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bookish_redpanda's review
4.0
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to @valentine_pr_ and the author for this opportunity.
Actual rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 (rounded up cause heck, Hugo has a mouth on him)
Spice level:
Actual rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 (rounded up cause heck, Hugo has a mouth on him)
Spice level:
profromance's review
4.0
Overall Grade: B+
Tropes: unrequited love; opposites attract; found family; grump/sunshine; billionaire MMC; rom-com
Gah, I don’t want Annika Martin to ever stop writing grumpy billionaire romances. Seriously. Just when I think she can’t write a different story, she finds one. Now, she has found a formula that seems to work for her: grumpy billionaire plus a heroine who keeps him on his toes, extrapolating his humanity through her erstwhile, independent way. Martin’s newest story, The Grumpy Billionaire, is more of this, and it is sure to put a smile on your face by the end.
To get there, however, her billionaire MMC, Hugo, has to recognize his feelings for her FMC, Stella, and he has to become comfortable acting on them. Thankfully, it doesn’t take him too long to recognize them, but it does take him a while to accept them. Martin has paced out her story well, building a mountain of chemistry between Stella and Hugo. It’s one of my favorite parts of this book. But it’s Stella’s burgeoning understanding of Hugo that is the piece de resistance of this book. If you fall in love with anything in The Grumpy Billionaire, it’s the puzzle pieces clicking together that charm your pants off.
I love Annika Martin’s ability to draw characters that are equal parts quirky and spicy. Her capacity to draw a swatch of characters over several books is special. She treats her readers to past beloved characters, and they work together to build a world that readers want to return to over and over again. Stella and Hugo now exist in this universe. We can also add their parents and Stella’s brother to that mix. Honestly, Annika Martin’s world of billionaires makes me remember the days of Fisher Price Little People toys: so many options and potential stories to tell.
If you’re looking for a story that will put a smile on your face, you should grab Annika Martin’s The Grumpy Billionaire today.
Tropes: unrequited love; opposites attract; found family; grump/sunshine; billionaire MMC; rom-com
Gah, I don’t want Annika Martin to ever stop writing grumpy billionaire romances. Seriously. Just when I think she can’t write a different story, she finds one. Now, she has found a formula that seems to work for her: grumpy billionaire plus a heroine who keeps him on his toes, extrapolating his humanity through her erstwhile, independent way. Martin’s newest story, The Grumpy Billionaire, is more of this, and it is sure to put a smile on your face by the end.
To get there, however, her billionaire MMC, Hugo, has to recognize his feelings for her FMC, Stella, and he has to become comfortable acting on them. Thankfully, it doesn’t take him too long to recognize them, but it does take him a while to accept them. Martin has paced out her story well, building a mountain of chemistry between Stella and Hugo. It’s one of my favorite parts of this book. But it’s Stella’s burgeoning understanding of Hugo that is the piece de resistance of this book. If you fall in love with anything in The Grumpy Billionaire, it’s the puzzle pieces clicking together that charm your pants off.
I love Annika Martin’s ability to draw characters that are equal parts quirky and spicy. Her capacity to draw a swatch of characters over several books is special. She treats her readers to past beloved characters, and they work together to build a world that readers want to return to over and over again. Stella and Hugo now exist in this universe. We can also add their parents and Stella’s brother to that mix. Honestly, Annika Martin’s world of billionaires makes me remember the days of Fisher Price Little People toys: so many options and potential stories to tell.
If you’re looking for a story that will put a smile on your face, you should grab Annika Martin’s The Grumpy Billionaire today.
danisbooksmut's review
4.0
I will be honest and admit that I struggled a little bit at the beginning of this story. The characters, especially Hugo, came across as awkward and jarring, and I originally put that down to the author's writing, but as the book progressed and both the characters and their relationship developed, it became clear that the awkwardness was actually a personality trait of Hugo's, and my whole perception and enjoyment of the story changed.
It's a rather cute story that meshes the brother's best friend trope with enemies to lovers, but it turns out the enemies weren't an organic emotion but were orchestrated by others to keep them apart because they've both had feelings for each other since childhood. There was lots of push and pull in their relationship as they both fought their feelings. Although the story was not massively angsty, there were a few moments that stood out for me. One is the moment when Stella finds out why she lost her job opportunity, and another involves a bottle of cologne.
Although it originally started as an office-based romance with stolen moments, the majority of the real story happens outside of that, and while there were some passionate moments, it was the other moments that stood out to me. Their communication skills were terrible, but little things like the perfect gift or eating pineapple portrayed more than words ever could.
It's a rather cute story that meshes the brother's best friend trope with enemies to lovers, but it turns out the enemies weren't an organic emotion but were orchestrated by others to keep them apart because they've both had feelings for each other since childhood. There was lots of push and pull in their relationship as they both fought their feelings. Although the story was not massively angsty, there were a few moments that stood out for me. One is the moment when Stella finds out why she lost her job opportunity, and another involves a bottle of cologne.
Although it originally started as an office-based romance with stolen moments, the majority of the real story happens outside of that, and while there were some passionate moments, it was the other moments that stood out to me. Their communication skills were terrible, but little things like the perfect gift or eating pineapple portrayed more than words ever could.
adkwriter15's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
3.5
xxselenaj's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
There were so many moments that I wanted to DNF. While I love a good grump/sunshine, I wish there was more of a slow burn. Hugo basically ruined Stella’s career! And when she confronts him he just … makes out with her? Least we forget that they went from annoying one another to fucking in an elevator. I almost threw my kindle across the room when I read that chapter. No sex is hot enough for the what the fuckery that was their chemistry. It felt so forced and random.
ninas_chaos711's review against another edition
4.0
a superrrrrr cute read. who doesn’t love the “brother’s best-friend trope” tied with “grumpy/sunshine?” this book had all of that, and i loved it.
watching Hugo peel back all of his layers and really get to the root of things was great, and i loved how he had absolutely zero issues with letting Stella know how he really felt. (and the pineapple thing is genius level lol)
as far as stella, i loved her spunky, carefree nature; she truly was a “figure it out” type of girl, and never once let hiccups get in the way of what she wanted.
i do hope we get to see a glimpse into what happens next with these two, in future books! (fingers crossed!) thank you so much Annika Martin & Valentine PR for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC for this book!
watching Hugo peel back all of his layers and really get to the root of things was great, and i loved how he had absolutely zero issues with letting Stella know how he really felt. (and the pineapple thing is genius level lol)
as far as stella, i loved her spunky, carefree nature; she truly was a “figure it out” type of girl, and never once let hiccups get in the way of what she wanted.
i do hope we get to see a glimpse into what happens next with these two, in future books! (fingers crossed!) thank you so much Annika Martin & Valentine PR for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC for this book!
leisaann's review
4.0
Hugo and Stella couldn’t be any more opposite if they tried. Hugo is a rule follower/maker, organized and focused. Stella is a rule breaker, happy go lucky and flies by the seat of her pants. But like Stella love doesn’t follow rules. I enjoyed Stella showing Hugo that live doesn’t have to be so rigid and structured. Fun story!
xoxo_tip's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Stella moves to Manhattan to start her dream job, just to see her career being shattered before it even started. Against her wishes, her parent reach out to Hugo Jones, Stella’s brother’s best friend and he offers her a job and she reluctantly takes it.
Hugo and Stella is extremely opposite. Stella can be a little unruly, reckless and crazy. Hugo is a perfectionist. He likes his life controlled spontaneity isn't his style. And that's why he was obsessed with Stella, is she the distraction he never knew he needed?
The back and forth/ chemistry between them really sucks you in, I love the The Wall Street setting because you think he all the serious man and women in suit with their briefcases, and then you have Stella who is just happy gummy worms are in the vending machine.
But what will happen when Stella will come to know that Hugo is the one who is behind her being unemployable? Can she open her heart to a man who broke it?
Hugo and Stella is extremely opposite. Stella can be a little unruly, reckless and crazy. Hugo is a perfectionist. He likes his life controlled spontaneity isn't his style. And that's why he was obsessed with Stella, is she the distraction he never knew he needed?
The back and forth/ chemistry between them really sucks you in, I love the The Wall Street setting because you think he all the serious man and women in suit with their briefcases, and then you have Stella who is just happy gummy worms are in the vending machine.
But what will happen when Stella will come to know that Hugo is the one who is behind her being unemployable? Can she open her heart to a man who broke it?
redreviews4you's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a fun and funny book that really fit my need for a great little escape from the family holiday gathering at my house. I loved the banter between Stella and Hugo that left me smirking, smiling, and all out laughing out loud. The beginning of this book was priceless and the chemistry between them was off the charts! The perfect romantic comedy read when you are looking to giggle and remind yourself about the power of love in a quick, quirky, and comic book!