I thoroughly enjoyed Unlikely Neighbors by Renee Daniel Flagler. Holland and Noble had great chemistry and I could believe their romance. I felt for Holland and everything that she was going through throughout the story. I have a friend who is adopted and has a similar story so it was interesting to read from Holland's point of view knowing that her struggles were real. One thing I struggled with was the fact that the couple just kept not being together throughout the story. It is hard to root for people when they're constantly on the outs. All in all, Unlikely Neighbors was an interesting read and I am glad I read it.

Words can not even tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I was hesitant at first but once I started it was hard to stop. This is my first time reading from this author and I am very happy I did.

I love a small town, slow burn book and this gave me just that. It was everything and I enjoyed the writing style. This is my first book from this author but wontb e the last

Book 21 of 2025 - ☑️! Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin - Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and Renee Daniel Flagler for an ARC & ALC of Unlikely Neighbors by Renee Daniel Flagler, and narrated by Keisa Parrish & Jamal West.

Unlikely Neighbors caught my eye because of its beautiful cover. In this dual-POV rom-com, Holland Davenport is used to a small-town life and ready to move into an apartment in Charleston, SC, when she’s notified that a distant relative has left her a brownstone in Brooklyn, NY. When she goes to NYC to clean out and renovate the home, she meets Noble Washington, her successful and attractive neighbor. Noble ends up losing his job in the midst of the Holland’s cleaning and renovation project, so the two continually spend time together. Though they seemingly come from different worlds, they find they have a lot in common, and in the process, fall for each other.

This was a quick and fun read, and I thought it was great to have adoption representation in the book. However, I was a bit thrown off by one of the twists - information the reader finds out about 2/3s of the way into the book regarding Holland; it felt like an interesting choice to make, as I felt like I was taken out of the story after that. Narrators Kesia Parrish and Jamal West did a lovely job of bringing the book to life. The steamier scenes start about 1/2 way through the book, and while they occasionally felt repetitive, I thought they were generally well-written.

3/5 ⭐️ s overall & 2.5/5 🌶️ . #NetGalley #UnlikelyNeighbors 🏢🍎🍕

Unlikely Neighbors by Renee Daniel Flagler is a gentle and uplifting small‑town romance that leans into slow-burn chemistry and heartfelt growth. The story shines when the neighbors—each carrying their own emotional baggage—begin to lean on one another in ways that feel earnest and real. Flagler does a fine job building atmosphere, with cozy settings and thoughtful reflections.

However, the pacing drags in spots, and the predictability of certain plot beats makes it feel more familiar than fresh. While the characters are charming, their transformations at times veer into expected territory. In short: a pleasant, comforting read with warm vibes, but doesn’t quite break new ground. Perfect for when you want something soothing, without high drama or surprises.

This was a pretty quick audiobook listen but the story didn’t really captivate me. There were some heavy topics that Holland had to navigate and the author did a great job showing the hurt and the healing. I think the romance part fell a little flat for me.

Unlikely Neighbors by Renee Daniel Flagler

I just finished Unlikely Neighbors by Renee Daniel Flagler and here are my thoughts on it.

After a small health scare, Holland knows she needs to start living her life in a bigger way. Just as she is about to move herself to Charleston something major happens. An aunt she didn’t know she had, passed away and left her a house… In Brooklyn. For Holland, an adopted child, the allure of some family history is too great to pass up but what she doesn’t expect to find is Noble, a CEO for a drinks company who has been pushed out by his board for someone with more experience.. The two didn’t anticipate finding something so tempting to land in each other's laps.


OK this one was the breakout audiobook for me. It was brilliant! I enjoyed the ever loving heck out of it. Kudos to the narrators because you bought the sizzle.

It wasn’t just a cute romance, it had some real heat to it too. Neither of them were looking for a connection but they both needed the connection. Holland found a blood relative she didn’t know she had and she finds all kinds of things out about the family she grew up without and it was heartbreaking but healing ya know.

Noble started his business a decade ago and then gets ousted by his board. You may be thinking… DANG that's horrific but really, it gave him the opportunity to start actually living and I loved it. He made a killing off his hard work and now he gets to reap the rewards. The book isn’t just romance. It’s about finding oneself again and learning who you are. It’s about living and loving in equal measures. It was an amazing book and I highly recommend it.

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin audio for the audiobook copy!

The first half of this I was bit intrigued especially because it was hinting to a lot of the drama early on. However, as this went on I got bored and almost whiplash from how much information we were given. It felt like the author wanted to speed through the plot instead of giving the characters a chance to deal with everything. I was honestly just confused and more annoyed because it seemed like this would have been good if the pacing was better. I would recommend this if you want a quick read but besides that, this book did not work for me.

the set up was good but the book and story and characters just didn't gel for me in the end, and I wasn't invested in the character at all

The heavy topics in the storyline made it well worth the listen. Not often you hear those stories, so it was nice to get perspective with the topic of adoption. I enjoyed the MC and her love interest. Realistic in the way they interacted and became love interests. Good book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook.

I listen to a lot of audiobooks, unfortunately, this is not one that I can recommend. I would have enjoyed this book more with different narrators.
The female narrator reads the book as if she is reading to children. This is off-putting since this is a romance. She has a sing-song voice, which would be nice for a children's book, but not an adult romance. She also does not change her voice at all for the different characters. No attempt to distinguish between the female characters. The narration comes off as reading, no production.

The male narrator is slightly better. His narration has some production value, but his attempts at a female character are cringeworthy!

The book itself is a 3 star. I would recommend reading the book instead of the audiobook.

The characters become neighbors, which leads to romance. There is some substance, but the pacing is off. In the last quarter of the book, the author throws in a lot of additional storylines or issues for the characters. The spice was basic, but the narration made me want to close my ears.
I was glad when the book was over.

This is a cute read. We meet Holly and Noble when both are in flux with their lives. Holly is moving away from the only small town she has ever known. Noble was just ousted as the CEO of the company he created. When Holly receives a mysterious envelope with an inheritance that includes a home in NYC she runs there to find out more about the family she never knew.


I loved the premise of this book. I found the family dynamic that Hally has with her mom and sister super believable. The only thing I wish is that I felt more for the characters. I didn’t really buy into Holly’s emotions or Noble’s struggles as much as I should have. I also didn’t really love how Holly was just over such a large betrayal by her mother. I think if there was a bit more connection to Holly maybe I could have understood that better.

I listened to this on audio and I think it would have benefited from having a dual narration.

An unexpected joy to read due to the mini rollercoaster ride the story was. I’d recommend but warn that there is a heartbreaking reveal that made me question an important relationship.

Renee Daniel Flagler's "Unlikely Neighbors" is a triumph, striking the perfect balance between emotional depth and utterly irresistible chemistry. Holland Davenport’s journey from her quiet Southern roots to the vibrant chaos of Brooklyn completely captivated me. The premise—a surprising inheritance leading to a fixer-upper and an intriguing next-door neighbour—sets the stage for a heartfelt and wonderfully spicy romance.
Holland is the kind of protagonist you instantly connect with and root for. Her fierce determination to renovate her new home and poignant understanding of her family's history are truly inspiring. She's fiery, vulnerable, and so refreshingly honest. And then there's Noble Washington – polished, driven, and impossibly magnetic. Their chemistry is electric, sparking from their initial encounters and building to passionate and deeply emotional moments. Keisa Parrish and Jamal West deliver superb narration, fully embodying these characters and their growing connection.
The backdrop of Brooklyn feels like another character in itself, adding so much richness to the story. The sense of community, the challenges of city life, and Holland's navigation of this new environment are beautifully woven into the narrative. Noble’s struggle to maintain boundaries as his life intertwines with Holland’s feels authentic and relatable, and their dynamic is a compelling blend of tension and tenderness.
What resonated most deeply was the book's skillful balance of romance with personal growth. Holland and Noble are on meaningful individual journeys, making their connection all the more significant. The obstacles they face, both internal and external, are written with such nuance that I became wholly invested in their development, both separately and as a couple.
This kind of romance stays with you long after you finish reading, leaving you with a genuine smile and a whole heart. Flagler has delivered a story that is as sizzling as it is soulful, making it utterly unputdownable.

Daniel Flagler's "Unlikely Neighbors" is a masterful blend of romance and self-discovery that captivates from start to finish. When Holland Davenport, the protagonist, inherits a New York City brownstone, her life takes an unexpected turn. Flagler's skillful storytelling draws readers into Holland's emotional journey as she uncovers secrets about her family and her own identity.

The novel's strength lies in its richly developed characters, particularly Holland and her charming neighbor, Noble Washington. Their chemistry is electric, and Flagler expertly navigates their evolving relationship, balancing the thrill of romance with the complexities of family ties and self-discovery.

As Holland grapples with her past and contemplates her future, Flagler paints a vivid picture of New York City, making it almost a character in itself. "Unlikely Neighbors" is a heartwarming and satisfying read, sure to resonate with anyone who has ever sought to understand their roots or dared to embrace unexpected love.

Unlikely Neighbors was a sweet and quick romance read. I was so interested by Noble's storyline in which he was ousted from the company he created. I always wondered how that could happen and what it is like for someone to create and start a company from the bottom up only to be asked to step down from that company. Holland also had a deep backstory which is grief stricken. I liked Holland and Noble's relationship, but I thought it moved a little too fast for me. The audiobook narrators, Jamal West and Kesia Parrish, did a good job. I loved that it was dual narration. I have no complaints there. Overall, this was an okay book, but it didn't blow me away.

Thank you Netgalley, Harlequin Audio, and Renee Daniel Flagler for the advanced audiobook copy.

Unlikely Neighbors is out now!

I was bored for most of the book and did not feel connected to the characters. I feel like there was great potential in this story and some interesting turns, but the execution was lacking for me. I feel like I did not get a great grasp of them individually and there was very little build up to them as a couple.

I was really looking forward to this one only to be disappointed. I didn't feel any type of connection between the MCs. For a romance there was nothing happy about the story. At least nothing that would make me want to see the MCs as a couple. After a while the story began to drag and became boring. I ended up skipping through it. I think it's safe to say this is not the author for me.

Unlikely Neighbors is a romance that is lighthearted while dealing with tough subjects such as loss and abandonment. Told in alternating POVs, the reader gets to know the depths of both the male and female POV.

I liked how the book offered exploration of moving forward past things that could be setbacks, and finding forgiveness rather than anger.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story which was performed by two narrators. I listened at 1.75x speed (my normal listening speed is 1.75x). The narrators are not well known, so if you’re looking for new voices in audiobooks, this is it.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this advanced listening copy.

ARL

So I went into this book blind and I am happy I did. I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end.

After, living in a small town for as long as she can remember Holland is looking for a fresh start. Before she can move to her apartment in Charleston she is notified that she is inheriting her a Brooklyn brownstone. from an aunt she wasn't aware she had. Before she can settle in

Noble is going through a dramatic change in his life after being ousted as CEO for a company he built from the ground up and centered his life around.

From the beginning the chemistry between these two was undeniable and you could feel it. I enjoyed the twist when it came to Holland and her family but she is better than me lol

The narration was top tier with the duet narration. I love the continuous listen and it was a quick and easy read.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for the early Audiobook in exchange for my honest review!