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The Penthouse Grump
It’s an HR nightmare.
Alice
Running late is my cardio, but I didn't expect my morning workout to include baptizing a stranger with a venti latte. He was rude, he was growly, and unfortunately, he was gorgeous. I thought I’d seen the last of him until I stepped into the elevator that evening—and saw him hit the button for the penthouse. Just my luck. But the real nightmare began Monday morning when I walked into the boardroom at The Mercer Group. That grumpy penthouse resident? He’s Gabriel Mercer. My boss’s boss’s boss. I should be worried about getting fired, but the way he stares at me across the conference table doesn't feel like termination. It feels like trouble.
Gabriel
I don’t do distractions. I run a billion-dollar empire and I live a disciplined life—until a chaotic woman in a gray business suit soaked my favorite shirt in coffee. I should have been furious. Instead, I haven’t slept a wink since, because she’s the only thing haunting my dreams. When I find out she works for me, the game changes. She thinks I’m going to fire her for the spill. She’s wrong. I’m going to make sure she never runs away from me again. Alice Stone belongs with me, and I’m ready to break every HR rule in the book to prove it.
Nestled in the heart of charming Worthington Hills, this quaint apartment building is more than just brick and mortar—it's a hotbed of budding romances and steamy encounters.
So pull up a chair, order your favorite latte, and get ready to fall head over heels for the lovable residents of #1 Love Place. In this building, love isn't just knocking on doors—it's kicking them down!
Alice
Running late is my cardio, but I didn't expect my morning workout to include baptizing a stranger with a venti latte. He was rude, he was growly, and unfortunately, he was gorgeous. I thought I’d seen the last of him until I stepped into the elevator that evening—and saw him hit the button for the penthouse. Just my luck. But the real nightmare began Monday morning when I walked into the boardroom at The Mercer Group. That grumpy penthouse resident? He’s Gabriel Mercer. My boss’s boss’s boss. I should be worried about getting fired, but the way he stares at me across the conference table doesn't feel like termination. It feels like trouble.
Gabriel
I don’t do distractions. I run a billion-dollar empire and I live a disciplined life—until a chaotic woman in a gray business suit soaked my favorite shirt in coffee. I should have been furious. Instead, I haven’t slept a wink since, because she’s the only thing haunting my dreams. When I find out she works for me, the game changes. She thinks I’m going to fire her for the spill. She’s wrong. I’m going to make sure she never runs away from me again. Alice Stone belongs with me, and I’m ready to break every HR rule in the book to prove it.
Nestled in the heart of charming Worthington Hills, this quaint apartment building is more than just brick and mortar—it's a hotbed of budding romances and steamy encounters.
So pull up a chair, order your favorite latte, and get ready to fall head over heels for the lovable residents of #1 Love Place. In this building, love isn't just knocking on doors—it's kicking them down!
100 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 23, 2026
Alice crashes into Gabriel and splashes her coffee onto him and herself. She apologizes and runs to her job. Gabriel is smitten from that first moment and can’t keep her out of his mind, he doesn’t want to, and he’s all in.
Gabriel is the CEO of the company that Alice works in, and he lives in the penthouse of the same building she lives in.
They’re super cute together. Gabriel is a little caveman sometimes but still sweet with her, and Alice is adorable and sassy.
Just a feel good, insta love story.
Details:
- Age gap (she’s 25yo and he has a hint of silver in his hair).
- Nothing about their pasts.
- No OP drama.
- Epilogue 6 months later.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gabriel is the CEO of the company that Alice works in, and he lives in the penthouse of the same building she lives in.
They’re super cute together. Gabriel is a little caveman sometimes but still sweet with her, and Alice is adorable and sassy.
Just a feel good, insta love story.
Details:
- Age gap (she’s 25yo and he has a hint of silver in his hair).
- Nothing about their pasts.
- No OP drama.
- Epilogue 6 months later.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 9, 2026
This was a short, sweet and drama free Instalove story. Alice just runs into the hottest man in their lobby and these two fall instantly for each other. Gabe sees Alice and instantly knows she will be his future wife , now he just has to convince her 😏 Instalove, sweet, steamy, romantic, age gap and totally safe (I read it as dual virgins) with an awesome HEA 😍😍😍😍
February 10, 2026
Gabe an Alice
*Contains SPOILERS* for SAFE readers…
Gabe and Alice
SAFETY remarks
* SAFE
* Dual virgins - my interpretation
* cheating/sharing: no
* ow/om: no
* separation/breakups: no
* possible triggers: no
* HEA: yes
It’s been a while since my last Loni Ree book. And I gotta say, I liked … no, loved this one. Yes, I laughed with these two. It was refreshing to read the girl making him work for it. I wish she made him work a little longer. And I also wanted to read when the coworkers caught them together or how they told them.
This is a very low-angst book. The way I like them. What is high angst 😉 is how OTT he is!!! He is obsessed from their first encounter, when she spilled coffee on his workout shirt. He was a bulldozer from then on. Almost not letting her breathe (not literally, iykyk), almost kinda stalkery but in plain sight. It’s a hot book. Their chemistry is electrifying. Yes, I loved the book. Wished it was longer.
They don’t come upfront and say they are virgins but by what they say I can assume they are.
«I never knew anything could feel this f*ng good.» – H
«Let’s see if I can figure this out» - h
They really don’t talk about their past romances. So, with the comments I included and some others, I understand they are their first and only. I love it.
I can’t wait for the next couple!! I think I’ll buy this one, so I can re-read it as many times I want.
*Contains SPOILERS* for SAFE readers…
Gabe and Alice
SAFETY remarks
* SAFE
* Dual virgins - my interpretation
* cheating/sharing: no
* ow/om: no
* separation/breakups: no
* possible triggers: no
* HEA: yes
It’s been a while since my last Loni Ree book. And I gotta say, I liked … no, loved this one. Yes, I laughed with these two. It was refreshing to read the girl making him work for it. I wish she made him work a little longer. And I also wanted to read when the coworkers caught them together or how they told them.
This is a very low-angst book. The way I like them. What is high angst 😉 is how OTT he is!!! He is obsessed from their first encounter, when she spilled coffee on his workout shirt. He was a bulldozer from then on. Almost not letting her breathe (not literally, iykyk), almost kinda stalkery but in plain sight. It’s a hot book. Their chemistry is electrifying. Yes, I loved the book. Wished it was longer.
They don’t come upfront and say they are virgins but by what they say I can assume they are.
«I never knew anything could feel this f*ng good.» – H
«Let’s see if I can figure this out» - h
They really don’t talk about their past romances. So, with the comments I included and some others, I understand they are their first and only. I love it.
I can’t wait for the next couple!! I think I’ll buy this one, so I can re-read it as many times I want.
April 1, 2026
3.75 stars for this horny love story. It isn’t deep but has some nice spice between Alice and Gabe.
Alice lives on the 8th floor at 1 Love Place, Worthington Hills. She works, likes coffee and chocolate cream donuts, reality tv and pushing buttons - Gabe’s buttons.
Gabe is Alice’s bosses bosses boss, billionaire CEO of his company and owner of the penthouse at 1 Live Place.
They bump into each other in their building one morning, and their story blooms from there.
Excerpts from The Penthouse Grump written by Loni Ree:
“I want you. And I always get what I want.” She huffs and rolls her eyes, but I can see the little tremor run through her. “Well, just so you know, I don’t make things easy for cavemen.”
"You’re real. You don’t care about who I am, just how I act. You make me nervous. Nobody’s ever done that before."
"I don’t know what this is," she admits. "I’m not… I don’t date either, not really. I’m a mess. I like things simple. I like routines. You’re… you’re not routine."
On his knees, between my legs, staring up at me with a look that tells me I belong to him. Possessive and hungry and so damn intent.
“You own every bit of me.” And then he obliges, fucking me with a ferocity that knocks every thought out of my skull.
“I’m crazy about you. In fact, I can’t fucking live without you.” He slides a stunning diamond ring on my finger.
Alice lives on the 8th floor at 1 Love Place, Worthington Hills. She works, likes coffee and chocolate cream donuts, reality tv and pushing buttons - Gabe’s buttons.
Gabe is Alice’s bosses bosses boss, billionaire CEO of his company and owner of the penthouse at 1 Live Place.
They bump into each other in their building one morning, and their story blooms from there.
Excerpts from The Penthouse Grump written by Loni Ree:
“I want you. And I always get what I want.” She huffs and rolls her eyes, but I can see the little tremor run through her. “Well, just so you know, I don’t make things easy for cavemen.”
"You’re real. You don’t care about who I am, just how I act. You make me nervous. Nobody’s ever done that before."
"I don’t know what this is," she admits. "I’m not… I don’t date either, not really. I’m a mess. I like things simple. I like routines. You’re… you’re not routine."
On his knees, between my legs, staring up at me with a look that tells me I belong to him. Possessive and hungry and so damn intent.
“You own every bit of me.” And then he obliges, fucking me with a ferocity that knocks every thought out of my skull.
“I’m crazy about you. In fact, I can’t fucking live without you.” He slides a stunning diamond ring on my finger.
January 31, 2026
This is book number 1 of the #1 Love Place series and focuses on Gabriel and Alice. Gabriel is a billionaire CEO who has made his name with the company that he built from the ground up. He has always kept people for the most part at a distance and thrives in the controlled setting within his company. When he has a run in with Alice and she spills her coffee over both of them, he finally finds he has a new purpose in life. His life goes from revolving around his company to revolving around Alice. He knows that he has found his other half and stops at nothing to make sure that she is his. This was a great story and a great start to the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 4, 2026
This is book one of the series and is about Gabe and Alice. It’s the start of another amazing series by Loni.
This was a light hearted read. There wasn’t a lot of drama for the main characters….well with the exception of Alice spilling coffee on Gabe but that was more funny than drama.
Gabe meets Alice and that’s all it takes for him to want her forever. Her sassy side with her sweet and adorable demeanor stopped Gabe in his tracks.
He’s a workaholic who is the big boss. When he wants something..he makes it happen but will it be like that with Alice? Will he be able to win her over? Will she get scared at the fact that when he falls..he falls hard? Can she convince him that trashy reality tv is everything!??
5 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️
This was a light hearted read. There wasn’t a lot of drama for the main characters….well with the exception of Alice spilling coffee on Gabe but that was more funny than drama.
Gabe meets Alice and that’s all it takes for him to want her forever. Her sassy side with her sweet and adorable demeanor stopped Gabe in his tracks.
He’s a workaholic who is the big boss. When he wants something..he makes it happen but will it be like that with Alice? Will he be able to win her over? Will she get scared at the fact that when he falls..he falls hard? Can she convince him that trashy reality tv is everything!??
5 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️
January 28, 2026
This is Book 1 of the #1 Love Place series. And a wonderful read it is.
'Get ready to fall head over heels for the lovable residents of #1 Love Place. In this building, love isn't just knocking on doors—it's kicking them down!'
The characters drove the storyline and they were so very appealing and complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was well written and developed. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. All in all a great start to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'Get ready to fall head over heels for the lovable residents of #1 Love Place. In this building, love isn't just knocking on doors—it's kicking them down!'
The characters drove the storyline and they were so very appealing and complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was well written and developed. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. All in all a great start to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 9, 2026
Gabriel and Alice meet when she accidentally spills coffee on him. Her day goes from bad to worse when she thought she'd never see him again, but it turns out he's the CEO of the company she works at. Gabriel never did relationships, but after meeting Alice, he's realized he's found his one and is determined to make her his. This is an accidental love romance with a good storyline, fun banter, and believable characters who had me cheering them on to get their happily ever after. The Penthouse Grump is book one and a wonderful start to the #1 Love Place series. I can't wait to read the next book. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
January 24, 2026
She's a puzzle he can't work out...
A challenge he is determined to complete, she's his everything!
Gabe loses his heart the moment Alice and her coffee crash into him, he cannot escape her chaos and he loves every second of it. I really like that Gabe fully owns his feelings, he embraces their chemistry and sets out to prove himself and his love to Alice. He doesn't try to buy her affection, nor impress her with over the top gestures, he doesn't demand or pressure, he takes his time and woo's her.
A great visit to #1 Love Place, I look forward to more. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
A challenge he is determined to complete, she's his everything!
Gabe loses his heart the moment Alice and her coffee crash into him, he cannot escape her chaos and he loves every second of it. I really like that Gabe fully owns his feelings, he embraces their chemistry and sets out to prove himself and his love to Alice. He doesn't try to buy her affection, nor impress her with over the top gestures, he doesn't demand or pressure, he takes his time and woo's her.
A great visit to #1 Love Place, I look forward to more. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
January 28, 2026
Alice has a coffee incident with a hot guy who lives in her building, who suddenly becomes infatuated with her. Turns out he's the CEO owner of the company where she works, but she's sassy, doesn't throw herself at Gabriel's feet, and he's all for it!
This was an insta-love and for me kinda typical boss I-get-what-I-want vibes story. Overall it's written pretty well and is a short sweet story that makes for a quick read in the day.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an insta-love and for me kinda typical boss I-get-what-I-want vibes story. Overall it's written pretty well and is a short sweet story that makes for a quick read in the day.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 29, 2026
Loni Ree's The Penthouse Grump is a quick, entertaining and steamy kick-off to her new series, # Love Place. Gabriel and Alice's meet-cute is less than auspicious - and when he turns out to both live in the penthouse of her building AND head the company she works for, she fears the worse. Instead, the grumpy billionaire becomes intent on winning over the woman he can't get out of his head. A fun, sexy romance well worth a read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2026
Gabriel knows what he wants, and he wants Alice. She is someone that does not fall at his feet, She makes him work for it. She works from him at his company, but that does not mean that he will jeopardize his company for love.
I love Loni Ree books, they are short but definitely not sweet and innocent. There is always spice.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love Loni Ree books, they are short but definitely not sweet and innocent. There is always spice.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 28, 2026
This adorable instalove romance is a really good read. Gabe meets Alice and is instantly infatuated. What I really liked about this read is the fact that he is rich and powerful but none of that is involved in his pursuit to show Alice how much he wants her. It’s refreshing that there is no power dynamic and it’s just a man who wants a woman and is willing to put in the effort.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 29, 2026
At first I was like "What?" With regards to Gabriel, and then I was ok OK, let's role with this, he was who he was and he had no qualms about it. I enjoyed seeing Alice find her footing and challenge him, they fitted so well. I really liked how confident they both were and that in the end they both went after what they wanted.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 31, 2026
Who would have thought that a cup of spilled coffee would lead to a perfect happily ever after? That's how Gabriel and Alice's story begins. Gabriel falls like a ton of bricks for the pretty girl who spilled coffee on him, and Alice gets all nervous and breathless around him. This is such a great book. It is very low-drama and full of steam. Best of all, it has an excellent happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 31, 2026
A lovely and hot short story, not much going on which I don't mind.
The novel is focusing on the meetings of Gabe and Alice, their thoughts and feelings and their quick way to HEA
Loved his obsession for her and that she is not too easy to get.
I recommend this two hour get-away in a world of no drama, just love and spice.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The novel is focusing on the meetings of Gabe and Alice, their thoughts and feelings and their quick way to HEA
Loved his obsession for her and that she is not too easy to get.
I recommend this two hour get-away in a world of no drama, just love and spice.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 5, 2026
The Penthouse Grump is the insta love story of Gabriel, a business CEO, who is drenched in the coffee latte of Alice, who flees. Unfortunately, she finds he is her big boss several days later and Gabriel falls for her and pursues her. This enjoyable book has great characters, interesting characters, and a well written insta-love plot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 9, 2026
Coffee Spill Connection
When Alice accidently spills coffee on Gabriel, she doesn't expect him to make it his mission to make her his. Turns out she works for his company, and he wants more than a professional relationship. What develops is a fun filled love story with a delightful plot and enjoyable characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Alice accidently spills coffee on Gabriel, she doesn't expect him to make it his mission to make her his. Turns out she works for his company, and he wants more than a professional relationship. What develops is a fun filled love story with a delightful plot and enjoyable characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 25, 2026
The Penthouse Grump, by Loni Ree is was a fun quick read. Gabriel knows what he wants and has no problem going after it. Alice, is young and sweet, but not a pushover. She likes Gabriel, but and makes sure he works hard to win her heart.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 28, 2026
This was a fun, low angst, romcom that will make you swoon for a billionaire. I loved Gabe. I love the way he thinks. While reading, I sent a quote to a friend and said... all books need this vibe. What was the quote? You're gonna have to read it and find out for yourself!! Alice kept him on his toes though and I loved that too!
January 28, 2026
A beautiful, easy-to-read story with a captivating plot that will make you enjoy every chapter. Alice and Gabriel met in the elevator, and although their first encounter was awkward, the attraction between them was strong. Gabriel, being the perfect businessman that he was, set out to win Alice over, even if it meant breaking all of his company's HR rules in the process.
January 28, 2026
This one was ok, I felt there wasn't much to the grump personality as much as a man who just had coffee spilled on him. Now she was grumpy and he seemed to be more sunshine to me. Over all if you looking for a cute, funny and spicy short read. This will be it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 28, 2026
Humour, spice and love
Gabe and Alice are quite simply perfect, cute and oh so likeable. It starts with a coffee spill!! And poor Gabe swoons, ensures he sees her in the lift, at work, buys her cheesy pizza and cooks for her. He certainly wasn’t a grump with Alice.
These two find love, passion and friendship. Humour and spice included
Gabe and Alice are quite simply perfect, cute and oh so likeable. It starts with a coffee spill!! And poor Gabe swoons, ensures he sees her in the lift, at work, buys her cheesy pizza and cooks for her. He certainly wasn’t a grump with Alice.
These two find love, passion and friendship. Humour and spice included
January 31, 2026
It was totally worth every second!!
I love this author and I love this book!! What a way to start a new series. Absolutely loved the characters and their flirty banter. Totally sucked me into their story!! Got so lost into this book, that people were talking to me but didn’t hear a word they said. That’s how much this story pulled me in. Just had everything I love in a romcom read. I devoured it in one sitting I cannot wait for more from #1 Love Place. It was totally worth every second!! Happy reading
I love this author and I love this book!! What a way to start a new series. Absolutely loved the characters and their flirty banter. Totally sucked me into their story!! Got so lost into this book, that people were talking to me but didn’t hear a word they said. That’s how much this story pulled me in. Just had everything I love in a romcom read. I devoured it in one sitting I cannot wait for more from #1 Love Place. It was totally worth every second!! Happy reading
January 30, 2026
Loved Gabe and Alice's meet cute. It was such an adorably flustered moment that just grabbed me right away and had me falling for this couple. I loved their snarky (her) banter and his possessive dirty talk. The story was so much fun to read and makes me want to move into this apartment building.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 31, 2026
This was a really cute instalove romance. It was a short, well written story that was full of warmth and steam. Alice and Gabriel had a great meet cute and I just loved how he instantly knew that she was the one for him.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 12, 2026
Loved the sassiness from Alice as she makes Gabe work for her. Enjoyed his upfront demeanor as he doesn’t pull any punches, but tells Alice point blank he goes for what he wants and always gets what he wants. Nice blending of their lives as they take their relationship to the next level.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Swoony, steamy, LOL, and absolutely perfect! Gabe gets what he wants. Alice is what he wants and he’s all in!
Reading their sassy banter and watching love bloom was an excellent way to spend a couple of hours on a snowy afternoon. Highly rec and eager for the next #1 Love Place story!
Reading their sassy banter and watching love bloom was an excellent way to spend a couple of hours on a snowy afternoon. Highly rec and eager for the next #1 Love Place story!
January 23, 2026
I really enjoyed Penthouse Grump. It's light hearted instalove, which keeps you engaged and gives you the warm fuzzies.
Easy to read, especially if you want a quick romance hit before bed.
Looking forward to the series.
Easy to read, especially if you want a quick romance hit before bed.
Looking forward to the series.
January 24, 2026
Perfect!
A man who knows what he wants! And this man wants his “coffee girl”. The moment Gabe gets coffee spilled on him, he knew Alice was going to be his. He didn’t become a billionaire without putting in the work, and Alice is going to make him work for it! Loved it!
A man who knows what he wants! And this man wants his “coffee girl”. The moment Gabe gets coffee spilled on him, he knew Alice was going to be his. He didn’t become a billionaire without putting in the work, and Alice is going to make him work for it! Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews