Stuck With My Grumpy Ex

by E.J. Wells, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

He’s my brother’s best friend.
My grumpy ex.
And now… my impossible roommate.

He’s the man I swore I’d never forgive.

Ethan Cole. Once the town’s golden boy, a pro hockey star with the world at his feet—and my first love.

Now he’s a brooding billionaire who pretends nothing can touch him. But he touched me once—then walked away, leaving me in pieces.

One twist of fate, and I’m stuck under the same roof with the man who makes my pulse race and my temper ignite.

I tell myself it’s only temporary.

But then he makes my son Noah laugh when I can’t.
He cooks us breakfast like we’re already a family.
He looks at me like I’m the air he needs to breathe.

And against every rule I swore by…I fall.

But Noah’s dad is back and he’s threatening custody.

And this time, loving Ethan could cost me the one thing I’d die to protect.

Stuck With My Grumpy Ex is a best friend’s brother, second chance, enemies to lovers romcom with plenty of banter! It has all the sizzling chemistry you love, but without the spice.

5 pages, Audible Audio

Published October 15, 2025

Reviews

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuck With My Grumpy Ex by E.J. Wells Review

Stuck With My Grumpy Ex by E.J. Wells is a sweet, enemies‑to‑lovers contemporary romance that centers on Emily, a single mom returning to her small town to restart her life with her young son Noah, and Ethan Cole, her brother’s best friend and the grumpy ex she once loved but who vanished without explanation years ago. When fate lands them sharing a cabin under the same roof for the summer, their past and present collide in all the best and most tender ways. Ethan, once a pro hockey star and now brooding with walls as solid as winter ice, finds himself helping with Noah, cooking breakfast like it’s second nature, and inadvertently stirring long‑buried feelings in both of them. What begins with irritation and awkward reminders of old hurts slowly softens into moments of laughter, connection, and the question of whether a past that broke Emily could also help mend her heart.

Right from the start, I felt drawn into Emily’s world: her meticulous rules and schedules made her feel so real and human, someone clinging to control after pain and disappointment, while Ethan’s quiet gruffness hinted at deeper wounds and unspoken regrets. Their banter is sharp and often amusing, making me laugh even as their emotional walls kept them at arm’s length, and the way Noah warmed to Ethan gave the story such a tender, familial heartbeat.

What I loved most was how the narrative explored healing at its own pace, letting small gestures of kindness and shared moments build an authentic sense of connection rather than rushing into feelings. There were times when the pacing felt like a gentle walk more than a sprint, and a few threads could have had richer backstory, but overall the blend of humor, heart, and second‑chance romance gave me that cozy, hopeful flutter of warmth. Stuck With My Grumpy Ex left me with a contented smile, thinking about how love can be both hard‑won and deeply worth it.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Because the emotional growth and small‑town charm made this a genuine, heartwarming second‑chance romance that felt both soothing and satisfying.

[Sheri Bolinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of the best books I've read lately! Ethan, Emily, and her 6yr old son, Noah, just jump off the page and into your heart! Ethan was absolutely the best MMC! He was grumpy and moody and absolutely hilarious! He had the biggest heart and deep scars to work through. Emily, sweet, caffeine addicted, color codes laminated lists and rules, was barely keeping it together with the scars she was carrying. Throw in a very active 6 yr old and all kinds of chaos ensues. I was laughing so hard one min and deeply saddened the next. This was a whirlwind of an emotional journey that I didn't want to see end. I seriously wish there was an epilogue to see what their future looked like. This was such an amazing book!

[Gena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars, but really thought it was more 3. This story was kind of a mess for me. It's like it wasn't finished. There'd be a story line and then it just stopped and another opened up. Nothing was completed. Example: main male character was going to play in a charity hockey game, he received a phone call from a reporter for a hockey magazine, she would catch him after the game to talked about what he had been doing and about "the fall." We never read about that game and never found out what "the fall" was. We never received any background on the relationship between the 2 main characters. All we know is he ghosted her so she wouldn't get mixed up into "his thing." Also, Emily's son, Noah (Emily is the main female character) received a telephone call early in the story letting her know that "Liam" was seeking full custody of Noah. Later in book, the name was Derek. This could have been a great story, it just went everywhere with no real substance and an HEA but don't really know how it got there.

[Cindy Burrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title suggests, Emily and Ethan have a past. Emily is a quirky character who I just love. She has a book of rules that runs her life. She has a son that she adores and loves to the moon and back. She and Noah are on the porch of the cabin where she has come to rest and find her purpose. She hears a voice she hasn’t heard in years talking to her. It can’t be, not when she’s just survived the longest school year ever. Unfortunately, it is “Ethan freaking Cole-former pro hockey star, current professional scowler.” Her perfectly planned weekend getaway is now ruined. Why can’t she catch a break? There’s no way she wants to share space with him. Well, he doesn’t seem so happy with her being there either. Well, at least they agree on one thing.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with being organized so that you can locate things easily. Emily takes things way past being organized. She labels items and schedules what she/they will be doing.
Her brother, Mark, Emily’s brother, arrives and neither one of them is happy with what he’s done. He knew Emily was there and gave Ethan a key without informing him that she was there. Mark leaves to get back home before it gets too bad and roads may be closed.
Ehan is hoping another team will take him on, he’s not ready to retire. Unfortunately, Ethan comes with baggage that all the teams are aware of. It’s not looking good for him to be picked up by any team and that is really affecting him.
This story is filled with bantering back and forth between Emily and Ethan. It’s also filled with moments when they are happy. The people in town assist with them getting back together. They get them to sign up for The Couples Game that’s part of the town festival. Noah cannot wait and he’s beyond excited.
Will the rumors come true? Will Emily and Ethan become a couple? Will they learn to get along? Who is the ex who shows up without any warning? Will this ex make trouble? What will happen with Ethan’s hockey career? Is his career over forever? Get your copy of Stuck with My Grumpy Ex by E.J. Wells today and find out the answers to these questions and so many more!

[RoseVE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happiness is Messy

Emily and Noah are coming back home to find a place to start over. Her ex-fiance left as soon as she was pregnant, wanting nothing to do with the responsibility of raising a child. The cabin that Mark said was open for them was already occupied. When the door opened, Ethan Cole greeted them. They discovered Mark had set them up. Because of her ex's constant criticism, she makes rules, color codes, and tries to control her life. Ethan is the opposite. He plays it by ear, keeps people away by putting up walls. But as they share the cabin, he enjoys playing with Noah, cooking with Emily and doing family-like things. Making rules becomes a way to laugh and not take life too seriously. Ethan is questioning himself, believing he is not good enough for this kind of happiness. Emily insisted she got some say in that. This is a story of two people who were broken, finding healing in being together. Ethan almost runs again, but comes back, determined to make this a permanent situation. Emily likes that idea, and Noah loves it because he loves Ethan. And Ethan loves them both. It's a sweet story of second chances and finding happiness even when they think they don't deserve it. I really enjoyed this book.

[Mary Ann Speel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story but a little different than usual. The h and H knew each other but their relationship failed. They are now living under the same roof for the summer because her brother who is the H’s best friend booked them together in the cabin. They can’t stand each other but they learn to live and work together. The banter is on going and funny as you also get the thoughts of the characters. The H wins over the h though the relationship that he develops with her son, and the meals he makes for them. When the h’s ex comes into the picture the H stands up for her and forces him out of her life. In the end they find the life they each need and want. Recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a family life based on characters who are struggling with their self identity’s even when they are successful and find their happiness when they can accept themselves as they are and are willing to open themselves up to love. Enjoy!

[Terry T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a sweet brother's best friend, second chance, enemies to more, single mom, close proximity romcom with no cliffhanger.
Some of the lines I really like --- “You guys sound like those grown-ups in movies who yell a lot before the car explodes.” --- “Mom says strangers are just friends with context.” --- “Books are the perfect vacation item.” --- “If that’s not the setup to a horror movie—or a really bad second-chance romcom—I don’t know what is.” --- "Trust your instincts and your glitter-streaked, juice-box-fueled six-year-old project manager.” ---
Noah is Emily's adorable six year old son.
What's Mark up to? What's Derek up to? These and other questions will all be answered.
I loved Emily and Ethan's story and I'm sure you will too. This is the first book of her's that I've read and it definitely won't be the last. I can't wait to read her next book.

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Stuck with My Grumpy Ex” by E.J. Wells

-A brother’s best friend, enemies to lovers hockey romance. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Emily and Ethan’s second-chance romance is equal parts sweet, funny, and frustrating in the best way. Their chemistry sparks off the page, even when you want to shake them for being stubborn. With a lively six-year-old, family ties, and plenty of angst, the story balances humor with heart.

The story delivers emotion, laughter, and a satisfying ending.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about a hockey player who was taken out of the game far too early, and a single mom (and young too) who's rule bound, yet wanting fewer rules.
The characters are engaging and the whole range of emotions shared made me wonder how things would ever work out! Many men would race away from her relentless rules! Time was nebulous and what I thought was for a week or two seemed to be months. A lot happening!
I enjoyed the book, and the especially the part about the monster in the lake! (Now you have to read this and learn about the monster, right??!!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

MC: Emily and Ethan, First person Dual POV

Emily and Ethan reconnect after years and they each have their own insecurities that are getting in the way of their lives. Together they help each other regain confidence in themselves. It was frustrating at times because their insecurities kept getting in the way of their relationship developing, but it also made it realistic since deep insecurities don't just go away overnight. This was a good read.

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

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I really wanted to like this book. the dialogue was good and the voice was also. however, it just felt like all the context was stripped out of the book. There were numerous continuity errors, and jumps in scenes and information. I think this author could be very good, but they definitely need some help with editing and plotting.

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I think the rules were fun and I loved the interactions he had with her son. The story wasn't perfectly refined but it got 5 stars from me because it was just fun and made me smile.

[Willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing and cute all at once

This book was very cute and sweet, but also made no sense whatsoever. There's beauty in that, but also lots of "what is even going on right now?" Noah is the best 6 year old book character I've ever encountered, and it was well worth the read.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first E.J.Wells book and I enjoyed the chemistry between Emily and Ethan. But there were times that they were both really annoying. But in the end it was a enjoyable read and I will definitely be reading more from E.J. Wells.

[Disneynerd719 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author plus my first Hockey themed book. I rather enjoyed it, there were some spots that felt a little jumped but it didn't mess with the story line too bad. I loved the chemistry between Emily and Ethan. There were times I wanted to smack them both. But in the end it was a enjoyable read and I will definitely be reading more from E.J. Wells.