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The Grinch Next Door

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Everything is going as planned until a surprise gift in the form of an inheritance — and a bet with a grumpy hardware shop owner — turns her world upside down.

I've been aimless, hopping from job to job since graduating college. But when I'm handed an opportunity that may help me find direction in my life: Running the social media for a small-town Christmas shop I inherited with my driven and determined sister.

I'll finally get to show my family just what I can do with my phone and my creative instincts.

After an incident involving a ladder and our shop roof, I find myself in a business bet with the slightly older and Grinch-like hardware shop owner next door. But even his hotness will keep me from my goals.

I plan on doing whatever it takes to win this bet. Only I don't plan on the bet taking a turn when I fall for him.

Is there more to this connection we share, or am I just caught up in the spirit of competition and the holiday season?

Read The Grinch Next Door if you like grumpy sunshine age gap romances full of holiday cheer. Be sure to check out the other story in the duet: The Grinch Around the Corner.

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2023

34 people are currently reading
118 people want to read

About the author

Lana Dash

119 books231 followers
Lana Dash writes short, sweet, steamy romances that will leave you swiping for more. From blue-collar bad boys to rugged mountain men, you will find a book boyfriend to swoon over in the span of your hour-long lunch break.

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5 stars
78 (42%)
4 stars
51 (28%)
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46 (25%)
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5 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews362 followers
November 27, 2023
Finding Love and a Future . . .

Aurora St. Clair hasn’t really found what she is meant to do since graduation. But then she and her sister, Allegra, inherit a Christmas on Main shop from their Great Aunt Doris. As they listened to the lawyer, Aurora remembered her kind aunt and an incident in front of the shop when they saw a young, bedraggled homeless boy sitting on the bench outside. At first, 7-year-old Aurora was afraid of him, but she realized he was not waiting for his mom. He was alone, homeless, with nowhere to go. As he walked away, she reached in her pocket for a carved wooden snowflake her aunt had let her choose. She caught up to him and gave him the snowflake, hoping it would make him smile. Her sister’s question to the lawyer brought Aurora’s attention back to the present. She is excited at the opportunity to show her skills to her family as she prepares to advertise on social media and update their website.

The sisters head to a coffee shop to talk about their path forward and relax. Aurora meets their neighbor, Pascal (“Paz”), which does not go well as he gives a derisive snort over her fancied-up pumpkin coffee choice. They don’t know it, but the grumpy man owns the hardware store next to their shop. The sisters decide to run the shop until after the new year, then sell it. Allegra handles the books (her normal day-job function) and Aurora handles social media, both alternating taking care of the customers. And if the business does well, they can sell it and move on if Aurora doesn’t keep breaking all the Christmas balls with the dancing routine she is trying to perform inside the shop for her video. Under Allegra’s exasperated orders, she takes her setup outdoors for the filming – knocking a gingerbread set onto the floor as she turns to make a snarky remark.

Seeing a ladder next to their shop, Aurora drags it out of the way and dances – until she sees legs dangling from the roof above, then he falls. He twisted an ankle but seemed okay. After their second confrontation, each is finding they can’t stop thinking of the other. Is something else drawing them together? When he later hands her a flier for an after-Thanksgiving hardware sale, she laughs at his old-fashioned marketing. So they agree to a bet to see who gets the most business, each using the other’s advertising method. Who will win? And wait until you see what the winner gets!
11.6k reviews49 followers
December 19, 2023
Discovering what she wants

The Grinch Next Door is the second book in the Christmas on Main series by Lana Dash and Kate Tilney. The series is about sisters Allegra St. Clair and Aurora St. Clair. When their aunt Doris dies the ladies are left her beloved and very successful Christmas store in the township of Central Coast, California. They decide to run the store through the holiday season to increase it's value and then sell it. Allegra can then get back to her career and Aurora can move to NYC and figure out what she wants to do. but it seems that aunt Doris may be an angel and has plans for her nieces, in the form of two very hunky and older men. For Aurora that means almost killing Paz, the man who owns the hardware store next door. Well she may not have been trying to kill him but she did take away his ladder as he was putting lights up on their store. Aurora is a marketing genius with social media and has definitely helped to bring people into the store with her videos and posts. What neither realize is that Aurora and Paz met years ago when he was first left in town by his father as a teenager. It was aunt Doris who helped Paz out, to get an education and then start the hardware store. Aurora remembers him and there is a connection between them that continues to grow, just like the Christmas spirit. Aurora knows that she does not want to sell the store and that she and Paz could have a future together, building a beautiful life and family in the small town. But what will happen when Allegra finds out about what Aurora really wants?
I loved this story and the whole world of the small town. When you read both books you start to see how things are happening for both sisters, and the men, as they play off each other and the story-lines converge and then break off. This was a wonderful read and one I would definitely RECOMMEND to other readers.
Profile Image for Rebmay.
2,822 reviews50 followers
November 23, 2023
This a short, funny enemies to lovers romance. Aurora has been drifting from job to job after getting her degree. That all changes when she and her older sister a shop that sells Christmas items year round from their great aunt. The sisters agree to try to bump up sales at the shop then sell in the new year, but Aurora secretly hope that they will keep it. Her encounters with the big lug of a man who owns the hardware store next door have been tense and awkward, though she can’t help but find her attractive. Paz feels the same attraction to the younger beauty who also seems to be clumsy and scatterbrained. A bet to see who can bring more customers into the store leads to a show of ire, then a passionate kiss. It isn’t long before they are trading more than snarky remarks. Enjoy!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5,017 reviews27 followers
November 26, 2023
Aurora and her sister Allegra inherit their aunt Christmas shop in Central Coast. Allegra is all for selling the shop and getting back to her life, Aurora wants to keep and run the shop but does not tell her sister that. Her part, upping the shop’s social media presence has eliminated some of the product. She decides to take herself outside, nothing to break. When she sees a ladder she moves, next she knows there is a man hanging from the roof.

Paz was up on the roof to put up the Christmas lights, something he always did for their aunt. Next thing, the pair have a bet which is better, social media or flyer advertising. As the competition heats up, so does the chemistry between the pair. Does it matter who wins?.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,447 reviews15 followers
December 2, 2023
Kate Tilney and Lana Dash's wonderful holiday duet Christmas on Main concludes with Aurora's story, The Grinch Next Door. When Aurora and her older sister inherit their great-aunt's small-town year-round Christmas store, Allegra is less enthused than Aurora. Aurora has been drifting since graduating from college and finally feels as if she's found something she can be good at in running the store. Then she meets the grumpy hardware store owner next door, and despite their less-than-stellar start, Paz instantly gets under her skin. Despite a ten-year age gap, Paz is instantly drawn to the curvy Aurora and before long, he's hoping he can keep her. A sweet and steamy small town holiday romance, and both titles in this mini-series are absolutely can't miss reads!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Curvy Girl Book Nerd   (Jen S).
4,580 reviews62 followers
December 4, 2023
The Grinch Next Door is a short and steamy, Christmas themed, grumpy-sunshine, instalove, OTT, age-gap, curvy girl gets her hunky neighbor romance. Aurora is a sassy social influencer who has just inherited the Christmas on Main store with her older sister Allegra. Paz is her hunky, grumpy neighbor who owns the hardware store next to their shop. He is 10 years older than her. When the two first meet, they are both attracted to but irritated with each other. As they spend time together, though, things get hot and steamy. Aurora likes the shop and wants to stay. Will Paz show her he is all in? The characters had amazing chemistry, and we got a great HEA. I love both of these stories so much. They are a perfect holiday season, feel-good stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,871 reviews33 followers
December 2, 2023
- Christmas romance
- Small town
- Age gap
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Deserves more than 5 stars

I absolutely LOVED this book!

After sisters Aurora and Allegra inherit their great aunt's year round Christmas store in a small California town, they decide to try to turn a profit before selling the business.

However, once they get to town, Aurora starts to change her mind. It has nothing to do with the incredibly tall, handsome and grumpy Paz whose hardware store is next door. Or the fact that he is the best kisser she's encountered...

Paz and Aurora are so cute together. This story is a quick read and I read it in one sitting. So good!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Φερειπείν.
520 reviews11 followers
December 19, 2023
Αυτή η μίνι σειρά των Kate Tilney και Lana Dash που αποτελείται από δύο σύντομες ιστορίες ήταν ο,τι ακριβώς χρειαζόμουν για την περίοδο πριν τις γιορτές.
Δύο βιβλιαράκια γλυκά, τρυφερά, ρομαντικά, ερωτικά αλλά κυρίως εύκολα. Κι όταν λέω εύκολα εννοώ χωρίς ανατροπές ανυπολόγιστες και δυσεπίλυτες, με πλοκή που ρέει αβίαστα σαν νεράκι σε συντριβάνι ζεν που διαγράφει τον κύκλο του χωρίς εμπόδιο, έτσι αβασάνιστα, ξεκούραστα και αυτοαναφορικά στη μικρή του ιεροτελεστία.
Είναι δε τόσο σύντομα που θα μπορούσαν να ενσωματωθούν σε ένα βιβλίο, όμως ακόμα κι αυτό το γεγονός το εκτίμησα παραπάνω γιατί έθρεψε επιπλέον τη ματαιοδοξία μου καθώς ένιωσα πως ολοκλήρωσα δύο κι όχι ένα πρότζεκτ, και μου το έδωσα απλόχερα, μου το αναγνώρισα και το θεώρησα ένα επιπλέον μπόνους.
Profile Image for Fran.
2,467 reviews4 followers
November 22, 2023
Aurora and her sister have inherited the Christmas on Main street store. After opening Aurora really wants to keep the store open and with her idea of marketing in social media she gets in an argument with her neighbor Paz who owns the hardware store. They place a bet on who's the best at bringing in customers. Aurora with her social media or Paz with his flyers. But there is so much more to them because their chemistry is off the charts. I loved this story, fast paced and a wonderful fun read with a bit of steam and a great happy ending. Great holiday read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,178 reviews27 followers
November 24, 2023
I loved The Grinch Next Door Book 2. Aurora just inherited a Christmas store with her sister, she will be the marketing and social media person. Meeting Paz was an unfortunate event when she moved his ladder and he fell off the roof. Fortunately, this didn’t keep him away from her. They have a chemistry and unknown to them a shared past. This is a short and sweet story, and I loved the characters. These sisters are a crack up and the men they love are bossy males. I would definitely recommend this book and the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,162 reviews5 followers
November 26, 2023
This book was so funny! I loved all of the characters and enjoyed their exploits. This book ties into The Grinch Around the Corner, also written by Kate Tilney and Lana Dash. This book is about Aurora. She and her sister have inherited a Christmas around the year shop.
Their plan is to sell, but things do not always go as planned. Aurora meets their neighbor, Paz, and at first, they cannot stand each other. Before you know it, neither one can stop thinking about the other. Now, Aurora is not so sure that she wants to sell.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for casvec.
7,458 reviews75 followers
December 2, 2023
This part of duet book and is Aurora and Paz's story.

Aurora and her sister inherited her grandmother's Christmas shop on main street. Where her sister was looking to get back to her life in the big city, Aurora like the small town.

Paz had found his place in the small town after a rough start in life. Owning the hardware store, he was always helping others out.

Aurora starts off with a fun competition between their stores, but soon their connection grows as a moment for the past is uncovered.

Great story from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,457 reviews12 followers
November 26, 2023
3An amazing Christmas story of two sisters that inherit a year round Christmas store from their aunt, but they plan to sell it. When Aurora the younger sister decided she had finally found something she was good at, and she did not want to sell. Plus, she fell for the older, hardware owner next door, Paz. When they first met they got along like oil and water, it was not long before they were dancing to a new tune.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jackie Ziegler.
1,827 reviews6 followers
November 26, 2023
What a great story. Aurora and Allegra inherit thier aunt's Christmas Shop. While Allegra really has no desire to keep in, Aurora wants to try. Aurora meets Paz, and while they get off on the wrong foot sparks start to fly. While she gets deeper in with Paz, the more she wants to stay and keep the shop. Can she convince Allegra it isn't just because of Paz and have them not sell?

I can't wait to read Allegra's story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Marichus Real.
3,518 reviews27 followers
November 27, 2023
Aurora and her sister inherited a shop. They want to increase the sales and then sell it after New Year’s.
Paz is the owner of a shop opposite Aurora’s. It all started with her moving a ladder out of her way and Paz falling down her roof. They distasted each other immediately, but at the same time, they couldn’t stop thinking about each other. He handed out fliers to increase his sales while she used the Internet to do the same.
A fun read with lovely characters that made me laugh.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,917 reviews9 followers
November 27, 2023
Aurora and her sister Allegra inherit a full time Christmas shop from their late aunt. The plan is the make an extra profitable season and sell. But the grumpy hardware shop owner next door has Aurora thinking maybe they could change their plan and stay.
Sweet, cute, fun,a little angels, a little spice and a beautiful HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,297 reviews11 followers
November 27, 2023
Second half of this duet, enjoyed how these stories were going simultaneously and you get both perspectives. Fantastic characters of an age gap romance, along with the main heroine being a sunshine princess and the main hero a grinch, opposites attract. Loved how easily he falls, and how well she changes her ways in wanting to be held accountable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Shannon  Williams.
586 reviews7 followers
November 30, 2023
I honestly Loved this Grinchy Short!
Holiday books have been lifting my spirits lately, and “The Grinch Next Door” by Kate Tilney and Lana Dash, Book 2 in the Christmas on Main series of holiday romantic novellas, just filled my holly jolly cup! The story is light and steamy, so much sweet and heat with a splash of humor that really made for an entertaining read and a great HEA. Now I need to go back and check out Book 1!
3,506 reviews
December 11, 2023
This is the book of the younger sister Aurora. She is excited about the Christmas store her aunt has left them. She has conflict and something to prove. Make amends. But trying to do serious damage to the hardware store owner is the part of the adventure. Holiday theme. Small town. No co-in-ka-dink that this is happening. good short read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Oriana Reads.
4,298 reviews37 followers
January 3, 2024
Aurora and her sister just inherited a Christmas shop in a small town. She now has finally found something that makes her happy and she feels at home. Paz is the owner of the shop next to Christmas on Main and when Aurora meets Paz sparks fly. These two bicker back and forth until they finally fall for each other. What they don't know is that they met each other years before. 😉 Instalove, sweet, steamy, fun to read, romantic and safe with a sweet HEA and no drama😍😍😍😍
Profile Image for Sarah Freilinger.
323 reviews11 followers
November 23, 2023
He is just misunderstood.
Aurora and Paz have a different meet cute. She moves a ladder and he falls off the roof. Then they make a bet and all is a draw.
This is a quick read (about an hour), but does not leave you wanting more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jacqueline Johnston Cotton.
2,220 reviews38 followers
November 26, 2023
With a mix of humor and heart this book is an amazing read. It's a grumpy/sunshine holiday romantic comedy with wonderfully characters. The storyline is fun, sweet and completely entertaining. I loved the smile this feel good romance left me with.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Charmaine Nouwen.
5,468 reviews23 followers
November 27, 2023
The Grinch Next Door is a quick,short holiday romance story of Aurora and Paz..A hardware store owner,grumpy and sexy as hell and a young woman,a vlogger and always happy..An entertaining,sweet,lovely and enjoyable romance that you will love and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Alicia.
104 reviews5 followers
December 12, 2023
The story was cute and fun, but I found the fmc to be pretty annoying haha She's an influencer, and does do some learning and growing, but scenes like one where she is dancing on the street in front of her camera are kind of cringy, and I found myself rolling my eyes and wondering why our cute grinch next door likes this girl😅
Profile Image for 3v4nny.
195 reviews
Read
December 9, 2024
it’s crazy how you could love a character in less 80 pages. like paz was just EVERYTHINGGGG he was grumpy but when it came to aurora he was the sweetest guy ever (i say that so much i realize). i liked this one more than the 1st novella because the relationship just felt more deep? idk. also their past meeting? i could cry.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
2,383 reviews8 followers
November 21, 2023
I really enjoyed the story of Arora and Paz, the first book we read about her sister, but this story had a little secret thrown in that was surprising. Paz and arora had such great chemistry, and all of that together makes this a definite must-read.
Profile Image for Debbie Benson.
9,699 reviews35 followers
November 22, 2023
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I like how Aurora and Paz get together after meeting as kids. I really like how the keychains bring everything together. A ladder and a bet only cements their romance into love.
1,169 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2023
Super sweet story

This is a really sweet holiday story with incredible characters. Two sisters finding a new life and a sweet couple finding each other and falling in love. It's so great and keeps you smiling.
Profile Image for Trixie.
5,196 reviews
November 27, 2023
I was not too fond of the FMC in the beginning, but she grew on me. I guess she needed to find her niche, and she did, with our MMC.

I loved the Epilogue and the Bonus Epilogue.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Debi Williams.
2,585 reviews5 followers
December 25, 2023
Nice Read

This was a nice read. It was Aurora and Paz’s story. It was a sweet, short and at times funny. I wouldn’t say that Paz was a Grinch. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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