The first rule of hockey PR? Never date a player.
Which shouldn’t be a problem since the one guy who desperately needs an image overhaul is Tate Foster, our broody, bookish defenseman who thinks social media is a plague and that I—his team’s PR rep—am his personal nemesis.
By day, I’m a master spin doctor, making sure the Carolina Crushers shine in the press. By night, I’m a free spirit who loves a good “project.” So when I convince Tate to hop on my motorcycle for a viral PR stunt, I expect to boost his reputation. I don’t expect him to look ridiculously good doing it.
If I can turn Tate’s rough edges into something PR-friendly, I’ll finally land the NHL promotion I’ve been chasing. There’s just one problem: The more time I spend with him, the harder it gets to ignore those glasses I shouldn’t find attractive, and the rare but devastating smiles he tries to hide from me.
Next thing I know, my ex is crashing my family reunion, and I need a quick escape plan.
Tate offers to return the favour by posing as my boyfriend and charming my family, all while letting me craft his new image as a lovable, family-friendly player.
Now, the PR makeover is working almost too well, because suddenly, Tate Foster—grumpy, bookish, and infuriatingly hot Tate—is the most in-demand guy on the team.
And the only person completely, hopelessly falling for the act?
Me.
What You’ll Find:
Grumpy Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Fake Dating
One Bed
Closed Door Hockey
Perfectly Grumpy by Grace Worthington was an absolute delight from start to finish!
I adored the dynamic between Lauren and Tate—yes, he’s grumpy, but that façade melts away quickly to reveal a total sweetheart with a heart of gold. Their chemistry was irresistible, and I especially loved the scenes with them motorcycling together—so much fun and intimacy packed into those moments.
The family reunion setting was brilliantly done and provided the perfect backdrop for some top-tier family drama, which added depth and humor to the story. Tate was the ultimate swoon-worthy hero: warm, sensitive, supportive, and endlessly kind. Lauren, meanwhile, is a hard-working, relatable protagonist whose grief was portrayed with such honesty—I was rooting for her from page one.
What made this book stand out was how it balanced that feel-good, comforting rom-com vibe with real emotional depth. Both characters carry the weight of loss, and seeing them process that grief and find healing together gave the romance real heart.
This was my first Grace Worthington book, and it definitely won’t be my last.
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Sophie Toovey 