Taming Mr. Grumpy

by Amber Ford

Undercover in a small town, I'm busting crime but caught by love.
When I took on the assignment to go undercover and take down a drug ring leader, I expected the small town I end up in to be peaceful.
After all, it's a small town, right?
Nothing ever happens.
Except my next-door-neighbor happens.
She's nosy, curious, and questions my sudden presence here.
She's also irresistible, and I find myself watching her as much as she's watching me.
One minute we're getting into these little squabbles.
The next, we're kissing each other like there's no tomorrow and wanting more.
But I can't want more—
Not when closing in on my enemy means her life is in danger, too...
I'm playing with fire in more ways than one.
But when the heart wants what it wants, all bets are off.
And damn, does mine want her.

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2024

About the author

Amber Ford loves writing short, page-turning romances that deliver twice the passion in half the minutes!

She loves penning super hot alpha men who are fiercely protective, have hearts of gold and will go to any lengths for the women they fall for. With a talent for crafting fast-paced, action-packed love stories with characters that stay in your heart, her books are high on heat, chemistry and excitement! And yes, she likes her men in uniform and military alphas are her jam.

When she's not weaving plots and making up hunks in her head, Amber loves spending time with her furry and human companions by a river in the mountains. Hot coffee and freshly baked muffins are her perfect way to start the day!

Reviews

[Linda Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella lives in a small town. Her dream is to develop a comic series with heart. As Ella is trying to work she notices that there is a man going in to her neighbors house, Mrs. Sanders is on vacation. Ella decides to investigate and Rosie (Mrs. Sanders cat) follows her next door. Ella is hiding in the shed when the man comes out to see what she is doing. Connor is an ex-navy SEAL who works for a protector agency and he is on assignment. Connor was under the impression that Ella was a recluse and he assumed that she was unkempt and middle aged. Wrong! She is young and beautiful. Connor is attracted to Ella immediately but he has to concentrate on the mission. Ella is attracted to Connor but she doesn’t know who he really is. Rosie gets Ella to come outside and follow her next door where Ella finds Connor is bleeding. She cleans his wound and dresses it, Connor makes an excuse for his injuries. After Connor fixed her car Ella thanks him and they kiss. Connor ends up leaving. Ella invites Connor to the town fair where she has a booth for her work. Connor watches her as a couple men come by to talk about her work. One of the men is an associate of the man Connor is looking for. The man Salvador asks Ella if she can do some work for him. Connor takes Ella home after the fair and he tells her not to work with the man. Connor and Ella end up having sex. Connor spends the night but he wakes up early and when he gets home he finds out that the house has been ransacked. Connor goes back over to Ella’s just as the man Salvador pulls up. Salvador sneakily looks around Ella’s house and asks about Connor. Will Connor and Ella continue to build a relationship? Will Connor be able to save Ella from Salvador? Will Ella go with Connor when he leaves or will she stay? Will Connor and Ella find love and happiness in a small town?
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Marvelous Mission Love romance!

[TrishAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great short story with loads of content.
Ells James was a graphic designer but her heart was set on writing a comic hero story, she is stumped for a hero, a Jeep pulls onto her neighbours drive, wow, he could be her hero, he was ruggedly handsome with muscles all in the right places but what was he doing in Mrs. Saunders house, Mrs. Saunders was on vacation and had left Ella to look after Rosie, her cat and her cacti collection.
Sassy, spirited Ella confronts the stranger in Mrs Saunders shed, he was quick with his answers to her questions but Ella didn't trust him and as the days passed and she saw him creeping away after dark and not returning until the following morning she trusted him even less..........she didn't trust him but she was definitely attracted to him.
Ex navy SEAL and now co owner of a private protection agency, Connor Monroe finally convinced the gorgeous, spirited neighbour that he wasn't a serial killer but he couldn't reveal the full truth, he was working undercover on the trail of a drug baron.
As the story unfolds, Ella and Connor become close, the chemistry is there in spades but her closeness to Connor puts Ella in danger, Connor will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
A great story with likeable characters and a lovely HEA.

[Stacey K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connor is in town undercover, and Ella is the nosy neighbor who doesn't think he should be in her neighbor's house. Their first meeting is quite interesting as they try to figure each other out. As they continue to cross paths things get more interesting. Ella ends up putting herself on the radar of the bad guys, this has Connor feeling protective. As Ella helps Connor where she can these two realize the attraction, they feel is mutual and when they decide to act on it. Wowzah!!! The drama and angst really kick in when the case is wrapped up for Connor and while he doesn't want to leave Ella he needs to return to his home. While Ella stays behind. What happens next is very entertaining and unexpected. You definitely don't want to miss out on this fun, entertaining read. Amber Ford has brought us another awesome book for our reading pleasure.

I received an ARC copy of this book.

[Rodney Wiedrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story. The characters are well written and developed. Conner and Ella have great chemistry together and it is evident that they should get together. When Conner first gets to town Ella watches him and she thinks he is very suspicious. Of course Conner's actions make it seem that he could be up to no good because of him being stealthy tyring to finish his assignment that got botched. Their chemistry is very good and once they clear up their misunderstandings they get close and she makes him feel things that he hasn't felt in quite awhile. It definitely is a page turner because you just want to know what happens next. If you love a good grumpy sunshine love story then you should read this book it will no disappoint you.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Taming Mr. Grumpy" is the second book in this series by Amber Ford and I hope there are more to come. This story features Connor Monroe, one of the co-owners of Protector Agency and our "Mr. Grumpy." Ella James is an artist and Connor's neighbor who thinks Connor is up to no good. Of course, falling in love at first sight doesn't happen. It takes Connor getting hurt for Ella to change her feelings about him.
I really liked this book. I love it when a grumpy Alpha man just becomes mush in the right woman's arms. I'm already looking for the next story!!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this story because Ella is no withering violet, so to speak, she writes comics and naturally has an active imagination. Connor is an ex seal and is staying next door while he's on a job. These two are like oil and water, but the heat is off the charts. Some danger but otherwise tame. HEA.

[Joyce Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connor and Ella are so sweet! They melt the heart! They are just perfect for each others! The story is hot with the right amount of drama! Beautifully written as always!

[Patricia Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. The main characters were a good match. The storyline was solid and held my interest.
This is a voluntary and honest review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read. This is the third book in the series. Ella and Connor are perfect together. I enjoyed this page turner. They have a very steamy chemistry. a wonderful addition to the series.

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

He ´s not supposed to fall in love when undercover…but too late for that! It’s entertaining and suspensful. Love it!