3.5 out of 5 stars for me!

I mean this is the most loving way, but I definitely thought it was going to be spicier. I was expecting it to be mostly sex with a sprinkle of a plot, but this book is not that! There's definitely a pretty good plot filled with young adults finding themselves, family drama, found family, and more! This was just an ok read for me, nothing was too exciting, and I was not overly invested in either Holland's or Noble's family (or work) drama. Their romance was sweet enough for me to want to keep reading. There's a lot crammed into the last like 35% of the book, which I felt like could've been really nicely flushed out, without feeling rushed.

My one sentence summary: Noble and Holland both are set on a path of finding themselves as they navigate separate challenging situations, and somehow, someway those paths lead right into each other (and each other's beds).

I would recommend this book to someone who likes a book with a decent spice to plot ratio, who loves some family drama! Sub tropes include he falls first, guy next door, & insta-love. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy - it was cute!

Amazing sexy romance with the right amount of spice and emotional damage to my heart.

Loved it!!

Thanks netgalley for the ARC

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Unlikely Neighbors presents itself as a thoughtful piece of literary fiction infused with romantic elements. While the romance is present, it seems to take a back seat to the exploration of the personal challenges faced by both Holland and Noble, which adds depth to the narrative.

Holland:
Her journey of discovering her biological family after unexpectedly inheriting a brownstone from her great-aunt is quite compelling. I found her ability to be forgiving toward her adoptive to be admirable especially given her mother's attitude. It raises interesting questions about family dynamics, acceptance and forgiveness.

Noble:
He struggles with unemployment and seeks to rebuild his relationship with his estranged father, all while dealing with feelings of being unwanted and undervalued. Throughout much of the story, I found myself questioning his mentor, Tim. A clearer explanation of Noble's ousting from his own company would have strengthened the plot, as it seemed like a throwaway element that was added without sufficient context.

The inclusion of both characters’ perspectives is a strong element of the story. Holland and Noble’s connection seemed rooted in more than just mutual attraction; there’s a shared sense of need and belonging that brings them together. Their romance progresses quickly, providing an initial distraction that feels natural within the narrative.

The steady pacing of the story effectively supports the swift development of their relationship, and the author maintains reader engagement with ongoing drama. Overall, this was an enjoyable and thought-provoking read that successfully weaves together personal growth and romance.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

While this was a quick read, this is not a light and fluffy romance. They were a lot grief and some drama in there as well but I also felt like something was missing at the same time.
Holland (fmc) inherits her great aunt brown stone and is finding more about herself and discovering some family secrets a long the way.

Noble (mmc) is pushed out of is ceo position from a company he has started from scratched and is in search for who he is afterwards. He is also Holland's new neighbor.

3.25 stars

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy. All thoughts are my own.

This book was so much more than a typical romance. I wasn't expecting it to deal with so many heavy and emotional topics. At it's heart it was a love story, but the romance almost took a backseat to all of the other events that happened.

I loved that the book was told from dual POV. I always enjoy getting both perspectives, and it worked especially well for this book since both Noble and Holland had so much going on in their personal and professional lives.

Holland had to deal with so much upheaval. First, moving away from her adoptive family, discovering secrets about her biological family, inheriting a beautiful old brownstone, and falling for her new neighbor. I felt like the author did a wonderful job letting us see how challenging it was for Holland to grapple with all of those things happening at once.

Noble, who was a prominent CEO for the company he started from scratch, all of a sudden was dealing with unemployment and feeling lost. When Holland showed up, she was the perfect distraction for him. But he still struggled to figure out who he was and his place in the world without his company. On top of that, his estranged father was dealing with significant health issues and Noble had to decide whether or not to let him back in his life.

With all of the things that were thrown their way, it seemed that building a relationship wasn't necessarily top priority for Holland and Noble. But I liked seeing how the author weaved their lives together as they worked separately to deal with all of the other aspects of their life.

At times it almost felt like there was too much going on in the book, but it was never confusing and the writing style flowed well. While I wouldn't consider it a grand romance that made me swoon and kick my feet, it was definitely realistic and I recommend it for anyone who likes more depth with their love stories.

✨ Unlikely Neighbors by Renee Daniel Flagler ✨

Despite being incredibly busy this week, I somehow managed to finish this book in less than 48 hours—a true testament to how good it is.

When Holland unexpectedly inherits a Brooklyn brownstone from a relative she didn’t even know existed, she puts things on hold and travels to New York, intending to stay only long enough to clean out the house and put it on the market. Instead, she’s greeted with a treasure trove of family secrets and a very, VERY attractive neighbor named Noble. Noble and Holland are each individually going through major life upheavals, but in the end, they learn that life is easier to navigate together.

Thank you Harlequin for this DELIGHTFUL advance read! Unlikely Neighbors is out on April 1.

Increasingly niche things I love in this book:
🤫Family secrets
🥘Extremely good cooking
🛍️Shopping spree!!
🚗Car playlists
🎨Murals

I picked this up on a whim and sadly didn't love it. There was a lot of insta love, some heavy family drama (a dying father, adopted family vs biological parent mystery), grief, loss and starting over. It was steamy and emotional but yet still felt a bit too surface level for me? I don't know what it was exactly but it was a quick listen, the narrators did a good job too but this one just didn't grab me. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Oh this was a cute and quick read. The main characters are brownstone neighbors that meet while the fmc is grieving and trying to find out more about her birth parents. The fmc is adopted and found letters by her grandmother and is trying to piece together more about them after a cancer scare. The mmc is her neighbor and he is a smart CEO that is just ousted by the board which leads him to trying to figure out his next move. There is instant attraction between the main characters thought they don’t get together immediately. As they get to know each other they later get together and it’s steamy 🔥. I really liked the romance and the other plots regarding grief, career change, reconciliation and family. Definitely recommend, thanks to harlequin for this arc for an honest review.

Read for:
- Black Romance
- Opposites attracts
- Steamy scenes
-Family and belonging themes
- CEO mmc

thanks to netgalley and harlequin for this amazing arc!

the story is about a woman, Holland, who is looking a basically a rebrand of her life. She then gets inheritance of her last living relative who she doesn’t even know but she was adopted as a kid. Noble is the CEO of a big drink company but he just lost his position. Holland and Noble flirt constantly while living next to each other. They start to find refuge in each others company.

i lovedddd this book so much because it was an easy read. and who doesn’t love black romance? the banter was cute and funny. the characters are definitely loveable.

if you enjoy an easy read or just black romance in general, please read this!!!

3 ⭐️

The potential was there but too much was going on, too much was missing. Noble was nice but at times, he pushed for the relationship too much vs letting her come to him.

Also, Patricia is trash for not telling her before she found out. Like, she knew where she was headed but remained quiet until called out.

Overall, decent quick read. Just didn’t do it fully for me.

Thank you to @netgalley and @harlequinbooks for the opportunity to review Unlikely Neighbors by @reneedanielflagler

I really enjoyed this book! Unlikely Neighbors is described as A Spicy Opposites Attract Romance set in Brooklyn!

Publication Date: April 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

NYC is one of my favorite cities, and I love when a romantic story takes place there…specifically in Brooklyn! Holland Davenport was ready to live life and break away from the small town she grew up in after a health scare. And Noble Washington is a successful CEO, who is going through some major life transitions!

I loved the chemistry of the main characters, and I wasn’t expecting so much drama…but ohhh weeeeee there was drama and it catches you off guard! A twist of events that you don't see coming and they come fast!

I wasn’t a huge fan of the 3rd act miscommunication but it wasn’t a prolonged ordeal…Thank God!

But I definitely recommend this book when it comes out in April!

Thank you NetGalley and Afterglow Books/Harlequin for this ARC.

Unlikely Neighbors is a close-proximity romance. Both MC, Holland and Noble are at the beginning of significant change. Noble’s just been ousted from a company he built from the ground up. Holland, who was adopted, learns she’s inherited her estranged great-aunt’s estate.

While Noble is working on his future, Holland is uncovering the past. As next door neighbors, Noble and Holland quickly come to rely on each other as they both navigate their challenges. Holland was wayyyyyy more forgiving than I could have been given the HUGE family secret that came to light.

Noble was so dreamily sweet and caring and patient with Holland. Ughhh! Great read!

this is a deep book.
I enjoyed the fact that it was character driven and a little bit plot driven as well.
I actually don't mind these characters. Sometimes in romances I find one character more annoying the other but I enjoyed them both

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! The plot was engaging and full of twists that kept me hooked until the very end. The characters were well-developed and relatable, and I found myself really connecting with their journeys. The pacing was just right, balancing action with moments of reflection. However, there were a few areas where I felt certain storylines could have been explored a bit more deeply. Despite that, the book offered a memorable experience, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking read!

Unlikely Neighbors was such a charming and heartwarming read! The chemistry between Holland and Noble was undeniable, and their witty banter kept me hooked from start to finish. Their love story unfolded in such an organic way, making the slow burn feel completely worth it. I especially loved Holland’s journey—her inheritance led to so much self-discovery, found family, and, of course, an unexpected romance. Noble, on the other hand, was at a crossroads in his life, and watching him navigate love and purpose was just as compelling. Both characters carried emotional wounds, and seeing them heal together made their connection even more powerful. The twists and hidden secrets added depth, keeping me engaged the entire time. This book had just the right mix of romance, self-growth, and emotional depth, and I can’t wait to dive into more from this author!

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC. My thoughts are entirely my own.

I just finished Unlikely Neighbors by Renee Daniel Flagler, and I’m still grinning!

This book is a delightful mix of humor, heart, and unexpected connections. The dynamic between the neighbors was so well-written—equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching. Flagler did an amazing job of showing how unlikely friendships can form in the most surprising ways, and the characters felt so relatable and real.

If you’re in the mood for a feel-good story about community, love, and finding family where you least expect it, Unlikely Neighbors is an absolute must-read. You’ll walk away with a full heart and a renewed appreciation for the people around you! 🌟

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️

Unlikely Neighbors by Renee Daniel Flagler is a beautifully written story about self-discovery, reflection, and unexpected connections.

Holland and Noble’s journeys as individuals were a joy to follow. Holland’s path to uncovering her true self and family lineage was packed with twists and turns that kept me intrigued. Noble’s reflection on his accomplishments and how they shaped his personal life added depth to his character. Together, their introduction was full of sparks, and the twist in how their lives intertwined was incredibly well done.

The character development throughout the story was one of the book’s strongest elements, as both Holland and Noble were constantly challenging themselves and growing. While I truly enjoyed the book, I found myself craving just a little bit more—something I can’t quite put into words.

Overall, Unlikely Neighbors is a compelling and enjoyable read with strong characters and an engaging storyline!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This one was for the grown and sexy. I ate this right up considering it a new fave.

Noble is everything I couldn’t get enough of him. Smart, kind, considerate, can cook, funny, rich, packing. What’s not to love I mean come on 10/10. A MMC I can really get behind.

I loved Holland so much I added her name to my baby name list. My girl went through the wringer, phew. She is more emotionally intelligent than I could ever be.

Together their sizzling romance had me kicking my feet. Both are so mature and made for a great adult romance. I loved that they matched communication styles and never had a big blow up or third act break up.

Ms. Patricia would’ve had to see me in a boxing ring, enough said.

Unlikely Neighbors was such a super cute, quick read! The writing was good, and I found myself completely drawn in by the witty banter between the main male and female characters. Their dynamic felt natural and engaging, adding a lot of charm to the story.

The plot was well-developed, and I especially loved the background story of the female main character. It felt unique and refreshing, not the "textbook" romance setup you often come across. Every detail served a purpose, with no unnecessary context dragging things down and out.

If you're looking for a romance that’s both heartwarming and well-written, I’d definitely recommend Unlikely Neighbors!