What do you think?
Rate this book
When In Waverly #3
The Grump I Despise (The When in Waverly Series)
Norah Sullivan thought she had said "goodbye" to her hometown, Waverly, Texas, for good, but circumstances beyond her control have her packing up and moving home. Now, it would seem fate is hell bent on shoving the one man she absolutely cannot stand in her face everywhere she goes. He's rude and grumpy, and it's a crying shame someone so handsome is so unlikeable. Colby Stuart is certain of two 1. His life is just fine how it is. 2. Norah Sullivan is a menace who must be stopped. She walks back into his life like a hurricane. No one is that happy all the time . . . It has to be an act. But why does he suddenly find himself smiling all the time?
1 pages, Audio CD
Published February 14, 2023
102 people are currently reading
1072 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 31, 2023
I don't have an opening line for this.
That, alone, should be taken as a hint of how much I despised this grump (and his beloved woman-child) in particular.
💝𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗣 𝗜 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗦𝗘 - 𝗕𝗬 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗬 𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗢𝗭𝗔💝
★𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦: ⭐⭐
★𝗬𝗔/𝗡𝗔/𝗔: 🅽🅰
★𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝙸𝙽 𝚆𝙰𝚅𝙴𝚁𝙻𝚈 #𝟹
★𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦: 𝚁𝙾𝙼 𝙲𝙾𝙼 - 𝙲𝙻𝙴𝙰𝙽 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 - 𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙲𝙺-𝙻𝙸𝚃
★𝗣𝗢𝗩: 𝙳𝙾𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙿𝙾𝚅 - 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽 - 𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚂𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴
★𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: 𝙴𝙽𝙴𝙼𝙸𝙴𝚂 𝚃𝙾 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂 - 𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙻𝙳𝙷𝙾𝙾𝙳 𝚁𝙸𝚅𝙰𝙻𝚂 - 𝙶𝚁𝚄𝙼𝙿𝚈𝚡𝚂𝚄𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙴 - 𝚂𝙼𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝚃𝙾𝚆𝙽 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 - 𝙵𝙰𝙺𝙴 𝙳𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶 - 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙲𝙴𝙳 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝚇𝙸𝙼𝙸𝚃𝚈 - 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙺𝙿𝙻𝙰𝙲𝙴 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
★𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: 👥👥/5
★𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ✍🏼✍🏼/5
★𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧: 📜📜/5
★𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦 & 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦: 💀/5 (𝙱𝚁𝙴𝙰𝚂𝚃 𝙲𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴𝚁 - 𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙻𝙳𝙸𝚂𝙷 𝙿𝚁𝙰𝙽𝙺𝚂 - 𝙵𝚄𝚁 𝙰𝙻𝙻𝙴𝚁𝙶𝙸𝙴𝚂)
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧: 𝙽𝙾𝙽𝙴
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬/𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗬: 𝙽𝙾𝙽𝙴
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬: 𝙽𝙾𝙽𝙴
★𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 𝙸𝚃 𝚆𝙰𝚂 𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚈 𝚃𝙰𝙼𝙴
★𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🌻🌻🌻/5
★𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🌹🌹/5
★𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗘: ❌
★𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝙵/𝙼
★𝗥𝗘𝗣:
★𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗦-𝗧𝗢-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 🖤🖤/5
★𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚:
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰
Okay, no, that's not true.
I didn't despise this.
Much.
I'll admit this was cute and, for the first half of it, I thought I was going to end up with a new favorite.
Unfortunately for me, the second half was so weak in terms of execution I feel like the author gave her all in the first 100 pages, creating a build-up that blew up in my fave with a metaphorical loud fart noise before it reached its full potential.
Norah and Colby could have been great. We're talking about a childhood enemies, academic rivals, grumpy x sunshine kind of dynamic.
It basically writes by itself.
But, of course, Norah had to be painfully immature and whiny; of course Colby had to take his grumpiness and do nothing with it; of course, the chemistry between them seemed nowhere to be found when things should have evolved.
I felt like most of the book was approximate.
What came of
This woman was so immature it's a miracle she was given a job as an educator in the first place.
Hers and Colby's rivalry I could understand. Seriously.
And, honestly, at first I had the best time with it.
But then Miss Sullivan, Miss as in teacher, filled Colby's class with post-it notes, then she messed with his clear borderline OCD, then insisted -threw a tantrum, would be more precise- on them doing afterschool volunteering at the local animal shelter, even after Colby told her he's painfully allergic to anything with fur. She even made fun of him for it.
If you watch New Girl and remember Rhonda and her awful pranks, you'll get how unsufferable Norah was with hers.
Sure, Colby wasn't any better.
He really thought payback would be served in the form of a fictitious obituary.
Thinking about it, they're both terrible.
One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to enemies to lovers, is the progression.
I need the switch from one to the other to be smooth and natural, and to do so, I need the former enemies to mantain some of their snark even after they realize/confess their feelings.
It adds so much to the romance and it gives the reader all the stomach-dropping moments they crave.
I seriously think you don't even need explicit spice to, well, spice things up, if and when the ETL thing is well done.
So what happened to Norah and Colby's inital rivalry and banter?
The moment Whiny and Half-Grump decided they didn't hate each other, it was a cheese fest filled with no-reason drama and zero chemistry.
Not even smut could have saved it. Not even the could.
And don't even let me start on how the fake-dating trope was handled.
You might say I'm nitpicking and being finicky about the whole thing, but I swear to our lord and savior Cardan Greenbriar's tail, I'm being as honest as I always am in my reviews.
Fake-dating is a delicate trope that doesn't require much effort to begin with but it surely takes some skill to develop. It needs a motive, and not a random one, but a solid, believable one, or else you risk having your story to fall into the fanfiction category.
Case in point.
Someone spead this rumor that Colby and Norah started dating because they saw her coming out of his house, and now everyone knows about it. They're obviously the talk of the town, and even their boss knows about it and compliments them for it, because their fights and bickerings (but it was mostly Norha, really) had started to get out of hand, and during work hours, too.
One, I don't even know where to start listing motives why all this is unprofessional; two, neither Norah nor Colby think about denying the rumor and now they have to go with it and fake-date.
Because it's so difficult to say "We're not dating. We decided to finally grow up and be civil to each other."
And if this wasn't enough of a stretch, they even HAVE TO GO ON DATES, to feed the rumor.
Like. Everyone already thinks you bitches are dating and you've barely done anything??? What even is the point of fake dating?? What's the goal??
I'm so frutrated, guys.
Like I said before, this wasn't all bad.
The first half of the story was very cute and I initially thought Norah was going to get her head out of her ass and show some growth, like I thought Colby would grow a spine and give Norah a piece of his mind, so I kept going.
I listened to the audiobook while I was at work, and both narrators did a good job at bringing the two main characters to life.
Too bad the story went downhill after a while.
There were lots of things that could have made The Grump I Despise much more enjoyable, but I guess this was how it was meant to go.
That, alone, should be taken as a hint of how much I despised this grump (and his beloved woman-child) in particular.
💝𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗣 𝗜 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗦𝗘 - 𝗕𝗬 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗬 𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗢𝗭𝗔💝
★𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦: ⭐⭐
★𝗬𝗔/𝗡𝗔/𝗔: 🅽🅰
★𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝙸𝙽 𝚆𝙰𝚅𝙴𝚁𝙻𝚈 #𝟹
★𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦: 𝚁𝙾𝙼 𝙲𝙾𝙼 - 𝙲𝙻𝙴𝙰𝙽 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 - 𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙲𝙺-𝙻𝙸𝚃
★𝗣𝗢𝗩: 𝙳𝙾𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙿𝙾𝚅 - 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽 - 𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚂𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴
★𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: 𝙴𝙽𝙴𝙼𝙸𝙴𝚂 𝚃𝙾 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂 - 𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙻𝙳𝙷𝙾𝙾𝙳 𝚁𝙸𝚅𝙰𝙻𝚂 - 𝙶𝚁𝚄𝙼𝙿𝚈𝚡𝚂𝚄𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙴 - 𝚂𝙼𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝚃𝙾𝚆𝙽 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 - 𝙵𝙰𝙺𝙴 𝙳𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶 - 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙲𝙴𝙳 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝚇𝙸𝙼𝙸𝚃𝚈 - 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙺𝙿𝙻𝙰𝙲𝙴 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
★𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: 👥👥/5
★𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ✍🏼✍🏼/5
★𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧: 📜📜/5
★𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦 & 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦: 💀/5 (𝙱𝚁𝙴𝙰𝚂𝚃 𝙲𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴𝚁 - 𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙻𝙳𝙸𝚂𝙷 𝙿𝚁𝙰𝙽𝙺𝚂 - 𝙵𝚄𝚁 𝙰𝙻𝙻𝙴𝚁𝙶𝙸𝙴𝚂)
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧: 𝙽𝙾𝙽𝙴
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬/𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗬: 𝙽𝙾𝙽𝙴
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬: 𝙽𝙾𝙽𝙴
★𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 𝙸𝚃 𝚆𝙰𝚂 𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚈 𝚃𝙰𝙼𝙴
★𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🌻🌻🌻/5
★𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🌹🌹/5
★𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗘: ❌
★𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝙵/𝙼
★𝗥𝗘𝗣:
★𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗦-𝗧𝗢-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 🖤🖤/5
★𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚:
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰
Okay, no, that's not true.
I didn't despise this.
Much.
I'll admit this was cute and, for the first half of it, I thought I was going to end up with a new favorite.
Unfortunately for me, the second half was so weak in terms of execution I feel like the author gave her all in the first 100 pages, creating a build-up that blew up in my fave with a metaphorical loud fart noise before it reached its full potential.
Norah and Colby could have been great. We're talking about a childhood enemies, academic rivals, grumpy x sunshine kind of dynamic.
It basically writes by itself.
But, of course, Norah had to be painfully immature and whiny; of course Colby had to take his grumpiness and do nothing with it; of course, the chemistry between them seemed nowhere to be found when things should have evolved.
I felt like most of the book was approximate.
What came of
This woman was so immature it's a miracle she was given a job as an educator in the first place.
Hers and Colby's rivalry I could understand. Seriously.
And, honestly, at first I had the best time with it.
But then Miss Sullivan, Miss as in teacher, filled Colby's class with post-it notes, then she messed with his clear borderline OCD, then insisted -threw a tantrum, would be more precise- on them doing afterschool volunteering at the local animal shelter, even after Colby told her he's painfully allergic to anything with fur. She even made fun of him for it.
If you watch New Girl and remember Rhonda and her awful pranks, you'll get how unsufferable Norah was with hers.
Sure, Colby wasn't any better.
He really thought payback would be served in the form of a fictitious obituary.
Thinking about it, they're both terrible.
One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to enemies to lovers, is the progression.
I need the switch from one to the other to be smooth and natural, and to do so, I need the former enemies to mantain some of their snark even after they realize/confess their feelings.
It adds so much to the romance and it gives the reader all the stomach-dropping moments they crave.
I seriously think you don't even need explicit spice to, well, spice things up, if and when the ETL thing is well done.
So what happened to Norah and Colby's inital rivalry and banter?
The moment Whiny and Half-Grump decided they didn't hate each other, it was a cheese fest filled with no-reason drama and zero chemistry.
Not even smut could have saved it. Not even the could.
And don't even let me start on how the fake-dating trope was handled.
You might say I'm nitpicking and being finicky about the whole thing, but I swear to our lord and savior Cardan Greenbriar's tail, I'm being as honest as I always am in my reviews.
Fake-dating is a delicate trope that doesn't require much effort to begin with but it surely takes some skill to develop. It needs a motive, and not a random one, but a solid, believable one, or else you risk having your story to fall into the fanfiction category.
Case in point.
Someone spead this rumor that Colby and Norah started dating because they saw her coming out of his house, and now everyone knows about it. They're obviously the talk of the town, and even their boss knows about it and compliments them for it, because their fights and bickerings (but it was mostly Norha, really) had started to get out of hand, and during work hours, too.
One, I don't even know where to start listing motives why all this is unprofessional; two, neither Norah nor Colby think about denying the rumor and now they have to go with it and fake-date.
Because it's so difficult to say "We're not dating. We decided to finally grow up and be civil to each other."
And if this wasn't enough of a stretch, they even HAVE TO GO ON DATES, to feed the rumor.
Like. Everyone already thinks you bitches are dating and you've barely done anything??? What even is the point of fake dating?? What's the goal??
I'm so frutrated, guys.
Like I said before, this wasn't all bad.
The first half of the story was very cute and I initially thought Norah was going to get her head out of her ass and show some growth, like I thought Colby would grow a spine and give Norah a piece of his mind, so I kept going.
I listened to the audiobook while I was at work, and both narrators did a good job at bringing the two main characters to life.
Too bad the story went downhill after a while.
There were lots of things that could have made The Grump I Despise much more enjoyable, but I guess this was how it was meant to go.
May 1, 2025
The grump I despise is a read you won’t regret! Rival teacher romance, Grumpy/Sunshine, small-town rom-com enemies-to-lovers.
After a few years of living far away, Norah returns to town, forcing her to confront her nemesis, Colby. The extent to which Norah irritated Colby was amusing. Their initial responses to meeting and their first exchanges were somewhat immature; in fact, I enjoyed it that way. I really like both characters, even having strong emotions of hate for one another; the chemestry and attraction were very real.
Norah was fantastic! Despite having her own set of significant challenges, she was intelligent and vivacious. This is what the "enemies to lovers" trope is all about: hate you moments, funny moments, tender moments, and a ton of love. I adored how they were able to see each other for who they were, move past their animosity from the past, become friends, and eventually be together. The scenes I enjoyed the most were the war pranks and getting caught in the rain.
Content: Kissing Only, clean romance, and language. character being sick.
After a few years of living far away, Norah returns to town, forcing her to confront her nemesis, Colby. The extent to which Norah irritated Colby was amusing. Their initial responses to meeting and their first exchanges were somewhat immature; in fact, I enjoyed it that way. I really like both characters, even having strong emotions of hate for one another; the chemestry and attraction were very real.
Norah was fantastic! Despite having her own set of significant challenges, she was intelligent and vivacious. This is what the "enemies to lovers" trope is all about: hate you moments, funny moments, tender moments, and a ton of love. I adored how they were able to see each other for who they were, move past their animosity from the past, become friends, and eventually be together. The scenes I enjoyed the most were the war pranks and getting caught in the rain.
Content: Kissing Only, clean romance, and language. character being sick.
December 28, 2022
3.5 stars
So cute! Not the most memorable and the miscommunication at the end stretched a bit but I love these characters!
So cute! Not the most memorable and the miscommunication at the end stretched a bit but I love these characters!
November 9, 2022
Super Cute!
This was just what I needed, a nice break from reality! I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope and boy, do these two start out as enemies! I wasn't sure how we were going to make it to the swoony yumminess, but Ms. Zaragoza certainly pulled it off. Both Norah and Colby are likable characters, total opposites personality-wise, which of course adds to the fun chemistry the two share. I was quickly sucked into the story and didn't want to stop reading. Now I need to go read the first two books in the series!
Content Rated G
Clean romance - kissing, no language or violence
This was just what I needed, a nice break from reality! I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope and boy, do these two start out as enemies! I wasn't sure how we were going to make it to the swoony yumminess, but Ms. Zaragoza certainly pulled it off. Both Norah and Colby are likable characters, total opposites personality-wise, which of course adds to the fun chemistry the two share. I was quickly sucked into the story and didn't want to stop reading. Now I need to go read the first two books in the series!
Content Rated G
Clean romance - kissing, no language or violence
April 7, 2023
This was a fun small town enemies to lovers, rival teacher romance that sees recently recovered breast cancer survivor Norah moving back home to save money in order to pay off her hospital bills and finding a distraction pranking her high school nemesis and new co-worker, Colby. Eventually the sparks turn into real chemistry and these two decide to see what might be worth exploring between them for real. A sweet kissing only romance perfect for fans of Sarah Adams or Savannah Scott.
June 25, 2022
Really liked it!
I liked how the relationship slowly progressed. They didn't like each other when they were in school, it was for silly reasons, but they were teenagers, and one just didn't stop messing with the other.
Then Norah moves back to town after living far away for a few years, and they have to face each other again. I loved how they got to truly know one another, and progress from the hate because of the past, them to see the real person, becoming friends, and then, being together.
I didn't understand why Norah didn't trust Colby's feelings for her when he was being so honest about it. In fact, I loved how he was honest with himself e her when he realized his feelings, but it was nice seeing her overcome some insecurities.
I really liked the resolution of the conflict and the ending.
I also loved seeing a bit of the characters from the other books, especially, Hannah and Seth.
* i've received an ARC of this book ,from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
I liked how the relationship slowly progressed. They didn't like each other when they were in school, it was for silly reasons, but they were teenagers, and one just didn't stop messing with the other.
Then Norah moves back to town after living far away for a few years, and they have to face each other again. I loved how they got to truly know one another, and progress from the hate because of the past, them to see the real person, becoming friends, and then, being together.
I didn't understand why Norah didn't trust Colby's feelings for her when he was being so honest about it. In fact, I loved how he was honest with himself e her when he realized his feelings, but it was nice seeing her overcome some insecurities.
I really liked the resolution of the conflict and the ending.
I also loved seeing a bit of the characters from the other books, especially, Hannah and Seth.
* i've received an ARC of this book ,from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2023
This was okay, but I didn’t like the main characters.
January 30, 2023
3 stars.
The chemistry was so cute with these two. I love Haley’s writing style. It’s so adorable and cute and light. It’s a guaranteed feel good read. It felt a tad rushed at the end. And I wanted to see more of the characters on their journey with each other. Their hate for eachother was a lot. I couldn’t believe they were grown adults. Norah specifically. Whew. Another thing is that I wish the cover was an accurate representation of Norah’s description. She’s described as super curvy with wild curly hair. I love that and I would love to see that on the cover.
The chemistry was so cute with these two. I love Haley’s writing style. It’s so adorable and cute and light. It’s a guaranteed feel good read. It felt a tad rushed at the end. And I wanted to see more of the characters on their journey with each other. Their hate for eachother was a lot. I couldn’t believe they were grown adults. Norah specifically. Whew. Another thing is that I wish the cover was an accurate representation of Norah’s description. She’s described as super curvy with wild curly hair. I love that and I would love to see that on the cover.
August 21, 2024
It's a cute kisses only contemporary romcom. I used my last day or two on Everand to finish this series.
Narrators are pleasant to listen to. I had to speed it up to 2x to finish it before my subscription expired. But I didn't have trouble keeping up with these narrators.
Narrators are pleasant to listen to. I had to speed it up to 2x to finish it before my subscription expired. But I didn't have trouble keeping up with these narrators.
January 8, 2023
i love enemies-to-lovers romance when they're both teachers.
if you want a grumpy x sunshine small-town romance, this is the one.
if you want a grumpy x sunshine small-town romance, this is the one.
March 27, 2024
me encantó este libro, es mi favorito de la trilogía porque los enemies to lovers me flipan y este 10/10
August 1, 2022
This story sounded super cute and the enemies to lovers trope caught my attention. I loved the dual POV and the progression from enemies to lovers. There were a few times I found Norah to be a bit immature and while the pranks were entertaining, I wanted Norah to act a bit more her age and felt like it caused a bit of imbalance between her and Colby. Colby was a handsome grump and I really liked his character especially when he is being protective and caring for Norah.
The content is clean with some good kisses and no swearing.
I read this in KU and recommend it.
The content is clean with some good kisses and no swearing.
I read this in KU and recommend it.
July 12, 2022
This was SO GOOD. So sweet, swoony and funny. What more could you want?
Grumpy/Sunshine. I would also call this enemies to lovers 😆 Dual POV. Caretaking while the other is sick 🥺 Forced Proximity. Pranks. We see a nice amount of past characters 😁
This couple REALLY hates each other at first. I was really concerned how they could fall in love 😂 but then it happened. It wasn't like others I've read where they're secretly pining for each other so they cover it with disdain. And it was so natural how it developed. I absolutely loved it!
💕RCRS: 2-3 (brief/heavier kissing)
🗨 Some Quotes:
Who glowers at people like that first thing in the morning? Drink some coffee, for crying out loud.
I know she did this. Who else would have done it? The woman’s a nuisance. An absolute menace to society.
"You do have a heart,” I joke. “And it might even be beating in there.” I poke him in the chest right where his beating heart is hiding.
“Hush, lady,” he laughs.
Grumpy/Sunshine. I would also call this enemies to lovers 😆 Dual POV. Caretaking while the other is sick 🥺 Forced Proximity. Pranks. We see a nice amount of past characters 😁
This couple REALLY hates each other at first. I was really concerned how they could fall in love 😂 but then it happened. It wasn't like others I've read where they're secretly pining for each other so they cover it with disdain. And it was so natural how it developed. I absolutely loved it!
💕RCRS: 2-3 (brief/heavier kissing)
🗨 Some Quotes:
Who glowers at people like that first thing in the morning? Drink some coffee, for crying out loud.
I know she did this. Who else would have done it? The woman’s a nuisance. An absolute menace to society.
"You do have a heart,” I joke. “And it might even be beating in there.” I poke him in the chest right where his beating heart is hiding.
“Hush, lady,” he laughs.
August 17, 2022
4.5 ⭐️
This was a wonderful welcome back to Waverley!
I have been looking forward to Colby’s story and meeting who would shake up his very organized life! Norah was the perfect shake upper? Shaker upper? 🧐 Anyway, I loved their journey from childhood enemies to lovers! This was probably my favorite of the series!
It was hilarious how much Norah got under Colby’s skin. Their first reactions to seeing each other and the initial interactions they had were kind of childish BUT… I actually liked it that way.
It felt relatable and how I would feel and want to act meeting my childhood enemy again. 😂
The pranks were a lot of fun! I love pranks in a book! I’ve read a few of those this year!
It was so nice seeing Colby relax and smile more throughout the story. I didn’t know if he would ever be able to but Norah was his perfect balance! And then… Boom! Colby also turned swoony?! He totally delivered in that department. It was adorable! Once his view changed or cleared up in regards to Norah, he never wavered and I loved that so much.
Norah was awesome! She was bubbly and bright even though she had her own share of serious difficulties. And the curly hair rep was amazing btw!
I also completely related to Norah’s insecurities as well. While it was frustrating in the plot… I know I would have the same thoughts and fears.
I loved seeing Hannah and Seth and Millie and Jameson again! They are such a great group of friends that I wish I could be apart of! 😊
I really hope we get like Lo’s story or something! I don’t want to leave Waverley yet!
I 100% recommend reading this book and the rest of the series! I can not wait for whatever Hailey writes next! 💜
Extra parts I loved:
The pranks! (Sticky notes and the bookshelf were my favorite 😂)
Caught in the rain AND cooking together? Perfect. 👌🏻
Animal Shelter scenes
Counting Colby’s smiles 😊
Caretaking while she’s sick (One of the best tropes. I don’t make the rules.)
The sweater 💗
The candy grams 🍬
Fake dating… but not
The bookshop confrontation
The sweetest ending! 🥰
*Thank you so much to the Author for the ARC! All the opinions and thoughts are genuine and my own!*
This was a wonderful welcome back to Waverley!
I have been looking forward to Colby’s story and meeting who would shake up his very organized life! Norah was the perfect shake upper? Shaker upper? 🧐 Anyway, I loved their journey from childhood enemies to lovers! This was probably my favorite of the series!
It was hilarious how much Norah got under Colby’s skin. Their first reactions to seeing each other and the initial interactions they had were kind of childish BUT… I actually liked it that way.
It felt relatable and how I would feel and want to act meeting my childhood enemy again. 😂
The pranks were a lot of fun! I love pranks in a book! I’ve read a few of those this year!
It was so nice seeing Colby relax and smile more throughout the story. I didn’t know if he would ever be able to but Norah was his perfect balance! And then… Boom! Colby also turned swoony?! He totally delivered in that department. It was adorable! Once his view changed or cleared up in regards to Norah, he never wavered and I loved that so much.
Norah was awesome! She was bubbly and bright even though she had her own share of serious difficulties. And the curly hair rep was amazing btw!
I also completely related to Norah’s insecurities as well. While it was frustrating in the plot… I know I would have the same thoughts and fears.
I loved seeing Hannah and Seth and Millie and Jameson again! They are such a great group of friends that I wish I could be apart of! 😊
I really hope we get like Lo’s story or something! I don’t want to leave Waverley yet!
I 100% recommend reading this book and the rest of the series! I can not wait for whatever Hailey writes next! 💜
Extra parts I loved:
The pranks! (Sticky notes and the bookshelf were my favorite 😂)
Caught in the rain AND cooking together? Perfect. 👌🏻
Animal Shelter scenes
Counting Colby’s smiles 😊
Caretaking while she’s sick (One of the best tropes. I don’t make the rules.)
The sweater 💗
The candy grams 🍬
Fake dating… but not
The bookshop confrontation
The sweetest ending! 🥰
*Thank you so much to the Author for the ARC! All the opinions and thoughts are genuine and my own!*
January 31, 2024
This book was good. I listened to it and was entertained. My favorite part was definitely Colby. I liked his personality and his reasons for how he lived his life. And I like that he wasn’t ashamed of it. He ended up being a very generous and selfless and forgiving soul. He handled a lot of situations very maturely. I didn’t like Norah. And I put my reasons for that at the beginning of my book notes. I liked their jobs as highschool teachers. I was happy to see characters from previous books.
SPOILERS and book notes:
Thoughts on Nora: I feel like she had a double standard for her actions and Colby’s. She got mad at him for something he couldn’t possibly have known would be offensive. And she made him do the groveling. Even when she did way more annoying pranks to him and never said sorry. I feel like she was more annoying than endearing. She didn’t give Colby enough credit and didn’t show enough gratitude. I felt it was a lot of give from Colby and a lot of take from her in the relationship.
I like that Norah is 31 and is going to teach high schoolers for the first time and is nervous. Colby and her bugged each other so bad in middle school and highschool growing up. Haha. He found her loud too cheery and fake and annoying. She found him rude and a grump. They seriously do not like each other haha. I love that the three girls have something to do with books. Millie wrote a book, Hannah worked in a library and now owns a bookstore and now Norah is a highschool English teacher. Ugh I hate that Norah does prank after prank to Colby and then Colby does ONE innocent prank and she BAWLS from it. Bc he unknowingly offended her. And she takes dayssssss to forgive him. Even after he begs and begs and does nice things for her. That bugs the crap out of me. I love that Colby refuses to have a “fake dating” situation. THANK YOU COLBY. Just date for reals and see how it goes. Perfect. Then I feel bad bc she was just so insecure. About her body etc. but they dated and she made a grand gesture…. After he literally did all the work in the relationship…
SPOILERS and book notes:
Thoughts on Nora: I feel like she had a double standard for her actions and Colby’s. She got mad at him for something he couldn’t possibly have known would be offensive. And she made him do the groveling. Even when she did way more annoying pranks to him and never said sorry. I feel like she was more annoying than endearing. She didn’t give Colby enough credit and didn’t show enough gratitude. I felt it was a lot of give from Colby and a lot of take from her in the relationship.
I like that Norah is 31 and is going to teach high schoolers for the first time and is nervous. Colby and her bugged each other so bad in middle school and highschool growing up. Haha. He found her loud too cheery and fake and annoying. She found him rude and a grump. They seriously do not like each other haha. I love that the three girls have something to do with books. Millie wrote a book, Hannah worked in a library and now owns a bookstore and now Norah is a highschool English teacher. Ugh I hate that Norah does prank after prank to Colby and then Colby does ONE innocent prank and she BAWLS from it. Bc he unknowingly offended her. And she takes dayssssss to forgive him. Even after he begs and begs and does nice things for her. That bugs the crap out of me. I love that Colby refuses to have a “fake dating” situation. THANK YOU COLBY. Just date for reals and see how it goes. Perfect. Then I feel bad bc she was just so insecure. About her body etc. but they dated and she made a grand gesture…. After he literally did all the work in the relationship…
June 28, 2022
This was a really fun rom-com! It made me smile and laugh a lot. Honestly, that’s all I really want in a good rom-com! Oh, and if it makes me a little emotional, that’s definitely a plus too. This one did all of that! It’s a fun, lighthearted read but still has depth to it.
I really loved the MC, Norah. She’s such a sweet character with the best personality. She was hilarious and so much fun to read about. I would 100% want to be friends with her. Plus she loves books. I felt for her so many times. She inspired me with how well she dealt with all that she had gone through and the positive outlook she had on life. She chose joy even in the hard times. I really, really liked her!
And Colby. *shakes head* This man is definitely a grump, especially in the beginning. For a while, I was ready to dislike him as much as Norah. But his grumpiness made his soft side that much sweeter and he did win me over in the end. He had me cracking up. Between him and Norah, I was having a good time with their rivalry even as I was starting to ship them as more than enemies.
Their love story was super cute! The grumpy/ sunshine trope in this one was really fun and sweet.💗
I really like that even though this book is mostly lighthearted, there’s the serious, deep moments too. Even in rom-coms, I enjoy having some deep moments and I liked that this one had that!
Content wise, there are some semi-detailed kisses. The characters notice each other’s appearance a lot, sometimes more than I personally like. But as this is a romance, I expected that. There is no language. I’d recommend it to older teens and up since these characters are in their 30s.
Overall, this was a cute rom-com! I had fun reading it. This was a fun enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance with grump/sunshine rivalry, hilarious pranks, plenty of banter, and a touch of the fake-relationship trope. If that’s your jam, I think you’ll enjoy this book!
*Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
I really loved the MC, Norah. She’s such a sweet character with the best personality. She was hilarious and so much fun to read about. I would 100% want to be friends with her. Plus she loves books. I felt for her so many times. She inspired me with how well she dealt with all that she had gone through and the positive outlook she had on life. She chose joy even in the hard times. I really, really liked her!
And Colby. *shakes head* This man is definitely a grump, especially in the beginning. For a while, I was ready to dislike him as much as Norah. But his grumpiness made his soft side that much sweeter and he did win me over in the end. He had me cracking up. Between him and Norah, I was having a good time with their rivalry even as I was starting to ship them as more than enemies.
Their love story was super cute! The grumpy/ sunshine trope in this one was really fun and sweet.💗
I really like that even though this book is mostly lighthearted, there’s the serious, deep moments too. Even in rom-coms, I enjoy having some deep moments and I liked that this one had that!
Content wise, there are some semi-detailed kisses. The characters notice each other’s appearance a lot, sometimes more than I personally like. But as this is a romance, I expected that. There is no language. I’d recommend it to older teens and up since these characters are in their 30s.
Overall, this was a cute rom-com! I had fun reading it. This was a fun enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance with grump/sunshine rivalry, hilarious pranks, plenty of banter, and a touch of the fake-relationship trope. If that’s your jam, I think you’ll enjoy this book!
*Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
July 19, 2023
She may be short and curvy, smiley, and as cute as a button (I will never say that out loud), but I’m not deceived by her little act.
“You drive me crazy with all your talking and jokes and sarcasm. But it’s driving me crazy that it has all stopped. I…I just wish you would talk to me again.”
“But now…now she could do just about anything, and I’d let her get away with it.
“I would have stayed with her, if she hadn’t kicked me to the curb. I love her, and I…I would’ve stayed with her forever.”
Norah Sullivan thought she had said ‘goodbye’ to her hometown, Waverly, Texas, for good, but circumstances beyond her control have her packing up and moving home. Now, it would seem fate is hell bent on shoving the one man she absolutely cannot stand in her face everywhere she goes. He’s rude and grumpy, and it’s a crying shame someone so handsome is so unlikeable.
Colby Stuart is certain of two things: 1. His life is just fine how it is. 2. Norah Sullivan is a menace who must be stopped. She walks back into his life like a hurricane. No one is that happy all the time…It has to be an act. But why does he suddenly find himself smiling all the time?
I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first two in the trilogy. However, Norah bugged me after the whole pranking Colby’s classroom the day after he let her into his house to get out of the storm. I wouldn’t mind that prank (I actually like the prank itself) if it happened before the storm, but to prank him after that scene, after he was nice to her, it just bugged. It would have been a 4 star book for me, but I knocked it down to 3.75 stars. I love Colby. There wasn’t a moment in this book that I didn’t love him. I love how he stood up for Norah against the gossip queen of the town. 3.75 stars.
“You drive me crazy with all your talking and jokes and sarcasm. But it’s driving me crazy that it has all stopped. I…I just wish you would talk to me again.”
“But now…now she could do just about anything, and I’d let her get away with it.
“I would have stayed with her, if she hadn’t kicked me to the curb. I love her, and I…I would’ve stayed with her forever.”
Norah Sullivan thought she had said ‘goodbye’ to her hometown, Waverly, Texas, for good, but circumstances beyond her control have her packing up and moving home. Now, it would seem fate is hell bent on shoving the one man she absolutely cannot stand in her face everywhere she goes. He’s rude and grumpy, and it’s a crying shame someone so handsome is so unlikeable.
Colby Stuart is certain of two things: 1. His life is just fine how it is. 2. Norah Sullivan is a menace who must be stopped. She walks back into his life like a hurricane. No one is that happy all the time…It has to be an act. But why does he suddenly find himself smiling all the time?
I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first two in the trilogy. However, Norah bugged me after the whole pranking Colby’s classroom the day after he let her into his house to get out of the storm. I wouldn’t mind that prank (I actually like the prank itself) if it happened before the storm, but to prank him after that scene, after he was nice to her, it just bugged. It would have been a 4 star book for me, but I knocked it down to 3.75 stars. I love Colby. There wasn’t a moment in this book that I didn’t love him. I love how he stood up for Norah against the gossip queen of the town. 3.75 stars.
July 11, 2022
Teachers gotta teach
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Nora and Colby’s points of view
– there is a little innuendo
– a character deals with having had cancer
Review:
I loved so much about this book! Nora and her nosy sisters, Colby and his friend group, the rain day ☔️, the pranks, everyone’s perception of Nora and Colby’s emotional transformation around each other, the sweater, candy grams 🍭, their date, Colby taking care of Nora, the epilogue, and so much more! Shandi was not a favorite character, but she made an awesome scene happen with Colby defending Nora 😍. I loved that Nora’s joy seeped into Colby as time went on and made him less of a grump around her. I also loved that Nora’s walls came down for Colby and he could see what made her vulnerable 🥺.
Nora left her hometown with the intention of not coming back. But then life threw her an unexpected situation and Nora finds herself back in town. Though the situation changed her life, Nora is finding it to be not so bad being back. That is until she arrives at her first day on the job and runs smack dab into the only person Nora could never stand: Colby.
Colby believes he’s finally gotten the town he lives in to leave him alone to live a quiet life. But all that changes when Nora returns. Colby couldn’t stand Nora back when they were in school together and he certainly can’t stand her now. How on earth can anyone be so annoyingly happy? When Nora reverts to her childhood tendencies towards him, Colby knows she needs to be stopped.
But when Nora and Colby push their hatredfilled antics for each other too far, it puts their jobs on the line. Can they work together instead of fighting and not be in danger of losing employment? And what happens when they realize what was hiding under the surface of their feelings?
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Nora and Colby’s points of view
– there is a little innuendo
– a character deals with having had cancer
Review:
I loved so much about this book! Nora and her nosy sisters, Colby and his friend group, the rain day ☔️, the pranks, everyone’s perception of Nora and Colby’s emotional transformation around each other, the sweater, candy grams 🍭, their date, Colby taking care of Nora, the epilogue, and so much more! Shandi was not a favorite character, but she made an awesome scene happen with Colby defending Nora 😍. I loved that Nora’s joy seeped into Colby as time went on and made him less of a grump around her. I also loved that Nora’s walls came down for Colby and he could see what made her vulnerable 🥺.
Nora left her hometown with the intention of not coming back. But then life threw her an unexpected situation and Nora finds herself back in town. Though the situation changed her life, Nora is finding it to be not so bad being back. That is until she arrives at her first day on the job and runs smack dab into the only person Nora could never stand: Colby.
Colby believes he’s finally gotten the town he lives in to leave him alone to live a quiet life. But all that changes when Nora returns. Colby couldn’t stand Nora back when they were in school together and he certainly can’t stand her now. How on earth can anyone be so annoyingly happy? When Nora reverts to her childhood tendencies towards him, Colby knows she needs to be stopped.
But when Nora and Colby push their hatredfilled antics for each other too far, it puts their jobs on the line. Can they work together instead of fighting and not be in danger of losing employment? And what happens when they realize what was hiding under the surface of their feelings?
July 12, 2022
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an ARC of this book.
"I’ll never forget the first time we met, but that won’t stop me from trying." Nice one Norah 😂
Colby was a grump through and through. I expected him to be an angel to his students and maybe then Norah would start to like him but nope! Grump all the way, and I loved it!😂 Also, thank heavens, literally, for the monsoon and resulting power outage 😉😂
Colby playing with the dogs has me picturing him as Chris Evans in that video of him with puppies 🥰😍
I loved the animosity weirdly enough. The pranks that had even his sister's input were perfect. The crackling tension, the thin line between love and hate, perfect.
Together they were amazing. Their relationship had a natural transition from hate to love. Colby spoke his mind when the need arose and left no room for misconstruing from Norah's side. I loved that.
I also loved that Norah's interactions with her family and Colby's friendship with his best friends was highlighted enough.
That ending just melted me into a puddle 🥰
I loved this book. Flew through it. It's my first from this author and I'm on my way to add the first two books in the series to my TBR 💃🏾😌 I just loved the way enemies to lovers trope was done in this one. Absolutely amazing!
"I’ll never forget the first time we met, but that won’t stop me from trying." Nice one Norah 😂
Colby was a grump through and through. I expected him to be an angel to his students and maybe then Norah would start to like him but nope! Grump all the way, and I loved it!😂 Also, thank heavens, literally, for the monsoon and resulting power outage 😉😂
Colby playing with the dogs has me picturing him as Chris Evans in that video of him with puppies 🥰😍
I loved the animosity weirdly enough. The pranks that had even his sister's input were perfect. The crackling tension, the thin line between love and hate, perfect.
Together they were amazing. Their relationship had a natural transition from hate to love. Colby spoke his mind when the need arose and left no room for misconstruing from Norah's side. I loved that.
I also loved that Norah's interactions with her family and Colby's friendship with his best friends was highlighted enough.
That ending just melted me into a puddle 🥰
I loved this book. Flew through it. It's my first from this author and I'm on my way to add the first two books in the series to my TBR 💃🏾😌 I just loved the way enemies to lovers trope was done in this one. Absolutely amazing!
November 27, 2022
3,5 ⭐️
I don’t know why, but I’m desperate for her to forgive me. I just want her to smile at me again,
I hate that she’s sad, and even more, I hate that I’m the one who made her feel that way. I have to make it better. I have to put that gloriously bright, sunshine smile back on her face.
“I’m taking you to my house. I’ll take care of you,
I drift off to sleep but wake to the feel of rough hands brushing the hair off my forehead and cheeks. My eyes flutter open, and there’s Colby, leaning over me with a worried expression on his face.
“How are you feeling, lady?” he asks in the softest of voices.
“You’re not upset with me?” she asks. She glances up at me, nibbling on her bottom lip. How could I possibly be upset with her, especially when she looks at me like that?
But now… now she could do just about anything, and I’d let her get away with it.
“All of you is attractive,” he says. His eyes graze over every inch of me, stealing the very breath from my lungs. He plants a kiss on my nose. “You are as close to perfection as it gets.”
And he bought me a book! I think Hannah suggested it to him. He left it on my desk earlier with a sticky note asking me out on a date tonight.
“I don’t know. Maybe. But I’m really hoping all my kids look like you,” he says, staring into my eyes with a knowing smile on his face.
I don’t know why, but I’m desperate for her to forgive me. I just want her to smile at me again,
I hate that she’s sad, and even more, I hate that I’m the one who made her feel that way. I have to make it better. I have to put that gloriously bright, sunshine smile back on her face.
“I’m taking you to my house. I’ll take care of you,
I drift off to sleep but wake to the feel of rough hands brushing the hair off my forehead and cheeks. My eyes flutter open, and there’s Colby, leaning over me with a worried expression on his face.
“How are you feeling, lady?” he asks in the softest of voices.
“You’re not upset with me?” she asks. She glances up at me, nibbling on her bottom lip. How could I possibly be upset with her, especially when she looks at me like that?
But now… now she could do just about anything, and I’d let her get away with it.
“All of you is attractive,” he says. His eyes graze over every inch of me, stealing the very breath from my lungs. He plants a kiss on my nose. “You are as close to perfection as it gets.”
And he bought me a book! I think Hannah suggested it to him. He left it on my desk earlier with a sticky note asking me out on a date tonight.
“I don’t know. Maybe. But I’m really hoping all my kids look like you,” he says, staring into my eyes with a knowing smile on his face.
July 27, 2022
If you enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers romance, The Grump I Despise by Haley Zaragoza is the perfect read for you.
Norah Sullivan has moved back to her hometown to teach at the local high school. She didn’t expect to run into her old high school enemy Colby Stuart on her first day of work. The story that follows that initial meeting is full of harmless pranks, fake dating, wonderful friends/family, real dating, and real love.
This story includes:
-dual point of view
-characters from the When in Waverly series
-enemies-to-lovers
-fake dating rumors
-a prank war
-great sister friendships
-a rainstorm cease fire of being enemies
-a bookstore
-small town gossip
Colby taking care of a sick Norah
-Valentine’s Day candy grams
-a hot-pink sweater gift
-a picnic date
-a declaration of love in a bookstore!!!
-a sticky-note declaration of love
-swoony kisses
Nora and Colby are so cute together. I love how Colby truly sees and accepts Nora and loves who she is. Nora has hard time believing in Colby’s love at first, but I love how she finally accepts it and shows him of her love.
This book is a delight to read. Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed in this book are my own.
Norah Sullivan has moved back to her hometown to teach at the local high school. She didn’t expect to run into her old high school enemy Colby Stuart on her first day of work. The story that follows that initial meeting is full of harmless pranks, fake dating, wonderful friends/family, real dating, and real love.
This story includes:
-dual point of view
-characters from the When in Waverly series
-enemies-to-lovers
-fake dating rumors
-a prank war
-great sister friendships
-a rainstorm cease fire of being enemies
-a bookstore
-small town gossip
Colby taking care of a sick Norah
-Valentine’s Day candy grams
-a hot-pink sweater gift
-a picnic date
-a declaration of love in a bookstore!!!
-a sticky-note declaration of love
-swoony kisses
Nora and Colby are so cute together. I love how Colby truly sees and accepts Nora and loves who she is. Nora has hard time believing in Colby’s love at first, but I love how she finally accepts it and shows him of her love.
This book is a delight to read. Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed in this book are my own.
September 19, 2022
Norah is back in town and living with her parents thanks to crippling medical bills, but she's got that teaching job! Unfortunately, her lifelong nemesis works there too, and they don't wait a moment to spark that rivalry again. But what happens if they actually like each other instead?
Here's what I didn't like: I felt the story was kind of basic. I didn't really feel any sparks, and felt the characters were a little juvenile. I also didn't really see where Norah's poor body image came from. The entire story she's fine, every once in a while she mentioned she was plump, then suddenly she has crushing self-doubt over her body. That felt more out of left field than the sudden oh no I love him, cuz I knew that'd happen. Kinda wish there was more romance than there was enemy stuff.
Here's what I liked: definitely a good grumpy-sunshine trope executed. I didn't doubt for a moment this was their personalities. This is the only book I've read in this series (and author) and I didn't feel like I was walking in the middle of someting wondering what was going on. Definitely a standalone novel.
Overall, this was meh for me.
Here's what I didn't like: I felt the story was kind of basic. I didn't really feel any sparks, and felt the characters were a little juvenile. I also didn't really see where Norah's poor body image came from. The entire story she's fine, every once in a while she mentioned she was plump, then suddenly she has crushing self-doubt over her body. That felt more out of left field than the sudden oh no I love him, cuz I knew that'd happen. Kinda wish there was more romance than there was enemy stuff.
Here's what I liked: definitely a good grumpy-sunshine trope executed. I didn't doubt for a moment this was their personalities. This is the only book I've read in this series (and author) and I didn't feel like I was walking in the middle of someting wondering what was going on. Definitely a standalone novel.
Overall, this was meh for me.
April 12, 2023
This had the potential to be a really cute romance but there was just too much filler. There was this whole mystery over why Norah had returned to her home town. It seemed like it was going to be this really big thing. The author referred to it a couple times throughout the book but it was talked about in one paragraph and brushed under the rug.
I loved the feud between the MC's. I enjoyed the way Norah got under Colby's skin by doing just the smallest of things like laughing. It was clear they had grown since high school as the feud wasn't so much as an "I hate you" rather they had crushes they didn't want to consider and hid behind their hate facade.
I wasn't a huge of the setting being set around a high school. I felt their actions were too inappropriate for teachers. They both could still be teachers but I felt their feud shouldn't have occurred at the school in front of the students.
Overall, it was a semi cute read. I was just a bit bored reading everything that wasn't about the MC's.
I loved the feud between the MC's. I enjoyed the way Norah got under Colby's skin by doing just the smallest of things like laughing. It was clear they had grown since high school as the feud wasn't so much as an "I hate you" rather they had crushes they didn't want to consider and hid behind their hate facade.
I wasn't a huge of the setting being set around a high school. I felt their actions were too inappropriate for teachers. They both could still be teachers but I felt their feud shouldn't have occurred at the school in front of the students.
Overall, it was a semi cute read. I was just a bit bored reading everything that wasn't about the MC's.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2022
Book review: The Grump I Despise by Haley Zaragoza
.
I received a complimentary eARC. All opinions are my own.
.
This was such a cute enemies to lovers book! Not going to lie, I was pretty irritated with the two in the beginning. I thought Colby was pretty self centered thinking that everything Norah does revolves around him. I thought Nora was pretty childish with some of her pranks. As the book went on they really redeemed themselves in my eyes. It was sweet to see how kindness really goes a long way in softening hearts. The gaping hole left behind from all their hatred filled with such a deep love. The pacing was also really well done. There wasn’t too much time focused on the hate, then there was a good amount of time spent on the transition that I didn’t feel any whiplash. If you are an enemies to lovers fan, you should definitely check this one out!
.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content: clean
.
I received a complimentary eARC. All opinions are my own.
.
This was such a cute enemies to lovers book! Not going to lie, I was pretty irritated with the two in the beginning. I thought Colby was pretty self centered thinking that everything Norah does revolves around him. I thought Nora was pretty childish with some of her pranks. As the book went on they really redeemed themselves in my eyes. It was sweet to see how kindness really goes a long way in softening hearts. The gaping hole left behind from all their hatred filled with such a deep love. The pacing was also really well done. There wasn’t too much time focused on the hate, then there was a good amount of time spent on the transition that I didn’t feel any whiplash. If you are an enemies to lovers fan, you should definitely check this one out!
.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content: clean
July 31, 2025
I really didn't like this book and wish I abandoned it after the first chapter. Why did I think it would get better and read the whole thing?
1. There's an incredible negative vibe in the first 25%+ of the book. I get it, the book is about a grump and an obnoxiously peppy person, so there's tension there. But it was honestly uncomfortable.
2. The characters are unbearable. They're immature and petty, and then all the sudden everything is fine between them. Yeah this relationship is not going to last.
3. Soooo much talk about her hair! Why did every chapter have at least 3 sentences about her hair?? Also.... (semi-spoiler) she went through radiation the year before. Unless her hair grew back in record time, she would not have as thick, full, *curly* hair "down to her backside."
4. Worst epilogue ever. If this guy chickened out the first time, something is wrong. Again, this relationship is not going to last.
1. There's an incredible negative vibe in the first 25%+ of the book. I get it, the book is about a grump and an obnoxiously peppy person, so there's tension there. But it was honestly uncomfortable.
2. The characters are unbearable. They're immature and petty, and then all the sudden everything is fine between them. Yeah this relationship is not going to last.
3. Soooo much talk about her hair! Why did every chapter have at least 3 sentences about her hair?? Also.... (semi-spoiler) she went through radiation the year before. Unless her hair grew back in record time, she would not have as thick, full, *curly* hair "down to her backside."
4. Worst epilogue ever. If this guy chickened out the first time, something is wrong. Again, this relationship is not going to last.
July 10, 2022
Wow!!! There is so much to unpack with this book. I really enjoyed this book. Yes, it did take me a bit to get into it, because (as you may know) enemies-to-lovers is really not my favourite trope. But Haley Zaragoza is a favourite author so of course I was reading the next book in her When In Waverly series.
Norah and Colby are very different characters. Their relationship typifies the opposites attract trope. And of course it included some of my other loved tropes e.g. looking after someone when they are sick, forced proximity at work, teachers and all of the fun that involves.
I also really appreciated how there was so much more depth to this book than expected. I don’t want to say anymore, because it is a bit of a spoiler. But this hard topic was handled really well.
If you haven’t read the rest of the series, you definitely should. The Heartbreaker I Adore is still my favourite of the series, followed very closely by The Nice Guy Next Door.
Norah and Colby are very different characters. Their relationship typifies the opposites attract trope. And of course it included some of my other loved tropes e.g. looking after someone when they are sick, forced proximity at work, teachers and all of the fun that involves.
I also really appreciated how there was so much more depth to this book than expected. I don’t want to say anymore, because it is a bit of a spoiler. But this hard topic was handled really well.
If you haven’t read the rest of the series, you definitely should. The Heartbreaker I Adore is still my favourite of the series, followed very closely by The Nice Guy Next Door.
July 5, 2022
I quite enjoy Waverly, TX. There must be something in the water because they all get adorable love stories and beautiful lives.
It was a little slow at the beginning, I had many questions and I started to get irked. However, Ms. Zaragoza hasn't let me down yet so I kept going and I am so glad. Because it was so so sweet. And funny. And adorable. And you know what else? Norah and Colby stayed their bright and grumpy selves, respectively, and I love that they found someone that allowed them to be themselves.
So, read this book. Bask in the sweetness, the pranks, Colby's sweet nature, Norah's adorable bubbliness, the high school setting, seeing Jameson, Millie, Hannah, and Seth and visiting Waverly again.
It was a little slow at the beginning, I had many questions and I started to get irked. However, Ms. Zaragoza hasn't let me down yet so I kept going and I am so glad. Because it was so so sweet. And funny. And adorable. And you know what else? Norah and Colby stayed their bright and grumpy selves, respectively, and I love that they found someone that allowed them to be themselves.
So, read this book. Bask in the sweetness, the pranks, Colby's sweet nature, Norah's adorable bubbliness, the high school setting, seeing Jameson, Millie, Hannah, and Seth and visiting Waverly again.
July 28, 2022
This book is such a fun way. I really enjoyed the chemistry and the banter. Nora is a really resilient hero in. She is face a lot of difficulty and I like how she tackles and becomes a more independent person. Colby is also really fun. I wasn't expecting him to be such a big fat teddy bear. It is super cute how he cares for Nora and those around him. The pranks in this book a really funny. What appreciate from Nora is that she sets boundaries. When Cloby pushes and she's like no. And he really respects it. Another thing I like is the chemistry and the emotion. Colby really treats Norah as a strong person and not someone who is fragile. This book also has nice mentions of characters from previous books in the series. I really enjoyed that. Go check out this book.
July 31, 2022
just ok
The story started off well and then turned annoying. Norah and Colby annoyed each other all throughout high school. 13 years later, Norah moves back to town to take a teaching position at the same school Colby teaches at. Norah and Colby immediately go back to their adversarial ways. Despite the fact that they’re 31 year old professionals, their bantering is very immature. Norah plays juvenile pranks on Colby as if they’re in middle school. It just didn’t work for me that these “adults” would act so childish.
The story started off well and then turned annoying. Norah and Colby annoyed each other all throughout high school. 13 years later, Norah moves back to town to take a teaching position at the same school Colby teaches at. Norah and Colby immediately go back to their adversarial ways. Despite the fact that they’re 31 year old professionals, their bantering is very immature. Norah plays juvenile pranks on Colby as if they’re in middle school. It just didn’t work for me that these “adults” would act so childish.
July 24, 2023
This book got really boring (to me) at around the 60% mark. Nothing interesting was happening it was just pages and pages of Norah having self deprecating monologues. Speaking of Norah she got on my nerves. She was a borderline pick me girl who felt the need to remind us how short and curvy she was every five pages. I hate when the mc makes being tiny short petite or whatever their whole personality like we get it you’re short my god. Colby was adorable tho and the only reason this book got 3 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews