Confessions to the Girl Next Door

Crystal Creek #1

by Danyelle Ferguson

A disastrous prom. Eight years apart. Now that Laura’s back in town, can Zack win her heart again?

Zack Partridge broke his best friend’s heart at senior prom. He was crushed when she left for college, vowing never to speak to him again. But now that she’s back in Crystal Creek, he wants nothing more than a second chance to win her heart.

Laura Anderson can’t believe her bad luck. How did she buy the house next door to the man she had sworn to avoid? Even worse, he’s the PR rep assigned to help launch her new flower shop. Could things get any worse? Laura strives to keep her heart barricaded, but Zack’s confession notes just might have the power to make the walls crumble. Can she allow herself to trust him? If she does, will he keep her vulnerable heart safe or shatter it once more?

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Novella

Unknown Binding

Published April 1, 2023

About the author

RONE Award-Winning Author

Danyelle Ferguson is author of the award-winning Crystal Creek sweet romance novels. She loves writing stories that feature strong women conquering difficult challenges and finding love along the way.

When she’s away from her laptop, Danyelle enjoys dancing in the kitchen with her family, all things pink, and is obsessed with pretty pens. Follow her online for IRL goofiness, cat photobombs, and writing life updates.

Reviews

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story, had some sweet moment between Zack and Laura. I liked the letter aspect of the story, thought that was cute. Zack and Laura were best friends in high school, but Zack makes a big mistake that pushes Laura away. Eight years later and they're now neighbors and Zack wants to give them another chance. This was a nice afternoon read, I liked the setting and characters were nice.

Content Rated PG
Romance: Kissing
Language: None
Violence: None

[Rachel (rachelee.reads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I loved:
- I love the idea of two high school sweethearts reconnecting through a series of letters

What I didn't like:
- couldn't feel the chemistry. Even though its a novella I was hoping for a lot more fire between the two.
- a woman who opens up a flower shop. Unfortunately I had just read Lease on Love and I kept comparing this book to that. And this book just fell short.
- the ending was jumbled and disappointing. Kinda felt very disconnected from the rest of the story.

⭐⭐/5
🔥/5

[Mettesknit · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audiobook - Kobo
Narrated by
Cindy Gunderson
⭐️⭐️

Luckily this was short, or it would be a DNF.

The main reason this was not for me, I would guess cultural differences.
Well, not a guess.
It's cultural differences.

This was VERY American. By that, I don't mean the whole American continent.
I mean usa.

It did not vibe with me.

[Jennifer G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura is moving back home. She's bought an adorable little house and is the proud owner of the local florist she loved as a teen. Her life is good. Then she realizes her next-door neighbor is the guy who humiliated her and broke her heart at prom. And he's the PR rep assigned to help her launch her florist, so there's no way to avoid him. She's determined to keep things professional, but Zack needs her to understand what really happened in high school. He needs her to give him a second chance because he's never forgotten his best friend, the girl he fell for, and he still wants her.

This is a sweet second-chance romance. I generally think major groveling is required for the guy to be given a second chance, but once Zach's side of the story comes out, I was firmly in his corner. And his method of breaking through Laura's defense was adorable. I was a big fan. Laura was a bit frustrating, but once she came around, she and Zach made a cute couple. The rest of the cast of characters were all likable as well. Quick, sweet read.

[Donna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
A disastrous prom. Eight years apart. Now that Laura’s back in town, can Zack win her heart again?

Zack Partridge broke his best friend’s heart at senior prom. He was crushed when she left for college, vowing never to speak to him again. But now that she’s back in Crystal Creek, he wants nothing more than a second chance to win her heart.

Laura Anderson can’t believe her bad luck. How did she buy the house next door to the man she had sworn to avoid? Even worse, he’s the PR rep assigned to help launch her new flower shop. Could things get any worse? Laura strives to keep her heart barricaded, but Zack’s confession notes just might have the power to make the walls crumble. Can she allow herself to trust him? If she does, will he keep her vulnerable heart safe or shatter it once more?

MY TAKE
This was such a sweet second chance romance. Ferguson does a great job rebuilding the old friendship and the confessions were so fun! Swoony resolution!

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this trip down memory lane. Laura and Zack were good friends in high school. Her dreams came true when he asked her to prom. It all came crashing down when she found out that his invitation had been mean for cheerleader Laura, not bandmate Laura.

Years later, Laura moves back and happens to move in next door to Zack. It's an uphill battle getting her to give him the time of day, but Zack had realized on prom night that he was with the right girl.

I loved the notes they exchanged back and forth. They built a bridge back to friendship and eventually a relationship.

My only complaint was a reference to a female character dressed in a tux and there with her girlfriend. It felt very jarring.

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the idea of confession notes was really cute, and I loved the way Zack put it into motion. I wish there had been a little more focus on the continued notes. The relationship issues seemed to wrap up pretty quickly, but sweetly. The rest of the story seemed a bit jumbled with rushed, incomplete solutions.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet confessions

What happens when the one person you never wanted to see again is suddenly your new neighbir? I liked the story line, and the characters. This is a very sweet romance that has the beginnings of a series. The ending came pretty abruptly for me, but I can see where the author is picking things back up with the next book. Excited to read on in this series.

[Anna Morelock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Cute

This was a very cute story with absolutely no steam, which didn't hurt the story, imo. Zach...what is it about guys named Zach in Romance books? They're always the sweethearts. I just loved him. I think he and Laura made the cutest couple. I really liked that he was willing to do just about anything to prove to her that he was crazy about her. Very cute, quick read.

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

This was a fun second chance, forced proximity romance. Lovely characters with misunderstandings and fears and a fun set of getting a dream business running. The kisses were on the spicier side and there was a nod to LGBT.

[Keren · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into the book. I don't know what it is was about it. Once I got into it, the book was good. There were a couple of things in there that I don't agree with, but to each his own. My girls will not be reading this book.

[Andria]

Cute, sweet, fun

Get a bit frustrated with her and then she figured it out too. I love her hobbies and friends. I'm really excited to read the next book now that I've read the reast and think I've a good grasp on all the "background" characters. ^_^

[Louis D.Gargarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean Romance

I liked this book, it was a good story about two friends getting a second chance at happily ever after. It moved at a good pace, yet developing the love relationship.

MK

[Kate Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet romance with likeable characters and love the mailbox idea! This is a perfect beach read to place a smile on your heart.

[Shanna Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet short second chance story. It was fun to see them work through their past and overcome obstacles together. I'm new to this author and this book definitely makes me interested in more.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a breath of fresh air!!! I absolutely loved this book. It was like hopping into a hallmark movie and I loved every second!

[PagesForDays · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay that was cute read. He was not tooooo perfect, and she was bubbly and funny. Short, sweet, only kisses, no swearing. Recommend for a quick read!

[Samantha Cloetens · Rating 2 out of 5]

It all happened so fast. There wasn't really any depth but it was kinda cute

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zach was so swoony!!! I loved the mailbox. I totally understand Laura hating him. I get it. But I loved that Zach was able to get her to co.e around.

[Brandy Paulson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet.

[Crystal Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one!!!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Why didn't you kiss me last night?"
"The problem is that I don't want just one kiss. I want a forever of kisses."

🌹Second chance romance
🌹Forced proximity
🌹Secret crush

Two former best friends, Zack and Laura, reconnect after eight years apart. After Zack broke Laura’s heart at senior prom, Laura moved away and tried her best to leave Zack in the past. Now Laura's back in Crystal Creek and discovers she's living next door to him! Complicating things further, Zack is the PR rep helping her launch her new flower shop. Zack is determined to win Laura's heart again through a series of “confession notes”. Will his plan work? Can Laura resist Zack's charm?


This was such a cute read! I loved every second of it and was definitely rooting for Zack to win Laura's heart. The confession notes were so sweet and fun! It was a short read but kept me intrigued.