Comforting the Grump (Forestville Silver Foxes Book 5) by Nora Phoenix


Have you been waiting for Marnin's HEA since the beginning of the Forestville Silver Foxes series, or are you dreading what you might find in Comforting the Grump?


From the blurb:

I don’t do emotions or romantic entanglements.


My life is simple: I work hard and I play hard, with anyone willing. I’m not discriminatory. And then I go home…alone.

Until my body decides to stop cooperating. Nothing is stirring anymore, and it scares me to death.

While navigating this issue, support comes from an unlikely source. Ennio, my best friend’s little brother, is sweet and sassy but also stubborn in his decision to be there for me. He’s the vibrant glittery sunshine to my grumpy black heart.

I don’t need him, of course, but I can’t deny it’s nice to have him around to comfort me. He has his own challenges to deal with, and somehow, we become friends. With excellent benefits.

But I’m not the right man for him. I’m too old, too dark, too set in my ways, Right?

Comforting the Grump is a small town, age gap MM romance in which the grumpiest grump falls for his best friend’s sunshiny little brother. This gay romance novel is the fifth book in the Forestville Silver Foxes series, a contemporary small town MM romance series featuring hot silver foxes and the men who fall in love with them. Each book can be read as a standalone.


Molly Otto's Review:

Marnin has not had what you called an easy life, but he has found a way to cope and persevere. He may be blunt, but he's a beautiful soul who will do anything and everything for those he cares for. When Ennio loses his job, he turns to Marnin for a place to stay and start afresh. These two build a bond so strong it's no surprise. Ennio is the one to break those barriers Marnin has constructed to protect himself from further pain. These two are just so dang beautiful together that it's no surprise they will make each other better and able to thrive. With the help and support of the Forestville community, they move forward and are able to see the other side.

I'm not going to lie. I was apprehensive at first to read Marnin's story he just wasn't my cup of tea. Then you see him for who and why he is and you get it. You get it all and hope that when he finds his person, he can be who he was always meant to be. Have loved each of these stories, yet this one hits different, it's more powerful and just an amazing read. If this is what 2025 is going to look like from Nora, we are in for an amazing journey once again this coming year.


KjnRose's review:

Comforting the Grump is the fifth book in the Forestville Silver Foxes series, each can be read as a standalone but are so good I suggest just reading them all. This is an age gap, grumpy/sunshine, small town read about Marmin and Ennio. I loved the storyline and the wonderful characters. I have really been enjoying this series so much.


Rogue's review:

- series
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Best friends brother
- Found family

This is part of the Forestville Silver Foxes series, it can be read as a standalone but I think would be better enjoyed as part of the series. This is Marnin and Ennio's story, and Ennio is the aforementioned best friend's brother. Both MCs are older, Marnin in his late 40s by the time of this story. There are some mentions of child neglect and abuse, historical, so do heed the warnings.

There's a remarkable lack of angst here, which I actually found really refreshing. Marnin and Ennio have known each since childhood, but only start becoming friends when Ennio asks to stay with Marnin at the start of this book. I loved the friendship the two built, before even getting involved at all. I also loved how they were exactly on the same page all the way through, and I loved how honest Marnin was with his friends, not hiding anything. There's a fair amount of heat too, these two know what they like and go for it and the whole thing is angst free.

It's a great story to wrap up a series I've really enjoyed, and Marnin's story was definitely worth waiting for.


Angel's review:

When Nora said in the interlude that the story might make you cry, I was skeptical.. I should've took her warning more seriously because Marnin and Ennio definitely made me tear up a bit.

Comforting the Grump is a beautiful romance story that really highlights found family, and what support from someone can really do to a person's well-being. I loved how bright Ennio is throughout the whole story, he is a radiant ray of sunshine who may trust too easily, but that's because he always tries to see the good in people. Even though Ennio kept getting knocked down in different ways, he kept persisting. He was determined to get back up again, and I loved his tenacity!

Him with Marnin was also fantastic! Since I'm describing Ennio as a ray of sunshine then I'll describe Marnin as a storm cloud. He's a bit of a grump who's sworn off of feelings, he doesn't believe he is made for a loving relationship.. but with Ennio by his side he realizes that he's had loving relationships most of his life. Sure the people who gave him his DNA were awful, but his true parents, the ones who raised him, showed him what true love really is. And the moment when Marnin realizes that himself?!? Cue tears! The scene where he goes from calling Auden's dad "Sheriff" to calling him dad was also another moment when tears were welling up. It was just so sweet!! Especially because throughout the story we really get to see Marnin's character grow, evolve, and adapt.

Ennio and Marnin may have started off as friends with benefits but they became so much more to each other. These two just work together so beautifully. Marnin is the calm, steady, analytical one, and Ennio is the happy go lucky, fun, whimsy one. They compliment the other so perfectly! I really enjoyed this story, it's full of love in many forms, and I loved how found family was highlighted in here.


Heather's Review:

I've been waiting for this book since the beginning of the series.. Marnin always struck me as the one with the most interesting backstory from their group and the most interesting hangups... and I wasn't wrong!

I appreciate the way that Ennio looks beyond what others might see and connects with Marnin's fears and wants on a different level...

The way Nora Phoenix peels away the layers of pain and isolation that make up Marnin's walls we get to see his vulnerability - and I love how Ennio wears a lot of his hurt right up front, but stays positive and makes his decisions based on his own needs and wants, but takes Marnin into consideration too...

I've loved all of the Silver Foxes and their HEAs, but for me, Marnin's is the most satisfying story yet...


Comforting the Grump is currently available as an e-book

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