Mabel Willicker, ghostwriter, has been assigned to help footballer Alfie Harding write his story. Alfie is known as the grumpiest man to ever live, so she doesn't think it will work out, especially after he calls her a cupcake (which she takes as a dig about her weight). He persists, though, saying that Mabel is the only one who can really get him to talk, and the more they work together, the more they begin to understand each other. I loved the main characters; Mabel was equal parts adorable, kind and capable which is my favorite kind of gal and Alfie was a “more than meets the eye” guy who was respectful, sweet and willing to listen and learn. They both felt very layered and well developed, watching her and Alfie slowly come together was both torturous and thrilling. I loved their love story. Spicy scenes were pretty hot even though we were edged for a good chunk of the book. When they proclaim their feelings for each other at the end I was literally in tears they were both so stupid and so sweet. Wish there had been an intimate scene between them after they’re reunited where they could have both let their walls down. Really enjoyed this one and how the relationship developed - took a bit to understand the clips from social media spliced in but overall a good one.

Thank you, St Martin's Griffin, theh author and NetGalley

I truly enjoyed this book-mostly because the main characters where great! Mabel was relatable clueless, and Alfie was an adorable mix of gruff and sweet. And they were both so funny—I was laughing a good chunk of the book! The story was mostly character driven, which worked fine for me. This is one of those books that you race through because it’s so good but then slow down because you don’t want it to end. The small issue I had that knocked it down from a five star review was this: The book was set in England, and there was a ton of confusing British slang I had to look up. (I’m American.)

Alfie is a retired soccer player (clearly inspired by Roy Kent from Ted Lasso) and Mabel is the woman hired to ghost write his memoirs. Wanting to hid Mabel’s real role in Alfie’s life, they begin fake dating. Given her past, Mabel has a hard time believing when it looks like Alfie’s feelings for her might be real.

When Grumpy Met Sunshine is a wonderful book. Stein nails the tone of Ted Lasso in the banter between Mabel and Alfie. The book was written from Mabel’s point of view and while that makes sense given how the book was plotted, there were certain scenes where I would have loved to be in Alfie’s head. Maybe Ms. Stein will give us a peek as a newsletter extra or as a pre-order bonus? I also found that the book dragged a bit when the focus was on Mabel’s innermost thoughts. I would have liked more action or dialogue to move the story forward in those parts. Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and it has one of the most romantic endings that I have seen recently in a romance. 4.5 stars!

This book started off as a 5 star read I was so into the grumpy football player and the sunshine ghostwriter love story that was so clearly unfolding but It went downhill fast I made it 78% through the book before I Dnf it .

The scene in the car after the concert really didn't me in I was actually mad that instead of them actually just having sex they did some super awkward masterbation session beside each other and then dry humped the next morning.


I really wish the story had stayed being about the book they were writing while they pretend to date instead of just being about them pretending they don't want to bang each others brains out

When I was offered the chance to read this one, I was really excited! I mean who doesn’t love a good grumpy/sunshine romance? Or fake dating romance? But this one fell flat for me.

I felt like nothing really happened for most of this book and I don’t really know much about the characters? The way the inner monologue/what was happening was written got very confusing for me. And when there’s a long break for no reason before they get back together? Not my favorite.

I will say the ending was super sweet, I just wanted it to happen earlier and I wanted more out of the connection between them.

As always, take my review with a grain of salt and try this one for yourself if it interests you! I received an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

3 stars for this one! I was very excited to read this book based on the synopsis! We have Aflie, a surly ex-footballer, who has hired Mabel to be the ghostwriter for his memoir. This book did deliver on the title with a grumpy/sunshine romance!

Unfortunately, I didn't love this book. I was expecting this to be a slow-burn as Mabel to draws out Alfie during their ghostwriting sessions and they get to know each other more. Instead, Mabel and Alfie start to fake date to explain why they're spending so much time together! No problem, I love the fake dating trope! However, the ghostwriting part of the plot got dropped once the fake dating started. This is explained away later, but there was a shift in focus to their fake relationship. There were some funny lines throughtout.

I liked the switch between Mabel's POV and magazine articles/tweets/texts/reddit. I didn't like the ending. In my mind, everything should be wrapped up before the epilogue. However, in this book, everything was reconciled in epilogue one year later. On another note, it took me until about 40% into the book to get comfortable with the writing style. Almost every sentence started with because, so, like, etc and it became distracting for me. I understand it was Mabel's internal dialogue, but it just didn't work for me.

Even though this wasn't for me, I do think a lot of people will like it. I would recommend it if you like:
-spicy scenes
-grumpy x sunshine trope
-fake dating trope
-slight age gap (5 years)
-funny romantic comedy

Also shout out to the author for including a trigger/content warning at the front! Love that!

Thank you to the author, netgallery, and St. Martin's for the eARC for an honest review!

So, um....I really found this book difficult to read. There was too much unnecessary dialogue that made it feel heavy, when it should be a fun grumpy/sunshine trope. This is my favorite type of story, so perhaps I hold it to a higher standard...who's to say? I probably wouldn't recommend it to a friend, but I would give the author another chance.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in advance.

Thanks to NetGalley! I've read other books by Stein and generally liked them. This one was different, not least because it was presented as a rom-com. And the banter and heroine's internal dialogue made me LOL. But both could have been cut down so that the romance got moving farther faster.
Small-spoiler alert -- And I found the time skip puzzling as in why so long?

Mabel is a ghostwriter, and she has been tasked to write the memoirs of Alfie, a retired footballer. Alfie is known as the grumpiest man alive yet with Mabel’s sense of humor she gradually charms him and makes him smile at least a little bit. While Alfie is all dark colors and solitude, Mabel is full of color and life. She is full-bodied so has no thought of their relationship being more than friendly. Alfie can open up to Mable because she accepts him as he is, and no one has done that before. I loved the bickering back and forth as Mabel gets Alfie talking and reliving his life for her. When people wonder what she is doing spending time with him, they decide to have a fake relationship which opens up the chemistry they have. This book is fun with a steamy romance and truths about living true to yourself.

I got 12% in and was trying to give it my best effort but something about this book really didn't sit right with me.
I think it could have been edited better, it just seemed a jumble.
I was not liking this brand of grumpiness for the guy. He just seems down right rude.

Maybe it's the timing of my picking this up but I just couldn't bring myself to try to finish

When Grumpy Met Sunshine focuses on a peppy, plus-size ghostwriter (Mabel) being hired to work with grumpy, ex-footballer (Alfie) on his memoir. Having already gone through multiple ghostwriters that didn't work out, Mabel decides to take a different approach to working with Alfie which leads to witty banter and confusing feelings.

I was really excited to read this book just by looking at the cover. With the heart of Ted Lasso and fast-paced Gilmore Girls talking vibes, Charlotte does a great job of writing a plus-size lead that deals with fatphobia but has a full life and doesn't end up changing for others. The book started off slow, and took some time for me to get into and see the characters beyond the grumpy-sunshine trope but, once the heat built, the dirty talk and spicy scenes really pulled me in. Also, the growth the characters showed felt true to them and very relatable.

I do think the side characters could've used more character development, and some additional world-building would've improved the storyline, but the miscommunication (while frustrating at times) did feel realistic to the main characters. Sometimes the ghostwriting plot was lost and could've been tied in with the story a bit more, but overall it was an enjoyable rom-com that did make me laugh and the banter was great. I would be interested in reading another book by this author in the future.*

Rating: 3.5 stars
CW/TW: fatphobia, alcoholism, child abuse, death of a parent
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Good for readers who: feel seen by a plus-size lead and enjoy Ted Lasso and/or Gilmore Girls
Romance tropes: grumpy sunshine trope, one bed trope, celebrity crush, fake relationship

*Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC! All opinions are my own.

The blurb was “hook line and sinker” for me. Here we have Mable and Alfie the “famous footballer”, he’s for all intents and purposes the quintessential grump that hates everyone and everything and falls for the curveliciuos, bubbly, sunshiny girl overlooked by all the males. Now, that we have that out of the way, let’s start with my perception of this book and go to the positive points first: the main characters were exceptionally funny a little obtuse but, nevertheless entertaining. The double edge soar of too much inner monologue or too little insight in the character’s thoughts to actions were well balanced throughout the first half of the book. I loved Alfie’s show of the strength of his love for Mable even if Mable didn’t want to see it. Now, to the not so positive points of view… I found myself skipping much throughout the other half because the dialogue between the two main characters were so ridiculous that I wanted to scream! The sex scenes didn’t flow naturally, it seemed forced and disjointed. I would recommend this book to all my fellow romance readers out there.
Four stars

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

This story was really cute! I enjoyed the characters and the way they bonded. One need not know anything about sports to appreciate Alfie, the retired football star. And although Mabel, our sunshiney heroine, expresses some of the "I'm not a size zero" angst a la Bridget Jones, it's not over the top.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I had high hopes for a romance with a fat heroine and a Roy Kent-type hero, but When Grumpy Met Sunshine gives readers banter - so much banter - in lieu of plot and character development.

I ate this up in a day. High tension cute grumpy sunshine romcom. you can definitely sense the Ted Lasso inspiration. It was so so frustrating how the two characters who were so clearly in love were both so oblivious. I really loved the characters though. However the ending was far too abrupt. They finally get out of their own way and it just ends. I needed to see more of them finally being together for real. Some really well done steamy scenes. Highly recommend

When Grumpy Met Sunshine was such a fun and sexy read! Mabel and Alfie were such sweet characters. I love that the hot footballer went for a beautiful, but realistic woman. Many of the chapters had spicy scenes and sometimes I forgot the overarching plot, but overall it was a great story.

"When Grumpy Met Sunshine" by Charlotte Stein is a novel that effortlessly weaves humor, heart, and romance into an unexpectedly delightful narrative. From the first page, I found myself drawn into the world of two contrasting characters whose interactions promised a journey filled with laughter and warmth.

The story revolves around the chance encounter of two individuals whose personalities couldn't be more different. The titular characters, Grumpy and Sunshine, are wonderfully unique in their own ways. Grumpy, with his pessimistic outlook on life, stands in stark contrast to the ever-optimistic and effervescent Sunshine. The author's skill in portraying their differing perspectives creates an engaging dynamic that adds depth and complexity to their developing relationship.

What truly sets this book apart is the witty and clever dialogue that flows effortlessly between Grumpy and Sunshine. Their banter is not only entertaining but also serves as a vehicle for them to gradually understand and appreciate each other's quirks. The gradual shift from irritation to fondness is depicted with a touch of realism, making their connection feel authentic and heartwarming.

Amidst the lighthearted moments, the novel also delves into more serious themes such as personal growth and the power of perception. Through the characters' evolving relationship, the author explores how the presence of someone different can challenge preconceived notions and open one's heart to new experiences.

Charlotte Stein's writing style is both engaging and immersive. She has a knack for creating relatable characters that evoke genuine emotions from the reader. The pacing of the story is well-balanced, allowing the relationship to develop naturally while also keeping the reader invested in the outcome.

"When Grumpy Met Sunshine" is a book that exemplifies the transformative nature of human connections. It's a tale that celebrates the beauty of finding common ground despite apparent differences. With its blend of humor, heart, and romance, this novel is a delightful escape that leaves a lasting impression, reminding us that sometimes, unexpected encounters can lead to the most meaningful relationships.

If you loved Roy Kent in Ted Lasso, you’re going to love grumpy retired footballer (soccer player) Alfie as he tries to interact with his ghostwriter, the curvy, sunshiney Mabel. To the rest of the world, Alfie is acerbic, angry, and downright asocial. But as Mabel tries to find things to share in his memoirs, she sees beneath the facade he’s presented to the world and realizes how much their histories have in common. This book gets five stars from me because it did a lovely job with the titular trope (plus several others), Alfie offers some incredibly deep perspectives on life and love, and there were moments in this book where I literally laughed out loud (which rarely happens).

Opposites attract in this romance involving a very kind plus-size woman who is a ghostwriter, and a very gruff, old fashioned professional athlete who is so inept at life, except I suppose his sport, that he can't even figure out how to use a phone or what social media is. Most of the story is Mabel (seriously?) telling us what is happening, and the pace is really slow. Not for me, but thanks to NetGalley for the advance read.

It’s a super cute, fun romp! I was starting to get mad that Mabel was putting herself down so much and thinking he didn’t want her. Both Alfie and Mabel are wonderful characters. Highly recommend everyone read this sweet, fun romance.