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A review by ginniereads
Grumpy Jake by Melissa Blue
4.0
This was a cute enemies-to-lovers ish, low angst novella. I had fun with this one. Bailey is a kindergarten teacher who despises the father of a boy who is in her class. He has a reputation of having relationships with all the teacher and staff at his sons school and cutting them off at a certain point.
Bailey was a fun character. I enjoyed her personality, spunk, and the little banter between her and Jake. I loved her as a teacher and the relationship she had with Jake's son. As a teacher myself, I loved seeing that part portrayed in the story.
As for Jake, he was a misunderstood character with a sad backstory. He also built a bad reputation, which he brought on himself by serially dating teacher's in his son's school. I love me a misunderstood character. I felt he totally lacked the grumpy part, hence the title of the book. I really didn't see the grump at all, though Bailey was trying hard to make it seem that way. Instead what I did see, was a caring father who is dealing with grief the best way he can, which was not talking about it. As a (single) mom myself, I totally understood why he was the way he was when it came to dating and the women he brought around his son. I did however feel like his reasoning for ending things with Bailey was a bit much, but again as a parent I can understand.
The romance in this book was cute and definitely had some steamy parts. I needed a little more enemies-to-lovers vibes though. I felt it was a lacking in that. I did love seeing their relationship blossom and grow, which was believable. I also liked the attraction and the sexual tension they secretly had for each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read. Though it had a few things missing and moved rather quick, that is expected from a novella. However, it left me satisfied and wishing to have more of Bailey and Jake's story.
Bailey was a fun character. I enjoyed her personality, spunk, and the little banter between her and Jake. I loved her as a teacher and the relationship she had with Jake's son. As a teacher myself, I loved seeing that part portrayed in the story.
As for Jake, he was a misunderstood character with a sad backstory. He also built a bad reputation, which he brought on himself by serially dating teacher's in his son's school. I love me a misunderstood character. I felt he totally lacked the grumpy part, hence the title of the book. I really didn't see the grump at all, though Bailey was trying hard to make it seem that way. Instead what I did see, was a caring father who is dealing with grief the best way he can, which was not talking about it. As a (single) mom myself, I totally understood why he was the way he was when it came to dating and the women he brought around his son. I did however feel like his reasoning for ending things with Bailey was a bit much, but again as a parent I can understand.
The romance in this book was cute and definitely had some steamy parts. I needed a little more enemies-to-lovers vibes though. I felt it was a lacking in that. I did love seeing their relationship blossom and grow, which was believable. I also liked the attraction and the sexual tension they secretly had for each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read. Though it had a few things missing and moved rather quick, that is expected from a novella. However, it left me satisfied and wishing to have more of Bailey and Jake's story.