Book Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Title: My Life Next Door

Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick

Publisher: Dial Books

Publication Date: June 2012

Genre: Young Adult Realistic Fiction

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Synopsis can be found here.
NetGalley review.

Review:

With her strained and cold family life, Samantha watches the full and crazy life of the Garretts next door from her bedroom window. She feels like she knows them already, that is until Jase Garrett befriends her. Sam realizes there is so much more to know and love.

Fans of Sarah Dessen rejoice! Here is another contemporary realistic fiction book that will have you swooning. Samantha is a privileged teen, but she isn't annoying or snotty about it. As her mother runs for higher and higher political offices, and her sister gone for the summer, Samantha is surprisingly left on her own. She is surprised to find how much she enjoys spending time with the Garretts. Their hectic lifestyle and full house is very different to the chilly and pristine home she comes from. And who wouldn't want ot spend time there?

The Garretts are funny, diverse and crazy! I loved every scene Samantha had in their home. Fitzpatrick did a wonderful job conveying the fast paced lifestyle of a large family, the oldest to the youngest and everyone in between. I love George, one of the youngest ones. His personality is endearing and heartwarming. I wanted to hug George!

Yes, I know he's a fictional character.

Jase is patient, sweet and dreamy. This is an old fashioned romance. Sam and Jase get to know each other slowly, spending lots of time together. It's easy to see how these two characters grow to love each other.

Nan, Sam's best friend, is wonderfully complicated. You see where their friendship is headed, like a slow moving train along the wrong tracks. I thought every small dig Nan gave to Sam was cutting even more so because it was under the guise of friendship. Very realistic and high school.
Tim, Nan's brother is equally loveable. A screw up, a lost soul, and lucky for us not in a love triangle, Tim is trying to redeem himself. And having him fall so far, and grow so much, he is the one to root for. I loved his journey.

Overall, My Life Next Door is positive, sweet and heartwarming. I can't wait to read what Huntley Fitzpatrick has next!

Rating 8 Cookie Worthy