Review: The Roommate Mistake by Pippa Grant (Copper Valley Pounders #2)

Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author.

We're back in the fictional small town I can't get enough of--Copper Valley in Virginia--with the second novel in Pippa Grant's Copper Valley Pounders series. From hockey to baseball, and now, to rugby, this town embraces its sports and the people involved. The Roommate Mistake is a grumpy/sunshine, strangers-to-roommates-to-friends-to-lovers, forbidden romance headlined by thirty-year-olds Holt Webster and Sigourney Jane (more popularly known by her nickname, Ziggy--and no, she looks nothing like the titular character from the comic strip which was one of my favorites growing up) Barnes. He's the captain of the Copper Valley Pounders, the town's professional rugby team, and she's a chef and sommelier making the transition from working on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean to being back on land. Oh, and Ziggy just happens to be pregnant, courtesy of a hook-up with a random Italian stranger. 

While she's grateful that her parents are more than willing to do whatever they can to help, there's no way she wants to live in the same house as them, especially on Naked Tuesdays. *shudder* So, when the hot security guy at the catering event that led to her getting fired offers her an opportunity to house AND dog sit for him while he plays lacrosse in Spain, she decides to bite the bullet. She has a place to stay for a few weeks, but then, Holt returns earlier than expected, no thanks to a broken foot. It would be easier for her to leave his grumpy, albeit hot, behind, but it's clear he needs someone with him--and there's something about Holt that calls to her. She never expected to fall in love with his dog--or to fall in love with him, and it's pretty clear that the feeling is mutual. He's sweet, protective, and puts her and her baby first. There's just one problem: he doesn't play lacrosse; he plays rugby. And the owner of the Pounders? Her stepfather, who's got a zero fraternization policy between his daughters and the players.

This was such an engaging read! Grumpy/sunshine is one of my top romance tropes, and for good reason. I love seeing how the main characters, who are outwardly seem to be such opposites, find common ground and balance each other out as they get to know each other and have their relationship evolve as their story progresses. Ziggy and Holt were wonderful together, and I was wholly invested in their happily-ever-after. Standing up for one another and the life they were building made me want to stand up as well and applaud. Fletcher and Goldie were total #couplegoals, but Ziggy and Holt are giving them a run for their money. I'm also eager for the next book in the series because I have a sneaking suspicion I know who the main characters are going to be. Fingers crossed! I laughed heartily and I loved wholeheartedly--and I may have even gotten teary-eyed on time--with The Roommate Mistake. Five stars!

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Read my reviews for the Copper Valley Pounders series:

Until It Was Love (book one) - five stars - My Review

The Roommate Mistake (book two) - five stars - My Review (posted above)

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Release Date: 06 February 2025

Date Read: 03 February 2025

Learn more about Pippa Grant.

Pre-order The Roommate Mistake on Amazon.