Helena Hunting stuns again with the first book of her new Lakeside series. Love Next Door tells the tale of Dillion, a small town girl returning back home to help out the family business. Dillion has her heart set on helping the family, avoiding staying in Pearl Lake and making time count. However; when she meets her new next door neighbor Donovan "Van" Firestone, things quickly change. Van is in town to avoid scandal and fix up his grandmother's cottage. When the two collide, both realize: is home where the heart is? Or is home where everything is not meant to be?

Love Next Door was a quick, eventful read. Helena Hunting's words spoke highly of home town life and the nature of returning back. The characters were likable and are sure to show up in the next book of the series. This book is the perfect beach read or outdoor, sitting on the patio experience. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading romance novels and small town tales. This book reminded me of the Virgin River series.

This was a lovely small town, summer vacation town townies, falling in love unexpectedly story. There was a lot of heart in this story, from Dillion and Van, for their families, their memories, this town. Both of them have had life derail their plans and that brings them both to town at this time. While they certainly do not hit it off from the start, things eventually turn around for them. Those things that interrupted their previous lives play some havoc, and cause some issues and heartaches, but they work through it. Smart, sexy, sweet, and steamy, this was a great read!

“You’re the best part of my day and the one person I look forward to seeing more than anyone else. I’m lucky to have you in my life.”

What an absolutely sweet and sexy summer read! This book had witty banter and some hilarious laugh out loud moments, plus the small town aspect that I just love in romance. And let me tell you, Dillion and Van’s first encounter had me laughing out loud!! Nothing like seeing ALL of your neighbor and arguing with him while he’s wearing absolutely nothing

“Seriously? He lives right next door to you. How are you not taking advantage of that situation?” “I don’t even like him.” “You don’t have to like him to ride him.”

Van and Dillion’s sexual tension filled banter absolutely made me fall in love with their slow and tentatively built friendship that eventually turned into so much more. Once Dillion realized that Van really wasn’t the bad guy she presumed him to be,
I loved seeing her discover the sweet man underneath all the charm. But that sweet charm isn’t all she discovers, Van certainly knows how to put that hot body to good use!! With both of them trying to re-evaluate their lives while back in Pearl Lake and some family drama in both of their lives, they finally had someone they could lean on when things got tough. Being back home is nothing like Dillion expected and her journey to happily ever after with Van had me smiling and swooning, the perfect summer read!!

“I want more days with you than without you. I want to put down roots and build a life, and I want to do that here, with you.”

Dillion finds herself back home in the small town she couldn't wait to get away from to help her father run the business after he brothers accident. Things may seem straight forward until she finds a naked man in her deciest neighbour's hood. Non other than her favorite grandson Van is here to antagonize Dillion and make her life difficult, or so it seems. Both their lives seem to be on hold at the moment and a little bit of a mess so if they could just stop fighting they much just find sooo much more in each other. A funny, small town romance that hits all the spots you've come to expect from the Author.q

Oh my heart! I loved this book. I am a sucker for fated romances and Dillon and Van are soulmates.
Dillon moves back to Pearl Lake after an accident leaves her brother unable to work for the family business. She swore once she got out of this town, she would never come back, but when her family needs her she can't refuse. Her favorite neighbor Bee has passed away. Bee was like a grandmother to her and Bee loved Lynnie like her own, so she left Dillon to be executor of her will. She has been corresponding with one of Bee's grandson's and isn't happy when she finds out his plans for the property.
Van always loved visiting his grandma in Pearl Lake, so when he inherits her house he comes back to go through things with the hopes of fixing it up. There is a big scandal back home so he stays in Pearl Lake longer than anticipated while it is sorted through and the media circus is tamed down. He doesn't count on his feisty neighbor giving him a reason for wanting to stay in this small town.
Dillon and Van knew OF each other when he would come to town each summer but they never were really friends. When dots start connecting as to who Dillon really is, they realize that maybe there is more to this than they originally thought. While going through Bee's things, they start to uncover secrets she left just for them and it brings them closer together.
This was such a cute romance and I can't wait for more in this series. Thank you to Netgalley, Montlake and Helena Hunting for an early copy.

YES!!!

Helena Hunting has this amazing ability to bring us into her world and completely captivate us. Each character is unique and I couldn't help but fall in love with Van and Dillion. Their passion and loyalty towards their family were inspiring! I loved their little moments and I couldn't help but not re-read a few interactions because I couldn't help but not swoon!

This small-town romance is a complete escapism read. Helena captures the town and the characters perfectly. Even the secondary characters were so well developed, yet not overpowering. I loved how much they loved Bee and wanted to best for her and to preserve her memory.
There was also a sense of drama and mystery regarding Van that I couldn't wait to get to the bottom of. The pace was perfect, it gave enough away that kept us interested, but not too much that it was predictable.

Overall I loved this book and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to @Netgalley and @Socialbutterfly_pr for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Oh holy wow…

Just when I thought Helena couldn’t make me love her characters any more than her past ones she goes and proves me wrong with Dillion and Donovan, holy hell these two are to die for adorable, I’m all in my feels with them right now.

Love Next Door brings us two different people but both wanting to escape busy city life. One who returns home after wanting to escape it and another who treasures memories of past times there.

A story about a man and a woman who both are facing difficult times and family drama.

Donovan is sweet and charming and so loveable it hurts. You just can’t help but love this poor guy and wish all the good things for him and the same goes for Dillion. She’s lovely and will do anything to help anyone out, she’s one of my favourite female characters hands down. She’s so selfless and badass and I just love her so much.

And I just have to say… the name drops in this book had me smiling so big, had me remembering the exact moment what this author talks about in the book which in turn had me laughing so hard.

No one will ever take my Lance’s top spot BUT Donovan is currently sat up there right beside him keeping him company. I’m in love with this man and how precious he is, damn it!

Love Next Door is a feel good kind of book, one that’ll have you smiling and swooning then laughing your ass off at their banter. It’s beautiful and emotional and extremely captivating, I couldn’t put it down. This book is so beautifully written I’m going to find it hard to read any book after, I feel a major book hangover coming.

I never ever hesitate to read a book from Helena Hunting because I know without a doubt, she puts her all into her characters and storyline and it’s always show in the pages of her books. I’m in awe of just how incredible her writing is and I’m always ALWAYS ready for the next book.

*3 Stars*

ARC kindly received for an honest review.

I don't really know how to write this review, because whilst this wasn't a book I totally loved, it wasn't terrible either. It took me nearly half of the book before I started to feel like anything much was happening, and to work out if there was even anyone in this book that I liked. I know that sounds terrible, but this was a really slow starting book.

I did like Dillion and Van, and particularly the memory of Grammy Bee, but there was just something missing in this one for me. I hated Dillions family, and Van's weren't much better - aside from Teagan, who I would be interested in reading about.

Van and Dillion themselves somehow seem to work together, but it all kind of happened really fast and in a weird sort of way. The small town vibes were very real and strong in this, really well done. Overall this book was just ok for me. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either.

I absolutely loved everything about this story and can’t wait for more in this beautiful small town series. As always this author has a way with words. I get excited each time she releases a new book, because I know whatever story is coming my way is going to move me. “Love Next Door” did just that.

Dillon Stitch has not only lost her job, her boyfriend, but also a place to stay. So, when her father calls with news of her brother’s latest mishap and asks for her help with the family business she goes back home to Pearl Lake. The small, gossipy, home town she couldn’t get out of quick enough. Only to come face to face with her new neighbor in a compromising state. (We are talking full frontal nudity here people.) HOT!

Donovan “Van” Firestone is back in Pearl Lake to figure out what to do with his Grandma Bee’s cottage that is part of his inheritance. But being back here is not only hard but also nostalgic as he had some of the best summers of his life with her here in this quaint small town. But what starts as a week vacation to settle loose ends, quickly turns to a uncertain future when a scandal lands in his lap.

Oh these two…what starts out with witty, snarky one liners, outrageous bickering, disagreements, and in your face animosity, all over town. Soon turns into a slow burn romance with sizzling results. It’s the sort of swoon that leaves your heart thudding in your chest and leaves you a little bit breathless. With the most magical of matchmaking from beyond the stars, Grandma Bee. The time spent in her cottage are so magical and life changing. But these two do not have it easy as they each are dealing with some serious family issues. But will love conquer all? You will need to read to get all the juicy details.

Dramatic, romantic and utterly lovely.

4 Stars!
Dillion Stitch left her hometown over a decade ago for life in the big city. Now she's packing up her life in Chicago and returning to Pearl Lake to help with the family business when her brother gets into some trouble. She's twenty eight, and feeling a little lost after a few setbacks, but could use the time home to figure some things out.

So much in the town she always wanted to escape has stayed the same. It's full of nostalgia and the familiar. She's settling in when she notices there is someone new at the house next door. Donovan Firestone is her neighbor's gorgeous grandson, and she soon learns he's also quite annoying. They clash from the moment they meet, and he loves to get under her skin and push her buttons.

Donovan has taken time off work and is looking forward to a peaceful vacation in Pearl Lake. His grandma's cottage on the lake was his haven growing up. Every year he looked forward to spending his summers there. He is there to take care of a few things when he crosses paths with a feisty beautiful woman that intrigues him. She's so fun and easy to rile up, and just the distraction he needs from his troubles. Sparks fly and soon he wants to explore their chemistry. Will his stay be temporary, or will he start to see the town in a whole new light?

Love Next Door by Helena Hunting is an enemies to lovers, small town, slow burn, neighbors summer romance full of fabulous banter and undeniable connections. It has angst, emotion, scandal, family drama, and a ton of heart. I really enjoyed this story about community, friendship, family, trust, love and fate bringing two people together, and I can't wait for more in the Lakeside series! <333

Dillion and Donovan (aka “Van”) are both called back to Pearl Lake after years away. For Dillion, it’s a hometown reunion as she returns to help her family after her brother falls into trouble. For Van, it’s a return to the heavenly summers of his childhood as he comes back to his late Grammy’s cottage… right next door to Dillion’s family home. These two clash right from the beginning, but are quick to discover there is more that connects them than they first imagined.
This book starts off as enemies to lovers, although there’s a lot less enemies and a lot more lovers. I enjoyed the banter while it lasted, and the fact that it’s surly Dillion verses a (somewhat) chipper Van almost makes it more fun. The female being the grumpy one is a bit of a flip from norm, and I’m always a fan for some gender-role-reversal.
Love Next Door is also packed with intrigue - shady business, characters trying to figure out the right way forward, and PLENTY of family drama. It gives the Dillion and Van a chance to connect and get to know each other, and keeps the reader interested and absorbed in the story. I honestly love that the focus isn’t just on the couple but also on Dillion’s brother Billy as well as what’s happening with Van’s family.
I will say it took me a while to figure out how to pronounce Dillion (like Dy-lan), and her multiple nicknames made it a little more confusing. There were also a few parts that felt like fillers - for example Dillion’s friendships are a big focus in the beginning as she moves back but then we rarely hear from said friends. Overall though, this book is full of great writing, and the author is very detailed and descriptive. The story is enticing, the romance is sweet, and Helena Hunting has me anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.

Another fabulous book by Helena Hunting. Love Dillon and Van. Love this small town romance. Helena is always a one click for me. Love it

Helena Hunting could write a book about boiling water and I would read it and probably love it! Luckily for everyone though, Love Next Door is much more interesting than boiling water! It’s is a great summer romance read with a little mystery that made it hard for me to put down! I somehow felt like I was there in the middle of the small town, soaking up the summer nights at the lake.

Dillion and Van are reluctant neighbors and a misunderstanding makes them enemies. I thought that the chemistry was really there even as they were arguing, but it did seem as one day they hated each other and then the next they were suddenly at the “lovers” part of the relationship. I did love that they did kind of know each other as kids so there is a little bit of a sorta second chance there as well.

This book is full of small-town fun, not much angst, a little steam (not as much as you might expect for a Helena Hunting book though) and a great cast of characters. I’m looking forward to reading more of everyone in the rest of the series!

Dillion is having a rough week. After breaking up with her boyfriend and losing her job, she's going to be homeless in a couple days, leaving her no choice but to move back home to Pearl Lake to help with her family business. Seeing going back home as failing, Dillion wants nothing to do with the small town she grew up in.

Van just lost his beloved Gran and is left her lakeside property. When he's forced to leave Chicago after being accused of stealing from his late mothers' foundation, he holes up in Gran's dilapidated cabin trying to figure out his next move. What he doesn't count on is falling for Dillion.

I really enjoyed this small town romance. The world building was done wonderfully and I cannot wait to read more in this series. Hunting did an excellent job drawing me into the little nuances of the town. There are two sides to the lake - the rich side and the townies and the conflict between the social classes made for an interesting dynamic. The stark wealth divide that is embedded in the fabric of the town creates conflict, leaving the townies as servants of the affluent, on the outside watching their entitlement firsthand. It gave me serious The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen vibes. I also loved getting little Easter eggs of other characters from Huntings previous books.

The relationship between Dillion and Van developed naturally and there were layers of their past together that was slowly revealed throughout the book. Love Next Door is an open door, steamy enemies to lovers romance with a hint of mystery dabbled in. My only complaint about the book is that the ending was a tad rushed. I will definitely read more from this series!

⚠️ CW: drunk driving (off page), wealth gap, death of grandparent, bipolar disorder

Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Harlequin Junkie Recommends!

Helena Hunting couldn't have started her new Lakeside series off in any better way. Love Next Door was a sexy small-town romance with a serendipitous feel to it that warmed my heart through and through.

Helena Hunting's tagline is "Swoony heroes and quirky heroines you’ll fall in love with" and she's not kidding. Love Next Door found our hero Van struggling with the loss of his beloved Grammy Bee and with a financial issue tied to his family that affected his career and everything else in his life. And our heroine Dillion was at a personal crossroads when her brother got injured, causing her to go home and help out at her family's business. So both Van and Dillion were drawn back to Pearl Lake for family reasons. But their greatly differing views of--and previous experiences with--the cozy lakeside town was what really made things interesting.

Dillion and Van's meet cute was so well done by Hunting that I was almost in tears laughing. Let's just say that it involved a very naked Van fresh out of the shower, no towels, and Dillion unexpectedly letting herself into the cottage. That scene set things off between them with equal parts animosity and attraction. And the sparks only grew from there. I loved watching the progression of Van relentlessly teasing Dillion just to get a reaction and then flirting shamelessly to make his interest known. They went from fiery (highly entertaining) bickering to a love that was tender, soft, and so very strong that it took them by surprise.

In addition to Van's family woes, Dillion was also in the midst of personal drama. Unlike Van who spent just summers in Pearl Lake, loving the quiet, peaceful town, she grew up there making plans to escape to The City (Chicago) to start life on her own terms. Going back to her hometown about a decade later made a huge difference in how Dillion saw it. It was fun watching how the locals reacted to her. And her group of friends--as well as her parents and brother--added some whimsy and depth to the story.

Love Next Door was a delight to read with its pleasing blend of humorous banter and heartfelt moments. I'm not sure which character will get their HEA

Helena Hunting does it again! With a small town romance full of both heat and heart, this novel reminds me a bit of Jenny Holiday's Matchmaker Bay romances--which is a great comparison. These two Canadian Queens of Steam and corner the market on my bookshelf any day.

In this story, Dillion returns home to her small town after her brother gets a DUI and she needs to pitch in at the family business. Meanwhile, Van moves into his grandmother's house to help settle her estate after her passing. Leaving Van and Dillion as neighbors. I wonder what happens next? ;)

In true enemies-to-lovers fashion, these two go from bickering to the bedroom, and both have enough sass and undeniable chemistry to carry the book from start to finish. There are truly excellent subplots in this book, though, which it keep it from being too mundane. Indeed, Van has been framed for the theft of $3M from a charity he founded, and Dillion is busy trying to figure out if there's something deeper wrong with her brother than his drinking.

I definitely recommend this one to those looking for a small town romance that brings the steam, banter, and a lot going on!

I also wanted to note that I really appreciated the realism of the ending, but I can't say too much more than that without spoilers.

Thanks to Montlake/Amazon Publishing for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

CW/TW: mental health struggles, death of parent (pre-book)

5 stars - 9/10

There is so much to relate to in this story. Dillion was raised in a small town and itched to move to “the city”, Chicago, as soon as possible. Most of us grew up in places we never wanted to live as adults. Sometimes the universe pulls us back for reasons and we grow to love that place. Van was a special guy, dedicated to his grandmother and found ways to do the right thing. His Grammy Bee would have been a character to know, as a semi hoarder there were always things to find. Their story has the usual comedy and sassy characters of a Hunting novel, and she always leaves us wanting more. My review has been given voluntarily after reading my early copy.

Next door neighbour enemies to lovers?! Yes please!!

I really enjoyed the banter between Dillion and Van! It got pretty heated and cracked me up how much he riled her up!

They both are going through their own dilemmas, but we’re brought together by a shared loved one that passed.

I loved the twist in the story even though it made me a little sad! I definitely enjoyed this book!

I love small town romances, they make you feel like you are there with them and this book is exactly that. I loved this book, there were so many layers to it and it was sweet and sexy and funny and mysterious. Who is setting up Van and for what purpose?   Van and Dillion are adorable together, even when they weren't getting along. They appear to be opposite's but deep inside them, they are a match. Grammy Bee may have never been alive during this story, but she was the most fun part of the book. The hunt for the money left behind, her letter, it was always something with her.

I was a little bit confused on if Dillion and Van ever met each other growing up when he would come visit. They say they didn't meet and when they ran into each other at the house they didn't recognize each other. But it was also mentioned that Van would follow Dillion around and he liked her from afar but didn't do anything more since she had a boyfriend.

This was a heartwarming book full of humor, sexiness, love of family, small towns, memtal health, mystery, and shocking twists. Van and Dillion were a beautiful love story and I loved reading about them navigating their feelings for each other while trying to figure out what they want in life. After the shocking twist, you really think it is over between them but true love will find a way to work out

This is a fab story. This author never fails to dissapoint. These charaters really stuck with me and I just devoured them