Book: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzaptrick
Pages: 394
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Source: Library
Short Synopsis: Samantha Reed would always watch the Garrett family next door, and secretly wished to be a part of their lives. It isn't until Jase Garrett climbs up next to Samantha and everything changes.
My Thoughts: A very lengthy read, that definitely had its moments, but there were some things that I had disliked about the novel too.
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.
--From Goodreads.
Hm. How should I start off with this one? First it felt like it took me nearly ages to complete. It didn't hold my attention as well, but I found it likable enough to keep going. One thing that kind of bugged me was the behavior of some of the characters. First is Samantha and Jase. They supposedly watch each other all these years, and no one does anything about until now? Seems a bit odd if you ask me.
Aside from the weird stalker behavior, their relationship seemed to progress rather quickly. Especially when things got a little heated between the two, and they've only known each other for a short time.
Some other major characters that come into play are Samantha's mother, Grace, and her so called boyfriend/advisor Clay Tucker, and Samantha's best friend Nan. I mention these characters first, because Fitzpatrick does an excellent job of making the reader dislike them. First Grace is a very hypocritical character. She disproves of the Garrett's as they seem to multiply like rabbits, and are very untidy and the opposite of Grace, but at least the Garrett's have a way more moral attitude than Grace, when it comes to doing the right thing. I wasn't a fan of how when Grace did something terrible, and was a major accident, she tried to cover it up like nothing happened, until Samantha did something about it.
And then there's Clay Tucker. Though he always seems nice enough, and kind, you never really know what's going to happen, and he gets on your skin like a rash. And lastly, Samantha's so called best friend, Nan. I hated how things ended their friendship, and kind of felt like it was a cop out on the author's point, almost as if she were trying to say, 'you can't have everything.' Overall, a lot happens in this novel, as Samantha, a very colorful character gets to know the loud, big, family next door, as she realizes things aren't all black and white, but finds a place where she belongs, with the Garrett's next door.
Would I recommend this book: Meh.
Rating: I give this book a 3.5/5.
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