Stranded with the Grump: An Enemies to Lovers Sweet Romance

by Ella Brinkley

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2026

Reviews

[Andrea Youngs]

This book was cute, but I was getting to the point that I had had enough of the grump, lighten up!! Still was a cute ending though!!

[Judy]

I received this as an ARC.

I really enjoyed Stranded with the Grump by Ella Brinkley, it was such a quick, easy read and a fun take on the enemies-to-lovers trope.

The story takes place over just a few days in Cabo, where Harper and Miles are kind of thrown together at a resort. On paper, it has all the elements I love: forced proximity, emotional baggage, and that slow shift from tension to something more. And for the most part, it delivered. I especially liked how their walls slowly started to come down as they opened up about why they were both there.
Miles was definitely the standout for me. He’s wealthy but genuinely kind and trying, which made him really easy to root for. Harper, on the other hand, took me a little longer to warm up to. She’s guarded, avoidant, and clearly dealing with her own fears, but at times it felt like she kept pulling back just when things were getting good. Honestly, I went into this thinking Miles would be the “grump,” but it kind of felt like that title belonged to Harper instead.
That said, I did enjoy watching their dynamic unfold. It wasn’t overly dramatic or sappy, which I appreciated, it felt more like a light, breezy romance with just enough emotional depth. I do wish there had been a bit more banter and chemistry at times, but the short chapters kept me hooked and made it really easy to keep reading.
The setting was also a highlight. The descriptions of Cabo were vivid without being overdone, I could totally picture the “aggressively blue” ocean and the whole resort vibe.
Overall, this was a cute, entertaining read that I flew through. If you’re looking for something light with an enemies-to-lovers feel and a satisfying HEA, this is definitely worth picking up. I’ll read more from Ella Brinkley for sure! Loved it!

[Really_Randii]

Stranded with a Grump by Ella Brinkley was a quick and overall cute read, but unfortunately it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

The story takes place over 4 days while are in Cabo. The premise had a lot of potential: Miles is wealthy but genuinely trying, and Harper, a struggling woman who clearly has a lot of fears and walls up. I expected more tension, witty banter, and personality between them given the grumpy trope, but the dynamic felt a bit monotone to me.

What made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the story was the lack of connection I felt with the characters. I especially felt for Miles. It seemed like every time he tried to open up or make an effort, she pulled away again. While I understand the intention of showing a character who is guarded and afraid, it felt like that hesitation overshadowed the relationship development rather than adding depth to it.

If you’re looking for something light and short, it may work for you. For me personally, I just wish I had felt more chemistry, more banter, and more emotional connection between the characters.

[Karen "Kay"]

A great story that starts in Cabo. Harper (MFC) has saved and scrimped to have seven relaxing days in Cabo. Right at the beginning of her trip, she is surprised with a $500.00 hold on her card for incidentals that she didn’t know about. When she leave the check in counter she bumps into Miles (MMC) a complete opposite to Harper as he is wealthy and has escaped to Cabo to avoid an announcement at the family firm. They keep crossing paths. Harper is guarded, while Miles though having money is genuinely kind and caring. I enjoyed the way their story unfolds and Miles gives her the space she asks for. It was great how the story progressed to Phoenix, and ultimately to the east coast. A definitely 5+ recommendation. I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout, and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[De Smith]

This book was a quick and sweet story. It was an interesting premise that I wasn’t entirely expecting when I started the book. Miles and Harper are pretty relatable characters in my opinion. Miles is one that sees a lot of growth and development throughout the story. He may have been rich but he wasn’t out of touch. He tried. He put in the effort to let Harper see he could be trusted. He didn’t just throw money around and bully her into trust like a lot of characters in this trope. I cheered for Harper to give him a chance the entire time. Harper was a little harder for me to relate to but she was still an engaging character. I really enjoyed the journey their relationship took and the ending they got was perfect for them.

[Jea]

Harper is drowning, living paycheck to paycheck. She desperately needs a break, so she goes to Cabo for a much needed vacation. There, she meets Miles, a grumpy corporate executive who is trying to escape from the future his father has planned for him. They both want something different from their lives, but both are scared - he is afraid to turn his back on the family dynasty, she is afraid of failure. They feel a strong attraction to each other, but can it survive when they go their separate ways after Cabo? This book delves into two people who are facing difficult decisions and struggle with choosing the possibility of having their own happiness over making others happy. Well-written, sweet love story, great communication, mature choices, no spice. Clean, contemporary romance.

[Julie Guay]

I enjoyed the tropical Cabo setting and the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between the characters. The vacation atmosphere and forced proximity were fun elements for a romance.

I did have a bit of trouble connecting with the female main character early on. Some of her interactions came across a little harsh to me, which made it harder to fully root for the relationship at first.

Overall, the premise is strong and readers who enjoy vacation romances and opposites-attract stories may enjoy this one.

[The Book Ssirren]

Harper and Miles in a Cabo retreat. They’re both there for a getaway and bump into each other. As they spend time together, things start to blossom between one another. But when the time comes to go home, they both head in different directions. I loved this story. Harper was a little harder to like, but overall, her character worked well. I felt she was more grumpy in this as opposed to Miles. And when they had to part company, my heart sank. These two were meant to be together. I loved that they got their HEA though ❤️

[Patti Rapozo]

He’s a billionaire, she’s struggling to pay her bills. They “bump” into each other at a resort in Cabo. Little by little, they both drop their guard as they work through the reasons they have escaped to the resort. When they go their separate ways, they both have life decisions to make. He decides he needs her in his life, she’s not so sure. You are going to enjoy the journey Miles and Harper take to get to a HEA. Good book!.

[Hannah Kelly]

I liked this book. I especially appreciated the short chapters, it keeps me reading for longer.
The characters are relatable, I didn’t really like Harper (the mfc)
When I got this book I thought the grump was miles but I actually feel it was harper

Nice light romance but not at all soppy

I do find the use of ‘ I know’ to be used more necessary.

Overall I liked the book. Some great descriptions of when they were in Cabo ‘aggressively blue’ was used for describing the sea

[Erin]

This was such a good book I absolutely flew through it! Miles and Harper were only looking to get away not find love, but it found them anyway. I loved these two together. They came from different worlds but still did the work to understand each other and support one another. When times got hard we see them come together and fight for the other instead of pulling away.

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

[Agregg]

Cute story. i am normally a suspense/thriller reader but I enjoyed the struggle between Harper and Miles. It was fun to figure out how they were going to make it all work. Miles is the kind of man you want for your daughters and i was rooting for Harper to get it all a chance! I Enjoyed and will be reading another of Ella Brinkleys cute romances.

[Kirsty]

Received this book as an ARC from the Author.

The story itself was a nice simple cute read, however I struggled to connect with the characters.

Miles was doing his best to show Harper he could be trusted, but something from Harper's past kept him at a distance, until she learned to trust that he wasn't looking for anything from her, other than for her to be herself.

[Connie Alderson]

Stranded With the Grump

Not sure how Miles got listed as a grump in this story. Miles and Harlow meet on an Island and keep bumping into each other even though they each had original intentions of needing time alone. They fall in love but Harlow has serious trust issues and doesn't accept help from anyone...usually.

After they both return home, Miles goes to the limit and beyond to gain Harlow's trust. Can they make this work?

[Christie]

a bit deep in topic

Not a lighthearted read I was hoping for. Good characters. Good chemistry. Both are dealing with life struggles so following their journey separately and then finding a together. Good storyline just happened to be another deep life story after reading one previously. Will look for other titles by the author.

[Tami Willard]

Can be read as a standalone.
First book I've read by this author.
Easy read
Vacation romance
Opposites attract
Long distance
Fear of abandonment
Struggling to live their way.

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

[Gina Stamm]

This one dragged for me. I was just so tired of the inability of the FMC to get over whatever her hangup was. 72% DNF