23 May 2012

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
June 14th, 2012 Dial Books For Young Readers
Source: Author (Thank you!)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 395
A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another

“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, 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?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.
Review:
Originally I was expecting a light, summer romance but what I got was so much more. Deep, meaningful and completely original, My Life Next Door played on my mind long after I turned the final page.
It took me a while to warm up to, but once I got through those first few introductory chapters, I grew more and more addicted and that was it, I was in love.
The Garrets – hands down the best fictional family ever created. Words can’t even begin to describe how much I love each and every one of them. It was a pleasure getting to know them as individuals and as a family. Warm, inviting, chaotic, welcoming and unique, it’s a guarantee that with the Garrets around there’s never a dull moment in sight.
Samantha is well grounded, smart, caring and a character I found easily to relate to. Jase is lovely, sweet and could be described as the nicest guy on the planet. They make an adorable couple and whilst Samantha and Jace are great as individuals, when teamed together they are unstoppable.
The romance is so delicately done, its perfection.  The thing I love is that it’s not insta-love or rushed it’s taken slow, making for a sweet and addictive romance that will leave readers breathless and wanting more. Swoon. How good you say? It had me retracing my steps just so I could re-read certain scenes!
I had heard that there was a major plot twist involved and as I made my way through the book I became anxious to know what was going to happen. I didn’t know what to expect but when the “thing” finally happened I honestly didn’t see it coming, at all.
I stayed up late, to be precise 2 o’clock in the morning, to finish this book. But before I go on let’s get something straight. I love to read, I truly do but staying up til that extent is unlike me. No matter how good the book is I normally manage to put it down and save the rest for the following morning, however once the plot twist kicked in, I just couldn’t put it down, I had to see how it was all going to end. I truly have no idea how I managed to fall asleep because after I had finished my mind was working overtime. When I finally managed to drift off, as soon as I woke up in the morning, the first thing that was playing on my mind was this book – the ending, the characters, everything!
Whilst reading My Life Next Door I found myself sighing heavily at the amazingness that is this book. Pausing for a minute, taking a breather and letting it all sink in. You know those beautiful books you want to share with the world? This is one of them.
Huntley Fitzpatrick has written a splendid debut, full of charm, wit and originality. If you’re looking for a beautiful contemporary story with a sweet, charming romance and believable characters, look no further because My Life Next Door has it all!
5/5

31 comments:

  1. Fail Brodie and her ridiculous typos. I blame it on the late hour :P *retypes comment*

    Oh Becca. You had me at 'chaotic, welcoming and unique' family and NOT INSTA-LOVE. I love when the romance is taken slow and you can actually SEE it developing and BELIEVE in it.

    And I so freaking adore when a family is done right. When they're perfect in all their imperfections and you can't help but fall in love with them.

    I was interested in this before, but now? Now that I know you stayed up until 2am just to finish reading? This is something SPECIAL. And I am SO freaking excited to read it!!

    Thank you for making me aware of how much I need this now. Amazing review! <3

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  2. Lovely review! I love it when a book makes you stay up until the wee hours! I also really enjoy shocking twists especially when I'm taken off guard with the unpredictability so I'm super curious now!!

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  3. Great review!! I really want to check this book out now and I can't wait to read it!!

    Happy reading and I am a new follower :)

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  4. You made me want to run to the nearest bookstore and grab a copy! I've been in such a reading slump lately, not really wanting to read anything. A book that is so good it makes you stay up until 2AM is exactly what I need! =) Thanks for the awesome review!

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  5. I am so glad that you loved this. I have been looking forward to reading this one and I am more excited than before. Thanks for the great review.

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  6. The cover looks amazing and I am dying to read this ever since I read the summary :)

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  7. Fanatastci review Rebecca, it's one thing to go into a book you've been wanting to read for a while to deliver, but it's something else when it gives you so much more and that it stays on your mind for days afterwards! After your 5 stars and amazing review I'm even more excited about reading it! :)

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  8. whoa..great riview,,you make me cant wait to read this book..putting it in my TBR..
    thanks for your riview,,^^

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  9. OMGF this book sounds AMAZING. I've heard so many fabulous things about it and you're just making me CRAZZYYY to get my hands on it and read it! NEED. THIS. ONE. NOW. <3

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  10. Gosh, I love the cover! I heard nothing but great reviews about this book, they got me excited and even more after I read your review. It's awesome!

    I already add the book to my TBR list and hopefully I could read it soon! (preferably a copy which I won from this giveaway LOL)

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  11. I AM SO DYING TO READ THIS BOOK!!! I have heard amazing things My Life Next Door and your review absolutely convinced me to get this book when it's out!

    Awesome review, Rebecca! <3 So glad you enjoyed it!

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  12. I have not heard of this book or author before. A wonderful review. ON my reading list.

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  13. I really like that you mention this is deep and meaningful ~ as that is the exact kind of contemp YA I am always on the lookout for (and with a decent swoon involved, of course, haha)

    Loved your review, girl x

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  14. I'm really curious about this book and I felt bad that I got denied when I requested it on NetGalley. :( I feel like it's the kind of contemporary YA that I enjoy reading - with a slow burn romance that I can root for. Also, I like the cover because I think it looks pretty.

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  15. This sounds like a fantastic read! I've already put this book on my TBR list. Looking forward to finding out the "major plot twist" you've mentioned. :) Awesome review!

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  17. AWWWWWW Becca what an AWESOME review :D This is definitely one of the books I have my eye on and your review just makes me want to read it NOW! Best fictional family ever created? What about the Weasley?

    You should me at the romance was delicately done, its perfection!

    AHHHHH so want to read this now! Great Review Becca <3

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  18. Great review! Now I really have to add this to my TBR pile~

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  19. Oooh dear, I've wanted to read MLND for so long, and your review makes me want to read it even more. Luckily it's only two weeks away lol

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  20. I have been dying to read this book for months and I am so excited that it is finally June!!! I am happy to hear that the romance is a slow burn. I also prefer a slow burn to a instalove. I can't wait to read this book and your review has made me want to read it even more.

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  21. I have been wanting to read this for so long! So excited the release date is almost here. I love when the romance is sweet and slow and I had no idea there was a plot twist!! Now I want to read it ASAP! Great review! :)

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  22. I've been really looking forward to this release!! It sounds like it's going to be one of my favorites of the year. Your review made me anticipate this read even more :)

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  23. I want this so much!

    I'm not one to stay all night reading either, but I have a great feeling about this, so perhaps it'll be better if I start in the morning? :D

    I can't wait to read that plot twist!

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  24. I have been salivating over this book since I first heard about it months ago. I looks so good and your review has me chomping at the bit even more. I didn't know there was a big plot twist, good to know, now I will have to figure out a way to not skip to the end.

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  25. Oh, you make me want to read this book now! I love books with great secondary characters, especially families. It just adds so much to stories. I'm so glad this love story is living up to the hype I've been hearing/reading about it, because I think I could love it.

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  26. You have me so excited to read this book! I'm SO glad there's no inst-love, and I really love relatable families. I recently read about one in The Summer My Life Began, and it totally adds this warm, sweet aspect to a story. I totally know what you mean about reading a book that is so amazing, you need to share it with everyone. I love it when that happens!

    - Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl

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  27. Sounds like the family is great! i'm so glad this one lives up to expectations!

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  28. This book sounds amazing! Very high on my wishlist. I love when a book ends up being deep and emotional when you're not expecting it. Thanks for sharing your review!

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  29. Oh my. You make me want to read this all the more :D I love that this is not another light read- I love light books but it's great that this is also kind of deep! And the Garett's sound wonderfully fascinating! And THERE'S A TWIST? I love twists! I cannot wait to read this fabulous-sounding contemporary book :D Fantastic review!!

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  30. This book has been on my to-read list FOREVER! I'm glad that it's been enjoyed by so many! Samantha sounds awesome and ooooOooo Jase? I need to read about him! I love swoon-worthy romances (and boys) so I will definitely be reading this book this summer!

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  31. Ooh yay! I'm so glad you liked this. What a great review. I am REALLY looking forward to reading this whenever I can snag it. I looks so cute and your review makes me even more excited! YAY!

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