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The Neighbor
When Laura Fry returns to her childhood home to care for her invalid mother, she hopes the writer’s block that has swallowed her writing career will disappear. She doesn’t plan on turning into a “yard girl” but her mother’s long neglected lawn beckons her to return it to the lush and colorful display it had been before her mother’s accident. She also doesn’t plan on making friends with the “nympho lesbian” next door but she finds it impossible not to watch the parade of playmates the neighbor brings to her pool.
Cassidy Anderson likes pool parties and female company. And while the pool remains the same, the female company changes nearly every weekend. As her mid-forties approach at an alarming speed, she’s still searching for the love of her life. As she finds herself seeking out the company of the cute tomboy next door, she starts to realize that she’s been looking in all the wrong places. Could it possibly be the neighbor who holds the key to her heart?
Editor: Medora MacDougall
Cover Designer: Judith Fellows
Genre: Romance
Cassidy Anderson likes pool parties and female company. And while the pool remains the same, the female company changes nearly every weekend. As her mid-forties approach at an alarming speed, she’s still searching for the love of her life. As she finds herself seeking out the company of the cute tomboy next door, she starts to realize that she’s been looking in all the wrong places. Could it possibly be the neighbor who holds the key to her heart?
Editor: Medora MacDougall
Cover Designer: Judith Fellows
Genre: Romance
264 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2018
66 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Gerri Hill
56 books1,539 followersGerri began writing lesbian romance as a way to amuse herself while snowed in one winter in the mountains of Colorado, and hasn’t looked back. Her first published work came in 2000 with One Summer Night. Many more romances have followed, with the occasional murder mystery in the mix.
Gerri’s love of nature and of being outdoors usually makes its way into her stories as her characters often find themselves in beautiful natural settings. When she isn’t writing, Gerri and her longtime partner, Diane, can be found at their home in East Texas, where their vegetable garden, orchard, and five acres of woods keep them busy. They share their lives with an ever-changing cast of furry friends.
Her favorite pastimes include camping, hiking, birdwatching (though she insists she doesn’t wear funny hats yet!), photography, and cooking. She collects things nature offers, like an unusual pinecone, colorful rocks, or an abandoned bird feather. Dawn is her favorite time of day, the moment right before sunrise...
"I love the morning... the beginning of a brand new day. Because even things that we know are unattainable flutter within our grasp. In the early morning—at that cusp of a new day—everything is possible."
Gerri’s love of nature and of being outdoors usually makes its way into her stories as her characters often find themselves in beautiful natural settings. When she isn’t writing, Gerri and her longtime partner, Diane, can be found at their home in East Texas, where their vegetable garden, orchard, and five acres of woods keep them busy. They share their lives with an ever-changing cast of furry friends.
Her favorite pastimes include camping, hiking, birdwatching (though she insists she doesn’t wear funny hats yet!), photography, and cooking. She collects things nature offers, like an unusual pinecone, colorful rocks, or an abandoned bird feather. Dawn is her favorite time of day, the moment right before sunrise...
"I love the morning... the beginning of a brand new day. Because even things that we know are unattainable flutter within our grasp. In the early morning—at that cusp of a new day—everything is possible."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
August 1, 2018
I really needed this book. I have been in such a book sump lately I was wondering if it would ever turn around. When I saw that a new Gerri Hill book was out I knew I had to read it right away. It’s so nice to be able to count on certain authors for consistently putting out good reads. This was a sweet romance that was exactly the kind of read I needed.
Laura is a writer, but she has been stuck in a slump for years. She just can’t seem to write the second book in her series. When her stepfather passes, she is tasked with moving into her mother’s house to take care of her. Due to her mother’s immobility, Laura finds herself turning into the “yard girl” instead of writing. While tackling her new job Laura watches her neighbor Cassidy and the parade of model like women at her house. While Laura gets off to a rough start with Cassidy, she can’t help but have a little crush. But what can a “yard girl” offer to a successful woman that has models hanging all over her?
Anyone that has read a Hill book knows she can write. I found myself hooked into the story and didn’t put the book down. This is the perfect example of a slow-burn, sweet romance. The angst is very low and it’s just filled with good feels. Not only that but I really enjoyed the dialogue. It was witty and just well written.
The romance was quite enjoyable. It is definitely a slow burn, but I really enjoyed it as I believed in the connection because it took so long to develop. When the romance ramped up, the book heated up. The chemistry was there and the sex scenes enjoyable. Another big plus was that the characters were both really likeable so you do care about a possible HEA.
If you are looking for a sweet, feel good romance, this book is for you. It was a nice change of pace to read a book not filled with relationship angst. If you are a Hill fan, I don’t think you will be disappointed. I’m glad I read this and can’t wait to see what Hill has in-store for us next.
An ARC was given to me by Bella for a honest review.
Laura is a writer, but she has been stuck in a slump for years. She just can’t seem to write the second book in her series. When her stepfather passes, she is tasked with moving into her mother’s house to take care of her. Due to her mother’s immobility, Laura finds herself turning into the “yard girl” instead of writing. While tackling her new job Laura watches her neighbor Cassidy and the parade of model like women at her house. While Laura gets off to a rough start with Cassidy, she can’t help but have a little crush. But what can a “yard girl” offer to a successful woman that has models hanging all over her?
Anyone that has read a Hill book knows she can write. I found myself hooked into the story and didn’t put the book down. This is the perfect example of a slow-burn, sweet romance. The angst is very low and it’s just filled with good feels. Not only that but I really enjoyed the dialogue. It was witty and just well written.
The romance was quite enjoyable. It is definitely a slow burn, but I really enjoyed it as I believed in the connection because it took so long to develop. When the romance ramped up, the book heated up. The chemistry was there and the sex scenes enjoyable. Another big plus was that the characters were both really likeable so you do care about a possible HEA.
If you are looking for a sweet, feel good romance, this book is for you. It was a nice change of pace to read a book not filled with relationship angst. If you are a Hill fan, I don’t think you will be disappointed. I’m glad I read this and can’t wait to see what Hill has in-store for us next.
An ARC was given to me by Bella for a honest review.
August 12, 2018
A sweet feel-good romance with great characters and a fine dose of humor by the master writer of lesfic -- just what the doctor ordered!
One-hit wonder writer/yard girl Laura Sue Fry (38) and businesswoman Cassidy Anderson (44) paired with Laura's partially disabled mother Maggie made a nice level ground to build an interesting romantic plot with great character interaction full of masterful and witty dialogue. Add to that a refreshing slow-burn love story between two tomboys, a very well written mother-daughter relationship, good pacing, nice ending... and you have a great read which I recommend heartily to all romance fans. I am so looking forward to Gerri Hill's next romance novel -- she hardly ever disappoints.
4.5 stars rounded up
August 12, 2018
*A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.*
One-hit wonder writer/yard girl Laura Sue Fry (38) and businesswoman Cassidy Anderson (44) paired with Laura's partially disabled mother Maggie made a nice level ground to build an interesting romantic plot with great character interaction full of masterful and witty dialogue. Add to that a refreshing slow-burn love story between two tomboys, a very well written mother-daughter relationship, good pacing, nice ending... and you have a great read which I recommend heartily to all romance fans. I am so looking forward to Gerri Hill's next romance novel -- she hardly ever disappoints.
4.5 stars rounded up
August 12, 2018
*A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.*
August 2, 2019
I really liked this book and had trouble putting it down. Gerri is actually one of the first lesfic authors I came across back when I was a baby Bi and had a massive crush on Ashley Davies *sigh*.
It took me a little while to warm up to the 2 main characters but once I did, I really began to root for them to get together. Boy did that take a while though because this is a super slow burn but because of the authors great writing I never felt impatient for that to immediately happen.
As for the main characters, I liked them well enough even though Laura and her binocular activities were a little creepy. I was not a fan however of the way Cassidy was written. As accomplished as she is, she makes me wonder what's wrong with her. Here's what I mean:
The only other thing I didn't like was how insanely rushed the ending felt. The majority of their friendship / relationship moved at a glacial pace but towards the end of the book it was like they were going down a slip and slide covered in baby oil.
Not my favorite book by GH but entertaining nonetheless. 3.5* rating for this one.
TW: Did anorexic blonde really need to be mentioned 12 times?
It took me a little while to warm up to the 2 main characters but once I did, I really began to root for them to get together. Boy did that take a while though because this is a super slow burn but because of the authors great writing I never felt impatient for that to immediately happen.
As for the main characters, I liked them well enough even though Laura and her binocular activities were a little creepy. I was not a fan however of the way Cassidy was written. As accomplished as she is, she makes me wonder what's wrong with her. Here's what I mean:
The only other thing I didn't like was how insanely rushed the ending felt. The majority of their friendship / relationship moved at a glacial pace but towards the end of the book it was like they were going down a slip and slide covered in baby oil.
Not my favorite book by GH but entertaining nonetheless. 3.5* rating for this one.
TW: Did anorexic blonde really need to be mentioned 12 times?
April 6, 2019
Laura and Cassidy did not make it easy for me in the beginning of the story and I was ready to dump their assess and move on with the young ladies in Louisiana and Gator Bites in Kaleidoscope.
Laura's unhealthy habit of checking out her neighbor's outdoor activities using binoculars (thankfully both hands were on it), stereotyping, and name calling did not sit well with me and Cassidy was not an angel either. 5 dates rules? Euck that shit! Cassidy was always ready to burn sheets anytime, even though none of the hookups made her happy and surrounded herself with airhead friends that can fill up air mattresses and balloons for a thousand events.
To dnf or not...
I couldn't dnf it, it was one of the many books the red devils' gave me for my 42nd so full steam ahead, I went. Thank you, Ms.Hill for making Laura dropped the binoculars and stopped Cassidy from bringing home dates. From there on, Laura and Cassidy entertained me with their interesting activities, conversations and flirtings as their attractions began to build-up nice and slow, accompanied with science fair worthy chemistry project.
The talks about their doubts and new-found feelings were a huge bonus, a rare scene in romance unless usually in intoxicated condition. Laura's mom, sister and Cassidy's office manager, Tanya were given decent roles and provided the extra humour.
Did the hs redeeme themselves?
Cassidy, yes. IMO, Ina Garten is the perfect hostess and I've met her match in Cassidy. Despite her lack of interest in her dates, she is always polite and their welfares are always taken care of.
Laura, not really. To all the skinny blondes out there, you.are.beautiful - no matter what they say. To my first and only blonde crush, Betty - I love you then, now and forever.
Surprisingly, despite the always hot weather in the story and also here in KL, listening to Mezzoforte while reading The Neighbor works.
Recommended and you'll definitely be cooking jerk chicken in the near future.
Laura's unhealthy habit of checking out her neighbor's outdoor activities using binoculars (thankfully both hands were on it), stereotyping, and name calling did not sit well with me and Cassidy was not an angel either. 5 dates rules? Euck that shit! Cassidy was always ready to burn sheets anytime, even though none of the hookups made her happy and surrounded herself with airhead friends that can fill up air mattresses and balloons for a thousand events.
To dnf or not...
I couldn't dnf it, it was one of the many books the red devils' gave me for my 42nd so full steam ahead, I went. Thank you, Ms.Hill for making Laura dropped the binoculars and stopped Cassidy from bringing home dates. From there on, Laura and Cassidy entertained me with their interesting activities, conversations and flirtings as their attractions began to build-up nice and slow, accompanied with science fair worthy chemistry project.
The talks about their doubts and new-found feelings were a huge bonus, a rare scene in romance unless usually in intoxicated condition. Laura's mom, sister and Cassidy's office manager, Tanya were given decent roles and provided the extra humour.
Did the hs redeeme themselves?
Cassidy, yes. IMO, Ina Garten is the perfect hostess and I've met her match in Cassidy. Despite her lack of interest in her dates, she is always polite and their welfares are always taken care of.
Laura, not really. To all the skinny blondes out there, you.are.beautiful - no matter what they say. To my first and only blonde crush, Betty - I love you then, now and forever.
Surprisingly, despite the always hot weather in the story and also here in KL, listening to Mezzoforte while reading The Neighbor works.
Recommended and you'll definitely be cooking jerk chicken in the near future.
September 1, 2018
Laura Fry is a novelist with a writer's block who is forced to move back home to care for her incapacitated mother. With time to spare, she starts caring for her mother's garden and making friends with her lesbian neighbor. Cassidy Anderson is a successful business woman who has built a beautiful weekend house and likes to throw parties and bed a large amount of bimbo women. But when she meets her tomboy neighbor she starts to question herself about her choice of friends and lovers and realises that maybe she has looked in the wrong places all her life.
It took me some chapters to warm to this book as at the beginning both main characters seemed too immature. However, as their relationship progressed, the book really picked up for me. Ms. Hill knows damn well how to write dialogues that slowly unveil their pent up attraction. Some of the scenes in the pool highlight the eroticism of hot summers in Texas and, as usual, Ms. Hill delivers in the intimate scenes. Except for the bimbos who are a bit stereotyped, the secondary characters are multilayered, specially on Laura's side. There are interesting conversations between Laura and her mother, some of them pretty hilarious. The grow in the mother-daughter's relationship adds to the enjoyment of the novel.
To say that this is a slow-burn romance is an understatement, Ms. Hill creates their chemistry painstakingly slow but the wait is so worth it. One way the author builds the main characters' relationship is through food. It's funny how they communicate with their shared pleasure of eating in contrast with the bimbos' pathologic relationship with food. There are a few mouthwatering moments that show the author's ability to depict the sensuality of cuisine and its common ground with love. 'The neighbor' also challenges some prejudices around sexual roles (butch, tomboy, femme) within a lesbian relationship that aren't as fixed as it seems. Everything is achieved in a feel-good, no angst story.
Overall, a slow burn, feel-good romance that highlights the eroticism of food and challenges some lesbian stereotypes. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com
It took me some chapters to warm to this book as at the beginning both main characters seemed too immature. However, as their relationship progressed, the book really picked up for me. Ms. Hill knows damn well how to write dialogues that slowly unveil their pent up attraction. Some of the scenes in the pool highlight the eroticism of hot summers in Texas and, as usual, Ms. Hill delivers in the intimate scenes. Except for the bimbos who are a bit stereotyped, the secondary characters are multilayered, specially on Laura's side. There are interesting conversations between Laura and her mother, some of them pretty hilarious. The grow in the mother-daughter's relationship adds to the enjoyment of the novel.
To say that this is a slow-burn romance is an understatement, Ms. Hill creates their chemistry painstakingly slow but the wait is so worth it. One way the author builds the main characters' relationship is through food. It's funny how they communicate with their shared pleasure of eating in contrast with the bimbos' pathologic relationship with food. There are a few mouthwatering moments that show the author's ability to depict the sensuality of cuisine and its common ground with love. 'The neighbor' also challenges some prejudices around sexual roles (butch, tomboy, femme) within a lesbian relationship that aren't as fixed as it seems. Everything is achieved in a feel-good, no angst story.
Overall, a slow burn, feel-good romance that highlights the eroticism of food and challenges some lesbian stereotypes. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com
April 7, 2019
This was really cute and I appreciated that it has zero angst.
I was also thrilled because there's actually a conversation about STI testing! And one of the leads talks about how she'd given up oral sex because she didn't like dams, but she does like to have sex pretty regularly and rarely stays with one person for long. It was SO refreshing because we need more safer sex in lesfic.
I was also thrilled because there's actually a conversation about STI testing! And one of the leads talks about how she'd given up oral sex because she didn't like dams, but she does like to have sex pretty regularly and rarely stays with one person for long. It was SO refreshing because we need more safer sex in lesfic.
August 5, 2022
While every book has things that annoy a reader, I just enjoyed this. I felt there were many things most readers could relate to.
May 12, 2019
It is important for me to open these comments with the note that this is the sixth work I've read by this author. Important because I had been somewhat avoiding works by this author until the past weekend when Bella Books had a sale, and I, somewhat randomly, decided to pick this book up. Avoiding? Well, while I gave the first book I read by the author a high rating (something around 4.75), everything else I'd read disappointed me (for the most part). But, strangely, I rather enjoyed this one (possibly because it's the first purely romance book I've read by the author; all of the rest had some form of mystery involved, with the fifth also including science fiction).
hehe . . . everything above still applies, but I giggle to myself because I just realized I was thinking of a different book I'd just read instead of this one. eh, that's what I get for not reviewing immediately.
This is one of those books wherein an adult woman has been 'forced' back home to care for a sick relative. In this case Laura Fry has returned home to help her mother (her sister is married, has kids, etc etc - sounds like the setup I've read a lot in these situations, except for the part wherein the sister is almost never actually present in the book, and Laura and Carla (it's Carla, right?) do not appear to have a good relationship). Also somewhat common in situations like this: the parent who the adult has returned to help is someone who they are in an estranged relationship with. That's true here, but they did used to have a good relationship, and mostly do as well here. It's important to note, though, because Laura hasn't really been around for the last seven years - and there's been some changes.
One of those changes involves the woods behind her house now contains another house. One with a massively tall fence in-between, and one with a pool (all important, including the part where the fence doesn't block someone from the second floor of Laura's mother's house from seeing the pool). It would appear that a new neighbor has moved in - though it's a weekend house.
Cassidy Anderson is this new neighbor. And she's constantly lonely, constantly dating different women (looking for the perfect one), constantly surrounding herself with 'friends' and hosting parties, and still lonely. Which is how the two leads meet.
Cassidy has wandered over for the weekend and she comes with friends/lovers. While resting in her pool, Cassidy hears a lawn mower start up and begin mowing. She immediately gets up to complain - and meets Laura. She expected to meet Maggie's husband (the creepy pervert and reason for the massively high fence; Maggie being Laura's mother and owner of the house), but spots a woman in a ball cap and cut-off shorts. They, by no means, 'meet nice'. One calls the other a bitch, and they act aggressively towards each other.
Very slowly this hostility turns into a tentative acquaintance, then into a tentative friendship, before hitting something of a roadblock. Both, it would appear, desires the other. Both seem to be aware of the others desires, but both seem reluctant to pounce. For reasons. One of which involves how Cassidy is always dating and none of the women she dates are anything at all like Laura (which 1) Laura knows because she, mostly before she became friends with Cassidy, would spy on the pool parties, and 2) is something Laura can't stop repeating over and over again 'I'm not your type').
That 'we can't date' both went on longer than I liked, and ended more abruptly than I expected (weird, that).
For the most part I liked both main characters. Liked the romance. Enjoyable book.
Rating: 4.62
May 11 2019
hehe . . . everything above still applies, but I giggle to myself because I just realized I was thinking of a different book I'd just read instead of this one. eh, that's what I get for not reviewing immediately.
This is one of those books wherein an adult woman has been 'forced' back home to care for a sick relative. In this case Laura Fry has returned home to help her mother (her sister is married, has kids, etc etc - sounds like the setup I've read a lot in these situations, except for the part wherein the sister is almost never actually present in the book, and Laura and Carla (it's Carla, right?) do not appear to have a good relationship). Also somewhat common in situations like this: the parent who the adult has returned to help is someone who they are in an estranged relationship with. That's true here, but they did used to have a good relationship, and mostly do as well here. It's important to note, though, because Laura hasn't really been around for the last seven years - and there's been some changes.
One of those changes involves the woods behind her house now contains another house. One with a massively tall fence in-between, and one with a pool (all important, including the part where the fence doesn't block someone from the second floor of Laura's mother's house from seeing the pool). It would appear that a new neighbor has moved in - though it's a weekend house.
Cassidy Anderson is this new neighbor. And she's constantly lonely, constantly dating different women (looking for the perfect one), constantly surrounding herself with 'friends' and hosting parties, and still lonely. Which is how the two leads meet.
Cassidy has wandered over for the weekend and she comes with friends/lovers. While resting in her pool, Cassidy hears a lawn mower start up and begin mowing. She immediately gets up to complain - and meets Laura. She expected to meet Maggie's husband (the creepy pervert and reason for the massively high fence; Maggie being Laura's mother and owner of the house), but spots a woman in a ball cap and cut-off shorts. They, by no means, 'meet nice'. One calls the other a bitch, and they act aggressively towards each other.
Very slowly this hostility turns into a tentative acquaintance, then into a tentative friendship, before hitting something of a roadblock. Both, it would appear, desires the other. Both seem to be aware of the others desires, but both seem reluctant to pounce. For reasons. One of which involves how Cassidy is always dating and none of the women she dates are anything at all like Laura (which 1) Laura knows because she, mostly before she became friends with Cassidy, would spy on the pool parties, and 2) is something Laura can't stop repeating over and over again 'I'm not your type').
That 'we can't date' both went on longer than I liked, and ended more abruptly than I expected (weird, that).
For the most part I liked both main characters. Liked the romance. Enjoyable book.
Rating: 4.62
May 11 2019
June 2, 2024
I loved it. I smiled, I laughed, I whimpered and most of it all, I enjoyed it from start to finish.
October 6, 2018
You can’t go wrong with Gerri Hill! Really enjoyed this one but had to give it 3.75 just because the ending was extremely rushed!
September 29, 2018
Gerri Hills is one of my favorite authors. And it doesn’t matter if it is a romance or a cop story, I like them all. The Neighbor is no exception.
Laura Sue Fry is a writer, or maybe just a one-time-writer. Since her first book is published, she’s struggling to find the words for another one, which isn’t really helpful as a writer. When her sister pushed her to take care of her partially disabled mother, after her stepfather passed away, she finds herself in a new role as a caretaker and a yard girl. But soon she finds out, that isn’t that bad. And after a rough start with the beautiful neighbor Cassidy, she even has found a new friend. Short after she’s aware, she has a crush on this women, despite Cassidy had a lot of model-like skinny blond women who paraded through her bedroom.
Cassidy is a very successful businesswoman, but in her personal life, she’s still looking for Miss Right. After meeting her new neighbor Laura, she finds herself drawn to this woman, who’s absolutely not her type of woman she would date. She is wondering what happens to her. Is it possible that her luck is just a few meters away from her home?
I liked Laura from the beginning, I could understand her feelings for her mother and stepfather. She’s just a wonderful person. I wondered a little bit about Cassidy, how could she date these women for so long, without seeing, how fake and superficial they were? But after she realized it, she’s cute and loveable.
The romance is a very slow burning one, but it fits perfect. Hill lets the chemistry between the two MC build up slowly - and it’s worth the wait. The dialogues were great and witty too, and it was wonderful to see how the relationship was growing and changing from friendship to love. Only, in the end, it was a little bit rushed. Overall an amazing romance, without angst and drama, but with Maggie (Laura’s mother) as a wonderful secondary character. A true Gerri Hill romance to enjoy.
My rating 4.5 stars.
Laura Sue Fry is a writer, or maybe just a one-time-writer. Since her first book is published, she’s struggling to find the words for another one, which isn’t really helpful as a writer. When her sister pushed her to take care of her partially disabled mother, after her stepfather passed away, she finds herself in a new role as a caretaker and a yard girl. But soon she finds out, that isn’t that bad. And after a rough start with the beautiful neighbor Cassidy, she even has found a new friend. Short after she’s aware, she has a crush on this women, despite Cassidy had a lot of model-like skinny blond women who paraded through her bedroom.
Cassidy is a very successful businesswoman, but in her personal life, she’s still looking for Miss Right. After meeting her new neighbor Laura, she finds herself drawn to this woman, who’s absolutely not her type of woman she would date. She is wondering what happens to her. Is it possible that her luck is just a few meters away from her home?
I liked Laura from the beginning, I could understand her feelings for her mother and stepfather. She’s just a wonderful person. I wondered a little bit about Cassidy, how could she date these women for so long, without seeing, how fake and superficial they were? But after she realized it, she’s cute and loveable.
The romance is a very slow burning one, but it fits perfect. Hill lets the chemistry between the two MC build up slowly - and it’s worth the wait. The dialogues were great and witty too, and it was wonderful to see how the relationship was growing and changing from friendship to love. Only, in the end, it was a little bit rushed. Overall an amazing romance, without angst and drama, but with Maggie (Laura’s mother) as a wonderful secondary character. A true Gerri Hill romance to enjoy.
My rating 4.5 stars.
September 21, 2018
3.5 Stars - Slight spoilers ahead.
This is a pleasant slow burn friend to lover type romance with little if any angst. Well, except for the usual new relationship angst between two people who are in different social circles.
There is 38 year old Laura Sue Fry. She just moved in with her mother who is partially invalid and a recent widower. Laura did not like her mother's husband ("Don't call him my stepfather!) so she had been estranged from her mother. Laura moves back with her mother to help care for her now that she is alone. Also Laura has been out of work, quitting her job to concentrate on her writing that isn't going very well. Instead of writing, Laura starts to rehabilitate her Mom's previously immaculate, flower filled garden.
A new, very large house has been recently built next door. Laura isn't impressed and a bit miffed, as it took away her view of the woods that she grew up enjoying. But she does have a view of the new neighbor's pool. Cassidy Anderson at 44 yrs old, and is an executive in her family's successful business, which she was responsible in it's growth. She builds a large house in the "country" outside of Dallas to spend weekends and hosting pool parties with her friends. Cassidy hires Laura to maintain and finish landscaping her yard in exchange of payment and pool privileges. So Laura becomes a "Yard Girl"
It did take me a while to warm up to either character - much as they did to each other. Laura is pretty judgmental about Cassidy's weekend friends and dalliances that she observed from her window view and isn't afraid of of telling Cassidy. However, she's not that far off the mark. They do become friends and eventually more than just friends. Gerri Hill is a master of writing a friendship to lovers story.
One relationship that also grew was between Laura and her mother. It was very strained at the beginning. Laura felt forced to become her caretaker, since you know, she doesn't have a real job or kids. But like her relationship with Cassidy, they slowly repaired their relationship and Laura was able to help her mother rehabilitate physically. I liked how Hill handled this - it too was a slow burn. And their relationship was not so explosive such that it would be unrepairable.
Not one of my favorite Hill books, but still an entertaining and well-written story.
This is a pleasant slow burn friend to lover type romance with little if any angst. Well, except for the usual new relationship angst between two people who are in different social circles.
There is 38 year old Laura Sue Fry. She just moved in with her mother who is partially invalid and a recent widower. Laura did not like her mother's husband ("Don't call him my stepfather!) so she had been estranged from her mother. Laura moves back with her mother to help care for her now that she is alone. Also Laura has been out of work, quitting her job to concentrate on her writing that isn't going very well. Instead of writing, Laura starts to rehabilitate her Mom's previously immaculate, flower filled garden.
A new, very large house has been recently built next door. Laura isn't impressed and a bit miffed, as it took away her view of the woods that she grew up enjoying. But she does have a view of the new neighbor's pool. Cassidy Anderson at 44 yrs old, and is an executive in her family's successful business, which she was responsible in it's growth. She builds a large house in the "country" outside of Dallas to spend weekends and hosting pool parties with her friends. Cassidy hires Laura to maintain and finish landscaping her yard in exchange of payment and pool privileges. So Laura becomes a "Yard Girl"
It did take me a while to warm up to either character - much as they did to each other. Laura is pretty judgmental about Cassidy's weekend friends and dalliances that she observed from her window view and isn't afraid of of telling Cassidy. However, she's not that far off the mark. They do become friends and eventually more than just friends. Gerri Hill is a master of writing a friendship to lovers story.
One relationship that also grew was between Laura and her mother. It was very strained at the beginning. Laura felt forced to become her caretaker, since you know, she doesn't have a real job or kids. But like her relationship with Cassidy, they slowly repaired their relationship and Laura was able to help her mother rehabilitate physically. I liked how Hill handled this - it too was a slow burn. And their relationship was not so explosive such that it would be unrepairable.
Not one of my favorite Hill books, but still an entertaining and well-written story.
August 24, 2018
Slow and sweet, perfect for a rainy afternoon ;)
December 10, 2018
You've got to love Gerri Hill - but oh dear, her spelling! :) Laura certainly wasn't a neigh-bor(e) but rather a Neighbour hottie, in looks and personality! 12 read & all 5*s bar 1. Real class, Thank you.
December 30, 2025
Another good read by Gerri Hill. I can’t get enough of her books.
July 28, 2019
Very angsty pure romance. I don't usually enjoy stories about reformed players, but this one was very well done.
July 3, 2022
4 stars
I enjoyed this book.
The plot is relatively simple but well executed and there's nothing distracting from the romantic plot (like crime investigations etc.).
I liked both protagonists well enough despite some questionable decisions and I enjoyed their chemistry.
All in all, it was a cute love story
I enjoyed this book.
The plot is relatively simple but well executed and there's nothing distracting from the romantic plot (like crime investigations etc.).
I liked both protagonists well enough despite some questionable decisions and I enjoyed their chemistry.
All in all, it was a cute love story
October 9, 2018
Audible version. Really good listen. Narrator was great. I loved the banter.
August 1, 2019
Laura Fry returns home to help her estranged mother after her second husband dies suddenly. Seven years have passed with little contact since Laura never got along with the deceased husband since she blamed him for the accident that crippled her mother amongst other things. As Laura reconnects with her mother, she meets the new neighbor, Cassidy Anderson. Cassidy works in the city but comes to the house (and the pool) every weekend. Laura can’t help but see the pool from her writing room and notices not only how great Cassidy looks in a swimsuit, but all the different women Cassidy brings for weekend company. The noise of Laura’s lawn mower is the catalyst for the first meeting and what becomes a relationship as Laura ends up maintaining the neighbor’s lawn. Can Cassidy look past her type and embrace what she has been looking for her entire life?
I feel like maybe I’m enjoying the mother arguments too much, but the initial interactions between Laura and her mother were wonderful and sassy. Their entire relationship felt real and no doubt one that most people can relate with one way or another. The mains had wonderful chemistry and their relationship built slowly, from a testy first encounter to more than friendship. By the time the first kiss came, goodness gracious, at last! I also liked how Ms Hill resolved Laura’s professional life. A published writer of exactly one book eight years ago, something needed to give with such writer’s block. It was nice to see some realistic decisions being made.
There were a few moments of laughter on my part. The entire binoculars storyline and references to it were priceless. How Laura referred to Cassidy’s dates was also entertaining and serve to illustrate the author’s point on Cassidy’s personal life choices that left her feeling lonely and empty. That was also resolved nicely as Cassidy understands what her life has been about for the past twenty years and the shift that is needed to reach her personal goals.
I really enjoyed this book! Fresh from winning a Goldie, I was excited to also find this one in Audible’s Escape Package. I ended up listening to the entire thing today as I spent almost 6 hours in the car. Then got home and just put the AirPods on so could finish it. This audiobook was narrated by Nicol Zanzarella in a great performance. I have also listened to her narrating Radclyffe’s Provincetown Series, for those of you interested.
This was a great and at times funny read that will not disappoint. 4.5 stars
I feel like maybe I’m enjoying the mother arguments too much, but the initial interactions between Laura and her mother were wonderful and sassy. Their entire relationship felt real and no doubt one that most people can relate with one way or another. The mains had wonderful chemistry and their relationship built slowly, from a testy first encounter to more than friendship. By the time the first kiss came, goodness gracious, at last! I also liked how Ms Hill resolved Laura’s professional life. A published writer of exactly one book eight years ago, something needed to give with such writer’s block. It was nice to see some realistic decisions being made.
There were a few moments of laughter on my part. The entire binoculars storyline and references to it were priceless. How Laura referred to Cassidy’s dates was also entertaining and serve to illustrate the author’s point on Cassidy’s personal life choices that left her feeling lonely and empty. That was also resolved nicely as Cassidy understands what her life has been about for the past twenty years and the shift that is needed to reach her personal goals.
I really enjoyed this book! Fresh from winning a Goldie, I was excited to also find this one in Audible’s Escape Package. I ended up listening to the entire thing today as I spent almost 6 hours in the car. Then got home and just put the AirPods on so could finish it. This audiobook was narrated by Nicol Zanzarella in a great performance. I have also listened to her narrating Radclyffe’s Provincetown Series, for those of you interested.
This was a great and at times funny read that will not disappoint. 4.5 stars
August 20, 2018
I usually love Gerri Hill but I couldn't get into this one. I was left with a sour taste in my mouth for most of the book because of the way the author kept on using the phrase "anorexic blonde". 'Anorexic' is not a body type and it is not an adjective to describe skinny. Anorexia is a terrible and serious illness. It wasn't just one time, it very very repetitive. I only kept going because I love Gerri Hill's books and kept hoping for it to get better.
I did like the characters, it just felt like it took a long time to connect with them and their relationship and then the ending came way too fast. The romance is solid as always and the characters are always fun and the dialogue is flawless.
Still, I will look forward to the author's next book!
I did like the characters, it just felt like it took a long time to connect with them and their relationship and then the ending came way too fast. The romance is solid as always and the characters are always fun and the dialogue is flawless.
Still, I will look forward to the author's next book!
August 29, 2018
A well-paced, easy read that's a great palate cleanser in between more intense books. I enjoyed watching the slow burn chemistry develop between Cassidy and Laura. And kudos to Gerri Hill for bringing to life the relationship between Laura and her mother - it felt three dimensional without getting too schmaltzy, and rode the line between darkness and lightness really well. Felt like some of the side characters were a bit caricature-y. Still, I thought that the core relationships were nicely explored in such a fast read. 3.5 stars.
September 23, 2018
4.6 stars. Loved the book. Lovely story, warm and funny mc’s. The one drawback for me was that I thought Cassidy a little too immature and a bit of a push over. 44 years old and she kept doing what her friends expected of her even if she didn’t like it. This got better when the story developed though. Liked it a lot that the mc’s in this story communicated well with each other. No angst, liked that also. With the exception of most of Cassidy’s friends, nice secondary characters.
Recommend, 4.6 stars rounds up to 5. Will read this again sometime.
Recommend, 4.6 stars rounds up to 5. Will read this again sometime.
September 28, 2018
Creeping on your neighbor with binoculars, really? Not my thing. Also, I really didn't like either character. Abandoned at 40%
July 23, 2021
If you like the type of slow burn that is actually a roiling animosity that spills over into jealousy, then eventually into love—this is a fantastic read. Laura and Cassidy were both so unsavory in my opinion, and their cattiness and backwards perspectives (like un-feminist lesbians?) was a lot to swallow as a reader, especially in the first two thirds of the book. But, these two women turn out to be a good match for each other and their chemistry was sublime.
Nicol Zanzarella, as always, nails this narration, and her acting for Laura’s mother Maggie was especially well done. Overall, The Neighbor had me in several different emotional states as I read, and not all of them were positive, but the last chunk of the book packed a wallop and wrapped everything up very nicely. Also… hot.
Nicol Zanzarella, as always, nails this narration, and her acting for Laura’s mother Maggie was especially well done. Overall, The Neighbor had me in several different emotional states as I read, and not all of them were positive, but the last chunk of the book packed a wallop and wrapped everything up very nicely. Also… hot.
September 15, 2018
Laura bites the bullet and goes to live at home to help her mother, despite their frosty relationship. Stuck with writer’s block and needing a break she tackles the long-neglected yard which her mother had so lovingly tended before the accident. Listening to, then watching, then, quite frankly, spying on her nympho neighbour’s weekend pool parties hits a nerve and telling her neighbour off for the noise gives Laura some little revenge.
Cassidy likes women, beautiful women. But not for long; a couple of weeks and she’s bored of the airhead younger women she takes to her bed and her seemingly endless pool parties. But she doesn’t know how to change the pattern, and does she really want a grown-up relationship?
This is classic Gerri Hill at her very best, top of the pile of so many excellent books she has written, I genuinely loved this story and these two women.
Drawn together initially in conflict and then, as much as anything, by their differences, Laura and Cassidy aren’t truly opposites, but they certainly appear that way. Laura, after failed relationships and years of failed manuscripts, feels like she is going backwards moving home at the end of her savings. She thinks of herself as a million miles away from the beautiful stick insects who arrive every weekend to hang out at her neighbour’s pool. And becoming the neighbour’s yard girl is hardly going to elevate her self-esteem. But it is her very down to earth attitude, literally as well as figuratively, which draws Cassidy to her, sick of the women who use her bed, her house and her pool.
The growing friendship and hidden attraction between them is skilfully written and totally engaging. This isn’t a new story or a clever plot, but it is so exquisitely done that it is totally absorbing. Laura needs to accept who she is and let go of who she thought she was. Cassidy has to work out who she’d rather be; a conflict reflected in her friendships, real and false.
A 40 something romance, genuine and real, women we can relate to and empathise with, laugh with and relish. This was a joy to read.
Cassidy likes women, beautiful women. But not for long; a couple of weeks and she’s bored of the airhead younger women she takes to her bed and her seemingly endless pool parties. But she doesn’t know how to change the pattern, and does she really want a grown-up relationship?
This is classic Gerri Hill at her very best, top of the pile of so many excellent books she has written, I genuinely loved this story and these two women.
Drawn together initially in conflict and then, as much as anything, by their differences, Laura and Cassidy aren’t truly opposites, but they certainly appear that way. Laura, after failed relationships and years of failed manuscripts, feels like she is going backwards moving home at the end of her savings. She thinks of herself as a million miles away from the beautiful stick insects who arrive every weekend to hang out at her neighbour’s pool. And becoming the neighbour’s yard girl is hardly going to elevate her self-esteem. But it is her very down to earth attitude, literally as well as figuratively, which draws Cassidy to her, sick of the women who use her bed, her house and her pool.
The growing friendship and hidden attraction between them is skilfully written and totally engaging. This isn’t a new story or a clever plot, but it is so exquisitely done that it is totally absorbing. Laura needs to accept who she is and let go of who she thought she was. Cassidy has to work out who she’d rather be; a conflict reflected in her friendships, real and false.
A 40 something romance, genuine and real, women we can relate to and empathise with, laugh with and relish. This was a joy to read.
December 31, 2023
I was reviewing another book by Hill and saw that I had not written a review for this book although I read it a couple of years ago. I downloaded it from the library and read it from start to finish. It is as wonderful as I remembered. Laura Fry is 38 and moves back to her childhood home to take care of her somewhat disabled mother. A neighbor, Dallas business woman, Cassidy Anderson (44), has built a large weekend getaway party house complete with pool. After a rocky start Cassidy hires Laura as her yard girl. But more importantly there is friendship, flirting, sizzling kisses and slow burn attraction. This is Gerri Hill at her lightest, no drama, romantic writing. I'm glad I had an excuse to re-visit these characters and enjoy their story.
August 28, 2018
Great dialogue between characters. Miss Hill is great with that and you will not be disappointed when they interact, but the plot and their life was utterly boring. So 2 for the story, 5 for the dialogues.
September 7, 2018
Whouaaa I so love this book!!! Such nice and funny caractères... and the build up!!! What a ride!! I think one of the favourite of this author!!! Thank you for this...
August 19, 2018
Gerri never fails. Each book is wonderful. This one is no exception. I did feel like the end was a bit rushed....but all in all....what a story!👏
September 17, 2018
Can't go wrong with this author. Happy story, happy me, happy face ;)
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