Member Reviews
Thank you Dreamscape Media for my gifted copy! This was my first Annah Conwell book, but it won’t be my last. I read more open door romance, but this is why I like closed door romance too. Adrian and Juliette are next door neighbors, but don’t have a great first meeting. Juliette was so sweet and welcoming despite a difficult past. This was the ultimate grumpy sunshine. I loved the antics of their small town (giving off Gilmore Girl vibes) and also seeing Adrian’s family. This has some swoon worthy moments and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
I absolutely adored this closed door, kisses only, grumpy/sunshine romcom!
Adrian and Juliette felt so real and relatable. They both had struggles to overcome and past hurts that made them wary of letting people in, but once they started opening up to each other...sigh. This book was sweet and romantic with hidden depth. The character growth was well paced and the romance was sweet with lots of underlying tension.
I adored Adrian's family and I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
I listened to the audiobook and the dual narration was really well done. The pacing was good, the characters sounded age appropriate, and the narrators brought the emotion.
I would not hesitate to recommend this book!
*Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a cute feel good story. I like the grumpy hero that really is a hidden softy. I do wish there was a little but more steaminess to the story but it was enjoyable. I liked the narrator too.
I wanted to like this audiobook but I found that the main character had a tendency to be overly talkative to the point of irritation and Ihad to stop listening. Perhaps this would not ave been so off-putting in a physical format but with an audiobook, it did not work for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It’s a wonderful feeling to discover a a new to you series and love the first book so much that it makes you excited for the next novels in the series. That’s how happy I am about But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor. I listened to the audio book, with it’s dual narration, and absolutely adored this grumpy/sunshine story!
There were some moments in this story that tugged at my heart and made me feel like I was going to tear up. It’s a romcom and there are plenty of sweet and fun moments, but this story also has a female main character who escaped a childhood of abuse. That impacts the way she relates to others and the way she views herself. Yet, Juliette has an optimistic personality and is the perfect complement to Adrian’s more stoic demeanor.
I loved seeing the way Adrian began to connect and open up to Juliette, even as he resisted doing so. He simply couldn’t help himself and before he knew it, they were friends. But his desire to hold his heart apart from Juliette and not give more of himself almost cost him not only a special friendship, but what could be the love of his life.
This book was fantastic and I loved the way it introduced the Carter brothers. I’m looking forward to reading the other brothers’ stories and want to go back and read their sister, MJ’s, story from a previous series, as well.
I received a complimentary copy of this audio book, however, I purchased the ebook. All opinions are my own.
But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor was super cozy and sweet. I loved the grumpy/sunshine theme throughout the story. The characters are so lovable and so is the town. There are a couple steam kisses but is otherwise spice free. There is tension and banter galore which I love. The audiobook was fantastic. I loved both of the narrators - thank you for dual narrators! I fully recommend this cozy sweet romance to anyone who is vibing with that description.
Thank you to NetGalley, Annah Conwell, and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook ARC.
Pensando, pensando e pensando como colocar em palavras o que senti sobre essa leitura. Mais uma autora que eu já queria conhecer há tempos, tive a chance de ouvir o audiobook dessa série mais recente da Annah Conwell, já bem certa, por comentários de outros livros dela, que encontraria um romance clean e leve, e nesse ponto já adianto não me decepcionei. Em meio a tantos romances com plots bons mas cheios de hot, é um alívio encontrar as exceções e But He's My Grumpy Neighbor é uma delas. Melhor de tudo é ser, ainda, envolto no clichê de grumpy x sunshine que eu costumo gostar e aqui não foi muito diferente, ainda que o Adrian não seja um grumpy de tanto peso, senti ele apenas como mais reservado, por uma ou outra questão do passado e da própria personalidade dele mesmo, mas que acaba por se abrir um pouco mais de uma forma bem fofa com a presença de nossa mocinha que representa bem o lado sunshine também, mesmo com algumas marcas complicadas no passado.
Marcas essas que são avisadas pela autora no início do livro e até que são bem abordadas num geral, mas eu ainda senti falta de um tratamento mais aprofundado nisso, mesmo entendendo que não era o foco da autora, mas mesmo recuperada em alguns âmbitos, por outros, a Juliette ainda carregava marcas que podiam estar sendo melhor desenvolvidas não só juntas ao romance em formação, aliás. Romance este que, em algumas vias, também soou meio rápido demais para mim na intensidade do sentimento dos personagens antes deles se conhecerem com mais afinco, e ainda que tenha continuado tudo muito clean e tranquilo nesse ponto, poderia ter sido mais desenvolvido para cativar melhor, apesar disso não impedir um ou outro momento do casal nos fazer suspirar por entre as interações ora divertidas, ora inusitadas deles, com direito ainda à presença de um doguinho muito amorzinho e a família do mocinho, em especial seus irmãos que continuarão nos demais livros da série, que definitivamente, mesmo com aparições sem muito foco, mas conseguiram atrair minha atenção para eles aqui e ali e ficar curiosa com o que virá nos livros individuais deles.
Enfim, é um romance fofinho, com alguns temas mais sérios que podem ser gatilhos, então fiquem atentos à nota da autora no início, mas ainda assim ela sabe dosar sem pesar a mão e entregar uma romcom como muitos gostamos, e que, apesar das ressalvas, ainda assim indico, fechando nas 3,6 estrelas.
He's a 10 but ... he's also my grumpy neighbor. And a Carter brother.
I just finished listening to But He's My Grumpy Neighbor by Annah Conwell, Narrated by Leanne Woodward; Evan Sibley, and it was so good. The narrators were fantastic and drawing me in. I was in a bit of a book rut and this story was the answer!
Juliette has spent the last several years surrounded by people of a significantly greater age. She loves the peace and serenity of the area but longs for human connection. So, when her new neighbor shows up and starts moving things in, you can bet she's spying through the blinds. Even better, the new neighbor is dark and brooding and nearly her own age!
I loved the grumpy Adrian who couldn't help but smile around Juliette. The story was full of sweet, steamy chemistry and you could feel the draw these two characters had for each other.
The only thing I didn't love was the references to Adrian's past. We get vague comments here and there but I never felt like they ever REALLY explained why he had such a hard time with his feelings and emotions and relationships in general.
But don't let that minor thing keep you from reading. Annah Conwell does an amazing job at writing loveable characters. In fact, I'm all in on the Carter Brothers. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next books in the series. They are definitely going to be some new favorites. I can already tell.
This is a Sweet, Kisses only romance
TW: Previous abusive parents to a child and some past betrayal in work and relationships
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC. It was an absolute delight.
I have quickly become a fan of Annah Conwell and listening to this first book in the But He’s a Carter Brother series was all kinds of bliss. And as much as I’m not quite ready to let go of summer, this sweet love story had me craving cinnamon rolls…especially because Adrian is that type of grump who is all the warm gooey sweetness in his “abs for days” core. Juliette and her golden retriever, Murphy, are two peas in a pod with their sweetness and likability, and it’s all about the connections they make with their cantankerous neighbor that had me swooning.
What kind of man will stay in and dog sit on Valentine’s Day while his attractive neighbor attends a singles mixer and then texts his brother to keep an eye on her? Adrian. I adored the electric sparks between these two that gradually polished a rough exterior, and I really loved the exciting flirtations.
These Carter brothers have me all kinds of intrigued and I loved this first book.
But He's My Grumpy Neighbor is the second book I"ve read by Anna Connell, and it did not disappoint. She's definitely a new favorite author of mine! Already looking for my next read by her!
But He's My Grumpy Neighbor is a sweet, and wholesome story, with great characters you'll love (and root for).
Special thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for advanced access to the audio version.
Publication date is August 7, 2024
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine trope in this book (probably one of my favorites). Maybe I like the grumpy characters so much because they remind me of my husband HA! I also loved the retirement community vibe and their side characters. I mean you have a grumpy old man who is persistent in trying to get rid of the ducks at their lake. You have a crazy old lady on a motorized scooter who is always wearing a yellow helmet. The town meetings remind me so much of Gilmore Girls.
I would say the last quarter of the book got a little repetitious and predictable, but still very cute. I just felt like it took Adrian too long to finally give into his feelings for Juliette. It was a constant one step forward, two steps backward for three-fourths of the book.
I also really appreciated the introduction at the beginning. It gave you a few content warnings like anxiety, childhood trauma, and death. It also was straightforward with it being a closed door romance - there would only be kissing on the page. I wish more books did this. It would help the people who want closed door romance books to find a safe read, and it helps the people who want the steamier read to know they won't find that here.
I definitely plan to listen to the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced copy of the audiobook.
Wow! But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor is an absolute delight of a love story! Witnessing two timid, beautiful people find solace in each other the way I just did with Juliette and Adrian was just… stunning. I don’t think I even fully understood how much I love to see a MMC take care of a FMC until reading this book. The care and understanding between these two characters is just gorgeous and inspirational.
The narration in this audiobook only added to how beautiful the book was. I was just fully swept away!
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced audio in exchange for an honest review.
This book was ok. Could've been so good. Didn't have a lot of heart so I just listened to it without feeling too much anticipation. The main thing that bothers me is that the main character has a dog in the book but the book cover shows a cat. Very distracting.
Favorite quote: “Running is like dying but without the relief of death.” I am in love. This is not so much a romcomy book but more like a heartfelt journey to love. Juliette and Adrian are neighbors and they’re just so dang likable. And normal. With problems. And challenges. I felt like this author just took me along and plopped me on the park bench to observe these two. And I liked what I saw.
I listened to the audio from NetGalley and felt like there were so many quotable notable things. The supportive family and friends brought humor and perspective to the story.
And can I just talk about Adrian for a minute? He is swoony. Owns his actions and man those melty words. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Highly recommend.
Contains an audiobook review.
This is the first book in the But He's a Carter Brother series. It features our first Carter brother, Adrian, who also has a twin. I love twins! Adrian moves in next door to Juliette and sparks fly! I loved it! The two of them have such fun banter and chemistry! I really enjoyed it.
I was able to listen to the audiobook and really thought the narrators did an excellent job. It is a dual narration book and is done well. I don't recall having heard either of these readers in the past. I would love to listen to more books that they read.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media, Netgalley and Annah Conwell for the opportunity to listen to this book. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This one’s for my audio book girlies—But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor is out on audio as of August 6th! It’s such a cute little romcom that also adds a realness and relatability of dealing with mental illness and childhood trauma. My heart went out to Juliette as I felt I could relate to so much in her story ❤️ and to top it all off, who doesn’t love a grumpy x sunshine trope! Yes it’s cheesy at times. And the happy ending is expected and predictable. But that’s what makes an easy little feel good romcom so great!! The audio was so great. I loved that they included a male voice when it was Adrian’s POV and a female voice for Juliette’s POV. If you are into audio books, definitely give this one a try! -Reag
*also available on kindle unlimited*
Thank you @dreamscape_media for the audio ARC!
#bookiebesties
LISTEN. I loved this book so darn much. I cannot wait to read the remaining Carter Brothers books.
Adrienne had NO RIGHT to be that adorable and my heart is still a puddle of goo over the "I've never been a fan of music but her giggle is quickly becoming my favorite song." Excuse me sir!!! (crying)
Juliette's backstory hit very close to home for me and I feel her struggles in life. When you spend most of your life in survival mode you are always on high alert. I loved seeing her grow in herself and her relationships.
HIGHLY recommend.
Just finished But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor, and it’s the perfect cozy romcom!
When Adrian Carter, the grumpy yet intriguing new neighbour, moves in next door, the sparks between Juliette and Adrian are impossible to ignore. Despite his tough exterior, she can't resist the warmth hidden beneath, and soon she’s falling for the cinnamon roll heart inside. But with her emotional baggage and his aversion to relationships, their connection may never be more than just neighbourly.
Adrian’s grumpy exterior hides a sweet, cinnamon roll heart that’s impossible not to love. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic is on point, with plenty of swoon-worthy moments and heartfelt laughs.
If you’re a fan of small-town romances with a slow-burn that leaves you smiling, this book is a must-read. Can't wait to dive into the rest of the Carter Brother series!
“Sorry about him!” Smiley twin yells across the yard. “He gets nervous around beautiful women.”
If you love the grumpy sunshine trope you will LOVE this.
It did start a little slow for my liking but nothing wrong with a slow burn. I personally love the grumpy/sunshine niche so I wasn’t surprised that I enjoyed this.
Was happy with audio version, sometimes they can be a little cringe but this was fine.
This was just the absolute sweetest introverted love story!! 🥹🤍 If you are just needing a happy read that will brighten your day… this is the one. An introverted, tea obsessed girl & her dog and a broody loner hottie that just moved in across the street 🤭 I related to this main character SO much… like why did this book feel healing to me… Nothing crazy, no surprising ending, no unbelievable situations, just a sweet story!!!