Perfectly Grumpy By Grace Worthington Book Review

I’ll be honest, Perfectly Grumpy by Grace Worthington made me smile. If you want a sweet, slow-building romance with a pretend relationship, funny grumpy and happy character talk, and hockey in the background, this book gives you that.

Closed-door swoons? Yes, it has them.
Emotional payoff? For sure.

Key Takeaways

Perfectly Grumpy gives a sweet romance that grows slowly. It has a fun grumpy and sunshine couple. Their fake relationship feels real and warm.
The book has strong characters you can relate to. They have great chemistry and funny talk. There is also deep emotion that keeps readers interested. You want to cheer for them.
The story happens with a lively hockey team in the background. It mixes sports fun with a cozy romance. The romance is closed-door and easy to enjoy. You do not need to read the other books first.

Overview

Series Placement

I picked up Perfectly Grumpy: A Sweet Hockey RomCom (Perfect Crush Hockey Romance Book 3) by Grace Worthington without reading the first two books. You don’t need to start at book one. This story stands on its own, which I love.

The book sits as the third in the Perfect Crush Hockey Romance series, but you can jump right in and not feel lost. The Carolina Crushers hockey team brings the setting to life, and the author gives just enough background to make the team feel real without overwhelming you with details from earlier books.

Genre & Tropes

If you’re like me and crave a sweet, slow-burn romance, this book checks all the boxes. Here’s what you get:

Grumpy/sunshine dynamic: The hero is a classic grump, and the heroine is pure sunshine. Their banter made me laugh out loud more than once.
Fake relationship: I always fall for this trope. Watching two people pretend to be together, only to catch real feelings, never gets old.
Closed-door romance: No explicit scenes, just lots of chemistry and swoony moments.
Hockey backdrop: The sport adds excitement, but the romance stays front and center.

Characters

Protagonists

I have to admit, I fell hard for these two leads. Eli, the grumpy hockey player, made me laugh with his dry humor and stubborn attitude. He’s not just a one-note tough guy. I could see his softer side peeking out, especially when he tried (and failed) to hide his feelings.

Harper, the sunshine PR queen, brought so much light to every scene. She’s bubbly, smart, and never backs down from a challenge. I loved how she stood her ground with Eli, but also showed real kindness.

What really got me was how real they felt. I didn’t just watch their story—I felt like I was right there with them. I found myself rooting for both, even when they made mistakes. The author gave each character layers, so I could understand their choices and feel their struggles.

I read somewhere that readers connect with characters in lots of ways—through empathy, imagination, and even wanting to help them. That’s exactly what happened here. I cared about Eli and Harper, not just as a couple, but as people.

Chemistry

Their chemistry? Off the charts. I’m talking about those little moments—a glance, a joke, a brush of hands—that made my heart race. The fake relationship setup gave them plenty of chances to tease each other, and I ate it up.

Every scene between them felt charged, but also sweet. I could sense the tension, but I also saw the trust building. It’s the kind of slow-burn that had me grinning at my Kindle at midnight. If you love banter, longing, and that “will-they-won’t-they” spark, you’ll get it here.

Plot

Storyline

I have to admit, this story hooked me right away. The plot centers on Eli and Harper’s fake relationship, but it’s so much more than just pretending to date. I found myself pulled in by their emotional struggles and the way they slowly let their guards down.

The book doesn’t shy away from tough subjects. It touches on trauma and mental health, which gave the story real weight. I felt the characters’ pain and hope, and that made their journey feel honest.

Slow-burn romance: The tension builds with every chapter. I kept waiting for that first real spark.
Grumpy x sunshine trope: Eli’s gruffness and Harper’s light made for some truly funny and touching moments.
Witty banter: Their conversations had me grinning and sometimes even laughing out loud.
Emotional depth: The story goes beyond surface-level flirting. It explores healing and trust.

Reviewers seem to agree with me. Many praise the emotional rollercoaster and the chemistry between the leads. Some mention the miscommunication trope as a minor frustration, but most say the story feels genuine and engaging.

Pacing

I read this book in two sittings, but I never felt rushed. The pacing felt just right for a slow-burn romance. The author uses short, punchy scenes to keep things moving, then slows down for the big emotional moments. I never got bored, but I also didn’t feel overwhelmed.

The best part? The pacing lets you savor every look, every joke, every heart-thumping moment. I didn’t notice the pages flying by until I realized it was way past my bedtime. That’s the kind of reading experience I crave—steady, engaging, and never dragging.

Romance & Humor

Sweetness

I have to say, the romance in this book gave me all the warm fuzzies. Eli and Harper’s connection felt real and gentle. I loved how their feelings grew slowly, not rushed. Every time Eli let his guard down, I felt my heart squeeze a little. Harper’s kindness made every scene feel safe and hopeful.

The fake relationship setup made their sweet moments even better.
I noticed lots of small gestures—like a hand on a shoulder or a shy smile—that made me root for them.
The story never crossed into cheesy or over-the-top. It stayed honest and soft.

I found myself grinning at their awkward flirting and blushing at their honest talks. The closed-door romance style worked for me. It kept things swoony without getting too steamy. I finished the book feeling like I’d just watched my favorite romcom.

Comedy

The humor in this story really worked for me. I laughed out loud at Eli’s dry comments and Harper’s quick comebacks. Their banter felt natural, not forced. I could tell the author knows how to balance jokes with heart.

Positive humor made the romance stronger.
I saw a study that showed positive humor increases romantic interest (M = 3.17) compared to negative humor (M = 1.35).

I noticed the jokes never felt mean or awkward. The humor made the romance feel lighter and more fun. I finished the book smiling, which is always a win for me.

Hockey Setting

Team Dynamics

I like when a sports romance is really about the team. In this book, the Carolina Crushers are important. The team feels like a close family. The locker room scenes are full of energy. The players joke, give advice, and sometimes argue.

It made me think of a real hockey team. The author made me care about the other players, too. I wanted them to win and felt sad when they lost.

The hockey setting made the story feel like a big community. The team seemed like a big part of the city. It reminded me of how the Nokia Arena in Tampere brings fans together. That feeling made every game and practice matter more. I could almost hear the crowd and feel the ice.

Sports Integration

What really caught my eye was how the book showed athletic life. It was not just about playing games. I saw how training, injuries, and team plans changed the characters’ lives. The story showed how data and tech help in sports, just like in real life.

Aspect of Athletic Life Integration	Sports Analytics / Performance Data Used	Description / Correlation with Book’s Portrayal
Physical Activity & Injury Prevention	Wearable tech, heart rate tracking	Players watch their health and avoid getting tired, like Eli’s careful recovery scenes
Tactical Evaluation & Performance Optimization	Video analysis, AI-driven models	Coaches use data to pick teams, just like the book’s focus on teamwork and plans
Fan Engagement & Strategic Management	Social media, ticket sales analysis	The team talks to fans, much like Harper’s PR work in the story

I liked how the book mixed the thrill of the game with real problems athletes face. It made the romance feel more real and deserved.

Writing Style

Voice

I have to give props to Grace Worthington for her distinctive voice in this book. The writing feels like a friend telling me a story over coffee. I noticed the rhythm right away. The sentences move at a steady pace, never rushed or choppy. I found myself thinking in the same style after I put the book down. That’s rare for me.

The first-person narration pulls me in and makes every emotion feel close. I could almost hear Harper’s laughter and Eli’s grumbles in my head. The voice reminds me of books like Gilead, where the style shapes how I think and feel, even after I finish reading.

Strong, steady rhythm that matches the slow-burn romance
Clear, honest tone that never tries too hard
Natural dialogue that sounds like real people talking

I love when a book’s voice lingers with me. This one did.

Readability

This book reads easy. I never had to stop and reread a sentence. The words flow, and the chapters feel short and snappy. I could read a few pages during lunch or stay up late and lose track of time. The language stays simple, but the feelings run deep.

Short chapters keep the story moving
Simple words make it easy to follow
No confusing slang or jargon

If you want a book that feels like a conversation, not a lecture, this one fits. I finished it feeling lighter, like I’d just spent time with friends.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Highlights

Grace Worthington does a great job with the character dynamics in this book. Eli and Harper talk and act in ways that feel real. Their chemistry is strong and easy to see. I smiled at their jokes and wanted them to end up together. Their funny and sweet moments made me happy.

Slow-burn romance: Their relationship grows slowly. I liked seeing them learn to trust each other. Reviewers say this slow build makes the romance feel real and deep.
Humor: The jokes and teasing made me laugh. The humor is kind and never mean. It helps make the characters more likable.
Closed-door approach: The romance stays sweet and dreamy. There are no explicit scenes. You can feel the tension and longing in every look and touch.
Emotional depth: The story goes deeper than just the surface. It talks about healing, trust, and growing as people. I cared about both characters’ journeys.
Team and setting: The Carolina Crushers hockey team feels like a real family. The sports setting is exciting but does not take over the romance.

Reviewers say the leads have strong chemistry and emotional connection. They love the well-written love story and the fun, funny moments. The way the relationship changes and the characters grow is special, especially with Harper’s PR job and the team’s help.

Limitations

No book is perfect, and this one has a few weak spots.

Pacing hiccups: Sometimes the story moves too slowly. I wanted more action in the middle chapters.
Surface-level side characters: Eli and Harper are great, but some other players and friends are not as interesting. I wanted to know more about them.
Series dependency: You can read this book alone, but sometimes I felt like I missed a joke or detail from earlier books.
Predictable beats: The fake relationship story follows a path I expected. I guessed some twists before they happened. This did not ruin the story, but the ending felt a little safe.
Depth of conflict: The characters have real problems, but sometimes they fix things too quickly. I wanted them to struggle with their issues a bit longer.

These problems did not ruin the book for me. They just kept it from being amazing. I still finished the book happy, but I wanted a little more surprise and risk.

Who Should Read

Ideal Readers

If you’re wondering if this book is for you, let me break it down. I always look for certain things in a romance, and this one checks a lot of my boxes. You might love Perfectly Grumpy if you:

Crave a sweet, slow-burn romance with lots of longing and banter.
Want a closed-door story—think swoony, not steamy.
Enjoy the grumpy/sunshine dynamic. If you like watching a tough guy melt for a cheerful heroine, this is your jam.
Like the fake relationship trope. I always get a kick out of watching two people pretend, only to fall for real.
Appreciate a sports setting that feels real but doesn’t take over the story.
Need a book that’s easy to jump into, even if you haven’t read the rest of the series.

If you’re a fan of authors like Elle Kennedy or Sarina Bowen, or you just want a cozy, feel-good read, you’ll probably have a good time here.

I stayed up way too late reading Perfectly Grumpy. The grumpy/sunshine vibe, fake dating, and hockey backdrop made me smile. If you want a sweet, closed-door romance with real laughs, this book is for you.