I had a really hard time at first understanding how the words should be read, but once I did I really enjoyed it.

This is such a heartwarming story, of finding once’s self worth, learning to love yourself/believe in yourself. I finished it in a single day. it had me, crying, laughing and smiling throughout the entire story.

As my first arc read, I was SO excited to jump into this book! Although it started out a little slow, I thought it was such an easy, light read! I love a book with good banter back and forth, and Alfie and Mabel definitely gave that to us. It’s also very refreshing to read a story with a plus size FMC! Overall it was a light, refreshing read and I would recommend to others!

The story started out slowly for about the first half of the book, but then about half way through it had me laughing out loud in almost tears it was so funny. The steamy bits are very hot and Alfie and Mabel are clearly made for each other, even if they won’t admit it yet.

For lovers of:
Only one bed
Fake dating
Celebrity/sports romance

*Note: Netgalley provided me with a complimentary copy and this is my honest review.

The book was an entertaining read. The dialogue was sharp, quippy and the characters were very relatable. Definitely worth the quick read, especially when you're looking for a lightness and levity in what you want to read.

This one was a DNF for me about 75 pages in. The characters were shallow and undercooked, and I couldn't get a sense of an romantic tension or interest between them that was believable beyond "you're attractive to me." I am very disappointed for this to be a DNF, because I had such high hopes for a Charlotte Stein win.

I don’t know. Tbh I requested this book because of the title (one of my fave tropes) and the cover! I thought this book was gonna be so cute and it was even better that the FMC was plus size. I just feel like it was missing stuff in some places and in others there was too much of something, like the banter….it was excessive. I did enjoy most of the book and a 3 star review for me is pretty solid. I’ll round up to 4 on Amazon.

I was really hoping to love this book due to a plus sized heroine. This one just fell a little flat for me personally.

This was such a fun and saucy read! I love the sunshine/grumpy trope and this book did not disappoint. This book had me from the first interaction and I was rooting for them throughout! I love the banter and the steaminess.

Ok this was the Roy Kent x grumpy becomes a softie x British humor that had me laughing OUT LOUD that I needed. Such a truly precious story but the humor gives way to important and meaningful storylines.

Absolutely adored this grumpy, broody ex-footballer x human cupcake novel! Thanks to the NetGalley + publishing teams for the opportunity to read an ARC.

A huge thank you to Charlotte Stein, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. I was not compensated for this review and everything is my honest review.

My favorite thing about this book was the banter. I'm a huge sucker for well-written banter between characters so that was a lot of fun to read and probably what held my attention the most in this book. However, everything else was mediocre at best. The story didn't feel much different than any other romantic comedy I've read. I like stories that will stick with me; this one just didn't.

I'm sorry, but I just cannot physically punish myself any longer by continuing this utter nonsense. I don't think i've ever read a book with so many words that says absolutely NOTHING. This is a headache-inducing explosion of contrived banter and forced wit. It's clearly a fanfic of Roy Kent from Ted Lasso (one of the greatest characters ever) who falls in love with I think is supposed to be a plus-sized Keeley Jones. Which is an insult to Keeley, because she's an incredible character as well. It's like the author took the most basic parts of each character to craft Alfie & Mabel. For the "grumpy" character based on Roy, all Alfie does is grunt and I guess that equals grumpy. For the "sunshine" which is Mabel, a neurotic, "relatable," overthinker who doesn't think she deserves love. Yeah, I'm not sure how that equates to sunshine, either. I got to 46% before I could not click to another page.

In terms of trying to provide feedback that could be useful in the future for either the author, editor, or publisher, PLEASE for the love of all that is holy, remember the phrase "show don't tell." I think that would instantly take this from a 1 star DNF to possibly a 2.5 star "at least I finished it" rating. What I mean by that is this book was entirely Mabel's inner monologue going "and she knew what he was going to say next. And then he said exactly what she thought he would say. And it wasn't surprising in the slightest because she had been expecting it." I'm sorry. WHAT is that?? Just show the conversation. Don't even get me started on the sentence structure. If you're going to insist on providing just a constant stream of Mabel's chaotic self-doubt then at least make it legible. Again, I would like to provide examples: "Like it was something she could really do. And then she got out her keys. And went to put one in the lock." I literally scrolled ahead to a random page in this book and found that. I could do that with any page on this book because it was THE WHOLE BOOK. Imagine if I wrote my reviews. In that exact manner. With choppy non-sentences that somehow made it past. The first round of editing?!

The cover is cute and the concept could've been great - it's a popular trope for a reason. But wow, this book is NOT. IT.

The you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. 4/5 I adored this book! I read a lot of other reviews claiming the banter was too much and they dnf and I can agree at first it did feel like a lot but it evened out throughout the book and I thought the characters were just adorable together and I couldn’t wait to get to their happy end! The banter was adorable, and I loved every second of it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Charlotte Stein, and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to review this ARC!

I had high hopes for this book. The grumpy to lovers trope is fun and interesting, a slow burn; however, I just couldn't get into this book. I think that I just didn't like the continuous dialogue that was occuring between the characters and felt like at times I couldn't keep up with what was happening. The ending was cute and sweet but it took me so long to read this book. Overall, I would think other people might like and enjoy the banter but I just couldn't get into it.

I'm just a sucker for a really good grumpy/sunshine story and this one did not disappoint. Was a very enjoyable read for me

The title gives you the basis of this book, a grumpy MMC and sunshine FMC could not be more different, but we all know that opposites attract. Add in fake dating and some sports romance elements and you get a middle-of-the-road romcom that is enjoyable but not exceptional.

"When Grumpy Met Sunshine" whisked me away into a delightful world of breezy humor, offering a narrative that conjured unmistakable Bridget Jones vibes, effortlessly blending comedy with romance. The main characters are an absolute joy to read, and their banter adds a layer of excellence to the story. Witnessing their connection evolve throughout the narrative was a highlight, contributing to the overall charm of the book.

The ludicrous situations sprinkled throughout, reminiscent of Bridget Jones's escapades, added a delightful touch. Embracing the absurdity felt natural, especially when diving into a romantic comedy with a title like this. The readiness to suspend disbelief only heightened the enjoyment, making it an ideal read for fans of the genre.

A noteworthy element for me was the homage paid to Hollywood rom-coms and their stars from the classic 80s and 90s. The nostalgic references added a layer of familiarity and warmth, creating a delightful atmosphere for readers who appreciate the magic of those cinematic eras.

The handling of sexual tension was commendable, striking a balance that enhanced the overall romantic allure. While the more graphic steamy passages were skillfully executed, a reduction in their frequency could potentially amplify their impact, making the narrative even more potent.

In conclusion, "When Grumpy Met Sunshine" was an enjoyable novel that left a lasting impression, primarily owing to the endearing characters of Mabel and Alfie. The narrative's fusion of humor, romance, and nods to classic Hollywood created an immersive experience, making it a delightful addition to the romantic comedy genre.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this one. I don't know why but i just wasn't vibing with the characters or the story.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

I really wanted to love this book because the grumpy/sunshine trope is a favorite and I'm happy to see plus size representation in romance books. The book has potential but fell short of the mark for me.

The excessive banter got a bit grating and I can't stand constant miscommunication. Grumpy is great if there is growth and charm but I wasn't getting that the way I needed/wanted.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy.

I really wanted to love this book, however I struggled to get through to the end. There was a bit too much banter for my liking, and some of the banter left me confused. However, I think the author has a great talent and I think there are many readers out there that will love this story!