Yes, ma’am - it’s a 5 star read
5 stars

I am a massive fan of Melanie Moreland but I’ve still to read her hugely popular Vested Interest series. I mention this because this book’s heroine, Sammy, is the daughter of Van and Liv from the fifth book in that series, Van. It’s also the fifth book in the Vested Interest spin-off series, ABC Corp, about the children of the original books. Despite that, they all stand alone and while there are lots of cameos, you don’t have to read any other book to like and enjoy this one.

Sammy is something of a business consultant come TV personality who helps people turn their businesses into successes. She’s highly sought after but she chooses siblings, Rachel and Luke Adler’s, ranch as her next project. Rachel is all in but Luke isn’t happy to have some hoity toity city girl prancing round his ranch and being a general nuisance. Little does he know what he’s actually in for when he and Sammy butt heads.

I loved Sammy. She was such a kick-ass woman who knew what she wanted and was confident enough to grab it with both hands when the opportunity arose. The way she went toe-to-toe with Luke was ah-may-zing and even better was the way that she put him in his place and on his bum when he needed it - which was often.

I have to agree with Ms Moreland that the sunshine and grumpy trope it one of my favourites. And Luke is the poster boy for this trope. Gawd is he grumpy. Even when things change between him and Sammy, his grumpiness shines through on occasion and I loved it. He’s broken and scared of love - poor thing - and he doesn’t believe in love. These are the best kind of heroes to watch fall, kicking and screaming into love. Happy sighs.

Any kind of antagonism between a couple also really ramps up the sexual tension and add to that their sizzling chemistry, Luke and Sammy together are explosive. In a swimming hole; in the barn, out in the woods, outside a barn dance - you get it all, as well as the softer, gentler sex. Yet all have underlying feelings which makes them extra delicious and gives you those lovely butterflies in your tummy.

If you’ve ever dreamed of living on your own, remote ranch, of having a homestead or just of roping your own sexy, rugged (and grumpy) cowboy, you’ll want to stop what you’re doing right now and get to reading this book. Once again, Ms Moreland manages to take my romantic fantasies, write them down and make them even more than I could ever imagine. And if you’re a sucker for an epilogue (gimme!) and like the whole marriage, kids and happily ever after thing played out to you - you are going to lose your shit over the ending of this story. I bloody loved it and I just can’t wait to read anything and everything that Melanie Moreland releases next. 5 stars. ( )

Opposites attract in this story. Sunshine city girl, Sammy who thinks love is for others but just not for herself. Grumpy, hard headed cowboy Luke doesn’t believe in love.
Right from their first meeting when Luke abandons Sammy at the airport sparks fly all around whenever these two spar.

“We agreed on the rules.” I sniffed. “I just broke them.”
Dad smiled, shaking his head. He cupped my face. “There are no rules with love. That’s a hard lesson to learn, my girl.”

Sunshine and Sammy is a great blend of emotional romance and really fun romcom.

“…Except Dusty didn’t want to move when I tugged on her reins.
“How do you get her in reverse?” I mumbled, looking over my shoulder.”

I have this book in both ebook and audiobook and the audio was perfection! I just loved listening as the narrators brought the characters to life.
-5 Stars!- ( )

Grumpy vs Sunshine is this cowboy vs city girl who fights every turn to not give into the chemistry that boils off the page. Park your horse and get to one-clicking this gem to devour.

I have read and re-read this book too many times to count.* As part of the team, I need to pull lines for teasers and excerpts. But as I turn the page to a bookmarked scene, I cannot help myself but get lost in this engaging story writing. I know when I pick up a Melanie Moreland book it is going to deliver swoons, heat, and heart. This book not only delivered all that but MORE.

"Are you going to be snarky and rude all day?
“Maybe sarcastic and indifferent. Haven’t decided. Get in the saddle and find out.”

That subtle-not-so-subtle banter between the MC's, Luke & Sammy, knocks you in the funny bone without being OTT ridiculous. The banter is delivered to showcase Sammy's independence and Luke's hawt yet grumpy butt. The writing conveys real people with real feelings. Nothing impossible or improbable. The chemistry ignites to a slow burn from the first meet-cute and continues to smolder until Luke can't help but give in.

I already understood that Sammy wasn’t like most women. In fact, I was certain no one else on the planet even came close.

Let's address the elephant in the room. Standalone or series required? I used to be the series in order captain of police. As time passes and so many books to read, I've tempered my stance. Does reading VAN a requirement? No, but adds to the experience. Is reading books 1-4 a requirement? Definitely not. The book does not dwell on primary characters or touch on other scenes from other books. Now, I dare you NOT to go back if this is your gateway read - but it is definitely a gateway book in the wonderful world of Contract/Vested Interest/ABC Corp that Ms. Moreland has built.

“You want to be my partner?”
“I want to be your everything.”

It is lines like that that make you fall in love with these characters and never let go. Their journey sticks with you - not because it is funny. Not because it is hawt. Not because of the tender moments. It is all of the above.

I loved Luke so so much! Grumpy, dirty talker that checked all the hero boxes. AND Sammy - it’s so hard for authors to write a strong, self-assured, independent heroine WITHOUT readers complaining she is ‘unapproachable’ aka a witch. Sammy came off perfect. Just the right amount of spunky and vulnerability.

Once again this is written beautifully. The stellar pacing and story flow of this seasoned writer are not to be missed from your bookshelf. Ms. Moreland does not take a heavy hand with one of the elements of humor, heat, or heart. She blends the words perfectly to turn out something that you will talk about with fellow readers for days. PS the epilogue is everything.

*I am transparent that I have a relationship with Ms Moreland. Yes, I do. I do because I have loved everything she has written since Over The Fence. I may have some bias but frankly, her writing is solid. ( )

This book is so romantic, with all the feels and all you need to fall in love with them. Grumpy/Sunshine is getting a place in my list of favorites tropes. This time Sammy is the sunshine, the light in the live of Luke. Luke is the grumpy sexy cowboy, really grumpy but Sammy like a ray of sunshine with her smiles and light break all his walls. Reading this book takes you to that Ranch in Alberta you can feel the breeze and all the love. Van and Liv are still so in love that is amazing to witness. It’s so good, Luke and Sammy are for each other. Sammy with all her smiles captured all of him. “She smiled, sunshine and Sammy all rolled up together.”
*Amazing Epilogue as always*

The audiobook is amazingly Perfect! John Lane as Cowboy was perfect. Maxine brings Sammy and all those emotions to live. Perfect performance. ( )

Sunshine & Sammy by Melanie Moreland is a very easy read. This grumpy / sunshine small town romance had me hooked from page one. Luke is a rugged sexy cowboy and Sammy is firey and fierce! They go together like oil and water but the chemistry is HOTT. Melanie has done it again!!! Loved this story! ( )