The Best Laid Plans

The Best Men, Book 1

By: Karla Sorensen

Narrated by: Connor Crais, Vanessa Edwin

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

A tough-as-leather football player. A happy-go-lucky historian. It’s love against all odds in a warm and emotional romance about found family, friendship, and the restorative powers of the heart.

Former Dallas football player Burke Barrett is weathering a lot of changes. He’s retired from football. He’s mourning the loss of his best friend. And now he’s been bequeathed a dilapidated house in northern Michigan he doesn’t want. To his surprise it comes with a long-legged, blindly optimistic renovation manager with big ideas for Burke’s inheritance. She’s passionate, irritating, and irresistible.

Restoration expert Charlotte Cunningham is used to rough exteriors. This surly client, with his stubbled jaw, towering physique, and inflexible attitude, is worth smoothing over. The attraction sizzles, and a proposal is in order: a romantic tryst to relieve the tension. No strings attached. A safe bet for both of them since Burke is prepared to renovate, sell, and move on.

A pet project with an end date. Does that go for love too? Burke must decide what he really wants and what he’s willing to risk. He should know by now that the best-laid plans can change in a heartbeat.

©2023 Karla Sorensen (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

wonderful

loved it .. beautifully done written.... loved the details of the old home design and architecture.

A lovable grump

After the death of his best friend, Burke Barrett finds out that he is now the owner of a dilapidated house in northern Michigan. Restoring the house to its historical glory had always been his friend Chris’s dream, not his. And the last thing Burke wants to do is deal with a long-legged, optimistic, beautiful project manager who is in charge of the restoration project. But the more time these to spend together the more Burke starts to wonder if maybe he’s found the place he has been looking for.

Karla Sorenson has written another amazing book

I loved this book from beginning to end. it's a story of grieving, trying to find yourself and falling for the right person. I love Burke's relationship with his sister

Loved this story!

Beautifully written and I so loved the HEA and how the main characters came to terms with their past and what made them fall in loved. The narration was awesome!

Meh… but enough that I kept listening. ..

I really liked the concept of the story line. I feel like there something missing that I can’t place exactly. It was enough that I listed to the whole thing instead of DNF. Maybe not worth a credit, kindle unlimited free made it completely worthwhile

A Must Re

My first book by this author and I can’t wait for the next one. The detailed story and characters made me feel like I was right there and I immediately fell in love with them. Love this book. The narration and reading were great.

Grumpy + Sunshine Goodness!

This was a really wonderful grumpy + sunshine romance. It starts off pretty heavy (please check CW’s) and there are somber moments throughout, but ultimately it’s an uplifting novel.

Things to look forward to:
- forced proximity
- opposites attract
- touch her and die
- found family
- small town
- a new appreciation for PowerPoint
- fantastic secondary characters (Can Tansy please get her HEA next with a certain builder? I’ll also take one for a newly single dad surly Brit and his co-guardian)
- super sweet epilogue

I had both the audio and ebook for this one, but the narration was so phenomenal that I found myself mainly listening to it. Connor Crais and Vanessa Edwin might be my new favorite narrating duo. Their voices complemented each other so well and wow can Connor Crais bring the heat! I’m also a little embarrassed to admit how much Vanessa Edwin’s male voices work for me LOL.

Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5+ stars
Story 4 stars

CW: death of loved ones (drunk driver related, past), death of parent (past), grief, panic attack (on page), strained relationship with parent (past), appendicitis (secondary character), emotionally abusive ex (secondary character, past), divorce (past)

Just the perfect amount of grumpy!!

This is my first book by this author. I found the write up and just had to try it!! I’m a sucker for grumpy/sunshine! Loved the story. It had a little bit of everything in it. I laughed and cried and swooned too!
I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I’m a new fan of Karla and off to find some more books!

Really enjoyed this one

I have never read this author before and the book didn't disappoint. It was heartfelt with likable characters and plot.

The heart of the house is the heart of the story.

For all of the 5 stars I leave this story is truly worth every one. The story and the voice actors were perfect!