The Grump Next Door

Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove, Book 1

De: Brighton Walsh

Narrado por: Jason Clarke, Emma Wilder

Our first kiss was a lie. Our second was a mistake. And the night we spent tangled up in each other? Hot as hell, but a complete disaster.

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.

©2025 Brighton Walsh (P)2025 Brighton Walsh

Daddy Grump

The narration on this was PERFECTION! Both did an amazing job but Jason brought Atlas to life!
This one kept me up way past my bedtime!

Five Star Read

Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder really bring Atlas and Sutton to life. The duet narration makes it so that as a listener you can feel the tension between the two characters. The banter was on point. Brighton Walsh never fails to deliver a captivating story. Not only am I extremely excited for the rest of this series, I love getting to stay in the small town of Starlight Cove and getting to see all my favorite characters play into this new series!

Let us welcome our newest shadow daddy!

All of my favorite troups in one story! loved it, Axel the grumpy small town football coach. Sutton the sunshine new girl in town. Dirty book clubs, town busy body selling "toys"! forced proximity. Can't wait for more!

beautiful story

new author for me. got it because I buy anything jason clarke narrates. loved the banter between FMC and her daughter and the daughter's banter with MMC. so entertaining. you won't be disappointed.

Funny, spicy hotness 🔥😊

Loved how many times I laughed out loud. This book had just about everything in it. This author has become an automatic buy for me. Her books are heartfelt, funny, spicy hot.
The duet narration was fantastic. Perfect nattators.🤗

Take me back to Starlight Cove, please!

Story Vibes:
𝙱𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚘𝚗 𝚆𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚑 has delivered all the amazing vibes with this one! You want grumpy/sunshine? It's here! You want cat dad? It's here. Fake dating? No problem! Forced proximity? It delivers! You want single mom? It. Is. Here.

Audiobook Vibes:
Duet narration with 𝐽𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒 & 𝐸𝑚𝑚𝑎 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑟 could not have been better! These two paired up, hit all the chemistry, banter, spicy moments and fun with this one! 𝐽𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒 can epically nail a grumpy MMC! I adored his performance of bringing Atlas to life! 𝐸𝑚𝑚𝑎 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑟 is one of my top female narrators and she did a masterful job bringing us Sutton! These two together were the best pairing for this audiobook!

Overall Vibes:
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒑 𝑵𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝑫𝒐𝒐𝒓 was everything I wanted it to be! A grump of a guy who's in a book club with his mama? SWOON! A grump of a guy who's a ball of mush for an adorable kitten? Yes please!

I absolutely loved the way he fell for Sutton and her daughter! But, be warned, ladies. You'll absolutely need a fan for this one when he, ahem, "acts out scenes" from her books *smirk*. Being back in the small Maine town of Starlight Cove was a refreshing treat!

If you love Gilmore Girls & books with all the heat, laugh out loud banter and Swoonworthy, dirty talking MMCs then you'll want to grab this one up today!

Amazing Performance!!! 🎭

This duet narration was EVERYTHING. If you are into growly, breathy, and commanding male narration - then you will LOVE Jason Clarke’s performance 🥵🥵 The story line is engaging and enjoyable. The smut is very smutty and descriptive. Lots of “bad girl.” Also a brother text chat is always a good chuckle. 💯 worth a credit.

Narrators were superb.

This story was not for me. It lacked any real substance, Both narrators were awesome though.

What a lovable Grump!

Jason Clarke was the perfect narrator. Charming storyline though I wished there was more of a climax. Seemed a little too mild of a resolution. Still, this one made me laugh out loud and I can’t wait for Xanders book. :)

Atlas Steele and Sutton Who?

Emma Wilder and Jason Clarke - an absolute all-star cast, even when it's just the two of them.

Retired NFL player Atlas Steele first meets Sutton - a travelling nurse - when they're at the same hotel. He's there for a charity event, she's passing through on her way to a new job in Starlight Cove.

When she needs his help to discourage the unwanted advances of a man at the bar, something ignites. They have a one night stand, and go their separate ways.

Sutton and her 16 year old daughter arrive at their new home the next day, only to discover that their landlord is - wait for it - Atlas, the one night stand guy. As a former professional football player, he is immediately suspicious of her motives. While she shuts him down, it doesn't take more than a few days before those sparks become irresistible.

It's not entirely original, but the story is well-written and still worth reading. Cute small town with clever and lovable characters. I will add that I'm still not 100% sure why Atlas thought they needed to fake-date, just because he kissed her again while saving her from her stalker ex at his family's bar LOL

Sweet Scale: 4/5
Spicy Scale: 4/5