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{Review} My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

By 6:08 pm

Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Release Date: June 14th 2012
Publishers: Dial Books For Young Readers
Pages: 394
Genre: Contemporary 
Links: Goodreads | Author's Website  | Buy the book

"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.

Review
I've read so many reviews for this novel but for some reason I never managed to pick it up but now I can finally say I've read it. If you had asked me a couple months ago whether I liked contemporary, I'd probably just laugh and look at you as if you're crazy. I hated contemporary so much because I thought it had no action or excitement but my goal is to read a wider variety of genres this year so I'm slowly breaking out of my comfort zone. 

Samantha is part of a rich and dysfunctional family and the Garretts are the complete opposite to them. For years her mum taught her to never talk to them and they have forever been a mystery to her whilst growing up. She always watched them from afar from one of her windows and wished she could be a part of them. But this summer completely changed with the first encounter of one of the boys next door.  

One thing I love about the genre contemporary is how realistic it is. My Life Next Door was so easy to picture in my mind and Huntley Fitzpatrick manages to create such a vivid image of the setting. The romance was also very realistic (to an extent) because it explores what it's like to have a first love. It shows how everything is not like in the movies and not everything is perfect. I absolutely adored Jase as the love interest. He never stops working hard even though he has to deal with a lot of family issues. I would have liked it a little more though if their relationship didn't escalate as quickly but either way it was still done well.

Samantha was a good protagonist but I can't say there was anything particularly significant about her. I found that she was easily persuaded by her mum (especially towards the end) and for some reason I found this really annoying. Samantha had such a good relationship with the Garretts and I would say even more so than her own. I found all the characters very unique in their own way and I love reading about the Garretts large family. I don't say this very often but I really hated the 'best friend'. I found her to be very selfish and was taking advantage of Samantha. I did however like her brother Tim because his character had more depth and a story to it and he was incredibly funny.

 My life Next Door was such a cute read which made me laugh and for some weird reason cry. (Very emotional!) One thing I also liked was that our protagonist was very confident of herself and we don't have the usual teenage angst. Our male lead was very swoony and loveable and this book was just perfect! Their relationship was a very loving, trusting and very mature and didn't have the usual teenage drama. I seriously recommend it if you like that summer, romance read and if you haven't added it to your TBR list...what are you doing???


About the Author

I'm the mind behind My Crazy Bookish World! I'm an Australian, teenage blogger with a passion for reading and stating my opinion!

3 comments

  1. Althea9 April 2014 at 20:48

    I'm not the biggest fan of contemporary but all I hear about this book is good things! I'll definitely be getting it to read over the Summer! Great review :) x

    http://blueskygazing.blogspot.co.uk/

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  2. rachel12 April 2014 at 08:15

    I'm glad you enjoyed this one! It's been on my wishlist for AGES! Another swoon-worthy guy?! YES PLEASE! I'm also not the biggest fan of contemporary as I find it a wee bit boring but when I read a good one, I LOVE it! If she doesn't stand up for herself to her mum, I'd probably get annoyed over it too! ;3

    Great review! :D

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  3. Jeann @ Happy Indulgence12 April 2014 at 12:39

    I haven't checked out this book yet but it's another fluffy contemporary I'm adding to the pile. Lovely review Francoise!

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