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syxxys's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ali_fremont's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It had all the makings of a great book, the banter was great. But everything was surface level. We don’t hear much about the memoir, about their pasts, about their families (they both of sisters that are just mentioned once?) or friends (this book could have USED it’s secondary characters), and it felt like just banter and choppy lengthy conversations internal monologues from the FMC. MMC resembled Roy Kent in regard to looks and grumpiness only, after which we actually meet him and then he’s completely different. Ending felt rushed and too much like it was wrapped up in a pretty bow.
nettiereadsromance's review against another edition
4.0
ARC REVIEW- When Grumpy Met Sunshine
Stars- ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️.5
Spice-
Stars- ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️.5
Spice-
bzliz's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I normally don’t rate/review based on vibes but I absolutely have to here because this book had me blushing, giggling, kicking my feet, I’m literally so obsessed. I think the narrator really helped that because she was excellent and I might not have felt as strongly about this if I’d read it via text first. However since I borrowed this on Libby and I loved it so much, I will absolutely be getting a hard copy to add to my library because I cannot wait over 6 months for it again!
There is miscommunication here but not in the I overheard something out of context and now I think you hate me kind of way. It’s more like I’m so obsessed with you and there’s a 0% chance you’ll ever feel that way about me so I’ll take whatever you’ll give me and be grateful for it but I’m never ever going to talk about it in case it scares you off way and I absolutely Ate It Up. Did they need to fake date? Of course not but I loved it. Mabel and Alfie are both himbos in my favorite way.
There is miscommunication here but not in the I overheard something out of context and now I think you hate me kind of way. It’s more like I’m so obsessed with you and there’s a 0% chance you’ll ever feel that way about me so I’ll take whatever you’ll give me and be grateful for it but I’m never ever going to talk about it in case it scares you off way and I absolutely Ate It Up. Did they need to fake date? Of course not but I loved it. Mabel and Alfie are both himbos in my favorite way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Death of parent
aly_anne's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
mistysbookspace's review against another edition
I got an eARC of this book from NetGalley and unfortunately it did not work for me at all. This sounded like it would be a book I would love, and it totally would have been if we weren't in the FMC head so freaking much. I got 31% into this book and I swear I spent more than half of that in this character's head with her going off on these random tangents and it was just too much. It was annoying and really became a chore to try to keep up with the back and forth. The time we got with the 2 main characters together actually interacting with each other I liked but I couldn't force myself through all the inner monologue, so I gave up.
kristyloves2read's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so freaking cute and funny!!!!
I listened to the audiobook and loved it. I don't know when was the last time I laughed so hard, I had to stop listening several times just to make sure I didn't miss anything while I laughed my head off. I must have looked like a loon listening in my car laughing.
Alfie is most definitely grumpy, gruff, burly, and I loved him.
Mabel is witty, and smart, and manages to get him in ways that nobody else does, while systematically being oblivious and blind to how he feels about her.
There is a big miscommunication troupe in this book which usually turns me off, but Stein managed to keep the miscommunication funny and interesting the entire time. Normally I would have been frustrated by Mabel's blindness, but you can almost see how it is never really truly clear to her what is obvious to the rest of us. The author kept their reactions funny, even when awkward, it was hysterical how the MCs banter and attitudes kept them truly understanding. and so it worked.
I listened to the audiobook and loved it. I don't know when was the last time I laughed so hard, I had to stop listening several times just to make sure I didn't miss anything while I laughed my head off. I must have looked like a loon listening in my car laughing.
Alfie is most definitely grumpy, gruff, burly, and I loved him.
Mabel is witty, and smart, and manages to get him in ways that nobody else does, while systematically being oblivious and blind to how he feels about her.
There is a big miscommunication troupe in this book which usually turns me off, but Stein managed to keep the miscommunication funny and interesting the entire time. Normally I would have been frustrated by Mabel's blindness, but you can almost see how it is never really truly clear to her what is obvious to the rest of us. The author kept their reactions funny, even when awkward, it was hysterical how the MCs banter and attitudes kept them truly understanding. and so it worked.
fiohill890's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
agrippinaes's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very charming, very cosy read. This isn’t the first book I’ve read by this author but it’s the first one I’ve really gelled with; her voice is really clear and really suited this sort of fluffy romance. It was just really engaging and from the first page I just wanted to sit there reading it.
It was just very cute. Alfie was so endearing and funny, I loved that his interest in her was clumsy. He was a real sweetie, and Mabel was a good match for him. I really liked their dynamic; I liked how into each other they were and how clear that was throughout the book. The chemistry is great and it’s really steamy throughout. The sexual tension is just delicious.
My only complaint was that the sense of humour sometimes became a bit much; the gags were funny but – and especially early on in the book – they did begin to pile up a bit and I think that it could have been dialled back somewhat to let the story breathe. And some of the jokes didn’t land for me at all, but that’s more of a preference thing.
That said, the humour is a large part of why this book was so charming. It’s a fun and joyous book that celebrates the bond developing between its two main characters, and they are the whole focus. There are side characters, but they don’t often appear on-page. The the vast, vast majority of this book is just the two main characters spending time together, getting to know each other, and completely falling in love with one another. And it works. It’s a fun story of two people coming together, and it’s a joy to read.
Content Notes: Grumpy/sunshine, plus sized FMC, sports, forced proximity, friends-to-lovers.
Warnings:
Other:.
It was just very cute. Alfie was so endearing and funny, I loved that his interest in her was clumsy. He was a real sweetie, and Mabel was a good match for him. I really liked their dynamic; I liked how into each other they were and how clear that was throughout the book. The chemistry is great and it’s really steamy throughout. The sexual tension is just delicious.
My only complaint was that the sense of humour sometimes became a bit much; the gags were funny but – and especially early on in the book – they did begin to pile up a bit and I think that it could have been dialled back somewhat to let the story breathe. And some of the jokes didn’t land for me at all, but that’s more of a preference thing.
That said, the humour is a large part of why this book was so charming. It’s a fun and joyous book that celebrates the bond developing between its two main characters, and they are the whole focus. There are side characters, but they don’t often appear on-page. The the vast, vast majority of this book is just the two main characters spending time together, getting to know each other, and completely falling in love with one another. And it works. It’s a fun story of two people coming together, and it’s a joy to read.
Content Notes: Grumpy/sunshine, plus sized FMC, sports, forced proximity, friends-to-lovers.
Warnings:
Spoiler
Alcoholism (MC’s parents), child abuse, childhood poverty, financial anxiety, fatphobia, references to past injuries, references to sexual harrassment.Other:
Spoiler
On-page sex, rough sex, oral sex, semi-public sexual activity, mutual masturbation.happy_reader_15's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5