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The Grumpy Actor
Seven years ago, he broke my heart. Now he’s back—grumpier than ever—and I’m his assistant.
Liam Ryder—Hollywood’s most talked-about heartthrob—left me behind the second he got famous.
Now he’s filming in Surfside Haven… and thanks to my mom’s meddling, I’m at his beck and call 24/7.
And of course, he pretends we’re total strangers.
He’s bossy, brooding, and impossible to read.
Although we fight, there is a spark that never left.
Then he kisses me.
Suddenly, pretending I’m over him gets harder by the hour.
He shows up at my mom’s birthday with flowers.
Watches me like I’m the only thing that’s ever held his attention.
I swore I wouldn’t fall again.
But my heart doesn’t listen.
Now our past is plastered all over the tabloids—dragging our delicate second chance into the spotlight.
This time, it feels like we might finally get it right.
But if Liam still believes love is a distraction, I might lose him all over again… just when I’m brave enough to believe in us.
Liam Ryder—Hollywood’s most talked-about heartthrob—left me behind the second he got famous.
Now he’s filming in Surfside Haven… and thanks to my mom’s meddling, I’m at his beck and call 24/7.
And of course, he pretends we’re total strangers.
He’s bossy, brooding, and impossible to read.
Although we fight, there is a spark that never left.
Then he kisses me.
Suddenly, pretending I’m over him gets harder by the hour.
He shows up at my mom’s birthday with flowers.
Watches me like I’m the only thing that’s ever held his attention.
I swore I wouldn’t fall again.
But my heart doesn’t listen.
Now our past is plastered all over the tabloids—dragging our delicate second chance into the spotlight.
This time, it feels like we might finally get it right.
But if Liam still believes love is a distraction, I might lose him all over again… just when I’m brave enough to believe in us.
174 pages, Paperback
Published May 22, 2025
8 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 20, 2025
The Grumpy Actor pulled me in from the beginning of the story. Sophia has lived in Surfside Heaven for her entire life (well, except for the years she was in college). She’s shocked to find “a line as long as the local beach itself on a random Thursday afternoon.” She looks through the windows of her parents’ restaurant and is shocked to find a larger crowd inside. She also notices that most people have their phones out and some are holding papers. Is the President coming to town? She finally sees Lily, her friend that she’s looking for. Lily is about to burst, she’s so happy. She tells Sophie that there is a celebrity in town. Now, Sophie is not excited to hear this as she knows how much havoc that could bring to their small town. Then, the news drops from squealing and overly excited Lily, “Liam Ryder will practically be living in our town for the next few months” Oh, no…. did Sophie hear Liam’s name come out of Lily’s mouth? This news is affecting Sophie alright, but not in the way it did Lily. She knows him, and she’s not letting on that she does. “The image of the man I once called mine saddles my mind as that familiar, painful jab slices through my heart all over again.” Sophie tells Lily that the only thing she likes about him (Lily) is his face. She also says he’s an “even worse actor than he is a human being.” “Oh, I bet he is.” That voice gets Sophie’s attention quickly. She’d recognize it anywhere. Even the hat, hoodie, and face mask can’t fool her. Why does he have to be the one in the movie. Now, Sophie and Liam dated during their college years, and no one knows that. Not Lily, not her family, not her friends, nobody! Lily notices this tension and asks if they know each other. Liam turns to Lily and says “No, we don’t.” Sophie wonders why he denied their history, but she’s glad he didn’t.
Can her day get any worse? Sophie steps in to help wait on customers. As she approaches a table, she hears the two men talking. She realizes from their conversation that they are not from around here and assumes they must be from the movie crew. They look exhausted. They’re talking about an assistant leaving and needing to find someone to replace her. They mention Liam’s name and that gets her attention. Sophie’s mom overhears the conversation and tells them she knows a virtual assistant and should do fine being a personal assistant. Sophie still doesn’t understand, until she asks her mom who she’s talking about. She’s talking about Sophie. Sophie tries to finagle her way out of the conversation, but her mom encourages her that she’ll be able to add this experience to her portfolio which will get her more clients.
What has she done? How will Liam react when he finds out Sophie is his new personal assistant? Will he fire her? Will he let her work for him? Will they be able to get along? Will those old feelings return for Sophie or for Liam? To find out the answers to these questions and more, get your copy of The Grumpy Actor by Nora Daniels today!
Can her day get any worse? Sophie steps in to help wait on customers. As she approaches a table, she hears the two men talking. She realizes from their conversation that they are not from around here and assumes they must be from the movie crew. They look exhausted. They’re talking about an assistant leaving and needing to find someone to replace her. They mention Liam’s name and that gets her attention. Sophie’s mom overhears the conversation and tells them she knows a virtual assistant and should do fine being a personal assistant. Sophie still doesn’t understand, until she asks her mom who she’s talking about. She’s talking about Sophie. Sophie tries to finagle her way out of the conversation, but her mom encourages her that she’ll be able to add this experience to her portfolio which will get her more clients.
What has she done? How will Liam react when he finds out Sophie is his new personal assistant? Will he fire her? Will he let her work for him? Will they be able to get along? Will those old feelings return for Sophie or for Liam? To find out the answers to these questions and more, get your copy of The Grumpy Actor by Nora Daniels today!
May 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️/ ️🌶️
A sweet, clean romance that will have you swooning and believing in second chances. Nora Daniel has written a beautiful, short novella with The Grumpy Actor and this book had me hooked from the beginning. With so much happening in a book that is less than 150 pages, the emotional depth, complex characters, and tension filled storyline make this book hard to put down.
When Sophie finds her small, coastal town filled with excitement over Liam Ryder filming a movie there, she is less than ecstatic. She knew Liam before he was famous and when he became famous she felt left behind and thought they would never see each other again. Yes, here they are and thanks to a meddling mother, she now works for him. Even worse, Liam acts like they’ve never met or dated. She can’t believe she ever had feelings for him and needs him gone asap.
Liam has never forgotten Sophie and their time together. He knows he messed up when they were younger, but has never had the chance to correct it. Until now. He is determined to show Sophie the man she once liked and possibly loved is still there, just buried under expectations and his famous facade. Except he fails miserably in the beginning and comes across as a pompous jerk. Will he ever get it right when it comes to Sophie?
I liked this book, but wished Sophie would have stood up for herself sooner. Liam walked all over her and she somewhat just let him. When she finally stood up for herself and he apologized, their relationship was sweet and cute. But it still had me wondering if a little more groveling could have happened. Liam needed to jump through hoops to gain back Sophie’s heart. Thankfully the ending was the HEA we all hope for.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🎬Second Chance Romance
🌊Grumpy x Sunshine
🎬Hollywood Heartthrob MMC
🌊His Assistant FMC
🎬Knew Him Before He was Famous
🌊Small Town Romance
A sweet, clean romance that will have you swooning and believing in second chances. Nora Daniel has written a beautiful, short novella with The Grumpy Actor and this book had me hooked from the beginning. With so much happening in a book that is less than 150 pages, the emotional depth, complex characters, and tension filled storyline make this book hard to put down.
When Sophie finds her small, coastal town filled with excitement over Liam Ryder filming a movie there, she is less than ecstatic. She knew Liam before he was famous and when he became famous she felt left behind and thought they would never see each other again. Yes, here they are and thanks to a meddling mother, she now works for him. Even worse, Liam acts like they’ve never met or dated. She can’t believe she ever had feelings for him and needs him gone asap.
Liam has never forgotten Sophie and their time together. He knows he messed up when they were younger, but has never had the chance to correct it. Until now. He is determined to show Sophie the man she once liked and possibly loved is still there, just buried under expectations and his famous facade. Except he fails miserably in the beginning and comes across as a pompous jerk. Will he ever get it right when it comes to Sophie?
I liked this book, but wished Sophie would have stood up for herself sooner. Liam walked all over her and she somewhat just let him. When she finally stood up for herself and he apologized, their relationship was sweet and cute. But it still had me wondering if a little more groveling could have happened. Liam needed to jump through hoops to gain back Sophie’s heart. Thankfully the ending was the HEA we all hope for.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🎬Second Chance Romance
🌊Grumpy x Sunshine
🎬Hollywood Heartthrob MMC
🌊His Assistant FMC
🎬Knew Him Before He was Famous
🌊Small Town Romance
May 20, 2025
Sophie and Liam . . .
Sophie Grant had her heart broken 7 years ago by Liam Ryder, currently a Hollywood heartthrob now. As she goes to the bakery to meet her best friend, a huge line has formed. Lily ran over to tell her a movie will be made here and everyone is over the moon! Finally Lily blurts out that Liam Ryder will be living here for the next few months! While Lily is gushing over him, Sophie tells her the only good thing about him is his face, and that’s the reason Lily likes him -- he’s an even worse actor than a human being, and that’s saying something. And Liam is standing behind Sophie and hears her, while Lily is speechless, then tries to apologize for Sophie’s comment. And when Lily asks if they know each other, he says, “No, we don’t.” Then he labeled her a “creature”. Airhead Lily didn’t even bother to defend her friend, saying her best friend must be from a different planet!
As if Liam’s being back is not bad enough, Sophie’s mother interferes to arrange a job for Sophie… with HIM! Sophie is a likable character and worthy of a decent boyfriend. Liam is not anything a rational woman would fall for. Even after being gone 7 years, there is no improvement noted. Unfortunately, she doesn’t tell him a firm no about the job, and she definitely should have. He so rudely pretended he doesn’t even know her which should have been a clue that he has remained an uncaring fool. When he ends up kissing her later, she lets feelings for him come back. But is he doing this for publicity? Or can he possibly change and accept the second chance they have been given? (My biggest question would be: Will he continue to treat her like a doormat?) I can’t say I liked this book. When the characters act like Liam, I can’t be sympathetic to their cause and can’t believe their apologies could be genuine. Too little, too late.
Sophie Grant had her heart broken 7 years ago by Liam Ryder, currently a Hollywood heartthrob now. As she goes to the bakery to meet her best friend, a huge line has formed. Lily ran over to tell her a movie will be made here and everyone is over the moon! Finally Lily blurts out that Liam Ryder will be living here for the next few months! While Lily is gushing over him, Sophie tells her the only good thing about him is his face, and that’s the reason Lily likes him -- he’s an even worse actor than a human being, and that’s saying something. And Liam is standing behind Sophie and hears her, while Lily is speechless, then tries to apologize for Sophie’s comment. And when Lily asks if they know each other, he says, “No, we don’t.” Then he labeled her a “creature”. Airhead Lily didn’t even bother to defend her friend, saying her best friend must be from a different planet!
As if Liam’s being back is not bad enough, Sophie’s mother interferes to arrange a job for Sophie… with HIM! Sophie is a likable character and worthy of a decent boyfriend. Liam is not anything a rational woman would fall for. Even after being gone 7 years, there is no improvement noted. Unfortunately, she doesn’t tell him a firm no about the job, and she definitely should have. He so rudely pretended he doesn’t even know her which should have been a clue that he has remained an uncaring fool. When he ends up kissing her later, she lets feelings for him come back. But is he doing this for publicity? Or can he possibly change and accept the second chance they have been given? (My biggest question would be: Will he continue to treat her like a doormat?) I can’t say I liked this book. When the characters act like Liam, I can’t be sympathetic to their cause and can’t believe their apologies could be genuine. Too little, too late.
May 23, 2025
MY 5 STAR REVIEW- Titled: Will Liam ever learn to Love?
Lily is her best friend who is excited about the movie stars in town. Sophie Grant, not so much, especially when she learns one of them is Liam Ryder. It's 7 years later when they meet up again.
Sophie and Liam each share their points of view which I enjoyed as I learned more about each of them. Turns out Julian is Liam's best friend of 7 years and now his manager too ! Julian had also started his own company as well. Julian is great !
The movie that Liam is in town to film is called, Baked with Love. A rom-com he didn't even what to be part of. He got challenged by person interviewing him that said he couldn't pull it off . And Liam was already kicking himself for taking that dare.
Great story with Liam being rude, nasty and cold for much of the story. Making you want to smack him and ask, "What's your problem?" Sophie was such a sweetheart that SHE made you want to stand right next to her and smack Liam right in his head!!
There's more to the story of course and it all does comes out and a great ending as well !!!
Lily is her best friend who is excited about the movie stars in town. Sophie Grant, not so much, especially when she learns one of them is Liam Ryder. It's 7 years later when they meet up again.
Sophie and Liam each share their points of view which I enjoyed as I learned more about each of them. Turns out Julian is Liam's best friend of 7 years and now his manager too ! Julian had also started his own company as well. Julian is great !
The movie that Liam is in town to film is called, Baked with Love. A rom-com he didn't even what to be part of. He got challenged by person interviewing him that said he couldn't pull it off . And Liam was already kicking himself for taking that dare.
Great story with Liam being rude, nasty and cold for much of the story. Making you want to smack him and ask, "What's your problem?" Sophie was such a sweetheart that SHE made you want to stand right next to her and smack Liam right in his head!!
There's more to the story of course and it all does comes out and a great ending as well !!!
May 17, 2025
When you hate the male lead...
Nope, nope, nope.
He’s not ‘The Grumpy Actor’… A better title would be ‘The A**hole Actor’.
I have all the sympathy in the world for Sophie - clearly she had some kind of illness that affected her mental faculties and resulted in her falling for Liam a second time.
His backstory, while difficult, did not excuse treating her like trash. He was an a**hole, and should have been thrown in the garbage!
I liked how Sophie was basically a ray of sunshine, but she did stand up for herself when it counted. However, I just wish that she made him work for it!
Sophie sold the book for me. Liam is just a fraidy cat coward who cuts and runs when it gets hard.
Technically well written and I really enjoyed the read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nope, nope, nope.
He’s not ‘The Grumpy Actor’… A better title would be ‘The A**hole Actor’.
I have all the sympathy in the world for Sophie - clearly she had some kind of illness that affected her mental faculties and resulted in her falling for Liam a second time.
His backstory, while difficult, did not excuse treating her like trash. He was an a**hole, and should have been thrown in the garbage!
I liked how Sophie was basically a ray of sunshine, but she did stand up for herself when it counted. However, I just wish that she made him work for it!
Sophie sold the book for me. Liam is just a fraidy cat coward who cuts and runs when it gets hard.
Technically well written and I really enjoyed the read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 15, 2025
Ever had a famous actor for a boyfriend? Ever had him breakup with you because...well, because he was moving on to become famous?
Yea, me neither. But Sophie Grant has, and that's a secret she's kept for 7 years. Then out of the blue Liam Ryder is in her town to make a rom-com movie! Life suddenly becomes a nightmare for her when her well meaning mother secures a job for Sophie as a PA for Liam.
A fun book about Sophie and Liam that will have you laughing, wincing, and wondering how everything will work out. Good characters, good pacing, a variety of emotions, and humor make this a fun escape from your everyday life.
Yea, me neither. But Sophie Grant has, and that's a secret she's kept for 7 years. Then out of the blue Liam Ryder is in her town to make a rom-com movie! Life suddenly becomes a nightmare for her when her well meaning mother secures a job for Sophie as a PA for Liam.
A fun book about Sophie and Liam that will have you laughing, wincing, and wondering how everything will work out. Good characters, good pacing, a variety of emotions, and humor make this a fun escape from your everyday life.
May 29, 2025
Liam and Sophie dated in college until Liam left her brokenhearted so he could become an actor. Then 7 years later Liam arrives in Sophie's hometown to film a movie. Her mom convinces Liam's manager to hire Sophie as Liam's personal assistant because she needs a job. Sophie can't tell her mom that this is the same Liam that hurt her so Sophie takes the job. Filming does not go well because Liam cannot play the part of a man in love. Then one day he kisses Sophie and wonders if he was scared of love when he left Sophie 7 years ago? Read their story and see if Liam and Sophie can find their HEA.
May 20, 2025
A film crew has invaded Surfside Haven and with it Sophie’s ex Liam. I really liked this story, especially the part of Sophie who suffered in silence. Liam on the other hand is a different story, he treated Sophie indifferently.Loved when Sophie took Liam to her secret place and when Liam showed up for Helen’s birthday. Julian was a saint for putting up with Liam. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about Nora Daniel’s book. It can be read in an afternoon so it’s relatively short. A very enjoyable second chance romance.
May 21, 2025
She was heartbroken 7 years ago when Liam left Sophie without a word. Now this celebrity actor is in her hometown Surfside Haven for 3 month. And she is his personal assistant. What an unexpected turn of fate.
Exciting reading = sparks and anger, hurting and healing. Well written 2nd chance romance - funny and entertaining, deep and hurting. Enjoyed reading their dialogues and felt the tension as if I was there.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Exciting reading = sparks and anger, hurting and healing. Well written 2nd chance romance - funny and entertaining, deep and hurting. Enjoyed reading their dialogues and felt the tension as if I was there.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 17, 2025
“The Grumpy Actor” by Nora Daniels
A charming heroine and sharp pacing keep this rom-com afloat. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest opinion.
Sophie shines with warmth and sass, but Liam? Total emotional trash fire.
His backstory doesn’t redeem his cowardice or cruelty.
A well-written story, but the romance needed a better man. I just couldn’t like him.
A charming heroine and sharp pacing keep this rom-com afloat. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest opinion.
Sophie shines with warmth and sass, but Liam? Total emotional trash fire.
His backstory doesn’t redeem his cowardice or cruelty.
A well-written story, but the romance needed a better man. I just couldn’t like him.
May 19, 2025
What a great rom-com! Sophie and Liam are great characters. You feel their emotions and enjoy a lot of laugh out moments throughout. What a huge difference in life in Surfside Haven and Hollywood; and the fun starts right on page one.
This an easy read and you will love it!! Great to read anywhere, except while waiting for an appointment, unless you don’t mind stares when you burst out laughing.
This an easy read and you will love it!! Great to read anywhere, except while waiting for an appointment, unless you don’t mind stares when you burst out laughing.
May 20, 2025
Loved this clean romance. Loved the characters and the plot. I like the way it was resolved. I also love how Sophie's mom was able to know this before being told.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2025
A second chance romance. He split up with her when he was heading off to be am actor, and now he is in her home town filming and she is his new assistant. Will she give him a second chance? I liked how it was told from both points of view and the setting.
June 8, 2025
Maybe Liam isn’t as good an actor as he thinks he is, he is having a hard time staying grumpy to Sophie. This is a very good second chance romance and he NEEDS all the grace she will give him. Seven years of silence after a sudden end to their romance, now he needs her, but how does he keep from admitting that? I enjoyed this book.
May 21, 2025
What A Funny Happy Book. It Takes Some Men Longer to Realize Love Makes Everyone & Everything Better 🥰 I Highly Recommend This Book To Make You Feel Better ☺️
May 23, 2025
Enjoyed this second chance clean rom-com. Great characters and story line.
May 26, 2025
I enjoyed this sweet second chance romance between Sophie and Liam. Seeing Liam open up to love was nice. My only complaint is the ending. It felt a bit rushed to me, but I still liked it.
June 9, 2025
This was a sick read and a fun story! I especially liked when she tried to help him with his lines! So good!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews