Grouch-ish

By: L.B. Dunbar

Narrated by: Stella Hunter, Teddy Hamilton

Let’s start here. The twelve days of Christmas are actually after the holiday. And my dad, being the great guy he is, and the battalion chief of the fire department, signs up one of his rebellious firefighters for a retreat because of his bad behavior. The guy is a total grouch. But when he misses the bus for the adult redemption camp, Dad sticks the guy with me for twelve days. Alone.

So, on the dozen days some mysterious true love—which I have yet to experience—should be bringing me gifts, like French hens and golden rings, I’m in charge of this firebird on our pear farm. Being the city man he is, he doesn’t have a clue how to can fruit, mend fences, or milk cows.

But he knows how to kiss . . . Not that we should be doing such a thing. Only his silver beard is sexy, and his crooked smile kind of sweet. He has this alpha energy vibrating around his well-honed body but underneath the grumpy exterior is a man lonely for something more in his life, like me. And instead of gifting each other random birds, leaping lords and piping pipers, the gift we give one another is time . . . and our bodies. But what about our hearts? Maybe true love will strike after all. A lot can happen in twelve days.

In a new tradition from L.B. Dunbar comes another holiday hottie certain to heat up your holidays.

©2024 L.B. Dunbar (P)2024 L.B. Dunbar

Romantic, steamy, funny

Edited for audiobook: What do you get when you take an amazing book by amazing author L. B. Dunbar and have Teddy Hamilton and Stella Hunter read it to you? You get perfection, that’s what. They are two of the best narrators out there, and most definitely the best when paired up. Grouch-ish is such a fun story but it also addresses such serious issues and all that emotion – the good, the bad, the funny, the angry, the sad, and then the longing and desire that surprises and even scares them a little – is right there. From the whispers to the shouts to the tender heartfelt comments, voice actors Hamilton and Hunter bring it all to life. Brock and Pear are 40-somethings in the story and that is the tone and tenor and feelings you get; just a touch in the voices of having been there and having experienced that and being a little wary about the future and even more afraid of being lonely forever. Like I said, absolute perfection. I could listen all day, over and over. I received an advance copy of the audiobook. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
Why didn’t anybody tell me that Grouch-ish was #3 in terrific author L. B. Dunbar’s Holiday HOTTIES series??? I have some make-up reading to do, but first, let’s talk about this book. It is fantastic. I always expect a great read from Dunbar, and with Grouch-ish she’s done it again.
Brock Madison Scroggs is a grumpy guy. He’s probably always been a little gruff, but he sure hasn’t mellowed with age. At 45 he’s a prime example of a silver fox, except you’d have to get past the attitude to notice. Not sure when he’s really at his best, but the holidays are not it. He’s cranky and bitter and being a Chicago fireman is about all he has left. And he’s on the verge of losing that, just like he lost his wife 5 years ago (to his best friend – ouch!). He has one more chance – attend the annual retreat his boss, the battalion chief of the fire department, conducts for firefighters that are rebellious, struggling, whatever. Kicking and screaming (inside at least) Brock agrees to go – except he’s late to the farm and the bus leaves without him. Oh, oh.
Paradise – Pear – is Battalion Chief Krause’s daughter. She’s just made some major changes in her life and has come home to surprise her dad for the holidays, and maybe get a little TLC and comfort while she tries to reboot her life. Except her dad is leaving in 5 minutes for that retreat. Oh, oh again.
Pear decides to just spend the holidays at the farm and relax, or think, or she’s not sure what but she’ll think of something. When Brock shows up, being his usual abrupt, just short of rude self, she can’t wait to see him leave. Which is what he fully expects to do. Yep, he’s late, yep, he just ruined his last chance at the fire station. And yep, his brain is taking a little detour when he first sees this attractive 40-ish woman, but he needs to shut that train of thought down. Imagine their shock and dismay when the Chief – Frank – tells Pear to keep Brock there, he’s a good guy at heart who needs time and perspective, and some chores around the farm, to hopefully get his head straight. Wait . . . what? Pear hasn’t seen the good guy side yet, just Mr. Angry. Is she supposed to be responsible for him? Where is he supposed to stay? She doesn’t want him there and she also feels a little abandoned by her father. Brock feels like he’s being treated like a child with a task list. But between the impending storm and what really is likely his last chance, not to mention the baffling allure of this women, he decides to stay. So Pear makes a list and they begin The Twelve Days of Christmas together, happy, snug, and warm in the ranch house. Well, not happy, but two out of three . . . .
Brock was blindsided by his wife’s affair with his best friend. The marriage may not have always been great, but darn it, he liked being married. With the home, the kids. Maybe it wasn’t all of the dream but he wanted that life. And now he’s alone in his house with nothing to do but brood. Pear has a cheating, lying ex-husband who took all her money, left her in debt and told her she was getting fat, has just left a job with a shady employer and has nowhere to go but up. It’s only been her and her dad for years now, since they lost her mom and sister. She doesn’t know what she wants or needs or where to start but anything has to be better than what she just left. Twelve days on that farm is probably going to feel like twelve years to both of them.
Except there’s something between them. Yeah, a lot of it’s hostility, but there’s also some easy banter and humor. Their age gap is small, and neither one of them is bright-eyed nor full of youthful innocence. They’ve been hurt, been through things they didn’t expect. But even though they have that in common, their outlooks couldn’t be more different. Brock is Mr. Doom & Gloom. Pear is Merry Sunshine. Makes for a bit of friction at the start.
Grouch-ish rolls smoothly along and as the twelve days count down you start to wish it was twenty days, or forty, or maybe a year, because you don’t want the time with Brock and Pear to be over. Whatever is happening with them is strong. Maybe not plan a future strong, but they begin to open up and share and trust. Under that scowl and beard is a sweet, crooked smile. Brock is actually considerate and thoughtful if he’s just let it out. Pear is wary and bruised by life but funny and empathetic and fearless. And just in case you were wondering, oh, yes, there is lots of smolder between these two – and wait for that smolder start to flame! BTW, Dunbar is really good at those scenes.
Grouch-ish was fun to read; romance at this age is special. Pear and Brock have endured so much that you can’t help but hope they are able to heal each other, because if they haven’t figured it out yet, we already know they are meant to be. The big reveal will have you worried and wondering and wishing. A totally satisfying story by an author who is on my auto-buy list. I received an advance copy of Grouch-ish. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

Wonderful holiday story!

This was my first book by L.B. Dunbar, and I had so much fun! This was a great concept, with each chapter giving a nod to one of the 12 days of Christmas, and I loved that Brock and Pear were older characters. We love a silver fox, especially a grumpy one who happens to be a handsome firefighter. Brock misses the bus to a self-improvement retreat and ends up doing his penance for a work scuffle by helping the fire chief's daughter around the house. Pear manages to find various tasks for him to put his hard-earned muscles to work, and the more time they spend together, the harder it is to deny the attraction sparking between them.

I loved these two together and the way Pear managed to see through Brock's grumpy exterior. Despite Brock being there for his own self improvement, Pear had her own issues to deal with, and I loved how they both managed to help heal each other. This was such a lovely story that really warmed me from the inside out and got me in the holiday mood.

Stella Hunter and Teddy Hamilton absolutely nailed this audio! They are some of my absolute favorite narrators, and this fun story was just another feather in their caps. Stella's voice is always so pleasant to listen to, and she certainly brought the emotion and sass and fun to Pear. And Teddy...he does broody, sexy, silver fox so well! They made this such an enjoyable audio.

I had so much fun with this story and can't wait to read more from this author. Thank you so much to L.B. Dunbar and Home Cooked Books for an ALC of this book.

LB Dunbar is an auto buy

Ms. Dunbar has become a cornerstone for romance stories featuring older characters. Her storylines are authentic and deeply romantic. This story is outstanding, like the rest of her catalog and the narrators are ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great Christmas Treat

These two were the perfect narrators for this perfect sweet and spicy Christmas story by L.B. Dunbar.

Sweet holiday romance

I’m obsessed with duet narration and Stella Hunter and Teddy Hamilton did a fantastic job of bringing this grumpy/sunshines tale to life. It was a fun listen and I enjoyed the festive feels. Instalove tangled with a broody silver fox, sign me up!

Fun Christmas Romance

I listened to this book in audio and the narrators were fantastic. I can't imagine Brock, the hero, voiced as anyone but Teddy Hamilton. Both Teddy Hamilton and Stella Hunter really brought this fun holiday romance to life. There was lots of humor and heart in this book.

The heroine, Pear, ends up at her father's farm to get away from heavy things in life. Brock, the hero, is a firefighter who is required by his boss to attend a retreat. But, he missed the bus. He ends up staying with Pear, his boss's daughter. She finds odd jobs for him to do around the farm. Lots of good backstory in this book. Pear and Brock are both healing from life events. They grow to get to know each other over the next 12 days after Christmas. There was great character growth for both the hero and the heroine and good emotion to keep me glued to my ear buds. The author did a fantastic job. This book will definitely get any romance lover into the holiday spirit.

Just absolutely amazing !

I loved the entire story! And the narrators brought to story to life beautifully. From the characters to the story line I fell in love and enjoyed every moment.

Fantastic story with amazing narration!

LB writes amazing stories and I especially love her holiday stories. This book is so fun, delightful and happy. Pear and Brock’s relationship starts out very frigid but melts into a beautiful love story. Their banter, the activities/chores and their overall dialogue is amazing. The way she “forces” him to say! Both are a bit vulnerable and have some baggage to work through…they begin to trust and confide in one another. The twelve days of Christmas intertwined in the story was fabulous! A fun read that will melt your heart! Stella Hunter and Teddy Hamilton deliver a fantastic performance. They both gave the characters perfect voice, personality and emotion. I love how narrators take authors words and create a whole new experience to enjoy an authors words. A fantastic listen! Thank you Home Cooked Books for the alc.

Fun holiday romance

Grouch-ish was a sweet and fun retelling of the 12 days of Christmas. When Brock gets into trouble at his fire house he is ordered to a retreat with his captain but when he misses the bus he spends his retreat with the captains daughter. Sparks fly between these two the more time they spend together and they open up to each other about their pasts. Watching these two fall in love was a delight and I really enjoyed their story!

Stella Hunter and Teddy Hamilton narrated this book in duet narration. These two brought the chemistry and fire between Brock and Pear to life! I loved both of there performances!

Fun holiday romance

Grouch-ish is a fun holiday romance giving us the heartwarming moments of friendship and love this Christmas. When fireman Brock Scruggs finds himself in hot water at the firehouse, his chief takes things into his own hands, inviting Brock to his property to get his mind back in the game. When Brock shows up, the chief is gone and instead his daughter Paradise (Pear) is there. The moment this book started the dedication alone had me tearing up, holidays are tough and the importance to give people grace and open your heart and arms to others around the holidays was a beautiful reminder. Grouch-ish is narrated in duet by Teddy Hamilton and Stella Hunter, following Brock and Pear, two people who without even realizing it needed one another. They have both been through heartbreak that has left them filled with emotional scares and anger, this story allows them to crate a friendship with a calming peace they both needed to move forward. I loved the sarcastic banter these two had together, the bond they created and the heartfelt conversations they had together. Stella Hunter as always has a beautiful voice giving us the fun confident side of Pear, yet expressing the vulnerability of what damage an ex has put on her self esteem, and Stella’s voice brought so much out of pear in so many different emotions. Teddy Hamilton did a great job giving us the grumpy Brock and slowly bringing out the joyful loving side we knew he had, expressing the anger, the cocky confident man Brock was as well as the softer side he found throughout his HEA. if your looking for a fun holiday romance of two people looking to find themselves and joy again, with that extra spice and Christmas cheer, listen to this today!!

Thank you homecooked books.