I love a good RomCom, but this one just didn’t hook me the way others have. I think from the get-go I wasn’t super invested in the development of the characters, too little info was given about them in small bits and I felt like i couldn’t fully understand who they were.

I don’t know that I totally bought the chemistry between the two. The overall premise of the plot was cute, I loved Grace’s independence and showing that woman can get things done independently.

Overall the book just fell a bit short for me though.

"This is just a house. Without you, it's empty. Without you, I am empty. A house is a shell. A blank canvas. A home is a masterpiece."

There is just something about books with home renovation plots that I just love. I don't know why I am drawn to them, but I just am.

This was a cute romance, but I never found myself fully invested in it. I liked Noah and Grace, but I didn't love them together and I was never rooting for them. I think that I liked the side characters more in this one than the main characters. Give me more of the dogs and grandpas!

Overall it was adorable and an enjoyable read, but not one that I will pick up again.

This was a quick read enemies to lovers book. Grace knows what she wants in life and will not stray from her path. Noah is used to getting his way. These two become neighbors and don't see eye to eye. Sparks slowly start to show between these two each time they interact with each other. This was a fun read. It was sweet with not much naughty parts.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for this advanced copy. I’m so excited I was able to read it because I absolutely adored it.

We have two stubborn characters when it comes to Grace and Noah, one being poor and inheriting her house and the other a rich boy trying to make his way without his father. And they are neighbors. Noah is constantly trying to get Grace to sell her house, while she feels it’s her way to make something of herself, so she refuses. They start to butt heads and than compete, while kindling feelings for each other. They both have parents they want to prove themselves to in different ways. An opportunity of a lifetime happens for them, Noah getting his mark in an upcoming magazine and he needs Grace’s interior design help; which can also rocket her name to fame. Can they continue as friends or will desire take over.. we’ll all I can say is but this book!!

I love a good head-butting, sexual tension romance. And this book has that. Has two people from different worlds who aren’t really that different at all. They want to prove to themselves they have what it takes and they slow build romance in this story is electric. I liked that you could feel the tension throughout without the need to have them knocking boots right off the bat. I also love the side characters, Morty being my favorite. A funny, grumpy, lovable old man.

I really loved the concept and execution of this whole book and can’t wait for Sophie’s next book!!!

I've said before, these contemporary romances are palette cleansers for me, I don't expect much but a nice story to soothe my mind between epic fantasies, complex mysteries and all manner of other heavier fiction.

This one didn't really have much that gripped me in any way. I didn't feel the chemistry between the two main characters in the way I'd hope for a novel without any other heavier themes. It had the female character that was disproportionally successful to the man but they were both kind of a mess. I felt like their constant “saving” of each other was an insane form of codependency and as soon as it seemed that way the author back tracked a little. It just made me uncomfortable. It wasn’t so much enemies to lovers as it was two people who have no idea how to have a relationship.

Could have just been me but I don't think this one will wow you in any way. It'll make an ok a beach read but it's not one I can see you needing to read.

There was a character named Herman though so I'm obvs happy about that...

Thanks to Netgalley for access to this novel. All opinions above are my own.

What a fun read! Grace and Noah's story was a joy to read. I loved everything about this book.
I received a complimentary copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and was not required to write a revie. All opinions expressed are my own.

The butterflies and the serotonin, this one gave to me was something I didn’t know I would be having because holy cow; not only it was a perfect sunshine meets grump romance novel but also that little family dynamic was quite engaging and fun. In a nutshell, it was a very enjoyable read.

I almost didn’t finish this book, it started out a bit slow for me, but oh boy am I glad I stuck with it! What I found was some great characters that sucked me in and didn’t let me go until the very last page. Loved Grace and Noah, they both had similar situations with their childhood, although Grace didn’t come from money, where Noah did. Truly loved the whole house designing setting, reading through that process was awesome. The closeness of the side characters was great! Loved Marty, Tilly, Josh, Rosie, Noah’s brothers, Everly and of course the dogs! What a fun story, the ease of Noah and Grace working together and then falling in love played out very well. The ending soooo good. Very well worth the read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

🛠🔩🏡🏠Good start but lost momentum😕

I thought this novel started out well but once the main protagonists buried the hatchet and started cooperating I lost interest. I had the feeling that the shoe would drop and some major drama related to estranged parents would turn up but I just did not care enough about the couple to stick it out to the end for the possibility of some drama later on.

I guess there are two elements that did not click for me but, if they interest you, you might really enjoy the novel. First, the reno and home design dimension to the story. It's integral to the action, both for Noah and Grace, what they do for a living and who they are but, for me, no, not that interested. And, as part of the renovation, there were a lot of secondary characters to follow (a few too many for me).

Added to that the romance had a good deal of introspection and discussion of feelings but, for some reason, it just did not move me. Maybe the competition and games Noah and Grace played even turned me off a bit.

I had hoped it could be but, ultimately, not to my taste.

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Noah is looking for something new, so he relocates from New York to California, in the same town his brother is in. He’s looking for more permanence in all areas of his life, so he buys a house he intends to fix and make truly his own. The problem? Grace, who lives next door. She’s sexy, she’s stubborn, and she’s everything he never knew he needed.

I really enjoyed this book. I love a good enemies to lovers trope and I also love when books do not unnecessarily break up couples for long periods of time.

Thank you to the author and publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

How to Love Your Neighbor felt a little cliched. Noah is the big city rich man trying to buy Grace’s inherited home (his neighbor!), so they start off on the wrong foot. I still can’t really figure out when they transitioned from enemies-to-lovers.

It started off light and fun with witty banter and mild arguments. Noah was a hard character to like, he was often rude and snobby. Grace was better initially, but then she devolves into this immature mess. I just never believed in the chemistry between them, as it felt like I was being told versus shown.

Grace’s neighbor/adopted “Grandpa” Morty was the star of the show. He and the other side characters were more memorable than Grace and Noah and I found myself looking forward to them more than the main plot.

Overall, How to Love Your Neighbor wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t great either.

I absolutely loved the cover and plot idea! However it did take me several times to get into this book because of the pacing and it was hard to stay interested.

This was a two star rating because it was just ok but might be better to read at another time. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing chance to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are.my own.

Very mellow book. Not interesting to me, I expected more and was disappointed. Didn't feel the chemistry,

First of all, thank you Net Galley and St Martins Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a whirlwind. Neighbours to enemies to lovers to friends to enemies again and back to lovers. Talk about keeping you on your toes!

Grace’s character was easy to love. She worked hard to get where she was in life and didn’t let much get in the way - except her heart. Her big heart and desire to find family was shown with her relationship with Morty, her quasi grandfather/ friend. She had the perfect amount of sass and drive and didn't let her emotions get in the way of her life's goals.

I had high hopes for Grace's mother- Tammy- and in their ability to repair their relationship, but I’m glad her role stayed relatively small. I'm also glad Grace was able to stand up for herself and grow enough to give a second chance.

Noah was a force. Watching him breakaway from his fathers shadow and eke out his own new life was sweet to read- and watching his heart and capacity for love grow was heartwarming. I think I enjoyed his character development the most.

The chemistry between Grace and Noah was palpable from the opening chapter and stayed strong from there. There were bumps along the road, but it was a breath of fresh air to see the issues worked through as adults (besides the few blow ups which were quickly resolved).

I enjoyed the dual POV, though I wish there was a little more distinction between the two of them … I’m hoping it was just the advanced copy that didn’t differentiate. Same for the text conversations - they were a little confusing to read without distinction amongst the other text.

There was romance but anything beyond kissing was FTB, so for anyone who wants a love story without it being explicit - this is a good option!


With strong themes of chosen family, hard work, and love - this was a great read to start off the new year. And if you’re in any way into interior decorating then this is the book for you! Just over 300 pages of witnessing what makes a house a home <3

PS- My standards have officially risen. I will no longer settle for a bouquet of flowers, its a full garden or nothing now haha

This books started off really strong for me, and then seemed to hit a snag. I can generally read a full length novel in a day or two, but this one took me FOUR days and reading a short story between some chapters to get through.

I think part of the problem is that the pacing for the set-up is quick, but then the relationship part is meant to be a slow-burn storyline. Instead, the story just seems to go over the same things repeatedly. Not just a normal push/pull of the romantic leads, but also internal revelations.

And that's another problem: we spend a lot of time in the characters' heads, but I never felt connected to the characters' emotions. The author tells the reader how the character feels, but without deep POV we don't get to experience how they're feeling.

There were also a couple of cases towards the end where Noah is talking to his brother explaining an incident, and at no point do we get his realisation of how he's messed up. It's simply the brother pointing out what Noah did wrong, then Noah declaring that he has to fix the situation. No putting himself in Grace's position, no comparison to how he'd feel if the roles were reversed, no feelings of remorse. (Until they're together and Grace can see the sadness in his eyes.)

I also felt that there were a lot of secondary and tertiary characters introduced in the first half of the book, who simply disappeared in the latter half or were only referred to in passing. The "dark moment" happens around 92% and for me that's just not enough time to work past the final relationship barriers.

The book references characters from a previous book, but it isn't listed as part of a series. I didn't feel like I missed out on anything, nor do I feel the urge to seek out the first book.

Sophie Sullivan's delightful new book How to Love Your Neighbor will appeal to fans of romantic comedies. Both Grace and Noah are likeable in their own ways. Grace is a soon to be interior designer who inherits her grandparents' house next to Noah. Noah has long wanted to purchase the adjacent property to create his dream home and yard. Once they meet, fireworks ensue as the two have competing visions of their perfect place. The banter between the leads is very enjoyable, and the romance is slow enough that reader's believe their long lasting happy end. I will be looking for more from Sullivan, and would recommend How to Love Your Neighbor to any fan of sweet contemporary romance. A fun romp for 2022.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin’s Griffin for the eARC!

I really loved Ten Rules for Faking It last year and was really looking forward to How to Love Your Neighbor. I really liked Grace’s character but struggled with the drama between her and Noah. The enemies to lovers angle just felt really forced and silly. And then it went from enemies to insta-love and that also felt a little off.

All in all this was a cute, light read and I enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to continuing the series. My favorite parts were when Everly made appearances because I adored her character so much! The home renovation angle was super fun as I love renovation/real estate shows!

How to Love Your Neighbor is out 1/18/22!

3.5/5 stars


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I was excited when NetGalley approved me for Sophie Sullivan's second book which goes along with her first book, Ten Rules for Faking It. While you do not need to read these in order, there are some repeat characters from Noah's family.

This is a situation of next door neighbors who clearly do not see eye-to-eye become antagonistic towards each other and throw in an HGTV-type story.

This is a fun fast book that has some chemistry but won't make your mom blush. It was refreshing that Sullivan didn't feel like she had to cave to the current trends and have explicit sex scenes.

Sullivan does tackle some heavier topics at the same time like parental abandonment and parental deception.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

I loved this book! It had a little bit of everything that I love - enemies to lovers, witty banter, home renovations, and an adorable rich guy falls for normal girl trope! Not only was this incredibly fun to read but it had quite a bit of substance that sometimes rom coms don't have!

The main character, Grace, is an interior design student who inherits a fixer upper house from her grandparents. Right away I was into that because anything HGTV style is a win for me. Grace is a loveable character who is kind of a jack of all trades. She is so sweet and full of life. She seems to become easy friends with just about anyone.

Noah is the sexy, rich next door neighbor. They quickly become enemies and the hilarious banter ensues! If that wasn't enough, he is OF COURSE remodeling his fancy home. 2 for 2 for the home renos! The relationship that happens between Grace and Noah had a smile on my face from start to finish.

Overall, I loved everything about this book. I will be reading Sophie Sullivan's other books now without a doubt!

Off the bat I’m going to say if this book does not become a best seller I will RAMPAGE! This was my first read for 2022 and it is EASILY ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!

Grace thinks she has life all figured out, with a set course she is not willing to stray from even if happiness is knocking at her door. Noah is a big shot business man known for being non committal and only after the thrill of the chase. So what happens when these two turn out to be neighbors?? Well let’s just say the most beautiful book was made out of it.

This book has nemesis to lovers, men worth drooling over, HGTV basically in a novel, parents I HATE (yeah, Tammy, I’m talking about you), a grumpy old man who’s no bullshit named Morty who I NEED as my spiritual advisor, and so much wit and romance I couldn’t put it down! Like when I say I was feeling the butterflies for the main characters like *wheewwww* ! I needed some tums after all the flips my stomach did with just pure sweetness!

Guys this book comes out on January 18th and I will be SOO disappointed if you don’t read it!! I know I’ll be picking up a physical copy just to have on my shelf. This WILL be a comfort read!!
Thank you NetGalley & St. Martins Press the advance copy for my honest review!