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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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 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.
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
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 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
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.
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!
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.
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...
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!
Penny Huff has Issues. Absent father issues, controlling mother issues, relationship issues... her NYC apartment has become her refuge. Until her new neighbor moved in and she found out how thin the walls really are. Between Jack's incessant vacuuming, songs on repeat at all hours, and eavesdropping on her private phone calls, something needs to be done. Petty pranks and sniping aren't working and the landlord refuses to get involved. After a drunken conversation with a TV lawyer, Penny thinks she's found a solution. Suddenly there's a huge hole in the wall and she's practically living with her nemesis! This book was so hilarious! I was laughing so hard at some of the pranks and the banter was top notch. But Jack is all white knight with a touch of pirate swagger and the forced proximity was too much to resist! Loved it! I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
✨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!
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.
A hilarious, full of perfect banter, enemies to lovers rom-com that I’m dying to see come to life! Thank you Violet Lumani, Amara, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of Not Good Neighbors.
Everyone that has ever lived in an apartment building can relate to Not Good Neighbors. Upstairs, downstairs, or next door, sounds travel and you wonder if there are a million elephants living there. Penny and Jack are classic enemies to lovers due to miscommunication and hilarity ensues. From the uber ride teenagers to the hole in the wall becoming its own character, Not Good Neighbors was a super fun read. At times it was over the top but in the best embellished ways. I also enjoyed how therapy played a healthy role in the story for growth as well as how relatable all the different relationships were in and out of their friend group.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for an ARC of this book!
I don’t think this book could’ve had more forced proximity! Jack and Penny are neighbors who are not the best of friends. Until, a literal hole in their shared wall creates an added layer of competition and more drama for these two. The flip flopping with these two of will they won’t they will keep you guessing. The banter was so funny, while also leaving the reader with a good lesson. Don’t anger your neighbor if you like where you live. You will be miserable 😂 This did start with some intense, petty drama that they both needed to work through. But I appreciated the character development and peeling the layers of these two and how deep down they were fractured and needed to lay off the hilarious pranking and working on themselves.
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.”
Looking for a laugh while you read …look no more! This enemies to lovers keeps you on your toes as these neighbors battle for their apartments.
Penny and Jack are oil and water! Ever since they became neighbors they have been locked in a battle of wills. Until Penny is given advice to force her building to upgrade by putting hole in their shared wall. Now the devil lives in her apartment / her safe space. But Penny soon realizes there is more to the devil than she thought and maybe she was part of this problem?!
This was a fun and easy book to listen to. There’s definitely a ton of angst and the juvenile pranks that these two play on each other had me giggling. But there’s a surprising under tone of emotional growth. This book touches on having a narcissistic parent and if anybody’s ever dealt with that, you’ll pick up on it pretty early, but overall this book was such a fun book to put on while I did stuff around the house and it made me smile as I listen to it.
This book had me smiling from start to finish! I laughed out loud multiple times and was completely invested in the story and characters. It's easily one of my favorite reads of the year. The romance is on the lighter side when it comes to spice, but honestly, I never felt like anything was missing because the story was so good. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a charming, laugh-out-loud rom-com!
Thank you to Net Galley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC of this title. Jack and Penny are neighbors but they don’t really like each other….. or so they? Jack drives Penny crazy with his odd vacuuming times and Penny apparently moans in her sleep. When they figure out that the wall between them isn’t properly built, Penny knocks a giant whole in the wall so their landlord will have to fix it and sound proof it. Well, the rest is history. This was such a cute story. I liked Penny and Jack and their banter. There was a lot going on outside of them which took away from the story a bit. Overall it was a fun read.
This was a fun rom com with neighbors who HATE each other and are always pulling pranks on each other. But THEN they have to work together and everything starts to change. I had such a fun time reading this with some laugh out loud moments.
Enemies to lovers, forced proximity.. all the good things except for Penny got a little more insufferable as the book went on which was frustrating. I’m glad they FINALLY got figured it out tho!