4.25 🌟
From the get-go, it's very obvious the path this book will take but surprisingly it's not an issue. I picked it up knowing that it would be the grumpy/sunshine trope (obviously!) And was pleasantly surprised. The characters embody their personality traits brilliantly and are detailed and well set up to interact with each other. It doesn't feel like they butt heads, but instead it feels like they engage with each other and allow the other one to thrive and open up some more.

For those who like slow burn elements to stories, with some 🌶 as well, I'd say this book has all of that!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'When Grumpy Met Sunshine' by Charlotte Stein.

Oh I wolfed this book up like it was a cake. 'When Grumpy Met Sunshine' was a sports star x writer romance and it was so cute!! It also mixed in with the reality of footballers and just how obsessed the public eye get with celebrities and their private history. The amount of fatshaming our darling MC received was disgusting and its honestly disgusting that this is how life is. All that aside - I felt like it was a point I needed to bring up in case you thought this love was an easy ride - I did absolutely enjoy this story and I would read another Charlotte Stein book in the future.

Absolutely fantastic characters, and a book for anyone who watched Ted Lasso and wanted to see more Roy Kent (in every way). With a fat heroine who, and a hero who falls first and HARD, this was definitely a fun read. I will say, it's a lot spicier than I anticipated, so definitely watch out for that!

I must admit I wasn’t sure about this book at first - the plot felt a bit silly and unbelievable and I found it hard to suspend my disbelief, but I kept reading because the main characters, Mabel and Alfie, had such great chemistry. When I found myself thinking “I can’t wait til they kiss 🔥” I knew I was all in.

When Grumpy Met Sunshine reads like fanfic (specifically Roy Kent fanfic) in all the best ways: light on plot, heavy on feelings (repressed and expressed) and yearning and banter and smut.

It made me laugh out loud and wriggle with glee. Plus I welled up a bit towards the end. I loved it.

A national treasure footballer needs a ghost writer to right his life story. Unfortunately he has a reputation for being a man of few words and an explosive temper. After turning down various ghost writers., Mabel is drafted in. Giving back as good as she gets, a deal is struck. Not only will she write his life story but be his pretend love interest so no one knows she's writing his life story.
Of course it's picked up by the press and internet.
Confusion, lust and what's really real abounds. Enjoy I did, light hearted romance

This was a new author to me and I will definitely be looking at her back book list.
I loved this book, Alfie and Mabel were wonderful characters full of quirky traits and awful self esteem issues.
Mabel, because of her body shape and career choices and Alfie because of other peoples perception of him.
They book manages to be a slow burn, whilst being filthy in parts, ( all in a good way!)
Loved it and everybody should read it immediately.

The story of Alfie and Mabel. She is the ghostwrite hired to help him, a former footballer, write his memoir. They don't get off to the best start, but will they give each other a chance? A great read, I love a grumpy and sunshine romance.

Thanks to Net Galley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC! I received an advanced copy of the book and am leaving an honest review.

I went into this quite literally for the title. I figured, this is gonna be a cutesy fun read. A curvy sunshiney ghostwriter works with the grumpy surly ex footballer on his memoir? Love the premise. I was a bit concerned since I read an ARC last month with a similar premise but just WOW. It kept getting better as I read it.

I love Mabel and Alfie. I saw so much of my self in Mabel, with the self doubt and insecurities. She was such a fun character and I LOVED how she saw Alfie and how she was able to draw him out. She had such a way with him, it was lovely to read.

Hooo boy. Alfie. Freaking. Harding. THIS MAN. He has to be one of the absolute SWEETEST and MOST THOUGHTFUL men ever written. WE LOVE A MAN WHO DEMANDS CONSENT!! He was always his grumpy self but totally softens around Mabel. You can see how she’s, not changing him, but allowing him to be more himself and admit to things about himself he hasn’t liked previously. I loved the developing relationship between them and it felt very authentic and real.

I honestly started off the this and got a good halfway into thinking, ok this seems like a good 3-3.5 star read. But as I kept going, I couldn’t put it down! This turned into a true 4.5 star read for me.

My only complaints (and there aren’t many) are that it was physically hard to read, I’m pretty sure it was just the way the file downloaded and I was honestly reading it mostly on my phone, so it wasn’t great. The only other thing was it was a sloooooow burn for me, I would have loved it to pick up a bit earlier and get a bit spicier. But I do have to give props, Alfie can talk DIRRRTY!!

This is my first Charlotte Stein read but it won’t be the last! It was great and I would HIGHLY recommend it.

"When Grumpy Met Sunshine" by Charlotte Stein is a delightful and heartwarming tale that explores the unexpected and transformative power of love. The story revolves around two seemingly opposite characters, Grumpy and Sunshine, whose lives take an unexpected turn when they cross paths. The author, Charlotte Stein, skillfully weaves a narrative that is both humorous and touching, creating a perfect balance between lighthearted moments and deeper emotions.

The characters are well-developed and endearing, making it easy for readers to connect with their quirks and vulnerabilities. Grumpy's stoic demeanor contrasts beautifully with Sunshine's infectious optimism, and their interactions are filled with witty banter and genuine moments of connection. Stein's writing style is engaging, and her ability to convey the emotional journey of the characters is truly commendable.

The book not only explores the romantic relationship between Grumpy and Sunshine but also delves into themes of self-discovery and personal growth. It is a story that reminds us of the transformative power of love and how it can bring out the best in people. "When Grumpy Met Sunshine" is a feel-good and uplifting read, perfect for anyone looking for a heartwarming romance with a touch of humor and a lot of heart.

When Mabel has to be the ghostwriter for the memoirs of THE Alfie Harding, an ex football player, she never expected that this arrangement could lead to something more.

Awwwwwwww!!!
When Grumpy met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein is my first book of this author, and won't be my last!
I instantly fell in love with this beautiful book cover! 🥰😍🥰😍
But he prepared! It's cute, YES and totally fits to the energy between the main characters! Buuuuuut OMG there's soooo much SPICE in it... I honestly didn't expect it at first. LOL
Ha! But I'm not complaining here! 😌🤪
Just a side note! 😏

Sooooo Mabel has to spend time with Alfie to get to know him better. Better be prepared to write his memoirs perfectly.
OMG those two just stole my heart write from the beginning!
Mabel is this quirky, happy, friendly and curvy woman...
... and on the opposite is Alfie. The grumpy, big, hairy guy.
The banter between them IS AWSOME! I LAUGHED SOOOO MUCH because both together?! AWKWARDNESS OVERLOAD!!! LOL
But there's not just awkwardness and chaos and clumsiness.... there's also loooots of sizzling chemistry between Mabel and Alfie!
Awwwwwww!!! PERFECTION!
And when things lead them into a fake relationship?! OMG it even got better! 🥰😍

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!
DEFINITELY ONE OF MY FAVOURITES THIS YEAR! (Yeah, I know it's only February, but I said what I said! 😁)

Thanks a lot to Charlotte Stein and Pan Macmillan for this ARC via NetGalley.
This is my honest review in my own words.