Mobility Mom Book Shelf: The Grump Next Door by: Brighton Walsh(Audio Review)

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Book Description

Our first kiss was a lie. Our second was a mistake. And the night we spent tangled up in each other? Hot as hell but a complete disaster.

Because now Sutton Sinclair—the sharp-tongued troublemaker who left claw marks down my back and a dent in my self-control—is living in my backyard cottage with her teenage daughter. And I’m her goddamn landlord.

I like things quiet. Controlled. She's neither. Sutton’s chaos wrapped in sunshine, a temptation in scrubs I can’t seem to stay away from.

When her ex shows up acting like Sutton’s still his to lose, I claim her on instinct. The kiss? Hot. The fallout? Immediate.

Now my family—and the entire town—thinks we’re a couple.

Fake dating Sutton wasn’t in my playbook, but if being a pro-footballer turned high school coach has taught me anything, it’s how to pivot. All I have to do is keep my hands to myself.

Then her cottage floods.

Now we’re sharing a roof…and a bed. The line between real and fake is blurring faster than I can redo the guest house.

This is supposed to be temporary. But Sutton doesn’t just crash into my life—she rewrites it. She’s in my home, moaning my name, breaking every rule I’ve ever lived by.

And I’m starting to want something permanent with the woman who’s already got one foot out the door.

About Brighton Walsh

Award-winning USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brighton Walsh spent a decade as a professional photographer before taking her storytelling in a different direction and reconnecting with her first love—writing. She likes her books how she likes her tea—steamy and satisfying—and adores strong-willed heroines and the protective heroes who fall head over heels for them. Brighton lives in the Midwest with her real life hero of a husband, her two kids—both taller than her—and her dog who thinks she’s a queen. Her boy-filled house is the setting for dirty socks galore, frequent dance parties (okay, so it's mostly her, by herself, while her children look on in horror), and more laughter than she thought possible. Connect with her online at brightonwalsh.com/quicklinks.

My Thoughts

In The Grump Next Door by Brighton Walsh, narrated by Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder, a fiery first kiss sets off a chain of events that throws two opposites together in a hilarious and steamy fake-dating romance. Retired pro-footballer Atlas, a self-proclaimed grump who likes things quiet and controlled, has his tranquil life turned upside down when Sutton Sinclair—a traveling nurse and single mom—moves into his backyard cottage with her teenage daughter, Laurel. The duel narration by Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder perfectly captures the distinct voices and inner thoughts of both characters, adding to the tension and humor.

Sparks fly immediately between the two, and their chemistry is off the charts. Sutton, who is described as “chaos wrapped in sunshine,” is the complete opposite of broody Atlas. Their first kiss was a lie, their second a mistake, and the night they spent together a complete disaster—but it was also hot as hell. When Sutton’s ex-husband shows up, Atlas claims her with an instinctive, scorching kiss. The small-town gossip mill goes into overdrive, and Atlas and Sutton find themselves in a fake-dating scenario.

Things get even more complicated when Sutton’s cottage floods, forcing her and Laurel to move into Atlas’s home. Suddenly, they're sharing a roof and a bed, and the line between real and fake blurs faster than they can keep up. Atlas finds himself breaking every rule he’s ever lived by, and Sutton finds herself falling for the man who is already starting to call her “trouble.”

This book is praised for its fast-paced plot and explosive chemistry, which is made even more addictive by the performances of Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder. Atlas is the perfect grumpy hero, and his charm is both hilarious and endearing. Sutton is his perfect match, pushing back with her own snark and fire. The relationship between Atlas and Sutton is a mix of raw, dirty heat and genuine sweetness. The book is also full of laughs thanks to the hilarious family group chats, and the emotional journey of Atlas as he learns to open up and communicate. The relationship between Atlas and Sutton's daughter, Laurel, is a fun and heartwarming part of the story, as he surprisingly becomes a total pushover for her.

Overall, The Grump Next Door is a funny, sweet, and incredibly spicy romance with a big dose of heart. It’s a book that will have you laughing, fanning yourself, and rooting for this unlikely pair to get their happily ever after.