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Girl Next Door #2
Frenemies
Cat Johnson has been badly burned in the past and likes to keep her relationships simple and, usually, short. When her best friend, Nat, gets engaged, Cat meets Nat's future brother-in-law, Patrick Hart, and sparks fly. The only hitch is his fiancee, Anya. Angry and disillusioned, Cat spends the next six months trading barbs with Patrick.
All that changes after Nat and Aidan get hitched. During the newlywed's two week honeymoon, Cat offers to housesit, only to discover her now-single arch nemesis is living next door. He's persistent and sexy-as-hell in his pursuit of her and Cat discovers there's more to like, maybe even love, about Patrick Hart than she once thought. She wonders if she can trust this man with her heart or too afraid to try.
All that changes after Nat and Aidan get hitched. During the newlywed's two week honeymoon, Cat offers to housesit, only to discover her now-single arch nemesis is living next door. He's persistent and sexy-as-hell in his pursuit of her and Cat discovers there's more to like, maybe even love, about Patrick Hart than she once thought. She wonders if she can trust this man with her heart or too afraid to try.
95 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2012
9 people are currently reading
1014 people want to read
About the author
C.C. Wood
47 books1,416 followersBorn and raised in Texas, C.C. Wood writes saucy paranormal and contemporary romances featuring strong, sassy women and the men that love them. If you ever meet C.C. in person, keep in mind that many of her characters are based on people she knows, so anything you say or do is likely to end up in a book one day.
A self-professed hermit, C.C. loves to stay home, where she reads, writes, cooks, and watches TV. She can usually be found drinking coffee or wine as she spends time with her hubby, daughter, and two beagles.
A self-professed hermit, C.C. loves to stay home, where she reads, writes, cooks, and watches TV. She can usually be found drinking coffee or wine as she spends time with her hubby, daughter, and two beagles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
November 25, 2014
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 STARS⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 25, 2013
For this review and more Live Read and Breathe
Live Read and Breathe Giveaway
I was so happy that I got to read both of these in one sitting. I couldn't put either of them down once I started to read them.
We meet Cat and Patrick in Friends with Benefits. Cat is so spunky and a trouble maker with a big heart. With Patrick we only briefly meet him in the first book so I didn't know what to make of him but he very quickly stole my heart like Aidan in the first book. I wish my friends and I could find an amazing pair of brothers like that. (nah..my husband is pretty perfect as well but don't tell him that since it may go to his head. LOL)
I love how persistent Patrick is with convincing Cat to give them a chance. It made such a fun journey seeing the fire ignite with these two. I love the way C.C. Wood writes in these novellas. She has a gift for making such a short read not feel jammed or rushed. Both books had the perfect balance of growth, passion, friendship, hardship and love)
I really recommend this series especially if you are looking for a quick read.
Live Read and Breathe Giveaway
I was so happy that I got to read both of these in one sitting. I couldn't put either of them down once I started to read them.
We meet Cat and Patrick in Friends with Benefits. Cat is so spunky and a trouble maker with a big heart. With Patrick we only briefly meet him in the first book so I didn't know what to make of him but he very quickly stole my heart like Aidan in the first book. I wish my friends and I could find an amazing pair of brothers like that. (nah..my husband is pretty perfect as well but don't tell him that since it may go to his head. LOL)
I love how persistent Patrick is with convincing Cat to give them a chance. It made such a fun journey seeing the fire ignite with these two. I love the way C.C. Wood writes in these novellas. She has a gift for making such a short read not feel jammed or rushed. Both books had the perfect balance of growth, passion, friendship, hardship and love)
I really recommend this series especially if you are looking for a quick read.
January 17, 2019
Frenemies improved a bit, story-wise, compared to first book in this series. But it still wasn't enough to earn many praises. The relationship development was so hurried, it felt cheap and not believable at all. Again, dramatic twist was a must, no matter how irrelevant it was for the story.
March 24, 2016
3.5 stars!
July 6, 2012
Read this review complete with MAN CANDY and more of my reviews and ramblings at Ana's Attic Book Blog
Yay! I loved Frenemies (A Girl Next Door Novella 2). When I read C.C.’s first book, Friends With Benefits, a couple of weeks ago, I was so excited that I was the first to review it on goodreads and second on Amazon. I felt like I discovered her (even though she found me). So when C.C. send me Frenemies, this time I was excited, which made it even harder to live up to my expectations. Well it lived up to and surpassed my expectations!
This is a novella, like the first in the series, and focuses this time on Cat & Patrick (Nat’s best friend and Aiden’s brother; characters from the first book). Cat is house sitting for Nat while she is on her honeymoon, and Patrick is renting Aiden’s house right next door. Though this book can stand on its own, I think you should read Friends with Benefits first, where you really get introduced to Cat. She is snarky, says what is on her mind and can be a total bitch–but you can’t help but love her for it. She is someone I totally want to hang out with! Patrick seems to be a player, but is totally hot and charming as hell.
Cat has been hurt badly in the past and does not want to open herself up to the possibility of being hurt again, especially by someone she will be seeing often for the rest of her life. But Patrick, well, he is totally irresistible. Fun, silly and laid back outside the bedroom, but in the bedroom…..a total alpha. He is my new book boyfriend for the week <3.
This book, way more than the first, had a lot of smokin’ hot sex, but not over the top, and not forsaking story for sex. CC Wood writes her sex scenes more like you would tell your girlfriend (a little more graphic). No cringe-worthy words like ‘turgid manhood’ and ‘quivering, weeping petal-like folds’. In fact, she says it shot straight down to her ‘girlie parts’ which totally worked for me. They may not have been totally long jump-your-man scenes, but they were perfect for this story.
There were a ton of modern references that were totally current and I loved that! Cat reads sexy books on her e-reader (can you relate? I can), lusts after Joe Manganiello, “I was having a moment with a werewolf” and compares Patrick’s body to Chris Hemsworth.
(Thanks C.C. for giving me an excuse to put pictures of hotties in my blog)
I found myself laughing out loud, and even snorted a few times throughout this book. My only wish is that it was longer!!!
Likes:
-Funny lines that made me laugh out loud.
-Characters I totally want to hang with.
-Great sex scenes with an alpha male and no gross words.
Dislikes:
-Too short
-I missed the Cat/Nat interaction from the first book
5 stars (for a novella) 4 Hot and Hornies
It’s hard to believe C.C. Wood just published her first story last month, because she really did a great job! I highly recommend this quick little fun series for a beach read this summer. Each book is less than 100 pages, and less than a dollar.
Recommended if you enjoyed Alice Clayton’s Redhead series, or RL Matthewson’s Neighbor from Hell series.
Yay! I loved Frenemies (A Girl Next Door Novella 2). When I read C.C.’s first book, Friends With Benefits, a couple of weeks ago, I was so excited that I was the first to review it on goodreads and second on Amazon. I felt like I discovered her (even though she found me). So when C.C. send me Frenemies, this time I was excited, which made it even harder to live up to my expectations. Well it lived up to and surpassed my expectations!
This is a novella, like the first in the series, and focuses this time on Cat & Patrick (Nat’s best friend and Aiden’s brother; characters from the first book). Cat is house sitting for Nat while she is on her honeymoon, and Patrick is renting Aiden’s house right next door. Though this book can stand on its own, I think you should read Friends with Benefits first, where you really get introduced to Cat. She is snarky, says what is on her mind and can be a total bitch–but you can’t help but love her for it. She is someone I totally want to hang out with! Patrick seems to be a player, but is totally hot and charming as hell.
Cat has been hurt badly in the past and does not want to open herself up to the possibility of being hurt again, especially by someone she will be seeing often for the rest of her life. But Patrick, well, he is totally irresistible. Fun, silly and laid back outside the bedroom, but in the bedroom…..a total alpha. He is my new book boyfriend for the week <3.
This book, way more than the first, had a lot of smokin’ hot sex, but not over the top, and not forsaking story for sex. CC Wood writes her sex scenes more like you would tell your girlfriend (a little more graphic). No cringe-worthy words like ‘turgid manhood’ and ‘quivering, weeping petal-like folds’. In fact, she says it shot straight down to her ‘girlie parts’ which totally worked for me. They may not have been totally long jump-your-man scenes, but they were perfect for this story.
There were a ton of modern references that were totally current and I loved that! Cat reads sexy books on her e-reader (can you relate? I can), lusts after Joe Manganiello, “I was having a moment with a werewolf” and compares Patrick’s body to Chris Hemsworth.
(Thanks C.C. for giving me an excuse to put pictures of hotties in my blog)
I found myself laughing out loud, and even snorted a few times throughout this book. My only wish is that it was longer!!!
Likes:
-Funny lines that made me laugh out loud.
-Characters I totally want to hang with.
-Great sex scenes with an alpha male and no gross words.
Dislikes:
-Too short
-I missed the Cat/Nat interaction from the first book
5 stars (for a novella) 4 Hot and Hornies
It’s hard to believe C.C. Wood just published her first story last month, because she really did a great job! I highly recommend this quick little fun series for a beach read this summer. Each book is less than 100 pages, and less than a dollar.
Recommended if you enjoyed Alice Clayton’s Redhead series, or RL Matthewson’s Neighbor from Hell series.
March 12, 2013
Frenemies is the perfect fun and sexy read just at a faster pace. At only 95 pages it packs a lot of punch into its short length. Cat is snarky and sarcastic but with a sensitive side. After getting out of a bad relationship she has resigned herself to short term relationships that she knows have no future.
Then she meets Patrick. With his piercing green eyes and playful smile he is everything she has been avoiding. (“Patrick was a conqueror. Any challenge, any test, had to be thoroughly and completely defeated.”) She decides for her own good to avoid him and all his charming ways. But when fate (and maybe Cat’s best, Nat) throws them together things get a lot more complicated and Cat can only resist the sparks for so long.
“If I wasn't so damned determined to hate him, I might have admitted it was kinda hot to have all that tension flying around.”
When Cat and Patrick finally succumb to their attraction I swear it was like an explosion going off. Sparks and fireworks were coming off my kindle.
“Then he was kissing me. Full-on, full-throttle, tongues tangling and teeth nipping. I thought my scalp was about to catch fire. Oh, and probably my underwear, too.”
Patrick, how can I describe how unbelievable sexy he was?
“No, you’re going to lie here and take what I give you and I’m not going to stop until you admit that you want me as much as I want you.”
Yep, that should work. Yeah, that line really did it for me. I mean, who doesn't love a man who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to take it?
Soon, Cat has to decide if she has the courage to take a chance on Patrick and on love. I can’t wait to read a full length novel from C.C. If she’s able to put this much steam into 95 pages I’ll probably self-combust from a full-length novel from her. Frenemies is perfect for fans of R.L Mathewson, Tara Sivec, and Alice Clayton and for readers who want some laughs along with their lust.
Then she meets Patrick. With his piercing green eyes and playful smile he is everything she has been avoiding. (“Patrick was a conqueror. Any challenge, any test, had to be thoroughly and completely defeated.”) She decides for her own good to avoid him and all his charming ways. But when fate (and maybe Cat’s best, Nat) throws them together things get a lot more complicated and Cat can only resist the sparks for so long.
“If I wasn't so damned determined to hate him, I might have admitted it was kinda hot to have all that tension flying around.”
When Cat and Patrick finally succumb to their attraction I swear it was like an explosion going off. Sparks and fireworks were coming off my kindle.
“Then he was kissing me. Full-on, full-throttle, tongues tangling and teeth nipping. I thought my scalp was about to catch fire. Oh, and probably my underwear, too.”
Patrick, how can I describe how unbelievable sexy he was?
“No, you’re going to lie here and take what I give you and I’m not going to stop until you admit that you want me as much as I want you.”
Yep, that should work. Yeah, that line really did it for me. I mean, who doesn't love a man who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to take it?
Soon, Cat has to decide if she has the courage to take a chance on Patrick and on love. I can’t wait to read a full length novel from C.C. If she’s able to put this much steam into 95 pages I’ll probably self-combust from a full-length novel from her. Frenemies is perfect for fans of R.L Mathewson, Tara Sivec, and Alice Clayton and for readers who want some laughs along with their lust.
July 5, 2017
Cute story with enemies to lovers theme.
February 22, 2013
Just like its predecessor, Frenemies is a super hot, super quick, super good read. I highly recommend it as the quintessential beach read or if you need a quickie.
July 9, 2012
loved this one! short, sweet, sassy, smartassy, hot sexy, working shit out - love. longer review to come on Monday but let me leave you with this...she was caught in his eyes like a bug to a windshield...splat. freaking love that!! buy it, read it by the pool, smile big and swoon over Patrick.
Here's a link to my formal review...enjoy:
http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...#
Here's a link to my formal review...enjoy:
http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...#
September 21, 2012
Second in the series, this was almost as good as the first. I loved Patrick, the main guy, and he really made the story. The heroine, Cat, was sarcastic and interesting. My only little complaint? She was at times a little too much sarcasm and it rubbed me the wrong way. Overall, I must say this was a great book and I highly recommend this series if you like the Neighbor from Hell series by Matheson. P.S. The ending was fab!
July 9, 2012
I like these cute little series that involve best friends and/or siblings. I really enjoyed Frenemies but at the same time Cat really got on my nerves when it came to her reluctance to actually get emotionally involved with Patrick... now Patrick... yeah, I totally loved him ;)
Full review...
http://lorisbookblog.blogspot.com/201...
Full review...
http://lorisbookblog.blogspot.com/201...
July 5, 2012
Loved it!
July 18, 2012
Another really cute, sexy short, thoroughly enjoyed it!
August 7, 2012
Very cute story
February 25, 2013
Awesome book. A funny, sexy novel with hot men, hot women and hot scenes.
July 6, 2012
Full review to come!
March 8, 2013
Raced through this book and couldn't get enough! I want MORE!
July 4, 2018
Cute
This was so much fun to read it was quick with lots of sass. Cat is a hot mess and has a ex from hell, Patrick has a bit*h of a ex and she wants to play games. The fact that Patrick is her best friends brother doesnt help her resistance and she falls but then pushes him away ... Patrick already knows he's gonna win her over. These two are super cute!!!
This was so much fun to read it was quick with lots of sass. Cat is a hot mess and has a ex from hell, Patrick has a bit*h of a ex and she wants to play games. The fact that Patrick is her best friends brother doesnt help her resistance and she falls but then pushes him away ... Patrick already knows he's gonna win her over. These two are super cute!!!
October 31, 2017
Cat and Patrick brought the angst. I loved it. I wanted Cat to get her HEA.
At certain points, I found myself getting mad at Patrick. He just needed to stick to his decision. I got how Cat would have some hesitations with him.
*Bought it with cash money.
At certain points, I found myself getting mad at Patrick. He just needed to stick to his decision. I got how Cat would have some hesitations with him.
*Bought it with cash money.
Read
February 1, 2018This book is like the first one, follows the same path, the same lines, nothing new.
February 26, 2023
Deze was wel leuker dan de vorige. De titel klopt trouwens niet. Er is amper banter en ze zijn geen zogenaamde vijanden
March 17, 2017
Couldn't connect to the characters or their dialogue.
March 26, 2013
Again, what a great read by C.C. Wood! Short, fun, sizzling. All good things. Lol
Summary:
Cat is Nat's best friend. She offers to housesit while Nat and Aidan are on honeymoon. Aidan's brother, Patrick, has moved in next door help his brother out with the mortgage. Cat and Patrick met six months ago at the engagement party, but after feeling a spark and Patrick eyeing her up only to calmly walk away with his fiancé, Cat knows he cant be her type and they trade barbs back and forth leading up to the wedding. After the wedding, Patrick begins to spend more and more time with Cat despite her protests and even makes a pass that she stops. They both want each other, but Cat is determined to keep herself safe and detached (she had a verbally abusive relationship in the past that was difficult to get over). Eventually, she cant resist anymore, and begins a physical relationship with Patrick, but she feels things are moving too fast. She panics and breaks up with him, but he woos her back, and logically lays out that they will take it one day at a time. They will have to overcome Cats past and learn trust each other in order to become the family unit that they can be.
Loved it!! I know it's a short but I get so engrossed you couldn't tell. Can't wait to read the others Ms. Wood has written. <3
Summary:
Cat is Nat's best friend. She offers to housesit while Nat and Aidan are on honeymoon. Aidan's brother, Patrick, has moved in next door help his brother out with the mortgage. Cat and Patrick met six months ago at the engagement party, but after feeling a spark and Patrick eyeing her up only to calmly walk away with his fiancé, Cat knows he cant be her type and they trade barbs back and forth leading up to the wedding. After the wedding, Patrick begins to spend more and more time with Cat despite her protests and even makes a pass that she stops. They both want each other, but Cat is determined to keep herself safe and detached (she had a verbally abusive relationship in the past that was difficult to get over). Eventually, she cant resist anymore, and begins a physical relationship with Patrick, but she feels things are moving too fast. She panics and breaks up with him, but he woos her back, and logically lays out that they will take it one day at a time. They will have to overcome Cats past and learn trust each other in order to become the family unit that they can be.
Loved it!! I know it's a short but I get so engrossed you couldn't tell. Can't wait to read the others Ms. Wood has written. <3
October 22, 2013
Disappointed in this book about Cat, Natalie's best friend, and Patrick, Aidan's brother. Cat is housesitting while Nat & Aidan are on their two week honeymoon. Aidan's old house is now occupied by Patrick so he is right next door. He seems to love Cat's sense of humor & her snarky comments and they have a lot in common. Patrick's former fiance shows up but doesn't really stir up a ton of drama. She threatens Cat and tries to get her to back off but Patrick catches the whole conversation & realizes he was blind to her true personality. The biggest part of the story is that Cat has been deeply hurt before, falling for someone who turned out to be verbally abusive, quickly regretting loving someone like Cat who has the kind of wild personality she does. Patrick really enjoys Cat's personality and swears he won't get sick of her. Their whole relationship is glossed over, their sexual encounters aren't detailed, and it is just a very short book. It isn't long enough to get to fall in love with the characters and it doesn't even leave you wanting more.
November 8, 2013
Wow, I loved this book. The typical “bad boy” vs. the “independent” strong woman.
They are two peas in a pod, Cat and Patrick, complimenting each other very well. She was broken by her past, and he had been in a one-sided relationship for far too long. They start out as enemies, well at least as far as Cat is concerned. Patrick enjoys the challenge, not realizing how fragile she is.
When they finally come together their chemistry is undeniable. It’s hot, hard, and fast. It scares the heck out of Cat so she runs away from him. Patrick is determined to make her his and will stop at nothing to get her. He finally breaks through her walls and they take it one day at a time.
Looking forward to the next book in the series where we’ll experience Amy’s story and hopefully see more into Nat , Aiden, Patrick’s and Cat’s life
They are two peas in a pod, Cat and Patrick, complimenting each other very well. She was broken by her past, and he had been in a one-sided relationship for far too long. They start out as enemies, well at least as far as Cat is concerned. Patrick enjoys the challenge, not realizing how fragile she is.
When they finally come together their chemistry is undeniable. It’s hot, hard, and fast. It scares the heck out of Cat so she runs away from him. Patrick is determined to make her his and will stop at nothing to get her. He finally breaks through her walls and they take it one day at a time.
Looking forward to the next book in the series where we’ll experience Amy’s story and hopefully see more into Nat , Aiden, Patrick’s and Cat’s life
October 28, 2013
Wow I loved this book. The typical bad boy VS. the "independent" strong woman.
They really were two peas in a pod. Cat and Patrick really compliment each other very well. Cat has been broken for 4 years by her past. Patrick in a one sided relationship for far to long. They start out as enemies well at least on Cat's end. Patrick enjoys the challenge she puts off not really knowing how fragile she is.
When they finally come together there chemistry is undeniable . It's hot, hard and fast. Scares the heck out of Cat she does Cat and runs . Patrick is determined to make her his and will stop at nothing to get her. He finally breaks through those walls and they take it one day at a time .
Looking forward to Amy's story and hoping to see more into Nat , Aiden, Patricks and Cat's life.
They really were two peas in a pod. Cat and Patrick really compliment each other very well. Cat has been broken for 4 years by her past. Patrick in a one sided relationship for far to long. They start out as enemies well at least on Cat's end. Patrick enjoys the challenge she puts off not really knowing how fragile she is.
When they finally come together there chemistry is undeniable . It's hot, hard and fast. Scares the heck out of Cat she does Cat and runs . Patrick is determined to make her his and will stop at nothing to get her. He finally breaks through those walls and they take it one day at a time .
Looking forward to Amy's story and hoping to see more into Nat , Aiden, Patricks and Cat's life.
January 26, 2014
Hmm... Not to sure about my feelings for this book. Although I must say that I was grateful that the main characters were explained in depth. But that still didn't make me feel connected with any of them.
I felt the whole Anya business was left hanging. I thought that there was going to be another repeat of Jack I'm some way, just not as crazy. But there wasn't. After she left when she got caught out, she never came back I have to say I was slightly disappointed, I do love a jealous ex stalker book.
I didn't like that Nat wasn't in the book till the end. And when she was, she was there for about 2 pages. I think that just goes back to the fact that the book was too short. It had really good potential so that was disappointing.
I felt the whole Anya business was left hanging. I thought that there was going to be another repeat of Jack I'm some way, just not as crazy. But there wasn't. After she left when she got caught out, she never came back I have to say I was slightly disappointed, I do love a jealous ex stalker book.
I didn't like that Nat wasn't in the book till the end. And when she was, she was there for about 2 pages. I think that just goes back to the fact that the book was too short. It had really good potential so that was disappointing.
March 10, 2014
This book was OK. I enjoyed while reading it. But not that I'm done, I can't remember a lot about it.
I thought it was weird that Cat would push him away because she was afraid he would get tired of her personality. That just seemed like a weird conflict to me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FAVORITE QUOTES
"So, what are you making me for dinner?"
I elbowed him in the ribs. "Arsenic chicken and strychnine salad. Oh, and about your bank account, exactly how rich are you? I mean, I've been holding back when we go out, but, now that I know you have money, I'm going to order lobster and champagne from now on."
~Cat
I thought it was weird that Cat would push him away because she was afraid he would get tired of her personality. That just seemed like a weird conflict to me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FAVORITE QUOTES
"So, what are you making me for dinner?"
I elbowed him in the ribs. "Arsenic chicken and strychnine salad. Oh, and about your bank account, exactly how rich are you? I mean, I've been holding back when we go out, but, now that I know you have money, I'm going to order lobster and champagne from now on."
~Cat
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews