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Mr Right Next Door
On her deathbed, Rory Gallant's mother begs him to be a good man, and to not behave like his caddish father, Doug.
Now all grown up, Rory is a good man, but loves seems to elude him. Maybe he does need to be a bit more of a cad after all?
Deciding to follow the cad dating rules, and with a bit of help from lothario Doug, Rory decides to become the complete opposite of the man he really is….
Rory’s best friend and neighbour Sarah doesn’t understand why Rory thinks he needs to change to find love – he’s perfect just the way he is. She’s determined to show him that he doesn’t need to change in order to find love.
That maybe it’s standing right under his nose…maybe even right next door?
Please note this book was originally published as Nice Guys Finish Lonely by Rachel Dove.
Now all grown up, Rory is a good man, but loves seems to elude him. Maybe he does need to be a bit more of a cad after all?
Deciding to follow the cad dating rules, and with a bit of help from lothario Doug, Rory decides to become the complete opposite of the man he really is….
Rory’s best friend and neighbour Sarah doesn’t understand why Rory thinks he needs to change to find love – he’s perfect just the way he is. She’s determined to show him that he doesn’t need to change in order to find love.
That maybe it’s standing right under his nose…maybe even right next door?
Please note this book was originally published as Nice Guys Finish Lonely by Rachel Dove.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2018
395 people are currently reading
571 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Dove
110 books214 followersI am a wife, mother of two boys, avid reader and writer of words. I sometimes sleep, always have eye bags and dream of retiring to a big white house in Cornwall, with 2 shaggy dogs, drinking wine on my seafront balcony whilst creating works of romantic fiction. All done with immaculate make up and floaty dresses.
In the meantime I nearly always remember to brush my hair, seldom have time to look in a mirror and write many, many to-do lists. I write fast paced sexy medical romances for Mills & Boon, and contemporary fiction and romantic comedies for HQ Digital and Boldwood Books. I always have a few books in progress, and am always jotting down new shiny ideas to torment myself with.
Rachel Dove Bursary founder - RNA 2018 - 2020 (stopped due to RNA restructure)
Writers Bureau Writer of the Year - first place 2016
Come say hello on social media! @writerdove
In the meantime I nearly always remember to brush my hair, seldom have time to look in a mirror and write many, many to-do lists. I write fast paced sexy medical romances for Mills & Boon, and contemporary fiction and romantic comedies for HQ Digital and Boldwood Books. I always have a few books in progress, and am always jotting down new shiny ideas to torment myself with.
Rachel Dove Bursary founder - RNA 2018 - 2020 (stopped due to RNA restructure)
Writers Bureau Writer of the Year - first place 2016
Come say hello on social media! @writerdove
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
April 22, 2018
This was just what you desire in a good Rom-Com book. I was in love with Rory from the start, his Death bed promise to his ailing Mum brought a lump to my throat. no attitude or clothing Make- over required in this reader’s mind !! Filled with great humour, truly abhorrent adversaries, audacious and knowing progeny and twinkly eyed elders. Littered with the misunderstandings that make tales of this type, you just wish sometimes people would learn to speak honest truths and damn the consequences!
This story was a quick and easy read because you care deeply for all the characters even if one of those emotion is revilement in the case of Firefighting, womanising errant fathers and mild disdain and judgement for vacuous business Reps (although she comes good in STELLAR Style, perhaps my favourite ever just deserts moment so far). I am very much a Rory -esque kind of woman so of course I side with the underdog, who is a true hero in every sense of the word and no inappropriate hose required!
It’s no surprise that nice guys do actually win fair ladies, but getting there has never been more amusing and enjoyable. An easy five stars!!
This story was a quick and easy read because you care deeply for all the characters even if one of those emotion is revilement in the case of Firefighting, womanising errant fathers and mild disdain and judgement for vacuous business Reps (although she comes good in STELLAR Style, perhaps my favourite ever just deserts moment so far). I am very much a Rory -esque kind of woman so of course I side with the underdog, who is a true hero in every sense of the word and no inappropriate hose required!
It’s no surprise that nice guys do actually win fair ladies, but getting there has never been more amusing and enjoyable. An easy five stars!!
June 10, 2024
Honestly took a lot for me to push through, I felt like the writing was confusing; there was a main story but also a very similar side story with different characters.
The romance was subpar and didn’t give me the feels as much.
The romance was subpar and didn’t give me the feels as much.
July 30, 2018
I loved this! What a refreshing, funny read. So many romcoms now come with a shoutline telling us they're going to make us feel good, laugh out loud, etc, and here's a book that actually delivers on all those things. Once I got about a third in, I couldn't put this down – I had to know if Rory, and best friends Gill and Sarah, were going to find their happy endings. This just suited my sense of humour and I was laughing (and, when it all got a bit emotional, crying) all the way through.
Rory Gallant has to be the hero of the summer – loveable, sexy, relatable, and above all, believable. (And a special shoutout to Rory's adorable, cosplaying, Klingon-speaking best friend Gill, who as a very geeky girl I loved to bits!)
In his early thirties, a childhood promise to his late mum that he'll always be a gentleman – unlike his caddish father Doug – hasn't brought Rory happiness. He's alone, lonely, and Sasha, the beautiful object of his affections, doesn't know he's alive.
Cue best friend Sarah, who tells Rory that if he really wants to get the girl, he needs to channel his inner bad boy. After a makeover and with a new attitude, Rory sets out to impress the girl of his dreams. But could he be looking for happiness in all the wrong places?
In summary, a hugely satisfying read: witty and often emotional writing, a great plot, relatable characters, a villain you can hate and a hero you can genuinely fall in love with. Although I'm still calling dibs on Gill...
Rory Gallant has to be the hero of the summer – loveable, sexy, relatable, and above all, believable. (And a special shoutout to Rory's adorable, cosplaying, Klingon-speaking best friend Gill, who as a very geeky girl I loved to bits!)
In his early thirties, a childhood promise to his late mum that he'll always be a gentleman – unlike his caddish father Doug – hasn't brought Rory happiness. He's alone, lonely, and Sasha, the beautiful object of his affections, doesn't know he's alive.
Cue best friend Sarah, who tells Rory that if he really wants to get the girl, he needs to channel his inner bad boy. After a makeover and with a new attitude, Rory sets out to impress the girl of his dreams. But could he be looking for happiness in all the wrong places?
In summary, a hugely satisfying read: witty and often emotional writing, a great plot, relatable characters, a villain you can hate and a hero you can genuinely fall in love with. Although I'm still calling dibs on Gill...
October 24, 2023
all I could think of after finishing was "MEH". now, don't get me wrong, i'm not saying this book wasn't good. all i'm saying is it wasn't good enough, at least not for me. like I couldn't buy half the things that happened throughout the story. it does pass for a cliché rom-com but that's it. nothing more, nothing less. the pacing was fast so you can get this over with soon and I do kinda like the "Everything tied-up perfectly" type of ending so it was okayish i guess. rest everything, the plot ,the characters, the writing were pretty so-so, borderline boring tbh.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHERS FOR THE E-ARC IN EXCHANGE OF AN HONEST REVIEW
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHERS FOR THE E-ARC IN EXCHANGE OF AN HONEST REVIEW
May 10, 2018
Just a mini review for the moment as a full review will feature on my blog at a later date.
'Nice Guys Finish Last' is such a touching novel which will keep you invested until the very last page. Rachel Dove writes which incredible energy that allows me to transport into the storyline as though I am an additional character. There aren't many authors who do that for me, but Rachel Dove is definitely one of them. If you're wanting a book to snuggle up to and forget the world with, this book should be on the top of your TBR.
'Nice Guys Finish Last' is such a touching novel which will keep you invested until the very last page. Rachel Dove writes which incredible energy that allows me to transport into the storyline as though I am an additional character. There aren't many authors who do that for me, but Rachel Dove is definitely one of them. If you're wanting a book to snuggle up to and forget the world with, this book should be on the top of your TBR.
September 13, 2023
1.5 / 5.0 (rounded up to 2 stars because I think there might be some cultural misinterpretations here)
Ok, this opens with childhood trauma. Full stop, the male main’s mother dies and she leaves him with a whopper of an assignment, to be better than his father… become a good guy. That sets the stage for the rest of the PTSD driven, stereotype-laden, dry dialogue spewing drivel that is this book.
It is not well written but it is written well enough to get the point across, except there is no point. The characters are all very cliché and no one has much personality. There is no plot. It isn’t even a cozy rolling plot story, that stumbles into a point, it is just an exploration in someone’s (the author, I imagine) idea of people getting their comeuppance but it is super unsatisfying.
I read the first 10% diligently, the next 30% quickly, and the next 15% desperately searching for a reason to finish this book. Something…. ANYTHING!!
Overall, maybe it’s a British rom-com vs an American rom-com set of expectations, but this was not enjoyable, not entertaining, and extremely “click-bait”-ish. I couldn’t finish it and DNF at 55%… so low rating and no recommendations.
Until Next Time
MC
I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Ok, this opens with childhood trauma. Full stop, the male main’s mother dies and she leaves him with a whopper of an assignment, to be better than his father… become a good guy. That sets the stage for the rest of the PTSD driven, stereotype-laden, dry dialogue spewing drivel that is this book.
It is not well written but it is written well enough to get the point across, except there is no point. The characters are all very cliché and no one has much personality. There is no plot. It isn’t even a cozy rolling plot story, that stumbles into a point, it is just an exploration in someone’s (the author, I imagine) idea of people getting their comeuppance but it is super unsatisfying.
I read the first 10% diligently, the next 30% quickly, and the next 15% desperately searching for a reason to finish this book. Something…. ANYTHING!!
Overall, maybe it’s a British rom-com vs an American rom-com set of expectations, but this was not enjoyable, not entertaining, and extremely “click-bait”-ish. I couldn’t finish it and DNF at 55%… so low rating and no recommendations.
Until Next Time
MC
I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
September 25, 2023
Mr. Right Next Door by Rachel Dove
Publishing date - 10/19/23
Rating (3.5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC. This is my first read by this author. It’s a light rom-com read! Enjoyable read & memorable characters.
Publishing date - 10/19/23
Rating (3.5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC. This is my first read by this author. It’s a light rom-com read! Enjoyable read & memorable characters.
July 6, 2024
Ça m’a pris une éteeeernité embarquer dans l’histoire et le finir. Aucun attachement aux personnages
April 25, 2018
I needed a break from thrillers and decided to read this. This was a really enjoyable read. A great story with some laugh out loud moments. The characters were well presented and I had a soft spot for Rory. Every woman deserves a Rory. A light-hearted funny book.
September 6, 2023
A very realistic story about single parent Sarah, who has a deadbeat ex boyfriend, Greg, who reminds me of the narcissistic ex husband of a friend of mine. Very realistically written how you can have an ex who is a lousy father but still stirs up trouble by canceling pickups or not taking good care of the child in question. Sarah had a guilty conscience because she needs to work a lot to provide for her daughter and het elderly mother. I think a lot of people can relate to that.
Rory is your typical ‘good’ guy, more so that he is boring. He wears brown loafers, cream slacks, a white shirt and blue tie, and on top of that a thin, cream cardigan. And he has glasses. In the book somebody says ‘Loïs Lane didn’t want Clark Kent, she wanted Superman’. And that is why not a single girl gives him the light of day. He decides to make a change, so his best friend Sarah takes Rory shopping and to a barber for a modern haircut, and he looks much better after that. Rory and Sarah both decide to get out more. After the makeover Rory finally scores a date with Sasha (who didn’t even noticed him before) and Sarah starts going out with Nigel. Sasha is repping Leon, a boxer, who in turn knows Greg, Sarah’s ex. They all turn up at Rory’s bar so that is how everyone crosses paths. Of course Rory and Sarah have their HEA in the end but it was wrapped up really quickly and suddenly. I missed chemistry between Rory and Sarah.
The secondary characters, Gill and Dinah, were a bit confusing, though. I don’t really see why they were added, since they didn’t really contribute to the main characters.
A very light read with some good parts that I know enough people will enjoy.
I received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and I am grateful for this opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rory is your typical ‘good’ guy, more so that he is boring. He wears brown loafers, cream slacks, a white shirt and blue tie, and on top of that a thin, cream cardigan. And he has glasses. In the book somebody says ‘Loïs Lane didn’t want Clark Kent, she wanted Superman’. And that is why not a single girl gives him the light of day. He decides to make a change, so his best friend Sarah takes Rory shopping and to a barber for a modern haircut, and he looks much better after that. Rory and Sarah both decide to get out more. After the makeover Rory finally scores a date with Sasha (who didn’t even noticed him before) and Sarah starts going out with Nigel. Sasha is repping Leon, a boxer, who in turn knows Greg, Sarah’s ex. They all turn up at Rory’s bar so that is how everyone crosses paths. Of course Rory and Sarah have their HEA in the end but it was wrapped up really quickly and suddenly. I missed chemistry between Rory and Sarah.
The secondary characters, Gill and Dinah, were a bit confusing, though. I don’t really see why they were added, since they didn’t really contribute to the main characters.
A very light read with some good parts that I know enough people will enjoy.
I received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and I am grateful for this opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 12, 2023
Mr. Right Next Door is a delightful new book that will be hitting the shelves on October 19th.
This sweet and clean romance is perfect for fans of the friends to lovers trope. As someone who adores romcoms, I couldn't help but fall in love with this story. I was lucky enough to receive an advance review copy of the book, and I am more than happy to share my thoughts voluntarily.
From the very first page, Mr. Right Next Door had me hooked. The author has a knack for creating relatable and endearing characters that you can't help but root for. The chemistry between the friends turned lovers is palpable, and their journey is filled with heartwarming moments and plenty of laughs.
What sets this book apart is its ability to balance the sweet and the swoon-worthy. The romance is beautifully written, and the author's witty and informal style adds an extra layer of charm. Whether you're a die-hard romance fan or just looking for a feel-good read, Mr. Right Next Door is a must-read.
So mark your calendars for October 19th and get ready to dive into this delightful romance. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down. Whether you're looking for a new favorite book or simply want to escape into a world of love and laughter, Mr. Right Next Door is the perfect choice. Don't miss out on this heartwarming story that will leave you with a smile on your face.
This sweet and clean romance is perfect for fans of the friends to lovers trope. As someone who adores romcoms, I couldn't help but fall in love with this story. I was lucky enough to receive an advance review copy of the book, and I am more than happy to share my thoughts voluntarily.
From the very first page, Mr. Right Next Door had me hooked. The author has a knack for creating relatable and endearing characters that you can't help but root for. The chemistry between the friends turned lovers is palpable, and their journey is filled with heartwarming moments and plenty of laughs.
What sets this book apart is its ability to balance the sweet and the swoon-worthy. The romance is beautifully written, and the author's witty and informal style adds an extra layer of charm. Whether you're a die-hard romance fan or just looking for a feel-good read, Mr. Right Next Door is a must-read.
So mark your calendars for October 19th and get ready to dive into this delightful romance. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down. Whether you're looking for a new favorite book or simply want to escape into a world of love and laughter, Mr. Right Next Door is the perfect choice. Don't miss out on this heartwarming story that will leave you with a smile on your face.
September 7, 2023
⭐️ 3.5
Mr Right Next Door is a quick and easy ready for romance lovers!
It’s a good palette cleanser and has multiple points of view which helps keep the reading pace moving.
I thought the ending was rushed. I find it hard to believe the MCs waited this long to realize they were 🫶 made 🫶 for each other.
Mr Right Next Door is a quick and easy ready for romance lovers!
It’s a good palette cleanser and has multiple points of view which helps keep the reading pace moving.
I thought the ending was rushed. I find it hard to believe the MCs waited this long to realize they were 🫶 made 🫶 for each other.
September 7, 2023
There’s nothing new here,… best friends to lovers, will they won’t they, precocious child, dorky/sassy best friends…. It’s all comfortably predictable and there’s nothing wrong with that. An easy comfy read for this distracted mind.
February 25, 2024
I just couldn’t get into this
I found the characters very superficial and I just couldn’t root for them. 2.5 stars.
Thanks to netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book
All thoughts are my own.
I found the characters very superficial and I just couldn’t root for them. 2.5 stars.
Thanks to netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book
All thoughts are my own.
February 22, 2024
I was so in love with Rory in this story. Definitely pulled at my heart strings.
February 1, 2024
A lovely rom com, refreshingly different. An easy read, with likeable characters you wanted to succeed.
September 18, 2023
How cute was this?? I honestly got hooked up straight away when Rachel talked about modern dating and romance literature as Mr Darcy paddleboarding Elizabeth Bennet. I knew I was going to enjoy this book right there.
The story is pretty much realistic, with Sarah stuck with a deadbeat, narcissist ex boyfriend, with whom she has a daughter. Her story is extremely relatable, juggling with work to provide for he daughter - see above, deadbeat ex and father - and trying to further her education to improve her economical stability.
Rory is a typical good guy, wearing glasses, a cardigan and loafers. The story starts when Rory decides to catch the eye of a girl he likes, the usual vapid girl, interested in the way she looks and at how she's considered by everyone. Of course, being the Clark Kent to everybody's needing a Superman, he felt he needed a make over to win Sasha over, and Sarah helped him along the way.
It was a quick and easy read, since I really needed to read how Annabel managed to get her mom to finally admit she had feelings for Rory and viceversa, but especially I needed Greg to suffer. I also have to admit it was nice to read about the 'real' Sasha, towards the end of the book.
Thank you Rachel Dove, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story is pretty much realistic, with Sarah stuck with a deadbeat, narcissist ex boyfriend, with whom she has a daughter. Her story is extremely relatable, juggling with work to provide for he daughter - see above, deadbeat ex and father - and trying to further her education to improve her economical stability.
Rory is a typical good guy, wearing glasses, a cardigan and loafers. The story starts when Rory decides to catch the eye of a girl he likes, the usual vapid girl, interested in the way she looks and at how she's considered by everyone. Of course, being the Clark Kent to everybody's needing a Superman, he felt he needed a make over to win Sasha over, and Sarah helped him along the way.
It was a quick and easy read, since I really needed to read how Annabel managed to get her mom to finally admit she had feelings for Rory and viceversa, but especially I needed Greg to suffer. I also have to admit it was nice to read about the 'real' Sasha, towards the end of the book.
Thank you Rachel Dove, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 17, 2018
At the face of it "Nice Guys Finish Lonely" is just another chicklit -- boy-meets-girl-meets-boy-meets-girl and after many minor (and not so minor complications) everyone sources the appropriate partner. What I did not expect was to be amused and tickled at almost every page. Rachel Dove certainly has a way with words, her zany one-liners are clever enough to commit to memory (and use at appropriate occasions).
The protagonists are endearing (if more than a little stubborn). Rory certainly comes across as a keeper; whether or not he is a Clark Kent double is debatable, but he definitely has superman traits. That said, I like that Sarah didn't really need much saving and particularly enjoyed her spirited efforts at resisting Rory's compulsive desire to rescue. The chemistry between the two is obvious even to a child, so at times I was left wishing I could just knock their heads together, yelling "get on with it!"
All in all, a very enjoyable, entertaining read. The dry observations and witty one liners were so funny I could read them all again. And again.
The protagonists are endearing (if more than a little stubborn). Rory certainly comes across as a keeper; whether or not he is a Clark Kent double is debatable, but he definitely has superman traits. That said, I like that Sarah didn't really need much saving and particularly enjoyed her spirited efforts at resisting Rory's compulsive desire to rescue. The chemistry between the two is obvious even to a child, so at times I was left wishing I could just knock their heads together, yelling "get on with it!"
All in all, a very enjoyable, entertaining read. The dry observations and witty one liners were so funny I could read them all again. And again.
April 22, 2018
'Nice guys finish lonely' was the perfect Rom-Com. Although fairly predictable, I loved Rachel Dove's style of writing. It kind of made me feel like I know Rory, Sarah, Bunny and Doug. I expected Sasha to be very stereotypical and in line with Greg and was pleasantly surprised that she wasn't and showed some real depth to her character in the end. Definitely recommendable and a great book to take on a beach holiday with plenty of time to read something that makes you feel good.
May 2, 2018
My first book by this author. An entertaining light read has you rooting for Rory from the start right through to the finish and i'm sure we all know a Rory - and a Greg! Glad he got his girl in the end. Thank you to TBC and to the author for the chance to read this title in exchange for an honest review. Will be reading more by this author.
February 2, 2024
*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher.*
I usually love friends-to-lovers books, but this one fell flat for me. Sarah and Rory were a good match, and generally likable; however, the execution of the book prevented me from fully enjoying it. Initially, I was going to say that, "Since this is an ARC, perhaps it will go through some heavy editing prior to publication." It looks like it was previously published under a different name, though, so maybe this is it. I don't know. In its current state, it's not a book I'd read again.
Most of the characters were rather flat and (if I'm being honest) somewhat shallow. Rory and Sarah were justifiably the most developed, but almost everyone else essentially served as their foils. Sasha, Greg, Nigel, etc. existed only to keep the main characters away from each other. I suppose Greg also provided drama. The author attempted to give Sasha a couple of redeeming moments of depth and understanding, but both instances felt very contrary to her character. A few minor side characters (Lee, Tom, Bunny, Frankie, and Winston) were relatively believable. Doug underwent some very significant character growth throughout the book, and he turned out to be a character I appreciated.
The book included far too many points of view. From the description, the book is about Sarah and Rory; however, it's also about Rory's friend Gill and the girl he's pined after, Dinah. This isn't an issue--their story was cute, even though it was predictable. But then there are other chapters or sections from the perspectives of characters: Greg, Sasha, Annabel, Bunny, Doug, and perhaps some others. Not only did perspective sometimes shift mid-paragraph, but so much of these other sections was unnecessary and felt like filler. I didn't need to see into those other characters' heads. It didn't give me any additional insight into their characters or move the story along.
The writing style was frustrating and, quite frankly, irritating. I recognize that I speak American English and the author wrote in British English, so there will be differences between our dialects. I get that. However, there were certain aspects of the writing that felt so incredibly informal and unpolished. It relied heavily on British slang and cliched phrases, some of which was rather antiquated ("every Tom, Dick, and Harry," for example--I'm 40, and I'm not even sure I've ever heard my parents use that phrase in genuine conversation). I struggled with the incorrect grammar and usage, as well. The were frequent uses of phrases like "he was stood" when it should be "he stood" or "he was standing." (After some searching, I discovered that this is definitely a British thing, though even official British publication style guides deem it incorrect.) That's just one example. It hurt my little grammarian brain.
And finally, the ending was extremely abrupt and left me rolling my eyes. After how long it took Rory and Sarah to get to their destination, the brief resolution just didn't cut it. Even an epilogue would have been appreciated. Plus, their next steps were rushed and felt out of place, both in the plot and with their characters.
How it ends:
Note: Some swearing, including a handful of f words. Innuendo and sexual references. One instance of quickly-fade-t0-black sex.
I usually love friends-to-lovers books, but this one fell flat for me. Sarah and Rory were a good match, and generally likable; however, the execution of the book prevented me from fully enjoying it. Initially, I was going to say that, "Since this is an ARC, perhaps it will go through some heavy editing prior to publication." It looks like it was previously published under a different name, though, so maybe this is it. I don't know. In its current state, it's not a book I'd read again.
Most of the characters were rather flat and (if I'm being honest) somewhat shallow. Rory and Sarah were justifiably the most developed, but almost everyone else essentially served as their foils. Sasha, Greg, Nigel, etc. existed only to keep the main characters away from each other. I suppose Greg also provided drama. The author attempted to give Sasha a couple of redeeming moments of depth and understanding, but both instances felt very contrary to her character. A few minor side characters (Lee, Tom, Bunny, Frankie, and Winston) were relatively believable. Doug underwent some very significant character growth throughout the book, and he turned out to be a character I appreciated.
The book included far too many points of view. From the description, the book is about Sarah and Rory; however, it's also about Rory's friend Gill and the girl he's pined after, Dinah. This isn't an issue--their story was cute, even though it was predictable. But then there are other chapters or sections from the perspectives of characters: Greg, Sasha, Annabel, Bunny, Doug, and perhaps some others. Not only did perspective sometimes shift mid-paragraph, but so much of these other sections was unnecessary and felt like filler. I didn't need to see into those other characters' heads. It didn't give me any additional insight into their characters or move the story along.
The writing style was frustrating and, quite frankly, irritating. I recognize that I speak American English and the author wrote in British English, so there will be differences between our dialects. I get that. However, there were certain aspects of the writing that felt so incredibly informal and unpolished. It relied heavily on British slang and cliched phrases, some of which was rather antiquated ("every Tom, Dick, and Harry," for example--I'm 40, and I'm not even sure I've ever heard my parents use that phrase in genuine conversation). I struggled with the incorrect grammar and usage, as well. The were frequent uses of phrases like "he was stood" when it should be "he stood" or "he was standing." (After some searching, I discovered that this is definitely a British thing, though even official British publication style guides deem it incorrect.) That's just one example. It hurt my little grammarian brain.
And finally, the ending was extremely abrupt and left me rolling my eyes. After how long it took Rory and Sarah to get to their destination, the brief resolution just didn't cut it. Even an epilogue would have been appreciated. Plus, their next steps were rushed and felt out of place, both in the plot and with their characters.
How it ends:
Note: Some swearing, including a handful of f words. Innuendo and sexual references. One instance of quickly-fade-t0-black sex.
May 9, 2018
Actually laugh out loud funny. I love books that make me laugh and this one did that in abundance. Totally different from usual romantic comedies especially written from a male point of view.
Highly recommended..five stars 🌟
Highly recommended..five stars 🌟
May 6, 2018
This is a really nice, classic, rom-com style story that will give you the warm and fuzzies. Everyone needs a Rory!!
September 16, 2023
Rory and Sarah have always been best friends and have been their for each other's ups and downs. Uncle Ror Ror is always there for Sarah and her daughter Annabel, and no doubt always will be. But he's lonely and decides that being the good guy like his mother asked him to be on her death bed isn't working for him. Nice guys finish last, indeed. He decides to change from Clark Kent to Superman, as it were. He ditches his glasses for contacts, changes his clothes, gets a new car, and dons an aloof attitude in attempts to win the heart of the sexy Sasha at the club. Sarah goes along with it to make her best friend happy, but wishes he would see how perfect he is without all of the craziness. Good guy Rory is perfect the way he is.
This sounded absolutely adorable. Usually, it's the girl next door angle that authors go after, but in this case, it was the guy next door. The characters were all very sweet, save for Sarah's dirt bag ex/Annabel's father. However, the character and story development were both extremely slow. The main couple doesn't get together until the last few pages. I'm used to slow burn, but this was the slowest burn I've ever read. On top of that, we don't get to enjoy the 'happily ever after' after they finally get together. With that being said, there was basically no chemistry between them outside of their friendship. We saw the smallest glimpses of them caring for each other more than friends, but there was no spark. I honestly felt more of that spark coming from Rory's friend Gill and his love interest Dinah than from Rory and Gill.
Outside of the characters, there were many British-isms that I simply did not understand and had to Google. I was able to understand a few using context clues, but most of them were confusing. I wouldn't recommend this book to non-Brutish readers because of it.
There were many errors that the editor didn't catch (though I tend to have a very keen eye for these things.) I was tempted to deduct an entire star for Gill telling Kate Hudson in his head that his love interest was, and I quote, "the Princess Leia to my Hans Solo." HANS SOLO. For a character that is supposed to be very nerdy, he should know that the character is named Han Solo.
Lastly, I'd like to note that it was very difficult for me to find interest in this story. While cute, it was not riveting, and I frequently found myself falling asleep while reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the novel in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.
This sounded absolutely adorable. Usually, it's the girl next door angle that authors go after, but in this case, it was the guy next door. The characters were all very sweet, save for Sarah's dirt bag ex/Annabel's father. However, the character and story development were both extremely slow. The main couple doesn't get together until the last few pages. I'm used to slow burn, but this was the slowest burn I've ever read. On top of that, we don't get to enjoy the 'happily ever after' after they finally get together. With that being said, there was basically no chemistry between them outside of their friendship. We saw the smallest glimpses of them caring for each other more than friends, but there was no spark. I honestly felt more of that spark coming from Rory's friend Gill and his love interest Dinah than from Rory and Gill.
Outside of the characters, there were many British-isms that I simply did not understand and had to Google. I was able to understand a few using context clues, but most of them were confusing. I wouldn't recommend this book to non-Brutish readers because of it.
There were many errors that the editor didn't catch (though I tend to have a very keen eye for these things.) I was tempted to deduct an entire star for Gill telling Kate Hudson in his head that his love interest was, and I quote, "the Princess Leia to my Hans Solo." HANS SOLO. For a character that is supposed to be very nerdy, he should know that the character is named Han Solo.
Lastly, I'd like to note that it was very difficult for me to find interest in this story. While cute, it was not riveting, and I frequently found myself falling asleep while reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the novel in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.
September 28, 2023
The main story is centred around Sarah and Rory, best friends since childhood, they still spend a lot of time together with Sarah's 6yr old daughter, Annabel. The story is told from the third person POV so we also hear about some of the peripheral characters which really just explains their back story and how they fit into the story.
Rory is an accountant whose personal style is rather beige but he is trying to change who he is in order to meet a girl he fancies, who is a local PR rep and is often in the club owned by Rory's dad and where Rory often helps out with the accounts. With Sarah's help he gets a new haircut, new clothes and contacts but he also decides to stop being the nice guy and start being the "bad" guy to attract the girl he wants.
Sarah is trying to manage her relationship with her ex-boyfriend and Annabel's dad, Greg. He's a narcissist who thinks every woman wants him and that he can basically do whatever he wants, whenever he wants and won't let anyone stop him. He's a fireman, but only for the perceived glory he gets from it. He doesn't care about the small things that go into running a fire station and he constantly bails on his daughter and tries to punish Sarah by not helping out with Annabel.
Eventually everything works out and Greg gets his comeuppance which was fantastic to see. I loved seeing him knocked down a few pegs on a few different occasions.
This was a good story, quite enjoyable but it seemed like Sarah and Rory could have just spoken to one another at the beginning and there would have been no misunderstanding how the other one feels. It was well written and I thought getting to see the occasional POV from one of the other characters was quite good, it gave them more depth and possibly opens the door for their own stories.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Rory is an accountant whose personal style is rather beige but he is trying to change who he is in order to meet a girl he fancies, who is a local PR rep and is often in the club owned by Rory's dad and where Rory often helps out with the accounts. With Sarah's help he gets a new haircut, new clothes and contacts but he also decides to stop being the nice guy and start being the "bad" guy to attract the girl he wants.
Sarah is trying to manage her relationship with her ex-boyfriend and Annabel's dad, Greg. He's a narcissist who thinks every woman wants him and that he can basically do whatever he wants, whenever he wants and won't let anyone stop him. He's a fireman, but only for the perceived glory he gets from it. He doesn't care about the small things that go into running a fire station and he constantly bails on his daughter and tries to punish Sarah by not helping out with Annabel.
Eventually everything works out and Greg gets his comeuppance which was fantastic to see. I loved seeing him knocked down a few pegs on a few different occasions.
This was a good story, quite enjoyable but it seemed like Sarah and Rory could have just spoken to one another at the beginning and there would have been no misunderstanding how the other one feels. It was well written and I thought getting to see the occasional POV from one of the other characters was quite good, it gave them more depth and possibly opens the door for their own stories.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
November 15, 2023
I wish I had better things to say, but instead I wrote notes as I was reading:
Didn’t have to make me cry right off the bat like that
The perspective switches without warning
Conversation feels like I’m reading a script for a movie
Writing feels juvenile
Lots of British slang
Let’s randomly add in a third perspective
OOP - yet another perspective
And yet ANOTHER perspective
Everyone is so dramatic
Here we go with…is it the 6th perspective now???
Gill got drunk awfully fast…
That teacher is a witch - never would that be allowed in school…also, super dramatic.
I’m so confused by the switching of perspectives and I don’t understand the relevance of the date/times?
As awful as Eric might be, he has a right to know he’s not wanted
I’m really over the back and forth - does no one know how to have an honest conversation?
I’m halfway through the book - and I’m still not sure exactly what the point of the book is
Sarah is ridiculous and needs to grow a backbone.
Actually they all need to grow backbones.
Calling it now - Dinah and Gill are being set up by their families
I’m not buying that Sasha has worked with Rory before, but doesn’t put together that he’s Rory gallant from the club…
Nigel is serious overkill
Now Sasha suddenly knows Rory owns the club? Since when?
One final perspective change, for Pete’s sake
The whole thing with Dinah and Gill - called it. But getting married???? That’s a little fast…
After all that, we don’t get to see Belle finding out about Sarah and Rory?
Also, let’s be clear - nothing says that Rory and Sarah are neighbors.
Yea, not for me. The writing was scattered, there were too many different storylines, and I just wasn’t impressed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Didn’t have to make me cry right off the bat like that
The perspective switches without warning
Conversation feels like I’m reading a script for a movie
Writing feels juvenile
Lots of British slang
Let’s randomly add in a third perspective
OOP - yet another perspective
And yet ANOTHER perspective
Everyone is so dramatic
Here we go with…is it the 6th perspective now???
Gill got drunk awfully fast…
That teacher is a witch - never would that be allowed in school…also, super dramatic.
I’m so confused by the switching of perspectives and I don’t understand the relevance of the date/times?
As awful as Eric might be, he has a right to know he’s not wanted
I’m really over the back and forth - does no one know how to have an honest conversation?
I’m halfway through the book - and I’m still not sure exactly what the point of the book is
Sarah is ridiculous and needs to grow a backbone.
Actually they all need to grow backbones.
Calling it now - Dinah and Gill are being set up by their families
I’m not buying that Sasha has worked with Rory before, but doesn’t put together that he’s Rory gallant from the club…
Nigel is serious overkill
Now Sasha suddenly knows Rory owns the club? Since when?
One final perspective change, for Pete’s sake
The whole thing with Dinah and Gill - called it. But getting married???? That’s a little fast…
After all that, we don’t get to see Belle finding out about Sarah and Rory?
Also, let’s be clear - nothing says that Rory and Sarah are neighbors.
Yea, not for me. The writing was scattered, there were too many different storylines, and I just wasn’t impressed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 24, 2024
3.5
The story itself is beautiful, and although short, the author made me appreciate it.
I was amazed by the multitude of points of view because, from the plot, there wasn't this idea that many characters would narrate the story, but only through the main characters. Despite the initial disorientation, the story didn't suffer; rather, in this case, the various points of view were useful not only to present different scenarios but also to delve into the minds of the characters.
I loved the relationship between Rory and Sarah, and I found it surprising that the two took so long to realize that their relationship was much more than just a friendship, at least for Sarah. Despite facing numerous challenges, including dealing with a former narcissistic partner, taking care of her daughter, and looking after her mother, Sarah saw Rory more as a source of support than a partner. I'm just glad they both got a happy ending (although here the credit goes entirely to Annabelle; in just a few simple scenes, she won my heart <3).
Although the ending between Sarah and Rory didn't entirely convince me, I loved the one between Gill and Dinah. It's a shame there were few scenes about them; it would have been nice to read more about their story separately. In my opinion, the plot could have been a bit more structured, especially concerning the decision to give voice to so many characters. While some parts were interesting, others felt unnecessary, maybe the author wanted to give an overview of the story but it would have been better if she had focused on Sarah and Rory.
PS. the story is written by an English author and it was a challenge to get to the bottom of some terms. recommended for those who want to approach the language.
The story itself is beautiful, and although short, the author made me appreciate it.
I was amazed by the multitude of points of view because, from the plot, there wasn't this idea that many characters would narrate the story, but only through the main characters. Despite the initial disorientation, the story didn't suffer; rather, in this case, the various points of view were useful not only to present different scenarios but also to delve into the minds of the characters.
I loved the relationship between Rory and Sarah, and I found it surprising that the two took so long to realize that their relationship was much more than just a friendship, at least for Sarah. Despite facing numerous challenges, including dealing with a former narcissistic partner, taking care of her daughter, and looking after her mother, Sarah saw Rory more as a source of support than a partner. I'm just glad they both got a happy ending (although here the credit goes entirely to Annabelle; in just a few simple scenes, she won my heart <3).
Although the ending between Sarah and Rory didn't entirely convince me, I loved the one between Gill and Dinah. It's a shame there were few scenes about them; it would have been nice to read more about their story separately. In my opinion, the plot could have been a bit more structured, especially concerning the decision to give voice to so many characters. While some parts were interesting, others felt unnecessary, maybe the author wanted to give an overview of the story but it would have been better if she had focused on Sarah and Rory.
PS. the story is written by an English author and it was a challenge to get to the bottom of some terms. recommended for those who want to approach the language.
June 5, 2024
“Human adults, they had to be the dumbest species when it came to finding a mate.” Does that mean nice guys have to finish last? Looking for a win in love, Rory decided that maybe it did, and maybe he needed to change. “‘Treat them mean to keep them keen.’” Not so keen on his plan was his best friend, single mom Sarah. The romance was great. There was plenty of emotion, fun, and self-discovery on the way. “She had been there under his nose the whole time, and he hadn’t even realised. She wasn’t his dream girl; she was the very real girl next door. Better than any dream.” There was also a cute secondary later-in-life romance in the book. The characters were fun and engaging. There were so many entertaining interactions. Operation Notebook was so cute. The comeuppance was hilarious. I have become accustomed to novels, even in the third person or omniscient author style, focusing perspective on only a few main characters. This book shares the perspectives of several characters. That’s not a bad thing, as the reader gets to experience many different layers to the story and it helps engage with different subplots and romances. I do wish there had been a more clear delineation when the perspective switched between characters. I personally find it a bit jolting to be in one character’s perspective in one paragraph and then switch to another perspective in the next paragraph with no break or pause. This is a fade-to-black story with frequent strong innuendo and a moderate amount of strong harsh language throughout.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 5, 2023
Thank you to Boldwood Books for the ARC!
This story is definitely a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance. I'm always a sucker for the years of pining without realizing that your pining aspect of such stories, but with this story, I'm a little confused about how to rate it.
The real star of this story was Annabelle, the child genius with a plan. Frankly, she should've been the MC, because had it not been for her, the plot wouldn't have progressed the way that it did.
Rory is certainly an endearing MMC, and I wanted to roll my eyes every time he tried to convince himself that Sasha was night for him. Her certainly was a wonderful godfather and male role model to his "Belle".
Sarah was a great FMC, and her arc was quite satisfying, especially when she finally stood up to "dirtbag Greg". Unfortunately, her refusal to see the obvious (e.g. Nigel) made her character quite frustrating to read.
What confused me beyond anything was Gill's and Dinah's story. I'm not sure why this subplot was highlighted so much in the story when really it could've just been mentioned in relation to the actual plot. The fact that multiple chapters were dedicated solely to their relationship was very confusing.
The HEA was certainly satisfying, but I wish that it hadn't been so abrupt. I would've loved to have seen more of Rory and Sarah being a couple.
3 ⭐️
NOTE: ARC received in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This story is definitely a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance. I'm always a sucker for the years of pining without realizing that your pining aspect of such stories, but with this story, I'm a little confused about how to rate it.
The real star of this story was Annabelle, the child genius with a plan. Frankly, she should've been the MC, because had it not been for her, the plot wouldn't have progressed the way that it did.
Rory is certainly an endearing MMC, and I wanted to roll my eyes every time he tried to convince himself that Sasha was night for him. Her certainly was a wonderful godfather and male role model to his "Belle".
Sarah was a great FMC, and her arc was quite satisfying, especially when she finally stood up to "dirtbag Greg". Unfortunately, her refusal to see the obvious (e.g. Nigel) made her character quite frustrating to read.
What confused me beyond anything was Gill's and Dinah's story. I'm not sure why this subplot was highlighted so much in the story when really it could've just been mentioned in relation to the actual plot. The fact that multiple chapters were dedicated solely to their relationship was very confusing.
The HEA was certainly satisfying, but I wish that it hadn't been so abrupt. I would've loved to have seen more of Rory and Sarah being a couple.
3 ⭐️
NOTE: ARC received in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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