The Aussie Next Door

Angie and Jace’s love story in The Aussie Next Door by Stefanie London, book one in her Patterson’s Bluff series, was a wonderful story. Angie and Jace are two misfits who believe they will never be loved nor appreciated for the talents each one shares with the world. Angie was a foster kid who escaped to Australia to hide but when her visa clock is ticking she needs to find a way to stay. Maybe getting married to an Australian isn’t the smartest idea but it would allow her stay. All thoughts goes to falling in love with her landlord and next-door neighbor, Jace, who’s hot and funny. Jace loves the solitude of being alone. After getting a diagnosis of being on spectrum edge, he’s found his niche working on a syndicated comic strip; one that reflects his life. Angie is his opposite, loud and outgoing, while also being beautiful and sexy. When Angie helps Jace take care of two dogs they discover an attraction that is mesmerizing and chemistry that could fuel fireworks. Not wanting to have a deadline hanging over them be the make or break decision for these two and their relationship, they figure out an alternate path to follow to give themselves time to understand each other and grow the love between them. Ms. London wrote a wonderful, steamy, suspenseful and emotional story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sexual chemistry, amusing banter, and endearing characters giving Annie and Joe a second chance at having a true love. I highly recommend The Aussie Next Door to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Angie Donovan has always dreamed of a day where she’d have a family to call her own. After bouncing from one foster home to the next, Angie finds herself in the spotlight. Needing to escape her life in America, Angie flees to a quaint little town in Australia. Angie becomes involved in small town life, finally finding peace. Until her quiet life is suddenly falling apart with the news that her visa is expiring. With only two months remaining on her visa, Angie vows to find her HEA as that is the only way she can remain in Australia. Growing up in a family of seven, Jace Walters wanted nothing except peace and quiet. As a high-functioning autistic adult, Jace thrives on structure and routine. Wanting to shake up his life a bit, Jace’s mom tricks him into dog sitting two dogs for a few months. The dogs, combined with his chatty, beautiful next door neighbor, has his life is suddenly out of control. When he discovers Angie’s plan of love and marriage in the next two months, he takes on the role of her wingman. After having his former fiancé leave him due to his quirks, Jace knows he could never be the man Angie needs. But, he’d rather have her in his life as a friend than not have her in his life at all. I absolutely LOVED Jace and Angie! I was sooo “team Jace”. Everything came easily for his siblings. I wanted it ALL for Jace, not Trent. I know there are good, decent foster families out there. The abuse children endure so their “parents” can claim a check is horrific! This story is realistic, thought provoking, and inspiring. It’s heart wrenching to think a child has never felt love. I’m extremely happy Angie found her HEA, her home. I also enjoyed the reference to Calvin and Hobbes, my all-time favorite comic growing up. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

After her life imploded in the states, Angie thought a chance to define her life and herself without all of the baggage from foster care and instability was a great idea. She headed off to Australia and found a spot that suited in little Patterson’s Bluff. The only hitch in her plan is that annoying neighbor Jace – who values his privacy and ‘alone time’ more than she thinks he should. But the time down under for Angie is coming to an end – with her visa extension denied, she has two options. Leave the country when her time is up OR find herself a husband and stay. Determined not to leave – she starts to find every available man around – and where better than her neighbor. It’s purely a marriage of convenience so they don’t really have to like each other, or live together – or even interact that much. But why does she want to? What is it about Jace that annoys and intrigues her in equal measure? Cute, rather sweet and fairly predictable - it is the interactions between Jace and Angie, and their slow warming to one another despite the circumstances that made this story sing. London’s ability to write conversations and reactions is wonderful – and the tension between these two built neatly through each of those interactions. With Jace’s need to be alone, and Angie’s desire for a family that is welcoming and accepting and most of all loving – the two slowly accommodate each other’s needs and desires in ways that show slow isn’t always a bad thing. A clever change in romance reading from a contemporary story, and one that left me with a smile. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.