Waaaaay back when we started our Sunday conversations we chatted about our favourite tropes and I thought it would be fun to examine a few of them in more depth. Since Grumpy/Sunshine is one of my favourite romantic tropes, I thought we’d start here.
Especially since I realized that, while I adore grumpy/sunshine when the hero is the grump, I’m not as keen on it in reverse, where the heroine is the grump and the hero the sunshine. So, let’s look at that and maybe you can help me figure out why I like one and not the other.
Grumpy Hero
I blame my early fascination with Beauty and the Beast, my favourite fairy tale as a kid and now it’s one of my top fairy tale retellings as an adult. It almost feels like Beauty and the Beast was the original grumpy/sunshine trope. There’s just something so alluring about a brooding ‘beast’ kind of hero, especially when the author lets us get a peek at the tenderness and consideration that is buried way down deep. I’m all in for that journey and am willing to give him grace while he turns his grump around.
Grumpy Heroine
BUT for some reason I find it much harder to relate to a grumpy heroine. All too often she comes across as petty, whiny, crass, harsh…just totally unrelatable. And, honestly, I find that a bit unsettling. Like why am I willing to give more grace to a grumpy hero than to a heroine? Am I a product of a skewed gender biased upbringing where girls were expected to be ‘nice’ and polite and gentle etc? While boys were given far more leeway with certain less desirable behaviours tolerated because ‘boys will be boys’ while girls were strictly kept in line? I honestly don’t know — but it takes a very talented author to thaw my heart when it comes to a grumpy heroine.
One of My Fave of Grumpy Hero / Sunshiney Heroine Trope
Why it works for me:
Levi’s the strong, silent type. If communication is necessary, he thinks a grunt or two will suffice, and while that could be frustrating for the heroine, it’s also hilarious. Plus, he’s a reader! I mean, I’m willing to overlook a lot for a well read hero! 🙂 He’s also kinda henpecked by all his sisters which is a lovely contrast to the brooding beast facade. And, oh my, the kittens! So, I guess that’s the key here, while Levi presents as this tough, gruff, grump, these discrepancies in his character expose the tender heart he’s buried deep inside which makes him easy to love.
One of My Favourite Grumpy Heroine / Sunshiney Hero Trope
Surprise! Same author! Sarah Monzon is great at this grumpy/sunshine stuff. I loved the ‘Sewing in SoCal’ series but I’ll admit to being a wee bit wary of embracing Betsy’s story when the time came because of the sarcastic sass and grumpy demeanour that carried her through the first four books. Sure she’s provided some wonderful comedic background but a whole book featuring Betsy’s sharp wit, and more importantly, the gigantic chip on her shoulder? I wasn’t so sure.
Somehow Monzon made her prickly persona charming and her rapid fire come backs, not to mention the sarcasm renting space in her brain, made this a laugh-out-loud, can’t-stop-listening reading experience for me. D-e-l-i-g-h-t-f-u-l. Betsy’s back story brings depth to her character and helped me understand…and be frustrated by…that smart mouth of hers.
Time to Start the Conversation:
- Are you a fan of the grumpy/sunshine trope?
- What makes it work for you?
- If you’re not a fan, why doesn’t it work for you?
- Are you like me, and struggle with the trope when it’s the heroine who is the grump?
- Care to share any of your fave grumpy/sunshine romances so we can add to our TBRs?
Share your thoughts in the comments and you’ll be entered in this week’s giveaway:
Offer open to US and Canada readers as well as International Readers who have a US Kindle account. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 14 2026.
