Grumpy Darling: A Heartwarming YA Wholesome Slow-Burn Romance with First Kisses, Hockey, and a Happily Ever After (The Darling Devils, 2)

Based on your book

Grumpy Darling: A Heartwarming YA Wholesome Slow-Burn Romance with First Kisses, Hockey, and a Happily Ever After (The Darling Devils, 2)

by Moody, Alexandra

If you're looking for a romance that feels like a warm hug, Alexandra Moody's Grumpy Darling delivers. This is a sweet, wholesome YA story centered around the irresistible pull between two very different people. You'll find yourself completely absorbed in a slow-burn romance that takes its time, building anticipation with every stolen glance and hesitant conversation, leading up to those delightful first kisses. It's set against a backdrop of hockey, adding a fun, energetic layer without overshadowing the heartfelt emotional journey of its characters as they navigate first love and personal growth. This book is a truly lighthearted and hopeful read, perfect for anyone who loves an opposites-attract dynamic and wants to feel utterly charmed from beginning to end.

10 Books similar to 'Grumpy Darling: A Heartwarming YA Wholesome Slow-Burn Romance with First Kisses, Hockey, and a Happily Ever After (The Darling Devils, 2)'

For those who adored the wholesome charm and delightful slow-burn of Grumpy Darling, you're in for a treat with these recommendations. We've curated a list that captures that same heartwarming feeling, whether it's through the irresistible opposites-attract dynamic you loved, the sweet journey of first love, or the engaging backdrop of YA sports. Each of these books offers that satisfying, gradual romantic build-up and focuses on genuine character growth, ensuring you get another dose of hopeful, lighthearted romance with a truly happy ending.

We earn from qualifying purchases through our affiliate partners, including Amazon and Bookshop.org.

Kissing Ezra Riley

by Lauren Palphreyman

Fans of 'Grumpy Darling' will adore this YA sports romance featuring a grumpy football player and a sunshine protagonist. It delivers a heartwarming slow-burn with plenty of sweet moments and a satisfying happily ever after, echoing the charming dynamic of the original.

Catching Chemistry

by Chloe Walsh

This book offers another delightful YA sports romance, this time with rugby, where a grumpy hero meets a resilient heroine. The wholesome slow-burn romance and the focus on character development and first love will resonate deeply with readers who enjoyed 'Grumpy Darling'.

Better Than the Movies
Better Than the Movies

by Lynn Painter

While not a sports romance, this YA novel captures the heartwarming, witty, and slow-burn essence of 'Grumpy Darling' through its fake dating and enemies-to-lovers (ish) tropes. It's packed with charming banter, movie references, and a truly sweet first love story.

Tweet Cute
Tweet Cute

by Emma Lord

This YA contemporary romance features a clever enemies-to-lovers dynamic fueled by witty banter and a secret online rivalry, similar to the engaging push-and-pull in 'Grumpy Darling'. It's a wholesome, charming, and humorous story about finding love in unexpected places.

Amazon Gift Card

Not sure what they've already read?

Let them pick their next favorite with an Amazon Gift Card.

Shop Gift Cards

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before
To All the Boys I've Loved Before

by Jenny Han

A foundational YA romance, this book shares 'Grumpy Darling's' wholesome tone and focus on first love and character growth, centered around a fake dating premise. The charming family dynamics and the slow-burn development of relationships make it an enduring favorite.

P.S. I Like You
P.S. I Like You

by Kasie West

This sweet YA romance features a secret admirer plot that evolves into a charming slow-burn, much like the gradual romantic development in 'Grumpy Darling'. It's a wholesome story about self-discovery and finding connection, perfect for readers who enjoy lighthearted and heartwarming tales.

When Dimple Met Rishi
When Dimple Met Rishi

by Sandhya Menon

This delightful YA novel offers a modern take on an arranged marriage, bringing together two opposites in a charming and wholesome romance. Fans of 'Grumpy Darling' will appreciate the sweet slow-burn, the cultural elements, and the hopeful journey of two characters learning to connect.

Love & Gelato
Love & Gelato

by Jenna Evans Welch

While not a sports romance, this YA novel delivers a similarly charming and wholesome first love story set against the beautiful backdrop of Italy. It combines adventure, a touch of mystery, and a sweet romance, appealing to readers who enjoy heartwarming and hopeful narratives.

Anna and the French Kiss
Anna and the French Kiss

by Stephanie Perkins

A beloved YA classic, this book provides a quintessential slow-burn first love story set in a charming Parisian boarding school. Its heartwarming tone, delightful characters, and gradual romantic development will resonate with readers who enjoyed the wholesome romance of 'Grumpy Darling'.

Faking It

by Cora Reef

This YA sports romance features a fake dating trope with a grumpy soccer player and a determined heroine, offering a dynamic similar to the 'grumpy darling' pairing. It's a wholesome and humorous slow-burn that builds to a satisfying and sweet happily ever after.