Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - When Grumpy Met Sunshine

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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n_heraty's review

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slow-paced

2.5

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6226955333

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natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

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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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thenewromanticsbooks's review against another edition

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hopeful 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? N/A

4.0

If you love Roy Kent you will love the MMC in this book! Grump, silent, surly British Footballers are definitely our cup of tea! The story is a contemporary RomCom of two unlikely people who fall in love. Alfie is a famous surly Ex-Footballer and has a bad reputation but deep down is the sweetest man ever. Mable is a spunky, plus size, gorgeous woman who works as ghost writer and was hired to write Alfie's autobiography.
We loved the story, it is your classic grumpy/sunshine, but it adds other tropes and representation that make the story great. In the mix that makes the story fun, you have fake dating, opposites attract, and forced proximity, plus size rep and some trauma rep. Alfie meets bubbly Mabel and their wildly fun and entering story begins. The banter is amazing, we love some good fun British banter, it is just different, charming and honest in our opinion.
If you are looking for a fun read, pick up this book!
If you love ROY KENT, pick up this book, because that is the vibe

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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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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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