Grumpy Sunshine

Author: grumpysunshine

  • Tips and Tricks! post one

  • New Year, New Intentions ✨💫

    New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be strict or perfect. This year is about setting intentions that actually fit you—your energy, your goals, and your real life. Whether you’re focusing on mental health, creativity, balance, or just surviving with a little more kindness toward yourself, these resolutions are here to help you grow without pressure. 💛

    below is a PDF for you to download and make your resolutions!

    New Years resolution templateDownload

    And…if you want to start a challenge for yourself next year. This can be a way to channel gratitude and remember all the fun, happy, and meaningful moments you might’ve forgotten along the way ✨💛

  • Book Review: Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen

    Loveboat, Taipei is a teen romance with an outgoing vibe, a touch of seriousness, and lots of pressure from parents about school and the future.

    Eighteen-year-old Ever Wong’s parents ship her off from Ohio to Taiwan for the summer to study Mandarin. They think she’ll be focused on calligraphy and culture—but the program is actually nicknamed Loveboat, a place where strict rules get tossed out the window, and teens spend more time clubbing and drinking snake-blood sake than studying. For the first time, Ever is free to break her parents’ rules and figure out who she really is, all while navigating family expectations, friendships, and maybe even love.

    I really enjoyed this book because it shows so much of Taiwan’s culture, language, and places. Honestly, after reading it I kinda want to visit Taipei myself. It felt refreshing compared to so many YA romances that always take place in North America. There was a little “dry spell” toward the middle/end, but overall, it kept me interested. My only wish? That the rest of the trilogy lived up to how good this first book was (reviews on those coming soon 😉).

    🔞 Recommended for ages 14+ (or mature 13), since it includes light intimacy, partying, drinking, and mild language.

    ⭐ Rating: 4/5 stars. Some slower parts, but still such a fun and unique read! Plus—the movie adaptation (Paramount+, maybe Netflix) was sooo good and definitely worth watching.

    📚 If you like: strong FMCs figuring out who they are, dreamy MMCs, stories about self-discovery and independence. Similar authors: Lynn Painter (Betting On You) and Gloria Chao (American Panda)

    Also by Abigail Hing Wen:

    Book 2 of the Loveboat series

    Sophie and Xavier

    Book 3 of Loveboat series

    Pearl Wong (Ever’s younger sister. This book takes place a few years later)

  • Book Review: Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

    If you’re into flirty texting, chaotic girls, and brother’s hot best friends who maybe catch feelings, then Mr. Wrong Number needs to be your next read.

    Olivia Marshall is clumsy, messy, dramatic (in the best way), and totally lovable. After accidentally setting her apartment on fire—yes, literally—she ends up crashing with her older brother and his ridiculously attractive (but annoyingly perfect) best friend, Colin. Awkward, right?

    Things get really interesting when Olivia starts texting with a mystery guy—her “Wrong Number”—and the texts turn into a full-blown flirt-fest. What she doesn’t know? Her secret texter might be someone way closer than she thinks.

    Colin Beck is Mr. Responsible. He’s neat, serious, and 100% not ready for Olivia to explode into his calm little world. But the more time they spend together, the more he realizes her chaos might actually be kind of… adorable? And just when he thinks he’s falling for the girl he’s been texting, he finds out she might be under his roof.

    This book made me actually laugh out loud. The banter is fast and fun, the chemistry is “chef’s kiss”, and the dual POV makes it so fun to watch them both fall for each other without even knowing it. I loved how over-the-top and ridiculous it was at times (in the best rom-com way possible), but it still felt real enough to get totally hooked.

    🔞 Recommended for 14–15+ readers because of a little mature language, swoony scenes, and steamy vibes—but nothing super graphic.

    ⭐ My rating: 5/5. I’ve reread it three times already and I’m still obsessed. The characters? Adorable. The texting? Flirty perfection. The ending? So satisfying.

    📚 If you love dual POVs, slow-burn romance, and chaotic-good main characters, this one’s for you. Similar authors: Carley Fortune (Every Summer After), Sarah Adams (The Rule Book, C.W. Farnsworth (Kiss Now, Lie Later)

    Here is a playlist I made for Olivia and Colin on my YT channel. Feel free to subscribe if you want to!

    Also by Lynn Painter:

  • Book Review: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

    AGGGTM is a sharp, clever YA murder mystery with a serious, dramatic tone… and just a tiny sprinkle of flirting.

    Pip is a smart, determined teen who’s never afraid to ask questions. For her senior project, she decides to investigate a local murder everyone else has already moved on from. The police say it’s solved. Pip says, not even close. With nothing but her notebook, her gut instincts, and later, help from Ravi, she starts uncovering secrets the town desperately wanted to keep buried.

    This book nailed the mystery aspect for me. The clues are well thought out, the characters feel real, and the pacing keeps you hooked. Each chapter is around 10 pages, so it’s fast-moving without feeling rushed. I did have to flip back a few times to double-check clues, but honestly, that’s part of the fun—and even Pip and Ravi circle back to earlier leads, so it works perfectly.

    🔞Recommended for ages 13+ – there is talk of Murder details, drug use, kidnapping, and dark themes.

    ⭐ Rating: 5/5. This was everything I want in a murder mystery: a plot that makes sense (seriously, why is that so rare?!), layered characters with interesting backstories, and a writing style that keeps you invested the whole way through.

    📚 If you like: Smart, independent FMC and small-town mysteries you’ll love this. Similar authors: Karen McManus (One of Us Is Lying), Kathleen Glasgow (How to Make Friends with the Dark), and Jennifer Lynn Barnes (The Inheritance Games)

    Also by Holly Jackson:

    Book 2 of AGGTM

    Book 3 of AGGTM

  • Book Review: Kiss Now, Lie Later by C.W. Farnsworth

    Kiss Now, Lie Later is a YA romance with an amusing but also slightly serious tone.

    Maeve Stevens is a smart, dedicated soccer player. Her dad is Glenmont’s head football coach and her twin brother is the quarterback. Across the rivalry? Weston Cole—deviously handsome, arrogant, and the star quarterback of Allegheny. When their paths cross again senior year (and a few secret late-night kisses happen), hating each other suddenly feels impossible… especially when they have to keep it hidden.

    When I say I loved this book, I mean it. I adored how the chapters switch POVs between Maeve and Weston. It makes the story super engaging because you get both sides of the rivalry, the gossip, and the banter. The small-town setting is written so well it feels real, and honestly, it’s like a modern-day Romeo and Juliet—but with football, soccer, and way less tragedy.

    ✨ There isn’t a single thing I’d change. I just wish it hadn’t ended! Even though there’s an epilogue, I desperately wanted more of Maeve and Weston’s story. Luckily, there is a sequel in the Rival Love Series called Not Now, Not Forever, which I can’t wait to read.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 14+ because of swearing, kissing/intimate scenes, and underage drinking.

    ⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars (but honestly, it felt like a 6/5 because I loved it THAT much). This was one of my favorite reads of 2025—I finished it in just three days because it was so perfect.

    📚 If you like: Dual POV romances, small town feuds and rivalries, and strong independent female leads Similar authors: Lynn Painter (Better Than the Movies), Carley Fortune (Every Summer After), Sarah Adams (The Rule Book), and Chloe Walsh (Binding 13)

    Also by C.W. Farnsworth:

    Book 2 of the Rival Love Series

  • Book Review: The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

    The Hawthorne Legacy is the exciting sequel to The Inheritance Games, full of clever puzzles, sneaky secrets, and just a touch of teen romance and flirting.

    Avery Grambs is back! The clever, slightly chaotic teen who somehow inherited a billionaire’s fortune is back at the Hawthorne mansion, navigating more puzzles, mysteries, and the confusing (but super cute) Hawthorne brothers. She’s trying to figure out who to trust… and survive the wild games that come with being a teenage heiress.

    I genuinely loved reading this book. Jennifer Lynn Barnes is an amazing, creative writer. The story is fast-paced and engaging, with dynamic characters, witty banter, and unexpected plot twists that keep you guessing. The chapters are short (2–10 pages), so it never drags and is super easy to get through.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 13+ (maybe mature 12+) for puzzle-solving, banter, and mild PG content. There’s some talk of parental abandonment, minor violence, and light swearing. No steamy scenes, just one or two sweet kisses.

    ⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars. I loved the thoughtful characters, clever plot twists, and how age-appropriate the story is while still being super fun and mysterious.

    📚 If you like: Clever characters, puzzles and mysteries, fun banter, and a little teen romance. Similar authors: Holly Jackson (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder), Karen McManus (One of Us Is Lying), Lynn Painter (Better Than the Movies) – for more YA romance

    Also by Jennifer Lynn Barnes:

    Book 1 of the Inheritance Games series

    Book 3 of the Inheritance Games series

    Book 4 of the Inheritance Games series

  •  Book Review: The One Who Got Away with Murder by Trish Lundy

    If you’re into teen murder mysteries with drama, secrets, and a twist you definitely won’t see coming, then The One Who Got Away with Murder is a must-read.

    Lauren O’Brien moves with her mom from sunny California to the small town of Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, after a tragic accident the summer before her senior year. While volunteering at the local hospital, she meets Robbie Crestmont and ends up in a summer fling. But when school starts, things get way more complicated. Lauren’s new soccer teammates warn her about the Crestmont brothers—rumored to be connected to the mysterious deaths of their past girlfriends. Trying to break things off with Robbie only pulls Lauren deeper into a web of secrets, suspicion, and small-town drama.

    The pacing of the book was great—it kept me hooked the whole way through. The plot twists were actually shocking (I didn’t see them coming at all, LOL), and the clues and character actions made the mystery feel believable. While some conversations or character moments felt a bit repetitive, it didn’t take away from how fun and intense the story was.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 14+ due to mild language, drug use, and mature themes like death and relationships. Nothing graphic or gory though—it’s more light thriller than horror.

    ⭐ My rating: 4/5 stars. I really liked the writing, the mystery, and how the story kept me guessing the whole time.

    📚 If you like FMC stories and small-town murder vibes, this book is perfect for you. Similar authors you might like: Holly Jackson (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Kill Joy), Karen McManus (One of Us Is Lying series)

    Coming Fall 2026: Premeditated by Trish Lundy – can’t wait!

  • Book Review: If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

    If He Had Been with Me is a deep, emotional teen romance that dives into the mind of Autumn, the main character. It’s full of intense internal thoughts, quiet heartbreak, and the feeling of being just slightly off from where you want to be.

    Autumn grew up side by side with Finny, her mom’s best friend’s son. They were inseparable as kids—but by high school, things changed. Finny is now the star soccer player with the perfect, popular girlfriend. Autumn is more of a misfit, hanging out with her artsy, dyed-hair friends and dating the group’s unofficial leader.

    As she goes through grades 9 to 12, Autumn tries to keep her feelings for Finny buried, all while dealing with anxiety, distant parents, and the weight of growing up. But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, first love refuses to fade.

    What I loved most was how Laura Nowlin writes high school from the perspective of kids who aren’t in the spotlight. It’s not just jocks and prom queens—it’s the quiet kids, the different ones, the ones with too many thoughts. That made it feel real.

    The writing is beautiful but heavy. I had to read it in small chunks just to process everything. There was a slow patch in the middle where things got repetitive, but it didn’t last long. The ending really brought everything together in a heartbreaking but powerful way.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 15+ due to mature themes like anxiety, depression, and mental health struggles.

    ✨ If you liked Girl in Pieces or How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasgow, or A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, you’ll probably love this too.

    ⭐ My rating: 5/5. It took me longer to read, but it was worth it. The story stuck with me, and the emotional depth made it unforgettable.

    Also by Laura Nowlin:

  •  Book Review: The Rule Book by Sarah Adams

    If you love hilarious workplace chaos, swoony second chances, and a rulebook that definitely gets broken… you’ll want to grab The Rule Book ASAP.

    Nora Mackenzie is smart, confident, and not here for drama—especially not the kind that comes with working for Derek Pender, a famous (and still ridiculously hot) football star… who also happens to be her first real love from college.

    There are rules in place to keep things professional:
    ❌ No touching
    ❌ No flirting
    ❌ No talking about the past
    …but Derek is making Nora’s life awful as his agent. And she’s not about to back down.

    Things really spiral after a surprise work trip to Las Vegas, one unexpected night, and—oops—they wake up married. So much for the rules.

    This book is seriously SO funny and romantic. The chemistry between Nora and Derek is amazing, the banter is quick and adorable, and the dual POV lets you see both of them totally falling (again)(and freaking out) in real time. I loved watching them wrestle with old feelings, pretend to be cool, and slowly realize they still care—maybe even more than before.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 14–15+ for a little mature language, a few steamy moments, and some flirty tension—but it stays mostly cute.

    ⭐ My rating: 5/5 stars. The plot is fun, the characters are lovable, and the vibes are everything. I wouldn’t change a single thing.

    📚 If you like dual perspectives, funny twists, fake marriage, and swoon-worthy second chances—this book delivers. Similar authors: Hannah Grace (Icebreaker), Grace Reilly (First Down, Beyond the Play series), Becka Mack (Consider Me)

    Also by Sarah Adams: