Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Gruff and grumpy meets sunshine and smiles. Stranded in a lonely farmhouse, sparks flare then soften as winter’s longest night draws them closer.

Trapped by the snow, can sunshine and a solstice sunrise melt the grump’s icy heart?

Alone in his isolated farmhouse, ex‑soldier Jake Whitby lives by three simple rules: no attachments, no complications, no risks. But when a blizzard strands Ru Parker on his doorstep, the grumpy recluse finds himself stuck with a sunshine storm in human form.

Jake resists the intrusion, but Ru’s everything Jake isn’t: warm, joyful, and armed with a smile that could melt more than ice.

Snowbound together, Jake’s distance thaws into decorating the farmhouse with winter greenery, snowball fights, and rescuing the wonky Christmas tree he’d banished to the attic. And when Jake quietly shares the ancient solstice sunrise he’s always honoured alone, Ru is there beside him, bringing new light to centuries-old tradition.

As charged glances and accidental touches turn into desire neither can resist, Jake realises his unexpected guest isn’t so unwelcome after all.

When the storm passes, Jake faces a stark choice: retreat to his lonely existence, or embrace the man who’s brought warmth, sunshine, and hope back into his life.

In the season of miracles, where Christmas cheer meets solstice light, will their love be strong enough to last beyond the thaw?

 

 

You’ll love this book if you like: Snowed‑in, forced proximity romances; Grumpy/sunshine chemistry; Christmas setting with all the holiday magic; A touch of solstice tradition; Sweet slow burn with plenty of heat; Guaranteed HEA to warm your heart.

Book Review

“Everyone suffers at least one bad betrayal in their lifetime. It’s what unites us. The trick is not to let it destroy your trust in others when that happens. Don’t let them take that from you.” ~ Sherrilyn Kenyon

 

Rather than spending a lonely Christmas holiday following a painful breakup, Ru Parker, from ‘Melting His Grumpy Heart’ by Ali Ryecart, chooses to escape London and, hopefully, find some relief from his heartbreak. Ru decides to drive to a town called Bobblecombe to spend the holidays at a friend's cottage. However, the trip turns into an uncomfortable, frightening experience when his car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.

 

After the man for whom Jake Whitby sacrificed everything decides he can't tolerate their lifestyle and leaves him, something inside Jake shatters. Overwhelmed by loss and confusion, Jake chooses to shut himself off from the world to avoid further pain. 

 

Jake is content with his life as it is, until he discovers a stranger, Ru, in his barn who broke down near his farm. Jake wants to be rough on him, but seeing Ru cold and shaking, he gives in and begrudgingly tells Ru he can stay inside the house.

 

Ru hates the idea of being an inconvenience. He assures Jake he will leave as soon as he can, but their remote location and a bad storm on the horizon prevent him from doing so.

 

As unlikely as it may seem, Jake and Ru find common ground. Their mutual heartbreak, loss, and distrust bind them. Instead of living a life of hurt and pain, they begin to imagine a brighter future.

 

‘Melting His Grumpy Heart’ exemplifies some of the fundamental principles of the holiday spirit: forgiveness, peace, hope, and love. Thanks, Ali, for giving Jake and Ru their well-deserved happy ending.

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book was purchased by the reviewer.

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 204 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	14-November-2025
Price	$4.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Melting-His-Grumpy-Heart-snowed-ebook/dp/B0FS7GVXQG