I received an arc via Netgalley, and am leaving an honest review about the book. I’m thankful to the publisher and the author for giving me this wonderful opportunity!

The premise of the book is fairly simple; a grumpy, heart-secured-with-thorns former football player being handed a house to fix by his deceased best friend, and a preppy restoration expert whose current dream is to restore said house to its full glory. I thought the chemistry between the two of them was wonderfully done—although the moment they caught feelings was something I found a bit too sudden. Not because it was rushed, but because a second prior to the realization, nothing truly symbolized it, even if we knew it would happen eventually.

I adored the characterization of both the characters. Although the FMC was a romantic at heart, she was levelheaded, smart, and she knew when to pick her battles or turn the other cheek. She wasn’t afraid to face her problems and emotions head on. The MMC, on the other hand, had no hold whatsoever on his problems. Having lived other people’s dreams, he didn’t quite know how to live his own. I loved the journey he took to find his own way, and how, at last, he found what he wanted and decided to keep it.

Aside from all of that, the story took a while to progress, which made it a bit boring for me to continue reading and stay hooked throughout. The MMC’s ability to make a decision and then freak out over it a while later got a bit predictable as well, even if it was relative to his issues. Each of the problems that rose, rose because of his inability to be honest with what he wanted, and to pursue it. Although I understood where he was coming from—the guy had been dealt severe (emotional) blows from his father, after all—I didn’t think those plot points were too interesting to navigate.

Overall, I gave the book 4 stars. This is my second read from Karla Sorensen, so it’s safe to say that neither of the books have disappointed me! I’m incredibly excited to see what she brings next.

Definitely some mixed feelings about this, but it really shined whenever it "felt" like a Sorensen romance. It's a solid series starter that has me excited about future couples that were introduced, and I liked a whole lot of the elements. We've got a grumpy football player, the project manager he can't stop bickering with, tons of forced proximity, a home renovation, and an emotional undercurrent that added some weight to the story. I loved the moments when our couple were working on the project, butting heads and growing closer as they built something together. It's always fun to read home reno romances, and the context behind this one made it all the more interesting. That was the strongest part for me, paired with the roommates situation and all that proximity. Where I struggled is with the "no strings" vibes that became prominent midway through - these two simply refused to open up to each other, and I found that very frustrating to read. But there was a lot of good stuff going on, and it was enjoyable overall.

The story follows Burke, a pro football player who was forced to retire early. He's been adrift recently, particularly following the death of one of his closest friends. That friend left him an old home with the hopes that Burke would renovate it, and Burke can't wait to be done with the project. He has no desire to work on a renovation project, and he just wants to be able to move on and enjoy his retirement in peace. So when the beautiful project manager ropes him into being involved with the design plans, Burke isn't overly enthusiastic. He begrudgingly moves into the older home with Charlotte and oversees the project with her, which creates all sorts of tension between them. But they're both aware that they are entirely wrong for each other, and that causes trouble of its own.

So I love Sorensen's work and I was super excited to dig into this new series. I also love a bunch of the tropes at play - grumpy hero, home reno, bickering that's really bantering, all that good stuff. And this started out strong for me. I liked the setup of the series with each of the friends inheriting something different, and I'm intrigued about how that's all going to play out. I also really loved the forced proximity and the tension between these two. However, I generally associate Sorensen with deeper feelings and slow, torturous burns, so the no strings/kinda-friends with benefits storyline wasn't my favorite. Burke was definitely dealing with a lot of grief and unresolved feelings, so he didn't go into their relationship in a healthy place - and it felt that way. Their relationship didn't feel particularly healthy for most of it, so I couldn't get caught up in the swoons. There were some great moments and a ton of potential, but it started to lose me somewhere along the way. This ended up somewhere between three and four stars for me, but I am very excited for more from the series, so I'm choosing to round up my rating.

Charlotte & Burke
Grumpy/sunshine
Forced proximity
Benefits to more
🌶️🌶️ steamy without being explicit

*ARC provides by Netgalley. Opinions are purely my own*

I’ve always been a big fan of Karla Sorensen’s. This book was no exception. Burke loses close friends and is tasked to continue the renovations/rehab of their old family home. Charlotte is the manager that has stayed on to help complete the project. Their interaction is contentious at first but evolve to a friends with benefits relationship and eventually love. But Burke has hang ups about relationships from the dysfunctional upbringing with his dad.

Besides the story between Burke and Charlotte, the story also explores what it means to make a house a home. This story is probably a more emotional and angsty read compared to her other books…and I loved it.

I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. I predict Liam getting a book with his co-guardian and Burke’s sister Tansy with William the builder/contractor.

This slow burn of slow burns. Burke has so much baggage to unpack that I wasn’t sure he’s was going to make it to his HEA lol. Although Charlotte had baggage of her own, she was ready for a relationship well before Burke. The tugs and pulls were palpable as Burke dealt with the death of a friend, a life he was living for others, and trying to make sense of it all his feelings. The song that could’ve been the theme of the book is “God Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts. The side characters were great and I can’t wait to read more books in this new series!

Okay, so here's the deal, I love a grief book and I really love Sorensen's writing. I also finished this book yesterday, have read three books since then and still can't stop thinking about Burke and Charlotte so... I may need to increase my rating on this one, but let's start with talking about what this book is about, shall we? Essentially, Burke's best friend, Chris, and his wife die in a car accident and Burke, already emotionally stunted, is really struggling to deal with it, while also compartmentalizing the hell out of his feelings. Finally, the attorney calls and is like, "Chris left you this house in Michigan that he and Amie were working to restore." The house? It's a wreck. It's super old, belonged to Chris's grandparents and there's this loose goal of having it put on the historical preservation society thing or something. Anyway, the consultant for that is Charlotte.

Burke and Charlotte have this really intense, slow build up of a relationship. They're a little antagonistic towards one another at first, but then, slowly, they become a little more friendly and then they become even more. But it's slow and so gradual and I think it's incredibly well paced. But it's also interesting because Burke has this tendency to run the fuck away at the first sign of any emotional difficulties and so to watch him grown throughout this book was really great. I do wish that we'd gotten to see him go to therapy, but... I'll take what we got for sure.

I'm really, really hoping that Sorensen is going to write at least two more books in this world because she set up the side characters so freaking well and I want them all to find their own happily ever after. But mostly, I just am truly so in love with Sorensen's ability to create these characters that I just want to get lost in. I can't wait for more, whatever that may be.

Wow, I absolutely LOVED The Best Laid Plans by Karla Sorensen. This book starts with Burke, who has just lost his best friend, Chris, and Chris' wife Amie, to a car accident. Burke is devastated and doesn't know how to move on from the loss and much of this book dives into his grief and how he tries, fails, and tries again to make his way through. My heart broke for Burke many times through this book and Charlotte tried to help him move forward when she could. I really wanted to skip ahead to find out how they got their HEA, but i knew the process was very important and I did want to see how they worked through this. I did like how they got to the HEA, if there was any part of this book that was a disappointment to me, it was the letter from Chris. While it was good, I wanted more. I didn't feel it was strong enough to give Burke such peace, but that was just my take on it. Other than that, I loved everything.

The Best Laid Plans" by Karla Sorensen is a heartfelt romance that skillfully weaves together the worlds of a tough football player and a spirited historian. Burke Barrett, a retired football star dealing with loss and an unwanted inheritance, finds an unexpected connection with Charlotte Cunningham, a passionate renovation expert. Their chemistry is undeniable, leading to a proposition for a temporary romance. However, as they embark on this emotional journey, both characters must confront their childhood traumas and grief, making it a poignant and powerful read.

Sorensen's writing captures the essence of found family, friendship, and the healing power of love. While the relationship between the main characters feels authentic and realistic, some readers might find Burke's emotional struggles a bit too intense, often leaving Charlotte to shoulder the emotional burdens. Nonetheless, the novel successfully explores themes of growth and healing, delving into the complexities of overcoming past traumas.

Overall, "The Best Laid Plans" is a beautifully written story that tugs at the heartstrings, combining romance, renovation, and football in an emotionally charged narrative. However, readers should be aware that it delves into deep emotional territory, making it a powerful read that will resonate with those seeking a moving and realistic love story.

This was such an interesting take on a home improvement collaboration. The untimely death of Burke’s best friend lands him a historic home in desperate need of restoration and a very eager historical renovation manager, Charlotte.

Burke is knee deep in grief throughout this whole book, and he is not a really upbeat guy to begin with. Bantering with Charlotte and hanging out with his sister and her kids, might be the only things he enjoys.

If you are a regular reader of Sorenson’s books, just want to warn you that this one is a sloooow burn. There is much pining and all the imagery that comes with that though to keep the romance interesting.

The renovation piece was so fascinating and I loved that Burke finally embraced this house as his dream and not just someone else’s. I also forgave Burke for playing football at Michigan, since I went to Ohio State, and he is a fictional character.

Charlotte is the sweetest and her enthusiasm is what drives this book. So many times she could have given up on him or them or the house and she just doesn’t. I loved her perseverance and her PowerPoint skills.

Great story!!

Burke Barrett’s best friend tragically passed away, leaving Burke his decaying house in Michigan in his will. Burke wants nothing more than a quiet and peaceful retirement from pro football, but the house has different ideas. Historian and restorer Charlotte Cunningham is determined to honor her former clients’ vision for the historical home even if it means butting heads with the new owner.

The Best Laid Plans is the first book in a new series by Karla Sorensen but has much of the charm and wit of her earlier football romance series’. Charlotte is spunky and determined in the face of Burke’s cantankerous facade, and their attraction sizzles from their first interaction. This story packs an emotional punch as Burke navigates through his grief at the loss of his friend and both he and Charlotte have old wounds that need to heal throughout. Their journey to each other is beautiful and healing at the same time, and closely mirrors their rehabilitation of the house.

Recomended for all fans of emotional romance, and especially those that love: 🏈grumpy former pro football players 🛠️ sunshine historical restoration specialists🤓 a friends with benefits proposal PowerPoint presentation 👵🏻 adorably meddlesome aunts 👩‍👧‍👦 no nonsense sisters who hold their brothers accountable when they make bad choices ❤️‍🩹 love that heals and builds something new

I am a huge fan of Karla and was very excited to read and review this book. Burke, our grumpy, rough retired footballer is a stark contrast to spunky Charlotte. Karla’s books always bring the feels and this is no exception. I truly enjoyed reading this book.

This book is perfect in all its imperfections, and it was such an emotional read that I know I will carry these characters with me for a very long time (which is no surprise, this always happens to me with Karla's characters). It was beautiful, heartbreaking (yet it put me back together, too), and the perfect mixture of spicy and sweet.

Burke and Charlotte are two beautifully broken individuals who are carry the weight of grief from their pasts in their every day lives. They meet under very sad circumstances, the unfortunate death of Burke's best friend and Charlotte's client. Burke, as a recently retired NFL player, is trying to figure out his quiet, peaceful life, when he learns his best friend has left his grandparents' historic home in his hands, with semi-completed plans and a project manager who has been in love with this house nearly her whole life. There's so much grief in Burke's life, and he processes none of it. Enter Charlotte: the project manager who will challenge him every step of the way, but only because she sees her own grief reflecting back at her from this person who is grumpy and stubborn and growly and so, so attractive she can't stand it.

These two fight, to the point of entertaining other characters (and us as the reader). Charlotte knows exactly what she wants, while Burke has no idea. The opposites attract thing really ramps up the tension between these two, and then the fact that Charlotte STAYS and Burke runs away... the levels and complexities of these characters makes for such a fun read.

Read if you love: grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, relationships of convenience (presented via PowerPoint), found family, renovation shows and home decor, soulmates, Karla Sorensen nuggets and Easter eggs, longer books, chemistry that screams off the page, and happily ever afters.

No book is truly ever perfect. This book is DIFFERENT than some of Karla's other books, but I loved this introspective, deep thinking hero and the quiet pace of this book.

I can't wait to see what the rest of this universe holds. Thanks to Karla, NetGalley, and Montlake for early access to this book. These are my honest thoughts!

This book delivers on all fronts. It's a heartwarming romance which took me on quite an emotional journey.

Burke Barrett, a tough former football player, finds himself facing numerous challenges as he transitions from his sports career to a new chapter in life. His character is brilliantly written. One can tell that he is a resilient man, weathering the storm of change while also mourning the loss of his best friend.

When he inherits a run-down house, he never expects that it will bring more than just renovations into his life. Enter Charlotte Cunningham, a spirited and optimistic restoration expert who is determined to turn Burke's dilapidated house into a masterpiece.

Their initial encounters are filled with tension, as their highly different personalities clash. Beyond all of that is an undeniable chemistry that sizzles off the pages. The relationship between Burke and Charlotte was superbly written – focusing on the complexities of their lives and the challenges they face.

The emotional connection between them feels genuine and authentic, making their journey all the more interesting. The slow-burn romance between them is beautifully depicted, creating an engaging and fascinating story. Who knew PowerPoint presentations could be so sexy?

What sets the book apart is its focus on friendship, found family, the relationships we form along life's way, and the restorative powers of the heart. The supporting characters add depth, warmth and a lot of laughter to the story.

The writing style is engaging with vivid descriptions, a perfect balance of humour, heartfelt moments, and steamy chemistry.

If you're a fan of love stories that defy the odds, this book is an absolute must-read. Set a reminder for release day, add it to your Goodreads TBR and your Amazon wish list.

It should be quite obvious that I love this book!

Karla’s slow burns get me every time. This story was so good. The layers between these characters made it hard for me to put the book down. The scenery descriptions made me wish I could jump into the story myself. And the steam had me fanning myself! Definitely looking forward to this new series.

This has the same kind of fun and funny writing that packs an emotional punch, which feels like Sorenson’s trademark. The characters and relationships were great, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I had so much reading this. It was a very interesting dislike to lovers book. The romance was angsty and chemistry hot!!

Oh Karla, you know how to write a grump mixed in with a sunshiny heroine. This is a sweet, heartfelt romance that will have you swooning. The characters had me smiling and the plot had me turning page after page. I adored this one!

In <i>The Best Laid Plans</i> Karla Sorenson does what she does best: a solid romance with lots of emotional depth but no unnecessary drama.
The plot centres around Burke and Charlotte. Burke’s best friend died recently and left him a big house that he had just started renovating. Grumpy Burke is feeling lost but restoration expert Charlotte helps him find himself. I really liked the premise (and I hope book #2 will tell the story of Burke’s English friend) and I thought Karla Sorensen navigated the tough themes beautifully. The characters were great as well and I was rooting for them from the start.

This is a standalone story about two people who die. They leave behind a young daughter, an aging house, best friends and memories. Burke is one of those friends and he ends up with the aging house and a project manager to help him turn the home into what it once was.

Burke has just retired, and he was looking forward to doing nothing on a beach in Florida with his sister and her kids. Instead, he ends up with Charlie and lots of decisions in turning the old house into what his friend dreamed off before his death.

This was a really beautiful story and I totally got lost in Charlie and Burke's vision. It's a very slow burn romance and at times the romance was a bit on the backburner. This story was more about Burke finding love, friendship and romance when he is not looking. He is missing his friends and hurting, and he finds a wonderful way to honor them.

An intriguing start to a new series from Karla Sorensen! I really enjoyed the backstory of Barrett and how the death of Chris and Aimee affects him. Not only is he dealing with the grief of losing a friend, but he's also feeling the weight of expectations when the dilapidated childhood home is bequeathed to him. Charlotte is a wonderful foil to Barrett and the forced proximity situation injects some humor into the situation. This is a slowburn, which I enjoy, but I did feel like the pacing was a little off. The conflict toward the end felt off, but overall I enjoyed the story and characters. I'm looking forward to the next in the series which I assume will be about Liam and whoever he is co-parenting Mira with.

4.5 🌟

This book has started this new series off with a big bang! If you like the silent, somewhat grumpy hero, then Burke Barrett is your next favorite character. All his life he’s done things to please or even appease someone else. He’s a retired football player who doesn’t even like playing as much as the camaraderie he had with his teammates. He closest friend, from his college playing days, is killed unexpectedly and this sets off a truck load of complications and emotions for Burke. And I love reading a man with complexities and hurts and showing his vulnerability. That to me is a person with a sound heart.

Burke inherits a beautiful Victorian estate, and it seems a project manager as the home needs extensive restoration and Charlotte Cunningham is an expert in this field. Was it love at first sight…well no..Burke hates the home and has serious doubts that he can fulfill his best friends wish of giving his grandparents house a new lease of life. He and Charlotte butt heads constantly which turns into a game for them both, and the sexual tension builds from there.

This story isn’t only about what tile would suit which bathroom, although I did enjoy that side as well but the tale is deeper and more complex. Burke once again is trying to make everyone else happy and doing the right thing by all. The only problem is, he doesn’t feel he is worthy of a long lasting relationship because he didn’t have a good role model with his father. Charlotte’s experience wasn’t much better and she has trepidation at first but it doesn’t take long for her to fall hard for Burke. As much as she tries to show him that what they have is special, he has to learn that on his own, and hopefully before it’s too late.

I don’t read books with too much anguish because the reason might be frivolous and then it just annoys me why they can’t be together. With this book, the reasoning and inner thoughts had me near tears and wanting to give Burke either a kick up the butt or a huge hug. Lucky for him, Charlotte is understanding and knew he had it in him to sort through his issues and come back to her.
Looking forward to more in this series.