So this book feels kind of crazy and all over the place, but in the best way! I really loved the relationship between Alfie and Mabel - the trope is just as you'd guess from the title! Some parts were a little slow, but, overall, it was a cute and easy read that had me laughing out loud with just the right amount of spice to keep things interesting! This would be a fun romance for a book club and I'll definitely be recommending it to my local one after publication.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’’s Press for the ARC!

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

This was such a great slow burn romance. Very quirky and charming.

DNF at 12%

I'm sorry. I tried. I just didn't connect at all and was very confused for most of what I did read.

The descriptors were just too much and I kept getting lost

Her describing his legs as "carvery roasts" was just not it.

Thank you for the arc read and I may try it again later, but at this point, it's a no from me.

I am personally a huge fan of the grumpy/sunshine trope so seeing a book with that in the title, it's a must read. This was a cute rom-com. The pacing was a little slow with all the dialogue but I really enjoyed the story nonetheless. Both of the leads were enjoyable and fun to get to know.

Definitely recommend for grumpy/sunshine fans looking for a cute easy rom-com and hey, if a lot of banter is your thing then you'll love this more than I did.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I tried my best to navigate through this book without getting caught in another never-ending banter session. Grumpy-meets-sunshine, a trope I adore, comes to life in the main character, Alfie Harding, who resembles the hottest version of Roy Kent, complete with a golden heart but plagued by social ineptness and anger management issues. Mabel Willicker, the quick-witted and observant ghostwriter, also shines without any reservations.

This was a very slow burn romance between two characters who seem to be hiding their true selves because of what other people may think. Over time they break through each others walls and well the rest is history! I did enjoy the characters and felt they were well matched. There was some good character building. If you are looking for an easy read and you like slow burns you will enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for feedback on this book. I absolutely love a grumpy/sunshine trope so I went into this book very excited. However I agree with several other reviews in that the banter felt repetitive and a bit too much. This story would very much benefit by trimming down some of the dialogue and banter in exchange for plot advancing action. In addition, some of the secondary characters felt tossed in rather than fully fleshed out, I would like to see more dynamics between Mabel and her friends or Alfie and his manager, etc. The spicy scenes, however were fire! The anticipation and build up was so well written I couldn't put it down! All in all, a delightful read but eager to see final edits. (3.5 stars, rounded to 4).

Very cute story! The miscommunication trope is not normally something I like specially with grown adults! In mi head I can’t stop yelling please just have an honest talk instead of making so many assumptions!!!

Having said that the story is still candid and magnetic! You will want to keep readying!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

I requested this ARC based solely on the title. Grumpy/Sunshine is one of my favorite tropes. I really enjoyed this book. Having funny chapter names and lots of banter is always a win in my book. Throw in fake dating and only one bed and this is a story after my own heart.

This features a ghost writer (Mabel) hired to help a retired footballer (Alfie) write his memoir. They end up pretending to date so no one knows he has a ghostwriter, of course we all know how well fake dating always goes. It was a slow burn but I loved the anticipation.

When Grumpy Met Sunshine is a sweet tale of what happens when a grumpy football player is forced to work with a perky, happy ghostwriter to tell his life story. Mabel is always positive and peppy, while still considering herself to "curvy" for the likes of a handsome man like Alfie Harding. Alfie is retired from football due to injuries and is generally unpleasant to everyone around him. Mabel is challenged by her boss to bring Alfie out of his shell and find out the things that he hides from everyone else. Over the course of their project, Alfie and Mabel are forced into a fake dating relationship after pictures of her leaving his house are leaked to the tabloids. The two make sure to be seen out in public together, including a few moments of PDA. Naturally, will all of this forced interaction, Mabel starts developing real feelings for Alfie, knowing full well that he will never feel the same.

It took me quite a while to read this book. I normally fly through a book in a few days but this one has been going for several weeks. I had a hard time with all of the dialogue. There is A LOT of dialogue. Most of the book is just the witty banter going back and forth between the 2 main characters. Don't get me wrong, the banter is funny. There is just a lot of it. The actual action in this story is minimal because it's mostly dialogue. I prefer books with more of a mixture of dialogue and action so this one was a bit of a struggle. I can't really say much for the story because it almost felt like there wasn't one.

The book was cute and definitely a fun read but I probably wouldn't read it again. If you like fake dating tropes and grumpy-sunshine banter then you will love this book. If not, I would give it a pass.

I can't remember the last time I wanted to be besties with a heroine, but Mabel is definitely a front runner! She is a funny and kind, even while working as a ghost writer where no one knows it's her words. She gets assigned her next job and it's Alfie Harding - a former Manchester United football player. He's gruff and wants nothing to do with creating a book about himself, as he has his own demons to fight. Their meet cute isn't cute at all, but they eventually start to work together and end up in a fake dating situation. I laughed out loud so many times reading this book! I truly loved their romance and how it played out.

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced reader copy - I will definitely be buying this romance!

I just reviewed When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein. #NetGalley

jesus christ i’ll tell you right now that if you jerk off in front of each other that is not a platonic relationship. if most of your conversations are around how horny you feel around each other, it’s not platonic. i hate stupidity.

This was a cute read. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Alfie and Mabel and watching their relationship grow, and the banter between them was laugh out loud funny at times. My only complaints about this book is 1. This is a book set in London and some of the slang, terminology felt a little forced at times. and 2. that alfie is originally portrayed as incredibly awkward and shy, and not really in touch with societal norms, however there were parts of the book that felt like I was reading a completely different character, and the continuity of his character development was a little off. Over all I really enjoyed the story and I’m a sucker for a fake dating trope and a HEA

There were some really funny parts to this story, but found the characters very hard to connect to. There was very little attention paid to the purpose of her work and once they started their sexual relationship that was pretty much the entire story. A lot of oh he can never like me and vice versa. I did appreciate a curvy main character, but wish she wasn't so insecure about everything.

I was so excited to read this book, but unfortunately I did not finish it at the 20% mark. I had a really hard time with the dialogue and the love interest was really insufferable to me.

I am bummed because I really wanted to love the book.

Mabel + Alfie … Mabel is ghostwriting Alfie’s memoir, which is not a role for the weak. The former footballer is famous for his lack of sharing detailed or personal information. Definitely a cute story with a rewarding slow burn (that means heavy spice in the second half). 🔥 I had a little trouble reading some parts due to the heavy UK English or not knowing references.

4/5 for content
3.5/5 for spice (3 first half, 4 second half)

Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All comments are my own.

The premise of this book really intrigued me and I was so looking forward to it! Unfortunately it was a little difficult for me to get into.

I was annoyed by Alfie in the beginning and while some of the banter was really funny a lot of it felt forced. I’m usually a slow burn fan but the start of this book moved at a snails pace and it made it that much harder to get invested. I found the conflict and ending to be rushed.

I did really like the plus size representation, how Alfie and Mable were actually able to bond despite some pretty major differences and the authors spicy scenes packed a punch.

The book was not bad overall and if you like all of the tropes it might be for you! Just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

It started out like it’ll be strong but it quickly turned into a repetitive banter fest and weird compliments that weren’t as flattering or swoon worthy at all. It took a lot to get through, I liked the plot of the story but that’s about it unfortunately.

3.5-4 stars

Mabel is an accomplished ghost-writer and has received her new assignment, to help a former football star, Alfie, write his memoirs. When their first meeting goes off the rails, the two must find a way to work together while dealing with their past selves.

Cute story with the grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity tropes, but a pretty quick read. There is a TON of dialogue between the two MCs so be prepared for that. Like a lot of dialogue in the chapters. Between the banter and the short chapters, it can feel a bit disjointed at time. But cute. Id read it again.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot express just how funny, cheery, and lovely "When Grumpy Met Sunshine" is. I finished it in one go and had to do a re-read because I was still so in love with the main characters.

Mabel a quick-witted ghostwriter is tasked with ghostwriting retired football player, Alfie Harding's, memoir. From their first official meeting, they knew it wouldn't be an easy feat especially when pepper spray gets involved. But slowly this seemingly enemies-to-lovers (spoiler its not) unwinds to friends-to-lovers. Alfie and Mabel share their experiences with each other realizing they have more in common than they thought. What's that saying about school assemblies? Crushed me - in the absolute best way.

The banter? Tier one. The smut? Had me in a chokehold.

Give it a read. You absolutely will not regret it.