Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - When Grumpy Met Sunshine

I thought this was going to be a formulaic rom-com and sure, it had its fair share of tongue in cheek tropes. But the way she wrote about how trauma, especially childhood trauma, shows up in a relationship? Chef's kiss in a rom-com package.

My only complaint is that it felt like things moved really quickly. I would've appreciated the book being like 20% longer to smooth some of the plot timing out.

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idktheyear's review

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Tropes done well, soooo well. I enjoyed the banter and there are so many lovely tropes that were executed well. The declaration of love at the end of the book was adorable. Main characters are well developed, but the side characters fall a little flat- when you even get to see them.

I rated it less stars because sometimes the pacing felt off and things wrapped up a little too rapidly for my taste. Also, it was very British in terms of dialect and writing style, so at times I had to reread dialogue or internal monologue to get the intended tone and such.

It's a very enjoyable read if you like tropes and storylines that focus solely on the two main characters.

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allingoodtime's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I want to start by saying this is not a romantic comedy. Luckily I didn’t go into this one thinking that way, but I’ve seen a lot of people calling it that. Sure, it has funny bits and is very witty, but it’s not a comedy and shouldn’t be judged as such.

Speaking of witty, boy does this book have banter. I know that’s not everyone’s thing, but I love it! Of course, sometimes it slowed me down because I’m from the U.S. and the characters are British so I would have to think about what was being said to follow it correctly. I didn’t mind, though. Mabel and Alfie are both brilliant, tender, and (surprisingly) have low self-esteem. As the reader, I could read so much more into their banter than they were reading into what was being said because of their self-worth issues. It was beautiful and gutting at the same time.

This story is the type of romance where she is THE ONE in his eyes. She calms him with a look and reassures him with a gentle touch. He makes her feel safe to be her true self, good and bad. Alfie and Mabel become friends; good, trusting, ride-or-die friends. This story has a slow build, but it’s delicious because their friendship is everything. And once that slow build catches fire, it is an inferno. Holy cow, these two are filthy in the best way.

At the beginning of this book, I thought I was going to miss having a dual POV. We only have Mabel’s POV and I desperately wanted to know what Alfie was thinking. At some before even getting a quarter of the way into the story, I realized it was important to not have his POV. I’m not someone who can explain this sort of thing, but it seemed to me to be very intentional and important to the reading experience for the reader to unravel Alfie at the same time as Mabel was unraveling him. But in the last few chapters…phew! It was hard. The final chapter makes it all worth it in the end. I promise. It’s sublime.

Sandwiched in between the initial meeting and the swoony ending is so much growth for both characters. Both have to find what makes them happy. Not just what they’re good at, but what they want to do. Their relationship ultimately forces them to do so.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

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natashaleighton_'s review

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Sizzlingly swoon-worthy, fabulously entertaining and full of northern charm—When Grumpy Met Sunshine is a banter filled (and heartfelt) Rom-Com that I loved from start to finish.

It follows Mabel a sunshiny, plus sized ghost writer who’s been brought in to ghostwrite the memoir of famously grumpy footballing Legend, Alfie Harding (who has already rejected the previous sixteen writers!) The pair clash a little at first, but after Mabel gives Alfie a piece of her mind they soon find common ground—which leads Alfie to opening up about his life, in ways he’s never done before.

But, after Mabel is papped leaving the ex-Man Utd player’s house (in an innocuous but oh soo secret writing session) rumours start to circulate about their supposedly blossoming relationship. With the need to keep up the pretence that Alfie is writing his own memoir (or risk kissing her job prospects goodbye) the pair have no choice but to fake date… at least until the book is released.

However, what started as a reluctant (but mutually beneficial) arrangement is slipping into something far more serious (and steamier) than Mabel had ever anticipated, and as her feelings for the short tempered sporting legend grow, so too does her uncertainty over what is real and what is fake.

This was such a deliciously addictive and humorous read that I (a self confessed Grumpy x Sunshine fanatic) couldn’t get enough of! The writing was incredibly engaging, and the characters all soo wonderfully witty and nuanced —especially Mabel and Alfie (though Alfie’s assistant and Mabel’s best friends were also rather entertaining.)

Mabel, our overly cheerful protagonist was an engagingly endearing character and I loved getting to explore her sensitive, yet heartwarmingly complex nature. I also loved the depth we see in her inner thought processes and feelings surrounding her struggles with self worth, which, as someone who is also plus sized felt incredibly relatable.

Though much as I loved Mabel, it was our misunderstood cinnamon roll of a love interest, Alfie that stole my heart. His adorably grumpy (and socially awkward) interactions were soo endearing—in a heartwarming, Nick Miller meets Roy Kent kind of way. Despite his own hang ups and trauma, Alfies’s unwavering support and trust in Mabel had me rooting from the start.

Though as entertaining (and swoon-worthy) as Alfie and Mabel were together, I have to warn they do curse up quite a storm—which, I know may be off putting for some readers. Personally, I thought their creative use of swears worked well in breaking the tension between them, and helped bring a sense of normalcy (and relatability) to an otherwise uncomfortable situation.

Overall, a deliciously fun, laugh out loud Rom-Com that fans of Grumpy X Sunshine or opposites attract romances are sure the enjoy.

Also, a huge thank you to Chloe at Pan MacMillan for the finished copy.

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readwithkait's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book was such a fun read, one of my recent favorites for this the fake dating grump sunshine tropes. Both characters are really funny and cute and adorably awkward. They’re kind of forced into the fake dating scenario, and it goes just as awkwardly and uncomfortably as it might if this happened in real life - they’re both unsure of themselves, struggling to communicate clearly, and generally bumbling through life - in the most fun way.

The book is also surprisingly spicy - I wasn’t expecting as much spice as this book had, but it felt very natural and not at all forced, like many other books in this genre end up feeling.

My only complaint was the classic miscommunication / third act break up, which I felt like could have easily been replaced with many other conflict options. There’s also an abrupt jump forward a year, which was confusing.

I was provided a complimentary ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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bookedwithbonnie's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Rating: 3.5/5

A steamy, opposites-attract romance between a grumpy retired footballer and his sunshine-y ghostwriter...

Of course Alfie and Mabel have a meet disaster, and Alfie goes about trying to fix it in the sweetest ways only for Mabel to be an awkward mess. Once we got past the awkward, I started to enjoy Mabel and Alfie's story, the fake dating to keep her ghostwriting his memoir a secret, them bonding and trusting each other, their banter... then all of the spice hit and I feel like we lost some of the story to fit in hotter scenes (and I mean HOT scenes).

So while I liked most of the story, the miscommunication killed me a little bit (as it always does) but the ending just tugged at my heartstrings and brought me back up again!

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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befthhh's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

*I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I absolutely adored this book! Mabel and Alfie were such lovable characters both with self image issues that I think many people can relate to.
Another absolute standout in the book we’re the intimate scenes. They were so hot, so passionate, and so loving. I really found myself blushing at times.
My one qualm is that the book was not told in dueling perspectives. I was desperate to hear Alfie’s internal monologue through all the doubts they were clearly both having about the other’s attachment.
Other than that just a wonderful, emotional, sexy read!

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goatsrsexy's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I don't give 5 star ratings to contemporary romance novels very often. I usually see them as kind of junk food palette cleansers between more serious reads. And I don't mean to sound like a book snob that's just how I feel okay? But I absolutely loved this book. The only bad thing I have to say about it is that the title is kinda lame lol. I have not had so much fun or laughed so much reading a book in a LONG time. It was so refreshing. I also read the book super fast. I loved Alfie omg he is the sweetest person ever I wish I knew someone like that in real life. The little bits of social media and news articles in between chapters were always fun. The chapter names were great too, I just love when chapters actually have titles. And I have to say I also really liked that this was just from one POV. I know most people prefer dual POV for romance but I think it ruins the magic a bit when you know what both people are thinking. Anyways, this is a great read and I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes romcoms.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy!

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