A review by katelynnelawson
When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein

funny lighthearted slow-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

3.75

While the first half is slow, the banter is ON POINT and once things pick up, they pick up 🥵 Mabel is a sunshiney ghost writer working on Alfie’s memoirs. Alfie is a grumpy former footballer who has his guard up, but it ends up he has a lot in common with Mabel. The two end up fake dating to hide the real reason they’re meeting, but the chemistry is unreal and it turns out Alfie is a talented writer who just needed someone to see that in him.

The first half feels slow as Mabel is very in her head, but the banter kept me going. However, that dialogue grew tiresome in the finale. While the steamy scenes and the eventual slow burn resolution are amazing, the Mabel and Alfie have pages of dialogue in the finale that sure, THEY needed to have, but contain information the reader is aware of. (Yes, y’all were idiots, now kids already!!) Definitely could’ve been shaved down.

Overall, this is a swoon-worthy, steamy, cheeky romantic read!

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