Mr Fake Husband Grump

by Francesca Spencer

The opportunity of a lifetime involved a life in Seattle for a Florida swamp.

My mission. To drain the swamp and build a luxury golf course spa resort.

No problem. Only Mr Grump on a Harley Davidson has made it his mission to save it.

Nick Anderson, my biker adversary, just happens to be my university professor crush from years ago.

And he is only more handsome with age.

At a surprise visit from my Japanese boss, words are lost in translation. He thinks that Nick and I are married.

But the pretense turns out to be a classic win/win.

We must appear as a devoted couple until we both get what we want.

No problem. I can pretend.

Although, being so close to my ex-crush means my feelings aren’t fake.

I need to keep my game face fixed and focus on the spreadsheets… not the bedsheets.


Mr Fake Husband Grump is a pulse-racing closed-door standalone clean romance, loaded with laughs and sizzling chemistry, but no bedroom scenes.

Genres: Fake Dating, Romance

163 pages, ebook

Published August 1, 2023

About the author

Read 'Mr Off-Limits Grump' for free. Just click on www.francescaspencerauthor.com

A bit about me...
My stories are loaded with funny stuff, coincidence, drama and love.

I pull out all the action and comedy, which is usually tragic and accident laden - add some romance if it's romcom - and package it up in a satisfying narrative tied up with a big pink shiny satin bow.

Tadaah! Here you go. Enjoy.

I'm a compulsive traveller. In fact, it's almost an addiction. I have to move around. To fund this expensive hobby, I've worked as an international primary school teacher in a number of countries, for a number of years, which has supplied its own rewards and serviced a mountain of writing material.

When I'm not teaching or having marvellous adventures, I'm visiting friends and family and writing books.

Award Winners
'Stuck With My Christmas Crush' Gold medal - Global Book Awards 2024 (Christmas category)

'Mr Billionaire Boss Grump' 2nd Place - Incipere Awards 2025 (Clean Romance)

Reviews

[Catarina Águas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, I really did but I have to give it 3.5 stars. Things happened way too fast, it was too much. I liked the characters, they were funny and good. Nick was grumpy sometimes, it was cute and Julia trying to fight her feelings, but yeah that obviously didn't work. Max was a cool kid, I liked him

[Tash · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follows Julia, a city woman on a mission to drain a Florida swamp and replace it with a luxury golf resort and spa - however, Mr Grump - Nick - is standing in her way. Fast forward a little a Julia’s boss is in town who mistakes Nick as Julia’s husband.

This is ‘a fun, fast-paced, closed-door standalone clean romance, with all the crackling chemistry you want, but no bedroom scenes.’

For me, while I found this a super easy read and I was able to get through it pretty quickly, I felt that it would have benefitted even more from more scenes of Nick and Julia interacting as husband and wife - we do get a couple of scenes with them pretending but I felt it was over too quickly and it would have been even better to see them almost caught and having to fake it that little bit more.

Overall I thought this was a really great read which is perfect for the summer months! And why not fall in love in the swamps of Florida!

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun contemporary romance with the flavor of Beauty and the Beast. It was easy to insert yourself into the fictional setting as the story moved forward rather quickly in spots. Opposites attract, and the manager overseeing development and building of a golf complex is about as opposite as you can get to an environmentalist who is trying to save the wetlands the golf developer wants to drain. It's a statement for the environment that I appreciate the author making, and the story is entertaining as well as informative. Good characters that add romance, villainy, teenage angst, family, multi generations, international business, and humor to the story. I appreciated the civility the characters showed even when at odds with people. Hint of steam that was totally G rated still projected the love story, right to the end. Enjoyable and recommended.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a standalone enemies to lovers romance with no detailed or descriptive romance scenes. It's a clean, sweet read. I did like this book, but i thought that the characters didn't have much chemistry. The romance felt forced and rushed. The environmental aspect of the book was different from other stories. I also thought that the story focused too much on the enemy part and not enough on the lovers' aspect. I just felt that something was missing from the story. Overall, this book was an okay read. I would give the book a try if you like what the description is about.

I received an ARC, and all thoughts and opinions are my own

[MacKenzie Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This romance is a clean, dual pov with some mild language that isn’t overdone. This book is amazing in the sense that the romance isn’t in your face. I feel like the actual story is the spotlight in this novel with some romance sprinkled in. It’s hard to find that in a lot of books now and I loved it!

I did receive this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Mr. Obnoxious Anderson” to “Nick Gorgeous Anderson” love it. Funny how people can change in looks in 10 years! They go from enemies to forced proximity by working together and I just laughed this whole time. Then the fake marriage trope?! Literally ate this book up!

I received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are completely my own.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She needs to get her project up and running which leads her to her old crush. Her bosses think they are married and yet he wants to stop her turning the swamp into a building site. How is that going to work? Who will win? Will she lose her job? Will she lose her heart? Will she lose him as well? Follow her to find out how it will all go

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a highly entertaining story. The underlying mesage of saving the swampland comes through but doesn't dominate. The love of Julia and Nick creeps up on them and Max bring it to a head. There is humour running throughout. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it highly

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty and well-written. Add a dose of unexpected circumstances and the story takes off on a collision course. Very cute story. Does hate turn to love or do they just love to hate? You decide!

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining story. Nick and Julia at first glance seem to be total mismatched. He is an avid birder and naturalist, she works for a company determined to build on/in the swamp that is the home to the endangered species he is studying. Francesca Spencer has given us well-developed characters, a realistic plot and a few surprises and twists.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cute small town/romantic comedy.. Sweet, funny, and entertaining... with adorable characters..

[Amanda Farrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read heart warming read with a super cute Happy ending.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read for summer day. Loved the chemistry develop around these characters and the events not only made me laugh but are very believable in the world. Loved the older aged characters Definitely worth the read.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: free ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

What if the project you were working on - the one your livelihood depended on - was derailed, with little hope to get it back on track? And what if the one doing the derailing was your ex-college teacher you used to have a crush on?
That’s what happens with Julia, who has just turned her life and that of her son upside down to manage the construction project of a new golf club in Florida only to see her success slip away when Nick shows up at the meeting with environmental protesters in tow. And to add insult to injury, a misunderstanding forces the two of them to act like a married couple! So the question is, will they part ways once the project is over or will they give in to the spark between them?
The novel is a good one to spend a couple of hours relaxing on the beach, with characters that are entertaining to get to know. It’s a kind of enemies to lovers, and very clean as there are no smutty scenes of any kind. Personally, I don’t care one way or the other as long as their presence makes sense from a narrative point of view but I know it is something that is important to many readers and since lately there seems to be a lot of romance novels that lay heavily to the smut side, I think this is a great alternative for those readers that just aren’t comfortable with certain scenes, for whatever reason.
One black mark is that the book felt a little rushed pacing-wise, with the couple rushing off from enemies to sort of friends to lovers in what felt just a few pages, and the same could be said for the subplot of what was going on with the development of the golf course versus the preservation of the swamp and the wildlife living there.
Still, it was a fun, light read that is perfect for all those readers that want to daydream on a lazy summer morning, just like I did.

[Marcia Vida · Rating 5 out of 5]

The meeting between Julia Parker and Nick Anderson was way over turbulent. She was presenting her project to the members of the town council, which was a good thing for the businesses. In the middle of the presentation, Nick started to speak about how this project should affect the nature of the place. Julia was very angry with his words, though she didn't think about someone criticizing her idea.

Suddenly, she appeared at Nick's house, proposing a deal to avoid future conflicts. She approaches him gently and seductively with an excuse of inviting him out for lunch, but it doesn't fool him. Their thoughts differ, and neither accepts the other. Thus, we'll witness an exciting and well-prepared battle between them, and they'll be out to win at all costs.

I enjoyed reading an excellent romantic comedy that left me in stitches. It's one of the many books I have read by this talented author, and this particular story has genuinely impressed me.

The humour and wit woven throughout kept me chuckling from beginning to end. The author's knack for crafting engaging characters and heartwarming situations made the entire reading experience delightful.
With its well-timed comedic moments, the story evoked genuine emotions while keeping me entertained. The chemistry between the main characters was palpable, and their witty banter added to the captivating plot.

Overall, this book was a fascinating escape into a world of laughter and love. I can't wait to dive into more works by this author, hoping to find more gems like this one. I wholeheartedly recommend this romantic comedy if you want a feel-good read that will brighten your day.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carrie O · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh... quick and somewhat charming read

Somewhat charming novella. Begins a bit abrasively then gradually warms over the course of story. An enjoyable short read with a HEA. Environmental theme. Moments of preachy condescension. It's a mixed bag but an easy read. The writing itself is good... it's the storyline that didn't land right for me.

Nick Anderson, a college professor and environmental researcher, is a nasty piece of work as we open the story. Over time he's revealed to be a decent and caring man, with a passion for all things environmental. Julia Parker is a single mom to a pre-teen, and working to make a home for the two of them. She's currently managing the development of a golf course [oh, the horrors] and apparently in charge of keeping everyone in the universe happy at the same time. We come to find that they both share very similar values, and feel responsible to act ethically in their own areas of influence. But then we realize that there are competing interests at all times, and some people are unethical, some are bullies, and some are just businessmen.

I was wanting Julia to file charges with HR and perhaps the Sheriff's office as well... but we never touch that stuff. And what on earth was keeping Nick from being passionate in his pursuit of Julia??? He's got balls for everything but pursuing a woman? A lot of notable missing pieces that felt like they would have fit, and then other pieces that don't quite make sense in terms of character and motivation. Enjoyable if you don't think too hard about the story.

I received a free advance copy of Mr Fake Husband Grump and my review is voluntarily offered.

[Britney Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to be swept off your feet by this delightful romantic comedy that proves opposites really do attract! In 'Love on the Green,' author [Author's Name] introduces us to Julia, a spunky single mom with a heart of gold, and Nick, her charmingly stubborn former college professor turned adversary.

As Julia navigates her new role as project manager for a golf course in sunny Florida, she's faced with unexpected challenges in the form of protestors disrupting her presentation to the town council. Little did she know, one of the dissenters is none other than Nick, the object of her college crush.

What follows is a hilarious rollercoaster ride of misunderstandings, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry as Julia and Nick find themselves at odds while inadvertently sparking rumors of a secret marriage. Can they set aside their differences to save Julia's job and the environment, all while navigating the comical chaos of small-town life?

Told from alternating points of view, 'Love on the Green' offers readers a hilarious glimpse into the minds of its lovable protagonists. With laugh-out-loud moments and heartwarming surprises around every corner, this standalone romance is sure to leave you grinning from ear to ear.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a standalone, feel good romantic comedy with two totally opposite personalities. This book has Julia, a single mom, moving from Seattle to Florida to take the job of project manager for a golf course. When she brings the presentation of her project before the town council, she wasn't prepared for the protestors that were in the room interrupting her. It just so happens the main dissenter is Nick, her former college professor she had a crush on. This is a fun story which lots of head to head fireworks and a misunderstanding by Julia's boss who things she and Nick are married. How will they reconcile their totally differing views and save Julia's job while saving the environment? With lots of laughs, we are taken to a wonderful ending. This book is written as a POV which actually makes it even funnier at times when you see their different thoughts or points of view! I really loved this book and you will too. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Annabelle Donnelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We all had a crush on a hot teacher at one point in our lives. Steamy dreams, extra help sessions we didn't need, you know what I'm talking about. Imagine if ten years later you were forced to work with him.... and he was trying to cancel your development project. That's the premise of the book, which obviously made me want to read it.... and Google out my old crush. Was he as hot as before? But I regress. This book was light and fun, but the plot at times was just too stretched out for me to believe it. You do expect corny moments or sharp corners soften up with a giant stick of butter, but in this instance it made me say a couple of cmon and I rolled my eyes too many times to really believe the story hence I didn't really fall for the love story. If you don't mind extra butter on your popcorn, go ahead, you'll enjoy this one.

[S.P. Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about two strong and independent individuals who find themselves on separate teams. They have a certain respect for one another's positions but there's a frustration with the others actions, ideas and thoughts when they're pulling in different directions. But a chance to unite and become a partnership seems to give them enough encouragement to let their feelings shine through. Even if for just themselves. Their antics soon lead to a closeness neither would have predicted and suddenly their union doesn't just become about saving the swamp but for something much more important.

[Sara Jane Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Fake Husband Grump - Francesca Spencer
Read August 1st, 2023 - 163 pages

Nick is the leader of a group of protestors who does not want a swamp to be turned into a golf resort & spa. He would rather leave well enough alone and let the wildlife thrive there. However, much to his dismay, Julia is sent to oversee the completion of the project. In an odd twist of fate, Nick also used to be Julia's professor in the past, she is now a single mom to a son. The two of them pretend to be married to one another in an attempt to create a win-win situation for themselves.

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This high quality story flows flawlessly, the characters and plot are fully developed and the tone is upbeat and fun. I enjoyed this entire book in one day! The underlying theme is doing the right thing, the story is respectful and clean, and the pages are full of good fun. I'll definitely be reading more books from this author!

[Cheryl LaRoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, the cover isn’t my favorite as it seams to miss the kinder side of their personalities… but after reading the book I better understand why they are pictured that way.
I like the story and the uniqueness of the storyline, they are both likable characters with valid points of view. I also like that the book is clean from everything except kissing! Thanks Francesca!

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nick and Julia

So....is Max 12? We're never given his exact age, so it's unclear if Julia knows exactly how long it's been since Nick was her substitute professor or if she knows exactly because of Max's age. It's frustrating not being sure of something so simple. Fake spouse. Ha!!

[Antonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a clean, dual pov with some mild language, well-written.
Two very different characters fighting to get their way but after seeing each other's perspective, they start working together. And by working together they discover new sides in each other

[Jessica Boys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst the story itself got me hooked, the Romance didn't do it FOR ME. It was a classic trope - enemies to lovers, old crush, etc etc... but the chemistry wasn't there for me and the HEA came wayyyy to quickly in my opinion...

But I do love me a duel point of view... so a winner there

[Glendy Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story but sweet, clean romance. I enjoyed it but didn't rate it higher because i thought the characters could have been developed a little more. It was a good read and funny, but I feel like I don't really know the characters as much as I would like.

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Fake husband

This is such a cute story. I loved grumpy Nick who is really so sweet. Julia is such a great mom to her son Max. There are so many surprises that I didn't expect making this a great story.

[RomanceLand65]

Cute story. On the shorter side. Two characters who have very different goals come together for a greater good.

[Meg Goodenow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! The ebb and pull is great and the forces against were just wicked enough to keep you routing for the good guys. Good tension throughout and great ending!