My Life Next Door - by Huntley Fitzpatrick (Paperback)

About the Book

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, 17-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, when Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything.

Book Synopsis

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

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?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

"A summer romance with depth." --The Boston Sunday Globe

"Fitzpatrick's excellent first novel movingly captures the intensity of first love." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"An almost perfect summer romance." --Kirkus Reviews

"On par with authors such as Sarah Dessen and Deb Caletti." --SLJ

Review Quotes

★ "Excellent . . . Movingly captures the intensity of first love [and] the corrupting forces of power. . . . As the lines between villains and heroes shift, readers will be reminded how "right" and "wrong" choices are rarely crystal clear." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Samantha and Jase have chemistry that crackles: it's the novel's tender, awkward, sexy, dizzy-happy portrayal of first love that really makes it soar." --The Horn Book

"A teen romance [that] feels like something bigger." --The Guardian

"Serious swoonsville." --iHeartDaily.com

"A summer romance with depth."--The Boston Sunday Globe

"The characters are dynamic and realistic. Strong narrative pacing adds to the whole sun-kissed package, which is on par with authors such as Sarah Dessen and Deb Caletti." --School Library Journal

"An almost perfect summer romance [that] will have every girl who reads the novel wishing for a Jase of her own." --Kirkus Reviews

"Fitzpatrick perfectly captures the heady joys of first love while still dealing with everyday realities" --VOYA

"Jase and Samantha have a heart-warming romance every girl will envy." --Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry series

"A wonderful read that will connect with your heart--guaranteed!" --Lurlene McDaniel, bestselling author of Heart to Heart

"One of the best books I read this past year. . . . Wonderful, uplifting and beautifully written." --Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author

*Best First Book Finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA Awards*

About the Author

Huntley Fitzpatrick always wanted to be a writer. She grew up in a small, coastal, Connecticut town much like the Stony Bay of her novels, My Life Next Door, What I Thought Was True, and The Boy Most Likely To. After college she worked in many fields, including as an editor at Harlequin, so she knew from romance. Before her death in 2022, Huntley was a full-time wife, mother, and writer who brought the world three critically acclaimed, utterly transporting young adult novels about love, friendship, family, and coming of age. Her My Life Next Door is considered a modern YA romance classic, and its characters reflect Huntley's deep love for her family, who were everything to her.