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Christmas with the Grumpy Alpha: Feuding Hearts Christmas

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It was supposed to be a simple Christmas wedding.
Show up, play bridesmaid, and avoid my ex’s infuriating brother, but fate has other plans.
Alpha Tanner Wilde is the definition of forbidden—my ex’s brother and the one man who is off-limits.
But being snowed in has a way of changing things.
The more time I spend with him, the harder it is to remember why I should stay away.
His touch is electric, his presence overwhelming, and I’m losing the battle against the pull between us.
But there’s a reason I built these walls, and I can’t let him tear them down.
He’s getting under my skin, breaking through my defenses.
But what happens when the storm clears, and reality sets back in?

Wrap yourself in the steamy, festive world of the Feuding Hearts Series! Featuring fated mates, enemies to lovers, and holiday magic, this collection brings together billionaires, brooding alphas, and feisty heroines in a whirlwind of romance and supernatural thrills.

Where holiday magic meets steamy romance—unwrap your next obsession.

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2024

78 people are currently reading
62 people want to read

About the author

Ruby Brinks

19 books23 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Lisa Foldi.
289 reviews8 followers
October 21, 2024
I’ve read this as an ARC read. I finished it in one sitting. This was so much fun!
It’s a werewolf story, short and easy read.
The spice is nice, it’s super fast paced. Fake dating. She’s his brother’s ex, still healing from the bad relationship they had.
I really enjoyed reading it!
Profile Image for Chris.
1,316 reviews38 followers
January 7, 2025
3.5 Grumpy Stars

Lena and Tanner's story was kinda sweet and a nice one to read during the holidays. Overall low on the drama, nice steam and the ending was a happy one.
Profile Image for Kellyanne.
133 reviews4 followers
October 27, 2024
This story is about a lone rogue woman called Lena and an Alpha whos name is Tanner. When their paths cross their first impressions of each other are of dislike. This is then fuelled by Lena's boyfriend at the time who is the brother of Tanner. Fast forward a year or more and Lena is heartbroken and spending the festive period in a romantic setting to attend her best friends wedding and you guessed it Tanner will be in attendance. Lena decides to not spoil her best friends wedding so attempts to be cordial to Tanner but there's a strong attraction/pull to one another. There is an incident that causes them to spend more time together and they decide to get to know each other and fake a relationship. I won't spoil the story so if you want to find out if truths will be reveled, there is a HEA or not then you will have to read the book.

I thought this book was a lovely read.

It's a really nice romantic Christmas tale.

Easy to read and I read it in one sitting.

I received an ARC so leaving this review voluntarily.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for BiblioDarling.
320 reviews14 followers
October 28, 2024
I am sucker for a fake romance turned real. This book does not disappoint. Two wolves find that their opinions of each other have been manipulated by one jealous wolf. Once they are stuck together, the truth comes out along with some unexpected feelings. Loved it.
Profile Image for Diana Page.
999 reviews4 followers
October 19, 2024
Lena and Tanner’s storyline was a fairly well written fake couple read. The characters are likable and you want them to get through all the bs going on to get to their happily ever after. The heat level between them is chili pepper hot but there’s no tension until Derek shows up and starts mouthing off. There’s a bit of a disconnect in the book with Lena’s profession, from nurse to doctor, but it doesn’t detract from the overall experience. 4✨’s I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
6 reviews1 follower
October 26, 2024
Lena is to be a bridesmaid for her best friend Daphnee's wedding to Larry. It is taking place in Hollyridge Lake, at christmas with snow forcast.
It would be magical if her ex's brother wasn't the best man. Tanner is also the Alpha of the pack that Larry belongs too.
Lena doesn't have a very good opinion of Tanner all due to her ex Derek. But as the pair come together to do their duties as bridesmaid and best man, Lena finds it hard to keep hating Tanner.
He is the opposite of her impression, she can't wait to see him more as the wedding preparations continue.
The wedding goes well, Tanner and Lena have grown close and end up sleeping together, both of their wolves realise that they are fated mates but neither human sides want to acknowledge this. In the morning Lena tries to slink away unnoticed and goes to her room only to be stopped by the duty manager telling her that a tree has fallen into the hotel during the snow fall and her room is out of bounds.
She has to retrace her steps and ask Tanner if she can share his room until her room is habital again.
Tanner is pleased that he gets to be with Lena more in his room. The only downfall is that his family are due to arrive including Derek and his mate Joanne.
They finally accept that they are fated mates and must greet his parents (who have been told lies about Lena from Derek,)
Can Tanner and Lena find their own happiness, will Lena be OK with pack life ( which she has never experienced before). Can they navigate all of Derek's lies .

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Victoria Golby.
1,667 reviews14 followers
October 27, 2024
Christmas Wedding romance

A lovely slow-build enemies to lovers romance, with sizzling chemistry between the characters, drama, action, misunderstanding, friendship and love. This is a great Christmas romance which you won't want to put down till the end.

Lena is a rogue wolf and has come to be the bridesmaid for her best friend's wedding, at a lakeside hotel in the snow, with a snowstorm arriving just after the guests. The only problem is that the best man is her ex's brother, and the groom's pack alpha, and she's heard all about him from her ex. But they agree to work together in their roles to support their best friends on their special day, while trapped in the hotel, and Lena finds it hard to keep disliking him the more she gets to know him.

Tanner had heard bad things about his brother's ex but as he starts to spend time with her in helping their friends on their wedding day he realises how much he likes being with her. As the main day proceeds they grow closer and their wolves recognise what they are to each other, though they don't want to admit it. When a tree falls into the hotel blocking Lena's room she finds herself having to share Tanner's room and when his family are due to arrive they agree to a fake relationship to get his parents off his back. But will they accept Lena as Tanner's mate, with everything they've heard about her from Derek, and will Tanner and Lena accept what their wolves have already realised, that they're fated?

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sandra.
919 reviews7 followers
October 21, 2024
Lena is at her best friend Daphne and her partner Larry's Christmas wedding at Holyridge Lake. She is a bridesmaid and Larry's best friend Tanner, someone she doesn't like is his best man. She has a history with Tanner's brother Derek, her ex, who broke her heart, when she found out his deceitfulness. But the one and only time she met Tanner, it didn't go too well. Tanner is now Alpha of the pack that Daphne will be joining but Lena has always been a rogue wolf, happy by herself. Someone Tanner looked down upon as they were lesser wolves.

Tanner and Lena have to try and be nice to each other for the sake of their friend's. But things take a turn on the wedding night! That pent up emotion eventually snaps.

Tanner's parents are constantly on his back about not having a mate, someone that a strong Alpha should have to help strengthen the pack. Tanner makes a proposal to Lena which she accepts.

Both Tanner and Lena realise they have misjudged each other because of lies her ex Derek has told to each of them. Both become closer and what started out as a fake may no longer be the case. But will each of them embrace this new connection? If so, will Tanner's family and pack accept Lena, a rogue, into their fold? Will Derek's deceit eventually be his downfall?

A great, feel good, christmas romance with HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Vonn Jess.
755 reviews7 followers
October 20, 2024
This story takes place during the week of Christmas, but we only read about holiday colors and decorations, ice skating on Christmas Eve and it’s snowing.

Lena and Tanner Wolfe don’t get along very well. She’s a rogue wolf and he’s the Alpha to a pack. I can’t remember reading where they are, just that is a big cabin hotel by a lake and forest.

Lena actually dated Derek, Tanners brother a year ago, but the breakup wasn’t smooth. Lena just heard stories about Tanner from Derek, so she judged him by hearsay. That doesn’t sit well with Tanner. The wedding they’re both invited to has them walking down the aisle together as the couples best friends, so they come to a truce.

Tanner takes care of his pack, but when his younger brother Derek finds his mate and his parents are on him about finding his mate, he comes up with a plan. It’s not like Lena had anything against him last night. His wolf

Lena doesn’t want to belong to a pack. She likes her freedom. But when Tanner suggests fake dating as they are already sharing a room, due to unfortunate circumstances, Lena can’t get the thought of belonging out of her head. He’s caring and sweet and gets growl-y around other men….her wolf likes this. A lot.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
2,679 reviews7 followers
October 25, 2024
Lena is Daphne’s best friend since they met at the group home they were at, and she is upset didn’t like what her boyfriend had done to her. Derek’s older brother was the best man she didn’t want to be around him because of what Derek had about Tanner but she had into him when wanting to go to her room. When helping Daphne with wedding things she read an email from Derek’s mate not wanting Daphne to tell her about their wedding as Lena would show up and cause trouble when she doesn’t care. Went outside by the lake to cry and that upset Tanner’s wolf who wanted to go and calm her and find out what had made her cry. Lena wanted to stay away from him as years ago she was a rogue she was an orphan he said that she was an inferior and pathetic wolf she hadn’t been raised by wolves. Lena helped Tanner find Daphne’s lost wedding ring his wolf wanted to be with her but he didn’t believe it. Tanner saves her from falling and they kissed under the mistletoe then ended in Tanner’s room, Lena went to go to her room but a tree fell so she couldn’t so had to room with him. He asks her to be his fake girlfriend to keep his parents off his back but then he did accept they were mates but he fell in love. Derek caused problems at the wedding and exiled.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,605 reviews12 followers
October 28, 2024
Christmas with the Grumpy Alpha is a story in the Feuding Hearts Christmas series. I LOVED reading this amazing holiday shifter paranormal romance book which I thought to be charming, suspenseful, and a page-turning romance. Christmas with the Grumpy Alpha is the story about Lena and Tanner. While reading this book I was completely captivated right from the beginning, and it held my attention all the way to the end. I loved learning about Lena and Tanner as well as witnessing their love come to fruition. Author Ruby Brinks continues to take me by surprise with her fabulous storytelling and writing skills. This author is becoming one of my new favorite authors to read. Christmas with the Grumpy Alpha is a holiday shifter paranormal romance that I would give as a recommendation to anyone who loves reading these amazing paranormal romances. I can hardly wait to see what else Author Ruby Brinks will come up with for her next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Carrie.
159 reviews8 followers
December 22, 2024
All the feels

I’ve read a few shifter books, and read about the fated mates, and not once, do I recall the author challenging the bond in this way. I enjoyed it!
“My decision to be with you is in no way determined by our fated mates’ bond. It is in no way a strategic move to further my pack’s interests. Lena,” his voice cracks as he grabs my hand. “I have chosen you because I love you. Because you’re the most fucking amazing, courageous, feisty woman I’ve ever seen, and one hell of a sexy one at that, too.” He laughs in disbelief. “I mean, where else was I going to find someone like you?”
I also like how their attraction to each other was not the “instant their eyes meet and I just knew”, so it follows along Tanner’s thinking that if he didn’t like her, he wouldn’t be with her, fated mate or not. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they don’t go through some crap with life around them to get to the end!
It was a good story with some twists that I saw coming, and a couple that I didn’t.
Profile Image for Adrienne.
86 reviews2 followers
October 26, 2024
Rogue wolf Lena is a bridesmaid in her longtime best friend’s Christmas wedding and Tanner is the grumpy best friend and pack Alpha of the groom. Tanner is also her manipulative lying ex’s brother Derek. Due to the lying ex, neither has heard anything good about each other over the years and there is immediate tension between them.

That tension quickly turns into attraction as they are drawn to one another even while bickering and not getting along. After the wedding and reception, they spend a steamy night together which due to extenuating circumstances they decide to turn into a fake relationship during the rest of their stay for post- wedding activities. They and their inner wolves soon recognize one another as fated mates but are not sure if they agree on where things should or could go.

The story very much has the vibes of a Hallmark Christmas movie just throw in a pack of werewolves and a couple of steamy scenes and it was a good read with an HEA.
Profile Image for Jd.
650 reviews3 followers
October 23, 2024
3.75 stars
This was a good read, although a better title would be: Christmas with the grumpy rogue.
I was expecting Tanner to be a grumpy alpha, but he wasn't Lena was the grumpy one. From when they first run into wach other at the wedding, Tanner is baffled about why Lena is so mean to him.
Lena is holding on to a brief conversation she had with him over a year ago as well as somethings her liar ex said.
Somehow this wedding occassion turns into a fake dating scenario and leads to discovering they are fated mates. Tanner is determined that he will not let fate decide. He believes they are the ones in control.
Tanner is also dealing with the lies his brothers, just like Lena is. His brother is also trying to usurp him.
This is a book for someone who likes shifter romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
827 reviews4 followers
October 23, 2024
Lena is going to her BFF's wedding and she knows that Daphne is joining Larry's pack and the Alpha Tanner will be there. She is hoping to ignore him since she had been dating his brother Derek. She is doing great until they, the wedding party, starts drinking whiskey. Then Lena lets loose and spends the night with Tanner. She tries to sneak out of his room, not. When she goes to her room a tree had smashed into the hotel and she there was no access to her room. Lena had to go back to Tanner and ask if she could stay with him. Tanner decides they could pretend to be together. Well.....love does find a way. After a week together, the bull of the fated mates is roaring. Tanner's parents and brother, Derek and his fiancé show up. All best are off.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nicole  Henderson.
1,430 reviews22 followers
November 8, 2024
I received an Advanced Reader Copy and am voluntarily reviewing it. As always, I love Ms. Brinks’ take on fated mates. In her books, the mate bond is not obvious. The wolves have to realize why they are drawn to each other. Lena is a rogue wolf. She has never had a pack and is just getting over a recent breakup. She is at Snowhaven Lodge for her best friend’s, Daphne, wedding. Unfortunately Daphne is marrying someone from Lena’s ex-boyfriend’s pack. She just can’t seem to get away from him.

Not only that, the alpha, Tanner Wilde, had nothing good to say about rogues. Derrick, the ex-boyfriend and Tanner’s brother, did not speak highly of her around the pack. Lena is trying her best to stay away from Tanner, but an explainable attraction keeps bringing them together. Will Tanner let Derrick’s words prevent him from giving Lena a real chance? Don’t get me wrong. Lena is not feeling Tanner either. His bias against rogues could not be forgotten. When their wolves get involved, they can’t deny the connection. Will these two be able to make it work despite everything that is against them?
Profile Image for Angel Roo.
915 reviews3 followers
November 11, 2024
I loved the book.

Lena and Tanner do not have good opinions of each other, thanks to her ex/Tanner's brother. He told each lies about the other. Now, stuck together at a wedding, they either have to call a truce, or work things out.

Great forced proximity, fated mates romance. I loved the fact that the mate bond wasn't an instantaneous, obvious thing. Yes, there was a pull, but it was up to them to figure out why.

It was wonderful to follow along as these two got to know each other better, and learned that their opinions were wrong.

Great characters, fun and intriguing plot. Wonderful world building.

All-around fantastic story, and highly recommend!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Carole.
2,002 reviews14 followers
November 16, 2024
Christmas with the Grumpy Alpha is an enemies-to-lovers story of wolf shifters who have gathered for a pack members wedding celebration, and where bridesmaid MFC Lena soon finds herself attracted to pack alpha MMC Tanner despite their feelings of angst towards each other, and he being her Ex’s brother.

The story was romantic, passionate, filled with wolf shifter dynamics, and is a nicely written holiday story that sparkles with the magic of the season as Tanner and Lena slowly come to realize that they may be fated mates after a winter storm snows them in, and the signs are making themselves known, which made this story an entertaining and steamy read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Samantha Hull.
1 review
December 3, 2024
Great start to the Holiday Season!

Put my Christmas tree up this weekend and knew I had to start reading something to sink even further into the Christmas spirit!

I truly figured I would read a couple of chapters a day and drag this out and savor the tree, fireplace, and book together. But I simply could not put this book down and blew through it way faster than I expected to. I got through the epilogue, only to be reeling for more. I am so invested in the relationships built in this book and hope there is more to come with these characters!

This book invoked real emotions for me from happiness and sadness to lust and anger. It’s a difficult feat to accomplish and Ruby pulled it off.

Definitely started out my Christmas holiday on the right foot!
Profile Image for Sara Irons.
407 reviews6 followers
October 21, 2024
Lena is still mending from a broken heart. She is putting on a happy face for her best friends wedding. She's the bride's maid after all, so she is willing to do what it takes to make her best friend happy.

Tanner is the brother and Alpha of Lena's ex. Lena doesn't want the reminder of her ex, but Tanner is the best man at the wedding. Tanner doesn't understand why Lena is so angry with him and sets out to find out what is happening.

Will Lena find out the truth? Will Tanner accept fate? You'll need to come read the story to find out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1,855 reviews2 followers
October 28, 2024
Lena and Tanner
Lena is a Rogue wolf. She's never had a pack. She goes to her best friends wedding and runs into her ex's brother Tanner. Her heart is guarded and broken after Tanner's brother. Tanner had poor views of rogues and he made it clear when Lena was dating his brother. As the wedding week progressed, Tanner and Lena banters become more that jabs. When actree falls on Lena room, their forced to share and feelings take off from there.
Drama filled with plenty of banter and steam, fated mates, wonderful characters, and HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
11.5k reviews47 followers
March 26, 2025
Enjoyable fated mates at Christmas

Christmas with the Grumpy Alpha by Ruby Brinks is part of the multi-author Feuding Hearts Christmas series. This is the first book I have read by the author so I was not sure what to expect, as you never know if you will connect with a new author. I enjoyed this story about two wolf shifters who are part of the wedding party on Christmas for her best friend Daphne and his best friend. They want to stay away from each other because she is the ex-girlfriend of his brother. The thing is that fate has other plans for them they they will not be able to divert from.
163 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2024
Lena and Tanner are attending the Christmas wedding of their best friends. They are best friends to the bride and groom but don't get on. Lena used to date Tanner's brother and has heard a lot about Tanner which is mostly bad.
This is a story of how they overcome their previous feelings and ultimately get together.
There is a lot more to the story it keeps you interested and wanting to keep reading.
This is a great read to get you in the mood for Christmas.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
507 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2024
"Tanner’s kisses will always leave me so breathless and yet so taut with arousal that I would rather suffocate under his mouth than breathe normally without it."

Quick escape read. Need a quick fun fated mates fix? This is your book. Told on the first person poibt of view from the two main characters given you both a glimpse into both of their minds. At some point the author started telling the story in the third person but then switched back to first.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1,394 reviews11 followers
October 19, 2024
Heart-warming enemies to loves romance!

They clashed the last time they met, they didn’t like each other and both had been told lies but this time around they couldn’t resist each other!

I love how this storyline captured the essence of their romance. The emotion, passion and a Christmas vibe all have a part in bringing this story together to create one witty entertaining read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
956 reviews4 followers
October 21, 2024
Great characters and enemies to lovers storyline with a lot of spice, this book will help you get into the Christmas spirit. Everyone loves a Christmas wedding and Lena and Tanner are there as best friends to the bride and groom to make sure it goes well. Throw in an ex boyfriend and fake dating and you will find yourself hoping that they get their happy ever after despite their past and Tanner's family. I read this in one sitting and highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Lorna Hanrahan.
69 reviews
October 25, 2024
I love Christmas and a romance set during my favorite time of year always starts on a positive note for me. The two main characters are not so much enemies but have misunderstandings due to her ex who also happens to be his brother. They are the best man and maid of honor at a wedding so they are frequently put in contact with each other and sparks fly.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for L KQ.
5,432 reviews21 followers
October 26, 2024
Wedding Festivities

Tanner and Lena end up sharing a room when things go awry at the hotel during their friend's wedding festivities. Misconceptions based on someone else's information keep them in a tense situation. The banter and chemistry between really made this a fun story to read. It was exciting and charming with a little bit of added suspense.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,948 reviews6 followers
October 27, 2024
If you love Hallmark Christmas movies you will love this book! So reminiscent of my favorite Hallmark movies, boy and girl hate each other meet again after years and of course it's at a wedding, lol!! So interesting to see that hate slowly turn to love and friendship. I really enjoyed this story, I know you will too!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Mariaan Belinfante.
867 reviews2 followers
October 28, 2024
Lena, a rogue wolf by preference, is at her bestie's wedding weekend and her ex boyfriend's brother, Tanner, Alpha of his pack, whom she doesn't like, is the best man. A blast from the past raking up her inner turmoils. A snow calamity after a passionate night, has them sharing a room and a fake relationship, but their wolves think differently. A charming, easy read romance with enough spice, fated mates and HEA.
I received a free advanced review copy and leave this review voluntary Thank Ruby
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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