This book was a little different than I thought it would be based on the description. When I saw this book was inspired by I the movie Sabrina and added to it a contemporary dating app trope along with a gender reversal for the romantic leads with two sisters, I had to give it a read. But, its been a while since I saw the movie and I completely forgot how much of a drama that movie had at its heart until I was deep into this book and committed to the characters. Although it had some excellent banter and comedic moments of misunderstanding, people at cross purposes, and emotional rawness. I have since cone back and watch both the Humphrey Bogart & Audrey Hepburn 1956 and Harrison Ford & Julia Ormond 1995 remake and I can say that this book does an excellent job of fitting in as a.2024 remake. With much more steam and and a stronger emphasis on the Why Choose and Forbidden Love tropes, this book would be better defined as a light teams womans fiction more than a full on comedy.

River Beau has adored his neighbor Lexi Huntington for years, convinced that they are destined to be together. He’s a hopeless romantic. But he’s a teenager about to graduate high school and head to college in New York. And his grandmother Ida and even Lexi’s sister Deanna convince him to move on – knowing that Lexi isn’t the commitment type. Fast-forward ten years. The Huntington sisters are working to secure funding for their new dating app, based on a fail-proof algorithm that Deanna developed. And since Lexi has found a near-perfect match with her boyfriend Jake on the app, they’re hoping they can prove that the investment is worthwhile. But then River returns home. Only he’s not the shy, awkward teen who pined for Lexi – he’s now a handsome, tattooed dreamboat. And now Lexi can’t help but notice him. Problem for Deanna, since their company’s success depends on Lexi’s successful relationship. So Deanna and River make a deal. If River can convince Deanna that there’s more to love than an algorithm, she’ll let him pursue her sister. But if not, he has to back off. But what neither of them expected was for an undeniable attraction to grow between them. The Neighbor Wager by Crystal Kaswell is a gender-swapped take on an old classic romance in which Deanna must ensure the success of one relationship while navigating unfamiliar feelings of her own.

Kaswell is definitely a romance author. The Neighbor Wager is a slow-burn yet quite spicy romance novel. The growing attraction between Deanna and River felt authentic. And the characters were generally vocal about their inner turmoil (and quite open about sex). However, the pining and attraction was quite repetitive before anyone acted on their feelings. Also, Lexi was a bit problematic in her whole “I’m sex-deprived and there’s the hot boy from next door so I’m going to briefly leave my boyfriend who adores me to get laid real quick.” Even so, I could still see the appeal – she’s not a horrible person. She’s just scared and horny.

Besides that, some of the dialogue seemed unnatural and confusing. I had to reread some parts because I couldn’t tell who was saying what, or had a hard time following along. But I do give Kaswell points for adding depth to her characters and inserting more serious themes such as parental drug abuse and terminal illness. Overall, the book engaged me to the point where I couldn’t put it down. Plus, plenty of romance lovers out there are guaranteed to add River Beau to their “Book Boyfriend” lists (including yours truly).

This book was witty. I loved the banter between the characters and the pace of the story. I have recommended this story to my book club to read after I finished it.

This one was fun! I liked the tropes, the vibes, and the characters! I think the premise of this book is super unique, especially with the use of the dating app and technology!

Once a great book from entangled publishing. I enjoyed all the characters in this book, but found the main female to be the one that I really loved reading. Her story was one of growth and just finding your own family in the midst of chaos. I enjoyed how the main guy was not who she expected to be a spot was the one that perfectly fit her by the end. And overall I just enjoyed the story of how to people came together under unique circumstances, but found something in each other that they didn't have before.

The Neighbor Wager is a cute contemporary romance where former nerd River and his crush Lexi find their chemistry ignited, only to be challenged by Deanna, the pragmatic brain behind a dating app.

While the premise of algorithm-driven love is fun, the plot often feels predictable, and I wanted more depth from the characters. River and Deanna’s chemistry builds nicely, but the stakes seemed low, leaving me wanting more emotional engagement.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable read with a clever twist, but it felt a bit formulaic and ultimately forgettable.

TL;DR: A light romance with a clever premise and nice chemistry, but lacking character depth and emotional stakes.

This had all the tropes for a good romance but it all just fell a bit flat for me. It's a forced proximity, girl next door with a sprinkle of second chance but it felt under-developed.

I loved the idea of the app but the storyline is really off, why run a dating app if you are cynical about love and relationships in the first place?

I really liked this author's writing style so I will check out future releases.

Thank you to Entangled for the ARC. I have picked this up a few times and just can't get into it. The sister's sharing the same love interest was a bit odd to me and a lot of the interactions seemed forced.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

The Neighbor Wager featured Deanna and River, and a take on the movie Sabrina. When River bets that he can make Deanna see love is more about the science and laws of attraction.

It was a lighthearted read which was just what I needed after a few darker stories.

*many thanks to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for the gifted copy.

Thank you to the author Crystal, Entangled Publishing, Amara and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and reviews are mine.

This book has so much potential but unfortunately it just did not hit the spot for me. I also didn't see this book as being advertised as a Why Choose book, and I'm not into that trope at all. Thats a big reason why this story didn't hit for me. The whole sisters sharing the same love interest wasn't it. I did enjoy the second chance and the forced proximity though, those tropes never let me down. Also the two main characters, Lexi and Deanna, where written perfectly. I loved those two and their sister banter that they presented.

I know this is a "romance" book but most of it did feel forced at time. The whole family drama though did feel real and you related to it a lot. I also didn't like the "love plot". River being so totally in love to the point of stalked with Deanna, and Lexi in a grown up relationship, willing to dump him, just so she can get some with River was just a little strange and out there.

I will say after the 50% mark it did get better. I was able to push and fly through till the ending, but the work up there was a struggle, There was a lot of awkwardness and uncomfortable situations in the beginning. The book does have alot of potential and its not terrible, it just wasn't the book for me.

This was a new author for me and I absolutely adored this romance!! I loved how romantic the MMC was! And how the MFC wasn’t into romance. They were the perfect balance for each other! I enjoyed how they were neighbors growing up and how River always thought he was meant to be with Deanna’s sister but of course he ends up falling for Deanna! I loved the steam and how they fell for one another! River really made Deanna feel all the things! Super sweet romance! Highly recommend!

3.5 stars

I really took a chance on Crystal Kaswell’s The Neighbor Wager. I really liked the cover but was a little unsure because it’s a Sabrina (film) retelling, and I’ve never enjoyed Sabrina even after trying to rewatch it a number of times. I’m sad about it because that’s one of my mom’s favorite movies. Either way, I thought I would give it a shot because the synopsis intrigued me, and it was also a genderswapped retelling (which I’m a fan of when it’s done well).

Regardless, please keep in mind that I’m not a fan of Sabrina while reading this review, as it may have very likely affected my experience. The first thing I noticed when I started reading The Neighbor Wager was that the writing took me some work to get into. Something in my brain just didn’t quite click with the storytelling style or the transitions between scenes.

I did have a fondness for the two main characters, so I continued reading for them. There was definitely chemistry there! And I found myself rooting for them. But I didn’t feel the deepest passion in my desire for them to get together and have their HEA. This is why it took me nearly a month to get from start to finish, unfortunately.

I did generally like the story overall, and I would give Crystal Kaswell another shot because like I said, my feelings toward Sabrina might have affected how I went into The Neighbor Wager to begin with. And please don’t let my experience change your mind if you were planning on reading this book, as you might end up loving it!

I thought I sent my review sooner. I truly thought I had I submitted it sooner since I did a review on my tiktok. I enjoyed the book and enjoyed the premise.

I was excited for this story based on the scientific love app plot, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. I personally think Deonna deserved more. River was great if you could avoid the obsessive love her felt for her sister, the author made sure to really send home that he was madly in love with Lexi. We are then asked to believe after handing out with D one - two times, he is no longer infatuated? Also I felt we were being told that D is the multifaceted character but that did not translate in the story.
Overall I liked this book but was not in love. I would check out more by this author.

This book just wasn't enjoyable for me. DNF 80% of the way through. Towards the end it is mostly smut if that's your thing you may enjoy this one!

Dual POV, Spicy, Neighbors, Childhood Crush, Family Dynamics, FMC doubtful of Love, He Falls First, Kink Exploration

Deanna and River has know each other most of their lives as they are neighbors. Deanna having a sister, Lexi, whom all the men in her life seem to gravitate to has given up on finding love for herself and has focused her attention on her career, (making an app for dating). This book provides hilarious banter and dynamics between family members. Reading about the way Lexi and Deanna perceive each other and how they support each other and how River is so sweet to his grandmother is heartwarming. That being said I found the romance between Deanna and River to be lacking, while the reader gets a clear sense of River's wants and desires, that isn't the same for Deanna.

The Neighbor Wager is a quick and easy summer romcom read. I enjoyed it! It was a little slow and repetitive at parts (which is hard to avoid with a contemporary romcom. To be honest) but overall it made me laugh and swoon at parts so that’s a bonus!

DNF @34%

Premise is interesting, but I just can't with the characters. I don't know, I just find them unlikable, and this is something I don't like to read.

Slow Burn
Young Adult
Contemporary Romance

This book was okay, It wasn't anything new. But that's not a bad thing!
It was an easy and fun read!