Wrong Number, Right Grumpy Silver Fox: A Short Steamy Romance

by Fiona Clarke

When my grandmother’s ring slips down the drain, I panic… and call a plumber.

What I get instead? A grumpy, silver fox who barely speaks—and looks way too good standing in my doorway.

He fixes the problem like it’s nothing. Then he sees my crumbling house… and decides to stay.

Now he’s my handyman. All muscles, scowls, and low, rough grunts that do things to me I don’t want to admit.

I don’t even know his real job. I just know I’m falling for him—hard and fast.

And something tells me this man isn’t who he says he is…

Genres: Romance

70 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2026

About the author

Fiona Clarke writes short steamy romance stories that have low angst and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Reviews

[Nikki_Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful! This was a nice, quick short read. I enjoyed this book.

Mitchell and Sarah met when she calls him by accident to asks him to come and get her grandmother's ring out of the drain. Mitchell goes to help Sarah saying he's a handyman because he can hear in her voice she's very upset. Sarah's grandmother passed away a few months ago and besides the house she lives in it's the only thing she has left of her. When Mitchell arrives he gets Sarah the ring, then finds out she wants to do repairs to other parts of the house. So Mitchell keeps showing up helping Sarah, he doesn't asks her for money he only tells her that they'll work something out. Mitchell shows up around three in the afternoon and Sarah comes to help when she's finished with her work around five. Mitchell takes Sarah to buy things to get working on the kitchen. When Mitchell and Sarah get back to her house, they almost kiss until someone knock on the door. Sarah finds her neighbor who is offering cookies. After the neighbor leaves, Sarah and Mitchell kiss, then he leaves. When Mitchell comes the next day Sarah doesn't want to talk to him after he left her after their kiss. Mitchell is concerned about their age difference, but Sarah tells him it doesn't bother her. So Mitchell takes Sarah to her bedroom where they make love. After two weeks of Mitchell coming over the kitchen is almost done. Mitchell suggests going out and showing off Sarah. Sarah gets dressed up and when Mitchell arrives he takes her to a fancy restaurant, she wonder how he can afford it. After Mitchell order for than a younger woman shows up at their table, Sarah finds out it's Mitchell's daughter. Sarah asks Mitchell to take her home, she tells Mitchell that she needs some time to think. The following day Mitchell's daughter shows up at Sarah's house and asks her if she can show her something. Mitchell's daughter takes Sarah to the firm that her father build and shows her around. Mitchell is in one of the rooms and whats to know what Sarah is doing there. Sarah tells Mitchell he hurt her, because he didn't tell her the truth. Mitchell tells Sarah that he's sorry, but he would do it again. Mitchell tells her he loves her and Sarah tells him she loves him too. One year later, Mitchell and Sarah are ready to move into the house it's finally finished. Mitchell carries Sarah to the back yard where he has a sign asking her to marry him. When Sarah sees the sign Mitchell goes down on one knee and asks her to marry him she tells him yes. A while later, Sarah shows up at the firm to surprise Mitchell and tell him she's pregnant. Mitchell wants to go out and celebrate.

[Carolee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a good time with Wrong Number Right Grumpy Silver Fox! From the moment Sarah’s grandmother’s ring disappears down the drain and the emergency “plumber” call brings a broody silver fox, Mitchell, to the door, I was completely in. The setup is playful, charming, and instantly intriguing—the kind of rom-com chaos that makes you smile before the story has even fully taken off.

The grumpy handyman energy is absolutely delicious in a general-audience-friendly way: lots of scowls, quiet competence, and that irresistible “he says very little but somehow says everything” vibe. I loved the contrast between Mitchell’s rough, mysterious presence and the warm, slightly messy situation Sarah finds herself in with a crumbling house and a heart that is not nearly as guarded as she wants it to be.

Fiona Clarke delivers a quick, upbeat read with just the right mix of humor, mystery, and swoon. The “who is this man, really?” thread adds a fun little spark that keeps the pages turning, while the emotional pull builds in a way that feels easy to root for.

If you enjoy mistaken calls, grumpy heroes, handy-with-tools charm, and a romance that feels cozy, playful, and full of personality, this one is a five-star treat. I finished it smiling and would happily recommend it to readers looking for something light, sweet, and wonderfully entertaining.

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

[Brandi Jackola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah’s grandmother raised her after her mother passed away when Sarah was fifteen. Now her grandmother has passed away, and she’s at a loss of what to do. When she accidentally knocks her grandmother’s engagement ring down the kitchen sink drain, she panics and calls a plumber. A grumpy plumber.

Mitchell isn’t a licensed plumber, but he knows how to fix things. Oh, and he’s a billionaire with his own architecture firm that his daughter is now running. He can’t stand by and let this panicked woman down, so he changes clothes, grabs his toolbox, and heads to her house. When she opens the door, he’s blown away by her. He gets the ring out, of course, but things are going to take a turn that he didn’t expect.

Mitchell spends a fair amount of time pretending that Sarah is too young for him. Maybe some people would balk at a fifty-year-old man falling for a twenty-five-year-old woman. I am not one of those people. Age is just a number, and you can’t choose who you fall for. Despite his worry about the age gap, he helps her renovate the house, while doing a bit of “come here, get away” stuff.

Don’t worry, though, it will all work out in the end, but you really need to read the book to get the full story. So, go do that!

[BabsNY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah loses her beloved Grandmother's engagement ring down the drain in the kitchen sink. She tries to get it out and only makes it worse. Beside herself, and in tears, she calls a plumber. She doesn't realize she's dialed a wrong number. Mitchell hears her distress and is moved to help her, never letting her know that he isn't a plumber. As soon as Sarah opens her door to Mitchell's knocking, Mitchell is blown away by Sarah. Total instalove. Mitchell rescues her ring, and determines he wants to help Sarah to renovate her much-neglected home. That way he can not just spend more time with her, he can genuinely aid her. The story of Sarah and Mitchell progresses from there.

This novella is Fiona Clarke's contribution to the 2026 "Wrong Number, Right Grumpy ..." multi-author series. The older, silver fox has age-gap worries, there's some misunderstandings and surprise identity issues. It's a good story, though I didn't feel emotionally engaged with the story or the characters, despite the spicy scenes.

I was given a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrong Number, Right Silver Fox is a part of the Wrong Number, Right Grump series. This book was heart warming and sweet. Sarah lives in her grandmother’s and has been having a tough time lately, so some things haven’t gotten the attention they deserve. The house and her grandmother’s ring are what she has left from her. After having lunch and carefully taking off the ring to wash her dishes, she reaches to put the ring back on as she turns off the water and it goes clink. She is unable to get it and is afraid of losing something so precious, she grabs her phone and types in the name of a plumber. She is crying as the phone is answered, but the person who answers listens as she pours out her dilemma to him. He asks her questions that don’t seem to be ones a plumber would ask, but in her state, she ignores them. He says he’ll be there soon. The storyline is just amazing; the characters have real charisma and depth. I loved this spicy sweet quick read. Grab this book and the rest of the multi-author series and enjoy!.

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

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wrong Number, VERY Right Silver Fox! 🔥😍

Wrong Number, Right Grumpy Silver Fox was short, steamy, and so much fun! Sarah thinks she’s calling a plumber to rescue her grandmother’s ring, but instead she ends up with Mitchell—a gorgeous, grumpy silver fox who fixes the problem…and then apparently decides her whole house needs him too. 😂🔧❤️

I loved the chemistry between these two! Mitchell is quiet, mysterious, and definitely hiding something, which made me want to keep reading to find out exactly who this man really was. 👀 And I loved how one little plumbing emergency quickly turned into something neither of them expected. ❤️‍🔥

Grumpy silver fox 😍
Handyman vibes 🔨
Instant attraction 🔥
Mysterious hero 👀
Fast & steamy ❤️‍🔥
Unexpected romance 💕
A little secret thrown in for fun 🤫

At only 70 pages, this was the perfect quick read. It moves fast, turns up the heat, and gives you a grumpy older hero who shows he cares more through what he DOES than what he says. 🥰

Fun, spicy, and completely addictive! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🔥.

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

[Kazz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah has dropped her precious Grandma’s ring down the sink, she desperately calls the first plumber’s number she finds, as he is trying to understand her panicked call, she eventually gets out her dilemma and he tells her he will be there within the hour. The only problem was she didn’t call a plumber she called a billionaire architect Mitchell, when Sarah called he loved the sound of her voice, once she stopped crying and he really felt for her situation, so he went and changed into something a handyman would wear and grabbed his tools before making his way to Sarah’s house. When he arrived at Sarah’s house, the chemistry between them was instantaneous and super hot! Mitchell looked at the poor state of Sarah’s house and decided he would help out and renovate her kitchen for her, he wanted Sarah but was their age difference too much for a relationship to be possible?.

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

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrong Number, Right Silver Fox by Fiona Clarke is a fun, fast-paced romance with plenty of chemistry and just the right amount of steam. I loved the unexpected connection that begins with a wrong number and quickly turns into something much more. The silver fox hero is charming, confident, and incredibly hard to resist, while the heroine is relatable and easy to root for. The story moved quickly, making it perfect for anyone looking for a short romance that delivers attraction, tension, and a satisfying happily-ever-after. The characters have great chemistry, and the mistaken-number setup adds an entertaining twist. If you enjoy short, steamy romances featuring a confident older hero, instant attraction, and a little workplace tension, this is definitely worth picking up. Overall, Wrong Number, Right Silver Fox was a quick, entertaining read that leaves you smiling!

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

[Lacie Millard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly,it wasn't my favourite! I am not a huge fan of such a large age gap and the pet names didn't sit right with me. I did enjoy the story though 😀
When Sarah loses the last piece of her grandma down a drain, it's the last straw! Desperate for it's return she calls a plumber begging for help, and Instead reaches Mitchell- who is certifiably not a plumber- who comes to help anyway! He is floored when she opens the door, and he quickly learns she's an angel of a human being. The only problem is, he's twice her age and he's hiding a big secret. The thing with secrets is, they always come to light, and when they do can Sarah forgive the lies? Or are things done before they've even began.

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

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this book because I enjoyed other books by this author - some I have loved. This one, not so much. It isn't bad just...

I liked the premise, I didn't mind the age gap although it is a bit wider than is my preference; I truly do not care as long as the involved parties are of age, capable of giving consent, and are actively choosing each other.

My lack of enthusiasm comes from the 'explain instead of show' repetitiveness. It just didn't have the connection and feel of this author's other stories so I was never able to sink into it like I usually do.

I did not dislike it (3.5) and I would not rule it out for others - read a sample - it may hit you differently.

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

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Sarah drops her grandmothers ring down the sink she gets desperate and calls the first plumber she can find. But she calls the wrong number and gets Mitchell, a billionaire architect, who is intrigued and goes to her home and gets her grandmothers ring for her. It's instalove for Mitchell even though he knows he's too old for her. But the heart wants what the heart wants. This is a quick read that I couldn't stop reading once I started it. It's sweet and steamy, great characters and a wonderful romance.

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

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sarah and Mitchell. Sarah is a very trusting, sweet woman, so when she sends a text to the plumber, she had reason to believe he was anything but. But he was not a plumber; Mitchell is a highly successful architect. And yes, he's very rich. Neither one expected the instant attraction that bloomed between them. Only there is a significant age gap that Mitchell is concerned about. Also, Sarah doesn't know who he really is. This story has a little drama, but not bad. Best of all, it does have a happy ending.

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

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of her grandmother, Sarah loses her grandmother's ring down the sink drain, and she can't get it out, so she calls a plumber. One problem, she called the wrong number, she calls Mitchell, a grumpy, older billionaire architect. He hears her frustration and decides to help her anyway without disclosing that he isn't a plumber. When they meet, sparks fly in this age gap, sweet, steamy instalove romance. Wrong Number, Right Grumpy Silver Fox is a sweet and steamy addition to the multi-author Wrong Number, Right Grump series. The writing is good, the characters are believable, and they get a happily ever after. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Sandy Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book, enjoying the series. The FMC thinks she’s called a plumber. Instead her wrong number is answered by the MMC. He is an architect and billionaire, not a plumber. He hears something that makes him decide to help the FMC, who ends up being half his age and grieving her grandmother. He gets the grandmother’s ring out of the kitchen drain and decides to continue to help her. That’s their beginning. The spice is good. The HEA is really sweet.

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

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Wrong Number, Right Grumpy Silver Fox” by Fiona Clarke

-This is a quick, steamy and entertaining read with great characters. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Sarah thinks she’s calling a plumber, but instead reaches billionaire architect Mitchell, who can’t resist helping her. Their unexpected meeting leads to renovations, instant chemistry, and a sweet romance despite their 25-year age gap.
The epilogue has a beautiful surprise that is not to be missed.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying this series. Love at first sight. An age gap wrong number, right time. Sarah is still mourning the loss of her grandmother, when the ring she gave her falls down the drain. Upset and panicking she calls a plumber when she can’t reach it. Mitchell receives a call from an unknown number. The girl is so upset that he agrees to go over and help her. He is an architect not a plumber but he can’t resist going to her rescue.

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

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 - 4 stars.

I liked how these two met, the attraction that was there from the start, and the emotions they pulled from each other. There was a big age gap between them but it didn't really stand out because of how well they went together, and the care and respect they had for one another. I liked seeing their connection and chemistry develop, the support they had and gave, and seeing them get their HEA.

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

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's not her knight in shining armour...

..but her silver fox with a tool box!

Mitchell is a grump who communicates in grunts and growls but something about Sarah breaks through those grunts and has him communicating in complete sentences. I love that he comes to her rescue, even when it is obvious she has called the wrong number, it's lovely that he sweeps Sarah off her feet and provides the comfortable life she deserves, whilst she gives him a new lease of life. It's probably forbidden, definitely frowned at by some, but it works for them. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.

[Sabrina Kern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book, which delivers sweet love and spicy heat between a 25-year old FMC and the man who is double her age and answers her desperate call for help.
He rescues her grandmothers ring and after that decides that she needs someone to help an look after her. That also gives him what he is missing: a new purpose in his bored daily life.

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

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of a hot and steamy, quick read, collaborative series. I've enjoyed each of the books in this series. You get a peek into so many different author styles.
This book has a roughly 25 year age gap, and he's a widower.

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

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a wonderful older man:younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Sarah and Mitchell. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with connection, secrets, revelations, heart break and realizations.

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

[laura.lovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wrong Number, Right Grumpy Silver Fox" is entertaining, fun, steamy and sweet.

It’s filled with chemistry, you get a bit of tension and an older MMC, who is so charming, hot and unresistable.

It’s the perfect short entertaining read!

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

[Jenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An age gap story that begins with a wrong number and ends with happily ever after. The other stories in this series have been more epistolary style and I felt that missing in this story. And I never felt that I really connected to the characters in this story. It was still an enjoyable read.

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

[Sarah Freilinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitchell and Sarah

Sarah has an emergency. Her grandmother's engagement ring has fallen down the drain and she can't get it out. So she calls a plumber, or so she thinks. Instead she gets Marshall, a grumpy older man who is frustrated with life. He hears the desperation in her voice and can't stay away. Together they build a new house and along the way a new life.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara and Mitchell’s story is an age gap, grumpy handy-with-tools male/upbeat morning female, mistaken calls, playful, humor, mystery, Sarah’s grandmother’s ring disappears down the drain and the emergency “plumber” call brings a broody silver fox.

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

[Sinful Bookwyrm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one at all. It read to me so choppy and I didn't get the warm feeling from it. It isn't one of my favorites from Fiona Clarke and to be honest the cover model didn't help with me on how the MMC looked. I just didn't enjoy this one at all.

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

[Jennifer M · Rating 2 out of 5]

That was painful. The story and conversations were choppy and I couldn't connect with the characters.

Also, you let this man into your life only knowing his name? You thought he was a plumber and didn't question it when he said he was an architect? I don't know if I had more of a problem with the pet names or the cover model.

[Trixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed reading books by this author before, and stories about May-December relationships, but I find myself having a hard time truly connecting with the main characters. Their relationship could use a bit more development, and the way they fall in love doesn't quite feel convincing to me.

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

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Architect or Handyman

Her grandmothers ring has gone down the drain and she’s crying when she dials. The plumber agrees to be there in an hour. He’s really good looking and when he sees her he is totally hers. Fun story lots of romance and a happy ending.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a cute story overall, definitely good when you want a quick read. However, some of the transitions felt really weird or things would happen abruptly in the storyline without any explanation and the book would kinda lose me a bit each time it happened.