Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - When Grumpy Met Sunshine

Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein

9 reviews

rachminick's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

I received this audiobook through NetGalley and though it too me a few months to come back to it- I really enjoyed the story and the characters. I wished for more of the relationship and felt the abrupt third act conflict came out of left field and felt rushed. Overall, I liked the story and felt the narration added to the experience nicely.

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kshertz's review against another edition

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funny 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? Yes

4.75

I read this book in 2 days! I love a plus sized character and I love when a person can’t resist them 😍. It was awesome to follow their journey of fake dating and watch them grow and make each other better. Smut was excellent but was at the VERY END so can’t give 5 stars. But highly recommend as a great romance book that hits all the tropes for a happy ever after

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garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

Didn't love the narration, it was hard to tell who was talking when. And there were some points in the text that were almost too awkward to live through. But there was steamy stuff and decent jokes and fat positivity and a HEA.

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3readingcircus's review

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Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Loved the first 2/3 but the end was just not it for me

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milesandmiles's review against another edition

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5.0

I thought this was going to be a formulaic rom-com and sure, it had its fair share of tongue in cheek tropes. But the way she wrote about how trauma, especially childhood trauma, shows up in a relationship? Chef's kiss in a rom-com package.

My only complaint is that it felt like things moved really quickly. I would've appreciated the book being like 20% longer to smooth some of the plot timing out.

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idktheyear's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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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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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befthhh's review

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emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.75

*I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I absolutely adored this book! Mabel and Alfie were such lovable characters both with self image issues that I think many people can relate to.
Another absolute standout in the book we’re the intimate scenes. They were so hot, so passionate, and so loving. I really found myself blushing at times.
My one qualm is that the book was not told in dueling perspectives. I was desperate to hear Alfie’s internal monologue through all the doubts they were clearly both having about the other’s attachment.
Other than that just a wonderful, emotional, sexy read!

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meganpbell's review

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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.

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