I wanted to pick this up right after I finished the second book in this loosely connected series which brought to light that Hazel and Mabel are best friends, and whatever little glimpses I got of Alfie and Mabel in that story had me instantly intrigued. I needed to know how their dynamic would unfold, especially with Stein’s knack for writing emotionally rich, deeply sensual pairings. From the very first chapter, their chemistry leaps off the page; Mabel with her relentless optimism and Alfie with his gruff charm, two complete opposites circling each other with equal parts irritation and fascination.

As such, When Grumpy Met Sunshine ends up being one of those novels that sneaks up on you; softly, humorously, and with an undercurrent of sensuality that simmers until it is almost unbearable. It is an opposites-attract romance between an ex-footballer who can barely tolerate small talk and a sunshiney ghostwriter who does not know how to not talk. What unfolds is a story brimming with warmth, sharp wit, and Stein’s signature brand of aching intimacy.

Alfie Harding, gruff, growly, and deeply private, finds himself reluctantly agreeing to write his memoirs after being badgered by his agent. The only problem; he can’t write to save his life. Enter Mabel Willicker, an endlessly cheerful and unflinchingly persistent ghostwriter who turns his controlled, solitary life on its head. From their first chaotic meeting, their banter crackles. Mabel’s humor and sass chip away at Alfie’s walls one awkward, tender, and occasionally filthy exchange at a time.

Their fake dating arrangement, born out of a public misunderstanding, is one of the most believable I have ever read. Watching it unfold through the lens of social media, complete with viral videos, Reddit threads, and TikTok conspiracies makes it all feel strikingly real. Mabel and Alfie’s relationship grows not through grand gestures, but through the small moments: the shared laughter, the quiet confessions, and the slow, steady realization that love does not need to be loud to be life-changing.

Stein once again proves herself a master of slow burn. The sexual tension between Alfie and Mabel builds so exquisitely that it almost becomes its own character; visceral, electric, and taut with longing. When it finally breaks, the payoff is intense and beautifully emotional. But if there is one critique, it is that the story leans heavily on dialogue. The humor and snark are delightful, but at times the pacing suffers under the sheer weight of words. I found myself wanting just a bit more; more action, more aftermath, perhaps even an epilogue to ease the ache left behind when their story ends.

I feel like these stories often build sexual tension to a fever pitch that does not quite get the payoff it deserves. Don’t get me wrong; slow burn is a good thing, especially when it’s done with the kind of delicious restraint that Stein excels at. But in this novel, I felt it more keenly than in Harry and Hazel’s story. Alfie and Mabel had too much potential; the tension between them was so intense, so perfectly crafted, that when it finally culminated, it felt a touch too brief, too contained for the emotional storm that had been promised.

Still, When Grumpy Met Sunshine is a wonderfully tender, funny, and deeply satisfying read. Stein crafts chemistry like few others can, part flirtation, part emotional revelation, and her ability to write kisses that feel like small earthquakes remains unparalleled. Alfie’s growly vulnerability paired with Mabel’s irrepressible warmth makes for a romance that feels both comforting and thrilling in equal measure.

Recommended for: readers who love grumpy/sunshine pairings, believable fake-dating setups, and dialogue-driven romance with an emotional punch.

Final Verdict: Charlotte Stein’s When Grumpy Met Sunshine is sexy, funny, and tender; an opposites-attract gem with one of the best fake dating setups and the hottest slow burn you will ever read!

Favorite Quotes

“I can’t believe you’ve got an assistant,” she said with just enough withering disdain and eye rolling to get him to bite. To get him to throw up his hands and try to come up with some kind of reasonable defense.
That was not in the least bit reasonable at all.
“All rich people have one. It’s like the rules,” he said.
But it made the conversation even funnier, and that was the main thing.
“Because money makes you forget how to wipe your own bum?”

Mabel didn’t want to think that he’d found her that repulsive.
But it was hard not to when everybody else in the world seemed to think so, too. There were whole articles and posts and TikToks with titles like Disgusted Man Gives Woman Awkward Peck and Somebody Help a Kiss Has Given Me Lethal Levels Of Secondhand Embarrassment. The two factions in her Twitter mentions were torn between the idea that he was only doing this for publicity in order to get a role in some prestige TV show, and a theory that the pictures were sabotage to prove nobody could ever love a fat woman.
So really, what was she supposed to think?
There weren’t very many options.

And honestly, she could almost believe it when she saw him next. After Connie had zipped off to her next calamity, and she’d gotten the car over to his, she just walked in the door, and saw him, and all kinds of feelings swallowed her whole. And when she tried to fight back with the usual thoughts—like Maybe he isn’t that interested, maybe it’s already all out of his system like you supposedly wanted—her brain actually scoffed. It scoffed at her. Look at him, it said. He’s completely gone.
And it was right. He was.
He looked simply ravenous.
Like a wolf that hadn’t eaten for a week.

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