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The Grumpy Surfer
Previous cover edition for the Kindle edition with ASIN: B0FP443DCR
A small-town, second-chance romance with grumpy sunshine energy, forced proximity, and one very loyal dog.
Penny Donovan had the perfect wedding planned. Until it went viral for all the wrong reasons. With her brand in freefall and her heart in shreds, she flees to the one place no one would think to find Harbor Keep, Virginia. nosy neighbors, salt air... and Dean Rivera.
Dean was the backup plan she left behind. Rugged, brooding, and too good at pretending he’s over her.
But then Penny crashes back into his life, half-drowned and with a career that is gasping for a remake. Their stormy reunion sparks more than just old feelings. And when things go out of whack, he goes surfing.
Then all hell broke loose.
There’s a storm. There’s only one bed. One roof. And one no funny business.
But in a town that remembers everything, and a house filled with what-ifs, playing fake-dating to salvage her career is at best laughable. And it’s only a matter of time before buried emotions resurface.
She’s a former influencer trying to rebuild. He’s a surfboard shaper with a past he has been trying to forget.
The chemistry? Still nuclear.
The baggage? Heavier than ever.
And the backup plan?
Might just be the real thing.
A small-town, second-chance romance with grumpy sunshine energy, forced proximity, and one very loyal dog.
Penny Donovan had the perfect wedding planned. Until it went viral for all the wrong reasons. With her brand in freefall and her heart in shreds, she flees to the one place no one would think to find Harbor Keep, Virginia. nosy neighbors, salt air... and Dean Rivera.
Dean was the backup plan she left behind. Rugged, brooding, and too good at pretending he’s over her.
But then Penny crashes back into his life, half-drowned and with a career that is gasping for a remake. Their stormy reunion sparks more than just old feelings. And when things go out of whack, he goes surfing.
Then all hell broke loose.
There’s a storm. There’s only one bed. One roof. And one no funny business.
But in a town that remembers everything, and a house filled with what-ifs, playing fake-dating to salvage her career is at best laughable. And it’s only a matter of time before buried emotions resurface.
She’s a former influencer trying to rebuild. He’s a surfboard shaper with a past he has been trying to forget.
The chemistry? Still nuclear.
The baggage? Heavier than ever.
And the backup plan?
Might just be the real thing.
195 pages, ebook
Published September 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 28, 2025
Dean and Penny have a story as old as time. Childhood sweethearts, Dean doesn't want to hold Penny back from realizing her. dreams. They make late night promises to make it work, but when Penny leaves, life takes over, and they fall apart.
Dean is heartbroken, but holds on. He enlists and comes home with more scars, physical ones this time.
Fast forward many years, Penny is an influencer and is getting married. But she is left hanging, live, for all the world to see. Her first thought is getting away from it all. That's what brings her back to her hometown, and Dean. He agrees to let her stay for a night, then another. The attraction is still there, but they fight it, until they don't.
But life intervenes again, and Penny gets a job offer. Dean doesn't want to hold her back, and wants to protect himself, so he tells her to go. She goes because she doesn't trust herself and doesn't think she deserves to be happy. But she quickly realizes she is her Bessel when she is with Dean.
I won't give it all away, but I love how the story plays out. The happiness and joy that they find in each other is the happily ever after I hoped they would find. I liked the little hints about the next leading man in the series, and I am looking forward to reading that one too.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dean is heartbroken, but holds on. He enlists and comes home with more scars, physical ones this time.
Fast forward many years, Penny is an influencer and is getting married. But she is left hanging, live, for all the world to see. Her first thought is getting away from it all. That's what brings her back to her hometown, and Dean. He agrees to let her stay for a night, then another. The attraction is still there, but they fight it, until they don't.
But life intervenes again, and Penny gets a job offer. Dean doesn't want to hold her back, and wants to protect himself, so he tells her to go. She goes because she doesn't trust herself and doesn't think she deserves to be happy. But she quickly realizes she is her Bessel when she is with Dean.
I won't give it all away, but I love how the story plays out. The happiness and joy that they find in each other is the happily ever after I hoped they would find. I liked the little hints about the next leading man in the series, and I am looking forward to reading that one too.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 23, 2025
Penny gets stood up at the altar, and as a wedding and lifestyle influencer, the moment goes viral. Her first instinct is to head home to Harbor Keep and to Dean. Told in dual point of view with shifts back and forth in time, the story gradually reveals the characters’ growth, unfolding their past and present experiences. We journey with them as they reconnect, navigating both heat and heartache, and ultimately commit to each other and their future. Penny leaves Dean again, needing to discover what is truly real for her, but not for long as he is the one for her.
Bloom fills the pages with passion as well as emotional depth. While I appreciate stories that move between past and future to provide insight into the characters, I found the flow here a little jarring at times. Still, it’s a romance that captures attention and draws you in.
Bloom fills the pages with passion as well as emotional depth. While I appreciate stories that move between past and future to provide insight into the characters, I found the flow here a little jarring at times. Still, it’s a romance that captures attention and draws you in.
May 17, 2026
Great story!
Dean and Penny were in love but she always wanted to leave this town and create a life she has control over. Now ten years later, left at the altar, she heads home to the one constant she had in her life, Dean. He was so heart broken that he still isnt over her. will they make amends or not?
Dean and Penny were in love but she always wanted to leave this town and create a life she has control over. Now ten years later, left at the altar, she heads home to the one constant she had in her life, Dean. He was so heart broken that he still isnt over her. will they make amends or not?
September 29, 2025
Dean and Penny make this book a great read. They discover they were meant to be! Love the dog Tug as well! Its a sweet love story.
September 29, 2025
This was a fast read full of emotion. The characters were damaged and were trying to find their way in life. The story was well written and the characters were relatable. That ending though- Wasn’t what I expected. I think Tug stole the show. An enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews