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Neighbor from Hell #13
Another Christmas From Hell
Bryce has been avoiding his brother’s best friend since they were children, but now that she was living across the hall from him, staying away from her was the last thing that he wanted to do in this holiday romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author R.L. Mathewson.
He wasn’t in love with her.
It didn’t matter that he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off her or that he couldn’t seem to think about her without feeling like a part of him was missing, falling in love with his brother’s best friend wasn’t an option. So, when his sister offered him the one thing that he couldn’t resist to prove him wrong, one thing became painfully clear…
This was going to be the worst Christmas ever.
It was time to move on.
Granted, Cayley would have preferred to wait until after Christmas, but with her best friend somehow managing to get her fired and evicted in the same day, she’s left with no choice but to rent the apartment across from the one man that really didn’t seem happy to see her.
That was fine.
More than fine because if she could handle her best friend making her life a living hell and an ex-fiancé that was determined to get her back, then she could handle the man that was letting his past destroy them both.
He wasn’t in love with her.
It didn’t matter that he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off her or that he couldn’t seem to think about her without feeling like a part of him was missing, falling in love with his brother’s best friend wasn’t an option. So, when his sister offered him the one thing that he couldn’t resist to prove him wrong, one thing became painfully clear…
This was going to be the worst Christmas ever.
It was time to move on.
Granted, Cayley would have preferred to wait until after Christmas, but with her best friend somehow managing to get her fired and evicted in the same day, she’s left with no choice but to rent the apartment across from the one man that really didn’t seem happy to see her.
That was fine.
More than fine because if she could handle her best friend making her life a living hell and an ex-fiancé that was determined to get her back, then she could handle the man that was letting his past destroy them both.
314 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2022
509 people are currently reading
2334 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Mathewson
71 books15.5k followersNew York Times Bestselling author, R.L. Mathewson was born in Massachusetts. She’s known for her humor, quick wit and ability to write relatable characters. She currently has several paranormal and contemporary romance series published including the Neighbor from Hell series.
Growing up, R.L. Mathewson was a painfully shy bookworm. After high school she attended college, worked as a bellhop, fast food cook, and a museum worker until she decided to take an EMT course. Working as an EMT helped her get over her shyness as well as left her with some fond memories and some rather disturbing ones that from time to time show up in one of her books.
Today, R.L. Mathewson is the single mother of two children that keep her on her toes. She has a bit of a romance novel addiction as well as a major hot chocolate addiction and on a perfect day, she combines the two.
In 2019/2020, R.L. Mathewson will be publishing Devastated, the first Anger Management novel, Tall, Dark & Furious, the 6th installment to the Pyte/Sentinel series, Irresistible, the long anticipated novel for the Neighbor from Hell Series as well as many more books throughout the year, paranormals, contemporaries, and YAs.
Growing up, R.L. Mathewson was a painfully shy bookworm. After high school she attended college, worked as a bellhop, fast food cook, and a museum worker until she decided to take an EMT course. Working as an EMT helped her get over her shyness as well as left her with some fond memories and some rather disturbing ones that from time to time show up in one of her books.
Today, R.L. Mathewson is the single mother of two children that keep her on her toes. She has a bit of a romance novel addiction as well as a major hot chocolate addiction and on a perfect day, she combines the two.
In 2019/2020, R.L. Mathewson will be publishing Devastated, the first Anger Management novel, Tall, Dark & Furious, the 6th installment to the Pyte/Sentinel series, Irresistible, the long anticipated novel for the Neighbor from Hell Series as well as many more books throughout the year, paranormals, contemporaries, and YAs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
November 10, 2022
Soooooooo much repetition in this book. It drove me absolutely insane. Repetitive words and full sentences.
Brat: 15 times
Jerk: 18 times
Small woman: 40 times (yes, we got it, she's fucking small in stature).
Pain in the ass: 21 times
Bastard: 98 times
Asshole: 50 times
These are just a few examples. This doesn't include full on sentences.
The only reason I stayed with it was because the characters gave me nostalgia for the past books. I did like Bryce and Cayley. Which helped.
It's been a minute since I've read this series and I realized while she's on book 14 I haven't missed much. It is very much the same as it was on books 1-6.
Brat: 15 times
Jerk: 18 times
Small woman: 40 times (yes, we got it, she's fucking small in stature).
Pain in the ass: 21 times
Bastard: 98 times
Asshole: 50 times
These are just a few examples. This doesn't include full on sentences.
The only reason I stayed with it was because the characters gave me nostalgia for the past books. I did like Bryce and Cayley. Which helped.
It's been a minute since I've read this series and I realized while she's on book 14 I haven't missed much. It is very much the same as it was on books 1-6.
November 8, 2022
Where to start? I picked it up and couldn't put it down. I was either laughing out loud or being confused to the extreme.
Bryce and Cayley seem to be like oil and water. They butt heads for reasons that aren't very clear to be honest. It was funny to see the slow recognition of their past and what it meant when feelings got involved. The slow burn was on point, but it got a bit on my nerves when they finally fell in each other's arms, because for a moment it seemed to drag on a bit. And don't even get me started on the drama that is Sean aka her best friend and his brother. That man needs to be committed as far as I'm concerned. But even with everything he did to her, in some twisted way he did it all because he loved (not romantically) her. But what melted my heart, was the realization what Bryce had done in order to help her cross off all her Christmas to-do list, when he revealed why he hated Christmas. And that fact almost broke them up. But with his crazy family, they manage to find common ground and get to the HEA that was waiting on them all this time.
To sum this book up in one sentence; It was hilarious but at the same time "WTF is wrong with these characters" kinda book. You've been warned.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Bryce and Cayley seem to be like oil and water. They butt heads for reasons that aren't very clear to be honest. It was funny to see the slow recognition of their past and what it meant when feelings got involved. The slow burn was on point, but it got a bit on my nerves when they finally fell in each other's arms, because for a moment it seemed to drag on a bit. And don't even get me started on the drama that is Sean aka her best friend and his brother. That man needs to be committed as far as I'm concerned. But even with everything he did to her, in some twisted way he did it all because he loved (not romantically) her. But what melted my heart, was the realization what Bryce had done in order to help her cross off all her Christmas to-do list, when he revealed why he hated Christmas. And that fact almost broke them up. But with his crazy family, they manage to find common ground and get to the HEA that was waiting on them all this time.
To sum this book up in one sentence; It was hilarious but at the same time "WTF is wrong with these characters" kinda book. You've been warned.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
November 6, 2022
3 stars
I know what to expect while reading this author's book but i always hope for a bit of evolution. There was non lol
Repetition of a lot of words, characters always sihing and doing something absently. Ok ... I still kinda enjoyed it a bit even if i wish it was less longer.
Something really really shocked me though. I understand that the all family is a bunch of children in adult bodies, i understand that for the sake of comedy a lot of things are exagerated and situation (like kidnapping) are turned into fun things, and i don't mind ! But even a grown ass child don't put his girl best friend for 7 hours (7 hours !!!) in a closet, attached, with music so that nobody can hear her. That's not funny, especially when it's described that she can barely walk and didn't drink or could go to toilet.
I think i'm very open and can try to justify a lot of weird situation but with the context of this book ... yeah no that's unacceptable.
I know what to expect while reading this author's book but i always hope for a bit of evolution. There was non lol
Repetition of a lot of words, characters always sihing and doing something absently. Ok ... I still kinda enjoyed it a bit even if i wish it was less longer.
Something really really shocked me though. I understand that the all family is a bunch of children in adult bodies, i understand that for the sake of comedy a lot of things are exagerated and situation (like kidnapping) are turned into fun things, and i don't mind ! But even a grown ass child don't put his girl best friend for 7 hours (7 hours !!!) in a closet, attached, with music so that nobody can hear her. That's not funny, especially when it's described that she can barely walk and didn't drink or could go to toilet.
I think i'm very open and can try to justify a lot of weird situation but with the context of this book ... yeah no that's unacceptable.
May 3, 2024
I debated whether I should give this 1 or 2 stars, but it's been such a long while since a book made my blood boil like this that I simply had to go lower.
I have 28 notes on my Kindle version of this book, and all of them, without fail, are me ranting to the gods about the men in this book.
That's right, I did not jibe with the James boys.
BRYCE
While not my least favorite James brother, only on account of a worse brother being heavily featured in the story, I didn't really like this guy, and he did a lot of shit that made me, honestly, hope that he doesn't get the girl.
This man is not really nice, although Cayley reads some of the things he does as nice. Can't say I share her perspective. Does he get better as the story progresses? Yes (although there are some major hiccups). But overall, I found this man at best bland, boring, and just... not compelling. And at worst, I wanted to knee him in the balls :)
In chapter 11, when Cayley says:
She wasn't used to this Bryce, the kind, considerate one that teased her, and made her want to smile.
I literally commented to myself: "Oh, he sounds nice. Where is he?".
While I was not exactly team Bryce at first, I became team Lesbian Cayley around the scene in which my man chose, If this scene was really going to be forgotten... it should've been deleted!! It wasn't necessary, it was awful!
He proceeded to do some more shit on account of his "trauma," but I admit, at this point, I had already rolled my eyes too much to care.
Either way, he wasn't the best but he also wasn't the worst. That honor is saved for his POS brother, Sean.
SEAN
Sean. Sean is the bane of my existence. I despise this man. The entire book I prayed for Cayley to snap and realize she did not deserve any of the ways he was behaving toward her. Begging her to pack her bags and leave this toxic friendship behind.
Sean is the kind of character that drives me insane because the narrative of the story makes it clear that the author doesn't realize how fucking abusive he is. Mathewson lets so much of his awful behavior slide. Worst still, she justifies it. She makes the end result good and fits with his intentions, such that the awful way we got there is forgotten. It shouldn't be. None of the things he did are ok, and worst still, the way these two were going on their own, they would've gotten to the same place without his interference--and with a lot less abusive behavior...
So, what are Sean's crimes?
Well, he denies Cayley any autonomy. The whole story starts with him essentially telling her she couldn't be alone. And his basis for that is absolutely ridiculous because on what planet do people regularly go to the movies alone if they're not film buffs or work in the industry?... but I digress.
He makes this claim, and then when she decides to prove him wrong by doing a variety of activities she would normally do with other people alone, he proceeds to show us throughout the entire book how he categorically refuses to let Cayley do anything alone. He inserts himself into every fucking thing in her life, including her dating life, regardless of whether she wants him there or not, and acts like she should be thankful for his intrusion. My guy, my dude, the person having issues being alone... is you, Pookie.
But his refusal to let her do anything on her own and make her own decisions--at her own pace--extends to physical acts. This man locked her in places on multiple occasions throughout the book--including on several occasions (and for one of those, she was fucking ). And always in response to her refusing to give him something, such as information about her private life that she doesn't want to share with him yet or when she refuses to follow his "plan". You cannot tell me this shit isn't abusive as fuck.
It's also something that he had conditioned her to accept and not fight since they were children. He literally threatens her with closets to get her to do his bidding. This man has no regard for her physical and emotional well-being, and just because she has learned to accept it as "Sean being Sean" doesn't make it any less awful.
He also retaliates when she chooses not to do stuff with him, including using a snowball fight event to literally pummel her with snowballs. I know it's "just snow," but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt and that this isn't still violence, emotional and physical. She is being punished for setting boundaries, boundaries she set because he goaded her in the first place!
He also doesn't give her any privacy whatsoever. This man breaks into her house on multiple occasions at all hours of the day. He also treats her house like a free supermarket, taking whatever he wants, whenever he wants, without asking--and without leaving her any. I know Bradfords (and James) are obsessed with food, but this is still disturbing.
The bottom line is: If a woman has to convince herself she "isn't afraid of her best friend" on multiple occasions, that's a red flag.
Matheson usually has a pretty good grasp of how to write her character as comically insane but not objectively horrible, abusive human beings, but she missed the mark with Sean by a considerable amount.
BAD STORY STRUCTURE
Maybe the title for this section is not perfect, but I really didn't like the way this book was structured. The last book in the series was nearly perfect to me. You had an emotional connection, a slow build, and a really convincing love story.
This one? The emotions were severely lacking. Mostly because we have two characters "in denial" while everyone around them thinks they're in love with each other, so all the emotions are pretty much "told" and not "shown." They have already gone through the process of falling in love sometime in the 20 years of knowing each other (or so the book says), and now we're just awakening them and their uncontrollable attraction to each other. Not my favorite setup, to say the least.
But it gets worse because is the most contrived, nonsensical thing I have ever read. First of all,
And, of course, even though everything is explained, we still STFU and leave them alone.
I cannot stress enough how unenjoyable this way to me. I literally finished this book just so I could review it in peace and also because I really like the series as a whole and didn't want a pesky DNF in the middle of all the beautiful read books. I really don't want to read Sean's book, but here's to hoping that letting this sit for a year or two will help me forget what a horrible "friend" this man is.
I have 28 notes on my Kindle version of this book, and all of them, without fail, are me ranting to the gods about the men in this book.
That's right, I did not jibe with the James boys.
BRYCE
While not my least favorite James brother, only on account of a worse brother being heavily featured in the story, I didn't really like this guy, and he did a lot of shit that made me, honestly, hope that he doesn't get the girl.
This man is not really nice, although Cayley reads some of the things he does as nice. Can't say I share her perspective. Does he get better as the story progresses? Yes (although there are some major hiccups). But overall, I found this man at best bland, boring, and just... not compelling. And at worst, I wanted to knee him in the balls :)
In chapter 11, when Cayley says:
She wasn't used to this Bryce, the kind, considerate one that teased her, and made her want to smile.
I literally commented to myself: "Oh, he sounds nice. Where is he?".
While I was not exactly team Bryce at first, I became team Lesbian Cayley around the scene in which my man chose, If this scene was really going to be forgotten... it should've been deleted!! It wasn't necessary, it was awful!
He proceeded to do some more shit on account of his "trauma," but I admit, at this point, I had already rolled my eyes too much to care.
Either way, he wasn't the best but he also wasn't the worst. That honor is saved for his POS brother, Sean.
SEAN
Sean. Sean is the bane of my existence. I despise this man. The entire book I prayed for Cayley to snap and realize she did not deserve any of the ways he was behaving toward her. Begging her to pack her bags and leave this toxic friendship behind.
Sean is the kind of character that drives me insane because the narrative of the story makes it clear that the author doesn't realize how fucking abusive he is. Mathewson lets so much of his awful behavior slide. Worst still, she justifies it. She makes the end result good and fits with his intentions, such that the awful way we got there is forgotten. It shouldn't be. None of the things he did are ok, and worst still, the way these two were going on their own, they would've gotten to the same place without his interference--and with a lot less abusive behavior...
So, what are Sean's crimes?
Well, he denies Cayley any autonomy. The whole story starts with him essentially telling her she couldn't be alone. And his basis for that is absolutely ridiculous because on what planet do people regularly go to the movies alone if they're not film buffs or work in the industry?... but I digress.
He makes this claim, and then when she decides to prove him wrong by doing a variety of activities she would normally do with other people alone, he proceeds to show us throughout the entire book how he categorically refuses to let Cayley do anything alone. He inserts himself into every fucking thing in her life, including her dating life, regardless of whether she wants him there or not, and acts like she should be thankful for his intrusion. My guy, my dude, the person having issues being alone... is you, Pookie.
But his refusal to let her do anything on her own and make her own decisions--at her own pace--extends to physical acts. This man locked her in places on multiple occasions throughout the book--including on several occasions (and for one of those, she was fucking ). And always in response to her refusing to give him something, such as information about her private life that she doesn't want to share with him yet or when she refuses to follow his "plan". You cannot tell me this shit isn't abusive as fuck.
It's also something that he had conditioned her to accept and not fight since they were children. He literally threatens her with closets to get her to do his bidding. This man has no regard for her physical and emotional well-being, and just because she has learned to accept it as "Sean being Sean" doesn't make it any less awful.
He also retaliates when she chooses not to do stuff with him, including using a snowball fight event to literally pummel her with snowballs. I know it's "just snow," but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt and that this isn't still violence, emotional and physical. She is being punished for setting boundaries, boundaries she set because he goaded her in the first place!
He also doesn't give her any privacy whatsoever. This man breaks into her house on multiple occasions at all hours of the day. He also treats her house like a free supermarket, taking whatever he wants, whenever he wants, without asking--and without leaving her any. I know Bradfords (and James) are obsessed with food, but this is still disturbing.
The bottom line is: If a woman has to convince herself she "isn't afraid of her best friend" on multiple occasions, that's a red flag.
Matheson usually has a pretty good grasp of how to write her character as comically insane but not objectively horrible, abusive human beings, but she missed the mark with Sean by a considerable amount.
BAD STORY STRUCTURE
Maybe the title for this section is not perfect, but I really didn't like the way this book was structured. The last book in the series was nearly perfect to me. You had an emotional connection, a slow build, and a really convincing love story.
This one? The emotions were severely lacking. Mostly because we have two characters "in denial" while everyone around them thinks they're in love with each other, so all the emotions are pretty much "told" and not "shown." They have already gone through the process of falling in love sometime in the 20 years of knowing each other (or so the book says), and now we're just awakening them and their uncontrollable attraction to each other. Not my favorite setup, to say the least.
But it gets worse because is the most contrived, nonsensical thing I have ever read. First of all,
And, of course, even though everything is explained, we still STFU and leave them alone.
I cannot stress enough how unenjoyable this way to me. I literally finished this book just so I could review it in peace and also because I really like the series as a whole and didn't want a pesky DNF in the middle of all the beautiful read books. I really don't want to read Sean's book, but here's to hoping that letting this sit for a year or two will help me forget what a horrible "friend" this man is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2023
It was funny as hell , God I love the big jerks
January 6, 2023
Cayley & Bryce
I wanted to love this book, but it was the same story, the same writing, the same type of jokes, but different names of the characters.
I wanted to love this book, but it was the same story, the same writing, the same type of jokes, but different names of the characters.
November 6, 2022
So many antics. Goodness. I did like the two of them together though. I wish there was more Christmas stuff though. I honestly forgot that this was a Christmas book at one point (like around 65%) and that was the reason why I picked it up.
Overall: 2.5
Overall: 2.5
November 7, 2022
Disappointing
I read most of the Neighbors from Hell series early in my romance journey, and found them fun, sexy reads. This latest installation, however, was a slog. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. The characters are so flat; we know almost nothing about them or their backstories. The “Bradfords eat everything in sight” gag is just old news at this point, and adds nothing to the story, and everyone is a frenemy of sorts. Even the spicy scenes left me wanting. I’ll always recommend NFH as a series, but this one is sadly a hard pass.
I read most of the Neighbors from Hell series early in my romance journey, and found them fun, sexy reads. This latest installation, however, was a slog. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. The characters are so flat; we know almost nothing about them or their backstories. The “Bradfords eat everything in sight” gag is just old news at this point, and adds nothing to the story, and everyone is a frenemy of sorts. Even the spicy scenes left me wanting. I’ll always recommend NFH as a series, but this one is sadly a hard pass.
Want to read
September 24, 2022
So 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 for this one! A definite #mustread author for humor and heart. ❤️ #Yesplease
November 24, 2022
My first book from this author, but I read summaries of most of the other books in this series to get an idea of what I was getting into. I love the "curse" and tradition aspects. Those were cute. And the typical Bradford bullshit had me laughing. This definitely isn't one you take too seriously, and it's more fun to read that way. This way I was able to enjoy her relationship with Sean, who clearly is a chaotic evil on the scale of things, but ultimately sees the people around him very clearly. I think I'll read his book whenever it comes out.
These two were cute. I like the way their relationship progressed and how they each slowly revealed more and more of their past feelings as time went on. I just wish we had more of an apology for the way he just ended things with her and broke her heart out of nowhere. I hate that once again she's the one who immediately forgives him and turns it into something sexual. For someone so afraid of being hurt, she sure did react well to having her heart broken.
Most of all, though, I couldn't get over the insane repetition of certain things. With every other spoken sentence the characters were nodding. Idk about you, but I really don't nod in my regular conversations, especially when I'm sad about it?? And if they weren't speaking, then they were sighing. But not JUST sighing, they were sighing with some sort of emotion attached to it. Or their shoulders were drooping. These things appeared multiple times per page and drove me crazy.
I also hated that the response to actions was so often written before the actions themselves. So instead of seeing that someone had grabbed another person and dragged them outside, we get someone reacting to the shock in some way or even responding, then we see what they were reacting or responding to. This works in some places, but if it's unfortunately used a lot--I'd say at least a few times per page, so as a reader I was constantly backtracking in my mind to place events in the order they belonged before moving on.
Overall this is a cute story and what seems like a humorous series. I just wish there wasn't so much repetition.
These two were cute. I like the way their relationship progressed and how they each slowly revealed more and more of their past feelings as time went on. I just wish we had more of an apology for the way he just ended things with her and broke her heart out of nowhere. I hate that once again she's the one who immediately forgives him and turns it into something sexual. For someone so afraid of being hurt, she sure did react well to having her heart broken.
Most of all, though, I couldn't get over the insane repetition of certain things. With every other spoken sentence the characters were nodding. Idk about you, but I really don't nod in my regular conversations, especially when I'm sad about it?? And if they weren't speaking, then they were sighing. But not JUST sighing, they were sighing with some sort of emotion attached to it. Or their shoulders were drooping. These things appeared multiple times per page and drove me crazy.
I also hated that the response to actions was so often written before the actions themselves. So instead of seeing that someone had grabbed another person and dragged them outside, we get someone reacting to the shock in some way or even responding, then we see what they were reacting or responding to. This works in some places, but if it's unfortunately used a lot--I'd say at least a few times per page, so as a reader I was constantly backtracking in my mind to place events in the order they belonged before moving on.
Overall this is a cute story and what seems like a humorous series. I just wish there wasn't so much repetition.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2022
I’m so excited we are finally getting Bryce’s story. This book was funny but also pulled on your heart strings. The James kids had a rough growing up when their mom got up and left, but they had their dad and each other. They grew up being loved.
Bryce never wanted to fall in love and he was never getting married. He did not want to ever experience what his dad did. There was no way he was going to get hurt like that. Being so in love with someone and they don’t feel the same about you. That is why he was staying away from Cayley. He knew she loved him and wanted him but he could not give her what she wanted. He hated her for making him feel things he did not want.
Cayley has always thought Bryce hated her. He would always glair at her and avoided her at all cost. Cayley has always been with people that were safe and wouldn’t hurt her if they left. She knew deep down that they were not the ones. Everyone else told her she was in love with Bryce but she could never admit it to herself, because she thought she hated her.
Both of them had to prove to themselves that they can be around each other for a month and then move on. No feeling involved, but it got harder and harder with each day. They could not stay away from each other, they could not stop holding hands and touching each other. Can they walk away from each other after their time was up? Could they accept that, that’s all they can give each other and will that be enough?
I can’t wait to read Sean’s book. He made this book so funny! Received this ARC for my honest review and opinion.
Bryce never wanted to fall in love and he was never getting married. He did not want to ever experience what his dad did. There was no way he was going to get hurt like that. Being so in love with someone and they don’t feel the same about you. That is why he was staying away from Cayley. He knew she loved him and wanted him but he could not give her what she wanted. He hated her for making him feel things he did not want.
Cayley has always thought Bryce hated her. He would always glair at her and avoided her at all cost. Cayley has always been with people that were safe and wouldn’t hurt her if they left. She knew deep down that they were not the ones. Everyone else told her she was in love with Bryce but she could never admit it to herself, because she thought she hated her.
Both of them had to prove to themselves that they can be around each other for a month and then move on. No feeling involved, but it got harder and harder with each day. They could not stay away from each other, they could not stop holding hands and touching each other. Can they walk away from each other after their time was up? Could they accept that, that’s all they can give each other and will that be enough?
I can’t wait to read Sean’s book. He made this book so funny! Received this ARC for my honest review and opinion.
November 7, 2022
Confession time!!
I haven’t read any book in the series and jumped straight into this 13th book!! 🙊
So, I feel that I was missing out on quite a few things like backgrounds on some characters which may explain certain bits in the book which I found puzzling. And I probably will feel a little more invested in the book and this pair of lovebirds. I was also a little bit confused about Cayley (she seems to mutter a lot?! this could’ve been my mistaken impression but that’s what it felt like and also, how she put up with Sean’s abuse of her!) and Sean (who is supposedly Cayley’s BFF but seriously, I’d have gotten a restraining order against him even if it’s unlikely to do any good). As I mentioned, I reckon if I’ve read earlier books, I may have known better…
It was really the BFF’s brother trope that got me but at the beginning, it felt more like enemy to lovers trope. Denials Galore! It turned over quite sweetly and while not quite smoothly, rather hotly. Overall, Another Christmas From Hell is a very easy read, however, and a very sweet Christmas-y one. Just in time to get me in the mood for Christmas!
I received ecopy of this book as part of blog tour with Xpresso Tours. All thoughts are mine.
I haven’t read any book in the series and jumped straight into this 13th book!! 🙊
So, I feel that I was missing out on quite a few things like backgrounds on some characters which may explain certain bits in the book which I found puzzling. And I probably will feel a little more invested in the book and this pair of lovebirds. I was also a little bit confused about Cayley (she seems to mutter a lot?! this could’ve been my mistaken impression but that’s what it felt like and also, how she put up with Sean’s abuse of her!) and Sean (who is supposedly Cayley’s BFF but seriously, I’d have gotten a restraining order against him even if it’s unlikely to do any good). As I mentioned, I reckon if I’ve read earlier books, I may have known better…
It was really the BFF’s brother trope that got me but at the beginning, it felt more like enemy to lovers trope. Denials Galore! It turned over quite sweetly and while not quite smoothly, rather hotly. Overall, Another Christmas From Hell is a very easy read, however, and a very sweet Christmas-y one. Just in time to get me in the mood for Christmas!
I received ecopy of this book as part of blog tour with Xpresso Tours. All thoughts are mine.
November 8, 2022
Bryce is determined to think that Cayley has been stalking him. It was simple thinking for him since she is his brothers best friend and everywhere he is she is. Unwilling to admit he might be wrong, that is after Cayley points out some facts of her own Bryce finds himself watching Cayley in a different light. Cayley though has moved across from his apartment and the Bradford curse with neighbors is out in full force. With a meddlesome brother, fear of falling hard for someone who could break their heart, nothing could go wrong could it?
I have always been a huge fan of this author and this series. Cayley and Bryce are meant to be. Filled with humor and then there is Sean, the brother and best friend. He is just horrible with his meddlesome ways even if it is for the best intentions. Terrific holiday story.
I have always been a huge fan of this author and this series. Cayley and Bryce are meant to be. Filled with humor and then there is Sean, the brother and best friend. He is just horrible with his meddlesome ways even if it is for the best intentions. Terrific holiday story.
January 3, 2023
Add this to your holiday TBR!
Bryce and Cayley have known each other since they were little. Sean, Bryce’s brother is Carley’s best friend. Well most of the time. I enjoyed the character development and the journey to a happy ending. You’ll laugh at what these characters do to each other and their interrogation tactics. I have been hooked on the Neighbor from Hell series since the beginning!
Bryce and Cayley have known each other since they were little. Sean, Bryce’s brother is Carley’s best friend. Well most of the time. I enjoyed the character development and the journey to a happy ending. You’ll laugh at what these characters do to each other and their interrogation tactics. I have been hooked on the Neighbor from Hell series since the beginning!
November 14, 2022
If you've read these books you know what to expect from them. This one is no different. I did think it interesting that everyone but Bryce and Cayley knew these two were into each other and had been since they were kids, except the two themselves. It was fun to see the family butt in and conspire to get them together and to succeed.
October 31, 2022
Bryce and Cayley went from glaring “enemies” to lovers through this convoluted family-meddling fraught path. The James brothers are ruthless, with Sean being the king of duct tape and closet shoving. I still don’t know how Cayley and Sean ended up “best friends”, but the Bradford curse goes into effect with Bryce instead of Sean. Bryce has a bit of scarring from his mother leaving, but Cayley smooths out his rough edges. Bryce, apparently, will always be a glaring champion…
December 28, 2023
This was a really disturbing book to read the amount of times in which people were duct tape to chairs was just insane especially for a book that is more of a Christmas movie fine and the fact that they all find this normal and acceptable nobody pressed charges
August 21, 2022
Another wonderful read in the Neighbours From Hell series, this time focusing on the James family who are close knit and determinedly loyal to driving each other crazy. Bryce James loves to glare at his brother’s best friend (and now new neighbour) Cayley. A roller coaster of emotions wind through this story as their relationship evolves. Loved it wholeheartedly.
March 4, 2023
I liked it but it was not my favorite from this author. He did not have any flaws and was too perfect. He was grumpy and glared but that is not enough. I need my book boyfriends to have flaws like the previous ones did like dyslexia or OCD or something that makes them less than perfect. I also felt like the interrogation scenes did not always make sense like they would just start talking for some reason but we didn’t understand what made them give up the goods. It was a good romcom but not my favorite
August 14, 2025
Cayley and Bryce have known each other literally most of their lives. She is besties with one of his numerous brothers for reasons that escape me as Sean literally locks her in closets. :(. But Bryce and Cayley finally admit they have been fighting a mutual attraction.
November 28, 2022
I am going to admit I've read all The Neighbor From Hell books and I'm patiently waiting for the next three planned ones to be delivered. I love this series and I can't help it. They are absolutely ridiculous and to be honest not that well written, but they are so entertaining and spicy and the dumb food trope is mindblowingly annoying, but R.L. Mathewson has found a formula that works for her and for me too it turns out. (Although I'd really love another historical fiction like the one she wrote earlier because that one really made me happy). We're now on book 13 with Bryce and Cayley (two more random people inserted into the family via cousins this time I guess). Bryce is your typical grumpy gus who thinks Cayley is in love with him and that she followed him around his entire life (turns out it's quite the opposite but whatever) and Cayley has a best friend Sean (who I absolutely HATED in this novel) and he keeps throwing them together, but then getting mad when they got together, but I can't wait for his novel with Jessie coming up, because that will be another enemies to lovers, scorching story. I can tell.
Anyway, this wasn't a true enemies to lovers story as neither actually hate each other. What works in this story for me is how much Bryce really cares for Cayley and always has and why he's standoffish with her. The reason they went from friends to "enemies" and back make s sense considering they were children when everything went down. It's clear they are actually soulmates though and their love story really made me happy as they built on their "friendship" into something much stronger. It's not perfect and Lord knows none of them are, but I still loved it.
Anyway, this wasn't a true enemies to lovers story as neither actually hate each other. What works in this story for me is how much Bryce really cares for Cayley and always has and why he's standoffish with her. The reason they went from friends to "enemies" and back make s sense considering they were children when everything went down. It's clear they are actually soulmates though and their love story really made me happy as they built on their "friendship" into something much stronger. It's not perfect and Lord knows none of them are, but I still loved it.
April 25, 2023
Another Christmas from Hell by RL Mathewson was fantastic. I smiled from ear to ear reading this book. Absolutely loved it.
Bryce is our Hero who convinced himself that his neighbour Cayley was obsessed with him when they were children so he does all he can do avoid her. However Cayley’s best friend also happens to be his brother, Sean so she’s never too far away.
Cayley just thinks that Bryce hates her. Hilarity ensues when we find out that Cayley was never obsessed with Bryce and that he’s conjured the whole thing up in his head because he was in fact the one obsessed with her, he just didn’t want to admit it to himself.
It’s kind of a comedy of misinformation and misunderstandings and I just loved it. The banter between friends and family members was amazing and I loved how everyone got along with each other. The only reason this doesn’t get 5 stars is because I did feel like a little too much kidnapping went on - leaving someone in a closet for 7 hours was a bit much. You’ll understand the context of this which you read the book - which I whole heartedly suggest that you do. It was super entertaining.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 from me
Favourite excerpt:
“Told you he was in love with her,” Rory mumbled sleepily, making him frown.
“What the hell are you talking about? I’m not in love with her,” Bryce snapped, narrowing his eyes on his little sister and couldn’t help but wonder when she’d lost her damn mind.
“You really are, though,” Rory said around another yawn.
He opened his mouth only to shift his glare when Connor said, “Everyone knows.”
Bryce is our Hero who convinced himself that his neighbour Cayley was obsessed with him when they were children so he does all he can do avoid her. However Cayley’s best friend also happens to be his brother, Sean so she’s never too far away.
Cayley just thinks that Bryce hates her. Hilarity ensues when we find out that Cayley was never obsessed with Bryce and that he’s conjured the whole thing up in his head because he was in fact the one obsessed with her, he just didn’t want to admit it to himself.
It’s kind of a comedy of misinformation and misunderstandings and I just loved it. The banter between friends and family members was amazing and I loved how everyone got along with each other. The only reason this doesn’t get 5 stars is because I did feel like a little too much kidnapping went on - leaving someone in a closet for 7 hours was a bit much. You’ll understand the context of this which you read the book - which I whole heartedly suggest that you do. It was super entertaining.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 from me
Favourite excerpt:
“Told you he was in love with her,” Rory mumbled sleepily, making him frown.
“What the hell are you talking about? I’m not in love with her,” Bryce snapped, narrowing his eyes on his little sister and couldn’t help but wonder when she’d lost her damn mind.
“You really are, though,” Rory said around another yawn.
He opened his mouth only to shift his glare when Connor said, “Everyone knows.”
November 3, 2022
This installment from the Neighbors From Hell series brings you more shenanigans from the James family. These boys are just as cooky as the Bradfords and get into just as much trouble.
Cayley is Sean’s best friend, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why. He is insanely protective of her, but only if she’s at the mercy of anyone else…not him. He will prank, torture, & abandon her (for her own good of course) at any moment. Cayley is the little girl who lived next door…because of course she did…who was handed a tough hand early on. The James family was her safe haven, well, except for the glaring Bryce.
Bryce is the older brother who couldn’t get away from his little brother & his best friend. Everywhere he went, there Cayley was. When she moves in next door to him at his apartment, he’s had enough. Only problem is…they also work together, so they are thrown together a lot as they work on special projects together.
Watching the relationship between Bryce & Cayley morph from hatred to fiery passionate love was a ride I’m not sure I would want to take…not with Sean taking the wheel some🤣. But I do love the issues of “I can’t sleep without holding you/being in your arms”. That little tidbit always makes me swoon a little. Bryce was so adorable when he figured out that maybe he didn’t hate her so much. The timeframe of Christmas got me all nostalgic and in the mood for more Christmas festivals, parties, and all the decorating and Christmas cookie moments.
Cayley is Sean’s best friend, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why. He is insanely protective of her, but only if she’s at the mercy of anyone else…not him. He will prank, torture, & abandon her (for her own good of course) at any moment. Cayley is the little girl who lived next door…because of course she did…who was handed a tough hand early on. The James family was her safe haven, well, except for the glaring Bryce.
Bryce is the older brother who couldn’t get away from his little brother & his best friend. Everywhere he went, there Cayley was. When she moves in next door to him at his apartment, he’s had enough. Only problem is…they also work together, so they are thrown together a lot as they work on special projects together.
Watching the relationship between Bryce & Cayley morph from hatred to fiery passionate love was a ride I’m not sure I would want to take…not with Sean taking the wheel some🤣. But I do love the issues of “I can’t sleep without holding you/being in your arms”. That little tidbit always makes me swoon a little. Bryce was so adorable when he figured out that maybe he didn’t hate her so much. The timeframe of Christmas got me all nostalgic and in the mood for more Christmas festivals, parties, and all the decorating and Christmas cookie moments.
December 1, 2022
Rating- 2
Heat- 3
Tropes- brothers best friend, forced proximity, enemies to lovers
I have never been more confused by a book. I felt like I was missing half the story. For full disclosure, I’ve only read one other book in this series, and that was years ago. At first, I thought that was why I seemed to be missing information, but it quickly became clear that it is just this author’s style. Occasionally holding back information is a great plot device. This is used to good affect when it comes to why Bryce hates Christmas. But over and over again, we are left wondering what is going on. Why did Caylee break up her engagement? Why does Sean’s ex think Caylee is the reason they broke up? Who knows because we are never told. We also frequently see the characters react to things without seeing or hearing what they are reacting to.
Many reviewers have commented on the repetition. Certain phrases are repeated over and over again. Like “small woman.” Every time Bryce described what Caylee was doing he referred to her in his mind as “small woman.” “The small woman was in the shower.” “He watched the small woman nod her head.”
Overall the relationship between Caylee and Bryce is cute and fun to watch. The James’ family antics are also entertaining provided you don’t take this book seriously.
Heat- 3
Tropes- brothers best friend, forced proximity, enemies to lovers
I have never been more confused by a book. I felt like I was missing half the story. For full disclosure, I’ve only read one other book in this series, and that was years ago. At first, I thought that was why I seemed to be missing information, but it quickly became clear that it is just this author’s style. Occasionally holding back information is a great plot device. This is used to good affect when it comes to why Bryce hates Christmas. But over and over again, we are left wondering what is going on. Why did Caylee break up her engagement? Why does Sean’s ex think Caylee is the reason they broke up? Who knows because we are never told. We also frequently see the characters react to things without seeing or hearing what they are reacting to.
Many reviewers have commented on the repetition. Certain phrases are repeated over and over again. Like “small woman.” Every time Bryce described what Caylee was doing he referred to her in his mind as “small woman.” “The small woman was in the shower.” “He watched the small woman nod her head.”
Overall the relationship between Caylee and Bryce is cute and fun to watch. The James’ family antics are also entertaining provided you don’t take this book seriously.
September 25, 2024
This book made the FMC a doormat. Her “best friend” Sean told her what she was going to do and when she argued he guilted her. She let him control her and walk all over her. He stuck his nose where it didn’t belong and he just came off controlling and abusive.
The book was very repetitive. I'm talking about paragraphs saying the same thing when it could've been shortened. I wrote a similar review for the PREQUEL (Pretend), which had a lot of similar problems that I didn’t find in the first 13 books. I really feel like the writing went down hill or Mathewson was trying to multitask and produced poor work.
The sentence breaks were ridiculous. There is no reason that every three sentences needs a sentence break. I understand when a thought was being interrupted by the other character speaking but it wasn’t needed. The sentence or thought could’ve ended and then started with the character conversation.
I've read the series so far and I’m really looking forward to the upcoming books, hoping we get Garrett’s story, Kenzie’s story, maybe Matt and Arik, but if the writing continues like the last 2 books (this one and Pretend), I’m worried I’ll be forced to DNF instead of enjoying my time with the Bradfords. That would break my heart but unbearable writing isn’t something I enjoy.
The book was very repetitive. I'm talking about paragraphs saying the same thing when it could've been shortened. I wrote a similar review for the PREQUEL (Pretend), which had a lot of similar problems that I didn’t find in the first 13 books. I really feel like the writing went down hill or Mathewson was trying to multitask and produced poor work.
The sentence breaks were ridiculous. There is no reason that every three sentences needs a sentence break. I understand when a thought was being interrupted by the other character speaking but it wasn’t needed. The sentence or thought could’ve ended and then started with the character conversation.
I've read the series so far and I’m really looking forward to the upcoming books, hoping we get Garrett’s story, Kenzie’s story, maybe Matt and Arik, but if the writing continues like the last 2 books (this one and Pretend), I’m worried I’ll be forced to DNF instead of enjoying my time with the Bradfords. That would break my heart but unbearable writing isn’t something I enjoy.
November 6, 2022
Sometimes, reviews just aren't that easy to write. Another Christmas From Hell is one such review. Usually, I can either say that I liked a book or that I didn't. I can't with this one. Don't get me wrong, there was a lot to like here, but there was also quite a bit that I disliked and that's why I'm lost.
Let's start with the positives. This was an engaging book. I liked the romance, I liked the characters and I liked seeing their love story unfold. It kept me reading and I really did want to find out what was going to happen. I'm I glad I read the book? Yes, I am.
On the other hand, would I read another in this series or by this author? Probably not. Although it's a good read, it could have been much much better and just with a bit of editing. The story and sentences jumped around so that more than once I had no idea what was going on or why. There's also a lot of repetition. Lots of different words that were used all the time, but 'heartfelt sigh' jumped out at me, just because it was used so much.
This is a good read and I did enjoy it. It could have been so much more though!
Let's start with the positives. This was an engaging book. I liked the romance, I liked the characters and I liked seeing their love story unfold. It kept me reading and I really did want to find out what was going to happen. I'm I glad I read the book? Yes, I am.
On the other hand, would I read another in this series or by this author? Probably not. Although it's a good read, it could have been much much better and just with a bit of editing. The story and sentences jumped around so that more than once I had no idea what was going on or why. There's also a lot of repetition. Lots of different words that were used all the time, but 'heartfelt sigh' jumped out at me, just because it was used so much.
This is a good read and I did enjoy it. It could have been so much more though!
November 5, 2022
This book starts out with Bryce claiming that Cayley was stalking him. She had no intention of stalking him since all he did when she was around was glare at her. Sean decides to "help" get Bryce to acknowledge his feelings for Cayley and sets about forcing them to live and work together. Bryce also gets incentive from Rory to spend time with Cayley. Everyone around them is aware of their feelings for each other, but Bryce and Cayley are too busy denying it to see it. Their story was amusing and, even though it dealt with abandonment issues for Bryce, it was well done. I am unsure how either Bryce or Cayley have allowed Sean to live this long. He was kind of a menace. I liked the way both of these characters brought out the truth in each other without denying it outright. Bryce owned his feelings pretty quickly, he just didn't want to verbalize them. Cayley struggled with her fear but was able to overcome it knowing Bryce was feeling the same. The ending was perfect for them.
November 8, 2022
OBSESSED! Couldn’t put it down
No cliffhanger
Standalone though part of a larger series
Told from both POVs
Enemies to lovers type romance
I am so obsessed with this series and this author. I have never read books that have made me laugh out loud more than these. This author is a genius and each book, while having a similar storyline all feel different. I can’t wait for more!
Cayley and Bryce have know each other their entire life, as kids they were super close but grew apart when Cayley became best friends with his brother Sean.
They spent year avoiding each other, glaring and generally hating each other, but everyone knows the Bradford curse was going to strike sooner or later, and once it does things get mighty hot!
I absolutely loved this book, loved the touch of seriousness it had while still being hilarious and absolutely loved Bryce!
Can’t wait for Sean’s book though. I just know it’s gonna be epic.
No cliffhanger
Standalone though part of a larger series
Told from both POVs
Enemies to lovers type romance
I am so obsessed with this series and this author. I have never read books that have made me laugh out loud more than these. This author is a genius and each book, while having a similar storyline all feel different. I can’t wait for more!
Cayley and Bryce have know each other their entire life, as kids they were super close but grew apart when Cayley became best friends with his brother Sean.
They spent year avoiding each other, glaring and generally hating each other, but everyone knows the Bradford curse was going to strike sooner or later, and once it does things get mighty hot!
I absolutely loved this book, loved the touch of seriousness it had while still being hilarious and absolutely loved Bryce!
Can’t wait for Sean’s book though. I just know it’s gonna be epic.
November 6, 2022
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
I had so much fun reading this book!! Bryce and Cayley are quite the couple to say the least. They grew up together but she became BFF's with one of his brothers making him avoid her as much as possible. She thought he hated her so she tried to stay away as well but her BFF had other ideas. With the holidays approaching they both have a change in their lives making their family and friends team up to get them together. Easier said then done though as they are both stubborn as all get but the family is determined. This leads to quite a few hilarious scenes that really keep the story moving all the way to the HEA. Makes for a fabulously fun as well as funny read sure to delight romance fans. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
I had so much fun reading this book!! Bryce and Cayley are quite the couple to say the least. They grew up together but she became BFF's with one of his brothers making him avoid her as much as possible. She thought he hated her so she tried to stay away as well but her BFF had other ideas. With the holidays approaching they both have a change in their lives making their family and friends team up to get them together. Easier said then done though as they are both stubborn as all get but the family is determined. This leads to quite a few hilarious scenes that really keep the story moving all the way to the HEA. Makes for a fabulously fun as well as funny read sure to delight romance fans. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
November 16, 2022
Review by: Jennifer
(5 Stars)
This was so good! I read this in one sitting with a goofy grin on my face, loving every single word. R.L. Mathewson has this knack for just sucking a reader in. The James', the Bradford's cousins, are dealing with the same curse, falling in love with their neighbor and a love of food that turns violent in some cases (never go to a buffet with these guys). Bryce has hated Cayley for as long as he can remember, so when she ends up moving into the apartment next door, he is immediately wanting her gone, not believing in the curse anyway, he just doesn't want to deal with her and her obsession with him. But maybe it's the other way? Maybe it's Bryce that is obsessed with Cayley.
You never know what antics these guys will get up to, but they never cease to entertain us with their crazy ways. This was freaking fantastic and gets 5 stars.
(5 Stars)
This was so good! I read this in one sitting with a goofy grin on my face, loving every single word. R.L. Mathewson has this knack for just sucking a reader in. The James', the Bradford's cousins, are dealing with the same curse, falling in love with their neighbor and a love of food that turns violent in some cases (never go to a buffet with these guys). Bryce has hated Cayley for as long as he can remember, so when she ends up moving into the apartment next door, he is immediately wanting her gone, not believing in the curse anyway, he just doesn't want to deal with her and her obsession with him. But maybe it's the other way? Maybe it's Bryce that is obsessed with Cayley.
You never know what antics these guys will get up to, but they never cease to entertain us with their crazy ways. This was freaking fantastic and gets 5 stars.
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