Scan barcode
A review by caffeinatedromancereader
Next To You by Hannah Bonam-Young
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really liked this one! Lane and Matt met throughout their friends and on NYE was their second time meeting. They share a moment but then Lane makes sure she friendszones him because she doesn't have that level of commitment in her.
Lane is living with grief, anxiety and guilt. She truly believes that she doesn't deserve to be happy. There is a lot that she needed to work through. Sometimes I wanted to shake her and yell "go to therapy!" But healing isn't linear and we see Lane work through the stages to be open to therapy.
Matt was so in love with Lane! He would do anything for her and was the sweetest. I felt bad for him sometimes because a love that doesn't reciprocate is so hard to watch.
Seeing their relationship go from friends to a lil more to being completely in love was so sweet. A lot of times it was an uneven relationship with Matt always doing the bending to make Lane happy, but seeing her realize that she's been selfish with not only Matt but her family and friends was refreshing. It is a relationship that was hard fought and that is beautiful.
Lane is living with grief, anxiety and guilt. She truly believes that she doesn't deserve to be happy. There is a lot that she needed to work through. Sometimes I wanted to shake her and yell "go to therapy!" But healing isn't linear and we see Lane work through the stages to be open to therapy.
Matt was so in love with Lane! He would do anything for her and was the sweetest. I felt bad for him sometimes because a love that doesn't reciprocate is so hard to watch.
Seeing their relationship go from friends to a lil more to being completely in love was so sweet. A lot of times it was an uneven relationship with Matt always doing the bending to make Lane happy, but seeing her realize that she's been selfish with not only Matt but her family and friends was refreshing. It is a relationship that was hard fought and that is beautiful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent