3 stars

This was a lovely read. Slowburn enemies-to-lovers with the renovation subplot and a LOT of grief.
And when I said a lot, omg! So much. And I get you need to show the differents forms of it but it was overwhelming in this book; it sometimes overshadowed the romance and again I get it and the author makes an excellent job showing us what grief does to a person but it was so much.
Still, this book was lovely. The romance was amazing, and i thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Roses:🌹🌹
This was a super easy read to work through. We have a very grumpy ex NFL MMC and a very perky and quirky FMC. Already my favorite tropes at work with grumpy/sunshine and opposites attract.
I really enjoyed the sweet way Karla had these characters talk about grief and how grief is a on going process but doesn’t have to be a lonely one if a person chooses to be open about it.
One of my favor things was that this was Duel POV. I love duel povs and wish more authors would write them. In this story I was really happy to see both Charlotte and Burkes sides.
Thorns 🔻
I don’t really have to any outside for my lack of interest in Charlotte. It’s sometimes hard for me to connect to the female main character and I just didn’t with her. I felt that sometimes Charlotte came across too whiny instead of passionate. Sometimes in their banter she didn’t land as funny or witty just more so mad.
I still found this story to be good! Her other series look great and I can’t wait to give them a read as well.

* 3.5 stars *
This was a cute romance featuring a grumpy ex-footballer and an awesome house restoration. I loved the house angle, like I seriously want it! The characters were likable (Charlotte’s aunt was my favorite) but it took me a while to really get into the story and get past both of Charlotte’s and Burke’s issues.

Karla Sorenson gives readers an amazing book of love and loss. Of loyalty to family and work.
Burke and Charolette are 2 complex people but together to get through a house project. Together- I loved their banter, how they challenged each other without knowing it.
Life is hard, grief and loss are hard, it affects all parts of our lives. I loved watching Burke and Charlotte feel a connection to each other but not sure how to deal with it because of their pasts. I loved them individually and together… with the slow burn as they finally opened up to each other.
Burke and Charlotte are loyal. To get to find happiness, they needed to let their walls down as they challenged themselves to realize what real happiness is.

An absolutely wonderful book from start to finish. It was an absolute honor to be chosen to read this, and I enjoyed every second of it. I’m familiar with many locations in the book and it made my heart so happy, The characters are amazing, and the story is both heartwarming and breaking all at once. What a beautiful story. Another amazing book by Karla. Can’t wait to give it all the love it deserves when it’s released.

Well written with interesting characters and a plot that delves into grief and deep emotion, this was a solid read but it never really sparkled for me. I really like Karla Sorensen and always look forward to picking up her books but this one wasn’t a stand out

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review..

Karla Sorensen is a favorite author. When she write a. book you know you are getting a solid romance with lots of banter. I enjoyed the book and it was a good addition to the series.

I loved this so much. It had a little bit of everything and a lot of angst and love. As I was reading, I thought of all the subsequent stories that could piggyback off of this story and was very excited to learn it will be a series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read of this page turner.

Recently forced into retirement, ex NFL star wants to live a quite life alongside his family. But after loosing his best friend to a shock accident, Burke inherits a historic home that needs a full restoration. Alongside the home he also inherits the pretty redhead named charlotte who’s job it is to help renovate and keep the charm of this house alive.

“ Charlotte Cunningham, it seemed, was very skilled at igniting my temper. Probably because I found her attractive. Like Murphy’s Law”

I thought this was going to be a typical enemies to lovers book that I love any ways, but the relationship between these two captured my heart. There are some deeper themes in this book dealing with loss and grief which I felt the author handled with such care. These themes were so true to real life and they really made the storyline so much more passionate.

Charlotte really came out of her shell around Burke with her witty one liners and passion for keeping the charm of the original house. I loved the touch of her meddling Aunty which brought a nice element of humour to the storyline.

“ You’re my partner in this, so no matter how much we bicker, or how much we disagree, I will always have your back”

Burke and charlotte worked so well together on the house renovations and the forced proximity of living together really amped up the tension between the two of them. As much as he tried to deny it, charlotte really got under his skin in a way he struggled to comprehend.

This book brought me so many feelings. I laughed, I shed a tear but overall I was filled with a warmth of love by the end.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review

I have loved this author in the past but this ARC was not my favorite, I struggled to find the banter relatable. Thank you for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

A great solid romance.

To be honest there isn’t a book of this authors that I’ve read that I haven’t enjoyed that is why when I was given an opportunity to read and review this book early I jumped at the chance.

Grumpy sunshine with a side of slow burn

Grump retired football player Burke is a left a run down estate by his best friend when he passes away. Charlotte as already been hired to over see the restoration of the historic house.

What follows is Charlotte trying to get Burke out of his grumpy ways whilst hoping to get him to fall in love with the historic house as much as she has.

The banter and interaction between these had me laughing, the back and forth between them before they finally gave into their feelings what excellent and then when Burke is reminiscing with his sister that had me shedding a tear. Burke was probably one of the most emotionally damaged male leads I’ve read and his communication with Charlotte in parts was almost non existent. At times is was hard to read how he reacted and his internal battle when he realised he was wrong.

Trigger warning whilst there is no death on page it is mentioned numerous times throughout the book

After losing his best friend in a tragic accident newly retired football player Burke has inherited his friend dream house, the house he wanted to buy and restore to his former glory.

Since the house is in progress it comes with a spirited project manager who wants his input on everything while he wants to stay far away from the house and spend his days in Florida. But Charlotte is determined to see this property as it once was no matter how much she must bug him for light texture and historical accuracy details.

For the remaining time of their work they are forced to live together, as roommates while the house is being renovated and annoy each other on their remaining free time.

How I love a renovation project with forced proximity between two strong willed individuals!

Burke is still grieving for his friends and wants to do right by them, fixing up the house as best as they would want. This project came out of nowhere along with Charlotte, he didn't see her coming and as time passes he would hate to see her leaving but that can only change if he decides to take a leap forward which is more frightening than all his year playing professionally combined.

Charlotte is so strong willed, I loved that she didn't back down from any challenge especially when Burke is the biggest challenge she met in her life.

Their attraction is present since their first memorable meeting and their chemistry just keeps getting better the more they work together. I really enjoyed this book it is q great start for the new series.

In the book we got some glimpses about what I want to believe is the next book in the series and I couldn't be more existed for it!


* I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.

I really liked this book. The primary and secondary characters were all really well written and interesting. The story has great depth and emotion, humor and spice. I definitely recommend!

Absolutely loved this story. Grumpy retired football player dealing with the loss of his friend and the happy, determined designer who is protecting her heart. Burke and Charlotte’s journey is fun, emotional and a steamy slow burn! Karla has done it again, building a world of characters who feel like family! Definitely 5⭐️ read!

Two strong, driven and intense individuals meet, clash and fall in love in “The Best Laid Plans”, by Karla Sorenson (Montlake), a story filled with grief and sorrow, but also hope and joy in the big and small things in life.
I loved Burke’s character in the beginning: he’s the basic grumpy, surly yet plenty charismatic tortured hero. The big, handsome football player, with big hands and shoulders, incarnates the “broody man thing” very nicely and it is fun to watch the process.
I liked how reluctantly he admits his insecurities and how all the emotional baggage makes him so much more human.
The tight relationship with his family is heartwarming and shows the giving nature beneath the broody persona.
Charlotte is a determined, talented woman, the perfect match for Burke.
The romance is problematic, the sexual tension and longing almost unbearable sometimes.
The story is also about grief, pain, friendship and love and loss in the general sense.
I liked the vibrant, funny and affectionate secondary characters and how the Campbell house is lovingly and skillfully restored to its splendor.
Sometimes I felt the dilemmas, especially Burke’s, were expanded a bit too much, the sex scenes didn’t really grab my interest and the story could be shorter.

I love Karla Sorensen’s books so I was excited to jump in. Charlotte was the real star here, but I warmed up to Burke after a while. While this isn’t a new favorite, I’m looking forward to the next one in this series - fingers crossed for a certain Brit!

I love Karla's books. Although this was giving different vibes than her usual, it was great. It had everything u look for in romance book and it was relaxing read.

*Received a copy for review.*
A very slow burn through home restoration. Burke lost his job and his best friend, both unexpectedly. Now, as a former football star, he’s inherited his friends family home and it needs a lot of work
Charlotte is devastated when the charming couple who hired her to rehab his family home are killed in an accident. Bringing the house back to life has been her dream. So when the new owner shows up to find her handcuffed to the staircase, things start at a disadvantage.
These two were the perfect foils. It’s not exactly grumpy/ sunshine. He is very grumpy. I loved how they get to know one another.
It was an easy read with great characters and home restoration.

Oh Burke and Charlotte…this duo is jam-packed with angst, personal demons (Burke) and unexpected development. Charlotte’s love of historical restoration projects leads her to head up a project where Burke finds himself as the financial backer. The angst between the two as one has vision and the other a personal mission, is page turning. There were some moments where Charlotte leads the show out of the bedroom but Burke is all man in the bedroom. It was an interesting dynamic or two characters finding partnership in someone else and how to balance those best laid plans they both thought they spelled out.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a quick read. I loved the chemistry and bantering between Burke and Charlotte. Their meet cute is one of the best I have read in a while. While this book was full of moments of levity, it dealt with the loss of Burke's friends beautifully. I cried over the loss of Chris and Amie in more than once.

I truly enjoyed the growth both Burke and Charlotte has through the book. Both experienced a childhood that didn't set them up for healthy adult relationships. I loved Burke's sister Tansey and Charlotte's Aunt Daphne. Both gave such color to the book. And both Tansey and Daphne were great at helping Burke and Charlotte see their mistakes.

I know that there is to be more books in this series and I am hoping for a book for Tansey and one for Liam. I really want to know what happens with Chris and Amie's daughter Mira.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC of this ebook. All opinions expressed are my own.