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My Brother's Grumpy Best Friend
Stuck with my best friend’s sassy little sister in a small town? Not exactly my game plan.
I’ve faced tough opponents on the ice, yet nothing compares to sharing a house with Eliza Harper. Her sunshine smile might fool everyone, but I know better.
"We’ve been at odds since we were teenagers—me teasing her mercilessly, and her finding ways to get under my skin."
She is still maddening, managing to look adorable even when she’s flustered. And somehow, I find myself drawn to her laugh and the way her kindness slips past my defenses.
But there’s one thing Eliza doesn’t know—a little secret I’ve been keeping, with the best intentions. Trouble is, when she finds out, it could ruin everything.
Eliza might be my toughest challenge yet. Can I prove I’m not the enemy anymore—or will she bench me before I even get a chance to play?
My Brother’s Grumpy Best Friend is a sweet, small-town hockey romance. Full of heart and sizzling chemistry without the explicit heat.
Theme
I’ve faced tough opponents on the ice, yet nothing compares to sharing a house with Eliza Harper. Her sunshine smile might fool everyone, but I know better.
"We’ve been at odds since we were teenagers—me teasing her mercilessly, and her finding ways to get under my skin."
She is still maddening, managing to look adorable even when she’s flustered. And somehow, I find myself drawn to her laugh and the way her kindness slips past my defenses.
But there’s one thing Eliza doesn’t know—a little secret I’ve been keeping, with the best intentions. Trouble is, when she finds out, it could ruin everything.
Eliza might be my toughest challenge yet. Can I prove I’m not the enemy anymore—or will she bench me before I even get a chance to play?
My Brother’s Grumpy Best Friend is a sweet, small-town hockey romance. Full of heart and sizzling chemistry without the explicit heat.
Theme
60 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 16, 2025
My Brother’s Grumpy Best Friend: A Sweet Small Town Hockey Romance by Gianna Ward is a tender, small town romance about Eliza Harper, who returns home and, through a mix‑up with a rental house, ends up living under the same roof as Jake Preston, her brother’s grumpy best friend and a professional hockey player, and as they confront old feelings and misunderstandings from their youth, their story unfolds with warmth, awkwardness, and a chance at honest connection.
The book sits squarely in the grumpy/sunshine and friends‑to‑lovers space, with gentle humor and heartfelt moments woven through the narrative.
When I read about Eliza and Jake, what stayed with me was how real their unresolved history felt, how something as simple as sharing a house brought both laughter and discomfort in equal measure, and the way Ward allows their personalities to shine even in a short story. Eliza’s bright, affectionate presence made me root for her from the start, and even though Jake’s hockey career and guarded nature made him seem aloof at first, I found myself warming to his gradual ease around her kindness and persistence.
Their interactions balanced playful banter with moments that felt genuinely vulnerable, especially around what they assumed about each other from the past, and I appreciated that the romance felt like a natural evolution of long‑standing feelings rather than a sudden spark.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars because the characters’ chemistry and sincere emotional beats created a sweet, engaging read that hit all the right feelings for a small town hockey romance, even though the brevity of the story left me hoping for more nuance and development in places.
The book sits squarely in the grumpy/sunshine and friends‑to‑lovers space, with gentle humor and heartfelt moments woven through the narrative.
When I read about Eliza and Jake, what stayed with me was how real their unresolved history felt, how something as simple as sharing a house brought both laughter and discomfort in equal measure, and the way Ward allows their personalities to shine even in a short story. Eliza’s bright, affectionate presence made me root for her from the start, and even though Jake’s hockey career and guarded nature made him seem aloof at first, I found myself warming to his gradual ease around her kindness and persistence.
Their interactions balanced playful banter with moments that felt genuinely vulnerable, especially around what they assumed about each other from the past, and I appreciated that the romance felt like a natural evolution of long‑standing feelings rather than a sudden spark.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars because the characters’ chemistry and sincere emotional beats created a sweet, engaging read that hit all the right feelings for a small town hockey romance, even though the brevity of the story left me hoping for more nuance and development in places.
February 10, 2025
This book felt very unfinished. Why did she come back from Burlington? Other than vague mentions, nothing that explains why she felt betrayed when she found out he owned the house. And what about what Coach said to him? Does he end up staying and coaching the Hawks? Do they stay together and get married?
I think this story could easily be a 4 star but right now it’s just too short and it’s missing important pieces of the story to love it to the next level.
3 stars
I think this story could easily be a 4 star but right now it’s just too short and it’s missing important pieces of the story to love it to the next level.
3 stars
June 14, 2026
It was a quick read. However, I felt like there could have been more to the story. As I read, it seemed parts were missing.
August 7, 2025
Short, simple, and sweet story of two people who have known each other since forever. Jake Peterson was the best friend of Max Harper whose little sister Eliza was their shadow. As she got older she developed a crush on Jake and one day so did he. Out of self-preservation, he asked Max if Eliza had to follow them around all the time. Not knowing that she had heard him and was crushed. Vowing to stay away not knowing Jake was double down to protect himself from doing something stupid like crossing the line with his best friend's sister he starts using sarcasm to hide his feelings around her. Jake teased Eliza, making it seem like she was the last person Jake cared about. Until Eliza started acting differently than she normally did, quieter, and more distant. He told himself it didn’t bother him. That he didn’t like her. That it wasn’t worth it.
However, now that Max tricked his sister into renting his house, but she doesn't know that part due to the rental agent and Max keeping his pending visit quiet. To them both life just got awkward. But somehow they are making it work. See what happens when she finds out Jake owns the house, Jake who plays hockey may be traded, and Max knew everything.
However, now that Max tricked his sister into renting his house, but she doesn't know that part due to the rental agent and Max keeping his pending visit quiet. To them both life just got awkward. But somehow they are making it work. See what happens when she finds out Jake owns the house, Jake who plays hockey may be traded, and Max knew everything.
January 24, 2026
Unexpected Roommates and Second Chances: A Total Score!
There is nothing like a real estate snafu to strip away the veneers we all project. Eliza and Jake find themselves in the ultimate "forced proximity" nightmare: sharing a roof because someone (looking at you, Jake) neglected to mention they actually own the place.
Watching two people navigate the mundane choreography of a shared kitchen is often far more revealing than a grand romantic gesture. Jake is the classic athlete on the mend who has suppressed his spark for far too long, and seeing Eliza reignite it while piecing her own life back together was truly lovely. As someone who knows that rebuilding after a storm is no easy feat, I found their journey incredibly relatable.
The chemistry is natural, the writing is crisp, and the "second chance" payoff is genuinely sweet. It’s a winning choice for anyone who likes their romance with a dash of domestic friction and a lot of heart.
There is nothing like a real estate snafu to strip away the veneers we all project. Eliza and Jake find themselves in the ultimate "forced proximity" nightmare: sharing a roof because someone (looking at you, Jake) neglected to mention they actually own the place.
Watching two people navigate the mundane choreography of a shared kitchen is often far more revealing than a grand romantic gesture. Jake is the classic athlete on the mend who has suppressed his spark for far too long, and seeing Eliza reignite it while piecing her own life back together was truly lovely. As someone who knows that rebuilding after a storm is no easy feat, I found their journey incredibly relatable.
The chemistry is natural, the writing is crisp, and the "second chance" payoff is genuinely sweet. It’s a winning choice for anyone who likes their romance with a dash of domestic friction and a lot of heart.
May 3, 2025
He was her brother's best friend years ago, and somehow he showed up in the rental house Eliza had just moved into...
She was the pesky sister until that one day he realized she wasn't pesky at all, but shoved those feelings down so her brother wouldn't suspect Jake's true feelings...
Max was the brother who encouraged his sister to rent her dream cottage as she moved back and tried to figure out her life...
A very short book about sorting things out between Eliza and Jake as well as Jake's career future. Sweet and light, a delightful read for a time you can't commit to a longer book.
She was the pesky sister until that one day he realized she wasn't pesky at all, but shoved those feelings down so her brother wouldn't suspect Jake's true feelings...
Max was the brother who encouraged his sister to rent her dream cottage as she moved back and tried to figure out her life...
A very short book about sorting things out between Eliza and Jake as well as Jake's career future. Sweet and light, a delightful read for a time you can't commit to a longer book.
August 1, 2025
Is a sweet small town, brother's best friend, close proximity, hockey romance with no cliffhanger.
Some of the lines I really like --- “Maybe we should try not making this miserable for each other.” --- "Maybe it’s not about staying or leaving. Maybe it’s about figuring out what matters." ---
What's Ms. Hughes up to? What's Max up to? These and other questions will all be answered.
I loved Eliza and Jake's story and I'm sure you will too. This is the first book of her's that I've read and it definitely won't be the last. I can't wait to read her next book.
Some of the lines I really like --- “Maybe we should try not making this miserable for each other.” --- "Maybe it’s not about staying or leaving. Maybe it’s about figuring out what matters." ---
What's Ms. Hughes up to? What's Max up to? These and other questions will all be answered.
I loved Eliza and Jake's story and I'm sure you will too. This is the first book of her's that I've read and it definitely won't be the last. I can't wait to read her next book.
February 25, 2026
A short read for a relaxing weeknight. They end up sharing a house. Accidentally or on purpose? He didn't tell her he owned it. She needed a place to heal from a past relationship. He's taking a break to re-calibrate, too. They knew each other before; he's her older brother's friend; she had a crush on him...not reciprocated. There's tension and co-existing, each getting lost in their own worlds. Eliza's is tha garden. Eventually, they work out. Good flow, honest conversations, good ending. Enjoyed.
June 1, 2026
Cute story. Jake Preston and Max Harper were best buds growing up and Max’s sister Eliza was always tagging along. When they were teens, the childish crush turned serious but she was Max’s sister. Jake turned sarcastic and she turned away.
Now both are grown and he’s come home to rest after a busy hockey season. Eliza is in his house. She says she leased it not knowing that Jake owns it. The more they are around each other, the old feelings come back. Jake realizes with Eliza there, his house has become a home.
Now both are grown and he’s come home to rest after a busy hockey season. Eliza is in his house. She says she leased it not knowing that Jake owns it. The more they are around each other, the old feelings come back. Jake realizes with Eliza there, his house has become a home.
March 10, 2025
Nice sweet story with interesting characters. Eliza had a huge crush on Jake when she was 14. She has come home to think through things and make changes. Through a "mix-up", she goes to the rental house and shortly thereafter Jake shows up seemingly having rented the house himself. I enjoyed the story but wish there had been more clarity about why Eliza had come home and what she was getting away from. Nice ending.
February 9, 2025
Was it a set-up or only an accident. Old friends end up sharing a house full of their own baggage they wanted to deal with, alone. Bumping heads and remembering chilhood issues keep pushing them apart.
Decision need to be made but outside influencers muddy the water.
Run away from their personal iisues or run towards the uknown.
Decision need to be made but outside influencers muddy the water.
Run away from their personal iisues or run towards the uknown.
October 18, 2025
He is a hockey player. His best friend has a sister who was always with them. When she needed to come back to their home town, she found out she would be sharing a cottage with this friend. She did not know he had feelings for her his whole life, but his best friend did. There was so explaining to do
February 22, 2025
Eliza had a huge crush on her brother’s best friend, Jake since she was 14. Now that they are adults & when a mix up forces them together again, old feelings begin to surface. Sweet, small town, hockey romance that will have you cheering for these two!
February 24, 2025
It was a quick read that was too short. I mean things were left up in the air. A lot of unknowns and questions that went unanswered. It seemed like a good start if there is another book coming after this one. I did like Jake and Eliza.
Read
March 17, 2025I felt like I was reading a rough draft. The book was lacking transitions and scenes were not finished. I was left feeling confused and wanting for more. I thought the story had promise, but it was not finished.
February 15, 2025
Nice, sweet little story. I look forward to trying more from Gianna Ward.
September 15, 2025
Can be read as a standalone.
Childhood secret crush
Wanting to reset
Secrets discovered
Family meddling
Childhood secret crush
Wanting to reset
Secrets discovered
Family meddling
May 10, 2026
Quick, sweet read. Ending is not a finish. Leaving a lot yet to be decided.
Read
May 28, 2026Cute read set in the world of hockey
Best friend and best friend's sister set up by brother to live in close proximity.
Misunderstanding in the past. Feelings pushed inside. Enemies to lovers. HEA.
Best friend and best friend's sister set up by brother to live in close proximity.
Misunderstanding in the past. Feelings pushed inside. Enemies to lovers. HEA.
April 27, 2025
Eliza's brother Max encourages the rental agency to rent Jake Preston's house in Pine Ridge to his sister Eliza. Eliza shows up and loves the house...then Jake, a pro hockey player, himself shows up to stay in his own house. Eliza did not know Jake owned the house. Jake and Eliza won't give up the house so they decide to co-exist there. Eliza brightens up the house and yard with plants and flowers. Jake thinks the house is starting to feel alive and he likes it. He weighs whether to stay or go back to the city...great story about honesty, trust and feelings.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews