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Hero Next Door
Ex-Marine. Ex-Wife. Ex-hausted. I left my brothers in the Marines to start a family. I left my ex-wife when that family drove her to drink and drugs. Now all I have left is my son - and he’s all I care about. I can’t afford to make another mistake. And the girl who moved in next door? Mistake written all over her. She’s got the sweetest smile, the hottest damn curves and behind it all…a haunted look. I can’t take my damn eyes off her. My powerful body and coarse attitude make her nervous - and as she tries to start a new life away from her abusive ex, she has her own reasons to stay away. But we can’t help it. We’re f*cking drawn to each other. And when she tells me how much she wants a baby… I make every mistake in the book. Because I want a family again. I want her. My son. And a baby. And when her past comes calling… I’ll fight to hell and back to keep it. Hero Next Door is a full, standalone romance with a hot ex-Marine single dad and a sweet heroine trying to deal with her darker past. No cheating or cliffhangers, and a Happily Ever After guaranteed. Includes a copy of Billionaire Baby Daddy as bonus content!
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2018
1124 people are currently reading
966 people want to read
About the author
Lara Swann
17 books210 followersLara Swann writes hot, sexy romance with a touch of humor and a lot of passion. She has a thing for wounded alpha heroes and the fiery women who steal their hearts.
Her relationships are funny, sexy and spicy, and she gets as many thrills in pitting her characters against each other as she does when they eventually come together in an explosion of heat.
When she isn’t living in one of her many fantasy worlds, she attempts to focus on her respectable day job in a large, too-expensive city and dreams of a lake house in the country.
Sign up to my mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/bILWzD or add me on Facebook!
I do giveaways, cover reveals as well as advanced reader copies, and I'd love to hear from you!
Her relationships are funny, sexy and spicy, and she gets as many thrills in pitting her characters against each other as she does when they eventually come together in an explosion of heat.
When she isn’t living in one of her many fantasy worlds, she attempts to focus on her respectable day job in a large, too-expensive city and dreams of a lake house in the country.
Sign up to my mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/bILWzD or add me on Facebook!
I do giveaways, cover reveals as well as advanced reader copies, and I'd love to hear from you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
September 10, 2018
Told from dual POVs, I quickly slipped into the story as Naomi, a schoolteacher, moves into her new home and a little boy asked her why her hutch is on the front lawn. Little Tyler is adorable and is soon back with his Dad Mack *sighs* to help her move it inside. We quickly learn, Naomi is starting over after a troublesome past, and that Mack is raising his son on his own. From the chemistry to their inner dialogue I was all in.
I really enjoyed both characters and enjoyed watching the slow build of trust and friendship develop as their attraction made the air crackle. Both Mack and Naomi have baggage. Mack's is in the form of an ex-wife, who convinced him to abandoned his military career in favor of starting a family, then left when Tyler was born. Naomi has recently escaped an abusive relationship and is mourning the lost of her father. She is skittish but fiercely determined to stand on her own.
From the small-town feel, to the moments of tension as the suspenseful angle took hold, I quickly devoured their story. It had a slow-build that gave way to delicious heat.
Both narrators were new-to-me. I thought Veronica Worthington did a wonderful job with Naomi and even enjoyed her male voices. It took longer to warm up to John Lane. He has a deep-set voice, that felt cold in the beginning, but he slowly let Mack's feelings show and either softened his a little or he grew on me as the story progressed. I thought they worked well as a pair. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
I really enjoyed both characters and enjoyed watching the slow build of trust and friendship develop as their attraction made the air crackle. Both Mack and Naomi have baggage. Mack's is in the form of an ex-wife, who convinced him to abandoned his military career in favor of starting a family, then left when Tyler was born. Naomi has recently escaped an abusive relationship and is mourning the lost of her father. She is skittish but fiercely determined to stand on her own.
From the small-town feel, to the moments of tension as the suspenseful angle took hold, I quickly devoured their story. It had a slow-build that gave way to delicious heat.
Both narrators were new-to-me. I thought Veronica Worthington did a wonderful job with Naomi and even enjoyed her male voices. It took longer to warm up to John Lane. He has a deep-set voice, that felt cold in the beginning, but he slowly let Mack's feelings show and either softened his a little or he grew on me as the story progressed. I thought they worked well as a pair. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
December 8, 2025
After my previous read I was looking for something sweet and fluffy
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August 1, 2018
2.5 Stars... *Sigh* This was just eh... ok. I had a really hard time trying to get past certain things.
So Naomi moves to a small town, obviously running from pos ex. Mack is the hot, ex-marine neighbor with the adorable little boy and a shitty ex-wife. As predicted, they're attracted to eachother blah blah blah.
Here are my issues with this... Mack is trying to stay away from women because his priority is his son. Great! But he doesn't do much to actually show that he's trying to do that when he meets Naomi. It's quite the opposite. He's always showing up and being there when she's struggling with stuff. So, of course sparks fly and their relationship starts developing. Then on a night where she's having a mental breakdown, she tells him that her biggest issue is that she always thought she'd have kids already. Seriously? You just met this dude and you're having a mental breakdown when you tell him you want a baby? What?! Then he proceeds to acknowledge it and bangs her brains out... unprotected. Sure, she may be on the pill but they don't know shit about each other.
Then after just a couple of weeks, he's professing his love for her and wants to knock her up. And, even though she's got a psycho ex, who's popped back up, her biggest anxiety and regret is the whole baby thing. WTF?! She's comes off hard-up and pathetic. Then he ex takes her, hurts her, Mack finds her all fucked up and both of their reactions aren't as major as it should be. She was beaten and sliced with a knife & they both act like she had just taken a minor fall. WTF!
I just didn't feel like these characters' relationship was developed enough. They meet, the have some good convos and hot sex & BAM, they're madly, deeply in love. SMH.
Oh & I swear, if I heard either one of them refer to little Tyler as kiddo one more time I was gonna punch my iphone (audible app).
MEH
So Naomi moves to a small town, obviously running from pos ex. Mack is the hot, ex-marine neighbor with the adorable little boy and a shitty ex-wife. As predicted, they're attracted to eachother blah blah blah.
Here are my issues with this... Mack is trying to stay away from women because his priority is his son. Great! But he doesn't do much to actually show that he's trying to do that when he meets Naomi. It's quite the opposite. He's always showing up and being there when she's struggling with stuff. So, of course sparks fly and their relationship starts developing. Then on a night where she's having a mental breakdown, she tells him that her biggest issue is that she always thought she'd have kids already. Seriously? You just met this dude and you're having a mental breakdown when you tell him you want a baby? What?! Then he proceeds to acknowledge it and bangs her brains out... unprotected. Sure, she may be on the pill but they don't know shit about each other.
Then after just a couple of weeks, he's professing his love for her and wants to knock her up. And, even though she's got a psycho ex, who's popped back up, her biggest anxiety and regret is the whole baby thing. WTF?! She's comes off hard-up and pathetic. Then he ex takes her, hurts her, Mack finds her all fucked up and both of their reactions aren't as major as it should be. She was beaten and sliced with a knife & they both act like she had just taken a minor fall. WTF!
I just didn't feel like these characters' relationship was developed enough. They meet, the have some good convos and hot sex & BAM, they're madly, deeply in love. SMH.
Oh & I swear, if I heard either one of them refer to little Tyler as kiddo one more time I was gonna punch my iphone (audible app).
MEH
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2019
Quick Take: Another fun and fast read! Tyler is the cutest kid ever and man, is his single marine father, Mack, HOT. Naomi just moved in to this small town next door and attracts the attention of this hunk. It’s definitely not just an easy love story between these two because it turns that Naomi is actually running away from something when she chose to move and Mack has a troublesome ex that wants back in his life. These two work together to have that HEA with a family feel and it was cute to read.
January 3, 2021
4.5 ✨ I really enjoyed this one!
RTC
RTC
August 13, 2025
4 Stars!
Better than I expected, I liked the H&h Mack & Naomi and Mack’s completely adorable son Tyler.
Naomi is trying to move on from an abusive relationship when she moves next door to Mack and his young son. They both have unresolved baggage and it takes a while for them to become romantic, but this isn’t the single father somewhat being broody for no reason, Mack has an ex-wife that left shortly after their son was born, she’s still around in their hometown but has never been a part of their lives, her choice…..until it looks like Mack is interested in someone else. She tries to cause trouble, but Mack nips that in the bud immediately! Now he just needs to keep Naomi safe from her ex. Not too much aghast really, but we do get lighthearted moments as Mack, Naomi, and Tyler grow closer together.
* Great narration! 🎧
* Audible Plus Free Read till 8/18/25
January 14, 2018
2.5 stars. This story is slowwwwwwwww. So much skimming! There is so much inner dialogue or scenes about nothing, and it felt like it took forever for something to happen. This story could (and should) have been so much shorter without all of that unnecessary filler. It was tough to get through.
November 29, 2017
Some of the terminology wasn't quite right; Ex-Marine... Hmm being a military wife myself, I have never known a Marine who goes by "ex-marine", that sends a negative message & doesn't quite match the description of Mack.
I think with both characters having previous relationship issues makes it difficult for them to communicate their true feelings and for this reason I just didn't care for the story. Naomi, spends more time analyzing "whatever" relationship she may or may not have with Mack & then one night just "dives right in" after she over complicates things in her head.
Mack, puts Tyler before his own happiness (which is a good thing for a single dad) but he also was trying to keep Naomi out his issues but also just says "screw it" & dives in. Mixed messages is what that came across to me. Bummed because I was really looking forward to reading this.
I think with both characters having previous relationship issues makes it difficult for them to communicate their true feelings and for this reason I just didn't care for the story. Naomi, spends more time analyzing "whatever" relationship she may or may not have with Mack & then one night just "dives right in" after she over complicates things in her head.
Mack, puts Tyler before his own happiness (which is a good thing for a single dad) but he also was trying to keep Naomi out his issues but also just says "screw it" & dives in. Mixed messages is what that came across to me. Bummed because I was really looking forward to reading this.
December 11, 2017
I really liked this one. And Mack?... *sighs*
And Tyler is so adorable. Such a sweet boy.
The Villain, when you compare it to the state that Naomi was left in, he left much to be desired once you actually got to meet him. I was rolling my eyes with the tantrums he was throwing. He was crazy yeah, but I don't know. I just wasn't seeing how he could have had her so petrified before she actually left him, and the entire time that she was away from him; only to quickly get her back bone when he's doing the most in trying to make her suffer. It just didn't quite hit that mark for me. But everything else was definitely on point for me.
I would recommend this read.
Happy Reading :)
And Tyler is so adorable. Such a sweet boy.
The Villain, when you compare it to the state that Naomi was left in, he left much to be desired once you actually got to meet him. I was rolling my eyes with the tantrums he was throwing. He was crazy yeah, but I don't know. I just wasn't seeing how he could have had her so petrified before she actually left him, and the entire time that she was away from him; only to quickly get her back bone when he's doing the most in trying to make her suffer. It just didn't quite hit that mark for me. But everything else was definitely on point for me.
I would recommend this read.
Happy Reading :)
Want to read
October 9, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/9/2019)! 🎁
March 14, 2019
Out of three books I have read (one after another) by Lara Swann, this was the most exciting one. So exciting that I managed to pull out of me 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 here :)). It says a lot but I kind of like this story.
Naomi moves in to a little town and has a sexy neighbor right next door to her. Simple romance with a simple plot but... He is a single dad with a six pack and she is a quiet person with a dark past that hunts her every now and then and this twist was exciting.
It's not that I don't like the plot... Or the author... It's just I find her male characters way too perfect for this world. I know most of the readers look for a fantasy in heroes (or heroines) and not reality but if something is just too perfect, it smells fishy to me. So that is a case here too- way too perfect hero that simply does not exist in our ordinary life. But I'm glad the story was more exciting than others :)
Naomi moves in to a little town and has a sexy neighbor right next door to her. Simple romance with a simple plot but... He is a single dad with a six pack and she is a quiet person with a dark past that hunts her every now and then and this twist was exciting.
It's not that I don't like the plot... Or the author... It's just I find her male characters way too perfect for this world. I know most of the readers look for a fantasy in heroes (or heroines) and not reality but if something is just too perfect, it smells fishy to me. So that is a case here too- way too perfect hero that simply does not exist in our ordinary life. But I'm glad the story was more exciting than others :)
November 18, 2017
I enjoyed reading my first book by Lara Swann. The story is well-developed with likeable characters. Tyler is an ex navy seal, single father who has returned to Mayfair to raise his son. Naomi, a beautiful teacher hiding from an ex lover has moved in next door. Neither of them is looking for romance but there is instantaneous, sizzling chemistry when they meet. The suspense, danger, steamy moments and of course romance kept me reading throughout the night. I sincerely recommend this book.
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 29, 2025
Lara Swan Hero next door
It was a great story from the first moment to the last. He is an ex-marine who is used to protecting. Lately the only thing he has protected is his own heart, his mother and the thing that is most precious to him in the world, his son. There was simply no room for anything else, nor did he want that. Until her. His new neighbor intrigued him from the first moment he saw her. Naomi was on the run from her ex who abused her. From the moment she first met Tyler she was immediately in love with her little neighbor boy. From the moment she met Mack, Tyler's father and her new neighbor Mack, it was attraction at first sight. She secretly longed for only one thing. To want and have a baby. Mack never expected to want a family again. His life was not perfect, but it was good as it was. He had his mother and his son and he didn't need more. However, that changed from the moment he met Naomi. He started to want more. He wanted her, he wanted another child, he wanted to have a real family. From the moment Naomi admitted to Mack that she wanted to have a child of her own someday, he couldn't let go of the idea of her being pregnant with his child. Just when everything seems to be looking up for them, a ghost from Naomi's past comes calling. Can Mack, with his navy background, bring Naomi back safely, or is he doomed to a life as a single father.
Is the story a bit predictable? Yes.
Does it make it any less? No, absolutely not.
It was a wonderfully romantic, beautiful story that melts your heart. Be honest, who wouldn't want a man like Mack and his son Tyler.
It was a great story from the first moment to the last. He is an ex-marine who is used to protecting. Lately the only thing he has protected is his own heart, his mother and the thing that is most precious to him in the world, his son. There was simply no room for anything else, nor did he want that. Until her. His new neighbor intrigued him from the first moment he saw her. Naomi was on the run from her ex who abused her. From the moment she first met Tyler she was immediately in love with her little neighbor boy. From the moment she met Mack, Tyler's father and her new neighbor Mack, it was attraction at first sight. She secretly longed for only one thing. To want and have a baby. Mack never expected to want a family again. His life was not perfect, but it was good as it was. He had his mother and his son and he didn't need more. However, that changed from the moment he met Naomi. He started to want more. He wanted her, he wanted another child, he wanted to have a real family. From the moment Naomi admitted to Mack that she wanted to have a child of her own someday, he couldn't let go of the idea of her being pregnant with his child. Just when everything seems to be looking up for them, a ghost from Naomi's past comes calling. Can Mack, with his navy background, bring Naomi back safely, or is he doomed to a life as a single father.
Is the story a bit predictable? Yes.
Does it make it any less? No, absolutely not.
It was a wonderfully romantic, beautiful story that melts your heart. Be honest, who wouldn't want a man like Mack and his son Tyler.
November 20, 2017
What I liked the most was the gradual trust between Naomi, Mack and Tyler. I also liked the way it was written two people with difficult ex's and all the difficulty that surrounded them, that they were able to work through together. The story was realistic the way Naomi, who was traumatized by her last relationship, was able to love again. It was also suspenseful at times. Knowing Naomi's ex, Anton, was stalking her. As far as Mack was concerned, he divorced his ex, Fiona, five years ago and never had a relationship with anyone during that time until he meets Naomi. It is a great story of getting away from abusive relationships and starting over. Which is never easy. Glad to say this has an HEA.
I voluntarily received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
I voluntarily received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
April 15, 2024
3 ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️.5 🎧
This was a sweet and wholesome book. I liked it. I mean, who wouldn't want to move next door to a marine who has the cutest little boy?
Naomi is running and isn't easy to trust, but something about the man next door and his kid makes her think she can trust him.
They become friends. Then, more than friends, of course, Naomi's past is coming for her.
The narration was excellent. I enjoyed it.
This was a sweet and wholesome book. I liked it. I mean, who wouldn't want to move next door to a marine who has the cutest little boy?
Naomi is running and isn't easy to trust, but something about the man next door and his kid makes her think she can trust him.
They become friends. Then, more than friends, of course, Naomi's past is coming for her.
The narration was excellent. I enjoyed it.
August 21, 2024
Audible read. I liked the main characters. I could have done without the other woman drama ( no cheating was done , just an ex cropping up time and time again). Also for Mack to be ex military you never see that and he was a little slow to connect the dots in the suspense part of the story. A sweet story with some spice. A quick read.
September 28, 2025
This single dad, second chance, slow-burn, small town, ex-military romance, was everything I needed. It was a light read, despite touching, lightly, on domestic abuse, grief, and substance abuse, too.
The story was hopeful, the kid was fun and cute, the romance had enough tension to keep me anxious for more, and, when it came, the spice was really 🔥 🥵, even if sparse.
And, we get an amazing hea.
The story was hopeful, the kid was fun and cute, the romance had enough tension to keep me anxious for more, and, when it came, the spice was really 🔥 🥵, even if sparse.
And, we get an amazing hea.
August 6, 2024
20 minutes in no. There isn't a romance for me. Maybe I am as dead as my friend suggests. Death and zombies and the end of the world the only cure to my soul. Still even then there is better character development and relationships... Rediculous.
March 4, 2022
this was such an adorable single parent, guy/girl next door romance, with a mix of thrill towards the end! i loved every second of it. Mack and Naomi are everything and so is their little family 🥺🥺 agh love them so much
March 10, 2024
Romcom with a military guy and a traumatized girl?? IM SOLD. 4 ⭐️
It's really cute, and gosh I got baby fever while reading this, I want a child like him fr.
It's really cute, and gosh I got baby fever while reading this, I want a child like him fr.
May 2, 2024
Enjoyed this grumpy/ sunshine.
January 25, 2025
This was a great “feel good” book with just enough spice and suspense!!
Read
August 26, 2025I can’t even rate this book, because it was mostly just background noise for me. There was something that caught my attention, but not enough to keep me and attached throughout whole book.
November 5, 2024
Idk why I keep trying to read these cheesey romances they just piss me off 😂
May 18, 2024
This book was my first real introduction into Smut. There is talk of domestic violence... And he is the boy next door.... Ughhhh loved it!
November 21, 2017
I fell in love with this book from the moment I started reading it. Not only because I really liked the writing style but also because the characters felt realistic and compelling. I care about them. I was invested in the story.
The way Lara Swann portrayed Naomi and Mack battling with their ex's and the past, it was greatly done. I couldn't find fault in the way thing went and how the characters reacted to things that were happening from moment to moment.
I'm a sucker for kids even when I don't have one of my own. Tyler was the last piece of this puzzle and the sweetest one. That little boy stole my heart and ran away with it.
Now, the steamy parts in this book where really, really good. I had to fan myself a couple of times and turn the AC on once *wink*
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a beautiful love story between the girl next door and the hot ex marine single dad with the adorable six-year-old. Add to it sexy times, terrible ex's and you got yourself a great time.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
The way Lara Swann portrayed Naomi and Mack battling with their ex's and the past, it was greatly done. I couldn't find fault in the way thing went and how the characters reacted to things that were happening from moment to moment.
I'm a sucker for kids even when I don't have one of my own. Tyler was the last piece of this puzzle and the sweetest one. That little boy stole my heart and ran away with it.
Now, the steamy parts in this book where really, really good. I had to fan myself a couple of times and turn the AC on once *wink*
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a beautiful love story between the girl next door and the hot ex marine single dad with the adorable six-year-old. Add to it sexy times, terrible ex's and you got yourself a great time.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
August 3, 2022
2.5 Vanilla Stars
This was a quick reread (audio on Scribd) to clean up the review. I’ll leave the rating the same, but it was just ok for me. It’s really slow at times, and I didn’t find it emotional. There’s a bonus book Billionaire Baby Daddy at the end of my copy, but I didn’t read it.
Noami is trying to move on from an abusive relationship when she moves next door to Mack and his young son. They both have baggage but aren’t really opposed to getting involved. It takes a while for them to become romantic, but this isn’t the single father being a broody jerk scenario. Mack has an ex-wife that left shortly after their son was born. She’s around town but has never been a part of their lives. She tries to cause a teeny amount of trouble, but it goes nowhere.
Bottom Line- Not terrible, but not exciting either. The mc’s were likable enough, but they weren’t dynamic or round. I didn’t connect emotionally or get any feels, and there wasn’t any drama to spice it up.
This was a quick reread (audio on Scribd) to clean up the review. I’ll leave the rating the same, but it was just ok for me. It’s really slow at times, and I didn’t find it emotional. There’s a bonus book Billionaire Baby Daddy at the end of my copy, but I didn’t read it.
Noami is trying to move on from an abusive relationship when she moves next door to Mack and his young son. They both have baggage but aren’t really opposed to getting involved. It takes a while for them to become romantic, but this isn’t the single father being a broody jerk scenario. Mack has an ex-wife that left shortly after their son was born. She’s around town but has never been a part of their lives. She tries to cause a teeny amount of trouble, but it goes nowhere.
Bottom Line- Not terrible, but not exciting either. The mc’s were likable enough, but they weren’t dynamic or round. I didn’t connect emotionally or get any feels, and there wasn’t any drama to spice it up.
November 23, 2017
This one was not for me. I've liked the other books that I've read from this author, but this one felt different. Most of the book happens in the thoughts off the two main characters. I would have loved to have more dialogue between them, instead of reading the same things over and over again in their thoughts. Naomi has her issues, and I get that, but I don't understand not wanting to talk to someone about it. She wants Mack's help with the security, but not to tell him what's going on. I can only take that "I can do it myself" so many times. I felt bad for Mack with his ex as well, she was horrible. I will give the next one from this author a try, and hope it's more for me than this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews