Love Next Door by Rachael Sommers is a sweet, contemporary romance about realising the one you want has been right in front of you for a while.
Tattoo artist Riley Foster has just moved into a new apartment and can’t keep her eyes off her new neighbor. Kim is gorgeous, outgoing, a single mum, and straight. Riley is trying not to become a cliché by falling for her. But as a friendship forms between the pair, and Riley spends more time with Kim and her son, it’s really hard to keep her growing feelings at bay.
Kim Jackson could do with more friends, so when she and Riley begin to get along so well, she enjoys getting to know her and forming a bond. It helps that Riley is great with her son Tyler and when the three of them are together, everything just feels right.
When Kim’s family starts to meddle in her love life Riley steps up and they fake date to get them off her back. But with Riley’s feelings becoming deeper every day, and Kim’s realisation that she may not be as straight as she first thought. Can this pair move from friends to lovers without ruining what they have already built?
Writing
This author has a great way of making the dialogue between the characters feel natural. I loved the conversations between 9-year-old Tyler and Riley.
Sommers also managed the slow burn with a lot of care. Kim is straight and the way she became close to Riley and then had a eureka moment about her feelings felt very genuine.
This author writes sweet, light, and fluffy very well. The pace of the book was perfect for the storyline and the intimacy that was built between the characters was truly gorgeous.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
I really enjoyed everything about this story.
The main characters Kim and Riley are extremely likable, and Kim’s son Tyler is adorable. Riley has a sweet dog called Cari, who is as much a star of the show as the other characters.
The friendship that is formed between Riley, Tyler, and Cari left me feeling all warm and fuzzy. These three quickly become a team. Tyler is a great character, he’s just the right amount of sweet, funny, and cheeky. He’s 9 and has a mischievous but innocent quality about him that made me love him.
Kim and Riley quickly become friends. They share a lot of the same values and although they have different personalities, they complement each other. They have had similar life experiences, so understand what the other has gone through. It was a real pleasure to see their relationship flourish and grow.
There is a beautiful message in this book about love and support. Riley and her sister have had to survive on their own for a long time. The way these two are there for each other warmed my heart. Kim is divorced but still has a great friendship with her ex-husband. Although her dad seems great, the rest of the family is not always very supportive. Together Kim and Riley opened up their support networks to each other, it was refreshing to have a group that got along so well and only wanted what was best for each other.
Heads Up
Transphobia is talked about.
Unsupportive, family dynamics.
The Conclusion
Love Next Door is a lovely, light, fluffy read. It’s one of those books to pick up when you’re feeling low because it is sure to make you feel better. With great main characters, and a cast of extras to get to know and love, this story is like getting a warm hug. I’m hoping for an audio for this one because it would be perfect to accompany me on walks or when I can’t read.
I really enjoyed this one. It gave me faith that there are good people out there who will do anything for the people they love. The sense of love and support that ran throughout was uplifting. The story is well-written, and the characters have depth. I fell in love with Kim, Riley, Tyler, and Cari, they just clicked, and I was rooting for them to be a family from early on. The slow-burn is very well done, and the feelings that grew between Kim and Riley felt organic and genuine. Once the romance finally blossomed it was truly beautiful, and terribly romantic. This one made me ohhh and aww a lot. A super sweet and super cute read.
Excerpt from Love Next Door by Rachael Sommers
“Can we watch the new Matilda before I have to go to Dad’s?” Tyler hoisted his skateboard higher on his shoulder as he and Kim waited for the elevator. “It’s on Netflix now.”
Kim would love nothing more. They’d never gotten around to watching it in the cinema, and the original had been one of her favorites as a kid—she hoped sharing the new one with her son would be as meaningful. But…
“It depends. Have you finished your homework?”
Tyler’s heavy sigh as they stepped into the elevator was all the answer Kim needed. Sometimes it sucked having to be a responsible parent to a nine-year-old.
“That’s a no, then?”
“I can do it after.”
“No chance. We can watch the movie after.” Hopefully, they had time before John came to get him—otherwise, they’d have to wait another week.
The elevator doors opened on the fourth floor, where a sea of boxes and furniture greeted them. The apartment next to their own had been empty for a few months since Mrs. Wood had moved into a retirement home closer to her family, and Kim hoped the new tenant would be as nice.
The boxes were marked with generic labels like kitchen and bedroom. But she did spot a giant box of records among the piles, which piqued her interest. Her own collection was gathering dust at the bottom of her closet; maybe it was time she dug them out.
A bark echoed from inside 4C as she stepped over a box and rooted around in her pocket for her keys.
Oh no.
Tyler’s head whipped around, his eyes widening, and Kim smothered a groan. He’d been pestering her for a dog ever since his best friend had gotten a puppy a few months ago. How much worse would he be if he met the one living next door?
“Mom, can we go and say hello?” He turned to her with pleading eyes.
“You have homework.” Kim pushed their front door open.
“But—”
Whatever Tyler had been about to say was forgotten as a brown and white dog bounded out of 4C and made a beeline for Tyler, nearly knocking him off-balance. The dog was half his size, and Kim tensed, hoping it was friendly.
She needn’t have worried—the dog’s tail wagged furiously, and Tyler giggled as it licked his hand.
“Cari!” A voice shouted from inside 4C, followed by hurried footsteps. “Get back here you little—oh.” A white woman rushed through the door and skidded to a stop in front of Kim and Tyler. “I’m so sorry. She slipped out.” Bending to grab the dog’s collar, the woman pulled the animal back from Tyler.
Kim got her first look at her new neighbor. Wow.
A red beanie half covered her short, blonde hair. The hat’s color matched the flush on her cheeks. She was probably in her mid-twenties, a couple years younger than Kim, and pretty, with gorgeous blue eyes. The woman’s tentative smile lingered as she readjusted her grip on the dog’s collar.
Her gray tank top revealed toned arms covered in tattoos, and Kim could see more of them on her legs through the wide gaps in her ripped jeans.
“It’s okay,” Tyler said, looking disappointed that the dog had been hauled away. “Can I keep petting her?”
Kim shrugged when the woman glanced toward her. In Kim’s eyes, the damage was already done, and she was resigned to hearing about puppies for the rest of the day.
“Sure. Though I’ll try and make her behave herself this time. Sit, Cari.”
The dog complied, her tail swishing along the wooden floor, and the woman let the collar go. The intensity of her wagging increased as Tyler approached.
“That’s a nice name.” Tyler dropped his skateboard so he could pet the dog with both hands—a high honor. The board might as well be surgically attached to his hip most days. “What breed is she?”
“She’s a mutt,” the woman said. “I rescued her off the streets, so I have no idea. Part lab, part terrier, and part spaniel, if I had to guess. I’ve thought about doing one of those doggy DNA tests to find out for sure, but I’ve never gotten around to it.”
“Well, whatever she is, she’s cute,” Tyler said, falling to his knees so he didn’t have to keep bending over.
“And she knows it.” The woman smiled. “I’m Riley,” she said to Kim, extending a hand toward her. “As you’ve probably guessed, I’m your new neighbor.”
“Really? You’re moving in?” Kim raised an eyebrow as she shook the woman’s hand. “I hadn’t noticed.”
Riley grinned. “Observation not one of your special skills?”
“I’ve been told it could use some work. I’m Kim. And seeing as he’s too busy playing with the dog to introduce himself, this is Tyler. Welcome to the building.”
“Thanks.” Riley glanced at Cari, who was lying on her back with all four legs in the air as Tyler scratched her stomach. “I think she feels at home already.”
“It certainly looks like it.”
As Riley’s fond gaze settled on Cari, Kim appraised her new neighbor and wondered what she’d be like. Kim had to admit the tattoos were cool. She’d always admired them but was too much of a wimp to get any herself. She knew some people would find so much ink intimidating, but Riley’s face was kind, her expression a little shy, and Kim had a feeling they were going to become fast friends.
Not least because Tyler would be asking to pet her dog whenever they crossed paths.
Did Riley live alone? There was no ring on her finger, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything.
Get It Online
When you use the links in this review and buy within 24 hours of clicking then we get a small commission that helps us run the site and it costs you nothing extra
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 978-3963248979
Publisher: Ylva Publishing
If you enjoyed this book then also try
Note: I received a free review copy of Love Next Door by Rachael Sommers. No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this site
