I was surprised by this book because I thought the couple was going to be River and Lexi, the whole opposites attract/next-door neighbor vibe, but I was wrong. It was still next door neighbors falling for each other, but it was actually Deanna, Lexi's sister that ends up being the female lead. The concept of the wager was interesting because when it was made, it was for all the wrong reasons. She wanted him to stay away from Lexi because Lexi was about to destroy their company and he wanted what he waited so patiently for, a chance with Lexi.

Even though they grew up next door to each other, River and Deanna come from very different backgrounds. Her family is extremely wealthy and his grandma (who raised him) isn't. She isn't poor, but they don't have the wealth that Deanna's family does. When he came home, it was to help take care of his grandma who is sick. She doesn't want him hovering, so she makes him go out and have a good time. He has always had a crush on Lexi, almost an obsession. Lexi doesn't recognize him the first time she sees him and she is worried about her boyfriend and their situation, so she "takes a break" and comes on to River. He is happy because he has always wanted a chance with Lexi.

Deanna can't have Lexi sabotaging their company because she is scared. Lexi is supposed to be the poster couple (along with her boyfriend) for their dating app, but she doesn't do commitment. In order to keep Lexi with her boyfriend she has to keep her away from River. I really enjoyed seeing River and Deanna get to know each other better. Even though they grew up next to each other, they never really talked. As they spend time together, trying to win the wager, they dig deep and bare their souls. In the process some truths are revealed and feelings start to change.

River made me swoon. He was quick with some realizations about himself, Lexi and Deanna. When he went in, he went all in. They agreed to end things if feelings changed, but he knew that what Deanna told him wasn't exactly the truth. It was nice having his grandma and his "sisters" help him realize that he needed to fight harder for what he wanted, and boy did he ever go big.

Deanna is too practical and by the book, so when her dating app says that she isn't compatible with River she ends things between them. She lies and breaks both of their hearts in the process. Will his grand gesture be enough to open her eyes? Will she let science ruin what could be the best relationship she has ever had?

I would love to read more about these characters and maybe his "sisters" will get books of their own so we can see all of these wonderful characters again. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for allowing me an early read of this book. All thoughts are my own, I do not accept money for reviews.

I genuinely cannot tell you what it was, but this book never quite grabbed my attention. It was an easy book to put down for me, which I do want to stress doesn’t make it a bad book. I mostly enjoyed the book, but because I kept getting distracted by whatever was going on around me it took a lot longer for me to get through it then it normally would for a book this size.

River and Deanna were so fun to read. Maybe more on the insalust side in terms of timeline, a majority of this book takes place over three days while the complete timeline is like two weeks. They were interesting characters, flipping the stereotypical roles of the hopeless romantic and cynic. I also like the acknowledgement that while algorithms and dating apps work for most people, you can also find your match outside those bubbles and that just because you may or may not be compatible on paper doesn’t mean you aren’t right for each other.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance e-copy of The Neighbor Wager by Crystal Kaswell in exchange of an honest review.

"The Neighbor Wager" by Crystal Caswell is a fast-paced and captivating story that follows two sisters, Deanna and Lexi, as they navigate the world of love and relationships. With a unique twist of a dating app they created, the book explores the complexities of finding true love amidst the pressures of societal expectations. The author's skillful storytelling creates a movie-like experience, with vivid descriptions and engaging character interactions. The book beautifully portrays the bond between the sisters and presents both female and male characters as supportive and relatable. Some parts of the book felt a bit slow but overall this was a quick, easy read. 3.5 Stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for the eARC! I was intrigued by this book based on the premise and found it to be something different than I’m used to reading.

I liked the idea of the app and that being a way for the characters to get together, and I’m a sucker for a friends to lovers, boy next door trope, but I was not expecting a love triangle of sorts.

Some of the character decisions felt icky and I couldn’t really connect with their motives or actions. There was a lot of spice and I did appreciate the openness with which sex and sexuality was discussed. However, this ultimately wasn’t for me.

"The Neighbor Wager" by Crystal Kawell is a slow burn that turns the heat up QUICKLY once you get about 60-70% of the way through. The last 30-40% of the book is mostly spice so, if that’s something you’re not interested in reading, be aware of that going into this book. That aside, I had a difficult time relating to the main characters in this novel and, as a character-oriented reader, that did take away some of the enjoyment while reading this book.

We have Deanna Huntington who, in River’s mind, is akin to the embodiment of the moon – a theme he constantly reiterates throughout the book, and which her very name plays into. Deanna was the character I liked the most in this book, but even her character felt two-dimensional at times. While she was supposed to be seen by readers, and other characters, as a high-powered, successful, confident businesswoman, we didn’t get to really see this side of her in the book. It was told to us repeatedly, but seemed to be a case where the author could have shown this side of her more and told us about it less. River, the main male character, spends most of the first 25% of the book absolutely obsessed with Deanna’s sister which, I’ll be honest, was hard for me, personally, to get through. I didn’t feel like, based on the strength of his obsessions with her sister, it would be believable when he finally fell for Deanna. However, the author surprised me in the latter half of the book with River’s shift in his thought process surrounding old crushes, emotional attachments, and the changing nature of feelings and relationships and I did end up convinced by the end of the book that he truly cared about Deanna and no longer held any sort of romantic notions for her sister.

The world-building felt surface level which, in a rom-com, can be okay, but sometimes came across poorly. I often felt like these rich characters, who were able to fully admit to their wealth, were really out of touch with what it actually is to be poor. There were a few references in this book to things that “poor” people seemed like they were supposed to be able to relate to, but seemed more like TV and movie stereotypes of what it actually means and looks like to be poor, or to come from a low-income background.

The sub-plot, besides the romance, was interesting – Deanna and her sister, Lexi, have created a new dating app designed by Deanna using her own code for matchmaking, and it’s seeing success, but they need more funding to take it to the next level. The app and its implications drive the relationships in this story along in various ways and felt a bit similar to Christina Lauren’s, "The Soulmate Equation" (with more spice). Overall, I liked this book more than I thought I would based on the first 20%, and I’m glad I continued reading until the end because the character growth really does make the book better. I would recommend this title to those looking for a fast-paced, low-stakes, contemporary rom-com with a slow-burn and plenty of spice.

The Neighbor Wager
by Crystal Kaswell
2.5 stars
Feb, 7th to Feb, 8th
352 pages

I have never watched Sabrina, so I went in blind. I was so hopeful for a bit with this read. I loved Deanne at first, she is my girl, but then it just fizzled out big time. River just seems so creepy to me throughout the whole book. Lexi is just a stuck-up girl which I like and she takes what she wants and does what she wants but I also don't like how she is. This was just not the book for me.
Thank you, Net Galley and Entangled Publishing for this eARC for an honest review.

***BOOK REVIEW***
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Y’all, this book is horny AF. Lolol.

A gender-bent take on Sabrina, this book is full of fun, logic and 🌶️. There were a few things that seemed repetitive that got a little annoying, and at one part it felt like the FMC wasn’t behaving like her character should have based on who she had been the whole book. But all in all, this was a really fun read. Also my husband approves of this book 👌🏻🔥

It comes out 2.20.24, so make sure to get your hands on it soon!! Thank you @entangled_publishing and @netgalley for letting me read it early!!

3.75 🌟
2🌶🌶

I didn't begin to like this book until after the halfway mark. I was close to just calling it a DNF several times.
I was so turned off by what Lexi did to Jake right from the start. It was also hard to believe that after literal years of being obsessed with Lexi, River is just suddenly into her sister after one night. 
Once the sole focus was on River & Deanna, I fell into the story a little more. I like them together. 
Then insert a ridiculous 3rd act breakup that is resolved too quickly. 
It's just a miss for me.

*I received an advanced copy of this book for review, this is my own opinion.*

The Neighbor Wager is a modern, genderbent Sabrina retelling set in California. River has been obsessed with the rich neighbor's daughter since he was a teen, and when he returns home to help his ailing grandmother, he finally has the chance to be with her. Deanna, her more logical, responsible sister, needs to keep him away from Lexi for the success of their dating app, for which Lexi and her boyfriend Jake are supposed to be the success story.

I really appreciate the frank discussions of sex and kink in this book. Discussing kinks (actual kinks and not someone making jokes) isn't something we see often outside of erotica spaces. I also really appreciate the way that Lexi is portrayed as being a stereotypical California girl and that not being made fun of or made out to be a bad thing. It's totally okay to be both a business woman, <i> and </i> like pink, feminine things. I love that Kaswell took the time to make Lexi this way and to point out the internalized misogyny of that negative stereotype.

What I didn't love was the amount of discussion of kink, with a huge amount of focus on Dommes and subs without any kink whatsoever actually being present in the book? River wants to "take control", which, I guess he <i> kind of </i> does, but it's definitely not kinky, which seems at odds with the sheer amount of focus placed on that sexual aspect. I guess my issue is that despite the amount of time spent talking (and thinking) about kinky sex, what we get is pretty vanilla. (Not a bad thing--just doesn't match up.)

I love Sabrina, both the Aubrey Hepburn version and the Harrison Ford one, so I was really excited to read this book when I came across it! I will say that while it sticks to the same basic plot lines, it doesn't have quite the...timeless? (I'm not sure if this is the correct word choice here, but I'm just gonna go with it) romance of Sabrina. Not in a bad way, this is just REALLY modern, with the dating app as the driving force. Which makes a lot of sense, so like I said, not a bad thing.

Thanks to Netgalley, Entangled Publishing, and Crystal Kaswell for the arc!

River has been in love with Deanna's sister Lexi since he was a teenager, crushing on the girl next door, and is hoping to finally get his shot with her when he comes home to spend time with his grandma.
Deanna and Lexi are trying to find an investor for their dating app Meet Cute but the investor wants a poster couple and picks Lexi and her boyfriend as ideal, which freaks her out and sends her out hunting for new man meat because she is a hit it and quit it kind of girl, it doesn't matter how much she really likes her boyfriend. Lexi picks River and Deanna does her best to get in the way for River's sake(he's a romantic) and her companies.
The banter is fun and the way the characters bargain or bet with each other is a good time, I did feel the story lingered a little to long on his infatuation with Lexi but once River is with Deanna he is all in and the duel between romance and logic is on.

This was a fun romance!

Deanna grew up in the shadow of her beautiful, bombshell sister, Lexi, despite having so much going for herself.

When the boy next door, River, returns home all handsome and tattooed, Lexi is interested, despite having a boyfriend. A boyfriend who, according to the dating app created by Deanna, is her perfect match. Lexi and Jake are the apps poster couple.

River and Deanna end up making a wager - if he can convince her that there is more to romance than an algorithm, she will give him the green light to have a shot at Lexi. If not, he will help her convince Lexi she belongs with Jake.

Along the way, River and Deanna start to catch feelings. Is he a match for her according the the algorithm? Does it matter? Is there more to love than an algorithm match?

Many thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have been provided with a review copy of The Neighbor Wager from NetGalley for an impartial review. I just really enjoyed this story and I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Crystal Kaswell's "The Neighbor Wager" is a delightful romantic rollercoaster that had me hooked from start to finish. The characters are richly developed, and their chemistry leaps off the pages. I found myself eagerly flipping through the story, drawn in by the tension and passion between the two main characters.

While the prologue was a bit challenging to get into initially, once I pushed through the first few chapters, the narrative truly found its stride. From there on, I was completely engrossed in the story, unable to put it down.

Kaswell's writing style is engaging and immersive, making it easy to lose yourself in the world she has crafted. I appreciated the depth of emotion and the authenticity she brought to the characters' experiences.

Overall, "The Neighbor Wager" is a captivating read that I would highly recommend to fans of romance. Kaswell's ability to weave together compelling characters, a captivating storyline, and palpable tension makes this book a standout in the genre.

I was pulled into this book with the amazing cover and promising synopsis but it fell a little short for me. The writing style is a bit choppy in the dialogue and doesn't flow easily. I think if I were listening to this it would have translated better than reading because the dialogue is written like actual conversations and it was hard to follow who was speaking. The story itself was cute and spicy, it did lack a spark I was hoping to feel.

The flow of the story felt like it took Deanna and River all over the place and the progression of their relationship didn’t make sense, especially at the end. I did feel the chemistry between these two characters, I just wish their story was executed better.

I would recommend trying out this book if it sounds interesting to you, but the writing style did not match up with what I tend to enjoy. Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled: Amara for the ARC

Quick Summary: A science of attraction versus a love is found romance

My Review: The Neighbor Wager by Crystal Kaswell is a modern day glow up romance. It is presented as a reverse take on the comedy-drama film, Sabrina.

About the Book: The road to finding your person - the special love meant just for you - can be challenging. When two people enter into a wager of sorts to direct attention away from major crush energy, they find more than they bargained for.

My Final Say: While this novel did give off Sabrina vibes, it was not true to the original formula. Perhaps, it was too contemporary, as well as racy. With that said, I liked the whole ugly duckling to handsome swan angle. I also appreciated the HEA with the write your own ending to the future approach. It was a non-traditional stance that somehow worked.

Other: Readers who want a bit of spice with an alternative retelling of a classic will get this story. It may not appeal to Sabrina purists or enthusiasts.

Rating: 3/5
Recommend: +/-
Audience: A
Status/Level: ⚖️

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled:Amara), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to this title. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to review this work. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own.

Beneath its charming cover, this book unravels a narrative dominated by two affluent sisters who venture into creating a dating app. The storyline revolves around predictable dynamics: one sister embodies the epitome of perfection, while the other exudes sharpness and a penchant for programming and being nerdy. The plot takes a foreseeable turn when their neighbor, once nerdy and now adorned with tattoos, develops a crush on the seemingly perfect sister but engages in a wager, leading to interactions with the brunette sibling.Regrettably, the narrative primarily unfolds as a tale of two desire-driven individuals, with an overwhelming focus on their physical attraction, accounting for the majority of the book. The portrayal of privileged characters effortlessly obtaining their desires without substantial effort diminishes the depth of the overall narrative. Despite the shared experience of losing their mothers, the characters' emotional depth remains largely unexplored.While the cover promises an adorable story, the content fails to live up to expectations, resulting in a narrative that, despite its potential, falls flat. My rating is of 2.75 stars, the book's lack of depth and reliance on predictable tropes contribute to a sense of missed opportunities for a more enriching reading experience.

At first, I was enjoying the premise of a gender-flipped take on Sabrina--a buttoned-up older sibling must distract their promiscuous younger sibling from the suddenly-hot neighbor who's always carried a torch for them. But this one lost steam fast. The characters got together so easily, and then just had so much sex, the plot kind of went by the wayside. I'm not a person who minds spiciness, but it started getting boring. Also, it's hard to write BDSM in a way that doesn't seem kind of goofy or cringey. Anyway.

Another issue is that the characters are supposed to be 26 and 28, apparently in the present-day (driving Teslas and building apps), but they seem to have GenX/Millennial tastes and traits. In high school, Deanna dated goth guys and wore combat boots. Lexi's seduction music is Sade. Their mother loved Fleetwood Mac and 70s singer-songwriters. It all sounds like people born in the early 80s, not late 90s.

And finally, for some reason, River's specialty is "Eggs Benedict" (with both words capitalized), which he whips up spontaneously, and which he and Deanna eat "slices" of. Does the author mean an omelet? Because eggs Benedict requires such ingredients as: English muffins, Canadian bacon, lemon juice, and probably a thermometer for poaching the eggs. Would someone who microwaves oatmeal every morning have all that?

Maybe it's somebody's cup of tea, but I was skimming by the middle of the book. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I have not read anything by this author before, but I will definitely be looking out for their work in the future. I loved seeing the story unfold and seeing the characters grow.

The Neighbor Wager is a book about two people; one who believes in love, and one who believes in science. River and Deanna believe fundamentally different things when it comes to relationships and they wager on it. The catch? He's had his sights set on her sister for over a decade.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*


I have a lot of different feelings about this book. Kaswell wrote compelling characters in River and Deanna, and I truly didn't know how they were going to overcome the obstacle of his infatuation with her sister, Lexi. It gets resolved towards the end and I really appreciated the thoughtfulness that went into River's description of the idea of a what-if or an out-of-reach person, but I wish it was a conversation the characters would have had earlier in the book or he would have had an internal monologue about earlier. While the characters didn't really acknowledge the elephant in the room - that they'd made this wager so he could date her sister - it made me uncomfortable during the growth of their relationship. With such a constrained timeline (2-3 weeks!), it felt a little rushed and if you don't like insta-lust, prepare yourself. The "wager" doesn't feel fully explored either - what has he done to prove there's magic other than to make her fall in love with him, which wasn't even his intention?

This book came so close to being fantastic for me, but there are a couple big misses for me: the timeline, not acknowledging the reason for the wager, and the resolution of the third-act breakup fell flat. I was left with a few more questions than answers. That said, it was hilarious and the characters really do have a bond that I was rooting for and loved to see brought to life.

Crystal Kaswell invites readers on a journey of love and discovery in "The Neighbor Wager," where the complexities of human attraction take center stage. As a devoted bookworm, I found myself drawn into the lives of River, Lexi, and Deanna, each navigating their own paths in the unpredictable landscape of romance.

Nostalgia and New Beginnings:
River's transformation from the nerdy boy next door to a tattooed heartthrob resonated deeply with my own memories of teenage crushes and the surprises of adulthood. Kaswell beautifully captures the bittersweet nostalgia of first love and the excitement of unexpected connections.

Friendship, Love, and Complications:
At the heart of the story lies a tangled web of emotions as River, Lexi, and Deanna navigate the complexities of friendship, attraction, and professional duty. As a fellow bookworm, I found myself rooting for each character as they grappled with their own desires and uncertainties.

The Science of Attraction:
Kaswell skillfully weaves together themes of love, compatibility, and self-discovery, inviting readers to ponder the intricacies of human relationships. Through the lens of Deanna's dating app experiment, we are reminded that love is not always straightforward and that true connections can be found in the most unexpected places.

A Heartfelt Exploration:
"The Neighbor Wager" is more than just a romance—it's a heartfelt exploration of the human heart and the journey to finding oneself amidst the complexities of love. As a bookworm who treasures stories that delve deep into the human experience, I found Kaswell's tale to be both relatable and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, "The Neighbor Wager" is a captivating read that celebrates the beauty of love in all its complexities. Crystal Kaswell's masterful storytelling and engaging characters make this book a must-read for any bookworm looking for a heartfelt romance with depth and substance. 📖💕