🎧 Audiobook +📗 eBook: Unlikely Neighbors-a standalone

Cover: love POC rep!

✍🏾 Author: Renee Daniel Flagler-new to me author

📃Page Count: 288

📅Publication date: 4/1/25 | Read: 3/27/25

🏃🏾‍➡️Run Time: 7:13

🌎 Setting: Florence, SC to Brooklyn, NY

👆🏾POV: 1st person dual

Genre: AA Interests, Contemporary Romance

Tropes: small town/city, opposites attract, inheritance, next door neighbor

⚠️TW: kidnapping, adoption, foster kids, breast cancer, alcoholism, death of family members, parental abandonment

🗣️Narrator: Keisa Parrish and Jamal West voice all the characters with standouts from Noble and Holland. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrators worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrators paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.


Summary: Holland has inherited a brownstone in Brooklyn from her great aunt-whom she never met. Ms. Elsie and Noble are both her neighbors and knew her Aunt Goldie. While renovating the place to sell it, Holland and Noble become friends and lovers. Holland is faced with the decision - follow her heart in the big city or return to the slow Southern life she knows?


👩🏾 Heroine: Holland Davenport-29, social worker, adopted
👨🏾 Hero: Noble Washington-30, CEO of Push beverage company

🎭 Side Characters:
*Tim Billin-Noble's father figure/mentor
*Aunt Goldie Mar Williamson-gifts Holly her brownstone
*Patience-Holly's adopted sister
*Amy-Holly's BFF
* Tyler Keen-Noble's BFF
*Yona Reeves-Holly's birth mother
*Patricia-Holly's adoptive mother
*Miss Elsie-neighbor who knew Holly's family

🤔 My Thoughts: This story brings up the desperation to be a mother with Patricia. Adoption and foster children were represented by Holland and Patience. Noble had father issues that hit home for me. Not having a relationship with him left a void in Noble's life, and I loved their reconciliation.

Range of Emotions 😊😭🤣😔
*Spice: 4/5 🌶️
*Emotion: 5/5 🥲
*Couple: 4/5 🧑‍🤝‍🧑
*Rating: 4/5 ⭐

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin-Romance |Afterglow Books by Harlequin, Harlequin Audio, and Renee Daniel Flagler for this ARC & ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

I really liked this audiobook, the narrators were great and it held my attention. I didn’t overly connect with any of the characters. Overall 3/5. Thanks for the listen!

There was a lot about this book that I liked.

Holland was adopted when she was young and has always had questions about who she is. While she’s preparing to uproot her small town life to move to Charleston, SC, she receives a letter from a law office in New York City. Her biological great aunt has passed away and left her with a house in Brooklyn.

Noble was the CEO of a successful energy drink company until the board pushed him out in hopes of bringing in seasoned talent with new ideas. Upset after everything that happened, the only thing that’s brought a little light to his life is the beautiful, curvy southern belle who has temporarily moved into the house next door to prepare it for market.

There were a few shocking revelations that kept me entertained while reading, but I also spent a lot of time rolling my eyes. The way Noble talked about Holland sometimes just made me uncomfortable. That might just be a me thing, I don’t know. Would I read it again, probably not, but I do think the book was good and there’s definitely a market for it.

📚 3/5
🌶️ 2.5/5

DNF'ed - not loving the CEO boy-boss energy of the MMC happening and really not in the right headspace to listen to him talk about the billionaires I hate in the US currently. Also not loving either narration and calling it quits.

Great for newbies to the romance genre

Both characters in here were very relatable and cute. I love the premise of living in the same building too.
Great meet cute and great side characters.

I just needed more longing more emotional investment.

I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this.

I'm not sure if it's the narrators or the actual story but I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the story. It was almost like I watched the characters go through the motions versus feeling familiar or drawn in. The story is cute. Insta-love and self discovery but I don't think this is a book I would pick up again

Holly and Noble are at the turning point in there lives. Them meeting and becoming friends help them guide there futures. I didn't love the book it didnt have any sparks. And I just didnt care and it seemed like nothing was going to happen happen. Which a lot happens but it wasnt written where I cared.

I wanted more more. It just wasnt for me.

2.5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley for this Audio-Arc for my honest thoughts.

First off would like to say thank you so much for the audio arc. 2.5⭐️

I really wanted this one to be a banger, however, I loved the premise for this book more than the book itself. I honestly just found it a little boring.

The book just wasn’t selling a connection between these 2 mc’s. I’m not sure if it was the delivery of the narration or the story itself. Harper and Noble have this great meet cute but it all just fell a little flat for me. Even the emotional aspect of everything Harper was going through, just didn’t quite hit. I felt like I should be down for the count and sobbing, but just felt nothing.

Also, I really dislike descriptive words like “her centre” and his “Netherlands”. It is very ick for me.

No disrespect to the author, this just wasn’t a win for me.

Liked it (rounded up)

I feel like this is much more than just a neighbors to lovers romance. It's a journey of self-discovery, of family bonds, grief and grieving, forgiveness, finding out who you are, family secrets, discovering happiness and passions. There's a lot more going on in this story than a cute romance between neighbors.

Holland goes to NYC to sell a family brownstone she inherited and thus sparks a domino effect of her journey to discover her past. I don't want to give too much away, but it's a crazy story. Honestly, it was the part of the story I was most invested in. I do think it was resolved quick cleanly and would've appreciated a bit more drama, but it was compelling nonetheless. With everything going on in Holland's life, she finds a sense of found family (and blood family) and community in NYC. She finds a rock in Noble and a true partner.

Noble is exactly that. He's a noble, strong, patient, caring man who's on his own journey of self-discovery. Figuring out who he is outside of his CEO status. Holland is able to show him what he's been missing out on in life. Help him discover what it is he actually wants out of life. That's he's more than just his job.

It was a sweet romance between the two of them (a few spicy scenes, but they're quite tame compared to what I normally read) and while there is *kind of* a third-act break-up, it's not really a break-up (you'll understand if you read it).

Jamal West and Keisa Parrish really did a great job with the narration and elevated the story for me. I rounded up my star rating because of the work they did. They conveyed the emotions and the tragedy and the uncertainty both Noble and Holland had gone through.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. The romance was sweet, their journeys were fine, and the family saga was interesting.

Thank you, NetGalley and Renee for this ARC.

I loved everything about this story! The story itself, the characters and their journies, the narrators…I mean loved it ALL! This story was so beautifully written and executed by the narrators. This story follows Holland and Noble…both at crossroads in their lives. When they collide the chemistry between them can’t keep them apart. And boy are there things and people that are surely trying. It unraveled and ended beautifully for the perfect happily ever after!

This was a quick listen with an intriguing premise but struggled to connect to the characters. I liked the female audio narrator but really didn’t get on with the male POV.

I enjoyed this book, however it did feel a little insta-lust/insta-lovey type, which unfortunately is not my favorite. I loved that it focused on more of the characters individually, but when we caught glimpses of the pair, I didn't really feel like their connection was believable. They just didn't seem compatible to me, and it took me out of the story. I honestly would have loved just focusing on Holly through the whole book -- so much of her history is fascinating and it would have been so good to just get a book on her -- I couldn't even really bring myself to care all that much about Noble, if I'm being honest.

This was a quaint read.

I liked how it felt like a small town read, even though it was based in NY. Maybe it's becuase she's from a small town in the south, but it still felt a lot closer knit than some other novels based in NY. I think that Holly's character got there in the end. At the beginning there was a lot of telling as to what was happening, and I wanted her to have more of a reaction, but her character got there in the end. I also wanted Noble's reaction to him loosing his position to be a bit more impactful.

Otherwise it was a cute romance. Audiobook was good, narrators did a good job.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio, Harlequin Romance and Netgalley for an early copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advanced audio book.

When Holland Davenport learns that she's the new owner of a Brooklyn brownstone, bequeathed by her now deceased great aunt. Hoping to learn more about her biological family, Holland travels from South Carolina to New York and finds Noble Washington, her very handsome neighbor. As Holland and Noble get to know one another, they both work to heal their family-related wounds in order to find their happily ever afters.

This was a sweet story about two people trying to find their way amidst dysfunctional families. Both Holland and Noble were fun to read and you can't help but root for them.

Unlikely Neighbors is out April 1, 2025

I really enjoyed this audio ARC! The narrators' voices were excellent and suited the characters perfectly.

The story touches on some heavier themes—loss, longing, illness, career shifts, strained family relationships, and long-held secrets. Despite these elements, the author crafted a romance that never felt overly heavy or overly dramatic. It’s a cute, quick read that balances emotion and lighthearted moments well.

While the main character sometimes frustrated me with her overthinking and tendency to get in her own way, I found her struggles relatable. That feeling of being lost, trying to find your footing as an adult, and breaking free from the norms you grew up with, really resonated with me.

I’d definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a cute, easygoing read.

In Unlikely Neighbors, Renee Daniel Flagler delivers a heartfelt story about love, healing, and the unexpected ways people come into our lives just when we need them most.

At the time they meet, Holland and Noble, are each grappling with their own struggles, one facing the loss of family and new revelations and the other navigating the uncertainty of an unfulfilled future. At first, they become each other’s distraction, a way to escape the chaos of their realities. But as their lives become more intertwined, they realize that what started as a fleeting escape is the foundation of something deeper; discovering that sometimes the person we least expect becomes our greatest source of strength.

Flagler beautifully captures the tension and emotional push-and-pull between two people who resist what’s right in front of them. The emotional depth of the characters makes their journey feel real and relatable, while the chemistry between them keeps the reader engaged. The novel’s themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the transformative power of love make it a touching and engaging read with just the right balance of drama and heartfelt moments.

Sincere thanks to Renee Daniel Flagler and Harlequin Audio for providing this audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

This was very cute, very funny and super wholesome!!

As a southerner this one checks the boxes for sure.

Who doesn't love a little 'mess' cause that 'mom' and her secrets add great dimension to this story.. 10/10

I loved the small town vibe of this book. The audio was very much enjoyable and I highly recommend listening to it on audio. The characters were everything I wanted them to be.

Unlikely Neighbors Honest Arc Review:

4.5 ⭐️

This story had me hooked! Seriously, once you get a couple chapters in you won’t want to put it down!

Holland Davenport is on a journey of self discovery as she inherits a Brooklyn Brownstone and learns of her ancestry. Upbeat and intriguing, this story starts off with Holland wanting change in her life as she planned to move to Charleston.

Her plans may not go as anticipated and her adventures begin. I really enjoyed this from the first chapter as Holland is relatable and entertaining. Noble seems like a good looking and
Genuine guy who happens to live next door. Noble is patient, understanding and kind.

The romance was fun to read and a bit steamy.
There was a sub plot regarding Holland’s family that I enjoyed equally as much, if not more. Characters are complex and develop further throughout the novel. This story involved love, loss, reflection and reconciliation.

This is a fun and interesting read. It is definitely 💯 one to add to your TBR!!

Thank you for sharing this ARC with me!