The Penthouse Grump

by Loni Ree

It’s an HR nightmare.

Alice

Running late is my cardio, but I didn't expect my morning workout to include baptizing a stranger with a venti latte. He was rude, he was growly, and unfortunately, he was gorgeous. I thought I’d seen the last of him until I stepped into the elevator that evening—and saw him hit the button for the penthouse. Just my luck. But the real nightmare began Monday morning when I walked into the boardroom at The Mercer Group. That grumpy penthouse resident? He’s Gabriel Mercer. My boss’s boss’s boss. I should be worried about getting fired, but the way he stares at me across the conference table doesn't feel like termination. It feels like trouble.

Gabriel

I don’t do distractions. I run a billion-dollar empire and I live a disciplined life—until a chaotic woman in a gray business suit soaked my favorite shirt in coffee. I should have been furious. Instead, I haven’t slept a wink since, because she’s the only thing haunting my dreams. When I find out she works for me, the game changes. She thinks I’m going to fire her for the spill. She’s wrong. I’m going to make sure she never runs away from me again. Alice Stone belongs with me, and I’m ready to break every HR rule in the book to prove it.

Nestled in the heart of charming Worthington Hills, this quaint apartment building is more than just brick and mortar—it's a hotbed of budding romances and steamy encounters.

So pull up a chair, order your favorite latte, and get ready to fall head over heels for the lovable residents of #1 Love Place. In this building, love isn't just knocking on doors—it's kicking them down!

100 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2026

Reviews

[Bego · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alice crashes into Gabriel and splashes her coffee onto him and herself. She apologizes and runs to her job. Gabriel is smitten from that first moment and can’t keep her out of his mind, he doesn’t want to, and he’s all in.
Gabriel is the CEO of the company that Alice works in, and he lives in the penthouse of the same building she lives in.
They’re super cute together. Gabriel is a little caveman sometimes but still sweet with her, and Alice is adorable and sassy.
Just a feel good, insta love story.



Details:
- Age gap (she’s 25yo and he has a hint of silver in his hair).
- Nothing about their pasts.
- No OP drama.
- Epilogue 6 months later.



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

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number 1 of the #1 Love Place series and focuses on Gabriel and Alice. Gabriel is a billionaire CEO who has made his name with the company that he built from the ground up. He has always kept people for the most part at a distance and thrives in the controlled setting within his company. When he has a run in with Alice and she spills her coffee over both of them, he finally finds he has a new purpose in life. His life goes from revolving around his company to revolving around Alice. He knows that he has found his other half and stops at nothing to make sure that she is his. This was a great story and a great start to the series.

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

[Amanda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of the series and is about Gabe and Alice. It’s the start of another amazing series by Loni.
This was a light hearted read. There wasn’t a lot of drama for the main characters….well with the exception of Alice spilling coffee on Gabe but that was more funny than drama.
Gabe meets Alice and that’s all it takes for him to want her forever. Her sassy side with her sweet and adorable demeanor stopped Gabe in his tracks.
He’s a workaholic who is the big boss. When he wants something..he makes it happen but will it be like that with Alice? Will he be able to win her over? Will she get scared at the fact that when he falls..he falls hard? Can she convince him that trashy reality tv is everything!??
5 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 1 of the #1 Love Place series. And a wonderful read it is.

'Get ready to fall head over heels for the lovable residents of #1 Love Place. In this building, love isn't just knocking on doors—it's kicking them down!'

The characters drove the storyline and they were so very appealing and complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was well written and developed. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. All in all a great start to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's a puzzle he can't work out...

A challenge he is determined to complete, she's his everything!

Gabe loses his heart the moment Alice and her coffee crash into him, he cannot escape her chaos and he loves every second of it. I really like that Gabe fully owns his feelings, he embraces their chemistry and sets out to prove himself and his love to Alice. He doesn't try to buy her affection, nor impress her with over the top gestures, he doesn't demand or pressure, he takes his time and woo's her.
A great visit to #1 Love Place, I look forward to more. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice has a coffee incident with a hot guy who lives in her building, who suddenly becomes infatuated with her. Turns out he's the CEO owner of the company where she works, but she's sassy, doesn't throw herself at Gabriel's feet, and he's all for it!

This was an insta-love and for me kinda typical boss I-get-what-I-want vibes story. Overall it's written pretty well and is a short sweet story that makes for a quick read in the day.

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

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loni Ree's The Penthouse Grump is a quick, entertaining and steamy kick-off to her new series, # Love Place. Gabriel and Alice's meet-cute is less than auspicious - and when he turns out to both live in the penthouse of her building AND head the company she works for, she fears the worse. Instead, the grumpy billionaire becomes intent on winning over the woman he can't get out of his head. A fun, sexy romance well worth a read.

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

[Sarah Freilinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel knows what he wants, and he wants Alice. She is someone that does not fall at his feet, She makes him work for it. She works from him at his company, but that does not mean that he will jeopardize his company for love.
I love Loni Ree books, they are short but definitely not sweet and innocent. There is always spice.

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

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable instalove romance is a really good read. Gabe meets Alice and is instantly infatuated. What I really liked about this read is the fact that he is rich and powerful but none of that is involved in his pursuit to show Alice how much he wants her. It’s refreshing that there is no power dynamic and it’s just a man who wants a woman and is willing to put in the effort.

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

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was like "What?" With regards to Gabriel, and then I was ok OK, let's role with this, he was who he was and he had no qualms about it. I enjoyed seeing Alice find her footing and challenge him, they fitted so well. I really liked how confident they both were and that in the end they both went after what they wanted.

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

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would have thought that a cup of spilled coffee would lead to a perfect happily ever after? That's how Gabriel and Alice's story begins. Gabriel falls like a ton of bricks for the pretty girl who spilled coffee on him, and Alice gets all nervous and breathless around him. This is such a great book. It is very low-drama and full of steam. Best of all, it has an excellent happy ending.

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

[Sabrina Kern · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely and hot short story, not much going on which I don't mind.
The novel is focusing on the meetings of Gabe and Alice, their thoughts and feelings and their quick way to HEA
Loved his obsession for her and that she is not too easy to get.
I recommend this two hour get-away in a world of no drama, just love and spice.

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

[PurpleLadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Penthouse Grump, by Loni Ree is was a fun quick read. Gabriel knows what he wants and has no problem going after it. Alice, is young and sweet, but not a pushover. She likes Gabriel, but and makes sure he works hard to win her heart.

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

[Nicole M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, low angst, romcom that will make you swoon for a billionaire. I loved Gabe. I love the way he thinks. While reading, I sent a quote to a friend and said... all books need this vibe. What was the quote? You're gonna have to read it and find out for yourself!! Alice kept him on his toes though and I loved that too!

[Kyareth14 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, easy-to-read story with a captivating plot that will make you enjoy every chapter. Alice and Gabriel met in the elevator, and although their first encounter was awkward, the attraction between them was strong. Gabriel, being the perfect businessman that he was, set out to win Alice over, even if it meant breaking all of his company's HR rules in the process.

[Unrulyreadr Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was ok, I felt there wasn't much to the grump personality as much as a man who just had coffee spilled on him. Now she was grumpy and he seemed to be more sunshine to me. Over all if you looking for a cute, funny and spicy short read. This will be it.

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

[JaneH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humour, spice and love

Gabe and Alice are quite simply perfect, cute and oh so likeable. It starts with a coffee spill!! And poor Gabe swoons, ensures he sees her in the lift, at work, buys her cheesy pizza and cooks for her. He certainly wasn’t a grump with Alice.
These two find love, passion and friendship. Humour and spice included

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was totally worth every second!!

I love this author and I love this book!! What a way to start a new series. Absolutely loved the characters and their flirty banter. Totally sucked me into their story!! Got so lost into this book, that people were talking to me but didn’t hear a word they said. That’s how much this story pulled me in. Just had everything I love in a romcom read. I devoured it in one sitting I cannot wait for more from #1 Love Place. It was totally worth every second!! Happy reading

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Gabe and Alice's meet cute. It was such an adorably flustered moment that just grabbed me right away and had me falling for this couple. I loved their snarky (her) banter and his possessive dirty talk. The story was so much fun to read and makes me want to move into this apartment building.

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

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute instalove romance. It was a short, well written story that was full of warmth and steam. Alice and Gabriel had a great meet cute and I just loved how he instantly knew that she was the one for him.

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

[Jeananna w/The Book Reading Gals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoony, steamy, LOL, and absolutely perfect! Gabe gets what he wants. Alice is what he wants and he’s all in!
Reading their sassy banter and watching love bloom was an excellent way to spend a couple of hours on a snowy afternoon. Highly rec and eager for the next #1 Love Place story!

[Rainbowlovesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Penthouse Grump. It's light hearted instalove, which keeps you engaged and gives you the warm fuzzies.
Easy to read, especially if you want a quick romance hit before bed.
Looking forward to the series.

[Nichole Loza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect!

A man who knows what he wants! And this man wants his “coffee girl”. The moment Gabe gets coffee spilled on him, he knew Alice was going to be his. He didn’t become a billionaire without putting in the work, and Alice is going to make him work for it! Loved it!

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Alice captures Gabe's heart and he soon returns the favor. It was sweet how well they fit into each other's lives.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a fast-paced story that pulls us into the lives of Alice and Gabriel. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with instant connection, determination and steam.

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

[Amy Hutchins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so loved Alice, such spunk and sass, and Gabriel not seeing it even coming. I loved their banter and chemistry.

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

[Mimirureviewbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Penthouse Grump is book 1 in the Love Place series written by the talented author Loni Ree. This is Alice Stone and Gabriel Mercer insta love romance story. I laughter, cried, fanned my face. The book has it all. I just couldn’t put it down.

[Mama christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice insta story

It's nice to read an insta love story sometimes and this one was perfect. It didn't try to be too funny and stuck to the romance part of the story with spicy times rather than the other way around.

[Tracey Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when he falls 1st! Nicely written with good characters. Short but sweet read. Great flow. Easy read. Plenty of chemistry with a little drama.

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

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb really sparked my interest; I was genuinely curious to see what would unfold. Oh boy, that turned out to be a truly enjoyable read.

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