What do you think?
Rate this book
The Grump Who Doesn't Belong Next Door
Small-town Iowa? Not for this big-city attorney. Too bad his plans for a quick exit are mired by the girl next door.
Lottie: I have no time to waste on glass-half-empty people. My daughter and I have had enough of that in our lives, thank you very much. So when my neighbor’s grumpy son arrives in my hometown, turning his nose up at every Iowa corner, it’s no skin off of my back. But I can’t help teasing him. It’s sooo easy to ruffle his feathers. Plus, he’s easy on the eyes. Win win.
Anthony: My plan? Three weeks in Podunkville, Iowa until my mom recovers from her stroke. Then back to Atlanta. Civilization. My upcoming promotion to senior lawyer. I have no interest in forming any attachments in Red Rock Place. Even if my new next-door neighbor and her spunky daughter are a daily dose of sunshine I never knew my life was missing.
But then there’s the matchmaking. The fake date that isn’t really fake. The cake explosion. Oh, and the cow. (Really, God? We could have skipped that one�) Let’s just say, things are not going according to my plan.
Lottie: I have no time to waste on glass-half-empty people. My daughter and I have had enough of that in our lives, thank you very much. So when my neighbor’s grumpy son arrives in my hometown, turning his nose up at every Iowa corner, it’s no skin off of my back. But I can’t help teasing him. It’s sooo easy to ruffle his feathers. Plus, he’s easy on the eyes. Win win.
Anthony: My plan? Three weeks in Podunkville, Iowa until my mom recovers from her stroke. Then back to Atlanta. Civilization. My upcoming promotion to senior lawyer. I have no interest in forming any attachments in Red Rock Place. Even if my new next-door neighbor and her spunky daughter are a daily dose of sunshine I never knew my life was missing.
But then there’s the matchmaking. The fake date that isn’t really fake. The cake explosion. Oh, and the cow. (Really, God? We could have skipped that one�) Let’s just say, things are not going according to my plan.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2024
4 people are currently reading
48 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 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 20, 2024
This was such a fun novella from Emily Dana Botrous! And I hope that it will continue on with the FMC's siblings love stories too!
It was so fun seeing Anthony, who is a lawyer from Atlanta, try out small town life in Iowa. There were so many moments that made me giggle between when embarrassing things happened to him or Lottie the FMC.
I loved that we got to see Lottie as a single mom and her daughter Felicity. I love that we also got to meet her mom and siblings. She is sunshine personified despite having been through hardships that were brought upon her by other people through no fault of her own.
I love that we got to see Anthony change and grow throughout the story. I love that he started to understand what is really important in life and what is truly needed.
Through it all Emily wove in her faith and the theme of trusting in God. It wasn't too preachy, but instead focused on how we all need to trust more in Him because He truly knows what ultimately will bring us the most joy. And that once we do that and lean on Him our burdens will feel lighter.
Overall if you want a read with quirky humor, great meddling mamas, a fun loving 8 year old, opposites attract and small town romance with a great grumpy guy give this one a go!
Physical Intimacy Level 2 (longer deeper kisses, mentions of nipping, kisses on neck, wrist, face, making out etc)
Zero Swearing
Dual 1st Person POV
It was so fun seeing Anthony, who is a lawyer from Atlanta, try out small town life in Iowa. There were so many moments that made me giggle between when embarrassing things happened to him or Lottie the FMC.
I loved that we got to see Lottie as a single mom and her daughter Felicity. I love that we also got to meet her mom and siblings. She is sunshine personified despite having been through hardships that were brought upon her by other people through no fault of her own.
I love that we got to see Anthony change and grow throughout the story. I love that he started to understand what is really important in life and what is truly needed.
Through it all Emily wove in her faith and the theme of trusting in God. It wasn't too preachy, but instead focused on how we all need to trust more in Him because He truly knows what ultimately will bring us the most joy. And that once we do that and lean on Him our burdens will feel lighter.
Overall if you want a read with quirky humor, great meddling mamas, a fun loving 8 year old, opposites attract and small town romance with a great grumpy guy give this one a go!
Physical Intimacy Level 2 (longer deeper kisses, mentions of nipping, kisses on neck, wrist, face, making out etc)
Zero Swearing
Dual 1st Person POV
May 2, 2024
Happy Release Day to @emilydanabotrous_author for The Grump Who Doesn’t belong Next Door! 🎉
Yall. I absolutely FLEW through this one it was SO. GOOD.
The story follows Lottie, a single mom who has had her heart shattered by men (father and ex-husband) in the past and is not looking for love. Anthony, a hotshot lawyer from Atlanta, has no desire to even visit the small town life in Iowa. When Anthony’s mom gets sick and he’s forced to come visit, will a few short weeks with Lottie change his grumpy demeanor and overall perspective on life? Will Lottie open her heart up to the grump who doesn’t belong next door?
This book had me CACKLING at various points. It was funny, sweet, serious, and so many good spiritual moments in there—literally the perfect book to kick of the month of May. AND easily one of my new favorite first kiss scenes a book has ever had 😘🍍
Do yourself a favor and head to Amazon or KU and get your copy—I hope this is just the first in a series because I adored this authors writing style and wit!! A 5⭐️ Read for me for sure!!
#thegrumpwhodoesntbelongnextdoor #emilydanabotrous #cleanreadsromance #cleanromcoms #closeddoorromance #christianromancenovels #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations
Yall. I absolutely FLEW through this one it was SO. GOOD.
The story follows Lottie, a single mom who has had her heart shattered by men (father and ex-husband) in the past and is not looking for love. Anthony, a hotshot lawyer from Atlanta, has no desire to even visit the small town life in Iowa. When Anthony’s mom gets sick and he’s forced to come visit, will a few short weeks with Lottie change his grumpy demeanor and overall perspective on life? Will Lottie open her heart up to the grump who doesn’t belong next door?
This book had me CACKLING at various points. It was funny, sweet, serious, and so many good spiritual moments in there—literally the perfect book to kick of the month of May. AND easily one of my new favorite first kiss scenes a book has ever had 😘🍍
Do yourself a favor and head to Amazon or KU and get your copy—I hope this is just the first in a series because I adored this authors writing style and wit!! A 5⭐️ Read for me for sure!!
#thegrumpwhodoesntbelongnextdoor #emilydanabotrous #cleanreadsromance #cleanromcoms #closeddoorromance #christianromancenovels #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations
December 30, 2024
Cute! Witty! Fun Banter! Full review will be posted soon, God willing. :)
April 14, 2024
When I began reading this story I was so aggravated by the uptight, materialistic, grumpy Anthony. Over time though, his and Lottie’s romance grew and budded with the help of Felicity, a catastrophic birthday party, and some mud. A lot of mud. Both characters had realistic struggles due to their upbringings but learned to love again. It was a sweet and tender love story. Thank you to the author for my ARC; all opinions are mine.
May 2, 2024
This is definitely an opposites to happy-ever-after. Anthony Lucio is a workaholic lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia. Charlotte "Lottie" Alden is a single mom that works at Living Waters Resale, a consignment store in Red Rock Place, Iowa.
Anthony arranges to take three weeks off to help his mom recover from a stroke. She is in a Care Center in Red Rock Place, Iowa.
At first Anthony and Lottie rub each other the wrong way. Anthony is pushed into taking Lottie on a date. They go on the date but agree to tell people that they don't 'click'. This while they are beginning to have romantic thoughts for each other. What will happen to the small seed of romance if Anthony goes back to Atlanta? What is Lottie's strong adversion to getting married?
Lottie's daughter, Felicity, is a sweetheart. She tries (unsuccessfully?) everything she can think of to get Anthony and Lottie together, but both are stubborn and resist the attempts.
I recommend The Grump That Doesn't Belong Next Door. It is a clean, fun romcom with an ending to cheer for.
I was given an ARC of this story from BookFunnel at the request of the author, Emily Dana Botrous. All comments and thoughts are mine, given voluntarily.
Anthony arranges to take three weeks off to help his mom recover from a stroke. She is in a Care Center in Red Rock Place, Iowa.
At first Anthony and Lottie rub each other the wrong way. Anthony is pushed into taking Lottie on a date. They go on the date but agree to tell people that they don't 'click'. This while they are beginning to have romantic thoughts for each other. What will happen to the small seed of romance if Anthony goes back to Atlanta? What is Lottie's strong adversion to getting married?
Lottie's daughter, Felicity, is a sweetheart. She tries (unsuccessfully?) everything she can think of to get Anthony and Lottie together, but both are stubborn and resist the attempts.
I recommend The Grump That Doesn't Belong Next Door. It is a clean, fun romcom with an ending to cheer for.
I was given an ARC of this story from BookFunnel at the request of the author, Emily Dana Botrous. All comments and thoughts are mine, given voluntarily.
April 25, 2024
Emily Botrous had me laughing out loud with this upbeat romcom.
Lottie’s character had me rooting for her from the opening lines. I enjoyed reading about the ups and downs in her life. Anthony is a fish out of water when he goes to Iowa to be with his ailing mother. I loved the sunshine grumpy trope and the way the author used snappy dialog to convey this.
The romance between Lottie and Anthony develops sweetly based on the character traits they admire with each other.
I don’t read a lot of romcom, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A few times I laughed out loud and I smiled quite a bit while reading it.
I highly recommend this to fans of sweet, clean, Christian romance, romcom and anyone who wants to read a light-hearted engaging page-turner.
Romance: Very clean. Light kissing.
Faith: Both characters grew in their relationship and understanding of God, even though the spiritual aspect was a minor part of the story until near the end.
Disclaimer: I requested and received an advanced copy of this book courtesy of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Lottie’s character had me rooting for her from the opening lines. I enjoyed reading about the ups and downs in her life. Anthony is a fish out of water when he goes to Iowa to be with his ailing mother. I loved the sunshine grumpy trope and the way the author used snappy dialog to convey this.
The romance between Lottie and Anthony develops sweetly based on the character traits they admire with each other.
I don’t read a lot of romcom, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A few times I laughed out loud and I smiled quite a bit while reading it.
I highly recommend this to fans of sweet, clean, Christian romance, romcom and anyone who wants to read a light-hearted engaging page-turner.
Romance: Very clean. Light kissing.
Faith: Both characters grew in their relationship and understanding of God, even though the spiritual aspect was a minor part of the story until near the end.
Disclaimer: I requested and received an advanced copy of this book courtesy of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
April 25, 2024
Synopsis:
Anthony is a big time lawyer, and he goes to a small town in Iowa to help his sick mother. But he didn’t expect that the next-door neighbor would be a spunky single mom that will fill his life with her sunshine.
Includes:
✨Grumpy x Sunshine
✨Strangers to Enemies to More
✨Small Town
✨Christian Romance
✨Single Mom
✨Fish Out of Water
✨Quick Read
🌶�Heat Level:
Just (Swoony) Kisses
Attraction/Tension:🔥🔥
My Opinion:
This book is very cute and sweet. It’s a nice romance with faith elements, but the chemistry is still very present. I like how Anthony is such a sweetheart under his grumpiness and I also liked the farmer setting in this small town. Lottie’s Family and the small town people were a fun touch to the story. It’s very swoony and a feel-good read.
*I received a free review copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.*
Anthony is a big time lawyer, and he goes to a small town in Iowa to help his sick mother. But he didn’t expect that the next-door neighbor would be a spunky single mom that will fill his life with her sunshine.
Includes:
✨Grumpy x Sunshine
✨Strangers to Enemies to More
✨Small Town
✨Christian Romance
✨Single Mom
✨Fish Out of Water
✨Quick Read
🌶�Heat Level:
Just (Swoony) Kisses
Attraction/Tension:🔥🔥
My Opinion:
This book is very cute and sweet. It’s a nice romance with faith elements, but the chemistry is still very present. I like how Anthony is such a sweetheart under his grumpiness and I also liked the farmer setting in this small town. Lottie’s Family and the small town people were a fun touch to the story. It’s very swoony and a feel-good read.
*I received a free review copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.*
April 11, 2024
This is my first book by the Author and its writing style made it a little unique. It is written in first person POV for the main characters, so we can experience their thoughts and emotions first hand. It has humor woven throughout the story: in the thoughts of the characters, in their banter, in the circumstances that befall them. There is drama as both hero and heroine have issues with relationships. There is an element of faith involved, though most of it was reserved for the last few chapters.
I enjoyed the story; it did make me smile and laugh at times. Anthony and Lottie do get a HEA. It will get your romance/drama/comedy meter filled up when it is low. I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
I enjoyed the story; it did make me smile and laugh at times. Anthony and Lottie do get a HEA. It will get your romance/drama/comedy meter filled up when it is low. I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
April 5, 2024
The Grump Doesnt Belong Next Door...
...he belongs in her home. Opposites attract for Lottie and Anthony, who run away from love until they learn to give up chasing the trappings of success, seek first for God, and lay up their treasures in Heaven before they find lasting love for a lifetime.
I thought they were wonderful characters. Realistic. Humanly flawed, but striving to live their faith every day. The humor comes from the situations they manage to find themselves in.
I received an ARC copy of this story from the author via BookFunnel when first released in a charity anthology, and again when released as a standalone novel. I have voluntarily chosen to share my review.
...he belongs in her home. Opposites attract for Lottie and Anthony, who run away from love until they learn to give up chasing the trappings of success, seek first for God, and lay up their treasures in Heaven before they find lasting love for a lifetime.
I thought they were wonderful characters. Realistic. Humanly flawed, but striving to live their faith every day. The humor comes from the situations they manage to find themselves in.
I received an ARC copy of this story from the author via BookFunnel when first released in a charity anthology, and again when released as a standalone novel. I have voluntarily chosen to share my review.
April 15, 2024
Christian reminds me of the short movie where there's a tall guy who keeps his hands in his pockets and doesn't hold the elevator door open, or catch a child's balloon, but when waiting to cross the street, a little old lady grabs onto his arm, and he's sort of forced to walk her across the street - she pats his cheeks, and his whole demeanor changes. Christian had Lottie, her daughter, his aunt, his mom, and God working on him, and he has a change of heart. Lottie, on the other hand, has been burned and thinks everything is up to her. I love when she finally figures out that God had other plans, and she can trust Christian. What an inspiring read!
May 4, 2024
This was such a fun book to read and I hope it will be the first book in a new series. I really liked Lottie and her grumpy next door neighbor who was staying with his Aunt Doris while his mom was recovering from a stroke. These two characters were opposites in so many ways and of course opposites attract.
I loved the fun banter and sarcastic comebacks. It was fun watching cityboy Anthony adjust to farm life. There was one scene in particular that had me laughing so hard. I liked how the book characters had their God moments in the book. Those moments really made me think. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
I loved the fun banter and sarcastic comebacks. It was fun watching cityboy Anthony adjust to farm life. There was one scene in particular that had me laughing so hard. I liked how the book characters had their God moments in the book. Those moments really made me think. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
April 14, 2024
When small town Iowa mom meets her neighbor's big city attorney son, emotions run wild. From anger to teasing, laughter, love, and desertion, (all punctuated with family, friends and small town situations) this is a fast paced fun book. I laughed out loud, became emotional, and loved how God's plan was revealed. Definitely a book that will be revisited and enjoyed again. I'm not a farm girl, but living in the Midwest, I could appreciate the references and hard work that played an important part in this family's life. I loved the book and the wonderful warm feelings I had when I finished!
April 28, 2024
A fun and humorous story of a city lawyer who never comes home in years to see his mother. He would rather send her the ticket to come visit him in the city. However, as she is now hospitalized, he comes home to the middle of nowhere in Iowa and doesn't know how to adapt.
His aunt's neighbor, Lottie, sees fit to help him humorously adapt to farm life. And sparks fly. The mothers of both, as well as the aunt, see themselves as matchmakers. Truly a good read!
I received a copy of the book; this review is my honest opinion.
His aunt's neighbor, Lottie, sees fit to help him humorously adapt to farm life. And sparks fly. The mothers of both, as well as the aunt, see themselves as matchmakers. Truly a good read!
I received a copy of the book; this review is my honest opinion.
May 1, 2024
As it says in the title, this is a Grumpy/Sunshine but also God moments, city boy/country girl, single mom, workaholic lawyer, fake date, small town, & midwestern hospitality story with witty banter & swoony kisses. I lol at Anthony's first experience on the farm; I've seen that many times over the years when we have visitors to the farm. It was fun to see them change from that almost enemy to kissing. I also love it when the man blushes just as much as the woman and watching as that man discovers what's truly important. There's lots to love about this book & I highly recommend it.
May 4, 2024
You know this will be a "you can't judge a person by their appearance" book, but I didn't expect to fall in love with the characters so much!
Coming from a small town and from the Midwest, I smiled at how I could relate to parts of this book... Yet again Emily does a great job creating characters you learn to love and relate to, even if they seem snobbish to begin with! The chapters do a fun back and forth between characters so you can literally hear the thoughts in their heads. Get ready to hop into small town life and fall in love...or maybe just out of annoyance!?
Coming from a small town and from the Midwest, I smiled at how I could relate to parts of this book... Yet again Emily does a great job creating characters you learn to love and relate to, even if they seem snobbish to begin with! The chapters do a fun back and forth between characters so you can literally hear the thoughts in their heads. Get ready to hop into small town life and fall in love...or maybe just out of annoyance!?
April 19, 2024
This was a clever and funny book. I really liked how the author wove the faith stories of the two main characters into the storyline, with both of their faith journeys culminating at the very same time in their coming together as a totally-makes-sense end to the story. The character development in the book was done very well, and the supporting cast were believable and made the story both fun and poignant. I recommend this book.
April 30, 2024
This author does a fantastic job of merging her faith and humor with romance and this novella is just another example of how well she does just that. Since I married a guy from Nebraska and have gone through this process, I certainly understand what the hero is going through, and how you really can come to love a place you thought you would hate. I love how they both grow throughout the story! Such a lovely tale!
May 6, 2024
What a fun story to read. Lottie and Anthony are complete opposites. City boy vs country girl leads to many hilarious moments. As the blurb indicates, the cake explosion and the cow scene are laugh out loud, and I loved them. Felicity is a cute charmer. I really like the fact that both Anthony and Lottie are seeking God.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
April 4, 2025
The Grump Who Doesn’t Belong Next Door was such a delightful surprise! I adored the grumpy-sunshine dynamic between Anthony and Lottie—his big-city cynicism clashing with her small-town warmth made for the perfect opposites-attract setup. I laughed out loud more than once (that cow scene!), and Lottie’s daughter Felicity completely stole my heart. The romance was sweet, clean, and full of emotional growth, with just the right touch of faith woven in.
May 3, 2025
4.25 Stars
Completed: Apr. 30/25
Format: Kindle e-Book
Challenge Prompt: CFG's "novella or anthology" -- this is a novella
Book #54 of 2025: I seem to like the grumpy-sunshine trope! This has snark, spice, chemistry, and lots of humour. I admittedly didn't like the lead male character, Anthony, very much. However, he grew on me as he began to see things more clearly.
I love Lottie, though I don't like the beautiful name of Charlotte shortened. She has a big heart and isn't afraid to just be who she is. She has spunk!
The two together are a great balance of opposites. This is a sweet romance with so many fun moments.
Completed: Apr. 30/25
Format: Kindle e-Book
Challenge Prompt: CFG's "novella or anthology" -- this is a novella
Book #54 of 2025: I seem to like the grumpy-sunshine trope! This has snark, spice, chemistry, and lots of humour. I admittedly didn't like the lead male character, Anthony, very much. However, he grew on me as he began to see things more clearly.
I love Lottie, though I don't like the beautiful name of Charlotte shortened. She has a big heart and isn't afraid to just be who she is. She has spunk!
The two together are a great balance of opposites. This is a sweet romance with so many fun moments.
April 14, 2024
Lottie and Anthony believe in God, but life has them each in places where they aren't leaning on that faith. She's trying to do things on her own and he's simply walked away from all things God. The summer happenings sweetly change that.
I loved the main character's extended families. Loving, supportive, protective.
The story is a mix of heart-felt, silly, and sassy. I highly recommend it!
This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.
I loved the main character's extended families. Loving, supportive, protective.
The story is a mix of heart-felt, silly, and sassy. I highly recommend it!
This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.
April 15, 2024
what you need
This book is exactly what I need: it made me laugh, it made me think and it contains all the elements that keep me entertained: a grump to be reformed, a self confident single mom to make him see what is really important in life, small town life, matchmakers.... I couldn´t ask for more.
This book is exactly what I need: it made me laugh, it made me think and it contains all the elements that keep me entertained: a grump to be reformed, a self confident single mom to make him see what is really important in life, small town life, matchmakers.... I couldn´t ask for more.
April 27, 2024
I was hooked as soon as I started reading this heart warming, funny, faith filled romantic comedy. It's fun, sweet, charming and romantic in all the best ways. I loved Anthony and Lottie and the wonderful secondary family and towns people characters about stole the show. The dialog was sharp and clever. I absolutely loved this delightfully, entertaining book!
April 30, 2024
This beautiful Christian story, with the main characters Anthony and Lottie, had me laughing out loud numerous times with their bickering, and things happening on the farm, also had to wipe tears a few times, absolutely loved this story. The only complaint, the book came to an end. Read this amazing book, you won't be sorry.
January 19, 2025
This was a quick read. This is my typical style of book but I felt this one was lacking... Not enough detail and I found the christian aspect inconsistent. But I liked the characters pretty well, it was an entertaining short read.
April 13, 2024
Does a grump always have to remain a grump? Well, when one meets God in an unexpected place and finds love in the process, that could possibly change things. Very well done!
April 17, 2024
This was such a fun story! I fell in love with the characters right away. The character arcs are strong and exciting to read about. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
May 15, 2024
I loved this story with Anthony, said grump, and Lottie. There was a lot of fun in this story and who would have thought that would get together. What a lot of fun.
May 26, 2024
Enjoyable read. A fun grumpy/sunshine city/small town romance. I really liked the characters and how they interacted with each other and those in the town.
May 31, 2024
This was a pretty adorable story! Their banter was the best part.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.