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Karla Sorensen
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Focused: A hate to love sports romance (Ward Sisters Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Karla Sorensen (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 11,382 ratings
You know the hot neighbor boy you crushed on all your teenage years? Imagine seeing him ten years later and he turns out to be a complete jerk, then you know how I feel.

Our last encounter was awkward, given I’d climbed into his bedroom window to turn my unrequited crush into something ... requited. That day was bad enough, but things just got worse.

Noah Griffin turned himself into one of the best football players in the country and a transfer to the Washington Wolves— the team I work for—lands him on my doorstep. The timing couldn't be worse, because my boss just handed me the opportunity of a lifetime. And that promotion rides squarely on Noah's big, muscular, condescending shoulders.

He wants nothing to do with me, and the feeling is so very mutual. But for the sake of my career, I can ignore all those things about him that drive me insane. His eyes. His mouth. His big, big … hands. Until one day, we can’t ignore them anymore.

You know what they say about the line between love and hate though? They’re so very right.
  • An Amazon top 50 bestseller
  • A #1 Sports Romance bestseller
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  1. Book 1 of 4
    Ward Sisters
  2. Print length
    276 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    January 7, 2020
  5. File size
    5.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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  1. I could fall in love with you so easily. And you would break my heart if you couldn't love me back in the way I deserve.
    Highlighted by 1,192 Kindle readers
  2. "We watched her dismantle The Machine with hardly any effort. We watched you fall in love with her. And her with you."
    Highlighted by 1,173 Kindle readers
  3. Because sometimes, the best things in life come straight from your blind side.
    Highlighted by 1,139 Kindle readers
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Customer Reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars 11,382
4.4 out of 5 stars 11,382
4.4 out of 5 stars 11,382
—
Price $4.99 $0.99 $14.99 $19.28
Ways to binge read Focused! Read with your Kindle, Kindle app or KU membership Narration by David Bendena and Em Eldridge Paperback featuring couple cover Paperback featuring gorgeous alternate cover

Editorial Reviews

Review

"THIS BOOK, you guys. THE SWOON. I cannot even tell you. It's a delicious, heartfelt, sexy slow-burn that gets you in the feels. I couldn't put it down." - Angie's Dreamy Reads
"Packs an emotional punch while still bringing plenty of swoon, sweet and a few laughs along the way. Utterly unputdownable." - Red Hatter Book Blog .A wonderful novel that will become one I will re-read time and time again." - Nicki, Overflowing Bookcase ." Why have I not read a Karla Sorensen book before? I just loved 'Focused', from the first page until the last page this was my type of sports romance book. This has been put straight into my Fav section on my Kindle." - World of Books 65 ." Oh my heart! This was absolute perfection. Noah is EVERY-GROWLY-THING I want in my BBF & I just adored Molly's quiet strength and wit. Together they were kaboom." - Michelle, Goodreads reviewer

About the Author

Karla Sorensen has been an avid reader her entire life, preferring stories with a happily-ever-after over just about any other kind. It doesn't take much to keep her happy...a book, a really big glass of wine, and at least thirty minutes of complete silence every day. She still keeps her toes in the world of health-care marketing, where she made her living pre-babies. Now she stays home, writing and mommy-ing full time. She currently resides with her husband and their two sons in Michigan.

Em Eldridge is an experienced audiobook narrator and voiceover artist. Having narrated over one hundred titles, she has earned an Earphones Award as well as a Voice Arts Award. When not narrating, she loves to play the piano and sing along when no one is listening.

David Bendena is an actor and a musician based in the Midwest. His theatre experience over the past twenty years has taken him to stages throughout Chicago, Kansas City, and Michigan. He is very proud to be a member of the Actors Equity Association and to be a Resident Artist with the Purple Rose Theatre Company.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B082S4BGBN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dutch Girl Publishing, LLC (January 7, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 7, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 276 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B09JR9TGKS
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 11,382 ratings

About the author

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Karla Sorensen

Karla Sorensen

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Karla Sorensen is a #1 Amazon bestselling author who refuses to read or write anything without a happily ever after. When she's not reading Dramione fanfic or avoiding the laundry, you can find her watching football (British & American), HGTV or listening to Enneagram podcasts so she can psychoanalyze everyone in her life, in no particular order of importance. With a degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University, she made her living in senior healthcare prior to writing full-time. Karla lives in Michigan with her husband, two boys and a big, shaggy rescue dog named Bear. 

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
11,382 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this romance book engaging and well-written, with a happy ending that makes their hearts melt. The characters are well-developed, particularly Noah's personality, and the story features just the right amount of angst. Customers appreciate the book's humor, with one noting the wonderful banter, while another mentions the beautiful forest land setting. The pacing is quick and keeps readers interested throughout.

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114 customers mention "Readability"114 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as sweet, fun, and amazing, with one customer noting it's a feel-good read.

"...I could not put this story down, it made me laugh and tear up and smile and get mad, it had the full gamut of emotions inside its pages!..." Read more

"Loved this but I would have loved an epilogue to go along with it. Such a cute couple and second chance of sorts...." Read more

"...They were an exceptional couple, and I hope I get to read more about them in the following sisters books. Up next is one of the twins Claire." Read more

"...not, but that's where I fell in love with this family, so it was nice to revisit and get cameos of past characters...." Read more

112 customers mention "Story quality"109 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the love story in the book, particularly Molly and Noah's relationship, with sweet happy endings.

"...Their backstory is communicated briefly at the beginning and then brought up a couple of times but not to the detriment of the story but as a..." Read more

"...Minimal heat but it was in the perfect spot. Loved their story" Read more

"I loved this story so much! I only wish it lasted longer, and marriage and kids were involved...." Read more

"I enjoyed reading Noah and Molly's story. Molly had not seen Noah since she was 16 and had tried to seduce him...." Read more

67 customers mention "Character development"60 positive7 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, particularly Molly and Noah's personalities, with one customer noting the appearance of past characters as a nice touch.

"...I loved the family characters, her sisters (Claire, Lia and Isobel), her brother Logan and his wife, Paige and their son...." Read more

"...She was such a lovable character - so impulsive - I knew 9 years later, she was going to be an amazing woman...." Read more

"...recommend this book, and I can't wait to read more books from this amazing author!" Read more

"...would bring meaning to his life outside of sports, a true match for his grumpy demeanor...." Read more

33 customers mention "Writing quality"30 positive3 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well-crafted and easy to read, with one customer noting that the pacing is just right.

"...It is so well written that it feels natural. Well done!..." Read more

"...Otherwise, well written and enjoyable! ✔️neighbor ✔️shut down MMC ✔️here to prove herself FMC ✔️office romance..." Read more

"...I really enjoyed this story. It has spice, but it isn't overly explicit or descriptive...." Read more

"I liked this Author I’ve been enjoying her books. Nice easy read, i laughed I sympathized with the characters. All in all would recommend to a friend." Read more

32 customers mention "Emotional content"32 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional content of the book, finding it heart-warming with the right amount of angst, and one customer mentions it made their heart melt.

"...laugh and tear up and smile and get mad, it had the full gamut of emotions inside its pages!..." Read more

"...Slowly, the author provided peace and passion and made us forget the inner turmoil. It is so well written that it feels natural. Well done!..." Read more

"...A beautifully giving soul, I was yelling for Noah to open his eyes and see that Molly was the one that would bring meaning to his life outside of..." Read more

"...I recommend this book, for all the feelings and emotions dealt within this book." Read more

27 customers mention "Humor"27 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book, finding it sweet and making them laugh, with one customer highlighting the wonderful banter between characters.

"...could not put this story down, it made me laugh and tear up and smile and get mad, it had the full gamut of emotions inside its pages!..." Read more

"...This story gave me smiles when I wanted them, feel-good butterflies when I needed them, and warm fuzzies when I least expected them...." Read more

"...It gave my heart a workout and left me smiling. Noah and Molly had an intense but rough start as teenagers...." Read more

"...This book had all the passion and humor (of both the comical and the dry variety) that I’ve come to expect from this author. I love it all!!..." Read more

25 customers mention "Sweetness"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book sweet, with the love between the characters shining through beautifully, and one customer describes it as contemporary at its finest.

"...Such a cute couple and second chance of sorts. I loved the buildup, the push and pull, I loved it all. Minimal heat but it was in the perfect spot...." Read more

"...So sweet. And I feel Molly had her own personal growth, in her professional career...." Read more

"...But it was cute (I know that I use this particular word three times now, but that's the only way I can describe it 🤷🏻‍♀️)...." Read more

"...Noah doesn’t want anything to do with Molly Ward. Sure, she’s beautiful, but after she climbed in his window when they were teenagers, he realized..." Read more

20 customers mention "Pacing"14 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, finding it quick and engaging, with one customer noting how it pulled them in from the start.

"...Focused was exactly what I needed right now. It gave my heart a workout and left me smiling...." Read more

"...This book pulled me in from the start and didn’t let go. I stayed up until 2am to finish it because I didn’t want to put it down...." Read more

"...And her with you. Man oh man, the burn with this one. It was SLOW!..." Read more

"...Slow burn plot, while also focusing on friendship and character growth. The overall plot was well developed and moved smoothly along...." Read more

Football and love ❤️
5 out of 5 stars
Football and love ❤️
I loved Molly and Noah's story. When Molly was young, she snuck into his bedroom but got caught by his dad, and since then, she hasn't been around noah. Now, all grown up, she's offered a position that puts her Into a documentary not knowing for sure it was going to be Noah, the only restriction is no franderization by her boss. Noah is all about football and doesn't want to let anything get in his way. But Molly will bring out his true self and feeling that can't be denied.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Beth in Ohio
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully fulfilling read
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I have found a new-to-me author that can deliver the goods and I couldn’t be happier!!
    Karla Sorensen’s book kept me reading well into the night. I could not put this story down, it made me laugh and tear up and smile and get mad, it had the full gamut of emotions inside its pages! I will not spoil the story by telling you all about it but suffice to say, it is worth the less than 8 hour night’s sleep that you will get.
    Noah and Molly are written so well and their characters are developed beautifully. Their backstory is communicated briefly at the beginning and then brought up a couple of times but not to the detriment of the story but as a reminder of where they had been, where they are now and how that formed where they are going.
    I loved the family characters, her sisters (Claire, Lia and Isobel), her brother Logan and his wife, Paige and their son. They all added their own layer to the narrative and I can’t wait to read their individual stories. (I already have Claires’s story and Logan and Paige’s story loaded in my Kindle.). I will be checking out Karla’s other books and loading them up as well!
    Bravo Karla!! Bravo!! You have a new fan!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kim Gauger
    4.0 out of 5 stars super cute
    Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this but I would have loved an epilogue to go along with it. Such a cute couple and second chance of sorts. I loved the buildup, the push and pull, I loved it all. Minimal heat but it was in the perfect spot. Loved their story
    One person found this helpful
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  • Lori R
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this so much!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    LOVED this!

    Oh the feels in this one!
    I experienced them all.
    This story gave me everything.

    After meeting 16 year-old Molly in The Marriage Effect, I couldn’t wait to dive into her story. She was such a lovable character - so impulsive - I knew 9 years later, she was going to be an amazing woman.

    Grumpy, scowly Noah is sexy AF. He was Molly’s next door neighbor nine years ago. It was his window she snuck into. Her brother/legal guardian, Logan, was absolutely furious. Noah and his father ended up moving away and Molly was sure she’d never see him again.

    Well...fast forward nine years and Noah “The Machine” has been traded, he now plays football for the Washington Wolves. So guess what? He has to see Logan...every day...because Logan is now Noah’s defensive coach.

    AND he has to see Molly again.
    Every day.
    Let the tension & stress begin.

    Happy-go-lucky, intelligent, wanna-fix-everything Molly is a very confident and lovable. When her new boss gives her a job that involves working closely with Noah, she’s convinced she can do it. Of course, she was shocked at first, but she’s sure she can remain professional and there will be no problems.

    Noah is living with blinders on, missing out on life, family, love. He tries so hard to ignore all of Molly’s positivity and kindness and goodness...and the way her a$$ looks in yoga pants. He has zero time for distractions. He’s boring, doesn’t really have any close friends, and he’s fine with that. But, he does feel guilty for never seeing his beloved Grandma. He knows he needs to visit her more, but his career is important to him.

    I love, love, love grumpy heroes. Especially when they glower and glare and sometimes can’t hold back their smirks and smiles because the heroine is so frickin adorable and awesome. That grumpy hero is Noah. *swoon*

    It takes the huge-hearted Molly to show him what he’s missing. She takes apart The Machine little by little, piece by piece, until realization slaps him in the face and he sees what’s truly important and what makes him happy. The chemistry between these two was off the charts hot.

    This story gave me smiles when I wanted them, feel-good butterflies when I needed them, and warm fuzzies when I least expected them. I’m always impressed with Ms. Sorensen’s writing and this book was another perfect example of that.

    I loved this story so much! Have I said that yet?!
    I dove right into Claire’s story (Faked) right after this one. You get a little snippet of her book at the end.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Whitney Gregory
    5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this story so much! I only wish it lasted longer, and marriage and kids were involved. However, I highly recommend this book, and I can't wait to read more books from this amazing author!
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  • Monique Cashmere
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sports Romance 🏈
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I was happy to venture back to the Washington Wolves, and catch up with the sisters from that series. One in particular, this book is about Molly and the one that got away..so to say. Noah Griffin was the boy that lived next door and after an encounter with Molly, went back to college and became The Machine. Now he’s a man, and was traded to the Wolves and he’s back in Washington. It would be an understatement to say that he was blind sided when they met up again.

    You could tell from the beginning, that there was a special connection between them. That first time, fate wasn’t on their side, age and circumstances were all wrong. But now it’s years later, Noah is in the pro’s and Molly is working for the team. Although, and I wasn’t fully on board with this scenario, as I feel the owner wouldn’t have approved the contract, but Molly signed a no fraternizing deal with her new boss. This made things very difficult once Noah and Molly let their guards down, even if it was for one weekend.

    I loved the way Noah, when finally seeing what was right under his nose, goes about to show Molly how their relationship looks to the outside world. So sweet. And I feel Molly had her own personal growth, in her professional career. They were an exceptional couple, and I hope I get to read more about them in the following sisters books. Up next is one of the twins Claire.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Chelleq
    3.0 out of 5 stars Sweet read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed reading Noah and Molly's story. Molly had not seen Noah since she was 16 and had tried to seduce him. Years later, she is working for the football team Washington Wolves when he is unexpectedly traded to them. She thinks she will be fine being around him, only to discover that isn't the case. Noah isn't too thrilled to see her again. He's afraid that she might try to do something crazy to him. They're forced to work together on a project and the animosity they feel towards each other slowly starts to change. There were a couple of surprises and I did like the way the book ended. Can't wait to read Claire's story next.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • lara
    5.0 out of 5 stars NFL lovers
    Reviewed in Italy on June 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Se avete seguito i capitoli precedenti della storia, conoscerete anche le sorelle di Logan Ward. La storia di questo libro parla di Molly e del suo re-incontro con Noah. L’ultimo volta che si erano visti, lei era entrata nella camera del vicino ed erano stati scoperti dal padre del ragazzo. Sarà un disastro anche stavolta? Lui è iperfocalizzato sul football, lei ora lavora per i Wolves.
    Report
  • Canadian Girl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    These two! I just love their story and how it all worked out. A crush at 16 with the boy next door turned into a love for each other that is hot hot hot. They are so cute and fun together. I love them.
    Report
  • Vitor Lucas Lacerda de Oliveira
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good romance…
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 1, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The rom is cute, their history togheter and everything was nice. But it took basically 85% of the book so they could actually DO something. And after that, it hadn’t much of development.
    Report
  • Sabrina_2111
    5.0 out of 5 stars It was a cute love story
    Reviewed in France on October 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the characters and the evolution of their relationship.. was a cute read and i can’t wait to read more.
    Report
  • SPICYREADINGCORNER
    5.0 out of 5 stars Omg
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This was the type of book you never wanted to end, the type where you're reading the pages so quickly but trying to slow down so you could savour it that little bit longer. Of course the need to finish the story outweighed the need to savour it.
    It's the type that just sits so deeply, the characters, the relationships, all of it.
    I laughed, I smiled, I held my breath as I read every word
    So well done that its been added to my top favourite romances
    Report

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