Book Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: June 14th 2012
Review Source: Loaned
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

I might very well be they only person that didn't entirely enjoy My Life Next Door. I started reading this because my spring break is coming up & I thought what better way to start of my week than with a sweet, happy contemporary read. You should know that I'm a pretty easy reader to please. By the end of any book I'm always somewhat happy. That, my friends, is not the case with My Life Next Door.
I can't even begin to tell you how flawed this story is. We have Samantha & Jase who have lived next door to each other for over ten years. In those ten years never once did they ever cross paths. But, that might have to do something with Samantha's mom. Mrs. Reeds has always kept Sam very sheltered & has told her to stay away from the Garrett's; the next door neighbors. (Who happen to be the only reason as to why I didn't give up on this story.) One night Jase happens to climb up to Samantha's balcony & they start talking. Over the course of the summer they get to know each other, fall in love, etc.

No real depth is added to My Life Next Door until the very end. Fitzpatrick didn't only throw in one, but two sub-plots-- Both could have been handled so much better. Especially since one of them had so much potential. So many issues are left unresolved by the time you get to the last page that once you're there you think to yourself REALLY!?! This is Fitzpatrick's debut novel so there is a lot of room for growth.