The Grump Next Door

Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove, Book 1

By: Brighton Walsh

Narrated by: 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

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!

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.

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. :)

The perfect narrators for the perfect book!

Mannn I already loved this book from reading it, but I honestly don’t think there is anything much better in this world than hearing Jason Clarke(who voices Atlas) growl “Trouble” and “Good girl” the way I squealed every single dang time….this is performed in duet narration with Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder and they were just both so perfect for these roles! There is not a thing I didn’t enjoy about this book and the audio was just the extra extra special cherry on top!

My permanent address?? Starlight Cove.

I didn’t think anyone could top the McKenzie brothers of Starlight Cove for me… until now… I’m like a moth to a flame for Atlas Steele… he’s grumpy, jaded and doesn’t like peopley things yet under all of that is a giant softie (with a filthy mouth!) but who’s going to break down those walls? … enter Sutton Sinclair… a sassy and strong single mom who is a new resident of Starlight Cove with a teenage daughter and are about to turn Atlas’s world on its axis…

Jason Clarke and Emma Wilder were the PERFECT casting for these characters!! Nobody does a growly grump better than Jason and Emma reigns supreme as the sassy but sweet heroines in all of her performances!!

I could not recommend this book any harder if I tried, it’s a MUST read/listen and I can’t wait for Book 2!!

Nothing to GRUMP about

The Grump Next Store is a quick, fun read that will have you blushing and swooning in equal measure.

Atlas is that grump with a dirty mouth that makes your thighs clench. Sutton is a plucky female lead that you cannot help and root for.

I could not get enough of these two Ana the small town atmosphere just made this story even better.

More please.