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things_i_read_lately's review against another edition
5.0
Another great book continuing the stories of our favorite Washington Wolves family. I’ve obviously adored this whole series since @sportschicreads told me I needed to read it a few years back. She wasn’t wrong (she also has a post outlining the books/family trees) and I of course jumped at the chance to get an ARC for the newest book in the kids series. I love that Lydia basically took Erik by storm. He had absolutely no idea what he was getting himself into. You need to read this if you like: grumpy/ sunshine, forced proximity, meddling families, and of course sports romance. Sometimes with a grumpy sunshine setup, it’s hard to get that chemistry and build of will they won’t they. But Karla nailed it, the communication of stares/ glares/ sighs from both Lydia and Erik was perfect. Aslo, the flag football scene is *chefs kiss* , you’ll know when you get there.
If you’ve liked Out Of the Blue or Chloe Liese’s Bergman series I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
If you’ve liked Out Of the Blue or Chloe Liese’s Bergman series I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
maferg01's review against another edition
5.0
I dove straight into The Plan after finishing The Lie and once again Karla Sorensen has written a sweet love story with complicated characters who struggle to find love with their past haunting their steps. I loved every minute of this audiobook. Teddy Hamilton and Stella Hunter gave so much to their performances that you feel the character’s emotions deep within. While Lydia is struggling more with the repercussions of her car accident, Erik has pain hidden much deeper behind his walls.
Lydia is struggling to find her way back to a normal life after a photog runs her off the road. She won’t go out, and is losing endorsement deals as she fails to make appearances. Her parents push an unlikely bodyguard on her in the hopes that with Erik, a former Wolves football player, by her side, she will let go of her fear. They butt heads immediately, but as the days and weeks pass, they become friends and the walls start to come down. Will they give into each other or run away to keep their secrets hidden?
Lydia’s ability to see beyond Erik’s gruffness and to look him in the eye when things are tough was my favorite part of this story. He needed someone who wasn’t afraid of him and didn’t let him push them around. When they go back to his family’s home, that’s when things really got interesting and we found out the depths of Erik’s sad story. I loved the family intervention. While this book tackles some angst, it also has many smile worthy moments to balance things out. You won’t be able to help cheering Lydia on as she shows Erik up during flag football. I really enjoyed both of these books and look forward to reading more in Karla Sorensen’s backlist soon!
Lydia is struggling to find her way back to a normal life after a photog runs her off the road. She won’t go out, and is losing endorsement deals as she fails to make appearances. Her parents push an unlikely bodyguard on her in the hopes that with Erik, a former Wolves football player, by her side, she will let go of her fear. They butt heads immediately, but as the days and weeks pass, they become friends and the walls start to come down. Will they give into each other or run away to keep their secrets hidden?
Lydia’s ability to see beyond Erik’s gruffness and to look him in the eye when things are tough was my favorite part of this story. He needed someone who wasn’t afraid of him and didn’t let him push them around. When they go back to his family’s home, that’s when things really got interesting and we found out the depths of Erik’s sad story. I loved the family intervention. While this book tackles some angst, it also has many smile worthy moments to balance things out. You won’t be able to help cheering Lydia on as she shows Erik up during flag football. I really enjoyed both of these books and look forward to reading more in Karla Sorensen’s backlist soon!
paytonhromadka's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
profromance's review against another edition
5.0
Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The fact that people underestimate me is my superpower. They never see me coming.”
I have decided that Karla Sorensen had it out for the Pierson sisters. LOL. First, in The Lie, she put Faith through her paces with the trouble-making Dominic. Thankfully, they found their happily ever after, and we read snippets of them in her newest story, The Plan. If you think her sister, Lydia, catches a break in her own story, well, you will be sadly mistaken. Thankfully, this reader ADORES grumpy, stubborn, “their own worst enemy” heroes like the hero of The Plan.
In The Lie, we find out that Lydia has been in an automobile accident. It has left her injured. In The Plan, we realize it has left her mentally and emotionally shaken as well. Struggling to find her place and re-enter society, her parents decide to hire her a driver/bodyguard, a former Washington Wolves player, Erik Wilder. Reticent about his hiring, Lydia ultimately agrees. She’s intrigued by him plus she needs to meet her responsibilities, so she allows it. Over time, Lydia finds herself drawn to the silent, sullen protection. Little by little, she tries to whittle into him, and over time, he becomes enamored with her. When a misstep threatens to rock any potential, Lydia almost gives up. However, Erik must ask her for a favor, and it may change everything.
There is so much that is always lovely about Karla Sorensen’s stories. For one, she has such impeccable pacing. I’ve mentioned this in other reviews, but I’m fairly certain I will continue to yell this from the rooftops. She knows how to build out the chemistry between her hero and heroine in such a way that you want to throw your Kindle at the wall sometimes. That’s definitely the case with Erik and Lydia. There may be a keen interest between her hero and heroine to start, but they are a slow-burn couple. And it should be so. Erik has solid emotional walls for days. If Lydia breaks them down too quickly, the story would lose its unction. It needs to happen as it does, and it’s brilliant as far as I’m concerned.
“You want a big, overwhelming wreck-your-world kind of love.”
Lydia is everything I love about a heroine. She isn’t perfect. She has anxieties that she must handle, and initially, she isn’t taking action in a way that allows her to live life abundantly. She hides behind schoolwork. Yet, this is still a move to improve. She is intelligent, she is insightful, and like her mother, she sees people, not just the ones who are important. She connects with everyone. She is spirited and lovely and the perfect mate for Erik.
Sadly, our hero, Erik, is a tough one. He needs a heroine such as Lydia, but he makes it so difficult on her. There were many times during this romance when I wish I had the superpower to reach through my Kindle and smack him upside the head. But again, this is Sorensen’s capacity to write characters that feel real, that make us feel and attach us to them. Once Erik’s secrets are revealed, it makes it easy to forgive his stubbornness, but he does make it difficult to love him. Thankfully, Lydia loves him for all of us.
I really don’t know how Karla Sorensen does it. Honestly, as I sit with her stories, books such as The Plan, as I’m reading her words, I wonder how she, time and again, writes stories that are relatable, reflective, and rich with story. I find myself actively considering her as a writer while I’m reading her books because she grabs at me, causing me to believe in her characters. Grumpy hero, sunshine heroine, slow-burn sultry romance? If this is your jam, then The Plan should be your next read. There isn’t even a question about it.
“He just needed…he needed to know that it was okay to let the walls down, even for a moment.”
“The fact that people underestimate me is my superpower. They never see me coming.”
I have decided that Karla Sorensen had it out for the Pierson sisters. LOL. First, in The Lie, she put Faith through her paces with the trouble-making Dominic. Thankfully, they found their happily ever after, and we read snippets of them in her newest story, The Plan. If you think her sister, Lydia, catches a break in her own story, well, you will be sadly mistaken. Thankfully, this reader ADORES grumpy, stubborn, “their own worst enemy” heroes like the hero of The Plan.
In The Lie, we find out that Lydia has been in an automobile accident. It has left her injured. In The Plan, we realize it has left her mentally and emotionally shaken as well. Struggling to find her place and re-enter society, her parents decide to hire her a driver/bodyguard, a former Washington Wolves player, Erik Wilder. Reticent about his hiring, Lydia ultimately agrees. She’s intrigued by him plus she needs to meet her responsibilities, so she allows it. Over time, Lydia finds herself drawn to the silent, sullen protection. Little by little, she tries to whittle into him, and over time, he becomes enamored with her. When a misstep threatens to rock any potential, Lydia almost gives up. However, Erik must ask her for a favor, and it may change everything.
There is so much that is always lovely about Karla Sorensen’s stories. For one, she has such impeccable pacing. I’ve mentioned this in other reviews, but I’m fairly certain I will continue to yell this from the rooftops. She knows how to build out the chemistry between her hero and heroine in such a way that you want to throw your Kindle at the wall sometimes. That’s definitely the case with Erik and Lydia. There may be a keen interest between her hero and heroine to start, but they are a slow-burn couple. And it should be so. Erik has solid emotional walls for days. If Lydia breaks them down too quickly, the story would lose its unction. It needs to happen as it does, and it’s brilliant as far as I’m concerned.
“You want a big, overwhelming wreck-your-world kind of love.”
Lydia is everything I love about a heroine. She isn’t perfect. She has anxieties that she must handle, and initially, she isn’t taking action in a way that allows her to live life abundantly. She hides behind schoolwork. Yet, this is still a move to improve. She is intelligent, she is insightful, and like her mother, she sees people, not just the ones who are important. She connects with everyone. She is spirited and lovely and the perfect mate for Erik.
Sadly, our hero, Erik, is a tough one. He needs a heroine such as Lydia, but he makes it so difficult on her. There were many times during this romance when I wish I had the superpower to reach through my Kindle and smack him upside the head. But again, this is Sorensen’s capacity to write characters that feel real, that make us feel and attach us to them. Once Erik’s secrets are revealed, it makes it easy to forgive his stubbornness, but he does make it difficult to love him. Thankfully, Lydia loves him for all of us.
I really don’t know how Karla Sorensen does it. Honestly, as I sit with her stories, books such as The Plan, as I’m reading her words, I wonder how she, time and again, writes stories that are relatable, reflective, and rich with story. I find myself actively considering her as a writer while I’m reading her books because she grabs at me, causing me to believe in her characters. Grumpy hero, sunshine heroine, slow-burn sultry romance? If this is your jam, then The Plan should be your next read. There isn’t even a question about it.
“He just needed…he needed to know that it was okay to let the walls down, even for a moment.”
jensreads1983's review against another edition
4.0
I am so obsessed with Karla Sorenson’s brand of romance. Emotionally complex, sweet, genuine and sentimental, sexy yet tender- her stories are heart squeezing with the perfect dash of tension and swoony feels. The Plan is a sparky, sizzling, utterly combustable slow burn. And I was here for every minute of this emotionally charged, sultry scorcher.
The magic of this story is the irresistible blend of captivating characters with a dynamic and powerful chemistry. The immediate zap of connection between these two was just the start of the palpable chemistry between them. It's sexy and intense, but also an excruciatingly slow burn, and I loved the push/pull dynamic. Lydia and Erik are both fierce and strong, with vulnerabilities that leave them raw and exposed. Their chemistry was electric from the start, and it slowly simmered into something really beautiful by the end. I was sometimes frustrated with Erik’s inability to let his walls down, yet likewise, Lydia was a tad aggressive and needy sometimes in her pursuit for my liking. That said, I was obsessed with the tangible chemistry between them. I also found them interesting - and invested in their romance almost immediately.
There is a lot of growth, patience and understanding blended with humorous moments within this story. It was heartfelt, intense, and sexy as all get-out. This was such a bingeable read which I devoured.
The magic of this story is the irresistible blend of captivating characters with a dynamic and powerful chemistry. The immediate zap of connection between these two was just the start of the palpable chemistry between them. It's sexy and intense, but also an excruciatingly slow burn, and I loved the push/pull dynamic. Lydia and Erik are both fierce and strong, with vulnerabilities that leave them raw and exposed. Their chemistry was electric from the start, and it slowly simmered into something really beautiful by the end. I was sometimes frustrated with Erik’s inability to let his walls down, yet likewise, Lydia was a tad aggressive and needy sometimes in her pursuit for my liking. That said, I was obsessed with the tangible chemistry between them. I also found them interesting - and invested in their romance almost immediately.
There is a lot of growth, patience and understanding blended with humorous moments within this story. It was heartfelt, intense, and sexy as all get-out. This was such a bingeable read which I devoured.
lt_tara's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
No because listen... Are you kidding?! I'm literally speechless, this was so fucking good I can't even form words right now. This was exactly the Karla Sorensen I fell in love with and this book was absolutely amazing, it had the same charm as the original Washington Wolves series and I had a blast reading this from start to finish. I had to give it 4.5 because somehow this book reminded me so much of The Marriage Effect, I didn't want this story to end and I was eating it up. The narration was so well done, the story had really good pace, I looooooved the characters and I had so much fun with the plot.
I've loved almost all the books I've read from Karla but nothing came was exactly like Paige and Logan's story, until Lydia and Erik. I was feeling all the feels, I really saw the trademark spark in them and I also loved how the story had a bit of angst that I actually wish would be even more present. I really liked how the story progressed and I somewhat knew what it was about but not everything which I think made it even more enjoyable for me. Another thing, we got introduced to Erik's family, Adeline who's gonna be Emmett's love interest and the other siblings that have so much potential, especially Parker who might join the Wolves in the future.
Lydia was the queen. I freakin adored that girl, I didn't know much about her but I loved her so much. She was so smart and kind, she fiercely loved the people she cared for and I really liked that she was just a completely down to earth girl who was willing to try new things, she easily made new friendships because of her bright personality but she was also really good at overcoming trauma from her accident. Lydia was also stubborn and very sneaky which I loved, plus she was a hell raiser and when she set her mind to something she was all in.
Erik was basically the most stubborn. and blind idiot ever. That man made my blood boil above and beyond anything. I was raging honestly. He was such an intriguing person, I liked that he cared for his family and for Lydia so much, he was so protective over Lydia but mostly he was such a big help for her. I think it was very beautifully shown how much in tune they were and how they calmed each other but also challenged the other person to bring out the best in them. Erik had a lot of baggage from his past, he was the typical quiet brooding type, especially at the beginning, but I enjoyed watching him open up to Lydia and learning how to enjoy life again and have fun. But like I said, he was the biggest pain in my ass and I wanted to smack him on the head at how fucking dumb and stubborn he was at the end. That man was so deep in love with Lydia but still managed to be an idiot and deny his feelings literally for the stupidest reasons.
I was infuriated at the end but at the same time I was having the time of my life and I was so invested. I really liked how slowly but surely Erik and Lydia's relationship grew over the span of the book, they were a perfect match in my eyes, I loved seeing them do things together and spend time getting to know each other. Their banter was really great, I was laughing a lot, I also think their chemistry and the romance were set up very well. The built up tension between them was palpable and I loved their relationship especially because they had trust in each other. The story was so enjoyable, we were changing locations, characters were coming and going, there was always something happening but the second half was the most action packed. There are certain times when I'm in the mood for drama and angst and I was so in that mood with this book. We got a little somethin somethin but I wanted even more, I really felt Lydia's pain and Erik's as well, their fight and the things he said.. ay mama, I was living for it but I wish it could have been even more brutal because I was fucking ready for Erik to grovel until he passed out, but that did not happen, he moped for a bit and then once his whole family literally yelled into his face about being a fool he went after Lydia. And it took one half-assed conversation for them to get back together and I was not having it. I wanted him to fucking crawl, to beg and I wanted Lydia to make him work for it. But sadly no, that wasn't the case because that girl was so in love with him, she was ready to forgive him and the story about the baby was his free pass because the is no way she could have stayed pissed off after that right? (right?! actually she should have stayed pissed off and a boss-ass queen ready for some groveling). On the other hand I have to admit they were so cute together and like disgustingly in love, my heart was melting. The epilogue was the sweetest, once again...disgustingly in love, ready to get married and have all the children.
As always, it was a pleasure seeing Allie and Luke in action as parents and total work bosses, Faith was there too and I love her more and more, the little Dominic moment warmed my heart because he is such a protective ass. No Wards but that's fine considering book three is literally about Emmett Ward, again I'm so happy we got introduced to so many new characters from Erik's family and I cannot wait to see if they get their own stories. This book was honestly so good, I loved it so much because it was exactly what I wanted and needed, it had charm and it felt like Karla's writing that I fell in love with. I am so ready for more stories and I have a feeling that Emmett's book is gonna make me freak out not only because it's gonna be filled with generations of Wards but also because we'll be getting a deeper look at Erik's other siblings and also because from what I've read from the blurb, Emmett is a goner for Adeline, he is there to win her over, he's a man on a mission and he's ready to fuck some shit up.
No because listen... Are you kidding?! I'm literally speechless, this was so fucking good I can't even form words right now. This was exactly the Karla Sorensen I fell in love with and this book was absolutely amazing, it had the same charm as the original Washington Wolves series and I had a blast reading this from start to finish. I had to give it 4.5 because somehow this book reminded me so much of The Marriage Effect, I didn't want this story to end and I was eating it up. The narration was so well done, the story had really good pace, I looooooved the characters and I had so much fun with the plot.
I've loved almost all the books I've read from Karla but nothing came was exactly like Paige and Logan's story, until Lydia and Erik. I was feeling all the feels, I really saw the trademark spark in them and I also loved how the story had a bit of angst that I actually wish would be even more present. I really liked how the story progressed and I somewhat knew what it was about but not everything which I think made it even more enjoyable for me. Another thing, we got introduced to Erik's family, Adeline who's gonna be Emmett's love interest and the other siblings that have so much potential, especially Parker who might join the Wolves in the future.
Lydia was the queen. I freakin adored that girl, I didn't know much about her but I loved her so much. She was so smart and kind, she fiercely loved the people she cared for and I really liked that she was just a completely down to earth girl who was willing to try new things, she easily made new friendships because of her bright personality but she was also really good at overcoming trauma from her accident. Lydia was also stubborn and very sneaky which I loved, plus she was a hell raiser and when she set her mind to something she was all in.
Erik was basically the most stubborn. and blind idiot ever. That man made my blood boil above and beyond anything. I was raging honestly. He was such an intriguing person, I liked that he cared for his family and for Lydia so much, he was so protective over Lydia but mostly he was such a big help for her. I think it was very beautifully shown how much in tune they were and how they calmed each other but also challenged the other person to bring out the best in them. Erik had a lot of baggage from his past, he was the typical quiet brooding type, especially at the beginning, but I enjoyed watching him open up to Lydia and learning how to enjoy life again and have fun. But like I said, he was the biggest pain in my ass and I wanted to smack him on the head at how fucking dumb and stubborn he was at the end. That man was so deep in love with Lydia but still managed to be an idiot and deny his feelings literally for the stupidest reasons.
I was infuriated at the end but at the same time I was having the time of my life and I was so invested. I really liked how slowly but surely Erik and Lydia's relationship grew over the span of the book, they were a perfect match in my eyes, I loved seeing them do things together and spend time getting to know each other. Their banter was really great, I was laughing a lot, I also think their chemistry and the romance were set up very well. The built up tension between them was palpable and I loved their relationship especially because they had trust in each other. The story was so enjoyable, we were changing locations, characters were coming and going, there was always something happening but the second half was the most action packed. There are certain times when I'm in the mood for drama and angst and I was so in that mood with this book. We got a little somethin somethin but I wanted even more, I really felt Lydia's pain and Erik's as well, their fight and the things he said.. ay mama, I was living for it but I wish it could have been even more brutal because I was fucking ready for Erik to grovel until he passed out, but that did not happen, he moped for a bit and then once his whole family literally yelled into his face about being a fool he went after Lydia. And it took one half-assed conversation for them to get back together and I was not having it. I wanted him to fucking crawl, to beg and I wanted Lydia to make him work for it. But sadly no, that wasn't the case because that girl was so in love with him, she was ready to forgive him and the story about the baby was his free pass because the is no way she could have stayed pissed off after that right? (right?! actually she should have stayed pissed off and a boss-ass queen ready for some groveling). On the other hand I have to admit they were so cute together and like disgustingly in love, my heart was melting. The epilogue was the sweetest, once again...disgustingly in love, ready to get married and have all the children.
As always, it was a pleasure seeing Allie and Luke in action as parents and total work bosses, Faith was there too and I love her more and more, the little Dominic moment warmed my heart because he is such a protective ass. No Wards but that's fine considering book three is literally about Emmett Ward, again I'm so happy we got introduced to so many new characters from Erik's family and I cannot wait to see if they get their own stories. This book was honestly so good, I loved it so much because it was exactly what I wanted and needed, it had charm and it felt like Karla's writing that I fell in love with. I am so ready for more stories and I have a feeling that Emmett's book is gonna make me freak out not only because it's gonna be filled with generations of Wards but also because we'll be getting a deeper look at Erik's other siblings and also because from what I've read from the blurb, Emmett is a goner for Adeline, he is there to win her over, he's a man on a mission and he's ready to fuck some shit up.
bodheyy's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 ⭐️
They have the characters and the chemistry between them to do a good book but i feel like the first part of the book she was building something big and in the end just give up and write whatever she thought it was good enough.
The sex scenes were really floppy and like i was losing myself, i have to read them three time to them to make sense in my head.
It really hurts me that i don’t like these book cause the Washington Wolves saga is one of my favorites sports romances books out there but after Sisters Wards i feel like every book related to the original saga is not good.
They have the characters and the chemistry between them to do a good book but i feel like the first part of the book she was building something big and in the end just give up and write whatever she thought it was good enough.
The sex scenes were really floppy and like i was losing myself, i have to read them three time to them to make sense in my head.
It really hurts me that i don’t like these book cause the Washington Wolves saga is one of my favorites sports romances books out there but after Sisters Wards i feel like every book related to the original saga is not good.
leisaann's review against another edition
5.0
Soooooo sooooo good!
Nothing like a grumpy hero who thinks he doesn’t deserve love and the strong, wiser than her years, heroine to bring him to his knees! I loved every single second of reading this book. Erik has been through a lot and Lydia is going to help him work through it….whether he wants to or not! Lol. Lydia is so much more than meets the eye….don’t under estimate her….she’s so much more than a pretty face. Absolutely love this series!
Nothing like a grumpy hero who thinks he doesn’t deserve love and the strong, wiser than her years, heroine to bring him to his knees! I loved every single second of reading this book. Erik has been through a lot and Lydia is going to help him work through it….whether he wants to or not! Lol. Lydia is so much more than meets the eye….don’t under estimate her….she’s so much more than a pretty face. Absolutely love this series!
cnapierkowski's review against another edition
4.0
I love this world! After finishing The Plan, I want to start at the beginning and immerse myself in the Washington Wolves again.