Review: Where have superhero romance novels been all my life?!? 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this new genre of writing that Zapata explored in ”When Gracie Met the Grump.” It was really easy to become fully immersed in the fictional world she created because it is modeled after our own with the only difference being the presence of superheroes. As a huge Marvel and DC Comics fan, I was immediately intrigued by the Trinity, the Zapata equivalent of the Avengers and the Justice League. Gracie’s interactions with The Defender after he crash lands in her yard slowly reveal bits and pieces surrounding the Trinity’s relation to mankind and each other, their unique abilities, and the thinking behind who they choose to save. Zapata’s choice to withhold information until the very last moment maintained a sense of mystery that kept me engaged to the very last page. 

 

Aside from the superheroes, another aspect I loved about the book was the relationship development between Gracie and The Defender. The two start out as strangers and quickly become “temporary friends” when they are kidnapped by the cartel. With The Defender out of commission, Gracie prioritizes his needs over her own to nurture him back to health and increase their chances of escape. Gracie’s willingness to care for him despite her precarious situation is what ultimately convinces The Defender to let down his walls and let her be “best friend number 20” (in actuality, she holds the number 1 spot). 

 

While he still gives Gracie a hard time on occasion with his grouchiness, The Defender proves to be a big softie by the novel’s end. I love how protective he is of Gracie, how he goes above and beyond to ensure she feels safe, and how he finds ways to make her dreams come true after living such a sheltered life. Most of all I love how Zapata took her time establishing the intricacies and depth of their friendship before gradually delving into their romantic relationship.