

I love a good opposites-attract / childhood acquaintances story, and this one absolutely delivered. Ruby and Griffin couldn’t be more different on the surface, yet they’re similar in ways neither of them realizes at first. The book gave me all the cozy vibes of a late-’90s/early-2000s romcom but layered with a powerful storyline exploring grief, trauma, and family. I came for the banter, but I stayed for the emotions.

The spicy lessons and the way their connection deepened truly rounded them out. The fact that Griffin showed Ruby he cared (without trying to “fix” her) made him a walking/talking green flag. Both of them have been through so much, and the way they helped each other navigate to the other side? That’s what stitched me back together.

I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll keep it brief, but just know: if this is how the series starts, I’ll be following it to the very end. And if you need one more reason to read this book, let it be this: there’s a whole team of football players who binge romcoms and lose their minds over the Darcy “hand flex.” It’s the most adorable thing I think I’ve ever read.

Thank you, Tiffany, for yelling at me to read this, and thank you, Karla, for giving us such a beautiful story that broke my heart in the best way (and for the two epilogues—you spoil us!).

Oh my!!!

One of the BEST books I’ve listened to ever!! Great narration, and wonderful story. Thanks for the great book!!

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.

*I listened to this through the Kindle Unlimited program.

A Strong Heart ♥️📚🏈💙

Ruby and Griffin knew each other as teens, but it’s not until their 30s that they connect. The librarian and the football star are able to find some common ground.

This book speaks of sacrifice and loyalty. Both have to grow up and figure out what’s important what fears they can let go.

Griffin was an amazing man and Ruby finally gets over her fear and caution to commit long term. And as the extended epilogue shows, it can be longer than we can ever hope.

The narrators do a nice job.

Amazing!!

Loved the characters and the heartfelt story. I couldn’t stop listening/reading until the book was finished. Can’t wait for the next one

Love. Love. Love!!!

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. I did get emotional in certain parts. Also, beautiful ending!!

Kindle Unlimited Rocks (read/listen)!!

So Good!!!!

I absolutely loved Ruby and Griffin! Their journey to a happily ever after was such a joy to read. The story was so well written that I couldn’t help but fall in love with both of them!💙💜

Heartfelt Story

Lovely read. Likable characters. I enjoyed their initial meeting and the way their relationship grew. Griffin is such a sweetheart.

Great Listen!

Karla Sorensen is one of my go-to authors, and somehow I missed when this came out. Started it this morning and finished it within the day. Sweet and spicy with a lot of heart and laughs along the way, I truly enjoyed this book. Narration was stellar!