4.75 stars

”It was always her, even when I tried to think about something, someone, anyone else. always Zoe. It would always be Zoe too”


I have devoured everything Karla Sorensen has written, and I must confess that 'The Best Of All' has surpassed my expectations, dethroning my previous favorite book by this author. this novel has captivated me with its poignant portrayal of grief and mourning, skillfully woven together with a heartwarming exploration of found family bonds. what struck me most was the clever balance of humor and pathos, as the narrative deftly navigates the challenges of caring for a high-maintenance toddler.

”it’s hard to be brave when you’re scared witless, isn’t it?”


after a decade of animosity, Zoe and Liam, the protagonists, are forced to reconcile when their respective best friends pass away in a tragic car accident, leaving them as co-guardians of their three-year-old daughter. as they explore the complexities of co-parenting, they must also fulfill the final wishes of their late friends, who had entrusted them with the responsibility of raising their child. this moving and emotional journey translates the transformative power of love, forgiveness, and shared parenthood.

”somehow they both felt like mine. mine to take care of. to protect. and that also meant they were mine to hurt.”


Liam embodied the gruff, irascible persona of the male protagonist, perpetually plagued by a cantankerous comportement and a penchant for solitude. his football career consumed him, leaving little room for social niceties or warmth towards others. around Mira, the toddler, his gauche demeanor was evident, with her innocent ears exposed to an unfortunate barrage of profanity.

“It’s hard to admit when you’ve wasted years of your life on someone who didn’t deserve them,” she said quietly. slowly, she raised a hand and traced the bottom edge of my lip with the pad of her finger. “It’s even worse when you realize the person you want to be with has been in front of you the entire time.”


In stark contrast, Zoe was a gentle soul, a characteristic that I've grown to admire about this author's female protagonists – they're always delightfully imperfect and relatable. her kind-hearted nature shone through in her interactions with everyone, except Liam, whose inexplicable ability to elicit her worst behavior was both astonishing and comical.

”I’m so fucking in love with you,” I whispered. “It’s always been you.”


the romance in this story unfolded through a slow-burning arc, expertly intertwined with a found family plotline. Liam was the personification of "boy obsessed" trope, consumed by an intense attraction to Zoe from their first encounter. as he struggled to juggle his emotions, he found himself in a complicated web of feelings, while she was trapped in a tumultuous relationship with her fiancé and later on husband. however, as they began single co-parenting, the dynamics shifted, and the tension between them became palpable. the air was charged with an unspoken attraction that lingered beneath the surface.

”i couldn’t breathe, not with the sweetness trying to push through my lungs. I felt like Mira was suffocating me with all that pure, innocent love. whatever I felt for Zoe was complicated.”


I appreciated how their romance evolved gradually, juxtaposed with the fiery intensity of their past conflicts. Mira, the toddler, played a significant role in their love story, serving as a catalyst for their emotional growth and deepening the bond between them. the way she connected with both Liam and Zoe was a strong reminder of the power of family and love. their romance was tenderly crafted, narrated like a slow dance, and I found myself swept up in its beauty.

many thanks to netgalley and the author for providing an arc in exchange of an honest review

This was the second book in a set. I found that you could follow the story just fine even without reading the other book. It was another fun read from one of my favorite go to authors. This book just flows and was easy to read.

Grumpy brooding emotionally unavailable football player with British accent? Check. Completely opposite heroine who is owner of a bleeding heart and able to love openly despite her hurt? Check. An adorable little girl who just lost everything but gave her accidental caregivers everything? Check. Another Karla Sorensen creation full of heartache and angst? All the checks!

Zoe and Liam have been enemies for a while but their paths kept on crossing as Zoe's best friend was married to Liam's team mate & best friend. A devastating accident took their life and in the will, they have left their only daughter Mirabelle aka Mira under Zoe and Liam's joint care. Liam absolutely doesn't want a family because of his past but Zoe will not let it go so easily. As Liam gets wrapped around Mira's little fingers and their clashing but oddly satisfying co parent life..will he realise that love isn't that bad?

Karla Sorensen is playing with her strong points here. Enemies to lovers. Grumpy sunshine. Sports romance. Opposite attract. And she excelled at everything. This book isn't very spicy but the slow burn and almost there moments were somehow hotter than the actual sex scene. The complex emotions are the highlights of this book. Zoe always searched for her own fairytale. That includes larger than life love and a man who loves her so deeply. Her divorce may have left her a bit jaded but she hasn't lost all the romanticism. She couldn't run away from little Mira even when the grief was harsh. She is a ray of sunshine in rainy day. On the other hand, Liam's experience with his abusive father left him convinced that he isn't fit for relationship. He is so afraid of his bloodline that he feels putting his heart behind an iron castle is best. He didn't believe he deserve love or family. But Zoe and Mira got under his skin, cracked the ice around his heart and made him feel everything he was scared of. All those years, he wanted Zoe but she was off limits and he has hidden his feels behind snark but now he has to face his feels. Zoe saw the protective and loving and sweetheart of a man behind the cold mask. This book was a nice balance of swoony and heartaching and heartwarming.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily through Montlake and Netgalley

4.5 stars

Liam! Liam gets his time to shine! I’ve been waiting for this book since reading The Best Laud Plans and Karla delivered!

Liam and Zoe, share best friends - and that’s about it. They’ve never been able to stand one another, but after their friends suddenly pass away, they find themselves thrust together to co-raise the daughter that was tragically left behind.

This book is very reminiscent of the film Life As We Know it - but honestly I enjoyed this even more. Brace yourself for the slow burn and the delicious tension that only Karla can create.

Story: 9/10
Spice: 1/5
Spice Hierarchy: Open Door

Liam has been adamant his whole life that he doesn’t want a family. He doesn’t think he will be any good at it based on his last. Zoe has only wanted a family and was finally making peace that she would be starting completely over if she was going to get what she wanted. Until tragedy struck their best friends, changing everything. Both Liam and Zoe are now responsible for three-year-old Mira.

This was so good! Absolutely Life as We Know It vibes but with Karla’s writing. These two characters have to process a lot both separately and together. The pining (years worth) and tension between these two is something Karla does so well. Liam telling Zoe he never hated her had me kicking my feet. It has the aspects of the single mom trope that I love (when the grumpy broody man finds he has fallen for her kids) and single dad trope that I love (when the FMC helps show that he really is doing a great job already).

I need bonus content with Charlotte and Burke (Best Laid Plans-book 1) and Liam, Zoe, and Mira. I think they should attend a Washington Wolves football game 😉

• Enemies to lovers
• Forced Proximity
• Grumpy/sunshine
• Sports Romance
• An adorable little 2 year old
• Grief Rep
• Hilarious banter
• 3 hilarious old ladies
• The most heart felt apology

This book has left me completely speechless. I wasn't ready for this book to end! It was hands down one of my favorite Karla Sorensen books!

I'm such a huge fan of her writing. Her ability to capture sensitive topic and put them into the most heart-stopping words is just unbelievable! Grief isn't an easy topic to write about, but somehow, Karla did it and left me feeling everything those characters were feeling. Feelings I've never been personally able to put into words. Losing a best friend is hands down one of the hardest things I've ever experienced. 11 years later and the feelings are still so raw. Watching these two characters navigate the loss of their best friends was a very emotional ride put so beautifully into the perfect words.

"Even if the words were delivered with the very best of intentions, I kinda wanted to scream when someone told me they were sorry for my loss."

As heavy as this book was it was also full of the most hilarious banter.

Liam's character stole my heart from the start. He was such a grumpy character in the best way. I absolutely loved being inside of his head. He was so grumpy on the outside. But internally, he had the most beautiful heart he kept hidden safely surrounded by walls he had created from a very young age. Watching such a gruff man on the outside become vulnerable with a sassy 2 year old was amazing. I loved the way he talked to her like she was an adult!

"What is it?” I asked her. “And, no, I’m not reading that book again, so don’t even think about asking with that little face you make. It won’t work.”

Mira was so adorable!!!! I loved how she was such a large part of this book!! Karla did such an incredible job on her character!

It's so rare that I LOVE both main characters from the very start! But like Liam, Zoe also stole my heart from the very beginning. She navigated not only the loss of her best friends but also caring for their grieving two year old with such strength. She gave Liam grace when he deserved it in such an understanding way! Her strength was beautifully written. And so was her fiesty side. Even though she gave Liam grace, she wasn't afraid to put him in his place!

I seriously can't get over how well Karla brought all three of these characters to life.

Thank you for another incredible read!! And the ability to have read it early!!

I loved this book. It was a slow burn perfection. He’s grumpy and broody and she’s sunshiney. Forced together because of a tragedy, bound together by a two-year-old girl. Their love is epic, perfection and wonderful.

The writing was so good. The narration as perfection. Shane East and Samantha Brentmoor seriously nailed it.

Tropes:
Grumpy x sunshine
Slow burn
Football romance
A two year old little girl

The Best of All, book 2 in the The Best of Men series, continues the grieving process for the group of friends that a deceased couple left behind. In this entry, we see Liam and Zoe becoming the co-guardians to that couple's little girl. I can't even imagine the situation they find themselves in. It is devastating.

I felt for the sweet little Mira, and watching her bring these two lonely souls together. I really found her to be the star of the show and I loved all the page time she got. Their care for her and love for her parents were shown in how they were willing to look past their dislike for each other and give her a great future. There were some moments that just broke my heart.

However, I didn't really connect with Liam and Zoe as a couple until right near the end. I know part of that was the agonizing slow burn but I also just didn't feel as much spark as I wanted to.

There were some great things about this novel, but I was left feeling a bit bereft in the HEA. I wanted more

♾️ Stars
This is, BY FAR, my favorite slow burn romance I have read. EVER. The beauty in the storytelling from Karla is unmatched. If you are a fan of any type of slow burn and tension, this book is a must read. Karla absolutely nailed the pace, the tension, the beautiful and poignant emotions. I was torn between savoring and devouring this book.

Liam and Zoe have never been friends. They squabble, pick at each other, and then retreat to their respective corners. They only seem to get along for their best friends and for short stints at a time. When their entire worlds flip upside down due to a tragic accident, they must come to terms with their new reality: shared guardianship of Mira.

This book is phenomenal. It is raw, it is real and it is emotional. There is so much to how grief and the aftermath of a traumatic event is processed from person to person, and in this book, you can see how different journeys impact each other. I loved how wonderfully Karla told Liam and Zoe's paths; from their intersections to their separate journeys, to their paths becoming one. My favorite moment was when Liam's walls break down and he opens up to Zoe. When he is in, he is ALL IN.

While the story is about Liam and Zoe, we cannot forget the true star of the book: Mira. This beautiful delight of a child was the catalyst in bringing Liam and Zoe together. Their little ducky shone so bright throughout the book. I loved every moment she was on the page, from her moments with Liam and Zoe separately, to their moments as a family.

Liam, Zoe, and Mira will be staying with me for a long time, and I am so freaking happy about it.

Tropes:
Guardianship
Forced Proximity
Grumpy/Sunshine
Slow Burn
Emotional

Absolutely fell in love with this story and the characters, Zoe and Liam. From the first moment Liam met Zoe ten years previously, he fell for her but she was engaged to someone else. He did everything he could to keep her at a distance.

Liam comes across as a grump but he has built walls to protect his heart. He has always been compared to his father, a man he doesn’t want to be like. When he is thrust into being the guardian of his best friend’s little girl, all his fears kick in.

Zoe is use to Liam’s jabs but what she doesn’t realize is, he does it to get the reaction from her. So when she is made the guardian along side him of their friend’s little girl, she starts to see past his grumpy exterior.

I loved how this was a slow burn romance, that nothing was rushed into because both had things to work on before they made that jump. Liked that it took a bit but Zoe started to realize Liam always had his eyes on her, that he always saw her. And the way these two came together to help Mira with the loss of her parents.

A moving and heartwarming story that just emits so many emotions, loved it!

This book had me all in my feelings. We have a rude British football player who turns mushy for a 2 year old little girl calling her duck. I literally couldn't stand the cuteness. We have Zoe and Liam thrown into parenthood after tragically losing their best friends, and now it's up to them to raise Mira, their little girl. When this broken man gets taken by this little girl, your heart will melt. When he and Zoe finally hash out their decade-long feud, you will be rooting for them. An absolute slow burn that was so worth it.

This book has to be in my top 3 favorite books by Karla ever. “Best of All” moved me to tears several times throughout my reading.

Liam’s character growth from the beginning of the book to the end was incredible. His wounds from his past dictate so much of his life. You just want to hug him and tell him it’s ok.

Zoe taking in Mira while simultaneously grieving the loss of her friends shows the strength of women and mothers. There were so many times I empathized with her character. As a mom myself, it’s so easy to put your grief and frustration and anger to the back burner so you can care of your kids, but I am glad Zoe had Liam to remind her she was a person before becoming a caregiver and to not always put yourself last.

This is probably one of, if not her slowest burn books she’s written, I am typically not the biggest fan of that, however this story needed that growth from both characters.

You will enjoy this book if you like:

• He falls first
• grumpy x sunshine
• found family
• sports romance
• SLOW MF BURN

Instant family
Liam and Zoe have been part of the same friend group for years but they’ve never been close. When tragedy brings them together in an unexpected and difficult situation they are forced to work together and overcome their personal obstacles to give a precious little girl a new family.
A very emotional, realistic story that will pull hard on your heartstrings. It’s got angst and drama, witty banter and a slow burn build to the spice. The love and family that grows as the story progresses is the highlight and the HEA is perfect.

Thank you to the author and The Author Agency.

Oh my….this is a slow burn and with every minute. We first met Liam when he visited Burke and he was grumpy then, not much has changed with his disposition as he finds himself named guardian of his friends’ daughter after they both pass away in a car accident. The other guardian? Best gal pal of the couple and the woman he has been sneering at since they met.
This was such a wonderful story of facing fears, both Zoe and Liam, and putting in the time and effort to overcome them when there is something more important at stake. I am a fan of the slow burn because it gives the the reader more time to get to know the characters and this one did not disappoint. You knew it was coming and savored every moment to the build up. And once they both realized what was in front of them of them? Wow!

4.5 Stars

THIS BOOK!! The next time someone asks what was the last book that made me cry, The Best of All will be my answer. This book put me through the wringer, and I was not prepared for the emotional upheaval I experienced while reading. It was INTENSE and I could not put it down. The story follows Liam and Zoe, whom in a cruel twist of fate become the guardians of their Goddaughter, Mira when their best friend’s pass away.

Zoe was someone to admire. She gracefully and selflessly embraced being Mira’s guardian from the get-go, despite everything else going on her life. I admired Zoe’s all-in attitude and her determination to do everything she could for Mira, while being on shaky ground emotionally because of her recent divorce. Enter Liam (finally, after much deliberation).

Bloody hell! Liam came off as a grumpy and stoic Brit, not really letting anyone in due to some childhood trauma. My heart melted at his vulnerability, which he was very quick to hide. I was happy that he at least had a support system amongst his football teammates. I loved seeing him open up and letting go off that indifference he used to hide the fact that he was gone for Zoe. It was very slow burn and low on the spice, but was necessary for his relationship with Zoe to blossom organically, along with his relationship with Mira.

There was a great cast of side characters that added an extra layer of humor to the story. From the book club ladies to the football players. And little Mira, who pulled at my heartstrings and made me laugh with her precociousness.

The Best of All was heartwarming and emotional. There were tears, laughter, and so much angst. I enjoyed Liam and Zoe’s journey to HEA and all the growth and healing they did to get there.

I’m not the biggest fan of slow burn but with the storyline I can see how it was needed and fit well. This book had me on an emotional roller coaster but in a good way!

Liam and Zoe have pined over each other for years but Liam having extreme emotional baggage hides his feelings and comes off as hate, like the little boy pulling the girl’s pigtails. They are forced into close proximity when their best friends pass away and leave behind their toddler daughter wanting the pair to take care of her. Over their time together they get to truly know each other better and gain an understanding of each other. It may not be till the very end but Liam’s shell is shattered to pieces and his heart is finely laid bare.

I always love in these types are stories the relationship with the child. Zoe and Mira bonded quickly and were close from the start. Liam had his walls in place and the tiny Mira chipped it piece by piece but it was so beautiful to go on the journey with them. Mira wanting to hug Liam and always asking if Zoe was coming back even if just fine for a few minutes broke me.

The burn is very slow on this one, like 75% or later but I think the story was beautiful and needed the time to grow. I wish we got to see a little bit further into the future with this little family but I’m in love with their story all the same!

I have loved every book that Karla has written, but this one holds a special place in my heart. Not only does it revolve around loss, grief and managing life after losing loved ones, but it deals with breaking cycles of abuse and the struggles that revolve around that.

Karla absolutely hit it out of the park with this book. Not only does she tell such a beautiful story, also packed with bits of humor from a caring neighbor and her hilarious book club that I’d love to join, but her words pack such a punch that will leave you speechless. I swear Karla needs to start including packs of tissues with her books because they always leave me in tears!

Easiest 5 star read. I swear Karla couldn’t write a bad book, even if she tried.

Holy hot combustable sexual chemistry, batman!

THE BEST OF ALL is another 5-star romance from the queen of complex characters finding love in spite of their fears. Karla Sorenson always tackles grief and loss and healing and hope. I am absolutely obsessed with grumpy pro-footballer Liam and smart, loyal, bookworm Zoe.

The sparks between these two are insane, all while they struggle through their own loss while raising their best friends' small daughter.

I loved how THE BEST OF ALL explores how our past shapes our relationships and how these two fell in love, but also came to trust each other in their vulnerability.

This book also has wonderful female friendships, supportive parents, fantastic representation of clinical therapy, and did I mention the CHEMISTRY?! Yes. But seriously. FIRE.

THE BEST OF ALL can absolutely be read as a standalone, but you really should read the first book in the series since it is also just amazingly good!

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated PG-13 / Only 1 descriptive sex scene, may have harsh language.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: fatal auto accident (off page), death of best friend, past domestic abuse
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 4/5 - Tackled some seriously tough topics.

Not my fave, but the ending was sweet.

There is a balance for the two tropes in this book; the slow-burn and the grumpy/sunshine. And this book was just not well balanced. The grump was more asshole and the pace was slow but the burn was non-existent until the last three chapters. The beauty of a slow-burn is that the burn starts early and goes on the entire book. This book was more about a man getting over his issues, a family finding its way but the author left out the CHEMISTRY.

There was so much more opportunity to dig into his pining for her, he wanted her for ten years but I didn’t FEEL it. We could have really gotten into his head, but we didn’t. He didn’t really show us his feelings until the end, even though we had his perspective about 50% of the time.
I just felt that the ending came abruptly and tied everything up perfectly without really dealing with anything. He has Trauma is a capital T and just let it all go? She had trust issues that disappeared after one bang session? Are we supposed to imagine they will continue to work this stuff out in future? But I want to SEE them work it out ON PAGE.

So the balance on this one was off. The found family part was really cute and the ending was sweet but I don’t really feel satisfied with this couple’s HEA. This wasn’t the best, despite the title and the series name. I’m sad now.

The Best of All is book 2 in The Best Men series by Karla Sorensen.
It pulled me in right from the start and was really hard to put down.
I loved Liam and Zoe! Their story was amazing.
The characters were all very likeable and the romance was written really well. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to be announced.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!