This is arguably one of the most popular book tropes and with very good reason – nothing quite revs the engine like an adorable grumpy/sunshine pairing.
And so, I’ve listed 15 totally fantastic grumpy and sunshine books that’ll make you completely fall in love with the protagonists!
1. Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey
![Window shopping](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Window-shopping-.jpg?resize=333%2C500&ssl=1)
Stella, down on her luck, seizes an opportunity to work for a charming man, Aiden, who owns a department store.
As they collaborate on holiday window decorations, she tries to resist the attraction.
2. Last On The List by Amy Daws
![Last On the list](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Last-On-the-list-.jpg?resize=331%2C500&ssl=1)
Single-dad CEO Max, who’s super grumpy, reluctantly hires Cozy as a nanny for his daughter.
And soon, Max discovers Cozy’s not just a nuisance; she might be the missing piece to his life.
3. The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler
![The Tourist Attraction](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Tourist-Attraction-.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
Zoey visits Alaska, falls for the town, and gets involved with diner owner Graham,
You guys, Graham was literally the most grumpy male protagonist I’ve seen in books and they were so well-suited because Zoey was all sunshine.
4. Wait For It by Mariana Zapata
![Wait for it](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Wait-for-it.jpg?resize=310%2C500&ssl=1)
Diana has two kids, a giant dog, and a new house, and she is pretty much content except that she doesn’t have a partner.
And in this book, we’ll Diana fall in love with someone totally different from her but they manage to make it work.
5. Look The Part by Jewel E. Ann
![Look The part](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Look-The-part.webp?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
Flint rents space above his law office to Ellen, a music therapist with a cheerful demeanour.
While he’s initially annoyed and he even tries to evict her, his autistic son connects with her and Flint soon finds himself drawn to Ellen’s infectious happiness.
6. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
![It Happened One summer](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/It-Happened-One-summer.jpg?resize=265%2C400&ssl=1)
Piper, a socialite, is sent to run a dive bar in a small town, where she clashes with Brendan, a local sea captain and this leads to an unlikely romance.
Without giving any spoilers, I’ll tell you right now that Brendan is the type of grump who only speaks in grunts and other animal noises – you need to read this grumpy and sunshine romance book.
7. Marriage For One by Ella Maise
![Marriage For one](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Marriage-For-one.jpg?resize=318%2C466&ssl=1)
Rose agrees to a spontaneous marriage proposal from Jack, a stranger, and their unconventional relationship evolves over time.
Jack tells her the reason he proposed the marriage in the final chapter, but I’m not kidding when I say he barely spoke any words to her in those opening chapters.
8. Boss Man Bridegroom by Meghan Quinn
![Boss Man Bridegroom](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Boss-Man-Bridegroom-.jpg?resize=322%2C500&ssl=1)
Rath, a boss, finds himself in a peculiar situation when his assistant, Charlee, proposes marriage.
Confused but intrigued, Rath goes along with the scheme and this leads to unexpected consequences.
9. A Deal With The Devil by Elizabeth O’Roark
![A deal with the devil](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/A-deal-with-the-devil.webp?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
Hayes Flynn, a scotch-loving British celebrity, hires a woman to work for him, and their connection deepens when they start confronting their pasts.
10. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
![The love Hypothesis](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-love-Hypothesis-.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
Olive, a Ph.D. candidate, fakes a relationship with Adam, a stern professor, to please her friend.
But as their fake relationship progresses, they discover unexpected feelings and face different challenges together.
11. The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn
![The Highland Fling](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Highland-Fling-.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
Bonnie, fired and seeking purpose, ends up in the Scottish Highlands running a coffee shop.
And soon, sparks fly with Rowan, the local handyman, despite their initial clashes.
12. Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
![Written in the stars](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Written-in-the-stars.jpg?resize=430%2C648&ssl=1)
Darcy, a free-spirited astrologer, and Elle, an analytical actuary, fake a relationship until New Year’s Eve.
As they navigate family and holidays, real feelings develop and if you’ve been on the hunt for a lesbian romance between two leads who couldn’t be more different, you’ll love this one.
13. Twisted Love by Ana Huang
![Twisted Love](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Twisted-Love-.jpg?resize=640%2C960&ssl=1)
Alex, a devilish man with a painful past, and Ava, a free-spirited woman with a broken childhood, form an unexpected connection.
14. From Lukov With Love by Mariana Zapata
![From lukov](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/From-lukov.jpg?resize=598%2C960&ssl=1)
Jasmine considers a comeback in figure skating when offered a chance by a familiar yet arrogant face from her past.
These two got along like a house on fire and it was so nice to see the way their personalities complimented each other.
15. My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey
![My Killer Vacation](https://i0.wp.com/therookiejurist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/My-Killer-Vacation-.webp?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
Taylor’s vacation takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a corpse.
Paired with a brash bounty hunter, they become an unlikely murder-solving team in this romantic suspense book that’s just the right level of steamy.
Will you check out any of these romantic grumpy and sunshine books? Let me know which of them you’re going to check out.
And don’t forget to check out the related posts for even more amazing recommendations.