This is an absolutely adorable feel good read. I adored Nathan Sanders - we love a misunderstood man of minimal words. We all deserve a happy ending.

This book was such a cute read. For a grump, Nathan was soft in a good way, in ways that mattered. I loved that he was soft with his loved ones but especially with Summer. The little gestures they did for each other had me swooning throughout the book.

Romancing the Grump is a fake dating romance book. They fake dated basically throughout the whole book. They both felt something the moment they laid eyes on each other but you wouldn’t have known with the grump of this book. Nathan was… hesitant a good chunk of the book and I felt like his reason was realistic and real and it’s something I personally would have struggled with too. But I loved seeing their story unfold and watch them fall for each other more and more.

This book was very PG, no smut going on which was perfectly okay with me because I loved the book as is.

Thank you Netgalley, JPC Publishing, and Jenny Proctor for providing me with this ARC for my honest review.

I loved this. It was all the good parts of a hockey romance without the tropes I hate (like playboy asshole pro athletes). The motivations behind each character were well thought out and built up through the story and I loved the whole concept of the team and their popularity (I was quite disappointed to find out that the first book in the series is only on amazon). I liked how some of the tropes were a little subverted, like he's grumpy without being an actual horrible person, and she's sunny without being portrayed as an idiot. I particularly liked was that the fake dating trope was subverted a little by Summer's emotional awareness. Honestly the only thing I didn't like that much was I felt the way Nathan ultimately resolved his feelings about his dad and relationships felt a bit unnecessary, but that didn't ruin the book or anything.

I have loved being in the Appie world since Just Don't Fall and these books just keep getting better and better! Nathan and Summer had the sweetest relationship and I was rooting for them since the beginning. Nathan is such a grump to everyone but Summer and even though he doesnt feel like he is good enough, he is so wrong. This man was the absolute sweetest and does the sweetest things for her. I love how the whole team is so close and how they were rooting for them to admit their feelings throughout the whole book! The ending was so sweet and i just loved this whole book

One of my favorites. I have read most in this series but this one is one of my favorites. Nathan and Summer were great and I loved that it was from both POV's. I loved both characters. Even when Nathan was labeled as grumpy. But deep down he truly had a heart of gold. He just guarded it more since he never wanted to become his dad. Summer is bubbly and says it like it is, which I love. You can sense these two have a connection from the start. But then they have to enter a "fake dating" thing and things heat up from there. Summer has a way of making Nathan change from the grumpy guy to a big teddy bear. You can tell throughout the whole story, Summer and Nathan have each others back. This is a great read about romance and hockey!

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!!