How is this the first time I've read this author? I've been missing out. I loved every second of The Grump Next Door. It was the perfect combination of entertaining and sexy with the best characters. And when I say sexy, I mean I'm pretty sure my Kindle was smoking! You don't want to miss this one!
The Grump Next Door (Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove #1) by Brighton Walsh
Because now Sutton Sinclair—the sharp-tongued troublemaker who left claw marks down my back and a dent in my self-control—is living in my backyard cottage with her teenage daughter. And I’m her goddamn landlord.
I like things quiet. Controlled. She's neither. Sutton’s chaos wrapped in sunshine, a temptation in scrubs I can’t seem to stay away from.
When her ex shows up acting like Sutton’s still his to lose, I claim her on instinct. The kiss? Hot. The fallout? Immediate.
Now my family—and the entire town—thinks we’re a couple.
Fake dating Sutton wasn’t in my playbook, but if being a pro-footballer turned high school coach has taught me anything, it’s how to pivot. All I have to do is keep my hands to myself.
Then her cottage floods.
Now we’re sharing a roof…and a bed. The line between real and fake is blurring faster than I can redo the guest house.
This is supposed to be temporary. But Sutton doesn’t just crash into my life—she rewrites it. She’s in my home, moaning my name, breaking every rule I’ve ever lived by.
And I’m starting to want something permanent with the woman who’s already got one foot out the door.
5 out of 5 stars
I loved every second of The Grump Next Door!
It was fast-paced and exciting with the perfect combination of everything I
love in a story. I loved the characters, the instant lust and chemistry, and
the building feelings as everything developed. Add in the small-town feel and
the perfection of one snarky and sarcastic teen, and I couldn’t put it down.
I loved Sutton and how hard she worked to make a good life
for her and her daughter, Laurel. I loved how close they were and how cute they
were together. Then there was Atlas, this man was all kinds of grumpy, and I immediately
loved him because he was hard on the outside but a caring, protective, good guy
at his core. That instant spark between Atlas and Sutton was off the charts.
It jumps right into the spice, and the heat kept coming. This baby is smoking
hot! I loved how Sutton doesn’t put up with his gruffness and it throws him off
his game. It created fantastic banter and bickering filled with an underlying
sexual tension that I ate it up. I loved the forced proximity situation and the development
of their relationship as they start fake dating, and the why behind it. When the
fake starts to turn real, it's awesome. I loved them fighting their feelings,
all the emotion, and the sweet and playful moments.
I liked the characters involved a lot. I found them
engaging, making me want to read their stories as well. Laurel was the best. This girl
had me cracking up, her eye rolls and witty barbs were priceless. I also adored
her nickname for Atlas. I loved learning Atlas’s history and what made him
tick. I really liked the relationship he had with his brothers and the ribbing between
them. There were some small-town quirky characters in play that really rounded things
out and made me smile.
I found this to be a really entertaining and super sexy
read filled with just the right amount of emotion and tension. I loved the build
and details, I felt pulled in and invested the entire time. There was a doozy
of an epilogue, leaving me chomping at the bit for the next story. I can’t wait!
This was a five-star read for me. Loved it!
Complimentary copy received.
"The perfect combination of entertaining and sexy with the best characters!" - About That Story
Thank you Hambright PR for the advanced copy of The Grump Next Door.
Connect with Brighton Walsh
Steel Brothers of Starlight Cove
The Grump Next Door (#1) - Amazon
Untitled (#2) - Amazon | Releases September 4, 2025
I can't believe I haven't read Brighton Walsh before this. Now I must read all the things! Who is the last new-to-you author you have read? Let me know!
