A review by briarhoes
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

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.
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