is the love hypothesis grumpy x sunshine

'The Love Hypothesis' won Amazon's best romance book of 2021, has a near-perfect rating on Goodreads, and is all over TikTok. Here's why it's such a unique love story.

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• " The Love Hypothesis " grabbed the attention of romance readers everywhere in 2021.
• It was named Amazon's Best Romance Novel of 2021 and was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award.
• This book checks off all my boxes for a great romance read and is definitely worth the hype.

This year, Amazon named " The Love Hypothesis " by Ali Hazelwood the best romance book of the year. Even though it was only recently published in September 2021, "The Love Hypothesis" has quickly become a fan-favorite, with 88% of Goodreads reviewers giving it four- or five-star-level praise .

It was also nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award and is hugely popular amongst Book of the Month members , with only 1% of readers giving it a "disliked" rating.

"The Love Hypothesis" is about Olive Smith, a third-year Ph.D. candidate studying pancreatic cancer at Stanford. In an attempt to convince one of her best friends that she's moved on from an old crush, she impulsively kisses Dr. Adam Carlsen, the department's notoriously brutal (but undeniably attractive) professor. After the kiss, Adam and Olive agree to fake a relationship so she can prove to her friend that she's happily dating and he can convince their department that he isn't planning to leave anytime soon.

I'm a little picky about my romance novels , so giving this read every bit of a five-star review didn't come lightly. My standards are high because the best romance novels have the potential to expose readers to authentic and imperfect relationships and offer new topics of discussion without making us feel like it's a story we've already read. 

With all the hype surrounding this new romance read, I couldn't resist picking it up.

Here's why "The Love Hypothesis" is one of my favorite recent romance books:

1. the story focuses a lot on olive and adam's lives outside their romance, making their love story more believable and interesting..

Romance novels tend to fall into a few popular tropes such as " enemies-to-lovers " or "forbidden love." "The Love Hypothesis" combines two of the most popular tropes right now, "Fake dating" and "grumpy/sunshine," really well — I loved the contrast between Adam's serious attitude to Olive's bright and sugary one. 

But despite following these tropes, the story feels fresh because it's also largely about Olive's work and its meaning to her. The only other romance book I've read featuring a STEM heroine is "The Kiss Quotient" , so I loved seeing that representation and learning about something new. 

The story honestly reflected the challenges Ph.D. candidates face in academia and that authenticity — deepened by the author's personal experiences — brought the characters, the settings, and the romance to life even more as Olive and Adam faced challenges with funding, time-consuming research, and questioning their sense of purpose.

2. The steamier scenes are also awkward and realistic, which made them even better.

In romance books, there are a few different levels of how graphic a steamy scene can get , from little-to-no detail to explicitly outlined movements. (I personally prefer mine to "fade to black.")

There was only one chapter with adult content, and it was definitely graphic. While I made a ton of ridiculous faces while reading and tried to skim past the parts that made me audibly gasp, I loved that it wasn't a movie-made, perfect sex scene with graceful movements and smooth dialogue. The scene was a little awkward, imperfect, and full of consent and conversation, making it refreshingly real.

3. The book deals with other topics besides the main love story, making it a much deeper read.

While it's wonderful to get swept up in the magic of a romantic storyline, having a secondary plot that addresses real issues is what makes a romance novel truly great . 

Mild spoilers and content warnings ahead: While "The Love Hypothesis" is a fun romantic read, it also addresses the pain of familial death, power differentials, intimacy challenges, and, most prevalently, workplace sexual harassment. 

Love is beautiful, fun, and amazing, but "The Love Hypothesis" takes the opportunity to also include conversations about serious issues. While these topics may be tough for some readers, I think these plot points, hard conversations, and complicated emotions take "The Love Hypothesis" to the next level and make it a five-star read. 

The bottom line

"The Love Hypothesis" has everything I personally look for in a romance novel: A unique storyline, authentic characters, and an important message. If you're looking for a perfectly balanced romance read, "The Love Hypothesis" is worth the hype and definitely one of the best romance books to come out in the past year.

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17 BEST Grumpy Sunshine Romance Books To Melt Your Heart

Last Updated on November 29, 2023 by Louisa

Have you ever heard that a zebra never changes its stripes? Well, not in these grumpy sunshine romance books.

The grumpy sunshine romance trope is about finding a fixer-upper and turning that frown upside down. They’re about finding the beauty in everyone, even if those people are cold and resolute, to begin with.

They’re about embracing who you are and loving someone despite their flaws. It’s truly one of the most heartwarming romance tropes out there.

But what are the best grumpy sunshine romance novels? In this guide, I’ve listed all my favorites! But first…

Affiliate Disclosure : This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through any of these links. 

What is a grumpy sunshine trope?

You might have stumbled across this guide and thought, what in the world is a “grumpy sunshine?”

Well, you wouldn’t be the first, or last person, to ask this question.

The term grumpy sunshine is used to describe an opposites attract romance book in which one of the main characters is a grumpy, ill-mannered, or bad-tempered person, who falls in love with a bright, happy-go-lucky sunshine person.

Usually, grumpy characters are quiet, reserved, stoic, or even icy and sarcastic, and prefer living life by routine and order.

The sunshine characters tend to be outgoing, extraverted, overly friendly, and nice, and see the goodness in everyone and everything.

Usually, the man is grumpy and the woman is the sunshine, but this is not always the case, as you will find out with some of the suggestions I have for you.

It’s a heartwarming, opposites attract combination. 

The Best Grumpy Sunshine Romance Books

Now you know a little bit about what to expect from a grumpy sunshine romance book, here is the list of my favorite books in this trope.

1. The Love Hypothesis – Ali Hazelwood

The Love Hypothesis , written by New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood, is a fake relationship romance book that dominated the Tik-Tok charts and captivated readers everywhere.

The story follows Olive Smith, a third-year PHD student who has put her career first ever since she was young.

Having analyzed her life extensively, Olive has come to the conclusion that long-term relationships are not for her.

However, Olive’s best friend is a hopeless romantic and refuses to let the topic go. In order to get her off her case.

Olive decides to kiss the first man she sees – only to find out he’s none other than grumpy professor Adam Carlson, one of the hottest shots in academia.

In a bid to convince her best friend that she’s fine with relationships, they enter into a fake romance – but when Olive needs someone in her corner more than ever before, will Adam be there for her?

Could it be possible that Olive had misjudged relationships all this time?

Uncover the heartwarming answer in this medical romance novel full of gripping twists and unexpected events! If you think this sounds like a fun book, then you may also like these other books like The Love Hypothesis .

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2. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me – Mariana Zapata

If you’re in the mood for a rags-to-riches story with a sprinkle of romantic tingle, look no further than Vanessa Mazur’s popular book in the football romance genre .

After spending too long as the assistant to the National Football Organization’s top defensive end, Vanessa finally decides to quit and move on.

Just when it seems like her situation can’t get any more complicated, Aiden Graves arrives at her doorstep – renowned in the league as The Wall of Winnipeg and someone who never gave Vanessa much attention before.

But now he needs something from her?

Experience this unforgettable grumpy romance story yourself and see what twists await! You won’t be disappointed.

3. Kulti – Mariana Zapata

Kulti is one of the best steamy, slow-burning grumpy/sunshine age gap romance books that’s sure to warm your heart and make you wish it wasn’t standalone!

It tells the story of German International Footballer Reiner Kulti and Salome (Sal) Casillas, who has idolized him since she was young.

When he becomes the assistant coach for her soccer team, Sal hopes this could be what finally brings them closer.

Kulti initially comes off as moody and aloof with an unlikeable attitude – but beneath the surface, he battles demons that only Sal is willing to take on.

As they grow closer in secret, the chemistry between them intensifies and the strong tension practically radiates from the pages.

Sal is a brave heroine who follows her passion no matter what, while Kulti stands by her side in support.

Despite the large 12-year age gap between them, their attraction can’t be denied – not even by Kulti’s alpha-like protectiveness which just makes him all the more irresistible.

Experience their captivating friendship blossom into something more as they explore this exciting new connection between them! This is one soccer romance book that deserves a spot on any romance fan’s bookshelf.

4. Things We Never Got Over – Lucy Score

Things We Never Got Over is a grumpy sunshine bad boy romance book featuring the scruffy barber Knox who spends his life flying solo – until an unexpected runaway bride comes into the picture.

Naomi isn’t just fleeing her wedding but is desperately trying to rescue her twin from the rough town of Knockemout, Virginia, where everything from disputes to bar brawls are settled in a not-so-peaceful way.

However, her evil twin doesn’t redeem herself and leaves Naomi stranded with something she had no idea existed: her niece!

Now with no car, money, job or home and an 11-year-old child to take care of, Naomi seems lost – but that’s when Knox decides he’ll lend a helping hand.

Guess his plans for living a solitary life have been put on hold!

Get ready for this slow-burn single parent romance novel that starts with lust and ends with love.

5. The Spanish Love Deception – Elena Armas

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for sizzling grumpy sunshine romance books with themes of enemies to lovers and fake relationship romances. 

It’s playful and funny and restores your faith in love. The story follows Catalina Martín’s desperate attempts to find someone who’ll pretend to be her boyfriend for a transatlantic journey to a wedding in Spain. 

Although she cannot tolerate him, her colleague Aaron Blackford seems like the unlikely best choice—instead, the only choice Catalina has—and they embark on a trip that will change their relationship forever. 

Swoon-worthy and steamy, The Spanish Love Deception is a story about the rambunctious wedding that brings Catalina and Aaron together.

6. Beach Read – Emily Henry

Beach Read is a great grumpy romantic comedy novel about a romance writer who no longer believes in love. 

Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction, and January Andrews writes bestselling romances. The only problem is they are both stuck with writer’s block.

To find inspiration, they have been sent by their publishers to a beach house, where they will spend three months working on their next book.

Until one evening when too much wine leads them to strike a deal – Augustus will write romance, and January will write the next Great American Novel.

The pair take each other on a series of dates to inspire the other with their novels. 

At the end of the three months, each will finish their book, and no one will fall in love…

7. It Happened One Summer – Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer is a grumpy sunshine, small town romance novel to read if you’re itching for books to make you restore your faith in love. 

Piper Bellinger, the “It Girl” of Hollywood, finds herself in a world she loathes – Westport, Washington, her small hometown – after a party debacle.

She faces skepticism from herself and everyone else about her chances of success. However, she’s determined to prove them wrong and does her utmost to adapt to this new, small world where everyone knows everyone.

The situation worsens when burly sea captain Brendan won’t leave her alone and continually challenges her.

As the story progresses, Piper’s feelings towards the town and Brendan begin to change, and she finds a sense of belonging where she least expects it.

It Happened One Summer is also being turned into a movie.

8. The Fine Print – Lauren Asher

This grumpy billionaire boss meets sunshine employee romance is an unforgettable read that will draw you in from the start!

Rowan, the exiled grandson of a billionaire, finds himself at his family’s amusement park, where he meets Zahra; a talented and beautiful employee whose ideas could potentially save them money.

This novel is unique in its dynamic interracial romance between a female billionaire with a strong backbone and an ambitious man whose character undergoes a touching transformation throughout.

If you’re into billionaire romance novels , this one’s definitely for you!

9. Twisted Love – Ana Huang

Twisted Love by Ana Huang is an exhilarating brother’s best friend romance novel between a grumpy man and a ray of sunshine woman.

Alex, his best friend’s sister Ava, form an unlikely connection despite the shadows haunting her past.

When Josh, Alex’s best friend travels abroad, he finds himself with the task of looking after Ava – but unexpectedly discovers emotions he has never felt before.

Suddenly, a secret from their past surfaces and threatens to disrupt both their lives.

If you enjoy suspenseful bodyguard romance novels that don’t follow the rules of a traditional romance, this is an excellent pick for you.

10. The Unhoneymooners – Christina Lauren

The Unhoneymooners is a rom-com about the unlucky twin, Olive Torres, who is at her sister’s wedding. Only she has to confront the annoying best man, her nemesis, and the grumpy, Ethan Thomas.

Olive puts on a brave face, but disaster strikes when the entire wedding party comes down with food poisoning. Now, there’s a honeymoon arranged, and no one to go on it. 

Ethan jumps at the chance, but Olive won’t let this annoying man take this trip to paradise alone.

The pair travel to Maui for ten days of bliss. But pretending to be newlyweds is easier than they thoughts… in fact, they kind of like it too much…

Read my complete review of The Unhoneymooners here. Or if you’ve read this book already, here are some more books like The Unhoneymooners !

11. Fix Her Up – Tessa Bailey

Georgie Castle is from a family who owns a home renovation business, but she decided to become a party planner instead.

Georgie is a ray of sunshine who loves planning children’s birthday parties.

When she meets Travis Ford, her brother’s best friend and the former major league baseball player whose career came to an end from an injury, her heart backflips.

Wanting to escape the town’s comments about his career, and her wanting to shock her family, they enter a fake relationship.

But when grumpy Travis sees the young girl he used to tease is now a sunny,  full-of-life woman, it becomes harder to fake his feelings.

12. The Hating Game – Sally Thorne

Lucy and Joshua’s competitive relationship takes a surprising turn in Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game .

Despite their opposite personalities; Lucy’s laid-back and easygoing attitude and Joshua’s reserved demeanor, when they share an unexpected kiss during an elevator ride, it flips their world upside down.

The stakes of the game ascend higher as they both strive for a promotion, but they can’t help looking forward to more than that.

If you’re into angsty grumpy sunshine romances – this book is sure to draw you in with its heart-wrenching story.

13. Twice Shy – Sarah Hogle

Twice Shy follows the story of Maybell Parish, who has always been a dreamer and lover of love. 

But she has been alone for too long, and when she inherits a charming house in the Smoky Mountains from her late Great-Aunt Violet, she decides it’s time for a fresh start.

But the house is falling apart, and it turns out she’s not the only inheritor – she must share everything with the groundskeeper, Wesley Koehler – a grumpy, grouchy, gorgeous man — with a different vision for the house.

The pair must now compromise on things related to the house, as well as follow the dying wishes left behind by her Great-Aunt Violet left behind. 

Soon she begins to learn that behind the grouchy exterior, Wesley is sweet underneath. Soon they let their guard down and must both step out of their comfort zone.

14. Marriage For One – Ella Maise

If you’re looking for a more marriage of convenience trope grumpy sunshine, then Marriage for One is a worthy option.

It follows Jack and Rose who got engaged on the day they met. He asks her into his office and asks her to marry him, and after her fiancee left her a week ago, she agrees.

He was cold, hard, and grumpy but still handsome, striking, and could seemingly have any girl he wanted.

But Rose is a stranger, and he needs to get married to elevate his career. It was a marriage of convenience.

But that’s where things started to fall apart. Her mind started to fall, but he remained cold. 

Can this sunshine girl make this grumpy business-minded alpha male fall?

15. Icebreaker – Hannah Grace

Anastasia Allen is a competitive figure skater who has always focused on her career. 

When a misunderstanding on the rink takes place, she meets Nathan Hawkins, captain of the Maple Hills Titans hockey team.

The misunderstanding causes her partner to get hurt, so to make things right, Nathan swaps his sticks for tights.

The pair soon find themselves stuck together not just in the sport, but in their personal lives too. 

This is a sweet sports romance story about a grumpy woman and a sunshine boy.

16. The Singles Table – Sara Desai

The Singles Table is an opposite attractive romance book with a grumpy sunshine lead. It follows a free-spirited lawyer trying to find a bachelor at her friend’s wedding.

Zara Patel has closed her heart until she meets the sinfully sexy and utterly grumpy Jay Donovan at a wedding.

Jay is a former military security specialist and has a hardworking, focused routine.

There is no doubt that Zara upsets the balance of things, and they find themselves stuck together at this wedding.

But soon, they find themselves stuck together in other ways, too.

17. Irresistible (Cloverleigh Farms Series) – Melanie Harlow

Declan MacAllister, or Mack, is a full-time single dad to three girls and the CFO at Cloverleigh Farms. He doesn’t have time to fall in love, he’s too busy running a business. What he needs is someone to look after the kids and look after the house. 

Frannie Sawyer is the boss’s daughter. She’s a 27-year-old, beautiful, sweet girl who agrees to be Mack’s part-time nanny.

But he can’t stop fantasizing about her. He knows she’s off limits, but how bad could one kiss be? Only he can’t stop with one kiss. Now he can’t stay away and she’s everything he ever needs.

But he’s still too busy for love. Now he must decide between giving up the life he wants or the life she deserves.

This is a cute, grumpy sunshine nanny romance book to swoon over!

Like this post? Don’t forget to save it on Pinterest!

Final Thoughts on Grumpy Sunshine Romance Books

So there you have it, those are the top grumpy sunshine romance stories I’ve read so far.

As you can see, there are a lot of different storylines and styles to choose from.

I hope you found something that interests you on this list. If you think I’ve missed anything, let me know in the comments!

About Louisa Smith

Editor/Founder - Epic Book Society

Louisa is the Founder, Editor, and Head Honcho of Epic Book Society. She was born and raised in the United Kingdom and graduated from the University for the Creative Arts with a degree in Journalism. Louisa began her writing career at the age of 7 when her poetry was published in an anthology of poems to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. Upon graduating university, she spent several years working as a journalist writing about books before transitioning to become a Primary School Teacher. Louisa loves all genres of books, but her favorites are Sci-Fi, Romance, Fantasy, and Young Adult Fiction. Read more Louisa's story here .

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10 Best "Grumpy Sunshine" Trope Books To Read Right Now, According To Reddit

Love is in the air!

One of the best romances ever written are ones where opposites attract. You might not have much in common or might even clash at times, but love still finds its way through the little cracks. Ah, what a beautiful bond! The grumpy sunshine trope was built around the same idea, where the main characters' personalities tend to clash, but they end up falling in love anyway.

RELATED: Thriller Antiheroes That Fans Ended Up Rooting For

A moody, broody hero who's always grumbling about something and an upbeat heroine who makes the world a little brighter. Of all the sentimental tropes, the grumpy-sunshine trope is guaranteed to melt the icy heart of any cynic .

Beach Read by Emily Henry

She's a romance author who no longer believes in love; he's a literary author stuck in a rut. They don't have much in common, except they're stuck in neighboring beach houses for the summer , both broke and bogged down with writer's block. Until one day, they engage in a challenge. Augustus will write a bestselling romance, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. Everyone will finish a book, and no one will fall in love.

One of the best enemies to lovers read by the legendary vacation writer Emily Henry , Beach Read , follows polar opposites January and Augustus. By the end of the book, you will want to write your own book (and find a hot neighbor, too).

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

Jess Davis is a single mother and freelance statistician who doesn't believe in love. But when she hears about GeneticAlly, a matchmaking company that works on DNA, she's invested. Except her test shows an unheard-of 98 percent compatibility with Dr. River Peña, the stuck-up, stubborn man who is definitely not her soulmate. But she can't reject the offer when the company decides to pay her to pretend.

A hysterical, heartwarming read, Christina Lauren create wonder with The Soulmate Equation , proving how the delicate balance between fate and choice can never be calculated.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Piper Bellinger is a fashionable It-Girl in Hollywood. When a drunken disaster and an out-of-control rooftop party land her in prison, her stepfather ships her and her sister to Washington so they can run their late father's dive bar. The local broody fisherman, Brendan, thinks Piper won't last five minutes. Piper will do what it takes to prove her father and Brendan wrong. But when the time comes, can she leave Brendan and this beautiful town behind?

RELATED: Best Books To Read Before Watching Their Adaptations

A Schitt's Creek -inspired rom-com, Tessa Bailey's It Happened One Summer , brings us a broody fisherman and a fun-loving socialite that proves how, unlike people, love doesn't know status or boundaries .

The Fine Print by Lauren Asher

A billionaire CEO, Rowan Kane, is used to getting everything he wants. His initial idea of hiring Zahra was great until he kissed her. Then, his deceptions will unleash hell , especially on whatever he and Zahra were building. After submitting a drunk proposal criticizing Dreamland's most expensive ride, Zahra expected to get fired. Instead, the CEO offered her a dream job. But when she uncovers his secrets, she will do what it takes to teach him that money can't fix everything.

The first book in the Dreamland Billionaires series, The Fine Print , will hold you by the collar and make you yearn for a billionaire romance.

The Wall Of Winnipeg And Me by Mariana Zapata

Vanessa Mazur knows it's time to quit. Acting as an assistant/housekeeper/fairy godmother to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be a means to help her through, so there's no need for her to carry on the chores any longer. But when the broody boss who never bothered to greet or wish her on her birthdays, Aiden Graves, shows up on her doorstep asking her to come back, how is she supposed to tell him no?

A slow-burn masterpiece featuring the strangers to friends to lovers trope, The Wall of Winnipeg and Me barely scratches the base of how well Mariana Zapata pens her novels.

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

Alex Volkov is a devil with an angel's face. He doesn't bother himself with love; all he wants is revenge for an incident that happened when he was a kid. But when he is forced to look after his best friend's sister, Ava Chen, there's something in his chest he can't explain. Ava is a ball of sunshine, trapped in nightmares of a childhood she can't remember. Despite her struggles, she always sees the best in people, even the man she shouldn't be thinking about. Her brother's best friend, Alex Volkov.

In this dark tale of romance, betrayal, and conspiracies, Ana Huang ingrains the emotions in your heart. With a possessive, morally gray alpha hero, Twisted Love is your go-to book when you crave something dark.

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

A competent Ph.D. candidate, Olive knew it was a bad idea to lie to her best friend about her boyfriend, but she had no choice. So when the clock strikes, Olive kisses the first man she sees: Adam Carlsen, a young, gorgeous professor and an infamous ass. To her surprise, he decides to continue the charade she started and agrees to be her fake boyfriend. With time, Olive might melt Adam's cold exterior and reveal his six-pack abs.

With the best tropes of the century (fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, a STEM heroine, hilarious banter), Ali Hazelwood 's debut, The Love Hypothesis , is quite possibly the sweetest, most adorable romance novel ever .

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Usually, Catalina Martín is a badass who doesn't need help from a man. Except right now, she is kind of desperate for one. She needs a date for her sister's wedding, primarily since her lie about having an American boyfriend has spread like wildfire. She doesn't have enough time to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic and aid in her deception. But when her gorgeous, broody, condescending colleague Aaron Blackford offers his help, Lina would rather eat chalk. But as the wedding comes closer, she realizes he might not be as terrible in the real world as he is at the office.

RELATED: Underrated Film Adaptations from YA Bestselling Novels

A BookTok sensation and Elena Armas 's debut, The Spanish Love Deception , will have you feeling butterflies in your stomach throughout the book.

The Darkest Temptation by Danielle Lori

Mila keeps her head down and does what she's told. She doesn't question her father's absences nor his refusal to let her set foot in her birthplace—Russia. Eventually, suffocated by the rules and unanswered questions, she decides to board a plane to Moscow. Except it's the deadliest mistake, she's ever made. Ronan Markov is here for revenge, and the only way she can escape is by thawing through her captor's heart.

RELATED: Best Enemies To Lovers Books To Read Right Now, According To Reddit

Probably the darkest grumpy sunshine trope book you'll ever read, The Darkest Temptation by Danielle Lori , will have you longing to inhale as many mafia romances as possible.

Marriage for One by Ella Maise

Rose and Jack did everything backward. The day she first stepped into his office, he asked her to marry him. Marry a stranger? No chance. Except she knows this might be her last chance to salvage her lifelong dream. All until he says she's the biggest mistake of his life. One moment, he is unattainable. The next, he is hers. One moment, they're in love. The next, it's all a lie. After all, they're Jack and Rose; they were doomed from the beginning with those names.

A marriage of convenience and the grumpiest story ever, Marriage for One by Ella Maise is unequivocally the best book of this trope.

NEXT: Best Books Under 300 Pages To Round Out Your Reading Challenge

Top Ten Tuesday – My Favorite Grumpy/Sunshine Romances

Top Ten Tuesday was created by  The Broke and the Bookish  in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!

This week’s TTT topic is Books With Your Favorite Trope/Theme.  I have to admit that I’m pretty obsessed with grumpy/sunshine romances right now, so I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite romances that feature that trope. (All synopses taken from Goodreads)

My Favorite Grumpy/Sunshine Romances

1. THE SINGLES TABLE by Sara Desai

Opposites attract in this romantic comedy about a free-spirited lawyer who is determined to find the perfect match for the grumpy bachelor at her friend’s wedding.

2.  IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER by Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey is back with a  Schitt’s Creek -inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl” who is cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town… where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong. 

3.   ACT YOUR AGE, EVE BROWN by Talia Hibbert

In Act Your Age, Eve Brown the flightiest Brown sister crashes into the life of an uptight B&B owner and has him falling hard—literally.

4.  SOMETHING FABULOUS by Alexis Hall

On Goodreads, Hall describes this book as: “It’s a big gay regency romp about an overly dramatic beautiful rainbow sunshine unicorn and an overly dramatic demisexual grumpy duke, going on a cross-country chase.”

5. BATTLE ROYAL by Lucy Parker

Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker, the go-to for sweet-toothed A-List celebrities, and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that the irksome Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple.  When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they’re both determined to come out on top.

6. THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS by Ali Hazelwood

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood is quite possibly the sweetest, most adorable romance novel I’ve ever read. It checked so many boxes for me (a STEM heroine, the fake dating trope, grumpy/sunshine, hilarious banter, and so much more) and it just had me grinning from ear to ear pretty much the entire time I was reading.

7.  WELL MET by Jen DeLuca

All’s faire in love and war for two sworn enemies who indulge in a harmless flirtation in a laugh-out-loud rom-com from debut author, Jen DeLuca.  Emily knew there would be strings attached when she relocated to the small town of Willow Creek, Maryland, for the summer to help her sister recover from an accident, but who could anticipate getting roped into volunteering for the local Renaissance Faire alongside her teenaged niece? Or that the irritating and inscrutable schoolteacher in charge of the volunteers would be so annoying that she finds it impossible to stop thinking about him?

8.  THE SOULMATE EQUATION by Christina Lauren

The story follows Jess Davis, a freelance statistician.  Her passion is crunching numbers all day.  Jess has no time or interest in dating, but her curiosity about the data and the science behind a new DNA-based dating app called GeneticAlly leads her to actually submit a sample of her DNA to see if it actually works.  Even though she’s all about science and numbers, when she is found to be 98% compatible with another subject in the database, she is skeptical, especially because she has actually met the guy and can’t stand him! He’s gruff, arrogant, rude, and obnoxious, or is he?  As Jess starts to get to know him, she realizes she may have been a bit hasty and overly harsh in her initial assessment.

9. WRITTEN IN THE STARS by Alexandria Bellefleur

With nods to  Bridget Jones  and  Pride and Prejudice , a charming #ownvoices queer rom-com debut about a free-spirited social media astrologer who agrees to fake a relationship with an uptight actuary until New Year’s Eve—with results not even the stars could predict!

10. BEACH READ by Emily Henry

A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters.  Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast. They’re polar opposites. Until, one hazy evening, when one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel.

* * * * * *

Question:  Have you read any of these?

Share this:, you might also like.

I haven’t read any but I’ve heard of most of them before. Well Met was recommended to me by a relative because I love Ren-Faires. Thanks for sharing.

Grumpy/sunshine romances have been a popular pick this week!

I didn’t even know this was a trope, lol. And im impressed with your list. I guess I need to read more romance!

I love a good grumpy-sunshine pairing! Well Met is such a good example of that. And it’s still my favorite in the series. 🙂

I love a good grumpy/sunshine romance. They are always so much fun and sweet! You chose some great ones.

I have a soft spot for grouchy, grumpy people in romance novels. Great list!

Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!

The grumpy/sunshine trope is so much fun! I also read and loved The Love Hypothesis, Well Met, The Soulmate Equation and Beach Read and most of the others are on my TBR 🙂 Another grumpy/sunshine book I recently read and loved is All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata 🙂

I’ve loved 6 of these. So far. Great picks.

I would not have thought of that as a trope but it’s funny! I recently read Dare to Fall for my Grumpy Boss by Ellie Hall, it fits this trope!

I like this trope, too! It Happened One Summer is pretty high on my list of stuff I need to get to!

What a cute choice for this week’s TTT. And there are so many favorite books on your list: The Love Hypothesis, Well Met and Beach Read to name a few. 😀

This IS a fun trope! I need to read more books in this category since they’re just so enjoyable.

Susan http://www.blogginboutbooks.com

I just bought Something Fabulous because I trust you, I love grumpy/sunshine and I love Alexis Hall!

I actually read eight of these, and many are favorites of mine. I love when sunshine can break though to sunshine with that trope, and you see grumpy showing a different side to us. Always my favorite aspect with that trope.

Aww, I love this trope, and am surprised it’s not talked about or listed more often!

I have a couple of these on my TBR, and fingers crossed, I will read them soon.

Pam @ Read! Bake! Create! https://readbakecreate.com/blue-covers-that-i-adore/

I do enjoy this trope. I liked Beach Read. Something Fabulous is on my wish list. And I own – and need to read – Written in the Stars and It Happened One Summer.

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The Burr Magazine

Grumpy/Sunshine Romance Trope

Season of Justice: Robert Peterson, John Schuessler, Anton Schuessler

The Conflicted Legacy of The Doors

• Fabulous & Feisty

Illust ration by Preston Randall

Hey, y’all!

I’m back once again with some more book recommendations for you. This blog, we’re going to talk about a new favorite trope of mine: grumpy/sunshine. This trope is more or less self-explanatory: two people with opposite personalities meet, one a positive and upbeat person and the other a grumpy and pessimistic person, and learn to love each other. Until recently, I hadn’t really heard of or read anything from this trope, but it has quickly become an addiction. I found that the balance between the characters always leads to some good banter and interactions, and I am here for it. Without further ado, here are my recommendations.

“All Rhodes Lead Here” by Mariana Zapata

Another book by Mariana Zapata, are we really surprised? This book is yet another slow burn but with a very grumpy/sunshine distinction. Aurora moves into a small garage in the middle of nowhere for a fresh start. Her landlord, Rhodes, who lives right across the driveway, doesn’t know about her renting the garage out, but he eventually accepts her pleas to stay. Rhodes is a single dad, and most of the story takes place outdoors,both of these facts adding a lot to the story. The progression of this book keeps you on your toes, but the ending makes it so worth it. This book is so, so good, and writing about it makes me want to go reread it for the third time! BRB …

“The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood

This book might possibly be my favorite ever written, but it is definitely at least top three. The novel is a relatively new release, and I read it on the day it came out. It is most definitely worth the hype. Olive is a Ph.D. candidate working towards her degree at Stanford. Adam is a professor/adviser where Olive is doing her research. After she randomly kisses him, not knowing who he is, to convince her friend that she is dating somebody, the two start a fake relationship. But, you know as well as I do that in romance novels, fake relationships never stay that way, so the ending comes full circle. This book is so incredibly good, the connection between the characters is so cute and endearing, and there is not one single part of this book that I would change. Please go read it!

“Fix Her Up” by Tessa Bailey

This book has the grumpiest grump and the cheeriest sunshine out of these recommendations, so it really is the epitome of a grumpy/sunshine romance. Georgie is a literal clown who makes a living hosting children’s birthday parties. Travis is a rookie professional baseball player. After he receives an injury that ends his career, Travis, who is conveniently also Georgie’s brother’s best friend, comes back to their town, and no one can get him out of his rut. Georgie ends his pity party, and their romance snowballs from there. This book is also a part of a series, and the books only get better, so I would definitely keep reading when you finish this one.

“It Happened One Summer” by Tessa Bailey

I’m not going to lie, I grew to love the characters in this book. I hated how they came across at first, but I got through it and it ended up being so good. The premise behind this book is that Piper goes too far with a party she plans and essentially gets cut off by her parents and sent to run a bar in a random small town. She becomes well acquainted with the town’s infamous sailor, Brendan, and tries her best to cope with her new surroundings. This also follows an enemies-to-lovers arc, and you get drawn into the story. Once you get into it, you won’t be able to put it down. 

“The Spanish Love Deception” by Elena Armas

This one is yet another fake dating grumpy/sunshine romance, but it also includes a friendly enemies-to-lovers plot. It really combines them all, but somehow, it works. Catalina’s sister is getting married, and she told her entire family that she has a boyfriend that is coming to the wedding celebration in Spain. The only problem is that Catalina is single, and her ex-boyfriend is bringing his new fiancé to the wedding. Her work enemy, Aaron, happens to hear her dilemma and steps up to the challenge. You can see where this is going. This book is incredibly cute, and the progression for Aaron makes the entire book worth it. 

“Always Only You” by Chloe Liese (“Bergman Brothers” Book Two)

This book is the second in a series of books, but the entire series is worth the read. This book follows Ren, a professional hockey player, and Frankie, who works for the team. This goes against the grain of traditional grumpy/sunshine, because the gender roles are reversed: Frankie is the grump, and Ren is a big ole ball of sunshine. This book is so incredibly cute, and I think I finished this series in two days. They are the type of books that you cannot put down once you start them. I would recommend reading the first book in the series first and going on from there for prime reading experience, because the first one is just as good as this one is! They are all stand alone novels though, so you don’t need to read anything before you read this one. 

These books are always some of my favorites for the sheer fact that the transformations they include always make the story that much more interesting. They manage to hold your attention so much better, and they are fun to reread, because you pick up new details and personality perspectives every time. This trope is so good, and I definitely recommend trying it out!

Until next time …

• Hannah Keil

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14 Grumpy/Sunshine Romance Books to Make Your Day

Jessica Pryde

Jessica Pryde is a member of that (some might call) rare breed that grew up in Washington, DC, but is happily enjoying the warmer weather of the desert Southwest. While she is still working on what she wants to be when she grows up, she’s enjoying dabbling in librarianship and writing all the things. She can be found drowning in her ever-growing TBR and exclaiming about romance in the Book Riot podcast ( When in Romance ), as well as on social media. Find her exclamations about books and pho on twitter ( JessIsReading ) and instagram ( jess_is_reading ).

View All posts by Jessica Pryde

Grumpy/Sunshine is a longstanding dynamic in romance novels. For decades, we’ve been drawn to romances that involve a stern, staid, or legitimately grumpy protagonist and the sunshine person they’ve found themselves falling for. In many circles, including the ones who decided to throw a “reverse” in front of a gender-neutral term, the grumpy one is usually the man and the sunshine one is usually the woman. This, of course, leaves out not only the opportunity to have a great grumpy woman and her sunshine male love interest, but any other kind of relationship besides a heteronormative one. 

Many of the books I’ve listed here fall under the most common Grumpy/Sunshine archetype, in which — if the protagonists are a man and a woman — he is the grumpy one and she is the one with a more sunny disposition. But I’ve tried to also gather some that go against the grain, while still offering up the usual opposing dynamic. And of course, there is a range of grumpy and sunshine, and some of these folks are grumpier and happier than others. But for the most part, you’ll be able to enjoy all the grumpy grumps and sunshine kids (of any age) your heart desires. 

The Replacements by Shae Sanders

After Savannah discovers that her husband has been cheating on her, she gets all her ducks in a row to be able to support herself after she serves him divorce papers. The first step? Get a job. She hasn’t worked in over a decade, but that makes her perfect for assisting grumpy business owner Taurus. No matter how much he tries, she won’t let him get her down. 

It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian

So. You know The Sound of Music ? You know the personalities of Captain Von Trapp and Fraulein Maria?

That’s this book. But with ducks.

Ben is a vicar who isn’t necessarily hired to take care of the kids at the estate up the hill, but somebody has to corral the hooligans that are driving away their caretakers. So he does that, until their widowed father returns from being at sea. And then…well. You know the story. Minus the Nazis. 

Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle

Maybell is…a dreamer. Literally. When we first meet her, she’s living in her daydreams, building her own coffee shop AU. But when she inherits land and property from a relative, reality comes crashing straight down. It doesn’t help that her inheritance isn’t just hers; she has to share it with the estate’s groundskeeper, Wesley. He’s reserved to a fault, and very much has A Way To Do Things. But if they want to be able to move forward, they’re going to have to figure out how to get along. 

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Mika loves making videos on social media, where she pretends to be a non-witch being a witch. But she actually is a witch, and she is down on her luck. When she gets a mysterious invite to care for and teach a group of young witches at a remote estate, she isn’t certain what to think, but takes the job. And then she meets the surly librarian who doesn’t trust outsiders. 

The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbary

There are doctors like Sebastian, and there are doctors like Sara. They don’t get along, and that leads to consequences neither of them expected. When an incident at their hospital leads to them having to see each other even more regularly in counseling…and reluctantly learning more about each other and what they want. 

The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan

Grayson and Amelia couldn’t be more different. She is a little flighty, and uncertain about many things. He knows exactly what he wants, and can be exacting in his quest to get it. When he seeks her out to come work for him on his telegraph, she can’t help but say yes. And as they learn to understand each other, nothing will be the same for them. 

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

Joy is the epitome of her name. She finds joy in everything and is a joy to be around. Then she ends up on a long weekend vacation with her BFF (who she is secretly in love with), BFF’s new hopefully-girlfriend, and hopefully-girlfriend’s BFF — the last of whom is the grumpy one. Fox knows that there are multiple reasons for him to be on this trip with three other people, but he would love to just…not be. Unfortunately, Joy is there to wear him down — and convince him to pretend they’re becoming an item to make Malcolm realize the one for him has been right there all along. 

Fire Season by KD Casey

Charlie is more quiet than grumpy, but the dynamic between him and his new fellow pitcher, Reed, is a close variant. Charlie doesn’t know how to tell people that he’s getting a divorce. In the meantime, there is a very not-quiet relief pitcher who needs a place to stay and a friend. The two become fast buds and also other things that surprise them. 

Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins

When Garrett arrives in Wyoming, there’s snow falling and even more on the ground. If it weren’t for Spring, he might not have made it anywhere near his destination. The grumpy, fascinating woman, who wears trousers and owns her own ranch, allows him to convalesce at her home while he waits for her brother, doctor Colton Lee, to come back to town, but there are a lot of things that could get in the way of his recovery…including Spring herself. 

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

Lucy Parker has a few great Grumpy/Sunshine pairings, but Battle Royal stands out. Sylvie was kicked off of the popular baking competition show where Dominic is a judge after a minor incident with a flying unicorn cake. Now, that same show has invited her to be a guest judge, on top of her regular duties as the owner of a bakery…right across the street from Dominic’s own shop. And when they discover that there’s going to be a royal wedding, they’re both ready to get the commission. (It sounds like there’s a lot going on, but it actually reads pretty seamlessly.)

Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren

When Hollyn’s work reviewing entertainment blows up to the point that her bosses want her to start making videos, her social anxiety goes into overdrive. She has Tourette Syndrome, which causes her to have visible tics that she is incredibly self conscious about. But if she doesn’t go in front of the camera, she loses her job. Luckily Jasper, who is excellent at improv, is there to help her. 

The Missed Connection by Denise Williams

This is the second in Denise Williams’s connected novella trilogy, featuring two academics who spend quite the layover together. Months later, they discover that not only will they be working together, but they’ve had a rivalry for ages before. Still, a call to work together on a long-term college tour means they have to figure out how to get along. 

Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston

When you hear that a book is about a honey badger shifter and a bear shifter, you think you know which one is going to be the grumpy one.

You would be wrong.

Grizzly shifter Berg is a sweetheart. Charlie is…an unholy terror, to put it lightly. She will do anything for her family, including blow shit up at the drop of a hat. It also includes accepting help from someone nowhere near as feral as she can get, all to ensure the safety of people she loves more than anything else in the world. 

That Could Be Enough by Alyssa Cole

Mercy is a maid working for Eliza Hamilton, helping her to organize the stories she’s collecting from soldiers who fought and otherwise worked with her late husband during the Revolution and establishment of the country. She is prepared for almost anything — except Andromeda, who comes to New York in her grandfather’s stead. The woman is everything Mercy isn’t, and the two of them have to overcome more than expected to try for love.

(If you want more of a growly type of grump from Alyssa Cole, check out A Duke By Default .)

One of the interesting things about a character clash like Grumpy/Sunshine is that a lot of the times, one or the other reads (to me at least) as some form of neurospicy. Sometimes it’s the “grumpy” one who likes things how they like them, takes some things more seriously than others, and is direct in all things. In their mind, they’re not particularly grumpy, but they seem like it when you place them against someone like their sunshine counterpart. Sometimes it’s the sunshine one, who, whether they say it or not, probably has ADHD. It’s not a requirement for a sunshine-y person, even if they’re a total mess, but I won’t lie and say I didn’t latch onto some of those types in the path to self-diagnosis.

Either way. Grumpy and sunshine are a spectrum, but hopefully the characters in these Grumpy/Sunshine romance books will show you what the range of those personalities look like when thrown together in romance.

You might also like the Best Grumpy/Sunshine Manhwa or these books like The Love Hypothesis .

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Helpful Book Guide: The Love Hypothesis Spicy Chapters List and Review

Posted on Published: July 27, 2023  - Last updated: October 23, 2023

Categories Book Guide , Spicy Chapters

What are The Love Hypothesis spicy chapters? Well, this guide is for you! Though this book is not very spicy, it is still my responsibility to squeeze out the spiciest The Love Hypothesis spicy chapters possible for you. It’s also a book I recommend with the ‘who did this to you” trope!

Table of Contents

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman’s carefully calculated theories on love into chaos.

As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships–but her best friend does, and that’s what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.

That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor–and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford’s reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive’s career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding…six-pack abs.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

The Love Hypothesis Review

The Love Hypothesis is a captivating and heartwarming romance that delves into the complexities of academia and love. The story revolves around Olive Smith, a dedicated PhD student, and Adam Carlsen, a charming and cocky professor. Both characters are beautifully crafted with depth and vulnerability, making them relatable and endearing to readers.

The romance between Olive and Adam is a slow-burn delight, filled with moments of vulnerability and tenderness that will leave you swooning. Their undeniable chemistry and emotional connection create an engaging and satisfying love story. The witty banter between the two adds a delightful touch to their interactions.

Ali Hazelwood’s writing is both engaging and emotionally resonant, effortlessly drawing readers into the world of academia and scientific research. The novel’s exploration of the characters’ hidden depths and vulnerability adds layers to the story, making it a truly captivating read from beginning to end. “The Love Hypothesis” is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming and well-developed romance that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

books like the Love Hypothesis

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Catalina Martín desperately needs a date to her sister’s wedding. Especially since her little white lie about her American boyfriend has spiralled out of control. Now everyone she knows—including her ex and his fiancée—will be there and eager to meet him.

She only has four weeks to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic and aid in her deception. New York to Spain is no short flight and her raucous family won’t be easy to fool.

Enter Aaron Blackford—her tall, handsome, condescending colleague—who surprisingly offers to step in. She’d rather refuse; never has there been a more aggravating, blood-boiling, and insufferable man.

But Catalina is desperate, and as the wedding draws nearer, Aaron looks like her best option. And she begins to realize he might not be as terrible in the real world as he is at the office.

This book was cute to read! Also have the only one bed trope and enemies to lovers (of course).

Twisted Games by Ana Huang

She can never be his…but he’s taking her anyway.

Stoic, broody, and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has two rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever.

He has never once been tempted to break those rules…until  her.

Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak that matches his own and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She’s nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed.

Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defences until he’s faced with a truth he can no longer deny: he swore an oath to protect her, but all he wants is to ruin her. Take her.

Because she’s his.

His princess. His forbidden fruit. His every depraved fantasy.

Regal, strong-willed, and bound by the chains of duty, Princess Bridget dreams of the freedom to live and love as she chooses.

But when her brother abdicates, she’s suddenly faced with the prospect of a loveless, politically expedient marriage and a throne she never wanted.

And as she navigates the intricacies—and treacheries—of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can’t have.

Her bodyguard. Her protector. Her ultimate ruin.

Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a kingdom…and doom them both.

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA.

A competitive figure skater since she was five years old, a full college scholarship thanks to her place on the Maple Hills skating team, and a schedule that would make even the most driven person weep, Stassie comes to win.

No exceptions.

Nathan Hawkins has never had a problem he couldn’t solve. As captain of the Maple Hills Titans, he knows the responsibility of keeping the hockey team on the ice rests on his shoulders.

When a misunderstanding results in the two teams sharing a rink, and Anastasia’s partner gets hurt in the aftermath, Nate finds himself swapping his stick for tights, and one scary coach for an even scarier one.

The pair find themselves stuck together in more ways than one, but it’s fine, because Anastasia doesn’t even like hockey players…right?

Twisted Hate by Ana Huang

He hates her…almost as much as he wants her.

Gorgeous, cocky, and fast on his way to becoming a hotshot doctor, Josh Chen has never met a woman he couldn’t charm—except for Jules f**king Ambrose.

The beautiful redhead has been a thorn in his side since they met, but she also consumes his thoughts in a way no woman ever has.

When their animosity explodes into one unforgettable night, he proposes a solution that’ll get her out of his system once and for all: an enemies with benefits arrangement with simple rules.

No jealousy.

No strings attached.

And absolutely no falling in love.

Outgoing and ambitious, Jules Ambrose is a former party girl who’s focused on one thing: passing the attorney’s bar exam.

The last thing she needs is to get involved with a doctor who puts the SUFFER in insufferable…no matter how good-looking he is.

But the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes there’s more than meets the eye to the man she’s hated for so long.

Her best friend’s brother.

Her nemesis.

And her only salvation.

Theirs is a match made in hell, and when the demons from their past catch up with them, they’re faced with truths that could either save them …or destroy everything they’ve worked for.

Twisted Hate is a steamy enemies with benefits/enemies to lovers romance. It’s book three in the Twisted series but can be read as a standalone.

Abou t The Fine Print by Lauren Asher

A typical billionaire romance that is quite popular. It’s one of the more famous ones of the genre, especially on Kindle Unlimited.

Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project – a literal dream come true – Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.

Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercing-eyes kind of way. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school – archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.

But when her equipment starts to go missing and the staff ignore her, Bee could swear she sees Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas… devouring her with those eyes. The possibilities have all her neurons firing.

But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there’s only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar… in Washington.

Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.

Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time.

Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart. 

Romance between a sunshine fashionable “it” celebrity girl with grumpy sea sailor local. Bright cheerful icon x cold ordinary sailor combo meal.

The Love Hypothesis Spicy Chapters

As many readers may know (especially romance book readers), oftentimes we like to seek out book tropes and read romance books that include the book tropes we usually like and the book tropes we want to read at the moment. It’s what drives a lot of book recommendations and is a common way we seek out books to read. If you are a reader who is interested in:

• Tracking tropes that you have already read
• Tracking tropes that you would want to read in the future
• Collect original trope ideas that you came up with (and haven’t come across before)

Then this book trope reading journal is perfectly made for you!

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Authentically Del

Self-Care, Mental Wellness, & Self-Improvement

in Reading , Self-Care · April 14, 2023

21 Must-Read Grumpy/Sunshine Romance Books

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You know what they say… opposites attract. Here are 21 of the best grumpy sunshine romance books to add to your “must-read” list.

If you’re a lover of romance novels, you are likely familiar with the grumpy/sunshine trope.

Grumpy/sunshine romance books are filled with tension, friction, and butting heads… just enough to keep things spicy and interesting. This is why they are one of the most-loved romance tropes/themes among readers.

If you are a sucker for an opposites attract love story, here are 21 books that you are sure to love.

What is the Grumpy/Sunshine Trope?

The grumpy/sunshine trope shines in romance books, movies, and TV shows. If you are an avid romance reader or rom-com lover, you are familiar with it, I’m sure.

This trope features a moody, oftentimes cranky-seeming, hero. Most commonly, the grumpy half is the male role in female/male relationship storylines.

On the other side, we see a bright, sunshiney, cheerful heroine – most often the female in the story.

Within the stories, these two characters clash, rubbing each other the wrong way and creating tension in their relationship.

This trope not only makes for an outstanding chemistry build-up but also is the perfect baseline for some hilarious romance humor.

Grumpy/sunshine romance books are full of clashing personalities, funny one-liners, romantic suspense, and, best of all, a heartwarming love story.

What is Reverse Grumpy Sunshine?

Reverse grumpy sunshine is the same trope, only with the roles reversed. Instead of the male character being grumpy and the female being sunshine, it is vice versa.

Within the reverse grumpy sunshine trope, the female will be the Scrooge-like cranky character, while the male has the upbeat, ray-of-sunshine personality.

Same idea, same trope, same gotta-love-it romance story.

1. Archer’s Voice

When Bree Prescott arrives in the sleepy, lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she hopes against hope that this is the place where she will finally find the peace she so desperately seeks. On her first day there, her life collides with Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds a secret agony of his own. A man no one else sees.

Archer’s Voice is the story of a woman chained to the memory of one horrifying night and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man who lives with an excruciating wound and the woman who helps him find his voice. It is the story of suffering, fate, and the transformative power of love.

My Thoughts:

Archer’s Voice is not only my favorite grumpy/sunshine romance book, but it is one of my all-time favorite books in general.

Bree makes the most perfect, kind-hearted, lovable character and Archer is the grump that you can’t help but want to win over.

Watching Archer’s tough exterior crack and start to let Bree in is the BEST. Total tear-jerker romance book here.

This book was a 5-star read for me. I will ALWAYS boast about Archer’s Voice.

2. The Soulmate Equation

Single mom Jess Davis is a data and statistics wizard, but no amount of number crunching can convince her to step back into the dating world. But then Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that’s predicted to change dating forever.

Her test shows an unheard-of 98 percent compatibility with another subject in the database: GeneticAlly’s founder, Dr. River Peña. The stuck-up, stubborn man is without a doubt  not  her soulmate. But GeneticAlly has a proposition: Get to know him and we’ll pay you. Jess is in no position to turn it down, despite her skepticism about the project and her dislike for River. As the pair are dragged from one event to the next, Jess begins to realize that there might be more to the scientist than she thought.

I listened to the audio book of The Soulmate Equation and fell in love with the silly, yet deeply romantic story of Jess and River. This book had me laughing out loud at points due to it’s extreme grumpy/sunshine trope.

Dr. River is a CRANK – and Jess is not having it (at least for the first part of the novel…).

This makes for some LOL-worthy run-ins and develops the tension between these two perfectly.

By the end of the book, I was completely in love with their love story and rooting for them stronger than ever.

The Soulmate Equation is the epitome of a grumpy sunshine romance book – and the perfect easy, fun, lighthearted read.

3. The Simple Wild

Calla Fletcher was two when her mother took her and fled the Alaskan wild, leaving behind Calla’s father, Wren Fletcher. When her father reaches out to inform her that his days are numbered, Calla knows that it’s time to make the trip back.

While she struggles to adjust to this new environment, Jonah—the quiet, brooding, and proud Alaskan pilot—can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. And he’s clearly waiting with one hand on the throttle to fly this city girl back to where she belongs, convinced that she’s too pampered to handle the wild.

Calla is determined to prove him wrong but unexpectedly finds herself forming a bond with the burly pilot. As his undercurrent of disapproval dwindles, it’s replaced by friendship—or perhaps something deeper?

The Simple Wild is not only one of the top grumpy sunshine romance books but is home to so many of my other favorite tropes as well!

Forced proximity, small-town romance, enemies to lovers, family drama… this book really has it all.

It’s impossible to not fall in love with Calla and Wren’s “opposites attract” romance. I have no doubt you’ll be rooting for these two as if it was your own love story.

4. Ugly Love

When Tate Collins and pilot Miles Archer meet, it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing they have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for it so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past. Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated. Promises get broken. Rules get shattered. Love gets ugly.

Ugly Love has a special place in my heart.

This book is what got me HOOKED on reading again in my adult life (along with It Ends with Us ).

Tate and Miles are one of the few book couples that I STILL think about to this day – over a year after reading their story.

Miles’ traumatic past and tough exterior make him the perfect grump in this grumpy sunshine romance novel.

You can’t help but love him… even though he does not want to be loved.

Watching him slowly open up to Tate and the idea of love is painful and beautiful all at once.

Ugly Love made me ugly cry… and I’m not ashamed of it.

5. It Happened One Summer

Fashionable, famous influencer Piper finds herself in the slammer, cuts off by her stepfather, and sent, with her sister, to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar… in Washington.

Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.

Everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them.

When I think of grumpy sunshine romance books, I think of It Happened One Summer first. This book is everything that defines the grumpy sunshine trope (with a dash of small-town romance too!).

But, I have to be honest.

I didn’t love this book. It was fun, easy to read, and had no shortage of SPICE. However, it isn’t a book I was crazy about or consider one of my favorites.

That said, this is a top favorite on BookTok and so many of my close friends adore Brendan and Piper.

If you are into grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, famous/snobby females, small-town romance, and LOTS of spicy scenes, this is the book for you!

6. The Hating Game

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. And they have no problem displaying their feelings through a series of ritualistic passive-aggressive maneuvers as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. Lucy can’t understand Joshua’s joyless, uptight approach to his job. Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy’s overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and Pollyanna attitude.

Now up for the same promotion, their battle of wills has come to a head and Lucy refuses to back down. But the tension between Lucy and Joshua has also reached its boiling point, and Lucy is discovering that maybe she doesn’t hate Joshua. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game…

The Hating Game is quick, cute, and screams “rom-com”. While this wasn’t an overly life-changing book for me, it’s an enjoyable story and fun to read.

Not to mention, it doesn’t get much more grumpy/sunshine than this.

Joshua and Lucy’s workplace enemies-to-lovers story makes for the ideal grumpy sunshine romance.

(The Hating Game has been adapted into a movie , which I found just as enjoyable!)

7. Beach Read

Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.

They’re polar opposites.

For the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block.

One hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult. Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

Beach Read is everything you could possibly want from an opposites-attract, grumpy sunshine romance.

Augustus is dark, deep, and serious. January is a lovable, cheerful, hopeless romantic.

Watching these two explore not only each other, but new parts of themselves makes this story captivating, heart-warming, and special.

8. Things We Never Got Over

Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin, Tina, to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town.

After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with the niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.

Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. As soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.

Things We Never Got Over creates an ideal grumpy/sunshine romance with Knox and Naomi’s well-developed characters.

This book is long, complex, and packed with twists, turns, and characters you’ll grow to LOVE.

The plot is great, the characters are lovable, and their connection is one you’ll remember forever.

(Bonus: If you’re a fan of book series, you’re in luck! Lucy Score has more for you in the rest of the Knockemout series .)

9. The Love Hypothesis

As a 3rd-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships – but her best friend Anh does. Convincing Anh that Olive is well on her way to a happily ever after is going to take proof. So, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.

That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor – and well-known ass. Olive is shocked when Stanford’s reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

The Love Hypothesis is a fun, feel-good romance, filled with some of the top tropes of the genre.

In addition to being a grumpy sunshine romance story, this book also highlights the well-loved fake dating trope.

If you are looking for a lighthearted, easy read (with no shortage of spice), The Love Hypothesis is great for you.

10. Hothouse Flower

Twenty-five-year-old Ryke Meadows knows he’s hard to love. With a billion-dollar inheritance, a track-star resume, and an alpha-male personality—he redefines the term likable-asshole. He just wants to live without drama or interruption. And then he receives a distressed call from a girl in Paris. Daisy Calloway is finally eighteen. With her newfound independence, she can say goodbye to her overbearing mother and continue her modeling career in Paris. Fashion Week begins with a bang, and Daisy uncovers the ugly reality of the industry. She wants to prove to her family that she can live on her own, but when everything spirals out of control, she turns to Ryke to keep her secrets.

As Daisy struggles to make sense of this new world and her freedom, she pushes the limits and fearlessly rides the edge. Ryke knows there’s deep hurt beneath every impulsive action. He must keep up with Daisy, and if he lets her go, her favorite motto—”live as if you’ll die today”—may just come true.

Hothouse Flower is book 5/10 in my very favorite series: the Addicted/Calloway Sister series .

With that, I highly recommend reading this series in the appropriate reading order .

Hothouse Flower focuses mainly on 2 characters of the core 6 in this series: Ryke and Daisy.

Ryke is gruff, protective, and masculine, whereas Daisy is petite, girly, and carefree. Their connection has been building for years – but their age gap has never allowed for it to flourish… until now.

I adore Ryke and Daisy (and the entire Addicted Series crew).

This is a must-read series and Hothouse Flower is the perfect grumpy sunshine romance book.

11. How to Love Your Neighbor

Interior Design School?  Check.  Cute house to fix up?  Check. Sexy, grumpy neighbor who is going to get in the way of your plans?  Check. Unfortunately. Grace Travis has it all figured out. In between finishing school and working a million odd jobs, she’ll get her degree, her dream job, and finally, a place to belong. When an opportunity to fix up―and live in―a little house on the beach comes along, Grace is all in. Until her biggest roadblock moves in next door. Real estate developer Noah Jansen knows how to make a deal. He’s found a place to call home – provided he can expand by taking over the house next door – the house with the combative and beautiful woman living in it.

With the rules for being neighborly going out the window, Grace and Noah are in an all-out feud . But sometimes, your nemesis can show you that home is always where the heart is.

12. The Unhoneymooners

Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed.

By contrast, her sister Ami is an eternal champion…she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas. Olive braces herself for wedding hell, determined to put on a brave face, but when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. Suddenly there’s a free honeymoon up for grabs, and Olive will be damned if Ethan gets to enjoy paradise solo.

Agreeing to a temporary truce, the pair head for Maui. After all, ten days of bliss is worth having to assume the role of loving newlyweds, right? But the weird thing is…Olive doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, the more she pretends to be the luckiest woman alive, the more it feels like she might be.

13. Book Lovers

Nora Stephens’ life is books, but the only people Nora  is a heroine for are her literary agent clients and her beloved little sister Libby. When Libby begs for a sister’s trip away, Nora agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, NC for the month of August. Instead of their vision of picnics and handsome countrymen, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute. If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again, what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

Book Lovers is every cheesy rom-com-lovers’ dream come true.

Sparks (and tensions) fly between Nora and Charlie, making this book the perfect “opposites attract” romance.

To me, this book wasn’t overly memorable or life-altering. But it is a super cute plot and an easy carefree read!

14. Twisted Love

Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can’t escape.

Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for matters of the heart.

But when he’s forced to look after his best friend’s sister, he starts to feel something in his chest: A crack, a melt, a fire that could end his world as he knew it.

Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can’t remember.

But despite her broken past, she’s never stopped seeing the beauty in the world…including the heart beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn’t want.

Her brother’s best friend, her neighbor, her savior and her downfall.

Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both…and everything they hold dear.

Twisted Love is a contemporary brother’s best friend, grumpy sunshine romance. It’s book one in the Twisted series but can be read as a standalone.

15. Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating

Hazel Bradford knows she’s a lot to take—and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. Their loss. She’s a good, quirky soul in search of honest fun.

Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air.

Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double-blind dates means there’s nothing between them…right?

This book was silly, quirky, and full of laugh-out-loud moments.

Josh and Hazel aren’t complete grumpy/sunshine characters, but most definitely are polar opposites.

Hazel’s chaotic, absurd, and eccentric personality is a harsh contrast to Josh’s straight, organized, and by-the-book way of life.

These two make quite a pair – and this book is full of fun. If you are looking for a lighthearted rom-com-style read, this is a great choice for you.

16. Underneath the Sycamore Tree

Emery Matterson’s life has been broken for a while. First, she lost her twin sister―the other half of her heart―to an incurable autoimmune disease. Then her father left. Now Emery has been diagnosed with the same disease that killed her sister, and her mother is falling apart. Unable to live under the same roof anymore, the only option for Emery is to move in with a father she hasn’t seen in ten years and try to start over.

Enter Kaiden Monroe, the brooding athlete who has baggage of his own. Kaiden makes Emery feel normal. Hated. Cared for. Loathed. And…loved. Somewhere along the way, Emery finds solace in the guy with the sad eyes.

But everything happens in stages. And nothing good ever lasts.

This book is an emotional romance that is sure to make you cry. Not only does this book feature the grumpy sunshine trope, but it covers deep family dynamics, grief, chronic illness, trauma, and so much more.

Needless to say, I cried.

Such a great read if you are in the mood for something deep, meaningful, and memorable.

@delaneylynnesmith Some major highs & lows in this one #readingslump #unpopularbooktokopinion #journeyto80books #2023readinggoal #bookrecap #bookratingsreview ♬ original sound – Delaney

5 Best Reverse Grumpy Sunshine Romance Books

Grumpy girl meets sunshine boy? Gotta love it.

17. Maybe Not

When Warren has the opportunity to live with a female roommate, he instantly agrees. It could be an exciting change.

Or maybe not.

Especially when that roommate is the cold and seemingly calculating Bridgette. Tensions run high and tempers flare as the two can hardly stand to be in the same room together. But Warren has a theory about Bridgette: anyone who can hate with that much passion should also have the capability to  love  with that much passion. And he wants to be the one to test this theory.

Will Bridgette find it in herself to warm her heart to Warren and finally learn to love?

Maybe. Maybe not.

This is Book 2 in the Maybe series but could be read as a standalone if preferred. It is a short novella at only 160 pages.

18. Window Shopping

Two weeks before Christmas and all through Manhattan, shop windows are decorated in red and green satin. I’m standing alone in front of the famous  Vivant  department store, when a charming man named Aiden asks my opinion of the décor.

It’s a tragedy in tinsel, I say, unable to lie. He asks for a better idea with a twinkle in his eye. Did I know he owned the place? No. He put me on the spot. Now I’m working for that man, trying to ignore that he’s hot. But as a down on her luck girl with a difficult past, I know an opportunity when I see one – and I have to make it last.

I’ll put my heart and soul into dressing his holiday windows. I’ll work without stopping. And when we lose the battle with temptation, I’ll try and remember I’m just window shopping.

Such a fun, festive, cute holiday romance!

The overly-festive and cheerful department store owner meets a grumpy, down-on-her-luck store window designer… it doesn’t get more grumpy sunshine than that.

19. Maggie Moves On

House-flipping sensation and YouTube star Maggie Nichols can’t wait to dig into her next challenge. Arriving in tiny Kinship, Idaho, Maggie is prepared to restore a crumbling Victorian mansion in under 4 months. She has her to-do lists, her blueprints, and her team. What she  doesn’t  have is time for sexy, laid-back landscaper Silas Wright. The man takes flirtation to a whole new level. And he does it shirtless. He and his service dog are impressively persistent. But she’s not interested in putting down roots. Not when fans tune in to watch her travel the country flipping homes. A short-term fling on the other hand could fit nicely into her calendar. After all, Maggie remembers what fun is like. Vaguely.

As their summer gets downright steamy, Silas manages to demolish the emotional walls she’s spent years building, sending Maggie into a panic. He’s the wrench in her carefully constructed plans. With the end of the project looming, she has a decision to make. But how can she stay when her entire career is built on moving on?

20. The Bromance Book Club

Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott’s marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him.  Welcome to the Bromance Book Club. Desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville’s top alpha men. With the help of their current read, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it’ll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.

21. Icebreaker

Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA. She gets a full scholarship to the University of California and lands a place on their competitive figure skating team.

Nothing will stand in her way, not even the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins.

Nate’s focus as team captain is on keeping his team on the ice. Which is tricky when a facilities mishap means they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team—including Anastasia, who clearly can’t stand him.

But when Anastasia’s skating partner faces an uncertain future, she may have to look to Nate to take her shot.

Sparks fly, but Anastasia isn’t worried…because she could never like a hockey player, right?

Who is your favorite grumpy sunshine book couple?

My absolute favorite grumpy/sunshine book couple is Bree and Archer from Archer’s Voice . Hands down. No questions asked.

Although, Daisy and Ryke from the Addicted series are a very close second…

Who are your favorite “opposites attract” couples? Leave a comment below!

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The Best Grumpy x Sunshine Romance Books

Since the early days of my reading journey, I have always been a huge fan of the ‘Grumpy x Sunshine’ trope. There’s something I love about the overly mean male main character and the sweet and optimistic female lead, especially when they get to know each other, and the guy can’t help but fall in love with her personality.

Grumpy/Sunshine romance stories are like a special treat in books. I just love how the couple clicks in a really adorable and cool way.

As you can see, I’m greatly fond of the opposites attract trope.

What sets these romance novels apart is their ability to explore deep into the complexities of human nature, exploring themes of vulnerability, resilience, and the transformative power of love.

Through the ups and downs of their relationship, the protagonists undergo profound growth, learning to embrace each other’s strengths and vulnerabilities.

I have been enjoying romance books for over 15 years, so believe me when I say I have read my share of Grumpy/Sunshine romance books. That’s one of the reasons why I decided to share with you the best romance novels I have read with this trope.

What is the Grumpy x Sunshine Trope?

The “grumpy x sunshine” trope is a common theme in love stories where two people with very different personalities fall for each other.

One person is usually grumpy and serious, while the other is cheerful and positive. Even though they seem like opposites, they end up together and their relationship often leads to personal growth and change as they learn to understand and appreciate each other’s differences.

The grumpy character, with their stoic demeanor and guarded heart, finds themselves drawn to the warmth and exuberance of the sunshine character, whose infectious optimism brightens even the darkest of days.

As they navigate their differences and clash over misunderstandings, we encounter a rollercoaster of emotions, which makes us root for the unlikely couple to overcome their obstacles and find love against all odds.

These romance books are usually filled with witty banter, heartfelt moments, and unexpected twists.

Grumpy x Sunshine Romance Books Recommendations

1. kiss an angel by susan elizabeth phillips.

Sometimes, when I read a book from the late 2000s (or earlier), I feel like I can’t connect well with the characters, especially in contemporary romance. However, despite this, I found that even though this book was published in 2009, I was still able to enjoy it and connect with the main characters.

I fell in love with Daisy and her character development; I could even relate to her in some ways.

I loved the story and plot of this book, although it was hard to read at times due to its mention of animal abuse. As a huge advocate for animal rights, this aspect was difficult to digest.

So, if you love the arranged marriage and grumpy x sunshine tropes, you are going to love this book.

Pretty, flighty Daisy Devreaux can either go to jail or marry the mystery man her father has chosen for her.

Arranged marriages don’t happen in the modern world, so how did the irrepressible Daisy find herself in this fix?

Alex Markov, as humorless as he is deadly handsome, has no intention of playing the loving bridegroom to a spoiled little feather-head with champagne tastes.

He drags Daisy from her uptown life to a broken down traveling circus and sets out to tame her to his ways.

But this man without a soul has met his match in a woman who’s nothing but heart. Before long, passion will send them flying sky high without a safety net… risking it all in search of a love that will last forever.

Available in Audiobook. To read reviews on Goodreads,  click here .

2. All Rhodes Lead Here By Mariana Zapata

Mariana Zapata is the queen of slow burn, and while I don’t typically go for them, I do enjoy the time the author takes to build the relationship between the main couple. So if you don’t mind slow burn romances, you are definitely going to enjoy this one.

In addition to being a grumpy x sunshine story, you can also find other tropes such as small town, single dad, and age gap.

BONUS: Also by this author, you’re going to love ‘ The Wall of Winnipeg and Me ,’ one of my all-time favorite books. Like her other works, it’s a slow burn, and it’s also a sports romance.

Losing people you love is hard. Aurora De La Torre knows moving back to a place that was once home isn’t going to be easy.

Starting your whole life over probably isn’t supposed to be.

But a small town in the mountains might be the perfect remedy for a broken heart. Checking out her landlord across the driveway just might cure it too.

Available in Kindle Unlimited and Audiobook. To read reviews on Goodreads,  click here .

3. Until Harmony (Until Him/Her #6) By Aurora Rose Reynolds

The Until Him/Her series is the spin-off of the Until series , which features the parents of the characters in the Until Him/Her series. So, if you are looking for romance novel recommendations, there are many books you can enjoy.

Be warned, though. The main trope of both series is insta-love. So, if you don’t mind that, then you are going to enjoy the stories.

Harmony Mayson isn’t the kind of girl to take unnecessary risk, but after meeting Harlen MacCabe, she starts to wonder if maybe she should be.

The more time she spends with the wild and free biker, the more she starts to crave the freedom he gives her… And even more, she starts to crave him.

Harlen lives his life on his own terms.

After losing both his parents at an early age to a robbery gone bad, he knows how precious life is, and he’s determined to get as much out of it as he can.

When he runs into the beautiful Harmony and finds out she’s moving to town, he knows it’s time to take his shot. She thinks he only wants to be friends, but she couldn’t be more wrong.

What Harmony and Harlen don’t know is that their time might be cut short. Revenge is in the air, and someone won’t stop until a debt is settled.

4. Obsession Falls (Haven Brothers #1) By Claire Kingsley

This is the first book in the Haven Brothers series , which currently has only two books out, but more are coming!

If you like small-town love stories, suspense, and family drama, then you are going to love this one.

He’ll risk it all to protect her.

Someone is stalking Audrey Young. And she has no idea why.

It’s bad enough that she’s back in Tilikum. But Audrey’s good at making the best of things and her new job at the small-town newspaper is just a way to get back on her feet.

Complicating matters is her landlord and new neighbor, Josiah Haven.

She doesn’t usually go for the big, surly lumberjack type. But there’s something about that broody man. He intimidates her a little, but she kind of likes it.

She could totally handle the mess that is her life, except the strange feeling of being watched is just the beginning. Next thing Audrey knows, she’s a target, and she doesn’t know who’s behind it, or why.

For Josiah Haven, none of that makes her his problem.

She’s just the girl next door. Fine, the frustratingly hot girl next door. But Audrey is all sunshine and her goofy dog isn’t any better. Josiah is too stoic. Too solitary. Too guarded. He doesn’t need a woman in his life, especially one who threatens to crack his heart wide open.

But Josiah is a protector and he can’t let Audrey’s troubles go unanswered, even if he has to risk everything—his life and his heart—to keep her safe.

5. Coyote’s Mate (Breeds #13) By Lora Leigh

While this may not fit the traditional grumpy x sunshine trope, I believe it deserves a place on this list.

Anya is incredibly empathetic and kind-hearted. She doesn’t judge others and always strives for the best outcome. Though she may not be excessively positive or exuberantly happy all the time, I believe the couple still embodies the essence of the trope.

This is one of my all-time favorite romance books, and I often find myself re-reading it whenever I’m in a reading slump.

This book is the 13th installment in the Breeds series. In my opinion, you don’t necessarily need to read them in order. However, if you prefer to start with book #1, you can begin with Tempting the Beast .

He always knew he would betray her…

Anya Kobrin was only sixteen when she first came to Del-Rey Delgado — the genetically altered rebel known as the Coyote Ghost.

For six years they plotted to free a group of Coyote women kept in Anya’s father’s lab. As Anya matured into a woman, she and Del-Rey grew close…but on the day of the ambush, he broke his promise and shot her father.

Filled with rage over the betrayal, Anya discovers an even stronger emotion is consuming her mind and body — the animalistic desire known as mating heat.

Though Del-Rey feels it with the same intensity, Anya questions whether she can forgive him or trust him again. As they stealthily maneuver to bring the freed Breeds to safety, one question reigns supreme: Can Anya and Del-Rey survive their own heat?

6. Practice Makes Perfect (When in Rome #2) By Sarah Adams

This book was nominated for Best Romance of 2023, which speaks volumes about its quality. Additionally, its rating of over 4 stars with over a hundred thousand ratings confirms how good it is.

Annie and Will’s personalities clash, as they are very different (but that’s exactly why I love grumpy x sunshine romance books). They are adorable together, and the best part… the male main character knows how to communicate.

If you enjoy small-town romances, you’ll appreciate that this novel is also set in a small town, featuring the classic bad boy-good girl trope. You won’t want to miss out on this one.

Annie Walker is on a quest to find her perfect match—someone who complements her happy, quiet life running the local flower shop in Rome, Kentucky.

But finding her dream man may be harder than Annie imagined. Everyone knows everyone in her hometown, and the dating prospects are getting fewer by the day.

After she overhears her latest date say she is “so unbelievably boring,” Annie starts to think the problem might be her. Is it too late to become flirtatious and fun like the leading ladies in her favorite romance movies? Maybe she only needs a little practice… and Annie has the perfect person in mind to be her tutor: Will Griffin.

Will—the sexy , tattooed, and absolutely gorgeous bodyguard—is temporarily back in Rome, providing security for Amelia Rose as excitement builds for her upcoming marriage to Noah Walker, Annie’s brother.

He has one personal objective while on the job: stay away from Annie Walker and any other possible attachments to this sleepy town. But no sooner than he gets settled, Will finds himself tasked with helping Annie find the love of her life by becoming the next leading lady of Rome, Kentucky.

Will wants no part in changing the sweet and lovely Annie. He knows for a fact that some stuffy, straitlaced guy won’t make her happy, but he doesn’t have the heart to say no.

Amid steamy practice dates and strictly “educational” tutoring lessons, Annie discovers there are more layers to Will’s usual stoic attitude.

As the lines of their friendship become dangerously blurred, Annie reconsiders her dream guy. Maybe her love life doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be real.

7. Always Only You (Bergman Brothers #2) By Chloe Liese

If you love sports romance and slow romance, then this is a book you will definitely enjoy! Specifically if you are looking for a hockey sport romance.

While this is the second book in the Bergman Brothers, you can read them all as a standalone.

This grumpy x sunshine romance is a little different than the others, because the grumpy in this occasion it’s her.

Ren is a hockey player who is a virgin; and Frankie is a bad ass woman who deals with chronic pain and is on the autism spectrum. These two had unrequited love for each other and unbeknownst to the other one. 

The moment I met her, I knew Frankie Zeferino was someone worth waiting for. Deadpan delivery, secret heart of gold, and a rare one-dimpled smile that makes my knees weak, Frankie has been forbidden since the day she and I became coworkers, meaning waiting has been the name of my game—besides, hockey, that is.

I’m a player on the team, she’s on staff, and as long as we work together, dating is off-limits. But patience has always been my virtue.

Frankie won’t be here forever—she’s headed for bigger, better things. I just hope that when she leaves the team and I tell her how I feel, she won’t want to leave me behind, too.

I’ve had a problem at work since the day Ren Bergman joined the team: a six foot three hunk of happy with a sunshine smile.

I’m a grumbly grump and his ridiculously good nature drives me nuts, but even I can’t entirely ignore that hot tamale of a ginger with icy eyes, the perfect playoff beard, and a body built for sin that he’s annoyingly modest about.

Before I got wise, I would have tripped over myself to get a guy like Ren, but with my diagnosis, I’ve learned what I am to most people in my life—a problem, not a person. Now, opening my heart to anyone, no matter how sweet, is the last thing I’m prepared to do.

8. Wildest Dreams (Fantasyland #1) By Kristen Ashley

I’m just in love with this love story and Finnie. I was able to connect so well with her and enjoyed how she built her relationship with Frey. Additionally, I thought the world-building was amazing.

If you’re looking for a fantasy romance with the grumpy x sunshine trope, then this is the book for you.

Seoafin “Finnie” Wilde was taught by her parents that every breath was a treasure and to seek every adventure she could find. She learns this lesson the hard way after they perish in a plane crash.

When she discovers there’s a parallel universe where every person has a twin, she finds a witch who can send her there so she can see her parents again.

And have the adventure of a lifetime.

Upon arrival in the winter wonderland of Lunwyn, Finnie realizes she’s been played and finds herself walking down the aisle to wed The Drakkar.

Instantly thrown into inauspicious circumstances, with years of practice (she did survive that elephant stampede), Finnie bests the challenges and digs into her adventure.

But as Frey Drakkar discovers the woman who is his new wife is not Princess Sjofn, a woman he loathes, but instead his Finnie, a free spirit with a thirst for venture just like him, without her knowledge, he orders his new bride bound to his frozen world…

9. In Darkness Forged (Night Elves of Abreia #1) By Kenley Davidson

Another great fantasy romance featuring the grumpy x sunshine trope.

Aislinn and Tal’s adventure is fun and filled with emotions. I love the way they grow and heal throughout the book. It was also beautiful to read how they start to fall in love.

Book two is coming soon, and I’m super excited!

In a land of darkness and deadly adversaries… He might just be the deadliest one of all.

Burdened by a debt she can never hope to repay, Aislin is sent by her cruel lord to the mysterious land of Dunmaren, where she must beg the night elves for a single favor.

The shapeshifters demand a steep price, but Aislin will do anything to save her family—even travel alone into a nightmare forest filled with monsters.

Except she isn’t quite alone…

Talyn’s magic is as deadly as his blades, but he lives only for his chance at revenge. Betrayed and imprisoned by his night elf kin, his only hope of freedom is to serve as guide and bodyguard to a human woman foolish enough to enter the perilous depths of the Darkspring.

Talyn wants nothing to do with a weak and useless human. In Dunmaren, only the strong survive, and soft things are easily broken.

But Aislin defies his expectations at every turn, and what he once believed to be weakness might just prove the key to their survival.

In the shadows beneath the earth, an unlikely bond is forged between the renegade night elf and the fiercely determined human.

But few ever return from the depths, and it will take more than stubbornness and steel to defeat the enemy that awaits them at the very heart of the Darkspring.

10. Fall (VIP #3) By Kristen Callihan

While this is book three in the VIP series , you can read this one as a standalone. However, you will understand the story better if you read them in order since it mentions characters from the other books.

Besides being a grumpy x sunshine story, this is a classic not-famous/famous romance book.

The first time I met Jax Blackwood things went a little sideways. 

In my defense, I didn’t know he was Jax Blackwood—who expects a legendary rock star to be shopping for groceries? More importantly, a blizzard was coming and he was about to grab the last carton of mint-chocolate chip. 

Still, I might have walked away, but then he smugly dared me to try and take the coveted ice cream. So I kissed him. And distracted that mint-chip right out of his hands. 

Okay, it was a dirty move, but desperate times and all that. Besides, I never expected he’d be my new neighbor. 

An annoying neighbor who takes great pleasure in reminding me that I owe him ice cream but would happily accept more kisses as payment. An irresistible neighbor who keeps me up while playing guitar naked–spectacularly naked–in his living room. 

Clearly, avoidance is key. Except nothing about Jax is easy to ignore—not the way he makes me laugh, or that his particular brand of darkness matches mine, or how one look from him melts me faster than butter under a hot sun. 

Neither of us believes in love or forever. Yet we’re quickly becoming each other’s addiction. But we could be more. We could be everything. 

All we have to do is trust enough to fall.

11. The Finisher (Dark Verse #4) By RuNyx

Another book that’s on my all-time favorites list. I just LOVE Zephyr and her personality. The way she goes after the things she wants and how kind she is.

It can be hard to find female main characters that I don’t find annoying, and when I end up loving the main character, I know it’s a book that I will keep re-reading multiple times (which I have done with this one).

She is definitely sunshine, and he is definitely grumpy. Their personalities are different, but they complement each other amazingly.

Also, know that this is not a standalone. Reading the series in order is recommended.

What happens when a beast of blood finds a bride of light in the land of death?

Growing up on the streets of Los Fortis, Alessandro ‘Alpha’ Villanova scrapped his way to the top, fighting for his very survival, losing everything in the process. A city that shunned him then is now the one he rules, albeit alone, as the king of a dark empire few know about.

Far from Alpha’s world, Zephyr de la Vega has a normal life, normal family, normal drama. Her biggest problem is people trying to make her lose a few pounds. When a chance encounter puts her on his path, she makes a proposition that changes the course of their lives. 

As a killer goes on a spree in Alpha’s city, taking apart his scarred empire corpse by corpse, and The Syndicate comes into play, their partnership evolves into something deeper, more enduring, more powerful than either of them anticipated.

Evil ascends. Darkness descends. 

A new order is born.

12. The Darkest Temptation (Made #3) By Danielle Lori

I love mafia books, and when I see the female main character has a more positive personality, I know I’m going to love it. It’s another one of my all-time favorite reads.

Ronan’s not only grumpy, he’s straight up mean. So I felt a deep admiration towards Mila and her mental strength for all that she had to go through. Not only that, she also manages to radiate sunshine with her positivity.

I’ve found myself drawn back to this book time and again, enchanted by its compelling storyline and rich character development. For anyone seeking a gripping read filled with emotion and intrigue, “The Darkest Temptation” is an absolute must-read.

A fortune teller once told Mila she’d find a man who would take her breath away. She refrained from telling her it would be literally while Mila ran for her life.

Having always done what is expected of her, Mila dresses the part, only dates college boys with exemplary backgrounds, and doesn’t ask questions. Not about her papa’s absences or his refusal to let her set foot in her birthplace—Russia.

Suffocated by the rules and unanswered questions, Mila does what she’s always wanted to. She boards a plane to Moscow.She never expected to fall for a man on the way.

One with unexplained wealth, tattoos on his hands, and secrets in his eyes. But it doesn’t take long for his caress to become a rough grasp muffling her screams.Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Unfortunately, a Russian winter is the coldest of them all, and Mila soon learns the only way to escape intact is to do the impossible and thaw her captor’s heart.

Don’t forget to follow me on Goodreads if you want to check what I’m reading in real time. I usually just share on here the ones that I rate with 5 stars, so if you want to see the books that made the roster, make sure to check out my Goodreads profile .

If you are looking for more romance book recommendations, click here .

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The Love Hypothesis Kindle Edition

• Print length 383 pages
• Language English
• Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
• Publisher Berkley
• Publication date September 14, 2021
• File size 3306 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
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From the Publisher

Editorial reviews, about the author, excerpt. © reprinted by permission. all rights reserved..

Chapter One

Hypothesis: When given a choice between A (a slightly inconveniencing situation) and B (a colossal shitshow with devastating consequences), I will inevitably end up selecting B.

In Olive's defense, the man didn't seem to mind the kiss too much.

It did take him a moment to adjust-perfectly understandable, given the sudden circumstances. It was an awkward, uncomfortable, somewhat painful minute, in which Olive was simultaneously smashing her lips against his and pushing herself as high as her toes would extend to keep her mouth at the same level as his face. Did he have to be so tall? The kiss must have looked like some clumsy headbutt, and she grew anxious that she was not going to be able to pull the whole thing off. Her friend Anh, whom Olive had spotted coming her way a few seconds ago, was going to take one look at this and know at once that Olive and Kiss Dude couldn't possibly be two people in the middle of a date.

Then that agonizingly slow moment went by, and the kiss became . . . different. The man inhaled sharply and inclined his head a tiny bit, making Olive feel less like a squirrel monkey climbing a baobab tree, and his hands-which were large and pleasantly warm in the AC of the hallway-closed around her waist. They slid up a few inches, coming to wrap around Olive's rib cage and holding her to himself. Not too close, and not too far.

It was more of a prolonged peck than anything, but it was quite nice, and for the life span of a few seconds Olive forgot a large number of things, including the fact that she was pressed against a random, unknown dude. That she'd barely had the time to whisper "Can I please kiss you?" before locking lips with him. That what had originally driven her to put on this entire show was the hope of fooling Anh, her best friend in the whole world.

But a good kiss will do that: make a girl forget herself for a while. Olive found herself melting into a broad, solid chest that showed absolutely no give. Her hands traveled from a defined jaw into surprisingly thick and soft hair, and then-then she heard herself sigh, as if already out of breath, and that's when it hit her like a brick on the head, the realization that- No. No.

Nope, nope, no.

She should not be enjoying this. Random dude, and all that.

Olive gasped and pushed herself away from him, frantically looking for Anh. In the 11:00 p.m. bluish glow of the biology labs' hallway, her friend was nowhere to be seen. Weird. Olive was sure she had spotted her a few seconds earlier.

Kiss Dude, on the other hand, was standing right in front of her, lips parted, chest rising and a weird light flickering in his eyes, which was exactly when it dawned on her, the enormity of what she had just done. Of who she had just-

Fuck her life.

Fuck. Her. Life.

Because Dr. Adam Carlsen was a known ass.

This fact was not remarkable in and of itself, as in academia every position above the graduate student level (Olive's level, sadly) required some degree of assness in order to be held for any length of time, with tenured faculty at the very peak of the ass pyramid. Dr. Carlsen, though-he was exceptional. At least if the rumors were anything to go by.

He was the reason Olive's roommate, Malcolm, had to completely scrap two research projects and would likely end up graduating a year late; the one who had made Jeremy throw up from anxiety before his qualifying exams; the sole culprit for half the students in the department being forced to postpone their thesis defenses. Joe, who used to be in Olive's cohort and would take her to watch out-of-focus European movies with microscopic subtitles every Thursday night, had been a research assistant in Carlsen's lab, but he'd decided to drop out six months into it for "reasons." It was probably for the best, since most of Carlsen's remaining graduate assistants had perennially shaky hands and often looked like they hadn't slept in a year.

Dr. Carlsen might have been a young academic rock star and biology's wunderkind, but he was also mean and hypercritical, and it was obvious in the way he spoke, in the way he carried himself, that he thought himself the only person doing decent science within the Stanford biology department. Within the entire world, probably. He was a notoriously moody, obnoxious, terrifying dick.

And Olive had just kissed him.

She wasn't sure how long the silence lasted-only that he was the one to break it. He stood in front of Olive, ridiculously intimidating with dark eyes and even darker hair, staring down from who knows how many inches above six feet-he must have been over half a foot taller than she was. He scowled, an expression that she recognized from seeing him attend the departmental seminar, a look that usually preceded him raising his hand to point out some perceived fatal flaw in the speaker's work.

Adam Carlsen. Destroyer of research careers , Olive had once overheard her adviser say.

It's okay. It's fine. Totally fine. She was just going to pretend nothing had happened, nod at him politely, and tiptoe her way out of here. Yes, solid plan.

"Did you . . . Did you just kiss me?" He sounded puzzled, and maybe a little out of breath. His lips were full and plump and . . . God. Kissed. There was simply no way Olive could get away with denying what she had just done.

Still, it was worth a try.

Surprisingly, it seemed to work.

"Ah. Okay, then." Carlsen nodded and turned around, looking vaguely disoriented. He took a couple of steps down the hallway, reached the water fountain-maybe where he'd been headed in the first place.

Olive was starting to believe that she might actually be off the hook when he halted and turned back with a skeptical expression.

"Are you sure?"

"I-" She buried her face in her hands. "It's not the way it looks."

"Okay. I . . . Okay," he repeated slowly. His voice was deep and low and sounded a lot like he was on his way to get ting mad. Like maybe he was already mad. "What's going on here?"

There was simply no way to explain this. Any normal person would have found Olive's situation odd, but Adam Carlsen, who obviously considered empathy a bug and not a feature of humanity, could never understand. She let her hands fall to her sides and took a deep breath.

"I . . . listen, I don't mean to be rude, but this is really none of your business."

He stared at her for a moment, and then he nodded. "Yes. Of course." He must be getting back into his usual groove, because his tone had lost some of its surprise and was back to normal-dry. Laconic. "I'll just go back to my office and begin to work on my Title IX complaint."

Olive exhaled in relief. "Yeah. That would be great, since- Wait. Your what?"

He cocked his head. "Title IX is a federal law that protects against sexual misconduct within academic settings-"

"I know what Title IX is."

"I see. So you willfully chose to disregard it."

"I- What? No. No, I didn't!"

He shrugged. "I must be mistaken, then. Someone else must have assaulted me."

"Assault-I didn't 'assault' you."

"You did kiss me."

"But not really ."

"Without first securing my consent."

"I asked if I could kiss you!"

"And then did so without waiting for my response."

"What? You said yes."

"Excuse me?"

She frowned. "I asked if I could kiss you, and you said yes."

"Incorrect. You asked if you could kiss me and I snorted."

"I'm pretty sure I heard you said yes."

He lifted one eyebrow, and for a minute Olive let herself daydream of drowning someone. Dr. Carlsen. Herself. Both sounded like great options.

"Listen, I'm really sorry. It was a weird situation. Can we just forget that this happened?"

He studied her for a long moment, his angular face serious and something else, something that she couldn't quite decipher because she was too busy noticing all over again how damn towering and broad he was. Just massive. Olive had always been slight, just this side of too slender, but girls who are five eight rarely felt diminutive. At least until they found themselves standing next to Adam Carlsen. She'd known that he was tall, of course, from seeing him around the department or walking across campus, from sharing the elevator with him, but they'd never interacted. Never been this close.

Except for a second ago, Olive. When you almost put your tongue in his-

"Is something wrong?" He sounded almost concerned.

"What? No. No, there isn't."

"Because," he continued calmly, "kissing a stranger at midnight in a science lab might be a sign that there is."

"There isn't."

Carlsen nodded, thoughtful. "Very well. Expect mail in the next few days, then." He began to walk past her, and she turned to yell after him.

"You didn't even ask my name!"

"I'm sure anyone could figure it out, since you must have swiped your badge to get in the labs area after hours. Have a good night."

"Wait!" She leaned forward and stopped him with a hand on his wrist. He paused immediately, even though it was obvious that it would take him no effort to free himself, and stared pointedly at the spot where her fingers had wrapped around his skin-right below a wristwatch that probably cost half her yearly graduate salary. Or all of it.

She let go of him at once and took one step back. "Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"The kiss. Explain."

Olive bit into her lower lip. She had truly screwed herself over. She had to tell him, now. "Anh Pham." She looked around to make sure Anh was really gone. "The girl who was passing by. She's a graduate student in the biology department."

Carlsen gave no indication of knowing who Anh was.

"Anh has . . ." Olive pushed a strand of brown hair behind her ear. This was where the story became embarrassing. Complicated, and a little juvenile sounding. "I was seeing this guy in the department. Jeremy Langley, he has red hair and works with Dr. . . . Anyway, we went out just a couple of times, and then I brought him to Anh's birthday party, and they just sort of hit it off and-"

Olive shut her eyes. Which was probably a bad idea, because now she could see it painted on her lids, how her best friend and her date had bantered in that bowling alley, as if they'd known each other their whole lives; the never-exhausted topics of conversation, the laughter, and then, at the end of the night, Jeremy following Anh's every move with his gaze. It had been painfully clear who he was interested in. Olive waved a hand and tried for a smile.

"Long story short, after Jeremy and I ended things he asked Anh out. She said no because of . . . girl code and all that, but I can tell that she really likes him. She's afraid to hurt my feelings, and no matter how many times I told her it was fine she wouldn't believe me."

Not to mention that the other day I overheard her confess to our friend Malcolm that she thought Jeremy was awesome, but she could never betray me by going out with him, and she sounded so dejected. Disappointed and insecure, not at all like the spunky, larger-than-life Anh I am used to.

"So I just lied and told her that I was already dating someone else. Because she's one of my closest friends and I'd never seen her like a guy this much and I want her to have the good things she deserves and I'm positive that she would do the same for me and-" Olive realized that she was rambling and that Carlsen couldn't have cared less. She stopped and swallowed, even though her mouth felt dry. "Tonight. I told her I'd be on a date tonight ."

"Ah." His expression was unreadable.

"But I'm not. So I decided to come in to work on an experiment, but Anh showed up, too. She wasn't supposed to be here. But she was. Coming this way. And I panicked-well." Olive wiped a hand down her face. "I didn't really think."

Carlsen didn't say anything, but it was there in his eyes that he was thinking. Obviously.

"I just needed her to believe that I was on a date."

He nodded. "So you kissed the first person you saw in the hallway. Perfectly logical."

Olive winced. "When you put it like that, perhaps it wasn't my best moment."

"But it wasn't my worst, either! I'm pretty sure Anh saw us. Now she'll think that I was on a date with you and she'll hopefully feel free to go out with Jeremy and-" She shook her head. "Listen. I'm so, so sorry about the kiss."

"Please, don't report me. I really thought I heard you say yes. I promise I didn't mean to . . ."

Suddenly, the enormity of what she had just done fully dawned on her. She had just kissed a random guy, a guy who happened to be the most notoriously unpleasant faculty member in the biology department. She'd misunderstood a snort for consent, she'd basically attacked him in the hallway, and now he was staring at her in that odd, pensive way, so large and focused and close to her, and . . .

Maybe it was the late night. Maybe it was that her last coffee had been sixteen hours ago. Maybe it was Adam Carlsen looking down at her, like that. All of a sudden, this entire situation was just too much.

"Actually, you're absolutely right. And I am so sorry. If you felt in any way harassed by me, you really should report me, because it's only fair. It was a horrible thing to do, though I really didn't want to . . . Not that my intentions matter; it's more like your perception of . . ."

Crap, crap, crap.

"I'm going to leave now, okay? Thank you, and . . . I am so, so, so sorry." Olive spun around on her heels and ran away down the hallway.

"Olive," she heard him call after her. "Olive, wait-"

She didn't stop. She sprinted down the stairs to the first floor and then out the building and across the pathways of the sparsely lit Stanford campus, running past a girl walking her dog and a group of students laughing in front of the library. She continued until she was standing in front of her apartment's door, stopping only to unlock it, making a beeline for her room in the hope of avoiding her roommate and whoever he might have brought home tonight. It wasn’t until she slumped on her bed, staring at the glow‑in‑the- dark stars glued to her ceiling, that she realized that she had neglected to check on her lab mice. She had also left her laptop on her bench and her sweatshirt somewhere in the lab, and she had completely forgotten to stop at the store and buy the coffee she’d promised Malcolm she’d get for tomorrow morning. Shit. What a disaster of a day. It never occurred to Olive that Dr. Adam Carlsen— known ass— had called her by her name.

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08T6XN4FP
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (September 14, 2021)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 14, 2021
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 3306 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 383 pages
• Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1408725762
• #38 in Workplace Romance eBooks
• #54 in Workplace Romance
• #363 in Romantic Comedy (Kindle Store)

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About the author

Ali hazelwood.

Ali Hazelwood is a multi-published author—alas, of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience. She recently became a professor, which absolutely terrifies her. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, crocheting, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her two feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband).

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Grumpy x Sunshine Trope Playlist

Lounge Music: LitJoy's Spotify Playlists 08/30/2023 10:00am 2 minute read

Ah, the timeless allure of the romance book tropes– a ship that pairs two seemingly opposite personalities, each with their own quirks and dispositions. This trope is extremely popular with romance readers— and for a good reason! We love it so much we made our own Grumpy x Sunshine trope playlist .

What is the Grumpy x Sunshine Trope?

In the Grumpy x Sunshine relationship dynamic, the brooding and reserved "grumpy" character, whose exterior shields a heart of gold, meets their vivacious and radiant "sunshine" counterpart, whose infectious positivity has the power to light up even the darkest corners. The two form an unlikely bond and find love and acceptance in one another, despite the differences in how they approach the world. Some of our favorite examples of this trope in literature are The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, Icebreaker by Hannah Grace, and Beach Read by Emily Henry.

Spotify Playlist Song Inspiration

In “needy” by Ariana Grande, the song focuses more on the sunshine part of the relationship. They sing about feeling needy for wanting more love from the person they adore, whereas the object of their adoration is more reserved about their bond.

So, if you're ready to immerse yourself in a world where opposites attract, where moods collide, and where love blossoms against all odds, stay tuned as we dive into the melodies that bring the Grumpy x Sunshine romance trope to life. From Troye Sivan to Taylor Swift to Arctic Monkeys, we’ve curated the perfect vibe to go along with your favorite bookish Grumpy x Sunshine ship!

And if you need a gift for your whatever-ship, be sure to check out 67 Ways to Woo Your Lover with LitJoy or shop at litjoycrate.com .

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Pov: you're a dragon rider spotify playlist, coraline vibes spotify playlist, romance reader playlist | lounge music.

Beyond the Bookends

A Book Blog for Women and Moms who Love to Read

26 Grumpy Sunshine Trope Books Like the Spanish Love Deception

The grumpy sunshine trope is one of the most common romance tropes and for me personally, it is one of the most fun romance tropes to read. Grumpy Sunshine books are romances in which a happy, upbeat woman is able to bring happiness and sunshine to the life of a moody man.

Reverse Grumpy Sunshine books are when gender roles are reversed. Either way, these opposites attract romance books are always enjoyable reads.

*Grumpy Sunshine Trope Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you.

Table of Contents

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Catalina is a fiercely independent woman who ran away from her past but now she has to face it at her sister’s wedding where her former fiance is the best man.

She needs a fake boyfriend – and fast! Enter Aaron her annoying and grumpy co-worker who offers to help her with her ruse. As they put their differences aside to help each other out, their love begins to grow. This is the fake dating trope at its best.

While I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers romance in this book, at over 500 pages this office romance novel was just a bit too long.

Grumpy Sunshine Trope Books of 2023

Exes and O’s by Amy Lea

What a creative romance novel! I loved the slow-burn roommate-to-lovers story because of its fun premise. Tara, an avid romance novel lover, is trying to create her own second-chance romance story by attempting to re-date all her ex-boyfriends.

Her new roommate, Trevor, is a playboy who offers to be her moral support. We know they are going to get a happy ending in this second chance romance novel, but the journey is what makes this story! It was so charming.

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

In this adorable grumpy sunshine book, Annie Walker is trying to find herself her perfect man. But when she overhears her date call her boring, she decides to find herself a tutor.

Will Griffin is the perfect man for the job. He is a gorgeous and emotionally unavailable bodyguard to Amelia Rose, the famous musician who is about to marry her brother. Annie soon discovers that there may be more to Will than his stoic exterior.

Best Grumpy Sunshine Romance Books

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Olive Smith is a Ph.D. student who does not believe in her ability to be in love. When her best friend develops a crush on someone she dated briefly, she decides to kiss the first man she sees to prove she is over him.

That one kiss happens to be with THE Adam Carlsen, an academic genius, who is also very standoffish. The two decide to fake-date and what starts as pretend, becomes something more- for Olive.

I loved this fake dating book/office romance novel that is also a perfect example of the grumpy sunshine trope. It has a well-earned spot on its list of the best romance novels of all time.

If you love this book as much as we did, check out our post: Books Like the Love Hypothesis to Obsess Over

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

We don’t think about royals and the LGBTQ community because we don’t usually see openly gay royals, which is so sad in today’s society. And to think it all starts with a NYE kiss!

This charming book is a fabulous pick from LGBTQ romance novels. I crushed hard for their romance and found myself smiling the entire time. (Also love the nod to a female president…where do I sign up for one of those?) 

Why We Love It: The LGBTQ romance is charming but add in a female president and we are all in. Find This Book in Royal Romance Books / Enemies-to-Lovers Books / New Year’s Books / British Romance Novels / Books With a Color in the Title

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

When I learned that Tessa Bailey used Schitt’s Creek’s Alexis as her inspiration for Piper, I knew I had to read this grumpy sunshine romance.

After getting in trouble one-to-many times for her party-girl lifestyle, Piper and her sister are banished back to their late father’s hometown in Washington.

While she’s learning to be responsible and money-conscious for the first time in her life, she needs to try not to fall for a local fisherman, Brendan. This is a sailing novel with heat!

Find this book in Enemies-to-Lovers Books / Books similar to The Love Hypothesis / Emily Henry books .

Highland Games by Evie Alexander

I gushed about this on Instagram, but I’m gonna gush about it again here too. I love a good Scottish romance, which long-term readers know because of our books like Outlander

This one has Zoe deciding to pack up her London life and move into the rustic, decrepit cabin on a castle estate her uncle left for her when he died. The problem is Rory, the castle’s caretaker, wanted the cabin for himself.

Rory starts messing with Zoe to get her to leave Scotland, but when he realizes he needs her help, sparks fly in this grumpy sunshine romance. This is the first in a new series of books set in Scotland about Rory and Zoe and their Scottish hometown.

It was charming, funny, STEAMY, and heartwarming. I personally can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Office Grumpy Sunshine Romance Books like The Spanish Love Deception

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

This enemies-to-lovers office romance book was recently adapted to Netflix. After two publishing houses merge, executive assistants for the two owners are in fierce competition with each other for a promotion.

These office enemies quickly realize that the tension is an attraction as well. But, is the attraction real, or is it a ploy to get the promotion? This grumpy sunshine romance book is now on Netflix and we hope it is as steamy as the book. The forced proximity trope is at its best in this steamy romance

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory

Isabelle was overjoyed when she landed her dream job in publishing as an editorial assistant. She is also the only Black employee. She has been waiting for a promotion for two years and decides she will earn that by going to the mansion of a celebrity with an overdue memoir. All she has to do is give him the right pep talk to encourage him to write the book.

This task is not as easy as it seems. Beau is standoffish, stubborn, and difficult. Soon Izzy finds herself living in his house and helping him with his book. The forced proximity helps her find something that she needs as well- the confidence to ask for what she wants. You’ll love this fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast!

Find this book in Grumpy Sunshine / Jasmine Guillory Books / Fairy Tale Retellings

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You has quickly become a classic story – and a movie to boot. But beware! This is one of the grumpy sunshine romance books that will emotionally wreck you that you don’t want to read in public!

When a young man becomes paralyzed his parents hire a young woman to be his companion. As love blooms, and she tries to convince him that life is still worth living, the reader questions what they would sacrifice to make a loved one happy. This novel about grief deals with grieving before the person has passed.

Vacation Books like the Spanish Love Deception

Beach Read by Emily Henry

This is one of the best romance books I have read in a long time.  What could be better than a romance about writers?  January is a romance writer who no longer believes in love.  Until she was 28, she led an idyllic life filled with the ideas of perfect love. 

Augustus Everett is a literary fiction writer who has never believed in love.  They could not be more different.  When they find themselves living next door to each other they decide to help each other overcome their writer’s block by challenging each other to a writer’s duel. This might be my favorite pick from our list of enemies-to-lovers books .

Find this book in Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Books / Grumpy Sunshine Romance / Emily Henry Books / Books About Books

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

I loved this hilarious romance and as soon as I read it I knew this vacation book was perfect for a list of books Like People We Meet on Vacation. It is the epitome of romantic comedy books.

Olive and Ami are twins. While Ami seems to be lucky in everything, Olive knows that if it can happen, it will happen to her. So when everyone gets food poisoning at Ami’s wedding except Olive and her nemesis Ethan, she can’t decide if her luck has changed. This is the fake dating trope to the extreme- fake marriage.

As the two head out on the free, all-inclusive honeymoon that was supposed to be Ami and her new husband, Olive hopes they can call a truce long enough to enjoy the trip. If you are looking for grumpy sunshine romance books, this one should be at the top of your list.

Best Friend’s Sister Grumpy Sunshine Books

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

This book was my pick for a steamy romance for our summer reading challenge. This book could easily go on our list of billionaire romances (although Alex is a multi-millionaire and not a billionaire) and is a 50 Shades of Grey Feel.

Alex is singularly driven in his pursuit of vengeance for the death of his family. When his best friend goes abroad and asks him to look after his sister while he is gone, Alex begins to feel something he swore he would never feel again.

This steamy romance is the grumpy sunshine trope at its finest. It was a fun and quick read.

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

Hot & Hammered Book 1

So, I didn’t know exactly what I was getting myself into when I started reading this romance.  It was definitely a lot steamier than I had anticipated.  When Travis Ford, an injured and retired baseball superstar, returns back home, he is in a state of depression. 

Georgette Castle, the best friend’s little sister, knows just how to smack some sense into him.  While Georgette is able to get Travis to stop wallowing in self-pity, he decides to help her family take her more seriously.  Having a job as a clown can make that difficult. 

Opposites attract in this great grumpy sunshine romance that has many a 17+ scene but, it’s a fun summer read. If you love this one, we have a whole list of books like Fix Her Up !

More Contemporary Grumpy Sunshine Romance Novels

The Chase (Briar U #1) by Elle Kennedy

Are you looking for a swoon-worthy new adult romance that is laugh-out-loud funny? I got you. I downloaded The Chase and it suck me in right away, kept me turning the pages, and made the time fly by.

Elle Kennedy kills me every single time. This series features more of the hockey players at Briar U and the girls that they fall in love with. It’s a spin-off of Kennedy’s Off Campus series.

The books in this series are so hilarious but also swoon-worthy. There are also some serious sex scenes in here – so fair warning if that’s not your jam. This grumpy sunshine book is a great choice for a new adult romance.

Well Met by Jen DeLuca

Sometimes you read a book and you just want to go back and read it again. I loved Well Met!!! I never thought I would be interested in a renaissance fair but this book gave me all the feels.

Emily lost her job and her boyfriend at the same time that her big sister broke her leg. Emily decides to move to Willow Creek to help her sister care for 14-year-old April, where she is promptly tricked into volunteering for the local Renaissance Faire run by Simon.

So now Emily is a wench…Simon is a Pirate…and obviously, we know where this story is going in this grumpy sunshine book. It’s the journey on this one, guys. It’s filled with feels, cute scenes, and romance. I couldn’t put it down.

I’m pretty sure hearts actually came out of my eyes at multiple points while reading this enemies-to-lovers story. I loved it so much!!!  This book gives me total modern-day Pride and Prejudice vibes and it is such a fun addition to our enemies-to-lovers books

How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan

I’m a SUCKER for renovation romances . Add in a swoon-worthy neighbor in a neighboring beach house, a charming best friend, and a second home renovation and I’m pretty sure this is the perfect grumpy sunshine romance for me.

I absolutely adore this book because there was no stupid break-up halfway through, just an enemies-to-lovers couple learning to communicate in their new relationship. A perfect romance for Valentine’s Day.

Historical Romance Grumpy Sunshine Romance Books

Romancing The Duke by Tessa Dare

Tessa Dare’s stories are some of my favorite historical romances . She always finds ways to inject humor into her books. This particular book is the first in a series in which a man dies and leaves a castle to each of our heroines, who are known spinsters.

In this story, Izzy wants to be a writer so retreats to her castle to write her novels. Meanwhile, Ransom shows up at the castle he still believes is rightfully his. Hilarity and romance ensue. I loved this grumpy sunshine romance novel based on Beauty and the Beast and it is another perfect pick for books like Bridgerton.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

We love this classic love story. This love story has everything you could want. Elizabeth Bennet is a smart and stubborn woman who was ahead of her time. With 5 Bennet girls, one of them must marry well to support the other sisters.

There are so many new and wonderful adaptations of this nove l, that we did an entire post on it. And you don’t want to miss the other Jane Austen adaptations in the post as well.

Austen is a master of romances and this book is the original enemies-to-lovers novel! It’s my favorite of all the Jane Austen books.

Find this book in Books About Sisters / Enemies-to-Lovers Books / Jane Austen Books in Order / Grumpy Sunshine Books / Classic Romance Novels

Fantasy Grumpy Sunshine Romance Books

Fourth Wing (Empyrean Series Book #1) by Rebecca Yarros

If you have not heard of this book and love fantasy, this is the book for you. Don’t be intimidated by the length of this dragon book for adults, I started and finished this 528-page bad boy in a day and a half. I cannot remember the last time I did that!

Violet Sorrengail had spent her life studying to be a scribe until her father died and her mother, the commanding general, ordered her to join the dragon riders. Violet will become one of the hundreds of candidates who fight to the death to be a part of this elite group.

Unlike the other candidates who have worked towards this their whole lives, Violet is small and brittle and never meant for this to be her path. And other candidates do not have the children of rebel leaders waiting to take revenge.

This adult fantasy book has everything and I loved every second. It lives up to the hype and then some. There are some very spicy parts of this romance toward the end so I would agree with the adult rating on this book!

Find this book in Adult Fantasy Books / Fourth Wing Series in Order / The Best Books Like Fourth Wing / Grumpy Sunshine Romance

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas does it again, which is saying something because I am not a Nesta fan and she was our main protagonist in this story. The book revolves around her love story with Cassian, but also around her overcoming her trauma from being cauldron-made.

I can’t wait to see and read the next story in this series, even if I have to wait another 2-3 years. Even though it was 800 pages, I flew through it in 3 days.

Find this book in Books Like A Court of Thorns and Roses / Grumpy Sunshine Romance Books / Books With Color in the Title

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

I was expecting a modern retelling of Hades and Persephone’s love story from the description – I was not expecting a book like Fifty Shades of Grey!

WHEW… this was one STEAMY story! I wasn’t quite prepared for how devious Hades was in this version. I did love seeing Olympus in a modern setting and I really enjoyed how Hades and Persephone outwitted the rest of the 13 in this grumpy sunshine romance.

While I liked the story a great deal, if you aren’t into erotica, you won’t want to pick up this adult fantasy novel. This is the first in a series of Greek mythology retellings and is a great urban fantasy romance book.

Reverse Grumpy Sunshine Books

Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle

If you only read one Christmas book this holiday season, let it be Just Like Magic. I adored this funny paranormal romance book and it is one of the best holiday books ever! The premise is amazing. Down-on-her-luck Bettie Hughes accidentally summons the magical Holiday Spirit, who can’t leave her until he raises her spirit level.

So going by the name of Hal, he poses as her boyfriend for her week-long family Christmas vacation. His use of magic throughout the week is hysterical. It also helps that the chemistry between Hal and Bettie crackles. It’s unlike any other Christmas story I’ve read in the best way possible! If you are looking for reverse grumpy sunshine books, this should be at the top of your list. Gifted by Putnam

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

I was definitely not prepared for this book.  Reader beware that it is the Rosie Project with a sprinkle of Pretty Woman and a whole lot of 50 Shades. 

I did not realize that some of the scenes would be graphic in this pick from reverse grumpy sunshine romance books. Stella decided to hire an escort to teach her how to have intimacy with other people. This is the fake dating trope at its absolute finest.

It is a great romance with a neurodiverse main character and I loved it. This contemporary romance is definitely on its way to classic status and has a well-earned place on our list of best romance novels of all time and was an easy pick for a list of books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Technically this steamy Christmas romance novel is the 5th in the Bromance Book Club series, but it can be read as a standalone (which I know because I’ve never read any of the others!)

Jackie loved the first book in this series, so I knew I would probably want to dive into the Christmas tale. It’s all about Colton, a country star and total sweetheart, who is head-over-heels for Gretchen, a grumpy immigration attorney.

It was steamy and swoony and I loved every minute of this Christmas story that fulfills the grumpy sunshine trope with Christmas joy!! Gifted by Berkley Romance

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

November 2020 YA Reese’s Book Club pick

This is an adorable YA romance that had my tea-loving heart at the title but, the story was sweet and had me turning the pages. But fair warning, you will be hungry while reading this book about tea .

Lila is leaving Miami to spend the summer in England with her mom’s best friend as a way to help Lila’s mental health. With the unexpected break-up with her boyfriend, her best friend leaving after graduation and the death of her beloved Abuela, Lila’s life is not where she thought it would be.

Slowly, with new friends and a new city, Lila starts to see a different side of life, and maybe change is ok. This is a sweet pick from our list of bakery romance novels.

What is the Grumpy Sunshine Trope?

The grumpy sunshine trope is one of the most common romance tropes and for me personally, it is one of the most fun romance tropes to read. Grumpy Sunshine books are romances in which a happy, upbeat woman is able to bring happiness and sunshine to the life of a moody man. It is a case of opposites attract in this trope.

What is the reverse Grumpy Sunshine Book Trope?

Reverse Grumpy Sunshine books are similar to grumpy sunshine with the gender roles reverse. These romances are still a case of opposites attract but in this case, the grumpy one in the relationship is the woman.

The Complete List of Romance Tropes: Our 12 Favorites

Looking for more romances categorized by trope? Here’s all of our favorites.

Co-founder and Editorial Director

Jackie is the mother of three children and a Speech-Language Pathologist who uses her love of books to create language-based learning opportunities in her speech therapy practice and with her own children. Her 20+ years of experience in regular and special education classrooms ensures the website content is relevant and informative. She started this website with Kirsten to share their passion for literacy with other moms and kids.

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