My Life Next Door

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. Samantha Reed lives a life of relative privilege with her single mother and older sister that includes private school, weekly dinners at the local country club and a summer job where she gets to spend time with her long time BFF, Nan and her twin brother, Tim. Life isn't always what it seems and Samantha's is no different. Her Mom's a Senator and a contradiction of sorts. On one hand, she's rarely around but when she is, she takes "involved" to a whole new level, going as far as checking to see if Samantha's hair is properly conditioned and making sure she's in bed by a certain time each night. (She's seventeen, not seven for crying out loud!) Then there's the issue with the vacuum cleaner and making sure the lines in the carpet are just right. OCD, much? Samantha takes refuge each night on the balcony off her room where she's able to watch the Garretts, the family who lives next door. They're the ones with the 25 kids who obviously never learned what birth control was for or how to properly care for a pool, a yard or a house but managed to snag their own reality T.V. show on TLC. Oh, wait...wrong family. The Garretts really only have 8 kids and yeah, they have all those other things I mentioned, save for the reality T.V. show but that's they way they're treated by a lot of people in town. People feel the need to comment on their lives, how many kids they have, etc., etc., What outsiders fail to miss is how much love the Garretts have going on. Samantha has secretly watched the Garretts for years, something her mother would have a cow over if she ever found out. Her mother thinks the Garretts are "those kind" of people and turns her nose up at them any chance she gets. But all that's about to change when Jase, the smart, funny, considerate and of course, gorgeous boy from the wrong side of the fence decides to climb Samantha's trellis. One simple question will begin a journey of love and adventure that neither Samantha or Jase will ever forget and one that will change both of their families lives' forever. Jase and his family immediately suck Samantha into their big, loud, crazy and close-nit family. Much of the time she is completely out of her element and you can feel her mix of discomfort and fascination which is nothing short of hilarious! She isn't used to life in Garrettville but she's learning to love it and who she is when she's there. But each time Samantha goes home, she still struggles with having to be the person her mother expects her to be. The more time she spends with the Garretts though, the more she learns how to love people even with all of their shortcomings, how to handle delicate situations with little people and the importance of doing what's right regardless of what others may think. Just when Samantha thinks her life couldn't get any better, one choice changes everything leaving her to decide whether what she and Jase have is worth fighting for or if family always comes first. Making the right choice isn't always easy but it's always worth it. I'm known for my book boy crushes, but those are usually reserved for the teenagers, so you can imagine my surprise when I fell completely in love with George, the 4 year old walking encyclopedia of the Garrett family. There were times when he stole this story right out from under Jase and Samantha's noses and stole my heart in the process. A little sample of the awesome that is George: "George gives me a smile, the same dazzling sweet smile as his big brother, although, at this point with green teeth. "I might marry you," he allows, "Do you want a big family?" I start to cough and feel a hand pat my back. "George, it's usually better to discuss these kinds of things with your pants on." Jase drops boxer shorts at George's feet, then sets Patsy on the ground next to him. .... "Is Jase already gonna marry you?" I start coughing again. "Uh, No. No, George. I'm only seventeen." As if that's the only reason we're not engaged. "I'm this many." George holds up four, slightly grubby fingers. "But Jase is seventeen and a half. You could. Then you could live in here with him. And have a big family." Jase strides back into the room, of course, midway through this proposition. "George. Beat it. Discovery Channel is on." George backs out of the room but not before saying, "His bed's really comfortable. And he never pees in it." ...TEAM GEORGE FOR THE WIN! :D All of these characters have something to offer, regardless of age or perceived flaws. Even Tim, Samantha's childhood friend, who comes from a picture perfect home but whose potty mouth is so bad, that if made to fill a jar each time he swore, could put the entire Garrett clan through college, has a charm all his own. He proves that he's quite talented with females, of all ages *wink wink*. He even possess the unique ability to decipher the true meaning of the book, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie." (That part made me snort water through my nose.) Tim is also the perfect example that there's always more than meets the eye and when given the chance (sometimes multiple chances), people can surprise you. READ THIS BOOK, YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

This book really took me by surprise in the sense that it was not what I initially thought it would be. I expected a well written cThis book really took me by surprise in the sense that it was not what I initially thought it would be. Yes, I expected a well written contemporary coming into your own romantic story but it was much much more. It eloquently told a gripping story of moral choices, internal demons, quiet strengths, iron wills, unflinching determination, and it did so gently through its pages. I liked that nothing felt rushed. That we are allowed to contemplate along with the characters all the delicate issues and dilemmas brought to light in this poignantly told story. Many times throughout the story I found myself stopping to ask myself "what would I do in this situation?" so many hard questions are asked in the pages of this amazing book. Most of them of the extremely hard kind. The kind of questions and situations that are not so clearly or quickly answered or defined. The ones that shape and guide our moral compass. This wonderful book dealt with so many of these hard questions. With first love. With family strength. With drug and alcohol abuse. With standing up for those that can't do so for themselves. With doing the right thing in spite of the consequences. So many BIG things. But I loved that it also dealt with the small beautiful things that make us human. With the perfect imperfections that make us unique. I absolutely loved the Garretts. The character became so very real to me. George, Andy, Alice, Harry, Duff, Patsy, and wonderful wonderul Jake. All of their personalities rang so true that by the end they felt like family. I liked the twists and surprises that we don't see coming and are so impactful to the story. I loved that the twins were not what they seemed and the fact that we got to really see the people they truly were especially Tim. The main character Samantha had quite a journey from when we first meet her. She's likable enough at the beginning but by the end of the book she knows who she is and what she's made of and you can't help but to stand up and cheer for the person she's become. Samantha and Jase's relationship was sweet and believable like first love and teenage love should be at that age between grounded, level headed teenagers and I was swept away in their emotions. I even got to feel a varied range of emotions for Samantha's mom Grace who I felt was somewhat of a broken pitiful lonely bitter disillusioned shell of a woman. And my rage ran rampant over Clay! What a heartless conniving calculating spineless snake! By the end of this book I felt sort of hazy like I'd just walked through dense fog and the day was hopeful again. This book made me think, and ask questions, and stare out in contemplation, look inside for answers, and ponder what's truly real what's really important. I think this is all very very good indeed. ontemporary coming into your own romantic story but it was much much more. It eloquently told a gripping story of moral choices, internal demons, quiet strengths, iron wills, unflinching determination, and it did so gently through its pages. I liked that nothing felt rushed. That we are allowed to contemplate along with the characters all the delicate issues and dilemmas brought to light in this poignantly told story. Many times throughout the story I found myself stopping and asking myself "what would I do in this situation?" so many hard questions are asked in the pages of this amazing book. Most of them of the extremely hard kind. The kind of questions and situations that are not so clearly or quickly answered or defined. The ones that shape and guide our moral compass. This wonderful book dealt with so many of these hard questions. With first love. With family strength. With drug and alcohol abuse. With standing up for those that can't do so for themselves. With doing the right thing in spite of the consequences. so many BIG things. But I loved that it also dealt with the small beautiful things that make us human. With the perfect imperfections that make us unique. I absolutely loved the Garretts. The character became so real to me. George, Andy, Alice, Harry, Duff, Patsy, and Jase? All of their personalities rang true that by the end they felt like family. And I liked twists and surprises that we don't see coming and are so impactful to the story. I loved that the twins were not what they seemed and the fact that we got to really see the people they truly were especially Tim. The main character Samantha had quite a journey from when we first meet her. She's likable enough but by the end of the book she knows who she is and what she's made of and you can't help but to stand up and cheer for the person she's become. Samantha and Jase's relationship was sweet and believable like first love and teenage love would be at that between grounded level headed teenagers and I was swept away in their emotions. I even got to feel a varied range of emotions for Samantha's mom Grace who I felt was somewhat of a broken pitiful lonely bitter disillusioned shell of a woman. And my rage ran rampant over Clay! What a heartless conniving calculating spineless snake! By the end of this book I felt sort of hazy like I'd just walked through dense fog and the day was hopeful again. This book made me think, and ask questions, and stare out in contemplation, look inside for answers, and ponder what's truly real what's really important. I think this is all very very good indeed.

Smantha Reedは母と姉と3人暮らし。 議員の母のおかげで何一つ不自由のない生活をおくるが、自由な姉とは違い、母の言うなりの'いい子’なSamanthaは8人の子供がいる隣のGarrett家を眺め、自分の家とは正反対の雰囲気に魅了され、夢見ている。 母はその乱雑さに嫌悪感を示し、10年間不思議なくらい何の交流もなかった。 ある晩Jase GarrettがSamanthaの家の屋根に登って来るまでは。 それからあっという間に惹かれあい、愛し合う2人だがある事故が起き・・・ この夏がSamanthaの人生を一変してしまう。 Samanthaの友達で双子のNanとTimとの友情の変化や(Nanの気持ちもなんとなく解る）、Garrette家のちびっこ達との交流など盛りだくさんで、もう少し続きが読みたかったかなー・・・と。 でも結末に満足です。

A very good read, easy to get into and relatable characters

Una storia bella e commovente. Ho amato il moltitudine di personaggi presente nel romanzo e la crescita dii alcuni di loro mi ha davvero sorpresa. Non vedo l'ora di leggere il seguito.

La historia de Samantha y Jase es muy dulce. La historia tiene un giro interesante.

In an interview with YA Bound, the author – Huntley Fitzpatrick – summarized her book in ten words. I think they also fit perfectly: A girl who watches and a boy who knows it. There are many reasons to read this book: the story is compelling, the writing flows and the voice is mostly natural. Some may say that it feels slow at times and maybe rushed at others. But isn't it how life sometimes is? Slow, rushed and everything in the middle? Everybody always stayed in character. I could have come up with even more reasons to fall in love with My Life Next Door but I tried to contain myself. 1- George: One of Jase's little brother. This child is ADORABLE. He is neurotic, granted but his worries and his wit make him so real and so cute and just a little child you want to protect to make sure that he doesn't find additional reasons to worry about every single thing. ”His bed's really comfortable and he never pees in it” George gives me a smile, the same dazzling sweet smile as his big brother, although at this point, with green teeth. “I might marry you,” he allows. “Do you want a big family?” I like that. You look like Sailor Supergirl. *********************** 2. Jase: There are not enough words to describe Jase. He is…confident, honest, mature, sexy, funny, smart, driven, athletic, real. He is the type of guy you can lean on, talk to, make a fool out of yourself with, have fun, laugh, do daring things. Yep. Quite a character. *********************** 3. Jase and Sam: For those two, I'm just going to put four quotes from the book. I think it pretty much says a lot about them. “So now you’ve met my mother,’ I say to Jase that night, leaning back on the roof. ‘I sure have. That was awesome. And completely uncomfortable. “You have to kiss me,” I find myself saying. “Yeah.” He leans closer. “I do.” But I like being Sam. I like being Jase's Sam. It sounds relaxed, easygoing, competent. I want to be that person (Page 184) And the way he does look at me makes me feel absolutely beautiful. *********************** 4. Jase's parents, all of the Garrett family: What really amazed me in this book was how I could picture each and single one of the members of the Garrett family. The little one who says “boob” and “poop” a lot, Alice the angry one who's actually quite tender, the other hot brother and I could continue but I will leave you with another of my favorites i.e. Andy: Andy spends all her time on Facebook and reading, rereading Twilight again and again. *********************** 5. Tim: The way he speaks about Hot Alice, the way he messes a lot of things but he's actually not that messed up, the way he was there for Sam when she was young and is still around and because he says things like this: “Why do all the hot girls want the jocks and the good boys? We losers are the ones that need you.” When to pick up this book? - Great Summer Read (but really you could cuddle with it in all seasons) - if you like Sarah Dessen or Jennifer Echols. Plus some of the first time moments did remind me of Judy Blume (!) - When you’re in the look for a great set of characters - If you want something which makes your heart feel warm As a writer: The Life Next Door shows how to handle many many characters while giving them all a different personality and something which stands out. They don’t fall flat. I am already anticipating Ms Fiztpatrick’s next book!