Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 14, 2012
Source/Format: Bought || Hardcover
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?
My Life Next Door is an amazing summer read - and not just because of the heartfelt romance between Samantha and Jase! There are so many other things that make this book so wonderful and vibrant - and definitely worth reading.
The romance is sizzling in this book. There was an instant attraction between Sam and Jase, but it did take a while to build up and become something much more than just that. Their relationship was just such a great portrayal of what it's like being a teen and falling in love - I felt the authenticity of that shining through and that's definitely why I loved it as much as I did. That, and the fact that there were quite a few moments that had me squealing, my toes curling and my heart racing.
(P.S. If Jase exists anywhere in the world, you can be sure that I'd be falling all over myself to meet him. The guy is positively swoon-worthy!)
Like I said though, it's not just the romance that really makes this book a winner. The colorful cast of characters reeled me in and made me fall head over heels in love! Obviously, I have a lot of love in my heart for the adorable Jase and I feel for our good girl protagonist Sam, but I really loved George (one of Jase's brothers, who is absolutely adorable) and Tim (one of Sam's friends who is just so... well, it's easy to love him). Along with the rest of the Garretts, these two definitely make this story so memorable and even more wonderful.
BUT this is not just a fun summer romance to read. There are issues in this book - issues that result in a full-fledged dramatic turn of events about two thirds of the way in. I was utterly shocked by what happened - and how it was handled at first. Though it was somewhat resolved in the end, I still feel like more could have been done to fix the situation. Then again, in the real world, there may not always necessarily be a perfect solution to everything so this might actually be a pretty realistic solution.
What it all boils down to is - I loved My Life Next Door. Huntley Fitzpatrick certainly crafted one heck of a story, with characters that I won't soon forget, and it is one of my must-reads for this summer. If you haven't already gone and gotten a copy, you've got my full endorsement to go and do so RIGHT NOW.
Yes Yes Yes. To all of this!! I completely agree about the mention of how authentic Jase & Sam's love felt. It totally read as a teen falling in love for the first time type of story. It made ME fall in love all over again! haha The drama at the end was definitely hard to stomach, but you're right.. not all things in life are summed up so simply. Great review Alexa!
ReplyDeleteI agree with this review completely!
ReplyDeleteHee, George! I loved him. And Tim! I was surprised by how much I'd grown to love him by the end of the story; I never would have guessed that in the beginning.
JASE. Let's just say there's a reason I proposed marriage to him in my just-finished-the-book Tweet, LOL.
Just about every review I've read for this book has been positive. I like the sound of this being more than a fun summer read and having more depth to it. The side characters sound like a delight, too. I'm really looking forward to giving it a go soon!
ReplyDeleteEchoing everyone and saying I AGREE! Authentic is such a good word to describe Sam and Jase, it was just so good. I fell in love with the characters too, I really liked how she fleshed them out. The ending could have done more for me too but overall, this was a perfect summer read.
ReplyDeleteLike Steph already said...pretty much every review I've read for this book has been great! Originally, I wasn't really that drawn to it, but after reading all these raving reviews, how can I NOT try it?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts, Alexa! Glad you liked it! :)
You make a really great point that in life things don't tie up so nicely after a tragic event, but I just wanted there to be MORE. I didn't feel like the issue was focused on so much as what was going to happen to Jase and Sam's relationship. I liked that part, but really really wanted to have some peace after I'd finished the book and I didn't. I still felt unsettled. All that aside, I really loved the book too. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea this book was more than just a light romance. It doesn't turn me off though, I'm even more curious now. If only I had room in my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just love Huntley Fitzpatrick's name. It almost sounds fictional.
- Kat
Wooo! I'm so excited to read this one! I almost stopped and bought it today ... might order it online soon. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
I am SO getting this book! I already had it on my radar, but you've convinced me that it is a MUST HAVE! I love a good romance that has characters I can love! :) Love your enthusiasm! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't mind instant attraction at all if the relationship growth is realistic. This sounds absolutely fantastic! I've seen a lot of positive reviews for it too. If I meet Jase in Canada, I'll make sure to let you know!! haha.
ReplyDeleteAaaah! I keep hearing about the big dramatic thing so I can;t wait to read it! I bought it to read on vacation in a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteUmm, I LOVED this book. I'm so glad that you did, too! I thought that Samantha and Jase's relationship was fantastic, and I liked that the tension didn't come from not knowing whether or not they would get together, but from the two of them sticking together through tough stuff. SIGH. Such a great book! And a great review, too!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes, yes, YES!!! This book was all sorts of fabulous and I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteEvery single time I see someone else who reviewed it and loved it, I just feel like fist pumping. This book is FABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteTheir relationship is ADORABLE and WONDERFUL and all kinds of SWOONY. I think this book is just SO GOOD!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it! It really is one of the best debuts I've read this year, and I'm actually looking forward to rereading it!
ReplyDeleteOh yes! If you find a Jase, be sure to hit me up! Jase is so swoonworthy and he's the good boy type too <3
ReplyDeleteOh, it's definitely a MUST HAVE. I absolutely adored it! And I think you would love it as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for you. Anyone who hasn't experienced it yet is in for a treat!
ReplyDeleteI think we all wish we had room in our ever-growing TBR piles. This book is a fantastic one though, and I hope you make room for it ;)
ReplyDeleteI do understand the point you're making, and I agree. There could have been more of a resolution to that issue. However, it still doesn't change my opinion of the book - I loved it!
ReplyDeleteOh, I was worried going in with such high expectations, but I'm absolutely thrilled with how I felt after I read it. <3
ReplyDeleteI like how realistic the whole novel came across. I do agree with you and Magan about how the ending could have been resolved a bit more, but overall, the book is just great!
ReplyDeleteThe side characters definitely add a great dimension to this book - especially the Garretts and Tim!
ReplyDeleteAh Jase. Yes, he's the guy I would take home to meet my mom, the guy I would marry in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I will admit that I really did start loving Tim too by the end of the book!
Thanks Ginger! I absolutely adored the book and it is definitely going onto my shelf of favorites :)
ReplyDeleteSame here! I seriously loved Tim by the end of the book, which I NEVER would have guessed at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteRIGHT? I was totally not a fan at the start, but he grew on me :)
ReplyDeleteJust about every review I've read for this book has been positive. I like the sound of this being more than a fun summer read and having more depth to it. The side characters sound like a delight, too. I'm really looking forward to giving it a go soon!
ReplyDeleteEchoing everyone and saying I AGREE! Authentic is such a good word to describe Sam and Jase, it was just so good. I fell in love with the characters too, I really liked how she fleshed them out. The ending could have done more for me too but overall, this was a perfect summer read.
ReplyDelete