Title: I've Got a Crush on YouAuthor: Lauren Blakely
Series: Darling Springs #2
Pages: 432
Publication Date: July 28, 2026
Publisher: Cosmo Reads
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary
Synopsis:
My secret workplace romance starts innocently enough at a birthday party.
But when a rowdy partier knocks me into a lake and a sexy stranger comes to my rescue – my night becomes one to remember.
A night so steamy I almost forget why I’ve sworn off men after a failed workplace romance.
Trouble is, the brand new doggy daycare in Darling Springs that I’ve contracted with is owned by none other than my sexy stranger. Thanks, fate.
Sawyer turns out to be a total grump in a tailored suit, no matter how sunshine-y I am. Even when he squeezes that hard body past me as I bring donuts to work. Or when he pretends he’s not roaming his dark eyes over me as I teach Fido to sit, stay and come.
But I’m focusing on my shiny new future—my dog-training business is suddenly the hottest thing in town, thanks to a new actress client. And when I’m roped into a charity dance number, I smell an opportunity, especially when I learn my hot landlord has an alter ego and a fandom.
Turns out Mr. Serious Boss is up for dance lessons.
Then the entire Dirty Dancing experience.
Giving into our chemistry once won’t hurt. Two might be pushing it. By the seventh, it’s undeniable–I’ve got a crush on him too.
This was a quick and spicy, low-stakes contemporary romance with lovable characters, both human and canine. It includes some of my favorite romance tropes and was overall an entertaining read. I’m always a sucker for a grumpy/sunshine relationship, and Chloe and Sawyer fit those roles perfectly. Add in a small-town setting full of gossip, a secret relationship, plenty of humor, and lots of adorable dogs, and it ended up being a fun read. I also enjoyed the way their careers brought them together. Chloe’s dog-training business and Sawyer’s doggy daycare naturally overlap, especially since Chloe’s renting space in Sawyer’s daycare, forcing them to spend time together professionally even when they are trying to keep their personal relationship at arm’s length.
Both main characters are layered with traumatic relationships in their past that definitely affect their present. Chloe is warm, optimistic, and easy to like, while Sawyer’s more serious and guarded personality makes for a nice contrast. I liked seeing both of them pursue careers they were passionate about, and it was easy to see how much they cared about the dogs in their charge. I also liked some of the secondary characters, especially Chloe’s bffs and Sawyer’s sisters. There are many strong, independent, and successful women in the story, and I like the messages of female empowerment. The supporting cast adds a lot of charm to the story, and the close relationships between the characters help create a strong sense of community. And I like that the people around Chloe and Sawyer genuinely wanted what was best for them, even when they occasionally meddled a bit.
I had mixed feelings about the romance. Chloe and Sawyer had amazing chemistry, and their spicy times were very steamy. I feel like in some ways they were so deeply connected, and in others they were miles apart. Their shared love of animals adds another layer to their connection, but there were a couple of times when I felt like they gave up too easily, and I wished they had fought a little harder for each other. Much of their issues really stem from lack of communication, misunderstandings, not being in touch with their own feelings, and fear of being vulnerable in love again. There were times when this frustrated me, especially because I liked their tender moments and when they were open and trusting with each other. That said, I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. I also liked that neither character was perfect and that both had emotional baggage they needed to work through before they could fully embrace a future together.
Overall, this was a fun, steamy romance with plenty of lovely moments, and I’d definitely be interested in returning to Darling Springs for more stories in this world. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
- grumpy x sunshine
- small town
- one night stand
I can’t tell what color her eyes are. Green? Maybe hazel? I’m not sure, but I want to be.
You can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
