I’m having a really difficult time writing a coherent review for this book and as of yet have been unsuccessful. My first instinct from the synopsis and in reading the events that unfold. I was comparing it to the movie Life As We Know It with Katherine Heigl & Josh Duhamel. Which is a great thing because I Iove this adorable movie.
To the point I am thinking I will write my review in some of my quotes highlighted in this book.

Tropes:
❤️ Forced proximity
❤️ Instant family
❤️ Brit NFL player hero
❤️ Slow burn
❤️ Funny old woman with a Spicy Book Club
❤️ Divorced heroine
❤️ Book references

Some favorite quotes and highlights while reading…

“One of the weirdest things about life is how you change without even realizing it’s happening. Change comes in such tiny increments, water dripping slowly into a bowl, and before you know it, everything is overflowing. The mess materializes before you realize you’ve got something to clean up.”

“We survived on takeout and grocery deliveries and Amazon Prime, like God and the introverts intended.”

“I wanted to be close to her. Wanted to see her smile. And I wanted to push her as far away from me as humanly possible, because proximity to Zoe Valentine was dangerous. It had felt like a mockery, the ring on her finger that first night, because for the first time in my life, I’d met a woman who knocked the breath from my lungs when she smiled. I hated that she was taken. I hated that she made me feel that way. And I hated even more that she was marrying some idiot who needed to be punched about as badly as anyone I’d ever met. Naturally, that meant I was a dick to her every single time I saw her. Just to make sure the lines between us were clear.”

“Part of life is having to stumble through the shit when you can’t see the outcome. You don’t know how messy it’ll get, and you don’t always have a perfect plan.”

“The brick wall inside my chest was too high, too fortified after so many years, and already firmly back in place now that I shared space with her. It wouldn’t come crumbling down again that easily.”

“And while I hate using the word predictable to describe the books I love to read—it sounds too inherently negative—there is comfort in knowing that these two people are perfectly matched in their flaws and that they’ll cherish and respect and fight for each other and come out the other side with a happily-ever-after.”

“And I knew that if I were faced with Zoe and her eyes every fucking day, it was only a matter of time before I’d never get over her. Not for the rest of my life.”

“The men in these books aren’t perfect, and I think that’s what makes the stories even better. Imperfect people still have to find a way to overcome their issues if they want to be happy. It’s as simple and as difficult as that. Reading their stories is the best way to have hope for our own, I guess.”

“Guilt is just a feeling, honey. It’s not a bad feeling that we have to avoid. It means you care about Mira. But just don’t get so stuck in it that you can’t move forward.” I nodded. “Feelings aren’t facts,” I said, something I’d heard from her for years.”

“simultaneous release is not a myth.” “Stop,” I interrupted. “I swear, if you say anything about your sex life with Dad, I’ll chop my ears off.”

“There was an ache I’d had for so long that it was almost impossible to find the words to name it. Like I was missing a vital piece of myself, but I wasn’t sure where to find it. Even with everything I’d experienced, it was elusive. Frustratingly out of reach. My whole life, I’d wanted love and family, to be surrounded by that unconditionally safe feeling.”

“You keep all that shit locked down until there’s nowhere for it to go.”

“I didn’t know who moved next. She surged up onto her feet, I swooped down, and our mouths clashed in a fierce kiss.”

“He wanted me. He didn’t want to want me. And he didn’t know what the hell to do with me.”

“Understanding often came at a heavy price. And you didn’t always know what that price was until you were forced to pay it. It didn’t really matter if you were talking about understanding a person or a situation.”

“Liam, that’s part of the human experience. Almost everyone I’ve ever met navigates relationships based on fears and wants and desires that have roots in their upbringing. Some people realize it. Some don’t. You’re not stupid for your worries, but you have to challenge those thoughts when they spring up.”

“You’re taking me on a date to a bookstore that you kept open just for us?”

“They were my path, and I couldn’t wait for whatever came next.”

I received an ARC copy of this book for review.

A solid read with the usual contents. This one wasn't much different from a ton of others. I didn't love it -- I didn't hate it. I found that it was a bit lacking.

Quick Summary: A will they or won't they romance

My Review: The Best of All by Karla Sorensen is book #2 in The Best Men series.

About the Book: A tragedy brings together a divorcee and a pro baller. They are tasked with raising the child of their best friends. Will they learn how to blend together and make a family, or will they allow the tension that has always existed between them to get the better of them?

My Final Say: This was a touching story. While I didn't love it the way I thought I would, I did like it well enough.

Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 👍

Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Montlake), and to NetGalley. I appreciate the opportunity to review this title in exchange for an honest review.

✨ ARC Review - The Best Of All by Karla Sorensen

I was fortunate enough to receive a PR package of this baby and was beyond ecstatic over the cute stickers! Reading the blurb, I was already in tears.

Karla wrote the most beautiful story between two people who at first, didn’t seem right for each other with the constant bickering, but of course there’s always a reason behind it all..

Liam & Zoe were entrusted by their best friends to watch over their young daughter if anything were to happen to them. Liam, a grumpy Brit, who thought he wasn’t fit for watching over Mira left Zoe to care for her. The way the story was put together was beautiful. I loved how the best friends just knew what they were doing, & knew their daughter was going to be well taken care of.

Tropes:

🔥Hate to Love 
🔥Forced Roommates
🔥Single 'Parent'
🔥Forced Guardianship Situation
🔥Grumpy/Sunshine 
🔥He Falls First
🔥Slow Burn 
🔥Football Player/Sports Romance
🔥Grumpy, Secret Cinnamon Roll Brit Hero 

The Best Of All is out now!

4.5 ⭐️
Omg, I absolutely DEVOURED this book.
Liam is the grouchiest man, who has to work with Zoe on a journey of becoming Guardians of Mira. Zoe was so strong & she had such a determination to not let her bestfriend down, as well as to keep going and keep Mira on the best track she could after losing both her parents.
Mira the little duck, the Moana movie loving baby who melted Liam’s heart slowly but surely 😭 🦆
Liam I wanted to shake sometimes in the beginning, but once mira wrapped him around her finger, it was game over.
I just wish there was more of Zoe & Liam. I felt the ending was kinda rushed, but over all I loved this book so much.

I recently finished The Best of All, and I have to say, it truly deserves a solid four-star rating. This book, part of the "Best Men" series, captivated me with its delightful blend of romance and emotional depth.

The story revolves around Zoe, a hopeless romantic, and Liam, a commitment-phobic hero. Their unexpected connection unfolds in a way that kept me turning the pages. I loved how Zoe's unwavering belief in fairy-tale endings contrasted sharply with Liam's reluctance to embrace commitment. The chemistry between them was palpable, with moments that beautifully oscillated between tension and tenderness.

One of the standout aspects for me was the character development. Zoe's optimism was infectious, and I found her journey toward finding love to be both authentic and relatable. On the other hand, Liam’s struggles with vulnerability added depth to his character, making his eventual transformation all the more satisfying to witness.

The pacing of the story was spot-on, striking a nice balance between romantic tension and character introspection. I particularly enjoyed the witty banter in the dialogue, which enhanced the connection between Zoe and Liam and kept me engaged throughout.

While the plot follows some familiar romantic tropes, Sorensen breathes fresh life into them, making the read compelling. The resolution was satisfying, yet it left me contemplating the complexities of love and relationships.

Overall, The Best of All is a charming romance that captures the essence of hope and the unpredictability of love. Karla Sorensen's skillful storytelling and relatable characters make this a worthwhile addition to any romance reader's collection. I highly recommend it!

Another good book in this series. This book is funny while solving a mystery. Riley is hired to find our who is trying to kill her ex husband. All the characters from the previous books are also in this one.

Best of All is the second book in the Best Men series by Karla Sorensen. The first book was an emotional read, and this one was no exception. Best of All focuses on Zoe and Liam, who were best friends with the characters we met in book one who passed away, Chris and Amie who left their almost three-year-old daughter Mira under the care of the two.
Liam is a closed book. He lives for football and that’s it. After the death of his best friend, Liam is startled by the revelation that Mira’s custody has been left to him and Zoe. He is certain that the only thing he’ll be contributing to her upbringing is money.
See, Liam is the extreme example of a grump. Zoe is working hard to care for Mira with the help of her elderly neighbour (who is hilarious also) and doing her best to grieve and raise this adorable little girl.
I definitely cried a few times through this book. Liam has secretly pined for Zoe since their first meeting and deep, deep down he cares for these girls more than anything in the world.
I love Karla Sorensen’s writing. I loved the first book in the series and this one was no disappointment either. She has perfected the balance between emotion, romance and humour. I look forward to her future releases!

Grumpy x Sunshine romance.....

This is like my all time favourite romance and this book did the trope perfectly.

The author kept the story flowing really well it just was such a slow burn that kinda bored me a little.....that's not to say that someone else won't absolutely love it, it's just my personal opinion I love fast burn.

Okay … yes … I know I have said this before but she keeps doing this to me—The Best of All is now my favorite Karla Sorensen book. With tears in my eyes and my heart aching, I fell head over heels in love with Zoe, Liam, and Mira. From the first to the last page my heart completely connected to their story. This author has such an incredible hand at writing grief and loss, and the way that she portrays that through her characters is breathtaking. Liam and Zoe's sorrow and vulnerabilities feel so real throughout their paths to accept love and family. Profound tragedy, inner demons and insecurities, acceptance, love, and family are big themes in The Best of All and the storytelling is remarkable. Big time love and big, BIG stars for this one.

I love Karla Sorensen’s writing style, and I knew after finishing book one in the Best Men series, “The Best Laid Plans,” that this book would be an emotional one for me. I just didn’t realize how much! Wow, I enjoyed this book so much, and I would go so far as to say it may be my favorite of hers yet!

Zoe and Liam both lost their best friends to a tragic car accident and now must figure out a way to co-parent their goddaughter Mira when they are named her guardians. Zoe is ready to step in and leave her life behind, but Liam, who is a British NFL star, has never wanted a family and only wants to help financially. That is until he sees how much Zoe needs his full support. Even though he and Zoe have never been each other’s fans, they decide to work together for Mira’s sake. From book one, Liam has been a total grump, especially towards Zoe, as he’s tried to cover up the secret crush he’s had on her for years. While they’re forced to live together, the slow burn of passion is kindled. Zoe and Liam struggle to do what is right for Mira as well as work through their own personal issues. Liam’s personal journey was one of my favorite aspects of the book, especially his relationship with Mira.

Although there is a lot of sadness and grief dealt with in this story, the happiness shines through when Liam, Zoe, and Mira become a family and look forward to the good times ahead. The side characters in this book are hilarious, especially Rosa and the book club girls, and of course, it wouldn’t be a Karla Sorensen universe without the footballers! Highly recommended - a 5-star read!

Thank you @karla_sorensen, Montlake romance, @theauthor.agency, and @netgalley for the physical and ebook arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I think that it is a great addition to the series. Especially getting to know more about Mira who is absolutely adorable and her love for ducks is hilarious. I really enjoyed the character development especially in Liam and the slow burn was amazing. Also I need a guy who will take me on dates like Liam.

I have tried to read this book for months but every time I pick it up I can't go further than 5-10 pages at a time. I don't find likable or relatable neither of the main characters and the book in general doesn't sit well with me.

Ok so this book is just all the feels. I read the Best Laid Plans right before it and then I couldn't wait to get more of Liam. Except there's something to be said for going into a book knowing there's going to be heartbreak and tears.

Because obviously this book is about Liam and Zoe’s best friends passing away and them getting custody of their daughter. Now from the last book my entire knowledge of Liam is that he's gruff and growly and protective of Mira. And that's kind of my kryptonite.

Zoe on the other hand was a complete unknown and starting the book with her in the past gave me a great feel for her. Following that up with her with Mira made her a character I loved. Especially with her octogenarian book club giving her all kinds of advice.

The story was so emotional but written so perfectly that I could feel what they were feeling and understand why they each were feeling that way. And I loved that they gave each other the grace to deal with their own feelings on this massive life change they had suddenly had thrust upon them. Liam was the absolute best book hero I've read in a while and the most real.

I personally would have loved an epilogue of a little further into the future. But I always want more. I'm not sure if we are getting more of this series in the future but I certainly hope so.

The Best of All is the story of Liam Davies and Zoe Valentine, who are awarded joint guardianship of two year old Mira, after the passing of their friends Chris and Amy. This is book two (following The Best Laid Plans) and can definitely be read as a standalone.

Zoe and Liam have known each other for many years, but she always thought he hated her. And now they must co-parent? Each have their own baggage that they bring with them.

I listened to the audiobook narrated wonderfully by Samantha Brentmoor and Shane East. I haven’t listened to Shane narrate a lot and I have been missing out! Every accent he does is so good. Plus, his voice for young Mira-perfect! I really think the audio helped me connect more with this story and characters. It’s really slow burn, dealing more with their grief and taking care of Mira. The steam doesn’t really start until the last third of the book.

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love a grumpy/sunshine sports romance, and this was good with a nice slow burn.
Liam and Zoe are not the biggest fans of each other but their best friends are married. When they pass, they get guardianship of their almost 3 year old daughter. They don't get along at first but eventually come together to raise Mira.
Their attraction builds and builds until they can't contain it.

I devoured this book. Read within 24 hours, I was completely hooked and loved it so much!

Zoe and Liam do not get along and after a tragic accident takes the lives of their friends Amie and Chris, the pair find themselves having joint custody of their toddler, Mira. Zoe immediately takes on the role but Liam doesn’t want anything to do with it all as he never wanted a family. But after spending time with Mira, without realising he begins to soften and finds himself being an important person to Mira. Of course this means him and Zoe must try and get over their dislike so they can successfully co-parent.

It's a slowburn romance which really focused on the characters learning about themselves first which I appreciated. Although I was desperately waiting for them to get together, I felt the pacing was perfect and was glad it wasn't rushed. I was fully invested in the characters and the story. This is book two in a series and I will definitely have to check out book one.

Karla Sorensen is a go-to author for me and this book showcased exactly why. I loved Liam and Zoe's story so much. There were a lot of tears but it was so worth it in the end. I loved watching their relationship evolve and the love they had for Mira. I love this world and definitely want more!

This is one of the best slow burns I have read in quite a while! It allowed for such significant character growth, emotional maturity, processing and healing, and a true appreciation and deep love to develop between both main characters.

After their married friends are unexpectedly killed, Liam and Zoe find themselves co-guardians of Mira, the sweet, young daughter who was tragically left behind. Zoe jumps right in, throwing herself wholeheartedly into being the best caregiver possible. Liam, on the other hand, immediately shies away from his responsibility, feeling like he is the wrong man for the job. Not only was he not made to love and care for others, but he also has a history with Zoe, and it’s not a friendly one. With a long history of misunderstood feelings compounded by the present grief and responsibility forced upon them, this situation is bound to be tumultuous to navigate but often the best things come from the hardest roads to navigate.

This review could just say LIAM. IS. THE. BEST. GRUMP. But, that would be a disservice to the underlying layers of the man he is. His raw internal dialogue & insane mistrust of himself to be what Zoe and Mira need is heart-wrenching; however, watching him blossom into the best “girl uncle” Mira could possibly want was truly heartwarming. As he falls prey to his long-stuffed feelings for Zoe, slowly sharing his heart with her, I freaking swooned!! Zoe is a strong FMC! Not only does she bravely step into a difficult role amongst massive grief, but she also calls Liam on his crap. She faces him head on and challenges him to be the best for herself and Mira. I loved seeing her come to the realization all of Liam’s previous actions were laced with longing rather than hate! And Mira, what a fantastically sweet girl. She was written in a manner that appropriately showed grief for a small child but also, an uninhibited joy and resilience that only a child could show. I truly loved watching these characters grow and heal.

4.5/5 Stars

Nobody does a slow burn like Karla Sorensen...and The Best of All is another incredible and wonderful story from the author! It's enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity perfection, and I only wish the story could have been longer so we could get more of Liam, Zoe, and Mira. Truly, it was just a beautiful story that dealt with some very difficult topics and emotions, and it's a world I'd gladly stay in longer to get more of these characters.