The Grump Next Door cover art

The Grump Next Door

Steele Brothers of Starlight Cove, Book 1

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The Grump Next Door

By: Brighton Walsh
Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Emma Wilder
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About this listen

Our first kiss was a lie. Our second was a mistake. And the night we spent tangled up in each other? Hot as hell, but a complete disaster.

Because now Sutton Sinclair—the sharp-tongued troublemaker who left claw marks down my back and a dent in my self-control—is living in my backyard cottage with her teenage daughter. And I’m her goddamn landlord.

I like things quiet. Controlled. She's neither. Sutton’s chaos wrapped in sunshine, a temptation in scrubs I can’t seem to stay away from.

When her ex shows up acting like Sutton’s still his to lose, I claim her on instinct. The kiss? Hot. The fallout? Immediate.

Now my family—and the entire town—thinks we’re a couple.

Fake dating Sutton wasn’t in my playbook, but if being a pro-footballer turned high school coach has taught me anything, it’s how to pivot. All I have to do is keep my hands to myself.

Then her cottage floods.

Now we’re sharing a roof…and a bed. The line between real and fake is blurring faster than I can redo the guest house.

This is supposed to be temporary. But Sutton doesn’t just crash into my life—she rewrites it. She’s in my home, moaning my name, breaking every rule I’ve ever lived by.

And I’m starting to want something permanent with the woman who’s already got one foot out the door.

©2025 Brighton Walsh (P)2025 Brighton Walsh
Genre Fiction Small Town & Rural Sports
All stars
Most relevant
I really enjoyed Jason Clarke as Atlas - smooooth as narrator and Emma Wilder was great too.

Side characters are top notch, i will definitely listen again.

All round great listen

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I wasn’t sure if I was going to get into this after a few chapters because I enjoy more of a slow burn.. but I’m glad I stuck with it. It was a great read and I loved the journey of them getting attached to each other. The spice was 🥵🥵.. I’m really keen to read the next story.. narration was 👌🏼

I really enjoyed this

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The grump next door by Brighton Walsh is the first book in the Steele Brothers Of Starlight Cove. Its a Single mom, grumpy x sunshine, fake dating, small town romance. It follows our grumpy MMC Atlas Steele and our sunshiney single mom Sutton Sinclair.

Single parent tropes have to be my favourite!! Laurel (Sutton's teen daughter) was an absolute vibe and i loved her and her personality. i admired Sutton and her strong personality, and how she doesnt take no bull from men. and atlas my man, the way he was so grumpy and protective but such a softie for his girls? obsessed!! green flag. he even read the book's sutton was reading oh and the banter and relationship with Laurel....... TOP TIER and thats not all, Jason Clarke brought our Atlas Steele to life along with Emma Wilder as our Sutton Sinclair, and they did a perfect job!!

the small town setting will always be my favourite and the family dynamic, i am very intruiged with all the brothers ( Lincon, Declan and Xander) Declan especially, i cannot wait for their books!!!

Single mom + grump = OBSESSED

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Top tier grumpy sunshine 🙌

Brighton Walsh loves to write a filthy mouthed MMC and I inhale it every time.

but this? this was just chefs kiss 👌

Top tier grumpy sunshine

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.