The Next-Door Kiss

by Loni Ree

Nestled in the heart of charming Worthington Hills, this quaint apartment building is more than just brick and mortar—it's a hotbed of budding romances and steamy encounters.

Each book in this sizzling rom-com series spotlights a different resident of #1 Love Place as they stumble into love's path. All these stories blend laugh-out-loud moments with curl-your-toes chemistry.

What's cooking at #1 Love

• Small-town charm with big-city heat

• Flirty elevator rides and awkward laundry room run-ins

• Nosy but lovable neighbors playing matchmaker

• Hilarious misadventures in love at first sight

• Guaranteed happily ever afters

So pull up a chair, order your favorite latte, and get ready to fall head over heels for the lovable residents of #1 Love Place. In this building, love isn't just knocking on doors—it's kicking them down!

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2026

Reviews

[Oriana Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iris just got a new neighbor the hot firefighter Hunter, but she thinks she won't have a chance with him. boy is she wrong😏 Hunter saw Iris and was instantly smitten, but he thought he would be too old and too grumpy for the sweet woman, but everything changes with a sweet rescue puppy and an overwhelmed Iris. Instalove, sweet, steamy, romantic and safe with a sweet HEA and no drama😍😍

[Carolee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re searching for a feel-good romance with a dash of charm, The Next-Door Kiss by Loni Ree is exactly what you need. Book 4 of the #1 Love Place series delivers all the cozy vibes you’d expect from a place where everyone knows everyone’s business—and you’ll love every minute of it. The combination of nosy neighbors, hilarious mishaps, and sizzling chemistry makes this story impossible to put down. Spoiler: things get steamy, and it’s a ton of fun!

Hunter, the grumpy firefighter, is instantly relatable with his quest for peace, collection of heating pads, and stubborn attitude. Iris, his bubbly twenty-four-year-old neighbor, brings sunshine and chaos everywhere she goes. She’s determined to melt Hunter’s icy exterior with cookies and relentless optimism, and their interactions are pure gold. I loved how Iris’s persistence and Hunter’s resistance set the stage for some laugh-out-loud moments and genuine heart-to-heart moments.

The chemistry between Hunter and Iris is off the charts, and watching them navigate their age gap, neighbor gossip, and personal insecurities is both heartwarming and hilarious. Iris doesn’t let anything stand in the way of her feelings, and Hunter’s transformation from neighborhood grouch to swoon-worthy hero is super satisfying. This book is packed with charm, humor, and a romance that will leave you with a huge smile. Highly recommended for anyone who loves quirky characters and stories that make you believe in happily ever after!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christine Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt a little on the fence with this story. While I enjoyed it I did struggle to stay in the story. The other books in the series I fell into them and didn’t come back out until they were done. This one I found myself stepping away from and felt borderline forcing myself to finish. The story its self was good and I found it to be cute but I lost some interest as I felt the usual dual POV was uneven from the start. It stayed on the lead female for multiple chapters and felt a bit rushed through and by the time it switched to male lead it was far ahead and I never felt the chemistry between the two and only for it to finish up in a usual fashion that crated a symbiotic emotion from other stories finishing in the same fashion. Maybe I wasn’t in the right head space to read at the time that I read this but still the story was good but did not overall do it for me as the authors other works usually do. Kinda fell flat. Respect the work and it will not deter me from future works from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nichole Loza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris is pure sunshine and light, Hunter, well, Hunter is not. He is grumpy, and likes his nice quiet life in his very orderly and organized apartment. That is until he meets Iris, and then everything he thought he wanted was turned on its head!!! Iris really likes her grumpy, very hot neighbour, but she knows that he would never go for a curvy, messy woman like her, and she accepted that their relationship would only live in her fantasies. That is until Iris does something very impulsive, and gets a dog. Not just any dog, a very sweet, very young beagle! When Hunter hears what he thinks is bedroom sounds, Hunter gets mad, and wants to rip the head off the man who dares to touch his Iris. But then the sound changes, and Hunter is convinced that Iris is in trouble, which she kind of is. Iris is over her head with this sweet little troublemaker. When she opens the door to a very angry Hunter, Hunter’s heart melts, and then love takes over. I love Loni Ree’s grumpy/sunshine books. So good!!!

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Next-Door Kiss by Loni Ree was an entertaining, sweet and steamy read.
As a short, small town, grumpy/sunshine, firefighter hero, romance the storyline had a definite rom com feel to it and the main characters Hunter and Iris, were both likeable.
Hunter, an older, grumpy, set in his ways firefighter moves in to the apartment next door to Iris and is captivated by her curves and sunshine but does his best to scare her off with glares and grunts.
Iris, younger and full of cheerfulness and chattiness is not to be deterred by Hunter's broodiness knowing he has a soft centre. Iris continues her normal friendliness and combined with Hunter's growing obsessiveness to see and be near her, his resistance slowly crumbles and the buried chemistry between them eventually ignites with the help of a furry friend. The steam, spice and pull between Hunter and Iris easily kept me turning the pages right through to their satisfying HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tiffany Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Beagle Love!**

*The Next-Door Kiss* is the fourth book in the #1 Love Place series. Iris and Hunter are true opposites; Iris is sunshine, while Hunter is grumpy. From their first meeting, they are both attracted to each other, but Hunter doesn’t believe he deserves someone as sweet and fun as Iris.

That all changes one night when he returns home from work and hears noises coming from her apartment. This prompts him to reconsider staying away from her. When she opens the door, what he sees melts his heart even more. There’s no denying their feelings now, and Hunter's organized life quickly transforms into pure chaos—in the best ways possible.

Once again, this series shines, and Iris and Hunter make a delightful couple. The story is easy to read, filled with humorous banter, features an age gap, and avoids drama, culminating in a quick instalove with a happy ever after.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been enjoying the #1 Love Place series and we've finished it off with Hunter and Iris, an opposites attract next door neighbor romance. Hunter is a grumpy, very quiet firefighter who just moved in next door. Iris is a bubbly and impulsive woman who loves color and the total opposite to her new neighbor. While this was an insta-love story, the relationship was more of a slow build, ghost, back to slow build all within a novella sized story. I didn't connect with this one as much as the other books, and didn't truly feel the MC's chemistry until the very end. I also would have loved a back story on Hunter of why he was so closed off and guarded around people. It was still a cute, feel good book though with an adorable adopted puppy that forces them together. No cheating or OM/OW drama, unsure of their histories, no condoms, dual POV's, HEA and an epilogue 2 months in the future. Can't wait to see what's next!

[Amanda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th book of the #1 Love place series and is about Hunter and Iris.
Each book is about a different couple so u don’t have to read them in order to understand what’s going on.
If you are looking for a light hearted read that is also a quick read then grab this one.
Iris is just living life. Working and coming home to her apartment…. Then she meets Hunter, a new guy that’s just moved in and is now her neighbor.
Hunter is quiet and he grunts or growls when responding to anyone. Iris is determined to get him to talk to her. So everytime she sees him, she’s polite and tries to start a conversation but it’s not easy.
Hunter realizes he has feelings for Iris but he doesn’t think he’s good enough for her and he thinks he’s too old and set in his ways to be with her.
Can Iris prove to Hunter that he’s wrong? Will she just give up and move on? Will Hunter finally open his eyes to see Iris is exactly what he needs in life?
4.5 ⭐️
3.5 🌶️

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

From their first meeting Iris has been attracted to Hunter, her neighbor, however she has unable to get a read on how he feels and her attempts to be friendly have been unsuccessful. When she decides to adopt a dog she never thought that he would be the one to bring them together.

Hunter is a firefighter who believes that he is wrong for Iris for multiple reasons which include the age gap and their different personalities. He was prepared to keep his distance until a misunderstanding changes everything and he gives up the fight from keeping his distance to not being able to get close enough.

The characters draw you in, the heat between them intense and humorous interactions and the adorable puppy make this story so much fun.

[Linda Bonanno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loni Ree is a favorite author of mine, she knows how to grab onto her readers from the 1st page to the last. Her characters are so very delightfully flawed that you can't help cheer for their happily ever after. The story of Hunter and Iris is one of having to put up with your grumpy neighbor and after getting to know them you might just have found your soul mate if you can convince them. This is the 4rd book of the #1 Love Place series and you will be sorry if you miss it as well as the others in this awesome series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JaneH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iris and Hunter live in the same apartment block. From the moment they meet the attraction is fierce. However Hunter does his best to ignore his feelings, avoids Iris at all costs.
UNTIL, and this is when their story becomes heated, amusing and swoon worthy….Iris adopts a dog (Buster), said dog won’t settle, Iris and Buster start moaning their distress. You might be able to imagine what Hunter thinks he is hearing.
No more spoilers
This story is full of emotion, insecurities and deep love. Lots of passion too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number 4 of the #1 Love Place series and focuses on Hunter and Iris. When Hunter moves into #1 Love Place, the last thing he expects is for his quiet and solo way of living to be interrupted. He is used to his minimalist ways and is set in his own routines when he first meets Iris. Hunter tries to fight his feelings for Iris as long as he can, but when he realized just what he had to possibly lose he jumped all in with his pursuit of Iris. This was a great story and a great addition to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Passionate pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment at #1 Love place!

This is a quick, insta-love novella set in #1 love place. Hunter moves into #1 Love Place and falls for his new neighbor Iris. While we don't know their ages, we know that there is an agegap. He is an older firefighter and she is a secretary. Meeting briefly when Hunter moves in, they are instantly smitten and obsessed with each other. They finally get together with the help of a puppy named Buster, after Iris adopts him from an adoption event.

Quick, easy, instal-love romance when you are in the mood for a light read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Pack · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, this is a short, sweet, and a little bit spicy. An enjoyable afternoon read. It's about Iris, a resident of the building and her new, older, single, firefighter. He thinks there's no way the younger, curvy beauty next door will be interested in him. Then there's her new puppy, a beagle named Buster. Can he make odd noises. Enough to make Hunter jealous.

The thing about Ms. Ree's books, is the humor and that is also something that I enjoy. And you will find plenty between Iris and Hunter.

I received this book from Instalove and Loni Ree as an ARC and am leaving this review of my own free will.

[Praline 99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firefighter romance.
Iris is a bright young woman living in a small town. Since her neighbor moved in, she knows he's going to disrupt her zest for life. It starts with a noisy move that blossoms into a crush.
Hunter, a firefighter, moved to a small town seeking peace and quiet; he never imagined his new neighbor wouldn't be happy about it. While he convinces himself he's too old for her, he can't escape her when he hears suspicious noises coming from her house in the middle of the night.
Will Iris and Hunter have a beautiful love story, or will what happens that night tear them apart….

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth installment of Loni Ree's fabulous #1 Love Place series is Hunter and Iris' story. An age-gap grumpy hero / sunshine heroine romance, the young and beautiful meets the hot older firefighter the day he moves in next door to her apartment. The chemistry between them from the beginning is palpable. And although Hunter does his best to stay away, when an adorable little beagle puppy enters the fray, both realize that you just can't fight what's meant to be. A super steamy and swoony romance that is probably my favourite of this wonderful series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy, sweet, super sexy love story. Thoroughly enjoyed this 2-hour joy ride watching Hunter and Iris secretly obsess over each other. Enter Buster. Everything changes …
*** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Hunter
FMC:
✨Iris
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Book 4 of #1 Love Place
Tropes:
👉small town romance
👉romantic comedy
👉firefighter mmc
👉curvy fmc
👉obsessed mmc
👉grumpy/sunshine
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex
💥profanity
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

#1 Love Place has brought another couple together. Hunter the grumpy firefighter tries so hard to ignore his feelings for Iris. The more he ignores her the more she tries to avoid her feelings for him. Then when Hunter misinterprets a situation and realizes he can’t keep ignoring his feelings. Everything changes. This is an adorable, funny, short, sweet and steamy book. This is an excellent read and addition to this fantastic series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of the #1 Love Place series. Can be read as a standalone.

'In a town fueled by gossip and nosey neighbors, can a grumpy firefighter and a chatterbox secretary survive falling in love? Spoiler alert: It’s going to get hot.'

The characters were very appealing and likeable and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars.

Goodness me, the attraction between these two shone, when they gave in to it they lit on fire, it wasn't just their passion I enjoyed, it was the little ways they expressed how they felt like holding hands, eye contact and needing to just be with each other. I thought they were lovely together and I believed in them 100% as a couple. Buster stole the show at times in this and I think he should forever get treats for bringing them together and for making them both fall in love with him.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Todd Newkirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunter moves in next door to Iris and she is woke up by loud noise. She takes him cookies to welcome him and is tongue tied by his good looks. He is obsessed with her but feels she is too young and he is too jaded. When he overhears noises and believes she has someone in her bed he is furious. when she starts crying he rushes over to help her. When he discovers what made her cry he steps in to help and realizes that he is not going to lose her and makes her his. Another couple finds one another at this hotbed apartment.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunter and Iris are opposites, but they are so perfect for each other. She's the sunshine to his grumpiness, and he's exactly the man she needs in her life. I love that it was Iris who pursued him, and even though he fought his feelings, he fell just as hard for her too. This is a fun, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract romance with flirty fun banter between two characters who had me cheering them on to get their happily ever after. This is a well written, instalove romance and a great addition to the #1 Love Place series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Esme Greiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunter is a thirty‑six‑year‑old firefighter who is also the resident grouch who moves in next door to Iris. Iris is younger than he is and pure glitter‑bright chaos with a smile he can’t ignore no matter how hard he tries. Iris is crushing on Hunter but can't seem to win him over. When he comes home and hears notices coming from her apartment, he goes to investigate to discover she has brought home a dog. He decides to help her with the dog and knows he can no longer stay away from her. Will they find their happy live together?

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Next-Door Kiss is the fourth book in the #1 Love Place Series which is the story of Hunter, a grumpy fire fighter, and Iris, who is his neighbor and always sunny and bright. Hunter and Iris are both obsessed with the other, but neither knows it. This quick read age gap romance is a heart touching story with diametrically opposite characters who are in love with each other but the age difference stands in the way with one of them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Colinda Trienekens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable read with plenty of chemistry between Iris and Hunter. From the start, their connection is intense, and I loved the tension and slow burn between them. The addition of Buster brought a fun and slightly chaotic twist.

That said, I have to admit that I enjoyed the other books in the series a bit more. This one was still good, but it didn’t quite hit me the same way as the others.

I do really love the “#1 Love Place” series.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about two neighbors pining for one another before one snaps and makes a move. It's got a dog with puppy eyes who demands love, a half-dressed morning person talking to plants, and finally one he makes a move, some pretty hot and steamy scenes. This apartment building is the place to be if you are looking for love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite address to visit! #1 Love Place has the best romances and fantastic couples. Iris meets her new neighbor, Hunter, when he moves in while she is trying to sleep late. Not the best start to a romance, but the attraction is already there. This is such a sweetly steamy read and low drama. Hunter and Iris are perfect for each other and have the best happy ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sinful Bookwyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is awesome again, and Iris and Hunter are such a cute couple. It's an easy read with funny banter, an age gap, and no drama – plus, quick instalove and a happy ending! It's lighthearted and kept me hooked from start to finish. The characters are charming and relatable, and their connection is real. If you want a romantic escape with a good ending, you should totally read this!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking LOVE this series!!!!!

I think every book girly deserves a big, hunky, completely OTT crazy for her, adorably smitten, grunty and grumpy (but a marshmallow for her) hero….

Every book in this series will sweep you up and keep your blood pumping till the end🥰😍🔥😍🥰🔥…. With some giggles along the way.

Iris and Hunter are so befuddled by instalust and instalove that they are adorable🥰🥰🥰.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunny Disposition

Charming and lighthearted, this story was just what I needed to bring a little joy into my day. The banter and laugh out moments were a delight. Hunter and Iris were a great pair. While his grumpy nature deters most, Iris's sunny disposition won him over. I absolutely enjoyed this read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.