Title: Grouch-ish
Author: L.B. Dunbar
Series: Holiday Hotties #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024
I absolutely adored that this is a Christmas romance which is based on the twelve days of Christmas. I didn’t know that the twelve days of Christmas are actually the twelve days after Christmas – the 26th December until the 6th January. Plus, each of Brock’s twelve tasks have a lingering echo of the Christmas carol. It was so much fun picking up all of those little echoes, as I fell more and more in love with Brock and Pear. This was a ridiculously fun and light read, and honestly, the only reason it took me so long to read is that it was on Kindle Unlimited, and I have to read that on my glitchy phone.
Grouch-ish is a great romance with a bit of an opposites attract couple. Pear is eternally optimistic, even when she’s been dealt a pretty crappy hand of cards. I mean, some of the tragedies in her past would make anyone collapse. The fact that he’s a grumpy, silver fox, fireman with children just makes it all that much more yummy. I mean, he eventually lets some of his issues slide and some of his grumpiness diminishes. It’s particularly nice that Pear’s joy of life and patience is what brings Brock around to being a calmer, better version of himself.
I love how Brock and Pear are both incredibly lonely, and build their relationship on getting to know one another. There is the instant attraction, but their romance is kind of slow-burn, they slowly increase the intensity of their attachment until it all implodes. I always enjoy a good story in which the couple take the time to get to know one another, and don’t rush into an insane relationship just based on lust and attraction. Their loneliness might be the instigator of some of their relationship, but it’s not just companionship that keeps them together. Rather, a mutual sense of admiration and joy in each other’s company.
Although this story technically takes place just after Christmas, it is still a beautiful Christmas story. It’s a reminder that sometimes, Christmas can be hard for some families around loss. But it can also be incredibly joyful and one of the most promising times of year. A time for fresh starts, forgiveness and joy in the little things. At least, that’s how I feel about Christmas, and I found that Grouch-ish reflected this perfectly.
Earth and Skye 
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