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I Spy the Boy Next Door
Four p.m. spy sessions are the highlight of Mallory Taylor's day. Observing the boy next door--one with a body and an attitude to match--has her perched beside her window so often it can't be healthy.
When she finally convinces her mom to let her go to public school, Mallory comes face to face with her neighbor, Troy Parker. And he makes it clear he wants nothing to do with her. His rejection awakens a newfound tenacity and maybe even a touch of recklessness. But when Troy starts to show up when she needs him the most, Mallory can't help but wonder if there's more to him than he's let on.
Taking chances, breaking rules, and following her heart is all new to Mallory. And no one warned her just how fickle hearts can be. When she discovers that Troy isn't at all the guy she imagined him to be, secrets rise to the surface that will change her life forever.
*This is a stand-alone mature YA contemporary romance.
When she finally convinces her mom to let her go to public school, Mallory comes face to face with her neighbor, Troy Parker. And he makes it clear he wants nothing to do with her. His rejection awakens a newfound tenacity and maybe even a touch of recklessness. But when Troy starts to show up when she needs him the most, Mallory can't help but wonder if there's more to him than he's let on.
Taking chances, breaking rules, and following her heart is all new to Mallory. And no one warned her just how fickle hearts can be. When she discovers that Troy isn't at all the guy she imagined him to be, secrets rise to the surface that will change her life forever.
*This is a stand-alone mature YA contemporary romance.
346 pages, Paperback
First published May 25, 2019
3 people are currently reading
1702 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Armstrong
15 books172 followersMummy, wife, Kiwi.
Though I have a particular love for writing romance, I write in multiple genres including children's.
LATEST RELEASES-CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
My Very Hungry Happy Tummy
My Super Speedy Long Legs
My Big Beautiful Cheeky Smile
My Super Sleepy Wonderful Body
Connect with me!
To sign up for information on upcoming releases, giveaways and more: https://www.samantharmstrong.com/subs...
Email: samantha@samantharmstrong.com
Facebook: My FB has been hacked, and I can't get it back. :( Please contact me through Instagram/email.
Instagram: @samantharmstrong
Website: https://www.samantharmstrong.com/
Though I have a particular love for writing romance, I write in multiple genres including children's.
LATEST RELEASES-CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
My Very Hungry Happy Tummy
My Super Speedy Long Legs
My Big Beautiful Cheeky Smile
My Super Sleepy Wonderful Body
Connect with me!
To sign up for information on upcoming releases, giveaways and more: https://www.samantharmstrong.com/subs...
Email: samantha@samantharmstrong.com
Facebook: My FB has been hacked, and I can't get it back. :( Please contact me through Instagram/email.
Instagram: @samantharmstrong
Website: https://www.samantharmstrong.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
June 24, 2020
Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was looking for a mindless YA with loads of cheese and a little steam. No luck.
Over 70 percent of the book is filled with cliches.
Bad boy and an underground boxing ring, check.
Tattoos and Harley Davidson, check. Ms.Goody two shoes virgin with overprotective parents, check.
Annoying little sibling who has no purpose or relevance in the story, check.
Half a decade long crush which seems unrequited only to the girl, but so obvious even to strangers, check.
And yeah, there's also a gay bestfriend. Yippee!
So basically, Mallory has been spying and crushing on her neighbour for over 5 years while being homeschooled by her anal retentive parents after a kidnap scare ages ago. Determined to live a normal teenage year before going to college, she pushes her parents to get her to attend a public school and there starts the story. She attends parties, underground fights, learns to sneak out of house after curfews, gains confidence, learns to get over her panic attacks after some hanky panky with the dream guy and gets a boyfriend. And the boyfriend calls her by someone else's name in a drunken stupor and carries on a mushy colloquy. Shit hits the roof and what follows is something straight out of a 80s television show. Family dramas, drug lord daddies, incomprehensible affairs, step sisters, millions buried in backyards, villains, witness protections and bodyguards.
The ending seemed rushed and didn't cover some obvious plot holes about Mallory's/Daisy's past. And the half sister track made absolutely no sense whatsoever. Mallory's foster parents were the best thing about the book. Their complete devotion to Mallory's safety was so moving, even if a bit overbearing. And the bodyguard turned gardener in Mallory's neighborhood was something of a surprise, giving some credibility to the clearly weak mafia backdrop.
This unusual blend of noir in a YA romance was quite bold an attempt, but not as entertaining as I'd have liked. 3 stars
I was looking for a mindless YA with loads of cheese and a little steam. No luck.
Over 70 percent of the book is filled with cliches.
Bad boy and an underground boxing ring, check.
Tattoos and Harley Davidson, check. Ms.Goody two shoes virgin with overprotective parents, check.
Annoying little sibling who has no purpose or relevance in the story, check.
Half a decade long crush which seems unrequited only to the girl, but so obvious even to strangers, check.
And yeah, there's also a gay bestfriend. Yippee!
So basically, Mallory has been spying and crushing on her neighbour for over 5 years while being homeschooled by her anal retentive parents after a kidnap scare ages ago. Determined to live a normal teenage year before going to college, she pushes her parents to get her to attend a public school and there starts the story. She attends parties, underground fights, learns to sneak out of house after curfews, gains confidence, learns to get over her panic attacks after some hanky panky with the dream guy and gets a boyfriend. And the boyfriend calls her by someone else's name in a drunken stupor and carries on a mushy colloquy. Shit hits the roof and what follows is something straight out of a 80s television show. Family dramas, drug lord daddies, incomprehensible affairs, step sisters, millions buried in backyards, villains, witness protections and bodyguards.
The ending seemed rushed and didn't cover some obvious plot holes about Mallory's/Daisy's past. And the half sister track made absolutely no sense whatsoever. Mallory's foster parents were the best thing about the book. Their complete devotion to Mallory's safety was so moving, even if a bit overbearing. And the bodyguard turned gardener in Mallory's neighborhood was something of a surprise, giving some credibility to the clearly weak mafia backdrop.
This unusual blend of noir in a YA romance was quite bold an attempt, but not as entertaining as I'd have liked. 3 stars
March 1, 2023
Pretty Frickin’ Awesome!
I really enjoyed this book much more than I expected. I thought it would be your typical sheltered girl has a crush on the bad boy neighbor, which was the premise at its very base. However, there was so much more dimension to this story. There was humor and wit, mystery and secrets as well as romance and suspense. The book starts on a pretty hilarious note as Mallory describes the way she spies out the window at the hot neighbor boy at 4 pm each day when he returns from his run all sweaty and removes his shirt right before using it to wipe the sweat off his face.
Then she goes on to describe a bit about her family in hilarious detail as follows:
Mallory talks her parents into letting her go to public school for her senior year. She had been homeschooled her entire life and has been extremely sheltered due to a near kidnapping when she was young that caused her to have anxiety attacks. She had actually only met the neighbor, Troy Parker once when his football was thrown into her yard. She returned it flattened due to her dog getting ahold of it and Troy wasn’t too happy about that. So when she sees him in her first class she is excited to start fresh, but she gets a similar reception to the football incident the first time their paths cross at school.
The romance between them heats up pretty quickly but there are secrets and things about his past that she just doesn’t understand as well as other storylines within the book that make this one I could not put down until I finished in one sitting.
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I really enjoyed this book much more than I expected. I thought it would be your typical sheltered girl has a crush on the bad boy neighbor, which was the premise at its very base. However, there was so much more dimension to this story. There was humor and wit, mystery and secrets as well as romance and suspense. The book starts on a pretty hilarious note as Mallory describes the way she spies out the window at the hot neighbor boy at 4 pm each day when he returns from his run all sweaty and removes his shirt right before using it to wipe the sweat off his face.
Then she goes on to describe a bit about her family in hilarious detail as follows:
The extent of our family drama is what Nic calls “mild.” The last family confrontation we had was when someone mixed the whites with the colors and stained Mom’s bed sheets. No one owned up to it. Really, Mom can only point the finger at Dad or me, since George is apparently too young to work the machine.
In the end, the case went unsolved. But as I sit here, older and wiser by a year, I don’t know how it didn’t occur to me that the culprit was, in fact, the one who initiated the investigation in the first place. Mom.
“It was you,” I interrupt the conversation, speaking my mind. The room goes quiet. My mom is so pedantic about things—she does all the linen, including ironing the goddamn tea towels. I stay away from all of that, and I don’t think I’ve seen Dad do the laundry in about ten years. Everyone stares at me, and Mom asks, “What are you talking about?” I want to say: You did it. You stained your own sheets, and you were just trying to shift the guilt from your own conscience. I’m an idiot for not putting the pieces together sooner, and so is Dad, but I guess that’s just one of our similarities, being brought to light.
Mallory talks her parents into letting her go to public school for her senior year. She had been homeschooled her entire life and has been extremely sheltered due to a near kidnapping when she was young that caused her to have anxiety attacks. She had actually only met the neighbor, Troy Parker once when his football was thrown into her yard. She returned it flattened due to her dog getting ahold of it and Troy wasn’t too happy about that. So when she sees him in her first class she is excited to start fresh, but she gets a similar reception to the football incident the first time their paths cross at school.
The romance between them heats up pretty quickly but there are secrets and things about his past that she just doesn’t understand as well as other storylines within the book that make this one I could not put down until I finished in one sitting.
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May 29, 2019
Mallory Taylor has been homeschooled for all her life. When she was a child, she was almost kidnapped, so understandably her parents have a good reason to be overprotective (although their later behaviour in the book made me question this premise). Now that Mallory is almost 18, she finally gets her wish granted- she can go to the local public school and finally meet her long time crush/ neighbour Troy Parker. Mallory might excel at maths and physics, but as far as human relationships go, she hasn't got much experience. Her only friend Nicole is also homeschooled and they have never even met in real life. Her parents have been hoping she would form a close relationship with Kaitlyn, their friend's daughter, who was pulled out of school because of bullying, but they just never clicked. Once Mallory is at school, she is surprisingly quick to make a few friends, and start dating the object of her inexplicable obsession Troy. A series of unexpected twists and what started out as a YA romance turns into quite a thriller.
I'm still in two minds about this book. On one hand, it was a very fast read and I didn't feel tempted to skip anything and go to the end. On the other hand, a lot of it sounded too familiar
As far as the characters are concerned, Mallory was a bit of hit and miss with me. Some of the things she said didn't sound natural or necessary (why she had to swear at Troy is a bit of a mystery for me as well as his lack of reaction to being called a few unpleasant names). Troy's character and motivations could have been developed more, but here I'm willing to make allowances, as we have only Mallory's POV. I would have also liked to know more about Mallory's new friends and a lot more about her parents.
The ending was a bit too fast for me, while some of the explanations that were supposed to tie the loose ends just confused me. Personally, I would have preferred a tiny bit of foreshadowing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Samantha Armstrong /Expresso Book Tours for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
I'm still in two minds about this book. On one hand, it was a very fast read and I didn't feel tempted to skip anything and go to the end. On the other hand, a lot of it sounded too familiar
As far as the characters are concerned, Mallory was a bit of hit and miss with me. Some of the things she said didn't sound natural or necessary (why she had to swear at Troy is a bit of a mystery for me as well as his lack of reaction to being called a few unpleasant names). Troy's character and motivations could have been developed more, but here I'm willing to make allowances, as we have only Mallory's POV. I would have also liked to know more about Mallory's new friends and a lot more about her parents.
The ending was a bit too fast for me, while some of the explanations that were supposed to tie the loose ends just confused me. Personally, I would have preferred a tiny bit of foreshadowing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Samantha Armstrong /Expresso Book Tours for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
May 15, 2019
I really liked this book. Yes, it was a little cliché and far-fetched sometimes, but the story kept me engaged throughout. It was well written and well paced. It had an interesting and sweet plot. There were quite a few twists and turns in the last 30%, and as I mentioned above, some of them were a bit far-fetched. But I wasn't overly bothered by that. It had a nice cast of secondary characters. And both the main characters were very likable. All in all, this was a very enjoyable read and I'll be keeping an eye on this author to see what she has up her sleeve for us next.
June 21, 2019
This is my second book by Samantha Armstrong.
I enjoyed Stolen Songs and when I read the blurb for this book, I wanted it asap. Plus, look at that cover! I really liked the cover.
Now having read this book, I can say that I enjoyed it. Will it be a re-read? probably not but I still enjoyed it.
The first half of the book was cute. A tad cliche but for a YA book I thought it was a cute romance. After 50%, the storyline developed an air of mystery and that really captured my attention. I was thoroughly intrigued. The end was not my favourite..it was alright. I felt like certain parts of it felt too convenient but oh well!
A solid 3.5 stars
*ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Stolen Songs and when I read the blurb for this book, I wanted it asap. Plus, look at that cover! I really liked the cover.
Now having read this book, I can say that I enjoyed it. Will it be a re-read? probably not but I still enjoyed it.
The first half of the book was cute. A tad cliche but for a YA book I thought it was a cute romance. After 50%, the storyline developed an air of mystery and that really captured my attention. I was thoroughly intrigued. The end was not my favourite..it was alright. I felt like certain parts of it felt too convenient but oh well!
A solid 3.5 stars
*ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2019
"I imagined what my name would sound like on his lips so many times, but not once did I ever think it would sound that good."📖 I Spy The Boy Next Door📖
🖋Samantha Armstrong
Much thanks to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours and Samantha Armsteong for this complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and opinions are fully my own.
BUY THIS BOOK: Amazon ● Book Depository ● Barnes & Noble
📚 Series: No
📚 Genre: New Adult : Romance
📚 POV: First person.
📚 Cliffhanger: No.
⚠ Content Warnings: Spying/stalking. Descriptions of injuries/blood. Panic attacks.
⚠ Read if: you are into cheesy and cliche reads.
I Spy The Boy Next Door is about Mallory Taylor, a homeschooled girl who has a 5-year long crush with Troy Parker, the bad boy living next door. She is finally allowed to attend highschool because she is now 18, and to her surprise, Troy also attends there and is actually there in one of her classes.
This is a light and easy romantic read, with all the clichès that I was addicted to when I was 14 to 16, basically 10 years ago. Bad boy meets clueless-virgin-turning-wild-child.
A few pieces of freedom and she's lying to her parents, sneaking out, partying, watching underground boxing and even letting a boy sneak up to her room.
I hated all the cliches. I hated sleep-stalking a la Edward Cullen and just barging into her room without consent. I hated lines like this:
There was just so much blood, and before I knew it, I was on the ground. . . and in his arms. SCORE! Maybe having panic attacks and getting nauseous at the sight of blood isn’t such a bad thing.and this:
I never would’ve thought the help I would need would come from a gay guy and a chick as blunt as they come.
A redeeming part would be the plot twist toward the end, I guess.
Still, it is an okay read, I'm sure many would find it great. Also still looking forward to author's future works.
☁ THE CRITERIA ☁
🌻 Blurb:⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Hero:⭐⭐
🌻 Heroine:⭐⭐
🌻 Support Characters:⭐⭐
🌻 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Character Development:⭐
🌻 Romance:⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Pacing:⭐⭐
🌻 Ending:⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Page Turner:⭐⭐
🌻 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐⭐
☁FINAL VERDICT: 2.45/5 ☁
This review is also posted on my Not Again, Nicole blog.
▶ First impression ◀
I'm at 4% and already dread reading this. This reads like a low rated Wattpad novel. (Sorry, Wattpad lovers.) I hope this gets better at around 30% or I am quitting.
May 5, 2019
Okay. Honest review down.
I did not like the book much as I expected.
The blurb was intriguing so i got into reading this book.
But the writing is so amature, it felt like reading a low rated wattpad novel (I’m not bashing wattpad. I grew up reading it. But would I read it now, nope)
I mean, yes I am no writer. But as an audience I really did not like the writing at all.
Mallory (who is the protagonist) felt stupid like at so many instances. I guess its because she’s homeschooled but I dont know. I just couldn’t connect with her at all. And Troy was kind of weird at some places.
I mean look at this - they both had sex (or made love) when she was emotionally disturbed. And it was her first time! And they did it on a sofa! And it was not uncomfortable AT ALL! Like HOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
The three stars I’m giving will solely go for the ending.
I mean you know somethings gonna happen but you don’t know what.
So the ending was shocking, interesting and gave a different insight of Mallory.
I liked how Mallory and Troy supported each other at the end moments.
WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK? Maybe........ but my answer would be more towards No.
never the less - thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC. I have given my honest opinions.
I did not like the book much as I expected.
The blurb was intriguing so i got into reading this book.
But the writing is so amature, it felt like reading a low rated wattpad novel (I’m not bashing wattpad. I grew up reading it. But would I read it now, nope)
I mean, yes I am no writer. But as an audience I really did not like the writing at all.
Mallory (who is the protagonist) felt stupid like at so many instances. I guess its because she’s homeschooled but I dont know. I just couldn’t connect with her at all. And Troy was kind of weird at some places.
I mean look at this - they both had sex (or made love) when she was emotionally disturbed. And it was her first time! And they did it on a sofa! And it was not uncomfortable AT ALL! Like HOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
The three stars I’m giving will solely go for the ending.
I mean you know somethings gonna happen but you don’t know what.
So the ending was shocking, interesting and gave a different insight of Mallory.
I liked how Mallory and Troy supported each other at the end moments.
WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK? Maybe........ but my answer would be more towards No.
never the less - thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC. I have given my honest opinions.
pass
May 15, 2019Would be nice to see homeschooling depicted in a positive manner highlighting the many benefits for a change rather than perpetuating tired stereotypes and myths that paint it in a negative light like this one seems to do.
These beauties from the except are an instant turn-off:
"The social suicide of homeschooling has produced a homebody whose life has been replaced by books and romcoms."
"I can’t help that I’ve been sheltered my entire life. #homeschoolproblems"
For the record, there is plenty of freedom, opportunities, and experiences for homeschool students. I sincerely hope the young adults who read this know better than to judge their homeschooled peers based off the presentation here.
These beauties from the except are an instant turn-off:
"The social suicide of homeschooling has produced a homebody whose life has been replaced by books and romcoms."
"I can’t help that I’ve been sheltered my entire life. #homeschoolproblems"
For the record, there is plenty of freedom, opportunities, and experiences for homeschool students. I sincerely hope the young adults who read this know better than to judge their homeschooled peers based off the presentation here.
December 21, 2019
Mallory, a homeschooled naive virgin spy's on the tattooed boxer motorbike driving boy-next-door, Troy. Let's give a point or two for my favourite trope (boy next door, not the rest). It was a total cliche and like a mash up of other books (Beautiful disaster and Hopeless come to mind) but it was executed pretty well. It kept my interest and had an original twist. I won't say I didn't enjoy it but I won't say I didn't have issues with it.
There was almost too much happening in this story for what I assumed was going to be a cute YA. I believe it should be marketed as a NA because there were adult themes, and detailed sex. The timing of the sex scene was actually quite questionable and it's quality was hard to believe. The leads had this strong physical attraction that inspired some great chemistry, yes, but they never really verbally got to know each other.. so it wasn't realistic that they were promising forever. I neither liked or disliked the characters, they were all pretty cookie cutter.
I wouldn't shove this book in anyone's face but if you fancy picking it up it's not too bad.
(ARC kindly received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
There was almost too much happening in this story for what I assumed was going to be a cute YA. I believe it should be marketed as a NA because there were adult themes, and detailed sex. The timing of the sex scene was actually quite questionable and it's quality was hard to believe. The leads had this strong physical attraction that inspired some great chemistry, yes, but they never really verbally got to know each other.. so it wasn't realistic that they were promising forever. I neither liked or disliked the characters, they were all pretty cookie cutter.
I wouldn't shove this book in anyone's face but if you fancy picking it up it's not too bad.
(ARC kindly received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
March 15, 2019
You guys! Samantha Armstrong has another romance coming! :O
I was lucky to read an early copy (author perks!). ❤︎ If you swooned over Maddy & Kingsley from her debut novel, Stolen Songs, you are going to fall in love with Mall & Troy.
I Spy the Boy Next Door is an adorable and entertaining high school romance (with some mature content), all told in the POV of a quirky heroine who may or may not be a tad obsessed with the mysterious boy next door. ;) However, all is not as it seems for the unsuspecting Mall (nor for her mystery boy), so be ready for some twists and turns, along with a small dose of suspense.
I've been reading a lot of darker stuff lately (be still my heart) and this was the perfect breather. Highly recommend if you're looking for a lighter read, with great chemistry, that still keeps you on your toes and makes you smile when you close it.
I was lucky to read an early copy (author perks!). ❤︎ If you swooned over Maddy & Kingsley from her debut novel, Stolen Songs, you are going to fall in love with Mall & Troy.
I Spy the Boy Next Door is an adorable and entertaining high school romance (with some mature content), all told in the POV of a quirky heroine who may or may not be a tad obsessed with the mysterious boy next door. ;) However, all is not as it seems for the unsuspecting Mall (nor for her mystery boy), so be ready for some twists and turns, along with a small dose of suspense.
I've been reading a lot of darker stuff lately (be still my heart) and this was the perfect breather. Highly recommend if you're looking for a lighter read, with great chemistry, that still keeps you on your toes and makes you smile when you close it.
May 16, 2023
I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
After being homeschooled all her life, Mallory goes to the public school. It's the perfect opportunity to make new friends. And to see, face to face, her hot neighbour. She has had a crush on him for years. She meets new people and she finds out painful truths.
I thought it was going to be a light book, easy to read. And I couldn't have been more wrong. I'm not going to spoil it for the readers, because one of the best things about this story is that the events are unexpected.
But, give it a try. You won't regret it!
After being homeschooled all her life, Mallory goes to the public school. It's the perfect opportunity to make new friends. And to see, face to face, her hot neighbour. She has had a crush on him for years. She meets new people and she finds out painful truths.
I thought it was going to be a light book, easy to read. And I couldn't have been more wrong. I'm not going to spoil it for the readers, because one of the best things about this story is that the events are unexpected.
But, give it a try. You won't regret it!
May 26, 2019
I received an ARC from the publisher, Koru House Press, in exchange for an honest review.
Four p.m. spy sessions are the highlight of Mallory Taylor’s day. Observing the boy next door—one with a body and an attitude to match—has her perched beside her window so often it can't be healthy. When she finally convinces her mom to let her go to public school, Mallory comes face to face with her neighbor, Troy Parker. And he makes it clear he wants nothing to do with her. His rejection awakens a newfound tenacity and maybe even a touch of recklessness. But when Troy starts to show up when she needs him the most, Mallory can’t help but wonder if there’s more to him than he’s let on. Taking chances, breaking rules, and following her heart is all new to Mallory. And no one warned her just how fickle hearts can be. When she discovers that Troy isn’t at all the guy she imagined him to be, secrets rise to the surface that will change her life forever.
I Spy the Boy Next Door by Samantha Armstrong sounded like it could be a fun YA contemporary, but overall it was just filled for too many cheesy cliches for my tastes. I mean, the whole incredibly naive girl who has minimal social skills paired up with the stereotypical bad boy - tattoos, motorcycle, underground boxing ring, the whole nine yards. Seriously. Also, they're next door neighbors but they haven't spoken in five years - instead she's been spying on him. She really knows next to nothing, maybe even less than that, about him. I don't know about you, but the spying thing got a bit creepy - that's not to mention the sneaking into bedrooms business. Anyway, this novel just wasn't quite for me. Maybe if I were younger or more romantically inclined? The only part that found myself really interested in was that pretty big plot twist about the bad boy neighbor and his family - gotta say I wasn't inspecting that. If only it didn't come so far out of left field and wasn't as rushed.
Overall, I Spy the Boy Next Door just wasn't quite in my wheelhouse even though I thought it may have been. If you're a fan of light YA contemporary romance that's packed with cheese and stereotypes, you may end up liking this novel more than I did. Thanks anyway to the publisher for the opportunity.
Four p.m. spy sessions are the highlight of Mallory Taylor’s day. Observing the boy next door—one with a body and an attitude to match—has her perched beside her window so often it can't be healthy. When she finally convinces her mom to let her go to public school, Mallory comes face to face with her neighbor, Troy Parker. And he makes it clear he wants nothing to do with her. His rejection awakens a newfound tenacity and maybe even a touch of recklessness. But when Troy starts to show up when she needs him the most, Mallory can’t help but wonder if there’s more to him than he’s let on. Taking chances, breaking rules, and following her heart is all new to Mallory. And no one warned her just how fickle hearts can be. When she discovers that Troy isn’t at all the guy she imagined him to be, secrets rise to the surface that will change her life forever.
I Spy the Boy Next Door by Samantha Armstrong sounded like it could be a fun YA contemporary, but overall it was just filled for too many cheesy cliches for my tastes. I mean, the whole incredibly naive girl who has minimal social skills paired up with the stereotypical bad boy - tattoos, motorcycle, underground boxing ring, the whole nine yards. Seriously. Also, they're next door neighbors but they haven't spoken in five years - instead she's been spying on him. She really knows next to nothing, maybe even less than that, about him. I don't know about you, but the spying thing got a bit creepy - that's not to mention the sneaking into bedrooms business. Anyway, this novel just wasn't quite for me. Maybe if I were younger or more romantically inclined? The only part that found myself really interested in was that pretty big plot twist about the bad boy neighbor and his family - gotta say I wasn't inspecting that. If only it didn't come so far out of left field and wasn't as rushed.
Overall, I Spy the Boy Next Door just wasn't quite in my wheelhouse even though I thought it may have been. If you're a fan of light YA contemporary romance that's packed with cheese and stereotypes, you may end up liking this novel more than I did. Thanks anyway to the publisher for the opportunity.
March 27, 2019
This book is about a senior in high school—Mallory Taylor—who has been infatuated with her next door neighbor for some time. This story takes off when Mallory is able to enroll in the local public school for her senior year while also realizing there are more secrets to her next-door crush than she thought.
I have very mixed feelings on this book. I don’t think this was the type of book that makes me super crazy and happy like some other ones do. I was interested in the beginning but it fell off pretty quickly for me. It was full of cliches and scenes that I don’t particularly find cute.
I was uncomfortable with the whole “spying” thing and I know, I’ve seen the title but I didn’t think it would be like this. The whole “I’m going to stalk you and until you like me” on BOTH ends didn’t sit well with me especially one scene where it’s supposed to be romantic when he sneaks into her room while she’s sleeping after having talked to each other like....twice?? I'm not usually one to be bothered by things like this but I'm for sure not a fan of the "creepy crush" that goes around once in a while. Don’t romanticize that type of behavior please :,) I admit I used to read books like this when I was 15 and thought it was so cute but now at 19, I know how inappropriate and terrifying that would actually be.
I think that the dark themes in this story could've been handled a lot better than they were and that's the main reason I'm giving this the rating that I did.
Overall, I'm pretty disappointed because I really was curious about this one. Maybe this one just wasn't meant for me.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via Netgalley <3 Thank you!
I have very mixed feelings on this book. I don’t think this was the type of book that makes me super crazy and happy like some other ones do. I was interested in the beginning but it fell off pretty quickly for me. It was full of cliches and scenes that I don’t particularly find cute.
I was uncomfortable with the whole “spying” thing and I know, I’ve seen the title but I didn’t think it would be like this. The whole “I’m going to stalk you and until you like me” on BOTH ends didn’t sit well with me especially one scene where it’s supposed to be romantic when he sneaks into her room while she’s sleeping after having talked to each other like....twice?? I'm not usually one to be bothered by things like this but I'm for sure not a fan of the "creepy crush" that goes around once in a while. Don’t romanticize that type of behavior please :,) I admit I used to read books like this when I was 15 and thought it was so cute but now at 19, I know how inappropriate and terrifying that would actually be.
I think that the dark themes in this story could've been handled a lot better than they were and that's the main reason I'm giving this the rating that I did.
Overall, I'm pretty disappointed because I really was curious about this one. Maybe this one just wasn't meant for me.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via Netgalley <3 Thank you!
August 31, 2019
Wow when I chose to read this book I expected it to be full of fluff but I absolutely enjoyed it. Girl spies on boy, girl is home schooled convinces her parents to let her go to public school. Boy sees girl. Sure the first half of the book was full of fluff and hate, but not really, to love. The second half though there are some amazing plot twists. I loved it!!!
March 31, 2019
A bit cliche with bad boy and virgin but hey sometimes it is nice to read something easy. This one had some mystery thrown in too.
June 19, 2019
I Spy The Boy Next Door was not what I was expecting.
I read the book in one sitting, so obviously, I still really enjoyed the story.
Mallory, the MC, finally escapes homeschooling to attend her senior year in high school.
Which, of course, the hot, bad boy next door attends. Awkward moments ensure.
The book starts as a cute, boy meets girl romance && then PLOT TWIST!!
Obviously, being the 'bad boy', Troy was hiding something. But I really wasn't expecting the book to go the way it did.
The characters have a few unrealistic occurrences that can only happen in books && movies.
This was still an enjoyable, fun read.
I read the book in one sitting, so obviously, I still really enjoyed the story.
Mallory, the MC, finally escapes homeschooling to attend her senior year in high school.
Which, of course, the hot, bad boy next door attends. Awkward moments ensure.
The book starts as a cute, boy meets girl romance && then PLOT TWIST!!
Obviously, being the 'bad boy', Troy was hiding something. But I really wasn't expecting the book to go the way it did.
The characters have a few unrealistic occurrences that can only happen in books && movies.
This was still an enjoyable, fun read.
July 28, 2019
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
This book was so surprising. I'll admit that when I requested it on NetGalley, it was more of a cover lust request, and I wasn't entirely sure what it was about, but I felt it would be a cute contemporary read, but in reality, it was so much more! Mallory's parents have always been overprotected, and home-schooled her for as long as she can remember, but now she's managed to convince them to let her attend public school. Another selling point, at least for her, is that finally she'll be able to speak to her hot neighbour, Troy, who she's been spying on for the last 5 years. However, Troy doesn't seem to have any interest in getting to know her. Mallory isn't one to give up, however, and her persistence leads her to learn that there are other things at play, and Troy's main reason for not wanting to know her is because he's become resentful for her being the reason he had to move - but neither of them really know why that is. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and soon they fall for each other. I felt like their relationship was real, but neither character really held my attention too much, until we got towards the end, and the true backstory and history was revealed. There we got to see just why each of the main characters, and the other characters too - especially the parents - were acting the way that they were, and that pushed the book up to 4 stars. Some of the twists were expected, but the majority came out of the blue - for the most part everything was tied up, but some parts were dealt with so quickly, that I think a bit more of a lead up could've improved the book. All in all, an enjoyable and fast contemporary read.
This book was so surprising. I'll admit that when I requested it on NetGalley, it was more of a cover lust request, and I wasn't entirely sure what it was about, but I felt it would be a cute contemporary read, but in reality, it was so much more! Mallory's parents have always been overprotected, and home-schooled her for as long as she can remember, but now she's managed to convince them to let her attend public school. Another selling point, at least for her, is that finally she'll be able to speak to her hot neighbour, Troy, who she's been spying on for the last 5 years. However, Troy doesn't seem to have any interest in getting to know her. Mallory isn't one to give up, however, and her persistence leads her to learn that there are other things at play, and Troy's main reason for not wanting to know her is because he's become resentful for her being the reason he had to move - but neither of them really know why that is. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and soon they fall for each other. I felt like their relationship was real, but neither character really held my attention too much, until we got towards the end, and the true backstory and history was revealed. There we got to see just why each of the main characters, and the other characters too - especially the parents - were acting the way that they were, and that pushed the book up to 4 stars. Some of the twists were expected, but the majority came out of the blue - for the most part everything was tied up, but some parts were dealt with so quickly, that I think a bit more of a lead up could've improved the book. All in all, an enjoyable and fast contemporary read.
June 11, 2019
This was such a cute book to start with and ended up turning so serious! What an interesting plot twist and surprise!
I loved the idea of a homeschooled girl trying to get her parents to let her go to public school for one year. I thought that was a plausible and believable thing. The insta-love was a little harder to get behind, but I think it's feasible to assume that a crush was more likely until she actually started talking to him.
So much makes sense after we find out about the twist in the story, and I don't want to give anything away...so I'll just say, keep reading. It's SUCH a good story! Entertaining, some action, some romance, even some mystery!
*I received a free copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed.*
I loved the idea of a homeschooled girl trying to get her parents to let her go to public school for one year. I thought that was a plausible and believable thing. The insta-love was a little harder to get behind, but I think it's feasible to assume that a crush was more likely until she actually started talking to him.
So much makes sense after we find out about the twist in the story, and I don't want to give anything away...so I'll just say, keep reading. It's SUCH a good story! Entertaining, some action, some romance, even some mystery!
*I received a free copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed.*
Want to read
May 4, 2019I think I've just outgrown this type of young adult fiction. I Spy The Boy Next Door is filled with examples of things teenage KIDS should not be doing. These are children! I wanted to like it, but I was, unfortunately, disturbed. I'm also tired of reading cliches. The writing is okay. The plot is not to my taste. I'm the wrong audience for this one. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2019
Homeschooled Mallory watches Troy, the boy next door, until the day she meets him face-to-face at public school. From there, the story revolves around them and the interaction of their clique; it has a few cliches and a twist at the end.
I enjoyed it because although it had a few cliches, it wasn’t your typical YA romance.
I received an ARC; it did not influence my review.
I enjoyed it because although it had a few cliches, it wasn’t your typical YA romance.
I received an ARC; it did not influence my review.
March 31, 2019
Received ARC from NetGalley for Honest Review
I Give This Book A 2 Star Rating.
I am Reviewing While Reading, so please don’t mind the ‘break down’ and arrangements of some areas.
Not a Mega Grammar Nazi, but there quite a few run on sentences.
It made a little harder for me to read, cause I had to reread a bit.
No ratings here: just comments..
Romance: Stamped HEA for sure, but they just seemed thrown together to make a book.
Smexiness: Minuscule Smexy Scenes and Fans of ‘Next Day’, sure will sure be happy with this book. I on the other hand was just bored.
Drama: Honestly? It was so WAY WAY over the top, that I think Holly Wood Filmmakers would say this isn’t even possible.
I’ve read reviews that said she was a stalker and it was based around a high school setting, that’s what got me into trying out this book, I Love Young Adult Stalker Books.
But I personally don’t see any sign of legit Stalking here.
It’s just a girl infatuated with a boy, and she watches him From Her Own Window at a specific time each day.
She literally doesn’t go anywhere till she enters high school which is 5 years later when she’s almost 18. Then she goes to a fight to see him in action, and a party. big whoop.
But would I call it stalking here? No.
I’ve read enough Dark Stalker books, to know this Girl’s supposed ‘Stalking’ abilities isn’t even good enough to be a blip on the ‘Amateur Stalker’ radar. Heck she can’t even represent the Definition of ‘Stalker’!LOL
Stalking takes dedication, for example: she would follow him wherever he goes, enter his house when he’s there or not and not get caught, hack his equipment maybe, know his people but they don’t know you, maybe copy his habits and time them perfectly with his, take pics or video him.
She literally has done NONE OF THESE!
So a ‘Stalker’ she is not.
I believe some readers might have DNF’d this and twisted what happened in this book, You kind of understand what Troy was doing in the aspect of socializing with Mallory, but to see some classify him as a Stalker too? You are SADLY mistaken peeps, his reasoning though odd helps you understand.
Dislikes: The weird coincidences and timings, stuff always seems to happen with Mallory especially ever since she started school, what a constant convenient stream of bad luck: Almost smashes her face on the floor, Blacks Out at a Party, Gets Severely Hungover and misses school, gets sick and misses school, and then injures her ankle...and that’s just a few.
You’d think she was cursed or something.
There is No Depth in any of the characters, even the main ones, nor is there a real sense of a time flow in this book either.
And let’s add bullying that had absolutely no reason to be here, two pieces of crappy written papers and let’s label that as excessive bullying.
Wow just wow.
I’ve experienced bullying and it’s scaring, but what Mal ‘experiences’ it’s the Cake Walk of supposed ‘bullying’.
And This girl literally starts school near the end of the year and this chick misses a boat load of days! Wouldn’t the school..oh I don’t know...make a freaking big deal about this?!
I didn’t actually feel an actual honest to goodness connection between Troy & Molly, it just seemed like the Author said “I need to make a new book so...well let’s see here...we have a stereotypical boxer bad boy, let’s make this pair neighbors, his love interest is a stereotypical homeschooled homebody. Yes...lets sprinkle some ridiculous drama and dump eye rolling ‘shocking’ B.S. surprise dramas all the way to the end that didn’t need to be in here, and stamp it with an HEA to seal the deal”.
Mallory is Homeschooled, I’ll say again HOMEschooled.
True she’s Not ‘imprisoned’, but her mother is somewhat described as what you call a ‘helicopter parent’.
So I’ll let her Years of Obsessing her Mysterious Neighbor slide, ya gotta fixate on something to keep you occupied.
But I gotta say when things don’t go her way immediately, suddenly she throws a hissy and wants to gives up when he doesn’t outright talk to her in full convo?
Good lord *eyes rolls* true stalkers don’t give up that easily Lol
She does have her Pen-Pal friend Nicole, who she does socialize with via messaging on computer frequently.
Some people I saw didn’t understand her mindset and I wondered why....well while reading, I too was kinda thrown as well at how as soon as she enters her high school, she’s freaking brainless in very important situations.
I mean Some things should’ve been common sense: Mallory at her age nearly 18, she should’ve been given a phone, didn’t need to be fancy but with her going to public school and her mother being hovering and afraid of being kidnapped, would’ve you want to communicate with your kid? Well at least she gets one way later in the book at least...
Don’t be reckless or try to Preen with the first person or people your trying to friend, you literally don’t know them yet.
And when at a Party Don’t give your cup to someone and on top of that don’t drink alcohol when you’ve never had it, and especially not when your friends are Not nearby.
I mean she says she’s read a lot of romances, but if you look at the stuff I listed that she has done above, clearly from the books she has read she has absolutely learned nothing from them.
I’m not used to a main character becoming so naive and pitiful so quickly.
Troy climbing into her room:
It was cute the first 3 times, but he does it several times...and i was just bored.
And I don’t know how I feel when an author plugs in another authors book via use of a characters name, and ironically even though Christian Grey was mentioned first (it’s so famous it doesn’t count).
I’m actually centering on Travis Maddox, I know quite a few people might not know who he ‘is’, he is a character in another series but it is not written by this author.
I’m just not a fan of him being thrown in here, cause the author might unintentionally end up leading readers to immediately start comparing the books.
Because MMA is used in that book, then in here also.
Plus why do both Travis & Troy share the same first two letters, supposedly look alike, and the here and there similarities in their books?
Color me Skeptical, is all I’m sayin.
Would I read this author again, I’ll pass.
I Give This Book A 2 Star Rating.
I am Reviewing While Reading, so please don’t mind the ‘break down’ and arrangements of some areas.
Not a Mega Grammar Nazi, but there quite a few run on sentences.
It made a little harder for me to read, cause I had to reread a bit.
No ratings here: just comments..
Romance: Stamped HEA for sure, but they just seemed thrown together to make a book.
Smexiness: Minuscule Smexy Scenes and Fans of ‘Next Day’, sure will sure be happy with this book. I on the other hand was just bored.
Drama: Honestly? It was so WAY WAY over the top, that I think Holly Wood Filmmakers would say this isn’t even possible.
I’ve read reviews that said she was a stalker and it was based around a high school setting, that’s what got me into trying out this book, I Love Young Adult Stalker Books.
But I personally don’t see any sign of legit Stalking here.
It’s just a girl infatuated with a boy, and she watches him From Her Own Window at a specific time each day.
She literally doesn’t go anywhere till she enters high school which is 5 years later when she’s almost 18. Then she goes to a fight to see him in action, and a party. big whoop.
But would I call it stalking here? No.
I’ve read enough Dark Stalker books, to know this Girl’s supposed ‘Stalking’ abilities isn’t even good enough to be a blip on the ‘Amateur Stalker’ radar. Heck she can’t even represent the Definition of ‘Stalker’!LOL
Stalking takes dedication, for example: she would follow him wherever he goes, enter his house when he’s there or not and not get caught, hack his equipment maybe, know his people but they don’t know you, maybe copy his habits and time them perfectly with his, take pics or video him.
She literally has done NONE OF THESE!
So a ‘Stalker’ she is not.
I believe some readers might have DNF’d this and twisted what happened in this book, You kind of understand what Troy was doing in the aspect of socializing with Mallory, but to see some classify him as a Stalker too? You are SADLY mistaken peeps, his reasoning though odd helps you understand.
Dislikes: The weird coincidences and timings, stuff always seems to happen with Mallory especially ever since she started school, what a constant convenient stream of bad luck: Almost smashes her face on the floor, Blacks Out at a Party, Gets Severely Hungover and misses school, gets sick and misses school, and then injures her ankle...and that’s just a few.
You’d think she was cursed or something.
There is No Depth in any of the characters, even the main ones, nor is there a real sense of a time flow in this book either.
And let’s add bullying that had absolutely no reason to be here, two pieces of crappy written papers and let’s label that as excessive bullying.
Wow just wow.
I’ve experienced bullying and it’s scaring, but what Mal ‘experiences’ it’s the Cake Walk of supposed ‘bullying’.
And This girl literally starts school near the end of the year and this chick misses a boat load of days! Wouldn’t the school..oh I don’t know...make a freaking big deal about this?!
I didn’t actually feel an actual honest to goodness connection between Troy & Molly, it just seemed like the Author said “I need to make a new book so...well let’s see here...we have a stereotypical boxer bad boy, let’s make this pair neighbors, his love interest is a stereotypical homeschooled homebody. Yes...lets sprinkle some ridiculous drama and dump eye rolling ‘shocking’ B.S. surprise dramas all the way to the end that didn’t need to be in here, and stamp it with an HEA to seal the deal”.
Mallory is Homeschooled, I’ll say again HOMEschooled.
True she’s Not ‘imprisoned’, but her mother is somewhat described as what you call a ‘helicopter parent’.
So I’ll let her Years of Obsessing her Mysterious Neighbor slide, ya gotta fixate on something to keep you occupied.
But I gotta say when things don’t go her way immediately, suddenly she throws a hissy and wants to gives up when he doesn’t outright talk to her in full convo?
Good lord *eyes rolls* true stalkers don’t give up that easily Lol
She does have her Pen-Pal friend Nicole, who she does socialize with via messaging on computer frequently.
Some people I saw didn’t understand her mindset and I wondered why....well while reading, I too was kinda thrown as well at how as soon as she enters her high school, she’s freaking brainless in very important situations.
I mean Some things should’ve been common sense: Mallory at her age nearly 18, she should’ve been given a phone, didn’t need to be fancy but with her going to public school and her mother being hovering and afraid of being kidnapped, would’ve you want to communicate with your kid? Well at least she gets one way later in the book at least...
Don’t be reckless or try to Preen with the first person or people your trying to friend, you literally don’t know them yet.
And when at a Party Don’t give your cup to someone and on top of that don’t drink alcohol when you’ve never had it, and especially not when your friends are Not nearby.
I mean she says she’s read a lot of romances, but if you look at the stuff I listed that she has done above, clearly from the books she has read she has absolutely learned nothing from them.
I’m not used to a main character becoming so naive and pitiful so quickly.
Troy climbing into her room:
It was cute the first 3 times, but he does it several times...and i was just bored.
And I don’t know how I feel when an author plugs in another authors book via use of a characters name, and ironically even though Christian Grey was mentioned first (it’s so famous it doesn’t count).
I’m actually centering on Travis Maddox, I know quite a few people might not know who he ‘is’, he is a character in another series but it is not written by this author.
I’m just not a fan of him being thrown in here, cause the author might unintentionally end up leading readers to immediately start comparing the books.
Because MMA is used in that book, then in here also.
Plus why do both Travis & Troy share the same first two letters, supposedly look alike, and the here and there similarities in their books?
Color me Skeptical, is all I’m sayin.
Would I read this author again, I’ll pass.
March 27, 2019
A coming-of-age story about a home-schooled teen coping with anxiety attacks and the boy next door she is inexplicably drawn to. The slow burn romance has a definite twist to the ending that I did not see coming until about 60 percent into the book, especially as this started off as a cutesy YA romance!
Mallory and Troy meet first at age 12. She smiles. He scowls. She thinks its because her dog deflated his ball that sailed over the fence between their homes. They never speak again. For the next five years, Mallory watches from her window every day as Troy runs down the street revealing sculpted abs and tattoos when he tears off his shirt. This she reports back to her pen pal Nic through an online chat.
I have to admit, if I lived next door to Troy, I'd probably be spying on him, too! But, his personality would probably kill the attraction. He's so broody. Ugh. And, yet, Mallory's attraction intensifies as she gets to know him and he starts to let down his walls. While things heat up with Troy (code for lots of touchy feely!), Mallory also develops new friendships and self-admittedly becomes less "judgey" of people she didn't really know.
With all the blushing encounters between Mallory and Troy, it threw me for a loop when a murder occurs which unleashes an avalanche of memories for Mallory. All the secrets start to unravel at this point, including secrets that Troy himself has kept from Mallory. As the reader, I gotta say it was a lot to take in, but it kept the story from being overly predictable and overall it was a quite satisfying ending!
Thank you to #NetGalley for the advance reader copy of #ISpytheBoyNextDoor!
Mallory and Troy meet first at age 12. She smiles. He scowls. She thinks its because her dog deflated his ball that sailed over the fence between their homes. They never speak again. For the next five years, Mallory watches from her window every day as Troy runs down the street revealing sculpted abs and tattoos when he tears off his shirt. This she reports back to her pen pal Nic through an online chat.
I have to admit, if I lived next door to Troy, I'd probably be spying on him, too! But, his personality would probably kill the attraction. He's so broody. Ugh. And, yet, Mallory's attraction intensifies as she gets to know him and he starts to let down his walls. While things heat up with Troy (code for lots of touchy feely!), Mallory also develops new friendships and self-admittedly becomes less "judgey" of people she didn't really know.
With all the blushing encounters between Mallory and Troy, it threw me for a loop when a murder occurs which unleashes an avalanche of memories for Mallory. All the secrets start to unravel at this point, including secrets that Troy himself has kept from Mallory. As the reader, I gotta say it was a lot to take in, but it kept the story from being overly predictable and overall it was a quite satisfying ending!
Thank you to #NetGalley for the advance reader copy of #ISpytheBoyNextDoor!
April 10, 2019
So this book is about Mallory. She's almost 18, has been homeschooled all of her life and has a huge crush on her neighbor, Troy Parker. She even spies on him and knows his routine by heart.
I first thought this book would be ''fluffy'' and about a weird girl having some fetishistic and obsessive tendencies. And it was - at first.
Then.... it got... deeper I guess ? I so did not expect the story to take that turn. Really didn't.
I don't know why, but this book gave me some major Twilight meets Lux vibes, but without the supernatural part.
Like, Mal is a mix between Bella (cause she's so clumsy and... strange) and Edward (for the stalker/voyeur tendencies). And if Edward, Daemon Black and Jacob could have a baby, it would definitely be Troy. First of all, he's really hot. And he's a jerk. He has mood swings. He has a motorcycle and tattoos. Sometimes goes to school. Oh, and he has the bad habit of sneaking into Mal's bedroom at night.
Anyways, I spy the boy next door was full of clichés (like f u l l ) and had some plot holes but I liked it.
3.5 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I first thought this book would be ''fluffy'' and about a weird girl having some fetishistic and obsessive tendencies. And it was - at first.
Then.... it got... deeper I guess ? I so did not expect the story to take that turn. Really didn't.
I don't know why, but this book gave me some major Twilight meets Lux vibes, but without the supernatural part.
Like, Mal is a mix between Bella (cause she's so clumsy and... strange) and Edward (for the stalker/voyeur tendencies). And if Edward, Daemon Black and Jacob could have a baby, it would definitely be Troy. First of all, he's really hot. And he's a jerk. He has mood swings. He has a motorcycle and tattoos. Sometimes goes to school. Oh, and he has the bad habit of sneaking into Mal's bedroom at night.
Anyways, I spy the boy next door was full of clichés (like f u l l ) and had some plot holes but I liked it.
3.5 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 6, 2019
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute read and it had a fun twist that I enjoyed. Mallory has been home schooled her entire life, but now she's a senior and wants to try public school. She makes some cute friends, Evie and Jamie, the first day who introduce her to the teenage things she's been missing. Going to parties, getting drunk, and flirting with cute boys are all new to Mal, especially the attention she gets from her neighbor. This played out well and I had fun seeing their relationship develop and Mal get more independent. There was also a twist that gave some action and drama to the story which rounded it out. Enjoyable read!
This was a cute read and it had a fun twist that I enjoyed. Mallory has been home schooled her entire life, but now she's a senior and wants to try public school. She makes some cute friends, Evie and Jamie, the first day who introduce her to the teenage things she's been missing. Going to parties, getting drunk, and flirting with cute boys are all new to Mal, especially the attention she gets from her neighbor. This played out well and I had fun seeing their relationship develop and Mal get more independent. There was also a twist that gave some action and drama to the story which rounded it out. Enjoyable read!
June 21, 2019
I received a copy of this via Netgalley for an honest review.
This book is so much more than I had expected! I love going into a book blind and being completely blown away. I started this last night around 8pm and it is now 4pm the next day and I have completed the book. Thank you Samantha Armstrong, thank you so much for writing this story and including a little Travis Maddox Easter Eggs. Cant wait to read anything and everything written by this author :)
This book is so much more than I had expected! I love going into a book blind and being completely blown away. I started this last night around 8pm and it is now 4pm the next day and I have completed the book. Thank you Samantha Armstrong, thank you so much for writing this story and including a little Travis Maddox Easter Eggs. Cant wait to read anything and everything written by this author :)
April 13, 2019
This book was full of typical YA cliches, but also had some admirable originality. The plot had some very wild twists and turns, and I enjoyed the darker elements not often found in "fluff" literature. I personally did not like the main character very much, which made it difficult to get into the story.
ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2019
I Spy the Boy Next Door was an easy, enjoyable read, if a bit over the top. The main female character, Mallory has been homeschooled but wants to go to the public high school for her senior year. She's been crushing on the boy next door, Troy but has only interacted with him when his ball came over the fence and she gave it back to him. They've never talked or even seen each other in person except then. At school, Mallory runs into Troy and he acts like he's mad to see her. He grabs her arm and asks her what she's doing there. They don't even really know each other but, suddenly, he's everywhere. He's a 'bad boy', of course, with tattoos and a motorcycle. He even boxes in an underground boxing ring. His dad is always gone, leaving him home alone for weeks at a time. This is explained later in the story but it still was a bit unrealistic. There's some mystery to the story, which I liked, and the ending was satisfying but I really had to stop rolling my eyes and just enjoy the book through most of it.
I received an advance review copy through BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy through BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 3, 2019
It was light hearted and the surprising twist was unexpected by me. The book is enjoyable and the characters are charming.
March 23, 2019
I’m so excited I got to read this book! I’m a sucker for a classic YA - girl has a crush on boy, meets boy and they fall in love, but something is in their way. BUT! This book had something extra thrown in - a twist that I did not guess AT ALL. Seriously, y’all. I did NOT see that one coming and it was so crazy and so perfect.
I will say that there were some sections with sex that I was not really expecting. It didn’t bother me, but I also wasn’t expecting as much detail as there was.
I will say that there were some sections with sex that I was not really expecting. It didn’t bother me, but I also wasn’t expecting as much detail as there was.
May 16, 2020
I Spy The Boy Next Door is a novel that combines elements of YA/NA into one. While I was reading, the book definitely had elements of each genre, and so I'm not sure how it's being marketed, but it definitely had a level of sexually-explicit detail that I see more in NA than YA. That being said, I usually enjoy both genres, however, there were aspects of I Spy The Boy Next Door I liked, and aspects I found harder to enjoy.
I think the strongest parts of this book are the relationships Mallory has with her friends; Evie, Jamie and Kaitlyn - to be honest, the scenes involving these characters were the most engaging for me. I think it was because they made Mal seem a lot more real, and as a character that existed outside of the context of the story. I would have loved more of this in the book.
A lot of the time, I found the plot and some main characters jarring, hard as I tried to enjoy it for what it was. In particular, her relationship with Troy Parker felt forced, and not as easy-going as it was with her other friends. I sort of wish the plot moved in a way that incorporated Troy and the later plot developments better, perhaps earlier, as I found the way their relationship changed so suddenly from obsession to love, somewhat difficult.
I think this book was ambitious and tried to do a lot of things at once. It could have been great with a better focus from the outset; sometimes simpler is better. I found the book harder to enjoy I think because there was a lack of clarity about what the book was trying to do/achieve/demonstrate through the plot, especially toward the end. We suddenly moved into some plot development that I felt came out of nowhere and could have been better foreshadowed with clearer direction in the plot.
I enjoyed the beginning of the book and in particular Mal attending school and making new friends. I liked the incorporation of her issues with anxiety into Mal's character - I just wish the execution of the novel was clearer.
2.5/5 rounded up to 3 for reviewing purposes.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To read more reviews, head to my blog
I think the strongest parts of this book are the relationships Mallory has with her friends; Evie, Jamie and Kaitlyn - to be honest, the scenes involving these characters were the most engaging for me. I think it was because they made Mal seem a lot more real, and as a character that existed outside of the context of the story. I would have loved more of this in the book.
A lot of the time, I found the plot and some main characters jarring, hard as I tried to enjoy it for what it was. In particular, her relationship with Troy Parker felt forced, and not as easy-going as it was with her other friends. I sort of wish the plot moved in a way that incorporated Troy and the later plot developments better, perhaps earlier, as I found the way their relationship changed so suddenly from obsession to love, somewhat difficult.
I think this book was ambitious and tried to do a lot of things at once. It could have been great with a better focus from the outset; sometimes simpler is better. I found the book harder to enjoy I think because there was a lack of clarity about what the book was trying to do/achieve/demonstrate through the plot, especially toward the end. We suddenly moved into some plot development that I felt came out of nowhere and could have been better foreshadowed with clearer direction in the plot.
I enjoyed the beginning of the book and in particular Mal attending school and making new friends. I liked the incorporation of her issues with anxiety into Mal's character - I just wish the execution of the novel was clearer.
2.5/5 rounded up to 3 for reviewing purposes.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To read more reviews, head to my blog
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