It has been ages since Iβve read a Charlotte Stein book, so I was eager to jump into this one. One of the things I like about Steinβs writing style is that sheβs a bit unconventional with her characters and I think that remains true for her characters in this book. Β Alfie is an ex-footballer and Mabel is his ghostwriter. The unlikely pair match up quite nicely even though it doesnβt seem like they would at first. Stein always comes up with the most unique characters who have their quirks, so I enjoyed that aspect of the book a lot. Β However, I did find the beginning to be quite slow. It took me a while to get back into her writing style since itβs so unique. As a result, I found that I didnβt immediately love this book as soon as I started it, but rather it grew on me slowly. Β I think if youβre a fan of rooting for unlikely pairings, then I think youβll enjoy this opposites-attract novel. Alfie lightens up and we can see a great romance bloom between the two of them.
A steamy, opposites-attract romance with undeniable chemistry between a grumpy retired footballer and his fabulous and very sunshine-y ghostwriter.
When grumpy ex-footballer Alfie Harding gets badgered into selling his memoirs, he knows he’s never going to be able to write them. He hates revealing a single thing about himself, is allergic to most emotions, and can’t imagine doing a good job of putting pen to paper.
And so in walks curvy, cheery, cute as heck ghostwriter Mabel Willicker, who knows just how to sunshine and sass her way into getting every little detail out of Alfie. They banter and bicker their way to writing his life story, both of them sure they’ll never be anything other than at odds.
But after their business arrangement is mistaken for a budding romance, the pair have to pretend to be an item for a public who’s ravenous for more of this Cinderella story. Or at least, it feels like it’s pretend—until each slow burn step in their fake relationship sparks a heat neither can control. Now they just have to decide: is this sizzling chemistry just for show? Or something so real it might just give them their fairytale ending?
© 2003-2026