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Small Town Grumpy Sunshine #2
The Grumpy Sheriff's Pretend Bride
She’s the sunshine bakery owner who can’t stop humming.
He’s the grumpy widower Sheriff no one dares look in the eye.
And his dying grandmother just announced their engagement to the entire church.
Knox Bowen is six-foot-three of granite-jawed silence. He doesn’t smile. He drinks his coffee black on a porch built for two. The last man who crossed him left with a broken jaw.
Riley Hatfield is pink hair, sundresses, and the first woman who has ever stopped him mid-sentence in his kitchen. She accidentally became the favorite person of his dying Nana — who stood up at her bridal shower and announced their engagement to the whole town.
Knox didn’t deny it. His fists clenched. His voice dropped to a growl that emptied her knees.
“Get in the cruiser, sunshine. Don’t run.”
This terrifying widower makes her coffee at five in the morning, walks her down a country aisle in a borrowed dress, and kisses her at his kitchen table like a man who has just remembered what hunger is for.
“Three weeks of pretend.” He steps closer. “It was real on day two. I couldn’t say it.”
Then her runaway fiancé figures out where she’s hiding.
And he’s driving south.
He has no idea what a grumpy widower with a reason to live again is capable of.
Welcome to Cedar Hollow. Where the grumpy ones fall the hardest — and the widowers love loudest.
READER'S NOTE:
A grumpy widower Sheriff and the sunshine event planner who tricked him into a fake marriage. Grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, fake marriage, widower, forced proximity, small-town Tennessee, scorching heat, guaranteed HEA. No cheating. No cliffhangers. Each book features a new Cedar Hollow couple. Start reading now.
He’s the grumpy widower Sheriff no one dares look in the eye.
And his dying grandmother just announced their engagement to the entire church.
Knox Bowen is six-foot-three of granite-jawed silence. He doesn’t smile. He drinks his coffee black on a porch built for two. The last man who crossed him left with a broken jaw.
Riley Hatfield is pink hair, sundresses, and the first woman who has ever stopped him mid-sentence in his kitchen. She accidentally became the favorite person of his dying Nana — who stood up at her bridal shower and announced their engagement to the whole town.
Knox didn’t deny it. His fists clenched. His voice dropped to a growl that emptied her knees.
“Get in the cruiser, sunshine. Don’t run.”
This terrifying widower makes her coffee at five in the morning, walks her down a country aisle in a borrowed dress, and kisses her at his kitchen table like a man who has just remembered what hunger is for.
“Three weeks of pretend.” He steps closer. “It was real on day two. I couldn’t say it.”
Then her runaway fiancé figures out where she’s hiding.
And he’s driving south.
He has no idea what a grumpy widower with a reason to live again is capable of.
Welcome to Cedar Hollow. Where the grumpy ones fall the hardest — and the widowers love loudest.
READER'S NOTE:
A grumpy widower Sheriff and the sunshine event planner who tricked him into a fake marriage. Grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, fake marriage, widower, forced proximity, small-town Tennessee, scorching heat, guaranteed HEA. No cheating. No cliffhangers. Each book features a new Cedar Hollow couple. Start reading now.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 10, 2026
Tough to get through
I am not want to just toss a book aside but this was took all I could do to finish. The premise was good but the repeat of Riley, Sheriff, Knox, Winter every other line and start of any conversation drove me up a wall. I was anticipating arching story lines from then first on however there isn’t any.
Overall just an okay read.
I am not want to just toss a book aside but this was took all I could do to finish. The premise was good but the repeat of Riley, Sheriff, Knox, Winter every other line and start of any conversation drove me up a wall. I was anticipating arching story lines from then first on however there isn’t any.
Overall just an okay read.
May 1, 2026
great idea… written by a robot?
I wanted to love this. I wanted to finish this. The idea is perfect but the writing is sooo weird. Perfunctory, doesnt always make sense. Is this AI?
I wanted to love this. I wanted to finish this. The idea is perfect but the writing is sooo weird. Perfunctory, doesnt always make sense. Is this AI?
April 29, 2026
One of the most ridiculously written books I’ve ever read
I baulk at giving this book even one star! It’s the most ridiculously written book I’ve ever read! The grammar was so stiff & stilted. No one talks the way these characters were talking to each other!
I baulk at giving this book even one star! It’s the most ridiculously written book I’ve ever read! The grammar was so stiff & stilted. No one talks the way these characters were talking to each other!
May 7, 2026
Working for Love
The story line is good, worth a better rating, but there were so many errors, from the time frame all throughout the story to ages of the characters, to the Setting of the story, to the facts about the characters. Example Nanas age first time appeared was 72, though MMC mom was 68. MFC was 30, but main character said he was four years older even though his age was referred to as 40.
I always finish a book I start but so many issues made me want to stop reading.
The story line is good, worth a better rating, but there were so many errors, from the time frame all throughout the story to ages of the characters, to the Setting of the story, to the facts about the characters. Example Nanas age first time appeared was 72, though MMC mom was 68. MFC was 30, but main character said he was four years older even though his age was referred to as 40.
I always finish a book I start but so many issues made me want to stop reading.
May 4, 2026
Honestly, I'd love to know what the specific AI prompt was when the "author" put it into ChatGPT or whatever AI tool they used. I'm not 100% sure the author is an actual human. I mean, maybe?
I have no idea how to describe what this was. The writing was beyond strange. No one talks the way the conversations were structured, nor do they describe things the way the author did. There were very few actual conversations. Everything was short, one or two-word sentences like:
"Sheriff."
"Riley."
"I know."
"Baby."
Honestly, I finished it b/c I had to know if it got better, and the premise was actually really cute. The execution was HORRIBLE. If I could give it negative stars, I would. The sheriff is a widower, and Riley is his sister's bff. She is a bit of a nut job, but cute and funny. If this were actually written by a human being, instead of a bunch of AI prompts, this had the potential to be really good. There was no emotional development, no character development.
Do not waste your time.
I have no idea how to describe what this was. The writing was beyond strange. No one talks the way the conversations were structured, nor do they describe things the way the author did. There were very few actual conversations. Everything was short, one or two-word sentences like:
"Sheriff."
"Riley."
"I know."
"Baby."
Honestly, I finished it b/c I had to know if it got better, and the premise was actually really cute. The execution was HORRIBLE. If I could give it negative stars, I would. The sheriff is a widower, and Riley is his sister's bff. She is a bit of a nut job, but cute and funny. If this were actually written by a human being, instead of a bunch of AI prompts, this had the potential to be really good. There was no emotional development, no character development.
Do not waste your time.
May 29, 2026
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who felt completely disconnected to the writing in this book. If it isn't AI, this writer needs an Editor BAD. All the emotional connection was absent from this book and the writing was stilted, no contractions used anywhere and constantly using 10 words where normal conversation would use 3, and felt more like a grocery list of events rather than a narrative story. I shouldn't have forced myself to finish it, but I did. It's literally the novel description of telling rather than showing...and the characters were more robot pretending to be human than human. And Good Lord, the inconsistencies. She was childhood friends with his sister but didn't know him and also lived 7 hours away with her family. He was 40, 36, or 25...who knows which. And on and on.
I'd really feel bad about this 1 star review if I didn't wholeheartedly suspect that I just got suckered into reading my first AI written story.
I'd really feel bad about this 1 star review if I didn't wholeheartedly suspect that I just got suckered into reading my first AI written story.
April 28, 2026
Book 2 of the Small Town Grumpy Sunshine series. Can be read as a standalone.
'Reader's Note: A grumpy widowed sheriff hero who only softens for one woman. A fake marriage set up by a beloved grandmother. A small town, a front porch, a backyard under an oak tree, and a pink handprint on a birthday cake. Perfect for anyone who believes the grumpiest ones fall the hardest. One-click now and come home to Cedar Hollow.'
The characters drove the storyline and they were very appealing and likeable and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. All in all a great addition 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.
'Reader's Note: A grumpy widowed sheriff hero who only softens for one woman. A fake marriage set up by a beloved grandmother. A small town, a front porch, a backyard under an oak tree, and a pink handprint on a birthday cake. Perfect for anyone who believes the grumpiest ones fall the hardest. One-click now and come home to Cedar Hollow.'
The characters drove the storyline and they were very appealing and likeable and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. All in all a great addition 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.
May 27, 2026
Age gaps
I'm not sure how to figure the sheriff's age. He was 21 when he got married, she died eighteen months later, he mourned for five years. Count it up, how can he be 34?!? And it said that he had never been to her apartment but they stayed there when they went to meet her parents. And the apartment was in an apartment block. When they went to move her, the apartment was over a coffee shop!! And when did Maggie move to Nashville? If her parents lived in Nashville how did it take them seven hours to get to the hospital or did they move too!! How did Riley and his sister know each other since they were five but she didn't know Knox!? Way too many descrepencies. Who edits these books?
I'm not sure how to figure the sheriff's age. He was 21 when he got married, she died eighteen months later, he mourned for five years. Count it up, how can he be 34?!? And it said that he had never been to her apartment but they stayed there when they went to meet her parents. And the apartment was in an apartment block. When they went to move her, the apartment was over a coffee shop!! And when did Maggie move to Nashville? If her parents lived in Nashville how did it take them seven hours to get to the hospital or did they move too!! How did Riley and his sister know each other since they were five but she didn't know Knox!? Way too many descrepencies. Who edits these books?
June 21, 2026
Beautiful story
I fell in love with the Knox and Riley fairly quickly. The story was a deep,well thought and smart one. I laughed and teared up at certain parts. I really liked her writing style and the flow she uses. I doubt there is one contraction used in the entire book. The problem I had was that there seemed to be a lot of inconsistencies. Riley's dad is speaking to Knox about Riley's mom but Roger keeps saying your daughter (to Knox). There are a few other either typos or spots where the language/flow gets confusing and I have to reread a passage to figure it out. It does not happen a lot but it did get in the way of me reading although I am going to jump right in and read book 2.
I fell in love with the Knox and Riley fairly quickly. The story was a deep,well thought and smart one. I laughed and teared up at certain parts. I really liked her writing style and the flow she uses. I doubt there is one contraction used in the entire book. The problem I had was that there seemed to be a lot of inconsistencies. Riley's dad is speaking to Knox about Riley's mom but Roger keeps saying your daughter (to Knox). There are a few other either typos or spots where the language/flow gets confusing and I have to reread a passage to figure it out. It does not happen a lot but it did get in the way of me reading although I am going to jump right in and read book 2.
June 11, 2026
I enjoyed the premise and found myself invested in the story and the chemistry between the main characters. The concept had a lot of potential, and I wanted to see how things would unfold.
However, I occasionally found the dialogue difficult to follow and some words and phrases felt repetitive, which pulled me out of the story at times. I also felt that some of the emotional moments didn’t land quite as strongly as I had hoped.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would happily read more from this author, but I felt the execution didn’t quite live up to the promise of the premise.
However, I occasionally found the dialogue difficult to follow and some words and phrases felt repetitive, which pulled me out of the story at times. I also felt that some of the emotional moments didn’t land quite as strongly as I had hoped.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would happily read more from this author, but I felt the execution didn’t quite live up to the promise of the premise.
June 24, 2026
A pleasant little story
A pleasant little romance between a baker and an unhappy local sheriff. I did find the dialogue stilted and at times was confused as to who was speaking. This was because of the way it was set down in the story. It could perhaps be a regional thing, which may confuse those readers from much further away. Also there were occasions later in the book where a character got mixed up with the incorrect destination, but overall not a bad read. A little editing might help.
A pleasant little romance between a baker and an unhappy local sheriff. I did find the dialogue stilted and at times was confused as to who was speaking. This was because of the way it was set down in the story. It could perhaps be a regional thing, which may confuse those readers from much further away. Also there were occasions later in the book where a character got mixed up with the incorrect destination, but overall not a bad read. A little editing might help.
May 5, 2026
This book had so much promise but didn’t quite deliver. There were so many consistency errors. Knox’s age did not match the story we were told in the beginning was the first thing to confuse me and it just got worse, but the book was so long I couldn’t be bothered to keep going back to check. I plowed on through the book and the ending was sweet but I honestly kept getting bored of the stunted back and forth dialogue.
May 24, 2026
I cried
This book got me good with the tears and I won’t lie, I’m a little in love with the sheriff. There was something going on though in this book that I didn’t understand. There was a lot not being said, profound things that I just missed. Was it cultural to Tennessee? Was it just how the author spoke? I’m not really sure but overall, there were a lot of I knows that I just did not know.
This book got me good with the tears and I won’t lie, I’m a little in love with the sheriff. There was something going on though in this book that I didn’t understand. There was a lot not being said, profound things that I just missed. Was it cultural to Tennessee? Was it just how the author spoke? I’m not really sure but overall, there were a lot of I knows that I just did not know.
June 1, 2026
great plot…
The author has an unusual writing style, which I enjoyed at first, but it got quite tedious after a while.
Unfortunately it’s in a desperate need of an editor. Both in copy editing and proofing. There were a number of inconsistencies in the storyline which cheapened the story. On top of that the editing for grammar and punctuation for this was poor and a lot wrong with punctuation. I could have overlooked the writing style if the punctuation had been corrected.
The author has an unusual writing style, which I enjoyed at first, but it got quite tedious after a while.
Unfortunately it’s in a desperate need of an editor. Both in copy editing and proofing. There were a number of inconsistencies in the storyline which cheapened the story. On top of that the editing for grammar and punctuation for this was poor and a lot wrong with punctuation. I could have overlooked the writing style if the punctuation had been corrected.
June 14, 2026
Unfinished sentences and possible AI
I really wanted to like this book, I tried to finish it but the grammar or editing make it seem like it’s AI. There a more than a few unfinished sentences (ex)where a character goes to introduce themselves and the whole sentence is “ I am.” That’s it multiple times. Timelines do not add up. I couldn’t force myself to move past the parts that didn’t make sense.
I really wanted to like this book, I tried to finish it but the grammar or editing make it seem like it’s AI. There a more than a few unfinished sentences (ex)where a character goes to introduce themselves and the whole sentence is “ I am.” That’s it multiple times. Timelines do not add up. I couldn’t force myself to move past the parts that didn’t make sense.
June 22, 2026
it could have been good.
The premise of the book was excellent. Small town sheriff meets big town baker. I liked both characters and the sister. My issues came when instead of would the word was will, instead of could the word would be can. Also, I don’t think the author has ever heard of contraction. There wasn’t a single one in the entire book. She also didn’t know how to properly use quotations.
The premise of the book was excellent. Small town sheriff meets big town baker. I liked both characters and the sister. My issues came when instead of would the word was will, instead of could the word would be can. Also, I don’t think the author has ever heard of contraction. There wasn’t a single one in the entire book. She also didn’t know how to properly use quotations.
June 25, 2026
Great story
4 stars instead of 5 because the dialog is written and punctuated in a way that often makes it difficult to determine who is talking.
I love the story and the characters. I love the small-town gossip circle. There's no kidnapping, hostage situation, bombs, or terrorism; just the real drama of real life.
Except for the girls issue, really well written and very well done.
4 stars instead of 5 because the dialog is written and punctuated in a way that often makes it difficult to determine who is talking.
I love the story and the characters. I love the small-town gossip circle. There's no kidnapping, hostage situation, bombs, or terrorism; just the real drama of real life.
Except for the girls issue, really well written and very well done.
May 21, 2026
written poorly
Great idea and story line, however it is written poorly.
So many things are repeated in a row or so many time throughout the whole book. Some chapters switch POV’s without warning which makes it confusing to understand who’s saying what. Overall didn’t even make it half-way through the book.
Great idea and story line, however it is written poorly.
So many things are repeated in a row or so many time throughout the whole book. Some chapters switch POV’s without warning which makes it confusing to understand who’s saying what. Overall didn’t even make it half-way through the book.
May 27, 2026
cute story line
It was a cute story line but so many inconstincies throughout the story. It was also repetitive at times. And I didn’t like that there were multiple lines for a statement and it didn’t say who was speaking. Feel like it all made it hard to get through. Okay if you just want a light read
It was a cute story line but so many inconstincies throughout the story. It was also repetitive at times. And I didn’t like that there were multiple lines for a statement and it didn’t say who was speaking. Feel like it all made it hard to get through. Okay if you just want a light read
May 17, 2026
surprisingly emotional. shes crushing on him hard and takes his grumpiness in stride. but really part of his cold is due to the death of his wife. little humorous. its written stilted and the conversations are hard to track who says what. however this book had allll of the feels! and the GROVEL?! YUMMMMMY!
May 19, 2026
The story was really good. But sometimes I felt like I was reading a story board instead of the actual story. Contradicting story. FMC had never met MMC but knew her best friend (his sister) since they were 8. And there were contradictions with location.
May 25, 2026
Not for me
There were bits that did not make sense, felt unfinished and poorly edited. There were bits that dragged and bits that felt rushed. I hate to DNF a book. Particularly from an author I haven't read before. It took real effort to keep reading. I really tried to like it. There were characters that were likeable, but to me it read more like a draft.
There were bits that did not make sense, felt unfinished and poorly edited. There were bits that dragged and bits that felt rushed. I hate to DNF a book. Particularly from an author I haven't read before. It took real effort to keep reading. I really tried to like it. There were characters that were likeable, but to me it read more like a draft.
May 28, 2026
AI generated!!!!
The language was terrible. Grammer atrocious! Are allowing AI generated garbage to pass as books now!! Do not waste your time. I had such high hopes based on the synopsis but wow it was terrible
The language was terrible. Grammer atrocious! Are allowing AI generated garbage to pass as books now!! Do not waste your time. I had such high hopes based on the synopsis but wow it was terrible
May 31, 2026
a curious tale i couldnt put down.
I found this a little bit difficult to read as it seemed to be a translation.
The terminolgy was a bit odd, i had to read parts of it several times to understand.
Even so it was a charming tale
I found this a little bit difficult to read as it seemed to be a translation.
The terminolgy was a bit odd, i had to read parts of it several times to understand.
Even so it was a charming tale
June 5, 2026
The Grumpy Sheriff’s Pretend Bride
I finished this book but it was not easy. The stilted writing was difficult, the time lapses made no sense. I wanted to like it and I did like the premise. It had potential but who talks like that?
I did give it 3 stars but that’s generous.
I finished this book but it was not easy. The stilted writing was difficult, the time lapses made no sense. I wanted to like it and I did like the premise. It had potential but who talks like that?
I did give it 3 stars but that’s generous.
June 11, 2026
The storyline was cute, and its very tame as far as spice goes. The language of the story really threw me off, and there are references made later in the book of certain memories, that were never mentioned at the beginning.
June 12, 2026
I was looking for a fast, easy read after a long week. Some simple pulp crap to settle down with...what I looked at that cover and thought this will do.
I was wrong. Well written characters, fantastic story. Genuine love. Not a ton of sexy to annoy you with. Just a dang good read. That led to another and another and another.
Absolute yes.
I was wrong. Well written characters, fantastic story. Genuine love. Not a ton of sexy to annoy you with. Just a dang good read. That led to another and another and another.
Absolute yes.
June 12, 2026
Continuity makes the story…
Excellent story line and good character development. However, continuity issues and details not matching throughout the story made it difficult to follow. Editing/proofreading/continuity checks are very important.
Excellent story line and good character development. However, continuity issues and details not matching throughout the story made it difficult to follow. Editing/proofreading/continuity checks are very important.
June 16, 2026
Small Town Grumpy Sunshine book 2
This book was great, I just loved the way that Knox and Riley communicated with each other through out the book. Totally enjoyed it. Now on to Book 3.
This book was great, I just loved the way that Knox and Riley communicated with each other through out the book. Totally enjoyed it. Now on to Book 3.
June 29, 2026
Yummy Cover!
There is lots to love about this book. The characters, the sweetness of the main male character, the strength of the female main character, family importance, a BFF… The amount of minutiae in Knox and Riley’s romance is not to my taste.
There is lots to love about this book. The characters, the sweetness of the main male character, the strength of the female main character, family importance, a BFF… The amount of minutiae in Knox and Riley’s romance is not to my taste.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews