If you thought you were signing up for a cutesy, Hallmark-style neighbor romance—surprise! Renee Daniel Flagler said, “Actually, let’s unpack generations of secrets, emotional trauma, and a man who could write a textbook on how to handle a soft-hearted woman with a spine of steel.” I devoured it.

Read If You Like:

🔑 Inheritance Surprise🧳 Small Town Girl in the Big City💼 Black CEO with a Bruised Ego🪞 Healing from Family Trauma🪴 Found Family Vibes🔥 Slow Burn to Steam

Blush Meter: 🔥🔥🔥 / 5

Oh, it gets steamy. But it’s the kind of steam that simmers beneath layers of vulnerability, honesty, and trust. When do they finally go there? Let’s just say it’s earned and it delivers.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25 / 5

This one hit me in the chest and in the feels. If you love introspective, layered romances that dig into the messiness of being human while also giving you a hero you want to marry and a heroine you’d protect at all costs—this one’s for you.

Unlikely Neighbor had no right to come in this quietly, look like a laid-back city romance, and then rip open my emotional floodgates with that level of depth. I picked it up thinking I’d get some cute bickering over property lines and a little brownstone banter. Instead, Renee Daniel Flagler served up generational secrets, emotional landmines, a heroine on the cusp of reinvention, and a Black man who finally lets himself break.

I ate it all the way up.

Holland Davenport is one of those protagonists you feel in your bones. She’s not flashy or overly polished—she’s real. She's a woman who’s just had a major health scare, a fractured relationship with her adoptive mother, and a mysterious inheritance dropped into her lap like an unmarked bombshell. Instead of hiding, she packs her bags, trades in Charleston charm for New York, and decides to renovate the dilapidated brownstone left behind by the great-aunt no one ever mentioned. (Suspicious? Oh, absolutely.)

From the minute Holland steps foot in that house, you know she’s in for more than some HGTV drama. There’s grief in those walls. Silence, secrets, and the sharp kind of sadness that comes from not knowing your roots. But there’s also Noble Washington—her next-door neighbor, literal CEO in crisis, and walking reminder that not all men crumble under pressure.

He’s smart, successful, slightly broody in that “I don’t know who I am without my job” kind of way, and the man has range. He shows up for Holland. Gently. Respectfully. But not passively. He challenges her and lets himself be challenged. We love a king who knows when to listen and when to speak.

Their chemistry? It’s not insta-lust fireworks—it’s more like a smoldering burn that starts in the bones and works its way outward. At first, they circle each other, guarded but curious. Holland doesn’t know who to trust. Noble’s still reeling from corporate betrayal. But somehow, through quiet breakfasts, hallway glances, and heart-heavy confessions, they find each other in the middle of their respective storms. This is not your typical neighbor romance.

It’s about grief. About complicated mothers who withhold the truth to protect themselves. About adoption and identity and the messy work of piecing yourself together when everything you thought you knew comes undone. Holland’s storyline with her mother? Whew. Triggering in all the right ways. If you've ever dealt with a narcissist or someone who emotionally weaponizes silence—prepare to feel seen. And then angry. And then vindicated.

Because Holland doesn’t just endure—she evolves. Slowly. Painfully. But beautifully.

What I appreciated most was how Flagler balances the romance with the emotional journey. It’s not all plot twists and parentage drama. There are sweet, flirty moments too. There’s banter, mutual respect, actual conversations about feelings (imagine!), and yes—spicy scenes that are both earned and HOT.

New York, too, plays a starring role here. It’s gritty and charming, with neighbors who low-key mind their business but also kind of look out for each other. The community is vivid and lived-in, like the kind of place where even the corner deli guy knows your name and your drink order.

Final Thoughts:

Unlikely Neighbor is for the reader who wants romance with depth. For the girlies who want their happily-ever-after to come with a little heartbreak, a lot of healing, and a man who shows up with emotional intelligence and a deep voice.

This story is about choosing the harder path because it leads to freedom. It’s about learning to forgive without forgetting. About honoring your own pain, even when the world tells you to smile through it. And ultimately, it’s about building something—whether that’s a brownstone or a brand new life—with someone who sees all your cracks and still chooses to stay.

Would I recommend it? Yes.

Would I forgive my mom if she pulled what Holland’s mom did? Hmm… jury’s still out.

Do I now want to move to New York and fall in love with my emotionally mature neighbor? Obviously.

Renee Daniel Flagler gave us a grown woman’s romance—raw, healing, and heartfelt.Keep your Hallmark. I’ll take the busted brownstone and a man named Noble any day 🫣🤪.

Until the next swoon-worthy story… happy reading and happy romancing! 💕

Dust, Drama, and a Dash of Desire!

Can’t believe I’ve fallen so far behind on picking up these adorable spring and summer reads—but wow, this one completely revived my reading spirit. It was exactly what I needed. Over the past two weeks, I’ve genuinely remembered how much I love getting lost in a good book, and this one absolutely added to that joy. It was such a satisfying, heartwarming read from start to finish.

One of the things I appreciated most was how the author brought Holland and Noble together—not through flashy drama, but as two emotionally mature adults who happened to be at pivotal crossroads in their lives. Watching them navigate job changes, complicated family dynamics, and growing emotional vulnerability while figuring out their feelings for each other was both engaging and deeply touching.

The chemistry between them was palpable, and I loved how their intimate moments were written—sensual and evocative without tipping into the overly explicit, which felt just right for the tone of the story. It gave their connection an authenticity that made their romance feel truly earned.

I also really enjoyed the secondary mystery thread involving Holland’s family, especially as it played out through the cleaning and renovation of her inherited home. It added a layer of depth and intrigue that balanced nicely with the romance. The cast of side characters brought so much warmth and charm to the story—well, except for that mom figure (not the biological one), who made my blood pressure rise a bit. Still, the rest of the supporting characters added richness and community to Holland and Noble’s world in a way that made it all feel real and lived-in.

What I loved most, though, was the emotional growth each character experienced. Holland and Noble both took meaningful steps toward self-discovery and improved communication, showing that it’s never too late to learn, change, and open your heart. Their happily ever after felt well-deserved, and watching them arrive at it was incredibly satisfying.

This was my first time reading anything by this author, and it definitely won’t be my last. I’m excited to dive into more of her work soon!

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a quick, cute, sweet read. It gave me whatbi needed in a romance. Some steamy parts, a lil plot, and black love. I cant say I connected with the characters that much. I felt there were times that it felt like I was being told they were into each other as opposed to being shown, that they were feeling each other. Suffered from a little insta love. But over all a a good romance book. I would try more by this author. Thank you netgalley and harlequin for the gifted copy.

I wanted to love this one but I had a hard time engaging with the story. It was slower than I was expecting and took a long time to get to what I was expecting from the summary.

I liked that this book wasn't one dimensional!

Both Holland and Noble had individual stories that were intriguing.

I wasn't fond of the pace of the book. It felt like the couple's personal stories were "dragged" out while their developing romance felt rushed.

In some parts of the book their time together seemed rushed which made the relationship feel inorganic.

I thought the ending was well done and wouldn't mind seeing this story being a part of a series.

Special thanks to the publisher, author, and netgalley.com for providing the ARC copy this book!

I'm giving Unlikely Neighbors 3.5 stars. It's an easy & quick romance read. I liked the premise of the romance blossoming between neighbors. Some of the plot points were very perdictible but the author still had a few plot twists to reveal. I felt all the story lines weren't wrapped up in the end, somethings seemed to need a little more detail to wrap up. It seemed to end a little abruptly. The steamy scenes pulled me in but some of the word choices were a bit off putting. Overall I enjoyed the characters & the story.

Holland Davenport leaves her small-town life behind after unexpectedly inheriting a dilapidated Brooklyn brownstone from a mysterious relative, determined to uncover her family’s past and start fresh. Her plans get complicated when she meets her swoon-worthy next-door neighbor, Noble Washington—who also happens to be a powerful board member at her new job. As sparks fly and boundaries blur, Holland and Noble must navigate their undeniable connection despite the walls between their worlds.

This was a slow burn for me. It took me a long time to finish and I'm not sure why.. I expected the romance to happen a lot faster. I felt there was a lot happening that kept my head on a swivle. Holland, great name by the way, wants to leave her hometown. Then we learn she had a health scare that adds to her motivation to leave, Then she inherits a house from a long lost aunt, Then she learns about her maternal side the of the family and goes to NY to claim the inherited home. She discovers her lineage and a few secrets. Meets her hot neighbor who also has a storyline with drama too. Noble is blindsided and asked to step down from his company. Hie has a strained relationship with his father.. Ms. Elsie is the most fun because elderly people are unfiltered truth tellers. Lol! I would read more from this author now that I know what to expect.

This one wasn't good but it also wasn't bad. I think there premise of being neighbors and meeting at a time when you're working through trauma is interesting, but there was so much negative happening that it didn't feel like any one topic got enough attention. The romance also didn't pull me in fully.

Unlikely Neighbors was such a fun, feel-good read. From the moment Holland inherited that Brooklyn brownstone, I was intrigued. The story had a great balance of romance, personal growth, and just enough spice to keep things interesting.

Holland and Noble had a natural, believable connection. Their differences created tension, but their chemistry felt real and well-paced. I appreciated how their relationship developed alongside Holland’s own journey… adjusting to a new city, renovating a home, and uncovering unexpected family secrets.

As a Brooklyn native, I loved the setting. It felt authentic and added a layer of comfort and familiarity to the story.

If you enjoy opposites-attract romances with depth, charm, and a little heat, this one’s worth picking up.

3.5 stars. I almost gave up on this book, but I don't like DNFs, so I finished it. Didn't connected with the main characters even though the premise was fantastic.

3.5 stars. Romance with some steam as well as some heavier-hitting issues that impact the main characters. Holland finds out she’s inherited a house from someone she doesn’t know. Noble gets fired from the company that he founded. Turns out, he lives next door to and was well acquainted with the woman who left Holland the house and now unexpectedly has time on his hands to help her clean it out. Proximity works it magic and sparks fly. However, as Holland is cleaning out the house, she finds some unsettling information about her family, and that journey provides good substance to the plot. Some things that didn’t suit me -I listened on audio and didn’t love the male narrator-the female narrator was much better. I wasn’t a fan of the insta-lusty start to the romance between Holland and Noble, and I thought a few moments that should have had a lot of heft weren’t given their due in the writing. Overall, though, this was an entertaining story. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for an early digital copy of this book to review.

There needs to be a content warning that this book deals with cancer. It sometimes bothers me but I was able to get through the book with no problems. It may bother others.

Holland was moving away from her small town to try and find herself. A recent cancer scare has her looking at her life differently. Then she finds out she is inheriting a house in Brooklyn from a great aunt that she never knew. She knew she was adopted but didn’t know anything about her birth family. She travels to Brooklyn and begins her journey to discover her past.

Nobel is a CEO of a beverage company he founded with a friend of his. The board decides to let him go and now he has to figure out what to do with his life. He has a difficult relationship with his father.

Holland and Nobel are neighbors now that she has inherited the house. Their attraction was instant. They connect and are there for each other as they both deal with difficult situations in their lives.

I enjoyed this book a lot. Things happened fast for these two but it seemed very natural. This was a well done story.

This was such a cute opposites-attract story that kept my interest from the very beginning. Holland and Noble’s connection starts off as a simple spark of attraction but quickly grows into something deeper and more meaningful.

As Holland leaves her small-town life behind, she finds herself unexpectedly inheriting a brownstone in Brooklyn—and with it, a mystery surrounding her adoption that turns her world upside down. I really enjoyed how her personal journey of self-discovery unfolded alongside the romance. Noble, once a busy and driven CEO, now has more time on his hands—just in time to meet the intriguing new woman next door. His kindness, patience, and thoughtfulness gave their interactions a sweet and touching vibe that felt genuine.

This was my first read by Renee Daniel Flagler, and I really enjoyed it! Unlikely Neighbors has a great mix of heartfelt family themes, friendship, and steamy romance, with a strong dose of self-discovery. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys emotional romcoms that tug at your heart while making you smile.

Thank you to Annette Galli, the publisher, and the author for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very satisfying read. I appreciated how Ms, Flagler brought Holland and Noble together as emotionally mature adults that were also at crisis points in their lives. It was fascinating to follow their journeys as they coped with various job and family related situations, all while navigating their attraction to each other. Ms. Flagler has a wonderful way with describing their intimate encounters - very evocative without being wildly specific, which really worked for me. I also enjoyed the secondary mystery plot about Holland's family, which certainly made the cleaning and renovating of Holland's inherited home more interesting. Holland and Noble both did some self-discovering and improving of their communication skills as the story progressed, proving that it isn't too late to learn as they found their way to their happily ever after. Ms. Flagler is a new-to-me author that I will be reading more of soon!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC. I am happily volunteering this review.

I love a good close proximity trope and really liked the MMC. I liked that this book dealt with some heavy topics in a nice way. I loved the found family in this book. However, I was a little bored at times and had to force myself to go back to this book.

Holland has a plan for her life but of course hiccups happen along the way. It was interesting to have Nobel, the MMC also deal with some bumps along his life. As they met each other ins this turning point in life it felt like it allowed them to open themselves up to an opportunity they might otherwise had overlooked. Likeable characters with an emotional story that drew you in.

A small-town woman chasing a fresh start and a successful CEO with a carefully curated life are thrown together in unexpected ways. With undeniable chemistry and clashing worlds, their story is a slow burn full of heart, growth, and just the right amount of tension.

Hollands health scare sent her life to bloom into something she never expected. Thrown into a world she was always a part of but never knew existed. We dread losing our lives but Holly realized she had nothing to lose and in order to live a life she was granted she had to get one first.

Flagler has a hard time with the beginning exposition of the story but once the story come together it’s a time of hope and reflection.