I am embarrassed by how far behind I am with writing my reviews that I didn't realize that this book is part of a series. With being said, this story can stand alone and reading the first book does give you a preview into the characters in this book.
In book one, Chris Jansen, is transplanted to San Verde, CA from NY to improve the ratings at the radio station which his overbearing father, Nathaniel Jansen, purchased to turn into profit. This story introduces Everly Dean, SUN 96.2 radio show producer, working with her best friend, Stacey Ryan, a radio deejay at the station. They are less than pleased with the changes since the Jansen family purchased the station and work hard to convince Chris how profitable the station could be.

In this book, Grace Travis is working odd jobs to make ends meet while finishing up her courses in design. She had been assisting Morty, a 72 year-old man, in lieu of rent. He has a long time lady friend, Tilly, who often comes to visit and ensure Morty is safe. Aside from working at Coffee Stop, Grace makes money as a dog walker to pay for school to fulfill her dream of becoming an interior designer. Her unreliable mother, Tammy Travis, becomes enraged when she learns that her parents left their home on the beach to Grace and not her. Grace was surprised by this inheritance as well since Tammy never allowed her to get to know her grandparents. This allows Grace to renovate the house using her design talents with the help of best friend, Rosie and co-worker, Hugo. Meanwhile, she is annoyed by Noah Jansen, who is trying to buy the house next door. He runs into some difficulty getting approval the extreme renovations he has planned which pleases Grace who would prefer he build his house elsewhere. The ultimate request comes from Stacey who wants to hire Grace as an interior designer for Noah's house which will be featured in a magazine. What's a girl to do? Learn to love her neighbor, of course!

There are the quirky side stories which provide humor and structure to series. A fun read! ( )

I am embarrassed by how far behind I am with writing my reviews that I didn't realize that this book is part of a series. With being said, this story can stand alone and reading the first book does give you a preview into the characters in this book.
In book one, Chris Jansen, is transplanted to San Verde, CA from NY to improve the ratings at the radio station which his overbearing father, Nathaniel Jansen, purchased to turn into profit. This story introduces Everly Dean, SUN 96.2 radio show producer, working with her best friend, Stacey Ryan, a radio deejay at the station. They are less than pleased with the changes since the Jansen family purchased the station and work hard to convince Chris how profitable the station could be.

In this book, Grace Travis is working odd jobs to make ends meet while finishing up her courses in design. She had been assisting Morty, a 72 year-old man, in lieu of rent. He has a long time lady friend, Tilly, who often comes to visit and ensure Morty is safe. Aside from working at Coffee Stop, Grace makes money as a dog walker to pay for school to fulfill her dream of becoming an interior designer. Her unreliable mother, Tammy Travis, becomes enraged when she learns that her parents left their home on the beach to Grace and not her. Grace was surprised by this inheritance as well since Tammy never allowed her to get to know her grandparents. This allows Grace to renovate the house using her design talents with the help of best friend, Rosie and co-worker, Hugo. Meanwhile, she is annoyed by Noah Jansen, who is trying to buy the house next door. He runs into some difficulty getting approval the extreme renovations he has planned which pleases Grace who would prefer he build his house elsewhere. The ultimate request comes from Stacey who wants to hire Grace as an interior designer for Noah's house which will be featured in a magazine. What's a girl to do? Learn to love her neighbor, of course!

There are the quirky side stories which provide humor and structure to series. A fun read! ( )

3.5 ( )

Off the cusp of finishing a steamy book by Lauren Blakely, Sophie Sullivan takes me to the opposite end of the spectrum with a wholesome, fun, heartwarming enemies to lovers (with a splash of grumpy vs sunshine) tale about two neighbors so much alike, they can’t help but fall in love.

How to Love Your Neighbor follows the life of Grace Travis, an interior design student/dog walker/barista/impromptu home health care aid (think Jennifer Lopez in Monster-in Law) that has inherited her grandparents’ home. A natural people pleasure, Grace has put off moving into her new house until she finally decides Morty (her surrogate grandfather) will be just fine on his own. The problem is, Grace have left the house unattended for so long that her neighbor Noah Jansen believes it is abandoned. Having eyed the uninhabited lot next to him, he has envisioned expanding his property and building a pool, reclaiming some of this favorite memories from his childhood.

Trouble arises when Noah, who is used to getting his way as a shark-type real estate developer and negotiator, is faced with someone who believes in the sentimental value rather than dollar signs. Not wanting to take “no” for an answer, Noah is determined to persuade Grace to sell her property, not realizing he has finally found a worthy adversary. Noah is in over his head as nothing is life has prepared him for what’s about to happen when he goes toe to toe with Grace.

This is truly a slow-burn romance. I felt as if the book moved at the exact pace of the relationship. For this reason, it did feel a little drawn out, losing my attention at moments but quickly bringing it back with a witty comment or an “aww”-type heart clinching sentiment. Sophie does an phenomenal job providing the reader with a full glimpse into the minds of the main characters; however, I did feel like some storylines were introduced but then abandoned or haphazardly concluded.

While the story between Grace and Noah was lighthearted and gave the reader the “warm and fuzzies”, the deeper, character developing arcs that may have been created to give the characters more range and emotional growth, were a little shortchanged – creating a void of what-ifs, what happened, and what could have been instead of resolutions and conclusions.

This book is perfect for someone who doesn’t want the gut wrenching suspense or heart splaying, emotional drain of some romantic comedies or the steamy/lust field scenes of others. How to Love Your Neighbor is great for anyway who wants to keep it light and just needs a reminder that anything is possible, there is someone for everyone, and friendship is what makes the world go round. ( )

This is an adorable and charming contemporary romance. The scene where Noah and Grace meet for the first time is cute and really funny. The sparks are flying right from the beginning but it's not long before they are bickering, teasing and generally annoying each other to distraction.
I loved the process where they gradually became friends whilst fighting their attraction to one another. There is plenty of sexual tension and you just can't help but want everything to work out for them.
Both are dealing with family pressures and and I liked how they supported each other. The side characters were all fully developed, interesting and entertaining.
How to Love Your Neighbor is a very sweet and charming story and definitely a book to add to your read now list.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy provided by the publisher via netgalley. ( )