Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard

by Willa Drew

He’s a grumpy ex-Marine running a private security firm.
I’m just a stray dog looking for my forever human.

Neither of us expected to change each other’s lives.

Sven Anders likes three things: order, solitude, and control. Chaos isn’t on the agenda, especially not the four-legged kind. But when a scrappy terrier sneaks into his office, Sven finds himself saddled with the world’s most determined (and oddly charming) intruder.

This dog isn’t just any stray. He understands German commands, has a talent for sniffing out trouble, and refuses to leave Sven’s side. Naming him feels like the first step toward something Sven swore he’d never have again: family.

Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard is a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud standalone novella about a man, a dog, and the unexpected people who teach him that love is worth every risk. Perfect for fans of grumpy/sunshine romance, found family, and four-legged matchmakers.

Genres: Audiobook

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 26, 2025

About the author

Two authors. Two countries. One obsession with love stories.

Willa Drew’s contemporary slow-burn romances are full of feels, playful banter, and high-stakes emotions. Their globetrotting characters fight for love as they discover who they are and where they belong.

Willa, a proud Canadian and devoted Leafs hockey fan, and Drew, a Russian-American with a lifelong love of languages, always search for the perfect words to capture heartbreak and connection.

Their books guarantee swoon-worthy kisses and happily ever afters.

Hang out with us on all the socials @willadrewauthor or get sign up for our newsletter at www.willadrew.com and get updates sent right to you.

Reviews

[Tay_is_reading_again · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was soooo precious and heartwarming!! I’ve read Willa Drew’s romance books but never a novella and never just fiction so this was something different for me.

Sven is like the title mentions, a grumpy bodyguard. When Sven finds a stray dog who comes into his office, he is forced to take in the dog and try to help him find his owner. We get a POV of the dog who is the cutest. Dog just wants to find his Dad (his owner), play ball, eat a bone, etc. Dog’s chapters felt like how I imagine my dog’s inner monologue is so I moved it. Dog is also super smart and speaks German. He’s also a little trouble maker.

Sven eventually gets attached to Dog and it gives us a found family aspect to their relationship. The ending had me in tears and it made this so heartfelt.

Jack Graves absolutely crushed the narration of this one! Highly recommend a listen versus an eyeball read of this one.

Read this if you like:
🎾 Dog’s POV chapters
🦴 grumpy owner x sunshine pet
🎾 found family
🦴 sweet, wholesome novella

Thank you so much to the Willa Drew duo and A. Miracle for the ALC of this one!!

[Bobbie-Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog meets Beast.

Beast unsure of Dog.

Dog wins Beast's heart.

This books is a heartbreaking yet heartwarming story all in one. The only problem? It's not long enough. True meaning that a dog can become mans best friend, no matter how grumpy you are!

[Addy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very grateful to have been granted access to both an ARC and an ALC for Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard. The novella was a sweet, silly, fun, and sad read! Actually, I almost cried. I didn't, but it was close. For a bit, I struggled with what I wanted to rate the story, but I eventually settled on 4 out of 5 stars!

Can you say that you've read a book where you get chapters told from a dog's perspective? I couldn't before, but I can now! Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard was Dual POV, switching between the perspectives of a man and a dog. We follow along the lives of Sven and Pablo, otherwise known as Beast and Dog, and how they met. It was definitely an interesting experience, but I enjoyed it!

With the audiobook, I honestly didn't like it at first. Something about it irked me during the reading of the first chapter. However, after Chapter 1, it got HEAPS better, and I had fun listening after that! Especially, the chapters from Pablo's POV!

Overall, I'd recommend it! It was a short, cute, and funny novella that would be a pretty good palate cleanser! I'll for sure have to look into the other stories that were written within the same universe.

[Mama Myres · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be one of the cutest books I’ve ever read.

Willa Drew delivers a heartwarming grumpy-sunshine novella about Sven, a grumpy ex-Marine turned bodyguard whose entire world gets flipped upside down when a stray dog barrels into his office. What starts as total chaos quickly turns into something tender as Sven tries to track down the pup’s owner… only to realize that maybe this dog is exactly what he needed.

The dog isn’t ordinary either—he understands German commands, has a nose for trouble, and absolutely refuses to leave Sven’s side. Their bond is immediate, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional.

I adored how the author blended perspectives between Sven and the dog. It adds so much charm and makes the found-family vibes hit even harder. This story had me smiling, laughing, and tearing up. If you’re a fan of grumpy/sunshine, animal companions, or unexpected connections that feel like fate, this one will warm your heart.

A sweet, wholesome, feel-good read—and I’m already excited for book two!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was pure grumpy-sunshine perfection. Sven is the ultimate broody, ex-Marine bodyguard who thinks he’s immune to feelings, until he meets a ridiculously smart stray dog that crashes right into his life. This novella had me tearing up in the best way. The dog’s point of view was so well written , it truly captured his emotions and made the bond between human and animal feel real, tender, and unforgettable. 🐾💛

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to and reading this story truly tugged at my heartstrings. I absolutely loved how the author wove together Sven’s perspective with the dog’s—it added so much warmth and depth. The story beautifully captures the bond between humans and their furry friends, showing how love and understanding go both ways. This is an absolute must-read for dog lovers and anyone looking for a sweet, heartwarming tale!

[Joycelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating two thumbs and two paws up. Really enjoyed reading the book. Between the funny antics of the main dog character and point of view chapters to the reluctant bodyguard makes these two a very unlikely lovable duo. It might not be love at first sight but when a dog warms over the grumpy bodyguard's heart it becomes a very good read. This is a mist read for both dog lovers and book lovers alike.

[Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely adorable! Pablo stole the show (as he does IRL) and I just loved his personality! It was super cute getting his POV! I definitely need more of Sven and Pablo's bromance.

[Chelsey Konkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute!! Loved the audio book!! Perfect little rom com but will also make you tear up all at the same time.

[Mandy Cappelletti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge thank you to the authors for this advance listening copy. This is the most adorable meet cute with a grumpy ex marine and a stray dog! I smiled through the whole book, but that end hit me. Expect to tear up but enjoy the happy ending! I adored hearing this story from Pablo’s, the dog, point of view. 5/5 and recommend for a short sweet story.

[Kass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard is a short novella and is the story of Sven and a cute little dog who finds his way to Sven's office.

Sven is a grumpy former Marine and private investigator who enjoys his solitude and control but when a small dog crashes through his office he is faced with having to shelter the dog for thirty days or until they can find his owner. Except this dog isn't just a stray, he understands German commands and refuses to leave Sven's side. Naming him is a step towards something Sven never thought he would have, a family.

This was such a cute book that shows how the right type of love can teach people there is more to life than what they have been living. This is a dual POV book/audiobook with the dog giving his perspective, which was funny to hear. The narrator for Sven and the dog were both funny and brought emotion and depth to the story.

I received an advanced copy of this e-book and audiobook and am leaving an honest review as a show of my appreciation.

[bella rhys (semi-hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.45 Stars! This was very heartwarming!

This is a short story about grumpy ex-marine Sven and a stray dog. Sven runs a private security company and usually keeps to himself and likes it that way. One day however, he is confronted by a stray dog. He does all he can to try to get him back to his owner. But as the days go by, and as he cares for the dog, both man and dog open their hearts and let in this beautiful friendship.

This, as mentioned, was just so heartwarming and cute! I loved seeing grump Sven open up his heart to this dog who is looking for nothing more than to belong. Such a beautiful found family story!

Thanks to the authors, Willa Drew and A. Miracle, and their team for providing me with an advanced audio review copy of this book. All opinions provided in this review are entirely my own.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Content Warnings: 
Discussion of Death and Grief

** Thank you to the author for a copy of this ARC. All opinions in this review are mine and are freely given.

Something I love about Willa Drew's writing is that every book feels like a cozy, comforting read that makes my heart feel warm. This novella was no exception!

Omg, this book description had me hooked because I LOVE DOGS...and this novella features the dog's POV. I always wanted my dogs to talk growing up, so this was right up my alley!

This book was so CUTE! It felt so cozy and sweet. The dog's POV was cracking me up! Sven is Sven, so slay!

[Mybookish.odyssey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute easy read!!! I really enjoyed the dual POV. It’s was so touching to hear the dog POV. This a heartfelt story that will not keep you dry eyed!! I highly recommend this novella. The Narrators were perfect for each character( including the hyper dog). Thank you Willa Drew for this fun eARC/ALC.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the ARC copy, Willa Drew!! I thought I was prepared for a dog POV but I was wrong! This cute little friend stole my heart. I’m ready for more adventures. Hopefully I don’t cry next time….either way though, I’m here for it!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more like a 4.5 🌟 read for me. A dog's point of view is everything I have been missing in my life. I loved getting a glimpse inside his head. This was such a cute, feel-good little novella. It was quick and to the point, and you can't help but love this little guy. Can't wait to see how he trains his human in the future installments! Thank you Willa Drew for the ARC and ALC!

[Shann Luvs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC.

This book grabbed me the second I realized it was told from two POVs ….the grumpy bodyguard and the tiny dog. The dog calling the human “Beast” and trying to tame him had me wheezing. Their dynamic is chaotic, sassy, and ridiculously adorable.

I loved watching Beast go from chasing this little menace to panicking at the thought of losing him. Learning the dog’s past made their bond hit even harder, and the respect Beast showed him at the end melted me. I just wish we’d gotten a few more moments between them because their connection was my favorite part.

I finished the book with a tear on my cheek and snort-laughing at that adorbs pooch.

A quick, emotional, funny feel-good read about a man being tamed by a tiny dog.

[Angela Drnd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard was a quick, cute read outside my usual genres, but I ended up really enjoying it. The story follows a grumpy bodyguard who finds a retired military dog with no owner after the original handler passed away, and despite his tough exterior, he steps up to care for him. Watching him fumble through figuring out this trained dog, with Gretchen teasing and helping along the way, made the whole thing sweet and easy to breeze through. It’s simple, charming, and heartfelt enough that I’m giving it four stars.

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and ALC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. I loved this book and the audio!! It was a cute heartwarming story!! Pablo gets lost and is looking for his owner and meets beast the bodyguard who is unsure about dogs. Beast keeps dog till he can find his owner and grows attached to Pablo. Can’t wait to read more about this story!!

“Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard isn’t a traditional romance! It’s a heartwarming bromance that kicks off the Anders Investigations romantic suspense series, introducing Sven before the love stories (and chaos) begin.”

[Sarah Landis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and unexpected introduction to Sven! The novella leans into charm and humor, and I loved how the meet cute is entirely between Sven and the dog—it’s chaotic, adorable, and genuine.

It’s a quick, enjoyable read that sets up Sven’s character so well, and now I’m even more excited to dive into Loving the Grumpy Bodyguard for the full story. A fun, light palate cleanser with found-family vibes and a four-legged troublemaker stealing the show.

[Beth Murnane · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

📖  Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard
✍️ Willa Drew + A. Miracle
🎧 ALC
🗓 11/26/2025

Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard is an adorable novella with a even more adorable pup at its center. A non-romantic grumpy/sunshine trope, watch as this sweet terrier makes Sven, a no-nonsense veteran-turned-bodyguard, melt into a puddle for some puppy love.

Keep the tissues nearby, I was listening to it on the way to work and definitely shed a few tears!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heart warming story. Only problem? not long enough. I love the dogs POV! I have never read something that had a dog's POV and it's so cute!!

[Lauren Miracle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be a a slightly emotional person but I’m honest when I say it made me cry, laugh and even laugh while I cried. Taming the Grumpy Body Guard is a wholesome and humorous short novella that will definitely make you smile and probably cry too if you’re a dog lover. Sunshine/grumpy trope, but make it a dude and a dog, and it works so much better than you expect it to. The proceeds go to organizations that support retired military working dogs; paying homage to one of the main characters, Pablo the dog. It’s a 5/5 for me girlie pops, give it a read!

[Brianna Nycole · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

I love Willa Drew’s romance books and have ARC’d for them before so I was excited to try out this novella!

This novella was so cute! Such a fun twist of a DOG’S pov! Sven is a grumpy ex-marine bodyguard until a stray dog comes crashing into his life that he’s forced to take in and help to try and find his owner.

Tropes/Themes:
🦴 Grumpy x Sunshine
🦴 Dual POVp
🦴 K-9 Lost Dog
🦴 Found Family
🦴 Former Marine MMCp
🦴 HEA

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

this. was. so. precious.

stop my heart 😭

the only problem with this book was it stopped. period. would have read 300 pages of this book NO PROBLEM.

[Jessica Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not usually one for cutesy books but this one hooked me. I’m a sucker for dogs and Pablo was absolutely adorable. Cannot wait to read more about Sven and Pablo in Willa’s next book!!!

[Jody Vogler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard completely melted me—I actually cried. The narrator brings Sven’s gruff exterior and the scrappy little terrier’s chaotic charm to life so perfectly. Their bond feels so real, so earned, and so healing that you can’t help but fall for them both. It’s funny, heartfelt, and unexpectedly emotional in all the best ways.

This audiobook is cozy, warm, and full of feels. If you love grumpy/sunshine energy, redemption arcs, found family, or just believe dogs are tiny, furry emotional support miracles, this one is an absolute must-listen.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute novella that highlights the joy animals can bring to our lives. When Sven finds a dog in his office, he wants nothing to do with it. That is until he starts learning more about the little canine like how smart he is and how he’s the perfect companion. The best grumpy/sunshine relationship and found family with these two. This brought a smile to my face!

[Jackie Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ͳαмιηg тнє Gяυмρу Вσ∂уgυαя∂

My heart is absolutely melted! 😭 If you need a feel-good book with all the laughs and all the heart, pick up Taming the Grumpy Bodyguard!

This is the ultimate Grumpy Bodyguard meets Determined Dog Matchmaker story. The chemistry and the antics are top-tier. I loved every minute of this grumpy/sunshine, military romance!

𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥:
🐕 𝔾𝕣𝕦𝕞𝕡𝕪/𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕖
❤️𝕄𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕪 ℝ𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕒 ℂ𝕚𝕟𝕟𝕒𝕞𝕠𝕟 ℝ𝕠𝕝𝕝 ℍ𝕖𝕣𝕠
🌟 𝔸 𝕗𝕠𝕦𝕣-𝕝𝕖𝕘𝕘𝕖𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕟𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕙𝕠 𝕞𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕨!

Bonus: 100% of the profits go to animal charities like the Warrior Dog Foundation! Read a great book, do a great thing. 🐶
Perfect for fans of found family and four-legged heroes!

[Damelys Vientos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story pulled every string in my heart. I cried so much because it was truly just so perfect. I wanted so much more but this was truly amazing.