My Life Next Door in The Reader's Lounge

Jan 02, 2012 Glass rated it it was amazing

Shelves: realistic-fiction

This book was worth waiting for. I've read it in two days despite the fact that I was head over heels in all that boring end-of-the-school-year paperwork that us, teachers, are so fond of.

First, I can not believe that this is Huntley Fitzpatrick's debut novel. I've read so many bad books lately and those autors didn't have the excuse of first attempt in their writing carieers. My Life Next Door reminded me a lot of Sarah Dessen novels - by the concept and the writing style. And I love Sarah Des ...more

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Nov 17, 2011 Jasprit rated it really liked it

Shelves: out-2012, read-in-2012

My Life Next Door was a gorgeously written debut which left me with a crazy eyed smile on my face, occasionally teary eyed with a longing for the long summer months and for my neighbours to move out and the Garretts to move in. By looking at the cover I was expecting a cute summery read which would provide some swoon worthy scenes, I’m happy to note Fitzpatrick provided this yet so much more.

The Garretts have been living next door to Sam’s family for years now; you would think that they were com My Life Next Door was a gorgeously written debut which left me with a crazy eyed smile on my face, occasionally teary eyed with a longing for the long summer months and for my neighbours to move out and the Garretts to move in. By looking at the cover I was expecting a cute summery read which would provide some swoon worthy scenes, I’m happy to note Fitzpatrick provided this yet so much more.

The Garretts have been living next door to Sam’s family for years now; you would think that they were complete strangers, as they’d never said a word to each other. Samantha’s mother Gracie is what I would call a snob, without even having the decency to introduce herself to Garretts or get to know them she’s quick to make assumptions about what they’re like. Because their lawn is over full with toys, the Garretts have six children which she thinks they can’t control, Mrs Garrett breastfeeds her daughter in public her how dare she! So she refuses to acknowledge them and basically bans Sam and her sister Tracey from talking to them either. But everything changes when Jase, one of the Garretts drops by Sam’s balcony, he’s even move gorgeous close up and Sam being the complete opposite to her mother knows he’s not like what her mum expects him to be. Before you know it Sam finds herself spending more and more time with Jase and the rest of the Garretts, she just can’t seem to get enough especially of Jase. But she still has to keep everything under wraps, her mum would blow a fit if she was fraternising with the enemy. Her mum already thinks nobody’s good enough for Sam especially not the Garretts.

Oh the Garretts I loved them so much, from George and his constant questioning and fears over everything, Patsy and adorable vocabulary, Mrs Garrett and her blasé attitude, she never once seemed flustered with six kids running around all over the place, Alice once seeing her coloured hair (which she would change every time you saw her) you would be a little scared of her, but she was one of the most intelligent and over–protective sisters around, Harry, Joel, Mr Garrett and finally Jase. I had a hard time picking a favourite, Jase on occasion had the ability to make me melt with his smooth lines and his genuinely-sweet affection towards his family and Sam. But each time we entered the Garretts house, I fell in love with every single character that little bit more! Plus comparing the Garretts to Sam’s family or even her best friend Nan’s it’s clear to see why I want the Garretts to adopt me too.

Another character who quickly became one of my favourites was Tim (Nan’s twin brother). He was so blunt at times that he could come across as quite hurtful, but as the story progressed I adored the direction his character went into. I liked how we were able to get to know his character that little bit more, under the facade he was a genuinely decent guy. Whereas the behaviour of the other characters totally left me disappointed.

My Life Next Door was a book I recommend everyone should bust out with over the summer, with Fitzpatrick’s beautiful writing, a hugely likeable set of characters and a couple of curveballs thrown along the way this book does not disappoint. Also if like me you’ve become disillusioned recently with pretty neatly tied up endings, then you will appreciate the ending we are left with.
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Dec 16, 2015 Emma rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, arc, e-galley, 2016-releases

When a Huntley Fitzpatrick book was listed on Netgalley and finally being released in the UK, I was so excited - I haven't read anything by this lady and I have heard nothing but high praise of her contemporary YA. I thought it would be a lot like Katie McGarry or Stephanie Perkins, and in a way it was but if I'm perfectly honest it didn't live up to my expectations and standards of those two authors.

This is your perfect summer read from the beginning, you have the perfect family, the pushy and When a Huntley Fitzpatrick book was listed on Netgalley and finally being released in the UK, I was so excited - I haven't read anything by this lady and I have heard nothing but high praise of her contemporary YA. I thought it would be a lot like Katie McGarry or Stephanie Perkins, and in a way it was but if I'm perfectly honest it didn't live up to my expectations and standards of those two authors.

This is your perfect summer read from the beginning, you have the perfect family, the pushy and posh mum, the aspiring and daring sister and then you have the family and the boy next door. All things considered this book has everything. Samantha, watched the family next door since they moved in 10 years ago, now faced with her mum becoming senator and her personal assistant in all mannerisms of the word, she finds solace and adventure by accident when Sam and Jase meet for the first time. Her mum was a nightmare, god I really wanted to slap her half the time. She needed to get her head out of the clouds and actually focus on what is really happening with her daughters. But the Garret family was just so amazing - I felt I was a part of their family when I read through Sam. There relationship and their outcomes of family life and of life in general was so special to learn and read.

As a first novel from Huntley Fitzpatrick, - I loved it! But he problem for me was that I read them too late, what do I mean? - well if I read this when it first came out in 2012, my views might be different, but I found it cliche, too cliche even for me. I wouldn't usually say this but it was simnilar in a lot of ways and I think that's what disappointed me a little. Your thinking this is quite the negative review, but it's a mistake on my part. I've read so much contemporary romance, that I think to myself when reading this "It's already been done." That why it knocked a bit off my rating but I will continue to read her novel when they come out. Fear not, this hasn't deterred from her writing because I will always love a contemporary romance like this.

Rating - 3.5

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Jan 04, 2015 Pili marked it as to-read

Shelves: alyssa-recommends

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