Stuck with Mr. Grump

Stuck With Him #1

by Ashlie Silas

My billionaire boss is grumpy, gorgeous, and completely off-limits.
He’s also my brother’s best friend...And the father of my baby.

Nathan Wolfe blew into my small town like a storm, ready to snatch up my café and bulldoze everything in his path—including my sanity. I'm sure he planned it out perfectly,

Step offer me a job I couldn’t refuse.
Step Make my life a living hell with his arrogant smirk, bossy demands, and unfairly perfect jawline.
Step three? Ruin me with one reckless, toe-curling night I swore I’d forget.

But then he disappeared.

Now he’s back—and the second he sees my daughter with those unmistakable green eyes, the truth hits hard.

Daddy’s home.
And I’m officially stuck with Mr. Grump.

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2025

Reviews

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love can be found at the most unlikeliest of places. Which is what Emilia and Sterling finds for themselves.

Emilia dislikes Sterling at first sight, with his grumpy no nonsense exterior. But like everyone, Sterling is like an onion, and as Emilia starts peeling away his layers, she begins to sees a man struggling to see his own worth.

This is a slow burn romance. Which I liked, and had good pacing but it felt quite rushed towards the end, especially with the whole part regarding the stepfather having found Emilia. I felt like it could have a smoother ending and conclusion with a few more chapters to round out the story and properly explore the stepfather part of the storyline.

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

[sairs_readsandreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Emilia’s story, her character development and journey with Sterling really kept me turning the pages!

I could really imagine Edenton and the characters that lived there, I really loved the world that Ashlie created!

There were gripping spice scenes to tantalise, and the tension was palpable.

Really recommended if you enjoy small town billionaire romance with some twists and turns!.

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

[Ms. Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emilia Cameron is 25 and owns a coffee shop in Edenton. It is called Emilia’s Café. She is struggling since the shopping center was built in town by Harrington Holdings. Her older brother, Carson, is 28 and owns Cameron Financials. He is based an hour away in Greenville. He shows up at the house that Emilia bought for her and their 23 year old half sister Anika. The next night is family night with their father and Anika’s mother Priya. They settle in to watch a movie together. It was interesting that Emilia did not grow up with Carson and Anika.

Carson suddenly sits up. There are rumors that his friend, Sterling Harrington, is not really a Harrington. The Harringtons own half the town but moved their headquarters to New York. Carson and Sterling used to be best friends until Sterling moved away. The blogs are saying that Lana, Sterling’s mother, had an affair. The nastier comments state that Sterling does not deserve to inherit the company, Harrington Holdings, if he is not truly a Harrington.

Sebastian Harrington is 75 and the chairman of the board. He tells the rest of the board that the meeting is adjourned. He also states that Sterling earned his role as Vice President due to his unwavering dedication and contributions to the company. Steven Harrington, Sebastian’s son, never had any interest in the company. Spencer, Sterling’s older brother, feels he is owed the company just because he is the oldest son. Sebastian tells Sterling that he wants him to step back from the company for the sake of the company’s stability, especially during the impending acquisition that is worth millions. He is sending Sterling home to Edenton to work as the executive manager of the company’s branch there. Spencer is brought back from Japan and gloats that Sterling is the one being sent away.

I felt bad for Sterling and his son Sean. Then I felt bad for Emilia since she loved owning her own small business and did not want to sell to Harrington Holdings. Both Sterling and Emilia had to deal with tough situations throughout the story.

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

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would! It’s not only a page turner, but the perfect enemies to lovers story. Sterling Harrington is Vice President of Harrington Holdings. A certain something comes out and his grandpa sends him to Edenton. He’s also best friends with Emilia’s brother. Wait til you hear what he tells Sterling. She’s the owner of a cafe which he is trying to acquire. Let me tell you, Emilia is one tough cookie. She isn’t one to let someone push her around. When a certain incident happens, it seems Emilia may have a change of heart. This also is a turn around in Emilia and Sterling’s friendship it seems. Their chemistry is off the charts! They seem to start to get along much better. It isn’t until another incident comes along and they don’t see each other for another 2 years. What happened in the time they were separated? Wait til you find out. Will Sterling and Emilia get back what seemed to be something before Sterling left Edenton? What secret is Emilia hiding from Sterling? How will he react? Is a happy ending in the cards for these two? I couldn’t be happier with the end result!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never trust a billionaire is the theme or start out as a theme until things change it will grab you until the last page is turned. Sterling Harrington is sexy as all get out VP of Harrington Holdings one of the richest, self-centered, use to taking what he wants, doing what his grandfather tells him so when he is told to head to Edenton off, he goes and has his eyes set on his best friend’s café will stop at nothing to acquire it. Emilia is sweet when she wants to be smart, tough, refuses to be bullied by those who feel like because they have more money than her, they can push her around or take what they want but when things happen it kind of shifts her opinion of him or maybe he shows her part of himself that he reserves. They say there is a thin line between love and hate and these two really show us that line the magnetic pull between them can’t be ignored and giving in but when he up’s and leaves for a couple of years, her with a secret that she doesn’t tell him about, but it forces the two of them to deal with family issues, self-issues to be better them, but will they make it back to one another, and if they do will they find happiness along the way?

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love grumpy billionaires, small-town sass, and surprise baby drama, then Stuck with Mr. Grump is exactly the kind of book you need to binge immediately! Ashlie Silas delivers all the tension, chemistry, and heartfelt moments that make an enemies-to-lovers romance so addicting.

The dynamic between the heroine and her brother’s best friend-turned-boss-turned-baby daddy had me hooked from the start. Their banter? Top tier. The tension? Practically crackling off the pages. Watching them go from stubborn rivals to oh-no-what-did-we-just-do was pure gold. And let’s be real—who doesn’t love a grump secretly wrapped around the heroine’s finger?

And then came the baby twist. Oof. The moment our billionaire grump realizes he’s a dad? Emotional gut punch. Seeing his walls crumble, watching him try to earn his place in their lives—it had my heart doing somersaults.

This book has it all: swoon-worthy romance, fiery chemistry, laugh-out-loud moments, and just the right amount of angst to keep you turning pages late into the night. If you love irresistible grumps, strong heroines, and second chances wrapped up in steamy small-town charm, you won’t be able to put this one down!.

[Renee Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Love Story

Sterling & Emilia may be opposites & stubborn on the surface but when they are working together on a major project, they discover they have similar troubled pasts & a secret that turns Sterling’s world upside down. She gives him the strength to accept who he is whereas he sees her as a strong individual, feisty & he’s drawn to Emilia. She means everything to him & his emotional state is changing with her around him every day. He doesn’t press her for her background info of her past as she shuts him out. She’ll open up to him if and when she’s ready to do so. Both feel that once their own truth comes out, both will run in opposite directions.

Pick up this novel & follow Sterling & Emilia’s journey. When they are so stubborn at their first meeting to their developing love story. Just like the fairytale stories, there’s an epic finale by overcoming the deep dark secrets & they find their HEA.

I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about survival of past and present traumas. It is a love story as well. I enjoyed reading all the stories in the story. It deals with family issues. It deals with healing. It deals with loss. It is a great storyline. I enjoyed reading about Sterling and Emilia’s growth as people and their undying love story. It takes them
A while to get to be together but their journey is well worth it. I would give it more than 5 stars if possible. The author did a great job with developing all the characters in the storyline.

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

[Terra Oenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful story that will definitely have you engrossed from the beginning until the end and the storyline flows throughout the book. When you're not supposed to fall for your best friends sister, but can't fight the sparks that fly between them, but when his ex wife shows up will it destroy everything between them? This book really has it all from suspense to enemies to lovers and and heartbreak and so much more. I throughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down and did want it to end.

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

[Jesse Fitzjohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the overall story of this book, both Sterling and Emilia were really captivating characters and seeing their story play out was really fun. I was a little confused about the surprise pregnancy because the writing about *that night* didn't make it seem like baby making happened. When she said she was pregnant I had to go back and reread and was still confused. I wasn't the biggest fan of her just not telling him about his daughter for two years, but I understand why she did it. Overall was a good, easy read and would definitely look at reading more from Ashlie Silas!.

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

[Heather Deaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect blend of grumpy vs sunshine, stubbornness, steam, and mystery in an enemies-to-lovers romance. It was easy to get to know each character without feeling like the story was dragging on. Actually the pace of the book was excellent, keeping me interested chapter after chapter. I liked it so much that I'd love for there to be a story on each of the siblings as well!

My rating system:
5=will read again
4=recommend to everyone
3=recommend to anyone liking that particular writing style/trope
2=do not recommend
1=DNF.

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

[Priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sterling Harrington was sent back to his childhood home until the gossip of his parentage dies down. As part of his assignment, he must convince Emilia Cameron to sell her cafe so his company. Too bad she is his childhood best friend's little sister. The story did not go as I had expected from the book summary. There's some missing parts in the story and the last bit about her step father felt thrown in there.

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

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sterling Harrington wants to buy Emilia's cafe for the family business. Emilia resists until her teenage worker and friend is hurt in a car accident and is in need of funds to recover fully. One of Emilia's conditions to sell is to work temporarily for the Harrington business till she figures out what to do. Read the engaging story of what happens when the two work closely together. How does Emilia's brother feel about his best friend Sterling and Emilia?

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

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Sterling and Emilia. They started off as enemies, but it obvious that the chemistry between them would be explosive. What drew me in about this book at the underlying drama both have individually regarding their identity and how they see themselves. It really connects them on a deeper level. Emilia is a little more secretive about what happened in her past, but Sterling is able to slowly put the pieces together. There are some heartbreaking moments in the story, but the love, family, friends, and chemistry makes the plot well rounded. I'd definitely recommend this book.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stuck with Mr. Grump is a great introduction to a new to me author. I really like Ashlie's writing style, the pacing of Sterling and Emilia's story was wonderful and hooked me in from the start. The characters and the storyline is very emotional and well written filled with family, secrets, loss, healing, steam and everything a reader could love. I highly recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed!.

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

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great storyline with characters that keep you in their story. We are taken along in the life of Sterling and Emilia. Sterling returns to his parental home for an assignment and to counter rumors. He is faced with a dilemma because he has to convince Emilia to sell her cafe to his company and that is quite a task because she is the sister of none other than his best friend. How it ends and whether she actually sells her cafe to him you will find out when you read their story.


I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series and this is Sterling and Emilia’s story.
Emilia owns a small café, and Sterling is her brother’s best friend, and the bane of her existence.
This is a well written easy to read, emotional roller coaster, with family, friendships, secrets, trust, betrayal, grumpy / sunshine, enemies / lovers, determination, humour, witty banter, revelations, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, tragic, and unpredictable, small-town romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sterling and Emilia have history that was torn apart when he left town. Now he is back, and chaos is along with him. Emilia and Sterling drew me into this intense story that grabbed my attention and kept me glued to it. My heart went out to Sterling as he struggles with his family and the fallout of mistakes that should have been discussed log ago then again when he learns Emilia's secret.

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

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stuck with Mr. Grump: A Small Town Enemies to Lovers romance story of Sterling and Emilia..A grumpy billionaire,her brother best friend,the bane of her existence,the one she love and hate at the same time and the father of her daughter that he didn't know about..An captivating,interesting,steamy,with ups and down,great characters and hea..

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

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has a lot going on for these characters. Sterling and Emilia have a love hate relationship, as she has to work for him. Loved their interactions and enjoyed how these characters developed over time, together and apart. I did enjoy the ending as they had to overcome some challenges and deal with some past issues.

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

[Thea Kubicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuck with Mr Grump

Sterling and Emilia

Sterling and Emilia were a lot alike. Both had family issues, feelings of inadequacies, and stubbornness. This was a very emotional read and Ms Silas did a very good job bringing their story together.

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

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a wonderful enemies-to-lovers story that pulls us into the lives of Sterling and Emilia. The story keeps us turning the pages with family issues, insecurities, connection, heartbreak and secrets.

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

[Frances Packingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn! Definitely am enemies to lovers book! So good! I loved Emilia and Sterling's relationship and how it progressed. So much chemistry. Sean is such a cutie! And Marissa definitely threw a huge curveball that I so didn't see coming. The time frame that everything took place in was such a surprise as well. Highly recommend reading this book.

[Jackie Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rivals to lovers romance! The intriguing storyline peeked my interest from the start! Complex characters with stubborn streaks add to the charm of this read. There’s some funny moments and some drama, but what good read doesn’t have it. Highly recommended!.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your heart is going to leap right into your throat and your stomach will be in knots while you read this really intriguing romance book by Ashlie. The characters are very very well written, and I loved how Sterling and Emilia have you fixed intently on their romance story throughout the book.

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brother’s best friend, small town, enemies to lovers romance. Emilia and Sterling’s story was intriguing, entertaining, emotional and spicy. It’s well written and kept me invested in their story from start to finish.

[Narelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emilia and Sterling have trouble seeing eye to eye at first before they warm up to each other. A romantic read with a HEA, but not before our MCs have to meet up with some of life's struggles first.

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

[brenda hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series and I couldn't put it down It was well written and I can't wait to read more. I recommend this book.

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

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sterling and Emilia's story was awesome w/ a side of taboo (Sterling should know better your best friend's sister) shame on you, but damn if it wasn't sneaky and steamy. There's compassion, hard knocks and other intriguing situations to keep you curious as to how their story plays out.

[Michaela Colón · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read, but I loved the storyline. Something about a billionaire named sterling gets me every time.