You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
"Love Next Door" by Rachael Sommers is a delightful, angst-free tale that beautifully illustrates how love might be closer than one expects – perhaps just next door.
The first time they met Kim and Riley met, they were just neighbors where Kim’s son was fond of Riley’s dog. Soon, they became friends. Friends who go to rock concerts, watch a medical drama, see soccer plays, and fake date each other to get Kim’s mother to stop harassing Kim for her single status and life choices. But… what happens when the line between fake and reality gets blurred? Could love be much nearer than they thought it was?
This book is a charming choice for readers who appreciate the slow, steady build of a relationship, witnessing how two individuals seamlessly integrate into each other's lives and provide unwavering support. I also enjoyed how the author portrayed the interaction between Tyler and Riley, since when a person with a child dates someone, one of their important standards is their child and lover’s interaction and compatibility. And the author nailed it here. The way Riley cares about Tyler as her own family melted my heart and gave more sound reasons why Kim fell in love with Riley.
However, as a person who needs challenges and twists and turns in the story, this book was sweet, yet too bland. Everything was too smooth sailing, unlike reality, though some might say that is the reason why people read books (which is true too!). It is probably a matter of preference, so I give this book a total rating of 4 stars. Perfect for a day of reading without angst and full of supporting love.
I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
The first time they met Kim and Riley met, they were just neighbors where Kim’s son was fond of Riley’s dog. Soon, they became friends. Friends who go to rock concerts, watch a medical drama, see soccer plays, and fake date each other to get Kim’s mother to stop harassing Kim for her single status and life choices. But… what happens when the line between fake and reality gets blurred? Could love be much nearer than they thought it was?
This book is a charming choice for readers who appreciate the slow, steady build of a relationship, witnessing how two individuals seamlessly integrate into each other's lives and provide unwavering support. I also enjoyed how the author portrayed the interaction between Tyler and Riley, since when a person with a child dates someone, one of their important standards is their child and lover’s interaction and compatibility. And the author nailed it here. The way Riley cares about Tyler as her own family melted my heart and gave more sound reasons why Kim fell in love with Riley.
However, as a person who needs challenges and twists and turns in the story, this book was sweet, yet too bland. Everything was too smooth sailing, unlike reality, though some might say that is the reason why people read books (which is true too!). It is probably a matter of preference, so I give this book a total rating of 4 stars. Perfect for a day of reading without angst and full of supporting love.
I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I liked that this book has a trans character and her being trans is hardly mentioned at all. She is treated like any other woman. Her identity is relevant to one of the main character's back story though in a way that is relevant and not just token representation.
I enjoyed the boook well enough.
It was good and the chemistry between everyone was there. It took time to build so it felt organic enough!
However: it was pretty weird how the author would mention the skin type of the character just for the sake of doing it and also the adjectives. For instance: there was something like “white, pale skin” something like that, but there were other ones and then would just say “Black men arrived in the store”. Like it’s good to know there’s other characters however there was never any follow up 🤷🏽♀️ . I don’t know how to explain it but seemed to mention race just for the sake of doing it.
Secondly, it may be because I’m listening to the audio, but it was pretty difficult to know what’s “POV” was. Only like few sentences it would you realise that it’s changed.
It was good and the chemistry between everyone was there. It took time to build so it felt organic enough!
However: it was pretty weird how the author would mention the skin type of the character just for the sake of doing it and also the adjectives. For instance: there was something like “white, pale skin” something like that, but there were other ones and then would just say “Black men arrived in the store”. Like it’s good to know there’s other characters however there was never any follow up 🤷🏽♀️ . I don’t know how to explain it but seemed to mention race just for the sake of doing it.
Secondly, it may be because I’m listening to the audio, but it was pretty difficult to know what’s “POV” was. Only like few sentences it would you realise that it’s changed.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
When Bea Foster tells her sister/roommate, Riley, that she wants her girlfriend to move in with her, Riley finds another apartment. As Riley and her dog Cari are moving into their new home, she meets her next door neighbor, Kim, and her nine-year-old son Tyler. It doesn’t take long for Tyler to fall in love with Cari thus drawing the two women into a friendship. It also doesn’t take long for Riley to become attracted to Kim and to begin telling herself not to be attracted to a straight woman.
Sommers has written a sweet romance between two strong women. Kim is clueless about her attraction to Riley and Riley is struggling with her attraction to Kim. The story moves along at a spritely pace and, thankfully, there is very little angst involved. The two main characters are well drawn and likeable. The secondary characters, except Tyler, remain amorphous throughout the book, but then they don’t play a major role in the story either.
If Sommers is an author new to you, start with this book and you’ll be a fan for a long time.
My thanks to Ylva and NetGalley for an eARC.
Sommers has written a sweet romance between two strong women. Kim is clueless about her attraction to Riley and Riley is struggling with her attraction to Kim. The story moves along at a spritely pace and, thankfully, there is very little angst involved. The two main characters are well drawn and likeable. The secondary characters, except Tyler, remain amorphous throughout the book, but then they don’t play a major role in the story either.
If Sommers is an author new to you, start with this book and you’ll be a fan for a long time.
My thanks to Ylva and NetGalley for an eARC.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny, Lesbophobia
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Enjoyed this book. Likable characters, cute kid. Even the ex-husband wasn’t to bad.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced