Next to You is the second book in the Next series whose story is loosely based a couple of friends renovating a school bus into a home on wheels. This aspect was unique but played a minor role in this charming RomCom that balances a few popular tropes (friends to lovers, grumpy vs sunshine) and a sweet romance with complicated social/personal issues. These issues are handled with care and compassion while allowing the reader to witness how anxiety, PTSD and loss can continue to impact a person.
My favourite part of this romance is Matt (and his family is a close second). He is a darn near perfect character and he gets alllllll the heart eyes thrown at him. He is a kind-hearted cinnamon roll of a brawny dude who is a swoony and oh-so-hot leading man who shows his love and appreciation by doing acts of service for those he loves. Lane takes a bit to warm up to, but I loved seeing her growth as she deals with past trauma.
With hearty nods to Canadian and Samoan culture and with good bisexual and anxiety representation, this is an endearing story with some spice. Readers will enjoy seeing Matt and Lane figure out who they are and what they want and if that includes being together or not.
My Rating: 5 stars
Author: Hannah Bonam-Young
Genre: Romance, Canadian
Series: 2nd in Next series
Type and Source: Trade paperback from public library
Publisher: Dell
First Published: Nov 29, 2022
Read: Nov 13 - 15, 2024
Book Description from GoodReads: Two friends battle feelings for each other as they work together to renovate a school bus into a home in this charming romance novel from viral TikTok author of Next of Kin and Out on a Limb
Lane is in the middle of an identity crisis. Her friends are all partnered up, her career is leading nowhere, and simply put, she’s not happy. So, after a night out celebrating her birthday, she makes one hell of an impulsive a giant yellow forty-eight passenger school bus that she intends to make a home.
With little-to-no renovation experience, but a large sum of inheritance money, Lane enlists the help of her friend Matt—a mechanic by trade, handyman by practice, and hottie by nature.
While their mutual attraction is undeniable, Matt and Lane have silently agreed that a friendship is the only thing that can ever exist between them. Matt’s a total family guy with “settle down with me” tattooed across his forehead, whereas Lane is entirely commitment averse. It could never work . . . right?
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