A review by lilbookbee
Next To You by Hannah Bonam-Young

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

I knew going in that reading this book was probably going to poke at a few of my soft spots. When I sent the description of the book to a couple of my friends, one of them asked me if I had secretly written if and one of them asked me if it was a good idea for me to read it. 

As I started it, it almost felt masochistic of me to keep pushing through. Not because it wasn't good (it was very good), but because so much of it hit close to home. The relationships, the FMC, the family stuff, it all felt especially relevant and poignant.

I really did love this book. The relationship growth was so sweet, the smut was deliciously hot, and the plot was interesting. I was excited to read more every time I picked it up. It made me cry a few times, sometimes from genuine personal sorrow, sometimes in a more cathartic way.

Hearing all this, you might wonder why this isn't a 5 star read for me. It was going to be. It got so close.
But the absolutely ridiculous DOUBLE PROPOSAL after the two MCs had never officially dated and had been separated for like three months felt SO wrong. I was immediately flabbergasted and confused. I couldn't FATHOM that being a logical choice.
It really took me out of how connected I had felt to the FMC. It didn't make sense and I hated the decision.

Overall though, I really loved this book. I will definitely remember it and will be recommending it to friends.
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