Free book, review is my own.

I wanted to love this so much but it fell flat. All the right pieces but for some reason it just didn’t play out well enough? Everything was too easy while also pretending to be difficult. I wanted to love it.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a fan of author Charlotte Stein for many years, even going back to her erotica backlist at Ellora’s Cave, so when I got the chance to read one of her newer titles, I jumped at the chance.

I loved this quirky sexy romance, which had the perfect amount of honest humor, sexy times and banter that I love in a proper romance. Yes, I was picturing the main male character, Alfie Harding a la a Roy Kent from Ted Lasso, while reading. And Mabel Willicker, who is a ball of sunshine in the best titular possible way. Watching their romance blossom was joyful to read.

Ms. Stein never disappoints.

If you're looking for a cute romcom, then this is perfect. Grumpy/Sunshine and fake-dating are just the most obvious reasons for wanting to read this. What I didn't see coming was the care the author took to portray these characters and their supposed flaws.
Mabel thinks she is prepared to spend time with the gruff, sexy and famous footballer Alfie, but is definitely not prepared for the real person beneath these characteristics. It also seems that Alfie is not at all prepared for her.
This is one of the reasons this story is so cute, but another is the sweet way they have with each other. And then there's the spice!
I had a lot of fun reading this one!
Out February 6, 2024!

Enjoyed every mintune of this book. It was a cute romance book with few spicy scenes. I was laughing out loud few times. It was great. Can't wait to read more from this author.

I'm not finishing this one. I can't read it anymore. I didn't like the writing style of this one, I couldn't connect to the story nor to Alfie and Mabel. I also felt that Alfie liked Mabel really fast - instalove doesn't really work for me. Their relationship progressed so fast, one minute she is walking away from their meeting and hating him, the next he is kind of stalking her and being really good friends in a matter of few pages.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

Right off the bat, I knew this wasn't going to be a book for me. I'm DNFing this one early on because the writing and the characters didn't work me. I really wanted to love this one because the premise sounds right up my alley, but unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.

Absolutely fell off the face of the earth during my first trimester but THIS SLOW BURRRNNNNNNNN. Such a solid read and who doesn't love a good grumpy/sunshine trope ?!?!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This story was definitely much longer than it needed to be, but it was still enjoyable.

I loved the grumpy-sunshine trope. I loved the plus size representation.

A large section of this story is purely spice and nothing else. The plot doesn’t develop. They just have a lot of sex.

"When Grumpy Met Sunshine" by Charlotte Stein is a heartwarming and humorous contemporary romance that explores the classic opposites-attract trope. The story follows the grumpy, introverted Will and the cheerful, optimistic Daisy as they navigate their unexpected connection.

Stein's writing is engaging and witty, capturing the essence of both characters' personalities and the dynamics of their relationship. Will's gruff exterior and Daisy's sunny disposition create a delightful contrast, leading to numerous amusing and tender moments. The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, making their gradual romance both believable and satisfying.

The novel excels in its character development, with both Will and Daisy undergoing significant personal growth throughout the story. Their interactions are filled with genuine emotion, humor, and a touch of vulnerability, which adds depth to their relationship.

While the plot follows a somewhat predictable path, the charm of the characters and the quality of the writing keep readers invested. Stein's ability to balance light-hearted romance with deeper emotional themes makes "When Grumpy Met Sunshine" a standout in the genre.

Overall, "When Grumpy Met Sunshine" is a delightful read for fans of contemporary romance, offering a perfect blend of humor, heart, and character-driven storytelling. Charlotte Stein delivers a feel-good love story that is sure to leave readers smiling.

I had to DNF this book. I couldn't connect to the characters and the IMMEDIATE projection and misunderstanding didn't work for me. I found the main character off putting and couldn't find myself rooting for her. I appreciate the e-arc in exchange for an honest review, but couldn't make myself finish something that didn't resonate with me at all. Since I have to give a rating, it'll be a 1 star but know that this book was ultimately not for me and I am sure that someone else may appreciate it.

"When Grumpy Met Sunshine" by Charlotte Stein is a delightful and hilarious romance that perfectly captures the magic of fake dating and opposites attract tropes. Alfie Harding, the grumpy ex-footballer (think Ted Lasso’s Roy Kent), and Mabel Willicker, the sunshine-y ghostwriter, create an irresistible dynamic. Their banter is sharp and witty, making their journey from business partners to something more utterly engaging. Stein masterfully develops their relationship, turning their laugh-out-loud bickering into undeniable chemistry that sizzles on every page. Mabel's cheerful disposition contrasts beautifully with Alfie's gruff exterior, revealing layers of vulnerability and depth in both characters. This book is a perfect blend of humor, heat, and heart, leaving readers rooting for Alfie and Mabel's happily ever after. A must-read for fans of romance with a delightful twist!

Read if you like:
🪴 Fake Dating
🪴 Opposites Attract
🪴 Sports Romance
🪴 Forced Proximity
🪴 Plus Size FMC

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

I’m enjoying everything Charlotte Stein puts out!! I love plus size representation in my romance novels!

Love me some good plus size rep in romance! I also am always here for a grumpy sunshine trope. This was a quick fun read and I really enjoyed the banter between Mabel and Alfie.

As a woman with curves, I like the growing trend of authors writing stories about curvy women having romantic lives. This was a fun story and I will look forward to checking out other stories by this author.

I went into this with no expectations other than a light, fun read while I travelled. I was not disappointed.

I hadn’t read much about it before I started, but it becomes very clear (especially if you’ve watched Ted Lasso) that this is a Roy Kent fanfic. Alfie is Roy Kent, a watered down version and not as grumpy as one would think, more misunderstood. Mabel is the sunshine, she’s a plus sized happy person who has a few insecurities that are relatable to all women. I also love a book set in the UK.

One thing to note is most of the other characters fall into the background, this is the Mabel and Alfie show, but I didn’t mind that at all. Another small complaint is that we didn’t get deep down into either of their feelings or past traumas/relationships/life because it was surface level.

It was a fun, light read for summer about a famous ex-footballer and his ghost writer. The reviews are mixed on this one. If you go into this novel thinking you’re going to get a deep background and many characters, you’ll be disappointed. If you take it for what it is, a fun little read, perfect for the beach or an airplane, you will enjoy it.

Rounded up to a 4 because I did not have expectations and it was exactly what I wanted to read while I was travelling.

I did not enjoy this book at all, I found it really hard to follow along and just did not connect to any of the characters

This is a sweet opposites attract love story. I found myself rooting for the characters and loved their love story.

3.5
A cute, funny story where he just keeps fumbling all of their initial interactions and she has to try to figure out what he actually wants from her

'When Grumpy Met Sunshine' by Charlotte Stein illuminates an opposites-attract romance between Alfie Harding, a grumpy ex-footballer, and Mabel Willicker, a vivacious ghostwriter. The novel blends humor, romance, and a touch of fairytale charm, delivering on many fronts while falling short in others.

Mabel's sunny disposition and endearing quirks beautifully contrast Alfie's gruff and guarded demeanor, evolving their dynamic into a complex relationship. Their transition from professional collaboration to a personal connection, masked by a fake romance, offers moments of genuine warmth and entertainment.

However, the book's pacing feels uneven. The first half sparkles with humor and rich character development, setting high expectations. Yet, as the story progresses, it becomes weighed down by excessive dialogue and steamy scenes that, while enjoyable, contribute little to plot advancement. The charm of the characters' interactions risks being diluted by repetitive and prolonged conversations, akin to a sitcom stretching a single joke too far.