First, thank you NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the opportunity to read When Grumpy Met Sunshine. I loved the book's cover and graphics. I loved that the main female heroine, Mabel, is a plus-size woman like me. Grumpy-sunshine is one of my favorite tropes ever; however, even though I like the banter between characters, this was too much, and I could not continue reading WGMS. I felt it was too much banter than actual chemistry, it didn't allow me to connect with either Alfie or Mabel, therefore, I had to DNF it. I won't post it on Goodreads because I know I'd give it a low rating.

Thank you for an advanced copy, however the writing and plot was not for me. The characters were hard to connect with.

With the cute cover, description of the book, and the tropes involved, I really wanted to like this book but it just wasn’t for me. Some parts made me laugh but I just had a hard time with the banter and the way the dialogue was written.

I think When Grumpy Met Sunshine is a great romance novel. It was like The Dead Romantics without the paranormal element. The whole premise was cute and tackled the issues plus size women face. I would rate it mid-tier in the list of plus size romances I've read and recommend. It wasn't the best I've ever read. Although this could completely be a me thing. I don't like spice all that much. Part of the reason I rate it 4 stars and not 5 is that I felt like the plot kind of fell apart in the middle. When the spice entered the scene, the plot fell away. I feel like the third act breakup could have had something more. While as a plus size woman I fundamentally understand the reasons Mabel had, I think it could have been better explained to the reader in her thoughts. I don't think it will translate to thin women as well as other plus size novels do. As a fat activist I think everyone needs to be able to understand the amount of second guessing and over analyzing that goes into every relationship. When Grumpy Met Sunshine just missed the mark for me there. It will still get a place on my list of plus size main character recommendation list though. It was still a great example for plus size daters. There is so much judgement that when you meet kindness, you wonder what the motive behind it is. So reading happily ever after's involving people who look like me is a validating experience. Plus if you're into spice, I can imagine that would also be validating. That plus size women can get it just as much as straight size women :D and y'all this was spicy with a bit of kink thrown in. I would say that it was about 2/3 plot and 1/3 spice, so a pretty good mix. Overall, this is a great cozy read to snuggle in with some tea and a good doc on the tv.

DNF

I do not take DNF lightly but When Grumpy Met Sunshine is just not for me. Flat and uninteresting banter that had me on the verge of eye-rolls, all I could do was think about is the next book I wanted to read rather than wanting to read this book. I took that as a sign to DNF and move on. Better luck to the next reader!

I thought the premise sounded interesting, but I just couldn't get into the book. I generally like the fake relationship trope, but it didn't work for me with this one. I was never able to connect with the characters. There was little plot/action, and the dialogue was a bit stilted. The writing style, overall, missed the mark for me.

I loved the opposites attract and romance in the workplace vibes of this book. At times, it was a little wordy, but I really enjoyed the story line.

I liked the premise of this book. Unfortunately this book did not work for me as I couldn't get past all the banter between the two characters it just went on and on and nothing else was happening and I just found myself bored and didn't want to read on. I did not finish this book.

It's no secret that I adore Charlotte Stein. I love the depth she gives to her characters, the really hot chemistry and the unique writing style has always had me in severely strong strong hold. And that slow burn was so good too!

Such a great read! Thank you to Netgalley as well as St. Martins Press for letting me read an ARC of it. This book would be perfect for people who like grump x sunshine (obviously), fake dating and the one bed trope. I loved the chemistry between Mabel and Alfie. I could literally feel the sparks flying out of the pages. I feel like the ending really tied everything together nicely and it was just in general a great way to end this story. I thought the miscommunication at the end was very well written. It didn't get me annoyed thinking that it could've been resolved earlier because usually with that specific element that's how I feel while reading it. Overall a good fluffy romance to pick up.

When Grumpy Met Sunshine" by Charlotte Stein is an absolute delight from start to finish. This enchanting tale effortlessly weaves together the unlikely pairing of grumpy ex-footballer Alfie Harding and the cheerful ghostwriter Mabel Willicker. The dynamic between these two characters is pure magic, as their banter and bickering give way to a captivating slow burn romance that will warm your heart.

Stein's writing shines with humor, wit, and an astute understanding of human emotions. The characters are wonderfully developed, making you feel like you're part of their journey as they navigate their way through personal growth and unexpected love. Alfie's reluctance to open up and Mabel's determination to draw out his story create a beautiful narrative that will leave you rooting for their happily ever after.

The fake relationship trope is skillfully employed, leading to hilarious and heartwarming moments that keep you hooked until the very end. The chemistry between Alfie and Mabel is electric, and as their feelings deepen, you can't help but get swept away in their romance. The book's message about the transformative power of connection and vulnerability is both powerful and heartening.

"When Grumpy Met Sunshine" is a charming and feel-good read that will leave you with a smile on your face and a renewed belief in the possibility of love. Charlotte Stein has crafted a modern fairy tale that reminds us that even the most unexpected matches can create the most beautiful stories.

I'd actually go 2.5 but rounded up.

This was sort of okay for me.

I really struggled with the stream-of-consciousness style, and part of that might be that this was an ARC and it still needs a good edit, but I was confused as often as not at what was happening most of the time. There were times I wasn't sure if there was actual dialogue that took place, or if the characters were reading it on each others' faces. Also, I had a really hard time believing a famous ex-footballer (soccer player) was THAT inept at technology and THAT socially awkward. If we had found out that he was actually 85, I would have believed it more. Lastly, for a slow burn romance, I felt like the scenes leading up to the main event were spicier than the main event itself, which was a letdown.

There were several things I liked though, like the body positivity and plus-size rep. I also really liked the similar childhoods that the characters bonded over and witnessing how that effected their actions in the book. I even found some of the witty rejoinders or off-handed comments LOL funny, which was a nice surprise. However, I really kind of wanted to DNF this one but felt compelled to keep reading so I could give feedback for the ARC. I really feel like that was down to the writing style and the characters themselves.

I was so excited to get this book. Grumpy/Sunshine is one of my favorite tropes and this one seemed like it had all the makings of a great one.
Unfortunately, I just wasn’t invested. There were some good moments but at times I just felt it dragged on too much for me.
I’m sure many will enjoy it just wasn’t all that I hoped for.

When you overdo it with back to back wild thrillers you need to detox and nurture your book hangover with a RomCom.

I love RomComs . Clearly humor is what drives me. I’m also very new to RomComs so I look for suggestions from others to influence my decision.

Leave it to bookstagram!

Bookstagram LOVES Charlotte Stein and rightfully so!! This woman is a literary genius!

Before requesting When Grumpy Met Sunshine, I did some author research and was intrigued to see that this might be Stein’s first RomCom as most of her previous publications have an abundance of steam (count me in!)

I fell in love with Mabel and all her quirks! I also loved the incorporation of football, I am a huge football fan over here, Go Jets 🫣

This book was everything I never knew I needed and all I could ever want within a book . I laughed so hard but also had a few other emotions triggered at times .

Reading When Grumpy Met Sunshine, had me questioning myself as to why I don’t read more of this genre ?

I have now also joined the Charlotte Stein fan club ♥️

Teaser:

A steamy, opposites-attract romance with undeniable chemistry between a grumpy retired footballer and his fabulous and very sunshine-y ghostwriter.

When grumpy ex-footballer Alfie Harding gets badgered into selling his memoirs, he knows he’s never going to be able to write them. He hates revealing a single thing about himself, is allergic to most emotions, and can’t imagine doing a good job of putting pen to paper.

And so in walks curvy, cheery, cute as heck ghostwriter Mabel Willicker, who knows just how to sunshine and sass her way into getting every little detail out of Alfie. They banter and bicker their way to writing his life story, both of them sure they’ll never be anything other than at odds.

But after their business arrangement is mistaken for a budding romance, the pair have to pretend to be an item for a public who’s ravenous for more of this Cinderella story. Or at least, it feels like it’s pretend—until each slow burn step in their fake relationship sparks a heat neither can control. Now they just have to decide: is this sizzling chemistry just for show? Or something so real it might just give them their fairytale ending?

This was a very difficult book for me to read and get through. The premise was interesting, and there was some good banter with the characters (hence the 2 star instead of 1 star rating) but overall, it was just not enjoyable for me to read. I didn't like the way that this book was written. There was very little plot to carry it, and the bulk were just the conversations between the two main characters, neither of whom were particularly likeable. I wanted more description. More story. More something other than Alfie and Mabel being awkward with each other and the world around them. When I read the synopsis, I thought we were going to get a bit more ghost writing and the like, but we really didn't.

I get that both Mabel and Alfie have their issues to work through, but I really didn't need all of that being captured in excruciating detail. Yes, consent is very important. But how many times can you ask for consent?! Yes, you need to be comfortable with your sexuality, but at a certain point, you're already all in so how much more comfortable do you need to be?!

There were a few really good lines and some solid moments of dialogue that made me chuckle, so there is good writing embedded in this book and Stein's voice. Just too little of the good.

I remember about 30 pages into this thinking that it would probably be better as a screenplay or a play because so little happens that would allow for it to unfold over a 2 hour period. And maybe Stein is plotting to have this turned into a movie to bring in some extra income. But when authors do that, it kind of drives me nuts. The Kissing Booth read the same way. Just doesn't work for me, as a reader and feels disingenuous of the author.

When bantering becomes too much?
I didn't think I had a threshold for the amount of banter I can handle in one book, but I think I hit it with this one.

I REALLY wanted to like this...but the endless banter distracted me from the main plot of the story.

What I did love is that Charlotte brought to life one of my absolute tropes to life. But the banter (I can't believe I'm saying this) was too much for me.

I love everything this author has done. I love this book too but it took a while. I enjoy a little more darkness that the author usually provides. It was reminiscent of Ted Lasso. The heat was slow to come. But by the end I had reconciled my expectations with what this book is. A grump with more below the surface, and an ever positive mouse come to save him.

I received a copy of this for my honest review.

I loved this story! The FNC and MMC have great banter and fantastic chemistry! Check out this book for: fake dating, grumpy and sunshine, miscommunication, plus size FMC, sports romance.

This was a bit on the spicy side in the middle but the beginning and ending totally worked for me.

The author does such a great job connecting the leads, and giving us a sunny insightful leading lady, Mabel, and Alfey, a big, grumpy leading man with a hidden gooey center. I loved the initial bits of the story where the pair find common ground in their similar difficult upbringings. And I loved how the leading Mabel is initially so observant and how she sees through Alfey's glares to discover his careful kindness and manages to surprise him out of his taciturn state and into sharing things he's never shared before. The author also does a good job of giving us some humorous moments and building the sexual tension before the spicy parts take over the story.

I do tend to skim the sexy parts now days and dirty talking has never been my catnip but I can still kind of go with the flow but one four letter word pulled me out of one of the first sexy scenes - there is no way that the use of "slut" will ever be sexy in my mind. My only other nits are that Mabel says repeatedly that she is comfortable with her size, but her self talk doesn't match up to that and while the pair do such a great job of communicating early on they fall down of the job when the sexy times start and misconceptions almost steal their HEA.

Still these are just nits and I really liked how the pair help each other to achieve the secret dreams that they'd each been afraid to turn into reality.

ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley expected publication February 6 2024. This is an unpaid review.

Does anyone remember the Tessa Bailey book “The Sweetest fix”, … well if you loved Bernard in that book, then this romance is for you! “When Grumpy Met Sunshine” is sweet, spicy, swoony, and SIZE INCLUSIVE!!

🌸He falls first
🌸Hero who is so socially awkward it’s too sweet to handle
🌸 Sports romance/ work-place romance/ fake relationship
🌸Sweet and sugary plus sized heroine
🌸Bonding over romantic comedies and love of slushies

BLURB:
When grumpy ex-footballer Alfie Harding gets badgered into selling his memoirs, he knows he’s never going to be able to write them. He hates revealing a single thing about himself, is allergic to most emotions, and can’t imagine doing a good job of putting pen to paper.

And so in walks curvy, cheery, cute as heck ghostwriter Mabel Willicker, who knows just how to sunshine and sass her way into getting every little detail out of Alfie. They banter and bicker their way to writing his life story, both of them sure they’ll never be anything other than at odds.

But after their business arrangement is mistaken for a budding romance, the pair have to pretend to be an item for a public who’s ravenous for more of this Cinderella story. Or at least, it feels like it’s pretend―until each slow burn step in their fake relationship sparks a heat neither can control. Now they just have to decide: is this sizzling chemistry just for show? Or something so real it might just give them their fairytale ending?

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Grump and sunshine is my absolute favorite trope, and when Talia Hibbert was quoted as recommending this, I ran to request this on NetGalley. I will say, this book is banter heavy, and is more of a slow burn than anything. Also… SPOILER: There are some miscommunications along the way (which I know isn’t everyone’s cup of tea) However, I loved it… for me, it made it seem more realistic, like I knew this soft, sweet couple personally. They felt like real, genuine people I could cheer on. Alfie and Mabel felt like two kindred spirits who were MEANT to be together (also omg the dirty talk)… and I feel so lucky I got to go along on their journey.

Thank you NetGalley!
Release Date: Feb 6, 2024

Heat: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥