My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Goodreads

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

Amazon

Samantha Reed seems to always do the right thing. She follows the rules and is the daughter who doesn't cause trouble. Her father left them behind and her mother has taken care of her and her sister the best she could. However, this summer her mother is not behaving as usual. She's in politics, running for reelection and she has a new guy in her life. But, she is not the only one changing, Samantha is doing it too. 

From the moment the Garretts moved next to her house, Samantha has watched them. She knows most of them by site.  She has been told by her mom to stay away from them. "They are loud, have too many kids, their toys are everywhere, their grass is not cut perfectly, and so on". But, when Jase Garrett approaches her, the next thing she knows, she's spending time with him and with his family. He's not what she was expecting and he makes her feel important. He listens to her and he makes her feel things she hasn't before. This doesn't last, a devastating event affects their lives and soon Sam is the one hiding something from him and she has no idea where to turn for help.

I really liked the flow of the story. Love the way Sam and Jase came together. Sam did seem to have everything except a warm family. Most of the time I felt like her mother was too cold and later on delusional. I did feel like Sam was trying to keep Jase as a secret and until Jase called her on it, she was happy continuing to keep him hidden, almost like she was ashamed. Jase, what can I say about him? He was just amazing. A great son, brother, friend and boyfriend. He was smart, sweet, loyal and I wish he was real. I was rooting for his success from the first moment he showed up in the novel.  

I was surprised how much I ended up liking Tim. I'm happy his story is out there too. 

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs