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Perfectly Grumpy: Perfect Crush Hockey Romance, Book 3
A grumpy hockey player. A sunshine PR queen. One fake relationship to survive the off-season—and one summer that changes everything.
The first rule of hockey PR? Never. Date. A. Player.
Which shouldn't be a problem—Tate Foster is the least dateable guy on the team. Logical. Bookish. Allergic to chaos. He hates attention almost as much as he dislikes me, the team's PR rep.
But when I rope him into a social media stunt to boost his image, the unthinkable it works. Suddenly, Tate—aka "Sheriff"—is looking like boyfriend material. And those dimples he tries to hide? Yeah… they're messing with my professional objectivity.
Then my ex crashes my family reunion, and I need a date—fast. Tate offers to return the favor by pretending to be my boyfriend. Just for the summer… until the family reunion ends.
Except now we're sharing a sofa bed in a too-small cabin, fake flirting in front of my entire family, and winning the Family Olympics like our future depends on it.
The PR plan was simple.
The rules were clear.
So why am I the only one completely, hopelessly falling for the act?
A perfect blend of heartwarming moments and laugh-out-loud humor, this closed-door hockey romcom is full of grumpy-sunshine charm, sweet fake dating, and one summer that changes everything—perfect for fans of Leah Brunner, Emma St. Clair, Jenny Proctor, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
The first rule of hockey PR? Never. Date. A. Player.
Which shouldn't be a problem—Tate Foster is the least dateable guy on the team. Logical. Bookish. Allergic to chaos. He hates attention almost as much as he dislikes me, the team's PR rep.
But when I rope him into a social media stunt to boost his image, the unthinkable it works. Suddenly, Tate—aka "Sheriff"—is looking like boyfriend material. And those dimples he tries to hide? Yeah… they're messing with my professional objectivity.
Then my ex crashes my family reunion, and I need a date—fast. Tate offers to return the favor by pretending to be my boyfriend. Just for the summer… until the family reunion ends.
Except now we're sharing a sofa bed in a too-small cabin, fake flirting in front of my entire family, and winning the Family Olympics like our future depends on it.
The PR plan was simple.
The rules were clear.
So why am I the only one completely, hopelessly falling for the act?
A perfect blend of heartwarming moments and laugh-out-loud humor, this closed-door hockey romcom is full of grumpy-sunshine charm, sweet fake dating, and one summer that changes everything—perfect for fans of Leah Brunner, Emma St. Clair, Jenny Proctor, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
Audible Audio
Published November 11, 2025
5 people want to read
About the author
Grace Worthington
24 books447 followersGrace Worthington is a three-time award-winning author who lives and breathes sweet closed door romcoms.
A former musical theatre gal and playwright, she brings that same energy, heart, and comedic timing to her stories, crafting witty banter and lovable characters you can’t help but root for.
She holds a master’s degree in psychology and human development and has also completed graduate studies in creative writing. Her inspiration comes from charming coastal towns and classic romcoms from the ’80s and ’90s.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids.
A former musical theatre gal and playwright, she brings that same energy, heart, and comedic timing to her stories, crafting witty banter and lovable characters you can’t help but root for.
She holds a master’s degree in psychology and human development and has also completed graduate studies in creative writing. Her inspiration comes from charming coastal towns and classic romcoms from the ’80s and ’90s.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 11, 2025
I listened to the audiobook of Perfectly Grumpy and loved the way Stephanie Kay and Liam Lambert portrayed Lauren and Tate. Their narration was some of my favorite and I really liked their voices for these characters.
Tate is seen as a grump since he's more reserved, private, and avoids the spotlight. When Lauren, his PR manager, steps in to help fix his image and it works, she starts to see him in a new light. Things get even more exciting when he offers to pose as her boyfriend at a family reunion her icky ex is crashing. I really enjoyed the dual POV, the forced proximity, entertaining family dynamics with Lauren's family Olympics and reunion, and the depth that was surprisingly deeper than I expected going into this one. I thought it was a really cute read and fun romcom with characters I could get behind and a dynamic that felt realistic and believable.
I recommend this book.
Tate is seen as a grump since he's more reserved, private, and avoids the spotlight. When Lauren, his PR manager, steps in to help fix his image and it works, she starts to see him in a new light. Things get even more exciting when he offers to pose as her boyfriend at a family reunion her icky ex is crashing. I really enjoyed the dual POV, the forced proximity, entertaining family dynamics with Lauren's family Olympics and reunion, and the depth that was surprisingly deeper than I expected going into this one. I thought it was a really cute read and fun romcom with characters I could get behind and a dynamic that felt realistic and believable.
I recommend this book.
November 15, 2025
This was a fun and playful grumpy x sunshine, fake dating, closed door romance. Lauren, the PR Manager for an AHL hockey team, does all she can to get the perfectly grumpy star player, Tate, to comply with her requests to create social media content. When he does, it results in them fake dating during the summer so she can have a partner for her family Olympic style games. Lauren’s internal struggle of not dating a player but falling for her fake date adds depth to her characters and I always enjoy when a grump finally shows his hidden soft side for the woman he is falling for…it makes me smile every time.
I enjoyed this audiobook dual narration of Stefanie Kay and Liam Lambert. They both had a wide range of inflection and emotions.
Thanks to the author for the ALC.
I enjoyed this audiobook dual narration of Stefanie Kay and Liam Lambert. They both had a wide range of inflection and emotions.
Thanks to the author for the ALC.
November 4, 2025
Kicking and screaming because I am so happy!!
Best quotes:
“Sunny, I will always keep your heart safe.” 😍😍😍
Ch.38 lol 😂 DAD ROASTING BART!! Heck yeah!!
“This is me, Lauren, kissing the man I’m falling for since we got stuck in the elevator.”
Best quotes:
“Sunny, I will always keep your heart safe.” 😍😍😍
Ch.38 lol 😂 DAD ROASTING BART!! Heck yeah!!
“This is me, Lauren, kissing the man I’m falling for since we got stuck in the elevator.”
November 11, 2025
I loved listening to Stefanie Kay & Liam Lambert bring Tate & Lauren's stubborn, caring, sweet, supportive, loving, swoony happily ever after come to life!!
January 29, 2026
So this is the first book in this series that I have read so far/listened to. And let me tell you, it was so cute. This book kept me listening, smiling, and laughing. It was cute and sweet.
The banter between the players. The nicknames for each other. The being there for each other and sticking up for each other.
Lauren helps Tate with his image when he sticks his foot in his mouth. So when Lauren needs a boyfriend for her family reunion, Tate shows up. He plays the part, is all in on the family competitions, and even shares his cabin with her.
They start to let each other in on their own life details and start to let the walls come down.
This was definitely a cute book and makes me want to read the books before this one. The audio was well done!
The banter between the players. The nicknames for each other. The being there for each other and sticking up for each other.
Lauren helps Tate with his image when he sticks his foot in his mouth. So when Lauren needs a boyfriend for her family reunion, Tate shows up. He plays the part, is all in on the family competitions, and even shares his cabin with her.
They start to let each other in on their own life details and start to let the walls come down.
This was definitely a cute book and makes me want to read the books before this one. The audio was well done!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews