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

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!

Spectacular Read

I think Brighton Walsh is my new favorite author. And unless one of her other books trumps (ugh, I loathe that that word is forever tainted for me..). But, yeah. You’re definitely gonna want this one 😆

Love a good Duet.

Hello Atlas!! Love a grumpy book boyfriend who adores his lady. This is probably weird but I so relate to Atlas 😁. I can be a real grump when it comes to people, but my Boo is my just that, my Boo. I wasn't easy to get to know but here we are 18 years later and he's still my favorite.

Stay sexy and don’t get murdered!

Great book!! I love the references to My Favorite Murder podcast!! These two narrating are always so easy to listen to. I really enjoyed the snarky humor also.