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A review by the_rabble
When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Fucking flawless. Immediately endearing tale of two cheerfully loveable characters.
Single POV, spicy, upbeat. Protagonists in their 30s, one is fat, both are very hot.
[ 🌌 Bisexual Reader Seal of the Double-Crush Achieved ]
I've never read Stein before, but am adding her to my list of romance authors to devour a back catalogue.
I had such a good time with this book. You're in it from jump. The banter pops. The ending is well done- despite pulling off some trickier choices(a time jump) that have challenged other authors. Endings are hard and she stuck the landing- so good. 🙌
Halfway through I had to go, "wait, is this single POV?" bc Stein fleshes out and communicates Alfie's actions and motivations so clearly. Sometimes there's a deficit in progressing emotional intimacy without dual POV- it's so artfully not the case here.
Narrator: Emily Spowage killed it. She skipped doing voices for the most part on dialogue, but the read on the plot prose and internal monologue was perfect.
Also, some of the hottest sex scene reads I've heard. Which is a hell of a vibe switch from the pitch perfect bouncy rom-com prose she nails mere seconds prior.
Who I Wouldn't Rec This Book To: I love it. It hit me perfectly and has an excellent message. So it's a short list.
The only reason not to read it would be if you had an issue with some set dressing around celebrity culture or extreme wealth - our boy Alfie is a soccer boy with a brawler history, and paparazzi do show up for a scene or two.
Typically, the wealth & spectacle are turnoffs for me but you end up loving these characters so fast, those factors barely register.
Single POV, spicy, upbeat. Protagonists in their 30s, one is fat, both are very hot.
[ 🌌 Bisexual Reader Seal of the Double-Crush Achieved ]
I've never read Stein before, but am adding her to my list of romance authors to devour a back catalogue.
I had such a good time with this book. You're in it from jump. The banter pops. The ending is well done- despite pulling off some trickier choices
Halfway through I had to go, "wait, is this single POV?" bc Stein fleshes out and communicates Alfie's actions and motivations so clearly. Sometimes there's a deficit in progressing emotional intimacy without dual POV- it's so artfully not the case here.
Narrator: Emily Spowage killed it. She skipped doing voices for the most part on dialogue, but the read on the plot prose and internal monologue was perfect.
Also, some of the hottest sex scene reads I've heard. Which is a hell of a vibe switch from the pitch perfect bouncy rom-com prose she nails mere seconds prior.
Who I Wouldn't Rec This Book To: I love it. It hit me perfectly and has an excellent message. So it's a short list.
The only reason not to read it would be if you had an issue with some set dressing around celebrity culture or extreme wealth - our boy Alfie is a soccer boy with a brawler history, and paparazzi do show up for a scene or two.
Typically, the wealth & spectacle are turnoffs for me but you end up loving these characters so fast, those factors barely register.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse