Stuck with my Off-Limits Grump: A Sweet Opposites Attract Romance

by Sophie Shelton

I spilled a latte on a hot stranger and his expensive camera. Now he's the photographer I’m stuck working with on the biggest project of my career.

I'm an architect. I plan everything. Chaos is not on my color-coded schedule.

My new partner has green eyes, messy blond hair, and zero respect for my twelve-point checklist.

He ditches my master plan on day one, adds shots I didn’t approve, and ignores my timeline. From late-night prep sessions to mandatory board presentations, we are constantly, infuriatingly, side by side.

But he remembers my exact dinner order from a comment I barely recall making.

He plans a surprise nighttime walking tour through Manhattan, standing behind me to whisper his favorite details into my ear.

Then he kisses me during a late-night work session.

Now we've officially crossed a line we can't uncross. How am I supposed to stand next to him in the boardroom tomorrow and pretend I don't want to kiss him again?

Mixing business with pleasure on the biggest project of my life will definitely end in disaster.

Right?

This is a sweet, kisses-only workplace romance featuring competent characters, laugh-out-loud banter, slow-burn chemistry, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR

Reviews

[Cathy Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building something together… 


This is a sweet, slow-burn romance with laugh out loud banter and tender moments that will keep you going right to the end! The author did a wonderful job developing characters that are realistic and you can really relate to! I love how they all interact with each other! And just wait until you meet the Boss Babes, a group of women including Sam that support each other. You're going to love them!


Sam is an architect working on the biggest project of her career. She plans everything and would rather work alone than have someone trailing after her and needing to explain everything to them. She's always handled everything because if you don't things fall apart. 


Tom is the photographer her company has just hired to do the photo shots for this project. He abandons Sam's master plan on the first day, adds shots she didn't approve of, and ignores her timeline. He also prefers working alone and his past photo jobs had him traveling all time to different places. 


I really enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down and didn't want to see it end! I highly recommend it! I love these quotes from the book: "I don't know how you do that." "Do what?" "Make me see myself differently." "You make me feel like I'm more than I thought I was."; "And I want to spend every day making sure you see yourself the way I see you."; and "I didn't think it was possible to love anyone as much as I love you." His voice is quiet, steady. "And every day, I love you more."


Pick up your copy and enjoy this happily ever after! 🩷


I received an ARC of the book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
Antecdotal thoughts while reading
Love me a color-coded calendar down to the 15 minute mark as well for work. 😄
Architecture boss woman on a mission to kill it!
Why are you paying bills for your mom?
Photographer who walks that thin line in order to take the money shot.
Boss Babes group chat name is appropriate.
Sam had to grow up way too soon.
Don't look now, but coffee guy is standing right over there.
Oh his sharp tongue.
Can they really be driving you insane yet?? Or is it they are just making you rethink your way is the only way structured, rigid thinking?
Nice collaboration even if you didn't like how the vote was headed. You both are able to approach a problem with a different lens to better the overall view.
Exhaustion fueling the moment? 🔦 👮‍♂️
💥 😑 🏃‍♂️
☯️
I feel like we should be having an update on Wren's situation by now. It has been several weeks.
💋 complications
✈️ 🍽 ⛱️ 👗 📸
Tom, you are cruel. 😆 🚿 💄 🪥
📅 you go Tom!! Now, what is your concession Sam?
🎉 🎉
The whispering gallery sounds amazing!
What's holding you back from pressing submit Tom?
How cool would it be for both to have displays in different halls!?!??!
Did he never tell her about his submission?
What an amazing man to allow her to sparkle on her own.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating and extremely intense book about all the work, time, planning, and frustrations that go into architectural multi-million dollar sales pitch. The documentation, the photography, the text, the order...and the multiple times to pitch it weekly, constantly tweaking and second guessing the work. Honestly I found myself interested but overwhelmed by the volume of information that kept being presented over and over with slight modifications.

Interesting characters that produced a variety of different personality traits that were somewhat overwhelming.

I liked the story and characters, but felt it could have used some firm editing to move the plot along a little faster.

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Stuck with my Off-Limits Grump” by Sophie Shelton

-A slow-burn workplace romance that mixes chaos, chemistry, and architecture. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

The meticulous architect heroine clashes and sparks with her unpredictable, irresistible photographer partner. Funny, flirty, and full of tension, it’s a sweet read with a happy ending. A little overwhelming at times.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved seeing Sam and Tom challenge each other and eventually come together. These two had such a great balance and complemented each other perfectly. Sophie does an awesome job developing her characters into people that I can imagine as friends and bringing emotions to life. This story captured me from chapter one and had me rooting for a HEA to the end.

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

[Martha Steigerwald · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC read it and in return for an honest review

Tom is a photographer who will do what he has to do for that perfect shot.
Sam is a project manager.
Super cute story. I love the banter between Tom and Sam, they make me laugh .
You can feel the attraction between the two of them.
I recommend it to everyone that likes a workplace romance love story.