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Renovation Romance Sweet RomCom #1
The Neighbor Renovation
My perfect summer just got ruined by a brunette in a tool belt.
This was my summer to get away from it all. Live like a hermit. Fix up my family’s vacation home.
Until Ella arrived.
My infuriating neighbor has returned for beach season.
Ever since our families bought summer homes next to each other, that was the beginning of our neighbor war.
Now I have to see her every. single. day.
When I let it slip that I’m making a few home improvements, she jumps at the chance to help. She’s an interior designer who needs work. I’m a man who loathes shopping. Any mention of the words color palette makes me want to break out in hives.
We’re the dynamic duo for this fixer upper.
There’s only one problem: the more time we spend together, the more attracted I am to her. Now our on-the-job flirting is veering into dangerous territory.
Because if there’s one thing I know, Ella and I are not meant to be together.
I’m emotionally unavailable. She’s sworn off relationships. And our families hate each other.
I know my future is at stake. But I can’t seem to tear myself away from this project…or her.
So I tell myself:
I most definitely will not fall for my neighbor.
But you know what they say about promises you can’t keep? Don’t make them.
Like most home projects, I’m learning that nothing ever goes according to plan.
Especially when it comes to love.
The Neighbor Renovation is a sweet/closed door romcom combining home renovation, a broody grump, and a fun beach vacation setting! Perfect for those who love clean romcom books.
This was my summer to get away from it all. Live like a hermit. Fix up my family’s vacation home.
Until Ella arrived.
My infuriating neighbor has returned for beach season.
Ever since our families bought summer homes next to each other, that was the beginning of our neighbor war.
Now I have to see her every. single. day.
When I let it slip that I’m making a few home improvements, she jumps at the chance to help. She’s an interior designer who needs work. I’m a man who loathes shopping. Any mention of the words color palette makes me want to break out in hives.
We’re the dynamic duo for this fixer upper.
There’s only one problem: the more time we spend together, the more attracted I am to her. Now our on-the-job flirting is veering into dangerous territory.
Because if there’s one thing I know, Ella and I are not meant to be together.
I’m emotionally unavailable. She’s sworn off relationships. And our families hate each other.
I know my future is at stake. But I can’t seem to tear myself away from this project…or her.
So I tell myself:
I most definitely will not fall for my neighbor.
But you know what they say about promises you can’t keep? Don’t make them.
Like most home projects, I’m learning that nothing ever goes according to plan.
Especially when it comes to love.
The Neighbor Renovation is a sweet/closed door romcom combining home renovation, a broody grump, and a fun beach vacation setting! Perfect for those who love clean romcom books.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2023
About the author
Grace Worthington
26 books471 followersGrace Worthington is a three-time award-winning author who lives and breathes sweet closed door romcoms.
A former musical theatre gal and playwright, she brings that same energy, heart, and comedic timing to her stories, crafting witty banter and lovable characters you can’t help but root for.
She holds a master’s degree in psychology and human development and has also completed graduate studies in creative writing. Her inspiration comes from charming coastal towns and classic romcoms from the ’80s and ’90s.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids.
A former musical theatre gal and playwright, she brings that same energy, heart, and comedic timing to her stories, crafting witty banter and lovable characters you can’t help but root for.
She holds a master’s degree in psychology and human development and has also completed graduate studies in creative writing. Her inspiration comes from charming coastal towns and classic romcoms from the ’80s and ’90s.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
March 26, 2023
I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange of an honest review:
I loved this book so much, it was amazing. I didn't think I would love it this much. These characters were flawed but they kept trying. I really felt Grant's struggle, leaving his past and Tessa behind or move on. The thing is wasn't like that, he was so sure that he was betraying her if he moved on with Ella that he couldn't see that wasn't the case at all. Moving on is natural and she would have wanted him to move on. Ella was really understanding about that, she never forced him or made him choose, she simply thought she couldn't compete and let him go. Sering these two fight for each other was just beautiful. I loved them and this story was amazingly written
I loved this book so much, it was amazing. I didn't think I would love it this much. These characters were flawed but they kept trying. I really felt Grant's struggle, leaving his past and Tessa behind or move on. The thing is wasn't like that, he was so sure that he was betraying her if he moved on with Ella that he couldn't see that wasn't the case at all. Moving on is natural and she would have wanted him to move on. Ella was really understanding about that, she never forced him or made him choose, she simply thought she couldn't compete and let him go. Sering these two fight for each other was just beautiful. I loved them and this story was amazingly written
January 4, 2026
The Neighbor Renovation by Grace Worthington is a charming enemies to lovers romance about Ella, an upbeat interior designer chasing her dream, and Grant, her childhood rival whose quiet summer of fixing up his family beach home becomes complicated when they must team up to renovate together, confronting old wounds, neighbor feuds, and unexpected attraction in a small town setting full of wit and heart.
From the very first chapters I was swept into a beachside world that felt like sunshine and salt air, peopled with characters as warm and vivid as a coastal sunset. Ella’s bubbly determination to prove herself and chase her ambitions made me genuinely cheer for her, especially as she unlocked new layers of Grant’s guarded heart. Grant’s reluctance to open up at first, rooted in both past losses and family tensions, added depth to his grumpiness, making his gradual softening toward Ella feel sweet and earned rather than abrupt. Their banter is playful and sharp, and the renovation backdrop offers so many delightful moments of teamwork, missteps, and genuine connection, making it easy to see why so many readers found this a delightful, feel‑good read.
Rating: 3 out of 5
This story made me smile, laugh, and feel tender for both characters as they navigated old rivalries and new possibilities. The pacing kept me engaged, and the emotional growth felt honest and resonant. I only wished for a few moments with even deeper exploration of their internal fears, but overall it left me with that cozy, contented feeling you crave from a sweet contemporary romance.
From the very first chapters I was swept into a beachside world that felt like sunshine and salt air, peopled with characters as warm and vivid as a coastal sunset. Ella’s bubbly determination to prove herself and chase her ambitions made me genuinely cheer for her, especially as she unlocked new layers of Grant’s guarded heart. Grant’s reluctance to open up at first, rooted in both past losses and family tensions, added depth to his grumpiness, making his gradual softening toward Ella feel sweet and earned rather than abrupt. Their banter is playful and sharp, and the renovation backdrop offers so many delightful moments of teamwork, missteps, and genuine connection, making it easy to see why so many readers found this a delightful, feel‑good read.
Rating: 3 out of 5
This story made me smile, laugh, and feel tender for both characters as they navigated old rivalries and new possibilities. The pacing kept me engaged, and the emotional growth felt honest and resonant. I only wished for a few moments with even deeper exploration of their internal fears, but overall it left me with that cozy, contented feeling you crave from a sweet contemporary romance.
September 10, 2024
I didn't like the her personality. She takes a shower at her neighbour's house after the owner reluctantly agrees and then she takes a stroll through the house breaking a lamp in the process and using the owner's stuff. Then, since she didn't thought of bringing clothes, she asks if she can borrow something and he tells her to grab something from his grandma's closet. And guess where does she find clothes? Yep, in his closet. Next, she's pushing him to renew the house for selfish reasons: she wants to enter and win a contest which of course doesn't let him know anything about it despite having had an opportunity when questioned by him. She keeps pushing him to do things he didn't want to do while not disclosing all the information. Shady? Pushy? Manipulative? It was not romantic. Thank goodness I didn't discover the full character that was Aunt Patty because I would have been angrier than I am. Did not read the full book, missed a good chunk in the middle because my blood was boiling. Sorry
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2023
The Neighbor Renovation was super cute and a quick reward. This book features enemies to lover and grumpy/sunshine tropes.
Ella and Grant grew up spending summers together. They enjoyed pranking each other as kids but after years of not seeing each other, a run in at the airport memories flowing back.
Ella is running from a bad ending to her last relationship and trying to jump start her interior design business. Grant is taking a break from his flying business to repair his heart from a devastating love loss. Running into each other at the airport starts a new chapter at their summer beach spots when they were kids. Ella and Grant decide that they will work together to update Grants summer home for both of their benefits.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I am excited to read the second book in the series when it becomes available.
Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC and allowing me to review this book with my honest opinion.
Ella and Grant grew up spending summers together. They enjoyed pranking each other as kids but after years of not seeing each other, a run in at the airport memories flowing back.
Ella is running from a bad ending to her last relationship and trying to jump start her interior design business. Grant is taking a break from his flying business to repair his heart from a devastating love loss. Running into each other at the airport starts a new chapter at their summer beach spots when they were kids. Ella and Grant decide that they will work together to update Grants summer home for both of their benefits.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I am excited to read the second book in the series when it becomes available.
Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC and allowing me to review this book with my honest opinion.
April 30, 2026
The writing is forced and I found myself physically cringing at certain points. To be honest the first 15% is not bad, a little cheesy but not horrifying. As the story moves forward it gets more and more rushed and sophomoric. The entire “courtship” is rushed and ridiculous as the characters swing wildly in 180 degree shifts of emotion. Spoilers coming. Please be warned there will be some spoilers coming after this in order to give examples of the absurdity.
*The FMC does not want her aunt to see her in the pizza place with the MMC from the “rival” family so she does what any sane adult would do! She suggests the best course of action is to steal the pizza pan and just leave “some money” to cover the cost of the pan. Say what? Sorry, but in this authors experience is theft not a crime? The police could rightly be called all to avoid seeing your aunt with the dreaded “rival family?” Literally the next day she tells said aunt that she is working for him. Why did you act like a psychopathic 3rd grader in the pizza place if you were going to tell her the next day?
*The waitress at said pizza place is like fondling the MMC and hitting on him with the skill of someone who has never actually been outside or interacted with other humans.
*The MMC listens to the insane FMC and does, in fact, take the pizza and pan outside. When confronted with the waitress what does he do? He drives the waitress home a couple to several miles away. Sorry, does not that give creepy kidnapping vibes? Then he ignores said waitress and tells the FMC that he wishes the waitress had just left. What? How rude. You invite some stranger (they did know each other as kids) to your house, ignore her, leave with FMC and then are mad when she is still there when you return? What a jerk.
*Instead of building characters the author has quirky idiosyncrasies like drinking bacon flavored drinks? What? Why? The aunt is made out to be a horrible step-mother-type character who is one dimensionally horrible. She tells the FMC if she does her job, you know her job, of redecorating the neighbor’s house she has to leave? What?
*The MMC abruptly does a 180 (for no discernable reason) and lets the FMC redecorate his house. They just simply strip off the wallpaper that has been there for decades. If you have ever tried to take off wallpaper it is absolutely grueling and horrible work and the wallpaper will fight you tooth and nail resisting coming off. The author has absolutely never done it herself or even googled it. I did a bathroom once for my grandmother and it was a horrible, horrible experience and took all day even with a steamer.
*After a few easily taken down strips of wallpaper the FMC stops and forces the MMC to dance with her in what was so cringy it was nauseating. Not sure what the author was describing but it was something like a 1950s sock hop type of dance. Eye-roll. Of course they end up falling on the floor together! Oh how endearing!
*After taking down the two strips of wallpaper, dancing, then they decide to take down a wall without knowing if it is a load-bearing wall, turning off the electricity, removing stuff from the wall, covering the furniture etc. No plan, no idea what they are doing and everything per the author takes like 10 seconds. It is so embarrassingly bad and cringy.
*She then goes to the bathroom without cleaning up the destroyed wall which presumably is just sitting on the floor? They didn't have a dumpster. Apparently did not put on gloves and there happened to be a sledgehammer sitting in the living room. Once in the bathroom without turning off the water or any forethought she rips a vanity off the wall? What? Why? Shockingly the water pipe breaks and water goes everywhere. She then says I’m a decorator not a plumber? Really? Really? How about a person with common sense? Apparently not. The FMC is so annoying and is basically destroying the house with no construction or plumbing experience and no plan but we are supposed to believe everything will turn out great. They destroy things but there is no mention of how things are cleaned or put back together. How did they finish the ceiling when yhe wall came down?
*Sooo, just to recap day one of the demo: at 6:30 am she wakes him up, they easily rip off wall paper, they destroy a wall and don’t clean it up, they rip out a vanity and destroy the bathroom and don’t fix that again all in minutes and then…they go eat Mexican food without any clean up or way to fix anything? Then at the restaurant he asks her if they have more work to do and she says no, I have to check my email? What? There is apparently reams of wallpaper on the floor, a destroyed wall, a destroyed and unusable bathroom and how would one live there? Dust would be on absolutely every single surface and who knows what sorts of insulation etc. everywhere because they did not cover anything. It literally makes me made how ridiculous this book is.
*The dog was kind of the star of the show for the first like 40% or half of the book and then without a mention disappears for the entire rest of the book. What the heck? Did they kill the dog? Another example of unreconciled plot points and generally rushed writing. The bones of a good story are here, the editing and rewriting process were not completed in a satisfactory way.
*The FMC does not want her aunt to see her in the pizza place with the MMC from the “rival” family so she does what any sane adult would do! She suggests the best course of action is to steal the pizza pan and just leave “some money” to cover the cost of the pan. Say what? Sorry, but in this authors experience is theft not a crime? The police could rightly be called all to avoid seeing your aunt with the dreaded “rival family?” Literally the next day she tells said aunt that she is working for him. Why did you act like a psychopathic 3rd grader in the pizza place if you were going to tell her the next day?
*The waitress at said pizza place is like fondling the MMC and hitting on him with the skill of someone who has never actually been outside or interacted with other humans.
*The MMC listens to the insane FMC and does, in fact, take the pizza and pan outside. When confronted with the waitress what does he do? He drives the waitress home a couple to several miles away. Sorry, does not that give creepy kidnapping vibes? Then he ignores said waitress and tells the FMC that he wishes the waitress had just left. What? How rude. You invite some stranger (they did know each other as kids) to your house, ignore her, leave with FMC and then are mad when she is still there when you return? What a jerk.
*Instead of building characters the author has quirky idiosyncrasies like drinking bacon flavored drinks? What? Why? The aunt is made out to be a horrible step-mother-type character who is one dimensionally horrible. She tells the FMC if she does her job, you know her job, of redecorating the neighbor’s house she has to leave? What?
*The MMC abruptly does a 180 (for no discernable reason) and lets the FMC redecorate his house. They just simply strip off the wallpaper that has been there for decades. If you have ever tried to take off wallpaper it is absolutely grueling and horrible work and the wallpaper will fight you tooth and nail resisting coming off. The author has absolutely never done it herself or even googled it. I did a bathroom once for my grandmother and it was a horrible, horrible experience and took all day even with a steamer.
*After a few easily taken down strips of wallpaper the FMC stops and forces the MMC to dance with her in what was so cringy it was nauseating. Not sure what the author was describing but it was something like a 1950s sock hop type of dance. Eye-roll. Of course they end up falling on the floor together! Oh how endearing!
*After taking down the two strips of wallpaper, dancing, then they decide to take down a wall without knowing if it is a load-bearing wall, turning off the electricity, removing stuff from the wall, covering the furniture etc. No plan, no idea what they are doing and everything per the author takes like 10 seconds. It is so embarrassingly bad and cringy.
*She then goes to the bathroom without cleaning up the destroyed wall which presumably is just sitting on the floor? They didn't have a dumpster. Apparently did not put on gloves and there happened to be a sledgehammer sitting in the living room. Once in the bathroom without turning off the water or any forethought she rips a vanity off the wall? What? Why? Shockingly the water pipe breaks and water goes everywhere. She then says I’m a decorator not a plumber? Really? Really? How about a person with common sense? Apparently not. The FMC is so annoying and is basically destroying the house with no construction or plumbing experience and no plan but we are supposed to believe everything will turn out great. They destroy things but there is no mention of how things are cleaned or put back together. How did they finish the ceiling when yhe wall came down?
*Sooo, just to recap day one of the demo: at 6:30 am she wakes him up, they easily rip off wall paper, they destroy a wall and don’t clean it up, they rip out a vanity and destroy the bathroom and don’t fix that again all in minutes and then…they go eat Mexican food without any clean up or way to fix anything? Then at the restaurant he asks her if they have more work to do and she says no, I have to check my email? What? There is apparently reams of wallpaper on the floor, a destroyed wall, a destroyed and unusable bathroom and how would one live there? Dust would be on absolutely every single surface and who knows what sorts of insulation etc. everywhere because they did not cover anything. It literally makes me made how ridiculous this book is.
*The dog was kind of the star of the show for the first like 40% or half of the book and then without a mention disappears for the entire rest of the book. What the heck? Did they kill the dog? Another example of unreconciled plot points and generally rushed writing. The bones of a good story are here, the editing and rewriting process were not completed in a satisfactory way.
April 24, 2026
DNF at 13%
I’m so done with characters in their 30s acting way cringier than actual high schoolers.
I’m so done with characters in their 30s acting way cringier than actual high schoolers.
March 21, 2023
What is it about a home renovation that makes such a fantastic backdrop for romance!? Whatever it is, The Neighbor Renovation is such a fantastic example to show that it works... and it works well. In this sweet RomCom we get not just a home renovation, but a long-standing family feud, opposites attracting, grumpy sunshine, a second-chance romance... you know all the good stuff! All blended wonderfully in this story that I absolutely adored.
From the start, I found myself invested in these characters. They were well-written and imperfect, but I enjoyed watching them grow in their ways throughout the story. They balanced each other out nicely and I enjoyed seeing them learn from one another. There were definitely some twists and turns that I did not see coming, making the story all that much more enjoyable.
Overall, I thought this was a fantastic story and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I cannot wait to see what happens next in the series!
**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
From the start, I found myself invested in these characters. They were well-written and imperfect, but I enjoyed watching them grow in their ways throughout the story. They balanced each other out nicely and I enjoyed seeing them learn from one another. There were definitely some twists and turns that I did not see coming, making the story all that much more enjoyable.
Overall, I thought this was a fantastic story and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I cannot wait to see what happens next in the series!
**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
March 13, 2023
Thank you to netgallery for letting me read this book. This book is the epitome of an enemies to lover book. From the start, you can’t help but fall in love with Ella and her love of life. The author makes you have feelings for Grant while he goes through life and leans to process his feelings for the lose of his fiancé. This book definitely gives you the warm fuzzies as you read it. This book lets you grow along with the characters about how to move on with life after having lives through a traumatic experience and not let it consume your life. I absolutely can not wait to read book to and learn about Jack and his old flame next!
April 7, 2025
Why does "sweet" have to be so cheesy...this book was just so dumb. Only finished because it was free. These characters acted more like middle schoolers than 30 somethings....
- who would just start tearing down a wall without first having someone qualified determine if it's weight bearing?
- what happened to Harold? He just disappears mid- book. She spends two days in a hospital but leaves the dog home alone?
- Grant just decides to stop being a pilot? Why? Does he even have a job?
- and seriously, bacon flavored soda is their beverage of choice?
- who would just start tearing down a wall without first having someone qualified determine if it's weight bearing?
- what happened to Harold? He just disappears mid- book. She spends two days in a hospital but leaves the dog home alone?
- Grant just decides to stop being a pilot? Why? Does he even have a job?
- and seriously, bacon flavored soda is their beverage of choice?
March 10, 2023
3⭐
This book will be published on the 30th of March 2023
First of all, thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author Grace Worthington to providing me with a free arc of this book in return for an honest review.
✅Enemies to Lovers
✅Second Chance Romance
✅Childhood Frenemies
✅Family Feud
✅Summer Romance
✅Grumpy x Sunshine
✅Forced Proximity
The Plot
I liked how chaotic this book started because it was like something out of a rom-com! The main part of this book (the competition) was a really interesting and unique aspect to this book which I really liked. I really enjoyed the writing of this book and felt like it was very fast paced which never let me get bored whilst reading. I liked how detailed the main plot was and how I as a reader who knows nothing about interior design but I didn't feel overwhelmed whatsoever whilst reading this book and I feel like the author did a good job of ensuring that.
The Characters
Ella
Ella was definitely a fierce character who was not afraid to speak out her opinions and I really liked that about her! She wasn't a fragile character when she had no reason to be. At the beginning I found her a bit annoying seeing as it seemed like she kept bugging Grant but overtime she grew a bit on me and became much less annoying. I loved how brave she was when she was helpless in situations and how she kept her tough act even when crumbling slowly inside which made her more of an inspirational woman!
Grant
In the beginning of the book, Grant was the literal meaning of GRUMPY. I didn't think that I would like him that much throughout the book but, once again, he grew on me and became this huge softy for Ella. I loved his interactions with his friends and how close they all were together. That plot twist shocked me and shook me to my core and that is not an understatement! I was flabbergasted for an entire minute so I liked how he overcame all that and moved forward to find other happiness.
Extra note: I don't really get why "Bacon Flavored Soda" was mentioned so many times in this book but I'm sure someone out there found it pleasant?
If you want to read a fast paced, enemies to lovers with forced proximity, then this is definitely a book you should consider reading!
Anyways that's it lovelies xxxx
This book will be published on the 30th of March 2023
First of all, thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author Grace Worthington to providing me with a free arc of this book in return for an honest review.
✅Enemies to Lovers
✅Second Chance Romance
✅Childhood Frenemies
✅Family Feud
✅Summer Romance
✅Grumpy x Sunshine
✅Forced Proximity
The Plot
I liked how chaotic this book started because it was like something out of a rom-com! The main part of this book (the competition) was a really interesting and unique aspect to this book which I really liked. I really enjoyed the writing of this book and felt like it was very fast paced which never let me get bored whilst reading. I liked how detailed the main plot was and how I as a reader who knows nothing about interior design but I didn't feel overwhelmed whatsoever whilst reading this book and I feel like the author did a good job of ensuring that.
The Characters
Ella
Ella was definitely a fierce character who was not afraid to speak out her opinions and I really liked that about her! She wasn't a fragile character when she had no reason to be. At the beginning I found her a bit annoying seeing as it seemed like she kept bugging Grant but overtime she grew a bit on me and became much less annoying. I loved how brave she was when she was helpless in situations and how she kept her tough act even when crumbling slowly inside which made her more of an inspirational woman!
Grant
In the beginning of the book, Grant was the literal meaning of GRUMPY. I didn't think that I would like him that much throughout the book but, once again, he grew on me and became this huge softy for Ella. I loved his interactions with his friends and how close they all were together. That plot twist shocked me and shook me to my core and that is not an understatement! I was flabbergasted for an entire minute so I liked how he overcame all that and moved forward to find other happiness.
Extra note: I don't really get why "Bacon Flavored Soda" was mentioned so many times in this book but I'm sure someone out there found it pleasant?
If you want to read a fast paced, enemies to lovers with forced proximity, then this is definitely a book you should consider reading!
Anyways that's it lovelies xxxx
March 10, 2023
I feel like I've hit the ARC jackpot this week. An amazing read by another great author.
Ella is ready to make her interior design dreams come true by fixing up her Aunt's beach house and entering in a reality TV design show. Unfortunately, her aunt backs out last minute and leaves her in a bit of lurch to find a new space.
Grant is in town for the summer to fix up his granny's beach home. The place with all his childhood summer memories. Too bad change is hard and he knows next to nothing about how to make this place great. He'd ask Ella for help but he's committed to making this summer one of quiet introspection, i.e. alone time. Lots of alone time. And Ella is anything but quiet.
Do you see where this is going?
I am so happy Grace shared an ARC of this book with me. It was just what I needed to get lost in while trying to escape this eternal winter I'm living through right now. I needed a beach escape and this did not disappoint.
Ella is a bubbly, outgoing in your face kind of person while grant is your classic grump. The problem is, he hasn't always been that way and Ella is determined to find "fun Grant" again. The banter these two share is great and their ability to hide behind pizza store shrubbery is noteworthy. I loved reading about Ella pulling Grant from his shell and watching him open himself up to friendship and feeling anything again.
The rest of the story is full of rivaling family drama, hurricanes, target shopping trips, fantastic friend groups, and lots of remodeling.
In case you're wondering: This is a sweet and swoony romance. (i.e. no spice/closed door romance)
Happy reading!
Ella is ready to make her interior design dreams come true by fixing up her Aunt's beach house and entering in a reality TV design show. Unfortunately, her aunt backs out last minute and leaves her in a bit of lurch to find a new space.
Grant is in town for the summer to fix up his granny's beach home. The place with all his childhood summer memories. Too bad change is hard and he knows next to nothing about how to make this place great. He'd ask Ella for help but he's committed to making this summer one of quiet introspection, i.e. alone time. Lots of alone time. And Ella is anything but quiet.
Do you see where this is going?
I am so happy Grace shared an ARC of this book with me. It was just what I needed to get lost in while trying to escape this eternal winter I'm living through right now. I needed a beach escape and this did not disappoint.
Ella is a bubbly, outgoing in your face kind of person while grant is your classic grump. The problem is, he hasn't always been that way and Ella is determined to find "fun Grant" again. The banter these two share is great and their ability to hide behind pizza store shrubbery is noteworthy. I loved reading about Ella pulling Grant from his shell and watching him open himself up to friendship and feeling anything again.
The rest of the story is full of rivaling family drama, hurricanes, target shopping trips, fantastic friend groups, and lots of remodeling.
In case you're wondering: This is a sweet and swoony romance. (i.e. no spice/closed door romance)
Happy reading!
October 30, 2023
Book Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Looking for:
- clean romance
-slow burn
-enemies to lovers
-grumpy sunshine
-feuding families/ neighbors
-HGTV vibes
Grace Worthington’s The Neighbor Renovation checks all of the aforementioned boxes.
The Neighbor Renovation is the first of three books in Grace’s Renovation Trilogy. This book focuses on Ella’s return to the beach house she visited every summer as a young girl. She is hoping to fix up her aunt’s outdated home for a chance to be featured on a popular reality television show. However, when her aunt and her fail to get along it appears her childhood nemesis/ next door neighbor is her only other other option. Will the two be able to get along long enough to win Ella a spot on the show, or will their differences stand in the way once more?
I picked this book up on stuff your kindle day thinking it sounded like a fun read. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I not only enjoyed this book, but also the author Grace Worthington (after doing a bit of a deep dive on her author’s page).
I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading The Neighbor Renovation and highly recommend it to any of my reader friends!!! I cannot wait to read more from Worthington and have already added both The Second Chance Fixer Upper and The Mistletoe Makeover to my TBR shelf.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Looking for:
- clean romance
-slow burn
-enemies to lovers
-grumpy sunshine
-feuding families/ neighbors
-HGTV vibes
Grace Worthington’s The Neighbor Renovation checks all of the aforementioned boxes.
The Neighbor Renovation is the first of three books in Grace’s Renovation Trilogy. This book focuses on Ella’s return to the beach house she visited every summer as a young girl. She is hoping to fix up her aunt’s outdated home for a chance to be featured on a popular reality television show. However, when her aunt and her fail to get along it appears her childhood nemesis/ next door neighbor is her only other other option. Will the two be able to get along long enough to win Ella a spot on the show, or will their differences stand in the way once more?
I picked this book up on stuff your kindle day thinking it sounded like a fun read. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I not only enjoyed this book, but also the author Grace Worthington (after doing a bit of a deep dive on her author’s page).
I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading The Neighbor Renovation and highly recommend it to any of my reader friends!!! I cannot wait to read more from Worthington and have already added both The Second Chance Fixer Upper and The Mistletoe Makeover to my TBR shelf.
February 7, 2024
Ella & Grant
🔨grumpy sunshine
🔨rekindled childhood friends
🔨family feud
🔨forced proximity
🔨HGTV reality show vibe
🔨closed door, clean romance
Ella is staying with her aunt with plans of entering a reality tv show in home design. When her plans to design her aunts house falls through she is left without a project. Grant was gifted his granny’s house next door and it’s stuck somewhere in the 50’s. Between the property is a fence that has caused long time rivalry and family drama.
The foundation of the story had me excited. Plus that adorable cover had me swooning. I wish the characters did though. It fell a little flat for me.
Although I did really feel for Grant and his learning to live again and be happy after traumatic experience. For me it was a heavy focus and made it less swoony, especially when he kept running away. I also felt like Ella whined quite a bit to get her way. I just couldn’t relate.
I liked it but didn’t love it. I will likely try the next one.
It was fast paced and cute. Closed door, clean romance, no spice.
🔨grumpy sunshine
🔨rekindled childhood friends
🔨family feud
🔨forced proximity
🔨HGTV reality show vibe
🔨closed door, clean romance
Ella is staying with her aunt with plans of entering a reality tv show in home design. When her plans to design her aunts house falls through she is left without a project. Grant was gifted his granny’s house next door and it’s stuck somewhere in the 50’s. Between the property is a fence that has caused long time rivalry and family drama.
The foundation of the story had me excited. Plus that adorable cover had me swooning. I wish the characters did though. It fell a little flat for me.
Although I did really feel for Grant and his learning to live again and be happy after traumatic experience. For me it was a heavy focus and made it less swoony, especially when he kept running away. I also felt like Ella whined quite a bit to get her way. I just couldn’t relate.
I liked it but didn’t love it. I will likely try the next one.
It was fast paced and cute. Closed door, clean romance, no spice.
May 25, 2025
I really enjoyed listening to this one! Grant and Ella felt so real and relatable. Their families were rivals in the past and I love how that was something they both worked through. Grant had experienced a great loss in the past, and I love how we got to see his perspective as he slowed down and worked to understand that loss before fully falling for Ella. Ella was patient, encouraging, and pushed Grant to have some fun! Can’t wait to continue working my way through this series.
•Favorites•
🩵 Dual POV
🩵 Grumpy + sunshine
🩵 Small Beach Town
🩵 Second Chances
🩵 Frenemies
🩵 Embarrassing moments
🩵 Home renovation theme
🩵 Summer Vibes
🩵 Complicated pasts
🩵 Encouraging friendships
🩵 Grief handled so beautifully
🩵 The garage
My rating: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: none (kisses only)
CW ⚠️: death of loved ones, grief
Thank you Grace Worthington for the gifted copy of this audiobook!
•Favorites•
🩵 Dual POV
🩵 Grumpy + sunshine
🩵 Small Beach Town
🩵 Second Chances
🩵 Frenemies
🩵 Embarrassing moments
🩵 Home renovation theme
🩵 Summer Vibes
🩵 Complicated pasts
🩵 Encouraging friendships
🩵 Grief handled so beautifully
🩵 The garage
My rating: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: none (kisses only)
CW ⚠️: death of loved ones, grief
Thank you Grace Worthington for the gifted copy of this audiobook!
April 4, 2023
A delightful and fun story
I don't typically grab rom-com books to read but the premise of this one caught my attention and I trusted the author to do it justice. She didn't disappoint. Both characters were fun to cheer on as their story unfolded with silly (yet believable) mishaps and awkward situations. It had a great pace and I looked forward to seeing how it would all come together in the end, which it did so it a satisfying way. Overall a fun read!
I don't typically grab rom-com books to read but the premise of this one caught my attention and I trusted the author to do it justice. She didn't disappoint. Both characters were fun to cheer on as their story unfolded with silly (yet believable) mishaps and awkward situations. It had a great pace and I looked forward to seeing how it would all come together in the end, which it did so it a satisfying way. Overall a fun read!
November 17, 2024
Oh my gosh! That ending was just so sweetly perfect it’s gone and stolen nearly every thought from my head. Grant and Ella’s journey was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but every twist and upset was so worth it. The growth these two, and even their families, go through was quite inspiring to witness. I’m also kind of in love with the fact that their story was both enemies-to-lovers and a bit of a second chance romance. I can’t wait to read about the rest of their friend group now.
March 12, 2023
This was an extremely cute enemies to lovers book. You can’t help but fall in love with Ella and her love of life. You will feel for Grant while he is processing his life and how to move on after loosing his fiancé. I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read about Jack and his old flame next!
March 14, 2023
Sooo good
I loved it! Of course, sweet romcom is up my alley. The characters are fun and have their endearing quirks. It has humor, emotion and a dog. It’s set at the beach and allows characters creative expression. The writing style was enjoyable and the alternating character led chapters were a nice change for me.
After finishing, I was sad to not have the these folks in my life. Looking forward to the next in the series!
I loved it! Of course, sweet romcom is up my alley. The characters are fun and have their endearing quirks. It has humor, emotion and a dog. It’s set at the beach and allows characters creative expression. The writing style was enjoyable and the alternating character led chapters were a nice change for me.
After finishing, I was sad to not have the these folks in my life. Looking forward to the next in the series!
March 14, 2023
Ella and Grant would see each other every summer when Ella and her mother visited her aunt and uncle. However they have not seen each other in a few years. Grant wanted to be alone, but Ella wants to renovate his house. Thought their shopping trip was cute and also when Grant saved Ella from the falling tree. Nice way to spend a lazy weekend.
I was given this advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was given this advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 14, 2025
Enemies to lovers, neighbors, she renovates his house, themes of past breakups, loss, family rivalry, dialogue was rough at points, her self- deprecating attitude got old, and they jumped to love a bit quick, but it still managed to be a satisfying love story
August 20, 2023
No me creí que Grant realmente se enamorara de Ella, sentí que más bien se resigno.
June 29, 2025
3.5 stars
Thoroughly enjoyed the flow of this storyline!
Thoroughly enjoyed the flow of this storyline!
March 12, 2023
This sweet and clean second chance romance is a rom com dream. I was invested from the start and couldn’t turn the page fast enough. I loved the main characters and their journeys of self healing and growth was inspirational. This was my first renovation trope and I’m all in on this new genre.
March 14, 2023
Love Grace Worthington’s writing style!! I couldn’t stop reading this, I have read all of her books so far and they all are hard to put down!! A little extra love, a few tears and a happy ending!! ♥️
March 14, 2023
I loved the depth of characters Grant and Ella. From prank wars as teenagers, family dynamics, exes and careers the twists and turns keep you enthralled from page one, I couldn’t put it down.
March 8, 2023
I enjoyed this romcom. Ella finds herself in all kinds of funny situations while she tries to find a house to renovate for a TV contest. Grant is a grump with good reason, but even he can't hold out against Ella's charm. But he has to settle his past before he can have a future with Ella.
March 9, 2023
Our past follows us. The and the bad. Hurts grow and hinder us. Then someone special to us wants to set us free. What an exciting story to read
March 7, 2026
This book put the “com” in romcom! The story line and characters were great, and I genuinely giggled out loud multiple times!
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