If you’ve ever seen your teenage crush ten years later, and he turns out to be a complete jerk, then you know how Molly Ward feels. The last time she saw Noah Griffin was the regrettable day that she decided to climb into his bedroom window and turn her unrequited crush into something more. That day was bad enough, but things are about to get worse. Noah has become one of the best football … of the best football players in the country, and he’s just landed on Molly’s front step.
As a new addition to the Washington Wolves roster, Noah’s presence is the key to Molly’s promotion in the front office.
The problem is, Noah wants nothing to do with Molly, and his surly attitude is making her job very difficult.
But he’s got another thing coming if he thinks Molly will be intimidated by one grumpy football player, no matter how much he hates being around her.
Once these two go head to head, their mutual dislike explodes into undeniable chemistry. But with what they have at stake, they just might detonate everything else along with it.
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This right here is why I will always, always, always have Karla Sorensen as an autobuy author. Molly and Noah were more than I ever dreamed of. Their story packs an emotional punch while still bringing plenty of swoon, sweet and a few laughs along the way. I simply adored every bit of it.
I was already fully in love with the Ward family after reading Logan and Paige’s book, but seriously I had no idea how much more I could love them until I picked up Focused. Molly and Noah are more than just opposites, their opposite with explosive chemistry and a bit of a rocky history. And that makes for a book that is utterly unputdownable!
All the stars in the world for this! What a way to kick off my reading for 2020!! 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
Their slow burn, their banter, their chemistry – it all added up to my very favourite kind of romance.
Karla draws you into their love story like a voyeur & oh what a story they tell. Packed with humour, emotions and supporting characters that I demand ALL get a book – it’s quite simply perfect.
Gah! Such a happy reader. I am smiling like a loon right now. Definitely recommend this one.
Combining a blast from the past with a sports romance equals one amazing second chance romance that we’ve been waiting for. Karla has tugged at our heart strings once again giving us all the feels. When these 2 magnetic characters, Noah one broody sexy male from our favorite team the Washington Wolves and Molly our beautiful, career focused witty brand marketer meet the chemistry keeps you intrigued until it finally ignites into a full flame pulling you into its inferno. You won’t be able to set this book aside until you hit the last page!
Focused is a spinoff from the Washington Wolves series. This series follows the sisters of Logan Ward, from The Marriage Effect. It picks up about 10 years after that story. I seriously could not get enough of this book. These characters and the way their lives changed after one teenage mistake, and how they try to work with each other now made for such an exciting journey.
From start to finish, Noah and Molly were a fantastic opposites-attract, enemies to lovers couple. I loved reading these two fall in love. It’s subtle, sweet, and tense. Once they hit go, they really go. Molly and Noah so fun to read, and all the side characters really were amazing. Seeing the characters from the original Washington Wolves series was so fun too. Karla Sorensen has a beautiful way to not only engage the reader into the story from the opening pages but also put so much emotion into her characters that we cannot help but fall in love right alongside them.
Focused was an all around great read. Filled with witty and funny moments as well as the sweet and swoony ones. And as much as I loved Molly and Noah I also adored the secondary characters and especially the other three Ward sisters. I’m excited for their books and can’t wait for more of this already addicting series.
I have been on pins and needles waiting for the Ward girl’s stories and Molly kicked it off with a bang!
As if Molly didn’t have enough on her plate with her new boss – now her old crush was walking the field for the Washington Wolves and who was put in charge of a little project – including said crush? You betcha – Molly. Both are surprised after 10 years of not seeing each other. Old hurts still lay but Molly is determined to be the best at her job no matter if Noah is on board or not.
I absolutely loved Molly and Noah. Oh, the sexual tension was off the charts and my heart melted with the way Molly was able to nudge her way into Noah’s life.
This book gave me all the feels I devoured it all in one sitting! I can’t wait to see what Karla does with Lia, Is and Claire next!
I just love finishing a book with a genuine smile on my face. It’s so nice to let my mind fall into a truly satisfying story. Focused is a shining example off this. Molly and Noah each have a depth to them that add a flare of light to this book. I love their “Oops!” past and I love their unexpected reunion. Molly feels like she needs to prove her worth at work, and she expects a lot from herself, often to the detriment of her own happiness. She is smart and strong and beautifully loyal to her friends, family, and even colleagues. She is a sincere people person and it’s no wonder that she starts to break down the impenetrable fortress that is Noah Griffin. Noah, Noah, Noah! I heart you man! Your one-track mind is commendable in a world where too many take for granted the opportunity they have been given. But once you open your heart, it’s pure delight to read!
I love these characters and I love this story. Focused is a total feel-good sports romance with the perfect amount of wit, steam and heartache. 5 blissful stars!
I’m swooning so hard right now!! Noah & Molly were so wonderful (I mean they’re giving me major Wall of Winnipeg & Me vibes)! I loved the unwanted chemistry that they’re trying to deal with!
Watching Noah open up and realize that there’s more to life than football was so endearing. I especially loved watching him realize that he’s in love.
This was such an awesome book & I couldn’t put it down!!
Sigh. Another amazing continuation story by Karla Sorensen!
I did not expect to get to see this love unfold. Karla has done such an amazing job with creating specific scenarios early in the storylines that she then draws off of and develops into incredible stories of their own.
I think we have all been Molly at one point early on and Karla then developed her with all the emotional ups and downs of any teenager/twenty-something that she becomes us, our friends, our family. She is so relatable. Really all the characters are.
Their love story has such highs and lows that I couldn’t put it down! I read it all in one night.
I cannot wait to see what comes next from this author!!
Molly and Noah, I love them and their story so, so much!
I’ve been waiting for this story since Paige and Logan, and Karla completely blew my, incredibly high expectations, out of the water!!
Molly and Noah have a history, sort of, one bad & ballsy choice on Molly’s part.
She has worked her ass off to prove she deserves her job because she is awesome at it, not because she is a Ward. And when she is given the opportunity of a life time from her new bitchy boss, she knows it is go time…
Enter in Noah, Molly’s new opportunity.
Noah didn’t ask to get traded and he certainly didn’t ask to walk in and be told he will be working hand in hand with Molly Ward. Even though it’s been almost 10 years since ‘the incident’ he has no desire to see Molly, let alone work with her. Known as The Machine, Noah knows what needs to be done. Keep his head down and do what he does best, football. Football and only football, no real friends and no relationships. Weight lifting, training, watching videos, and more training that is what Noah does and he does it damn good.
Molly slowly breaks him, and he her.
Between finding Noah a home that is perfect and makes him feel at home, daring him into yoga (and it is as hilarious as it sounds), and falling completely in love with him, Molly has to decide is he worth it… does he feel the same way… and what the hell will Logan and Paige say…
Noah’s dumbass just can’t seem to catch anything other than a football. When it is, ever so eloquently, brought to his attention that Molly has feelings for him, the only thing Noah can think is…shit.
This is an absolute must read! Sorensen had once again raised the bar!!!
Karla Sorensen is so good an tugging on your heart strings. This second chance romance has all the feels in a slow burn kind of way. Both Noah and Molly try to fight the attraction they have for one another that started 10 years earlier. The moment Noah realizes he’s in love with Molly is everything!
I’ll admit that it took me a moment to remember just exactly who Noah and Molly were (as I knew that this story was a spinoff of sorts from her previous series)…….but once it clicked and I remembered THAT scene from The Marriage Effect, I got all giddy and excited about this story even more than I already was. And Focused just absolutely took my breath away. It was just a beautiful and wonderful slow burn, hate to love romance that I completely got wrapped up in.
I just loved the gradual, natural development of their relationship – watching how Molly was able to slowly break down the walls Noah had around him – to help show the world that there was more to him than just being known as The Machine – it was just so incredible to see. They just brought out something amazing in the other and saw things in each other that nobody else did. The chemistry, the connection – truly, everything about Noah and Molly, and this story was perfect and by the end, I was laughing and tearing up all at the same time, with the biggest smile on my face.
Oh the anticipation that Karla creates in this second chance, enemies(?) to lovers tale will have you bursting at the seams. Who of us didn’t have that moment when you did something really stupid to attract your major crush? Poor Molly crawled into Noah’s window at the ripe old age of 16! Noah was 19 and a rising college superstar. Thank goodness Molly’s plan was discovered and before the deed was done. Fast forward ten years and their paths cross again. Only this time they are both grown/mature and their careers are riding on their abstinence. At first this does not really prove to be an issue any way because of Noah, The Machine and his rigid mechanical approach to life. As Molly softens towards him, she discovers that he does have a heart underneath his armor of muscle and training schedule. This is a beautiful story of love despite the odds and overcoming the feelings and prejudice of the past.
Oh the anticipation that Karla creates in this second chance, enemies(?) to lovers tale will have you bursting at the seams. Who of us didn’t have that moment when you did something really stupid to attract your major crush? Poor Molly crawled into Noah’s window at the ripe old age of 16! Noah was 19 and a rising college superstar. Thank goodness Molly’s plan was discovered and before the deed was done. Fast forward ten years and their paths cross again. Only this time they are both grown/mature and their careers are riding on their abstinence. At first this does not really prove to be an issue any way because of Noah, The Machine and his rigid mechanical approach to life. As Molly softens towards him, she discovers that he does have a heart underneath his armor of muscle and training schedule. This is a beautiful story of love despite the odds and overcoming the feelings and prejudice of the past.
Focused is book one in The Ward Family Series and finally gives us the long awaited story of the eldest Ward sister, Molly and her teenage crush, Noah Griffin. We met the adorable young pair in book three of The Washington Wolves series (The Marriage Effect), which tells the story of her older brother Logan Ward who is raising his four younger sisters. I recommend you read at least that book prior to reading Focused. If you’re smart, you’ll read the whole series…it’s phenomenal!
Fast forward 10 years and Molly begins her new role among the Washington Wolves and despite their opposition towards working together, Molly and Noah have no say in this particular playbook. Someone else is making the calls this time, requiring Molly and Noah to spend a great deal of time together. It isn’t long before the pair start to see each other through new lenses, and Molly starts to appreciate the glimpses of the man that she sees in Noah. Sure he’s growly, surly, and generally a brooding beast most of the time, but when a woman dares to look close enough, she sees so much more to Noah than what his protective shell allows the world to see.
I really enjoyed the way that Molly and Noah’s relationship developed. This was a bit of a slow burn, but when the fire was properly stoked, the flames really took off. Noah and Molly rekindled their friendship, had wonderful banter and showed great care and concern for one another. Noah proved that he could showcase his romantic playbook quite nicely when the the time came to up his game.
I loved that they didn’t play games, and they weren’t wishy washy about their feelings. They made choices that they truly thought were the right ones, and ultimately they get the HEA they deserved. A really enjoyable second chance romance that was a light, easy read with plenty of wonderful secondary characters supporting the storyline.
I’m so looking forward to reading what lies ahead for Claire and Finn!!
What a second chance!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you want to read football romance, read it from someone who LIVES football as Karla does.
From youthful indiscretion to adults on opposite sides of the coin. Working constantly together means lots of needling and getting to know each other again all over. And seeing what’s underneath the cold, and underneath the easy demeanour. The tension crackles as it always does with Ms Sorensen’s writing and just blossoms throughout their beautiful story. Adored!
I just love when authors make me feel every single confusing, infuriating, breathtaking and heartbreaking feeling right in my heart. And Karla Sorensen did exactly that in Focused. Molly and Noah’s intense romance was so much more than a steamy sports romance. It was a perfect combination of incredible characters, spellbinding storyline and sensational writing.
I am familiar with beginning of Noah Griffin and Molly Ward’s story as she is the sister of Logan Ward and Washington Wolves star had his own story in The Marriage Effect. It started at one night of impulse when sixteen year old Molly climbed through the window of the neighbour into her college crush Noa’s room. It did not go far but it scarred them both. Now years have passed. Molly is now a responsible and hard working employee of Washington Wolves. And Noah has blocked every thing except football and became a star. Also he earned the nickname The Machine for his calm, unfazed, almost apathetic and disciplined life. He gets traded off to Washington and things become complicated. To make matters worse Molly has to work as liaison between him and the Amazon team shooting an exclusive documentary. So many things are in line. Noah’s career that can be destroyed if he lose concentration. Molly’s career bound by the non fraternisation policy of her new boss. But above all…their own hearts.
I loved Molly and Noah so much. And their chemistry is just unreal. Noah has so many shades. Through both POVs, the author slowly and expertly explores different planes of his personality. He holds back every vulnerability and strong emotions behind tightly controlled exterior. My heart aches for this complicated , stubborn and lonely man who has nothing to live for except football. And when Molly broke down his walls brick by brick, a whole new exciting and enthralling part was exposed. And I am so in love and lust with that romantic, passionate, determined , explosive and charming Noah. And Molly made it possible. This girl had a troubled early life. She has enough broken pieces in her heart and insecurity haunting her. But she is a source of bright happiness and hope. Her loving, caring, accepting and righteous heart is so precious. Their chemistry was the best possible slow burn with electrifying push and pull. The author poured honest, raw and angsty feelings everywhere. And my heart is owned. They both know their love is almost impossible and tried to fight it all the way. But they soon realized no obstacle is worse than staying apart.
Focused by Karla Sorensen set fireworks of emotions in my heart and soul. It claimed my heart from the beginning and I had a deliciously heartfelt journey. Everything about this amazing story is unique, mesmerizing and beautifully aching.
Received ARC for Honest review
This story, this book, it truly made my heart happy. Sometimes you just need a story that will have you smiling while reading and crying happy tears by the end of the story, becoming just so enthralled and in love with characters like Molly and Noah. A slow burn, hate to love romance that not only has the sizzling chemistry but the emotional pain of loving someone who has the power to destroy your whole world.
“How had I ever thought I could live a full life, a satisfying life, if I didn’t have this in it? What a fool I’d been.”
Oblivious to what his life has become, Noah has let his success in football become a solitary endeavor, outside distractions of women not even on his radar, going as far as to become celibate for the last few years, a true testament to his dedication. Yet, with one kiss, Molly has the power to undue the walls he has built up and decimate his heart, leaving him longing for more off the field than he ever needed before. With an underlying messy history of a teenage crush that ended poorly, this hate to love story builds with the anticipation of when Molly and Noah would finally let the sparks from 10 years ago come to fruition as adults. And let me tell you- when Noah’s control finally snaps – holy WOW, that man can take care of a woman in the bedroom.
What I loved most about this book is Molly and her ability to see the best in others even if she didn’t always see the best in herself. 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 sports, a true match for his grumpy demeanor. With those rare smiles from Noah warming my heart, I fell head over heals in love with this book and would highly recommend it!
Scorching, sweet, lovely.
Karla dipped us back into the world of The Washington Wolves. She has provided a heart achingly fabulous love story.
Molly and Noah do not disappoint in their chemistry and passions for both their careers and each other. We get to catch a glimpse of their love blossom and grow from when their paths first collided.
To see their interactions with not only each other, but with their families, and co-workers build the love story so completely.
Could not put this down once I started.
Honest ARC review.
4.5
Molly and Noah have a brief but dramatic history that, even many years later, continues to impact their lives in one way or another.
Working for the Washington Wolves is Molly’s dream job. A job that she has earned on her own merit, despite her brother’s role within the club. However, her new boss is not so sure and gives her an opportunity to prove her worth.
Little does she know that Noah, the newest Wolves signing, will be a pivotal aspect of her new role.
Noah ‘The Machine’ Griffin has spent the years since last seeing Molly honing his body and skill on the football field to the best it can possibly be. He has no life outside of football and a part of her ‘special project’ is to make him accessible to a viewing public as part of a documentary series.
Molly proves to be highly skilled at encouraging Noah out of his shell and a very different side to him is captured. Unsurprisingly, a beautiful friendship blossoms between this young couple.
In Romancelandia friendship is never enough though and Molly and Noah DO get their HEA.
This couple absolutely bring out the best in each other. It was a pleasure and it was a privilege to experience it first hand!
The true beauty of how that comes about has to be experienced by every reader individually. All I’ll say is that I laughed, I cried (at really inconvenient times) and I whooped out loud on more than one occasion! The journey is absolutely worth the tears and snotters!
As this is the debut novel in a new series there are some clues as to the ‘love matches’ for the rest of this series and I, for one, can’t wait!
I was completely consumed by the flawless writing of Karla Sorensen and the beautiful love story of Molly and Noah.