I should like to start my review of My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick with a plead. Dear fictional Garrett family, PLEASE PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE adopt me. I would fit quite well in your chaos. Y’all the buzz for Huntley Fitzpatrick’s debut is spot on. My Life Next Door is a hell of a good read, perfect for the summer time.
Samantha Reed lives a perfect, well-oiled machine sort of life. Her mom is Senator Grace Reed and so, because people are always watching, Samantha has had to live a tidy life – befriending the right sort of people, maintaining a perfect GPA and NOT being allowed to associate with the next door neighbors- the Garretts. Despite the rules, Samantha has held a fascinating for the Garretts, watching them from her rooftop throughout the years. When Jase Garrett shows up on her trellis asking if she needs to be rescued, she finds herself sucked into their messy, imperfect loving world.
It is hard to put into words my love for My Life Next Door. Based on what I had heard and rumors and tweets, I knew I would like it, but I did not expect to be head over heels in love. Yet, Huntley Fitzpatrick’s story made me cry-laugh which is not an easy feat. I vicariously fell for Jase as Samantha did. I went from flutters to anger to depression to hope. My emotions were all over the place in the best sort of way while reading.
This contemporary, this book, is exactly how I want the romances I read about to be- a slow progression with ups and downs and some HOT and heavy action. As an adult, I will say the sexytimes are tender and realistic with all the anxiety that I think if you are an adult as well, totally remember from when it was ‘new’. I love that Jase was a good guy, not the proverbial bad boy in need of saving. I liked how steady Samantha was, personality wise. I liked how well the two balanced each other out.
My Life Next Door shines as a bright contemporary – with chemistry that never felt forced and characters small and large who worm their way into your heart. Huntley Fitzpatrick is a stand out debut author and one whose career I will certainly be watching.
Disclosure: Received for Review.
Other reviews of My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick:
Hobbitsies – “I want to marry My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick”
The Reading Date – “A worthy summer read”
GReads! – “I can’t stop thinking about this book”
Angieville – “A fun and knowing portrait of family, first love, and growing up”
This one sounds so cute! I’ve heard so many good things about it and have it on my to-read list. Definitely can’t wait to read it!
Lauren, it IS super cute.
Wow, it sounds like a nice book! Thanks for the review! Also, if you have time, could you take a look at Teenage Fiction? Thanks.
It is a rather nice book. I don’t mind checking out your blog, but protip: if you want people to look at your blog it kind of helps to leave meaningful comments.
Awesome review! You’re like the 10th friend I have who’s read this book and gave it a glowing review. I have to go pick this book up.
Awww, yes you need to read it then you can be the 11th person to give it a glowing review
SO many people are reviewing this book, and they all seem to like it. Guess that’s my cue to check it out! Thanks for the review!
Oh yeah, you definitely need to take that cue.
I love reading more positive reviews of this book. I legit could not put it down to the very last page. I, too, loved Jase and Samantha and I was glad that their challenges weren’t the typical love triangle problems for once. I do wish it could have been a little bit longer at the end… that one event was such a game changer and I think I needed a bit more info to be satisfied. And their “sexytimes” together… ha ha ha … loved it so much. I think it’s probably the most realistic portrayal I’ve read in a book in a long long long time…. if ever. I can’t wait for her next book. Already.
I had SO much trouble putting it down. I thought the event changer would have been better if it was longer, I agree, but at the same time it was so hard for me to read and I was so on-edge that maybe it’s a good thing it wasn’t longer, ha ha.
Right? I am eagerly awaiting Fitzpatrick’s sophomore novel.
I can’t say enough amazing things about this book! All of the characters were so well developed (my favorite being George) and I absolutely cannot wait for more from Huntley Fitzpatrick.
Oh my godddd I just loved George and his constant questioning of everything and AH! Even Andy, his little sister was adorable, and Alice the in-charge hardass. I just love them all.
I’m glad to hear that Jase is a good guy-I generally don’t like the bad boy so that makes me even more excited to meet him so I can love his relationship with Samantha.
YES! He is so nice and kind and in all a great person. I think you’ll really like him.
This book just shot WAY up on my must-read list. I need a well-done swoony contemp right now and it sounds like this would be the PERFECT one.
YES! Now it need to shoot up to number one, and I think that this would be the best one to meet your swoony contemporary needs.
When I’m in the mood for a good Contemp, sounds like this will be the one to pick up!
Oh for sure, this is absolutely the one to grab.
This sounds like exactly my kind of book. I’ve been wanting to read it, but now it has moved way far up on my TBR. I’ll certainly be reading it soon. I’ve been all over contemps lately, expecially ones with ALL THE EMOTIONS and wonderful romances.
I feel like summer is contemporary season for me, like I just crave and want to read them.
Glad you loved this one too. I want to move in with the Garretts! And I totally agree with you that the romance part of the story was just perfect.
Life at the Garretts would be pretty awesome. And sigh, the romance, I still sigh thinking about it.
I cannot wait to read this book. I read glowing review after glowing review. It sounds fantastic.
Ashley, it is fantastic and wonderful
I’ve been hearing good things about this book. It seems like the type of contemporary romance that I’d enjoy reading – I’m a big fan of slow burn romance. Looking forward to reading this!
Chachic, I think you would love the slow burning! But, I think you might not be too keen on the book-changer.
I loved this book so much! There was a reason I picked this book as my my first Friends feature – I felt like my words just weren’t enough!
My emotions were all over the place in the best sort of way while reading.
That’s a perfect way of stating it. So true!
I WOULD SO LOVE TO BE ADOPTED BY THE GARRETTS. Except then I would be heavily crushing on my brother. So that might not be the best idea ever…
LOL, well as long as he’s not blood related. But still, I guess that is a good point.
Words really can’t describe the love for My Life Next Door.
FYI — I LOVE your friends feature.
I love how this book is getting the praise and attention that it totally deserves. I’ve read it, enjoyed it and absolutely LOVED it. The Garretts ought to exist in real life!
I know a few families like the Garretts who are wonderful, but yes they should be real life people too
Despite not being a big contemporary fan, I may need to check this one out.
YES YOU DO!
Love, love, love this one! I haven’t been able to write my review yet because I just can’t get it all down in a way that isn’t just all, ‘AHHHHHHHHHHHH! SO GOOD! I LOVE!”
It’s really hard to put into words the joy of this book.
Sigh. Wasn’t this book just swoonworthy to the max? I loved it. Jase was so fantastic, and Sam was great, too. Both had their complexities. Also, I can’t tell you how much I appreciated the LACK of triangle. Sometimes triangles are awesome, but when a real relationship is done well, I feel like there’s no need for another person to create drama because everyday stuff can be dramatic enough if its given the proper amount of attention.
And is it wrong of me to hope that Huntley Fitzpatrick’s next book is about Tim and Alice? No, right? I’m glad we agree
SO BOOKMARKING THIS REVIEW. Because THIS is what I’ve been waiting for peeps to really GET AT. My copy just arrived yesterday, so best believe I’m going to be reading it this week. ESPECIALLY because of this review. Can you make that romance sound ANYMORE amazing and melt-worthy and swoonish? GOSH. Can’t wait to dive in!
HAHAH – oh, the Garrett family! I felt the very same way. They are the epitome of amazing family. I wanted to belong. And Jase. OH EM GEE, Jase. I loved him so much. I totally agree with you – I was so happy he wasn’t the proverbial bad boy. Reading about a good, solid, amazing guy was refreshing and wonderful.