Next Door Billionaire Grump

by Gwynne Hart

One reckless night of toe-curling pleasure. No names.
Now he’s my landlord, my baby daddy, and my protector.

It was just a one-night stand.
Then—surprise—he’s my landlord.
He looks as devastating in a suit as he did out of it.

Curtis Reid. Self-made billionaire. Retired surf champion.
Stoic. Grumpy. Almost twice my age.
A widower who blames himself for his wife’s death.

He’s the man whose taste I can’t get off my lips.
He’s cold waves. I’m warm sand.
Our pull to each other is raw, hungry, and inevitable.

My stalker closes in, and Curtis’ protective grip tightens.
He moves me into his fortress-like penthouse, his haunted eyes tracking my every move.

Amid rising tension, something stronger breaks through—
that kind of love that demands everything.

But I’m not built for a cage.
I need to fight, not hide, and he needs to let me.
Because two pink lines change everything.

Genres: Romance

323 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2025

Reviews

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. The stalker element in the story was well received. Enjoyed the characters in the story as well. Keep on writing Ms. Hart.

[Nikki K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC copy but all opinions are my own. This book was spicy but also cute and heart breaking. I loved Curtis and Margo’s story. The stalker angle added a good plot to the spicy love story I wasn’t expecting. I liked the dynamic of the characters and how they interacted within the stalker resolution. I only wish the story would have been longer.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew… the opening of this book was hot!! 🥵
Our characters Curtis and Margo had an instant connection, but of course some wires cross.
We find that Curtis is a widower, ‘not looking’ for a relationship. Margo, a fitness influencer, is his new downstairs neighbour with a penchant for calling him McBroody… 🤣

One night stand, regrets and we have a story!

I love it when an author writes a hero fighting his feelings, when we all know he’s going to fall. This author does the tortured hero so well - especially when when the female lead is doing it without even realising it. We did have the obligatory shower scene where he *ahem takes matters into his own hands, but it really worked with his character development. I mean, she unconsciously tortures, and he has to *work it out of his system…
He recognises it, he’s just fighting it with all he can! I was enjoying it, seeing how many chapters our devious author was going to make us wait for him to give in.

Surprisingly, there was a deeper theme in this novel, very lightly touched on with a toxic relationship with her ex-boyfriend and choices she’s made. This was in a way that was non-confronting to the reader, but I felt managed to show her growth and escape from the situation. Unbelievably, we finished the chapter with quite a bit of humour and it flowed into it so well, that you don’t even feel that there was an abrupt topic change.
The build of tension and suspense lasted almost the entire way through the book. Even when you knew who the baddie was, the story was intriguing enough that you had to read every single word so that you don’t miss anything. (As a habitual page skipper if the book bores me, this is high praise…)

I always say this, but this is easily up there as a favourite read. It’s on the re-read list and may come out when I need a pick-me-up.
Considering I stayed up well past my bedtime, it’s fair to say that the booked hooked me, and hooked me well.
Easily a 5++ ⭐️.

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

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Curtis and Margo, a book in the Sizzling Billionaires series written by Gwynne Hart. It can be read as a standalone. Margo, an online fitness influencer, recently broke up with her boyfriend and moved into a new apartment. She meets Curtis, a billionaire widower, at a local bar when he steps in to save her from another man who is harassing her. They feel an instant connection, which leads to a one-night stand. The next day, Margo finds out that Curtis is her landlord. Things get awkward quickly. Once Margo realizes she is pregnant and the target of a stalker, Curtis moves her into his penthouse so that he can protect her. What started as a one-night stand becomes more for both of them.

This is the kind of book that draws you in from the very beginning and doesn’t let you go until the end. There is a slight age gap between Curtis and Margo. He is grumpiness personified, and she is sunshine in human form. The characters balance each other out very well. I liked the banter that went on between them. I liked the way the author showed how they were eventually able to read one another’s emotions and respond in appropriate ways. The suspense in the book adds some tension and mystery. My only complaint is that I wish the book were a little longer. Overall, it’s a great short, romantic, heart-warming read!

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

[Catherine Budd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this story. Curtis and Margo have a one-night stand. It turns out he is her landlord. He is grumpy and wants nothing to do with her.
She is being harassed and stalked by an unknown person. She discovers she is pregnant as a result of the one-night stand. She lets Curtis know, he wants to nothing to do with her but is willing to support her financially.
She faints in the building lobby; Curtis accompanies her to the hospital and has her stay with him. He finds out she is being harassed and arranges for her to meet with a PI.
She confronts her harasser in a public venue which results in his arrest.
There is a HEA ending.
This book was very well written, with a complex plot, great character development, and a few surprises thrown in.

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

[GuiltyPleasures · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margo and Curtis—they meet at a bar and have a one-night stand, which isn’t the norm for either of them. It’s not till the next day that they meet in the building where they live and she learns that he’s her landlord. When she discovers she’s pregnant from their one night together, he isn’t sure if he wants to be involved because he’s walked off his heart after his first wife died in a surfing accident. And then Margo realizes she has a stalker. And he gets super protective. Eventually they bring the stalker down. And after a few weeks apart, they realize they love each other. And they get their HEA. The book is written in first person POV, alternating between them. Sometimes it’s a little awkward and the flow could be better. But the pregnancy aspect is handled pretty well, as is the stalker issue.

[Suzanne Normandeau Legault · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of story you can’t stay away from. Simply compelling and addictive. Gwynne amazingly knows how to draw you into her world of books filled with real life traumas, griefs and happily ever afters. Curtis Reid is still drowning in sorrow, grief and guilt after the traumatic death of his wife ten years ago. He’s become a shell of himself and is constantly struggling for control, until he meets Margo who unknowingly releases him of his demons. After an anonymous one night together she unravels him in ways he never thought he’d experience again and she becomes the SUNSHINE he can’t stay away from. A very compelling reading and highly recommended for those who seek unconventional love ❤️!

[Mindy Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book in the Sizzling Billionaires Series by this author, and can be read as a standalone. It is an age gap, grumpy vs sunshine romance, with a touch of suspense, between billionaire widower Curtis and fitness influencer Margo. These two flawed but likeable souls and the unique plot make for an intriguing read. What starts out as a one night stand turns into something more. It is a love story with drama and steam, sexual tension and chemistry, twists and turns, plus appealing secondary characters. Entertaining.

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

[Darlene Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the start I was intrigued as the story had a film noir feeling to it. The man sitting in a back corner of a bar, holds her attention.
Being rescued by said man and what's to come afterwards is a fantasy for many and a night not easy to forget either.
Time moves on and still, a hardened shell of a man emerges, wearing grumpiness as an armored shield.
What started out as an innocent attraction turned into a scorching turn of events when these two meet again.
A story packed with drama, mystery and attraction, leaving the reader fulfilled.

[Kyla Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. The connection between Margo and Curtis was steamy and I absolutely adored it. Curtis and Margo's relationship starts off as a steamy one night stand and later wants nothing to do with her. Margo, she is a ray of sunshine and worms her way into his heart. As they continue on, we learn more about Curtis and what happened to him. Margo also is going through something and turns to Curtis and the two form a bond.

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

[Julie Juhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Next Door Billionaire Grump by Gwynne Hart. Once I started reading I didn't want to stop. Curtis and Margo have a one night stand and then find out they live in the same building. Curtis then finds out that Margo is in danger and his protective instinct kicks in. He has feelings for her but fights them as he can't stop thinking of the loss of his wife. Gwynne Hart has become one of my favorite authors and I look forward to her next book!.

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

[Kelsey Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick fast paced grumpy Billionaire read. Right off the bat it jumps right into the action they meet at a bar, leave together, the rest is history. If you're in need of a good pallet cleanser that is nice and quick with a few different tropes this is good for you.


Tropes/possible spoilers

*Billionaire
*Grumpy/sunshine.... literally
*Unexpected pregnancy
* She has a stalker
* minor forced proximity
*Loss of significant other.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW talk about a romance book that really starts off great starting with page 1. You might find your cheeks flushed and deep breathing like you just ran a marathon but it’s definitely worth every last minute. I think this book is PHENOMENAL and very well written with FANTASTIC characters. I suggest you grab this 10-star romance book today and see exactly for yourself why I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this book and author.

[Pat Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curtis and Margo's love story

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well developed and multidimensional.
Curtis is a successful billionaire who still grieves his wife and unborn child, years after they died in a freak surfing accident. He exists but is not happy.
He meets Margo, an energetic professional who attracts him. They have sex, separate, and fate throws them back together. Their story is very entertaining and is highly recommended.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chance meeting changes two lives

Curtis a billionaire living a closed off life, never allowing anything to get close to him except business. Sunshine chips at his wall, a mutual attraction, he comes to her rescue when she was being harassed in a bar which was new to her, she had just moved and recently single, he found that out later, a big surprise followed.
Good gentle story with a happy ending.

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Next Door Billionaire Grump” by Gwynne Hart

-A one-night stand turns into a slow-burn romance full of tension.
I received a free ebook copy. This is my honest opinion, freely shared.
Curtis, a broody widower, and Margo, healing from a toxic past, collide.
Emotional depth mixes with suspense, spice, and a few surprises.
Well-paced and layered—grumpy billionaire romance with heart.

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

Curtis and Margo have a one-night stand, and she soon learns that he is her landlord which starts their path. He can't get over the feelings she awakened in him and when he learns that she is in danger his protective instinct kicks in. This fascinating story is filled with raw emotions that had me drawn to the characters.

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

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steamy heat from the beginning when they meet at a bar and have a one night stand. She finds out he is her landlord and grumpy and wants nothing to do with her. Surprise pregnancy and she is dealing with a stalker just to add tension. He agrees to help her financially but as the story progresses, they work on their HEA.

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

[Debra Soehner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curtis and Margo meet at a bar and although Curtis is grumpy and resists, they have a one night stand without exchanging names. Curtis ends up being in her life anyway and a stalker puts him into protective mode. Great novel.

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

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margo and Curtis had a one night stand. Or what they believed to be one night anyway. Turns out he’s her landlord. He lost his wife in a surfing accident years before. Margo has a stalker. Curtis becomes protective of her. In all ways.

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

[4littles3angels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the first chapter. I didn't want to put it down, but as a mom of 4...I had to lol. I would recommend this page turner to anyone. I would definitely read it again in the future.

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

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margo thinks Curtis is the ultimate grump when she meets him, while she is literally a Little Miss Sunshine. With drama along the way, this is a steamy billionaire opposites read.

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

[Charmaine Chaplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

What a great read evil caught and love joining great the life of the 2..was a mix and I felt it may help other who may have been a similar position..always great to see meet and grow together..

[Maya · Rating 1 out of 5]

What was this? Why she thinks sex solves everything is beyond me. He’s so stuck up in his head that his naivety becomes laughable. How this author thought these two people have ANY believable chemistry confounds me. I’ve never read anything with less believable characters ever.

[Booklover77 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read. Grumpy Landlord and Sunshine just sparked off each other in all the good ways. The stalker element was very well written. The chemistry is there, the best friend was a great side character, but the takedown was a bit underwhelming. So much buildup and then nothing much happened.

[Abbey CP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curtis daddy but uhhh

[Belize Esperanza Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

🤤🤤🤤

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of freaky, but better than some.

[Michelle Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick easy read - enjoyed the storyline

[Jennifer Kingsborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts off with a bang, literally!
I always love a good grumpy billionaire story, and this one delivered. Curtis is guarded, but Margo is exactly the kind of sunshine he needs to break down his walls. From their unexpected meeting at a bar, to him becoming her grumpy landlord, to a surprise pregnancy twist—it was such a fun ride. A great, satisfying read!