The Jerkhole Next Door

by Melinda Minx

Mezz McEvans leaving town was the best thing that ever happened to me, then he took the MMA world by storm with the longest undefeated winning streak on record. Life was great. Mezz was gone. The house next door was empty… Until it wasn't. When Mezz lost his first fight, he decided to call it quits. Guess where he's deciding to settle down for his early retirement? I wish I was kidding. But it gets worse. He's not satisfied just moving next door to his "old pal". The whole town worships him, so when he wants a job working beside me, he gets it. When he wants the eggs off my freaking plate, he gets them. And when he wants to be more than neighbors? That's when he gets my middle finger. He may have the whole town of Dorfville eating right out of his calloused hands. But me? I say fences make great neighbors. Now I just wish he'd stop offering to fix mine without a shirt on. Or finding excuses to wind up on the wrong side of it. Ilia Romans? Yeah, I’ve always had a thing for her, but don’t tell her I said that. I like to play with my food before I eat it.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 9, 2021

About the author

Melinda Minx lives in Seattle with her loyal Corgi. She writes late into the night with a hot cup of Earl Grey. She likes to write romantic comedies, the cuter the better!

Reviews

[Alexandraa XX · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! This is my first time reading from this author and it was a great one! I love it ☺️☺️☺️



‼️‼️‼️QUICK SAFE ROMANTIC HOT LOVE STORY

‼️‼️‼️NO VIRGINS but idk and they also didn’t talk about how long they have been celibate and they didn’t say how old they are but i guess in their 30’s or younger lol

‼️‼️‼️THE HERO USED TO BE A UFC FIGHTER


‼️‼️‼️NO CHEATING AND NO SEPARATION

‼️‼️‼️THE HERO IS POSSESSIVE PROTECTIVE ALPHA MALE but not ott tho

‼️‼️‼️NOT MANY JEALOUS SCENES FROM BOTH


‼️‼️‼️THE HERO ALWAYS SAYS TO THE HEROINE AND EVERYBODY THAT SHE IS MINE. MINE. MINE. He even screams to many people that the heroine is his so that many people know that for sure🤣


‼️‼️‼️THE HEROINE IS SO SASSY AND FUNNY.

‼️‼️‼️VERY HOT SMUT SCENES😛😛 so hot lol


‼️‼️‼️NO DRAMA WITH OW AND OM. The drama is only about the hero’s enemies but not too much


‼️‼️‼️THEIR CHEMISTRY IS JUST SO ROMANTIC AND HOT! Not love in first sight though but they did have a crush to each other and then few years later they meet again and they fell in love… like immediately the hero really chase the heroine 🥺


‼️‼️‼️HAPPY ENDING. Married and pregnant 🥺




🌐🌐🌐➡️↘️⬇️➡️This is my own personal thoughts and opinion about the book so if thats not sit right with you or you feel I’m not being fair blablabla, please know that everybody in this world have their own different things that they like and don’t like. It may not be the same thing with you but thats okay because i am my own person and you cannot control me or tell me what to do. For example; i put ketchup (tomato sauce) on my fried chicken. You think that’s disgusting? For me its not and i’ve been eating it like that for many many years. You tell me to put another sauce and see if i like that better? I already did many many times in years but i still like the way i like it. It’s called differences between me and you and billions people in this world😊 be open minded😙 I respect people’s opinions about my opinions but in the end of the day if i say I don’t like it or i do like it, its up to me and its on me. And in the end of the day i always liked and show my respect to books and people’s opinions on books whenever that book is good or not good in my opinion 😊 Respect people’s opinions guys😙😙 I don’t want to write this down because its not really my thing to do it. To like address something like this when obviously i know the people who’s been reading my reviews many times and all the time, they are smart enough to understand and respect other people’s opinions no matter what their opinions on book or their point of view 😙😙 am i right? 💕 also there are people even though i already write “this book is different because i have my own taste of book” those people still comment my taste is this and that when HELLO… everybody have their own thoughts on books and what they want to read… why i read it then? I read it and give it a review because i have to read a book to give it a review… why not read the description book to understand before I’m going to read it? Hello just in case you haven’t notice, description books can be tricky because they write this amazing things about a book but turns out the story is so toxic. Maybe for me its toxic but not for you? YES HELLO THATS WHY US HUMAN BEING HAVE OUR DIFFERENCES, WHAT I LIKE IT DOESN’T MEAN YOU WILL LIKE IT AND EITHER WAY TOO. why i still write the review then if i just don’t like a book? Because I CAN and i want to, you cannot tell me what to do and not what to do🤪 if you still wants to be negative and be karens about my review on book after all of what i just write, i will never acknowledge you and simply ignore you because its not that hard🙏 ⬅️↖️↕️⬅️↩️⤴️

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super enjoyable! The sparks and chemistry are practically off the charts as Mezz and Ilia clash together. I really liked these two. Under their outward animosity was a genuine underlying sweetness that I thought added a bit of the "Aww" factor to this couple's story. The banter as great, the story fun and the humor entertaining. I am volitionally posting a candid review.

[Magali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, simple hot romance with hints of humor
Good romance, however the character of Mezz who is supposed to be insufferable, is quite likable, despite Ilia's perception of it.
Their story is well written, hot and tender.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Bridget Blackwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time liking the heroine when she is introduced right out of the gate making fun of him in front of a crowd in their hometown.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Orazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find myself addicted to this series by the author. The underlying sexual tension between the protagonists is evident from the start and just keeps getting stronger until they put aside their differences/fears. Highly recommend.

Ilia Romans regrets she never left her home town of Dorfville. She works as a waitress at Maurice's Diner. Out with friends she gets sloppy drunk and starts mocking Mezz only to have him walk into the bar and start buying her drinks. He later takes her home and makes sure she is ok before leaving.

Mezz McEvans is a newly retired MMA fighter. His only career loss was his last fight but he knew he had to get out before his body gave in to the physical demands of the sport. He and Ilia were often partnered up in school and he took advantage of it by needling her. He was attracted to her but being a high school boy didn't handle it well. Now that he has moved back to his home town he is still attracted to Ilia and gets a job as line cook at the same diner in order to spend time with her.

They get partnered up with Maurice when he buys a food truck/trailer to serve bbq to compete with the rival town's food truck and their famous tater tots. Mezz's rival from his last fight partners up with the rival food truck and taunts Mezz into fighting him. Mezz goes back and forth about fighting especially after getting injured training. He makes a bet with his rival and the fate of the food trucks rests in the balance. Meanwhile he and Ilia fall in love and eventually get their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mélo Winchester · Rating 3 out of 5]

L'histoire du champion de MMA qui se retire après son unique défaite pour revenir dans sa ville natale est sympa. Il renoue des liens avec celle qu'il a toujours apprécié et avec qui il adorait se disputer sur tout et sur rien. Il fait tout pour passer un maximum de temps avec elle, ce qu'elle aurait préféré qui n'arrive pas. En effet elle découvre qu'il est non seulement son nouveau voisin mais aussi son nouveau collègue.
J'aurai voulu que dans cette histoire les deux personnages principaux ne se jettent pas l'un sur l'autre directement.

Effectivement j'aurais apprécié qu'ils se tournent un peu plus autour, que la tension monte entre eux avant qu'ils ne succombent. Voir leur relation évoluer sur le plan émotionnel et non pas que sur le physique. Car avec un synopsis et un titre comme celui-ci, je m'attendais à un peu plus de "enemies to lovers" avec des rebondissements, des joutes verbales au lieu du petit couple qui s'entend bien tout de suite.

Mais j'ai quand même passé un bon moment de lecture, la petite querelle de food truck apporte une petite touche de rivalité avant que Mezz ne monte sur le ring une dernière fois pour la revanche contre son dernier adversaire, le seul contre lequel il a perdu. Va-t-il y arriver malgré sa blessure au dos ? Ou va-t-il perdre ce qu'il a reconstruit dans cette petite ville ?

[Jenny Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book with the understanding that I could leave a voluntary and honest review.

In this book we meet Ilia Romans & Mezz McEvans. When this book opens we find that Ilia is out with friends just having a drink or in her case more than 1. When she starts poking fun at Mezz and his last fight that he lost and has decided to retire from MMA after. The thing is she has no clue he is behind her. She wants more than anything to shove his teasing and taunts down his throat but she's just a little to drunk to do that. When she wakes the next morning it is to learn her new neighbor ya it is the jerk who just hasn't left her in peace since high school. There has always been a part of Mezz that has wanted Ilia but he always though teasing her would get her attention. When it did but not in a good way he was to happy to watch her squirm to go another route. He left town as soon as he could and a part of him isn't sure why he chose his hometown to come back to. That is until he lays eyes on her again the unattainable one. Can these two find a HEA or will the old hurts lead to new problems?

Another amazing story by this author. These characters really draw you in and won't let go. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

[Lynn Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mezz/ Mezz just returned to his hometown from LA after a successful career as an MMA fighter when he retired after he lost his last match. Ilia has known Mezz since high school and they didn’t get along because they liked different things and they constantly bickered. Mezz bought the house next door to Ilia and he takes a job as a line cook at the restaurant where she is a waitress. They are both attracted and take verbal jabs at each other. Mezz left LA with plenty of money to return to his hometown because he didn’t like the fake lifestyle in LA but Ilia is afraid he will be disappointed in their small town. Will they grow closer and stop fighting their attraction while working together at the restaurant and food truck?

I enjoyed this story where high school enemies reunite as adults and now are attracted to each other. Mezz had a very successful MMA career before he returned home for a simpler lifestyle. Ilia had stayed in their hometown and was afraid to get involved with Mezz because she was afraid he would miss the big city. I loved their adventures with the competitions between the towns’ food trucks. The epilogue was a great ending for their story.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jerkhole Next Door is an enjoyable little rom-com by Melinda Minx, and while it is on the shorter side it is till jam packed with humor, heat and swoon worthy moments. The story is told in dual POV and is a complete stand alone.

Ilia and Mezz grew up together and despite always bickering and annoying each other- they always managed to be next to each other or working together on projects through school. I didn't really feel like they were necessarily "enemies" though- more like they just liked to get under each others skin because it was fun in a boring town and they could both equally dish it to each other. Even when Mezz first came back to town, I didn't get the sense that they really hated each other but they easily slipped into their roles of annoying each other.

This story was fun- the banter made me laugh, and it amused me how Mezz continued to find ways to spend all his time with Ilia even if she was a bit skittish at first. There was a lot of heat packed into this little book and the storyline was amusing between their reconnection, the food truck and then Mezz's attempt at redemption.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Speaking of filling…..wait, that’s for later. Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with! Two people who grew up together lived next door to each other and both happy when one left town. Mezz sexy as all get out MMA start, arrogant and a royal pain in the you know what most of the time especially when he is near his neighbor. Llia has always hated her neighbor Mezz and was so happy when he left town but oh, he is back and yep causing her more headache. These two act/talk like they hate one another but when they are near each other the chemistry is so intense and the magnetic pull can’t be ignored so like everything it comes to a head where will it leave them, is there something more than hate between them, fate has decided to step in to push things the way she wants them to go but will it lead happiness?

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book focuses on Mezz, a retired MMA fighter who comes back home after a successful career and Ilia. The 2 of them grew up together and were used to being partnered up. Back in high school, Mezz would do what he could do get under Ilia's skin and annoy her but they never really had an enemy relationship. It was more of an annoyance relationship because Mezz liked Ilia but didn't understand what he was feeling until they hit their senior year but he never made a move. Fast forward to today, Mezz unknowingly bought the house right next door to Ilia and then gets a job as a cook at the diner that she works at in order to spend more time with her. Aside from the first day he's in town they don't have any animosity at all and Mezz is actually pretty sweet towards Ilia. I really enjoyed this story and liked how it played out. I would definitely recommend this story!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would have been a lot better if the h had a different job (maybe a teacher, and he came back to be a gym or wrestling coach?) It was a bit of a let down that a world renowned mma fighter comes back to his hometown and pick up a job as a line cook. Really? He claimed it was because of her, but when he went there, he had said that he didnt know she worked there, blah blah blah. The banter was good, the sex was good...and then comes the dude that beat him, which caused him to retire. This, just like H being a line cook, was a bit farfetched. Why would this Russian guy go to a little town to stand around a food truck, just to shove his win in H's face? No, I dont see that happening. Not only that, but H turns into a blubbering immature buffoon as soon as this guy shows up (let's ignore H being a cocky, annoying bastard throughout the beginning of the book.) I had to stop reading. I tolerated the book up to this point, but this was just a turn off.

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ilia and Mezz have a history that goes back to when they were in school. Mezz had feelings for Ilia but went about getting her attention a wrong way. Which had her hating him and not wanting anything to do with him. Mezz left town as soon as he could and became a MMA fighter. After his last fight he decides to retire and ends up back in his hometown. Ilia is out with friends and is making fun of Mezz's loss when he is behind her and hears it all. As soon as he sees her he knows that it was her that brought him back to town. Will they get a chance to be together? Or will Ilia keep pushing him away?

This is a great story that will hook you in from the first chapter on. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BB · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers. That's not what this was. It did have the first (and hopefully only) footjob I have ever read. So. If that's your thing, there you go. Anyway.

Mezz and Ilia read like a 15 year old's daydream in math class.

Mezz and Ilia bickered in high school. She went on to be a waitress. He went on to be a world champion fighter, who comes back to his hometown to become a line cook in the same crappy restaurant. For funsies. And eventually hook up with the girl.

Some real YA packed into adult shaped characters. Simple and a bit juvenile.

KindleUnlimited has struck again. :(

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mazz and Ilia have known each other since high school, and they may have had a crush on each other, but they did not get on as they continually butted heads, and he left town for a successful MMA career. Now Mazz is back in town and buys the house next door to Ilia, as well as taking a job as a line cook in the same restaurant where Ilia is a waitress. The sparks fly between these two and the chemistry is sizzling and undeniable. This is a well written story which is filled with drama, tension, witty banter, humor, emotions, and is an entertaining and addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Mess and Ilia's story. He's a newly retired MMA fighter who returns to his home town for the next chapter in his life. Ilia, a classmate from high school (and his secret crush), is now new next door neighbor and co-worker. From there the craziness begins. Mezz is determined to act upon his feelings which only frustrates him as Ilia doesn't return them. But he refuses to give up. This is a laugh out loud read which I really enjoyed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisbeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an okay story, but the sarcastic comments and back and forth between them falls a bit flat. There is not that flow that I would have liked because to me Ilia is to weak in her comeback and there is not enough fire in her to make this funny. Mezz almost comes off as too cocky and if Ilia had held up her side it could have been fun, but it just fell flat.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is only my second book by Melinda Minx. I really enjoyed the book. The reason for only 4 stars is because there was a couple of spots in the book that didn’t quite seem right to me and with the title I was expecting him to be a little bit more of a dick. However it didn’t take away from the story and over all it was fun.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Helena Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this story very much it is definitely a worthy read, and the bonus chapter is very funny. I liked Ilia and Mezz the hole town was great. I found this story to be very romantic with wonderful characters, a great world building, and the chemistry between the two MC's was palpable right from the start.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. Mezz was a MMA fighter and has come back home. Him and Ilia used to be partnered up in high school. Now that he is back they are spending time together and even work together. As they are trying to get the food truck to take off a fighter from his past comes back and starts trouble. They end up having a big fight and thankfully after that everything works out. Him and Ilia are able to get their happy ending.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Ilia Romans is a waitress at Maririce's dinner in dorfville home town to mma fighter mezz MCevens and her past high school torcher and new neighbor. This was fantastic story I loved these characters.

[Angela Boehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read. Wish it was longer. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily leaving my honest review. This was great book with great main characters. I loved the back and forth banter of Mezz and Ilia. I hope there will be a story with Jason and Dana.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy Redwine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not just talking about the brisket, seems Mezz and Ilia have history, high school history.
Mezz and Ilia used to not always mix well, but now that Mezz is older he figured out his treatment of Ilia was because he liked her. (Men.) It is a short sweet, romance, a great little read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable page-turner! It is emotionally deep, intriguing, funny, and well written with drama, witty banter, sassiness, intense passion, and more. The characters are amazing; the chemistry between them is off the charts. Definitely recommended!

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aimee Lombardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jerkhole Next Door was a great story of two high-school frienamies who reconnect and bring their relationship to romantic/lover status.

Mezz and Ila are fun characters and they had me laughing with thier shenanigans and conversations. I was so engrossed in this story that I had a very late night reading.

[Michelle Logston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of potential but left me lacking

There was a lot of potential for this story to be a 5 star. That banter between the 2 was great, the hot scenes pretty great, but the delivery of the the plot was lacking. I loved the idea of the hometown Rivalry and fight, but it felt too off. I don't want to spoil it but there could have been a better delivery. Just my opinion through.

[Martha Gettle · Rating 5 out of 5]

when I started reading this book I could not put it down
it caught my interest quickly. It is funny sweet and hot.
I am happy to recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy Frizell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laughed out loud a few times, chuckled a lot. It was very refreshing and light-hearted. I consider this a quick and very fun read. I will recommend this to fellow readers of this genre.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Giovanna di matteo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying the book and like the “enemies to lovers”. I thought it was a quick switch to hating each other to okay let’s do this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Veronica LaRoche · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story and the characters I really enjoyed. I absolutely loved the banter between Ilia & Mezz. Mezz will definitely have you swooning and Ilia will have you lol. Great story that everyone should one click.