Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC.

This is my first time reading a Karla Sorensen book and I know she’s very beloved in the indie romance community so I’ve been wanting to check out her work. The writing in this was beautiful and I could so clearly picture this old house and it’s surroundings. I really liked the home renovation part of the storyline, especially because it focuses on the restoration of a historical house. Charlotte’s passion was contagious and as a history lover myself I felt connected to that part of her character. Some of the things she did were a bit cringey but overall I liked her character and really respected her determination and ambition.

Where this kind of fell flat for me is with Burke’s character. Look, I know the man is going through some intense grief but that does not give you the right to act like an absolute asshole to others. He was so rude and nasty to Charlotte in the beginning for absolutely no reason. Then he would lead her on and then lo and behold the “no she deserves better, I’m too BROKEN for her” crap would start. And honestly by the end I would not have trusted this man at all. Every time I thought he was making headway and getting on the right track he would randomly for absolutely ridiculous and, sometimes confusing, reasons just up and run away. The third act conflict was particularly confusing and personally I think he should have been made to grovel more. Charlotte deserved better.

I’m kind of nervous to read the next book because I didn’t like what we saw of Liam at all in this one and if “grumpy” translates to being an absolute knob then we might not get on but do you know what? Karla’s writing is addictive and I can’t stop myself. This first book was released last year on 3rd October.

Wonderful book. Burke was such a lovable person and so amazing to build a book around loss and grief

Wow I loved this so much. What a great romance! I read it and listened to the audio and the audiobook is EXCELLENT! I’ve long enjoyed Karla Sorensen’s indie romances but this Montlake series is my new favorite from her. Emotional, great chemistry, and impossible to put down. 5 stars

I absolutely love the name Burke. His and Charlottes story is beautiful. I even teared up some and the end was so good for my heart. The chemistry was great and it was well written.

This book had me feeling ALL THE FEELS! Karla is one of my favorite authors, and I love her books. She writes a grumpy / sunshine story that will have you laughing and tearing up while you read.

Burke and Charlotte have to work together to bring to life a dream for someone else, and the first meeting doesn't go as you would think...

The banter between these two is the best, but the tension and chemistry is off the charts!
I really loved both of these characters, and I enjoyed their story so much.

I am so excited for a new series and I can't wait to see what else she brings to this world!

I'm going to be short and sweet with this one. Once again, Karla Sorensen has given my heart the best boost with her storytelling. I cried. I swooned. And I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt. Contentment doesn't seem like a big enough word but that's what Charlotte and Burke's story in The Best Laid Plans gave me. Found family and grief are huge to this story. Guilt, worry, a yearning to honor the past ... those are all prevalent here. There's self-doubt and struggle to move forward to accept happiness. There are laughs. There is deep intimacy that will have you fanning yourself. I loved Burke and Charlotte so much, and no shocker, they are two of Karla's best characters. I mean I LOVED them. I mean I LOVED this story. So many stars for The Best Laid Plans. <3 <3 <3

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

This was my first read by Karla Sorensen and it won’t be my last!

I’ve enjoyed every Karla Sorensen book I’ve read, and The Best Laid Plans was no exception!

Charlotte and Burke’s romance was a beautiful slow burn, heartrending story. They were total opposites and pushed each other which made for some great banter. The progression of their relationship was fun and beautiful. And with the loss of Burke’s best friend, this story had us navigating the rough waters of grief with him — which was portrayed so well.

I also really loved the setting and all the house renovations that took place.

“Despite all the things I’ve done wrong, all the ways I need to make amends, I know that the thing I do best is the way I love you.”

Oh my heart! Not only was this a beautiful slow burn romance book, it was also an emotional and heartfelt story about loss, grief and the acceptance of moments that are out of our control. Loss can be a such a catalyst for changes in our lives and alter the course of our futures in an instant. And Burke was not only grieving the loss of the unexpected end to his football career but also the loss of his best friend in tragic accident. So bubbly Charlotte handcuffing herself to the house he inherited was definitely not the surprise he expected or wanted in his life. But oh how she was just what he needed! These two had great back and forth banter, and while Burke was a super grump he certainly had some hidden charm. I loved the home renovations, the subtle nods to football and the powerful found family vibes in this romance.

“You’re my home, Charlotte. Simple as that.”

Not a bad story, but it doesn't stand out either. "Best Laid Plans" is kind of forgettable.

Burke and Charlotte have decent chemistry, but lack connection since they are both so closed off. Charlotte was okay. Burke much less so. I didn't like how he reacted with violence and how attractive and masculine Charlotte found it. Just yuck. And the ending? Burke makes no real commitment to improving himself but did preemptively excuse himself from screwing up again. He never grew up and I wish Charlotte would have told him to shove it.

Overall, the writing is good, but the characters aren't the ones I'm excited to see falling in love. Also, I get the sense that this is setting up for a series following more friends of the dead couple. Kind of a weird connecting element for a series.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Title: The Best Laid Plans (The Best Men Book 1)
Author: Karla Sorensen
Hero/Heroine: Burke & Charlotte
Tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine, Home Renovation, Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity,

tw/cw: death of a friend, death of a parent, grief, mention of divorce,

✨the good ✨

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a Karla Sorensen book, yet I don’t know why. She has the ability to write an amazing story that pulls you in right from the first page. She also knows how to write a grumpy hero, and Burke was the grumpiest.

After a devastating loss, Burke finds himself the owner of a dilapidated house in desperate need of fixing up. Along with it comes a sassy and determined project manager who is determined to see the renovation through. When I say the banter was full on bantering in this book, I’m not lying . Burke and Charlotte were such opposites, yet you know what they say, they just seem to attract.

This story addressed a lot of tough topics such as loss, grief and a disruptive childhood. Burke and Charlotte had both dealt with their fair share of loss, and it was both heartbreaking and wonderful in equal measure seeing them learn to deal with their losses and finding comfort in each other.

The family dynamics were incredible in this book and I loved seeing Burke grow into his role as a doting uncle. His sister, Tansy, definitely needs her own story, she was amazing and constantly gave Burke shit, which was her right as a little sister to be fair. Charlotte’s relationship with her aunt and her boyfriend was also wonderful, and it brought the biggest smile to my face.

Wonderful and engaging story with some immensely likeable characters, The Best Laid Plans was such an incredible book. Now I need to read Liam’s book, there’s definitely a story there.

✨ the bad ✨

Not a goddamn thing.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.

✨overall thoughts: some of my favourite tropes wrapped up in one wonderful story, loved this
✨ 3rd act break up: yes
✨ heat level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨ star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A super sweet romance! I thought it was very well written and I loved the overall setting and vibes. I liked the characters but felt they were a bit cookie cutter and not memorable, they could've been fleshed out better. The grief of these characters took over a lot of the book, and while that's an important topic to touch upon, I wanted a bit more lightness. I still plan to continue reading the series and look forward to reading more from Karla Sorensen!

The first book in The Best Men series. I have enjoyed all of Karla Sorensen’s book and this was no exception. The characters were likable and it had a good romantic story with a plot. I hate when there is no plot! Lol I also love a good grumpy/sunshine trope.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review

The Best Laid Plans is a really enjoyable read about Burke and Charlotte who are thrown together by circumstances beyond their control when they have to renovate the property Burke has inherited from his friend. There's an intense push and pull between Burke and Charlotte throughout the book as they navigate their circumstances and the attraction they have between them. There's a strong theme of grief in this book but it was nicely done and I loved the growth both characters showed from beginning to end.

This book was amazing and I wasn't able to put it down once I started reading it. The chemistry between these two was amazing that you can't help but fall in love with these two. Add this book to your TBR and you won't be disappointed.

KARLA SORENSEN - THE BEST LAID PLANS

REVIEW:
If you know me, you'd know that I adore Karla's work, I was esctatic to receive three ARCs in a row by her! I must admit, I went into this story almost blindly, as I read the synopsis and by the time I started the book completely forgotten about it. But fear not, I was not in the slightest disappointed by this turn of events.
Karla is one of my favourite authors when it comes to the best sport related stories, in my opinion. Her characters are well-rounded, their development fleshed out, the romance is romancing and I almost want all her heroes to come sweep my off my feet.

Burke and Charlotte's stories are both centered around redemption of some kind. They were both burned professionally, Burke even had some unfortunate personal matters that darkend his heart quite a bit. Charlotte was whimsical AND professionally really assertive.
Their contradicting personalities provided the most eventful banter, kept the story moving and their encounters were equally fun and emotional.
I loved how step by step, Charlotte was able to crack Burke's outer shell, and how they both learned to work as a team on the jobsite as well as in their friendship, then later during their romantic endeavours.
And who knew Burke could produce this amount of groveling and expressing feelings this big of a way, when one first met him!
I wholeheartedly recommend starting one of Karla's series, you won't regret it!

I love Karla Sorensen. I’ll read anything she writes but I’m saving them as I get closer to completing her backlist. I loved this book. I laughed out loud. I sobbed. Charlotte and Burke are excellent characters. This book is heavy with emotion and grief but also so hopeful and full of joy. It really makes the reader think about life, making the most of the time you are given, and cherishing your loved ones. I can’t wait for Liam’s book this summer!

4:5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I went into this book with no clue what it was about or the tropes and I had such a good time!!

Burke was such a grumpy character at first but you could immediately have sympathy with him for everything hes gone through.

Charlotte is the sunshine character and I loved the enemies to lovers aspect of Burke and Charlotte, their relationship was so fun to watch develop🥰

The grief in this book was portrayed so well and I felt like you could really understand that people handle these things differently!!

I loved the side characters and I really hope Liam and William both get their own books👏👏

“I know that the thing I do best is the way I love you”

y’all. when the meet cute includes handcuffs and the grumpiest of grumps, you better get comfy and prepare for a binge! 🤭

oh my lard, Burke is one cranky, broken but entirely misunderstood man. and Charlotte is the feisty female to see his grump and raise him sweet & stubborn sass. with a decades old farmhouse to reno, these two opposites are begrudgingly joined at the hip until slowly, the dislike simmers into kinda like into really like into I want you’s and I need you’s and MINE. 🫠

the pacing is perfection and, oh my heart, when this man finally lets himself fall and FEEL…unputdownable and unforgettable. in fact, Karla’s signature on any love story is the ability to simmer you with so much heart and heat that you blink up only to realize you’re basted, invested, and more than halfway done!

your best laid plan?? skip the TBR and read them right this second! 🫶🏻

𝘁 𝗿 𝗼 𝗽 𝗲 𝘀 :
🩵 grumpy x sunshine
🛠️ small town
🩵 opposites attract
🛠️ slow burn
🩵 Fixer Upper vibes

I was presently surprised with this one! I have a love for any novel that has any renovations happening in it, so this one was right up my alley. I LOVED the heroine and he family and being handcuffed to the stairs by her family was hilarious, there was quite a bit of laugh out loud moments which is typical of Karla's book so I throughly enjoyed. I could easily go back and re-read this one on audio as i' sure it would be a hoot!