Sunshine and the Grumpy Groundskeeper by Susanne Ash: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

She’s sunshine and spontaneity. He’s grumpy and prefers trees to people. Too bad she keeps getting lost in his woods.

Children’s book author Daisy Harper came to Mountain Laurel Lodge for one reason—to find inspiration for her next big adventure story. The only problem? She has zero survival skills, a tendency to wander off-trail, and an overly enthusiastic Yorkie mix named Rascal who causes chaos wherever he goes.

Enter Rowan Callahan, the lodge’s brooding, no-nonsense groundskeeper. He prefers solitude, routine, and not rescuing city girls from the wilderness. But when Daisy’s editor—a longtime lodge guest—pulls some strings, Rowan gets roped into keeping an eye on her.

She’s too chatty, too cheerful, too impossible to ignore.

He’s too gruff, too guarded, too ridiculously handsome for her own good.

And the more time they spend together, the harder it is to deny their growing attraction—especially when one misty mountain evening leads to an unforgettable kiss.

But Daisy isn’t here to stay. She has a book to finish, a career to chase, a life waiting for her back home. And Rowan? He learned a long time ago that people always leave.

Unless, of course, she can convince him that sometimes, the best love stories are the ones you never see coming.

Welcome to Mountain Laurel Lodge

Nestled deep in the heart of the North Carolina mountains, Mountain Laurel Lodge is more than just a retreat. It’s home to the Callahan family, a group of gruff yet good-hearted brothers and cousins who never expected love to show up at their doorstep.

The Author

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Susanne Ash writes sweet contemporary romance. When she’s not busy putting pen to paper, she loves to cook, knit, and head out exploring with her husband and daughter. She lives close to the beach in beautiful South Carolina. You’ll find that her novels settings are often a fictionalized version of her surroundings and the places she’s visiting with her family.

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Book Review

What a cute way to kick off a new series! I absolutely adored Daisy right from the very start. I loved her whimsy and how she saw magic in everything- even when it got her into predicaments! Thankfully, the grumpy groundskeeper- Rowan- is able to step in and keep her out of too much trouble. The dynamic between these two was really fun. They are certainly very much opposites, but I also loved how they brought out other sides to one another. He helped keep her grounded and safe... and she added a little bit of magic into his otherwise serious life. The stories that Daisy would come up with for all the creatures she'd encounter, and Rowan's reluctant amusement kept me smiling throughout. This was a super quick read- easily read in a sitting or two, I think- but didn't feel rushed or lacking... just the perfect quick romance to keep me smiling and add a little whimsy to my day! I can't wait to see what is going to happen next in the series! 

Sunshine and the Grumpy Groundskeeper is a closed-door romance with kisses only and minimal minor language. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4i4TRh5