Grumpy Cop

by Ginger Hudson

Jenny Baker desperately needs to find a safe place to hide.

After years of hurt at the hands of her now ex-husband, she wants to escape the recent pain in her past and find a fresh start and a new home.

He can't find her. She won't let him. He won't hurt her ever again.

Brett Rogers is the strictest police officer in the greater Love Springs area. After a tragic incident a few years back, he has absolutely no patience for lawbreakers.

So when a petite and pretty brunette comes barreling down the country highway outside his small town, he plans to do exactly what he's always done. One look at the panicked, frightened look in Jenny's eyes tells him this time is different, though.

Something in Brett's eyes makes Jenny trust him. And what started as a run-in with the law leads to her finding a safe place to stay, a decent job, and the unexpected protection of one particularly grumpy (and incredibly attractive) small town cop.

Jenny never thought she'd be able to trust again. Love was never in her future. But the way Brett looks at her, his patience and understanding, and how her stomach can't stop doing somersaults every time he makes yet another excuse to visit...

She knows he's just being friendly. Clearly, he's just doing his job.

And yet, what if...?

Can Jenny really stay in Love Springs? Can she find love in the arms of her grumpy guardian angel?

Or will her past catch up to her, dragging her back to reality, kicking and screaming, ripping away any chance she has at lasting happiness?

Genres: Romance, Novella, Small Town Romance

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2025

About the author

Ginger Hudson loves writing fun and cozy small town romance with a grumpy hero and sunshine heroine. Her books are meant to make you smile and leave you always satisfied with a beautiful happily ever after ending.

She lives with her occasionally grumpy husband and their cat, Ed, who loves watching videos of chinchilla dust baths on YouTube. One of her favorite things to do is curl up on the couch with a good book, a cup of tea, and a cat in her lap.

If you'd love to hear more from her, you can sign up to her occasional newsletter for special bonus content, free books, and more at:

http://cherrylily.com/ginger

Reviews

[Tina Sanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mayberry

This was a sweet fantasy story. Read in a few hours. I kept waiting for something to give me some reality to the story but to me it failed. Started out good then it just got so mushy and sweet with no excitement. Nobody that's been abused , just jumps into another relationship without some flinches or some jump knees when getting to close. Like I said fairy tale.

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 8th book in the Small Town Romance in Love Springs series featuring Brett and Jenny's wonderful emotional story of overcoming past trauma so that you can have a better future together small-town romance. Jenny is fleeing from her abusive ex-husband she just wants to start over when she gets pulled over for speeding by Brett the local police officer. When Brett pulls over a speeding car he didn't expect to see a scared woman who he instantly feels protective of. Then once he learns her background Brett gets involved helping her find a job at the local B&B. Brett and Jenny are drawn to each other as they spend time together getting to know one another. However is Jenny's past really done with her or will it ruin any chance at happiness and a future with Brett that she has? You really need to read this wonderful emotional story of overcoming past trauma small-town romance to see what happens. I would recommend reading this book.

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

[Jenny Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book with the understanding that I could leave a voluntary and honest review.

In this book we meet Jenny Baker & Brett Rogers. When this book opens we find that Jenny is desperate to get away from her ex-husband. She thought by divorcing him she would finally be free. Little did she know it would only make things worse. So one day she can't take anymore and runs right into sheriff Brett Rogers. Brett is a man with his own painful past and when he finds Jenny racing through town he is a man on a mission. Though when he finally looks at her and talks to her he knows there is more to her story. Can they find a HEA or will the assumptions make a future impossible?

Another amazing story by this author. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny flees an abusive ex but later pulled over for speeding.
Emma packs her bags and leaves before her shift is due to start so she does not alert her abusive ex. After years of abuse she had finally got a divorce but still he abused her so she has decided to run and start a new life. She manages to pack a bag with what she intends to take with put it in her car anbe on the road away from her apartment before her failure to turn up for her shift can alert him. After driving full out for two days she is pulled over for speeding.

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

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 - 4 stars.

This small town romance starts fast and is full of pasts, trauma, pain, forgiveness, support, understanding, protection, danger, mystery and a community that takes care of their own. I liked seeing Brett and Jenny meet, connect, build a friendship and then take the next steps to being more. They were both just what the other needed and brought such love, passion and happiness into each other's lives.

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

[Tc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny Baker desperately needs to find a safe place to hide, she's a divorcee and on the run from her abusive ex-husband, so she ends up speeding in Love Springs. This is where she meets Brett Rogers, the police officer who pulls her over and immediately sees she's been traumatized and on the run! This is where he vows that he will protect her! Can he protect her from her evil ex? Will they get their HEA?.

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

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book!, Jenny is running from her abusive ex husband and when she comes to the small town of love springs and meets Brett a cop, Brett knows the minute he sees Jenny's eyes when he stops her that she's terrified of something and when she tells him he swears he will protect her. Will she let her walls down and let Brett in to love her?.

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

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colliding with Safety

When Brett stops a speeding car he does not expect to find a frightened woman weary of her surroundings. It was an emotionally provoking story as these two get to know each other and help her deal with the past. I really enjoyed this story and how the growth of these characters allowed them to become a couple worth reading about.

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

[Kandiemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the eighth installment in the Small Town Romance in Love Springs series. Brett and Jenny's story is an emotional and engrossing story involving overcoming past trauma. I absolutely fell in love with this book and couldn't put it down until I finished it. Highly recommend reading this and look forward to reading more from Ginger Hudson.

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

[Jean Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story started out interesting with a young woman fleeing from her town to get away from her abusive ex-husband. She meets Brett, who is a cop in a small town, when he pulls her over for speeding. I kept reading only to find some objectionable(to me) language but ended up skimming through the rest when she and Brett start having sex. The language and sex could have been left out and the story would have been good anyway.

[Jayne Wheatley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing
Names changed part way through and unfortunately the police procedural moments were very unrealistic.
When Jenny’s ex found her she said he made sure B&B was empty but she was waiting on people to come down for breakfast this was just one discrepancy but there we was several instances that needed editing.
There really was no real substance and the characters weren’t fully developed to be interesting.

Sadly I can’t recommend this.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny just wants her ex to leave her alone. So speeding away as fast as she can gets her pulled over by Brett, who is a cop in a small town. Just as she thinks she done for her life takes a turn she didn't see coming. A wonderful story about two injured souls coming together.

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

[Will Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I can overlook the 'too sweet-Mayberry vibe', the delivery left me rushing to reach the end just to get it over with. Way too much telling and not enough showing. There is some nice spice thrown in to offset the 'Cozy' mystery feel, but too much of the story was just a step too far from reality for me.

[Suzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must admit that it did not resonate with me personally. I found the narrative to be somewhat stilted, lacking the excitement and engagement that often draws readers into a story. Additionally, it appeared that the characters were not fully developed, which made their journeys feel somewhat mechanical.

[Chantelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

holy cheese balls

This book is so cheesy. I’m not sure I understand why there’s over 50 chapters when most chapters were two to three pages long. If you are going to call the male main character grumpy they should probably be grumpy.. this book was a waste of time.. do yourself a favor and find something else to read..

[Sharon Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grumpy Cop is a very sweet, feel good romance guaranteed to give you all the feels.

Hot cop, nice spice and a HEA.

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

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a wonderful story that pulls us into the lives of Jenny and Brett. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with fear, insecurities, connection, danger and steam.

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

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is a cute story of a second chance at love when Jenny ran from her abusive ex husband and ends up in love springs . I liked how this town except her.

[Lvsmyfmly · Rating 5 out of 5]

When fleeing from your abusive ex-husband taken back road. While speeding the last thing you want or need is to be pulled over my the grumpy cop.
Only to realize he is less grumpy towards you and protective.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good small town romance I enjoyed from start to finish. I love stories from this author and once again she did not disappoint.

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

[Elaine Swinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating for this one is a 3.5. This is a well written story with good characters. There is some angst in this one, but the story is good. I would encourage everyone to give this one a chance I think you will enjoy it. This one is worth your time.

[Grace Szymchack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected

This book wasn’t bad. Just very different than most books I read. I was hoping for a little more and thought that he would be more grumpy and take longer to warm up to her.

[BecReadReview · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute grumpy meets shy & broken. You enjoy the sweet unfolding. A town that embraces & roots for this couple makes you smile. Cute feel good read.

[Andrea Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and heartwarming romance. Brett and Jenny are cute together. I enjoyed going on this journey with them.

[Kimberly Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feel good small town romance. About a cop with a past traumas, trying to love and protect a women running from her abusive ex husband. Brett and Jenny will have you rooting for their HEA.

[Gig · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't come across a grumpy cop anywhere in this story. It was very sweet until the dialogue became insufferable. "It's beautiful," he murmured, "But not nearly as beautiful as you, though." LOL!

[Haze · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather insipid. The writing style resembles that of a teenager. I won’t be reading more from this author.

[Siv30 · Rating 2 out of 5]

לסקירה מפורטת בעברית ואנגלית, קישור לבלוג שלי -

https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/grum...

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny and Brett’s romance may have started with blue flashing lights but ends with fireworks. The story is a slow burn and more sweet than spicy but how Jenny grows and learns to trust again is the main feature in the novel. The sweet way that she falls for him and how he courts her makes the gooey part of my hard heart swoon!

[Ana Gz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like the writing, and I couldn't finish the book.