3.5⭐
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Series ~ Hellman Brothers #1
Setting ~ Auburn Hill (not sure what state)
Publication date ~ book ~ March 3, 2022, audio ~ April 11, 2023
Est Page Count ~ 276 (33 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 31 minutes
Narrators ~ Kyle Mason, Angelina Rocca
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ firefighter, yoga instructor, small town, opposites attract, enemies to lovers, some steamage

Addy (28) & Ace (28) have been enemies since kindergarten, but now they’re working together teaching a first aid class. It doesn’t take them too long to cross the line to lovers.

Addy is a free spirit and full of sunshine. She’s big on natural and holistic approaches to things. While I appreciated the lack of swearing, hearing ‘oh shiitake mushrooms’ a couple times was cute, but then it got to be way too many. I was not a big fan of her parents, but it’s obvious where she got her hippy ways from.

Ace is the small town hero firefighter. Not a relationship kind of guy due to his father leaving his mother alone with 5 small kids when he was younger. Sometimes he was grumpy and sometimes sweet.

Overall, they had really great chemistry and I enjoyed their banter.

Good book with an okay story. It was slow in a few parts to me. Overall it was okay but not my cup of tea.

The story of Addy and Ace. They have been odds for decades but when he puts out a fire on her property he starts to see her in a new light.

A very entertaining read and I loved both characters.

"Grumpy As Hell" by Marika Ray is a delightful romantic comedy with a quirky twist. Ray's humor and witty banter between the characters create an amusing and heartwarming story that will have readers laughing out loud and cheering for love.

I enjoyed this romance story with all of the characters within. The main characters were Adelia ( Addy for short) Bammington and Ace Hellman.

Addy has hated Ace since kindergarten because he ruined her flowers crown that she gave him. She gave it to him to cheer him up. While sitting next to a small camp fire while meditating. Her pants accidentally get on fire. She opens her eyes when she hears someone yelling at her. Ace has attack her leg that are on fire. She is very surprised by this. She not happy that he yelled at her. She is still mad at Ace but finding out that he and her will have to teach the first aid class that she wants to start is not good.

Ace is a grumpy firefighter. He decides to check on Addy. But when he see her and noticed that her legs are on fire. He attack her legs to get the fire out. After getting the fire out he starts to yell at her. She not happy at him for helping.  He still mad at her the next day when his boss tells him good and bad news.

This was a fun story to read. It had action and drama throughout. It had a few giggles within. It's a bit steamy at times. 

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

Grumpy As Hell Hellman Brothers Series #1 by Marika Ray

Addy and Ace have history having hated each other from childhood. He is the lead fire fighter hottie everyone desires in Hellman . She is the lovable hippie child natural remedy maker yoga teacher all round good girl at one with nature and looking after the environment. A well written easy read. A good light hearted read about the towns main achiever eldest of five brothers who feels he’s responsible for everyone including his community. She is all round loved by everyone good person inside and out. A will they won’t they romance full of fabulous character laughter sadness and just about every emotion under the sun .

A big thank you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is the first in a series. This is enemies/friends to lovers romance. Addy and Ace are an interesting couple-sort of opposites. The characters are fun and unique, although Ace is pretty uptight. Ace's brothers all seem amazing. 3.5 stars

Addy is, for lack of a better word, a hippie. Years ago, she saw that Ace was upset. Trying to cheer him up, she gave him her floral crown, which he promptly tore up. This solidified their standings of hate against each other.
Now Ace is a firefighter and has somehow been roped into helping Addy with her first aid class. She wants to take a holistic approach whereas he wants the traditional. Angers flare but sometimes hate isn’t what they think it is.
Opinion
This is a laugh out load, good time. Parts will having you rolling on the floor while other pets will have you screaming in frustration. If you are looking for a fun read to lighten your day, this book is it. As an added perk, it is the first in a series.
Many thanks to Net Galley and to Marika Ray Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book.

The problem was, no matter how much I might dislike - and that was my kind way of saying I experienced the emotion commonly known as hate - Ace Hellman, he was a fine specimen. A gift from the universe for women everywhere. His muscles bulged and jumped as he kicked dirt on the fire still inside the ring and put it out. As much as I'd disliked him over the years, I was also hyperaware of his level of attraction.

Addy's lifelong nemesis, Ace Hellman, of course, is the one to save her at this time of distress. She caught on fire for goodness sake! But after that crazy moment of him saving her from the flames. their whole relationship dynamic started to shift. Could Addy really be falling for the man who hurt her feelings in Kindergarten?

Ace has a lot of his plate. The promotion he was so eager to get has finally happened. His mom and brothers always need him. He really doesn't have time to analyze this new development with Addy. But he can no longer ignore it, either.

I love this book! I can't wait to start the next in the series!

This is a good book. The two main characters are Addy and Ace. They have known each other all their lives. They are enemies. There is an instant attraction. Till one night it explodes with them. Then there is no going back to enemies. They each have issues but together they work them out and fall in love.

Ace is trying to be everything to everyone, except Addy. They've had a running enemy-ship since elementary school. Addy is a free spirit. Ace is a rule follower and overachiever who just receives a promotion. How could they fall in love? This book covers it all. Small town, Enemies to Lovers, Mismatching pair.

There are hot sex scenes, crazy parents, competing brothers...

Loved it! This author writes with warmth and engaging perception about relationships and understanding…..

Marika Ray was an unknown author to me, but the blurb drew me in: grumpy-as-hell-fire fig her. Chief pain in my ass….

Well, I certainly wanted to know what this was about. And it’s a classic enemies-to-lovers story. But a bit combustible.

Addy and Ace are definitely opposites: she, the hippie nature type and he, the popular sporty jocks type. And because Ace hurt Addy’s feelings when they were kids, Addy still hates his guts. Meaning they trade barbs whenever their paths cross. Which is often, since they live in a small town. Their chemistry is undeniable however. So, when they end up, giving a first aid class together, they nearly set the class on fire with the sparks flying between them.

A wonderful, funny and romantic story. If you were grumpy as hell, you’ll be over it after this book. Promised! Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

I thoroughly enjoyed this grumpy/sunshine story. I liked the storyline. I connected with the characters and their witty banter. There was some steam to add some spice. Even better, Ace (the H) is the eldest of 5 brothers which means there is a high probability there will be more stories from Hell. Very much looking forward to their stories!

This was my first book by this author, and I am happy to say it won't be my last. The story was emotional and fun and pulled me in right from the start. Ace is arrogant and grumpy, but he's also the hottest fire fighter in town and Addy can't stand him. They actually have a history of hating each other that goes way back to kindergarten. He is known for not being the commitment type and he has his reasons. Addy, on the other hand is a ray of sunshine. She is a free spirit and loved by all.
These two opposites now have to teach a first aide class together, and boy do things become awkward.
As they spend more time together, It doesn't take long for her to discover that his gruff and tough exterior is hiding a heart of gold, that Addy realizes she cannot resist. All she has to do is break through that hard exterior wall that Ace has so expertly put up to get to it.
This was such a cute, fun, and enjoyable story and I loved the snarky, witty banter between them. This was one of those books you start reading and just can't put down. I loved it and I hope to read more by this author soon!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

What a great introduction to the Hellman brothers. Group texts between the brothers were great especially the one that mom was in. Addy is such a wonderful unique person and I love the Ace saw that in her and helped her accept it. Also that she helped him remove his mask. Loved the chemistry between these two. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for the brothers!!!! And can’t forget the token seagulls scene, wouldn’t be a trip to Auburn Hill with out it.

Light fun reading.. This book was an enjoyable page turner somewhat enemies-to-lovers romance. Basic premise is the trusting to love again while both have issues to overcome. The supporting characters were enjoyable and made the book fun. I like the back-and-forth chemistry of the H&H. The story was good but at points felt like it was too wordy. This is the 1st book in the series called the Hellman Brothers. It can read as a good standalone book. I would recommend this to other people because this author is good and worth getting to know.


I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Ace and Addy have been enemies forever. One event changes everything! I really liked Addy particularly once she decided she was going to make sure she was the priority in others lives.

IMAGINE MY SHOCKED FACE WHEN I LEARNED THAT THERE ARE 2 MORE BOOKS OUT IN THE SERIES.


anyways this was just mwah so cute and I love a good small town romance series (especially ones that are focused on different members of a family so cute)


ace 🫶 the sweetest grumpy person ever but loved him nonetheless


ty netgalley and the author for an arc of this book !!

It was cute. A little too surface and not much depth - I think the main characters went out twice before being way too okay with getting pregnant and forgoing condoms. That just seemed very unrealistic and totally threw me out of the story.