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!

121 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2026

Reviews

[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!!!

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of #1 Love Place Hunter Iris. I have to say the puppy would have won me over too. I’m a sucker for small adorable animals and hot males that will help you take care of them. This one had me giddy and happy by the end.

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

[Cathy Moir-Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book four of the series. Iris has a boring, peaceful life- until a hot, grumpy firefighter moves in next door. Hunter has cultivated a gruff, grouchy persona but his pretty neighbour has him wishing for more than his solitary existence. The heat builds until combustion is inevitable. Spicy little story !!!

[Rainbowlovesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet instalove read from Loni.

The fourth book of in the #1 Love Place Series and we get Irish and Hunter ❤️

If you enjoy
❤️ Age Gap
❤️ Dual POV
❤️ Adorable Puppy (Buster is sweet)
❤️ Grumpy x Sunshine
❤️ Firefighter MMC
❤️ Steamy Scenes
❤️ Sexual Tension
❤️ Quirky & Sweet FMC
❤️ HEAs

Then you'll enjoy this short instalove read from Loni.

[Nicole M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always here for the awkward (and often) funny moments between a grumpy MMC abd his sunshiney counterpart. I found these two adorable awkward during this phase and couldnt wait to see what would change their flow. Enter Buster, a super cute Beagle puppy, to melt that fireman's heart. If you dont start swooning over Hunter and Buster, something might be wrong with you 🤣🤷‍♀️.

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️
It’s good to be back at #1 Love Place and Iris is truly the sunshine which grumpy Hunter needs in his life. I loved the cute moments between them and the chemistry was so good too.

Add in a cute, playful beagle, and this becomes a quick and fun read especially if you love the age gap and grumpy/sunshine tropes.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One little whimper is all it takes...

..and Hunter's will-power crumbles to dust.

Iris and Hunter are sweet, flirty, adorably awkward and once they finally admit their feelings, sizzling hot!
I love that Buster has them wrapped around his paw within hours...so cute.
A great read on Kindle Unlimited.

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet romance at # 1 Love Place. Iris cannot believe her new neighbor is so hot but also standoffish. Hunter thinks he is not good enough for the quirky bright sunshine filled girl next door. Loved their chaotic love journey and Buster was darling. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Quick fun steamy romance read.

[Sabrina Kern · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the neighbors to lovers trope of the series. Book number 4 is about Iris and Hunter. This one has again a unique storyline how the secretary and the firefighter get together. Find out how a puppy makes it happen.

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

[Melissa Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 4 in #1 Love Place series. Absolutely a sweet read. Iris is the sweet next door neighbor to older grumpy firefighter Hunter. I absolutely loved Iris and her quirkiness. Throw in an adorable incorrigible beagle puppy and it makes for a fun read.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can feel the heat emitting from the pages of this book from the very start. Both trying to deny what they want. Jumping.from the frying Noah into the fire with both feet! HOT, HOT, HOT.

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

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Ree does it again! Has me swooning. Giggling. Sighing!

Hunter thinks he's too old and set in his ways.
Iris is too young.

But, the heart knows, right?

#1 Love Place definitely has some magic in the walls, floors, air!

Thanks Buster!

[Anisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good grouch book and this one was a joy to read. I really thought this book was too cute and adding in the beagle just sealed it.

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

[Sil Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunter and Iris!

Hunter for sure thought he had all of his ducks in a row until he moved in to his new apartment and saw Iris. She was the color his world clearly needed. The story was sweet, slow brining and had a cute side story with Buster, the dog. 5 stars from me! 🤩

[Rachel Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short read, the story of Iris and Hunter, who met when he moves in next door to him. An age gap romance.

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

[Rendi Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book a lot. Cute sweet a quick read. I love me a hot firefighter next door neighbor, a Beagle puppy, and a FMC that is a hot mess that I could relate to.

[Jovette Bossé · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Hunter and Iris together! Such a wonderful and beautiful love story! Soo soo good and soo soo H.O.T I absolutly loved it! 🥰❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️❤️😍

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute quick read! Insta love but hey, novella length! It was entertaining and glad I picked it up!

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how the attraction between Iris and Hunter evolves to love thanks to Buster.