The Ex Next Door: An utterly charming and funny romance

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I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 2nd in the Secret Shifters Next Door series and ends in an HEA for the couple, but the plot line continues. There is a new couple in this book, but also a lot of scenes with Book 1’s couple, Harley and Tate with their newborn! A curse brings the shifter friends to their mates. If they don’t actually mate with these women, they will die. Tate is saved, so it is now Steff’s turn. Steff is a bear shifter who gets a second chance at his high school love, April. April is a supermodel whose wild behavior sends her running home to hide. The meeting between Steff and April is very realistic, as are the meetings between Steff and his former BFF’s (April’s brothers). it was also confusing because until the 80% mark, i had no idea who esme's HEA was, until it was vaguely spelt out for us. After Katie falls off her bike, Dan and Louisa finally meet. It is pretty uneventful except that Katie is rushed to the hospital from her bike fall. Katie scolds Dan for not being more friendly to Louisa. Until Elliot - an ex whom she hasn’t seen or spoken to for years - moves in next door, along with his perfect new girlfriend, Morgan. Suddenly, Esme’s past is right on her doorstep, or at least just over the fence. As you read this “author” it becomes very apparent that not all of the books are written by the same person. There are inconsistencies and continuity issues. Not to mention all the books seem to follow the same predictable pattern. And editing is a serious problem.

With five minutes left in the movie, Dan is released from prison. The police issue a warrant for Louisa’s arrest, but the can’ find her. Katie finds her in her bedroom. They struggle and Katie pushes Louisa down the stairs. The police and Dan arrive. I guess Louisa died??? Oh wait, no she is in jail refusing to color. One look at April, and Steff’s bear has found his fated mate. But he’s bound and determined to get her to hate him and, hopefully, break their bond. I'm also a fan of the short chapters! I'm often fitting a chapter in here and there, and that made it so much easier to do so. Platt is a new author to me, but I look forward to reading more from her in the future. Katie has a dinner party while Louisa makes some more carpet cleaner smoothie and then arrives fashionably late. While Dan is doing the dishes Louisa caresses him from behind. Katie catches them and assumes her husband is cheating. Katie leaves and goes to stay with her friend. (who is pointless in this movie.) Dan is left by himself with Louisa, he slams the door in her face. Kellan didn't respect her decision to have an abortion and then blamed her when she did not feel bonded to the baby that he basically paid her to carry to term, like a surrogate. He should have been grateful that she was willing to be his human incubator because he caught baby fever and just had to have this baby, now, with this woman. (Despite them being incompatible life partners)I loved the description on NetGalley, the lovely cover, the promise of something light and funny. It started good, the first chapter and then I waited for the promised laugh - out - loud. Unfortunately, it never came. Branded as "an utterly charming and funny romance," The Ex Next Door is a fun contemporary fiction that is great for fans of Sophie Kinsella or Mhairi McFarlane. After burst pipes destroy Esme’s city-centre flat, she temporarily relocates to a delightful and small cottage in a village on the edge of town. The change is a big one, but Esme soon settles in and, as the art gallery she co-owns with her business partner, David, continues to thrive, life is sweet. I totally loved this book! There was romance, humour, sadness, even a bit suspense! I really enjoyed it. Well written and easy to engage with the characters!

Okay so you have Elliot and Esme who have dated for 3 years but split due to Esme thinking hes messing around with a colleague (and hes gaslighting her. I think he gaslit me too because i thought she was just being insecure and jealous by the way the plot was written)

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Second chances, near misses, or bulls-eyes is up for debate in this newly crafted piece made out of love. Katie keeps trying to introduce Louisa to Dan, but things keep coming up. Also, Louise won’t let Katie into her house.