4.28 AVERAGE

emotional funny 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: Complicated

I know when I read a Brighton book that I’m getting a hero who is absolutely obsessed with his love interest and is usually the biggest grump. 

Atlas brought the grump to new levels but also the level of obsessed to a new level. 

I think his relationship with Laurel was actually my favourite. He truly is daddy grump. 😂
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Small town
One night stand
Fake dating
Grumpy x sunshine
Forced proximity 
Single mom

Duet narration - Jason Clarke & Emma Wilder
Phenomenal narration!

I loved this book so much! 

Atlas the town grumpy high school football coach. He is the protector, the problem solver of his family. This big mountain of a man is in need of some loving in his life. Sutton is a single mom to a teenager and she is a traveling nurse. When she has a one night stand with a grumpy man who came to her aid. 

These two are so fun! The witty banter. I LOVED the sarcasm and sassy FMC of Sutton. Laurel Sutton daughter is a moody but overall good kid. Atlas is an amazing protector and care giver. Taking the BEST care of these girls. 

Highly recommend this book. It is a must listen! 
Be sure to check out the extended epilogue on Brighton Walsh’s website! It’s worth it
lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

It is a solid 3 star book. You can't go into it expecting everything in the world because you will be disappointed, but as a light fluffy read that will pull you out of a slump it is great!
emotional hopeful 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: Complicated
funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

Tropes:
Grumpy x sunshine
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Small town

This was my first Brighton Walsh book and I can say I loved it so-so-so much!

I started reading with the prejudiced idea that it was just another grumpy x sunshine book , as there are so many books adopting this trope, and I was SO wrong. And gladly I was that wrong, because it's such a funny and sexy and hot-as-hell and loving story! The chemistry between those 2 is just off the charts, for real.

The scenes in the hotel bar and then in the One Night bar? They will forever live in my head.

And 11 O's in one night? Holly hell, what were you thinking? 😄

"Mr. Tall, Dark and Grumpy" and Sutton and Lolo deserved this beautifully written story.

Oh Brighton, Brighton, you did this SO addictive...and now how can we wait for the other brothers' books?

And by the way, thank you to have written these characters that all love books. Because we do too 🙂

Thank you Brighton Walsh and The Smuthood for the eARC opportunity


 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous funny lighthearted tense fast-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

Sutton and Atlas? This one starts with a one night stand and I was immediately pulled in.  She’s sunshine and sarcasm, he’s a broody ex-football player turned high school coach who doesn’t know what to do with a woman like her… especially when she moves into his backyard cottage. Throw in her teenage daughter, fake dating gone wrong (or very right), a leaky roof, and a whole lot of sexual tension—and you’ve got a situation.

I loved that Sutton doesn’t put up with anyone’s crap, especially Atlas’s grumpy attitude. And let’s be real, the man triesto stay annoyed, but he’s gone for her. The way he shows up for both Sutton and her daughter had me soft. Plus, this small town is nosy, messy, and full of side characters I actually want more of.

Now, the audiobook? Outstanding! Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder killed it. Jason gives Atlas that deep, low growl that makes every line sound like a threat or a promise. Emma’s performance as Sutton a total win—equal parts sass, heart, and just the right amount of bite. And the way she nailed Laurel’s teenage one-liners? Spot on. These two had great rhythm, and the steamy scenes? They did not hold back. 

Thank you @brighton_walsh for the #gifted ARC and ALC. All opinions expressed are my own. 
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book has been on my tbr since it was first released and I'm so glad I finally got to it. Have you ever read a book that you enjoyed so much you wish you could read it for the first time again? For me, that is this book. 
 
Sutton is a single mom who, as a traveling nurse has moved around quite a bit. While resting in a hotel overnight, she meets Atlas, a tall, dark and handsome stranger. Agreeing to just one night of fun, they have a night of passion before parting ways, never expecting to see each other again. 
 
The next day, Atlas discovers that the person moving into his guest house is none other than Sutton and her teenage daughter. Thinking she is stalking him, they get off to a rough start as neighbors, which only gets worse when Atlas learns that she is the new nurse at the school he coaches football at. 
 
What follows is absolute hilarity, heartbreak, and fun as the two find themselves drawn back to each other again and again. 
 
The book is filled with everything a good romance should have from spice that hits just right to fun side characters that leave you wanting more. I am so excited to continue with this series! 
 
Tropes: 
  • One night stand
  • Forced proximity
  • Single mom
  • Grumpy/sunshine
  • Small town
  • Reluctant cat dad
  • He takes care of her


 
Overall Rating:
 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 

 
Overall Spice:
 
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
mdewkett's profile picture

mdewkett's review

4.0

4.5 ⭐️ this book is a complete delight! Grumpy ex NFL star? Yes. Single mom with Gilmore girl vibes? Yes. The freaking kitten distribution system? Yes! Excellent spice? Yes
Sutton and Atlas have such a fun story from a random hookup at their hotel, to her and her daughter becoming his tenants, to fake dating and forced proximity and falling in love with some miscommunication along the way. This is the perfect fun and spicy read and I have to say Brighton hit it out of the park