What do you think?
Rate this book
Love Next Door
Grief is a terrible monster, but almost every dark beast has a silver lining if you look hard enough. For Alec, it was Jensen.
Nearing 40, Alec is the product of a broken home and brother of a man who ended his life far too young. Despite all of the barricades life erected for him, Alec managed to construct a secure and stable life for himself owning a home in a gay-friendly city neighborhood. Unfortunately, his life is a lonely existence. Alec’s loneliness is magnified when cancer strikes his mother swiftly like the bite of a cobra and takes her away at astonishing speed.
In his late 20s, Jensen has lived next door to Alec for three years. In their only extended interaction, Alec dismissed the young man he considered careless, and it left Jensen bitter and uninterested in building bridges. When Jensen’s best friend, Les, spots Alec with his stricken mother, he suggests an act of sympathy.
A moment of caring leads to the thawing of the icy wall between the neighbors. Soon, the concern leads to desire and tenderness, but waves of grief and a sudden storm in Jensen’s life threaten to drown them both.
Love Next Door is a 57,000-word enemies-to-lovers romance that includes a May-December theme and the impact of grief. Suicidal thoughts and abusive behavior are mentioned but not described explicitly. The book includes steamy scenes and a happy ending.
Nearing 40, Alec is the product of a broken home and brother of a man who ended his life far too young. Despite all of the barricades life erected for him, Alec managed to construct a secure and stable life for himself owning a home in a gay-friendly city neighborhood. Unfortunately, his life is a lonely existence. Alec’s loneliness is magnified when cancer strikes his mother swiftly like the bite of a cobra and takes her away at astonishing speed.
In his late 20s, Jensen has lived next door to Alec for three years. In their only extended interaction, Alec dismissed the young man he considered careless, and it left Jensen bitter and uninterested in building bridges. When Jensen’s best friend, Les, spots Alec with his stricken mother, he suggests an act of sympathy.
A moment of caring leads to the thawing of the icy wall between the neighbors. Soon, the concern leads to desire and tenderness, but waves of grief and a sudden storm in Jensen’s life threaten to drown them both.
Love Next Door is a 57,000-word enemies-to-lovers romance that includes a May-December theme and the impact of grief. Suicidal thoughts and abusive behavior are mentioned but not described explicitly. The book includes steamy scenes and a happy ending.
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2018
59 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Grant C. Holland
29 books53 followersGrant C. Holland is an author of gay romance. He lives in the upper Midwest enjoying friends, family, great food, and putting stories with happy endings into writing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 27, 2019
Sweet, low angst M/M romance !
We have a sweet romance that develops for our next door neighbors. Alec had a brother commit suicide, and now his Mom has cancer. He’s overwhelmed. Jensen brings over Lasagna to Alec, but their rocky relationship isn’t appeased. Alec is wallowing in grief and depression. Jensen’s best friend needs help, and as a best friend, Les is perfect. Slowly the men give in to their attraction, and the sexy times are fabulous.
Jensen gets a surprise at work, and we get some anxious moments. Alec and Jensen are stronger than they think. A book with serious topics, but romance overshadow everything else. HEA.
Enjoy !
We have a sweet romance that develops for our next door neighbors. Alec had a brother commit suicide, and now his Mom has cancer. He’s overwhelmed. Jensen brings over Lasagna to Alec, but their rocky relationship isn’t appeased. Alec is wallowing in grief and depression. Jensen’s best friend needs help, and as a best friend, Les is perfect. Slowly the men give in to their attraction, and the sexy times are fabulous.
Jensen gets a surprise at work, and we get some anxious moments. Alec and Jensen are stronger than they think. A book with serious topics, but romance overshadow everything else. HEA.
Enjoy !
November 26, 2018
While Jensen and Alec were pretty hot together, I thought that Jensen was a bit TSTL. How is it that Jensen didn't have basic coping skills and yet, was a counselor?
Alec was more likeable, but I thought that his transition from jerk to loving was way too abrupt and it felt more like whiplash than a natural reaction.
Overall, this book was ok, but not this author's best work.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Alec was more likeable, but I thought that his transition from jerk to loving was way too abrupt and it felt more like whiplash than a natural reaction.
Overall, this book was ok, but not this author's best work.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
November 19, 2018
I appreciate that Grant Holland writes books about men who are not in their early twenties, who had difficult times in their lives and who manage to give love a chance even when they apparently are past the age of romance. Because everybody has a right to find love at the right moment in their lives. But this book just did not convince me. Alec is a man turning 40 who faced too many deaths of loved ones to show spontaneous happiness and I did understand his mood swings. Jensen is 10 years younger and being a school counselor, he was able to better understand what Alec was going through compared to other persons, but I just couldn't feel any connection between them beyond the fact that they were neighbors and both in need of companionship. The side characters in this story were way too much present and involved in the development of the story line, and the two MC's never seemed to spend quality time alone getting to know each other. And Jensen didn't seem to have Alec on his mind like every newly in love boyfriend would do. It is one of the characteristics of Grant Holland's books to include lengthy descriptions of the background of the MCs and of their daily activities, but this time these descriptions were too predominant in the story line, leaving the building of the romantic connection between the two men to the side.
November 22, 2018
3,5*
PLEASE READ FIRST MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings (thanks to amazon I had to change it again and 'upgrade' it a little bit.):
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth King,
'Save the at he kids' series from EM Leya or
'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like
an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books) it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times (most romances where you can enjoy
for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader, but
not really an often reread book
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok) It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
PLEASE READ FIRST MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings (thanks to amazon I had to change it again and 'upgrade' it a little bit.):
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth King,
'Save the at he kids' series from EM Leya or
'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like
an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books) it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times (most romances where you can enjoy
for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader, but
not really an often reread book
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok) It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
November 20, 2018
When crisis looms,🏠🏡 neighborly action and friendship save the day:-)
November 18, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
A well-written👬 💕romance with plenty of angst and some lovely characters. The beginning of the story was especially strong with Alec beleaguered by sickness, death and depression. Nice touch to have the two heroes Alec and Jensen begin as standoffish next-door neighbors and bring them together in a moment of crisis.
I thought the story stalled a bit when it got to Thanksgiving, but it was essentially a good plot with some twists and romance, with a couple of great guys who deserved a brighter future and a loving relationship. Strong friendship also plays a major role in the story, whether it's Alec's best friend worrying about Alec's guilty conscience and use of prescription meds or Les urging best bud Jensen to take better control of his love life.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
November 18, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
A well-written👬 💕romance with plenty of angst and some lovely characters. The beginning of the story was especially strong with Alec beleaguered by sickness, death and depression. Nice touch to have the two heroes Alec and Jensen begin as standoffish next-door neighbors and bring them together in a moment of crisis.
I thought the story stalled a bit when it got to Thanksgiving, but it was essentially a good plot with some twists and romance, with a couple of great guys who deserved a brighter future and a loving relationship. Strong friendship also plays a major role in the story, whether it's Alec's best friend worrying about Alec's guilty conscience and use of prescription meds or Les urging best bud Jensen to take better control of his love life.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
February 13, 2019
This book didn’t quite turn my crank. I found that the development of the characters made no sense. Alec was a rude jerk, long before his mother became ill. He showed very little interpersonal skill when his mother passed. He suddenly became this warm, loving boyfriend. A completely new character. Jensen was a school counsellor and, at the ripe old age of 29, had basically given up on ever having a partner because he’s had some bad experiences and it’s hard to have a partner. For some reason, the person he obviously loves, Les, is out of the running. Sorry, but this book is just too chock full of cliches and poorly thought out. And the next time a character as gorgeous as Beef is introduced, please have him boink another guy at least once. He was the only character I felt for in this book.
November 19, 2018
Wow, first of all, when does Les and Dave's story come out? I don't think I'd put this exactly in enemies to lovers category, but something close. Now, again wow. I planned to read part one day and the second half the next day, that didn't work out. I started at 8am and finished at 1:50pm, with breaks inbetween.
This story had my attention from page one. As much as a bi「(#, Alec's mother was it was great to know him being gay was not a thing. Alec and Jensen had some issues of their own and thanks from the help of friends they got them sorted out and got and stayed together. This story was more about what was going on in the MCs lives then their relationship and that was a refreshing point of view.
This story had my attention from page one. As much as a bi「(#, Alec's mother was it was great to know him being gay was not a thing. Alec and Jensen had some issues of their own and thanks from the help of friends they got them sorted out and got and stayed together. This story was more about what was going on in the MCs lives then their relationship and that was a refreshing point of view.
October 13, 2019
This was one of those stories that I really liked but didn't love. I loved the MCs, Alec and Jensen, I loved the angst, I loved the sweet romance and I loved the premise of the story. I think what went sideways was the pacing of the story felt off, at least to me it did. Also as much as I loved Alec and Jensen their relationship went from enemies to lovers too fast. Someone needed to grovel more, lol.
This book needed a quick proof read to find the little and sometimes not so little discrepancies throughout. It's a really good story it just needs a bit of polish.
TAGS--sweet -- angst -- grief -- enemies to lovers -- age difference -- loved the MCs... Alec and Jensen -- quick easy read -- some editing discrepancies -- overall a good read
November 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this book so much! The story has a sort of slow burn up to a certain point and then a sudden acceleration, but it's very well written and the characters are well developed and all-around. Alex may seem an ass at the beginning, and, well, for the good first half of the book, but considering what he's gone through, I can't fault him. And Jensen too gets to make his own mistakes and act off.
I could really dive deep into the feelings of this story, and I think this may be my favourite Grant C. Holland book up to now.
I could really dive deep into the feelings of this story, and I think this may be my favourite Grant C. Holland book up to now.
November 25, 2018
2 1/2 stars ⭐️
I couldn’t figure out these two at all. Alec was an asshole, and not because he was mourning his mom, the first half the book. Then he is magically cured from a terrible depression with a personality transplant. At least that is what it looked like because one day is popping pills and needs and intervention from his friend and the next day after being with Jensen everything is almost perfect.
These two didn’t make sense at all. Other than they were compatible in bed, I don’t understand why they would be together. Didn’t like this book.
I couldn’t figure out these two at all. Alec was an asshole, and not because he was mourning his mom, the first half the book. Then he is magically cured from a terrible depression with a personality transplant. At least that is what it looked like because one day is popping pills and needs and intervention from his friend and the next day after being with Jensen everything is almost perfect.
These two didn’t make sense at all. Other than they were compatible in bed, I don’t understand why they would be together. Didn’t like this book.
January 5, 2019
3.5 Stars
This romance deals with the dark themes of depression, grief, and isolation. Jensen and Alec don't get together instantly because neither is in a place to really see each other.
Then, in a moment of utter humaness, they begin to do so. The romance is fumbling and slow burn.
Both heroes are lonely and both have walls that need to come down. There is a nice set of friends around them and really for me the choices made at the end of this story make it really work and I believe in their well deserved HEA.
This romance deals with the dark themes of depression, grief, and isolation. Jensen and Alec don't get together instantly because neither is in a place to really see each other.
Then, in a moment of utter humaness, they begin to do so. The romance is fumbling and slow burn.
Both heroes are lonely and both have walls that need to come down. There is a nice set of friends around them and really for me the choices made at the end of this story make it really work and I believe in their well deserved HEA.
November 16, 2018
Love is Closer Than You Think!
I received an ARC from Mr. Holland and then purchased a copy of this sweet romantic tale.
Alec and Jensen got off to a rocky start with a gardening disaster. Three years later it takes an emotional crisis to bring them together. With some help from friends, a change in professional lives and an attraction that cannot be denied, new beginnings are realized.
I'm hoping there's a story for Les next!
I received an ARC from Mr. Holland and then purchased a copy of this sweet romantic tale.
Alec and Jensen got off to a rocky start with a gardening disaster. Three years later it takes an emotional crisis to bring them together. With some help from friends, a change in professional lives and an attraction that cannot be denied, new beginnings are realized.
I'm hoping there's a story for Les next!
January 23, 2019
The young age of Jensen didn't bother me as much in this book as I expected it to. But...that being said...he did cause the expected and cliched unnecessary angst, though it was mild and sorted out fairly quickly. It still annoyed me.
That all being said. This one was okay. It was a short, sweet pretty uncomplicated story of insta-love after a little bit of a "enemies to friends" start.
If you have a bit of time to kill, this one is an easy read.
That all being said. This one was okay. It was a short, sweet pretty uncomplicated story of insta-love after a little bit of a "enemies to friends" start.
If you have a bit of time to kill, this one is an easy read.
November 15, 2018
Alec and Jensen's story is well written. You see their struggle to find common ground and to find each other. You are right beside them as they struggle with anger, losing a parent, depression, miscommunication and fighting for a relationship throughout. Their HEA is well deserved.
I received an ARC copy from the author.
I received an ARC copy from the author.
November 16, 2018
As the author probably expected of readers, I was not a fan of Alec for most of the book. I did love Jensen, though. He had the ability to overlook Alec's terrible attitude to see the man who was hurting and help him. Good storytelling, with a good ending.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.*
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.*
December 15, 2018
Love Next Door
I couldn't like this.
Didn't feel a connection to the story nor did I feel the connection between the main characters. And more than that, I didn't like these people, not one of them and can't quite explain it. Visceral. You know when you like someone, you know when you don't.
Nothing wrong with this book. Just not one for me.
I'll keep reading 📖
I couldn't like this.
Didn't feel a connection to the story nor did I feel the connection between the main characters. And more than that, I didn't like these people, not one of them and can't quite explain it. Visceral. You know when you like someone, you know when you don't.
Nothing wrong with this book. Just not one for me.
I'll keep reading 📖
February 25, 2020
It was fine, really. I don’t have a lot to complain about.
But it just felt very meh to me. I wasn’t super invested I. The relationship, there wasn’t really any drama although there were a couple opportunities that could have been capitalized on. At some points the writing was a bit choppy and knocked me right out of the story. Nothing major but things that negatively impacted my reading flow.
But it just felt very meh to me. I wasn’t super invested I. The relationship, there wasn’t really any drama although there were a couple opportunities that could have been capitalized on. At some points the writing was a bit choppy and knocked me right out of the story. Nothing major but things that negatively impacted my reading flow.
November 19, 2018
This is a beautiful love story.
Highly recommend to all.
Grant C. Holland should be so proud of this wonderful book.
Highly recommend to all.
Grant C. Holland should be so proud of this wonderful book.
November 22, 2018
Sweet story and an enjoyable read.
November 24, 2018
amazing!
amazing book, a++++ author, story, concept, all of it. This is one that i couldn't put down from start to finish.
amazing book, a++++ author, story, concept, all of it. This is one that i couldn't put down from start to finish.
November 26, 2018
A terrific read. All the personal drama made me love the characters more. I just love these guys and want more.
November 28, 2018
Neither MC seemed very likeable, and the situations designed to bring them together a bit outlandish, so I give this one a 2-star rating. Not one of Mr. Holland's better books...
December 17, 2018
Great
This was a great book about Ale and Jensen. Even though Alec went through a lot in his life, falling in love with Jensen was the best thing for him! Great book!!!
This was a great book about Ale and Jensen. Even though Alec went through a lot in his life, falling in love with Jensen was the best thing for him! Great book!!!
January 13, 2019
A Good Story
This was a feel good story. I loved the characters, and the storyline. It was well written. To see the main characters together they belong.
This was a feel good story. I loved the characters, and the storyline. It was well written. To see the main characters together they belong.
dnf
May 17, 2019DNF 57%
Hated Alec, what a jerk.
Hated Alec, what a jerk.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews