I really loved this book. Nathan’s aversion to being in a relationship, the back story behind it. The sunshine x grump trope is always one of my favorite, especially when the grump only smiles because of the love interest 🫠

Thank you NetGalley, JPC editing and Jenny Proctor for the ARC

I love a hockey romance and this sweet ones does not disappoint. I usually read more heat, but this cute story was worth the change.

Romancing the grump is a closed door, grumpy/sunshine, fake dating hockey romance with heart and humour, sizzle but no spice.

I loved this book. Summer is a strong, intelligent FMC who isn’t afraid to fight for what she wants. Nathan is a perfect grumpy sunshine MMC with a past threatening to haunt his future.

Watching their relationship play out in dual POV is perfect, and I found myself willing both of the characters to just tell one another their true feelings.

This book had me laughing throughout, and I loved how fun it was to read. It’s refreshing for a book to have such chemistry and be steamy to read without the smut, which for me is an indicator of a brilliant author.

I binged this book in one sitting and would not hesitate to recommend to other readers. Jenny Proctor has fast become an author I will auto read!

Thank you JPC Publishing and Jenny Proctor for the ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this book! So glad I got to ARC read it because I’m now obsessed with the Appies!

One thing about me is that I will read ANYTHING if it has the fake dating trope, but throw in the fact it’s a HOCKEY romance AND grumpyXsunshine?!?! Magical combination!

I loved the brotherhood between the players, the tension between Summer and Nathan and the family connections.

Read Time ⏱️ 4 hours

******

“I don't deserve you. But I'll spend every day trying to live like I do."

“Am I a strong, independent woman? Absolutely.
Does it feel amazing to know this man has made an effort to protect me? To demand better behavior from his teammate? Hell, yes.”

I devoured this. Jenny Proctor is becoming a must read author for me. Her writing absolutely supports the fact that a book can be sexy without sex. Neither bland Hallmark movie, nor smut for the sake of smut, Jenny Proctor seems to have found the perfect balance. Summer and Nathan’s chemistry is intense, immediate, and impossible to ignore. But this book is also funny, smart, and hard to put down. I absolutely love the Appies more than any real sports team in existence. And while I don’t think anyone will ever top Felix as my favorite Appie, Nathan is now coming in at a close second. Excellent romcom that left me with a giddy goofy grin the entire time I was reading it. Another great aspect of both this book and this series is that the relationships with friends and family are just as important as the romance at the center of the story. Can be read as a standalone, but definitely richer for having read the other Appies books and the How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother series, all set in a cozy, comfortable corner of Western North Carolina. Definitely give it a read, but especially if you’re in the mood for the following tropes:

Grumpy/Sunshine
Hockey Romance
Fake Dating
Only One Bed

Reading a Jenny Proctor book is like spending the day with a great friend. Romancing the Grump absolutely continues this trend.

This book will light your mood!

It’s so cute and funny. A wonderful romcom if you love grumpyxsunshine and fake dating. I really liked the characters dynamic and their relationship. I really liked seeing Summer get past Nathan’s walls.

A solid romcom plenty will love!

I've been a fan of Jenny's for a long time and have read nearly all of her books but I think this one is a new favorite. I've been looking forward to Nathan's book ever since I found out he was getting one since I love a grump and this one delivered completely.

Things I loved:
-the camaraderie between the Appies
-the WAGs of the team all becoming friends
-the open and honest communication between Summer and Nathan and they're SWEET SWEET romance
-all of the fun family elements and tie-ins to other books
-THE KISSING

As is probably evident, I loved this book. Do yourself a favor and read it!

4.5 stars, rounded to 5!

EEEEEEK! I was so excited to see book two of the Appies on NetGalley!!

I requested book one on a whim and I was not disappointed. This one was just as good! These books are super cute, easy to read, and perfect for when you have that sports romance itch that needs to be scratched. This one had all my favorite tropes too - grumpy-sunshine, fake dating, and (of course) hockey romance! I need to read the Sweater Weather books to get more of the Appies romance books!!