Request for Proposal: A Grumpy Sunshine Academic Romance

by June Lumley

Bernadette Murphy doesn’t believe in love. But she does believe in spreadsheets, solo bike rides, and never dating a colleague again.

After a controlling ex and a career setback she still won’t talk about, Bernie has a new stay focused, stay single, and stick to what she can measure. Love? Too risky. Workplace romance?

Absolutely not.

Then Ashish Mishra walks into a bar—and why shouldn’t she have some fun? One night. No strings. No possible connection to her tanking career.

It should’ve ended there.

But when Ashish shows up in her office, in charge of a multi-million-dollar grant Bernie’s managing, the one-night stand turns into a shared office and packed lunches that feel suspiciously like foreplay.

Now, Bernie’s carefully calculated world is falling apart. And resisting the one man who makes her question everything might be the one challenge she’s finally ready to lose.

Request for Proposal is a slow-burn, reverse grumpy-sunshine romance with emotional grovels, peer-reviewed banter, workplace hijinks, and second chances. Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood, Abby Jimenez, and cinnamon-roll heroes who love a strong woman with a soft center.

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2025

Reviews

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually stick to romantasy but I'm glad I gave this book a chance. It was the perfect combo of sweet and sexy. I appreciated how real the characters felt and I loved their chemistry. I would highly recommend!

[Haney Hayes Promotions · Rating 4 out of 5]

Request for Proposal is a charming debut that blends academic pressure with simmering romance. The story follows Bernadette, a dedicated academic who has sworn off love after career setbacks and a controlling ex, and Ashish, a sunshine-y engineer whose persistence is as contagious as his optimism—especially when he crosses the country to prove his feelings.

Their chemistry is both heartfelt and humorous. Ashish’s warmth gradually melts Bernie’s guarded exterior, but not without plenty of witty punch-ups and emotionally fraught conversations. Watching them navigate their shared grant, old wounds, and simmering desire is absolutely delightfully staged.

What elevates the story is its foundation in real academic stakes: research deadlines, funding competitions, and the stubborn logic of STEM. The grumpy-meets-sunshine trope sparkles here—not just because of personality contrast, but because their professional lives and emotional scars mirror and complete each other.

If there’s a drawback, it’s that the pacing is deliberate—perfect for slow-burn lovers, but maybe a touch slow for those craving more high-octane tension. Still, the emotional reward is worth the wait.

Overall, Request for Proposal is a smart, cozy, and deeply satisfying romance that feels both intellectually engaging and emotionally warming.

[Paige Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

June Lumley’s debut novel is 🤌

Request For Proposal is the first workplace romance book I have read. After reading this, idk why I haven’t read more in the past! This is such a fun cute read.

🚴‍♀️ He Falls First
🍰 Second Chance
🚴‍♀️ Grumpy FMC
🍰 Independent FMC
🚴‍♀️ Protective MMC
🍰 Banter

The MMC is every woman’s dream. “You don’t need to be sunny for me.” His willingness to give the FMC the world had my kicking my feet. He is a true romantic, I never had the ick from it being to cheesy. He is just perfect.🥰

The FMC is the grump while he is the sunshine. This made her so relatable to me. I rarely relate to a FMC because they are always the happy/sunny character. This is my favorite aspect of the book.

Request For Proposal had me kicking my feet and giggling the whole time. The characters are hilarious. I love love the banter back and forth between them. There is a good amount of spice but not too much for people that do not like it.

This book is beautifully written and I can’t wait to read more books by June Lumley!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Sameera Chengiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Request for proposal as an ARC, however due to work and other commitments I missed the deadline.
Having said that though, this was such a cute emotionally packed office romance which takes place in the higher education setting. It was obvious from the start the June had at least some experience in higher education as there were lots of words and terminology I was not familiar with.
As a debut novel, I'd say this was exquisitely well written, in such a way that even though my knowledge of academia is limited, I completely understood everything that was going on.

The love story between Ash and Bernie is a slow burn office romance. Ash is the ultimate cinnamon roll and to him Bernie is "THE ONE. Past relationships, betrayal and unavoidable trust issues make this love story a worth while read.
Does Ash manage to break down all the barriers and prove his love is genuine and sincere or will Bernie walk away, too afraid to take the risk?

If a slow burn office romance is your thing then this is a must read.
Highly recommend.

[Brittany Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Request for Proposal is a witty, slow-burn workplace romance set in the world of higher education, where bureaucracy meets banter and sparks fly between grant writers and department heads. If you’ve ever worked in academia, this will feel hilariously—and sometimes painfully—relatable.

The chemistry between the leads is subtle but rewarding, filled with clever dialogue, shared coffee breaks, and those loaded glances across meeting rooms. I loved how the romance unfolded naturally amid career ambitions, budget meetings, and the chaos of proposal season. The tension builds beautifully without ever feeling rushed.

Bonus points for diverse representation and the nuanced look at navigating love in a professional setting. A couple pacing lulls in the middle, but the payoff was totally worth it.

Perfect for fans of workplace romance with brainy characters, dry humor, and real-world stakes. More campus love stories, please!

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a few things that complicate the progression of the love story between Bernadette and Ashih. It starts with him desiring to get to know her and her being wary of professors - and he is a professor. He is attracted and does not share what he does for a living to have a night with her. And they subsequently wind up working together on a competitive grant. Working together gives her an opportunity to rethink her decision to stay away from professors. Ashih is a good guy who wants only the best for her. They do need to work on their communication with one another along the way. This was a neat second chance story with Bernadette needing to allow herself to take another shot at love. It was also nice that he was vulnerable first.
I received an ARC from Book Sirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Megan Goodacre · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars
I read this as an Arc, though im pretty sure it is now published!
Whilst the premise of this book was good – it just was not for me.
I found the MMC to be really annoying and clingy (not in a good way), and he mostly just gave me the ick. He was practically stalking the FMC, or that's the way it came across anyway, and kept information from her. Near the end this one interaction really irritated me :
"Ash... wait" (sexual activity)
Ash thinks 'I've done enough waiting.' LIKE HELLO BOUNDARIES
The FMC was somewhat better, but she really needed to let go of the past and move on (i know easier said than done), but it was mentioned every few pages. A major thing with this book was the constant whining from both of them, it really annoyed me.

So sadly, this book was not for me, and this is not to discredit the author in any way, I just personally did not like it.

[Ft Worth Book Babes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Request for Proposal 📖
Author: June Lumley 🖋️
Pub Date: 6/25/2025 🗓️

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
🩷Reverse grumpy / sunshine
🩷Forced proximity
🩷Workplace romance
🩷He falls first
🩷Cinnamon roll MMC
🩷Academia and STEM

“She swore off love. He didn’t get the memo. Now they’re stuck on the same high-stakes grant, and resisting him is becoming her most impossible challenge yet. But trust isn’t easily measured, and neither is the courage to change course. Can Bernie open herself up to possibilities, or is love a risk too terrifying to take”

I received this book as an ARC from Book Sirens and thoroughly enjoyed it. The main theme of the story is miscommunication, which can be frustrating to read. However, I felt the author did an excellent job in portraying miscommunication and she worked it into the other tropes seamlessly. Ashih is the most amazing cinnamon roll MMC. He is supportive and willing to move mountains for Bernadette. She has sworn off love but eventually decides he is worth the risk, once she gets out of her own way. Overall this debut novel was refreshing to read and I look forward to reading more from June Lumley.

If you love academia, forced proximity and women in STEM this is the book for you!

[Beckie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cutesy little workplace romance. He falls first and essentially chases her across states. The reverse grumpy sunshine is not a trope l've read much but really enjoyed it. The FMC has been hurt in the past in a toxic relationship by a minipulative gaslighting little weasel. (You can tell l have strong feeling towards her ex, who is also her old boss!)
The MMC is sweet as can be and slowly but surely breaks down those walls she puts up.
The one thing l'd say made this a 3.75
was so much workplace talk
and technical terms that I personally didn't underestand. If you're really in to STEM I'd say this is the perfect read! I just didn't understand all of the technical talk.
From what I didn't understand about the workplace was DEFINITELY made up for though by the spice!!

[Daisy Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am literally OBSESSED with this book.

If you want a book where the MMC falls first and is OBSESSED with the FMC, READ THIS!

If you want a grumpy FMC and a sunshine MMC, READ THIS!

If you are looking for a spicy office romance, please dear lord read this.

Bernie is dreading having to see her ex at a concert and decides to eat and have a drink at her hotel bar. She meets the charming and handsome Ash, who is a cardiologist (so she assumed). I cannot get enough of Ash, the ooey-gooey cinnamon roll MMC.

Thank you June for sending me an early copy 💗💗

[Karen Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh I absolutely loved this workplace romance. It has a mix of everything. Spice, denial , temptation and at times awkwardness. This is the first type of story I’ve read that’s based in the workplace and I loved it. There are so many favourite quotes such as “I didn’t know I would hate clothes as much as I do now” and “I wonder if his beard smells of me” it got me both blushing and giggling. Really liked the storyline, it was so thrilling to read.

The cinnamon buns made me hungry too 😀

Thank you so much for letting me read this ARC.

[Laura Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernie has one rule...... don't date anyone you work with. She tried that before and it ruined her life.
She meets Ashish, a handsome stranger in a bar at a work conference and things escalate quickly 😉 but, Is he a stranger?
I absolutley loved this book. I loved the relationship between the two main characters. The writing style made this book a quick easy read, I always find books that contain texts and emails quick together through.
So strange reading a book that refers to the covid pandemic.
I hope there will be another book to follow Ashish and Bernies story.

[Ifeoluwa Olorunsola · Rating 4 out of 5]

The banter and the tension between the FMC and MMC is sooo good🤭

This book is exactly what I needed after being in a book slump.
The book is not exactly a slow-burn romance and it is not a fast -paced romance, it just feels right. The characters struggles and miscommunication made it kind of realistic also.

I can’t wait to read more books from the author.

I got the book as an ARC from hiddengem books and I made the review on my own will

[Jennifer Conerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such a great story. Loved that it took place in higher-ed and the main romance was not student-teacher. The pacing of this love story was great, and the backstory is well-developed. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a feel-good workplace romance. A great job by a debut author; she sets up the sequel at the end, which I will definitely be reading.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Rounded up because this is a debut novel - ARC review! Thank you Book Sirens!

I LOVED this so much. Great grumpy/sunshine workplace romance where he falls HARD and FAST. Honestly, he was so cringey from her POV in the beginning and it made so much sense once the story progressed so stick with it if some dialogue in the first few chapters gives you a slight ick.

That also being said, the spice 🌶️ was ON POINT and honestly there was more in it than I expected.

Overall - this was a great and easy read!

[Leilani R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked! Ash is(and perfectly described in the book as) an absolute cinnamon roll. He's a walking green flag and he knows his worth. Bernie on the other hand is a bit of a grump who was made to feel less than by her garbage can of an ex. But if anyone can help Bernie learn her true worth it's Ash and her best friend Pru.

[Tiffany Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so honored to receive this as a arc to read and review. this book was just what I needed a sweet romance with spice. Oh Ash and Bernies relationship was chefs kiss from the start. Bernies Ex was a twat but when she met Ash it all fell into place. Can't wait to see what else June comes up with

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is done with men but life is about to serve her a curveball when she meets him. He does not tell her what he does and life is going to get very interesting for them both. Can she learn a new way to live? See where it will it go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a lovely tale

[Megan Barclay · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's such a great cute romance story. Watching Bernadette and Ashish story evolve into a love story that trumps those with evil intentions. Finding your true self worth and understanding of what you deserve.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Casi lo abandono por el inicio, se me hizo eterno los capítulos de la primera vez que estuvieron juntos.

[Angie Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great book. It was fun to read I loved it. I was given an arc and i choose to give a honest review.

[Joanna Wojton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cute!! It was a whole world I don’t know anything about. I liked the grumpy/sunshine aspect.

[Aimee Waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
I love a great workplace romance and this debut novel by June Lumley did not disappoint.

I received this ARC from #BookSirens in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.

The story opens with our FMC Bernie heading out for a work conference on higher education helping with engineering students get better exposure to their profession. She is at the bar hiding from her ex-boyfriend Stephen is a speaker. She really does not want to sit and listen to Stephen accept an award for all her hard work she had given to her doctorate work. While at the bar, she is approached by Dr. Ash Mishra. She thinks that he is one of the cardiologists in town for a convention. She loves the fact that he is doing everything he can to get her attention. They end up with a one night stand that rocks her world but she is not in a place to be involved in anything but that. Ash does ask her to keep her possibilities open.

Imagine her surprise when she finds out that Dr. Ash Mishra is actually a professor at MIT and owns his own engineering firm Boston and is actually the next professor she will be working with on her proposal. Bernie didn’t see that one coming.

Their push and pull and angst that is experienced while working on this project along with dealing with her super super narcissistic ex boyfriend makes this book a must read. I loved the academic setting and how super smart our FMC is and how did deals with how women are often times devalued and overlooked in this world. You can tell that the author had definitely had experience in this area.

The lengths that Ash goes to in trying to convince Bernie to take a chance on him and then it all crumples in the third act break up to only then be put back together is very well crafted. The support that Ash gives Bernie to pursue her true dreams is so loving and strong.

Please add this to your summer TBR – you will not be disappointed.

Enjoy reading - Peace ☮️ and Love ❤️ my friends!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this read as an ARC, and it did not disappoint. I always worry when given an ARC that I'm going to hate it and then, in turn, not write a good review, but this has me hooked from the get-go! I read most of it in one sitting :)

I give this book a 4.5 star rating, but goodreads doesn't allow you to go up in half's, so I've had to rate it a 4 on goodreads!

Things I loved :

•The MMC is charming, smooth, and just a beautiful character
•The writing style - dual POV and the story as a whole!
•Content Warnings at the front - Although these were only briefly touched upon, it was nice that there were warnings beforehand just in case readers don't want to read about those things.
• The ending left room for a possible 2nd book... Maybe? I HOPE SO!

Things I didn't love :

• The miscommunication trope - I wanted to reach into the book at times and shake the FMC - I was so frustrated with her! Although this also made me love the book too because I love books that make me feel emotions!

I will definitely be getting a physical copy when it's released on April 25th 2025!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely June Lumley had messaged me and sent me the arc for this book and I feel so lucky to have read their work early.

This book was EXACTLYY what I needed after reading dark romance back after back. The spice was sooo good got me blushing. The friendships and the relationship between families was so beautiful. The characters struggles were so understanding. Was there times I got frustrated? Yes. Was there a moment I ugly cried? Also yes. Did I love every moment? Also yes. This book is such a good book to read when you want a bit of everything. Spice, friendships, bonding, an OBSESSED man, and finding your worth. Seeing how Ash and Bernie are growing and healing together to make their relationship stronger was such a wonderful experience. I would definitely recommend this book if you want to see a man in LOVE with his woman but also knowing his worth. Also to see a woman grow into the amazing person that she deserves to be. 4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!🤍

P.S. Ash my man got me kicking my feet 24/7 LOL-

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as an arc book. I thought the characters were good and the story was cute plus there was lots of spice. I did not love how the fmc makes the mmc sound creepy, for some odd reason the fmc’s pov gives me the ick. Also the mmc almost sounds like he stalked the fmc prior to meeting her even though he idolized her. Maybe it has something to do with the wording used. I don’t know about the ick factor but overall a good read