My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick is a summer romance between two neighbors from completely different living conditions and backgrounds.
Samantha lives with her local politician mother in their obsessively orderly house. Their next door neighbors are the Garretts – a family with eight kids who live in a very chaotic and messy household.
After years of watching the Garretts from her bedroom window, Samantha finally meets one of them – Jase. The two fall in love, but Samantha must keep it a secret from her strict mother, who doesn't want her daughter having anything to do with the Garretts.
Over the summer, Samantha becomes close with Jase and his family… almost becoming one of them. But she also has to deal with friendship problems with her friends Nan and Tim, juggle her two summer jobs, and learn to accept her mother's new boyfriend.
When the unthinkable happens, Samantha must make a decision. Which family will she choose? Will she stick by her family or the Garretts?
I loved the romance between Samantha and Jase – they were perfect for each other. It was definitely a summer romance with depth. All of Jase's siblings were well developed and had distinct personalities.
I liked the anticipated conflict but I think it happened too far into the book, and should have happened sooner. This made the ending feel rushed. A few questions were left unresolved and I would have liked the answers for them, but every reader will have to create their own answers.
I would recommend this book for ages 15+ who want to read a summer romance.
• Find out more about Huntley Fitzpatrick on his website.
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