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My Best Friend Next Door
We all have that one best friend who, in another world, would be our perfect match, defying all odds of being opposites. Nate and I have been neighbors and inseparable partners-in-crime for as long as I can remember. I'm the carefree adventurer in life and in my kitchen. He is the strikingly handsome philanthropist…the epitome of caution and overprotectiveness. We shouldn't fit, yet we complete each other. As friends ... Suddenly, I’m stuck with Nate helping him prepare for his wedding with Ava. The very ex who damaged him in the past. He now has to marry her out of obligation. The more we plan this wedding, the more I don't want it to happen maybe I’m being overprotective of Nate's heart, or there is more to us than friendship. I am afraid that exploring these feelings could ruin my best friends’ wedding and our relationship, forever.
95 pages, Paperback
Published August 3, 2023
4 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Ella Marie
7 books82 followersElla Marie is a pen name of a wife to the man of her dreams, and a mama to a cute little boy. Jesus is her Lord and personal Savior, guiding her in all aspects of life. After publishing her first clean and sweet romance series, God put it on her heart to share the greatest gift in her life—Jesus—in her love stories.
All her future books will not only be heart-melting but will also point readers toward the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Expect to see broken characters finding healing, faith, hope, and of course, love in each of her Christ-centered love stories.
Her greatest prayer is that her books will encourage readers to live out their faith boldly, deepen their relationship with Jesus, and remember that no other book is to be cherished like God’s letter to us— the Bible.
All her future books will not only be heart-melting but will also point readers toward the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Expect to see broken characters finding healing, faith, hope, and of course, love in each of her Christ-centered love stories.
Her greatest prayer is that her books will encourage readers to live out their faith boldly, deepen their relationship with Jesus, and remember that no other book is to be cherished like God’s letter to us— the Bible.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 11, 2023
The plot started off great. However, the ending felt rushed.
June 2, 2025
Brief Summary
Nate and Lucy have been close best friends since childhood. Lucy, a former accountant turned chef, has always had her guard up when it comes. She has only ever seen him as a friend. Nate has always been in love with Lucy. He chooses to silence his feelings for the sake of Lucy's happiness. Protecting their bond has been a mutual priority for both of them. What will happen to their bond when an ex from the past and a family illness enter the picture? Will Nate confess his feelings? Will Lucy let her guard down?
My Review
This story is a cozy read and an easy escape. I was able to finish the novella in one sitting, in under two hours. The author did a great job of maintaining a complex storyline within a limited number of chapters. I love that this romance is sweet yet not overly emotionally intense. Ella Marie stays true to her word by delivering a clean, Christian romance.
My Best Friend Next Door by Ella Marie receives 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this enjoyable read.
Nate and Lucy have been close best friends since childhood. Lucy, a former accountant turned chef, has always had her guard up when it comes. She has only ever seen him as a friend. Nate has always been in love with Lucy. He chooses to silence his feelings for the sake of Lucy's happiness. Protecting their bond has been a mutual priority for both of them. What will happen to their bond when an ex from the past and a family illness enter the picture? Will Nate confess his feelings? Will Lucy let her guard down?
My Review
This story is a cozy read and an easy escape. I was able to finish the novella in one sitting, in under two hours. The author did a great job of maintaining a complex storyline within a limited number of chapters. I love that this romance is sweet yet not overly emotionally intense. Ella Marie stays true to her word by delivering a clean, Christian romance.
My Best Friend Next Door by Ella Marie receives 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this enjoyable read.
March 30, 2024
Super sweet story of two best friends that seem to be stuck in the friend zone. So much so, that they encourage and help each other date and even get engaged with someone else!
Lucy and Nate have been best friends for years. Both of them have always loved each other, but years ago they promised to never date and risk the relationship. So when Nates mom becomes ill and wants him to marry he is forced into reconnecting with an old girlfriend to fulfill her wishes. Its then and only then that they both realize that him marrying someone else is far more risky then them dating each other - but its too late. But when his moms sickness picks up, the engagement turns into a rushed marriage and neither of them are ready to reveal their feelings. Its either reveal that what they have is real, and worth the risk... or allow Nate to marry his old girlfriend and turn Lucy into the third wheel.
Sweet, sweet story!
Lucy and Nate have been best friends for years. Both of them have always loved each other, but years ago they promised to never date and risk the relationship. So when Nates mom becomes ill and wants him to marry he is forced into reconnecting with an old girlfriend to fulfill her wishes. Its then and only then that they both realize that him marrying someone else is far more risky then them dating each other - but its too late. But when his moms sickness picks up, the engagement turns into a rushed marriage and neither of them are ready to reveal their feelings. Its either reveal that what they have is real, and worth the risk... or allow Nate to marry his old girlfriend and turn Lucy into the third wheel.
Sweet, sweet story!
October 13, 2023
When Forever Finally Feels Right -
Lucy and Nate had been emotionally linked for years and their connection was evident to everyone around them but themselves. However, their relationship started changing after Nate announced his intention to get married. Unfortunately, neither one of them was prepared to acknowledge the reason. It took Lucy’s decision to walk away, for Nate to finally acknowledge his feelings for Lucy and do something about it.
This was an exciting and emotional read, with great family ties, wonderful friendships, heartbreak, betrayal and drama, that had me totally engrossed in the story from the first page until the end. This is the first book I have have from this author and I can assure you I was not disappointed. Grab a copy of this book to entertain yourself for a few hours.
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lucy and Nate had been emotionally linked for years and their connection was evident to everyone around them but themselves. However, their relationship started changing after Nate announced his intention to get married. Unfortunately, neither one of them was prepared to acknowledge the reason. It took Lucy’s decision to walk away, for Nate to finally acknowledge his feelings for Lucy and do something about it.
This was an exciting and emotional read, with great family ties, wonderful friendships, heartbreak, betrayal and drama, that had me totally engrossed in the story from the first page until the end. This is the first book I have have from this author and I can assure you I was not disappointed. Grab a copy of this book to entertain yourself for a few hours.
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 30, 2023
This story had a lot of charm and I loved reading it. It is about two childhood friends whose friendship has turned to love but they are slow to realize it. Nate is planning to marry a former girlfriend because his seriously ill mother would like to see him married. His life-long friend Lucy has agreed to help him plan the wedding, but she realizes that she loves him and is heartbroken because he seems to be actively set on marrying the former girlfriend. Will he realize that the other girl can never measure up to Lucy in his eyes because he loves Lucy?
February 18, 2025
Plot: Nate’s mom is sick. Her dying wish is to see him walk down the aisle. Instead of asking the girl he really wants to marry, Lucy, he asks his most recent ex-girlfriend, Ava.
What I liked: I liked Nate’s mom
What I didn’t like: I didn’t like this story very much. Especially when Ava was being mean to Lucy. Also, it felt very unrealistic that Ava would admit to and be sorry for the way she treated Lucy. That just isn’t real life.
Swearing: none
Physical intimacy level: closed door
Star rating: 2 stars
Trope: friends to lovers
What I liked: I liked Nate’s mom
What I didn’t like: I didn’t like this story very much. Especially when Ava was being mean to Lucy. Also, it felt very unrealistic that Ava would admit to and be sorry for the way she treated Lucy. That just isn’t real life.
Swearing: none
Physical intimacy level: closed door
Star rating: 2 stars
Trope: friends to lovers
August 28, 2023
Wanting to make his mom happy, Nate plans to marry his girlfriend Ava and asks his best friend Lucy yo help him plan the wedding. Of course his best friend would help him out. Lucy has always been in love with Nate- how is she going to handle handing him off to someone else. Sometimes what we're looking for is right in front of us. Loved the tension and how it all plays out.
July 17, 2024
I enjoyed reading this sweet, clean story. Good characters and descriptions, but I found myself wanting to shake some sense into both Nate and Lucy as well as Nate's mother. If his mother had explained it better when she told Nate she wanted to see him happy and settled before she died, Nate wouldn't have been in such a hurry to marry. And I couldn't believe how he let Ava manipulate him, like he didn't see how shallow she was until it was almost too late. Lucy was in so much denial about how she felt about him and vice versa. Thankfully they came to their senses in time. Very nice ending.
September 16, 2023
I liked that 2 neighbors cared a lot about each other but sad when Ava kept stepping into their lives to take over. I feared that Nate would never see that Emma was his whole world and choose Ava despite her materialistic and selfish ways. Glad that it turned out the way it should!
January 12, 2025
So sweet! Nate has loved his best friend for-ever. Unfortunately, she friend-zoned him and he couldn't convince her to let him be more. It's adorable how they discover they truly do love one another and so super sweet.
December 31, 2023
A short and sweet story of two best friends who don’t realize what they mean to each other. Will they figure it out in time. Loved it.
January 8, 2024
Good frame for story. Needs more info.
February 6, 2024
I really wanted to like this book, but I really had a hard time with the chopiness and the way everyone spoke. It was all very professional and there wasn't any chemistry between the main characters.
July 14, 2024
3.75 stars
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November 26, 2024
❤️❤️❤️❤️
July 1, 2025
A wonderful best friends to lovers romance story to read.
July 26, 2025
This book was so cute! Loved this bite-sized romance!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews