Grump Jake was an okay read.

The book centers on Bailey Throne. She is a kindergarten teacher, who “despises” one of her student’s parents- Jake. He doesn’t have the best track record with women, and Bailey is not amused with him. Until one day, they get stuck in an elevator together and everything changes.

I feel like the synopsis is a tad misleading. It sounds like it would be a slight enemy to lovers’ story, but it wasn’t. They aren’t really enemies. And Bailey’s dislike of him stems from rumors that she has heard about him. And there is never a clear picture to why those rumors made her dislike him.

I think there was a missed opportunity to have that anger towards him being connected to something in her past. I think that might have added a tiny bit more depth to her. Both Bailey and Jake are forgettable characters and underdeveloped. I didn’t connect to them or find a strong interest to know about their life.

I think the book tries to add some form of angst to the story. But ultimately, it fails. The stakes are not high enough in this book, and the conflict feels a little lackluster. And speaking of the conflict, it’s resolved off the page. Which is a little frustrating.

I think this story would have benefited if it was a full novel. It is trying to sell to many stories- the romance and the mystery of what happened to Jayden’s mother. Both of those had potential to be a well-constructed story; however, they were undeveloped and rushed.

Final Thoughts

Grumpy Jake is a quick read that fails to meet its potential.