I loved this book the first time, and when I went back to check my highlights to prep the review, I got caught up in it again and ending up bingeing the whole second half.

I'm a character reader and the character development is always a crucial factor in my enjoyment of a book. Mabel and Alfie are just fantastic; I was cheering for them and crying for them. Stein did a great job in selling the 3rd act breakup, and why the characters did what they did.

It's single POV, which is a good choice for the story, though we do get Alfie's thoughts because we get excerpts of his writing.

I was surprised some reviews said "too much banter" because all that banter is actually the two people getting to know each other, coming to trust each other. It's "look over here! (and don't look at my heart)". I guess if a reader isn't paying attention to the details (which I've been guilty of) or wants a faster romance arc (fair) this wouldn't be to their taste. But it definitely was to mine.

In summary: I love these characters and am going to reread this yet again.

I got a copy from netgalley; opinions are my own

I made an attempt to navigate through this book, steering clear of falling into another endless spiral of witty exchanges. The classic "grumpy meets sunshine" trope, which I have an undeniable soft spot for, comes to life through Alfie Harding, our main character. He's a charming blend of the hottest Roy Kent, complete with a heart of gold, yet plagued by the challenges of social ineptitude and anger management issues. The quick-witted and observant ghostwriter, Mabel Willicker, also stands out as a shining star in the story.

Regrettably, the narrative becomes bogged down by excessively long dialogues, they seem to stretch on for an eternity. These extended exchanges, to my dismay, persist throughout the book, leading to frustration and impeding the overall reading experience.

Repetitive dialogues and a lack of significant action or plot progression led me to roll my eyes and, admittedly, skim through certain sections just to reach the story's conclusion.

In essence, this book brims with potential, weaving together the "opposites-attract" and "workplace romance" themes. Nevertheless, it could significantly benefit from more rigorous editing to trim down the protracted banter and infuse more action into the storyline. As a result, I can only bestow a three-star rating, despite my earnest efforts.

This was a fun grumpy/sunshine read with some other tropes thrown in (including only one bed!).
I enjoyed it overall, but it wasn't among my favorites. The banter was fun at first but got old after a while. I was also annoyed by the miscommunication/misunderstanding throughout. I understand the motives behind why it was hard for them to share and believe each other, but it isn't usually my preference for a romance novel. I did love the depth of the characters and was happy I read the book in the end!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC!

I really struggled getting into this one :( I wish I could put my finger on why, but it never quite grabbed me :(

When Grumpy Met Sunshine is not going to be the book for everyone, but it sure was the book for me! I picked this book up when I really needed something light and fluffy, and this book perfectly fit the bill!

So let’s talk about what this book is about, to start with. In this story, we follow Mabel as she’s chosen as a potential ghostwriter for a memoir that famous footballer (that’s a soccer player, for all you confused Americans) named Alfie. Everyone knows Alfie as a grumpy giant and a man of few words, but after several first meetings gone wrong, eventually Mabel and Alfie start working together, and things just spiral from there, because eventually fake dating gets involved, just as the two are becoming friends.

Now, if you like banter, this is the book for you! If you don’t like banter, stay far away! This book is 80% banter as the two form relationships and figure out how to talk around the different situations they encounter. There is barely any plot, so you really have to root for these two and their relationship to enjoy this book. Thankfully I did root for them, but even I got a little lost at some of the rambles and thought processes that we follow as readers. It didn’t help that this book is extremely British, and I’m not sure all the lingo and turns of phrase translated for me.

Interestingly, part of the reason I liked this book is because the characters are pretty introspective and talk out a lot of their emotions, which helps their relationship build. However, I didn’t love that it didn’t leave anything for the reader to understand, favoring spelling everything out clearly instead. I think a bit more credit could have been given to the reader, where not every emotion needed to be discussed by the characters themselves, for the reader to understand how they were feeling. In general, while I think this helped the relationship, I do think it made the actual characters themselves suffer, since if they weren’t talking to one another, you didn’t get much depth from the characters.

But the relationship cuteness just about made up for it, in my eyes. These two are fantastic as friends, and even more fun as something a little more, even when it’s fake. I cracked up from the ridiculous antics and shenanagins these two encountered, I smiled at their cuteness, and I kept reading to finally get to the two of them reaching a happily ever after.

While this book is by no means perfect, and there are just as many people that I’d steer away from this book, as those that I’d recommend this book to, it made me so immensely happy that it couldn’t not get a 4 star rating from me. If you’re a fan of rom coms with lots of banter, hijinks, and ridiculous scenarios there just to force the characters into absurd and fun situations, this is the book for you. And if not, I hope you find a book that makes you just as happy as this book made me!

| ARC review |

the whole misunderstanding at the beginning of the story was so trippy but real because I can understand letting your insecurities get the best of you. and it was needed for the two to get out of their heads and just start to be comfortable with each other and trust that they aren't out to get each other and are honestly just good people
cause once they got that trust things got hot real quick...
also all the little like reddit and twitter after thoughts at the end of the chapters are hilarious sometimes because it's the totally opposite of what really was happening between Alfie and Mabel like the concert chapter... yeah uhu they were totally 'fighting'

I found the premise of this book to be very interesting and a fantastic set-up. I loved the career aspects of these characters and how they find themselves in each other's lives. I think something that fell short for me was the dialogue. While the characters had great chemistry, I felt at times that their banter was too long-winded or unrealistic. This, paired with the really extensive inner monologue of the heroine, made it feel like one scene or one conversation could last an entire chapter. The book was still enjoyable and a fun read, but I think the dialogue could have made their chemistry much more believable.

Grumpy/Sunshine romance novels just feed something g in the soul. I got those same butterflies reading this very aptly titled book by Charlotte Stein. Fast, sweet and funny. In a nutshell, just how I like it.

This is my first “football” aka soccer trope read but I liked it. I will say, I had to push through to keep on reading but it was cute! I love the plus sized main character, Mabel! The banter is cute and it was a quick read!

This book surprised me with the depth of the connection and relationship that developed between the characters and the similarities to each other they were able to discover. At first I thought the relationship would feel trope-centered and forced but the similarities the discover from their working relationship was a very sweet and genuine connection that made me root for them on a deep level. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed their character development all the way through.

I WANTED to love this so badly.
Grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, lots of banter, things were looking so good!
But, oof.
This started off and immediately I felt like I was thrown into the middle of something. I never felt like I got my bearings, everything was talked about as if I should already know what was going on but I had no idea where we were or who anyone was?! Then it continued along that same line! I kept thinking, okay this is all going to come together soon, but it didn't. and they just kept fucking bantering, and it was cute I'll give them that. I liked the way they talked to each other, but also got so annoyed so quick.

I was not able to finish the book and therefore do not feel that I can give an unbiased review about the book, its plot, characters, or the author's work. I might revisit this book at a later time and finish it then, but not right now.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc!

Unfortunately, I did dnf this book at 16%. I don’t think this book was for me. I had trouble with the male lead being so out of touch with reality, and the conversations didn’t seem to flow naturally. I might try to read this book again eventually, but at the moment it’s not one that I enjoyed.

When Grumpy Met Sunshine
Written By Charlotte Stein
Published By St. Martins Press
Release Date February 06, 2023

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


Sometimes I am surprised at how romance novels that are quirky, sexy, and very funny take me away from the mystery thrillers I read and allow me to have fun and enjoy the book. Stein has a brilliant way of telling a story that keeps the reader engaged and entertained. The characters are lovable and very well developed and the build up of the story could not have been any better. The chemistry between the main character’s as well as the stories slow burn is really what kept me interested in reading more. This is one book that I will say brought me over to the romance genre. The other ones have really big shoes to fill now. If you love funny romance novels that captivate you and have you rooting for the romance, then this book is just what you want to read.

Run, not walk to your nearest bookstore……or online bookstore, and purchase this book on its release date. You won’t be disappointed…..I promise!

5 beautiful stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me a copy to read in advance for my unbiased and honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Grumpy Footballer Meets Sunshiny Writer⚽️📚☀️
This one had me questioning how much I’d enjoy it at first, but I was pretty quickly pulled in and really loved it. There’s banter for days, a misunderstood brute of a footballer, a curvy ray of sunshine & a little bit of faking it for the fans.
Mabel is a cheerful ghostwriter tasked with helping Alfie, the brooding retired footballer with a soft side, get the well kept secrets of his life story on paper for his memoirs.
When the bickering and banter leads to faking a relationship to keep their writing relationship under wraps, Mabel knows she can’t let herself get wrapped up in this man. But, with her heart on the line it’s hard to tell what’s really fake anymore.
Thanks @netgalley for the early copy.
Definitely add this one to your TBR, out February 6, 2024!

This was a first time read for me by this author and I had such fun reading it. It is a cute, opposites attract story that will have you smiling and laughing along the way. Alfie, an ex-footballer,, is encouraged to write his memoirs, but he knows he won't be able to write them himself, and he's reluctant to give personal details about himself. But when his new ghostwriter Mabel shows up, she knows just how to coax the information out of him, even though every time they talk to each they are completely at odds. Then they end up having to pretend to be dating when their relationship is mistaken for a romance.
I enjoyed the story and I especially liked the fact that the heroine was plus-sized. The characters were interesting and well-developed with realistic qualities. I enjoyed their interactions and the witty banter was very entertaining. The story was delightfully cute and I really enjoyed it. If you're looking for a fun, quick and light read, that will put a smile on your face then you definitely will want to pick this one up.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have the opportunity to read this early and I apologize but it just wasn’t working for me. I did have to DNF at 25%. If it takes me more than a week to read and I’m only a quarter of the way in then I know it’s a book that I won’t be able to get into. It will be a one star since I did dnf. I do hope others are able to enjoy it.

This book started out pretty slow for me. Some terminology like “bang on” and other English slang was kind of weird for me to read. Honestly this book just wasn’t for me. Something about the writing style & the characters I just didn’t vibe with also the really long banter throughout. It was just too much. I’ll leave some of what goes on below from what I was able to read & get through.

Grumpy x Sunshine
workplace romance


“Because you seem so sweet I’m afraid of getting sugar poisoning just from looking at you.”


“His thighs were really big. And they were surrounding her, like meaty prison bars. If meaty prison bars could somehow be a great thing, at the same time as being stupendously awful and agonizing.” Cringe..

Alfie Harding is an Author and ex footballer (soccer for us Americans) who is grumpier than ever and rude to everyone who wants to ghost write for him.

Mabel willicker is a Ghost writer that calls Alfie out during the first meeting for being a huge jerk and leaves the meeting to then be followed by him around town. While being followed she reacts insanely weirdly and basically runs away from him and ends up pepper spraying him all because he wanted to speak to her. I definitely thought that was little too far.

They have an awkward moment in her apartment but he all of a sudden leaves but turns back and tells her he’ll see her when they start working together.

He picks her up to take her to his home in a fancy car and his home is massive but empty. Empty of furniture and life whereas her place is extremely colorful. Alfie really does not want to get vulnerable and into what his book should actually include.

*this is where it ends at 25% where I dnf*

How absolutely enjoyable!

Although I'm not familiar with this author, I couldn't resist the temptation of a Grumpy/Sunshine read and tried it. I’m glad I did!

At first, I grappled with the chapter arrangement, as it deviated from my typical reading material. However, I soon discovered that the chapter conclusions contained some fun parts.

Alfie is a proper, hulking, grumpy ex-footballer who keeps every bit of his true self hidden and protected. He is everything I expected his character to be. Only, that’s not who he truly is.

Mabel is a competent writer, presented with the opportunity to ghostwrite Alfie’s memoirs. It is not until after the uncomfortable first meeting that she starts to lose hope of getting the job. Actually, she is the only person he wishes to speak to.

Adorable, awkward, and filled with insecurities, these two people are far more alike than they realize. I couldn't help but chuckle and smile as I read this book, thanks to the delightful interactions and banter, both internal and external, between these two characters. The deliberate, gradual kindling between them allows for a thorough exploration of the reasons behind their fiercely guarded hearts, solidifying the desired companionship. I really enjoyed Mable’s internal struggles when Alfie showed his affection.

Their connection is clear from the beginning, growing stronger as the story unfolds, until the steamy scenes finally take center stage. It was such an enjoyable build-up to their HEA, and the pages turned themselves. I recommend reading this one, and I hope you enjoy it too. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Marten’s Press for my free ARC. I voluntarily leave my review.

"When Grumpy Met Sunshine" starts by telling you the primary trope that it is playing into. Though this is the primary trope of the book there are a couple more that feature alongside our grumpy sunshine. We also will see fake dating and the one-bed trope. Now that we know what the tropes are let us dive in.

I have looked at some of the reviews that are out on this cute little A.R.C. that we were generously provided, and the consensus is a lot of people don't like snarky banter. I, on the other hand, love the snarky banter, but readers be warned the conversations that Alfie and Mabel have are primarily snark, wit, and sarcasm. My type of conversation that naturally occurs in the real world. If you are ok with this then you'll probably really enjoy this one.

Mabel and Alfie our male and female MCs are suffering from a severe lack of self-confidence. Mabel is constantly doubting herself, and her weight is a primary conversation that she seems to bring to the table as to why this famous footballer would not want to date her or would have any interest in her. Alfie has a different type of lack of self-confidence, and both of the characters go back and forth in the doubt game which really drags the mood down.

There are some really awkward scenes as well that involve mutual self-love in a car, while not looking at each other. Then pretending it didn't happen because that's awkward. Also, Mabel is a ghostwriter for Alfie and none of their encounters involved her doing any actual work with Alfie, outside the first few initial visits, which is strange since this is literally the job you're being paid to do.

Now, with all that being said, I found the story overall enjoyable. I found that Alfie and Mabel were great together and brought out the best qualities in one another. The spicy scenes were okay, though a bit awkward. I believe there is a lot of potential in this story to be amazing if we just cut out some of the repetitive self-loathing.

The writing style of this book did not work for me. I was excited by the premise but the banter felt forced which made me unable to get through the first few chapters.