“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. (taken from goodreads)
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Published: June 14, 2012 by Dial Books (Penguin Teen)
Received: ARC for review from NetGalley & Penguin
Ok, let's face it, at some point almost all of us have hoped/dreamed/prayed for the perfect boy to move next door. I know I did. I love boy next door stories for that exact reason. Now I have moved on and am dreaming about the house for sale next door. In my new perfect plan someone will move next door and we can have babies at the same time and those two future children will fall in love (I know, I know it's crazy.) Let's just say if that hypothetical future neighbor grew up to be Jase Garrett I would be THRILLED!
When Samantha is young the Garrett family moves in next door. Samantha comes from a single parent family of three. The Garrett family, well, there are ten of them. Samantha's mother quickly makes it known that she is not to mix with the crazy huge family next door. As they grow up Samantha watches from afar until one day she and Jase finally meet. Their relationship is so sweet and so real. From the very beginning you are cheering for the two of them to find a way.
The story is great, but it's the characters that made me love it. The Garrett family is, in a word, amazing. Parents who actually like each other, brothers and sisters who pick on each other one minute but stand up for each other a second later. Family. A family I would love to hear from again.
A great summer read. I have a feeling I will be reading this one again.
When Samantha is young the Garrett family moves in next door. Samantha comes from a single parent family of three. The Garrett family, well, there are ten of them. Samantha's mother quickly makes it known that she is not to mix with the crazy huge family next door. As they grow up Samantha watches from afar until one day she and Jase finally meet. Their relationship is so sweet and so real. From the very beginning you are cheering for the two of them to find a way.
The story is great, but it's the characters that made me love it. The Garrett family is, in a word, amazing. Parents who actually like each other, brothers and sisters who pick on each other one minute but stand up for each other a second later. Family. A family I would love to hear from again.
A great summer read. I have a feeling I will be reading this one again.
Once I started it, I couldn't read it fast enough and yet I didn't want it to end. This is a beautifully written story about family and friendship, first love, and learning how to be true to yourself. Huntley Fitzpatrick writes about life with all it's quirkiness, even covering tough topics like politics and addiction with such honesty and humor that had me laughing so hard I cried.
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