Comforting the Grump by Nora Phoenix

Rating: 4
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Series: Forestville Silver Foxes #5
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: best friend’s brother, grumpy / sunshine, small town


This wasn’t supposed to happen. I didn’t do feelings, didn’t do attachments. But as I sat there, watching Ennio’s chest rise and fall, I couldn’t deny the unfamiliar tenderness blooming in my chest.


Comforting the Grump was a great grumpy / sunshine romance, and Marnin and Ennio’s story hit all the right feels for me!

I just adore this series and Marnin’s story was a highly anticipated read for me. Marnin had been a bit of a recluse so far in these books – since he wasn’t living in Forestville he hadn’t been around as much as some of the other characters. He came off as prickly and kind of lonely, but it was also obvious how deeply he cared for his friends and found family. I loved seeing more of Auden and Marnin’s connection, as they practically grew up as brothers, and their banter was a lot of fun. 

Auden was completely blindsided by Marnin falling for his brother though… Marnin didn’t do relationships or attachments, but a little close proximity with Ennio and he didn’t really stand a chance. Ennio was a total sweetheart, and the opposite of Marnin in a lot of ways, but they worked so well as a couple. They both went through some rough events, and it was sweet how they took care of each other and found comfort in one another when needed.

Comforting the Grump was an emotional story at times, with some fantastic hurt / comfort, and seeing Marnin find his happiness by making Ennio happy was precious! There were some heavier topics as well, and Nora Phoenix had me sobbing through a few chapters (including the prologue…), but it was overall a beautiful and heartwarming romance. This series is amazing, and I really hope that there will be more stories from Forestville!


He pulled back, meeting my eyes again. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life. This is it, sunshine. You’re it. You have my heart now, and I never want it back.”


Book links:
Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub | StoryGraph

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