Best Grumpy / Sunshine Books

The highest-rated books featuring grumpy / sunshine, ranked by readers. Browse 50 titles across Romance, Fantasy, Sci-Fi.

Read more

Grumpy/Sunshine thrives on contrast and transformation. One character is closed-off, sarcastic, or emotionally guarded—the other is relentlessly positive, genuine, or open-hearted. The magic happens when the grumpy character realizes their defenses aren't protection; they're just loneliness dressed up as indifference. There's genuine tension here because the sunshine character has to be strong enough not to dim themselves down, while the grumpy one has to risk being hurt by letting someone in. It's deeply satisfying because both characters change each other in meaningful ways.

You'll find this dynamic across contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and historical romance. Some grumpy characters are alpha types with commitment issues; others are traumatized, neurodivergent, or simply weathered by life. The sunshine character might be naive or simply unafraid of emotional authenticity. Expect banter that cuts, moments where the grumpy character's walls visibly crack, and the particular joy of watching someone realize they're happier when they stop pushing people away.

These are the highest-rated grumpy / sunshine books across Romance, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, ranked by reader ratings from Goodreads and Audible.

  1. 1
    Heartless cover

    Heartless

    Chestnut Springs • Book 2

    by Elsie Silver

    ★ 4.65 BLT Score (585.5K ratings)
    ★ 4.36 Goodreads (585.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  2. 2
    A Court of Silver Flames (Part 1 of 2) cover

    A Court of Silver Flames (Part 1 of 2)

    A Court of Thorns and Roses [Dramatized Adaptation] #4, Part 1 • Book 5

    by Sarah J. Maas, Colleen Delany, Natalie Van Sistine, Jon Vertullo, Aure Nash, Anthony Palmini, Melody Muze, Renee Dorian, Shawn K. Jain

    ★ 4.58 BLT Score (11.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.66 Goodreads (11.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  3. 3
    Shadows of You cover

    Shadows of You

    Lost & Found • Book 4

    by Catherine Cowles

    ★ 4.48 BLT Score (31.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.34 Goodreads (31.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  4. 4
    The Mane Squeeze cover

    The Mane Squeeze

    Pride • Book 4

    by Shelly Laurenston

    ★ 4.48 BLT Score (14.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.35 Goodreads (14.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  5. 5
    Bear Meets Girl cover

    Bear Meets Girl

    Pride • Book 7

    by Shelly Laurenston

    ★ 4.47 BLT Score (13.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.32 Goodreads (13.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  6. 6
    Ugly Love cover

    Ugly Love

    by Colleen Hoover

    ★ 4.46 BLT Score (2.3M ratings)
    ★ 3.99 Goodreads (2.3M)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  7. 7
    Kulti cover

    Kulti

    by Mariana Zapata

    ★ 4.45 BLT Score (158.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.23 Goodreads (158.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  8. 8
    Mother Faker cover

    Mother Faker

    The Momcoms • Book 1

    by Brittanee Nicole

    ★ 4.44 BLT Score (24.5K ratings)
    ★ 4.16 Goodreads (24.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  9. 9
    Pucked Love cover

    Pucked Love

    Pucked • Book 6

    by Helena Hunting

    ★ 4.37 BLT Score (15.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.2 Goodreads (15.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  10. 10
    By a Thread cover

    By a Thread

    by Lucy Score

    ★ 4.37 BLT Score (179.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.07 Goodreads (179.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  11. 11
    Revved to the Maxx cover

    Revved to the Maxx

    Reynold's Restorations • Book 1

    by Melanie Moreland

    ★ 4.36 BLT Score (5.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.29 Goodreads (5.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  12. 12
    Stray cover

    Stray

    Rowe Ranch • Book 1

    by D.J. Krimmer

    ★ 4.36 BLT Score (1.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.59 Goodreads (1.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  13. 13
    Great Big Beautiful Life cover

    Great Big Beautiful Life

    by Emily Henry

    ★ 4.35 BLT Score (748.2K ratings)
    ★ 3.96 Goodreads (748.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  14. 14
    The Wall of Winnipeg and Me cover

    The Wall of Winnipeg and Me

    by Mariana Zapata

    ★ 4.35 BLT Score (308.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.15 Goodreads (308.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  15. 15
    The Fall Risk cover

    The Fall Risk

    Valentine's Day • Book 2

    by Abby Jimenez

    ★ 4.34 BLT Score (195.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.06 Goodreads (195.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  16. 16
    Full Measures cover

    Full Measures

    Flight & Glory • Book 1

    by Rebecca Yarros

    ★ 4.33 BLT Score (97.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.14 Goodreads (97.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  17. 17
    The Rosie Project cover

    The Rosie Project

    Don Tillman • Book 1

    by Graeme Simsion

    ★ 4.33 BLT Score (598.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.01 Goodreads (598.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  18. 18
    Home Game cover

    Home Game

    Vancouver Wolves Hockey • Book 2

    by Odette Stone

    ★ 4.31 BLT Score (34.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.11 Goodreads (34.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  19. 19
    Finding Mayhem cover

    Finding Mayhem

    Court of Mayhem • Book 2

    by Layla Frost

    ★ 4.30 BLT Score (4.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.36 Goodreads (4.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  20. 20
    All the Way cover

    All the Way

    Hot Jocks • Book 2

    by Kendall Ryan

    ★ 4.28 BLT Score (14.2K ratings)
    ★ 3.92 Goodreads (14.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  21. 21
    Archer's Voice cover

    Archer's Voice

    Where love meets destiny • Book 1

    by Mia Sheridan

    ★ 4.27 BLT Score (687.5K ratings)
    ★ 4.16 Goodreads (687.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  22. 22
    The Cornerstone cover

    The Cornerstone

    The Walshes • Book 4

    by Kate Canterbary

    ★ 4.27 BLT Score (5.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.31 Goodreads (5.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  23. 23
    Just for the Cameras cover

    Just for the Cameras

    Bay Area Players • Book 1

    by Meghan Quinn

    ★ 4.26 BLT Score (26.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.07 Goodreads (26.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  24. 24
    To Sir Phillip, With Love cover

    To Sir Phillip, With Love

    Bridgertons • Book 5

    by Julia Quinn

    ★ 4.25 BLT Score (312.3K ratings)
    ★ 3.69 Goodreads (312.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  25. 25
    Perfect Wreckage cover

    Perfect Wreckage

    Wrecked • Book 2

    by Catherine Cowles

    ★ 4.25 BLT Score (11.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.27 Goodreads (11.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  26. 26
    The Brawl cover

    The Brawl

    Calamity Montana • Book 5

    by Willa Nash, Devney Perry

    ★ 4.24 BLT Score (17.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.1 Goodreads (17.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  27. 27
    When You're Mine cover

    When You're Mine

    The Gallaghers • Book 2

    by Layla Hagen

    ★ 4.24 BLT Score (1.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.4 Goodreads (1.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  28. 28
    The Unhoneymooners cover

    The Unhoneymooners

    Unhoneymooners • Book 1

    by Christina Lauren

    ★ 4.21 BLT Score (1.1M ratings)
    ★ 3.89 Goodreads (1.1M)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  29. 29
    Just One Kiss cover

    Just One Kiss

    Very Irresistible Bachelors • Book 2

    by Layla Hagen

    ★ 4.21 BLT Score (3.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.24 Goodreads (3.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  30. 30
    Your Christmas Love cover

    Your Christmas Love

    The Bennett Family • Book 10

    by Layla Hagen

    ★ 4.21 BLT Score (3.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.31 Goodreads (3.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  31. 31
    Act Your Age, Eve Brown cover

    Act Your Age, Eve Brown

    The Brown Sisters • Book 3

    by Talia Hibbert

    ★ 4.20 BLT Score (102.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.07 Goodreads (102.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  32. 32
    Detonate cover

    Detonate

    Beneath the Mask • Book 2

    by Luna Mason

    ★ 4.20 BLT Score (27.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.08 Goodreads (27.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  33. 33
    Truth or Beard cover

    Truth or Beard

    Winston Brothers • Book 1

    by Penny Reid

    ★ 4.19 BLT Score (58.7K ratings)
    ★ 3.86 Goodreads (58.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  34. 34
    Sunshine and Sammy cover

    Sunshine and Sammy

    Vested Interest: ABC Corp • Book 5

    by Melanie Moreland

    ★ 4.19 BLT Score (1.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.52 Goodreads (1.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  35. 35
    Boss in the Bedsheets cover

    Boss in the Bedsheets

    The Santillian Triplets • Book 2

    by Kate Canterbary

    ★ 4.18 BLT Score (7.7K ratings)
    ★ 3.96 Goodreads (7.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  36. 36
    Take a Hint, Dani Brown cover

    Take a Hint, Dani Brown

    The Brown Sisters • Book 2

    by Talia Hibbert

    ★ 4.15 BLT Score (111.4K ratings)
    ★ 3.99 Goodreads (111.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  37. 37
    Lyon's Den cover

    Lyon's Den

    by Gerri Hill

    ★ 4.15 BLT Score (370 ratings)
    ★ 4.26 Goodreads (370)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  38. 38
    Wrecking Ball cover

    Wrecking Ball

    Hard to Love • Book 1

    by P. Dangelico

    ★ 4.14 BLT Score (18.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.03 Goodreads (18.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  39. 39
    Arabella (The Georgette Heyer Signature Collection) cover

    Arabella (The Georgette Heyer Signature Collection)

    Regency Romances • Book 9

    by Georgette Heyer

    ★ 4.14 BLT Score (23.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.1 Goodreads (23.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  40. 40
    Faking Cinderella cover

    Faking Cinderella

    Small Town Sisterhood • Book 3

    by Pippa Grant

    ★ 4.13 BLT Score (1.5K ratings)
    ★ 4.52 Goodreads (1.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  41. 41
    The Play cover

    The Play

    Briar U • Book 3

    by Elle Kennedy

    ★ 4.13 BLT Score (168.0K ratings)
    ★ 4 Goodreads (168.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  42. 42
    Mile High cover

    Mile High

    Windy City • Book 1

    by Liz Tomforde

    ★ 4.13 BLT Score (573.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.02 Goodreads (573.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  43. 43
    It Happened One Summer cover

    It Happened One Summer

    Bellinger Sisters • Book 1

    by Tessa Bailey

    ★ 4.12 BLT Score (723.8K ratings)
    ★ 3.9 Goodreads (723.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  44. 44
    Tongue: A Ruthless Underworld Novel: Ruthless Kings MC cover

    Tongue: A Ruthless Underworld Novel: Ruthless Kings MC

    Ruthless Kings MC: Las Vegas • Book 8

    by K.L. Savage

    ★ 4.12 BLT Score (3.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.28 Goodreads (3.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  45. 45
    Nero cover

    Nero

    Alliance • Book 1

    by S.J. Tilly

    ★ 4.11 BLT Score (93.1K ratings)
    ★ 3.81 Goodreads (93.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  46. 46
    The Alpha Won't Be Denied cover

    The Alpha Won't Be Denied

    Timber Valley Pack • Book 6

    by Georgette St. Clair

    ★ 4.11 BLT Score (1.3K ratings)
    ★ 3.95 Goodreads (1.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  47. 47
    Lion and the Falcon cover

    Lion and the Falcon

    Furry United Coalition • Book 4

    by Eve Langlais

    ★ 4.09 BLT Score (2.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.08 Goodreads (2.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  48. 48
    Nightshade / Night Smoke cover

    Nightshade / Night Smoke

    Night Tales #3-4 • Book 4

    by Nora Roberts

    ★ 4.09 BLT Score (6.4K ratings)
    ★ 4 Goodreads (6.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  49. 49
    Consider Me cover

    Consider Me

    Playing for Keeps • Book 1

    by Becka Mack

    ★ 4.09 BLT Score (238.5K ratings)
    ★ 3.83 Goodreads (238.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  50. 50
    Croc and the Fox cover

    Croc and the Fox

    Furry United Coalition • Book 3

    by Eve Langlais

    ★ 4.06 BLT Score (4.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.07 Goodreads (4.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →

Browse Related Lists

Grumpy / Sunshine Audiobooks Grumpy / Sunshine Overview All Tropes

How We Rank Audiobooks

Rankings are driven by listener ratings and review counts from Audible and Goodreads. Books with high ratings across a large number of listeners rank higher — a 4.5 with 50,000 ratings says more than a 4.8 with 200.

Unlike most book lists, we weight audiobook-specific factors: narrator performance, production quality, and how well a story translates to audio. A great book with a poor narration isn't a great audiobook.

We don't accept paid placements or prioritize new releases. These rankings reflect what listeners actually enjoy, not what's being promoted.

Rankings update periodically as new ratings come in and new titles are added to the collection.

Read our full ranking methodology →