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Lovable Grumps #1
My Grumpy Old Bear
Brooks - I’ve been coming to this little café every weekday for the past month, and everyday the same guy, Noah, takes my order. That may not sound so exciting, but there’s more; he also always flirts with me, talks to me and makes me feel like a million bucks.
The problem? He’s in his mid-twenties, which is a baby compared to my forty-five years. The first time he winked at and flirted with me, I thought he was making fun of me. I may have cussed him out. Okay, I did. But just a little. But, to my surprise, he just laughed and told me I was cute when I was grumpy. I should have run away and never came back to this place. But I can’t stay away.
As if the age gap between us isn’t reason enough to keep my distance, we are also complete opposites. Noah is young and free-spirited, kind and funny. I’m, as I said, an asshole. Actually, I’m a cranky, foul-mouthed motherfucker, but for some reason, Noah seems to enjoy our conversations.
Our looks couldn’t be more different either. Noah is...hell, Noah’s hot. He’s tall and thin with dirty-blond hair and blue eyes. He smiles so big his cheeks dimple up, and he lights up the room. His physical appearance and personality are both like a ray of fucking sunshine.
And then there’s me. I’m gray-haired, gray-eyed, thickset, and I have crows feet and a bad back. Yeah...totally not hot. I can’t for the life of me figure out why Noah seems interested. Maybe that’s why I keep coming back; to try to solve the puzzle. Maybe he’s mental. He seems so perfect, but maybe he’s actually a fucking basket case. It would explain his attraction to me.
When Noah basically forces me into a date, he flips my entire world upside down. But things can’t be that easy; I’ve got secrets, physical and emotional pain, and enough baggage to fill an airplane. I’ve got to keep my distance because this could never work.
Noah - I’m becoming obsessed with a hunky older man. For a month now I’ve been flirting and dropping hints that I like him. Though we talk often, he always shrugs off my advances. Maybe it’s a little sneaky to basically trick him into a date, but I’m just so attracted to the man, I can’t help myself! With his sexy gray hair and eyes and his cranky attitude, he’s like my own personal little storm cloud. Every time he scowls at me or his scruffy cheeks fold up into an unimpressed smirk, I like him a little more. He’s so unlike anyone I’ve ever known, let alone dated, and I can’t get enough.
I know there’s more to him than he likes to portray, though. Sure he’s grumpy, but I don’t miss the way his lips twitch when I tease him, or his eyes sparkle when I tell him he’s handsome. Each day I pull a little bit of information out about himself, but I’m hungry for more. I know there’s a big, beautiful personality behind his tough exterior, and I want to be the one who releases it. If he just lets me in, I know this could work.
*This M/M romance is for readers 18 and up! It contains an age gap between a sexy storm cloud and his ray of sunshine. Be on the lookout for country music, sweet moments and lots of dirty talk. This book has no cheating or cliffhangers, and a very happy HEA. My books tend to be low angst because it hurts my heart. I like to get to the good stuff and live for sweetness! If ‘instalove’ isn’t your thing, this title may not be for you.
The problem? He’s in his mid-twenties, which is a baby compared to my forty-five years. The first time he winked at and flirted with me, I thought he was making fun of me. I may have cussed him out. Okay, I did. But just a little. But, to my surprise, he just laughed and told me I was cute when I was grumpy. I should have run away and never came back to this place. But I can’t stay away.
As if the age gap between us isn’t reason enough to keep my distance, we are also complete opposites. Noah is young and free-spirited, kind and funny. I’m, as I said, an asshole. Actually, I’m a cranky, foul-mouthed motherfucker, but for some reason, Noah seems to enjoy our conversations.
Our looks couldn’t be more different either. Noah is...hell, Noah’s hot. He’s tall and thin with dirty-blond hair and blue eyes. He smiles so big his cheeks dimple up, and he lights up the room. His physical appearance and personality are both like a ray of fucking sunshine.
And then there’s me. I’m gray-haired, gray-eyed, thickset, and I have crows feet and a bad back. Yeah...totally not hot. I can’t for the life of me figure out why Noah seems interested. Maybe that’s why I keep coming back; to try to solve the puzzle. Maybe he’s mental. He seems so perfect, but maybe he’s actually a fucking basket case. It would explain his attraction to me.
When Noah basically forces me into a date, he flips my entire world upside down. But things can’t be that easy; I’ve got secrets, physical and emotional pain, and enough baggage to fill an airplane. I’ve got to keep my distance because this could never work.
Noah - I’m becoming obsessed with a hunky older man. For a month now I’ve been flirting and dropping hints that I like him. Though we talk often, he always shrugs off my advances. Maybe it’s a little sneaky to basically trick him into a date, but I’m just so attracted to the man, I can’t help myself! With his sexy gray hair and eyes and his cranky attitude, he’s like my own personal little storm cloud. Every time he scowls at me or his scruffy cheeks fold up into an unimpressed smirk, I like him a little more. He’s so unlike anyone I’ve ever known, let alone dated, and I can’t get enough.
I know there’s more to him than he likes to portray, though. Sure he’s grumpy, but I don’t miss the way his lips twitch when I tease him, or his eyes sparkle when I tell him he’s handsome. Each day I pull a little bit of information out about himself, but I’m hungry for more. I know there’s a big, beautiful personality behind his tough exterior, and I want to be the one who releases it. If he just lets me in, I know this could work.
*This M/M romance is for readers 18 and up! It contains an age gap between a sexy storm cloud and his ray of sunshine. Be on the lookout for country music, sweet moments and lots of dirty talk. This book has no cheating or cliffhangers, and a very happy HEA. My books tend to be low angst because it hurts my heart. I like to get to the good stuff and live for sweetness! If ‘instalove’ isn’t your thing, this title may not be for you.
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2019
129 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Jayda Marx
84 books537 followersI live in rural Ohio with my husband and two sons who drive me nuts, but I love them with all my heart. I enjoy reading and writing romance of all types, but gay romance is my forte and favorite! Twice the sexy men? Yes, please! My books tend to be low angst because it hurts my heart, but they do contain lots of heartfelt moments, steamy scenes and a healthy dose of humor. Thank you to everyone for checking out my page and I hope you enjoy my books. Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 97 reviews
September 14, 2022
I felt nothing but warmth from this gorgeous book.
July 29, 2025
⭐️ 5/5 🌶️ 3/5 — A growly, possessive, soft-hearted grump + a sparkly, persistent, sweet sunshine = my kinda romance. 🐻🌞💖
This book felt like being wrapped in the biggest, warmest bear hug—cozy, chaotic, cute as hell, and absolutely hilarious. 💕 It had me laughing out loud, tearing up, and clutching my damn pearls like a scandalized Victorian widow. 😭🤣 It's packed with sass, sweetness, and just the right amount of emotional damage, it somehow made my heart feel full and bruised all at once… in the best way possible. 😍✨️🥰
📖 The Premise 📖
A 23-year-old sweet sunshine with six-pack abs has the hots for a 45-year-old grumpy bear with a dad bod and a bad back. A match made in heaven, right? 😏
The grump thinks sunshine is crazy—a total basket case—but secretly? He’s loving every second of it (though he'd rather die than admit it). What happens next? Naturally, sunshine traps the grump into a date. 😌
🐻🌞 The MCs 🐻🌞
Brooks — A broody, emotionally, and physically scarred ex-lineman with a foul mouth, perma scowl, and low tolerance for people. He’s basically one giant growl in human form. But underneath all that? Total marshmallow. He also has emotional baggage and trauma the size of an airplane. That big gruff needs a slap and a blowjob. IN THAT ORDER. 🙂↕️
Noah — A walking, talking ray of sweetness and kindness, Noah is a soft-hearted, flirty little menace wrapped in sunshine and six-pack abs. He’s sweet, babbly, wildly persistent, and dumb in love from page one. The man’s got a heart of gold, the patience of a saint, and the balls to chase after a grizzly with emotional trauma like it’s just another Tuesday. 💚
💀 Comedy Gold Scene 💀
Quote
“Look, honeybear! They just landed on me.” He nodded his head towards his forearm, where two dragonflies sat, connected together heads to tails. “They’re hooked together in a heart! Isn’t that sweet? A dragonfly heart on our date!”
“You know that means they’re fucking, right?”
“Aww!” He slowly raised his arm to his face. “Look at ‘em go! I can see his little thrusts.”
I tipped my head back as laughter ripped out of me. “I didn’t know insect porn was part of our date, Sunshine.”
“Hey, you said yourself that I was full of surprises.” I laughed again and the dragonflies flitted away. “Aw, bye guys. Have fun!” God, I love this sweet, silly man. “Hey, look up there!” Noah pointed to the path in front of us.
“What? Are a couple of birds going at it or something?”
🌶 The Spice 🌶
Not too filthy, not too mild—just the right amount of heat to make your cheeks warm and your heart flutter 💓 The scenes are vanilla, sure, but damn if they’re not hot and loaded with sweet sexual tension. There's teasing steam that builds and builds until it finally explodes in semi-public encounters that had me clutching my pearls one second and grinning like a devil the next. 😈 It’s not kinky, it’s not over the top—it’s that soulful, romantic, tender kind of spice that hits deeper than just physical. 💘🔥
🏁 The Ending 🏁
Original love song written and performed by Noah? ✅️
Down on one knee with a silver ring? ✅️
Big-ass public proposal on a stage? ✅️
Screaming and cheering crowd? ✅️
Brooks crying like the soft baby he is? ✅️
Witnessed by their son? ✅️
What a perfect ending! It was so extra and so them. Cavity-inducing sweet, bold, and dramatic—an ode to their sweet personal journey together. I was smiling like an idiot the whole time. They didn’t just stick the landing… they threw glitter, set off fireworks, and mic-dropped the whole damn stage. 💥💍🎤👬
📝 TLDR: 📝
Pick this one up if you love:
💙 Classic grumpy x sunshine
💙 Big age gap (but with zero creepiness)
💙 Banter that'll have you cackling
💙 Emotional gut-punches mixed with high fluff
💙 Characters who feel like real people and not just sexy cardboard cutouts
If you're in the mood for an easy-to-devour romance that's high on fluff, warm on spice, with just enough emotional weight to keep your heart clenching between giggles—this one's for you. 🥰✨️
-
Quotes:
What do you like to do for fun, honeybear?”
“For the love of god, don’t call me that.”
Please god, let him keep calling me that.
-
“Ooh, did you see End of Watch? I loved that movie! I cried like a baby when I saw it, though.”
“Yeah, that was a good one. But I didn’t cry.”
I totally cried.
-
I sat in my car, being a total fucking creeper as I watched Noah at work. He was waiting tables, smiling and talking to his customers as he normally would. This was the last place I should be, and I certainly wasn’t welcome here, but I couldn’t stay away.
I spent the entire previous evening and night torturing myself by picturing Noah and Kevin together. I wondered where they went on their date, and what happened afterwards. When I pictured that slimy bastard kissing my Noah, I threw up for an hour. That was my clue that I wasn’t ready to let him go.
-
And which explained why I was being a creeper in my car. I was watching and waiting for the best moment to approach Noah. I didn’t want him to go inside, because he could hide in the kitchen and avoid me. But I didn’t want him to see me coming outside and find a way to avoid me there either. I had to be stealthy. Like I said; creeper.
-
Sir? He called me sir! I longed to hear him call me ‘honeybear’ or even just Brooks. Hell, he could call me Douche McFuckface and I’d be happy; at least that had some passion behind it. ‘Sir’ was the worst possible thing he could call me; it was like we were strangers. And again, I had no one to blame but myself.
-
Oh fuck no. If I ever saw that slimy bastard again, I’d shove my foot so far up his ass that everytime he brushed his teeth, he’d shine my shoe.
-
“Sunshine, I think it should be pretty obvious I’m not a ‘sharing’ type of guy. I’m a territorial, jealous fucker who would gladly bite your neck and piss a circle around you to lay down my claim. I want to make sure you’re prepared for that.”
”Oh my god, that's the best thing I've ever heard! I knew you had a sweet streak in you."
Sweet? He thought that was sweet? Hell, then give me a glass of water and ten minutes to work up a piss and I'll be damn near saccharine.
-
“Um...I don’t think I can stand up right now.”
“Is your back stiff from the drive?”
“No, I’m stiff elsewhere.”
Oh. Ohhh.
“Okay, that’s hot. I made my boyfriend hard for the first time! That’s so sweet!”
“You’ve got a strange definition of sweet, Sunshine. And who said it’s the first time?”
-
“I think I might pass out. There are dick-shaped spots of color dancing in my vision.”
-
When I realized I either had to end this or risk jizzing in my shorts, I reluctantly pulled away from Noah. His eyes were still shut, and his kiss-swollen lips were slightly parted as he panted heavy breaths. It was the single hottest thing I’d ever seen in my life.
“Thank you,” he whispered as his eyelids slowly opened. His pupils were dilated and looked unfocused. It was the best fucking kiss of my life and he was thanking me? I was baffled.
-
“I still don’t understand how this is happening, and I’m waiting for you to realize I’m just an old, flabby, cranky asshole with enough baggage to fill an airplane. So yeah, I was terrified to come out with you because I figured it would be the last time once you saw what a mess I am.”
-
“You’re my beautiful mess, Brooks, and I’m not going anywhere. Everyone has baggage; the trick is finding the right person to help you carry it.”
-
“I don’t like the way these fuckers are looking at you. Everyone fucking wants you.”
“But I only want you. Do you trust me?”
“Of course I do, Sunshine. It’s all these other assholes I don’t trust.”
-
“I don’t want him or anyone else here. Besides, Brent is just being flirty to try to get a big tip.”
“Please don’t say ‘Brent’ and ‘big tip’ in the same sentence.”
-
“You want me to jack you, baby? Or do you want me to jack us?”
“Yes. Fuck yes, Noah.”
”Do you want to feel my dick against yours? Feel my hand around us? Do you want me to jack us together until we burst?”
“I’m not going to need you to if you keep talking like that.”
-
Yesterday was hands-down the best day of my life. Our date was sweet, fun and hot as hell. The ten minutes we spent together in the bathroom was the sexiest, best thing I’d ever experienced. When we actually have sex, it may kill me. Worth it.
-
“Hey, anyone can wine you and dine you. I want to make our dates special.”
“Everything’s special with you.” Noah’s grin cracked his face and I groaned. “Oh my god, that was the corniest thing I’ve ever said.”
-
“You lied! This water is freezing!”
“You get used to it really quick.”
“Tell that to my dick if it ever comes back out.”
-
“You like my ass, baby? One day soon I’m gonna take your fat dick in my ass. You’re gonna stretch me out and fill me up.”
-
“This is a big deal! You love me!”
Brooks smirked at me. “I do.”
“And I love you!”
His smile widened. “You do.”
“We’re in love!”
Brooks snorted. “I think we covered that, Sunshine.”
-
“Want to see what else my mouth can do?”
“Sunshine, I know what that mouth can do. If you wrap those pretty lips around my cock right now, I won’t last. I don’t want to blow until I’m balls deep in that tight little ass.”
“Holy shit, that’s hot.”
-
I’d piss my pants if I had to perform in front of a crowd. Of course, I sounded like a choking donkey when I tried to sing, so that may add to my nerves.
-
“Holy shit!”
“You like that, baby? That’s your sweet spot. Do you want me to rub it with my dick? Do you want me inside you? I’ll make you feel so good. I’ll fill you up and make you come. Do you want it, baby?”
-
“I love you, Brooks.”
“I love you too, Sunshine. For the rest of my days.”
-
⚠️ Detailed spoiler below ⛔️
RC and MCs:
🐻🌞 MM, mostly strict top/bottom with one vers scene at the end
🐻🌞 Brooks Webster 45yo and Noah Graham 23yo
🐻🌞 Brooks: Ex-lineman for an electric company forced into early retirement due to a workplace accident
🐻🌞 Noah: Ex-massage therapist turned waiter at a little café with a talent for singing in front of a crowd
🐻🌞 Brooks: Top to vers, gray hair, gray eyes, thickset, scruffy cheeks, hairy dad bod, 6inches/15cm or 7inches/18cm,
🐻🌞 Noah: Vers, dirty blond hair, blue eyes, dimples, slim but has a 6 pack, smooth chest and abs, 8inches/20cm
Genre and tropes:
🐻🌞 MM contemporary romance
🐻🌞 Grumpy/sunshine
🐻🌞 Opposites attract
🐻🌞 May/December age gap romance
🐻🌞 Age gap (22 years)
🐻🌞 Insta-attraction
🐻🌞 Fast-paced relationship
🐻🌞 Feel good romance
🐻🌞 Hurt/comfort
🐻🌞 J/P MC
🐻🌞 First time bottom (Brooks)
🐻🌞 Miscommunication (resolved quickly)
🐻🌞 Found family/reconnecting with estranged family
🐻🌞 Pet names: Honeybear, sunshine, baby
Safety info:
🐻🌞 Angst: Low
🐻🌞 OW/OM drama: No
🐻🌞 Cheating/sharing: No
🐻🌞 Third act breakup: Yes, but it was resolved within the same day.
🐻🌞 Ending: HEA
🐻🌞 Epilogue: No
🐻🌞 POV: Dual, 1st person
🐻🌞 Series structure: Interconnected standalone (Lovable Grumps series book 1)
Spice and kinks:
Semi-public sex (in a locked restroom stall of a restaurant and in a locked shower stall in a river tubing place), frotting, dirty talk, cum as lube, marking (love bite/hickey), blowjob, rimming, bareback, cum play
CW/TW:
Minor emotional insecurities, self-consciousness about age and appearance, graphic detail of workplace accident, fatal injury, trauma, divorced parents (but reunited at the end), alcohol consumption, brief mild threats of violence
This book felt like being wrapped in the biggest, warmest bear hug—cozy, chaotic, cute as hell, and absolutely hilarious. 💕 It had me laughing out loud, tearing up, and clutching my damn pearls like a scandalized Victorian widow. 😭🤣 It's packed with sass, sweetness, and just the right amount of emotional damage, it somehow made my heart feel full and bruised all at once… in the best way possible. 😍✨️🥰
📖 The Premise 📖
A 23-year-old sweet sunshine with six-pack abs has the hots for a 45-year-old grumpy bear with a dad bod and a bad back. A match made in heaven, right? 😏
The grump thinks sunshine is crazy—a total basket case—but secretly? He’s loving every second of it (though he'd rather die than admit it). What happens next? Naturally, sunshine traps the grump into a date. 😌
🐻🌞 The MCs 🐻🌞
Brooks — A broody, emotionally, and physically scarred ex-lineman with a foul mouth, perma scowl, and low tolerance for people. He’s basically one giant growl in human form. But underneath all that? Total marshmallow. He also has emotional baggage and trauma the size of an airplane. That big gruff needs a slap and a blowjob. IN THAT ORDER. 🙂↕️
Noah — A walking, talking ray of sweetness and kindness, Noah is a soft-hearted, flirty little menace wrapped in sunshine and six-pack abs. He’s sweet, babbly, wildly persistent, and dumb in love from page one. The man’s got a heart of gold, the patience of a saint, and the balls to chase after a grizzly with emotional trauma like it’s just another Tuesday. 💚
💀 Comedy Gold Scene 💀
Quote
“Look, honeybear! They just landed on me.” He nodded his head towards his forearm, where two dragonflies sat, connected together heads to tails. “They’re hooked together in a heart! Isn’t that sweet? A dragonfly heart on our date!”
“You know that means they’re fucking, right?”
“Aww!” He slowly raised his arm to his face. “Look at ‘em go! I can see his little thrusts.”
I tipped my head back as laughter ripped out of me. “I didn’t know insect porn was part of our date, Sunshine.”
“Hey, you said yourself that I was full of surprises.” I laughed again and the dragonflies flitted away. “Aw, bye guys. Have fun!” God, I love this sweet, silly man. “Hey, look up there!” Noah pointed to the path in front of us.
“What? Are a couple of birds going at it or something?”
🌶 The Spice 🌶
Not too filthy, not too mild—just the right amount of heat to make your cheeks warm and your heart flutter 💓 The scenes are vanilla, sure, but damn if they’re not hot and loaded with sweet sexual tension. There's teasing steam that builds and builds until it finally explodes in semi-public encounters that had me clutching my pearls one second and grinning like a devil the next. 😈 It’s not kinky, it’s not over the top—it’s that soulful, romantic, tender kind of spice that hits deeper than just physical. 💘🔥
🏁 The Ending 🏁
Original love song written and performed by Noah? ✅️
Down on one knee with a silver ring? ✅️
Big-ass public proposal on a stage? ✅️
Screaming and cheering crowd? ✅️
Brooks crying like the soft baby he is? ✅️
Witnessed by their son? ✅️
What a perfect ending! It was so extra and so them. Cavity-inducing sweet, bold, and dramatic—an ode to their sweet personal journey together. I was smiling like an idiot the whole time. They didn’t just stick the landing… they threw glitter, set off fireworks, and mic-dropped the whole damn stage. 💥💍🎤👬
📝 TLDR: 📝
Pick this one up if you love:
💙 Classic grumpy x sunshine
💙 Big age gap (but with zero creepiness)
💙 Banter that'll have you cackling
💙 Emotional gut-punches mixed with high fluff
💙 Characters who feel like real people and not just sexy cardboard cutouts
If you're in the mood for an easy-to-devour romance that's high on fluff, warm on spice, with just enough emotional weight to keep your heart clenching between giggles—this one's for you. 🥰✨️
-
Quotes:
What do you like to do for fun, honeybear?”
“For the love of god, don’t call me that.”
Please god, let him keep calling me that.
-
“Ooh, did you see End of Watch? I loved that movie! I cried like a baby when I saw it, though.”
“Yeah, that was a good one. But I didn’t cry.”
I totally cried.
-
I sat in my car, being a total fucking creeper as I watched Noah at work. He was waiting tables, smiling and talking to his customers as he normally would. This was the last place I should be, and I certainly wasn’t welcome here, but I couldn’t stay away.
I spent the entire previous evening and night torturing myself by picturing Noah and Kevin together. I wondered where they went on their date, and what happened afterwards. When I pictured that slimy bastard kissing my Noah, I threw up for an hour. That was my clue that I wasn’t ready to let him go.
-
And which explained why I was being a creeper in my car. I was watching and waiting for the best moment to approach Noah. I didn’t want him to go inside, because he could hide in the kitchen and avoid me. But I didn’t want him to see me coming outside and find a way to avoid me there either. I had to be stealthy. Like I said; creeper.
-
Sir? He called me sir! I longed to hear him call me ‘honeybear’ or even just Brooks. Hell, he could call me Douche McFuckface and I’d be happy; at least that had some passion behind it. ‘Sir’ was the worst possible thing he could call me; it was like we were strangers. And again, I had no one to blame but myself.
-
Oh fuck no. If I ever saw that slimy bastard again, I’d shove my foot so far up his ass that everytime he brushed his teeth, he’d shine my shoe.
-
“Sunshine, I think it should be pretty obvious I’m not a ‘sharing’ type of guy. I’m a territorial, jealous fucker who would gladly bite your neck and piss a circle around you to lay down my claim. I want to make sure you’re prepared for that.”
”Oh my god, that's the best thing I've ever heard! I knew you had a sweet streak in you."
Sweet? He thought that was sweet? Hell, then give me a glass of water and ten minutes to work up a piss and I'll be damn near saccharine.
-
“Um...I don’t think I can stand up right now.”
“Is your back stiff from the drive?”
“No, I’m stiff elsewhere.”
Oh. Ohhh.
“Okay, that’s hot. I made my boyfriend hard for the first time! That’s so sweet!”
“You’ve got a strange definition of sweet, Sunshine. And who said it’s the first time?”
-
“I think I might pass out. There are dick-shaped spots of color dancing in my vision.”
-
When I realized I either had to end this or risk jizzing in my shorts, I reluctantly pulled away from Noah. His eyes were still shut, and his kiss-swollen lips were slightly parted as he panted heavy breaths. It was the single hottest thing I’d ever seen in my life.
“Thank you,” he whispered as his eyelids slowly opened. His pupils were dilated and looked unfocused. It was the best fucking kiss of my life and he was thanking me? I was baffled.
-
“I still don’t understand how this is happening, and I’m waiting for you to realize I’m just an old, flabby, cranky asshole with enough baggage to fill an airplane. So yeah, I was terrified to come out with you because I figured it would be the last time once you saw what a mess I am.”
-
“You’re my beautiful mess, Brooks, and I’m not going anywhere. Everyone has baggage; the trick is finding the right person to help you carry it.”
-
“I don’t like the way these fuckers are looking at you. Everyone fucking wants you.”
“But I only want you. Do you trust me?”
“Of course I do, Sunshine. It’s all these other assholes I don’t trust.”
-
“I don’t want him or anyone else here. Besides, Brent is just being flirty to try to get a big tip.”
“Please don’t say ‘Brent’ and ‘big tip’ in the same sentence.”
-
“You want me to jack you, baby? Or do you want me to jack us?”
“Yes. Fuck yes, Noah.”
”Do you want to feel my dick against yours? Feel my hand around us? Do you want me to jack us together until we burst?”
“I’m not going to need you to if you keep talking like that.”
-
Yesterday was hands-down the best day of my life. Our date was sweet, fun and hot as hell. The ten minutes we spent together in the bathroom was the sexiest, best thing I’d ever experienced. When we actually have sex, it may kill me. Worth it.
-
“Hey, anyone can wine you and dine you. I want to make our dates special.”
“Everything’s special with you.” Noah’s grin cracked his face and I groaned. “Oh my god, that was the corniest thing I’ve ever said.”
-
“You lied! This water is freezing!”
“You get used to it really quick.”
“Tell that to my dick if it ever comes back out.”
-
“You like my ass, baby? One day soon I’m gonna take your fat dick in my ass. You’re gonna stretch me out and fill me up.”
-
“This is a big deal! You love me!”
Brooks smirked at me. “I do.”
“And I love you!”
His smile widened. “You do.”
“We’re in love!”
Brooks snorted. “I think we covered that, Sunshine.”
-
“Want to see what else my mouth can do?”
“Sunshine, I know what that mouth can do. If you wrap those pretty lips around my cock right now, I won’t last. I don’t want to blow until I’m balls deep in that tight little ass.”
“Holy shit, that’s hot.”
-
I’d piss my pants if I had to perform in front of a crowd. Of course, I sounded like a choking donkey when I tried to sing, so that may add to my nerves.
-
“Holy shit!”
“You like that, baby? That’s your sweet spot. Do you want me to rub it with my dick? Do you want me inside you? I’ll make you feel so good. I’ll fill you up and make you come. Do you want it, baby?”
-
“I love you, Brooks.”
“I love you too, Sunshine. For the rest of my days.”
-
⚠️ Detailed spoiler below ⛔️
RC and MCs:
🐻🌞 MM, mostly strict top/bottom with one vers scene at the end
🐻🌞 Brooks Webster 45yo and Noah Graham 23yo
🐻🌞 Brooks: Ex-lineman for an electric company forced into early retirement due to a workplace accident
🐻🌞 Noah: Ex-massage therapist turned waiter at a little café with a talent for singing in front of a crowd
🐻🌞 Brooks: Top to vers, gray hair, gray eyes, thickset, scruffy cheeks, hairy dad bod, 6inches/15cm or 7inches/18cm,
🐻🌞 Noah: Vers, dirty blond hair, blue eyes, dimples, slim but has a 6 pack, smooth chest and abs, 8inches/20cm
Genre and tropes:
🐻🌞 MM contemporary romance
🐻🌞 Grumpy/sunshine
🐻🌞 Opposites attract
🐻🌞 May/December age gap romance
🐻🌞 Age gap (22 years)
🐻🌞 Insta-attraction
🐻🌞 Fast-paced relationship
🐻🌞 Feel good romance
🐻🌞 Hurt/comfort
🐻🌞 J/P MC
🐻🌞 First time bottom (Brooks)
🐻🌞 Miscommunication (resolved quickly)
🐻🌞 Found family/reconnecting with estranged family
🐻🌞 Pet names: Honeybear, sunshine, baby
Safety info:
🐻🌞 Angst: Low
🐻🌞 OW/OM drama: No
🐻🌞 Cheating/sharing: No
🐻🌞 Third act breakup: Yes, but it was resolved within the same day.
🐻🌞 Ending: HEA
🐻🌞 Epilogue: No
🐻🌞 POV: Dual, 1st person
🐻🌞 Series structure: Interconnected standalone (Lovable Grumps series book 1)
Spice and kinks:
Semi-public sex (in a locked restroom stall of a restaurant and in a locked shower stall in a river tubing place), frotting, dirty talk, cum as lube, marking (love bite/hickey), blowjob, rimming, bareback, cum play
CW/TW:
Minor emotional insecurities, self-consciousness about age and appearance, graphic detail of workplace accident, fatal injury, trauma, divorced parents (but reunited at the end), alcohol consumption, brief mild threats of violence
dnf
December 16, 2019DNF at 25%
Did not like the characters at all.
Did not like the characters at all.
July 20, 2025
I think I expected too much. Haven't read this author before so no idea if my expectations were warranted but this fell short for me.
It was almost instalove. I hoped we'd get to see the start where Noah basically slowly wore down Brooks and his objections over the age gap.
Unfortunately all we got was Brooks agreeing to a date after a month of off - page pressure from Noah before the book started.
Things progressed much too fast from there, with them both thinking the L word pretty much around their third full length conversation.
Still.
One star for the premise.
One star for the miscommunication because it made sense.
One star for the fact that Noah remains the pursuer for pretty much all of this, age be damned.
It was almost instalove. I hoped we'd get to see the start where Noah basically slowly wore down Brooks and his objections over the age gap.
Unfortunately all we got was Brooks agreeing to a date after a month of off - page pressure from Noah before the book started.
Things progressed much too fast from there, with them both thinking the L word pretty much around their third full length conversation.
Still.
One star for the premise.
One star for the miscommunication because it made sense.
One star for the fact that Noah remains the pursuer for pretty much all of this, age be damned.
July 13, 2020
It was a sweet read. A little bit sugary and a little too predictable. The story was supposed to take place in Tennessee. Since it was hilly I assumed East Tennessee. It just felt like she didn’t really know much about the area. I also didn’t care for the Sunshine and honeybear nicknames.
September 29, 2021
Sweet, fluffy Jayda Marx signature instalove read. This was a fun and loveable book. The title is pretty fitting, as Brooks is a grumpy older man who is crushing on Noah a 20+ years his junior. Brooks has an issue with the age gap, but Noah is into older men and Brooks is exactly who he wants. Once Brooks decides to give Noah a chance it is instalove for sure. They go on dates, and Noah always insists on paying. Then Brooks drops a bit of bomb, and they the ARC of the story ensues. There is a slight misunderstanding, but it is solved quickly, and with little fallout. I enjoyed this reads. There is really no meat to the story, but the little bomb was a good addition I thought and made the characters more rounded. Nick Hudson is a narrator I really enjoy, and I thought he did a great job with this one.
Audio ARC provided and this is my honest review.
Audio ARC provided and this is my honest review.
May 25, 2022
I concede this is a romance-read but sometimes the sweetness gets a little too saccharine. The dialogue seemed a little unrealistic for two guys communicating; Noah just came across as 'female' to me. The eventual plunge into hot action seemed like 'padding in lieu of plot' before an abrupt hiccup and an even more precipitous resolution.
April 29, 2020
This was a beautiful story... I loved everything about this book. Wow, I kind of needed this story. It was like a cold glass of ice water on a hot summer day that quenches your thirst.
Just so sweet and awesome!!! Way to go Jayda on a job well done!!!
Overall rating:
5* ~ Awesome Read!
Just so sweet and awesome!!! Way to go Jayda on a job well done!!!
Overall rating:
5* ~ Awesome Read!
September 30, 2021
I’m reviewing the audio edition. This is a sweet May/December romance. Noah is attracted to Brooks but Brooks feels he is too old and not attractive enough for Noah. How this relationship develops and how Noah convinces Brooks to see things his way is entertaining. The narration by Nick Hudson really made these characters feel real. I really enjoyed his singing and songwriting. That part added immensely to the warm moments of the story.
September 21, 2021
This was zero angst and very sweet. Noah had his eye on older, grumpy Brooks for weeks before he finally made a move and everything was sweet from then on.
If you're looking for an adorable, cuddly, sweet read/listen, this is the one for you. The little dates and sweet gifts and touches were perfect.
If you're looking for an adorable, cuddly, sweet read/listen, this is the one for you. The little dates and sweet gifts and touches were perfect.
January 18, 2022
I'm shaking things up for 2022! This is not a typical read for me, and it took me awhile to get here, but this year I've committed to try to read outside my comfort zone, so I'm adding M/M Romance to my typical tried and true tropes.
This story was short and sweet!
This story was short and sweet!
December 5, 2022
Audiobook Review
I bought this based on the blurb alone and I have no regrets.
In here we have Sunshine and Honey bear. Honey bear is in his 40's and Sunshine is 23 and only the bear cares. I would use their real names but I don't remember them since the nicknames were used all the time.
Anyways, these two meet in the restaurant that Sunshine worked in. For over a month Sunshine flirted and talked to Honey bear but Honey bear was not taking the hint so Sunshine just goes ahead and asks him out and Honey bear rudely turns him down so the guy at the next table gets Sunshine's number and that made the bear jealous so the next day he comes back to win Sunshine back.
From then on, it's slice of life until the breakup at the 80% mark.
I loved that Sunshine was younger than the bear's son and that it wasn't awkward.
My only negative about this was the singing. The narrator was great and I loved his narration, so this is not a knock against him, it's just that I hate hearing someone sing in a book. It's easy to skip in an ebook but not so easy in an audiobook.
I bought this based on the blurb alone and I have no regrets.
In here we have Sunshine and Honey bear. Honey bear is in his 40's and Sunshine is 23 and only the bear cares. I would use their real names but I don't remember them since the nicknames were used all the time.
Anyways, these two meet in the restaurant that Sunshine worked in. For over a month Sunshine flirted and talked to Honey bear but Honey bear was not taking the hint so Sunshine just goes ahead and asks him out and Honey bear rudely turns him down so the guy at the next table gets Sunshine's number and that made the bear jealous so the next day he comes back to win Sunshine back.
From then on, it's slice of life until the breakup at the 80% mark.
I loved that Sunshine was younger than the bear's son and that it wasn't awkward.
My only negative about this was the singing. The narrator was great and I loved his narration, so this is not a knock against him, it's just that I hate hearing someone sing in a book. It's easy to skip in an ebook but not so easy in an audiobook.
December 23, 2019
Really enjoyed this book, first for me by this author. What a sweetie "Sunshine" - Noah was and I am pleased he got happiness.
"Honeybear" - Brooks was gloriously grumpy but with reasons. I loved that he quickly realized his mistake and showered "Sunshine " with goodies.
look forward to reading more about these two.
"
"Honeybear" - Brooks was gloriously grumpy but with reasons. I loved that he quickly realized his mistake and showered "Sunshine " with goodies.
look forward to reading more about these two.
"
November 17, 2019
Donwload this book!
I downloaded and read this book today. From start to finish these two had me. Honeybear and Sunshine are so right for each other. You really need to read this book. Jayda Marx you rock!
I downloaded and read this book today. From start to finish these two had me. Honeybear and Sunshine are so right for each other. You really need to read this book. Jayda Marx you rock!
November 17, 2019
Oh my God
I can not explain how much fun this was to read. Noah is so much fun and wonderful. Brooks I definitely identify with. Together they're magic. Read it! You won't be sorry.
I can not explain how much fun this was to read. Noah is so much fun and wonderful. Brooks I definitely identify with. Together they're magic. Read it! You won't be sorry.
November 24, 2019
Loved it!
Love all of your books, especially when I am in the mood to read something sweet with little drama. I love your sweet and sassy characters and the sweet men that fall in love with them. Thank you for your stories!
Love all of your books, especially when I am in the mood to read something sweet with little drama. I love your sweet and sassy characters and the sweet men that fall in love with them. Thank you for your stories!
November 14, 2019
A sweet read
I really enjoyed the interchange between Brooks and Noah. The chemistry was excellent and the story was sweet.i look forward to book 2
I really enjoyed the interchange between Brooks and Noah. The chemistry was excellent and the story was sweet.i look forward to book 2
November 25, 2019
Absolutely loved this book from beginning to end!! I would definitely recommend it.
January 4, 2020
Disliked Brooks. DNF.
October 2, 2021
Sappy sweet and with a heart (an audio review)
I’m always up for a May-December romance. As I’m now closer to December, I’d like to believe there’s still someone out there for me. And if he’s a young stud or gal into older women? I’m game.
In other words, I related to Brooks. He’s a little old (although some might dispute 45 as ‘old’). He’s a little broken. He’s a lot self-conscious. Oh, and he’s a grumpy bear. But he’s found a reason to leave the house every day. He comes to a café and enjoys one of three simple meals. And despite his protestations, he likes being served by Noah.
Noah likes older men. Brooks isn’t even the oldest he’s sampled. And something about the older man has him intrigued. So he pokes, and he prods, and eventually he plops himself down. Brooks is stunned, but also intrigued by this brash young man who seems interested.
Both men have hidden depths, and I liked the process of them getting to know each other better. I like how Noah rolled with Brook’s admission to having baggage from his past. Who doesn’t?
I will say the dark moment had me a little concerned. Like the synopsis says, a low angst book. I also like how Brooks called Noah ‘Sunshine’. Now there’s a pet name I can get behind.
Finally, I have to say I loved the narration. Nick Hudson is a favorite of mine, and he did a particularly great job with this one. There’s also an original song that was fabulous. That alone will have me coming back for more.
I’m always up for a May-December romance. As I’m now closer to December, I’d like to believe there’s still someone out there for me. And if he’s a young stud or gal into older women? I’m game.
In other words, I related to Brooks. He’s a little old (although some might dispute 45 as ‘old’). He’s a little broken. He’s a lot self-conscious. Oh, and he’s a grumpy bear. But he’s found a reason to leave the house every day. He comes to a café and enjoys one of three simple meals. And despite his protestations, he likes being served by Noah.
Noah likes older men. Brooks isn’t even the oldest he’s sampled. And something about the older man has him intrigued. So he pokes, and he prods, and eventually he plops himself down. Brooks is stunned, but also intrigued by this brash young man who seems interested.
Both men have hidden depths, and I liked the process of them getting to know each other better. I like how Noah rolled with Brook’s admission to having baggage from his past. Who doesn’t?
I will say the dark moment had me a little concerned. Like the synopsis says, a low angst book. I also like how Brooks called Noah ‘Sunshine’. Now there’s a pet name I can get behind.
Finally, I have to say I loved the narration. Nick Hudson is a favorite of mine, and he did a particularly great job with this one. There’s also an original song that was fabulous. That alone will have me coming back for more.
September 29, 2022
I love age gap romance, I love grumpy and sunshine characters and I love slow burn, so this was the perfect book for me.
It would have been nice to see some character development instead of the insta love and the drama towards the end took away some of the good feelings.
Generally speaking, if you are together with the love of your life and then read one text message that suggest he might be cheating, wouldn't you want to know, what exactly is going on, instead of immediately ending a relationship and throwing him out, without even talking to him?
The drama was solved quickly, thanks to Noah who was very sweet and forgiving, but honestly if someone who claimed to love me would immediately think the worst of me, without even letting me explain, I would have a much more difficult time to forgive him.
For me this was a big disappointment and definitely tainted their love story.
The hea was fun but I wasn't sure anymore if it was deserved. 3 stars read for me.
It would have been nice to see some character development instead of the insta love and the drama towards the end took away some of the good feelings.
Generally speaking, if you are together with the love of your life and then read one text message that suggest he might be cheating, wouldn't you want to know, what exactly is going on, instead of immediately ending a relationship and throwing him out, without even talking to him?
The drama was solved quickly, thanks to Noah who was very sweet and forgiving, but honestly if someone who claimed to love me would immediately think the worst of me, without even letting me explain, I would have a much more difficult time to forgive him.
For me this was a big disappointment and definitely tainted their love story.
The hea was fun but I wasn't sure anymore if it was deserved. 3 stars read for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2023
This was an easy read, but the couple really wasn’t doing it for me. I usually love the grumpy and sunshine couples. I wasn’t a big fan of Brooks and he actually made me feel a little uncomfortable at some points. In contrast I felt like Noah tried too hard to make the relationship work. Something felt off about them. Jay was a great character edition in the final act, but his changing opinion on Brooks was a little too drastic for me.
April 5, 2021
Because Jayda Marx!! Enough said, mic drop!!
June 20, 2020
Utterly wonderful
Jayda is a new author for me and I am already a devoted fan. This book is beautifully written. Honeybear and Sunshine are soul mates and their love is made palpable by the author.
I can hardly wait to finish this review so that I can go and download another of her books.
Jayda is a new author for me and I am already a devoted fan. This book is beautifully written. Honeybear and Sunshine are soul mates and their love is made palpable by the author.
I can hardly wait to finish this review so that I can go and download another of her books.
February 19, 2025
“I don’t know. I think there’s more to you than that. I think deep down under that gruff exterior, Brooks Webster is a big, cuddly, sweet as honey, teddy bear.” - Noah
Notable Tropes/Tags/Themes/etc.:
MM Romance, Age Gap, Insta Love, Grumpy-Sunshine, Miscommunication, Possessive, Break Up, Hurt-Comfort, Low-Angst, Funny
He always searches for me when he sits down, even though he snaps his eyes away when they meet mine. He likes to pretend he’s totally chill and uninterested, but I’ve got him all figured out. - Noah
My Opinion:
The definition of Grumpy/Sunshine. Brooks, 45, has been visiting his new favorite waiter, Noah, 23, daily. Even though he has some very poor self esteem, he can’t help but be drawn to Noah. Brooks is a mega grump, while Noah is the epitome of sunshine and roses. I love how Noah goes for what he wants, even though Brooks hurts his heart a couple times, and at the end of the day they find love in each other. Love is the name, Insta is the game. The story start with Brooks being a dumbass and towards the end.. Brooks being a dumb ass. We do see the miscommunication trope towards the end, but it was more a LACK of communication. Noah is a walking, talking, green flag. A perfect blend of funny, spicy, and sweet.
“Sunshine, I think it should be pretty obvious I’m not a ‘sharing’ type of guy. I’m a territorial, jealous fucker who would gladly bite your neck and piss a circle around you to lay down my claim. I want to make sure you’re prepared for that.” - Brooks
Main Character Information:
Brooks: Honeybear, 45, retired/work place injury, grey hair, grey eyes, grumpy asshole :)
Noah: Sunshine, 23, waiter, blonde hair, blue eyes, so sweet he gives me cavities
Sweet? He thought that was sweet? Hell, then give me a glass of water and ten minutes to work up a piss and I’ll be damn near saccharine. - Brooks
Intimate/Spicy Moments Include:
He made me feel light and free for the first time in years; like I was bursting free of my goddamn cocoon. - Brooks
Possesses:
1st Person, Dual POV
3rd Act Break Up: VERY short term
Slow-burn: No
HEA: Yes
MC Sex w/o Other MC(s): No
“Whoa. Good thing I don’t have a heart condition.” Brooks smirked again as he adjusted himself. I leaned on the hood of the car for support. “I think I might pass out. There are dick-shaped spots of color dancing in my vision.” - Noah
Ratings:
Spice: 2.5/5
Angst/Stress: 1.5/5
Fluff: 2.5/5
Structure/Format/Flow: 4.5/5
Overall: 5/5
”Everyone has baggage; the trick is finding the right person to help you carry it.” - Noah
Side Characters:
Jay:
And that was the very moment I fell in love with Noah Graham. - Brooks
September 30, 2021
Sunshine/Winter romance
What's not to love? We have Grumpy older vs Sunshine younger, two men with nothing in common, an age gap, beautifully written and an incredible song and narration.
This is the first audio I've listened to by Jayda Marx, and I'm so impressed. The characters have depth and a story behind them. They are entirely different. Well rounded and fun in most parts.
We have a grumpy bear (Brooks) who feels he's too old for the young sunshine (Noah) waiter at a local café, but Noah has a feeling about this grumpy old bear and perseveres until he breaks that hard shell. There is a misunderstanding, and things get dramatic, but we get this fantastic song, sung by Nick Hudson. What a wonderfully unexpected addition to the narration.
Well narrated, clean and clear. Nick Hudson was a joy to listen to. I sped up to 1.50 on Audible, which is typical for me.
My Grumpy Old Bear
Lovable Grumps, Book 1
By: Jayda Marx
Narrated by: Nick Hudson
Series: Lovable Grumps, Book 1
Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins
❤❤❤❤❤ Overall
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration
📚📚📚📚 📚 Story
Read at 1.50 speed on Audible
I received this audiobook for free from GRR, and my review is my opinion and an honest review - neither GRR nor the author influenced my opinion.
What's not to love? We have Grumpy older vs Sunshine younger, two men with nothing in common, an age gap, beautifully written and an incredible song and narration.
This is the first audio I've listened to by Jayda Marx, and I'm so impressed. The characters have depth and a story behind them. They are entirely different. Well rounded and fun in most parts.
We have a grumpy bear (Brooks) who feels he's too old for the young sunshine (Noah) waiter at a local café, but Noah has a feeling about this grumpy old bear and perseveres until he breaks that hard shell. There is a misunderstanding, and things get dramatic, but we get this fantastic song, sung by Nick Hudson. What a wonderfully unexpected addition to the narration.
Well narrated, clean and clear. Nick Hudson was a joy to listen to. I sped up to 1.50 on Audible, which is typical for me.
My Grumpy Old Bear
Lovable Grumps, Book 1
By: Jayda Marx
Narrated by: Nick Hudson
Series: Lovable Grumps, Book 1
Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins
❤❤❤❤❤ Overall
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration
📚📚📚📚 📚 Story
Read at 1.50 speed on Audible
I received this audiobook for free from GRR, and my review is my opinion and an honest review - neither GRR nor the author influenced my opinion.
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February 26, 2024
This wasn't that great of a book to begin with, it was mostly sweet, but the way Brooks thought about himself was getting grating the longer it went on. Everything came to a screeching halt when there is a big stupid misunderstanding that could have been cleared up on the spot if either of the characters had asked even one question, but no, the writer had to shove a third act separation into the story so therefore the characters had to act completely out of character to make it happen. I hate that. Like, if the characters communicate that badly, their relationship is doomed and whatever the HEA looks like, it's not believable to me anymore after that.
August 8, 2021
One of my pet peeves when a gay man having unprotected hook-up with a woman, resulting her become pregnant. Brock did it when he was 18 yo, drunk at the party and having a hook-up with his female friend from school. Brock did it solely because he was confused with his sexuality and tried to figure it out and convinced himself that he was straight, turned out the result was the opposite. Brock stated that "it was terrible" but I highly doubted it since the girl ended up pregnant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2021
These characters pretty much just bugged me, I don't think I have rolled my eyes so much while listening to a book. Both of them felt too reactive and immature for their respective ages, they had a few good moments but then it would happen again. I kept hoping more would come of the story but it didn't and by the end I was disappointed I had wasted so much time on the story.
I received a copy of this book and am giving an honest review
I received a copy of this book and am giving an honest review
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