What do you think?
Rate this book
Grumpy Hero
My high school crush is back in town and needs a fake wife… What could possibly go wrong?
No one who managed to escape this boring small town ever comes back.
Except for ultra-famous and ridiculously hot baseball player Nash Lewis, apparently.
And nothing has changed - he’s still a giant prick and I still have this stupid crush on him.
When he sees me, he doesn’t remember who I am and asks me out.
The high school girl in me is swooning.
The grown-ass woman in me knows he must have ulterior motives.
He wants me to pretend to be his wife so he doesn’t lose his gazillion-dollar contract.
In return, I get a fat check and all my problems solved.
No feelings, no drama, just fake married bliss.
It all seems perfect until I get knocked up.
Maybe this is actually love and he’ll choose me forever.
Or maybe he’ll bolt out of this town as fast as he can.
One thing’s for sure, things are about to get very messy…
No one who managed to escape this boring small town ever comes back.
Except for ultra-famous and ridiculously hot baseball player Nash Lewis, apparently.
And nothing has changed - he’s still a giant prick and I still have this stupid crush on him.
When he sees me, he doesn’t remember who I am and asks me out.
The high school girl in me is swooning.
The grown-ass woman in me knows he must have ulterior motives.
He wants me to pretend to be his wife so he doesn’t lose his gazillion-dollar contract.
In return, I get a fat check and all my problems solved.
No feelings, no drama, just fake married bliss.
It all seems perfect until I get knocked up.
Maybe this is actually love and he’ll choose me forever.
Or maybe he’ll bolt out of this town as fast as he can.
One thing’s for sure, things are about to get very messy…
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2022
87 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 20, 2022
You'll love Olivia and Nash's story. It's emotional and overflowing with drama. He's a sports star who has an image problem and is back in his home town trying to get his act together. Fate brings him in contact with Olivia and it was a bumpy meeting. Long story short, a fake love that turns real. He is grumpy and needs some attitude adjustments. The back story and beginning was a little weak, otherwise a cute story with low angst. I read a free advance copy via Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review.
August 24, 2022
I liked this book a lot, despite initial hesitations.
I mean the hero and heroine come from two different worlds ya know.
The heroine is still pretty much dirt-poor, and struggling with her career, and helping her mother.
While the hero is living his life, rich, with women, and living it up.
But things take a turn.
And the hero's out for redemption.
Hence the meeting between the hero and the heroine.
Sparks fly, miscommunication happens, but everything gets sorted in the end.
I loved the writing, it was so smooth and flowy. The characters were definitely likeable. The romance was there, just wish there was more focus on it. Steam was on point, people. The issues were solved quickly. And I guess HEA was what I got in the end for sure.
I loved this book a lot. And sure hope to see another one real soon.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I mean the hero and heroine come from two different worlds ya know.
The heroine is still pretty much dirt-poor, and struggling with her career, and helping her mother.
While the hero is living his life, rich, with women, and living it up.
But things take a turn.
And the hero's out for redemption.
Hence the meeting between the hero and the heroine.
Sparks fly, miscommunication happens, but everything gets sorted in the end.
I loved the writing, it was so smooth and flowy. The characters were definitely likeable. The romance was there, just wish there was more focus on it. Steam was on point, people. The issues were solved quickly. And I guess HEA was what I got in the end for sure.
I loved this book a lot. And sure hope to see another one real soon.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 13, 2022
This is the author's first book and it is good read but it seems to be missing the growth of the relationship and if it was instalove that would make more sense but it isn't written like that but as a fake relationship which I feel should show just a bit more of the development BUT I did like the story and characters.
Nash is a baseball star who is in bit of trouble for his behaviour and is back at his hometown (which he hates) to try and get good press. He goes into the shop that Olivia is running while her mom is sick and catches her after she is falling apart and upset that everything is falling apart around her, so she is rude but only because he is rude. She gives him a candle but it turns out to be the wrong candle and he goes back the next day because he wants the correct candle and also to let her have it for the mistake but walks into her being attacked by an aggressive man that she briefly dated. He gets an idea while he is there after he defends her and wants for her to be fake marry him for his image because she is the perfect girl next door/hometown girl. She agrees because she needs to get out the financial hole she is in and help her mother.
Bam, insta-relationship. Spending time. falling in love but we only see it peripherally. Then in comes his ex-girlfriend (a truly horrible person) to throw wrenches in their relationship when they finally are about to admit that it has become more than fake and Olivia runs back home. She takes nothing and Nash sees that she is not like everyone else. Bam, she is pregnant and then airports and love and HEA!
I will read her next book because it is a good first book and I think that Cassandra will just become a stronger writer.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nash is a baseball star who is in bit of trouble for his behaviour and is back at his hometown (which he hates) to try and get good press. He goes into the shop that Olivia is running while her mom is sick and catches her after she is falling apart and upset that everything is falling apart around her, so she is rude but only because he is rude. She gives him a candle but it turns out to be the wrong candle and he goes back the next day because he wants the correct candle and also to let her have it for the mistake but walks into her being attacked by an aggressive man that she briefly dated. He gets an idea while he is there after he defends her and wants for her to be fake marry him for his image because she is the perfect girl next door/hometown girl. She agrees because she needs to get out the financial hole she is in and help her mother.
Bam, insta-relationship. Spending time. falling in love but we only see it peripherally. Then in comes his ex-girlfriend (a truly horrible person) to throw wrenches in their relationship when they finally are about to admit that it has become more than fake and Olivia runs back home. She takes nothing and Nash sees that she is not like everyone else. Bam, she is pregnant and then airports and love and HEA!
I will read her next book because it is a good first book and I think that Cassandra will just become a stronger writer.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 14, 2022
**Little Spoilers** I enjoyed Nash and Olivia's story. I love books that draw me in emotionally and have me personally invested in their story. The book should've been called the jerk hero. Grumpy was being too nice for Nash's behavior. He's a complete arrogant butthole who's very rude in the beginning. He's pissy mad because the team is threatening to cut him, but it sounds like it's his own fault.
I felt bad for Olivia as she faced so many challenges in the story from her mom's illness, the candle shop, and her art career not being successful as she hoped. When it rained, it truly poured on her, and she felt all was hopeless. We all have been there a time or two in our lives. Nash had some issues too with trust. We've all been hurt, but you can't take that pain out on someone who didn't cause it. Or assume everyone is the same. Their pain really connected with me.
One con I have with the story is missing conversations between Nash and Olivia. There are references to the hours and hours of conversations they've had over the months where they spent time together and went out to events and dinner, but none of that is given to us in the book. It would have been nice to see how their relationship developed over time instead of just hearing about it.
Overall, it was a good read that I'd recommend.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I felt bad for Olivia as she faced so many challenges in the story from her mom's illness, the candle shop, and her art career not being successful as she hoped. When it rained, it truly poured on her, and she felt all was hopeless. We all have been there a time or two in our lives. Nash had some issues too with trust. We've all been hurt, but you can't take that pain out on someone who didn't cause it. Or assume everyone is the same. Their pain really connected with me.
One con I have with the story is missing conversations between Nash and Olivia. There are references to the hours and hours of conversations they've had over the months where they spent time together and went out to events and dinner, but none of that is given to us in the book. It would have been nice to see how their relationship developed over time instead of just hearing about it.
Overall, it was a good read that I'd recommend.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 15, 2022
4.25 stars
This is the first book I have read by the author and it is an entertaining read that will make you laugh and cry. Olivia has returned home to Oakville to take care of her ailing mother and handle her candle shop, All Things Wick. Looking to get with the program, she decides to go on one date with a former high school classmate, Craig Johnson. When things deteriorate, she quickly realizes how much of a mistake it was. Nash Lewis is a professional baseball player who has some pr/reputation issues. He is concerned with the possibility of not receiving a new contract once his expires. In order to help, Nash’s agent sends him to his hometown to attend a party. Nash goes to All Things Wick to pick up a gift not really caring about the impression he is making. Realizing he has the wrong item; he is not prepared for what he walks back in on and in the aftermath a plan is born where Nash and Olivia may be able to help each other. Overall, it is a well written story that took a bit to get into but holds one’s interest. The characters are affable but I would have liked to see more development of their relationship and their growth. It is an enjoyable first read and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Russell. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book I have read by the author and it is an entertaining read that will make you laugh and cry. Olivia has returned home to Oakville to take care of her ailing mother and handle her candle shop, All Things Wick. Looking to get with the program, she decides to go on one date with a former high school classmate, Craig Johnson. When things deteriorate, she quickly realizes how much of a mistake it was. Nash Lewis is a professional baseball player who has some pr/reputation issues. He is concerned with the possibility of not receiving a new contract once his expires. In order to help, Nash’s agent sends him to his hometown to attend a party. Nash goes to All Things Wick to pick up a gift not really caring about the impression he is making. Realizing he has the wrong item; he is not prepared for what he walks back in on and in the aftermath a plan is born where Nash and Olivia may be able to help each other. Overall, it is a well written story that took a bit to get into but holds one’s interest. The characters are affable but I would have liked to see more development of their relationship and their growth. It is an enjoyable first read and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Russell. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 22, 2022
Kids, if there's one thing you take from this book let it be that self-doubt is a motherf**ker and allowing it to procreate into a mountain of miscommunication is the proverbial rotten cherry on top. I wish we had been given scenes of those outtings/dates for the press instead of just having been told they happened. It would have made their growing feelings towards each other more believable, in my opinion. That said, I very much enjoyed this slow burn sports tale of emotionally constipated guy (Nash) meets the love of his life but is afraid to admit that he can emotion due to past experience so he takes advantage of a situation to marry the lady (Olivia) of his dreams, whom just so happens to be a bodacious artist that won't take his crap, wherein, HEA shenanigans ensue.
August 13, 2022
I rate this book 3.5 stars.
I thought this book was entertaining though it took me a long while to warm up to Nash. Nash was a tad obnoxious, extremely rude and quite self-centered. However, Olivia is a total sweetheart and seemed to have caused Nash to become a better man over time. I have to admit my heart did twinge at certain parts of this story but am so happy that they ended with a HEA.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest review.
I thought this book was entertaining though it took me a long while to warm up to Nash. Nash was a tad obnoxious, extremely rude and quite self-centered. However, Olivia is a total sweetheart and seemed to have caused Nash to become a better man over time. I have to admit my heart did twinge at certain parts of this story but am so happy that they ended with a HEA.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest review.
August 14, 2022
Moving then tender
4.5
The characters are good and I liked the writing of the author for this romance, although some points are predictable, but the hero is so infuriating and annoying at first (as promised in the title) that it helps pass this point. In addition, the heroine creates empathy through everything she goes through, the problems that accumulate, and the story is moving.
A flat however, it misses in my opinion, a return on certain problems of the beginning.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
4.5
The characters are good and I liked the writing of the author for this romance, although some points are predictable, but the hero is so infuriating and annoying at first (as promised in the title) that it helps pass this point. In addition, the heroine creates empathy through everything she goes through, the problems that accumulate, and the story is moving.
A flat however, it misses in my opinion, a return on certain problems of the beginning.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
September 7, 2022
This story had my heart racing and stopping. The love, the anguish, the hurt, the sadness, the happiness, and love poured out of every single page of this book.
Them having trust issues between each other all lies because of previous relationships and hurt. Seeing them fight themselves on what was true or not, made me relate so much.
This story might be a quicker read, but it’s well worth it!
Them having trust issues between each other all lies because of previous relationships and hurt. Seeing them fight themselves on what was true or not, made me relate so much.
This story might be a quicker read, but it’s well worth it!
February 25, 2023
This was entertaining but much was glossed over that didn't make much sense. Why didn't she pursue the idiot who broke up her candle creations, at least demanding payment for the damage, especially when she desperately needed money. That whole situation was just dropped.
I understood why she would sign the contract, but not why she didn't even invite her mother to the wedding.
I understood why she would sign the contract, but not why she didn't even invite her mother to the wedding.
August 14, 2022
This followed a predictable path and there seemed to be little growth in any of the characters but especially Nash. It was an easy read and relatively clean.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 23, 2022
Two lost souls and a whole load of trust issues to get past. But when they realise that they are letting the best thing slip through their fingers, they each realise they have something worth fighting for.
I loved Mia, his sister, she is just so direct and to the point. And exactly what he needed
I loved Mia, his sister, she is just so direct and to the point. And exactly what he needed
August 28, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, loved Nash and Olivia, great storyline right from the start to the very end, and what a sweet ending ❤️
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 10, 2022
Nash Lewis is a baseball player who needs to clean up his life. Olivia Hall is trying to keep her mother's store going and her mother's health from getting worse. But they can help each other and she's from the same town and they went to the same school. Great read 😊😁
August 13, 2022
Her White Knight?
MF, Fake Relationship, Small town/Big City, Contemporary, Romance. Easy to read, some light angst, overall a quick and light read. Guaranteed HEA
MF, Fake Relationship, Small town/Big City, Contemporary, Romance. Easy to read, some light angst, overall a quick and light read. Guaranteed HEA
August 18, 2022
Could not put this down. Loved it now very tired and need 😴
August 29, 2022
Really enjoyed this book.
September 24, 2022
Second time reading this, totally enjoyed
October 8, 2022
This was Nash & Olivia’s story. My high school crush is back in town and needs a fake wife… What could possibly go wrong? It was an entertaining read. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
November 27, 2022
The story was ok, but I was a bit confused with the timeline. They were looking to get married in NY in the springtime, but aren't baseball players down south for spring training by March?
August 17, 2023
That was bad, the writing hurt my eyes..
December 25, 2024
DNF.
Olivia has little to no backbone & Nash is a fucking bitch.
Growth? Yeah right.
Olivia has little to no backbone & Nash is a fucking bitch.
Growth? Yeah right.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2022
Enemies to lover, fake dating AND pregnancy?!? Say less. I was obsessed with this book. This book was so good.
🌶🌶🌶🌶
🌶🌶🌶🌶
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews