Early Book Review: When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein

When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein is currently scheduled for release on February 6 2024. When grumpy ex-footballer Alfie Harding gets badgered into selling his memoirs, he knows he’s never going to be able to write them. He hates revealing a single thing about himself, is allergic to most emotions, and can’t imagine doing a good job of putting pen to paper. And so in walks curvy, cheery, cute as heck ghostwriter Mabel Willicker, who knows just how to sunshine and sass her way into getting every little detail out of Alfie. They banter and bicker their way to writing his life story, both of them sure they’ll never be anything other than at odds. But after their business arrangement is mistaken for a budding romance, the pair have to pretend to be an item for a public who’s ravenous for more of this Cinderella story. Or at least, it feels like it’s pretend—until each slow burn step in their fake relationship sparks a heat neither can control. Now they just have to decide: is this sizzling chemistry just for show? Or something so real it might just give them their fairytale ending?

When Grumpy Met Sunshine is a contemporary romance. I have to admit that this is a hard review for me. I adored parts of this book, so much. I am a big fan of the grumpy/sunshine and the fake romance tropes so there was a great deal that I enjoyed. But there were other parts that just felt a little off for me. I loved the premise, and was highly entertained by some of the interactions.  There were moments that I could picture the moment and laughed, and felt some second hand embarrassment and awkwardness. However, there were a few times that I had absolutely no idea what was going on, so went back to reread a passage, still had no idea so just shrugged and moved on. I thought the sexy scenes were never going to happen, but when they did they were plentiful and very well done. I liked the resolution to the issues at the end, but was less than thrilled with some of the in between moments. The whole book ended up with moments that were absolutely spectacular alternated with moments that just okay. I think the great moments just made them less wonderful moment just stand out that much more for me. That being said, there was some really great writing here and I will be looking for more from the author because I think they have a lot of talent.

When Grumpy Met Sunshine is a romance with a little bit of everything, 

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