What do you think?
Rate this book
Copper Valley Fireballs #3
The Grumpy Player Next Door
An enemies-to-lovers / sports / grumpy-sunshine / neighbor romance
I, Tillie Jean Rock, am not in love with my brother’s teammate. Sure, he might have those biceps and that “I am the grouchiest of grouchy bears� smolder, and he might shovel snow off his driveway next door wearing nothing but boxer shorts and rubber boots, and he might be running a side business feeding all the stray goats in town, but studliness is only skin-deep.
And I might flirt with him every chance I get, but I swear it’s only to annoy my brother.
And him.
Because Max Cole?
Under all of those glorious muscles and chiseled cheekbones and searing glares beats the heart of a heartless devil.
I could no sooner fall in love with a guy who treats me like a kid, and judges me at every opportunity, and sets an army of garden gnomes loose on my yard, than I could fall in love with my grandfather’s pet parrot.
But I can definitely annoy him. I can one hundred percent get on board with annoying him.
That’s what you do when you don’t like your neighbor, right?
But you know what they say about love and hate�
It’s a very thin line.
Especially when the real reason I’m not in love with Max Cole—that he’s incapable of love—might not be true at all.
The Grumpy Player Next door is a fun-filled enemies-to-lovers romcom featuring a ray of sunshine on a mission, an athlete who’s only grouchy around her, and an epic prank gone wrong. It stands alone and comes complete with small-town shenanigans, a goat who’s not nearly as wise as his name suggests, and proof that sometimes, love is the best kind of vengeance.
I, Tillie Jean Rock, am not in love with my brother’s teammate. Sure, he might have those biceps and that “I am the grouchiest of grouchy bears� smolder, and he might shovel snow off his driveway next door wearing nothing but boxer shorts and rubber boots, and he might be running a side business feeding all the stray goats in town, but studliness is only skin-deep.
And I might flirt with him every chance I get, but I swear it’s only to annoy my brother.
And him.
Because Max Cole?
Under all of those glorious muscles and chiseled cheekbones and searing glares beats the heart of a heartless devil.
I could no sooner fall in love with a guy who treats me like a kid, and judges me at every opportunity, and sets an army of garden gnomes loose on my yard, than I could fall in love with my grandfather’s pet parrot.
But I can definitely annoy him. I can one hundred percent get on board with annoying him.
That’s what you do when you don’t like your neighbor, right?
But you know what they say about love and hate�
It’s a very thin line.
Especially when the real reason I’m not in love with Max Cole—that he’s incapable of love—might not be true at all.
The Grumpy Player Next door is a fun-filled enemies-to-lovers romcom featuring a ray of sunshine on a mission, an athlete who’s only grouchy around her, and an epic prank gone wrong. It stands alone and comes complete with small-town shenanigans, a goat who’s not nearly as wise as his name suggests, and proof that sometimes, love is the best kind of vengeance.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2021
1,992 people are currently reading
3,737 people want to read
About the author
Pippa Grant
67Ìýbooks10.3kÌýfollowersPippa Grant wanted to write books, so she did.
Before she became a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling romantic comedy author, she was a young military spouse who got into writing as self-therapy. That happened around the time she discovered reading romance novels, and the two eventually merged into a career. Today, she has more than 30 knee-slapping Pippa Grant titles and nine published under the name Jamie Farrell.
When she’s not writing romantic comedies, she’s fumbling through being a mom, wife, and mountain woman, and sometimes tries to find hobbies. Her crowning achievement? Having impeccable timing for telling stories that will make people snort beverages out of their noses. Consider yourself warned.
Before she became a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling romantic comedy author, she was a young military spouse who got into writing as self-therapy. That happened around the time she discovered reading romance novels, and the two eventually merged into a career. Today, she has more than 30 knee-slapping Pippa Grant titles and nine published under the name Jamie Farrell.
When she’s not writing romantic comedies, she’s fumbling through being a mom, wife, and mountain woman, and sometimes tries to find hobbies. Her crowning achievement? Having impeccable timing for telling stories that will make people snort beverages out of their noses. Consider yourself warned.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 728 reviews
July 8, 2021
Disappointing
So, I know this will probably be an unpopular opinion, but... I didn't like it. At all. I fully, 100%, expected to LOVE this book - and I just didn't. We get frequent reminders that our hero has been screwing around for years while fighting his feelings for the off-limits heroine (yuck), the storyline is more about humor than the actual romance, there were elements that felt repetitive/overly drawn out, and the payoff after the slowest of slow burns was lackluster at best. There, I said it. I haven't rated a Grant book this low in literal years, and I'm not all that happy doing it this time either.
The story follows Max, a guy who has been doing everything he possibly can to extinguish the attraction he feels for his teammate's sister. Max didn't have a great childhood, and his teammate, Cooper, is the person who cares about him the most now. Cooper has helped Max through his struggles with anxiety, been a friend and confidant, and has shared his community with Max for the summer. So crossing the line with Cooper's sister, Tillie Jean? Not gonna happen, no matter how much she flirts with him. Tillie Jean's been flirting with Max for years, and it's just become a part of their dynamic. But when Max moves next door to Tillie Jean for the off-season, things get all mixed up.
This does have so many of the elements that I love about Grant's work, from the quirky humor and sense of found family to the slow-burning love. This series has been STELLAR, and this was simply the weak link for me. It actually felt VERY similar to Grant's last book, but it leaned into all of the things that rubbed me the wrong way about that one. Our playboy hero struggles with his feelings for an off-limits girl, but doesn't take hooking up with others off the table. There's a focus on feeling worthy and being the good-time guy only. There's the slow burn and complicated friend/family dynamics. Honestly, if that's what Cooper's book entails, then I'm not in any rush for it either (I want him to meet a stranger, someone who hasn't been around while he's a horndog - NOT the girl who is hinted at in this). What ultimately drags this one down is that we get the push/pull, the denial of feelings, the "it's just sex" routine for like 80-90% of the book, and the actually relationship development is completely glossed over. I wholeheartedly recommend Grant's books as a whole, but this definitely isn't one of the more successful ones.
So, I know this will probably be an unpopular opinion, but... I didn't like it. At all. I fully, 100%, expected to LOVE this book - and I just didn't. We get frequent reminders that our hero has been screwing around for years while fighting his feelings for the off-limits heroine (yuck), the storyline is more about humor than the actual romance, there were elements that felt repetitive/overly drawn out, and the payoff after the slowest of slow burns was lackluster at best. There, I said it. I haven't rated a Grant book this low in literal years, and I'm not all that happy doing it this time either.
The story follows Max, a guy who has been doing everything he possibly can to extinguish the attraction he feels for his teammate's sister. Max didn't have a great childhood, and his teammate, Cooper, is the person who cares about him the most now. Cooper has helped Max through his struggles with anxiety, been a friend and confidant, and has shared his community with Max for the summer. So crossing the line with Cooper's sister, Tillie Jean? Not gonna happen, no matter how much she flirts with him. Tillie Jean's been flirting with Max for years, and it's just become a part of their dynamic. But when Max moves next door to Tillie Jean for the off-season, things get all mixed up.
This does have so many of the elements that I love about Grant's work, from the quirky humor and sense of found family to the slow-burning love. This series has been STELLAR, and this was simply the weak link for me. It actually felt VERY similar to Grant's last book, but it leaned into all of the things that rubbed me the wrong way about that one. Our playboy hero struggles with his feelings for an off-limits girl, but doesn't take hooking up with others off the table. There's a focus on feeling worthy and being the good-time guy only. There's the slow burn and complicated friend/family dynamics. Honestly, if that's what Cooper's book entails, then I'm not in any rush for it either (I want him to meet a stranger, someone who hasn't been around while he's a horndog - NOT the girl who is hinted at in this). What ultimately drags this one down is that we get the push/pull, the denial of feelings, the "it's just sex" routine for like 80-90% of the book, and the actually relationship development is completely glossed over. I wholeheartedly recommend Grant's books as a whole, but this definitely isn't one of the more successful ones.
December 4, 2021
DNF
I am sorry to say I can not feel the grumpy radiating from this book. The Grumpy Player Next Door is not for me.
I got lost in the push and pull. Miss Grant putting way too much of everything in this book. I got bored. Really bored. I am not patient person to wait for what is actually behind Max refusal for expressing his attraction to Tilly.
I just give up.
2 stars
I am sorry to say I can not feel the grumpy radiating from this book. The Grumpy Player Next Door is not for me.
I got lost in the push and pull. Miss Grant putting way too much of everything in this book. I got bored. Really bored. I am not patient person to wait for what is actually behind Max refusal for expressing his attraction to Tilly.
I just give up.
2 stars
July 20, 2021
This is third in a series and other characters are nearly constantly on-page, so definitely read in order. Also, lots of the Bro Code folks show up, too, so it wouldn't hurt to have those in your background as well. Because Tillie Jean is a woman of her milieu and that is all about Copper Valley.
I made it two-thirds and the pain has to stop. The last third was only because I appreciated other Grant books and I kept waiting for things to get better. They didn't. And to be clear, this is all about Max being a giant jerkface with a negative motivation* that is a toxic mix of "poor me", "you just don't understand" and "can't do anything to upset Cooper" (Cooper is TJ's brother, making TJ off limits for reasons). Worse, he runs hot and cold, so sometimes he's all kissy-face, and others he's all "can't stand you" and I feel like he's always got a brood in his back pocket waiting for him to put on like an old coat you can't bring yourself to upgrade.
And Grant is trying to make this about his anxiety with an abusive childhood kicker. And I might have bought into that with a lot of sympathy if I got any indication at all that he was actually trying to be better. But he totally isn't. He's acting like he can't change because he's just bad, and I'm all "hasn't he been seeing a therapist and being treated and stuff? Shouldn't this be what he's working on? Maybe?"
So I just got tired of waiting for him to show some progress, any progress at all. Any. Because Tillie Jean? Yeah, she's awesome. I love, particularly, what Grant was doing with her as the talented artist and valedictorian who couldn't do the "take the world by storm thing" and worked hard to be okay with just working on being happy. Successfully! She was a freaking, no-holds delight and I wish more than anything that she had someone worthy of her efforts to win her heart. Max is not that man.
So yeah. No stars. Okay, that's not a thing. One star and I resent going that high.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, ) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
I made it two-thirds and the pain has to stop. The last third was only because I appreciated other Grant books and I kept waiting for things to get better. They didn't. And to be clear, this is all about Max being a giant jerkface with a negative motivation* that is a toxic mix of "poor me", "you just don't understand" and "can't do anything to upset Cooper" (Cooper is TJ's brother, making TJ off limits for reasons). Worse, he runs hot and cold, so sometimes he's all kissy-face, and others he's all "can't stand you" and I feel like he's always got a brood in his back pocket waiting for him to put on like an old coat you can't bring yourself to upgrade.
And Grant is trying to make this about his anxiety with an abusive childhood kicker. And I might have bought into that with a lot of sympathy if I got any indication at all that he was actually trying to be better. But he totally isn't. He's acting like he can't change because he's just bad, and I'm all "hasn't he been seeing a therapist and being treated and stuff? Shouldn't this be what he's working on? Maybe?"
So I just got tired of waiting for him to show some progress, any progress at all. Any. Because Tillie Jean? Yeah, she's awesome. I love, particularly, what Grant was doing with her as the talented artist and valedictorian who couldn't do the "take the world by storm thing" and worked hard to be okay with just working on being happy. Successfully! She was a freaking, no-holds delight and I wish more than anything that she had someone worthy of her efforts to win her heart. Max is not that man.
So yeah. No stars. Okay, that's not a thing. One star and I resent going that high.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, ) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
Currently reading
June 15, 2021Author's note, a few weeks before release:
Coming July 8!! I snort-laughed so hard in the first scene... I hope you do too!
Coming July 8!! I snort-laughed so hard in the first scene... I hope you do too!
December 19, 2021
It's my bad for reading a book out of order but there are so many characters in this book and our hero isn't swoon worthy enough. Our heroine is also annoying.
November 22, 2022
I struggled through this one.
It seems that the editing was not the best in places. The story also dragged with a little too much detail to insignificant things like the unique card game described. Max and Tilly were adorable and the last 25% of the book was pretty good, but I came close to not finishing because the beginning was just hard to follow in parts.
I wish I had liked it more.
2.75stars
It seems that the editing was not the best in places. The story also dragged with a little too much detail to insignificant things like the unique card game described. Max and Tilly were adorable and the last 25% of the book was pretty good, but I came close to not finishing because the beginning was just hard to follow in parts.
I wish I had liked it more.
2.75stars
July 8, 2021
Small town shenanigans, family prank hijinx gone awry, a brother’s ultimatum, sassy banter, and the chemistry between a growly baseballer and a sunshiny heroine? What’s not to love?!!? Yet another Pippa story that put a smile on my face and warmed my heart.
Whenever I’m in the mood for outlandish laughs and a sweet story, Pippa Grant does the trick. I’ve not read every book in any of these series that all intermingle (Grouchy Player, Fireballs, etc), but the books are all easy to read even if you haven’t- easily reading like standalones for newer readers and for hardcore Pippa lovers, you’ll find all kinds of little easter egg characters and references.
This one was right up my alley because I love the brother’s best friend trope- and Pippa does it so well here. Tillie Jean Jean’s brother Cooper is the ultimate romance blocking brother. Little Miss Sunshine is your quintessential lovable Pippa heroine- funny, kind, thoughtful, loving, quick to lead a helping hand. What’s not to love? Well, something, because herbrothers teammate Max Cole is not a fan, despite her best efforts to flirt and cajole him into liking her. And her latest offense? A sibling prank gone wrong that Max was on the unfortunate glittery end of.
Despite being a grouch to Tillie, Max is quite amiable otherwise. Well meaning, driven, a decent guy. And he’s listening to Cooper’s yearly warning- no baseballers putting their hands on his sister. MAx has never had an issue biding by Cooper’s rule- until he ends up next door to Tille Jean in the off season, and their unexpected prank war has sparks flying.
This was a fun and silly read- TJ was loads of infectious fun, and I found more substance to Max than I expected. And, I really loved TJ’s relationship with Cooper, too. he burn was a little bit slower than I like- I can only handle so much witty banter and sexual tension until I need some actual romance to go with it- and we got there, the push-pull just felt a bit too long for my impatience. But, PIppa got us there, and I just loved them together.
A fun, lovable, and cute read!
Whenever I’m in the mood for outlandish laughs and a sweet story, Pippa Grant does the trick. I’ve not read every book in any of these series that all intermingle (Grouchy Player, Fireballs, etc), but the books are all easy to read even if you haven’t- easily reading like standalones for newer readers and for hardcore Pippa lovers, you’ll find all kinds of little easter egg characters and references.
This one was right up my alley because I love the brother’s best friend trope- and Pippa does it so well here. Tillie Jean Jean’s brother Cooper is the ultimate romance blocking brother. Little Miss Sunshine is your quintessential lovable Pippa heroine- funny, kind, thoughtful, loving, quick to lead a helping hand. What’s not to love? Well, something, because herbrothers teammate Max Cole is not a fan, despite her best efforts to flirt and cajole him into liking her. And her latest offense? A sibling prank gone wrong that Max was on the unfortunate glittery end of.
Despite being a grouch to Tillie, Max is quite amiable otherwise. Well meaning, driven, a decent guy. And he’s listening to Cooper’s yearly warning- no baseballers putting their hands on his sister. MAx has never had an issue biding by Cooper’s rule- until he ends up next door to Tille Jean in the off season, and their unexpected prank war has sparks flying.
This was a fun and silly read- TJ was loads of infectious fun, and I found more substance to Max than I expected. And, I really loved TJ’s relationship with Cooper, too. he burn was a little bit slower than I like- I can only handle so much witty banter and sexual tension until I need some actual romance to go with it- and we got there, the push-pull just felt a bit too long for my impatience. But, PIppa got us there, and I just loved them together.
A fun, lovable, and cute read!
July 23, 2021
Pippa Grant literally never misses. She does not miss. I have pretty much loved every single book she has ever written, and this was no exception. And I'm out.
Read
August 11, 2021DNF @ 35% - I reached my limit on juvenile pranks (so many pranks), over the top pirate “humor� that felt very forced, and endless details about their quirky town.
June 9, 2023
you flirt with your underaged cousin, WHAT?!
June 24, 2021
There's a particular element that makes a good rom-com sparkle, and I didn’t realize I had been missing it. Glitter! Glitter makes everything sparkly. For. Ev. Er. And what's a Grant book without glitter?
It can’t be easy being baseball superstar Cooper Rock's sister. But Tillie Jean gives as good as she gets while still being the kind of girl we all want to be BFFs with. Or at least exist somewhere in her orbit so we can bask in her warmth and joie de vivre. She may be a master prankster, but she loves deeply and gives her love freely to everyone in her life. Although this nuisance attraction to her brother's teammate and best friend, Max Cole, seems to make her a bit irritable at times.
I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Max while wanting to simultaneously shake him. Then I wanted to wrap my arms around him. Then shake him. And maybe knock him upside the head. The poor guy wants to fit in so badly, but he can’t seem to figure out that there’s only one thing he needs to do for that to happen. Choose it.
His teammates are there. The Rock family is there. The entire freaking pirate town of Shipwreck is there, all with their arms open wide. But Max has to summon some courage, stop hiding behind his protective wall, and walk towards the love and acceptance he's needed and wanted his entire life. He may think he has a million reasons to hate Tillie Jean, but possibly he has his own nuisance attraction he's dealing with.
A Pippa book is always great fun, with things like cursing parrots, prank upmanship and goatus interruptus. But the heart and emotion in this one? I felt it to my soul. The pranks and shenanigans and the quirky, colorful characters breathe life into the story, but TJ and Max are the air I need to breathe. Every step of their road to forever is so real and vivid that these two will always own permanent real estate in my heart.
How any writer can whip me from laughter to tears to anxiety to unbridled happiness from one page to the next, I’ll never understand. But that is the magic this crafty penner of prose weaves into her stories, and reading them is an unparalleled, exhilarating, bewitching experience. Do yourself a favor and be sure not to miss this one. It deserves all of the glittering stars, and your romantic heart will be eternally grateful.
It can’t be easy being baseball superstar Cooper Rock's sister. But Tillie Jean gives as good as she gets while still being the kind of girl we all want to be BFFs with. Or at least exist somewhere in her orbit so we can bask in her warmth and joie de vivre. She may be a master prankster, but she loves deeply and gives her love freely to everyone in her life. Although this nuisance attraction to her brother's teammate and best friend, Max Cole, seems to make her a bit irritable at times.
I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Max while wanting to simultaneously shake him. Then I wanted to wrap my arms around him. Then shake him. And maybe knock him upside the head. The poor guy wants to fit in so badly, but he can’t seem to figure out that there’s only one thing he needs to do for that to happen. Choose it.
His teammates are there. The Rock family is there. The entire freaking pirate town of Shipwreck is there, all with their arms open wide. But Max has to summon some courage, stop hiding behind his protective wall, and walk towards the love and acceptance he's needed and wanted his entire life. He may think he has a million reasons to hate Tillie Jean, but possibly he has his own nuisance attraction he's dealing with.
A Pippa book is always great fun, with things like cursing parrots, prank upmanship and goatus interruptus. But the heart and emotion in this one? I felt it to my soul. The pranks and shenanigans and the quirky, colorful characters breathe life into the story, but TJ and Max are the air I need to breathe. Every step of their road to forever is so real and vivid that these two will always own permanent real estate in my heart.
How any writer can whip me from laughter to tears to anxiety to unbridled happiness from one page to the next, I’ll never understand. But that is the magic this crafty penner of prose weaves into her stories, and reading them is an unparalleled, exhilarating, bewitching experience. Do yourself a favor and be sure not to miss this one. It deserves all of the glittering stars, and your romantic heart will be eternally grateful.
April 27, 2024
Tille Jean is the youngest of the Rock siblings and only girl. (Her brothers each have their own books.) She is still trying to find herself and what she wants to do. She is an accomplished painter but prefers to keep it a hobby. Having two older brothers, she is also good at pranking them back when they get her. Their family is close, full of fun, acceptance, and love. They live in the town of Shipwreck, founded by a supposed former pirate that they are direct descendents of. Max came from a broken background, where he found solace in baseball and exerted all his effort. But as a result, he sometimes has crippling anxiety. Max and Tille Jean have been attracted since they met four years ago, but Max has been warned away from Tille Jean (TJ) by her brother, Cooper, his teammate, and friend. TJ has flirted with Max as a way to annoy Cooper. What happens when Max decides to spend the off-season in Shipwreck and the only place available to rent is next door to TJ? What prank does TJ pull off that goes wrong? How does Max get TJ to stop talking? How does Max begin to feel when he is with TJ? Who all helped TJ and Max? It is an entertaining story with colorful characters that deal with finding that someone who accepts you as you are and completes you.
The Grumpy Player Next door is a fun-filled enemies-to-lovers romcom featuring a ray of sunshine on a mission, an athlete who’s only grouchy around her, and an epic prank gone wrong. It stands alone and comes complete with small-town shenanigans, a goat who’s not nearly as wise as his name suggests and proof that sometimes, love is the best kind of vengeance.
Online audiobook
The Grumpy Player Next door is a fun-filled enemies-to-lovers romcom featuring a ray of sunshine on a mission, an athlete who’s only grouchy around her, and an epic prank gone wrong. It stands alone and comes complete with small-town shenanigans, a goat who’s not nearly as wise as his name suggests and proof that sometimes, love is the best kind of vengeance.
Online audiobook
July 9, 2021
TJ and Max were amazing�
I love this author’s blend of crazy hilariousness and sweet, sexy love. TJ and Max were so much fun as they joked, pranked, smiled, and sizzled their way through a courtship like no other. TJ gave as good as she got and when Max got caught up in the family shenanigans it was time to clear the air between them. Max was stoic personified but once the layers started to peel, there was a tender, loving and good guy just waiting to rock TJ’s world. And rock it he did�
Grumpy met sunshine and the results couldn’t be beat! If you want a laugh out loud, sweet, enemies to lover romance than you have come to the right place! ~Diane, 5 stars
I love this author’s blend of crazy hilariousness and sweet, sexy love. TJ and Max were so much fun as they joked, pranked, smiled, and sizzled their way through a courtship like no other. TJ gave as good as she got and when Max got caught up in the family shenanigans it was time to clear the air between them. Max was stoic personified but once the layers started to peel, there was a tender, loving and good guy just waiting to rock TJ’s world. And rock it he did�
Grumpy met sunshine and the results couldn’t be beat! If you want a laugh out loud, sweet, enemies to lover romance than you have come to the right place! ~Diane, 5 stars
July 26, 2021
Quick(ish) Review
I think it’s my favorite Pippa Grant book ever. The banter, the sexual tension, the grumpy tortured hero and the joys of found family mixed with blood ties, it all worked so well for me. There was nothing I’d change and that’s a rare thing for me to feel at the end of a book. Loved it, recommend it for fans of Pippa’s books in particular and romantic comedies in general.
I think it’s my favorite Pippa Grant book ever. The banter, the sexual tension, the grumpy tortured hero and the joys of found family mixed with blood ties, it all worked so well for me. There was nothing I’d change and that’s a rare thing for me to feel at the end of a book. Loved it, recommend it for fans of Pippa’s books in particular and romantic comedies in general.
July 11, 2021
This one was ok for me. I got tired of the same old antics that kept repeating through the whole book. It felt like I should have been laughing, but that didn't happen. I was glad that Max figured things out in the end and let himself be happy with Tillie Jean.
May 31, 2022
So. This is the last in the Last Chance/Cheapskate KU binge. I'm giving it 4 stars because it's got some interesting plot elements to it and I'm not sure why I'm even explaining the rating except I think I want to give it 3 stars because I just read Book 2 of the series a few days ago and Grant's writing style is still too fresh in my mind. But that's not the fault of the book, just the timing. I missed Book 1 but there is no going back and so I don't know where in the series Tillie Jean and Max's dynamic starts.
But this one is actually pretty interesting (I think I already said that) taking place in the 4th year of a weird Spite Flirt with the hero that the heroine started to get back at her brother (because they are Sibling Pranksters, part of a comfortable, lovely sibling dynamic in a near-perfect family dynamic which is part of this story which is interesting in and of itself). This series reminds me a lot of Tessa Bailey's Brick and Morty series, though Grant's writing style has its own humor and flair. But the basic outline is there: Outsider with (usually Family) Issues fighting a growing attraction towards a member of a close-knit family because they don't feel Good Enough, etc etc. Family member fighting their own Family demons(lite). Angst ensues. Hilarity (sort of) ensues. Appreciation wrestles with Hot Monkey Sex until they coverge into Love. Nothing we haven't read before but the fact that Grant (like Bailey) can make that segue/mesh believable is what puts this in a stronger category. It also doesn't hurt that Grant stretches this story out over several years. Maybe because I am ancient but the more stories I read where H/h are HEA after knowing each other for 10 days the less I can emotionally invest in those tales (even though there is/was research done that suggests Time Spent prior to marriage/SO is no indicator of future success in the relationship. I'm Old School. Fight me.)
Grant also gets a thumbs-up because she doesn't flog the Virginal Heroine trope. I've read ... 4? of her books across 2 series and all of her heroines have pretty healthy sexual lives/attitudes. Of course, because it's erotic fantasy when H/h connect the BOOM! of incandescent orgasm happens immediately (IF ONLY! sigh)... and beyond anything either has previously experienced, EVER!!! and I am definitely here for that. That's the whole point of erotic romance, isn't it? I think the ultimate catnip in these books is the dovetailing of emotional and sexual connection on a plane not generally experienced by most readers - at least not this reader. Even if the communication is wonky (and it always is) the actual sexual and emotional connection is immediately there. Sigh. Gotta love catnip. Grant is relatively adept at developing this fantasy (maybe a bit too much, with the first-person revelations of What Love Really Means but whatev), so there is that.
I enjoyed this book, probably more than Book 2 - but I can't be sure because I read them nearly back-to-back. But that's my fault, not Miss Grant's.
Again, a fun almost-Summer read!!!
But this one is actually pretty interesting (I think I already said that) taking place in the 4th year of a weird Spite Flirt with the hero that the heroine started to get back at her brother (because they are Sibling Pranksters, part of a comfortable, lovely sibling dynamic in a near-perfect family dynamic which is part of this story which is interesting in and of itself). This series reminds me a lot of Tessa Bailey's Brick and Morty series, though Grant's writing style has its own humor and flair. But the basic outline is there: Outsider with (usually Family) Issues fighting a growing attraction towards a member of a close-knit family because they don't feel Good Enough, etc etc. Family member fighting their own Family demons(lite). Angst ensues. Hilarity (sort of) ensues. Appreciation wrestles with Hot Monkey Sex until they coverge into Love. Nothing we haven't read before but the fact that Grant (like Bailey) can make that segue/mesh believable is what puts this in a stronger category. It also doesn't hurt that Grant stretches this story out over several years. Maybe because I am ancient but the more stories I read where H/h are HEA after knowing each other for 10 days the less I can emotionally invest in those tales (even though there is/was research done that suggests Time Spent prior to marriage/SO is no indicator of future success in the relationship. I'm Old School. Fight me.)
Grant also gets a thumbs-up because she doesn't flog the Virginal Heroine trope. I've read ... 4? of her books across 2 series and all of her heroines have pretty healthy sexual lives/attitudes. Of course, because it's erotic fantasy when H/h connect the BOOM! of incandescent orgasm happens immediately (IF ONLY! sigh)... and beyond anything either has previously experienced, EVER!!! and I am definitely here for that. That's the whole point of erotic romance, isn't it? I think the ultimate catnip in these books is the dovetailing of emotional and sexual connection on a plane not generally experienced by most readers - at least not this reader. Even if the communication is wonky (and it always is) the actual sexual and emotional connection is immediately there. Sigh. Gotta love catnip. Grant is relatively adept at developing this fantasy (maybe a bit too much, with the first-person revelations of What Love Really Means but whatev), so there is that.
I enjoyed this book, probably more than Book 2 - but I can't be sure because I read them nearly back-to-back. But that's my fault, not Miss Grant's.
Again, a fun almost-Summer read!!!
June 23, 2021
Omg I started this book and had a seriously hard time putting it down! I absolutely LOVE Max and Tillie Jean. My only issue is that it took FOREVER for them to finally break through their own heads and come together. I kept begging for them to finally cross that off limits line! Max is the perfect growly grumpy bear. I loved his reasons for hating TJ but loved them even more when he admitted that he didn't actually hate her. Max had his issues but every time he broke out in smiles or laughter I couldn't help smiling with him. TJ was fun. I loved getting to know her better and discover the amazing person she is. I even want to tour her house and see her artwork!! Her positive attitude and happy energy was infectious!
Brother's best friend is one of my favorites tropes and this one took the cake with Cooper. The guy really knew how to keep Max away from TJ. Though Max made me mad at one point I'm glad he finally went after what he wanted. And I'm glad that Grady and Annika cheered TJ and Max on. By the way... that sibling conversation when TJ was in the bath has to be one of my favorites moments.
I just loved this book and adore Max and TJ. The pranks, the town of Shipwreak, all the Fireballs, Long Beak Silver, and the Rock family. They all made this book more special. Someday when Cooper gets his own book I hope he gets put through the wringer. Until then I'm so happy Max and TJ got their HEA!!
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.*
Brother's best friend is one of my favorites tropes and this one took the cake with Cooper. The guy really knew how to keep Max away from TJ. Though Max made me mad at one point I'm glad he finally went after what he wanted. And I'm glad that Grady and Annika cheered TJ and Max on. By the way... that sibling conversation when TJ was in the bath has to be one of my favorites moments.
I just loved this book and adore Max and TJ. The pranks, the town of Shipwreak, all the Fireballs, Long Beak Silver, and the Rock family. They all made this book more special. Someday when Cooper gets his own book I hope he gets put through the wringer. Until then I'm so happy Max and TJ got their HEA!!
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.*
March 6, 2024
This was not the book I wanted for Tillie Jean. She behaved like a 10 year old with a puppy she’s been told not to play with. And the caffeine addiction plotline just fell flat. I was looking for a bit more depth to her character. I actually hated that her family were constantly removing coffee from her and she was constantly spiralling into OD territory without a care for the impact of others.
This story was also too heavy on the pranks and too light on the character development. So sick of Max telling himself she’s off limits because of Cooper. Like how old are they?!? She’s not a teenager. She’s a grown woman.
I loved the first two in the series but this one didn’t work for me.
This story was also too heavy on the pranks and too light on the character development. So sick of Max telling himself she’s off limits because of Cooper. Like how old are they?!? She’s not a teenager. She’s a grown woman.
I loved the first two in the series but this one didn’t work for me.
July 8, 2021
Seriously, every time I read a book based in Shipwreck I have my books packed ready to move there. I'm so happy Tillie Jean got her own story. She was amazing and I loved watching her and Max dance around each other, fight, and prank the ever-loving heck out of each other.
July 8, 2021
4.85 Stars
As always this author’s books always is a nice way to spend an afternoon. I love the hilarious parts of her books, that makes me laugh out loud.
This was the same for this one. TJ, Tillie Jean Rock, has spent the last four years annoying her brother’s team mate Max Cole. She on purposely flirted with him, as she knows how annoyed he gets and bonus it annoys her brother too� And it has nothing to do with the fact that she finds Max Cole sexy. And even though he ‘hates� her and she ‘hates� him she cant help but wanting to be close to him.
Max Cole ‘hated� Tillie Jean Rock� And he has a list of why he ‘hates� her (I loved this part) She is funny, she is creative, she saves people’s lives and she just too much. Max didn’t have time for this, for her. And he is not at all attracted to her and he doesn’t at all think about her� He is focused on his career. But now he is in Shipwreck for the winter and he is living next door to her. What can he do?
I loved Tillie Jean. She was just the sweetest and funniest and down to earth person. And I thought she was perfect for Max. Max I don’t know I just got this feeling that I want to hug him. I loved how she worked on his nerves even when she didn’t want to. Their back and forth banter was hilarious at time. And no matter how many times he said he hated her, it was always followed up with how much he cant stop thinking of her and how he couldn’t try anything with her as her brother would kill him. Everything about this story was just the best. It is filled with laughter, weird quirky moments and weird animals (I loved that freaking parate). If you in the mood for a quirky funny romcom then this is definitely for you 😊 �
Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
As always this author’s books always is a nice way to spend an afternoon. I love the hilarious parts of her books, that makes me laugh out loud.
This was the same for this one. TJ, Tillie Jean Rock, has spent the last four years annoying her brother’s team mate Max Cole. She on purposely flirted with him, as she knows how annoyed he gets and bonus it annoys her brother too� And it has nothing to do with the fact that she finds Max Cole sexy. And even though he ‘hates� her and she ‘hates� him she cant help but wanting to be close to him.
Max Cole ‘hated� Tillie Jean Rock� And he has a list of why he ‘hates� her (I loved this part) She is funny, she is creative, she saves people’s lives and she just too much. Max didn’t have time for this, for her. And he is not at all attracted to her and he doesn’t at all think about her� He is focused on his career. But now he is in Shipwreck for the winter and he is living next door to her. What can he do?
I loved Tillie Jean. She was just the sweetest and funniest and down to earth person. And I thought she was perfect for Max. Max I don’t know I just got this feeling that I want to hug him. I loved how she worked on his nerves even when she didn’t want to. Their back and forth banter was hilarious at time. And no matter how many times he said he hated her, it was always followed up with how much he cant stop thinking of her and how he couldn’t try anything with her as her brother would kill him. Everything about this story was just the best. It is filled with laughter, weird quirky moments and weird animals (I loved that freaking parate). If you in the mood for a quirky funny romcom then this is definitely for you 😊 �
Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
July 1, 2021
If it's possible to give this book 100 stars, I would! In fact, I'd give it ALL THE STARS!!
Meet Max, aka The Growly Bear who's off season neighbor in Shipwreck is the effervescent, Tilly Jean. She is sunshine, rainbows ( but NEVER unicorns!) and fun to Max's grumpy pants, never smiles ( at her anyways) gruff but hot player. Oh, but there's soooo much more to this man and I loved how his character unfolded as his layers were peeled back and we got to see the real Max. Tilly is freakin awesome and her entire family and town are equally amazing. The relationship between her, Cooper and Grady is just #siblinggoals!!
Pippa never fails to make me laugh out loud until my sides hurt with her books.
Not only did this book do all of that , but there's so much more to this book than her typical rom-com.
Chapter 35 did me in. Im done, an emotional mess...its beautiful. This book is possibly my favorite sports
rom-com that successfully deals with a heavy topic. Bravo Pippa!! Just beautifully done.
I triple dog dare you not to fall in love with Growly Bear Max or happy smiling Max!!
Pippa may have made me wait with the build up on this one, but holy smokes, when the sex happens its flaming hot, like I wanted to jump my hubby right now, hot!!
Favorite quotes:
"I want to be where you belong. I want to be your family. I want to be your home. The same way your mine."
"He's like.. my diamond in the buff."
Meet Max, aka The Growly Bear who's off season neighbor in Shipwreck is the effervescent, Tilly Jean. She is sunshine, rainbows ( but NEVER unicorns!) and fun to Max's grumpy pants, never smiles ( at her anyways) gruff but hot player. Oh, but there's soooo much more to this man and I loved how his character unfolded as his layers were peeled back and we got to see the real Max. Tilly is freakin awesome and her entire family and town are equally amazing. The relationship between her, Cooper and Grady is just #siblinggoals!!
Pippa never fails to make me laugh out loud until my sides hurt with her books.
Not only did this book do all of that , but there's so much more to this book than her typical rom-com.
Chapter 35 did me in. Im done, an emotional mess...its beautiful. This book is possibly my favorite sports
rom-com that successfully deals with a heavy topic. Bravo Pippa!! Just beautifully done.
I triple dog dare you not to fall in love with Growly Bear Max or happy smiling Max!!
Pippa may have made me wait with the build up on this one, but holy smokes, when the sex happens its flaming hot, like I wanted to jump my hubby right now, hot!!
Favorite quotes:
"I want to be where you belong. I want to be your family. I want to be your home. The same way your mine."
"He's like.. my diamond in the buff."
July 8, 2021
You know the books that make your heart happy, make you smile and fill you up with joy? That’s this book. I’m very happy that I’m a Pippa Grant fan because her books are special reads. The emotions and the laughs are blended well and sure to make you sigh and laugh out loud.
Speaking of laughing out loud, I did this several times while reading and since this is an ARC my husband, who reads Pippa Grant too, is now dying to read this one but he’s got a little wait until release day! 🤣
Tilly Jean Rock is the famous Cooper Rock’s little sister. Cooper is great friends with Max, and they are both Fireball players. Max is attracted to Tilly Jean, but Max has a few conflicting things going on. Since Max is friends with Cooper and Max doesn’t want to mess that up.
Cooper is caregiver you guys�.he’s a caregiver of the very best kind, he took care of Max when he most needed it and Max won’t forget that so he stays in the sidelines where Tilly Jean is concerned. Cooper has his own worries where Tilly Jean and Max are concerned and, based on what Cooper says, doesn’t think they would “work� together but this seems to go deeper than a big brother protecting his little sister.
I’m going off the rails with this review but the bottom line is, winter prank wars, Naked Max, because he likes not wearing clothes and glitter. There’s the return of an inappropriate parrot and general Shipwreck fun with the cast of characters.
No matter what, if you’re a Pippa Grant fan, run to grab this as soon as it releases.
Speaking of laughing out loud, I did this several times while reading and since this is an ARC my husband, who reads Pippa Grant too, is now dying to read this one but he’s got a little wait until release day! 🤣
Tilly Jean Rock is the famous Cooper Rock’s little sister. Cooper is great friends with Max, and they are both Fireball players. Max is attracted to Tilly Jean, but Max has a few conflicting things going on. Since Max is friends with Cooper and Max doesn’t want to mess that up.
Cooper is caregiver you guys�.he’s a caregiver of the very best kind, he took care of Max when he most needed it and Max won’t forget that so he stays in the sidelines where Tilly Jean is concerned. Cooper has his own worries where Tilly Jean and Max are concerned and, based on what Cooper says, doesn’t think they would “work� together but this seems to go deeper than a big brother protecting his little sister.
I’m going off the rails with this review but the bottom line is, winter prank wars, Naked Max, because he likes not wearing clothes and glitter. There’s the return of an inappropriate parrot and general Shipwreck fun with the cast of characters.
No matter what, if you’re a Pippa Grant fan, run to grab this as soon as it releases.
August 4, 2021
The Grumpy Player Next Door really, really did it for me! It was so much fun, what with the pranks Tillie Jean and her brother Cooper played on each other, but also because of Max being so strongly against a relationship with her. Most of that reluctance came from Cooper being his best friend, and not wanting to lose that.
The whole village of Shipwreck is a lot of fun, even if I would never, ever want to live there! Everybody knows what everyone else is up to all the time, and that just sounds exhausting to me.
It sure made for a lot of humorous situations, though.
The whole village of Shipwreck is a lot of fun, even if I would never, ever want to live there! Everybody knows what everyone else is up to all the time, and that just sounds exhausting to me.
It sure made for a lot of humorous situations, though.
December 19, 2021
Nope no señor! Me encanta el grumpy x sunshine pero este de acá ya era otro nivel de grumpy que no tolere y que hizo que la historia me aburriera 🥲🥲
July 18, 2021
this was so cuutee 🥺
December 19, 2022
I know I'm not in the popular crowd with this opinion rating but I am so sorry but I just couldn't with the book.
I think the main reasons for this is because:
a) the focus was on the comedy instead of the romance. The prank wars were initially funny but it started to be repetitive and didn't help move the relationship forward.
b) the relationship between Max and Tillie moves at a slower than slow snail's pace. The focus was on the sexual attraction instead of the actual relationship which ultimately felt glossed over.
The story follows MLB player Max, who's been attracted to his best friend's sister for years, but has been trying to squash it to no avail. Of course, Tillie's incessant flirting doesn't help. But when he moves next to her during the off-season their dynamic is about to change.
This book had a lot of elements I loved liked the quirky small town supporting characters. I haven't read a lot of books by Pippa Grant. I absolutely adored the first one I picked up so hopefully I love her next book just as much as the one I fell in love with.
I think the main reasons for this is because:
a) the focus was on the comedy instead of the romance. The prank wars were initially funny but it started to be repetitive and didn't help move the relationship forward.
b) the relationship between Max and Tillie moves at a slower than slow snail's pace. The focus was on the sexual attraction instead of the actual relationship which ultimately felt glossed over.
The story follows MLB player Max, who's been attracted to his best friend's sister for years, but has been trying to squash it to no avail. Of course, Tillie's incessant flirting doesn't help. But when he moves next to her during the off-season their dynamic is about to change.
This book had a lot of elements I loved liked the quirky small town supporting characters. I haven't read a lot of books by Pippa Grant. I absolutely adored the first one I picked up so hopefully I love her next book just as much as the one I fell in love with.
August 5, 2021
This book was trying to do a lot of things, with various success.
It wants to be a sports romance (yes), enemies to lovers (meh), neighbors still lovers (yes), and a romantic comedy (sometimes).
It also wanted to be about anxiety and mental illness and those struggles. This was very Hit or Miss for me. Sometimes I feel like it got the difficulties and overwhelmingness of having anxiety in your life. And other times it just felt like a plot device so we could swing back and forth between max being nice and being an asshole. I also really struggled with Max apparently being in therapy and seeing someone to help him manage his anxiety but his solution for any time he felt overwhelmed was to just run away.
Well I didn't find the humor particularly funny, it did keep me amused. Though the author was clearly trying very hard to be funny so if that's not your thing you may want to skip this book.
And finally this also really leaned on the "my brother/my best friend won't approve of us being together so we can't, okay we will but we'll keep it in secret, then he finds out and this creates the big drama at the end before it all gets worked out" and that is not an enjoyable trope for me.
It wants to be a sports romance (yes), enemies to lovers (meh), neighbors still lovers (yes), and a romantic comedy (sometimes).
It also wanted to be about anxiety and mental illness and those struggles. This was very Hit or Miss for me. Sometimes I feel like it got the difficulties and overwhelmingness of having anxiety in your life. And other times it just felt like a plot device so we could swing back and forth between max being nice and being an asshole. I also really struggled with Max apparently being in therapy and seeing someone to help him manage his anxiety but his solution for any time he felt overwhelmed was to just run away.
Well I didn't find the humor particularly funny, it did keep me amused. Though the author was clearly trying very hard to be funny so if that's not your thing you may want to skip this book.
And finally this also really leaned on the "my brother/my best friend won't approve of us being together so we can't, okay we will but we'll keep it in secret, then he finds out and this creates the big drama at the end before it all gets worked out" and that is not an enjoyable trope for me.
May 1, 2023
DNF 12%
This had so much potential and Max and Tillie's chemistry was kind of working for me, but I just can't deal with all the extra fluff. I'm talking a pirate-themed town, childish pranks, goats, a talking parrot . . . it's all too distracting and childish. I wish Pippa Grant would write a book without all the try-hard humour because I honestly don't think she needs it.
This had so much potential and Max and Tillie's chemistry was kind of working for me, but I just can't deal with all the extra fluff. I'm talking a pirate-themed town, childish pranks, goats, a talking parrot . . . it's all too distracting and childish. I wish Pippa Grant would write a book without all the try-hard humour because I honestly don't think she needs it.
July 9, 2021
There is no doubt that Pippa Grant writes some really good books that are funny, heartfelt and swoony. This book is not one of those. Don’t get me wrong, there are funny moments, heartfelt moments and even swoony moments but you have to get through so many other words to get to that stuff, it might not be worth it. I almost gave up, but pushed through to the end. In my opinion, the last 30% of the book is the best. 3 Stars #2OCCMS
July 12, 2021
Not my kind of book. I was not a fan of all the antics/hijinks/pranks. It got to be too much for me, too forced.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 728 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.