Bossy & Grumpy: A Sweet Small Town Opposites Attract Romance

by Charlotte Mae

He’s my brother’s best friend, my new business partner, and the last man I should be falling for.

I used to run the cabins my mom built like my life depended on it—because it kind of did.

Then Ethan Cole came back to town. My brother’s best friend.

The grumpy, bossy, maddeningly handsome man who bought a majority stake in our business and instantly started changing everything.

We clash over everything. Bookings. Budgets. And who actually runs the place.

But when a rival spreads lies that threaten the cabins’ future, Ethan offers a wild pretend to date. To show the town we’re united. Strong. Untouchable.

Only somewhere between fake hand-holding, him defending me in front of the whole council, and a storm that left us stranded together… I fell for him.

Now my brother hates him, the rumors are worse than ever, and the cabins’ future—and my heart—might not survive what’s coming next.

Each book in the Redbud Ridge series offers a sweet, clean & wholesome standalone romance set in a small town where community comes first, second chances bloom in unexpected ways, and even the grumpiest hearts can learn to hope again.

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa and Ethan . . .

In the middle of the daily chaos, Tessa's brother Jared Garrett arrives. He tells his sister to close her laptop, drop everything, and come with him to dinner right now... and he's not kidding around. Urgent! When they arrive at their mother's house, Jared finally says that Sage Daniels agreed to marry him. And when he mentioned his best man, Ethan Cole, would be coming back, her thoughts raced and everyone stared at Tessa. Tessa is always "nice"... but Ethan is intense and stern. Jared mentioned Ethan is also off-limits to his "little sister" and Jared didn't relax until she assured him she had no interest in his best friend. But the tension building in her mind wondered if he would come into her tidy life and either approve, rearrange, or critique everything she had done. Her linen closet may end up rearranged if he gets to it.

Tessa has just started to eat her pie when Ethan walks in, no longer the lanky teenager from her past! He walks straight to the paperwork on the cabins that Tessa brought with her to work on after dinner and disapproved that she still kept the records on paper. Then Jared said he needed to tell her "the other news" about the other reason for Ethan's arrival... he is now the majority partner of the cabins! Tessa will still be the manager while Ethan upgrades, expands, and modernizes everything. His big-city confidence (and annoying attitude) is about to spin her world around! And he instantly starts changing things as she argues about all of it! It feels like a personal attack. Jared then jumps in to warn Ethan that his sister is off-limits. But when Ethan gets a nasty taunting message under his truck's wipers, and the Redbud Ridge Gazette article, along with the gossips, begin to stir up a scandal, Tessa and Ethan will need a plan to deal with it. So he suggests they give everyone what they want since denial won't stop the rumors. Can he convince Tessa to go along with a fake romance? Will Ethan's defending her and his protective nature start to make things more real for them? Or will big brother Jared step in to keep them apart?

[Gerardine Noonan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and you will too!

Tessa has worked and run her Families Cabin business since she finished College and has brought it on a ton making sure that it is a place that people love to return back too. They have loads of Repeat Customers that have everything they ever need catered for.

Ethan, used to live two houses over from their family home, he is her Brother Jared's Best Friend. He comes home and buys into the Business much to Tessa's horror as she is used to running her way. Ethan has also been sworn off going anywhere near Tessa Romantically by her Brother. Neither of them see this being an issue until things begin to change between them.

We also have the Wicked Witch of the North Carla Schultz, a not so nice Woman who is trying to sabotage everything for her own gain.

I won't say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for you but believe me, you are going to love reading this book. The town where everyone who lives there gets in every ones business and think it's okay....ha ha

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all things Charlotte Mae, and this does not disappoint; this is part of The Redbud Ridge Romance series. Tessa runs the family business "The Cabins" since she graduated college. She loves seeing families come back year after year, celebrating milestones; birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and even weddings. Jared, Tessa's older brother, tells her that Ethan his best friend has bought the majority stake in their business "The Cabins." Tessa finds him bossy, grumpy; but handsome. They argue over everything, bookings, budget, and who runs the place. Ethan wants to modernize them, and expand; and starts changing things. Jared tells Ethan that Tessa his little sister is off limits; does he though? Clara Schultz, a gossip tries to dig up dirt on Tessa, The Cabins, and Ethan, for her own gain; who wins in the end? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Charlotte Mae!!!

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Charlotte Mae! The story of grumpy meet sunshine in a small town setting than then leads to a fake relationship, to tension, to feelings, is just beautifully written here. Ethan just bought into his best friend's cabin business, he is grumpy, controlling, and wants to set his ideas in place. TEssa runs the cabin business with her sunshine personality and the idea of holding onto history and tradition. TO say that they clash is an understatement, their banter is awesome. But as they start to see competition, they start a fake relationship, and the book gets better from there. YOu don't want to miss it!.

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

[Elaine A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa works hard to manage her family’s cabins and has been doing well, she thinks. But her brother hires one of his friends to help with the books and development of the property. But Ethan has had some problems with his old job. Tessa’s brother warns Ethan to leave Tessa lone but that is looking to be a problem. Then Carla, a developer in the area, keeps trying to make sure the cabins don’t make it. Love how Tessa and Ethan work together to make sure the cabins survive. And although they pretend they are in a relationship to save the cabins, it soon becomes apparent that there is more going on. Love the story and how things develop.

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

[Tylar Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tessa is the manager of her families cabins that have been in business for many years and loves her job and home. Ethan is a businessman from the city who is a new investor and friend of the family. Neither like the other and small town talk grows. Rumors spread, sabotage occurs and it looks like they could be closed if things don't turn around. This was an enjoyable book, I liked the characters but would have liked to see more bossy and grumpy characteristics like in the title. Overall fun and an easy sweet read.

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

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humor, family, intrigue, and a cute love story are the highlights of this story. I can relate to Tessa’s humor-“Okay, I tell the spreadsheet, because sometimes I narrate my own life…”-as I have also spoken to my work. Loved Tessa’s mom and her positive approach to life-“Mom always sets an extra seat “for good news to sit down.”” Ethan and Tess may have different styles and approaches to work and life, but they have a common goal and ethic which melds nicely when the villain creates problems. Head to Redbud Ridge Lakeside Cabins, which sound like a great place to stay, and check out this cute tale.
I gratefully received an ARC copy, but all opinions are my own.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! love Tessa and Ethan... this is their story... a fun fast paced rom/com drama... Tessa has been managing the family's rental cabins forever... Ethan her brother's best friend has bought the majority share and he wants to change everything to make it profitable... they clash.. they bicker... they have to work together ... rumors and more try to take them down... fake dating turning real... to save the cabins... so good !!!.

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

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

When he buys into her family's business the war begins between them. It is a fun read filled with dramatic twists and turns that had me connecting with Ethan and Tessa as their relationship evolves around their fake relationship. Will it lead them along the path to happiness. Ethan and Tessa had me glued to the pages of their story.

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

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

MC: Tessa Garrett and Ethan Cole, First person dual POV

I really enjoyed Tessa and Ethan’s story. It was a sweet kisses only romance, the tension between them could be felt as they started realizing things might not be so fake. Overall a well written story that can be read in one sitting.

For fans of: fake dating, brother’s best friend, opposites attract, small towns

I read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa and Ethan have an interesting story. I really thought their plan with a fake relationship was going to work. I was on the edge of my seat as all the speed bumps were coming their way. This was a great story that caught my attention.

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

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan and Tessa are great main characters! Jared is a hoot. BOSSY & GRUMPY is a wonderful slow burn romance that fully develops the plot of trying to save the family cabins on the lake business. Brava!
I reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book with no strings attached.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great opposites-attract romance.. I liked it very much.. It is so sweet and funny. Adorable characters..

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

[Kaitlyn Raasveld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and romantic. This was super entertaining and sweet and 100% kept my attention. The characters were sweet and fun together and definitely lifted my mood. Great cute read.

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

[Suze82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

united
Tessa and Ethan's story is entertaining but it also contains an important message: united we are strong!
I always enjoy the small town and family life vibes in this author's books.

[Jeenal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about romance blossoming between two polar opposites while trying to save business.