This book was so much fun! Loved the banter and wit! This was my first time reading anything by Alexa Martin, but I’ll be checking out her backlist immediately. Overall a very fun and sweet romcom.

I will have spoilers but on Goodreads the spoilers won’t go up until after release day.

2.5/5 Stars

Thank you so much to Good Girls PR, Alexa Martin, and Berkley for providing me with this arc.

I requested this book as it sounded fun and chaotic and I truly thought I would love it but I have quite a few issues with this book and the biggest is this is more woman’s fiction than romance unlike what I expected from it saying Rom com in the blurb. This was my very first berkley arc so I wanted to love it but the more I think about this book the more issues I find. I love romance and when I pick up something that has been called a romantic comedy I expect to see more romance than what we got in this book.

Collins Carter has returned home after she left right after high school to LA to go to school and work on her career as a writer in the entertainment industry. She is met with the renewed hatred of her ex best friend and now nemesis, Nate Adams especially when he hand delivers an HOA violation trying to force her out of town. Collins crafts up a plan with her besties both new and old to get revenge on Nate by competing for HOA president but when she and Nate start to confront their feelings things don’t go as planned.

SPOILERS BELOW

I need to talk about my issues with this book as I don’t think they made it a bad book but it did ruin my experience. There is not a lot of romance and when we start to get the romance there are like 2 ish scenes of them interacting romantically before it time jumps 2 or 3 weeks to them being in a fully established relationship but we didn’t get to see any of that growth. The third act break up was emotional but also it felt like after that they got back together a bit too easily especially after what Nate has gone through it felt too easy. I just didn’t feel like we saw any growth in the relationship or even individually to get to the point of a relationship, it went from them “hating” each other to them having a sorta one night stand to them talking about the past to a 2 week time jump. It felt very off pacing wise and too much was focused on what felt like filler instead of Collins actually growing and then entering the relationship.

If I look past the issues I have with this book I did like parts of it. I liked the rival dynamic between the two for the first part of the book and I also liked Collins’s parents. I did like the friendships and family aspects of this book and I wish we got more of them. I also liked what romance we did get in this book but it wasn't enough for me personally to enjoy it. But I also felt like these two 29 year olds were behaving like teenagers which isn’t what I want in adult romance. I’m a petty person and even this felt like a bit much and like everything was forgiven too easily.

I think there is an audience for this book but that audience wasn’t me sadly.

Berkley if you read this review I still adore y’all and please approve me for more books as I love everything else I’ve read from you.

Next-Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin is a rom-com with lots of angst and anger when your most embarrassing moment can go viral on social media—front and center.

Collins and Nate have a history since attending middle school together, but they went their separate ways and not in a good way. Things get ugly fast when they reconnect in their small town in Ohio. But there is still an attraction, even if neither wants to admit it.

Collins has left LA under a dark cloud, and the details play out through the pages…and they aren’t pretty. She and Nate are butting heads about life in their small community with an HOA at its core. Nate wants to be the next president, but Collins has too much at stake and too much pride to let him get his way.

Several storylines wind their way through the main story, and there are intriguing and unusual friendships. The tale has twists and turns with many details that prove their importance. There is a good flow, a quick pace with family and friends, and HOA issues.

When Collins and Nate let their guard down, things heat up fast, showing the importance of their friendship over the years. Their romance shows love is the opposite of hate, and it softens both of them. There is closure in the epilogue when friendship and love wins out. There’s a happily ever after in the offing, but I would have liked the epilogue to go on a little longer.

This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Martin, but it won’t be my last. I liked how she unrolled the storyline and built up the characters and how the plot kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next!

Next-Door Nemesis is a snappy enemies-to-lovers rom-com based in a small midwestern town that will leave you satisfied, yet ready for Ms. Martin’s next book!

This book had me cackling early on. The friends to enemies to lovers trope is one of my favorites and Alexa Martin delivered. The rivalry between Collins and Nate cracked me and yet while I know this isn’t real, I could ABSOLUTELY see happening. Martin introduces us to a very lovable cast of characters that we all wish were our neighbors. Hell, at this point, Martin is making OHIO look good!
This book gives you all. You will laugh, cry, and rage.
I absolutely LOVED it.

Tbh I grew up out in the country so I have zero experience with an HOA or what kind of rules they have, but I’m glad I’ve never had to worry about them 😂😅

I’m a sucker for extreme angst, and this had that, but the interactions between Collins and Nate came off as incredibly petty and childish for a lot of the book.

I think I would’ve enjoyed this a lot more if it was dual POV. It was a little hard to connect/become invested in the romance with all the petty and spiteful behavior when we only got insight into one side of it.

Highlights:
- Romance: MF
- Childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers
- Close proximity
- RomCom
- Angsty banter

⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5

Thank you Alexa Martin, GoodGirlsPR, & Net Galley/Berkeley for this advance copy. This is my honest opinion.

DNF at 30%. I wanted to love this and was drawn in by the premise. I look at HOA meetings like Rory and Lorelai attending a town hall - I bring my snacks and settle in. I see the ways this could lead to both tension and comedy. Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling much of either in this book and instead felt like Collins was just being petty and mean. It lost me then - I don’t even want to see them get together. Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the free ebook and PRHAudio for the free audiobook.

This was such a cute, fun romcom and I would definitely watch this movie. I had such a fun time reading this book! It was a great way to spend the day.

This is an adorable rom com that will really hit if you live in a HOA and have had friends try to sell MLM products to you. This is a rivals to lovers with a delicious twist of second chance romance. It is pretty heavy on the humor and low on the angst with a satisfying tie up. Extra win for ex Ellen’s secondary characters in both the parents and the girlfriends.

DNF 40%. I thought I would connect with the story, but it was very difficult for me, I didn't get hooked, I wasn't inspired by the protagonist and there were things about religion that mmm, no, I ignored them. I wanted to give it one more chance because I have to do a review on Netgalley but I can't.
Thanks to Good Girls PR for sending me the ARC, my opinion is honest and voluntary.

— 1 ⭑ || dnf @30%
For the readers: may you always find a home in the pages of this book

yeah i can already tell that i won't like this.
firstly, i’m not a fan of the writing style and secondly, i don't like any of the characters. why is everyone acting so immature?

💌- thank you goodgirlspr & alexa martin for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank-you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Alexa Martin for the eARC!

2/5 spice

After going viral in a humiliating way, Collins Carter moves back in with her parents’ into her childhood home. It’s not long before she runs into her ex-friend/nemesis, Nathaniel Adams.

They get into a series of petty one-upmanship leading to Collins running against Nate for HOA president. What ensues are secret board meetings, smear campaigns and one surprising moment of warmth were they open up to each other about recent heartbreaks.

I found Collins incredibly juvenile for a near 30 year old, and Nate downright unpleasant and rude. The writing style felt like I was reading a teenager’s diary. Their pettiness read like bickering teenagers. It was also difficult for me to root for them as a couple, especially when they go from loathing each other to almost abruptly without much lead up giving into their physical attraction and liking each other.

While the majority of the book was focused on the HOA battle, it’s abandoned with no payout to all that buildup of fight with a forfeit. Same with the explanation for why they suddenly went from friends to enemies. I understand that when you are young you make stupid choices, but Nate’s explanation felt inadequate and unrealistic.

Overall a solid enemies to lovers read. The HOA angle was certainly a unique one I haven’t come across. And there were some very cute moments sprinkled throughout. I just wanted more, more character development, and more romance development.

This was a fantastic friends to enemies to lovers novel. You can definitely feel the tension as you read. I loved the secondary characters as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was an enjoyable read thanks to Collins, but Nate didn't do it for me. He started off as a major dick right out of the gate, which stings even more when we learn more about what happened to their previous friendship and knowing he's (mostly) to blame, so wtf?

And then he explains what happened, which doesn't really excuse his treatment of her imo, and then she just accepts that and we move on. I don't even remember seeing him actually apologize, though SHE apologized to him several times during that speech. Booooooo.

And then we he decided he wasn't going to be an asshole anymore, he was just vanilla for me, nothing special or exciting as for MMCs go.

But Collins was fantastic and I loved her humor. I just wished she made Nate grovel more than he did to make up for years of not being friends because he's an idiot.

Though I did like that there wasn't really a third act breakup. I guess there technically was? But it was based on a calm, understanding discussion of what was going to happen in the future. Whereas in another book, they probably would have gotten into a big fight based on what happens toward the end.

So there were definitely aspects I liked about this book, but Nate brought it down for me :(

Nate is so awful early on in this novel of second chances that I almost put this down but I kept reading because I liked Collins, her new pal Ashley, her BFF Ruby and most of all her parents. And that was a good decision because Martin turns a clear eye on moving home after career crisis and friendship, with an HOA as a backdrop. Why did Nate ghost Collins all those years ago and how did he become such a mean man? You won't know for a while but you know, veteran rom com reader, that it's gonna get steamy. Pretty steamy. This one made me smile more than once- not so much with the hijinks around Collins' campaign but because of Ruby, who's a hoot and small things like the Karens (three women named Karen). Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Read if you like:
🚲 Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers
💋 Forced Proximity
💗 He Falls First
🥵 Spice/ Open Door
📺 TV Writer FMC
🏡 Boy Next Door
🤳🏻 Internet Viral Sensations

If you like spice, childhood friends to enemies to lovers. Forced proximity, and lots of petty back and forth, this one is a great pick!

I really loved how the diversity of our FMC was written and how the author used the character to talk about being biracial in the Midwest, in Hollywood, and then to be female on top of that as well. I felt like this narrative was so well written!

The relationship between Collins and Nathaniel was so well written and loved how their dynamic grew and changed throughout the book.

I did feel like this one’s third act break up is one that most can get behind the way it was written as well.

All in all, this was a solid romance by a new to me author that I think many will enjoy! Thanks so much to Berkley for my ARC in exchange for my review!

(4.5/5)

This was such a quick and fun read! I loved every second from the very first page, but I think the feisty, fierce FMC had to be my favorite. I related to her in so many ways, from her snark to her preference to avoid human interaction when possible.

Friends to enemies to lovers has never been so much fun - Collins is home licking her wounds after going viral for all the wrong reasons, only to find out that her best friend from high school - and her now enemy - lives just down the street. When he tries to get her to leave, her defiance flares and she decides that it's time to show him who he's messing with.

The banter is funny and sassy, the tension definitely builds, and the story is sweet and enjoyable. I loved the side characters - especially Collins's parents - and thought they brought so much to the story. I also loved the character progression for our FMC as the plot unfolded.

Now let's talk about the spice - solid 2/5 peppers for me. It wasn't super frequent or overly graphic, but it was definitely hot and steamy. There's one scene in particular that had me in need of a glass of water...

I took a half star away because, while this was cute, it didn't evoke an emotional response (ex. tearing up, heart squeezing, chest tightening, etc.) But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it and I wouldn't recommend it to a friend, because I absolutely would if you love any of the following: small town, opposites attract, feisty fmc, banter, friends to enemies to lovers, good spice

Alexa Martin switches from her football based series to a down-home neighborhood rom-com in which estranged childhood friends vie for the same position on the HOA board. Written with wit, humor, and an openness to the messiness of humanity, readers will surely fall in love with these characters and this story.

I was provided an ARC of this book via the Berkley Besties program and Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This follows down on her luck screenwriter Collins after a horrible breakup sends her back to her hometown in Ohio. She had big dreams to make it big in California and leave Ohio behind. I can totally relate to that, I said I was never coming home when I left for college and I live an hour from where I grew up. Collins former best friend, Nate, happens to life in the same housing plan as her parents and is a successful realtor and a member of the HOA and he takes his duties a little too serious sometimes. Nate and Collins had a falling out in high school and they both are holding on to some deep rooted feelings that have had a long time to fester. Collins loves nothing but to get under Nate's skin, and in her latest attempt to rattle him she decides to run for the recently vacated HOA president position. As they try to outwit and undermine each other at every turn, they start to get to know each other again and rekindle their friendship and chemistry they had as teens.

This was a cute frenemies-to-lovers second chance romance read. It was quick and had some fun banter. I really loved Collins relationship with her parents and her friendships with Ashleigh and Ruby. Collins read a little immature and petty for my personal taste in a main character Some of her behavior and the way she spoke was more relatable to a teenager or college student than an adult in her late 20s or early 30s. Nate on the other hand takes himself too seriously. I think for some it will add to the comedy of the book, and it will appeal to a broad range of readers. I do think that having a war over the HOA president position is hilarious. That is certainly a plotline I haven't read before and it made for a nice backdrop for our main characters to get to know each other again and rekindle their feelings for one another.

If you are looking for a fun rom-com that you can devour in a weekend pick this up. I enjoyed the quirky characters and comedic situations we find out characters in throughout the book.

I kept going back and forth on this one. Sometimes, I really loved the story and the characters and then I'd grow bored and want to be done with it.

I liked the banter of the main characters! Martin was great about making situations that felt new and familiar at the same time by bringing familiar banter into new situations. And I loved that this was high school rivals (and former best friends) meets adult versions of themselves.

The HOA plot was fun and felt original. I haven't read any other contemporary rom-coms that revolve around an HOA. Plus, going back to the banter. The fact that so many arguments and bickerings revolved around it was so funny.

Overall, this was an okay read for me. I loved so many parts, but disliked or felt completely indifferent to so many others. I wish it all could have felt more cohesive or been paced a little better.

Looking for a romance wrapped in laughter and hijinks, then look no further! What do you do when your life has gone up in outrageous viral flames? Run home and hide with you parents of course! The only problem is that you find yourself face to face with the first friend to stab you in the back and crush your trust in people and boys especially. Add in a tyrannical HOA board and you have laughter for hours! The characters were a bit petty and childish, but that honestly added to the humor and helped them work through their demons faster. The plot was hilarious and prank filled to add to the humor. If you love a good rom com or funny sitcom, then this book is absolutely for you!