Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door

By Huntley Fitzpatrick

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


 
Fav Quote

“You're walking along on this path, dazzled by how perfect it is, how great you feel, and then just a few forks in the road and you are lost in a place so bad you never could have imagined it.”

Samantha has been "spying" the Garretts for many years and although she lives next door, it's not until 10 years pass that she gets to really know them. The Garretts are everything that her family isn't, have everything that her family hasn't. Samantha may come from a "good" family but ever since she saw the Garretts for the first time, she can't but envy them...

“The Garretts were my bedtime story, long before I ever thought I’d be part of the story myself.”

That is, until she finally gets to know Jase Garrett. Jase's family isn't your average one! 8 children and one messy, loud house. Samantha knows that Jase is the exact opposite from her, but all she ever wanted was to be part of that.

So, this summer Samantha's life will be forever changed. She will fall in love, she'll break the roules, she'll learn some lessons but mainly, she'll find out that life can be very hard.

Sometimes telling the truth can be hard, especially if telling the truth means hurting someone you love but not telling the truth, is hurting someone else you love. Is Samantha ready to face the consequences of her truth???

This book is a must- read, must-have!!! I knew I'd fall in love with this book from page one, but what I didn't know was that it would make me laugh and cry and even get jealous!!!! Let me just say that both main characters were very mature 17-year-olds, so there was no drama, no stubborn teenage behavior, no overreacting but instead there were two teenagers who found LOVE to be easy and patient.

I guarantee that if you read this book there no way not to fall in love with this couple, the amazinggggggggg Garrett family and of course George (who I wish was real) and Patsy.
And last but not least, my favourite F-A-V-O-U-R-I-T-E scene (it's a George scene, coincidence, I think not!):

“Is Jase already gonna marry you?”

I start coughing again. “Uh, No. No, George. I’m only seventeen.” As if that’s the only reason we’re not engaged.

“I’m this many.” George holds up four, slightly grubby fingers. “But Jase is seventeen and a half. You could. Then you could live in here with him. And have a big family.”

Jase strides back into the room, of course, midway through this proposition. “George. Beat it. Discovery Channel is on.”

George backs out of the room but not before saying, “His bed’s really comfortable. And he never pees in it.”

                                            Synopsis:

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.