Reviews with content warning for Car accident - My Life Next Door

I've read this book twice now - once years ago, and once just last month. I had forgotten I even had read it, since the title and cover made me confuse it for other books, ones that were charming, but predictable, and a little formulaic. This isn't to knock casual teen romances at all, but rather to say - this is not that kind of book. My Life Next Door has a depth and a vitality to it that thrums through the pages, bringing even the most minor characters to life in a way that makes me feel like I'm sitting right there in the Garrett's living room with them. The banter between characters flows well, isn't corny (to me), and reading this book feels like hearing a story from someone I actually know. The situations presented are realistic and relatable, and I found a lot of my own experiences reflected in all sorts of characters, leaving me more invested than I expected. There's Jace, the romantic lead, who hides his anxiety and depression about not being able to afford college as only the third (?) oldest, and not knowing what his four younger siblings are supposed to do, all while loving his large family and defending his parents' decision to have a lot of children. There's Sam, chafing under the pressure of her local celebrity mother, growing more unsettled and unsatisfied with her life as her mother falls further into right wing politics and becomes someone she suddenly can't recognize. There's Tim, struggling with addiction, and his sister Nan, struggling with academic pressure. Eldest daughter Alice seems to run away from being forced to become a second parent to her many younger siblings, but chooses to become a nurse, suggesting she likes to take care of others on her own terms. Everyone in this book is a real person whose personality and motivations can be inferred easily if you simply pay attention to them, and it's a beautiful thing.

This is less a love story than a coming of age story, but the love between Sam and Jace acts as a necessary through line with all of the events that take place. It's nice to see such a solid, healthy relationship depicted in teen romance, surprising me with how respectful and communicative the two of them are in age appropriate ways. They don't have clinical conversations about sex, but they shyly discuss it in roundabout ways and buy condoms together comfortably with only a little embarrassment and a lot of joking. The act itself is tastefully handled, as is their eventual conflict. Everyone's perspective is given fair attention. Frankly, I think more teen and YA media should follow in the footsteps of Ms. Fitzpatrick, because this book - and the sequel, which I remember reading but haven't in a while - are very well done and would be good for teens to read and absorb.

I was pleasantly surprised by the issues tackled in this book, which on the surface appeared to be one of a million of its kind. It's one of my favorite books I've read and both times has left me with a warm, satisfied feeling. I'm surprised it was only her debut. Well done.

Content Warnings

janaya's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

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asteriareads's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Great coming of age story with family and friendship dram. I only wish there was an epilogue or more action to the last chapter to round off the characters relationships.

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bellreads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

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jenna_justi2004's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Wow. I absolutely despise and loath the mother.

Im so glad she lost her job I hope she’s not able to get a house ever. I hope the mom sues her for all the money she has.

Fucking bitch. But besides the piece of shit excuse of a mother, I like Samantha and Jases relationship. It was so authentic and real. I loved the kids energy, made me happy. Very fast paced. Overall good, might read more by her

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shaylee_reads's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Ratings:
Plot:⭐⭐⭐/5
Writing:⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Overall:⭐⭐⭐/5
Sadness:💧/5
Romance:❤️❤️❤️❤️/5
Tropes: The boy next door and secret romance
Content Warnings: Drug and alcohol abuse, Drunk driving, hit and run manipulative partner, and Medical trauma

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick is about Samantha Reed who seems to have the perfect life as the senator's daughter compared to her next-door neighbor the Garretts a large family of ten, who her mother highly disproves of but Samantha can’t help but watch their family from her window. When Jase Garrett climbs up her terrace and they get to know each other and everything changes.

This book was extremally popular a few years ago and I never really planned on picking it up but the other day GoodReads had recommended it to me and the next day I had found it at a second-hand book store near me and I decided it was fate and that I had to get it and honestly I don’t regrate it.
I actually quite enjoyed this book, it’s a very cute and sweet romance that is perfect for summer (I kinda wish I had read it during summer and not during winter) and I absolutely loved the love interest Jase, he was so incredibly sweet and honestly just the perfect boyfriend.
I also loved and appreciated that the author didn’t shy away from talking about sex. Not to repeat myself from my Just One Day by Gayle Forman review but a lot of YA books don’t really talk about sex which is weird seeing that teenagers are probably the people that think about it the most and more prevalent in their life. I don’t think that YA authors need to have graphic sex scenes in their books but I don’t think they need to shy away from it as much as they do.

There were a few things that I didn’t like, the main one being a lack of plot. In the first hundred pages or so, there wasn’t a ton happening and it was kinda slow. I also wish we got more closer with Sam and Nan’s relationship, it just kinda felt unfinished and I wish we had seen Sam get closer and move on from losing her best friend.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this book, I’m glad that I picked it up. The writing was great (I plan on reading more of the author's works) and I loved the romance and Jase has officially made my book boyfriend list.

Content Warnings

karlisimp's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Love love love! Another perfect YA romance read with a great ending

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