A Very Grumpy Best Friend

Wolf Valley: Grumps #1

by Shaw Hart

We were always meant to be more than just friends.


I’ve been best friends with Foster since I was a kid.
I’ve been in love with him for just as long.
We’ve always been close.
Just not as close as I’d have liked.


Lilliana has always been mine.
I thought that she knew that, but after an incident in high school, I wasn’t as sure.
That’s why I came up with the marriage pact.
When she had agreed to it, I had felt relieved.
Now that the pact is almost up, I’m worried that she might have forgotten about it.
Luckily for her, I’m ready to remind her and to show her just how perfect we’ll be together.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Short Stories, Contemporary Romance, Grumpy Sunshine

78 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2024

About the author

USA Today and Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Author Shaw Hart writes short, sweet, and steamy romances. Looking for some flirty, feel good reads? Then check out her books on Amazon!

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Email: contact@shawhart.com

Reviews

[probably reading smut - safety reviews]

5/5

TROPES:
~childhood friends to lovers
~unrequited love

PLOT: Lilliana has always been in love with her best friend, Foster. When she comes back home from college and finally sees him after a few years, she's still just as smitten. And so is he! They finally come clear with their feelings and see where things go.

THOUGHTS: I loved this. It's been a hot minute since I've read a book by Shaw Hart, but this was adorable and full of feels and spice. I love that Lilliana was curvy and confident, while Foster was grumpy yet totally in love. It was super cute.

SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate?: virgin heroine, it's hinted that he'sa virgin too (he said he never dated in high school and Lilliana was "it" for him)
OM/OW?: no
Cheating/sharing?: no
HEA? yes! <3

[Ari]

Very safe and such a cute story between the two best friends who made a “pact” to get married if they were still single by like 25 lmao 😂
Simple, sweet, and just perfect for a quick read!

-Dual V
-Best friends to lovers
-Absolutely no OM/OWD
-HEA

[MerReads]

Safe
No cheating
No OM/OW
Childhood friends (when they try to kiss, both think they flinch and didn't want the kiss, hence the best be friends trope) don't like it, but the book starts when she comes back to town
Years separation which I didn't like
No gross condom use
I think Dual virgins!
HEA
Lila and Foster are childhood friends, and in love, but neither one had the courage to open up. This was a sweet love story, with a touch of angst, but sweet. It was always her for him, no OW anything mentioned.
They came up with a marriage pact, but it was only for him not to lose her, but for them there was never going to be anyone else, and it is time to collect. It is a sweet reuniting of a couple meant to be and it was a mellow read. I
I wish that he told her he was avirgin just like her. Just for it to be concrete, even though, he did tell her this,
“My sweet Snow,” I start, and she smiles at the old nickname. “I
love you. I’ve loved you since before I even knew what love was,
since we were kids. I’m tired of living without you, of pretending that
we’re only friends when you’ve been my whole world for years.”
She smiles, tears welling in her eyes.
“I love you, Lilliana. It’s only ever been you for me."
*sigh* So sweet! Yes, definitely a dual virgin romance for me and I am hoping Shaw Hart sticks with that!
Happy reading!

[Korkoi]

Perseverance and Determination Brought them Happiness -
Everyone in Foster and Lilliana’s lives knew they had been hiding their feelings for each other for years by claiming friendship, so they tried convince him to make her aware of his feelings, after she returned to town. Not long after Lilliana returned to town, she created an opportunity that led to her enjoying a pleasure-filled encounter with Foster. Unfortunately, Foster and Lilliana’s budding romance was nearly derailed due to her insecurities, but he made her understand clearly, that he wasn’t prepared to lose her.

Thankfully, Foster and Lilliana got to have a chance at building the life and happiness that they craved and nearly missed out on. This was a really fun and fabulous read, that kept them hooked on the story from the beginning until the end. This is the first book that I have read from this author and I really enjoyed reading it, so it definitely won’t be the last time I read another book from this author.

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

[Sabrina]

Foster and Lilliana were so cute! It’s a very simple, cute, steamy novella. It’s best friends to lovers so those always seem to be pretty cookie cutter. Foster loved Lilliana since they were kids and she loved him. Neither one did anything about it. One time something almost happened but they both pulled away. I feel like I’ve read this story before, if that makes sense. I still enjoyed it though.

[Oriana Reads]

Foster and Lilliana were in love since day one they met. Everyone saw it, just not the two of them. Lilliana went away for college and now she is finally home and Foster will claim his woman no matter what. 😉 Instalove, sweet, steamy, romantic , fun to read, soulmates, short, drama free and totally safe (both virgins-never even looked at other people🥰) with an awesome HEA 😍😍😍😍 Can't wait for Fords and Ransoms story👍

[Coline]

Une petite histoire rapide et toute douce. Foster et Lilliana sont trop mims.

[Pretty Little Bibliophile]

very quick novella and as such things happen at a pretty accelerated rate
could have been done better if there was more to it

[✨ Just Another Bookwyrm ✨]

Decently enjoyable audiobook, nice voices, though I think the male narrator has cheaper equipment or something as it was slightly quieter and less clear as the female narrator’s.

[Nikki_Kate]

WOW!! Fab*u*lous Absolutely love this one!! I couldn't put this one down. This was a nice quick, short read.

Foster and Lilliana knew each other growing up, she moved in right new door. When Lilliana went to school Foster help her find her class room and then sat right next to her. Foster his twin brother Ford A Very Grumpy Boss and Lilliana all walked home from school together. Foster and Lilliana were just friend growing up, neither one wanted to ruin the friendship they had to take it further. Lilliana goes off to college on the east coast, and her parents move away from Wolf Valley. Lilliana comes back to Wolf Valley after she graduates, it feels like home to her. Everyone in towns knows how they feel about each other. When Lilliana arrives home, Foster comes to help her move into her apartment, then asks her if he can take her out to dinner. Foster leaves when Lilliana's best friend Cameron arrives. Foster bought out his father's garage, while his brother and him bought the diner in town. While Foster is helping move in to her apartment he asks her about her latest design, she tells him she's started designing lingerie for plus size women. After Foster leaves Cameron helps Lillian get some of her things unpacked. While Foster is at work, he text Lilliana about dinner, he arrived early so he could gets some work done and helpfully leave early. Lilliana realizes she forgot to return her u-haul and rushes downstairs, Foster arrives and tells her he'll drive and they can return it together. Then they head out to eat, they grab burgers at Lilliana's favorite place. While they eat Foster reminds Lilliana of the pact they made before she went off to college, to get married to each other if they're not married when they turn twenty four. When they get back to Lilliana's apartment she invites Foster up, she asks him if he wants to see some of her designs. When Foster tells her sure, she starts undressing. When Foster turns around she tells him this is her latest design. Foster can't believe Lilliana is standing in front of him in the prettiest lingerie he's ever seen. Lilliana asks him if he wants to see her bedroom and she leads him by the hand. Lilliana turns and faces Foster and tells him she wants him. Foster kisses her, then he undresses her. Foster starts to pleasures Lilliana and she tells him not to stop. Foster undresses himself and Lilliana lays on her bed. Lilliana tells him she wants to pleasure him, then they make love. They both fall asleep in each others arms with a smile on their face. When Lilliana wakes up she wonders if she was dreaming, then she reaches out and runs her fingers over Foster's arm. Foster awakens and tells her morning, Lilliana tells him morning. Foster asks her if she hungry and Lilliana tells him she forgot to get groceries. Foster head to the bakery and tells her he'll be right back. Lilliana starts to doubt herself if she made a mistake with Foster, it's a line they can't come back from. When Foster comes back Lilliana takes his phone to him, she tells him his brother Ford has been calling. Foster phone rings, it's Ford, he tells them their dad was in a car accident. Foster and Lilliana get dressed and head to the hospital. After Foster's dad wakes up Lilliana gets the doctor, his dad asks him when the wedding is going to be. Foster tells his dad not yet, his dad tells him he remembers the day Lilliana moved in next door and stole his heart. After Foster gets his dad settled at home, he goes to see Lilliana. She tells Foster she's sorry, he asks Lilliana for what. Lilliana tells him she messed things up and now they can't go back to the way things were. Lilliana asks him if they can just forget what happened when Foster doesn't say anything. Foster tells her no he can't forget. Foster tells her that he doesn't want to forget their night together, he wants to do it again, but if she doesn't want to then they can try to go back to being just friends. They can forget the marriage pact, and just be friends. Foster tells her he loves her and has since they were kids. Foster tells her he just didn't know how to tells her, he tried before she went off to college. Lilliana tells Foster she tried to tells him too that night, but when he suggested the marriage pact she agreed. Foster drops to one knee and pull the ring box out of his pocket. Foster tells Lilliana he loves her he has since before he knew what love was, he's tired of living without her, and pretending their only friends, when she's his whole world. Foster tells her he loves her, and it's only been her for him, then asks her to marry him. Lilliana tells him yes, and Foster puts the ring on her finger. Foster tells her he needs her, then he strips off his clothes, then undresses Lilliana. Foster tells her he loves her and Lilliana tells him she loves him. Then they make love. It doesn't take long for Foster to take Lilliana into her bedroom and when she asks him what now, he tells her they do it again. Five years later, Foster takes his two kids to his dad's house for him to babysit. They have one daughter Miley and one son Ryan. Today is their anniversary and they have big plans for tonight. When Foster gets home Lilliana is already there, when he goes inside he finds her standing next to the steps in her new design of lingerie. Foster hired a few people to help around the shop, giving him more time for Lilliana and his kids. Lilliana's lingerie line has taken off in the last few years, she her lingerie is in several department stores, her website has grown. They got married a month after Lilliana moved back to town and Foster proposed. They couldn't wait, they help their wedding in Wolf Valley on a spot they use to hike when they were little. Lilliana tells Foster to open his present, he tells her he thought she was his present. Lilliana hands Foster an envelope when he opens it he finds out they're going back to Hawaii. Lilliana tells him she loves him and Foster tells her he loves her.

[Biha]

0-100 breakneck romance when childhood best friends find their way back to each other.

Two childhood best friends moving towards each other and closer to admitting to their feelings since 5th grade get a little derailed at a summer party right before Lilian leaves for university when both don't understand how to move their "bestfriendship" into the "something more" territory.
Then Lilian moves away to chase her dream of becoming a plus sized designer and they both spend their college years hopelessly devoted to each other. It was nice that the separation happened off page but got to hear from both MCs perspective that they never even so much as looked at other people and their feelings for each other never wavered even a little.


Lilian-h (22): Plus sized lingerie designer and completely in love with Foster since she was 10. She's a big chicken though and it was kind of shitty that Lilian tried to back track after they slept together the first time because she was being a coward and Foster had to put his hurt aside and tell her he wanted all in with her while she was attempting to run.

“I didn’t fall in love with him until we were almost back to our houses. My shoelace had come undone, and he had stopped me before I could trip or fall and bent down to tie it for me. When he looked up at me and gave me that crooked smile, I knew he was the boy I wanted to marry someday.”

Foster-H (22): One half of the Miller twin boys and has been in love with Lilian since he was 10 and her dedicated bodyguard since 5th grade. He never lost hope that he would ever lose his love for his girl Lilian while she was out there pursuing her dream

“Son, I saw you that first day that she moved in. You looked like you had been hit by a truck when she got out of the moving truck. Trust me, you’ve always been in love with her.”
"I know that he’s right. It’s always only been Lilliana for me. I never dated in high school and never even looked at another girl. Hell, even after she left, I never tried to date or paid any attention to other women. It’s Lilliana or nothing for me.
Now, I just need to figure out how to get her to see that we’re meant to be together.”

“Figures. Foster never talks to anyone. Someone could propose right in front of him and he wouldn’t even notice,” Cameron says, shaking her head at me.”

⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
Dual V
Childhood best friends to lovers
Celibate/ no others during separation
Mutual pining
Marriage by 25 pact
No OW/OM
No cheating/sharing
HEA-married w 2 kiddos (boy&girl)

4.5/5🌟Supeerrrr quick read like 15 mins. Saw a mutual review and was already at the epilogue like 30 mins later while drinking my morning coffee! Very cute and was such a sweet story! I'm excited to see where FordxCameron and RansomxRuby storylines go! Best way to start the day💛

[Hanna Barker]

This is book number 1 of the Wolf Valley: Grumps series and focuses on Foster and Lilliana. Foster and Lilliana have been best friends since they were little kids. They were inseparable from the first time that they met and as they grew up, they realized that they had met their soulmate. Fear of losing their best friend kept them from acting on their feelings when they were growing up, but once Lilliana came back home after finishing up with college, they were both finally ready to move out of the friend zone. I love how they were both all in with each other from the time they met until they got together. There was no one else for either of them at any point in their lives. They were absolutely perfect together and moved quickly towards the life they always knew they would have together. This was a great story and a great introduction to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kesse]

A Very Grumpy Best Friend is a romance novel by Shaw Hart that contains all the best elements of the genre. The story revolves around Lilliana, a curvy girl, and Foster, her grumpy best friend since childhood, who had made a marriage pact. However, they have secretly loved each other for years without the other being aware. Lilliana returns to her hometown after studying in college, uncertain whether Foster will reciprocate her feelings. Foster, who took over his father's repair shop, remained in their hometown. He is determined to confess his love to Lilliana on his terms despite his friends, father, and twin brother Ford constantly bugging him about it. It's refreshing that both characters speak their minds and are sure of their feelings. The support and encouragement from Foster's family and friends are heartwarming. Although the book is short, it is well-written, emotional, warm, and spicy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ms. Shawn]

Lilliana and Foster Miller have been best friends since they were kids. Lilliana’s family moved in next door when they were in grammar school. One night before Lilliana left for college in New York, they were at a party. They went outside to get some air and sat on a bench together. Lilliana and Foster made a pact that if neither got married by the time they were 26, they would marry each other. They also almost kissed that night.

Now, it has been three years and Lilliana is coming home to Wolf Valley after getting her degree in design in New York. She wants to design lingerie for plus size women. Foster meets up with his twin brother Ford at the Nosh Diner which Ford owns. Ford tells Foster that he needs to tell Lilliana how he feels. Foster has loved her forever.

I think it was funny that they both were in love with each other but didn’t realize it. I was happy to see Lilliana make the first move on Foster.

I would love to read more from this series.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S)]

A Very Grumpy Best Friend is book 1 in the Wolf Valley: Grumps series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, friends-to-lovers, curvy girl gets her best friend romance. Lilliana is a curvy, plus-size fashion designer. Foster is a hunky, grumpy mechanic. The two have been best friends since fifth grade and are both secretly in love with each other. Lilliana has just returned home from college. Will these two finally admit their feelings to each other? The chemistry was hot 🔥 hot 🔥 hot 🔥. The drama was low, and the ending was super happy. I'm excited for this series and can't wait for Ford and Ransom's stories!! I loved it!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Atkinson]

Hazel and Beckett’s mutual friends attempt to set them up. Beckett takes one look at Hazel and decides she is the one for him. But he sees her talking to other men and he lets jealousy cloud his judgement and says some hurtful things that she overhears.
They seem to end up in the same places and the attraction grows. When Hazel has an opportunity for a perfect job she needs the help of Beckett and his husky.
Beckett is determined to make things right between them and tell Hazel how he really feels.
This is such a great read. Beckett comes off as a grump but is really a big ole cinnamon roll. He is shy and his size makes him self conscious. Hazel is sassy and independent.
Great steamy short read.

[Day]

I've been dying to read this novella. Liliana and Forest are two souls that just need to talk to each other to notice that they've been in love with each other for their whole lives. Foster is such a cuddly teddy bear, and Liliana is the cutest. I loved how they treated each other and how they both waited even when they were too dense to notice their feelings for each other. They clearly would do anything for each other. Their story is cute and kind of fast since we meet them right when they are ready to confess to each other. There's plenty of steamy and no drama.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Parker]

Foster has been in love with his best friend Lillian since he met her. He came close to telling her how he felt when they were in high school but he did not want to hold her back from her dreams. Now she is moving back home and it is time to tell her how he really feels, it seems the whole town knows.

Lillian has been in love with Foster but she does not want anything to damage that relationship but her friend seems to think he is in love with her. Is it possible, could they have something more? This is a steamy, heartfelt story or best friends getting out of the friendzone.

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

[Julie]

Lilliana and Foster have been best friends since they were kids. They have both also been secretly in love with each other as well. So much so that they even made a marriage pact. Lilliana is a bigger girl but she was still beautiful especially to Foster. Since their marriage pact was about to come into effect, the time has come to do the deed! Foster is especially excited about it but is scared that he will have to talk Lilliana into it.
This author is fabulous! I love a great book and Shaw Hart always delivers! This is one book you won’t want to miss!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angela Nichols]

Lilliana and Foster have been in love with each other since they were kids. But neither one thought they other felt the same way. So Lilliana come home after college and Foster has to try to gather his courage to tel her how he feels.
This was a sweet story about two people oblivious to the other’s feelings. Everyone thinks Foster is a grump because he only pays attention to Lilliana. I loved how much he loved her. And I loved how Lilliana was able to become this confident adult who was willing to take a chance when she came home.
Fabulous story, well written, good characters, and steamy scenes. Recommend if you like friends to lovers stories.

[Fran]

Foster and Lillianna have loved each other for years but have put each other in the dreaded friend zone. Lillianna has been in New York and just came home after graduating college. When she shows Foster her lingerer line he can’t resist. This is a steamy, hot, fast and sexy love story. Loved all the characters and Foster and Lillianna have great chemistry. Excellent story. Looking forward to the next in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Houser]

Shaw Hart kicks off her new Wolf Valley: Grumps series with the fabulous friends-to-lovers romance A Very Grumpy Best Friend. Foster and Lilliana have been best friends since she moved to small town Wolf Valley and into the house next door when they were in fifth grade. They never crossed the boundaries of friendship but now that she's moving home from college, Foster intends to make his feelings known. A steamy, fast-paced, small town, friends-to-lovers romance well worth a read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sassy Angel]

I really enjoyed this story by Shaw Hart. I enjoyed every second. I love reading Friends to Lovers stories. Foster and Lilliana have been friends for years. He has also been in loved with her for the same amount of time. He just never told her. He knew that she needed to go away for school but now she is back. He is going to make his move and tell her his feelings. Lilliana has been in love with him and kept her feelings hidden. Will this be their shot at happiness together?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melanie]

A sweet quickie

Who doesn’t like a grump falling in love with the girl next door? Foster and Lilliana’s stars finally align when Lilliana returns home from college. Neither of them wants to be in the friend zone anymore but how to get out of it, creates a delicious tension. Which one of them will make the first move and end the dancing around each with a sweet and awkward-ish attempt at seduction?

This book is a quickie and can be read on a lunch break. Just make sure no one is reading over your shoulder! Young, first love is totally hot and #NSFW!

[Syd Springer]

Foster and Lilliana were sweet yet steam! These two have been love with each other for years but Foster waiting until Lilliana comes home from college to tell her his true feelings. These best friends are able to move on to lovers and then getting their much deserved HEA. I can't wait for the rest of this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Nielsen]

This was a really cute friends to lovers romance. It was a short, well written story with a good pace. It served as a great series starter and introduced several characters that I look forward to reading more about. Foster and Lilliana had a great friendship and it turned into great chemistry. I really enjoyed their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy]

I love best friends romance so I was quick to grab A Very Grumpy Best Friend by Shaw Hart. It was a great story about Foster and his best friend Lilliana. Foster is both anxious and excited that Lilliana is finally moving back home to Wolf Valley. They have both been in love with each other since they were kids. Now that Foster has his best friend home, it's time to tell her how he feels. Can they finally move out of the friend one? Can't wait for the next book in this series!

[Natasha Tucker]

Foster and Lilliana had been best friends since 5th grade. They had loved each other just as long but both thought the other wanted to just be friends. Now Lilliana is back in town after finishing college Foster knows it’s time to tell her how he feels. Sweet, steamy romance with amazing chemistry, true love, friendship and a wonderful HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samantha]

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. This short love story is about Lilliana and Foster. These two have been friends forever and secretly in love with each other. They finally take a leap after trying to balance their attraction, doubts and concerns for a while. This story is fast paced and I wished that it could have been a little longer. Overall it's a sweet, funny and steamy friends to lovers romance that you will enjoy

[Michele Richardson]

Foster and Lilliana have each crushed on each other most of their lives. She goes away to college and the crush does not end. When she moves home, they are both trying to figure out how to tell the other. I love the bold move she makes for him. This was a pretty steamy, very short, fun read. I enjoyed the story a lot. I’m only left with one question, what was Foster’s gift to her for their anniversary?