SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read this book yet, this is your only warning to not forge ahead.
Author: Mariana Zapata
Series: Stand Alone
Category: Fantasy Romance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
A story where grunts can replace full sentences
First and foremost, I definitely should have read the blurb. That was my bad. I saw a new Mariana Zapata book out, I acquired the book, and then I read the book as quickly as possible so I could get to this review. There wasn't much forethought happening other than I had a couple of hours to myself. So it was completely my own fault that I was blindsided when a literal superhero fell out of the sky in Gracie's front yard along with purple fire. I’ve read every Zapata book out there and thought I knew what I was getting into. It turns out I didn't, but I also kind of did.
Alexander was everything I wanted and more in my grumpy male lead. His glares coupled with sweet moments of honesty and straightforward protectiveness got me in the feels. He was very egotistical and arrogant but it made sense the further along the story went and the family dynamics that were in play. It was a really interesting take on the burden of superheroes and what the normal side of their life would be like, albeit, of course, he was filthy rich.
I loved Gracie’s empathy, even if it was caked on pretty thick. She had more than a couple of wallow moments that dragged on and she gets a gold star for the lavish pity party she threw herself over and over again. But, I get it. Her life was utter crap and she was constantly trying to make the best of things while feeling terribly alone. I just think we could have moved things on a bit if we didn't have to read about how unfair her life is 15 times. This book was a million pages long and somehow only spanned a couple of months at most.
It must have been too close to that time of the month, but this book had tears running down my face a time or two. For all Gracie's talk about how she wasn’t a hero and didn’t want to die, time and time again she sacrificed everything she had to do the right thing. She had such high regard for Alexander, the Trinity, and what they did for Earth, that she put them above her own safety. Gracie may have been a tad annoying but she was easy to root for.
The aliens plot through me for a loop, but I found it easy enough to accept in the plot. I mean, we already had superheroes so they might as well be aliens from another planet. I wish we had more backstory about Alexander's family, especially his grandmother who could have made the ultimate villain but was too busy playing board games with her great-granddaughter to bother.
Predictably, after many hints, we learn that Alexander and Gracie are fated mates. While this was a barrier in taking their relationship from friends to something more, Zapata twisted it into something more about Gracie’s low self-esteem and wanting to give Alexander a choice when so many had been taken away from him. Yes, it was dumb she didn’t figure out he liked her until 98% way through, but as convinced as Gracie was that nothing good would ever come of her life, it made sense she couldn't see a future with Alex.
My one complaint about this book is the same as all of Zapata's books: Potty humor.
Someone, for the love of all bookish people everywhere, please tell Ms. Zapata that not every awkward nerdy girl talks about butt cracks and pooping. I don't know how this idea got inside her head but I can't stand it anymore! Every single book she writes has potty humor in it, don't believe me?
When Gracie met the Grump: Chapter 3 - Gracie looks for stains on Alex's clothes from peeing himself while unconscious
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me: Chapter 24 - A puppy covered in poop
Kulti: Chapter 3 - and I quote "Poop, poop, poop, poop, poop"
Luna and the Lie: Chapter 23 - Luna timing Rip's bathroom breaks
I could go on, but I think I have made my point. I didn’t know I was a prude until I started reading her books. She is one of my favorite authors but Mariana, if you are reading this, please have mercy on me and stop!
Yet, knowing there is a 99.9% chance of potty humor, I will read her next book that comes out. Because I love a slow burn too much, I love her writing style too much and I love torturing myself as well.
Overall, When Gracie Met the Grump wasn't like anything I had read before and I would recommend it to even those who don't love the sci-fi subgenres that much. Just don't expect to get through this one in a single day unless you don't mind staying up late!
Tropes and Themes: Superpowers, Forced Proximity, Sunshine x Grump, Fated Mates.
Blurb
Of all the things that could have landed in her yard… it had to be him.
For most people, finding a half-naked superbeing in their yard might be a dream come true.
Unfortunately for Gracie Castro, it’s the exact opposite.
Especially when he’s grouchy, rude, and shows no signs of leaving anytime soon.
But when a hero of mankind needs you, you do what you have to.
Even if it compromises everything you know.
And totally changes your life.
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