My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Release Date: June 14, 2012
Publisher: Dial
Source: Purchased
Rating: 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository
The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase’s family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself – Goodreads
Review:
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick was an excellent summer read that was both engaging and layered.
Things I Loved:
• The Garretts! I think they are the ultimate high point because !!!!!!! how wonderful were they?! It was the easiest thing to love them. They are such a large and vibrant family and I was so completely charmed by their energy and interactions. Above all the fun, though, they are so supportive of each other and so full of love. I found it refreshing to find such a strong family dynamic present throughout the book and yes…nothing but love for the Garretts! I’m glad Huntley Fitzpatrick could create such a heartwarming and delightful family.
• The relationship between Sam and Jase was wonderful throughout. There was a lot of sweetness, but Huntley Fitzpatrick also tackled some heavier situations with them and I really loved the honesty between them. Yay for a healthy relationship!
• Jase, that incredible boy! I won’t even bother describing him beyond that because he’s just amazing all around. Why, oh, why didn’t I ever have a next door neighbor like him?
• Tim! He was probably the biggest surprise for me as I didn’t expect to form as strong of an attachment as I did. I really liked the growth of his character.
• I would be lying if I said that I loved Sam throughout, because there were definitely moments when she frustrated me, but it was easy to understand her fears and uncertainty. She really struggles between right and wrong and I think she came out a stronger, more mature person from everything thrown her way.
Things I Didn’t Like:
• Grace Reed, Sam’s mother. She made my blood boil, she was so horrible! Still, though I did not like her one bit, I liked how Huntley Fitzpatrick had a strong focus on her character and the relationship she had with her family.
• The only major issue I found with My Life Next Door was the missing resolution to a few lingering questions I had. Perhaps there will be a sequel or companion where I’ll get my answers, I don’t know, but I wish these loose ends had been tied up.
Overall, My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick had so many great elements that made it one of my recent contemporary favorites. There is so much that I enjoyed and I am definitely looking forward to reading whatever Huntley Fitzpatrick writes next.
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About Stephanie
I LOOOVE this book and Tim was my favorite character. When it started, I was rolling my eyes at him and by the end… totally had my heart.
I know, I was so not into his character at all in the beginning, but he totally snuck in and developed so wonderfully. MORE TIM!!!
I have to wonder why I haven’t read this yet! I keep reading such great reviews for it. :) The Garretts sound fantastic! I’m glad you enjoyed them and I can’t wait to meet them myself. Great review! :)
Haha, yes, there have been SO many positive reviews — they totally pushed me to bump this up on my TBR. It’s such a good book and the Garretts? Gah, I cannot say enough good things about them. I hope you love them and the book!
STEPH. I’m super slow (clearly), but your BLOG. WITH THE PRETTY. AND THE LAYOUT. AND *huggles it because it looks so gorgeous* Brodie LOVE :D
Another thing Brodie loves? YOUR REVIEW. I’ve seen nothing but praise for My Life Next Door and oh gosh, I NEED to meet the Garretts already! I love big, viibrant families (hi there, Weasley clan!) and this Jase guy…. mmhmm, me likey already.
Plus this is one of your recent favourites? You don’t make it easy for a girl to stick to her TBR, you know. FANTABULOUS review, I cannot WAIT to get my hands on a copy!
Thank you, Brodie!!
I TOTALLY considered a Weasley mention in this review because that is such a good comparison. Can I be adopted into these families, please?! I am sure that you will love the Garretts and this book. I can’t wait for you to read it so that I gush some more in your review. :P
Love your review, Steph! The Garetts sound like a fantastic family, especially considering the fact that families in YA often are quite horrible.
And I can’t wait to meet Sam and Jase :)
I enjoyed this book a lot mainly because of Jase. THAT BOY. HOW PRECIOUS. THE CUTE. I want one just like him!
I can’t say I loved the book because of two things that bugged the hell out of me. 1) I guessed what the “big event” that the summary kept mentioning was pretty much from the start.
2) I wish that “event” had happened much earlier in the book. As it is, the summary keeps hinting at an event that happens in the fifty last pages of the book or so (I think? It was very late in the book, that’s for sure). It barely defines the book really. Maybe it’s a pet peeve of mine but I kept waiting and waiting for “it” to happen and it took freaking forever.
This was still a pretty cool book, though. The Garretts were just FTW all around. I need a series of books on that family. More books. Moaaar!
I’m glad to hear that this one is good! I’ve heard nothing but great reviews about this so far. It seems like a good summer book. I absolutely adore the cover. :)
Thanks for the review!
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG YAYYYYYYY! I’m SO glad you enjoyed this<3 While I haven't read it myself, I'm SURE I'll loveeee it!! Awwwwwww Jase and Sam's relationship sounds SO sweet – I really can't wait to meet them :D Fabulous review Stephhh! I'm REALLY looking forward to starting it now :DDD
I absolutely ADORE this book, and not just because Jase and his family are both AMAZING (oh, and Tim too!). I think the story that Huntley wrote is really great!
i love this book its the best i ever read in my year!!
Hi! I took this book on the summer section at B&N without knowing it will be my favorite book EVER! I just love Jase I think he is so handsome and a good person and of course he is a gentlemen, i think, if they made My Life Next Door a movie I think Liam Hemsworth, I just think. I love Samanthe she is a gorgeous girl and very grounded, I imagine her Breakfast Ahoy costume very weird! But plis answer me, do you think My Life Next Door will have a sequel? Because I want to know if Sam and Jase will stay together, Samantha Reed and her mom will move on to the apartments? What happens with Mr.Garret? Will Jase get his scholarship? Thanks