Caffeinated Reviewer

I was looking for a something to listen to after a few suspense thrillers and came across Resisting the Grump by Ashley Munoz. Narrated by Alex Knox & Faith Clark listeners are transported to Mount Macon, Oregon for a heart-tugging romance.

Davis was five years older than me . . . antisocial and temperamental. And there was the little fact that he didn't know I existed. Still, I gave him my heart, and he crushed it.

So I picked up the pieces and ran away to New York City. I had a plan that would keep my heart intact for years. But one phone call changed everything.

Returning home meant facing the past . . . and the man who ruined me. I had hoped that the mountain had swallowed him whole.

But, as I set out to help my parents, I discover he's not only alive and well, but that they apparently love the jerk. He has no idea that we have a past, which is both a relief and salt in the wound.

I promise myself I'll ignore how his eyes linger on me, or how his touch feels like a live wire, and I'll remember that once upon a time he broke me, and for that, I refuse to fall for him again.

But I can't control that he seems to be falling for me this time.

Written from Rae and Davis’s point of view, this small-town romance tugged at my heart-strings. We learn Rae had a thing for Davis as a teen and was crushed by an incident that happened. She fled Oregon for New York, and has recently returned to help her parents.

Davis is five years older than Rae and is troubled by things from his past. Including the look on a young teen’s face when she caught him in the library with another girl. When Rae returns home, she discovers her parents have befriended Davis, and he doesn’t even recognize her.

The tale that unfolds was filled with banter, undeniable heat and secrets. I loved learning about both Davis and Rae as they navigated a romance that ran hot and cold, but never once did I doubt their feelings and emotions were genuine. Of course, a little communication would have gone a long way, but both have to experience growth and confront their own demons. Can they find their way, come to terms with the past and find happily ever after?

The tale touches on teenage crushes, depression, family dysfunction and healing. Through secondary characters we get hints about the next story and I look forward to listening.

The narration was ok. Each read their point of view chapters. Alex narrated Davis’s chapters and Faith did Rae’s. Sometimes the voice sounded too similar. This was a dual narration and not my favorite. I prefer duet or full cast.

Amazon* | Audible | Libro.fm

About Ashley Munoz

Ashley is an Amazon Top 50 bestselling romance author who is best known for her small-town, second-chance romances. She resides in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her four children and her husband. She loves coffee, reading fantasy, and writing about people who kiss and cuss.

Twitter | Instagram

About Alex Knox

Alex Knox

Alex Knox is a classically trained actor, equally comfortable as a leading man and a comedic character performer. In addition to a long list of theater credits, he has appeared in commercials, hosted a web series ("Science Talks with Alex Knox"), and, as an improv performer, entertained thousands of guests at Southern California's theme parks. Alex wrote No Static at All, a one-man play about seeking spiritual enlightenment through the music of Steely Dan, and has performed the show to sold-out houses in New York, Seattle, and Los Angeles. He is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara and the Yale School of Drama.

Website

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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