Faking It With the Grump by Kate O’Keeffe is a lighthearted and charming romantic comedy that takes the beloved fake-dating trope and spices it up with opposites-attract chemistry, quirky small-town vibes, and a grumpy-sunshine dynamic. While it doesn’t reinvent the rom-com genre, it delivers plenty of humor, swoon-worthy moments, and a cast of endearing characters.

Harper Cole is a relatable and spirited protagonist who’s navigating the aftermath of a high-profile breakup. Her return to her small hometown sets the stage for a story filled with awkward encounters, meddling neighbors, and a few hilariously cringeworthy matchmaking attempts. Harper’s frustration with the pitying stares and unsolicited advice adds depth to her character, making her decision to fake-date the town’s brooding newcomer feel like a satisfying rebellion.

Christopher Young, the titular grump, is a classic straight-laced hero. Focused on his career and determined to keep his time in Hunter’s Creek temporary, Christopher’s cool demeanor and city-slicker tendencies clash delightfully with Harper’s warm, free-spirited personality. His transformation from grumpy businessman to someone willing to embrace a slower, more meaningful pace of life is predictable but still enjoyable to watch unfold.

The chemistry between Harper and Christopher is undeniable, especially as their fake relationship begins to blur the lines between pretense and genuine feelings. The public kiss that starts it all is a humorous and bold moment that sets the tone for their dynamic. However, their romantic progression at times feels rushed, leaving some emotional beats underexplored.

The small-town setting of Hunter’s Creek is as much a character in the story as Harper and Christopher, filled with charming locals, nosy neighbors, and a cozy atmosphere that feels like stepping into a Hallmark movie. However, the subplot involving Christopher’s corporate goals and the town’s lumber mill could have been developed further, as it adds stakes but feels slightly underutilized.

While the story leans heavily on familiar tropes and a predictable arc, *Faking It With the Grump* shines in its humor and light, escapist tone. Fans of rom-coms looking for an easy, feel-good read will appreciate the quirky banter, opposites-attract dynamic, and the satisfying journey from fake dating to real love.

Perfect for readers who enjoy authors like Tessa Bailey and Christina Lauren, this novel offers a breezy romance that’s as sweet as it is entertaining. Though it doesn’t quite hit the mark of unforgettable, it’s a delightful way to spend a cozy afternoon.

I don’t think this story was for me. It had everything I normally like but I couldn’t connect to the characters. I will definitely read more from this author though.

This is a delightful, feel-good romance that hits all the right notes for fans of the genre. This light-hearted tale centres on two characters who agree to fake a relationship, each for their own reasons. Of course, as with any great romance, the line between pretending and real feelings begins to blur.

The charm of this book lies in watching the protagonists navigates their growing emotions. Both are convinced their feelings aren’t mutual, leading to plenty of "does-he-like-me?" tension that’s equal parts relatable and endearing. The story expertly balances humor, heart, and a dash of longing, making it easy to root for the pair from start to finish.

The characters are likable and relatable, and their journey from pretend romance to true love is as satisfying as it is swoon-worthy. If you’re looking for a sweet, uplifting romance that will leave you smiling, this one’s a must-read!

★★☆☆☆

Faking It With the Grump had all the right ingredients—grumpy-sunshine dynamics, a small-town setting, and fake dating. Unfortunately, the story just didn’t deliver. The plot was predictable to a fault, leaving little room for genuine excitement, and the relationship lacked depth. There’s a difference between closed-door romance and characters acting like teenagers, and here, the immaturity in their interactions was frustrating rather than endearing. Though charming in moments, the story’s lack of maturity made it more tedious than romantic.

TL;DR: Predictable and frustratingly immature; charming setup, but lacks depth and spark.

Thank you NetGalley.
I was very excited for this but sadly it left me stranded and I have no idea how to get back.
I couldn’t connect with the characters, I didn’t care for the insta love. Overall this was sadly a miss for me

I started this book earlier this year and finally finished it this past weekend! It was a cute grumpy x sunshine story with solid writing and good banter between characters. I mostly read this book when I needed a quick palate cleanser between other books or activities I was focusing on. I enjoyed reading little snippets of it here and there and it was a good book to pass time with!

The the dynamic between the two lead characters was good. That alone keeps you reading.I liked the fake relationship aspect of the novel.

Unfortunately, after multiple attempts I have been unable to get into this book. It felt very slow for me and the characters were not likable which made it hard to root for them and enjoy the story. Due to that I have decided to soft DNF the book and potentially pick it up at a later date.

While this book had a lot going for it, it missed one pivotal thing, chemistry between the lovers. You can't have a romance and not have chemistry between the leads. On their own they are great, interesting and likeable but together-not so much.
I think this series got off to a rough start but the author can create interesting characters and a great setting so I'm hopeful the series will have some stellar romance going forward.
I received ana arc of this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

In "Faking It With the Grump" by Kate O’Keeffe, readers are treated to a charming and witty romance that proves love can blossom in the most unexpected of places – even in a small town bar full of lumberjacks.

Harper Cole, fresh from a breakup with a Hollywood star, finds herself back in her small hometown, facing the pitying looks and well-meaning matchmaking attempts of her neighbours. Determined to take control of her own narrative, Harper sets her sights on Christopher Young, the uptight newcomer with a penchant for suits and ties in all the wrong places. What begins as a scheme to ward off unwanted sympathy soon turns into something neither Harper nor Christopher could have anticipated.

O’Keeffe's storytelling sparkles with humour and heart as she navigates the dynamics between Harper and Christopher. Harper's sassy and spirited personality contrasts wonderfully with Christopher's grumpy demeanour, creating a delightful dynamic that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. Their fake relationship quickly evolves into something genuine and heartfelt, challenging both characters to confront their preconceived notions and embrace the unexpected.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Hunter's Creek, Washington, "Faking It With the Grump" captures the essence of small-town charm while delivering a thoroughly modern romance. O’Keeffe expertly balances laugh-out-loud moments with tender, poignant scenes, ensuring that readers are fully invested in Harper and Christopher's journey from start to finish.

What truly sets this novel apart is its exploration of the grumpy-sunshine trope, where opposites attract in the most delightful of ways. Harper and Christopher's chemistry sizzles on the page, proving that sometimes, the most unlikely pairings can lead to the greatest love stories.

"Faking It With the Grump" is a delightful start to the Second Chance Café series, promising readers a cast of engaging characters and swoon-worthy romances to come. Whether enjoyed as a standalone novel or as part of the series, this book is sure to leave readers with a smile on their faces and a warm, fuzzy feeling in their hearts.

This book was just enough sweet and just enough love. The tropes in this book are some of my faves… fake dating, friends to loves, small town romance and grumpy v sunshine. When Harper gets dumped by her Hollywood boyfriend she leaves back to her hometown. When everyone in her small town want to help her find love she decides to fake date Christopher who is just in town to purchase the mill. Will they or won’t they fall in love?

I love the dual pov in this book

Thanks to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the E-ARC. This was such a cute fast read. The drama was there without it being dramatic. Harper and Christopher gave all the feels. Cant wait to keep reading this series

A cute grumpy sunshine read. I liked the book generally not my favourite of the year but a nice quick easy read while travelling or having little breaks!

This feel-good book will have you glued to the pages. Filled with all the best tropes: small-town, fake dating, opposites attract, and the best side characters that give all the cozy, found family feels. O'Keeffe delivers a super sweet, hilarious, fake dating romance between two people who couldn't be more opposite and have their own reasons for faking their relationship. Feelings get involved, true intentions are revealed, and there's no hiding from the tension between Harper and Christopher. I highly recommend for a fun, small-town romance that will have you wishing Hunter's Creek was a real place!

Grouchy/Optimistic dynamic, quaint village setting, a gradual build-up... what more could you desire!
An utterly heartwarming and effortless read, diverging from my typical choices, yet I cherished every instant of it.
The plot captivated me, the evolution of characters was remarkable, and the unfolding journey of discovering and maturing together was truly extraordinary.

I received this book for free for an honest unbiased review from Netgalley.

I wish more books were this well written. Characters were witty and the setting fantastic.

Most of the time I'm into fun, fast, predictable romances with hallmark movie vibes. However I did not like the author's portrayal of current events. Making fun of anxiety and the metoo movement just felt icky.

✨ 📖 Book Review ✨!!
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for my ARC copy.

Title: Faking It With The Grump
Author: Kate O’Keeffe
Genre: small town, fake dating, grumpy sunshine
Format: ebook
Length: 318 pages
Start: October 19, 2022
Finish: October 24, 2023
•••
1- Characters: 6
2- Atmosphere/Setting: 5
3- Writing Style: 4
4- Plot: 5
5- Intrigue: 5
6- Logic/Relationships: 7
7- Enjoyment: 6

CAWPILE Rating System: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: zero
•••
Thoughts:
This book was unfortunately too cheesy for me. A lot of the dialogue made me go, “really…?” I also didn’t like the way the time jumps were written. It was placed in the middle of a chapter without a very clear indication. Weeks or months will have passed and the reader will have to make the inference themselves later on in the chapter. There was a point where a character moved out of state and months have passed and there was no clear line break, it just goes on in the next paragraph like it’s a continuation of the previous paragraph.

Regarding the story, it was just alright. It screams very YA since the only spice you get were kissing. They talked about kissing a lot, it was almost too cringe. I probably won’t be reading the next installment in this series.

2*

While the idea of this book was not new: uptight suited lawyer temporarily moves to small lumberjack town and falls in love with the local girl, I did find this a comfortable read. The book was highly predictable, but the switching between perspectives made it interesting to read. If you're into Hallmark stories, this would be one for you.

I gave 2 stars because a few things gave me the icks, describing a person struggling with anxiety and purposefully portraying them as the grumpy one feels off to me. I would've appreciated some resurrection here, or some sort of apology from one of the characters, rather than simply ignoring it and making people like him more. This adds to the general view that anxiety is a taboo. Furthermore the mockery of the me too movement is not done, this shows there's still a lot of work to do, it's a serious issue and not something to be made fun of. Same with the racist jokes, the book could've easily worked without them, maybe even improved. Assuming someone is raised in Japan because they nod their head? We're not in the 90's anymore....

All in all: nice plot, but could be done better.

Thanks a lot NetGalley and Wild Lime Books for providing me with an ARC to read & review.

The grump was not grumpy, he has social anxiety. There is a very large difference there, and labeling anxiety grumpiness just made my heart hurt. I thought we were passed judging a book by its cover.