I Kissed the Boy Next Door

by Suzanne D. Williams

There’s a new boy next door. Then again, not so new. Because to Lucy McKinsey, he’s a face from her past and a childhood memory of summer camp and a dare. Kiss Jackson Phillips. But what a fourteen-year-old would do to impress her friends, changes in three years. Right?

Maybe not.

Yet this time Jackson isn’t the same as he was. He’s taller, more handsome, and far wiser. What is the pain that he carries inside? And can something as simple as a well-meant kiss cure the boy next door?

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Ebooks, Teen

ebook

First published April 6, 2013

About the author

Best-selling author, Suzanne D. Williams, is a native Floridian, wife, mother, and photographer. She is the author of both nonfiction and fiction books.

www.feelgoodromance.com
www.suzannedwilliams.com
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Reviews

[Mackenzie · Rating 1 out of 5]

SPOILER WARNING:

I almost quit reading a couple times but the phrase "it's only a novella" kept running through my mind. When I was thirteen, I might have liked it. I didn't care as much about character and relationship development back then. That was back when I was a big fan of R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. The main character always quickly falls in love with a boy she barely knows in that series, just like in this story. Then I suppose another strike against this story was that I wasn't a fan of Lucy. I get that she was supposed to be a daring free-spirit with a heart of gold but she didn't quite pull it off. At one point, she admits without shame that she usually pulls random stunts that upset people but she doesn't really care because she knows they will forgive her. She reflected on this as she considered deliberately misleading people into believing that she and Jackson where making out all over the place... just for kicks... I don't find that to be an adorable character trait. Of course I will admit she does have some redeeming qualities but mostly I think she just wasn't well written. The final strike was the end. The author apparently doesn't believe in sex before marriage, which is totally fine, but she does believe in solving the problem by getting married at 18.

I suppose it's possible that I'm being too hard on this book, but I don't think so.

[Kaela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoilers...
SHORT AND NOT SO SWEET.

Ok, so I'm three quarters finished and I want to like it but im not so sure. I feel like this book is a race and the author is trying to finish in 1st place. It is sooo rushed, to the point where it's turning me off of reading the rest. I understand that when they were 14 she was dared to kiss him, but then they went their separate ways without even so much as a word, not to mention that there was no intro for the relationship before the dare kiss and they lived in the same town. For all we know they had only seen eachother in passing, which would be fine except for the fact that he comes back to town, moving in next door and 4 days later they are declaring love to eachother. It just doesn't seem realistic. Well let me read the end so I can finish this review....
Hmm, although the ending was semi-cute, as a whole it just didn't do it for me. it could've been soo good and I think that is why Im so disappointed. Suzanne had a great thought process, but she could've put more into it. I do realize that its a novella, but that doesnt mean it has to lack quality. Also the main characters didn't seem like 17/18 year olds. I felt like they were still off in tweensville with the way they acted/thought being very immature.

[Amy Magaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love at First Pucker

“I Kissed the Boy Next Door” is a delightful, snappy, young adult read that is awesome. What I particularly like about the heroine of this story, is that she is brazen and bold right from the beginning. Most leading females of these quickie romances are so timid and are spend the whole book trying to muster up the courage to talk to the guy of interest. This gal just walks up and kisses the gorgeous guy square on the lips, on a dare of course! This act seems to empower her for the next three years. She seems to have no fear.

This novella teaches us that we never know how our actions will affect others-either for good or bad. Lucy’s actions in the prologue created a lasting effect on Jackson. I also like the fact that the book teaches forgiveness and through God’s Word shows us the sin of Prejudice. It also highlights on the dangers of gossip! These are lessons for young people and adults as well!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella! The ending was something of a surprise. I liked it, but I would have liked it better if Jackson would have revealed a little more of his plan, but perhaps Ms. Williams is holding out for the sequel! I will definitely be first in line to read that!

I definitely recommend this book!

[Marla Mei · Rating 1 out of 5]

There were parts that I liked and others that I didn't like so that leaves Marla confused. Oh, well. Well, anyway, this is only a novella so not much big of a deal at all.

There were some cute moments but I think the two protagonists' love story was a bit rushed. I mean, who the hell tells "I love you" to each other after only being together for four days? Four freaking days! That's just crazy! Craaazyy.

What I did like was that the relationship between the two characters is all wholesome and all, with minimal kissing, no butt-groping make-out sessions and no sex. It's very rare for a YA novel to be this wholesome now.

I also loved the fact that the author did put some bible verses here and some godly messages about forgiveness and stuff. The half star goes to that. I'm a Christian, so books that spread God's word are a big deal to me. (I get that the author may be a Christian, too, so why the friggin hell did she make the characters say 'I love you' to each other after four days? Sorry, I just couldn't let this thing go.)

Okay. That's all. Bow.

[Beezy · Rating 1 out of 5]

i finished the book and until the end I realized this is a (partially) Christian book or at least written by a Christian person and LOL

the story is short and all I could think about was: ah, two horny teens, so boring.

I'm not kidding. they're checking each other out, he sees her naked, he's always looking her legs, chest, butt... and also the family dynamics are weird. there's a scene I'm still confused because of her brother... was he looking at her? uh gross.

seriously this is a weird thirst trap. she's so sexualized and then at the end she's like uwu I can't live with you that goes against the Bible uwu

HA. HA.

I remember years ago I watched a Christian YouTuber who said Christian YA fiction was very sexual and even more tempting that ""secular "" books and THIS ONE IS ONE OF THEM

I hope I'm the only loser reading underrated (well deserved underrating status) books but if there is a Christian person looking for a clean book RUN AWAY FROM THIS AUTHOR

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

She kissed him on a dare when she was 14. Three years later, he is the boy next door. How did that camp kiss play into their late teens? Jackson comes with a lot of baggage that really isn't all his, but affects him deeply. Lucy tries (sometimes too hard) to help him through it. Teen years are hard. This book shows there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[Suzanne Cattanes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fluffy light romance

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok read

[Aish Doromal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf at 30%

Way too Christiany for me

[Princess Bookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Thoughts: I always go into these kind of books hoping to love them to pieces.

We are introduced to Lucy who is at summer camp and who gets a wild dare. To go up to a boy named Jackson, kiss him, and run away. She does this and soon after he moves away. Sad! But then a few years go by and he’s back in town, and he’s actually her neighbor. Whoa!

They soon continue to really get to know each other and things progress from there.

I really liked both Lucy and Jackson but I felt like something was missing. I liked this story but I just didn’t feel the real chemistry between them. Yes, they told each other they liked one another, and they kissed, but I never really felt like there was a lot of chemistry. Maybe it was just me.

This one was a cute story and I’m glad I read it, but I wasn't really that amazed by it. It was just ok to me. I’ll continue reading stories by this author and hope one of them will make me breathless! That is the goal!

Overall: It was just ok. I liked it but I didn’t finish the book and feel amazed by it.

Cover: Like it, its cute!

What I'd Give It:
3/5 Cupcakes
_____________
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com

[Amy McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I liked it and Suzanne's writing style so much that I am now eager to read her book (which she cleverly added part of at the end of this book to get me hooked) Me & Timothy Cooper. Very excited to read that one. This book made me chuckle, raise an eyebrow at times and really able to connect with her characters. Her teens are real, with real urges and the morals taught by their mothers to keep them out of trouble. I liked the dare at the beginning of the book yet appreciated how Lucy stands up to her gossip friend later on and sets her straight. Gossip is such a harmful thing and I'm glad Suzanne covers that well in her book. She has written a book I enjoyed and am happy to recommend to others.

Amy McGuire
Author of The Hope Valley Saga

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Suzanne Williams writing. I read another of her YA romances (Me & Timothy Cooper) and couldn't wait to get my hands on this short story. I am becoming a bit impatient with longer books after my exposure to the attributes in both of these books: Fast-paced plot, witty conversation, and sweet romance. I'm older (with children) and have recommended these books to teens I know who love romance and want to connect and relate to characters their own age. They are Christian short stories, but aren't overly preachy...yet, support Christian values. Great story. Loved both the MC and the "hero"..the boy next door.

[Andrea Dillon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok...I really liked the idea and the characters but it was like watching a movie on fast forward...everything happened too fast. I also think the teenagers were too mature for their age...they seemed more mid twenties than high school students. I also didn't care much for the over dramatic quickly professing love...I mean I know they knew each other before but it just didn't flow well. It was cute, sweet and short. 2.75 STARS Has great potential to be a 4-5 if it was developed further.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice read.
I liked Jackson! He was cute and sexy.
I didn't like Lucy much in the beginning, but she grew on me a little. It was sweet what she did for Jackson and his mom. Risky and crazy, but sweet.
And didn't appreciate much his reaction after what Lucy showed him. He hurt her a lot.
The end was cute and weird. Cute that he knew her so well that he knew what to say to make her say/do what he wanted (what they both wanted). Weird that she had to be so stubborn and rational instead of jumping from the joy of his words.

[Matilda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute, refreshing, short contemporary story about two neighbors, Jackson and Lucy. They've always had chemistry, especially after Lucy kissed him when they were fourteen as a dare.

An okay read for a short story, things did develop pretty fast between them which was a little surprising for me. The conflict in the story, though realistic was a little too played out. I didn't like the ending. It was too happily-ever-after, and not the slightest bit practical.

[Dana Pratola]

When Lucy is reunited with her first crush, Jackson, it's not so simple to kiss him and run away as she did years ago - because now he lives next door. I love the premise and the fact that it's an easy read, the perfect accompaniment for a relaxed weekend. More importantly, it's Suzanne's writing style and knack for getting to the heart of teenage attraction that brings me back to her books again and again. Well done!

[Teazia Cockburn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sorry to say that I expected a lot more from this book than what I got, I know it is a novella, but everything just hapened too quickly. I would have liked it to have been a bit more developed. And after one kiss 3 years ago you can't still be in love. You shouldn't have been in love in the first place considering the circumstances of the kiss.

[Jessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really cute story, however I felt like I was reading some sort of period piece with how they spoke until they pulled out their cell phones. And I didn't realize it was going to be kinda centered around God, not that that's bad, I just wasn't expecting it.
It's an adorable story.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute short story. It felt a little rushed though, it'd make a better full-length novel where everything could be developed a little more. I liked it though.

Content: Clean, mild innuendo and language. Liked that it promoted celibacy before marriage!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a young adult freak, but I would call this more pre-teen. I wasn't this naive at 17 or Even 14. All in all, it was a cute story though.

[Aurora Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable.

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a quick, sweet read. Though it felt like the whole story was on fast forward. Everything was rushed.

[Avon Bernabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5stars!

Light and short read. One of the reasons why I love reading Suzanne Williams' books. It's making me relaxed. Her works are like saying, 'Chill!'

[Cici · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written. The Christian aspect was not too over done. I enjoyed the teen aged angst and love story.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this was rushed. But this is a novella so this is to be expected. I did like the beginning though. It was embarrassing yet, funny.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

review to come

[Marilou maoruviel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Applause!