Wednesday, April 24, 2013

REVIEW: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Title/Series: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
Published: June 14th 2012
Format: Hardcover | Pages: 394
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Purchased B&N
★★★★ (4/5) Stars!

Huntley Fitzpatrick | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads


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.



I think I'm feeling a bit let down by this book. I had some pretty high expectations and I was so happy with the first half and the characters were so great, with the exception of Samantha's mom of course that woman got on my last nerve, but I was so happy in the land of good books. I quite literally got about halfway through and turned a page and crap! The very next page was ripped straight down the middle vertically. I had half a frickin page. (Now I think, looking back, maybe that was a sign.) Lucky for me, I sent in an email just asking, since I was pretty sure I was either past return date or super close, if I could get a replacement book. The wonderful people at Barnes & Noble ♥ replied by sending me a shipping receipt email. So awesome! My one and ONLY issue I had with them and it wasn't even an issue. Anyway!

I was so excited to get back to Jase and Samantha's story. When I had to stop, everything was in that really great blissful spot. I mean I knew something had to happen eventually and I even knew what was going to happen to pull the rug out from under me. I think part of my problem was I just got so attached to the Garrett family, that the thought of something happening to any of them just broke my heart. They were such awesome people, especially little 4 year old George. I adored that boy and every scene he was in I just wanted to reach into the book and snuggle him!

Even as prepared as I was, the way everyone in the Reed family handled it was seriously inexcusable. I feel it the most with Samantha, I expected it from her mother. And then...it just kind of ended. It was like this big huge life altering thing happens and then once it's all out in the open it's just over, and I'm left sitting here thinking "Umm...that's it?" Had there been a more substantial ending I'd be sitting here singing it's praises and feeling more satisfied. As it was, I don't necessarily dislike the book I loved a good portion of it and it was worth reading, almost for the Garrett family alone!

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