ANYTHING FROM THE APPIES SERIES IS AMAZING!!! This book is great and Nathan is a dream! I loved this book so much and loved the connection between Nathan and Summer.

Thank you to NetGalley for this great book

This was the sweetest thing I’ve ever read! I loved the tension between Nathan and Summer but the actual friendship that developed between them was so fun to watch. I was giggling and kicking my feet watching their romance blossom through their “fake” relationship. I usually don’t read closed door romance but the writing was so good and I was so invested in Nathan and Summer that I didn’t even notice the spice wasn’t there. Easily a 5 star read! Will definitely be reading more Jenny Proctor when I need a feel good romance!

This book was a sweet hockey romance with a grumpy hero and very interesting main female character. I loved Summer Callahan, she was such a breath a fresh air, a woman who knew who she liked and despise Nathan's extreme grumpiness she supported and stood beside him the entire book. She isn’t afraid to say whatever she thinks and act according to her feelings, Nathan was the reason for the 4 stars, he was so stubborn and set in this ways, it was a bit frustrating.
In the end, this was one of my better read of this month, I loved the characters, there were a few sweet moments. A grump/sunshine trope with a fake relationship and a sports romance with a feisty and intelligent female character, what's not to love.

Took me awhile to get into, felt very slow paced. But once I got into it I was really into it. I didn’t even miss the spice because the story made up for it.

In Romancing the Grump by Jenny Proctor, the story follows Summer (FMC) uprooting her life as an attorney at a DA’s office and moving to work in legal for a minor league hockey team, the Appies. Here, she meets (again), Nathan (MMC), the broody defenseman who is solely focused on playing hockey and never letting anyone get too close emotionally. Due to a social media craze for Nathan, Summer agrees to a fake-dating arrangement to help the situation until the craze dies down. Will this fake situation lead to real feelings? What happens when the fake dating starts to feel more real as the days go on?

Overall, I really enjoyed this story! It was a sweet romance filled with emotions, second guessing and angst between the two MCs. I thought doing a dual POV for this story was perfect, that way we were able to see into each MC’s mind and really grasp the terms of their relationship. I thought the side plots were well done and tied in well with the story as well. I would recommend this book to someone looking to read a sweet (no spice), hockey romance!

I posted my review on Goodreads (linked below) on 5/11/2024.

I usually enjoy hockey books and this was no exception. Nathan and Summer made for a really enjoyable book. It was funny, warm and sexy, without the fake drama that you sometimes find in some books. Not only will I recommend this author. I am now off to Amazon to find her other books.

This is the first time I read a book by Jenny Proctor and it makes me want to read more!

All these other couples made me want to read their stories. This won't be the last book I read of Jenny.

This book was a very slow-burning, fake relationship romance. They become really good friends first, which is fun because they were so distant in the beginning. I did like to read Nathan's pov because he fell so fast. How he couldn't talk to her and just blurts out the most random things.

I do love hockey romance, and this one didn't disappoint. Looking forward to reading the next one!

“Romancing the Grump” is a heartwarming tale that captures the essence of opposites attracting. Nathan’s gruff exterior is masterfully unraveled by Summer’s relentless optimism, making for a romance that’s as touching as it is humorous. Their journey is a testament to the power of love to soften the hardest of hearts.

Jenny Proctor’s writing shines in its ability to blend the rough with the tender, creating a story that’s both engaging and endearing. The hockey setting adds a dash of adrenaline to the mix, making this book a standout in the Appies Hockey Romance series. It’s a quick read that leaves a lasting impression, perfect for those who enjoy a sweet, closed-door romance with plenty of heart.

It was a good book. Nothing too deep. Summer is a new attorney for the Appies, and Nathan is the grouchiest player on the team. Perfect one day read and a sweet closed-door romance.

•Slow burn
•friends to lovers
•fake dating
•Hockey romance
•Workplace romance
•GrumpyXSunshine

This book really had it all.
I absolutely loved it. The characters were amazing! I love a grumpy MMC and Nathan did not disappoint.
Summer was a true ray of sunshine and just what Nathan needed in his life.
The anticipation of will they won’t they was written so well and they got the HEA they deserved

Super cute, sweet closed door romance! Forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, and dual POV. SLOWWWWWW burn. This is the first book I have read of this series and am happy to report it can be read as a standalone! It references the first meeting between the main characters, since the book starts at their second meeting. Normally I don’t enjoy this, because it feels like you missed too much, but this is not the case with Romancing the Grump. All it did was make me want to read the other books . 🏒

The thing I enjoyed most about Summer and Nathan’s relationship was their open dialogue and respect and support for one another. Both characters had a lot of character development and you were often feeling what they were feeling. This book had me smiling, laughing a few times, and left me overall entertained.

Wow. Wow. Wow. Just Wow.
I inhaled this book so fast. Finished it in a couple of hours. It was THAT GOOD!

Summer and Nathan are just *chef's kiss* ok?
Let me tell you why.

The characters are written so well! I love that the book starts from their second meeting, they have a sort of past (not gonna tell you, you'll have to read) that adds depth, it's not just a random love at first sight, out of no where kind of thing.

Summers' character is fierce and spicy, and she knows what she wants.
I love how bold she is. She tests Nathan's boundaries, waiting to see when they'll break, and he'll give in.
I love how she pulls all of his strings and can push him to the edge and play with his emotions just to test how far she can get (in a very playful, easy-going banter that presses all the right buttons).

Nathan's character development is written impeccably as well. His inner turmoils and struggles are well written and give you a deep perspective over his character.
I love the chapters in Nathan's pov, where you can just see the struggle in his mind, he literally tries to convince himself he doesn't want her which is adorable, but come on who are you trying to play here?

Regarding the love story, beware, it's a VERY slow burn, but it's written exceptionally! The struggle, the emotional rollercoaster, the attempt not to succumb to their emotion and hide the feeling that are growing. I felt the angst they felt. It's literally one of the only times I enjoyed reading a fake relationship book, especially when I didn't know it was going to be a fake relationship book when I first started it. But I got addicted so fast I finished it in a couple of hours!

The slow burn killed me. I was screaming at the book numerous times for them to kiss already! The tension was so intense!!! But I loved every second of it.

Regarding the hockey plot, though I understand nothing in hockey, it's OK cause you don't really need to know anything about it to read this book. It's just basic terminology and position names. You'll survive. I promise.

The book ended on such a sweet note! I loved the epilogue, but that's all im going to say about it.
The book was funny, light, romantic and easy-going, it was a very fun read and I absolutely love it! I might even read it again and would definitely recommend it to my bookish friends 🧡

⛸️Duel POV
⛸️Fake dating
⛸️Forced Proximity
⛸️Grumpy x Sunshine
⛸️Workplace romance
⛸️Closed door romance

This is the first novel iv read from author Jenny Proctor & I absolutely enjoyed reading it. It had my complete attention the whole way through, it was definitely a hard to put down book because I just wanted to keep reading. I adored both Summer & Nathan, such a beautiful connection between both of them. I felt every emotion especially with Summer being vulnerable & taking a risk knowing what she did. Nathan learning the truth about what he thought his childhood was like, slowly opening up & knocking down the walls he’s had up for so many years. Summer is so patient, understanding & supportive. Nathan is attentive & so caring though he may come across as a grump they brought the best out of each other.

Being the first closed book romance iv read it has me wanting to read more. This book is definitely in my top favourite books.

Thank you NetGalley & Jenny Procter for the ARC ebook.

This book was exactly what it said it was, a sweet hockey romance and I'm not mad about it!! It was cute and I really enjoyed all the secondary characters. I am a sucker for grumpy/sunshine and the fake dating trope and this did not disappoint! I loved how mature the main characters were and how supportive the side characters were. It was refreshing not to have a third act breakup because the FMC was actually able to use her words. That being said, it wasn't anything new or exciting but still really enjoyable. It was cozy and comforting.

Didn't realise fitness part of a series but was easy enlightened as a stand alpnr . I loved the love at first sight and the mutual respect between both characters was beautiful!

Synopsis: Despite Summer’s attraction to Nathan, she agrees to be his pretend girlfriend to change the narrative around Nathan’s image.
Review: The sweetest grump I ever did read! Despite Nathan’s grumpy exterior, he was such a kind softie from the start. I absolutely LOVED reading Nathan’s POV, so much so that I wish there was more. The pacing of the book was perfect; slow enough to make you feel Nathan and Summer’s angst, without dragging. I don’t know anything about hockey, but Jenny Proctor did an excellent job including hockey related content without making me feel lost. This can be read as a standalone or as part of the Appies Hockey Romance series by @jennyproctorbooks and @kikimojo.
BONUS: There is an extra chapter available on Jenny Proctor’s website.
Thank you @netgalley and @jennyproctorbooks for sending me a review copy of #RomancingtheGrump. I can not wait to read more!
#netgalley #arc #arcreview

Received as an ARC in return for my honest review.

🏒 Ice hockey romance
🏒 Closed door
🏒 Grumpy x Sunshine
🏒 Fake dating
🏒 Forced proximity

If smut in your books isn’t your bag but you still want a contemporary romance then this one will definitely tick the boxes for you. It was well written with great characters and a solid overarching storyline. Personally I like smut in my books so felt it was slightly lacking but I was aware of this going into the book so wouldn’t mark it down because of this.

I’d love to see stories for all the other players on the team, the side characters are what made this book for me.

Delightful! I found myself wishing there was a little more on-[age spice, but that's a me issue: this book was clearly marketed as a RomCom and it delivers sweetness and heat in levels that are more than appropriate for its category. A great option for readers who are drawn to the hockey genre but want to enjoy the fantasy with something that's not R rated.

Romancing the Grump" is a delightful addition to the Appies Hockey Romance series, offering readers a fresh take on the enemies-to-lovers trope. Nathan and Summer's dynamic is both entertaining and heartwarming, with their banter and chemistry driving the narrative forward. What sets this book apart is its ability to balance humor and romance without relying on steamy scenes, making it a perfect choice for readers who prefer a lighter, more wholesome romance. The author skillfully navigates the complexities of Nathan's character, gradually revealing his vulnerabilities beneath the grumpy facade, which adds depth to the story. Overall, "Romancing the Grump" is a feel-good read that leaves you with a smile, proving that love can soften even the grumpiest of hearts.

this was so sweet! i loved the first book in the series and this one felt like such a good continuation of that, but also stands by itself so nicely too. i loved seeing characters from the first book and getting to know them from the perspective of our two main characters.

i do think that, while i love the fake dating trope, the amount of couples that started out fake and proceeded to fall in love was a little much for one book. the characters were realistic and more heavy topics were dealt with so delicately, but this made it feel a little more fake and i couldn’t fully get into it for that reason.

overall i think this book was very sweet and i enjoyed reading it, and i particularly liked the way more difficult topics were handled.

thank you so much to netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc 🫶🏻