The Neighbor Wager by Crystal Kaswell was such a fun read to give my brain a rest between fantasy series I am involved in reading. The story follows two sisters, Deanna and Lexi, who have started a dating app. Lexi is a love em and leave em kinda girl until she meets her perfect match on their app. That is until the pressure to get engaged as the poster couple gives her cold feet. Enter River, their childhood neighbor who has always been obsessed with Lexi. Visiting from New York, it seems that River may have his chance with Lexi until Deanna proposes a wager: prove to Deanna love is magical and not data and statistics and he has the green light to go for Lexi and if he loses he will help Deanna reunite Lexi with her true love.

This story was fast paced and I was able to read the entire book in one sitting. I felt like I was watching a movie in my because of the pacing, descriptions, and interactions between each character. I love that Crystal was able to tell this story in a way that showed the complex feelings each sister had about each other without making it a competition and encouraging jealousy and resentment. The female characters in this book are definitely "girls' girls" and the men are too! I really enjoyed how she wrapped everything up with a nice shiny bow and everyone had their happily ever after.

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to receive an advanced reader copy to read and review.

The Neighbor Wager has echoes of the 1980's John Cusack romcom The Sure Thing.

River is an artist who now lives in NYC. When he returns to California to help his grandmother, he sees his longtime fantasy crush, Lexi. Lexi is a beautiful bubbly blonde who embodies the fantasy of the ideal woman. She's also Deanna's younger sister. As in the movie, Lexi moves in and out of the plot like a mirage but doesn't really drive the story forward.

Deanna is brilliant, serious and intimidating woman. (She's compared to Steve Jobs, but less of an ass.) Disbelieving of soulmates and uncomfortable with emotions, she develops an app to predict which couples are compatible. Determined to prove that the algorithm works to obtain venture funding, she's very invested in showing that Lexi's match with Jake will go the distance. River's appearance next door will potentially throw a wrench into that plan.

Deanna and River make a bargain. If he can convince her of the magic of true love, she will step aside and let him explore his destiny with Lexi. If not, he will step aside. As River spends time with Deanna, he grows to appreciate her smarts, vulnerability, caring and beauty. Even though he supposedly has a crush on Lexi, all he can think about is Deanna. As River and Deanna click and complement each other, Lexi's illusion is between them. Deanna worries that River compares her to Lexi and that he views her as a second best substitute. In that way, the Neighbor Wager feels a bit like a love triangle - even though there's no cheating.

Deanna and River are both very likeable characters. It's easy to engage with and understand both. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop as they spend time at the beach, share memories about their families, and explore their fantasies together.

Special thanks to the author and netgalley.com for an advance copy. This is an honest review.

The Neighbor Wager was an interesting read. It’s self described as a modern, gender-twist on the classic romantic comedy Sabrina. Although it’s blasphemous to admit, I’ve never seen Sabrina so I don’t know how well it does its inspiration justice but I liked it nonetheless.

It follows the story of River, who returns to his Grandmother’s home after many years away and falls right into the shenanigans of his family with their neighbors Deanna and Lexi. Time has treated both sisters well and he’s just along for the ride.

Even as the older sister, Deanna has always felt like she lives her sister’s shadow. Where Deanna is strong willed and overly logical, Lexi is bubbly and fun loving. In essence, Lexi is Deanna’s polar opposite, but that’s what makes the sisters so close. The two sisters create a dating app and are on the verge of a huge business deal but it all rides on the success of Lexi’s own relationship.

Unfortunately, Lexi is a commitmentphobe. Although she’s met a good man named Jake, they haven’t slept together so she’s feeling the itch to RUN. So she suggests a break that Jake reluctantly agrees to. When Lexi sets her sights on River, Deanna is does everything in her power to keep Lexi from making a big mistake. Including keeping River occupied...

This book was different than I expected. It’s quiet and slow, but held my attention. The way the characters all approached their feelings was really sensible. Even Lexi, who was struggling with her fears went straight to her boyfriend to communicate her needs. It’s rare to find characters that are all this communicative and mature. They spend so much time talking which made the storyline feel very deep and introspective. It made me stop to think of my own feelings towards love.

In general, The Neighbor Wager made me want to slow down my reading which was an interesting experience. By the halfway point I was yelling at River and Deanna to just give in to their desires, but I liked the tension of their slow burn and didn’t want to miss out on their conversations as they figured their relationship out.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. I want to thank Entangled Publishing for providing me with an eARC. It was my first book from Crystal Kaswell and I enjoyed adding a new author to my shelf.

Apologies to the author, but this book did not resonate with me. I've never watched the movie Sabrina, so I went in a bit blind. But the blurb called it a romantic comedy, so I had high hopes. (I've read and enjoyed a fair amount of Crystal Kaswell's self pubbed stuff in the past, but it has been awhile.)

Sadly, I found this book neither romantic nor comedic. I am not sure what parts were supposed to be humorous, but nothing got a chuckle out of me. As for the romance... Did you ever hang out with psych majors in college? They want to overanalyze everything all the time, and it comes off as super pretentious and quickly annoying? That is both of these main characters. Add in the fact that the entire cast things and talks about almost nothing but sex (but in a non-romantic, frequently crass way). Plus, all the analysis that made it feel a lot like telling instead of showing, and it is just a complete miss for me.

The one possibly good thing I can say about this book is that for some reason, it reminded me of the one Colleen Hoover book I've read. (I didn't like that one either, but it is ridiculously beloved.)

So maybe, if you like Colleen Hoover, you'll like this. Or if you're a psych major? Or if you liked the movie Sabrina (unsure on that one because I am not sure if it is actually similar?)

River and Deanna place a bet. River needs to prove to Deanna that there is magic in falling in love. If he can prove this, she will move aside and let River have his chance with Lexi, if not he has to help keep Lexi and her boyfriend together.

There is a heavy emphasis on terminal illness in this book. The loss and heartbreak were very powerful.

This was a cute twist on the boy next door trope.

I want to thank Crystal Kaswell ,Entangled Publishing and netgalley for this brilliant ARC. This is my honest opinion of this book.

Ok I loved this book! I was fun, it was sexy, it was sweet and it was PERFECT.

if you're looking for a romance with a STEM twist, this is it, and you won't be disappointed.

Firstly, the dual point of view was perfectly balanced, which I find quite rare in romances, so thank you!
The characters are endearing, and we see them evolve, learning their fears and desires.

The author revisits the clichés of today's world and manages to turn them, adding her own reality to them.

The man falls in love first, he's the one who believes in love and it's the woman who's ultimately unsure of their relationship and doesn't want a ring right away, and that's refreshing!

loved this romance and what is love and romance. I loved the sister's and working together and they figuring out their relationship. I loved that the romance with the neighbor and smexy times. I loved that they are figuring things out too.

River Beau only had eyes for his neighbor Lexi, the only problem…her sister had other plans for her and it didn’t include River. As a successful sibling duo in the dating app business, Lexi and Deanna had it all except one thing…Love. When River returns to town years and a toned tattooed muscular body later still infatuated with Lexi, Deanna does everything in her power to keep him away. Going as far as making a wager with him. Love is not logical and cannot be quantified and Deanna is nothing but numbers and analytics. Until River.

I devoured this book. It was the perfect amount of cute mixed with spice. The slow burn built a tension not only between the characters within the pages, but within yourself. I could feel the emotions of each character as i read every word Crystal Kaswell wrote. I love that each character has their own quirks and insecurities, as it makes them more real.

5/5 ⭐
2.75/5 🌶️

I received this eARC from Entangled Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thanks Entangled Publishing!

💙 The Neighbor Wager ARC Review 💙

Thank you so much to Crystal Kaswell and Entangled for the opportunity to read and review this book!

The Neighbor Wager is a standalone contemporary romance. Deanna has always felt like the unpopular sister - Lexi is perfect and she’s not. River had a crush on Lexi in high school, and has an opportunity to date her now - but what happens when he enjoys spending time with Deanna more than her sister?

This was a fun romantic read. River was a complex character and I enjoyed the relationship he unexpectedly built with Deanna. I liked the dynamics between the two of them throughout the story, but I did feel like some of it moved a little too quickly for my own personal tastes

Overall this was a three star read for me. This book was a smidge of a slow burn but had a few spicy scenes with some mild kink once it got there - so overall two flames for spice.

If you’re a fan of contemporary romance with strong women, fun banter with an interesting story, then absolutely check this one out.

Please note: review will be posted on Amazon upon publication

This was a great read, like so many others have said it is light hearted but with serious undertones that are written very well. I truly enjoyed how River was intuitive with his own feelings and knew what he wanted- it was refreshing.

I give this book 4/5! It’s a fun romantic comedy, easy and quick to read. I enjoyed the premise and the how the main characters got together. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!

The Neighbor wager is a fast-paced, fun romantic comedy that is sure to put a smile on your face. I loved the witty banter between the main couple. I enjoy a book when the main characters spend a lot of time together before they develop feelings. I’m looking forward to reading more from the author.

A reverse Sabrina. River falls for Lexi, the girl next door. Deanna tries to warn River about her sister but he doesn't listen.

A very quick and short read. Love Deanna and River's chemistry. A fast-moving plot with terrific characers.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

“The Neighbor Wager” is a fun, entertaining, fast pace rom-com with really interesting characters. The premise of the book caught my eye immediately, it's that sort of plot where two characters are working against each other but manage to spend a lot of time together and other feelings start to appear and I LOVE THAT.

I did struggle a bit at the beginning because Lexi was kinda getting on my nerves, but I pulled through and found a really nice book.

PS; that book cover is ridiculously GOOD, big round of applause to whoever made it because I'm in love

This book was so good! The romance was very addictive. The banter was so amazing and it made the book very enjoyable. The writing was very good.

Book Review

The Neighbor Wager

By Crystal Kaswell

Pub Date: February 19, 2024



Netgalley Synopsis: USA Today bestselling author Crystal Kaswell’s unmissable, and totally kissable gender reversal on the classic movie Sabrina with a STEM twist. A sisters’ dating app -is put at risk when the boy next door returns home to put their algorithm to the test.
My thoughts:
Meet sisters Deanna and Lexi, they have developed a dating app Meet Cute, and it is all based on compatibility. The sisters claim to not be into romance because they are too practical. So, they created this app that based on facts will match compatibility. There are no photos on the app.

Lexi met Jake through the app and have been together for six months. They are considered a success story. Willa, one of the investors wants to play up the success with Lexi and her match having photos taken and possibly an engagement ring. Lexi gets cold feet. To make Willa happy Deanna needs to keep her sister calm and move forward with Willa’s plan. The only issue is River is back in town and staying next door with his grandmother. He wants to finally tell Lexi he has always been in love with her. Now Deanna also needs to figure out how to River away from Lexi.

I love that this is a little retelling of Sabrina the movie. I didn’t watch the original with Audrey Hepburn, but I did watch and enjoy the one with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond.

The time Deanna devotes to keeping River away from Lexi is turning out to be some of the best time she’s had in a while. Deanna always claims to be busy with work and that is her number one priority. But, when Deanna lets her hair down and finds herself swimming in the ocean with River and going out to bars and restaurants, it seems she likes romance after all. But with River visiting from New York and Deanna wanting to stay near her sister in CA, will love work out this time for Deanna? If so, who will move to the other side of the country for love?

This book was such a cute story. Very wholesome boy next door type that I enjoyed. Loved the hurdles that the couple needed to overcome to find love.

"The Neighbor Wager" was a fast-paced charming read. If you enjoy an unputdownable Rom-Com you're not going to want to miss out on this one!

This storyline puts one very important question to the test, is love solely a chemical magical reaction or is love formed in a more scientific logical manner? Given the right circumstances, could it be a mixture of both?

I thought the author did a fantastic job taking a classic and putting a new spin on it. The characters were well-developed and the plot was paced in a way that I consistently wanted to flip pages to see if a HEA was in store for the leading characters.

If you like an opposites attract, boy next door, he falls first vibe with just the right amount of spice definitely check this one out!

Thank you to Crystal Kaswell, Net Galley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Did you ever have a crush on the boy/girl next door? If you answered yes, then you'll understand how River feels. Did you ever have someone get close to you just so they could get closer to your friend/sibling? If you answered yes, then you'll know how Deanna feels. River is a smart, nerdy, sweet, artist. He's got a major crush on one of the girls next door. Of course, she doesn't realize he exists. Deanna is smart, blunt, analytical, and into coding. She tries to warn River about her sister, but he doesn't want to listen. After years away, River comes back to town for business and bumps into his old neighbors. All those old feelings come rushing back. Deanna once again tries to talk some sense into River. When that doesn't seem to be working, they make a deal with each other. This is where it gets interesting. I loved the way these characters interact with each other. I thought that the development and growth of the characters was well done. I was invested in this story and couldn't put it down. I had to see how it ended. I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to more stories from this author.

The Neighbor Wager is a boy next door romance. The leading man, River, comes home from NYC to take care of his sick grandma.

The girl of his high school dreams, Lexi, lives next door and he’s hoping they reconnect while he’s visiting.

But Lexi works for a dating app with her sister Deanna, and has already been paired with the perfect match according to the algorithm. Deanna has to ensure Lexi doesn’t deviate from the right guy before the big investor meeting.

While attempting to distract River from her sister, Deanna makes a bet with him about love or logic. And the more time they spend together the more she doubts where she stands.

This was a cute quick read with some kink.

I was provided an ARC copy of this book and all opinions are my own