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nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
His Grumpy Childhood Friend was a wonderful fall read. Charlotte and Mike were both relatable, seeing the Cider Bar sisters and meeting Charlotte and Mike’s families was nice, and I really liked the thesis or theme of the book. Side note: Mike’s friends also had some lovely moments, especially Mason in the second last chapter. I’m looking forward to reading Julie’s novella in the fall and Sierra’s (?) next year.
lizelsaurus's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
merlinereads's review
4.0
Aww this was adorable. Charlotte and Mike were cute together, the practice dating to real dating was cute. Happy that wasn't dragged out. I enjoyed the character work done in such a short book and that they each had a friend group support system. 🌟 4 stars 🌟
thisreadingcorner's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
phoenixinthecity's review against another edition
3.0
Grumpy heroine and relatively sunshiney hero who are childhood friends separated by his emotionally abusive parents who moved them away from their small town to the city. They end up meeting again 20 years later in the city when she asks him to help her practice dating - and we of course know how this ends. :)
mommygirliebooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Another Jackie Lau book that I loved! I really enjoyed Charlotte and Mike's love story and the close relationship Charlotte had with her friends. Definitely planning to read more of The Cider Bar Sisters series and just more Jackie Lau books in general!
emmalita's review against another edition
4.0
While the first book in Jackie Lau’s Cider Bar Sisters series, Her Big City Neighbor grew on me as I read it, I fell immediately into the second book, His Grumpy Childhood Friend. Charlotte is at a baseball game with her boyfriend of 3 years when her actual nightmare happens, he proposes on the jumbotron. She runs away and goes on a five year dating moratorium. As one does.
When we rejoin Charlotte in the present (an alternate universe present with no COVID-19), she would like to have a boyfriend again, but is insecure about her rusty dating skills. Charlotte is very happy that her work at home job as a geophysicist consultant means she can go days without leaving the house or interacting with people. I know she’s smiling on the cover, but she’s the grumpy one. I love that she’s just grumpy. It isn’t because of childhood trauma or an unhappy family. She was a grumpy child too. I’m all in favor of women getting to be grumpy just because they are.
Mike, on the other hand, did have a traumatic childhood with verbally and emotionally abusive parents. As a front, he learned to be the super fun sunshine guy. When Charlotte and Mike run into each other at the cider bar, Charlotte sees an opportunity to get in some practice dates. She asks Mike to be her dating coach because surely he knows all about dating. Mike doesn’t tell her that he has mostly spent his adult years trying to repair the damage from his childhood and does not have vast dating experience. He is very happy for an excuse to spend time with Charlotte and maybe turn those dating lessons into real dating. Mike especially enjoys easing Charlotte out of her comfort zone, just a little bit and winning smiles from her.
Their transition from former friends reconnecting as adults who fake date for fun to a real couple with a strong chance of a long and successful relationship is lovely. The crisis that arises in their relationship is not big, but it is handled beautifully and with compassion. I can’t talk about the ending, of course, because of spoilers, but I think it may be my favorite resolution to any of Jackie Lau’s book.
His Grumpy Childhood Friend has all the great Toronto food and strong friendships you want from a Jackie Lau, with an addition of terrible geology puns. It’s out October 27th. I received this as an arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.
When we rejoin Charlotte in the present (an alternate universe present with no COVID-19), she would like to have a boyfriend again, but is insecure about her rusty dating skills. Charlotte is very happy that her work at home job as a geophysicist consultant means she can go days without leaving the house or interacting with people. I know she’s smiling on the cover, but she’s the grumpy one. I love that she’s just grumpy. It isn’t because of childhood trauma or an unhappy family. She was a grumpy child too. I’m all in favor of women getting to be grumpy just because they are.
Mike, on the other hand, did have a traumatic childhood with verbally and emotionally abusive parents. As a front, he learned to be the super fun sunshine guy. When Charlotte and Mike run into each other at the cider bar, Charlotte sees an opportunity to get in some practice dates. She asks Mike to be her dating coach because surely he knows all about dating. Mike doesn’t tell her that he has mostly spent his adult years trying to repair the damage from his childhood and does not have vast dating experience. He is very happy for an excuse to spend time with Charlotte and maybe turn those dating lessons into real dating. Mike especially enjoys easing Charlotte out of her comfort zone, just a little bit and winning smiles from her.
Their transition from former friends reconnecting as adults who fake date for fun to a real couple with a strong chance of a long and successful relationship is lovely. The crisis that arises in their relationship is not big, but it is handled beautifully and with compassion. I can’t talk about the ending, of course, because of spoilers, but I think it may be my favorite resolution to any of Jackie Lau’s book.
His Grumpy Childhood Friend has all the great Toronto food and strong friendships you want from a Jackie Lau, with an addition of terrible geology puns. It’s out October 27th. I received this as an arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.
bau9's review against another edition
5.0
Another book by Jackie Lau that I loved!
Thr thing with books by this author is that have some heavy issues treated the right way and at that at the same time are romcoms. The characters are mature, likeable and funny.
In this book in particular I loved that Mike knew he had issues and even though there was no therapy on page he knew he needed help. I loved thta after being chidhood friends and being apart many years, Charlotte and Mike found each other and made it work.
This book was cozy, fun and it made me smile.
Can't wait to read the rest of the series ❤
Thr thing with books by this author is that have some heavy issues treated the right way and at that at the same time are romcoms. The characters are mature, likeable and funny.
In this book in particular I loved that Mike knew he had issues and even though there was no therapy on page he knew he needed help. I loved thta after being chidhood friends and being apart many years, Charlotte and Mike found each other and made it work.
Spoiler
BTW,there is not third act breakup and I loved thatThis book was cozy, fun and it made me smile.
Can't wait to read the rest of the series ❤