I loved this book and I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. This book keeps you on your toes as you are reading because you don't know what is going to happen next. This book was amazing so add it to your TBR and you wont be disappointed.

Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, so I'm not able to leave a review. I look forward to reading and reviewing books by this author in the future.

Karla Sorensen ate this book up. The synopsis enticed me and didn't lead me astray. I loved the slow burn and sexual chemistry between the pair!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fav Quote:

“I’d see that smile in my sleep, no fucking doubt about it. I’d see it stamped behind my eyes when I closed them. I’d feel it carved into my chest.”

I fell in love with this book easily, and couldn’t stop reading it once I started. Karla Sorensen crafted a story that hits right in the feels, and doesn’t let up. I became immediately invested, and by the end felt like the characters were a part of me. I laughed, I cried, and was so emotionally caught up that I finished this one quickly, and loved every bit. The angst is so SO good.

Liam and Zoe are the MCs, and the story unfolds when they’re tasked with the care of their best friends’ daughter, Mira. Liam and Zoe can’t tolerate each other, but have to figure out how to put that aside as they navigate co-parenting in a situation neither planned for. Grumpy x sunshine, found-family, pining, and a group of batty old women to boot? Sign me up 👌🏻

Karla Sorensen wrote the 𝑯𝑬𝑪𝑲 out of this story. It is a SLOWWW burn, but the build-up is so worth it. If you liked the movie “Life As We Know It” - then you will LOVE Zoe and Liam, and totally fall for the cute little girl they’re raising together too. Highly recommend this one.

I had fun with this one. I can’t wait to see what else the author comes out with in the future. I can see myself definitely picking up more books by them.

Loved it from start to finish. It was spicy and it was a slow burn where you could feel the heat. The story was great and it had its ups and downs. Gods read just like always when I read a her stories.

4.5 ⭐️ Thank you Karla and The Author Agency for an e-ARC of ‘The Best of All’

This book. Let me tell ya’ll. The emotional ride that this took me on was INTENSE. I could not put it down if my life depended on it and I devoured it in just a few hours.

I don’t even know where to begin, but let’s start with Zoe. Zoe was an amazing woman. She did not have to step up like she did to become Mira’s guardian, however she did it without question. She became the safe space Mira needed after her life was changed forever. She was determined, loyal, sweet, and a little spitfire (with Liam). Zoe stopped her life to be there for someone else which was incredibly selfless. She was a fierce FMC and I enjoyed reading her chapters.

Liam. Liam. Liam. That man. He was incredible. Starting off as the grumpy football player who was determined to be alone due to childhood trauma, ended up being the most perfect man for both Zoe and Mira. In the beginning, he was willing to just exist, but eventually stepped up and became a fixture in Mira’s daily life. Their bond was the sweetest part of this book and I found myself craving the interactions between the two.

Liam, once he got over his fears, was the best man for Zoe. Surprising her with girls nights, letting her sleep in, and giving her massages. Let’s not even talk about their first date. It was so thoughtful and everything Zoe could want being the book girlie that she is. I am so happy that after years of secret pining, Liam was able to get the girl he’s always loved.

I’m not one to LOVE a child’s character in a book, but Mira changed it all for me. Her little voice and her way of showing Zoe and Liam how much she loves them was too special. She was such a light in this book.

This book made me laugh, cry, and smile like a giddy little girl. I absolutely adored this one.

Reasons to love this book:
🩷Football Romance
🩷Co-guardianship
🩷Grumpy, British MMC
🩷Sunshiney FMC
🩷Hate to Love
🩷Roommates
🩷Childhood Trauma
🩷Secret Pining (for a LONG time)
🩷It’s Always Been You

A tragedy that tears a family apart and is supposed to put a new one together, but Liam is and always has been a loner and finds it hard to open his heart to anyone, but Zoe and Mira are different.

The reason why he always stays away from Zoe is interesting.

I love the dynamic of the little family and how they grow together (the happy ending isn't really a spoiler)

Have fun reading it yourself!

⭐️4.5
🌶️ 1.5

Omg this book had me in tears! It was heart wrenching and beautiful. In the end it was worth every single tear shed.

Liam is the grumpiest man that has a hard time expressing himself without curse words. He takes pride in pushing Zoe’s buttons over and over. She is under the impression that he hates her because of his demeanor. Through tragic events they end up guardians of their friends’ daughter together. They must learn to work together and live together for the sake of Mira.

Liam will make you mad and want to hug him at the same time. His backstory was so sad and explains his grumpiness perfectly. Zoe had some struggles as well that she had to overcome before starting any new relationship. This love story is everything and more. It will make you believe in “it’s always been you”.

This book was a great palate cleanser from what I typically read. Great enemies to lovers with “it’s always been you”. Can’t beat gorgeous 🏈 players!

The Best of All by Karla Sorensen is a delightful and heartwarming romance that explores themes of love, personal growth, and second chances. The story follows two characters who, despite their differences, find themselves falling for each other in a genuine and tender way. Sorensen’s writing is warm and engaging, with well-developed characters and a slow-burn romance that feels both authentic and swoon-worthy. With its emotional depth and feel-good atmosphere, The Best of All is a charming read for fans of contemporary romance.

This book was one heck of a ride. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. This was my first Karla Sorensen book and I am definitely going to continue reading more of her other books! This book is a *slowwwwww burn* so if you are okay with that I 1000% recommend this book. I love a good he falls first moment and this gave me that and then some!

The Best of All is the second book in The Best Men series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Liam and Zoe had known each other for a while, and she thought he hated her. But when they had to co-parent their mutual friends’ child together, she somewhat got to see the real him. And he slowly (but not fully) opened up to her.

The banter and tension between Liam and Zoe was great. And I loved seeing Liam learn how to care for Mira, their friends’ child together (Zoe already knew what she was doing).

This was cute and angsty, and it was a slow burn. These two, Liam especially, had a lot to work on. But he definitely found some healing with Zoe and Mira. I will say his “healing” seemed to be instant (i.e. it was mentioned once or twice and then he was all better).

I still enjoyed the story though, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

I went through all the emotions with this book

I didn't expect it to be as emotional as it was but I really enjoyed those moments (especially from the MMC)

There were some really cute and tender moments with the MMC and the child which were so good

This is a slow burn but so worth the wait especially with everything else that is going on

- forced proximity
- found family
- 'its always been you'
- he's grumpy
- sports romance (pro American football)

Thank you to Montlake & NetGalley for the ARC - all opinions are my own

Overall Grade: A

Tropes: hate to love; enemies to lovers; forced/close proximity; grump/sunshine; slow burn; he falls first; sports romance (football)

I am always thankful when God grants Karla Sorensen the words, story, and characters for her next book. There is something special about her stories that attach themselves to you. When I pick up one of her books, honestly, it’s almost impossible to stop reading it, and, when required to adult, I mourn for my time in her stories. Her newest book, The Best of All, is more of all of this.

While it borrows a plot point from the 2010 movie, Life As We Know It, starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel (a movie I adored), Sorensen writes her way through it with her brand of romance. You may ask, what is Sorensen’s brand of romance? Well, recently, her stories showcase grumpy, protective MMCs who love their FMCs hard from afar, hiding their emotions behind walls that reach the heavens; FMCs who are so beguilingly independent and amazing that everyone falls in love with them; and so much slow burn that you don’t know if they will ever find their way into each other (wink wink!). Seriously, Sorensen knows exactly how to craft a slow burn which doesn’t lead you to want to send her DMs, cursing her for keeping her MMC and FMC apart. Instead, she inches them closer at a pace that feels organic to her characters’ story. At least, that’s my impression, although 73% for a first touch was eye-opening.

What I loved the most about The Best of All (and having fallen deep for the predecessor book to this one, The Best Laid Plans - I loved this book more) is Liam. Oh how I loved Liam. He’s so emotionally buttoned up, denying himself of his heart’s desire for much of the book that you cannot help but fall in love with him because he is protective and intentional even when it’s misguided. Through Liam, Sorensen showcases the power of therapy to find the words for feelings. His journey is the foundation of this book even though Zoe has her own important Zoe. For me, though, what drew me to him a bit more over Zoe is the way he loves her to his bones. He hides it behind acrimony and derision, but it’s all an act meant to turn her away. I have found that this brand of MMC is my favorite by far. My therapist had a bit to say about the reasons for this, but we agreed that, in fiction, MMCs such as Liam make for swoon-worthy romances. And that is definitely the case.

Once again, Karla Sorensen showcases her ability and passion for writing romance in The Best of All. I loved every page of this book, and it’s been one of my fastest reads in recent months. The ending felt poetic and beautiful, and it receives the highest marks from this reader.

Liam and Zoe are forced together as they take on guardianship of their best friend’s daughter. This led to an emotional journey between the two, as they navigate this new life together with Mira, dealing with loss and grief. The chemistry and connection is undeniable and I couldn’t get enough of this broody, yet vulnerable Brit in Liam that has pined for Zoe for years. I’m talking PINING! It was just so dang swoony. And then you add in the tender moments between Liam, Zoe and sweet Mira, it just made me so dang happy. I can’t say enough about it. It’s a 5 star read for me!!! You guys do not want to miss this one! I’m going to download the audio immediately so I can read it again! @ms_brentmoor and @shaneeastreads are narrating and I just know it’s gonna be perfect!!

Loved this book! It definitely touched the emotions lol 🥰🥰🥰 Liam and Zoe couldn't be more different but like puzzles, they fit so well!

This was a torturous slow burn with crazy chemistry and tons of emotion. Forced proximity is my catnip, and this was <chefs kiss> as Liam and Zoe move in together to co-parent their friends' toddler. The grief is real in this book, but so is the hope and humor. The Best of All is truly Karla at her very best.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Tropes:
Football Player x Accountant
British MMC
10 year pinning
Co-guardians
Forced Proximity
Slow burn
It's always been you

I LOVED THIS BOOK! A true slow burn! Maybe a bit too slow burn😅

Zoe & Liam are perfect for each other. The grumpy x sunshine dynamic they had was adorable!

Zoe has always wanted a family and to be a mom, but after getting divorced she's losing hope with every passing day. Now she's appointed guardianship of her best friend's 2.5 year old daughter Mira. She's suddenly pushed into the position of being a mother figure along with grief of losing her best friend. With Liam refusing to be a present guardian for Mira, things seem to get harder.

Liam has so deep scars that deny him his true desires. Liam puts on an amazing facade of being a grump that doesn't care for anyone, but anyone that knows him, sees his true self. A strong man that supports everyone he cares for and is the ultimate father figure. Even if he doesn't see it that way.

Him not wanting to be part of Mira's life was heartbreaking, but then seeing him take an active role in her life was heartening. And the perfect opportunity to win Zoe's heart.

This book was more of Liam's healing journey than a traditional romance novel and I absolutely loved it! Throughout the whole book we got to see how well Zoe & Liam work together even without being together. Their love for each other was more than physical and when they finally are together it was beautiful!

Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice - 🌶.5

Karla Sorensen's "The Best of All" isn't just a romance; it's a tender exploration of grief, resilience, and the unexpected blossoming of love amidst life's trials. Sorensen masterfully crafts a narrative that resonates with emotional depth, tackling complex themes with sensitivity and grace. The story follows Zoe and Liam, two individuals grappling with loss who find solace and unexpected connection in each other. Their journey is a slow burn, fraught with tension yet brimming with heartwarming moments that will leave you sighing contentedly. I highly highly recommend!