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Sunshine Wakes Up Grumpy
Ever say something that isn’t exactly true... but feels truer than anything else?
A grumpy-sunshine fake engagement. Two billionaires hiding from themselves. A small-town romance about truth, second chances, and found family.
A love story that Your power is in your truth.
Max Donovan walked away from the high-stakes world of business to raise his kids and grow organic food in peace. But that peace is disrupted the night he trades quips—and blackout coffee—with Elle Sinclair, the sharp-witted, beautiful editor of the Willow Gazette.
When Max and Elle are "volunteered" to plan the town’s open mic night, sparks fly. But everything changes when a cosplay-obsessed fan crashes their not-date and Max claims Elle as his fiancée to protect her. In a town full of talkers, the lie spreads fast—and neither of them is ready to tell the truth.
As they find the truth in their lie, real feelings begin to surface—and the line between pretending and falling in love blurs. Then Max’s son falls in love for the first time—and Max and Elle must decide if they’re ready to honor the truth of their own relationship, too.
A grumpy-sunshine fake engagement. Two billionaires hiding from themselves. A small-town romance about truth, second chances, and found family.
A love story that Your power is in your truth.
Max Donovan walked away from the high-stakes world of business to raise his kids and grow organic food in peace. But that peace is disrupted the night he trades quips—and blackout coffee—with Elle Sinclair, the sharp-witted, beautiful editor of the Willow Gazette.
When Max and Elle are "volunteered" to plan the town’s open mic night, sparks fly. But everything changes when a cosplay-obsessed fan crashes their not-date and Max claims Elle as his fiancée to protect her. In a town full of talkers, the lie spreads fast—and neither of them is ready to tell the truth.
As they find the truth in their lie, real feelings begin to surface—and the line between pretending and falling in love blurs. Then Max’s son falls in love for the first time—and Max and Elle must decide if they’re ready to honor the truth of their own relationship, too.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2025
About the author
Sable Burns
3 books2 followersSable Burns writes contemporary romance where love becomes a catalyst for possibility. Her stories center on strong partnerships, conscious choices, and characters who grow into fuller versions of themselves as they fall in love.
From small-town widowers and secret fantasy authors to global philanthropists and STEM heroines unafraid to explore the space where science and spirituality meet, Sable’s characters navigate grief, ambition, legacy, and second chances with heart and intelligence. In her world, gratitude matters. Alignment matters. And love has the power to reshape not just relationships—but perspective.
Blending warmth, wit, and emotional depth, she writes romance where strength and kindness coexist, and where partnership expands what feels possible.
Readers can expect layered characters, meaningful connection, and endings that leave them steadier, hopeful, and gently expanded.
Learn more at SableBurns.com, or follow her @SableBurnsWrites.
From small-town widowers and secret fantasy authors to global philanthropists and STEM heroines unafraid to explore the space where science and spirituality meet, Sable’s characters navigate grief, ambition, legacy, and second chances with heart and intelligence. In her world, gratitude matters. Alignment matters. And love has the power to reshape not just relationships—but perspective.
Blending warmth, wit, and emotional depth, she writes romance where strength and kindness coexist, and where partnership expands what feels possible.
Readers can expect layered characters, meaningful connection, and endings that leave them steadier, hopeful, and gently expanded.
Learn more at SableBurns.com, or follow her @SableBurnsWrites.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 8, 2025
Wow! What a surprise!
I have to admit, I don't know what I thought this book was going to be about!
It totally blew me away! This isn't your typical love story with its HEA! It was an adventure on self discovery, finding your soul mate and finding the truth in true love. Being able to love and accept your partner for themselves, supporting each other, no matter what situation arises.
It has intrigue, suspense, Romance, and so much more!
Characters you can easily relate to.
I can't wait to read more by Sable Burns!
I have to admit, I don't know what I thought this book was going to be about!
It totally blew me away! This isn't your typical love story with its HEA! It was an adventure on self discovery, finding your soul mate and finding the truth in true love. Being able to love and accept your partner for themselves, supporting each other, no matter what situation arises.
It has intrigue, suspense, Romance, and so much more!
Characters you can easily relate to.
I can't wait to read more by Sable Burns!
November 14, 2025
Max and Elle both have secrets, but are they willing to open up to one another and find the connection beneath the surface?
This was a fun read, full of humor and witty banter. It kept me on my toes. There are also serious and touching moments as they forge a relationship, reveal truths, and navigate teenage hormones! There are also moments when they learn that maybe they don't have to do it all on their own.
While I enjoyed the book, I do feel like there were missed opportunities, plot holes, and other instances where questions went unanswered. It just left me wondering, but that is my normal curious mind.
We give it 4 paws up.
This was a fun read, full of humor and witty banter. It kept me on my toes. There are also serious and touching moments as they forge a relationship, reveal truths, and navigate teenage hormones! There are also moments when they learn that maybe they don't have to do it all on their own.
While I enjoyed the book, I do feel like there were missed opportunities, plot holes, and other instances where questions went unanswered. It just left me wondering, but that is my normal curious mind.
We give it 4 paws up.
May 26, 2025
The book started off really well. I felt the banter was really good and it held my attention. As the book continued, I felt the dialogue was lacking and there should have been more. The conversations did not make sense and it seemed like there was something missing. I got half way through the book and became confused. It was clear the seasons were changing but there is nothing said to indicate that. The MMC states at the end of one chapter that he's going to make things right with the FMC but the next chapter there’s no mention of it. The writing felt rushed which lead to lacking character dialogue and a confusing timeline.
ARC, so thank you to NetGalley and the published for providing this in exchange for an honest review.
ARC, so thank you to NetGalley and the published for providing this in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The beginning was so good!! The banter was good, the plot was good, the characters were good! I liked their relationship, mystery and scandal. However, it kind of fell apart towards the end. There were some plot holes that were never answered. The bantering vanished and it felt a little rushed. Overall, it was a good book and I would read more from this author.
The beginning was so good!! The banter was good, the plot was good, the characters were good! I liked their relationship, mystery and scandal. However, it kind of fell apart towards the end. There were some plot holes that were never answered. The bantering vanished and it felt a little rushed. Overall, it was a good book and I would read more from this author.
May 21, 2025
2⭐️ 1🌶️ When I first started this book, I was hooked! I thought the banter was great and they had great chemistry, and I loved how they fell into the fake engagement even though they were in a very real relationship. That is not typically how fake engagements start in the books I’ve read, and I loved this had a different element. I loved how we got a side story of the sons love interest and budding relationship. I also loved it because it had an element of mystery and small-town government scandal.
Then it all went so wrong at about 50%.... He made a mistake when his past came to haunt him, she walked off flipping him the bird and he said “I’ve got to make it right” but then we get no resolution. The next chapter they are back to being business as usual. There was no closure to the scandal, it was a big side story, and we had zero answers to what really happened. I was ultimately left with more questions than answers.
This didn’t affect my rating, but I was also disappointed with the spice level. The first make out session had more heat and descriptors than the actual spicy scenes.
Then it all went so wrong at about 50%.... He made a mistake when his past came to haunt him, she walked off flipping him the bird and he said “I’ve got to make it right” but then we get no resolution. The next chapter they are back to being business as usual. There was no closure to the scandal, it was a big side story, and we had zero answers to what really happened. I was ultimately left with more questions than answers.
This didn’t affect my rating, but I was also disappointed with the spice level. The first make out session had more heat and descriptors than the actual spicy scenes.
April 20, 2025
This book is very well written, especially for a first romance novel. The story is compelling and kept me moving through chapters, the banter is funny and pacing good. The deeper message about living my truth hit home and I found myself thinking about the message, and how the characters dwelt with their own transformation to their true self. It will be interesting to what else comes from this new author.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews