I think I have found a new favourite read!

I absolutely loved this book, it was such a heartwarming and humorous rom-com.

I adored both Logan and Clare and found that they were such relatable characters. I also liked a lot of the side characters my favourite being Sam.

I loved the story and felt 2 ways about the book, at times I didn’t want to put it down and then other times I wanted to read it slowly and take my time because I didn’t want it to end because I was enjoying it so much.

A couple of my favourite lines/quotes from the book were:

“but a pack of butterflies had taken up residence in his stomach and showed no sign of leaving."

“everything about Clare had turned him upside down."

I found Logan was just so sweet and I absolutely loved him! (Think I’ve found my first ever book boyfriend 😍)

The writing in this book was so easy to read and flowed so well. I also loved that the chapters were a good length (not too long) as it kept my attention very well. I have already added Elizabeth Davis’ first book to the top of my TBR and plan to read it ASAP.

Thank you to Hedline eternal and NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I had such high hopes for this book as a huge lover of Davis’ last book and this one certainly did not disappoint. It was funny, romantic, full of banter with some spice added in for good measure! I loved how the main characters were relatable and seeing the relationship blossom was super lovely to read!

Loved this book it was funny didn’t take me long to read. I’ve read book my this author before and I new I was going to love this book. The author has amazing writing style. Love the characters a hint of romance you love.

The Player Next Door was a really fun read in terms of the romance while also touching on more serious issues like sexism and harassment in the workplace. Don’t worry, it’s still very much a romcom so everything turns out ok in the end.

Main characters Clare and Logan live in the same building and are both having trouble at work. Logan is a finance manager and has to prove to a super traditional client that thinks everyone should share his ‘family values’ that he’s settled and has a girlfriend because if Logan looses this client he’ll be fired. Clare is a tabletop game designer and the only woman on her team. She has to prove to her gross boss that she can have a one night stand so that he’ll let her pitch the new character and storyline for the game she came up with. Logan and Clare have a one night stand but now want different things and when feelings start getting involved it gets messy.

I enjoyed both Clare and Logan’s POVs and character growth and I think the backstory for both characters was woven in really well and helped us see where their present day insecurities come from. I absolutely loved the scenes of Clare playing the board game with her friendship group and think the game storylines and the character’s reactions to these added a wonderful layer to the book. I would have liked to have seen Clare and Logan’s work life included in the epilogue just because it was such a large part of the motivation for both of them in the rest of the book. I liked that Logan’s best friend was female, their scenes were great and I enjoyed seeing her budding friendship with Clare too.

Read for:
• Opposites attract
• One night stand, to friends, to lovers ❤️
• Getting stuck in a lift together
• Board game quests
• A cute doggo 🐾
• Standing up to sexism in the workplace

Rating: 4/5🌟
Steam Level: 2.5/5🔥

This was such a pleasant surprise! I really wasn't sure if this would completely be my cup of tea, just because I'm neither a gamer nor someone who plays a sport in any capacity. I also started off being a bit apprehensive about how Logan and Clare would work together because they seemed to be such different people, as well as having such different outlooks towards relationships and romance. However, I could tell almost immediately that these two were made for each other and I found myself rooting for their success very early on.

I liked the parallel storylines centred around Logan and Clare's work lives, with both of them being told their personal lives were negatively affecting their performances at work, to an extent. Both of their workplaces and colleagues felt accurate in depicting the kind of people they would have to deal with, and it really rang true, unfortunately, that Clare put up with the inappropriate behaviour of her boss for so long before reaching her breaking point, as so many women have experienced in their own places of work. I also appreciated how Davis didn't shy away from portraying Logan in a negative light at times, especially in regard to how he had found himself slipping into avoidant behaviours and socialising with bad influences from work.

I loved reading the interactions between Clare and Logan and genuinely thought they were so cute together. They bounced off each other constantly and had a very natural-feeling connection, despite their differences. They both helped each other become more confident in themselves and at work, stepping out of their comfort zones and realising their respective worths. Any stereotype about the jock falling for the nerdy gamer flew out the window because they both had such respect for each other's interests, rather than any attempt to change them, or an indication that they fell for them despite these differences.

I felt that the development from a one-night stand, to slowly becoming firm friends, to a relationship, was done really well by Davis! It felt very realistic, especially the parts where Logan and Clare were finding their feet in both wanting to spend time with the other but didn't want to come across as too forward. Seeing Logan fall first through the dual narrative was very sweet, as was the fact that this was a bit more of a slow-burner romance than some others I've read recently. I'm definitely interested in reading I Love You, I Hate You by Davis as I've heard good things, and I'll be keeping my eye out for more from her!

Such a quick and heart warming read! I couldn’t put it down for more than a few minutes before wanting to pick it back up and carry on!

It follows:

Finance bro Logan and tabletop game designer Clare couldn't be more different. They know this because their apartments face each other, and they've noticed. But not, you know, in a creepy way.

Still, when they get stuck in the elevator together, sparks fly and they each see an opportunity: Clare needs her co-workers to believe that she is capable of a one-night stand to get them to buy into her new role-play character, and Logan needs a steady girlfriend to prove his maturity to his boss.

After one night together, they're keen to get on with their respective plans. Except Clare can't understand why her hook-up seems to want to date her, and Logan is confused that Clare isn't responding to his flirting.

A kiss in the rain might clear up any confusion over their chemistry, but this whole 'relationship' thing is a two-player game, and both want to win. With their hearts and their pride on the line, could the prize be love?

--------

I definitely fell for Logan’s charm and Clare could have been my best friends. Reading how their relationship played out I was routing for them the entire time.

Favourite moments:

The hospital scene had me feeling lots of emotions 🥺

THE WHOLE BOOK HAVING AMAZING SLOW BURN 🔥 throughout!!!

The phone scene 🌶 - like Holy Guacamole 😍

The charcter development between Logan and Clare 🥺>>>> everything...

The chemistry and the banter between the two MCs had me swooning. I'm not ashamed to say that if I bumped into Logan in the corridor I wouldn't say no! I literally giggled like a teenager!!

Because I know you lovely lot will ask these are the tropes!!!

Tropes:
One Night Stand
Friends to Lovers
Guy Falls First
Dual POV

Overall, this is was a very well-paced, enjoyable read with great characters and heartwarming scenes that won’t fail to put a huge smile on your face.

A massive thank you to Netgalley and Headline for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

AMAZING. I literally have no other words to describe how much I loved this book. The writing was amazing and I usually hate the whole neighbour romance trope but this was written so well that I fell in live with the characters and left me wanting to read more written by this authorz

The Player Next Door
3.75 ⭐️

Clare and Logan live in the same apartment building.. and that’s about all they have in common. While the extremely monogamous Clare lives and breaths table top role playing games, dogs and baking, Logan is a non committal lady killer that is either working, seducing women or playing basketball.

Logan finds himself needing to prove to his boss and his clients that he’s mature and loyal, and Clare’s required to show she can be more impulsive and tries to gain more experience in order to prove to her boss she’s the right person to write a particular character and for an upcoming promotion. Getting locked in an elevator together might just be the blessing in disguise they both need for their own ulterior motives, or it might just turn their lives as they know it upside down.

Polar opposites - hook up to friends to lovers - guy falls first - slow burn - dual pov

This was a really enjoyable read that gives me noughties rom com vibes. It took me a little while to get into the story but after about 100 pages or so, I was invested and couldn’t put it down. I loved the development of the characters throughout the book, particularly finding out more about Logan and the way the storyline impacts him. There were some extremely cute scenes in the book, like the hospital, the basketball court, and Logan’s childhood home. The toxic workplace for Clare was really infuriating to read about, but that’s the whole point I think! Craig is an extremely unlikable character so as an antagonist it works well. The only critique I have is that the resolution at the end felt very quick and a little rushed considering how long the conflict went on for. It was such an enjoyable read that I would have loved to have more detail and depth at the end of the book.

Thank you Headline Eternal and Elizabeth Davis for the physical ARC and for asking me to be a part of the blog tour! Also thank you to NetGalley.

This book was okay but unfortunately I didn't love it, I wasn't a huge fan of either of the main characters. Don't get me wrong there was nothing really wrong with them but they just weren't my kind of characters and I struggled to gel with either of them. I found her a bit annoying with the whole gaming stuff too sometimes and slightly uninteresting.

But I did like the premise and the tropes and the romance was pretty cute

Good plot and decent characters. Who doesn't like a bit of a player with feelings and a nerd neighbour story. Enjoyable and light read

What a fantastic book; this was the rom-com I never knew I needed.

Clare and Logan are neighbours but they couldn't be more different. While Logan likes to play around and can't seem to settle down, Clare is more of a serious relationship type.

However, after a series of events and a brief exchange in an elevator, Logan and Clare each realise that they need something from the other, and the story progresses from there.

I loved this! The chemistry between Logan and Clare had me glued to the page, and Logan was seriously charming. Everything in their interactions captured my attention, and I could feel their close bond throughout the book. The twists and turns of the story all fitted in with the overall plot perfectly.

Thank you to Headline Eternal and the author for this ARC paperback. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Firstly I’d like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!! 😍😍

The Player Next Door is the story of neighbourhoods Logan Walsh, a tinder loving ‘hot guy’ who works in finance and Clare Thompson a ‘cute but nerdy’ woman who works in tabletop gaming. They’ve seen each other around a couple of times and, after a rather strange and creepy comments at work about being a ‘girlfriend kinda girl’, Clare decides she can do one night stands and Logan is just the guy for the job. Logan also has an agenda as he’s beginning to loose clients at work due to his private life so he decides that she could be his fake date for a client. But all is not what it seems as both of them start to catch feelings and a kiss in the rain might push things to the next level…Can they keep to their original plans? 😏💙

The characterisation in the book is everything, Logan is a complete softy. He’s so sensitive and not at all what people perceive and I pretty much fell in love with him straight away 🥹💛 Clare’s adorable from the start, and I’m not into tabletop gaming but I definitely felt a similarly with her and her friends and me and mine which was lovely 🥰🥰. Her relationships with her aunt and Kiki are so amazing too, she’s supportive of everyone so it’s so beautiful when she meets Logan and she gets someone who is supportive of her 💙💛 Their so playful together and it makes the book so light and fun to read whist it deals with very serious issues at Clare’s work.

This book is so amazing!! I love Logan and Clare’s dynamic so much, they bring out the absolute best and most vulnerable parts of each other and it was a joy to read it 🥰🥰 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Not quite sure how to word my review, so I’m just going to go with the flow.

This book is a slow burn but I loved the premise, friends to lovers, player vibes it gave. It picked up pace at around 30% for me and I just couldn’t put the book down. I think what I especially loved was Logan’s whole facade in terms of dating/relationships and how over the course of the book we start to see a change in his behaviour.

Clare, by all means comes across as vulnerable, especially in her workplace environment but completely different away from work, does that make sense? Her vulnerability reminded me an awful lot of some of my friends and how at times that vulnerability can make us a bit of a pushover.

The chemistry between Logan and Clare though. You feel the sizzle. Though, I was hoping for a bit more spicier scenes but I think for the storyline and where we’re at with the characters, it felt right.

This was my first book by Elizabeth Davis and I would wholeheartedly recommend this book if you like a romance book with spice (but not too much!)

Where to start? Firstly, where has Elizabeth Davis been all my life? Secondly, the spice was unexpected but so wanted!!
I loved this. Friends to lovers, opposites attract, one night stand = favourite tropes. Clare and Logan were brilliant characters. It was nice to delve into the world of table top games because i didn’t know anything about it previously. Would absolutely love a sequel because their chemistry was just amazing!

I really, really enjoyed this. Great characters, opposites attracting, with depth and well paced development despite being a quick read. Clare and Logan were so much fun to read about and root for!

This was a great romance - Logan and Clare made great main characters with fantastic banter and a believable chemistry.

I couldn’t put this down!

This was a cute, but sometimes frustrating read. I liked how Clare and Logan’s relationship developed after their initial hook-up. I felt that they genuinely became friends even with the undercurrent of sexual tension. Logan and his insecurities made me feel for him and I just wanted to smoosh him with love and make him understand he was worth more than just a good time. I am glad Clare could see the real him. I also liked how he challenged her and made her more bold. Clare’s friend group and Sam were great but I hated the Aidens . Clare’s work situation made me rage and I hated how unsure and accommodating she was with Craig when in other areas she seemed so secure and comfortable with herself (although that is probably quite a realistic portrayal of that kind of situation). I wish we had more of a resolution to that storyline ( did she switch teams? Was Craig fired? Did she go for Noah’s job?). I also felt the ending and how things played out between Clare and Logan was a little rushed and they could have gone into more depth with each other about why things blew up the way they did. Overall though it was still a really enjoyable read. (3.5 ⭐️)

Where to begin..
This book was incredible in my opinion, short chapters, intriguing and loveable characters and gave me The Flatshare kinda vibes.

Logan is a cheeky, flirtatious and charming man and Clare is a nerdy, nieve, gamer type of woman. They are the opposite in most ways.

I loved Clare and Logans banter, the mistakes they both made, how the story developed along with the characters and the added details, especially of Peggy being Clares aunt but also Logans boss. 😂


Tropes;
• One Night Stand
• Friends To Lovers
• Fake Dating
• Slow Burn.


My favourite scenes were;

1. The hospital scene was so thoughtfully written, it gave me all the feels 🥺
2. The phone scene.. omg the spice was just 🥵
3. At Burts Farm - when Clare makes Logan feel that he hides his art as a way of keeping his mom close. 😭


Overall, just so beautifully written it's honestly a pleasure to have read. I thank Isabelle at @headlineeternal and @netgalley for sending me an early release of this book for an honest review and for @Elizabethdavisromance for writing such a beautiful and heartwarming novel.

#ThePlayerNextDoor

The Player Next Door, the second novel from Elizabeth Davis, was such a fun read, but one that also wasn’t afraid to tackle some heavier topics. It’s a brilliant romcom that will have you rooting for its MCs. 4.5 ⭐️

The Player Next Door is the story of Clare and Logan, who beyond living in the same building, couldn’t be more different from one another. Yet when they end up stuck in their building’s lift together sparks begin to fly. They each see this as an opportunity not to be missed. Clare needs to prove to her coworkers she can be impulsive and pull off a one night stand (more on this toxic workplace behaviour later) and Logan needs a girlfriend to prove his steady maturity to a client. Yet as their night of passion comes to an end Clare can’t fathom why her hook up wants to date her and Logan is confused why she’s not responding to his charms. What will happen when their hearts and pride are on the line and they’re each playing to win?

On the romance front this novel is so much fun, you have:
🎲 two great MCs in Clare and Logan, who though very different, compliment each other so well
🏀 brilliant chemistry between our MCs
🎲excellent witty banter and MCs who are sharp and very funny
🏀 a hybrid of friends to lovers/fake dating
🎲he falls first
🏀 a steamy phone scene - their apartments look into each other’s
🎲an amazing scene where the Logan looks after an ill Clare, and which is also one where we learn the heartbreaking reason as to how exactly he knew what was wrong with her
🏀MCs who allow each other to flourish by simply letting them be their authentic selves in each other’s presence
🎲and linked to this MCs who support and encourage each other
🏀a wonderful cast of supporting friends (though not you the Aidens)

This is also a story that isn’t afraid to deal with some more difficult topics, including grief, misogyny and toxic workplace environments. Without wanting to give the plot away I will say that Clare’s boss Craig is a thoroughly bad egg. The environment and treatment that Clare has to deal with at work is appalling, yet Davis handles this subject with great Care. This resolution to this storyline was definitely a whoop moment!

I really enjoyed this book, you become immediately drawn into Clare and Logan’s world and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in their presence.

Clare — a tabletop-game designer and amateur baker —apartment faces Logan's. Logan is a devilishly handsome, committed player working in finance who doesn't do relationships. Both are aware of each other, and their respective lifestyles but are not on each other's radar. But when Logan is warned his reputation is harming his career and Clare's (odious) boss suggests she needs to have a few one-night stands, they find themselves thrown together in an unreliable elevator.

When I started The Player Next Door, I was unsure what to expect. Elizabeth Davis' debut (I Love You, I Hate You) was intriguing, but I never cared about her characters. Clare and Logan are on another level. I liked both, and their characterization was perfect. There are a few clichés, but they work.

The plot moves well, and the pacing is well executed. I would have preferred a little more in the resolution — which is why it’s 4 1/2 stars — but the ending is still satisfying. I felt Logan and Clare could have said more but the ending works. I did find myself wondering what's next but I doubt there will be a sequel.

Highly recommended. Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Eternal for the eARC.