Book Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Title: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Format: eBook (Kindle)
Genre: Contemporary YA
Source: Personal Purchase
Published: June 14th 2012 by Dial Books For Young Readers
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
From Goodreads.com
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.
Huntley Fitzpatrick has a beautiful story to tell, and it’s one of the most fantastic coming of age tales I’ve read. A story of a first love, made of all the stuff first love should be. Hot, passionate, forgiving. A girl, at odds with her mother, her best friend and her attempts to figure out how to handle a crisis. Inside these pages, you’ll find love, courage and acceptance in places you’d never expected.
A few months ago, My Life Next Door showed up on my computer screen with it’s gorgeous cover and gushing reviews. I was hesitant to pick it up, I mean the last time a book like that came along? I DNF’d. And I so badly wanted to love this one. Fortunately? The reviews were right and I was absolutely not disappointed.
It’s rare that I find characters in a book that I feel such a strong connection with, like I do with Jase and Samantha. (And the rest of the cast for that matter!) I was a bit nervous about insta-love, but it wasn’t that way at all. Sure, Samantha and Jase just met, but there is a depth to their romance that just makes you swoon! And her best friend, Nan? May be the only character I don’t care for – but that story line works itself out in a way that pushes the storyline along.
I feel like I could gush on and on about this one, but guys? Just go grab it and read it for yourself! Clear your calendar, because My Life Next Door is without a doubt, my favorite YA read of 2012! Fans of Jessi Kirby and Stephanie Perkins will find themselves head over heels in love with Huntley Fitzpatrick and her writing.
