Dear Grumpy Boss: An Age Gap InstaLove Office Romance

by Sonia Saint

I’ve been in love with my boss for five years. And he’s never once looked at me.

Zayn Grayson is brilliant, powerful, and way out of my league—not to mention my brother’s best friend. But after half a decade of being invisible to the man I crave, I quit.
Except the second I hand in my notice, Zayn finally sees me.

He demands to know why I’m leaving. Won’t let it go until I tell him the truth.
So I do. I ask him for a goodbye kiss.

I don’t expect him to actually say yes.
I definitely don’t expect a storm to trap us in a hotel suite.
But Zayn doesn’t see a blackout. He sees an opportunity.
One night to make my fantasies come true.

When morning comes, I have a choice to make—walk away like I planned… or let my grumpy, possessive boss convince me to stay forever.

Dear Grumpy Boss is a steamy, instalove, age-gap, office romance featuring a curvy heroine, a forced proximity blackout, and a billionaire who refuses to let her go.

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2025

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️/2.25🌶️

This was such a sweet, quick, and fast-paced read! It had that perfect romcom feel—exactly what I needed as a break from all the dark, intense reads. Sometimes, you just need something light and fun.💖

Zain was the perfect book boyfriend for Sasha— exactly like she dreamed! Their story was adorable.

The writing was really good, and for a debut author, I think it was done beautifully.

[One Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Zayn solve the puzzle of Sasha before she leaves or even solve the puzzle of emotions they both have for each other... no spoilers

"My little Mouse is into me. I have no doubt now. Sasha’s imprinting me into those filthy romance novels, and the thought lights me up as if there’s a furnace inside me."

I love that we dive right into their love story. We see her office life and challenges with her colleagues, aka bullies! Even though she got the job because he brother is best friends with Zayn HOWEVER she is the most hard working & organised in the company that it even calms down Zayn's stress levels. So you can imagine how angry he that she is leaving.

"Danger of uncontrollable lust.
Might cause too much emotion.
Frozen heart might jump-start.
Rough handling and jostling might break object of desire."

Zayn we get see his pov too. The letter resignation seems to wake up this emotions on how he truely feels for Sasha aka his mouse. I love that he has a nickname for her and he know how much she loves reader. Thank to her ebook history he got the confidence he needed to talk to her...personally

With my ebook history DESTROY when I die. Too much spicy romances of all levels are on my library 🔥📚

This is a feel good funny romance that will make you smile and all my book smut ladies can relate to Sasha 😊

☆MUST READ☆

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Ms Saint’s debut as an author and I just gotta say what a delightful RomCom in a steamy, romantic, slutty kind of way (lol). This reader can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. As for Dear Grumpy Boss, as advertised it is an age gap, office romance that will have you rooting for a happy ending. You see, our heroine is your typical romance book nerd who has lusted after her brother’s best friend since she was a teen and who also happens to be her current boss, Zayn. He is her book boyfriend, come to life. But after 5 years of not being noticed as anything other than a ‘little sister’, she’s had enough and emails him her resignation. Little does she know this sparks instant disaster for Zayn and he’s out to convince her not to leave him, and not just as the capacity of his assistant, no matter what it takes.

Ms Saint takes us readers on a steamy, wild ride that will have you laughing, smiling and swooning. For a debut book, it’s a quick read that is worth picking up.

2 Thumbs Up and 4 Stars

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic start to what I can already tell will be a new favorite series of mine . I mean brothers best friend , Age Gap , Insta Love and Office romance. 3 of my very favorite tropes wrapped in a story I can guarantee will suck you right in and will not let go . I’ve been on quite the dark romance binge lately and was in desperate need of a chance , of a feel good love story that would make me smile , make me laugh out loud, even have me crying, screaming outta pure frustration and keep me cheering so freaking hard from start to finish. Dear Grumpy Boss did it all in spades . Our hero and heroine could not be more perfect together, sure the chemistry was insane but it was so much more than that . Both were just so likable and relatable, and the way both grew as people throughout their journey , all the obstacles they overcame to be together even when things were not easy . I loved every single second . Dear Grumpy Boss was and is a must read .

[Caroline F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous little debut. This is a sweet and hot quick read. Sometimes you just need a story like this in between the more angsty ones!

"So how does a plain, curvy, shy bookworm fall out of love with her six-foot-three-inch boss who's been described as a modern god, in looks and wealth by the media?"

In a bid to get over Zayn Grayson once and for all, Sasha Shetty hands her notice in. Having known Zayn since she was young, her older brother's best friend is completely unattainable and would never look twice at her. Therefore, she's taken aback when it seems that he's going to fight for her to stay....and he seems to be looking at her somewhat differently, too!

"She isn't just beautiful. She's...more. She's everything. And she's mine."

This was a such an addictive story! I just loved the whole thing - it was fun, exciting and sexy! I loved how Zayn looked past Sasha's 'Ugly Betty' aura and saw her for the beautiful woman she truly was - inside and out. The fierce sexual attraction and desire he felt for her was absolutely thrilling! I'm really looking forward to this author's next book!

Blog: https://readingwillingable.blogspot.c...

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[Andi Isack · Rating 2 out of 5]

I still trying to find the right words to describe this... But the only good thing I can say is that this fast story is...almost decent. It's boss - employee trope. Try to be nasty and hot, but it never got to that level, at least for me. The smut is more vulgar than Sexy, let's put it this way. They both try really try to get some "quality" to their story, and credibility and authenticity... But I found their building relationship hard to believe. Idk. Something is missing. I've read a lot of dirty talks between lovers, but his words didn't have the right impact on me.
Overall, is a quick read, a quick love story, a fast f***. Well several in the end. And some dirty stuff.. Far away from what I expected when I 've first read the blurb.
*ARC kindly provided to me*

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series as well as being a debut from this author, and she is certainly a name I will be looking out for in the future.
Sasha has crushed on her brother’s best friend Zayn since she was a teenager, and after 5-years working for him and not being noticed, she has had enough and quits her job. Zayn is determined to convince her to stay, and they are stranded together in a hotel room due to a storm.
This is a quick and easy read, which has family, friendships, emotions, an age gap, workplace romance, humor, witty banter, forced proximity, and love, which leads to an enjoyable, and sweet, page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this author whose work recommend.

[Stacey Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore reading insta love, well this is not an insta love per say to me. This is an office, age gap, finally feelings annonunced, make her sad and I will punish. Zayn Greyson is her older brother best friend and crush. When she decided her feelings would never be seen by him she sends her resignation. Not knowing Zayn noticed her when she turned 18-19. Now he will do anything to keep her working besides him. A raise, a vacation she deserves? Or a place for her aging grandprents. I found this sweet and over the top protective. Loved reading this.

[Spunky N Sassy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spunky N Sassy Rating: 3.0

~~~~~~~~~~Tracy's ⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~

This is a office romance but it is more than that. It is classified as a instalove but this story is years in the making so I didn't feel that vibe. I enjoyed the story and this was my first read by Sonia Saint. I just found there to be lacking in intimacy and the love felt one sided. Just remember this is my personal opinion and I encourage you to read and form your own.

[Dani_b1821 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fast-paced, insta-love workplace romance delivers a sweet and steamy read. The characters have known each other since childhood but never acted on their feelings—until now. The story is cute and a little messy, but the spice level is just right. This was my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed her writing style. However, I would have loved more background development for the characters to deepen the emotional connection.

[Katie Lemort · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly loved this book — it was cute, fun, and full of tension in all the best ways. I adored how both characters had been secretly pining for each other for so long. The lust and longing practically poured off the page every time they talked about each other, and I was here for every second of it.

Watching them grow, not just together but as individuals, was such a satisfying journey. It’s a light, easy read — the perfect weekend escape to snuggle up with and enjoy.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love that's not afraid to break more than a few rules on it's quest to find it's heart. Dear Grumpy Boss is a scorcher that gives glimpses of sweetness. Saint aims for the senses and scores an emotional hit.