Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Title: My Life Next Door

Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick

Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: 6.14.2012

Pages: 325

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Series: No

Source: Purchased ebook

Rating: A+

Summary (from Goodreads):

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

Review:

Sometimes I feel like I read so much so fast, it all blurs together. I overlap characters and plots in my mind until they all make up one singular (albeit twisted) story. Thankfully My Life Next Door is that book that just completely stands apart from the rest. From the very first line, Huntley Fitzpatrick sucked me into her story and I was powerless to stop from falling in love with it.

There is just something so incredibly vexing about Samantha. I loved her character from the jump. She’s strong, but still has that insecure, teenage vulnerability that makes her so real. She’s misunderstood and perfectly imperfect.

Jase and the Garretts are everything you ever wanted your family to be. They’re messy, loud, loyal, loving, and understanding. I wanted to crawl into this world for no reason other than being a Garrett. I wish there was a webcam in their house to watch this family interact. They’re far from perfect, but they’re fun. Fitzpatrick’s true gift (aside from masterful storytelling) is her ability to create these wholly unique characters and bring them to life.

I am a sucker for a good romance this book has it in spades and then some. Not only is it swoon-worthy romantic, it’s also cute and angst-ridden. Samantha and Jase don’t magically get their happily ever after. I think that’s what I appreciated the most—the realistic way these two were written. Especially when they broached the idea of sex. I cannot than Fitzpatrick enough for making it all sweet and perfect. It was awkward and amusing to watch them flounder around a bit.

This is that book where I not only had the ebook, but then I hurried to get a finished copy and quickly passed it off into the hands of my friends. It’s that good. One of those books you can’t love in secret. My Life Next Door is the book I force into the hands of friends and family because I know they’ll adore it just as much as I have. So far I’ve given it to three friends and they have each devoured it in less than 48 hours.

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