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Flirting with Sunshine
NYT bestselling author J. Sterling takes you to the East Coast in this Grumpy / Sunshine romance that you're going to adore!
After finding out that her husband was cheating on her, Ava Starling packed her things and never looked back. She always planned on coming home to run her family's seafood restaurant, but she never expected that she'd be doing it alone. Ava was finally in a good place; healing, no longer angry, peaceful and content.
At least that's what she told herself.
Until a grumpy fisherman showed up out of nowhere like an unexpected storm.
Tony Garcia had been running... from his past, from his future, from himself. When he settled in Port Rufton, the last thing he expected was someone like Ava. He'd closed himself off from everyone, convinced that he was better off alone. He tried his best to keep her at arms length, but women like Ava refused to be ignored.
Can he have a future with someone new when he's still stuck in the past?
After finding out that her husband was cheating on her, Ava Starling packed her things and never looked back. She always planned on coming home to run her family's seafood restaurant, but she never expected that she'd be doing it alone. Ava was finally in a good place; healing, no longer angry, peaceful and content.
At least that's what she told herself.
Until a grumpy fisherman showed up out of nowhere like an unexpected storm.
Tony Garcia had been running... from his past, from his future, from himself. When he settled in Port Rufton, the last thing he expected was someone like Ava. He'd closed himself off from everyone, convinced that he was better off alone. He tried his best to keep her at arms length, but women like Ava refused to be ignored.
Can he have a future with someone new when he's still stuck in the past?
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2023
13 people are currently reading
757 people want to read
About the author
J. Sterling
57 books6,180 followersJ. (jenn) Sterling is a New York Times and USA Today best selling author of multiple contemporary romances. She lives in California with her only son, Blake. If you can't find her sitting behind a computer screen writing new stories, then there's a good chance she's sitting in the bleachers of a baseball stadium watching him play.
Jenn enjoys traveling to new places, meeting her readers and spending time with the love of her life, the one & only, Jack F'n Carter! Oh yeah, it's true. <3
Stay in touch with Jenn here:
Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/619557...
Website: http://www.jsterlingbooks.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJSterling
Instagram & TikTok: @AuthorJSterling
Jenn enjoys traveling to new places, meeting her readers and spending time with the love of her life, the one & only, Jack F'n Carter! Oh yeah, it's true. <3
Stay in touch with Jenn here:
Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/619557...
Website: http://www.jsterlingbooks.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJSterling
Instagram & TikTok: @AuthorJSterling
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
August 9, 2023
I was in a little bit of a reading slump, and this novella was perfect to get back into reading.
It has the perfect length for a lovely summer read. As the title suggests, it definitely brings the vibe. I also enjoyed the small-town setting and the minor characters. Apart from the protagonists Ava and Tony, who are complete opposites personality-wise, Rory is a fun character. Ava and Tony have both had a difficult past and are dealing with that on their own terms when they meet. Rory is a real laugh, a good friend and seems genuinely nice, playing a little bit of a matchmaker here.
Even though this is a summery, sunshiny book, Sterling included some heavier topics, such as grieving and guilt. It may seem like a stark contrast, but it worked out fine. It gave this short-lengthed book and its characters some depth. It also helped me, as a reader, sympathise with the protagonists.
As it is a novella, you can really rush through this book in no time. 4/5 stars.
(Edit: I received an eARC from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.)
It has the perfect length for a lovely summer read. As the title suggests, it definitely brings the vibe. I also enjoyed the small-town setting and the minor characters. Apart from the protagonists Ava and Tony, who are complete opposites personality-wise, Rory is a fun character. Ava and Tony have both had a difficult past and are dealing with that on their own terms when they meet. Rory is a real laugh, a good friend and seems genuinely nice, playing a little bit of a matchmaker here.
Even though this is a summery, sunshiny book, Sterling included some heavier topics, such as grieving and guilt. It may seem like a stark contrast, but it worked out fine. It gave this short-lengthed book and its characters some depth. It also helped me, as a reader, sympathise with the protagonists.
As it is a novella, you can really rush through this book in no time. 4/5 stars.
(Edit: I received an eARC from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.)
July 31, 2023
What a terrific addition to this novella series!! This was a small town, second chance romance with my fave: grumpy/sunshine!
Ava and Tony have both had difficult pasts and are so in need of a HEA. Ava has returned home to run her family’s restaurant and to lick her wounds after her divorce. Tony is a mysterious fisherman, who stays to himself and doesn’t believe he deserves a second chance at love.
I loved how everyone in town secretly wanted them together! And I really liked how Sterling dealt with the very difficult topic of grieving and guilt, that falling in love with someone doesn’t erase your past.
This novella was such a fast read for me. I really enjoyed having a bad guy to “Boo!” You will absolutely be rooting for Tony and Ava to let love back in their lives.
Ava and Tony have both had difficult pasts and are so in need of a HEA. Ava has returned home to run her family’s restaurant and to lick her wounds after her divorce. Tony is a mysterious fisherman, who stays to himself and doesn’t believe he deserves a second chance at love.
I loved how everyone in town secretly wanted them together! And I really liked how Sterling dealt with the very difficult topic of grieving and guilt, that falling in love with someone doesn’t erase your past.
This novella was such a fast read for me. I really enjoyed having a bad guy to “Boo!” You will absolutely be rooting for Tony and Ava to let love back in their lives.
September 22, 2025
I understand that this was meant to be a quick summer romantic read which it was. However, the two main characters both had too much in their past to overcome for this really to be that quick read. About 75% of the book happened within 2 days and I felt like they went from aquaintences who found each other attactive to dating and falling in love in blink of an eye. This book could have been so much better had it been longer with the 2 characters dealing with their pasts and how they both move on to a new relationship. There needed to be a deeper, emotional component to this book that was lacking and caused my overall rating to reflect that.
August 1, 2023
This is my second time reading a Fun for the Holidays novella.
It was an enjoyable slow burn, small town, grumpy / sunshine second chance romance.
I wasn’t expecting the depth and emotion found in this quick read. I liked that they were able to communicate and give being together a real chance.
The residents of Port Rufton were a fun bunch. I also loved Snickers the cat and Barley the dog.
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
It was an enjoyable slow burn, small town, grumpy / sunshine second chance romance.
I wasn’t expecting the depth and emotion found in this quick read. I liked that they were able to communicate and give being together a real chance.
The residents of Port Rufton were a fun bunch. I also loved Snickers the cat and Barley the dog.
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
August 1, 2023
Flirting with Sunshine is another installment in the Fun For the Holidays novella series by J. Sterling. This is the first one that I have read and is a standalone story.
This was a great, quick read that is entertaining, emotional, funny and sweet. These two main characters will have you rooting for their happiness as they struggle to let the past go.
Ava Starling was back home in Port Rufton, running the family restaurant after her father died a year ago. It had always been her plan, she just never thought she would be running the restaurant all by herself. When she got married and moved away, the plan was to come back, with Liam but he kept putting it off for bigger and better things, hoping she would give up on her dream, then they started fighting and he started cheating. Eventually she found the strength to leave. Which left her only a few months to be with her dad to learn all about the restaurant. And then one morning she met him, tan and muscles flexing, he was like a breath of fresh air, her attraction immediately sprang to life, when he sold her his morning catch for the very first time.
Tony Garcia had left the city and his life there behind. Running from grief. After one night in Port Rufton he had rented an old man’s house, along with his space at the dock, and arranged to get his old fishing boat brought to his new location. ASAP.
Tony was not immune to Ava’s charms, which was why he tried his best to limit his contact with her. Because happiness was the last thing he felt he deserved. But his feelings for her were irrational and illogical and had to be ignored. He was jealous of all the other guys talking about her. They were also protective and that’s when he found out someone from there had hurt her.
These two both want each other, but their pasts are in their way until…Ava’s shows up in person and all bets are off. These two are great together. And the secondary characters, as well as pets add so much to this story. Such a great short story.
Received an early copy and this is my honest review.
This was a great, quick read that is entertaining, emotional, funny and sweet. These two main characters will have you rooting for their happiness as they struggle to let the past go.
Ava Starling was back home in Port Rufton, running the family restaurant after her father died a year ago. It had always been her plan, she just never thought she would be running the restaurant all by herself. When she got married and moved away, the plan was to come back, with Liam but he kept putting it off for bigger and better things, hoping she would give up on her dream, then they started fighting and he started cheating. Eventually she found the strength to leave. Which left her only a few months to be with her dad to learn all about the restaurant. And then one morning she met him, tan and muscles flexing, he was like a breath of fresh air, her attraction immediately sprang to life, when he sold her his morning catch for the very first time.
Tony Garcia had left the city and his life there behind. Running from grief. After one night in Port Rufton he had rented an old man’s house, along with his space at the dock, and arranged to get his old fishing boat brought to his new location. ASAP.
Tony was not immune to Ava’s charms, which was why he tried his best to limit his contact with her. Because happiness was the last thing he felt he deserved. But his feelings for her were irrational and illogical and had to be ignored. He was jealous of all the other guys talking about her. They were also protective and that’s when he found out someone from there had hurt her.
These two both want each other, but their pasts are in their way until…Ava’s shows up in person and all bets are off. These two are great together. And the secondary characters, as well as pets add so much to this story. Such a great short story.
Received an early copy and this is my honest review.
August 3, 2023
The title is precisely what the story is! Totally sunshiny and beautiful! A lovely love story between two opposites: a grumpy man, full of sadness and guilt, and a beautiful woman, full of hope and spirit.
Tony Garcia arrives at Port Rufton, running from a tragic event for which he feels horribly guilty. So much, that he punishes himself with solitude and grumpiness, keeping people away from him. Then he meets Ava Starling, a woman who shines from within, full of beauty inside and out. How can he help falling for this sunshiny woman?
“Meeting Ava had thrown me all out of whack. She was such a bright and beautiful light that it emanated from her very being, and it had pulled at me the first time I ever laid eyes on her at the inn.”
Ava was born and raised in Port Rufton, then left with her husband Liam for college and for Liam to develop his career. What she expected to be a few years, then return home to continue their work remotely, turned into a rat race for Liam, literally. He turned from the nice boy she married into a horrible man who cheated on her and gloated about it. Until she caught him, divorced him, took half of what he had made, and came back home. She took over her father’s restaurant and she’s happier that she’s been in years.
There’s a very strong attraction between grumpy Tony and sunshiny Ava, but how to bridge the gap? Tony is in self-indicted punishment and Ava doesn’t dare take the initiative. It feel upon her friend Rory to take matters into his own hands!
“Not much had changed in nine months. I was still a rain cloud, and she was still the sun.”
Apart from their lovely story, there’s the feels of small town, with its incredibly efficient and dramatic gossip mill, and friend Rory who looked up for Ava and was a good friend to Tony. The story reads fast because it’s so cute and delightful, a lovely interlude between other angsty books.
Tony Garcia arrives at Port Rufton, running from a tragic event for which he feels horribly guilty. So much, that he punishes himself with solitude and grumpiness, keeping people away from him. Then he meets Ava Starling, a woman who shines from within, full of beauty inside and out. How can he help falling for this sunshiny woman?
“Meeting Ava had thrown me all out of whack. She was such a bright and beautiful light that it emanated from her very being, and it had pulled at me the first time I ever laid eyes on her at the inn.”
Ava was born and raised in Port Rufton, then left with her husband Liam for college and for Liam to develop his career. What she expected to be a few years, then return home to continue their work remotely, turned into a rat race for Liam, literally. He turned from the nice boy she married into a horrible man who cheated on her and gloated about it. Until she caught him, divorced him, took half of what he had made, and came back home. She took over her father’s restaurant and she’s happier that she’s been in years.
There’s a very strong attraction between grumpy Tony and sunshiny Ava, but how to bridge the gap? Tony is in self-indicted punishment and Ava doesn’t dare take the initiative. It feel upon her friend Rory to take matters into his own hands!
“Not much had changed in nine months. I was still a rain cloud, and she was still the sun.”
Apart from their lovely story, there’s the feels of small town, with its incredibly efficient and dramatic gossip mill, and friend Rory who looked up for Ava and was a good friend to Tony. The story reads fast because it’s so cute and delightful, a lovely interlude between other angsty books.
August 1, 2023
Flirting With Sunshine is the next book in Jenn Sterling’s Fun For The Holidays series.
This is an enjoyable Mr Grumpy and Miss Sunshine story about Tony Garcia and Ava Starling. The hot new fisherman and the divorced restaurant owner.
“I always knew though that I’d eventually run to you instead of run from you. “
Ava had returned home to run the family restaurant after a nasty divorce. She has bought fresh fish from Tony everyday in the last nine months but finds him so frustrating. Her friends know she likes him and all the guys at the docks all know he likes her. Ava wonders if he was like her and his marriage ended badly or was he running away from something.
For Tony, being a fisherman in Port Rufton was his escape from everything that had happened. He was attempting to live a normal life with his dog Barley. He feels happiness is the last thing he deserves so fights his growing feelings for Ava. Tony is a complicated guy haunted by his past and he doesn’t know how to let go. He wants her but can’t see a way forward due to the guilt he carries.
Fellow fisherman and Ava’s friend Rory is a real laugh. He is positive both deserves to be happy so sets about matchmaking the pair. He certainly gives Tony the incentive to try for Ava and winds him up so well !!
One evening an event sends everything between them into chaos and everything is turned upside when their pasts collide. Feelings are dredged up, leaving them both humiliated and embarrassed. Their peace is destroyed when revelations are exposed.
Can she find a way to help him cope with the guilt and move on. He wants to try as needs to forgive himself but doesn’t know if it’s possible. Can she guide him from his darkness and bring him into her light?
A fun quick easy read as they produce magic together. I liked how they took each day as it came so they could figure it out as their relationship developed. I also loved their lighthearted way of honouring his past. He might be a rain cloud and she the sun, but together they’re a rainbow.
This is an enjoyable Mr Grumpy and Miss Sunshine story about Tony Garcia and Ava Starling. The hot new fisherman and the divorced restaurant owner.
“I always knew though that I’d eventually run to you instead of run from you. “
Ava had returned home to run the family restaurant after a nasty divorce. She has bought fresh fish from Tony everyday in the last nine months but finds him so frustrating. Her friends know she likes him and all the guys at the docks all know he likes her. Ava wonders if he was like her and his marriage ended badly or was he running away from something.
For Tony, being a fisherman in Port Rufton was his escape from everything that had happened. He was attempting to live a normal life with his dog Barley. He feels happiness is the last thing he deserves so fights his growing feelings for Ava. Tony is a complicated guy haunted by his past and he doesn’t know how to let go. He wants her but can’t see a way forward due to the guilt he carries.
Fellow fisherman and Ava’s friend Rory is a real laugh. He is positive both deserves to be happy so sets about matchmaking the pair. He certainly gives Tony the incentive to try for Ava and winds him up so well !!
One evening an event sends everything between them into chaos and everything is turned upside when their pasts collide. Feelings are dredged up, leaving them both humiliated and embarrassed. Their peace is destroyed when revelations are exposed.
Can she find a way to help him cope with the guilt and move on. He wants to try as needs to forgive himself but doesn’t know if it’s possible. Can she guide him from his darkness and bring him into her light?
A fun quick easy read as they produce magic together. I liked how they took each day as it came so they could figure it out as their relationship developed. I also loved their lighthearted way of honouring his past. He might be a rain cloud and she the sun, but together they’re a rainbow.
July 7, 2023
I seriously love this series from J. Sterling. They are all standalone. They are fun and a quick read. I am so happy she decided to write these and that she has continued them for another year. I tell my friends about these books every time I see a new one is coming out. Highly recommend.
Ava has always known what she has wanted to do in life and that is to run her family’s restaurant. However her husband asks her to move to the city for a few year so he can advance his carrier and then they can move back and he can open his own business while she ran the restaurant, so of course she agreed. Years go by and she realizes he had no plans of moving back and that he has been cheating on her for years. So she gets a divorce and moves back to do what she has always wanted, run the restaurant.
Tony is running from memories that will haunt him for the rest of his life and he knows he deserves it. He will always live in darkness, it’s just that he can’t see the placed that hold good memories any more. So he packs his things and moves to a little town, becomes a fisher man and keeps to himself. But from the first day he arrived his whole world turned upside down when he saw Ava. He knew he did not deserve her sunshine so he stayed away.
But things changed when he started noticing other guys approaching her and flirting with her. He was so possessive of her but he knew he had no claim over her, but she belonged to him. To him she deserved better than the darkness he carried. Ava on the other hand, had made it her mission to make Tony see that they needed each other. What they felt for each other was something different but could she get him to open up about his darkness and will she be able to love with it?
Received this ARC for my honest review and opinion.
Ava has always known what she has wanted to do in life and that is to run her family’s restaurant. However her husband asks her to move to the city for a few year so he can advance his carrier and then they can move back and he can open his own business while she ran the restaurant, so of course she agreed. Years go by and she realizes he had no plans of moving back and that he has been cheating on her for years. So she gets a divorce and moves back to do what she has always wanted, run the restaurant.
Tony is running from memories that will haunt him for the rest of his life and he knows he deserves it. He will always live in darkness, it’s just that he can’t see the placed that hold good memories any more. So he packs his things and moves to a little town, becomes a fisher man and keeps to himself. But from the first day he arrived his whole world turned upside down when he saw Ava. He knew he did not deserve her sunshine so he stayed away.
But things changed when he started noticing other guys approaching her and flirting with her. He was so possessive of her but he knew he had no claim over her, but she belonged to him. To him she deserved better than the darkness he carried. Ava on the other hand, had made it her mission to make Tony see that they needed each other. What they felt for each other was something different but could she get him to open up about his darkness and will she be able to love with it?
Received this ARC for my honest review and opinion.
July 30, 2023
This was the first book that I had read by this author. The book was said to be part of the "Fun for the Holidays" series. I was a little perplexed because I don't remember a holiday being mentioned.
This was a quick read told from both characters POV. Tony the Grump, and little Miss Sunshine, Ava. She was pleasant and he was grumpy, until he wasn't. Both held on to a lot of guilt.
There were no physical characteristics for Ava. I had no idea what she looked like. Tony "stood" tall, had "dark" eyes, was muscular, had a tan from fishing, and had scruff. At least I knew Rory had dirty blond hair that he sometimes styled.
I could only assume Tony was Hispanic as his last name was Garcia. (I could be wrong). I eventually made the same assumption about Ava, or at least Ava's mother because she entered the restaurant and said Hola. (Once again, I could be wrong).
This story was short and fast paced. I read it in one sitting. I can't call it cute. Both Ava and Tony had to deal with somewhat heavy situations. I can't say I liked or disliked them.
I didn't feel like there was much for me to connect with either characters. I could not create a picture in my mind for either of them. They spoke about their attraction, but I didn't feel their attraction.
TBH, the only person that came across to me as memorable or made me feel anything positive was Rory. Tony was completely irritating at the beginning, but that was a "me" issue. I dislike reading about characters holding on to guilt unnecessarily.
I would suggest you read this book and judge for yourself. It was OK.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
This was a quick read told from both characters POV. Tony the Grump, and little Miss Sunshine, Ava. She was pleasant and he was grumpy, until he wasn't. Both held on to a lot of guilt.
There were no physical characteristics for Ava. I had no idea what she looked like. Tony "stood" tall, had "dark" eyes, was muscular, had a tan from fishing, and had scruff. At least I knew Rory had dirty blond hair that he sometimes styled.
I could only assume Tony was Hispanic as his last name was Garcia. (I could be wrong). I eventually made the same assumption about Ava, or at least Ava's mother because she entered the restaurant and said Hola. (Once again, I could be wrong).
This story was short and fast paced. I read it in one sitting. I can't call it cute. Both Ava and Tony had to deal with somewhat heavy situations. I can't say I liked or disliked them.
I didn't feel like there was much for me to connect with either characters. I could not create a picture in my mind for either of them. They spoke about their attraction, but I didn't feel their attraction.
TBH, the only person that came across to me as memorable or made me feel anything positive was Rory. Tony was completely irritating at the beginning, but that was a "me" issue. I dislike reading about characters holding on to guilt unnecessarily.
I would suggest you read this book and judge for yourself. It was OK.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
July 19, 2023
Flirting With Sunshine is a small town, second chance, Grumpy/Sunshine romance. This novella length, slow burn tale, focuses on Ava, who's come home to take over her family's seafood restaurant after a bitter divorce to a hometown boy. It's both a curse and a blessing that the town knows the entire story, but they're in Ava's corner, come what may.
Tony is a man who turned up in town one stormy winter day, and stayed. He had his fishing boat shipped up to Port Rufton, and began selling his catch to the restaurants that cater to the tourist trade, the life blood of the small port town. Tony has a deeply troubled past, but he's drawn to the bright light that is Ava. But his history keeps getting in the way of any move he wants to make toward Ava.
Until a fellow fisherman hatches up a plan to give him a push.
What follows is an absolutely delightful tale of second chances, forgiveness, and moving forward when you never believed you would. And though this is a romance about Ava and Tony, the characters that make up Port Rufton are a loyal, friendly, bunch of small town busybodies, and I absolutely fell head over heels for them.
Flirting With Sunshine is a well written story. Sterling packs each sentence so it gives maximum reward. In a novella, there really can't be any throw away scenes, they either move the story along, reveal something about the main characters, or you miss the mark. Hitting that mark is the hallmark of a good writer, and Sterling makes it look easy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Flirting With Sunshine,and can't wait to read more from Jenn Sterling.
Tony is a man who turned up in town one stormy winter day, and stayed. He had his fishing boat shipped up to Port Rufton, and began selling his catch to the restaurants that cater to the tourist trade, the life blood of the small port town. Tony has a deeply troubled past, but he's drawn to the bright light that is Ava. But his history keeps getting in the way of any move he wants to make toward Ava.
Until a fellow fisherman hatches up a plan to give him a push.
What follows is an absolutely delightful tale of second chances, forgiveness, and moving forward when you never believed you would. And though this is a romance about Ava and Tony, the characters that make up Port Rufton are a loyal, friendly, bunch of small town busybodies, and I absolutely fell head over heels for them.
Flirting With Sunshine is a well written story. Sterling packs each sentence so it gives maximum reward. In a novella, there really can't be any throw away scenes, they either move the story along, reveal something about the main characters, or you miss the mark. Hitting that mark is the hallmark of a good writer, and Sterling makes it look easy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Flirting With Sunshine,and can't wait to read more from Jenn Sterling.
July 28, 2023
Flirting with Sunshine is an entertaining Grumpy/Sunshine romance releasing as part of the Fun for the Holidays series of novellas by J. Sterling. After wasting years with her cheating husband as he climbed the corporate ladder, Ava returned home to Port Rufton to run the family’s seafood restaurant. A grumpy fisherman moves to town and catches her eye. They seem to have a mutual interest, but he is holding himself back. Can Ava break through the walls he’s built around himself and bring him into the sunshine?
I love a good grumpy/sunshine story! It’s always fun to uncover the reason behind the grumpy disposition and watch that person evolve and heal right before our eyes! I must say it was a risk to tackle a trope that involves emotion like this story did in such a short format, but kudos to J. Sterling for pulling it off!! This was beautifully done! The world building was on point, the characters were compelling, their emotions felt authentic, as did their chemistry. And the small town camaraderie had me laughing! I’d love to see more from Port Rufton, to be honest. I also greatly appreciate how the last couple chapters were written like epilogues to help the story feel more complete, despite the short length! This is a how a novella should be done!
I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#flirtingwithsunshine #JSterling #FunfortheHolidays #GrumpySunshine #ContemporaryRomance #bookish #readersofinstagram #readersofig #bookworm #bookrecs #bookreview #arcreviews #arcreader #NewRelease
I love a good grumpy/sunshine story! It’s always fun to uncover the reason behind the grumpy disposition and watch that person evolve and heal right before our eyes! I must say it was a risk to tackle a trope that involves emotion like this story did in such a short format, but kudos to J. Sterling for pulling it off!! This was beautifully done! The world building was on point, the characters were compelling, their emotions felt authentic, as did their chemistry. And the small town camaraderie had me laughing! I’d love to see more from Port Rufton, to be honest. I also greatly appreciate how the last couple chapters were written like epilogues to help the story feel more complete, despite the short length! This is a how a novella should be done!
I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#flirtingwithsunshine #JSterling #FunfortheHolidays #GrumpySunshine #ContemporaryRomance #bookish #readersofinstagram #readersofig #bookworm #bookrecs #bookreview #arcreviews #arcreader #NewRelease
July 23, 2023
Flirting with SunshineFlirting with Sunshine by J. Sterling
The cover was so cute I just had to read it. I enjoyed the story about Ava and Tony and especially how they took turns telling their thoughts first one chapter Ava and the next chapter Tony. It was a unique way to write the book and I liked that it wasn’t your typical boy meets girl, boy pretends not to notice girl, girl attempts to get his attention and a happily ever after.
It’s much more. The characters and settings are vivid and described so you can visualize everything.
Ava is definitely the sunny optimist with Tony being the grumpy one. You wonder what’s happened to make him so grumpy and why doesn’t he show Ava any attention. He’s obviously attracted to Ava. . She’s the ray of sunshine in his life and in the story. She’s running the family seafood restaurant and recovering from a cheating husband who broke her heart. Finally in a good place she meets Tony, the fisherman who delivers fresh fish to her restaurant each morning. He continues to ignore her and she continues to be upbeat and positive.
I received an ARC copy of this book and I am leaving an honest review.
The cover was so cute I just had to read it. I enjoyed the story about Ava and Tony and especially how they took turns telling their thoughts first one chapter Ava and the next chapter Tony. It was a unique way to write the book and I liked that it wasn’t your typical boy meets girl, boy pretends not to notice girl, girl attempts to get his attention and a happily ever after.
It’s much more. The characters and settings are vivid and described so you can visualize everything.
Ava is definitely the sunny optimist with Tony being the grumpy one. You wonder what’s happened to make him so grumpy and why doesn’t he show Ava any attention. He’s obviously attracted to Ava. . She’s the ray of sunshine in his life and in the story. She’s running the family seafood restaurant and recovering from a cheating husband who broke her heart. Finally in a good place she meets Tony, the fisherman who delivers fresh fish to her restaurant each morning. He continues to ignore her and she continues to be upbeat and positive.
I received an ARC copy of this book and I am leaving an honest review.
January 10, 2024
This book was great. They both had feelings for each other but didn’t know how to move forward.
Her ex-husband’s best friend still lived in the small town she had moved back to after their divorce and he had romantic feelings for her but registered she didn’t feel the same. He DID, however, recognize that Tony and Ava had feelings for each other and set up a small plan to push him towards admitting them to himself and then to her.
It didn’t take too much time into the plan to make that a reality. AND THEN the ex jerk face magoo coming back to town ironically made him confront the feelings even more.
Once they got together she time warped them forward a couple of times, there is only one sexy times scene in this book but I didn’t really feel that it was missing as their relationship grew.
The end was super cute and fun and quite indicative of how far their relationship had progressed in seven months ❤️❤️
This gem was narrated by Bradley Ford who did a good job! His voice is deep and gravely, and his timing was spot on for the emotions that needed to play out from the male.
And Ramona Master. She has a soft, sweet lilting voice similar in style to Virginia Rose and Savannah Peachwood. I will definitely be adding her to my follow list!
Her ex-husband’s best friend still lived in the small town she had moved back to after their divorce and he had romantic feelings for her but registered she didn’t feel the same. He DID, however, recognize that Tony and Ava had feelings for each other and set up a small plan to push him towards admitting them to himself and then to her.
It didn’t take too much time into the plan to make that a reality. AND THEN the ex jerk face magoo coming back to town ironically made him confront the feelings even more.
Once they got together she time warped them forward a couple of times, there is only one sexy times scene in this book but I didn’t really feel that it was missing as their relationship grew.
The end was super cute and fun and quite indicative of how far their relationship had progressed in seven months ❤️❤️
This gem was narrated by Bradley Ford who did a good job! His voice is deep and gravely, and his timing was spot on for the emotions that needed to play out from the male.
And Ramona Master. She has a soft, sweet lilting voice similar in style to Virginia Rose and Savannah Peachwood. I will definitely be adding her to my follow list!
July 13, 2023
Flirting with Sunshine by J. Sterling is part of the Fun For The Holidays Series. It's a short and fun read that has sass, laughs, heartache, tears, romance and spunky animals too. This is a grumpy/sunshine story. Ava is a restaurant owner in a small coastal town, divorced from her cheating husband, living with her cat above the restaurant and she's such a ray of sunshine that everyone in the town loves her. Tony is a grumpy fisherman who found himself in the small coastal town 9 months prior when he was running from his past. He also happens to be Ava's neighbor and has had a crush on her since the first time he saw her. Unfortunately for Tony his past continues to haunt him and he doesn't feel that he deserves to be happy so he continues to watch Ava from the sidelines until one day when Ava comes face to face with her past and Tony's biggest secret is revealed. Will Tony be able to accept his past, move forward and take a chance at happiness? Will Ava be able to bring a smile to the grumpy fisherman's face? Great story if you are wanting something short and fun.
August 2, 2023
The sunshine heroine is attracted to the hero, the new guy in town. The grumpy hero is also attracted to the heroine but feels like he's not good enough to be with her due to what happened in his past. The town is all rooting for the hero and the heroine's happy ending in this J. Sterling novella.
This novella is part of the FUN FOR THE HOLIDAYS series featuring a grumpy hero and a sunshine heroine in a small-town setting with dual perspectives to the story. It's an enjoyable short story with a nice story vibe. The main couple really deserved their second chance in love, especially dealing with a cheating ex and a marriage that ended drastically. It would have been nice to have more details in the story, but my personal preference wasn't detrimental in reading the novella. Overall, a solid addition to this J. Sterling series and I look forward to reading more books from the author in the future.
** Thanks to the author for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own. **
This novella is part of the FUN FOR THE HOLIDAYS series featuring a grumpy hero and a sunshine heroine in a small-town setting with dual perspectives to the story. It's an enjoyable short story with a nice story vibe. The main couple really deserved their second chance in love, especially dealing with a cheating ex and a marriage that ended drastically. It would have been nice to have more details in the story, but my personal preference wasn't detrimental in reading the novella. Overall, a solid addition to this J. Sterling series and I look forward to reading more books from the author in the future.
** Thanks to the author for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own. **
August 5, 2023
This was a really fun and quick grumpy/sunshine romance novella. Tony appeared in the small coastal town nine months ago myseteriously and has been here ever since, fishing each morning and admiring Ava while being a complete grump to her. Ava is running her father's seafood restaurant just like she has always wanted, and each morning looks forward to ogling Tony as she buys her seafood for the day's dishes. Both have had unlucky experiences with love and could use a fresh start.
This was a super quick novella with one of my favorite tropes, and i enjoyed it a lot. I'd have loved to read it as a full length novel even more, as I thought a lot was packed into a short format, but I can see the appeal of the novella. The characters were all a lot of fun and flushed out well considering. This was my first book by J Sterling, but as this sounds like it is going to be a part of a series of novellas, I'm looking forward to reading more from this small town and their inhabitants.
Thanks to J. Sterling for providing me with an ARC of this book.
This was a super quick novella with one of my favorite tropes, and i enjoyed it a lot. I'd have loved to read it as a full length novel even more, as I thought a lot was packed into a short format, but I can see the appeal of the novella. The characters were all a lot of fun and flushed out well considering. This was my first book by J Sterling, but as this sounds like it is going to be a part of a series of novellas, I'm looking forward to reading more from this small town and their inhabitants.
Thanks to J. Sterling for providing me with an ARC of this book.
June 17, 2023
Sweet and forgiving
Ava heads home after divorcing her cheating husband. She's broken and gun shy when it comes to relationships and certainly not looking for one.
Tony is running is fast and hard as he can when he finds himself in the small town Port Lufton. Townfolk convince him to stay a few nights because road conditions aren't safe but he decides he likes the town and doesn't leave.
By all outward appearances to Ava. Tony doesn't seem to like her. In fact she is under the impression he hates her. This is laughable as you read their interactions because you can almost feel their heat. You definitely know where this relationship is going, wink, wink.
The story is a quick and easy read. Its entertaining and its not all fluff, the characters have some depth so you feel for them. I always liked the name Liam, now I need to separate that name from the emotions of this book, sigh.
I recommend this book as it is a good quick enjoyable summer read.
Ava heads home after divorcing her cheating husband. She's broken and gun shy when it comes to relationships and certainly not looking for one.
Tony is running is fast and hard as he can when he finds himself in the small town Port Lufton. Townfolk convince him to stay a few nights because road conditions aren't safe but he decides he likes the town and doesn't leave.
By all outward appearances to Ava. Tony doesn't seem to like her. In fact she is under the impression he hates her. This is laughable as you read their interactions because you can almost feel their heat. You definitely know where this relationship is going, wink, wink.
The story is a quick and easy read. Its entertaining and its not all fluff, the characters have some depth so you feel for them. I always liked the name Liam, now I need to separate that name from the emotions of this book, sigh.
I recommend this book as it is a good quick enjoyable summer read.
July 25, 2023
Flirting with Sunshine is another installment in the Fun For the Holidays novella series by J. Sterling! I have been loving these since the very first one.
Ava and Tony have both gone through things in their lives that have made them the way they are. Ava has been cheated on and lied to for years by her husband. So she has moved home to help/take over the family restaurant. Which is how she meets the mysterious Tony.
Tony strolled into town 9 months ago after escaping a traumatic loss in his life. He is not determined to not get close to anyone or anything because he doesn't believe he deserves happiness.
After some pushing from others in the small town, Tony and Ava finally get to explore their feelings for each other. I just loved this "grown up" relationship between them from the moment they expressed their feelings for one another.
This was another quick, fun, and sweet read!
Ava and Tony have both gone through things in their lives that have made them the way they are. Ava has been cheated on and lied to for years by her husband. So she has moved home to help/take over the family restaurant. Which is how she meets the mysterious Tony.
Tony strolled into town 9 months ago after escaping a traumatic loss in his life. He is not determined to not get close to anyone or anything because he doesn't believe he deserves happiness.
After some pushing from others in the small town, Tony and Ava finally get to explore their feelings for each other. I just loved this "grown up" relationship between them from the moment they expressed their feelings for one another.
This was another quick, fun, and sweet read!
July 30, 2023
4.5 Stars!! This is a cute grump vs sunshine romance that has you smiling. It is a quick read that discusses some serious topics but gives you a good romance. There is Ava who moved back home after divorcing her cheating and lying husband. She was always supposed to take over the restaurant her father owned though she didn't think it would be quite so soon. She always uses local fish and everyday goes to the docks to pick the freshest of fish. One of the fishermen who moved into town around nine months ago is someone that Ava can't seem to get out of her head. What she doesn't know is that it is mutual. Tony though is into penitence for his guilt and doesn't think he deserves any happiness. Ava seems to him to be the happiest person around. Can they find their HEA? Good Cape cod, small town vibe. Enjoy!!
I voluntarily wrote this review from reading an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily wrote this review from reading an advanced copy of this book.
June 17, 2023
Ava finds herself drawn to Tony, the grump fisherman who moved to town not long ago. She knows he is running from his past, but isn't sure what his past is. She is getting over her divorce from Liam and running the family restaurant. Her father died recently and she has taken over running it fulltime. Tony is very grumpy and does his best to not interact with her. She tries not to take it personally. Tony doesn't feel deserving of happiness or love. He blames himself for a terrible accident and won't accept anyone telling him it wasn't his fault. I did like the two of them together. Rory was very helpful in getting him to go after Ava. I have read other books in this series and I liked this one. It was a quick, easy read. I would have liked a longer epilogue.
I received an ARC from the author for my honest review.
I received an ARC from the author for my honest review.
June 30, 2023
I love these quick and fun reads! I especially love when there are quirky pets as characters. Snickers the cat has quite the attitude.
Ava inherited her father’s restaurant in town and has been working to keep up
the reputation he built. She spent years away married to a man that couldn’t be faithful. It was always the plan to come back home and take over the restaurant. She is the ball of sunshine that everyone is town loves especially after what she went through with her ex-husband. Money definitely changes people.
Tony is new in town after fleeing his previous life after tragedy. Ava hand selects fish from his and several other fisherman each morning. He is cold to her as she is all smiles each day. Moving on from
tragedy is necessary for him to move forward with life with someone new.
Ava inherited her father’s restaurant in town and has been working to keep up
the reputation he built. She spent years away married to a man that couldn’t be faithful. It was always the plan to come back home and take over the restaurant. She is the ball of sunshine that everyone is town loves especially after what she went through with her ex-husband. Money definitely changes people.
Tony is new in town after fleeing his previous life after tragedy. Ava hand selects fish from his and several other fisherman each morning. He is cold to her as she is all smiles each day. Moving on from
tragedy is necessary for him to move forward with life with someone new.
August 1, 2023
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review. I liked the book. I loved the side characters...her BFF and the bff's husband, even the pets were great.
This book had all my favorite things.....
I love dual pics and to get into a character's head when the other character can't figure them out. I also love when one is crushing, and thinks the other hates hates them. Then you mix all that together with someone's mysterious past. I thought she did a great job with it. It was frustrating, funny and sad in all the right moments and written well, it felt like you were there.
I wish it was longer. I didn't realize it was a series with a short book for each month, and that's on me. I say that because I feel she could have easily expanded this into a full novel... Her past, his past, them together. Everything was addressed but I also think this author could make it a full novel and it would still hold your attention.
I'll definitely read the rest of the series.
This book had all my favorite things.....
I love dual pics and to get into a character's head when the other character can't figure them out. I also love when one is crushing, and thinks the other hates hates them. Then you mix all that together with someone's mysterious past. I thought she did a great job with it. It was frustrating, funny and sad in all the right moments and written well, it felt like you were there.
I wish it was longer. I didn't realize it was a series with a short book for each month, and that's on me. I say that because I feel she could have easily expanded this into a full novel... Her past, his past, them together. Everything was addressed but I also think this author could make it a full novel and it would still hold your attention.
I'll definitely read the rest of the series.
December 18, 2025
Small town at its greatest and Port Rufton did not disappoint . I loved the way the town all came together to stick up for Ava after she came back home and then welcoming Tony into town and making him feel like he belongs. My favorite character by far is Rory, an old friend of Ava’s and her biggest champion to help her and Tony find happiness. While this story is a novella, there was some depth and deep emotions that just made the story better.
This is book eight in The Fun For the Holidays Series. A series of 12 novellas, one for every month. All books can be read as a standalone in any order. I am really enjoying this whole series. Great short, fast reads to read in-between your longer books.
I totally recommend this story and series. Such cute novellas
Listened to on @audible
Narrated by Bradley Ford and Romona Master, they did a great job narrating.
This is book eight in The Fun For the Holidays Series. A series of 12 novellas, one for every month. All books can be read as a standalone in any order. I am really enjoying this whole series. Great short, fast reads to read in-between your longer books.
I totally recommend this story and series. Such cute novellas
Listened to on @audible
Narrated by Bradley Ford and Romona Master, they did a great job narrating.
June 23, 2023
I absolutely love Jenn Sterlings holiday stories! I think I’ve read every one of them.
Her writing and stories are down to earth and cute with a little bit of frustration 😉
A small fishing town on the coast where everyone knows everyone and no one has privacy. Ava was born and raised in this town and returned in time to work side by side her dad in their restaurant. Tony is a burying fisherman who landed in town and has stayed temporarily. He is handsome but always sad and short with everyone, including Ava.
After an event in the restaurant this leads where some of Tony’s secrets are divulged leads Tony to begin finding a home for his future.
Read the book, it’s a cute story, where happiness and sunshine allows the reader to smile and enjoy a leisurely story.
Her writing and stories are down to earth and cute with a little bit of frustration 😉
A small fishing town on the coast where everyone knows everyone and no one has privacy. Ava was born and raised in this town and returned in time to work side by side her dad in their restaurant. Tony is a burying fisherman who landed in town and has stayed temporarily. He is handsome but always sad and short with everyone, including Ava.
After an event in the restaurant this leads where some of Tony’s secrets are divulged leads Tony to begin finding a home for his future.
Read the book, it’s a cute story, where happiness and sunshine allows the reader to smile and enjoy a leisurely story.
June 26, 2023
Flirting with Sunshine by J. Sterling is a slow-burn, grumpy-sunshine novella that tackles some heavy topics while remaining a light-hearted, easy to digest romance.
Ava finds herself back in her hometown after divorcing her cheating husband and high school sweetheart. She is running her family restaurant and meets new fisherman Tony when she goes to buy fresh seafood. Tony is dealing with guilt and loss himself and while he really wants to get to know Ava, he doesn’t think he deserves her attention.
Overall, this is a quick read set in a small fishing town (I felt a huge Cape Cod vibe) about healing and finding love after loss. This is a stand alone novella that is part of the Fun For the Holidays Series.
Ava finds herself back in her hometown after divorcing her cheating husband and high school sweetheart. She is running her family restaurant and meets new fisherman Tony when she goes to buy fresh seafood. Tony is dealing with guilt and loss himself and while he really wants to get to know Ava, he doesn’t think he deserves her attention.
Overall, this is a quick read set in a small fishing town (I felt a huge Cape Cod vibe) about healing and finding love after loss. This is a stand alone novella that is part of the Fun For the Holidays Series.
August 1, 2023
A fun novella that is part of the Fun for The Holidays collection. This follows Ava, the town darling who returned to run her family’s seafood business after her husband who was her high school sweetheart cheats on her. All is going well with Ava’s fresh start until she meets Tony the grumpy fisherman she see’s every morning when she goes to collect fresh fish. Tony is still reeling from a terrible loss and doesn’t feel like he deserves happiness but he can’t help but notice Ava. As the people in this small town try to push them together, little by little they start to trust in a new beginning together. Little do they know how their pasts intersect and eventually collide. This was a quick sweet read with a happily ever after.
August 1, 2023
Sweet small town romance...
A lovely novella, well written, with characters you'd want to meet, in a place you wouldn't mind visiting. Just hits the spot. A small town where people look out for one another, where they rally the troupes when need arises. Where they provide a well-aimed kick in the backside when called for as well. We get an interesting journey for our two loveable lovebirds. Ava and Tony have obstacles to overcome, and they find a way to their HEA.
A quick read and easy to recommend. Well edited so it moves deftly without leaving too many questions or skipping anything important. Glad I got the chance to read this one. Definitely open to reading more from J. Sterling now.
I received a free advance copy and my review is voluntarily offered.
A lovely novella, well written, with characters you'd want to meet, in a place you wouldn't mind visiting. Just hits the spot. A small town where people look out for one another, where they rally the troupes when need arises. Where they provide a well-aimed kick in the backside when called for as well. We get an interesting journey for our two loveable lovebirds. Ava and Tony have obstacles to overcome, and they find a way to their HEA.
A quick read and easy to recommend. Well edited so it moves deftly without leaving too many questions or skipping anything important. Glad I got the chance to read this one. Definitely open to reading more from J. Sterling now.
I received a free advance copy and my review is voluntarily offered.
August 5, 2025
Flirting with Sunshine is a sweet and fun romance that’s easy to enjoy. J. Sterling brings a charming small-town setting to life with lovable characters and a light, feel-good vibe. The main character is full of energy and warmth, while the love interest has that quiet, broody appeal—together, they have great chemistry.
The story is heartwarming and moves at a nice pace, even if a few parts were a bit predictable. Still, it’s a comforting read that leaves you smiling and happy by the end. A great choice if you’re looking for a cozy romance with lots of heart.
Favorite Quotes:
— I can’t feel bad about how I earn a living. And you shouldn’t either.
— …. A man without love in his life was like a day without sun.
The story is heartwarming and moves at a nice pace, even if a few parts were a bit predictable. Still, it’s a comforting read that leaves you smiling and happy by the end. A great choice if you’re looking for a cozy romance with lots of heart.
Favorite Quotes:
— I can’t feel bad about how I earn a living. And you shouldn’t either.
— …. A man without love in his life was like a day without sun.
June 19, 2023
Flirting with Sunshine by J. Sterling is part of the Fun For The Holidays Series. A short read that is witty and fun to read. A grumpy/sunshine story, set in a small coast town.
Ava is a restaurant owner in a small coastal town. Divorced from her cheating husband and now living with her cat abover her restaurant she's a ray of sunshine. Not much can faze her. ONly her grumpy neighbor manages that.
Tony is a fisher man with a crush on athe restaurant owner for a long time. But grumpy mcgrumperson has some issues and never would take a chance to date Ava.
A beautiful story, well written and beautifully told.
Ava is a restaurant owner in a small coastal town. Divorced from her cheating husband and now living with her cat abover her restaurant she's a ray of sunshine. Not much can faze her. ONly her grumpy neighbor manages that.
Tony is a fisher man with a crush on athe restaurant owner for a long time. But grumpy mcgrumperson has some issues and never would take a chance to date Ava.
A beautiful story, well written and beautifully told.
August 3, 2023
Delightful, Small Town Romance!!
Ava Starling always knew she would run the family restaurant some day. She was okay to marry Liam and move away from Port Rufton to further his career for a few years. A contentious divorce, and the loss of her father had her running the business sooner than expected.
The Port allowed her to visit the fishermen and select from the morning catch personally. An attraction begins with Tony when he joins the lineup - but he displays no interest, doesn’t even crack a smile.
Great character development, past issues, and a little help from your friends. Thoroughly enjoyable.
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
Ava Starling always knew she would run the family restaurant some day. She was okay to marry Liam and move away from Port Rufton to further his career for a few years. A contentious divorce, and the loss of her father had her running the business sooner than expected.
The Port allowed her to visit the fishermen and select from the morning catch personally. An attraction begins with Tony when he joins the lineup - but he displays no interest, doesn’t even crack a smile.
Great character development, past issues, and a little help from your friends. Thoroughly enjoyable.
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
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