What do you think?
Rate this book
Feeding the Grump
I’m fairly sure that when I’m on my deathbed, I’ll still be cursing Benji Gange’s name.
My neighbor paints his gate purple. His experiments with organic farming drift onto my land. He feeds me casseroles while we argue about everything from water rights to rugby selections. For five years, I’ve told myself he’s the worst thing to happen to farming since foot rot.
Then my orphan lamb escapes, and we end up tangled in a hedge together (don’t ask), spying on something that turns my whole world upside down. Suddenly, I realize that all the vegetables I leave on his doorstep and the casseroles he makes me might not be just neighborly gestures. And maybe the way my pulse races during our arguments isn’t about the disputed thistle paddock at all.
Is it possible that the biggest thorn in my side is exactly what I’ve been missing all along?
Feeding the Grump is a 16,000 word enemies to lovers novella that features a grumpy farmer and his sunshine neighbor. It was first published in May 2025 as part of a charity anthology and no additional material has been added.
My neighbor paints his gate purple. His experiments with organic farming drift onto my land. He feeds me casseroles while we argue about everything from water rights to rugby selections. For five years, I’ve told myself he’s the worst thing to happen to farming since foot rot.
Then my orphan lamb escapes, and we end up tangled in a hedge together (don’t ask), spying on something that turns my whole world upside down. Suddenly, I realize that all the vegetables I leave on his doorstep and the casseroles he makes me might not be just neighborly gestures. And maybe the way my pulse races during our arguments isn’t about the disputed thistle paddock at all.
Is it possible that the biggest thorn in my side is exactly what I’ve been missing all along?
Feeding the Grump is a 16,000 word enemies to lovers novella that features a grumpy farmer and his sunshine neighbor. It was first published in May 2025 as part of a charity anthology and no additional material has been added.
76 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2025
About the author
Jax Calder
31 books1,213 followersJax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.
Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. To read her exclusive novella Being Set Up, sign up to her newsletter: https://jaxcalder.com/newsletter-sign.... You can also join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.
Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. To read her exclusive novella Being Set Up, sign up to her newsletter: https://jaxcalder.com/newsletter-sign.... You can also join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
September 22, 2025
A light and cute novella.
I liked the first part of the story more. It was so much fun and I wish we got more on-page banter between Benji and David. Benji is adorable.
I liked the first part of the story more. It was so much fun and I wish we got more on-page banter between Benji and David. Benji is adorable.
September 19, 2025
This is another absolute gem in Jax Calder’s novella line-up, because this was PURE SWOON 😭
From the start, the “nemesis” vibe between David and Benji is hilarious and heart-melting all at once. They argue constantly - definitely not flirting, nope, absolutely not - but at the same time they’re silently bringing each other food, looking out for one another in ways no self-respecting nemesis ever would.
And then that glorious turning point: when David finally realises that planting specific vegetables because Benji mentioned liking them once, or quietly helping him out, or Benji looking out for him, again and again, weren’t random neighbourly favours. They were little acts of service. Proof that they’d been caring for each other this whole time. The instant it clicks that maybe they’re not enemies at all, but have probably been in love for years? AND WHEN DAVID FINALLY DROPS THE OBLIVIOUSNESS AND DECIDES TO ACTUALLY COURT BENJI?! My poor little heart almost couldn’t take it. 🥹
Because all those acts of service are told in retrospect and therefore shown on page, their shift from nemesis to lovers feels very natural and convincing - a perfect little, round, satisfying novella 🥹🐑
From the start, the “nemesis” vibe between David and Benji is hilarious and heart-melting all at once. They argue constantly - definitely not flirting, nope, absolutely not - but at the same time they’re silently bringing each other food, looking out for one another in ways no self-respecting nemesis ever would.
And then that glorious turning point: when David finally realises that planting specific vegetables because Benji mentioned liking them once, or quietly helping him out, or Benji looking out for him, again and again, weren’t random neighbourly favours. They were little acts of service. Proof that they’d been caring for each other this whole time. The instant it clicks that maybe they’re not enemies at all, but have probably been in love for years? AND WHEN DAVID FINALLY DROPS THE OBLIVIOUSNESS AND DECIDES TO ACTUALLY COURT BENJI?! My poor little heart almost couldn’t take it. 🥹
Because all those acts of service are told in retrospect and therefore shown on page, their shift from nemesis to lovers feels very natural and convincing - a perfect little, round, satisfying novella 🥹🐑
And I suddenly realize we’ve been speaking this language all along. In vegetables left on doorsteps and meals cooked just for me, in arguments that were really just excuses to stay in each other’s orbit.
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1626057011i/10717098._UX200_CR0,33,200,200_.jpg)
March 28, 2026
Feeding the Grump by Jax Calder is a stand alone novella that was first published as part of a charity anthology. I am discovering that with every book I read of this author’s, I am falling more and more in love with her writing. This was short but so full of swoony sweetness. In these few pages, she managed to make me fall in love with these two.
David Harrison lives in his childhood home, now his own home, and runs the farm. He loves his life, but not so much his next door neighbor.
Benji Gange used to visit his Uncle’s farm when he was a child. Five years ago, he took over the farm and couldn’t wait to implement some of his organic farming ideas.
I’m not sure of their ages, only that Benji is five years younger than David. These two loved to argue, about everything! For the last two years, though, David would bring Benji vegetables from his garden, along with the excuse that he needed to complain to Benji regarding something he had done. And baked goods and casseroles showed up on David’s doorstep several times a week.
It wasn’t until one of David’s orphaned lamps got lost and Benji was helping to look for her that they found themselves tangled together in a bramble bush that David finally had his light bulb moment! That all the years of arguing, of finding reasons to see him, didn’t mean that he disliked Benji at all! Quite the opposite actually!
This little story made me smile all the way through. It’s a quick read but I’ll be feeling the warm feeling I got from it for days! This is a perfect little pick me up that will leave your heart happy!
David Harrison lives in his childhood home, now his own home, and runs the farm. He loves his life, but not so much his next door neighbor.
Benji Gange used to visit his Uncle’s farm when he was a child. Five years ago, he took over the farm and couldn’t wait to implement some of his organic farming ideas.
I’m not sure of their ages, only that Benji is five years younger than David. These two loved to argue, about everything! For the last two years, though, David would bring Benji vegetables from his garden, along with the excuse that he needed to complain to Benji regarding something he had done. And baked goods and casseroles showed up on David’s doorstep several times a week.
It wasn’t until one of David’s orphaned lamps got lost and Benji was helping to look for her that they found themselves tangled together in a bramble bush that David finally had his light bulb moment! That all the years of arguing, of finding reasons to see him, didn’t mean that he disliked Benji at all! Quite the opposite actually!
This little story made me smile all the way through. It’s a quick read but I’ll be feeling the warm feeling I got from it for days! This is a perfect little pick me up that will leave your heart happy!
September 22, 2025
This is a super cute, angst-free story featuring faux-enemies-to-lovers, five years of pining and obliviousness, grumpy/sunshine, a sheep named Pepper, demi rep, and a glorious epilogue.
I wish this book were a full-length novel. The connection between the MCs wasn't adequately developed.
Also, must there be an Aiden/Tyler cameo in every single book Calder writes? We just saw them in The Unlikely Spare. No more, please.
I wish this book were a full-length novel. The connection between the MCs wasn't adequately developed.
Also, must there be an Aiden/Tyler cameo in every single book Calder writes? We just saw them in The Unlikely Spare. No more, please.
December 2, 2025
This was a super sweet, slow-burn, (even if we don’t see it happen on the page) fake-nemesis-to-lovers. Featuring grumpy farmers and adorable neighbours.
It felt a bit like a commercial for Playing Offside in a roundabout way, but it was still fun.
It felt a bit like a commercial for Playing Offside in a roundabout way, but it was still fun.
September 20, 2025
3.5⭐️ Cute and I liked the premise, but 70 pgs is too short. Definitely would have shined with 100 more pages.
April 18, 2026
3.8⭐️
Another great one! Honestly, it didn’t feel like enemies, but it was still such a cute, cheesy, feel-good, and fun novella. From the start, you can tell there are already feelings between David and Benji, and all the farm-related jokes and comparisons were just so adorable.
-------------------------
Quotes:
“Suddenly, so many of the things I’ve never quite understood make sense. Those soppy country songs Lance’s wife Emma always plays in her car about hearts and forever. The way my parents used to dance in the kitchen to the crackling radio. The way old Joe Morrison’s voice still breaks when he talks about his late wife. I now understand all those things in the context of Benji’s lips.”
“Benji’s laughter fills his kitchen like sunshine, warming places inside me I didn’t know were cold.”
“His breath warms my neck, sending tremors down my spine. Every inadvertent touch between us sparks something that feels unnervingly right, as if my body’s solving an equation my brain’s been too stubborn to work out. It almost feels like recognition.”
“I suddenly realize we’ve been speaking this language all along. In vegetables left on doorsteps and meals cooked just for me, in arguments that were really just excuses to stay in each other’s orbit.”
Another great one! Honestly, it didn’t feel like enemies, but it was still such a cute, cheesy, feel-good, and fun novella. From the start, you can tell there are already feelings between David and Benji, and all the farm-related jokes and comparisons were just so adorable.
-------------------------
Quotes:
“Suddenly, so many of the things I’ve never quite understood make sense. Those soppy country songs Lance’s wife Emma always plays in her car about hearts and forever. The way my parents used to dance in the kitchen to the crackling radio. The way old Joe Morrison’s voice still breaks when he talks about his late wife. I now understand all those things in the context of Benji’s lips.”
“Benji’s laughter fills his kitchen like sunshine, warming places inside me I didn’t know were cold.”
“His breath warms my neck, sending tremors down my spine. Every inadvertent touch between us sparks something that feels unnervingly right, as if my body’s solving an equation my brain’s been too stubborn to work out. It almost feels like recognition.”
“I suddenly realize we’ve been speaking this language all along. In vegetables left on doorsteps and meals cooked just for me, in arguments that were really just excuses to stay in each other’s orbit.”
September 20, 2025
3.5 - 3.75⭐
A sweet story with a nice setting.
I really liked David and Benji, their chemistry and dynamic was really good, but I would have loved to spend more time with them. This was too short!
🟢 Farmer neighbors
🔵 2 years of courting, pining, build up (sweet)
🟣 Gay/bi-awakening (demi)
🟡 Grumpy/sunshine
🌶️ That one sex scene was good, could be more; kissing, some oral, penetrative; t/b
"I looked at him standing there in his faded work shirt with a smudge of dirt on his cheek, avoiding eye contact as he handed over vegetables he’d grown specifically because I might like them. All while pretending it was nothing special. The same man who’d lectured me about proper fencing techniques for forty-five minutes last month. Who’d stayed up all night with me during that storm when my barn roof threatened to give way. Who argued with every new farming method I tried and then quietly implemented the successful ones on his own land. A voice snuck into my head. This man is the love of your life."
I really liked this setting and the start of a sweet, wonderful romantic journey for Benji and David. Becoming neighbors in rural Auckland, David, a seasoned farmer, struggles to accept the modern ways of his younger neighbor Benji, who has inherited the farm next door. Without fully understanding his own feelings, David is barreling toward his bi-awakening with Benji, who patiently waits for him to realize what’s developing between them.
I haven’t read many books about farmers, and I really appreciated the worn-out jeans, flannel shirts, those rough farmer hands and then them both loving on each other at the end of the day.
It was good and real, but we only get a glimpse of their lives like this, so I'm not as happy.
But apparently I've already read Aiden and Tyler's book and loved it and I'll definitely re-read it.
A sweet story with a nice setting.
I really liked David and Benji, their chemistry and dynamic was really good, but I would have loved to spend more time with them. This was too short!
🟢 Farmer neighbors
🔵 2 years of courting, pining, build up (sweet)
🟣 Gay/bi-awakening (demi)
🟡 Grumpy/sunshine
🌶️ That one sex scene was good, could be more; kissing, some oral, penetrative; t/b
"I looked at him standing there in his faded work shirt with a smudge of dirt on his cheek, avoiding eye contact as he handed over vegetables he’d grown specifically because I might like them. All while pretending it was nothing special. The same man who’d lectured me about proper fencing techniques for forty-five minutes last month. Who’d stayed up all night with me during that storm when my barn roof threatened to give way. Who argued with every new farming method I tried and then quietly implemented the successful ones on his own land. A voice snuck into my head. This man is the love of your life."
I really liked this setting and the start of a sweet, wonderful romantic journey for Benji and David. Becoming neighbors in rural Auckland, David, a seasoned farmer, struggles to accept the modern ways of his younger neighbor Benji, who has inherited the farm next door. Without fully understanding his own feelings, David is barreling toward his bi-awakening with Benji, who patiently waits for him to realize what’s developing between them.
I haven’t read many books about farmers, and I really appreciated the worn-out jeans, flannel shirts, those rough farmer hands and then them both loving on each other at the end of the day.
It was good and real, but we only get a glimpse of their lives like this, so I'm not as happy.
But apparently I've already read Aiden and Tyler's book and loved it and I'll definitely re-read it.
September 20, 2025
4⭐
Very sweet and cute. I wish it was longer!
I would recommend reading Playing Offside first to know the characters before reading this one.
Always a pleasure to read something about my "babies" Aiden and Tyler ❤️
Does someone know why Jax never refers to the All Blacks? It's always written "New Zealand Rugby team"... I don't get it.
But anyway, Jax is defo one of my favorite MM authors!!
Very sweet and cute. I wish it was longer!
I would recommend reading Playing Offside first to know the characters before reading this one.
Always a pleasure to read something about my "babies" Aiden and Tyler ❤️
Does someone know why Jax never refers to the All Blacks? It's always written "New Zealand Rugby team"... I don't get it.
But anyway, Jax is defo one of my favorite MM authors!!
April 24, 2026
Tropes: animosity (one-sided) to love, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity (neighbours)
Feels: 2/5
Steam*: 1/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: HEA
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representation: rural town homophobia, demisexual MC
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: there's some references to their exes, but nothing recent, nothing significant.
3.5 stars (novella standards applying)
David and Benji are neighbours. David is born and raised, a bit of a can't teach an old dog new tricks type of farmer. Benji is a bisexual former city boy who has taken over his Bachelor uncle's farm, and he was educated in agriculture and is all about trying new modern farming methods. And they clash, with David feeling resentment on his side. Over the course of 5 years, they get to know each other and even while David is feeling this animosity, he can't help caring about his neighbour, sharing his vegetables, helping him out when needed.
One day when they are in a sticky situation, in tight quarters, David finally realizes that this gnawing feeling that he gets towards Benji is attraction. Benji has known for a while that that's what this is. And they dive right into a relationship.
This was a pleasant enough novella. It was extremely short. Normally this author can do a lot more depth to the characters, depth to the plot, and just create a bit more of a charming story, even with this kind of amount of pages. So I feel like this wasn't quite a hit.
Some notable moments:
"His concern doesn’t fade. “Sorry, that was a shit way for you to have to come out.” “I don’t care about that,” I say. And I’m being truthful. What other people think doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that Benji’s looking at me like I might regret this whole thing when the truth is I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life. Even if my brother’s going to take the piss out of me until the end of time. “So what are you worried about then?” he asks quietly. “That my brother is going to think this means he can give me relationship advice.”"
"A voice snuck into my head. This man is the love of your life. And the voice resonated inside me with such clarity that I almost laughed out loud. Of course it was David. It would always be David. No one else had ever made my heart pound the way he did. “You okay?” he’d asked, frowning at my sudden stillness."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 2/5
Steam*: 1/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: HEA
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representation: rural town homophobia, demisexual MC
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: there's some references to their exes, but nothing recent, nothing significant.
3.5 stars (novella standards applying)
David and Benji are neighbours. David is born and raised, a bit of a can't teach an old dog new tricks type of farmer. Benji is a bisexual former city boy who has taken over his Bachelor uncle's farm, and he was educated in agriculture and is all about trying new modern farming methods. And they clash, with David feeling resentment on his side. Over the course of 5 years, they get to know each other and even while David is feeling this animosity, he can't help caring about his neighbour, sharing his vegetables, helping him out when needed.
One day when they are in a sticky situation, in tight quarters, David finally realizes that this gnawing feeling that he gets towards Benji is attraction. Benji has known for a while that that's what this is. And they dive right into a relationship.
This was a pleasant enough novella. It was extremely short. Normally this author can do a lot more depth to the characters, depth to the plot, and just create a bit more of a charming story, even with this kind of amount of pages. So I feel like this wasn't quite a hit.
Some notable moments:
"His concern doesn’t fade. “Sorry, that was a shit way for you to have to come out.” “I don’t care about that,” I say. And I’m being truthful. What other people think doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that Benji’s looking at me like I might regret this whole thing when the truth is I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life. Even if my brother’s going to take the piss out of me until the end of time. “So what are you worried about then?” he asks quietly. “That my brother is going to think this means he can give me relationship advice.”"
"A voice snuck into my head. This man is the love of your life. And the voice resonated inside me with such clarity that I almost laughed out loud. Of course it was David. It would always be David. No one else had ever made my heart pound the way he did. “You okay?” he’d asked, frowning at my sudden stillness."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2025
I always love a book by Jax Calder, and this one was no different. Benji and his grumpy neighbour, David, were both adorable, especially when we find out how long it took David to realise how long he’d had feelings for Benji.
It was funny, endearing, and very sweet. The way they brought each other gifts and subconsciously looked after one another for years. Ah, it’s far too cute! I also loved the little cameo from Aiden and Tyler.
Always a pleasure to read these novellas.
It was funny, endearing, and very sweet. The way they brought each other gifts and subconsciously looked after one another for years. Ah, it’s far too cute! I also loved the little cameo from Aiden and Tyler.
Always a pleasure to read these novellas.
March 7, 2026
“I’m fairly sure that when I’m on my deathbed, I’ll still be cursing Benji Gange’s name.”
This rom-com was all kinds of adorable, fun, and steamy. I’m a huge fan of Jax Calder; she’s become an auto-buy author for me, so I was already sold on this—and then she threw in a little mischievous lamb.
David is a farmer in New Zealand. He’s very by-the-books, a stickler for traditional farming practices. Which is why Benji, who inherited the neighboring farm is such a nuisance to him. Benji isn’t interested in blithely following the way things always are done; he does research and tries new methods.
If there’s one place where David colors outside the lines, it’s his garden. He’s constantly experimenting with new varieties of fruits and vegetables, and given that he always has an overabundance of his crops, he usually shares them with Benji. It’s amazing how Benji can get under his skin so easily but David still wants to share his crops with him. And Benji usually uses the food to cook for David.
One day, the smallest of David’s lambs gets loose. He starts frantically searching for it, and Benji pitches in to help. When Benji gets tangled up in a bush, David has to help free him. And at that moment, he realizes that his feelings for Benji are far stronger than simply neighborly ones. Is it possible that Benji feels the same way? (Spoiler alert: he does.)
I couldn’t stop smiling when I was reading this. The chemistry between the characters was terrific, there was some hot steam, and their banter was so sweet. I know I can’t go wrong with a Jax Calder romance!
Check out my best reads of 2025 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2025.html .
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
This rom-com was all kinds of adorable, fun, and steamy. I’m a huge fan of Jax Calder; she’s become an auto-buy author for me, so I was already sold on this—and then she threw in a little mischievous lamb.
David is a farmer in New Zealand. He’s very by-the-books, a stickler for traditional farming practices. Which is why Benji, who inherited the neighboring farm is such a nuisance to him. Benji isn’t interested in blithely following the way things always are done; he does research and tries new methods.
If there’s one place where David colors outside the lines, it’s his garden. He’s constantly experimenting with new varieties of fruits and vegetables, and given that he always has an overabundance of his crops, he usually shares them with Benji. It’s amazing how Benji can get under his skin so easily but David still wants to share his crops with him. And Benji usually uses the food to cook for David.
One day, the smallest of David’s lambs gets loose. He starts frantically searching for it, and Benji pitches in to help. When Benji gets tangled up in a bush, David has to help free him. And at that moment, he realizes that his feelings for Benji are far stronger than simply neighborly ones. Is it possible that Benji feels the same way? (Spoiler alert: he does.)
I couldn’t stop smiling when I was reading this. The chemistry between the characters was terrific, there was some hot steam, and their banter was so sweet. I know I can’t go wrong with a Jax Calder romance!
Check out my best reads of 2025 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2025.html .
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
April 13, 2026
I've read a few of Calder's novellas by now, and they always make me smile - they're just so cute and lovely. This one has slightly less banter compared to the others I've read, but it still delivers that sweet connection between the two male leads… plus an adorable lost little lamb named Pepper. It has that grumpy/sunshine trope that I'm sure many romance readers love.
Most of the chapters (except the epilogue) are from David's POV - the grump - which works well since Benji clearly falls first. It makes it more fun to watch David slowly catch up. That said, we do get a glimpse of Benji fully recognizing his feelings - realizing that David is the one - in the epilogue.
I should probably try one of Calder's longer novels one of these days 😁.
Most of the chapters (except the epilogue) are from David's POV - the grump - which works well since Benji clearly falls first. It makes it more fun to watch David slowly catch up. That said, we do get a glimpse of Benji fully recognizing his feelings - realizing that David is the one - in the epilogue.
I should probably try one of Calder's longer novels one of these days 😁.
October 4, 2025
He’s always like this, always acts like he’s pleased to see me despite the fact that nearly every interaction between us has some point of friction.
I can't help but wish Feeding the Grump was longer. That being said, this novella felt very fleshed out for being a novella. Love the pseudo enemies-to-lovers energy happening between the leads. I can't help but adore this very specific kind of enemies-to-lovers romance.
November 23, 2025
“Remember the time you kissed me on the riverbank?”
“I’ve never kissed you on the riverbank.”
“Oh well. Then I guess you better fix that. If you think it’s the neighborly thing to do.”
i trust Jax for making me cackle and swoon HARD on a bad day
September 19, 2025
Very cute and therefore way too short story 😍🤩🤗 (And little lambs 🥰🥰🥰)
I love this author and everything she writes. Please give me more next time!
I love this author and everything she writes. Please give me more next time!
December 18, 2025
4 stars!! Cute enemies to lovers novella. ❤️❤️
January 30, 2026
This was a super cute grunpy-sunshine short story. Loved how David's self-discovery of his sexuality was such a non-issue. I wish that's how it always was.
October 7, 2025
sweetest thing ever go read it rn
October 6, 2025
This was soo cute! I wish it was a full length book. Even like 100 more pages would have been suffice. Completely safe for me. No others and no break up. HEA.
September 19, 2025
A great quick read with fleshed out characters
This really pleasantly surprised me that a short story with less than 100 pages was so expertly fleshed out in regard to the MC’s.
David was an adorable grump that really showed how caring he was even when he was ‘feuding’ with his sunshine neighbor Benji.
I liked that the POV was from David’s perspective and the Epilogue from Benji.
Low angst and no major drama aside from Pepper escaping, I definitely recommend and would read more. Looking forward to Aiden and Tyler’s story.
This really pleasantly surprised me that a short story with less than 100 pages was so expertly fleshed out in regard to the MC’s.
David was an adorable grump that really showed how caring he was even when he was ‘feuding’ with his sunshine neighbor Benji.
I liked that the POV was from David’s perspective and the Epilogue from Benji.
Low angst and no major drama aside from Pepper escaping, I definitely recommend and would read more. Looking forward to Aiden and Tyler’s story.
March 10, 2026
3.75 stars. Very cute! A bit too much Aiden & Taylor, and it could have been a bit longer, but overall very enjoyable. I liked the vegetable / dinner exchanges, Pepper the lamb and the rural setting. For some reason I like books set on farms (and of course the ultimate lovable grumpy farmer is Charlie from Red dirt heart by N.R. Walker) and I love reading about the daily rhythms, the animals and the landscape. This short novella had a bit of that, but it's readable in less than an hour. Throw in some sweet guys and I'm happy.
September 20, 2025
I’ve read this before but still enjoyed it again
September 21, 2025
3 5⭐️ 1🌶️
October 23, 2025
Such a cute, light no angst novella with a surprisingly emotional sprinkling of spice, loved it!
April 28, 2026
I think this was really cute, very wholesome. I'm just eating these short little Kindle unlimited romance novellas like they are candy.
September 19, 2025
Extremely cute!
March 3, 2026
So sweet!
This was a really cute grumpy/ sunshine novella. I loved the dynamic between David & Benji and how they discovered their true feelings.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
This was a really cute grumpy/ sunshine novella. I loved the dynamic between David & Benji and how they discovered their true feelings.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
October 31, 2025
DNF - forgot I was reading it.
September 18, 2025
Sheer delight in a grumpy-sunshine, enemy/rival neighbors, gay (demi?)-awakening read!
I adore Jax Calder’s storytelling, her voice works so well for me. I ate up every word of this little charmer, featuring stoic grump David and effervescent charming Benji, who’s been David’s neighbor and the thistle in his crops for 5 years now.
Or so David thinks.
Seeing David’s slow awakening to what he and Benji have come to be to each other was adorable. And realizing Benji has been oh, so very patiently waiting for him to see it was poignant and a little heart-wrenching.
Benji’s been needling David with his newfangled farming ideas ever since the former big-city boy inherited the farm-next-door and waltzed on into town spouting ways to improve on the farming methods locals have relied on for generations. And being right in many cases.
When the two of them get caught in a tangle in the middle of a hedge while witnessing something rather shocking...then David realizes how he’s reacting to being pressed up to Benji...and the wool FINALLY gets pulled from the sheep farmer’s eyes...well. Things heat up satisfyingly, and as it turns out, David the grump is one farmer who won’t let the grass grow under his feet. Seeing David some a-courting was enchanting, and the two of them felt so right for each other, thanks to all the Jax-style examples of how they’ve supported and cared for each other underneath the snark and snapping throughout the years.
Just a darn good feel-good read that ends with stellar intimate sexy times. Feed me more, Jax Calder!
HEA, enemies (rival neighbors) to lovers, grumpy-sunshine vibes, and I’m pretty sure gay or demi awakening for David, who has his first-times with a man with Benji. So sweet and lovely. Totally safe for me, no others, just minor info on Benji’s former dating life, which ended two years ago (because Benji is a LOT quicker on the uptake 😂). Highly recommended. Read when you need a break from angst and drama and just want to smile!
My thanks to Jax Calder and her team for the reading copy. This is my free and impartial opinion.
I adore Jax Calder’s storytelling, her voice works so well for me. I ate up every word of this little charmer, featuring stoic grump David and effervescent charming Benji, who’s been David’s neighbor and the thistle in his crops for 5 years now.
Or so David thinks.
Seeing David’s slow awakening to what he and Benji have come to be to each other was adorable. And realizing Benji has been oh, so very patiently waiting for him to see it was poignant and a little heart-wrenching.
Benji’s been needling David with his newfangled farming ideas ever since the former big-city boy inherited the farm-next-door and waltzed on into town spouting ways to improve on the farming methods locals have relied on for generations. And being right in many cases.
When the two of them get caught in a tangle in the middle of a hedge while witnessing something rather shocking...then David realizes how he’s reacting to being pressed up to Benji...and the wool FINALLY gets pulled from the sheep farmer’s eyes...well. Things heat up satisfyingly, and as it turns out, David the grump is one farmer who won’t let the grass grow under his feet. Seeing David some a-courting was enchanting, and the two of them felt so right for each other, thanks to all the Jax-style examples of how they’ve supported and cared for each other underneath the snark and snapping throughout the years.
Just a darn good feel-good read that ends with stellar intimate sexy times. Feed me more, Jax Calder!
HEA, enemies (rival neighbors) to lovers, grumpy-sunshine vibes, and I’m pretty sure gay or demi awakening for David, who has his first-times with a man with Benji. So sweet and lovely. Totally safe for me, no others, just minor info on Benji’s former dating life, which ended two years ago (because Benji is a LOT quicker on the uptake 😂). Highly recommended. Read when you need a break from angst and drama and just want to smile!
My thanks to Jax Calder and her team for the reading copy. This is my free and impartial opinion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews