Top 8 Grumpy x Sunshine Trope Romance Books You Need on Your Shelf

There’s a reason the Grumpy x Sunshine trope is a fan favorite. It’s the ultimate emotional payoff to see a stoic grouch finally melt for that one special person.

This dynamic is part of why so many contemporary romances have completely taken over BookTok and our hearts. Here are some of our favorite Grumpy x Sunshine couples:

Top 8 Grumpy x Sunshine Contemporary Romances To Giggle Over

1. Whisky Business by Elliot Fletcher (LitJoy special edition)

Malcolm Macabe is the blueprint for the brooding Scotsman. He wants peace and quiet; April Sinclair brings Hollywood chaos. He has to reluctantly guide her through the world of whisky while fighting an undeniable attraction. Our edition is signed & comes with a custom dust jacket that perfectly captures the Highlands vibe. Shop the LitJoy Edition

2. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood 

Adam Carlsen defines the stoic professor trope. His dry wit and icy exterior are no match for Olive Smith’s relentless optimism. When Olive has to fake date Adam, she’s shocked that he becomes someone who would stand up for her in a room full of critics. 

3. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey 

Brendan Taggart is a rugged sea captain with zero patience for socialites. Piper Bellinger is a force of nature exiled to a small-town dive bar to prove she’s more than just a pretty face. He’s convinced she won’t last a week in the rain, but she’s determined to prove him wrong. 

4. Twisted Love by Anna Huang

Alex Volkov has a heart of ice that only burns for one person: his best friend's sister. Tasked with watching over the radiant Ava Chen, this ruthless billionaire finds his quest for vengeance derailed by a fire he can't put out. 

5. The Fine Print by Lauren Asher

Theme parks are just business for Rowan Kane until an honest critique from Zahra disrupts his cynical worldview. He’s determined to keep his heart under lock and key while he renovates his family’s theme park, but her relentless optimism is the one variable he didn't account for. 

6. The Right Move by Liz Tomforde

Ryan Shay is the NBA’s most unapproachable Captain, preferring a controlled life. When his sister’s best friend Indy moves in, her messy, sunshine energy is way too much for him at first. A fake relationship is supposed to soften his public image, but their feelings go beyond that.

7. The Goal by Elle Kennedy

Part of the beloved Off Campus series, The Goal is a reverse grumpy x sunshine favorite. Sabrina is strictly business and zero room for distractions, and John is patient hockey player who prefers the assist to the spotlight. When a one-night stand leads to consequences, Tucker’s unwavering support and energy start to wear down Sabrina’s fiercely guarded walls. 

8. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

As Lucy and Josh battle for a promotion, their workplace warfare reveals that beneath the games and glares lies an obsession. It’s the gold standard for workplace romance, proving that your worst enemy can also be your perfect match. 

 Check out The Hating Game LitJoy Edition

The LitJoy 10 Year Anniversary Edition of The Hating Game includes:

• NEW Exclusive Cloth bound 10th anniversary edition of The Hating Game 

• SIGNED by author Sally Thorne on a designed signature page 

• Annotations by author Sally Thorne throughout the book 

• Designed Digital PAGE EDGES