This is a funny story with a lot of steam.

The heroine is trying to rebuild her life after divorce and does so by moving to a hobby ranch with her daughter.

Hilarity in-sues while finding herself and falling in love again.

Highly recommend this book.

Pippa Grant has a way with character behavior that is unrivaled. You know these people. You’ve had the same pet (and wildlife) experiences—Earl, haha. The banter is witty, and the shenanigans are entertaining, but as much as I loved Flint, Maisey, and Junie, their story moved waaaayyyyyy too slowly for me. This is most likely a personal problem, as I have a very short attention span; I added an extra star because I’m sure that when I read it again sometime down the road, I’ll appreciate it more.

This is a grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, small-town story with characters everyone can relate to and the Pippa Grant quirkiness her readers depend on. Most booklovers should be able to pick this book up and thoroughly enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and Pippa Grant for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Not My Kind of Hero in exchange for an honest review. (Second thanks to Pippa and the Lady Fireballs Patreon for the hard copy ARC!)

This is my second book from Ms. Pippa Grant, and once again I can tell you that it was a nice sweet, funny read. This time we are taken on a trail to a ranch in Wyoming, USA - where a single mother is moving after inheriting the piece of land, and... then it can't be that easy, as there is a guy who is living there and their first encounter was not on the best base.
Maisey is a really good female lead, that is strong, has a willingness to fight for herself, wants to stay independent and her character is not flat as it sometimes happens. And she is a mother, that will do just anything for her daughter, even when they are at war due to past events, but mothers' love knows no boundaries.
Flint lives on the ranch that now belongs to Maisey and he's not happy about it, as he thinks he knows this lady from what is shown publicly... and then he wants to live his life with no strings attached, but when you are a teacher, coach and other things is not easy - but feelings are kept away from his heart.
I liked this story as the characters kept me intrigued and gave me quite some fun while reading this book. They are so so good for each other, and the small-town setting only gave them more space and allowed it to grow slowly in its pace.

I don’t even know where to start! This was so incredibly sweet!! 🥹 And hilarious, and spicy, and emotional, and just GOOD! I loved Maisey and her independent, hardworking self! I loved that she was bound and determined to put her daughter, Junie, first and to feel like she belongs in Hells Bells, Wyoming. As a mom, you want the absolute best for your babies and it was so sweet seeing that she never stopped trying even when Junie’s teenager attitude and feelings about her father arose. Flint is the amazing. He’s grumpy and wants to dislike Maisey so bad but can’t help but notice how beautiful and amazing she is. Flint’s childhood makes relationships hard, but I was thrilled to see they were able to put their trust in one another to make it work! Oh and Earl!! Omg I was laughing so much 🤣💗

Read if you enjoy:
Small town
Single mom
Grumpy/sunshine
Forbidden romance
Forced proximity

I love Pippa's books and her humor and this book did not disappoint. Maisey is a single mom to teenager Juniper and was not expecting to find a bear enjoying a meal as they got to their cabin Maisey inherited from her uncle. Nor was she expecting a grumpy tenant (Flint) who did not mince words on his feelings about her inheriting the place. It wasn't long though before their barbs turned into something else as he is also a teacher & coach at the local high school so both Maisey & Juniper saw a lot of him. This was a great dual point of view story with a little angst & drama but not too much.

Maisey moves to Hell's Bells with her daughter Junie, in an attempt to start anew after divorcing her TV star husband. The small town knows who she is and taking them both under their wing, they soon become part of the community. But Flint, their tenant, isn't happy about their move. And the attraction between him and Maisey doesn't help either! This was such a sweet story. I loved how drawn out the romance between our characters was, making their relationship more believable. This was my first Pippa Grant book but it definitely won't be my last!

Thank you to Pippa Grant, Montlake, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

When I say this book made me laugh, I mean it made me laugh so hard tears were coming out.

Maisey was strong and independent. She didn't let anything stand in her way. Flint had his baggage but don't we all? I loved them together.

One of my favorite characters was Juniper. I loved her sass! The other is Earl. And let's not forget the cow funeral. This is definitely one I will recommend.

A hilarious small town romance about a woman whonis recently divorced moving to her Uncles hobby ranch with her 16 year old daughter to try and make a life that will fulfill her after years of doing what her ex wanted. The grumpy renter that knew her uncle before he passed seems to hate her at first sight and really wants her gone. Written from both points of view you can sit back, enjoy the hilarity that ensues as two people who seem to detest each other, slowly find themselves feeling so much more. She vowed to put her daughter first, but her attraction for the grumpy teacher next door is incredibly hard to ignore.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥

This read hit a little close to home when it came to Maisey and Junie. There may or may not have been some crying during this read.

Maisey Spencer thought coming to Hell's Bells, Wyoming would be a reprieve from the life she and her teenage daughter Junie left in Cedar Springs, Iowa. Nothing prepared her, however, for a nosey and cantankerous bear, a beaten-down hobby ranch, and a curmudgeonly tenant who seems to not like her for some unknown reason.

Flint Jackson is not thrilled that Maisey is his new landlord. The niece of his late close friend and mentor has been estranged from her own uncle for years, and now she gets to inherit his ranch? Their fates seem to be more intertwined than Flint thought when Maisey's daughter hopes to make the soccer team that he coaches and is in one of his math classes.

As Flint is forced to spend more time with Maisey despite his efforts to avoid her, he finds that his assumptions about the former DIY reality show star may not be true.

I enjoyed this read immensely. Though Flint's cold reception of Maisey had me giving him the side-eye, I love the progression of their relationship. Small details built up the tension between the two and had me wanting to scream "JUST DO IT" at every interaction. The main event was definitely spicy, though subsequent interactions fluctuated between mild and medium. Regardless, this read secures its place as one of my favorite small-town rom-coms.

What captured my attention was Pippa Grant's perfect portrayal of Junie. As someone who loves and deals with a teen whose favorite modes of communication with me are eyerolls and sighs, I felt Maisey's struggles to connect in my bones. I also loved the development of THAT relationship, because despite a teenage girl's attempts to firmly place Mom in the un-cool category, I can certainly relate to being their first call. (P.S. Despite being a happily married woman, my teenager also practically growls at any male who smiles at me, so yeah..Junie was spot-on.)

The comedy in this read definitely delivered, but it was not as over-the-top as I had expected from Grant. I don't think that was the focus, however. Grant put a lot of emphasis on finding your home, your refuge, and for anyone who had struggled to fit in, lived in someone else's shadow, you will find this read absolutely fulfilling.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Pippa Grant, Montlake, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

I just love Pippa Grant. The way that she writes slow burn romantic comedies is gold. Not My Kind of Hero is no exception.

I am such a sucker for single mom and daughter. I love reading about the challenges that they have to go through and figure out together. I mean their very first one was overcoming a bear.. This scene sucked me in from the beginning and absolutely loved their relationship. Maisey is extremely protective over Junie and rightfully so with Junie normal teenage behavior. Little did they know moving to their inherited ranch would lead them to finding a new home, new friends, and new loves.

This was really a cute story. I love a grumpy cowboy that is also a math teacher.. sign me up! Flint and Maisey had great chemistry and hilarious banter. I really enjoyed watching how their story unfolded.

Pippa Grant has a knack for imperfect heroines that are loveable and kind, that you just want to root for. Maisey is literally rising of the ashes of heartbreak from several directions. A ugly public divorce and her mother's fall from grace leaning hey in jail. As Maisey finds herself, Flint and Maisey fight a combustible attraction as long a they can. The romance made me cheer and I identified with the push and pull off raising a teenager.

This one has so many of my favorite things!
✔️small town
✔️single parent
✔️great banter
✔️highly competent, but also kinda messy heroine
✔️grumpy cinnamon roll hero

Maisey and Flint have a pretty epic "meet cute", and that sets the tone for the rest of the book. Their story is full of charm and humor, but it has a good degree of emotional depth and character growth to it as well. I had a hard time setting this one down, and I definitely wasn't ready for it to be over. I'm crossing my fingers that we haven't seen the last of Wit's End!

I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend picking this one up if you enjoy:

* Small town romance;
* Single parent stories;
* A strong, independent FMC;
* A hunky teacher;
* Forbidden romance.

Not My Kind of Hero is set in Hell's Bells, Wyoming and provides the most hilarious meet cute. Maisey Spencer is the single mom of a teen daughter who is less than thrilled at having been uprooted from her life and moved to a ranch in Wyoming. She soon meets Flint Jackson who is living on the ranch and also turns out to be one of Maisey's daughter's teacher.

The dialogue, banter, and steam in this book is on par with all the other amazing reads Pippa Grant has given us over the years. This was funny, and steamy and kept me turning page after page.

Definitely take the time to check this one out. You won't regret it.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Single mom Maisey is starting over at her Uncle's hobby farm that she inherited after he passed away. Trying to raise her daughter Juniper, while also proving to her that she comes first. She wasn't planning on inheriting a tenant who doesn't like her on sight and thinks the worst of her.

Flint is a local teacher and soccer coach, and a Mr. Fix-it for the town. He isn't happy Maisey decided to take over the farm. He doesn't want things to change and he loves the farm as her Uncle ran it. Allowing him to bring kids from the school to learn life lessons as well as keep them out of trouble.

Maisey is doing the best she can, and taking over all sorts of projects to help out the community which leads Flint to realize that they are a lot of like. Trying to prove that they are needed and wanted by the town.

While both Maisey and Flint have sworn off dating, their banter and close proximity leads to a natural chemistry that they can't deny.

I love how Maisey balanced being a single mom, with mom guilt for having a career and moving her daughter to a new town, to her ex who was an absentee dad. It was a lot to juggle but she did it so well.

This had the signature humor of a Pippa book, though not a much steam. It was a bit of a slow start but the second half really picked up and finished strong.

Maisy and Flint’s story was such a fun read. Grumpy heroes are always my favorites. This has grumpy/sunshine and single mom both. The fact that he likes her and really doesn’t want to is hilarious to see. They’ve both had unfortunate experiences in the past. He’s the hot math teacher. You have to read if for no other reason than finding out what’s in the cellar. This book is definitely a slow burn which I don’t always love, but it works well with this story. This one isn’t quite as zany as some of the authors other books. Still absolutely hilarious, but I had a much easier time picturing all the things happening to myself. Definitely give this one a read.

I’m always happy whenever I have a Pippa Grant book in my hands. “Not My Kind of Hero” is a banter filled, fun and laugh out loud rom com that I devoured in just a couple hours.

After divorcing her husband and leaving their popular home renovation TV show, Maisey and her daughter, June, have moved onto a ranch property that her Uncle had left her after his passing. On her first day there, she meets her grumpy tenant, Flint. The two have a unique first meeting with a horse and grumpy local bear named Earl. Flint had been living in the gatehouse while also working at the high school. The two clash from the beginning but slowly start to get along as Maisey works on updating the ranch. Both are not ready for a relationship but there is a chemistry neither can deny for long.

From the first chapter, I was laughing out loud while reading Maisey and Flint’s story. I loved how they met and the comical way the story started off. It could definitely happen to anyone, especially living on a ranch. Maisey is just so wonderful. Trying to thrive as a single mom, working on restoring the ranch and making sure her and June are happy. Flint is a fantastic grump to match Maisey’s sunshine. He’s guarded because of his past but he definitely cares about Maisey and June, which shines throughout the story. I loved their banter so much and the clear attraction they had to each other. There’s some drama and angst which adds to their story and I couldn’t put it down because I needed to read their HEA. I loved this story and can’t wait for the next Pippa book.

I absolutely adore this author! Her books are always hysterical with a little bit of crazy mixed in, my kinda book. I loved Flint, Maisey and Junie, and along with Buttercup, Earl, Kody and supporting cast, this was a very enjoyable book to read. The town of Hells Bells is my kind of small town to live in, as well as the towns people being incredible. Just a great back drop for this story. Well worth the read, can't wait for the next book she's got up her sleeve.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

Not My Kind of Hero by Pippa Grant

Starting over is never easy to do but when you have nothing left where you have lived most of your life, have raised your daughter, and the climate is no longer friendly…having a dude ranch inherited from an uncle might seem almost a safe haven to head to with your teenage daughter…maybe…?

What I liked:
* Maisey: recently divorce, mother of sixteen-year-old Juniper, has secrets, more skilled than the part she played in a handyman program she was on for six years with her ex, wants to be the best mother ever to her daughter, also seeking her own best self, not in the market for a relationship no matter how much she might be attracted to Flint
* Flint: math teacher, soccer coach, has commitment issues, had a rough childhood, good friend, giving, caring, kind, rule keeper, very attracted to Maisey, wants what is best for Juniper and her daughter
* Juniper-June-Junie: sixteen, has two years of high school left, loves soccer, wishes her father cared more than he does, wise, doing her best, misses much and not a lot of where she lived before, a good person, has a bright future
* Earl: a bear that pops up from time to time
* Gingersnap: a cow that had history with the town and belonged to Uncle Tony
* Uncle Tony: black sheep of his family, a safe harbor for Maisey as a teenager, thought of Maisey and her possible future needs even though they did not see one another often, that his presence was felt even though he was never actually seen in the book
* The slow-burn and strong chemistry and almost soul-connection between Maisey and Flint
* Opal, Charlotte and others in the town who make Junie and Maisey feel at home
* Kory: Flint’s best friend, sounding board, and good person
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* That I Flint and Maisey both wanted what was best for Juniper…though they also wanted to have something for themselves, too

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to…mostly the ex-husband, Dean

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

This slow-burning, small town romance is more serious than Grant's indie books, but it still has plenty of charm. I liked the deeper elements and the focus on mending your broken pieces - these two instant enemies clash until they realize how much they have in common, and watching that come full circle was very fulfilling. Starring a commitment-phobic hero who is drawn to emotionally unavailable women (which our newly divorced heroine definitely is!), the romance takes awhile to fully develop. I did find the beginning to be a little too slow for me, but the story gets richer and deeper as it progresses. The moody hero is secretly a sweetheart, a high school teacher who genuinely loves his students. It was adorable seeing the grump in his element, and I loved that he cared for the heroine's teenage daughter as well. It's a lighthearted yet emotional romance with a definite found family feel.

The story follows Maisey, a woman who inherited a rundown ranch after her uncle passed away. Though she had been absent from his life for years, Maisey appreciates that she has a place to go after she (finally) divorces her husband. But not everyone welcomes Maisey's arrival in town, and that includes her new tenant, Flint. The sexy stranger was friends with her uncle, and he doesn't have much respect for Maisey. As the two bicker, they slowly realize that there's more to the other than meets the eye. Seeing Flint interact with her teenage daughter softens his harsh edges, and watching Maisey gain her confidence again does something funny to Flint's heart. But neither one is in the right headspace for a relationship, and that means giving in to their unwanted attraction is off the table.

Personally, I vastly prefer Grant's indie romances, which are more overtly funny and playful. However, I felt like this was her most successful traditional release so far - there are definitely some comedic elements, but it truly is more of a quiet, small town romance. I liked how Maisey and Flint grew on each other over time, and both characters were multi-faceted and interesting. Watching them both find their happy again was certainly swoony. It's a low heat/super slow burn romance, and it was too quiet for me at times. The community is a major aspect, so the romance takes a backseat to that in the first half. Once Maisey and Flint let down their walls a bit and finally gave in to the feelings, it was easy to see why they were perfect together. So this was a solid 4-star read for me the whole way through - it didn't grip me completely, but I was invested in the romance the whole way through.

I love Pippa books and this is another great one. I laughed and cried. These two were fun and I always love over the top sometimes as that is what is sometimes needed to get away from everything. I don’t think I have met one of her books I haven’t enjoyed! One click