How to Not Fall in Love

by Meg Easton

When four women move into an inn that they use as a big apartment and make a pact to not fall in love, things don’t go exactly as planned. Often hilariously so. Hang out with these roommates-turned-best-friends—women that you’ll wish were your own roomies—as they each find love and their own happily ever afters in this sweet and humorous series.

How to Not Fall for the Guy Next Door
How to Not Fall for the Wrong Guy
How to Not Fall for Your Best Friend
How to Not Fall for Your Ex

Genres: Romance

773 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2021

About the author

Meg Easton is the USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romances and romantic comedies with fun, memorable, swoon-worthy characters, and settings you’ll want to pack up and move to. She lives at the foot of a mountain with her name on it (or at least one letter of her name) in Utah. She loves gardening, bike riding, baking, swimming before the sun rises, and spending time with her husband and three kids.

Reviews

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved reading this series! This group of roommates and friends were so much fun to get to know more and more with each book I read. I love when I read about a group of characters and want to continue to see all of them and the author includes them in many scenes throughout the following books. The way they all come together to help each other was great. I loved how they didn't know each other prior to moving in together but they found ways to create good relationships and they were true friends.

The sweet love stories of each book were great bonuses to the roommate friendship aspect of the book. I loved them all! I can't wait to see what this author has in store for us next!


~How to Not Fall for the Guy Next Door~ 5* ~
Read my review here.

~How to Not Fall for the Wrong Guy~ 5* ~
Read my review here.

~How to Not Fall for Your Best Friend~ 5* ~
Read my review here.

~How to Not Fall for Your Ex~
Review to Come

Content: All stories are sweet and clean. See individual reviews for more details.

I purchased my own copy of the boxset.

Happy Reading!!!

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Not Fall for the Guy Next Door****
Clean, humorous second chance story. I like Addison, she's strong and courageous despite of her relocation and huge career changes. Ian is a great character as well, very compassionate and romantic. I really wish he had been a bit more brave and less indecisive about his relationship status considering their history. Addison is an open book emotionally, he's the exact opposite. Enjoyed reading how they attempt to rekindle their friendship and reconsider the definition of rebound.
How to Not Fall for the Wrong Guy*****
This provides all the warm unexpected feelings of new love interest, the emotional frustration as they fumble to work on things and the sweet as peach cobbler happy ending. This couple is very well matched, challenge and support one another to put their best foot forward. She has a great group of supportive family and friends. Once I started reading, I was instantly hooked and couldn't stop but reading this fun, feel good, clean romance was well worth the late night. Absolutely love it and already read it twice.
How to Not Fall for Your Best Friend****
Sweet, clean and romantic story. The dating competition is hilarious and Peyton is a bit comical as well. In the midst of all the fun they juggle some serious perceptions and doubts as their friend zone boundaries stretch beyond their limits. Very likeable couple surrounded by a very supporting family and friends. They are not perfect but they are definitely perfect for each other. Super romantic ending.
How to Not Fall for Your Ex*****
Great characters. Jackson & Timini get their second chance and it was such a pleasure to read. I love how they were reintroduced to one another and his romantic, compassionate nature and tenacity. Timini is independent and strong-willed so even though they are older now, they still have a few clashing personality traits/expectations to iron out. Lovely story will humorous and fun moments which I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whole series was just darling! Hard to pick a favorite out of the lot.

Clean

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. How to Not Fall for the Guy Next Door
Reader’s Notes:

– we hear from both Addison and Ian’s perspectives

– both characters just got out of a relationship a bit before the main events in the story, and Addi worries a lot about accidentally starting a rebound relationship

Review:

Addison is willed her passed aunt’s inn. Though at first she doesn’t know what to do with it, she knows this would be a great place for a fresh start. Especially since the inn and surrounding area are full of wonderful memories of past summers with her aunt. What she doesn’t expect is one other part of her childhood summers, Ian. The boy she had a childhood crush on and still thinks about from time to time. And now, he’s her next-door neighbor.

Ian bought his grandmother’s house a little over a year before to help her out after his grandfather passed. He always loved spending time with his grandparents one month each summer, and with the girl who visited her aunt next door. But the last time he saw Addi, she handed him a gift, gave him a quick kiss, and ran to her aunt’s car. She didn’t come back the next summer nor any summer after that. So he is surprised when he realizes that she is back and now living next-door. He wonders if maybe he’ll finally get to ask the burning questions he had as a boy about that last encounter with her. But at the same time, he isn’t sure if he wants to pursue the answers with his heart already toeing the line of wanting a relationship with Addi. Not just after leaving the relationship he had that seemed to be heading towards marriage.

With thoughtful roomies (Addi figured out what to do with the inn!), a matchmaking grandmother, and secretive kids to babysit this was an awesome adventure! Watching both characters realize what was wrong with their past relationships, battling fears, and standing up for their love ❤️

And then that cute epilogue! What a great segue to show what happens past the last chapter and gives us an insight into the next book 👀

2. How to Not Fall for the Wrong Guy
Reader’s Notes:

– This is book 2 of a series; you don’t necessarily need to read the first one to understand this one, but it is more enjoyable that way!

– This is told from both Bex and Roman’s perspectives

Review:

I loved all the interviews and dates with Bex and Roman. For one reason or another, something either went funnily wrong or a moment would be interrupted. 😂

Bex is a YouTube star with a channel featuring random fun videos of her, her sisters, and her friends. Her channel helps people to relax and get a rest from the real world for a bit. This year she is in the running for an award and wants to do something to set her a step above before voting time. So she lets her fans vote on someone for her to interview on her channel, and things are looking promising until they vote for someone that Bex doesn’t want to see again.

Roman is an app developer who is about to release a brand new app. In preparation for the release, he agrees to an interview with a magazine. And immediately regrets it. He thought the article would focus on his app, not him as well. But Roman’s social media manager thinks it is a great way to promote the app and she tries to convince him to do an interview with Bex with all the votes that are on him due to the article.

After a bit of push and pull on both Bex and Roman’s ends, they finally agree to do a four part interview together. And despite a rough start, neither back out of the interviews. With all this time together and digging deeper into each other’s thoughts on things, they begin to fall for one another. But when their thoughts and the loudest voices in their lives get louder, will they be willing to fight for their love?

3. How to Not Fall for Your Best Friend
Reader’s Notes:

-this is book 3 of a series, but you do not need to read the others to understand this one

-this is told from both Peyton and Max’s points of view

Review:

I love this funny romcom! I liked that Peyton’s roommates pushed for Peyton to invite Max to be her competitor in getting as many dates as they can within seven days so they could pick someone to be their date to an upcoming wedding. They all knew that Max had to be feeling the same as Peyton and that this could push him into telling her how he felt so they could both be happy. And both Peyton and Max were so supportive of each other, had inside games (the game where they voiceover people they see), and knew so much about one another.

Peyton and Max are really close friends who have both thought of each other as more but not acted on their feelings for various reasons. But after a scare from Peyton’s father, she is determined to find someone that she’d be happy to be married to, and hopefully get over Max in the process. So she and her roommates decide that she should date as many people as she can in a week and pick the one she likes best to accompany her to an upcoming wedding. Then she can go from there. And to make it better, it should be a competition with someone. So Peyton convinces Max to join her.

Max regrets ever telling Peyton that he loved her like a sister. Now he has to hear from her about all these dates she’s went on due to their competition. But he while he hopes these dates will help him to let go of Peyton, Max finds that it isn’t so simple.

When he’s given the chance to let Peyton know how he feels, will he take it? Or will he push her away once again?

4. How to Not Fall for Your Ex
Reader’s Notes:

– this is the last of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone

– this is told from Timini & Jackson’s points of view

Review:

It only took me forever to finally start reading the last book to this series (I really didn’t want to leave these spunky ladies! 😂😅🥺) but I’ve finally done it! Timini is a whirlwind of tasks and mishaps and I loved every second of seeing her grow as an entrepreneur and a person throughout this story! Jackson was such a sweetheart (when he didn’t let his fears get in the way). I loved that even before they really knew each other, Jackson looked to show Timini how much he paid attention to what she said and how she might need help in some areas (like remembering to eat while doing a big project). I also loved that despite everything that came up, Timini chose to forgive Jackson and tried to make things work with him, even though it meant risking her heart once again. Some of my favorite scenes included: Jackson getting help from his sister to set up his dating profile, Timini & Jackson’s digital ‘date’ with the rest of the roommates, meeting Timini’s family (and her nieces/nephews), and the rooftop scene. 😍

Timini hasn’t had much luck in finding a good guy to date. She tends to lean towards the pretty ones that don’t last long. So when her friend’s husband creates a dating app that doesn’t have any pictures to view, Timini thinks about joining. Even though she isn’t sure that she wants a relationship that could end up being serious.

Jackson is done having people fawn over him in order to get something from him. Whether it be because of his wealth or his status in a large company, Jackson doesn’t like it when people change their intentions after finding out either fact. He wishes there was a way to meet someone who wants to get to know him as a person and not be looking towards what he could do for them. Luckily, someone he knows recently released a dating app that just might help him with this desire.

Both Timini and Jackson are shocked to find someone they really connect with on the app. They can’t stop waiting for another message from their top match, but neither of them realize that they actually know each other. In fact, they even used to date. Until everything went downhill…

Will Timini and Jackson want to reconcile their past hurts to find a future together once more?

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read each of these books and loved them!

How Not to Fall for the Guy Next Door

This type of book is my very favorite kind! I love the light feel, the comedy, and the romance! And Meg Easton is great at writing characters.

Addison is such a fun character. I loved the way she was trying to start over with life. New job, new place to live, no boyfriend. Only her past was always just around the corner, in Ian. And she was always embarrassing herself in front of him. My favorite scene involves a whole shelf of deodorant. So funny!

And the reader gets to see what’s going on with Ian as well. He’s the kind of guy that you’d want to date. He goes out of his way to help everyone around him. His relationship with his grandma was so sweet.

I loved Addison’s roommates too. And I can’t wait to see them each get their own story.

How Not to Fall for the Wrong Guy

Bex was a character in the first book that I was dying to read more about. She does not disappoint! I loved her strong will and the way she always goes after what she wants. I really liked the way she figured out just what kind of guy she thinks fits her personality. And that type of guy is not Roman Powell.

Roman…I liked him. But he cared way too much about what everyone else thought. I liked how he kind of grew out of that though. The apps his company makes sounded amazing. It left me wishing there really were apps like that.

I loved the way these two characters were together. They made me laugh. And they made each other laugh. That’s pretty important in a relationship. Something they both realize, a bit too late.

How Not to Fall for Your Best Friend

This one features Peyton and Max. I loved Peyton. She’s the kind of person who is always caring about someone else. She meal plans and makes food for people as her profession. And she’s always got a story. I had to laugh at the hilarious stories she told about her job at the beginning and her dates later on in the book. She and Max have been best friends a long time. And she’s told herself that was all it ever could be. I loved how she came up with a contest to go on more dates than Max in a week. And how that ultmately brought them closer together.

Max is a great guy. I loved how he learned a lot about himself in this book. He had thought that because his parents had a terrible marriage, he would too. But during the course of the book he learned that he could trust himself to fall in love. And trust someone else with his heart. And his dates were hilarious too. I have no idea how the author came up with so many bad dates to include in this book, but they’re awesome.

How Not to Fall for Your Ex

I loved Timini! She’s the type of girl who is always late, wears high heels and coasts in to the city on fumes. And she accidentally finds her ex-boyfriend on a brand new dating app. It made me smile that he was always in trouble some way or another. She’s just really great.

Then there’s Jackson. Jackson is the type of guy who always wakes up at 6, makes his bed, works out and tries to beat his record getting ready. I loved the way he and Timini connected over texting through the dating app. They are complete opposites, but perfect for each other.

And then they meet. Timini realizes that Jackson was the guy who broke her heart. And that’s when everything falls apart.

I’m not going to tell you what happens from there, you’ll have to read it. But the journey was worth it. I loved the whole book!

This series is light, sweet romance. You need it in your life.

I was sent an e-copy of this book as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Box set! Buy this one!
I love the combination of humor and romance in this series and this second chance, friends to more book has so much of it. This is the first book in a series of four and Addison inherits an inn, and instead of running it as an inn has three roommates that all run home businesses and have all sworn not to fall in love haha.
Needless to say it doesn't work that way and Addison DOES fall for the guy next door after a series of very embarrassing moments. Cute, clean, hilarious, and I couldn't wait to read books about the other roommates. Definitely recommend.
Next book.... Two very strong take charge personalities our never make it together, or could they? The straitlaced guy she met at her roommate's wedding couldn't loosen up and be spontaneous, could he? Through some fun interviews and both of them seeing new sides of each other, they could really make a relationship work. Or could they haha? There are definitely some big obstacles, like Roman's dad, and Bex's fans...
Clean romance, fun interactions with humor and surprises (watch out for deer and memes!), as well and chemistry and roommate fun.
Wholeheartedly recommend.
After the last two books I thought we'd seen all the humor but this one throws all new situations in, like a dating competition between two best friends and later, a skunk coming into the picture.
I do love best friends to more than friends stories and there always seems to be a lot of miscommunication, but it wasn't frustrating or angsty like some stories. Maybe two people can just figure it out.
Peyton and Max are friends who can become more. Clean romance, crazy fun interactions, sweet chemistry, and I can wholeheartedly recommend reading this book. (And series!)
Fourth book... This author has a way of dropping us into the middle of action in the story so we feel involved, invested and included from the very first page. How many of us have overslept on an important morning?
We can relate to Timini right away.
We meet Jackson the opposite way. His morning seems to exactly as planned. Do opposites attract? Maybe, until they find out they actually known each other.
Sparks fly in this funny 4th book of how not tos....
Lots of humor as well as poignant memories and forgiveness. Clean romance, great chemistry, and family interactions are just right.
A great series. Highly recommend.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Not Fall for the Guy Next Door - Addison and Ian were summer childhood friends. Now they are living next door to each other many years later. Both have just ended serious relationships and while attracted to each other they do not want to be each other's rebound. Ian's grandma was so adorable and such a matchmaker. Enjoyed meeting Addison's roommates. Sometimes love does not have a set time to happen. Great ending!!!

How to Not Fall for the Wrong Guy - Bex and Roman are both career driven and romance shy. Their banter is pretty amusing. I found myself laughing out loud while reading this book. It has humor but some real life hurts and both characters IMO helped each other to grow. Of course their is some angst - what's a good story without some - but there is also a grand gesture which I loved. Loved Bex's sisters, nephew (he was awesome) and of course her roommates. Looking forward to book 3.

How to Not Fall for Your Best Friend - Peyton and Max have been best friends for 4 years. She wants a husband and family and he says he will never get married. Loved the bet and how things really start to change because of it. What happens at the end of the bet? Will they each find their perfect one? There is some angst and soul searching but in the end we get a happily ever after. Loved catching up with her roommates and their spouses as well as meeting Max's friends.

How to Not Fall for Your Ex - Timini and Jackson reconnect through a dating app. Dating in high school ended badly but can they fall for each other again and make it work? I really liked how they communicated and while mistakes were made then and now were able to talk, apologize, and listen. Great ending to the series and loved loved getting caught up with the roommates and their spouses.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guy Next Door:
I adored this book. It was a wonderful start to a new series. All of the characters were great. I loved the humor woven in. The childhood friends angle and everything that came with it was amazing. I can’t wait for the next book to come out!

Wrong Guy:
Wow. This story was incredible in so many ways. It included a lot of unique things that I don’t have much experience with including YouTubing as a job and a few apps that I wish were reality (maybe they are?!). These two characters had similar bents in life but were also so different. It was really fun watching then together - the serious times, the heartfelt times, the hilarious times, and the painful times. All in all, an incredible romance and I can’t wait to see Peyton’s story next!

Best Friend:
I loved this installment in this How to Not series! I love how much we get to see previous characters, the oodles of humorous moments, the unique storyline, the times outdoors. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I didn’t want to put it down! I cannot wait for the next book!!

Ex:
Oh wow. Hot mess alert! Lol. But seriously, my heart went out to our gal right from the get go. I love how, from the first page of Jackson, we can tell that they are obviously pretty different - a hot mess and a straight laced, scheduled down-to-the-minute businessman. I absolutely loved it. I devoured it. It's got comedy and sweetness and second chances. I'm sad to see this series come to an end, but I'm excited to see what Easton will come up with next.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Not to Fall In Love is a 4 book Romance Comedy Set. Meg Easton has written an outstanding romance series. I have read all of the books in the series and they are wonderful. Meg Easton has s way of writing characters that feel like friends. Also, Meg is way funny! I think that one reason I enjoy her books is that she is able to make everyday life and the way her characters inner act with each other realistic and funny. I can hardly put down one of Meg’s books, they are so good and clean. I received an arc for free, and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Tasha (the_clean_read_book_club) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I bought this series, I ended up reading book 2 first. Typical for me, right? Thankfully they are all written as a stand-alone, but after reading book 1 I can tell this is a series that I’m going to love being able to see these characters again and again!

The embarrassing and awkward moments in this book won me over. I have found my soul sister in Addison lol. If you are a fan of “boy next door” you need this book ASAP! Ian is just the sweetest. I loved everything about how this book developed. It was realistic, witty and swoony. If you need a cute, clean romcom to get you through the week this one has your name written all over it! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

I have really come to love Meg’s writing and heat level of her books. It’s like turning on a Hallmark movie knowing you can sit back, relax and do nothing but enjoy from start to finish!

[Samantha Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic box set! I've read all four books and thoroughly enjoyed them. They're fun, flirty, and real pageturners. Each book contains the love story of one of the female roommates. They're all linked together, though I'm sure you could read the books as stand-alone's. I'd recommend starting with book one though to get a fuller picture of all the characters as the stories are beautifully interwoven. The series epilogue at the end of the fourth book is a cherry on the top :)

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series is fantastic! I loved every book! Every couple was so fun and different. That's what makes the series great! I loved that each couple was different and had a unique situation. I would highly recommend reading each book. There is so much fun included, along with emotion. I can't pick a favorite, they were all great in their own way.

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

So great to see these books in a set
This set has four very fun, entertaining, and sweet books. Each book can be read as a standalone but they are so much more enjoyable as a set. The characters are engaging and face real problems with themselves and others. You will read about soul searching, learning to forgive and finding love where it was not expected. Do have fun and enjoy!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

These were really good romances. Several up and downs, but they were believable, not unrealistic. Loved the characters and spontaneity. I have read several of Meg Easton's books and have loved every single one.
I own most of these on their own, but did receive one from the author, but I am sharing my honest opinion. I love Meg Easton's books.

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series! Each story focuses on a different friend and it is fun to follow all of these characters through their stories! Fun, clean, sweet, Romcoms!

I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.

[Leann Arave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super cute series of roommates and their adventures in love. Each story is about a different roommate, but they all tie in together. They are sweet, clean, fun and flirty. Great Romcom series in a great box set!!

[Pam Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really cute, humorous story about roommates who become friends. And guess what they find after swearing off men. All the roommates are in the continuing story. I received ARCs of all the books in exchange for honest reviews.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are cute, clean, and funny. I enjoyed reading each roommate's story and it's fun to see how their relationships progress throughout each book. Meg Easton is a talented writer with lots of humor. If you're looking for a light hearted easy read with a good laugh this is it.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun series! Every book had me laughing out loud, and anxiously one-more-chaptering until the end. Love this author, and if you haven't tried anything from her check out this and the Nestled Hollow series!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is a group of stories that at the end of each you just have a warm happy feeling. The characters are creative, professional, compassionate and so much fun. I enjoyed these stories so much I know I will be reading them again.

[Anna (The_Reading_Pantry) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great series! I love series that contain a group of friends who all find love! Pretty much loved all four books in this set.

If you’re a fan of enemies to lovers, falling for your best friend, and girl next door kind of tropes, this is for you! You won’t regret it!

[joyce white]

Fall in love with love!!

This writer made it impossible for me to stop reading until I had read the whole series!!! Of course I did sleep a little !! I recommend this series to anyone who loves good clean romance.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good. Clean romance

Very well written. Clean and romantic with a touch of humor. I personally loved the oldies probably because I am one,and would love to read about them finding second loves or dates just to show love never dies.

[Candice Waite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling...

You will fall in love with these adorable stories of four friends and their journey to find love. Laugh out loud moments and tearful ones too. Good clean fun. Highly recommend!

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four different women living together in an old inn. Four love stories with full of friendship, family, second chances, best friends falling in love. You will love the box set written by Meg Easton.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet box set worth reading.

Four ladies make a deal not to fall in love, which is like a guarantee to do exactly that.
Four books for each in the how not to series.

Recommend.

[Emmie King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This box set was amazing! Each book was original and so funny! I could hardly put it down!

[Bonny Rambarran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just WOW!!! Every one of these books is about a different woman who lives in the house. AND what amazing stories they are! TOTALLY loved each book!!!

[Donna Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all of these stories and thought each one was my favorite until I read the next. These are all sweet, clean romances .

[Alison Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Delightful fun, and witty sweet romance series. The characters are all relatable and the friendship between the girls is enviable. I love how they all find love.