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aedavison's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
🌟Audio Book Review🌟
🎧📚 When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein
Former footballer, Alfie Harding, is a man of few words. He doesn't share his life with the public and he'd like to keep it that way, thank you very much. However, he's somehow been wrangled into writing a memoir. Enter Mabel Willicker, a bubbly ghostwriter who's been tasked with getting Alfie to open up. But when photos of Mabel leaving his home go viral, the pair are pushed into a fake dating scheme to keep the ghostwriting under wraps. It'll be simple. They won't catch feelings. They aren't each other's types. Right?
When Grumpy Met Sunshine was a hilarious novel full of tropes and the most amazing Meet Ugly in the history of literature. The banter was top tier and the romance... chef's kiss!
The audiobook of When Grumpy Met Sunshine, written by the fantastic Charlott Stein and narrated by the wonderful Emily Spowage will be published on February 6, 2024.
Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.
🎧📚 When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein
Former footballer, Alfie Harding, is a man of few words. He doesn't share his life with the public and he'd like to keep it that way, thank you very much. However, he's somehow been wrangled into writing a memoir. Enter Mabel Willicker, a bubbly ghostwriter who's been tasked with getting Alfie to open up. But when photos of Mabel leaving his home go viral, the pair are pushed into a fake dating scheme to keep the ghostwriting under wraps. It'll be simple. They won't catch feelings. They aren't each other's types. Right?
When Grumpy Met Sunshine was a hilarious novel full of tropes and the most amazing Meet Ugly in the history of literature. The banter was top tier and the romance... chef's kiss!
The audiobook of When Grumpy Met Sunshine, written by the fantastic Charlott Stein and narrated by the wonderful Emily Spowage will be published on February 6, 2024.
Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Alcoholism
basilreads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Child abuse and Alcoholism
I did not feel the love connection between the characters. I thought they were boring and one-dimensional.abby2207's review
4.0
This was a really fun read! I loved the Roy Kent-esque Alfie and Mabel together. The banter was enjoyable, and I genuinely laughed out loud at some parts. I also loved the chapter titles! Alfie and Mabel were so real and I liked how they immediately clicked (although it was a bit insta-lovey if that’s something you don’t like). I wish that we could’ve gotten more depth to the characters and the side characters because I felt like it was missing a little bit of that. It also took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did, I got really into it. I’m a sucker for a celebrity romance and I really enjoyed this one! Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Alcoholism
stephbeaudoin20's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
5.0
When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein
I'm not sure there are words to describe how much I loved this book!!!!!! I received an ARC from NetGalley, but this has already been added to my to be purchased list, and I will be investigating the author’s back catalog!
Things I am here for:
Mable is a confident, happy, plus-sized heroine. Yes!!!!!
Alfi is a grumpy gorgeous footballer a la Roy Kent, but Alfie is his own character and so very wonderful!
The internal and external dialogue is absolutely hilarious!
Steamiest sex scenes ever! Alfie is all like, you need to masturbate, we all do it, just do it, you'll feel better.
Alfie's dirty talk. Swoon!
How Alfie makes Mabel is number one priority in so many ways.
A Fax Machine!
I have so many wonderful highlights in this book. And it was and advanced copy, so this might not be in the final book, but I love it so much.
“Like it was so ridiculous, it was. But somehow at the same time it was all the ways people almost lost each other, over everything they couldn’t say. This is the way the world ends, she thought. Not with a fight, but with a single word left unsaid.”
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I'm not sure there are words to describe how much I loved this book!!!!!! I received an ARC from NetGalley, but this has already been added to my to be purchased list, and I will be investigating the author’s back catalog!
Things I am here for:
Mable is a confident, happy, plus-sized heroine. Yes!!!!!
Alfi is a grumpy gorgeous footballer a la Roy Kent, but Alfie is his own character and so very wonderful!
The internal and external dialogue is absolutely hilarious!
Steamiest sex scenes ever! Alfie is all like, you need to masturbate, we all do it, just do it, you'll feel better.
Alfie's dirty talk. Swoon!
How Alfie makes Mabel is number one priority in so many ways.
A Fax Machine!
I have so many wonderful highlights in this book. And it was and advanced copy, so this might not be in the final book, but I love it so much.
“Like it was so ridiculous, it was. But somehow at the same time it was all the ways people almost lost each other, over everything they couldn’t say. This is the way the world ends, she thought. Not with a fight, but with a single word left unsaid.”
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Addiction
runlaurarun's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse, Alcoholism, and Fatphobia
literaryrogues's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very cute, and very British haha, if you aren’t familiar with some of the slang then you might be a bit confused. I really loved Alfie and Mabel’s dynamic and how they poked fun. The romantic gestures and secret “I love you”s were so charming and honestly some of the best I’ve read. This also got quite steamy, Alfie is quite the dirty talker.
It lost some points for me with the ending, I understand why it worked out the way it did, but I think it could have been a bit better with the cutoff and time jump (trying not to give spoilers). Both characters grapple with insecurities and feeling unloved, partially left over from their alcoholic/abusive fathers. But also for Alfie being a footballer that is only defined by his rage, and for Mabel as only being “curvy and too bubbly and too annoying.”
Alfie is very comparable to Roy Kent from Ted Lasso and Mabel’s editor is basically Ted so also keep that in mind.
It lost some points for me with the ending, I understand why it worked out the way it did, but I think it could have been a bit better with the cutoff and time jump (trying not to give spoilers). Both characters grapple with insecurities and feeling unloved, partially left over from their alcoholic/abusive fathers. But also for Alfie being a footballer that is only defined by his rage, and for Mabel as only being “curvy and too bubbly and too annoying.”
Alfie is very comparable to Roy Kent from Ted Lasso and Mabel’s editor is basically Ted so also keep that in mind.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Alcoholism
kdscolley's review against another edition
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
While there was some cute banter and sweet moments, I struggled with believing in these two characters. I wanted to so bad too. Like look at how fucking cute the cover is!
Let me start with the good. The spicy scenes are spicy. Our MMC has a potty mouth too, so wowza. And when he is saying lovely things about our main lady Mabel, the words are eloquent and GRAND GESTURE worthy.
But here are my not so good thoughts:
*There happened to be a lot of tropes that are popular, and it sometimes felt like those were forced for the readers. Grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, only one bed, hates everyone but her, miscommunication, etc.
*The writing was sometimes hard to follow. I’d have to reread the dialogue 2-3 times sometimes just to figure out who said what. And because they are I think from Norway, the author writes them with the accent in some of the dialogue. That usually doesn’t bother me, but there were parts where I didn’t follow the words and had to look things up for it to make sense.
*Theres such small mention of the side characters and friends that I felt like they either needed to be in the story a little more or not at all. It kinda felt like how lacroix tastes…blah with a hiiiint of flavor.
*I didn’t enjoy the 3rd act breakup/resolution because it felt so rushed and like…we skipped over a year. Literally?
Lastly, as a fellow fat girl, I fucking love books where fat babes find love. What I don’t enjoy is a fat main character that loves herself and thinks she’s great while simultaneously thinking she’s so ridiculously undeserving of love from this beautiful ex-football/soccer player. Especially when there are clearly signs of his feelings that’s she just writes off as “impossible” …for months?
Let me start with the good. The spicy scenes are spicy. Our MMC has a potty mouth too, so wowza. And when he is saying lovely things about our main lady Mabel, the words are eloquent and GRAND GESTURE worthy.
But here are my not so good thoughts:
*There happened to be a lot of tropes that are popular, and it sometimes felt like those were forced for the readers. Grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, only one bed, hates everyone but her, miscommunication, etc.
*The writing was sometimes hard to follow. I’d have to reread the dialogue 2-3 times sometimes just to figure out who said what. And because they are I think from Norway, the author writes them with the accent in some of the dialogue. That usually doesn’t bother me, but there were parts where I didn’t follow the words and had to look things up for it to make sense.
*Theres such small mention of the side characters and friends that I felt like they either needed to be in the story a little more or not at all. It kinda felt like how lacroix tastes…blah with a hiiiint of flavor.
*I didn’t enjoy the 3rd act breakup/resolution because it felt so rushed and like…we skipped over a year. Literally?
Lastly, as a fellow fat girl, I fucking love books where fat babes find love. What I don’t enjoy is a fat main character that loves herself and thinks she’s great while simultaneously thinking she’s so ridiculously undeserving of love from this beautiful ex-football/soccer player. Especially when there are clearly signs of his feelings that’s she just writes off as “impossible” …for months?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
jasbeingjas's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? No
3.75
I received an ARC from Netgalley. I was a little worried in the first chapter that I might not love this book, the way I originally thought I would, but then I quickly fell into the story and the characters. This felt like reading a cross between Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (one of my favorite books, with a plus size FMC who ends up with a celebrity crush) and Ted Lasso (because Alfie immediately made me think of Roy Kent and I'm pretty sure Beck was Ted Lasso). I love the grumpy sunshine trope, along with a bit of the fake dating trope. I was worried about the pacing for a bit before I realized that actually the tension was building perfectly and I didn't even realize when I became so invested in the story. I loved the way Alfie and Mabel fell for each other. This is my first read from this author and will definitely check out more in the future!
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia, Child abuse, and Alcoholism
dogoodwithbooks's review
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Closed Door Modifications: Chapter 21 (some parts), Chapters 23-25 (some parts)
I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
When retired pro footballer Alfie Harding is asked to finally pick a ghostwriter for his upcoming memoir, he never suspected to wind up working with the very cheerful Mabel Willicker and having to talk about his feelings about his life to her. When their arrangement and dynamic banter is mistaken as a new relationship, Alfie and Mabel decide to fake-date in order to get the press off their backs. Though, as their fake relationship continues, the lines between what’s fake and what’s real begins to blur and Mabel and Alfie wonder if there’s something more to their relationship.
I personally loved When Grumpy Met Sunshine and I think it’s a new release to keep your eye on this winter.
Perfect for fans of By the Book, Yours Truly, and Things We Never Got Over, When Grumpy Met Sunshine has the perfect blend of grumpy x sunshine and fake dating. With an adorable FMC and a grumpy MMC that can rival Knox Morgan, their dynamics make for a delightful rom-com read that will make you laugh out loud and tug at your heartstrings.
Stein’s writing style also adds a unique layer to the book’s plot and really makes it engaging to read. I personally like the voice she gives to Mabel and Alfie in this book and I feel that it really makes them relatable. The outside commentary bits at the end of each chapter (though I feel like some of them weren’t totally necessary) offers insight into Alfie’s life and overall character development. Though, I wish Stein took some more time into writing more of Mabel’s character growth since we don’t often get to read into it as much compared to Alfie’s.
Other than that as well as some work on plot structure, I have little complaints on When Grumpy Met Sunshine and I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh voice in rom-coms with great use of the grumpy x sunshine trope.
I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
When retired pro footballer Alfie Harding is asked to finally pick a ghostwriter for his upcoming memoir, he never suspected to wind up working with the very cheerful Mabel Willicker and having to talk about his feelings about his life to her. When their arrangement and dynamic banter is mistaken as a new relationship, Alfie and Mabel decide to fake-date in order to get the press off their backs. Though, as their fake relationship continues, the lines between what’s fake and what’s real begins to blur and Mabel and Alfie wonder if there’s something more to their relationship.
I personally loved When Grumpy Met Sunshine and I think it’s a new release to keep your eye on this winter.
Perfect for fans of By the Book, Yours Truly, and Things We Never Got Over, When Grumpy Met Sunshine has the perfect blend of grumpy x sunshine and fake dating. With an adorable FMC and a grumpy MMC that can rival Knox Morgan, their dynamics make for a delightful rom-com read that will make you laugh out loud and tug at your heartstrings.
Stein’s writing style also adds a unique layer to the book’s plot and really makes it engaging to read. I personally like the voice she gives to Mabel and Alfie in this book and I feel that it really makes them relatable. The outside commentary bits at the end of each chapter (though I feel like some of them weren’t totally necessary) offers insight into Alfie’s life and overall character development. Though, I wish Stein took some more time into writing more of Mabel’s character growth since we don’t often get to read into it as much compared to Alfie’s.
Other than that as well as some work on plot structure, I have little complaints on When Grumpy Met Sunshine and I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh voice in rom-coms with great use of the grumpy x sunshine trope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Alcoholism and Child abuse
meganpbell's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A curvy, bubbly ghostwriter finds herself in a fake dating scheme with a grumpy footballer a la Ted Lasso’s Roy Kent in this rom-com about being yourself and embracing your softness that’s as HOT as it is hilarious! Highly recommended for fans of grumpy/sunshine pairs, Cinderella/celebrity romances, when it’s painfully obvious they’re head over cleats in LOVE but they’re total utter numpties/silly gooses about it, and absolutely FILTHY dirty talk.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail