Grumpy Sunshine

Author: grumpysunshine

  • 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:

  • Book Review: Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

    Binding 13 is a deep, emotional YA romance set in Ballylaggin, Ireland in 2005. It’s intense, romantic, and occasionally funny (thanks, Gibsie <3), but definitely not your light-and-fluffy read.

    The story follows Shannon Lynch, a sweet, quiet girl who’s been through a lot and is trying to start over at a private school where she can finally feel safe. Then she meets Johnny Kavanagh—rugby star, local legend, and literal walking heartthrob. Their worlds are nothing alike, but somehow, they start to fit into each other’s lives in the most unexpected (and adorable) way.

    This book totally pulled me in. The characters are so different, but when you put them together, they make the story even better. I loved the banter (especially the supportive and hilarious moments), and the way the book shows both Shannon’s and Johnny’s perspectives. Chloe Walsh does a great job showing two very different lives—rich vs poor, popular vs invisible—in a way that feels super real.

    But just a heads-up: this book gets heavy. It deals with some seriously tough stuff like abuse, alcoholism, drug use, fights, and a lot of swearing (including f-bombs and Irish insults). It made some parts hard to read, especially because Shannon is dealing with trauma the entire book. So if you’re not in the right headspace, you might want to wait before diving in.

    🔞 Recommended for 15+ because of mature themes, intense language, and sensitive topics like abuse and addiction. This isn’t a fluffy romance—it’s emotional and raw.

    ⭐ My rating: 4/5. I loved the writing style, the characters, the chapter lengths (not too long!), and even the playlists at the end! The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because the heavy stuff sometimes made it hard to fully enjoy the story—but that’s also what makes it powerful.

    📚 If you like friends-to-lovers, dual POV, and emotional romances with real-world problems, this one might be for you.

    Similar authors:

    • Becka Mack (Consider Me) – romance with mature themes
    • Laura Nowlin (If He Had Been with Me, If Only I Had Told Her) – emotional, heavy topics, but a beautiful story
    • Jennifer Gold (On the Spectrum) – teen romance, eating disorders
    • Carley Fortune (Meet Me at the Lake) – dealing with grief, includes smoking

    Also by Chloe Walsh:

    There is more to the Tommen Boys series including Taming 7 and Releasing 10

  •  Book Review: Betting On You by Lynn Painter

    Betting On You is the perfect light and funny teen romance—full of sarcasm, summer vibes, and just the right amount of slow-burn feelings.

    Bailey is a super relatable, slightly cynical teen who doesn’t believe in love (thanks to her mom’s messy relationship history). She’s planning a chill summer working at a fancy resort with her best friend… until she finds out she has to work with him—Charlie, the charmingly annoying guy she sat next to on a flight two years ago and hoped to never see again. Obviously, she doesn’t like him. Right?

    The best part of this book is how the story is told from both Bailey and Charlie’s points of view. You get both sides of the tension, the banter, and the feelings they’re both trying to deny. Lynn Painter does what she does best—writing characters with amazing chemistry, hilarious personalities, and dialogue that snaps.

    I honestly loved every second of it. There’s nothing I would change. It’s the kind of story that makes you smile while reading and maybe even giggle out loud.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 14+ (or mature 13+ readers) for mild topics like divorce, a little underage drinking, and kissing—but overall, it’s a clean and super cute intro to romance.

    ⭐ My rating: 5/5. I loved the characters, the banter, and how naturally their story came together.

    📚 If you love dual POVs, slow-burn romances, and flirty back-and-forth, this one’s for you! Similar authors you might like: Carley Fortune (author of Every Summer After) and C.W. Farnsworth (author of Kiss Now, Lie Later)

    Also by Lynn Painter:

  • Book Review: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

    If you’re into mysterious mansions, mind-blowing puzzles, smart girls, and flirty boys with secrets—The Inheritance Games is a total must-read.

    Avery Grambs is super smart, totally broke, and just trying to survive high school and maybe snag a scholarship. Then—plot twist—she inherits billions from a complete stranger. Sounds amazing, right? Except there’s a catch: she has to move into a creepy (but also super cool) mansion filled with puzzles, riddles… and four Hawthorne brothers who definitely aren’t thrilled she just stole their future.

    Let the games begin. 😏

    This book is soooo fun and totally addictive. Even though the whole “randomly-inherited-billions-at-17” thing feels unreal, the story actually makes sense. The clues and twists are really well thought out, and the plot keeps you guessing. I loved that the chapters are short (like 2–10 pages), so it’s fast-paced and never drags.

    The characters—especially the Hawthorne brothers—are all mysterious and charming in different ways. There’s drama, clever banter, and just enough flirting to keep things interesting without it taking over the story.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 12+ — there’s a little bit of talk about death and family stuff (like abandonment or emotional abuse), but it’s not graphic or too heavy. No swearing, no steam, just one or two sweet kisses

    ⭐ My rating: 5/5 stars. I loved everything—puzzle solving, plot twists, clever writing, and fun character dynamics. It kept me hooked from the very beginning.

    📚 If you like mystery with a side of romance and brainy main characters, you’ll totally love this. Similar authors: Holly Jackson (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder), Karen McManus (One of Us Is Lying), and Lynn Painter (Better Than the Movies) — if you want more romance with smart girls!

    Also by Jennifer Lynn Barnes:

    Book 2 of the Inheritance Games series

    Book 3 of the Inheritance Games series

    Book 4 of the Inheritance Games series