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Grumpy Ever After: A Bundle of Dad Bod Instalove Romance

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One by one, these grumps will fall.Welcome to Teddington, West London—where the men are broody, the women are luminous, and happily ever afters are hard-fought yet inevitable.

In this scorchingly hot collection of opposites-attract, instalove romances, you’ll meet Jack, Sean, and three men who’ve never believed themselves worthy of forever… until they spot the one. But love is never that simple, and each of them must learn to stop self-sabotaging before they ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to them.

Each story stands alone, yet together, they create a cozy small-town world of found family, late-night pints, early-morning coffees, and the kind of steam that’ll fog up your reading glasses. Along with all the deliciously messy grumpy/sunshine vibes your heart desires.

Alice and the Grump
A broody celebrity chef meets the curvy café manager he accidentally ruins—and the only woman he’s ever been tempted to fight for. This silver fox might save her business… and lose his heart in the process.

All My Heart
A burnt-out comedian, a gorgeous young drifter, and one impossible age gap. He thinks she’s too bright for his darkness—until her laughter becomes the only spark he can’t live without.

Roommates with Benefits
He wanted a quiet male roommate. He got sunshine in tiny tank tops. Forced proximity turns to slow-burn longing as a reclusive, self-loathing man discovers what it means to protect—and be loved by—the woman who sees straight through him.

What are you waiting for? All three of these grumps could be yours today and ever after.

517 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2026

1 person want to read

About the author

L. Moone

60 books108 followers
L. Moone writes steamy romance about big, brooding and devoted men who fall fast and love hard.

Her heroes might think they’re unworthy—but that won’t stop them from losing their hearts. Whether husky, grumpy, or cinnamon roll sweet, they’ll do anything for the women they love. And the heroines? They might act fierce and independent, but they've already melted just for him.

💖 Steamy, messy instalove

💖 Damaged, self-sacrificing heroes who put her first

💖 Dad bods, curvy girls and everything in between

💖 All the drama, all the feels, and a heartfelt and healing HEA—every time.

If you love obsessed book boyfriends, sassy heroines, and romance that makes your heart ache before putting it back together again, you’re in the right place.

📩 Grab your FREE book & start reading today at lmoone dot com

If you're an avid reader & reviewer/book blogger and are interested in any of my books, please do reach out about joining my review team. :)

(P.S. If you love a little magic with your romance, check out her Paranormal & Fantasy books as Lorelei Moone!)

NOTE: She used to publish under her old pen name Hedonist Six.

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for The Book Junkie Reads . . ..
5,075 reviews155 followers
February 9, 2026
🍺 Grumpy Ever After: Where the Dad Bods and Grumps Reign Supreme!

L. Moone has officially carved out a permanent spot on our "Real World Sexy" shelf! Teddington, West London sounds like the absolute perfect place to find a man who is a little broody, a lot protective, and built like a real human being. This collection is a 4-star sanctuary for anyone who loves a "Dad Bod" hero with a heart of gold hidden under a grumpy exterior. 🍺🧔‍♂️✨

🍳 Alice and the Grump: The Silver Fox Chef
Nothing says "deliciously messy" like a celebrity chef accidentally ruining a curvy café manager's business. Jack is the ultimate silver fox grump! Watching him go from accidentally destroying Alice’s livelihood to fighting for her heart was the perfect opening course. Sometimes a little self-sabotage leads to the best redemption. 🍳🥐

🎭 All My Heart: The Burnt-Out Comedian
This age-gap story hit all the right emotional notes. A burnt-out comedian who thinks he’s too "dark" for a "bright" young drifter? It’s classic grumpy/sunshine! Sean trying to resist her laughter—only to realize it’s the only thing keeping him afloat—was incredibly moving. It’s that deep, protective love we crave. 🎤🖤

🏠 Roommates with Benefits: Sunshine in Tank Tops
Forced proximity is the gold standard for a reason! The reclusive, self-loathing Keith just wanted a quiet male roommate, but he got Sam. I loved the visual of "sunshine in tiny tank tops" clashing with a man who just wanted to hide from the world. Watching him realize he was worthy of being loved—and protected—by the woman who saw through his walls was the perfect finale. 🏠☀️

✨ Why These Grumps Win:
The "Dad Bod" Appeal: There is something so incredibly sexy about a man who is strong and protective but looks like someone you could actually "lay your head on or get an amazing hug from." 🤗

The Teddington Vibe: L. Moone excels at creating that "cozy small-town" feel (even in West London) with late-night pints and found family.

The "Self-Sabotage" Struggle: It makes the Happily Ever After feel so much more earned when you see these men overcome their own insecurities to claim their women.

My Final Verdict
Grumpy Ever After is a 4-star "fab" collection! It’s steamy, grounded, and features the kind of men who might grumble at you while they’re making sure you’re taken care of. If you need a "broody but devoted" fix, this bundle is exactly where you should lay your head! 🍺🧔‍♂️💖

Teddington certainly knows how to produce a top-tier grump!
Profile Image for kymagirl.
6,869 reviews89 followers
January 22, 2026
They didn’t plan on falling. But love has a way of showing up anyway.

Three slow burn to steamy, emotionally charged romances where brooding men meet the women who challenge their silence, shake their routines, and refuse to let them hide. From coffee shop rivalries and shared apartments to unexpected second chances, each story blends tension, heartache, and intimacy into something that lingers.

These men start off withdrawn and weighed down by grief, guilt, or regret. But through slow trust and small moments of connection, they begin to let love in. The women bring light, resilience, and patience, showing them they’re still worth choosing. Together, they build something raw, real, and redemptive.

Alice and the Grump:
A reclusive chef and a quietly determined barista clash over coffee and kitchen space until guarded hearts start to soften. With secrets exposed and trust on the line, they find something worth risking everything for. It’s a story about identity, connection, and the quiet courage it takes to stay.

All My Heart:
A burned-out comedian and a drifting young woman find themselves sharing space and silence in a pub attic turned temporary home. What begins as mutual avoidance slowly becomes something deeper as they face regret, pressure, and the vulnerability it takes to be fully seen. It's about second chances, emotional honesty, and finding your voice when it matters most.

Roommates with Benefits:
Two strangers carrying old wounds become unlikely roommates, each wary of letting anyone in. Through shared space and steady care, their connection deepens into something that feels like safety. It's about trust, healing, and the kind of love that shows up and stays.

The Elevator Pitch: Brooding men meet their match in this steamy, slow burn collection where silence collides with spark. Love shows up uninvited, carving its way through guarded hearts and quiet rooms until connection is impossible to ignore. Packed with forced proximity, aching vulnerability, and tender heat, these romances unravel slowly, then all at once. It’s the kind of love that lingers, changes, and stays.
Profile Image for Curvy Girl Book Nerd   (Jen S).
4,936 reviews65 followers
April 29, 2026
GRUMPY EVER AFTER is a collection of 3 books from the Husky Ever After series. They are all steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, grumpy-sunshine, curvy girl gets her dad bod hunk romances. Books included are:

1. ALICE AND THE GRUMP
ALICE AND THE GRUMP is part of the Husky Ever After series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, age-gap, grumpy-sunshine, curvy girl gets her dad bod hunk romance. Alice is a sweet, sassy, and curvy coffee shop manager and barista in her 20s. Jack is a 47 year old hunky, grumpy, silver-fox celebrity chef with a dad bod. He has come to town to open a new restaurant, but when he goes into the coffee shop Alice works at, he's taken with the curvy beauty. She's attracted to him too, but he has bought the building where her shop is. How will she feel when she finds out? I loved this one so much. I have adored Alice and Jack as side characters in other stories, so seeing them get their own happy ending after some angst was amazing. They really did have great chemistry and were absolutely perfect for each other. I loved it so much!!. 5☆s

2. ALL MY HEART
Review will be updated shortly

3. ROOMMATES WITH BENEFITS ROOMMATES WITH BENEFITS is part of the Husky Ever After series. It's a steamy, instalove with a slow-burn vibe, opposites-attract, grumpy-sunshine, forced-proximity, girl gets her dad bod hunk romance. Omg, I loved this one so much. Keith is a hunky, grumpy, golden retriever with a dad bod and a heart of gold. He thinks he's unworthy of love. Sam is a sweet ray of sunshine down on life after breaking up with her ex. She becomes Keith's roommate but he thought she was a he...Oops. Both are hurting, both have baggage, and both are drawn to each other. I loved seeing them fall in love and help to heal each other. This one had all the feels with hot chemistry and a happy ending after the angst. I loved it!.

This was such a great collection. I love the Husky Ever After series so much!
Profile Image for Shalalah.
830 reviews4 followers
January 23, 2026
Grumpy Ever After is one of those collections that feels like slipping into a favorite neighborhood pub—warm, familiar, a little steamy, and full of characters you immediately want to root for. Set in Teddington, this bundle delivers three standalone stories that share a cozy, lived-in world where broody men with dad bods discover that love doesn’t require perfection… just honesty and a little courage.

Each romance brings its own flavor, but what ties them together is how human they feel. Jack, Sean, and Keith are flawed, guarded, and painfully good at getting in their own way. Watching them slowly realize they’re worthy of love is as satisfying as the instant attraction that sparks each story. The women are bright, grounded, and refreshingly self-aware, offering sunshine without feeling like plot devices. There’s plenty of heat, but it’s balanced by emotional growth, found family vibes, and that comforting promise of a well-earned HEA.

If you love grumpy/sunshine dynamics, older heroes with real insecurities, and instalove that still manages to hit emotionally, this collection is a total win. It’s cozy, sexy, and surprisingly heartfelt—a perfect binge for when you want romance that leaves you smiling long after the last page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,702 reviews16 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 10, 2026
Alice and the Grump
What I liked about this story was how Alice was able to realize her dreams. Not only did she work hard, but when presented with a challenge, she accepted help from friends, and an almost-stranger, created a plan and proceeded to work with everything she had. Her courage allowed her to be upfront about her needs and her hopes and that led to a most welcome, romantic relationship.

All My Heart
What I learned from this story: go to the pub when the chips are down! Just kidding. Whether experiencing loneliness and feelings of rejection, writers-block or just looking to unload, a friend is one who will listen. When Lily finds a kindred soul in Sean, more than secrets are poured out.

Roommates with Benefits
Who hasn't been surprised by something either read/watched or experienced? Keith may have thought he wanted someone who would blend in with his quiet surroundings, but what he got was a more effervescent and bubbly spirit who shook up his world. His grumpiness soon disappeared underneath her shiny outlook on life.
Profile Image for Johanna.
4,289 reviews71 followers
January 22, 2026
3 in 1 grumpy-sunshine romance collection.

'Each story stands alone, yet together, they create a cozy small-town world of found family, late-night pints, early-morning coffees, and the kind of steam that’ll fog up your reading glasses. Along with all the deliciously messy grumpy/sunshine vibes your heart desires.'

All the characters were so very appealing and likeable and perfectly steamy together. Plots were well written and developed. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed each story 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.
293 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
January 16, 2026
This is a really cute series of 3 books. The MMCs all have dad bods that the FMCs love. Gives them something to hold on to and makes them great cuddle buddies. Each story is different. Each has its own struggles. They all have great spice and a great HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,206 reviews32 followers
January 20, 2026
Each of this trio of interconnected standalone stories is dual POV, well written, and a sweet and steamy, opposites attract, instalove, contemporary romance. I enjoyed the character growth and development, as well as the support from those around them. I enjoyed the building intimacy and the happy endings.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Merry Jelks-Emmanuel.
14.2k reviews158 followers
January 20, 2026
This collection of stories is heartfelt and had me connecting with these men who truly epitomizes real men. They had me connecting with them as I cheered them on. The stories are well written with wonder storylines and characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Holly.
2,973 reviews
February 3, 2026
Great set of books.They will keep your attention entertaining.
Every book future different couple and their journey to happiness against all odds.
My favourite is The Roommate.
Sweet and funny,in good way. They are so good together,just they need to find resolution and admit to feelings.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
904 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 11, 2026
This collection is awesome! I love all three of these, but Roommates with Benefits has a special place in my heart... Sam and Keith are perfect together!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews