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Next Life #1
The Love of My Next Life
I calmed his demons. He created mine. Macon Davis.
My best friend’s brother.
My tormentor.
My least favorite person.
Pothead. Delinquent.
A careless, directionless loser.
That’s what I used to believe,
but I didn’t really know him.
And when I finally saw him,
it was the best and worst thing to ever happen to me.
We burned hot and fast.
Passion. Anger. Love. Pain.
We were reckless. Naive.
We were doomed from the start.
When I finally saw Macon Davis for who he was,
we both went down in the flames.
***
The Love of My Next Life is part one of a duet.
It is just as much a love story as it is a tale of ruin.
While the duet will end in an HEA, book one does not.
My best friend’s brother.
My tormentor.
My least favorite person.
Pothead. Delinquent.
A careless, directionless loser.
That’s what I used to believe,
but I didn’t really know him.
And when I finally saw him,
it was the best and worst thing to ever happen to me.
We burned hot and fast.
Passion. Anger. Love. Pain.
We were reckless. Naive.
We were doomed from the start.
When I finally saw Macon Davis for who he was,
we both went down in the flames.
***
The Love of My Next Life is part one of a duet.
It is just as much a love story as it is a tale of ruin.
While the duet will end in an HEA, book one does not.
330 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2022
3158 people are currently reading
30017 people want to read
About the author
Brit Benson
20 books1,898 followersBrit Benson writes real, relatable romance novels. She likes outspoken, independent heroines, dirty-talking, love-struck heroes, and plots that get you right in the feels.
Brit would almost always rather be reading or writing. When she's not dreaming up her next swoony book boyfriend and fierce book bestie, she's getting lost in someone else's fictional world. When she's not doing that, she's probably marathoning a Netflix series or wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in Homegoods, sniffing candles and touching things she’ll never buy.
Brit would almost always rather be reading or writing. When she's not dreaming up her next swoony book boyfriend and fierce book bestie, she's getting lost in someone else's fictional world. When she's not doing that, she's probably marathoning a Netflix series or wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles in Homegoods, sniffing candles and touching things she’ll never buy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,870 reviews
June 20, 2025
Not a single likable character. Miscommunication. Toxicity. I felt rage the entire time. EVERYONE IS SO DUMB AND INFURIATING. Yet…… I couldn’t look away. Like I literally don’t know what witch put a hex on me to make me incapable of putting this insufferable book down and liking it despite hating it at the same time????????????? Anyway…. Started book 2.
November 25, 2024
Ugh! I LOVE broken/damaged characters so much! This book was soo good!
ꕥ Angst
ꕥ Childhood enemies to lovers
ꕥ Slightly forbidden/taboo love
ꕥ Dash of bully romance
ꕥ Epic Soulmate Love
My heart hurts! Moving right on to book 2.
“𝑰 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰’𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉. 𝑰’𝒅 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒖𝒑 𝒂 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒔𝒐 𝑰 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔.”
❀𖤣𖥧𖡼⊱✿⊰𖡼𖥧𖤣❀
“𝑰𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒖𝒕? 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕.”
❀𖤣𖥧𖡼⊱✿⊰𖡼𖥧𖤣❀
"𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏" 🦋
ꕥ Angst
ꕥ Childhood enemies to lovers
ꕥ Slightly forbidden/taboo love
ꕥ Dash of bully romance
ꕥ Epic Soulmate Love
My heart hurts! Moving right on to book 2.
“𝑰 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰’𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉. 𝑰’𝒅 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒖𝒑 𝒂 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒔𝒐 𝑰 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔.”
❀𖤣𖥧𖡼⊱✿⊰𖡼𖥧𖤣❀
“𝑰𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒖𝒕? 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕.”
❀𖤣𖥧𖡼⊱✿⊰𖡼𖥧𖤣❀
"𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏" 🦋
December 13, 2022
go ahead and read this if you want TRASHY drama. that's why i might never stop reading high school romances🤡🤡 serve me the unapologetic toxicity.
March 10, 2023
i feel like i need to stop going into books not knowing a single thing about them.
i shouldn’t like them together but i kinda do 🫢
bacon macon and lennon had good tension and angst but that plot twist halfway through made me wanna stop reading the book. i hate that trope with a passion. but i liked the drama.
also claire needs to be killed off, immediately. that entitled, selfish little hag.
i shouldn’t like them together but i kinda do 🫢
also claire needs to be killed off, immediately. that entitled, selfish little hag.
September 25, 2022
'🆃🅷🅴 🅻🅾🆅🅴 🅾🅵 🅼🆈 🅽🅴🆇🆃 🅻🅸🅵🅴'Is the first full length romance book in 'New to me' author Brit Benson's 'Next Life' duet. Spoken in 'multiple Perspectives.' Macon & Lennon
I am so glad I took that leap of faith and signed up for this, the cover and title grabbed my attention straight off the bat, the synopsis pulled me in further but the storyline and characters snagged me from the get go..
As soon as I started reading this I was under the authors spell as she weaved a tale of a goody two shoes girl and the boy that antagonised her to no end, he had the label of destroying all things good, but delve deeper and under it all he was misunderstood.
My heart bleed for him, beating out of time for his POV as we delved deeper into what made him tick, what made him do the things he did, the push and pull between Lennon and Macon had my angst whore screaming at all the feels and emotions as what just felt so right became so wrong in others eyes.
Their chemistry and connection sizzled off the pages, they were so similar in so many as they hid parts of themselves from others but never from each other.
One character I didn't like so much was her best friend, god I wanted to slap a bitch which cemented my feelings more towards Macon, so for that I must thank her, because she was such a manipulative person and had no qualms exerting her power over Lennon knowing that she would so easily comply with no complaint.
And then I reach the end of the book and two scenarios played out in my mind as I fell down a cliffy making me scream for the next book to hurry the fuck up because god damnit this cliffy was brutal!!
November 3, 2022
it's the way she gives CPR to the hero while mentally singing "ah ah ah ah staying alive staying alive" for me 💀
February 26, 2023
reread #1
what was more culturally significant the renaissance or-
fuck the renaissance <3
I’m macons whore first human second 🥰
what was more culturally significant the renaissance or-
It’s Macon.
Shirtless Macon.
Shirtless Macon working behind a pottery wheel.
The first thing I notice is that the front of his curly hair is pulled back in a little pink butterfly clip, which should look ridiculous, but it doesn’t. He’s crouched over slightly, and he’s chewing on his lip as his focus stays on the wheel between his legs.
fuck the renaissance <3
I’m macons whore first human second 🥰
September 12, 2022
I've struggled to read anything for the past two weeks, but Brit Benson broke my streak of bad luck with The Love of My Next Life. It's a childhood enemies to lovers romance which is a particular mash up of tropes I didn't know I needed! It had all the history between the characters that comes along with growing up together, but there's a lot of bullying, anger, jealousy, and hurt mixed in. Swirl that all together with angst, lust, and love, and you get the perfect blend of heartbreaking, frustrating, toxic, messy, beautiful romance.
The relationship between our hero and heroine, Lennon and Macon, is complex and complicated from the start. The emotions they experience from years of intense interactions and feelings are strong, deep, conflicting, gut wrenching and at times, breathtaking. The push and pull between them is enough to drive you crazy, but like Macon requested, I never gave up on them for a second. I believe in their love, and I can't wait to see them find their way through all the bullshit back to each other.
Before I conclude my review, I want to mention the secondary characters, because they had my feelings all over the damn place. I liked some of them in the beginning, and then became disappointed in them or downright couldn't stand them by the end, and I hated some in the beginning that I grew to understand and appreciate in some way by the end. In this story, almost nothing is black and white, and things aren't always as they seem. The characters are multi-faceted individuals, and perspective makes a difference just like in real life.
Bottom line, I can't wait for the other half of the Next Life duet! The inevitable cliffhanger left me wanting more and cursing the author for making me wait to find out what comes next for Lennon and Macon. Whatever it is, I'm here for all the glorious drama that's bound to come with it!
New adult romance fans, this one's for you!
The relationship between our hero and heroine, Lennon and Macon, is complex and complicated from the start. The emotions they experience from years of intense interactions and feelings are strong, deep, conflicting, gut wrenching and at times, breathtaking. The push and pull between them is enough to drive you crazy, but like Macon requested, I never gave up on them for a second. I believe in their love, and I can't wait to see them find their way through all the bullshit back to each other.
Before I conclude my review, I want to mention the secondary characters, because they had my feelings all over the damn place. I liked some of them in the beginning, and then became disappointed in them or downright couldn't stand them by the end, and I hated some in the beginning that I grew to understand and appreciate in some way by the end. In this story, almost nothing is black and white, and things aren't always as they seem. The characters are multi-faceted individuals, and perspective makes a difference just like in real life.
Bottom line, I can't wait for the other half of the Next Life duet! The inevitable cliffhanger left me wanting more and cursing the author for making me wait to find out what comes next for Lennon and Macon. Whatever it is, I'm here for all the glorious drama that's bound to come with it!
New adult romance fans, this one's for you!
April 26, 2024
i have more maturity on my pinky toe than all of these characters have combined.
December 8, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
''We are homesick most for the places we have never known''
Safety warnings:
- Cheating (gray area)*
- OW/OM drama*
- Toxic relationship
- Drug abuse
- Mention of su*cide
- Mention of mental illness/physical abuse/abandonment
- Slight taboo factor
- Cliffhanger
*Explained in the review
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
What can I say about this book that will actually be able to capture everything I felt while reading it?
I don't think I can truly do it justice and I want everyone to go in blind but if you cannot then read the rest of this review.
Lennon moves into a town when she is 9 years old and befriends Claire. They spend the next 8 years being best friends and being very close. Despite Claire's constant bad attitude, Lennon loves her and does everything to keep Claire happy and play nice. She has this need to be nice to everyone and placate them as well. Something Macon (Claire's older brother) hates and always calls her out on. All three of them basically grow up together. However, Macon grows up and does everything to throw away his life, he starts doing drugs, getting into massive trouble etc.
The book however should not be taken lightly when it comes to Lennon and Macon's blossoming attraction and eventual ''relationship''. Macon is an absolute asshole and truly is toxic.
For one the gray area cheating/OW drama is constant. Macon has an on/off again sexual relationship with his best friend and drug dealer Sam. They go back and forth, and it is basically hinted he has sex with her to give her what she wants and in exchange he gets the drugs she finds via her Senator dipshit of a father. Macon kisses Lennon and touches her and either has touched Sam before or after. It's TOXIC but please remember they are young, and Macon is definitely depressed, hates himself and possibly suicidal.
OM Drama: Lennon goes on a few dates with a guy named Eric, they never do anything but a few small kisses, but Macon is a jealous one, so the fact Eric is also a constant around Lennon makes him angry and he demands she not allow Eric to touch her....while he can’t help but get high and allow Sam to touch him.
I don't think you are supposed to root for Macon and Lennon in this book - like I have said before and Brit Benson herself says: These two are TOXIC. You root for the future and what can become of these two if Macon can get his shit together.
There are a few scenes and revelations that really broke me:
1) Lennon admitting that her mother killed herself (she was Bipolar) while her father was on deployment and Lennon found her at 9 years old.
2) Macon admitting his father physically abused him and his mother to the point their mother took the kids and ran off. Then his father refused to truly help and had another new family.
3) Macon OD's but is saved just in time after Lennon finds him in a drug house basement
4) Claire revealing, they made Macon promise when they were young to never allow himself to be friends with Lennon because Lennon was Claire's - which resulted in Macon pushing Lennon away and being an absolute asshole
5) The end cliffhanger
One thing that shocked me was how Lennon and Sam found common ground after Macon OD’s and they become friends and start to just feel comfortable in each other’s presence. Neither feels hatred for the other when it comes to Macon. Sam never had feelings for him, nor did she ever truly want him, he was just the constant in her life to get through her horrible life.
The end though (wow)
To give you a bit more context - Lennon's father and Macon's mother have been having a secret relationship for years and it's revealed. The parents announce they wish to marry, and they do so. They all move into a new house and Macon/Lennon officially become stepsiblings. Nobody knows about their attraction and how they feel....
After months of ignoring each other, they have sex at Prom night. He is nowhere to be found the next morning. He leaves her a post-it note saying that he doesn't her to give up on him...
She goes home where her father is waiting and basically admits he knows where she was, and she is being moved to London with her Aunt (this was the plan in the summer) but he is pushing for it now. She is distraught and wants to talk to Macon but he is nowhere to be found and she realizes he abandoned her.
She believes Claire ratted them out and leaves - hurt by her father and how she is discarded.
We get a glimpse of her in London. While she is there, she emails Macon over and over again and he never responds. She finally emails Claire who writes back saying Lennon is being pathetic and Macon is doing so much better without her and doesn't want her. She prompts Lennon to BLOCK everyone and starts to self-destruct (but we don't see it yet).
The last scene is her waking up with a man when her phone rings and it's Claire saying she has to come home.
I mean
WHAT? We don't know how far into the future the last scene is and why she needs to come home.
Two things that were constant in my mind while I was reading this book:
1) Claire is the absolute WORST. She is a horrible sister and an even more horrible friend. She wishes her brother would die and never respects Lennon. She's selfish and jealous.
2) Macon had a bunch notebooks with drawings he made of Lennon which tells me one thing: He has loved her for a long time, but he isn't good enough for her now so he most likely will sacrifice himself to be better?
''We are homesick most for the places we have never known''
Safety warnings:
- Cheating (gray area)*
- OW/OM drama*
- Toxic relationship
- Drug abuse
- Mention of su*cide
- Mention of mental illness/physical abuse/abandonment
- Slight taboo factor
- Cliffhanger
*Explained in the review
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
What can I say about this book that will actually be able to capture everything I felt while reading it?
I don't think I can truly do it justice and I want everyone to go in blind but if you cannot then read the rest of this review.
Lennon moves into a town when she is 9 years old and befriends Claire. They spend the next 8 years being best friends and being very close. Despite Claire's constant bad attitude, Lennon loves her and does everything to keep Claire happy and play nice. She has this need to be nice to everyone and placate them as well. Something Macon (Claire's older brother) hates and always calls her out on. All three of them basically grow up together. However, Macon grows up and does everything to throw away his life, he starts doing drugs, getting into massive trouble etc.
The book however should not be taken lightly when it comes to Lennon and Macon's blossoming attraction and eventual ''relationship''. Macon is an absolute asshole and truly is toxic.
For one the gray area cheating/OW drama is constant. Macon has an on/off again sexual relationship with his best friend and drug dealer Sam. They go back and forth, and it is basically hinted he has sex with her to give her what she wants and in exchange he gets the drugs she finds via her Senator dipshit of a father. Macon kisses Lennon and touches her and either has touched Sam before or after. It's TOXIC but please remember they are young, and Macon is definitely depressed, hates himself and possibly suicidal.
OM Drama: Lennon goes on a few dates with a guy named Eric, they never do anything but a few small kisses, but Macon is a jealous one, so the fact Eric is also a constant around Lennon makes him angry and he demands she not allow Eric to touch her....while he can’t help but get high and allow Sam to touch him.
I don't think you are supposed to root for Macon and Lennon in this book - like I have said before and Brit Benson herself says: These two are TOXIC. You root for the future and what can become of these two if Macon can get his shit together.
There are a few scenes and revelations that really broke me:
1) Lennon admitting that her mother killed herself (she was Bipolar) while her father was on deployment and Lennon found her at 9 years old.
2) Macon admitting his father physically abused him and his mother to the point their mother took the kids and ran off. Then his father refused to truly help and had another new family.
3) Macon OD's but is saved just in time after Lennon finds him in a drug house basement
4) Claire revealing, they made Macon promise when they were young to never allow himself to be friends with Lennon because Lennon was Claire's - which resulted in Macon pushing Lennon away and being an absolute asshole
5) The end cliffhanger
One thing that shocked me was how Lennon and Sam found common ground after Macon OD’s and they become friends and start to just feel comfortable in each other’s presence. Neither feels hatred for the other when it comes to Macon. Sam never had feelings for him, nor did she ever truly want him, he was just the constant in her life to get through her horrible life.
The end though (wow)
To give you a bit more context - Lennon's father and Macon's mother have been having a secret relationship for years and it's revealed. The parents announce they wish to marry, and they do so. They all move into a new house and Macon/Lennon officially become stepsiblings. Nobody knows about their attraction and how they feel....
After months of ignoring each other, they have sex at Prom night. He is nowhere to be found the next morning. He leaves her a post-it note saying that he doesn't her to give up on him...
She goes home where her father is waiting and basically admits he knows where she was, and she is being moved to London with her Aunt (this was the plan in the summer) but he is pushing for it now. She is distraught and wants to talk to Macon but he is nowhere to be found and she realizes he abandoned her.
She believes Claire ratted them out and leaves - hurt by her father and how she is discarded.
We get a glimpse of her in London. While she is there, she emails Macon over and over again and he never responds. She finally emails Claire who writes back saying Lennon is being pathetic and Macon is doing so much better without her and doesn't want her. She prompts Lennon to BLOCK everyone and starts to self-destruct (but we don't see it yet).
The last scene is her waking up with a man when her phone rings and it's Claire saying she has to come home.
I mean
WHAT? We don't know how far into the future the last scene is and why she needs to come home.
Two things that were constant in my mind while I was reading this book:
1) Claire is the absolute WORST. She is a horrible sister and an even more horrible friend. She wishes her brother would die and never respects Lennon. She's selfish and jealous.
2) Macon had a bunch notebooks with drawings he made of Lennon which tells me one thing: He has loved her for a long time, but he isn't good enough for her now so he most likely will sacrifice himself to be better?
October 9, 2024
SCREAMING crying throwing up
WHAT WAS THAT ENDING ????????? AAAAAHHHHHHHH
ALSO I HATE CLAIRE
WHAT WAS THAT ENDING ????????? AAAAAHHHHHHHH
ALSO I HATE CLAIRE
November 3, 2022
That was a wild read😭
I loved this. LOVED this. It was all I could hope for in a high school bully novel; it elevated this trope to a whole new level. Be prepared for an adventure that has you laughing, swooning, raging, hurting, and sobbing. And then it ends on a cliffhanger. lol yolo
Brit Benson made me feel so much from start to finish, I'm still sitting here crying because I devoured the last 25% in record-breaking reading time. I had no time to truly process this, so this is going to be my emotional jumbled thoughts.
I have to admit I was a little skeptical going in because somehow high school settings are sometimes unbelievable (I didn't cringe or roll my eyes once) and usually OTT angsty (and it was angsty) but it was so much more. It was honest, real, heartbreakingly beautiful. Lennon, the FMC, was everything. I loved her. She was kind, insecure, had a backbone, and unapologetically herself. Even when she did something I didn't like, it felt natural, I could see why she did it (also, hello, she's 17- outbursts are to be expected). Macon, the MMC, was an ass, definitely, but he was deeply hurt and he developed unhealthy coping habits. Honestly despite how easy it was to hate him, he is my favorite character, because he was portrayed so well, his character development really shined through. Sam and Claire, oh boy, oh boy, they had me going in the first half, ngl. Everything I thought I felt about them, got switch-a-rooed.
The writing was outstanding, and I think anyone who knows someone or has dealt with drug addiction can relate to this. Whether you like it or not, people end up hurt. Which brings me to the plot. The plot was fluid, and any questions I had were answered by the end (the end 😭😭💔). Even though there was a cliffy, the book still felt complete, not like it stopped in the middle of all the important parts. I was surprised by some of the plot twists, did not expect them, which is nice when you've read so much plot points become predictable. The characters were put through so much turmoil that I'm looking forward to the next book so I can see how the author is going to repair this. My poor lil heart is now desperate for that HEA promised.
Please- I NEED the next book asap! I need to continue this rollercoaster ride and for my emotions to be yeeted into the great beyond.
I loved this. LOVED this. It was all I could hope for in a high school bully novel; it elevated this trope to a whole new level. Be prepared for an adventure that has you laughing, swooning, raging, hurting, and sobbing. And then it ends on a cliffhanger. lol yolo
Brit Benson made me feel so much from start to finish, I'm still sitting here crying because I devoured the last 25% in record-breaking reading time. I had no time to truly process this, so this is going to be my emotional jumbled thoughts.
I have to admit I was a little skeptical going in because somehow high school settings are sometimes unbelievable (I didn't cringe or roll my eyes once) and usually OTT angsty (and it was angsty) but it was so much more. It was honest, real, heartbreakingly beautiful. Lennon, the FMC, was everything. I loved her. She was kind, insecure, had a backbone, and unapologetically herself. Even when she did something I didn't like, it felt natural, I could see why she did it (also, hello, she's 17- outbursts are to be expected). Macon, the MMC, was an ass, definitely, but he was deeply hurt and he developed unhealthy coping habits. Honestly despite how easy it was to hate him, he is my favorite character, because he was portrayed so well, his character development really shined through. Sam and Claire, oh boy, oh boy, they had me going in the first half, ngl. Everything I thought I felt about them, got switch-a-rooed.
The writing was outstanding, and I think anyone who knows someone or has dealt with drug addiction can relate to this. Whether you like it or not, people end up hurt. Which brings me to the plot. The plot was fluid, and any questions I had were answered by the end (the end 😭😭💔). Even though there was a cliffy, the book still felt complete, not like it stopped in the middle of all the important parts. I was surprised by some of the plot twists, did not expect them, which is nice when you've read so much plot points become predictable. The characters were put through so much turmoil that I'm looking forward to the next book so I can see how the author is going to repair this. My poor lil heart is now desperate for that HEA promised.
Please- I NEED the next book asap! I need to continue this rollercoaster ride and for my emotions to be yeeted into the great beyond.
November 6, 2022
**** 4.5 stars ****
What a page-turner.
Love the writing, it caught my attention 100%, fully invested in this angsty tale.
Tension and chemistry were my highlights.
Book two better keep it up.
What a page-turner.
Love the writing, it caught my attention 100%, fully invested in this angsty tale.
Tension and chemistry were my highlights.
Book two better keep it up.
July 10, 2023
5 STARS
I was desperately looking for a deliciously angsty romance that was bound to hurt my feelings. I've seen this book pop up a few times on my Instagram so I thought, why not. And after binge reading this book well into the night to finish it in one sitting, I immediately kicked myself for waiting this long to read a book by this author. BECAUSE OH My GOD! This was everything I didn't even realize I needed.
Lennon is the quintessential good girl who moves to a new town with her widower father. While she makes quick friends with Claire Davis in her new school, her brother is a whole other story. Their contentious relationship evolves into a deeply toxic one full of heated looks and barbed insults. Lennon is now 17 and yet nothing has changed with her and Macon Davis from the time she was 9, except the sulky boy grew into an even more troubled teenager. And yet there's a string that tethers them together despite their best efforts.
Macon is the quintessential bad boy who turns to drugs to deal with his pain. Being attracted to his sister's best friend is the last thing he needs, but neither of them realize the similarities between them until they get thrown together in the community center they both work at unbeknownst to the other.
This book was what my toxic angsty dreams were made out of. The back and forth these two shared and the dark past that Macon can't move on from was addictive to read. Lennon is no pushover and I love that she gave as good as she got. Admittedly, I hated Claire and couldn't understand the friendship they had. Lennon was way too understanding with her but that did nothing to take away any of my enjoyment. If anything, it heightened it further.
If you're looking for a deeply angsty book with a slow burn and sizzling chemistry, look no further. And if you need me, leave me alone, because I'm immediately binging on book two!!
Find me on:
She’s an addiction. My worst fucking addiction.”
I was desperately looking for a deliciously angsty romance that was bound to hurt my feelings. I've seen this book pop up a few times on my Instagram so I thought, why not. And after binge reading this book well into the night to finish it in one sitting, I immediately kicked myself for waiting this long to read a book by this author. BECAUSE OH My GOD! This was everything I didn't even realize I needed.
Lennon is the quintessential good girl who moves to a new town with her widower father. While she makes quick friends with Claire Davis in her new school, her brother is a whole other story. Their contentious relationship evolves into a deeply toxic one full of heated looks and barbed insults. Lennon is now 17 and yet nothing has changed with her and Macon Davis from the time she was 9, except the sulky boy grew into an even more troubled teenager. And yet there's a string that tethers them together despite their best efforts.
Macon is the quintessential bad boy who turns to drugs to deal with his pain. Being attracted to his sister's best friend is the last thing he needs, but neither of them realize the similarities between them until they get thrown together in the community center they both work at unbeknownst to the other.
This book was what my toxic angsty dreams were made out of. The back and forth these two shared and the dark past that Macon can't move on from was addictive to read. Lennon is no pushover and I love that she gave as good as she got. Admittedly, I hated Claire and couldn't understand the friendship they had. Lennon was way too understanding with her but that did nothing to take away any of my enjoyment. If anything, it heightened it further.
If you're looking for a deeply angsty book with a slow burn and sizzling chemistry, look no further. And if you need me, leave me alone, because I'm immediately binging on book two!!
Find me on:
August 30, 2022
I couldn’t stop reading and I wouldn’t put this story down. I was completely obsessed and immersed in Lennon and Macon. In their messy relationship which was messy with a capital M. They had to be and it only made them that more compelling. The hate and chemistry between these two was incredible. Wow Macon did Lennon bad but she slowly found her voice but it came with a price.
Macon was unlikeable for a great deal of the story but slowly I and Lennon got glimpses of the real him. He hid so much beneath addiction and secrets. Lennon had her own trauma and secrets. They’d know each other for eight years and that shared history only strengthened their connection. The push and pull game was top notch and don’t get me started on the angst.
These characters frustrated me but in a good and entertaining way cause it’s the reason why I couldn’t stop reading. I needed more drama, steam, tension and I got it all.
The Love of My Next Life is book 1 and ends with a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to be back with these flawed and broken characters. Brit Benson keeps on surprising me and this one was one hell of ride. Absolutely fantastic!
*ARC provided by Wildfire Marketing PR in exchange for an honest review *
Macon was unlikeable for a great deal of the story but slowly I and Lennon got glimpses of the real him. He hid so much beneath addiction and secrets. Lennon had her own trauma and secrets. They’d know each other for eight years and that shared history only strengthened their connection. The push and pull game was top notch and don’t get me started on the angst.
These characters frustrated me but in a good and entertaining way cause it’s the reason why I couldn’t stop reading. I needed more drama, steam, tension and I got it all.
The Love of My Next Life is book 1 and ends with a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to be back with these flawed and broken characters. Brit Benson keeps on surprising me and this one was one hell of ride. Absolutely fantastic!
*ARC provided by Wildfire Marketing PR in exchange for an honest review *
September 8, 2022
Bestie writes a book.
Bestie sends you an ARC.
Bestie destroys your heart. ❤️
Bestie sends you an ARC.
Bestie destroys your heart. ❤️
April 17, 2023
★ 1 star
this book is awful. it felt like i was reading a poorly written wattpad fanfic.
there was a lot of unnecessary drama, the plot was bad and most of the characters were absolutely insufferable. even the main characters annoyed me, and i couldn't care less about their messy relationship.
this book is awful. it felt like i was reading a poorly written wattpad fanfic.
there was a lot of unnecessary drama, the plot was bad and most of the characters were absolutely insufferable. even the main characters annoyed me, and i couldn't care less about their messy relationship.
September 3, 2024
This book is so beautiful and emotional.
I love it!
It’s worth reading.
I love it!
It’s worth reading.
June 5, 2024
3.5 Stars
Brief Opinion: This was intriguing. This had me engaged enough to want to go to the next book. While it did tap into my emotions, I wanted more. I'm hopeful that I'll get that in the next book, the final book of this duet, This Life and All the Rest. They were completely dysfunctional, but I do like dysfunction sometimes. On to the next...
Safety: Probably Not Safe
Brief Opinion: This was intriguing. This had me engaged enough to want to go to the next book. While it did tap into my emotions, I wanted more. I'm hopeful that I'll get that in the next book, the final book of this duet, This Life and All the Rest. They were completely dysfunctional, but I do like dysfunction sometimes. On to the next...
Safety: Probably Not Safe
June 13, 2025
I really wanted to love this book but there was other woman drama and scenes which is something I don’t like in books. also, the main characters annoyed me a lot 😭.
honestly this quote sums up the book ↓
“I know I should push him away. I should kick him out. Tell him to fuck off. He just hurts me and hurts me and hurts me, and I keep letting him.”
“But then he presses a kiss to the back of my head, and like every other time, I go pliant.”
honestly this quote sums up the book ↓
“I know I should push him away. I should kick him out. Tell him to fuck off. He just hurts me and hurts me and hurts me, and I keep letting him.”
“But then he presses a kiss to the back of my head, and like every other time, I go pliant.”
November 28, 2022
4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well, I’ll be damned to admit that two teenagers had me suppressing all my giddy excitement so as not to appear too creepy, while at the same time had me grinning from ear to ear over their silly antics 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭
This book hurled me right back to my Wattpad era where reading aboutbadly written bad boys had me dripping and creaming feeling all kinda things. This is like a really really really well-written Wattpad book, and I mean it in the nicest sense possible. It felt like reliving those good ol’ days of crushing over badass, troubled, misunderstood teenage boys, the only difference was that I didn’t feel guilty back then because I was a teenage girl lusting after teenage boys, but lusting after 19 yo Macon as a 23 yo… kind of felt like robbing the cradle, but whatever. My boi was straight up husband material.
The way he got all agitated and furious when—
—like he was a pure, celestial virgin homie had no right to be that jealous because it was outrageously H O T! 🫦🫦🫦🫦
AND I hope Claire suffers the worst heartbreak in the history of heartbreaks in the next book, and that Sam and Len become the best best best best best best best of besties. If Len had a brother I would have shipped them together so hard!
P.S. THE BUTTERFLIES THAT SWARMED MY STOMACH EVERYTIME MACON SAID ’HE DOESN’T FUCKING TOUCH YOU’
Well, I’ll be damned to admit that two teenagers had me suppressing all my giddy excitement so as not to appear too creepy, while at the same time had me grinning from ear to ear over their silly antics 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭
This book hurled me right back to my Wattpad era where reading about
The way he got all agitated and furious when—
“Why did he call you Astraea?” I hear Claire ask Lennon quietly. Then I hear the tiniest amused laugh. Lennon’s.
“She’s the Greek goddess of purity and innocence,” Lennon says. “Celestial virgin.”
Claire snorts. “Innocent, maybe,” she jokes, “but virginal and pure? Definitely not.”
My fists clench at my sides and my heart kicks hard into my rib cage. I barely register Lennon telling Claire to shush through the sound of blood rushing in my ears. What the fuck does she mean, definitely not? I pull my coat off my face and glare at Lennon, the embarrassed shade of pink on her cheeks—the same one that usually amuses me—makes my vision blur with fury.”
—like he was a pure, celestial virgin homie had no right to be that jealous because it was outrageously H O T! 🫦🫦🫦🫦
AND I hope Claire suffers the worst heartbreak in the history of heartbreaks in the next book, and that Sam and Len become the best best best best best best best of besties. If Len had a brother I would have shipped them together so hard!
P.S. THE BUTTERFLIES THAT SWARMED MY STOMACH EVERYTIME MACON SAID ’HE DOESN’T FUCKING TOUCH YOU’
November 13, 2022
Characters i hated :
Claire
Claire
Claire
Lennon’s dad
Claire
Lennon until the end when she finally started to stand up for herself
Macon only at the beginning when he knew what he wanted and didnt confuse the fuck out me by saying “dont give up on me” then telling Lennon to leave him then again saying “dont give up on me”. This dude is more confusing than his dad who is still debating whether he should pay for Claire’s college or not. PS: dont waste ur money
Macon
Lennon’s dumbass dad
Lennon’s why the fuck is he still there dad
Lennon’s “i want the best for you” but doesnt even tell about the women he is gonna marry dad
His side side side side character mother who has only one thing to do which is cry and gasp
Claire
The characters i liked
Sam
Lennon at the end
Claire
Claire
Claire
Lennon’s dad
Claire
Lennon until the end when she finally started to stand up for herself
Macon only at the beginning when he knew what he wanted and didnt confuse the fuck out me by saying “dont give up on me” then telling Lennon to leave him then again saying “dont give up on me”. This dude is more confusing than his dad who is still debating whether he should pay for Claire’s college or not. PS: dont waste ur money
Macon
Lennon’s dumbass dad
Lennon’s why the fuck is he still there dad
Lennon’s “i want the best for you” but doesnt even tell about the women he is gonna marry dad
His side side side side character mother who has only one thing to do which is cry and gasp
Claire
The characters i liked
Sam
Lennon at the end
March 1, 2023
wait what.. what just happened?? 😃🔫 the way this entire book was pure unadulterated crack and let me just say i inhaled it like a druggie on a kick
the amount of toxicity and teenage angst went crazy like every single character is in desperate need of therapy (except claire that girl needs to be jailed). and the random plot twist halfway through?? i hate that trope sm but it was executed in a way that had me sprinting through the rest of the book wondering what the fuck was going to happen-
anywho i’m done rambling 🤸🏾♀️ head empty just macon doing pottery <3
the amount of toxicity and teenage angst went crazy like every single character is in desperate need of therapy (except claire that girl needs to be jailed). and the random plot twist halfway through?? i hate that trope sm but it was executed in a way that had me sprinting through the rest of the book wondering what the fuck was going to happen-
anywho i’m done rambling 🤸🏾♀️ head empty just macon doing pottery <3
April 16, 2025
Why the hell do I enjoy bully romances so much? I ask myself this question all the time.
-High school bully romance
-Good girl who quiets herself to let others shine
-Bad boy, addict that pushes her until she snaps because he hates how she lets everyone walk all over her
-Forbidden romance
-Step siblings
-Rivals to lovers
-Love triangle vibes
-They're both artists in their own rights
This book hooked me in really quickly. What I liked about the whole 'bully' aspect of this romance was that Macon wasn't pushing her buttons and taunting her, just to be a dick. He was trying to push her enough so she would stand up for herself. He was observant, he had been wanting her for years as they grew up and he watched how she quieted herself.
The characters in this book go through a lot, there is heartache, drug use, different forms of escapism, bullying and moments where they tell each other they hate one another. Yet when they come together, you can see that they soothe each other's souls and pain.
This does not end in a HEA but you need to jump into book two, which does. But again, you need to go through more heartache to get there.
I will say, the use of the word 'bae' when the FMC and her friend say it, totally made me cringe lmao. That word is a no from me.
Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 2/5
Check the TW!
-High school bully romance
-Good girl who quiets herself to let others shine
-Bad boy, addict that pushes her until she snaps because he hates how she lets everyone walk all over her
-Forbidden romance
-Step siblings
-Rivals to lovers
-Love triangle vibes
-They're both artists in their own rights
This book hooked me in really quickly. What I liked about the whole 'bully' aspect of this romance was that Macon wasn't pushing her buttons and taunting her, just to be a dick. He was trying to push her enough so she would stand up for herself. He was observant, he had been wanting her for years as they grew up and he watched how she quieted herself.
The characters in this book go through a lot, there is heartache, drug use, different forms of escapism, bullying and moments where they tell each other they hate one another. Yet when they come together, you can see that they soothe each other's souls and pain.
This does not end in a HEA but you need to jump into book two, which does. But again, you need to go through more heartache to get there.
I will say, the use of the word 'bae' when the FMC and her friend say it, totally made me cringe lmao. That word is a no from me.
Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 2/5
Check the TW!
November 6, 2023
Toxic trashy high school drama
January 8, 2024
5 ⭐
I'm giving this a five stars and I don't even know why 😭
well first thing off the writing got me hocked and the tension between them was so good but halfway through the book the story tuned in a way that I didn't like but it has a shitty drama and I love shitty drama! and books that makes me cry.!
TBH their relationship was toxic and there were a lot of moments that pissed me off that he did but every pov of his I was sad for him and understood why he was like this as for them I loved how they saw into each other cause both of them were hiding under something *there's a lot of trigger warnings please check before reading* it was deeper than I thought not like the typical high school romances it's been a long time since I cried over a book.
as for her best friend she's also his sister she is the worst I didn't like her at all! she doesn't care about anyone except for herself she was a manipulative person.
THE ENDIND the ending was a true crime wat was that cliffhanger!!!
can't wait to read the next book and I hope it will fill the gaps that was at the ending of the first book and hopefully ending of them being together!
I can’t keep any promises, apparently.
But I have to try for Lennon.
I only sketch Lennon in pieces because I’m not worthy of the whole.
I’m not good enough. I’d fuck up a full rendition, so I stick to perfecting her in parts.
“Isn’t that how all the best love stories play out? It’s not love if it
doesn’t hurt first.”
“We are homesick most for the places we have never known,”
________
I have a love-hate relationship with high school romances but this is an enemies to lovers and I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers so yeah I'm gonna gave it a try!!
I'm giving this a five stars and I don't even know why 😭
well first thing off the writing got me hocked and the tension between them was so good but halfway through the book the story tuned in a way that I didn't like but it has a shitty drama and I love shitty drama! and books that makes me cry.!
TBH their relationship was toxic and there were a lot of moments that pissed me off that he did but every pov of his I was sad for him and understood why he was like this as for them I loved how they saw into each other cause both of them were hiding under something *there's a lot of trigger warnings please check before reading* it was deeper than I thought not like the typical high school romances it's been a long time since I cried over a book.
as for her best friend she's also his sister she is the worst I didn't like her at all! she doesn't care about anyone except for herself she was a manipulative person.
THE ENDIND the ending was a true crime wat was that cliffhanger!!!
can't wait to read the next book and I hope it will fill the gaps that was at the ending of the first book and hopefully ending of them being together!
I can’t keep any promises, apparently.
But I have to try for Lennon.
I only sketch Lennon in pieces because I’m not worthy of the whole.
I’m not good enough. I’d fuck up a full rendition, so I stick to perfecting her in parts.
“Isn’t that how all the best love stories play out? It’s not love if it
doesn’t hurt first.”
“We are homesick most for the places we have never known,”
________
I have a love-hate relationship with high school romances but this is an enemies to lovers and I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers so yeah I'm gonna gave it a try!!
July 27, 2024
Шо це було.
But also, пішла читати другу частину.
But also, пішла читати другу частину.
October 24, 2022
Aside from his terrible name, the only one I liked in this book was the H. The immaturity level of the h was on a different level. Granted she’s only 17 years old. But still… she was so annoying I don’t know how I managed to endure her to finish this book.
The plot of this was something I’ve read so many times already. The dad of the h was a navy seal and is constantly away. The books starts with the dad accompanying a 9 year old Len (the h) on her first day in a new school just after her mom killed herself. In that classroom, she meets the bully Macon (the H) and the sister Claire. Fast forward 8 years later, Claire and Lennon are now bffs and they still hate Macon. Towards the end, it was revealed that the reason Macon was mean to Len was because Claire told his brother that she’s hers. According to her, the H already took away everything from her so the least he could do is give Lennon to her because she’s her only friend 🙄. Immaturity level 💯
Anyhoo, Claire hated his brother because their dad left them and blames it all on the H. Though what really happened is that the H was abused as a kid and when the mom found out, they separated. Now, to forget how his dad hurt him, the H relies on drugs and is now addicted to it.
There are quite a few scenes where the H makes out with other women. Though this may be a red flag to some readers, it didn’t bother me much. Maybe because I know that he just needed the pills to numb himself and what these women do to him while he’s high barely registers to him. He’s been secretly in love with the h ever since and the fact that at first he was the only one who knows about the secret relationship of their parents and they’re about to be step siblings adds to his reason on why he still pushes the h away.
Lennon, on the other hand, claims to be head over heels with Macon yet whenever Eric (the other dude) asks him out on a date, she agrees all the freaking time. There was even one instance where she was just with the H and she saw Eric and suddenly they were all chummy chummy and planning to have dinner. She doesn’t even have an excuse why she leads him on. She gets mad at the H for hooking up with ow yet she still continues to date Eric and claims to slowly develop a crush on him because of how nice he is.
The never ending interruptions also whenever the h and H are about to go all the way was so annoying. It was like the entire book was leading to that.. then the ending was when it finally happened.. then the end.
Though the MCs had great chemistry, I just don’t care about what happens to them in the next book.
Plot: 3
Writing: 3
Hero: 3
Heroine: 1
Chemistry: 4
Safe: No
HEA: Cliffy where the h was shipped to live with her aunt then H was MIA. Book ends when h was asked to come home because of an emergency then the end 🙄
OVERALL RATING : 2.5 STARS
The plot of this was something I’ve read so many times already. The dad of the h was a navy seal and is constantly away. The books starts with the dad accompanying a 9 year old Len (the h) on her first day in a new school just after her mom killed herself. In that classroom, she meets the bully Macon (the H) and the sister Claire. Fast forward 8 years later, Claire and Lennon are now bffs and they still hate Macon. Towards the end, it was revealed that the reason Macon was mean to Len was because Claire told his brother that she’s hers. According to her, the H already took away everything from her so the least he could do is give Lennon to her because she’s her only friend 🙄. Immaturity level 💯
Anyhoo, Claire hated his brother because their dad left them and blames it all on the H. Though what really happened is that the H was abused as a kid and when the mom found out, they separated. Now, to forget how his dad hurt him, the H relies on drugs and is now addicted to it.
There are quite a few scenes where the H makes out with other women. Though this may be a red flag to some readers, it didn’t bother me much. Maybe because I know that he just needed the pills to numb himself and what these women do to him while he’s high barely registers to him. He’s been secretly in love with the h ever since and the fact that at first he was the only one who knows about the secret relationship of their parents and they’re about to be step siblings adds to his reason on why he still pushes the h away.
Lennon, on the other hand, claims to be head over heels with Macon yet whenever Eric (the other dude) asks him out on a date, she agrees all the freaking time. There was even one instance where she was just with the H and she saw Eric and suddenly they were all chummy chummy and planning to have dinner. She doesn’t even have an excuse why she leads him on. She gets mad at the H for hooking up with ow yet she still continues to date Eric and claims to slowly develop a crush on him because of how nice he is.
The never ending interruptions also whenever the h and H are about to go all the way was so annoying. It was like the entire book was leading to that.. then the ending was when it finally happened.. then the end.
Though the MCs had great chemistry, I just don’t care about what happens to them in the next book.
Plot: 3
Writing: 3
Hero: 3
Heroine: 1
Chemistry: 4
Safe: No
HEA: Cliffy where the h was shipped to live with her aunt then H was MIA. Book ends when h was asked to come home because of an emergency then the end 🙄
OVERALL RATING : 2.5 STARS
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2023
"She’s an addiction.
My worst fucking addiction."
correction- *THIS BOOK* is an addiction and i don't have time to write a review right now cause brit benson??? GO TO HELL (jk ily) BUT GO TO HELL FOR THAT ENDING, WHO GAVE U THE RIGHT FOR THAT CLIFFHANGER???? i'm running off to lock myself in my room and start the next book immediately and i won't stop until i GET MY ANSWERS
My worst fucking addiction."
correction- *THIS BOOK* is an addiction and i don't have time to write a review right now cause brit benson??? GO TO HELL (jk ily) BUT GO TO HELL FOR THAT ENDING, WHO GAVE U THE RIGHT FOR THAT CLIFFHANGER???? i'm running off to lock myself in my room and start the next book immediately and i won't stop until i GET MY ANSWERS
March 17, 2025
young dumb and in love = train wreck.
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