The boy next door is a by author Stevie J Cole. I find most short stories enjoyable. But, usually, it is hard to connect with characters and storylines in a short story. Overall this was a cute story, but parts of it didn't work for me.

I love friends to lovers stories, so I knew The Boy Next Door was going to be fun. And it was ...to a point. I loved Emma and Evan's relationship. I could understand the reluctance to admit their feelings for each other. The chemistry was off the charts. Despite being a novella, there was a cute epilogue. What I didn't care for was the virginity auction. I found it pretty callus and disturbing. I didn't like that scenario, so that made me take a point off.

I liked it! I have read other short stories that don’t have a lot of context and where the story is a bit superficial but not this one. I liked that the story has a a history between the characters, there is a problem that needs to be solved and they work on it with the addition of being sexy hot in the process. I really appreciate that the author put effort into giving them a background. I wish that the problem they encountered would have been more of a struggle to solve but I understand that for it to be a short story, it couldn't. I wouldn't have mind to read more of it. I think this book was good, to the point and entertaining.

Emma and Evan are best friends and they are in love with each other, but scared to ruin their friendship.

This is a very steamy short story.

I love this quick little reads; less than an hour to get it read and I don't feel guilty about taking that kind of time. Like the rest, very much erotica, but cute story nonetheless.

3 stars
A friends to lover short story. Emma and Evan have been bffs since they were little. Both have strong feelings for the other, but never told the other one. Now, when Emma is going auction off her virginity, Evan makes his move. Storyline was a little odd, but overall, it was a cute story.

An extremely quick, light, easy, friends to lovers romance following manwhore Evan Drake and his best friend, the sweet and innocent Emma Jacobs, as they both battle their feelings for each other, neither one wanting to risk losing their friendship. Agreeing to auction off her virginity for charity may not have been Emma’s best idea, but it certainly gets Evan’s attention, the spark to finally ignite the fire. With a little bit of added angst from Winston the evil creeper, this story really is the whole package. Predictable and addictive, sexy and sweet. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This is precisely what it says it is... a short erotic friends to lovers romance that you can easily devour over lunch. I enjoyed this story for what it was: sexy, cute, readable and satisfying all in one tasty little nibble of a romance. While I'm a reader that prefers lots of emotional depth in her novels, this kind of story is perfect when you just need something naughty and romantic to pass the time. I enjoyed it.

This is exactly as it is advertised: a short 'Dirty bits'-story and I quite liked it.

I love the 'friends-to-lovers'-trope and Emma and Evan have been friends since the sandbox days. Living next to each other they somehow never tried to cross the barrier even when they both have the hots for each other.

I was not really amused about the fact Emma tried to auction of her virginity (even when she was quite naive about it) as it seemed so out of character for her AND the other sorority girls. But it triggered Evan to taking action. It was hot, but not over the top erotic. Just right for a 'dirty bit' I guess.

Both Emma and Evan were likeable characters and I would have liked to have read more about them.