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A review by dogoodwithbooks
When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein
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