Book Review: Grumpy Darling (The Darling Devils, #2) by A.L. Brooks
As a fan of high school romance, I was drawn to Grumpy Darling for its charming blend of friends-to-lovers and hockey drama, especially after the catchy buzz surrounding its predecessor, Rival Darling. A.L. Brooks brought us some electrifying moments in that first book, making me eager to dive back into the world of the Darling Devils. Unfortunately, while its vibrant premise hooked my attention, the execution left me a bit unsatisfied.
At the heart of Grumpy Darling are our protagonists: Paige and Grayson. Paige, our sunshine girl, is struggling with her future, feeling the pressure to figure things out just as she embarks on a quest of self-discovery by trying out various activities. Enter Grayson Darling, the ever-grumpy, brooding friend who’s been stuck in the friend zone for what feels like an eternity. The tension between wanting to help Paige while wrestling with his unrequited feelings makes for an interesting setup. However, my experience was marred by the script-like inner dialogues and the overly familiar character archetypes that felt more cliché than captivating.
The writing style, while certainly readable, lacked the nuance I had hoped for, coming across as a bit chaotically unedited at times. The pacing was uneven, leaving moments of potential character development to feel rushed or glossed over. It reminded me of those early Wattpad stories that one might write in their teens, filled with potential but still lacking the polish that makes for a truly standout narrative.
One might hope for those beautiful insights that capture the intricacies of young love, yet I found myself often rolling my eyes at the predictable exchanges. For example, there’s a humorous line about Paige’s cooking: "I loved everything about Paige, even her crappy muffins. Apparently, love wasn’t just blind; it also had no sense of taste.” It’s an amusing moment, but it felt overshadowed by an overall trend of underwhelming dialogue.
Grayson, too, felt disappointingly one-dimensional, living up to every stereotype of the “grumpy guy” who only softens for the girl he loves. I longed for deeper layers to his character beyond the tropey declarations like “Oh, he’s only soft for her.” Instead of feeling the depth of his struggles, I often sensed a lack of originality that ultimately dulled the emotional stakes.
Despite my critiques, there are definitely moments of charm and connection throughout the book, especially in the fungal twist of found family amongst the Darling Devils. Brooks clearly has a knack for painting vivid relationship dynamics, even as I craved a richer exploration of them. The themes of friendship and the pressures of high school life resonate well with younger readers who might be encountering these feelings for the first time.
In conclusion, while Grumpy Darling did not meet my lofty expectations after Rival Darling, I have no doubt it will resonate with those looking for a light read filled with hockey-themed drama and familiar tropes. If you’re a fan of un-swoon-worthy characters or enjoy stories with distinct grumpy vs. sunshine dynamics, give this one a try. It may just capture your heart more fully than mine. As I closed the book, I couldn’t help but long for the next installment in hopes that it might recapture the spark I so desperately wanted to love.
Happy reading!
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