Not going to lie it was the title that drew me to this book. And I ended up loving it. I'm a sucker for a grumpy/sunshine troupe. It's in my top five troupes.

✨ Publication date: November 26, 2024✨

The Grump Whisperer is the first book in the Morning Song Farm, spicy romance series by Katy James. This is my first book by the author and I’ll definitely be picking up the next in the series.

Bronwen Jones is the Barn Manager for Morning Song Farms, except she doesn’t have a boss, or owner or money to help keep the farm afloat. After the original owner sold and moved, Bronwen was near desperation for supplies for the horses.

Ian Kingston is going to kill his sister, just as soon as she comes back from her lengthy vacation. Ian is a former show jumper that recently had a very bad accident and he’s been told he’ll never ride again.

Ian thought he was headed to a quiet place in the country to heal, only to find out his sister bought a horse farm and he’s the closest thing to the owner around. After Ian promises Bronwen he will take care of the finances in exchange for peace and quiet, he was expecting to be left alone.

A few days later, a young horse is dropped off for Ian to “work with” and he needs Bronwen’s help. As they get to know each other better and even share some of their personal tragedies they can’t deny the chemistry between them.

Bronwen and Ian venture into a no strings attached fling at least for as long as Ian is there. They don’t need feelings in the bedroom do they? As they get closer to Ian’s sister’s return and his inevitable departure, they both have to come to terms with what they really want, from themselves and each other.

This is a 3.5 (rounded to four) star for me. I enjoyed the writing and there was some spice. I love me some grumpy/sunshine and really felt Ian gave up the grumpy too soon. I’ll definitely pick up the next in the series!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #katyjames #thegrumpwhisperer

I really loved what Katy James did in The Grump Whisperer - the story is so quiet, underscored by this sense of melancholy and yearning. Ian and Bronwen collide and have immediate chemistry, both on journeys to figure out how to get back on the horse (one literally, one metaphorically) and i loved seeing them in the messy middle part of that. The writing in this book was so lovely - the sense of setting and the cast of characters and even the spicy scenes - I loved getting to know it all. My only complaint is that I wanted the tension to go further in the beginning between them or come to a head a little more explosively, but that's a small thing that didn't prevent me from having such a great time laughing and crying over this book. Horse girls (respectful), this one's for you, babes!

"The Grump Whisperer" by Katy James was such a fun romance! If you're a horse girl like me you will absolutely adore it! Bronwen Jones, who is the barn manager and Ian Kingston, the brooding former show jumper, make a perfect pair! I loved Bronwen's passion for horses and her ability to handle even the grumpiest of people!

The slow burn romance is filled with so much chemistry.

I loved the small town setting! This book is perfect for fans of Elsie Silver!

Thank you so much Netgalley and Harlequin for the eARC and Physical copy!!

If you’re a horse girl and you love a good grumpy guy romance, this book is so your vibe.
Bronwen is managing a barn on the brink of disaster, and Ian? He’s a gorgeous ex-show jumper who’s been knocked down by life (and injury). When these two are forced to work together, sparks fly—both literally and figuratively. It’s a slow-burn romance with a dash of spice, and the horses just make everything better. 🐴💕

I loved how Ian and Bronwen kept things real with each other. The horse care? Top-notch. The feelings? Even better. It did feel a little fast at times—like, how much time has actually passed? But the connection between them felt pretty natural. The story’s got heart, steam, and plenty of feels. Definitely recommend for fans of sweet romance with a little grit!

2.5/5 stars
This book follows a show jumper who arrives in a small town living in the barn that Bronwen manages. This book did well in the beginning and I was enjoying the storyline. However, there came a point where nothing was truly happening and it felt like I was reading the same thing repeatly. The pacing was perfect and I liked the country small town setting. This book is told from both Bronwen and Ian’s pov.

Bronwen is the FMC of the story who is in a situation with the barn that Ian is living at. I liked her character and enjoyed seeing her development. Thwn we have Ian who is the MMC and was a show jumper. I liked his character and seeing him develop however the author was leading him to be a grumpy guy but he wasn’t. There are quite a few side characters but none that truly stuck out to me. I know there is a second book coming and I wonder who it will be about. The romance is grumpy x sunshine and forced proximity with a few steamy scenes. The romance was okay but could have been a bit better.

The ending was okay but towards the end I just didn’t feel much for the book. I enjoyed the beginning and seeing the development but then it just started to go downhill. I know some will enjoy this book which a good thing was that it was short, so easy to read in a day!

*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*v

How refreshing to read an equestrian romance with english riders! Though cowboys are hot, grumpy ex show jumpers are also hot.

In this book Bronwen is the manager of a farm that was recently sold, when Ian, the new owners brother, shows up and locks himself in the house never to be seen.

Ian was involved in a terrible riding accident and he's dealing with the trauma and grief from that accident, while Bronwen doesn't ride either because she was also in a fall.

When an unmanageable stallion shows up for them to train and get to trust them, the two grow closer together and develop a friendship -> friends with benefits -> love.

It was cute but I found myself skipping around here and there. I wish Ian had a bit more of a dirty mouth as though there were numerous spicy scenes, they fell a little flat for me.

Still happy to finally read a book with english riders!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this review.

This book was a fun read. I loved all the horse stuff. I love a good grumpy hero. This book had good character growth and was well written. The only issue I had was that it dragged through the middle a bit. I think more conflict was needed in this story. I did want to continue reading and that was definitely a good thing.. Huge thanks to Harlequin romance and Netgalley for allowing me read and review this book!

Unfortunately, this story jsut did not work for me. The pacing was off and the characters weren't lovable or particularly nuanced. I may have just not been in the mood for this read, but I did not vibe with it.

I really enjoyed this author's writing. I haven't read anything by them before, but I really got into the story and the pacing of it. The characters were well developed and lovable.

So The Grump Whisperer was… fine. It had its moments, but it didn’t really blow me away. The grumpy-sunshine trope is always fun, and Katy James did a good job creating tension between the main characters. The banter was decent, and there were a few genuinely funny moments that made me smile.

But honestly? It just didn’t stand out. The pacing felt off—some parts dragged, while others were rushed. I didn’t feel as connected to the characters as I wanted to, and the romance felt a little surface-level despite covering deep topics.

That said, it’s not a bad read. If you’re looking for something light and easy, this could work for you. But if you’re hoping for a romance that tugs at your heartstrings or makes you swoon, this might not hit the mark.

I liked this story of 2 people figuring out how to move forward in their lives after horse-related accidents. Good grumpiness and good coming together.

This book will appeal to anyone who loves horses and the charm of a farm setting. The depiction of the tight-knit community and the role of the horses added depth to the story. While I enjoyed the characters, I felt the two main protagonists could have been more fully developed. Their backstories were not explored enough to create a strong emotional connection, which left me feeling less invested in their journey.

Although the chemistry between the main characters was evident, something felt missing in their overall dynamic. Additionally, certain details, like the mention of the old caretaker’s cottage, were introduced but not followed through, leaving some loose ends that diminished my overall satisfaction with the story.

While there were aspects I enjoyed, I ultimately wanted a more complete and immersive reading experience.

I read a lot of horse books as a pre-teen. I couldn't tell you what series, but I read them. And this scratches that itch for a grown up.

She's the barn manager and he's the new owner's brother. No one's been paying the bills, so she barges in to his house and demands he take responsibility. He's basically been sitting in the dark brooding for weeks, and now he's forced to engage.

There's attraction, there's the reality of getting back on the horse after you've been thrown (metaphorically and literally), there's teamwork to rehabilitate an abused horse, and there's some spicy scenes. This is a quick read and a pretty fun one. I really enjoyed the unusual setting and circumstances.

Looking forward to the next one in the series!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was cute! Perhaps a bit too “horse girl” for me (a human afraid of horses) but it ticks all the check marks of enjoyment for me: grumpy, small town, light and fun, and paced perfectly!

Posted to Goodreads:

Browen loves her job as barn manager but when the farm gets sold her job may be in jeopardy. The new owner sends Ian, a former star jumper, to help keep the farm afloat. Ian and Browen clash until their mutual love of horses creates a bond that leads to sparks flying but both of them are hiding from things in their past that may make their happily ever after impossible.

The Grump Whisperer was a fast-paced romance. It lacked surprise but it was a quick read that delivered on its promised romance.

This was a very cute read set on a horse boarding farm with two characters trying to overcome and heal from their past. If you love horses (and romance) - this book is going to be an obvious must read.
For the most part I enjoyed the storyline and all the characters, which felt believable. There were a few times the book slowed down for me but never so badly that I couldn't keep turning the pages.

This book came out on 11/26/24 so grab a copy and let me know what you think!

3.5 out of 5 (couldn't decide whether to round up or down).

I really enjoyed The Grump Whisperer. Katy James has written a grown up romance for horse kids. Bronwen is the grump whisperer, with two grumps who need her help. One is Ian, a show jumper who has suffered a career ending injury. The other is Hades, a horse who has been badly treated in the past.

Listen, I love hurt people finding each other and healing. Bronwen was also a show rider, but a bad fall has made her afraid to get back on a horse. She’s made a safe life for herself as the barn manager at Morning Song Farm. The problem is (and we always start with a problem), that the farm has been sold and the new owner hasn’t shown up. The manure is piling up, the feed is getting low, and other maintenance important to the health and safety of the horses isn’t getting done. Ian Kingston thinks that he has retreated to his sister’s new house where he can wallow in privacy while she’s on a multi week retreat. Too bad for him that the house includes a working horse farm and a barn manager who wants the bills taken care of. Further proof that his sister is manipulating him, she buys a cantankerous horse and has him delivered without notice.

While there is conflict, The Grump Whisperer is in the mostly vibes camp of romance. I like an angsty romance with a third act breakup , but I also like a soft vibes romance where the third act conflict is worked out with communication and mutual understanding. I see myself wanting more soft vibes romances in the coming years. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Harlequin Books and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

I love this book. I have been gravitating towards cowboy-romances for the past year and this was exactly what I wanted. I read this twice, once with advanced-reader-copy eyes and then just for enjoyment.

I am a sucker for a grumpy character, and man, does Ian ever have the valid reason. He is trying to get a grip on his new reality, while shaping his future. This includes getting away from the world of horses, somewhere he has spent two decades. He went long with watching over his sister’s new investment, and lands himself exactly where he didn’t want to be.

In comes Bronwen. As the manager of the barn on Morning Song Farm she’s kept busy with the community that has been built around the horses. Fiercely loyal to the people she loves. Which promptly lands her confronting Ian for the help they need to keep Morning Song Farm running. Luckily Ian’s soft spot are the horses, and that starts their relationship.

I really love this book. I enjoyed how easy it was to read and how community was at the heart of keeping Morning Song Farm alive. Ian and Bronwen’s love for the horses was definitely a part of the foundation of their partnership, and from that feelings started to flourish. Granted those feelings were some major lust at first, but it was fertile soil and other feelings begun to grow.

This was a rare occurrence where I requested a book from NetGalley based on the title and the cover. It is appropriately named- there’s a grumpy man and a grumpy horse. I wouldn’t know the first thing about caring for a horse but based on the detail of the horse boarding facility I’d be willing to say the author has extensive knowledge.

It’s a cute story. Love interests do fall for each other fast but this is also a short book. There is enough conflict to keep interest but not too much that I wanted to constantly roll my eyes. The horses are very present in the story but in a good way.

I do wish we got more on Hades prior owner. It was hinted that he was abused and I’m thinking the story didn’t want to go too dark so kinda left it alone. I’m glad he ended up at a good place. He had every right to be grumpy/difficult.