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Not Good Neighbors
Penny Huff and Jack Craig are neighbors by floor plan…and enemies by choice.
Thanks to a tragically thin wall in their NYC apartment building, Penny knows far too much about Jack—like his taste in too-loud music, the noxious fumes from his kitchen, and his habit of suspiciously aggressive vacuuming. And she knows all about the tearful brunette fleeing his apartment the day he moved in—the one crying about her cheating ex. Not even Jack’s piratical charm can undo what Penny the man is bad news.
When her attempt to get the wall soundproofed literally blows a hole in it, the two are forced into a DIY disaster that traps them in each other’s lives...and spaces. With eviction looming, prank wars escalating, and unexpected sparks flying, Penny starts to suspect her insufferable neighbor might just be the plot twist her love life needs.
Packed with witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and sizzling tension, this fast-paced romantic comedy proves that love can bloom where drywall—and patience—have crumbled.
Thanks to a tragically thin wall in their NYC apartment building, Penny knows far too much about Jack—like his taste in too-loud music, the noxious fumes from his kitchen, and his habit of suspiciously aggressive vacuuming. And she knows all about the tearful brunette fleeing his apartment the day he moved in—the one crying about her cheating ex. Not even Jack’s piratical charm can undo what Penny the man is bad news.
When her attempt to get the wall soundproofed literally blows a hole in it, the two are forced into a DIY disaster that traps them in each other’s lives...and spaces. With eviction looming, prank wars escalating, and unexpected sparks flying, Penny starts to suspect her insufferable neighbor might just be the plot twist her love life needs.
Packed with witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and sizzling tension, this fast-paced romantic comedy proves that love can bloom where drywall—and patience—have crumbled.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Violet Lumani
2 books228 followersViolet Lumani is an American author. She lives in Connecticut with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 380 reviews
March 20, 2026
Look, someone had to give this book five stars & I happened to be available. ;)
Writing NOT GOOD NEIGHBORS was the most fun I’ve ever had. It’s chaotic, funny, romantic, and full of people who are trying their best to be better people (characters I legitimately love so flipping much). I can NOT wait to see what you all think when it’s finally out in the wild -- pre-order now wherever books are sold! Out June 2, 2026!
Writing NOT GOOD NEIGHBORS was the most fun I’ve ever had. It’s chaotic, funny, romantic, and full of people who are trying their best to be better people (characters I legitimately love so flipping much). I can NOT wait to see what you all think when it’s finally out in the wild -- pre-order now wherever books are sold! Out June 2, 2026!
August 4, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
I really enjoyed this one. Penny was really funny, and Jack was fully an icon. I loved every second of his presence. I liked that they felt like real people. Her going to therapy and actually making progress was really refreshing to read. I enjoyed watching her learn to stand up for herself, set boundaries, and take a chance on things that she was always afraid of.
The “third-act breakup” was really dumb on Penny’s part. Jack was so right and it was very obvious. I feel like both Jack and I afforded her a lot of grace and patience, and that was not her greatest moment. The ending resolved things a bit too swiftly for my liking—I would have liked to see more there—but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Overall, this was a great, fun, and quick read. I had a wonderful time.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
This better be good because I already bought the book. Those sprayed edges were too pretty to resist.
I really enjoyed this one. Penny was really funny, and Jack was fully an icon. I loved every second of his presence. I liked that they felt like real people. Her going to therapy and actually making progress was really refreshing to read. I enjoyed watching her learn to stand up for herself, set boundaries, and take a chance on things that she was always afraid of.
The “third-act breakup” was really dumb on Penny’s part. Jack was so right and it was very obvious. I feel like both Jack and I afforded her a lot of grace and patience, and that was not her greatest moment. The ending resolved things a bit too swiftly for my liking—I would have liked to see more there—but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Overall, this was a great, fun, and quick read. I had a wonderful time.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
This better be good because I already bought the book. Those sprayed edges were too pretty to resist.
June 3, 2026
I enjoyed the heart of this story. It kept me engaged throughout, and even when some of the side plots dragged a bit, I was invested enough in the characters and their journey to keep turning the pages.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary eARC from Entangled Publishing, which gave me the opportunity to read this book early and share my thoughts.
Admittedly, it took me a little longer than usual to fully settle into the story. Not excessively so, but it’s worth mentioning in case other readers have a similar experience. Once everything falls into place, the pace picks up and the story moves along nicely.
If you’re someone who enjoys multiple subplots woven throughout a romance, this book definitely checks that box. I appreciated how they helped create a fuller world for the characters, though a few could have been trimmed slightly. In the end, however, they didn’t impact my overall enjoyment.
If you’re looking for a quick, fun, and flirty rom-com, this may be right up your alley—especially as a summer beach read.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary eARC from Entangled Publishing, which gave me the opportunity to read this book early and share my thoughts.
Admittedly, it took me a little longer than usual to fully settle into the story. Not excessively so, but it’s worth mentioning in case other readers have a similar experience. Once everything falls into place, the pace picks up and the story moves along nicely.
If you’re someone who enjoys multiple subplots woven throughout a romance, this book definitely checks that box. I appreciated how they helped create a fuller world for the characters, though a few could have been trimmed slightly. In the end, however, they didn’t impact my overall enjoyment.
If you’re looking for a quick, fun, and flirty rom-com, this may be right up your alley—especially as a summer beach read.
May 31, 2026
Not Good Neighbors was exactly the kind of romantic comedy I love to pick up when I need something fun, fast-paced, and guaranteed to make me smile (and hopefully laugh out loud). Between the hilarious neighbor rivalry, the escalating prank wars, and the banter, this book kept me entertained from beginning to end.
Penny and Jack get off to a terrible start, and thanks to a paper-thin apartment wall, they’re forced to know far more about each other’s lives than either would prefer. What starts as annoyance quickly turns into a full-blown battle of wills, and watching them constantly try to outsmart each other was one of the most enjoyable parts of the story. Their interactions were sharp, funny, and packed with the kind of tension that makes an enemies-to-lovers romance so much fun to read!
What surprised me most was the emotional depth woven beneath all the humor. While the story delivers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, it also explores people-pleasing tendencies, complicated family relationships, personal growth, and the importance of communication. I appreciated that both characters had flaws they actively worked to address rather than simply having everything magically resolved by romance.
The forced proximity element was done especially well, with the hole in the wall creating countless opportunities for chaos, vulnerability, and some genuinely sweet moments. As Penny and Jack slowly lowered their defenses, their relationship felt earned, making the romantic payoff all the more rewarding.
The supporting cast added another layer of warmth to the story, and I loved how friendships and family dynamics were given room to shine alongside the romance. While some of the antics occasionally pushed the limits of believability, the charm, humor, and heart more than made up for it. If you’re looking for a rom-com filled with banter, tension, forced proximity, and meaningful character growth, Not Good Neighbors is a delightfully entertaining read! I’m so grateful I was able to win a copy of this in a giveaway!
The biggest thank you to Entangled Publishing for this eARC!
Penny and Jack get off to a terrible start, and thanks to a paper-thin apartment wall, they’re forced to know far more about each other’s lives than either would prefer. What starts as annoyance quickly turns into a full-blown battle of wills, and watching them constantly try to outsmart each other was one of the most enjoyable parts of the story. Their interactions were sharp, funny, and packed with the kind of tension that makes an enemies-to-lovers romance so much fun to read!
What surprised me most was the emotional depth woven beneath all the humor. While the story delivers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, it also explores people-pleasing tendencies, complicated family relationships, personal growth, and the importance of communication. I appreciated that both characters had flaws they actively worked to address rather than simply having everything magically resolved by romance.
The forced proximity element was done especially well, with the hole in the wall creating countless opportunities for chaos, vulnerability, and some genuinely sweet moments. As Penny and Jack slowly lowered their defenses, their relationship felt earned, making the romantic payoff all the more rewarding.
The supporting cast added another layer of warmth to the story, and I loved how friendships and family dynamics were given room to shine alongside the romance. While some of the antics occasionally pushed the limits of believability, the charm, humor, and heart more than made up for it. If you’re looking for a rom-com filled with banter, tension, forced proximity, and meaningful character growth, Not Good Neighbors is a delightfully entertaining read! I’m so grateful I was able to win a copy of this in a giveaway!
The biggest thank you to Entangled Publishing for this eARC!
Did Not Finish
August 4, 2026boring from the beginning but I refused to dnf at least than 20% so I kept reading to try it out and see if somehow it became "likeable" but yeah unfortunelly it was a definitely not finish
June 12, 2026
This was so funny - I loved the banter and the things that came out of Jack and Pennys mouths had me both cringing and laughing! The slow burn was tortuous but I loved them together. So sad that Avery got shafted - he was my favorite side character. But I loved how Penny finally stood up to her mom and how Jack really fell hard for her. Love!
July 24, 2026
3.5/5
Cute overall!!!
I think rom-coms are hard for me when the antics are so outlandish or trivial...
FMC's mom is triggering, and honestly so is our people pleasing FMC... Girl, how have you made it so far with out a backbone?? You live in NYC!?
Alas, I did enjoy her therapy journey. It was nice to see the revelations she had not only in her personal life, but also in her career as she started standing up for herself at work.(her boss sucked)
Now, was this technically a 3rd act breakup if they were just getting started? IDK. Logistics, I guess. But still. ANNOYED.
Cute overall!!!
I think rom-coms are hard for me when the antics are so outlandish or trivial...
FMC's mom is triggering, and honestly so is our people pleasing FMC... Girl, how have you made it so far with out a backbone?? You live in NYC!?
Alas, I did enjoy her therapy journey. It was nice to see the revelations she had not only in her personal life, but also in her career as she started standing up for herself at work.(her boss sucked)
Now, was this technically a 3rd act breakup if they were just getting started? IDK. Logistics, I guess. But still. ANNOYED.
June 13, 2026
Rating: 4.5/5
If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud romance that has the banter that Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant had, then Not Good Neighbors is the book for you. I actually hurt my nose because I snort-laughed so hard at one point.
Penny has disliked Jack since he moved in. They are the epitome of grumpy x sunshine and go tit for tat with everything. Even their WiFi password conveys that. “Penny For Your Thoughts” x “Dollar to go away”. When Penny accidentally makes a large hole in their shared wall, the result gives them a peek into each other’s lives. But not without a ton of havoc, humor, and sneaking around.
Not Good Neighbors was so much fun to read. There was so much more to Penny because of her relationship with her mother. I liked how that evolved as well. Penny and Jack were great together.
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Author Violet Lumani for the gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud romance that has the banter that Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant had, then Not Good Neighbors is the book for you. I actually hurt my nose because I snort-laughed so hard at one point.
Penny has disliked Jack since he moved in. They are the epitome of grumpy x sunshine and go tit for tat with everything. Even their WiFi password conveys that. “Penny For Your Thoughts” x “Dollar to go away”. When Penny accidentally makes a large hole in their shared wall, the result gives them a peek into each other’s lives. But not without a ton of havoc, humor, and sneaking around.
Not Good Neighbors was so much fun to read. There was so much more to Penny because of her relationship with her mother. I liked how that evolved as well. Penny and Jack were great together.
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Author Violet Lumani for the gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 11, 2026
I have had an absolute blast reading this rom com. I've laughed so much I especially loved the references the author made to twilight, Big Bang, and the Hunger Games lol and the glitter in the shampoo absolutely hilarious 😂 the fmc internal dialog is soo funny, I highly, highly, highly recommend this book if you wanna have a good time reading oh, and banter is off the charts, and Lucas verses the hole, amazing and hilarious
June 27, 2026
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
I’m disappointed they didn’t elaborate more on Jack’s trauma. I wish we’d gotten more scenes of him opening up to Penny they really missed an opportunity to deepen their connection. By the end of the book, it became very clear that Penny wasn’t in the right state to be in a relationship, so I think a time skip would’ve worked much better. Anyways, it was still a fun read .
I’m disappointed they didn’t elaborate more on Jack’s trauma. I wish we’d gotten more scenes of him opening up to Penny they really missed an opportunity to deepen their connection. By the end of the book, it became very clear that Penny wasn’t in the right state to be in a relationship, so I think a time skip would’ve worked much better. Anyways, it was still a fun read .
June 3, 2026
This book gave me all the feels!!
Penny lives in a. NYC apartment and works in Marketing. Her neighbor Jack in a lawyer. 5A an 5B do not get along and that is putting it lightly. They are constantly at odds throughout with what i would say is childish pranks or ways to one up the other. But everyone can see what they are so blind to from the very beginning.
I honestly wasn’t sure how i would feel about this book. It is my first rom-com and now every one after has something to live up to. I enjoyed the wit and the painter between the whole bunch of characters. Margies inability to let her inner thoughts settle. Avery and his boyish charm and so many others that i feel helped to push the plot forward. I also greatly loved the use of mental health and the character digging deep to find out the cause of why is the way she is. I loved that the author her actually dealing with her issues and not “curing” Penny automatically. Keeping it a realistic with the growing pains of therapy. The familial aspect between Penny and her mom, Jack and his sister and Averys family was interesting as well. It shows how your environment has such a huge impact on how you turn out. There was also the nuance presented that just because it looks golden on the outside doesnt mean there was a lack of struggle before, during and after. I had such big feels reading this. And I enjoyed every bit of it.
Thank you entangled publishing for the chance to read this ARC. #NotGoodNeighbors #NetGalley.
Penny lives in a. NYC apartment and works in Marketing. Her neighbor Jack in a lawyer. 5A an 5B do not get along and that is putting it lightly. They are constantly at odds throughout with what i would say is childish pranks or ways to one up the other. But everyone can see what they are so blind to from the very beginning.
I honestly wasn’t sure how i would feel about this book. It is my first rom-com and now every one after has something to live up to. I enjoyed the wit and the painter between the whole bunch of characters. Margies inability to let her inner thoughts settle. Avery and his boyish charm and so many others that i feel helped to push the plot forward. I also greatly loved the use of mental health and the character digging deep to find out the cause of why is the way she is. I loved that the author her actually dealing with her issues and not “curing” Penny automatically. Keeping it a realistic with the growing pains of therapy. The familial aspect between Penny and her mom, Jack and his sister and Averys family was interesting as well. It shows how your environment has such a huge impact on how you turn out. There was also the nuance presented that just because it looks golden on the outside doesnt mean there was a lack of struggle before, during and after. I had such big feels reading this. And I enjoyed every bit of it.
Thank you entangled publishing for the chance to read this ARC. #NotGoodNeighbors #NetGalley.
May 21, 2026
This was absolutely hilarious and entertaining from start to finish! It had me laughing so many times throughout. The characters were chaotic in the best way possible and completely kept me turning the pages. The banter was witty, the tension was so good, and the character dynamics made this story incredibly fun and addictive. I can’t wait for the audio to release, I’m definitely going to give it a listen! If you love funny romances with entertaining characters, nonstop chemistry, and laugh-out-loud moments, this one is definitely worth picking up!
Thank you so much to the author Violet Lumani, Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early before release.
Thank you so much to the author Violet Lumani, Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early before release.
May 22, 2026
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for this ARC!
This was such a laugh out loud but also emotionally rewarding? I was so very impressed with how these characters bantered back and forth but also saw their flaws and chose to work on them by going to therapy and actually talking to each other. We meet Penny who finds out she could lose her apartment in NYC if she doesn’t buy it. Of course the craziness ensues and she is left with scrambling to get a raise at her marketing job and also hope her hot rival neighbor doesn’t try to buy her apartment out from under her. Jack is the man who only seems to want to make Penny’s life more difficult when a trues is called after a giant hole ends up in the wall between their apartments. The witty banter had me cackling out loud. Jack and penny really knew how to get to each other and it was hilarious. Penny struggled with overcoming her need to people please with therapy had me so proud! If you need a funny and endearing romcom then this one is it. You’ll find witty banter, forced proximity, rivals to lovers, and therapy rep, which I definitely recommend!
This was such a laugh out loud but also emotionally rewarding? I was so very impressed with how these characters bantered back and forth but also saw their flaws and chose to work on them by going to therapy and actually talking to each other. We meet Penny who finds out she could lose her apartment in NYC if she doesn’t buy it. Of course the craziness ensues and she is left with scrambling to get a raise at her marketing job and also hope her hot rival neighbor doesn’t try to buy her apartment out from under her. Jack is the man who only seems to want to make Penny’s life more difficult when a trues is called after a giant hole ends up in the wall between their apartments. The witty banter had me cackling out loud. Jack and penny really knew how to get to each other and it was hilarious. Penny struggled with overcoming her need to people please with therapy had me so proud! If you need a funny and endearing romcom then this one is it. You’ll find witty banter, forced proximity, rivals to lovers, and therapy rep, which I definitely recommend!
July 15, 2026
Not Good Neighbors gave me the enemies-to-lovers NYC romcom I wanted as a summer read. Penny wants to read her romance books in peace, while her neighbor Jack is determined to drive her crazy. Their neighbor war, banter, and Jack’s sexy dimples made this a fun read.
I also love romcoms set in NYC because I can picture the city as I’m reading. Bonus points when I find places I want to explore on the days I’m in the office.
What I enjoyed unfolding was Penny’s growth outside of the romance. She starts recognizing her relationship patterns and learning to set boundaries before jumping into something new. I identified with her struggle to set boundaries with her mom. When you know how much a parent sacrificed to give you a good childhood, saying no sometimes feels like you’re being ungrateful.
Penny’s story explores something I think a lot of us struggle with: how do you love people without making yourself smaller to keep them happy?
I loved that Jack supported Penny working through her issues and was willing to take things slow. Underneath the neighbor wars and witty banter, this is a story about choosing love while learning to choose yourself too.
Also, the Kool-Aid Man scene made me laugh out loud. 😂
Read this if you love:
- Enemies to lovers
- Neighbors to lovers
- Slow burn
- Banter
- NYC romcoms
💕 Secretly supportive MMC
- Complicated mother-daughter relationships
I also love romcoms set in NYC because I can picture the city as I’m reading. Bonus points when I find places I want to explore on the days I’m in the office.
What I enjoyed unfolding was Penny’s growth outside of the romance. She starts recognizing her relationship patterns and learning to set boundaries before jumping into something new. I identified with her struggle to set boundaries with her mom. When you know how much a parent sacrificed to give you a good childhood, saying no sometimes feels like you’re being ungrateful.
Penny’s story explores something I think a lot of us struggle with: how do you love people without making yourself smaller to keep them happy?
I loved that Jack supported Penny working through her issues and was willing to take things slow. Underneath the neighbor wars and witty banter, this is a story about choosing love while learning to choose yourself too.
Also, the Kool-Aid Man scene made me laugh out loud. 😂
Read this if you love:
- Enemies to lovers
- Neighbors to lovers
- Slow burn
- Banter
- NYC romcoms
💕 Secretly supportive MMC
- Complicated mother-daughter relationships
May 25, 2026
This was such a fun, feel good book! It had me laughing and just loving the banter between these characters! I loved the emotional aspects thrown into this story as well!
This is definitely enemies to lovers vibes with all the witty comebacks, pranks, tension, and just total chaos between Jack & Penny. These two are both so lovable and I love the character growth that comes with their story!!
This book also has some amazing family & friend dynamics, that just pulled me in and kept me loving so many of these characters! If you’re looking for a fun, easy read, with humor and emotional depth, this is the perfect one! I was cackling, swooning, and just loving it all the way through!
Thank you entangled & NetGalley for this early copy!!
This is definitely enemies to lovers vibes with all the witty comebacks, pranks, tension, and just total chaos between Jack & Penny. These two are both so lovable and I love the character growth that comes with their story!!
This book also has some amazing family & friend dynamics, that just pulled me in and kept me loving so many of these characters! If you’re looking for a fun, easy read, with humor and emotional depth, this is the perfect one! I was cackling, swooning, and just loving it all the way through!
Thank you entangled & NetGalley for this early copy!!
June 22, 2026
A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy set in NYC! A fast-paced and fun read to get you out of any reading slump! Not Good Neighbors has a lot of heart. It's a story between two neighbors, Penny and Jack, who share a wall and who both hate each other. Their banter is very funny and all the hijinks they do to get back at each other are ridiculous! An apartment mishap causes a hole in their shared wall, forcing them to be in each other's presence and forcing them to work together to fix the hole or face possible eviction. With their constant interactions, they get a better understanding of each other and realize the other is not really so bad. Sparks fly and their love connection is unavoidable. Be prepared to laugh a lot when you read this! There's also a very good supporting cast of characters that add to the laughs as well. Enjoyed this read and would recommend to anyone who wants a good laugh and light read! Thank you so much Entangled publishing, Amara, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion!
July 11, 2026
This was a solid debut, I think it just didn’t connect with me as strongly as I wanted. Neighbors is one of my favorite tropes so I did enjoy the set up. However, Penny was a hot mess and while she did have some good character growth, it took too long to get there. The entire first half I was struggling to connect with or care about her, but things did get better in the second half after she started going to therapy. And while I usually prefer single POV romance, I actually would’ve liked a couple chapters from Jack’s POV just so that we could better understand him (and also why he had any interest in Penny after some of her kinda cruel pranks).
I did like this much more by the end compared to the beginning, and also a big thank you to Entangled for sending me a finished copy for review.
I did like this much more by the end compared to the beginning, and also a big thank you to Entangled for sending me a finished copy for review.
June 14, 2026
I LOVE a book where you just fall in love with the characters and smile at their dialogue. This is THAT book. I read it so quickly that I am saddened for it to be over. This author is definitely one to remember. Violet Lumani's character development and amusing banter completely won me over. I cannot wait to read more of her books.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC.
June 15, 2026
Thank you to the author and Entangled for the gifted copy. I loved the book club!
“Although I’m not sure if I know how to be normal around you. Antagonizing you is like muscle memory at this point.”
I read this one as a book club choice and thought it was pretty entertaining. The pranks between these two neighbors were absolutely insane and the thought of someone rubbing their cat all over (the neighbor has an allergy) probably will live rent free in my head for years.
Vibes: HGTV DIY meets Bravo
Tropes:
Neighbors
Forced Proximity
Miscommunication
Prank War
Enemies to Lovers
“Although I’m not sure if I know how to be normal around you. Antagonizing you is like muscle memory at this point.”
I read this one as a book club choice and thought it was pretty entertaining. The pranks between these two neighbors were absolutely insane and the thought of someone rubbing their cat all over (the neighbor has an allergy) probably will live rent free in my head for years.
Vibes: HGTV DIY meets Bravo
Tropes:
Neighbors
Forced Proximity
Miscommunication
Prank War
Enemies to Lovers
May 30, 2026
First off thanks to Entangled for the early copy of this book. This romcom was lol funny at times. The banter and shenanigans between Jack and Penny was entertaining and left you wondering what they were going to do each other next. The hate was full of heat that eventually gave way to love.
June 12, 2026
After reading this book, I would like to tear down a wall to see what sort of sexy, protective man is on the other side. I hope it's Jack. I hope he helps me rebuild the hole and then nails me against the newly sturdy surface...
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tension: ⚡️⚡️⚡️
Prose: 🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️
This RomCom by Violet Lumani hooked me from the first page with witty banter, hot chemistry, and a journey from childish pranks to emotional healing.
Penny and Jack don't have much in common except their shared, poorly soundproofed wall in NYC. And mutual disdain. And awareness of how physically attractive their neighbor is... These elements build the perfect foundation for lingering glances, banter that builds chemistry, and thick, slowburn tension.
When Penny knocks a hole into the wall, she has to fix it or lose the NYC apartment she's turned into her home. The Hole leads to tricks (glitter, bird poop, unscrewed cabinet doors), reluctant collaboration (after all, The Hole will be fixed much more quickly if they work together), and a feeling Penny suddenly can't escape, that maybe she's growing fond of that glimpse into Jack's apartment and his heart.
No matter how much Penny acknowledges her attraction to Jack at the same time she resists him, he's right there fighting for her, protecting her, and challenging her.
This book has emotional depth, humor, and well-written tension. I can't wait to read this author's next books!
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tension: ⚡️⚡️⚡️
Prose: 🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️
This RomCom by Violet Lumani hooked me from the first page with witty banter, hot chemistry, and a journey from childish pranks to emotional healing.
Penny and Jack don't have much in common except their shared, poorly soundproofed wall in NYC. And mutual disdain. And awareness of how physically attractive their neighbor is... These elements build the perfect foundation for lingering glances, banter that builds chemistry, and thick, slowburn tension.
When Penny knocks a hole into the wall, she has to fix it or lose the NYC apartment she's turned into her home. The Hole leads to tricks (glitter, bird poop, unscrewed cabinet doors), reluctant collaboration (after all, The Hole will be fixed much more quickly if they work together), and a feeling Penny suddenly can't escape, that maybe she's growing fond of that glimpse into Jack's apartment and his heart.
No matter how much Penny acknowledges her attraction to Jack at the same time she resists him, he's right there fighting for her, protecting her, and challenging her.
This book has emotional depth, humor, and well-written tension. I can't wait to read this author's next books!
June 14, 2026
This was just a lighthearted good time! Lots of laughs and banter with tension and slow burn added in.
June 19, 2026
I really enjoyed this!!! Fun quick cute read
June 14, 2026
I would like to thank Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
I am giving this book five stars because of the relationship between Penny and her mom. I love a character with a complicated parental relationship. Lumani does a really good job capturing the ability to love a parent but really need them to change their behavior.
This story overall is a really cute enemies/dislikers to lovers. With the bickering between the two main characters and the internal bickering that we get to see. This book is filled with hilarious quotes that had me devouring this book. I was supposed to buddy read this and I 100% read ahead because i just couldn't put this book down.
Not good neighbors was also another book that the ending had be screaming at the pages that I needed them to make different decisions at the sake of me the reader.
The only thing I wished from this book was to get some more depth for the side characters but it doesn't disrupt from the story.
I am giving this book five stars because of the relationship between Penny and her mom. I love a character with a complicated parental relationship. Lumani does a really good job capturing the ability to love a parent but really need them to change their behavior.
This story overall is a really cute enemies/dislikers to lovers. With the bickering between the two main characters and the internal bickering that we get to see. This book is filled with hilarious quotes that had me devouring this book. I was supposed to buddy read this and I 100% read ahead because i just couldn't put this book down.
Not good neighbors was also another book that the ending had be screaming at the pages that I needed them to make different decisions at the sake of me the reader.
The only thing I wished from this book was to get some more depth for the side characters but it doesn't disrupt from the story.
July 21, 2026
I like this one. Easy read! Kept me interested. No big twists but def a rom- com book!
August 1, 2026
“If you don’t love, you can’t get betrayed. You never have to experience things getting difficult and watching someone choose to leave instead of working through things with you.”
oh my goodness!! i loved this book so much it was actually amazing. it’s only four stars because it was lowkey really freaky and i don’t really like that stuff but other than that it was super good i 10000% recommend 💞
oh my goodness!! i loved this book so much it was actually amazing. it’s only four stars because it was lowkey really freaky and i don’t really like that stuff but other than that it was super good i 10000% recommend 💞
August 7, 2026
4/5 ⭐️ 1.5/5 🌶️
June 2, 2026
✨ARC review✨
hear me out. Penny and Jake probably had the best banter i’ve ever read. it was so fun and quick witted that these two just jumped off the page. i had such a great time reading this book and i can’t recommend it enough!
these two are neighbors with very serious enemy vibes due to thin walls in NYC. they can hear everything so they start messing with one another. due to some bad legal advice, Penny creates The Hole. it results in continuous pranks and one uppers on one another due to easy access to one another apartments
they decide to rebuild the wall together to eventually buy their respective apartments and during this time, they actually learn who the other person actually is and then of course, the enemies become very cute lovers. we get to see Penny’s personal healing journey and finding out how strong she can actually be. overall, it was a very fun journey with Jake and Penny, along with their friend group!
hear me out. Penny and Jake probably had the best banter i’ve ever read. it was so fun and quick witted that these two just jumped off the page. i had such a great time reading this book and i can’t recommend it enough!
these two are neighbors with very serious enemy vibes due to thin walls in NYC. they can hear everything so they start messing with one another. due to some bad legal advice, Penny creates The Hole. it results in continuous pranks and one uppers on one another due to easy access to one another apartments
they decide to rebuild the wall together to eventually buy their respective apartments and during this time, they actually learn who the other person actually is and then of course, the enemies become very cute lovers. we get to see Penny’s personal healing journey and finding out how strong she can actually be. overall, it was a very fun journey with Jake and Penny, along with their friend group!
May 31, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. This was such a fun read and my first for this Author!! This a great story line and full of fun laughter and emotion!! Felt like i was in there with these characters!! The banter was phenomenal!! Cant wait to see what’s next!!
“Packed with witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and sizzling tension, this fast-paced romantic comedy proves that love can bloom where drywall―and patience―have crumbled.”
“Packed with witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and sizzling tension, this fast-paced romantic comedy proves that love can bloom where drywall―and patience―have crumbled.”
June 24, 2026
DNF. I really need to remember that pretty covers and sprayed edges do not necessarily equal a good book. Penny is annoying from the first page: I seriously questioned if she was a teenager someone gave an apartment to. The getting hammered on a work night was the last straw for me. I couldn’t handle an entire book of ONLY Penny’s POV.
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