Finding Mr. Right Next Door

I love Sarah Ballance and when I have the opportunity, I snap her books up! I love the best friends living to close trope and this book has that. After growing up together from age 5, the two shared most everything. Now as adults, neighbors and co-workers, they share just about everything else, including a dog. She does his laundry and cleans, in return he cooks. Her reputation in the kitchen isn't exactly stellar. After an attempt at cooking sets her kitchen on fire, the sensible thing is for her to live with him during the kitchen reno. So we begin the story of Matt and Lexi. Living in close quarters probably wasn't the brightest idea Matt has ever had, it just pushed his feelings for Lexi to the forefront and ditto for Lexi. Throughout the story the two fought the feelings. Add in Matt's firebrand Grandma Elsie, who was a total hoot and I loved her and the relationship she had with Lexi. But I ran into several problems with the two main characters along with their co-workers. I had a tough time warming up to Matt and Lexi. Lexi not as much as Matt, but seriously his remarks toward Lexi and at times instigating their mutual friends to what seemed at times to humiliate Lexi over her lack of kitchen skills was a little much and didn't make me like them-at all. I mean at all. Lexi decides to try dating, Matt grills the guy. Matt the serial dater. He was just hard to like, which kind of messed up the whole relationship for me. Had Matt been a little different it would have made me love the book so much more. But that's just me and I am certain there are many who will love the book all the same. Grandma Elsie wins the prize in this one. Great writing, great flow. 3.5 stars from this girl

This is a sweet story about two best friends since childhood nowadays living next door and sharing a dog, a yard and a job. Matt Freeman is known as a playboy, and Lexi Dean as a disaster in the kitchen. When she ends up burning it down Matt offers her his place until the repairs are done. What neither expected or wanted were the sparks that had been laying dormant until the moment that proximity ignites them. Confusing them and also neither wanting to rock the boat

Full review appeared at Reader's Edyn on 05/17/20 Lexie isn’t known for her cooking prowess. A disaster in the kitchen she might be, but she is determined to bake a successful version of Matt’s grandmother’s tart. Big mistake. All she is left with is a flaming kitchen, a ruined family heirloom tart pan, and all of her co-workers on her front porch dousing the inferno. The most sensible plan is to move next door with her best friend, Matt, during the renovations. After a bit of hesitation, she concedes. But the forced proximity to her best friend since childhood stirs up all kinds of emotions and feelings they have never allowed themselves to explore for fear of ruining their perfect friendship. But chemistry and attraction under the same roof are difficult to extinguish and before too long, Lexi and Matt are creating a blaze of their own. But where do you go once the line has been crossed? Matt has wanted Lexi since forever, but once they settled into their comfortable friendship, the risk involved if they didn’t work out became too much to gamble against. So when Lexi needs a place to crash, offering her a place to stay is automatic. What he didn’t count on was the fierce protectiveness that would consume him. And the fact that she’s just started dating – and a cop (his biggest rival as a firefighter) – isn’t helping one bit. So when they finally give in to their overwhelming passion, neither knows how to proceed, terrified that everything will change. And boy does it. Now something big is simmering and the outcome will determine if their relationship is ruined or has simply moved up the ladder to the next rung. You guys! If you want a super fun, super cute, ridiculously hot, crazy sexy read … look no further. I was giggling and fanning myself in equal amounts throughout this entire book. I loved the friends to lovers' idea of this book. Matt and Lexi had amazing chemistry and watching them try to deny it was a pleasure to watch unfold. One of the best scenes is when they have already indulged once. Not knowing the best course of action and scared of voicing their true feelings, they decide to ignore the whole thing ever happened. But neither can stop thinking about the other. Eventually, they end up trying to tempt each other. Matt mows the lawn shirtless, Lexi does yoga in the front window, and that’s just the footnote of the scene. I mean who would be able to resist? These two tempt and torment each other relentlessly, and it’s brilliant. The one thing I became annoyed with was the incessant bagging on Lexi and her cooking skills. Heck, skills in the kitchen, period. Forget only the cooking ability. Or inability as it were. At first, it was just a bit of ribbing between friends given the debacle in her kitchen. Understandable. But Lexi has a horrific reputation in this respect and they never let her forget it. After a while I just wanted them to shut up and leave her alone. It almost bordered on unfriendly banter, so if I had a complaint, it’s definitely the unrelenting teasing. Several secondary characters add a lot to this story. I especially found Matt’s grandmother entertaining. She’s like the cool kid that never got the memo that she’s older. Living just as carefree as a teenager, but wise with her years of experience, this lady darn near steals the book. Bordering on inappropriate, she’s the grandma everyone wants to have. Lexi’s parents were also introduced. They didn’t have a very big role to play within these pages, but I appreciated their supportive nature and love for the main characters. On the more serious side is a fellow firefighter, Diego. Recently divorced, his wife cheated on him, yet he still maintains his belief in love and ends up playing a pivotal role in bringing one of the characters round to seeing the truth of their relationship. If I wanted to see anyone’s story following this book, it’s definitely Diego. A guy as great as he is with the junk deal he got doesn’t deserve to remain unhappy. He must have his own HEA at some point...