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The Boy Next Door

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The boy next door was sculpted and crafted to perfection with a washboard stomach and arms I fantasized about.

Ash Jenkins carried himself with confident maturity. Intelligent.

Caring. Attentive. Strong.

There was only one he was seventeen...

And I was thirty-three. WARNING!!!!! This is a SHORT STORY that was written for an anthology in which the author was given a certain length to complete a SHORT STORY in. If you are looking for a LONG book, one with " more meat " or a more " defined ending " then this book IS NOT FOR YOU! If you do read it, and you enjoy it, and would like to know what happens next, guess what?! It will be turned into a FULL LENGTH novel later in the year. But as of right now...IT'S A SHORT STORY THAT YOU GET FOR FREE .

61 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2016

38 people are currently reading
209 people want to read

About the author

Leddy Harper

35 books1,306 followers
Leddy Harper had to use her imagination often as a child. She grew up the only girl in a house full of boys. At the age of fourteen, she decided to use that imagination and wrote her first book, and never stopped.

She often calls writing her therapy, using it as a way to deal with issues through the eyes of her characters.
The decision to publish her first book was made as a way of showing her children to go after whatever it is they want to. Love what you do and do it well. Most importantly Leddy wanted to teach them what it means to overcome their fears.

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5 stars
59 (32%)
4 stars
49 (27%)
3 stars
46 (25%)
2 stars
16 (8%)
1 star
9 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Lisa (Two Bookish Brits).
912 reviews167 followers
January 19, 2017
The Boy Next Door

Book Description

The boy next door was sculpted and crafted to perfection with a washboard stomach and arms I fantasized about.

Ash Jenkins carried himself with confident maturity. Intelligent.

Caring. Attentive. Strong.

There was only one problem: he was seventeen...

And I was thirty-three.






Kirsty Abner is a single parent doing her very best to get through life on little money and making sure her teenage daughter has everything she needs. Since she made her big mistake 16 year ago she's been cautious and afraid to fall again.

Asher Jenkins has been through his fair share in life, more than any teenager should ever have to go through that lead him down the path of alcohol and drug abuse. When his mom decided she couldn't cope with his behaviour anymore she sends him packing to his dad's. Little did he know his life would change when his eyes landed on the 33 year old mom next door.

Kirsty has seen the looks Asher gives her and does her very best to ignore then until a unexpected meeting at a local pool has the two talking. Not knowing why he finds her attracted Kirsty is dying to find out so when he appears in her back garden they begin to talk.

As they grow closer it's clear to see their feelings growing for each other, Asher knows what he wants but does Kirsty? What will happen when a steamy night at the pool occurs? Will it ruin everything or will Kirsty finally be able to see past his age?

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book, I'm not a fan of underage sex, I kinda figured they'd wait so it makes me uneasy to say the least so I'm a little unsure.

The storyline was good, seeing a love that strong is sometimes amazing but I just can't get past the age thing but don't let that put you off reading it. It was a great short read.

This was my first book by Leddy Harper and it was written beautifully, I may have chosen the wrong book to be my first read by this author but I'll definitely check out her other books too.
Profile Image for buzy_reading.
2,664 reviews57 followers
February 23, 2017
The Boy Next Door by Leddy Harper was about the tempting seventeen year old and the thirty year old single mother. Ash was wise beyond his years speaking with confidence and seduction. He was a man on a mission to change Kristy's outlook on herself. I'm a hypocrite because I had no problem with Ash seducing Kristy yet I would be livid if Kristy seduced Ash. Since Ash was a guy and not a girl once again I was a hypocrite for accepting the age difference.
I was hanging on to every word. The story dripped with lust, seduction, and emotion. The story encompassed a complete package of desire. Leddy's stories are a form of therapy in helping me cope in my life. The way Leddy resolves problems and addresses issues is appealing.
My favorite secret affair in the anthology. I'm biased because Leddy Harper is my favorite author who always brings forth emotion to her characters in her stories. I have read ever single beautiful story.
Profile Image for Selene.
933 reviews267 followers
December 30, 2016
While I don't mind age gaps, this story just didn't work for me. The boy next door was unbelievably mature in speech and action, and his history overshadowed the tone of the story. The story itself lacked intensity, passion, and wasn't very erotic overall.
Profile Image for Flirtatiously Fictitious Reads.
132 reviews4 followers
December 23, 2016
Ash fucking Jenkins <3
I'm a huge fan of forbidden romance, and this one fit the bill.
I loved this Novella. It's fun and light. Ash is confident and sexy and never gives.
I hope to get more of their story.
Profile Image for Kristina.
566 reviews65 followers
February 7, 2017
Short novella on a taboo subject (fooling around with a minor)...

I like to take a little bit of time before commenting on books about subjects like this, but here is what I've come up with:

There are times people date someone much younger than themselves. 40/30 ... 65/30 ... 30/19 ... it happens and it's not very uncommon. The taboo is that line... 17 (9 months to 18 as the 'Boy Next Door' keeps reminding our narrator). One thing I appreciate about this novella is that Ash (17) is obviously the initiator in all encounters with his single mom next door neighbor. Also, he doesn't seem to be in it for the conquest. It feels like one of those follow ups you see on the news... Woman goes to jail for sexual encounter with a minor, 20 years later you learn after the legal fallout, they got married and stayed happily thus their whole lives. (That happens too.) This seems to be the story of how that can happen.

Over all, I enjoyed the story. Steamy at times, sweet at others, I wish however there had been some more closure. Maybe it follows up in another of the author's books. I'd have to look into that...
2,100 reviews24 followers
August 7, 2018
This was very good. A taboo love story between a older woman and young boy. 16 year age difference but the way this developed wasn't in the least bit tacky. Well written and I hope we get a look at these two at a later stage. Part of A Secret Affair Anthology.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,644 reviews135 followers
February 2, 2017
Free short story.

It was alright but not amazing.

He's only 17, she's 33 with a 16 year old daughter. One minute she wants to wait until he's 18 then the knickers are off!

Asher was a sweet guy though, I'm 40 something - he might have even tempted me! Snort!
Profile Image for Robin Powers.
1,427 reviews35 followers
December 9, 2016
Short and sweet. An incredibly hot and mature 17 year old wants her. Period. I kind of admire his dedication and how the taboo relationship develops.
12 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2018
LOVED THIS SHORT STORY

I just realized, after reading this 7 times, I have never reviewed it. Since I have read it 7 times then you know it is a great story. The only thing bad is it was too short-I can''t wait for an extended story! Ash is such a likable character and I am rooting for them to get together and have everything work out. Of course it's never that easy but I just really want to read about their journey more.
Profile Image for Angela James.
1,411 reviews14 followers
August 26, 2017
I need more of the boy next door!

Oh my hell! This book is short and sweet and oh so bad in a good way! I enjoyed every second and was heartbroken when the ending caught me off guard....I mean, I need more of the boy next door!
Profile Image for Have Coffee Need Books.
608 reviews52 followers
January 30, 2017
First of all this book made me feel uncomfortable. I did not finish it.

Kristy Abner is a vile 33 year old horrible excuse of womanhood. Harsh? NOT IN ANYWAY.

This mother of a 16 year old daughter is obsessed with her 17 year old neighbor, Ash Jenkins. Worse yet, he is stars-in-his-eyes and excitement-in-his-loins in love with her. Female 101 teaches you to not dabble in the dating pool of your own teenage daughter but Kristy is thrilled by the attention she gets from Ash and charmed by the fact that he seeks her out and fills her head with all the sweet things she has been missing. But STOP RIGHT THERE! This isn’t just an older woman taking compliments from a younger man, she is lusting for the body of a child and leading him on with coy ‘we can’t’ and phishing ‘I’m too old for you’. She’s reeling in this vulnerable kid by playing hard to get instead of of shutting him down for his own well being.

She’s a gross, disgusting, awful, creepy, pervy predatory making excuses for her behavior by laying the blame at Ash’s feet. It’s Ash is seducing her. He’s breaking down her defences. He’s making her love him. He’s a freaking kid and blaming the victim is unforgivable. Statutory assaults and sex offenses exist because desperate single mothers like Kristy try to regain a sense of self worth they lost when they were younger and just as dumb as they are now through means of using others. She is playing games of power and manipulation and she is using this underage boy’s crush on her because she is an emotional vampire.

I had thought this book would be about the taboo relationship with a tragic resolution where the next door babe would learn a life lesson he could grow from and then years later a HEA could happen. WHEN HE GREW UP. If it happens I don’t know because alarms and warning bells were going off in my head alerting me to the fact that this woman is a child predator.

There are triggers all over this book. It’s not an issue of kink or consent, this is full on child abuse. Seventeen year olds are too freaking young for a relationship with an adult woman and this woman has a daughter one year younger than her obsession and lives with the reality of the maturity level gap everyday.

No! No and NO!
Profile Image for DCT.
1,036 reviews2 followers
December 28, 2016
Won't you be my neighbor?

I don't think this is what Mr Rogers had in mind, lol! I just thought I was getting a sweet little short to give my reading palate a little break. I have read 3 other stories from this author, so I knew that she has mad skills, but I didn't expect the subtle punch I got from this little tale. Yes, this is a taboo topic, and usually I'm a bit disgusted by the thought of it. There were emotions and understanding that I didn't expect, which was pretty amazing to happen in such a short span of time. The only thing missing? What happened in 9 months! But actually, the unknown is a bit more intriguing! Thanks Leddy!
Profile Image for Ayekah.
1,123 reviews
February 22, 2017
What a great little read this is! I have to say that the older woman/ younger man storyline isn't my thing. But then when Leddy writes it, she makes it my thing. I loved this story. I loved Ash and his determination. Kristy and all her doubt. Put together it made for an amazing read and a little sizzle thrown in there. Great story Leddy!
Profile Image for Nancy Reads.
921 reviews17 followers
December 22, 2016
THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Leddy Harper. Kristy Abner has lived a straight and narrow life, ever since she made a big mistake at 16. That big mistake had produced her one and only child Kyra. Now at age 33, that child was the center of her life. Doing something she knew was wrong may seem like it hurt her in the end, but it gave Kristy a life she wouldn't have otherwise had. Her present love life was none existing, but her sinful dreaming about the boy next door filled her nights with wicked dreams which would have to service. The boy was Asher Jenkins, and no 17 year old teenager should look or be build like him. She always did her best to ignore him, but the attraction seemed to work both ways. His attention always seemed to be focused on her, and whenever he could he was in her proximity. Cornering her one day in the community pool, he actually made his attraction and intentions known. Kristy could not understand gaining the attention of a physically fit, beautiful male almost half her age. His hypnotic tone, and all consuming aura left her mind spinning and her moral compass shattered. As they got to really know each other they realized she was flawed and he was broken. What they wanted together should never be, but could love alone find a way?
Profile Image for Sharilyn Dickerson.
401 reviews22 followers
December 30, 2016
5 Taboo Stars!

If you're a fan of taboo storylines, then this one is definitely for you! Single mom + the boy next door who is only a year older than her daughter. I admit, i struggled a bit reading this one simply because I have a son that isn't much younger than Ash and it was hard to wrap my brain around. It was definitely HOT and taboo! I'm still giving it 5 stars because it is written well and just what I wanted to read.
1,465 reviews3 followers
December 27, 2016
Taboo relationship. Younger man wants older woman. He'll make her see him as a man and not a boy.

The Boy Next Door could trigger a few points since he's only seventeen and she has a daughter who is a year younger than him.

Some areas are pretty predictable and others are pure fantasy. Quick and sexy read.
Profile Image for Marah.
226 reviews22 followers
January 13, 2017
I really enjoyed this short little read by Leddy Harper and wish it had been much longer. The story wasn't rushed, but actually well-planned out. I'll definitely read another book by this author in the near future. If you have a problem with the age difference between the two characters then I don't recommend this book.
41 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2017
It could have been amazing

It could have been amazing but the author forgot to finish the story. It was intrigging and angsty and well developing. I was really involved with the story, eager to know what would happen next. The problem rests there, there was no next.
Profile Image for Nene Nene.
Author 39 books49 followers
January 13, 2017
Man this book was hot. Kristy saw her neighbour has a older man at times rather than a younger boy. He was really mature for his age. I found myself enjoying this taboo story. It was a great read and the author did a wonderful job. The boy next door was swoon worthy
1 review
December 30, 2016
Hot!!! Hot!!! Hot!!!

I give it 5 stars all the way!! (:
Overall this book Is worth the read (:
Hot Hot Hot!!!!!!!!!
1 review
January 12, 2017
Great short story!!

Loved it! Took me 30 minutes to read! So intriguing and exhilarating. The woman seemed a bit annoying when she kept mentioning his age but overall great read
51 reviews
April 5, 2017
I'm 50/50 on this one

Honestly I went into this expecting something different. I'm not sure how I feel about a 33 year old woman having a relationship with her 17 year old neighbor. It just doesn't sit right with me. Although I love the back story for both characters I wish that he was at least like Idk legal? It just messes with how I feel about this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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