I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this.

I'm not sure if it's the narrators or the actual story but I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the story. It was almost like I watched the characters go through the motions versus feeling familiar or drawn in. The story is cute. Insta-love and self discovery but I don't think this is a book I would pick up again

Holly and Noble are at the turning point in there lives. Them meeting and becoming friends help them guide there futures. I didn't love the book it didnt have any sparks. And I just didnt care and it seemed like nothing was going to happen happen. Which a lot happens but it wasnt written where I cared.

I wanted more more. It just wasnt for me.

2.5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley for this Audio-Arc for my honest thoughts.

First off would like to say thank you so much for the audio arc. 2.5⭐️

I really wanted this one to be a banger, however, I loved the premise for this book more than the book itself. I honestly just found it a little boring.

The book just wasn’t selling a connection between these 2 mc’s. I’m not sure if it was the delivery of the narration or the story itself. Harper and Noble have this great meet cute but it all just fell a little flat for me. Even the emotional aspect of everything Harper was going through, just didn’t quite hit. I felt like I should be down for the count and sobbing, but just felt nothing.

Also, I really dislike descriptive words like “her centre” and his “Netherlands”. It is very ick for me.

No disrespect to the author, this just wasn’t a win for me.

Liked it (rounded up)

I feel like this is much more than just a neighbors to lovers romance. It's a journey of self-discovery, of family bonds, grief and grieving, forgiveness, finding out who you are, family secrets, discovering happiness and passions. There's a lot more going on in this story than a cute romance between neighbors.

Holland goes to NYC to sell a family brownstone she inherited and thus sparks a domino effect of her journey to discover her past. I don't want to give too much away, but it's a crazy story. Honestly, it was the part of the story I was most invested in. I do think it was resolved quick cleanly and would've appreciated a bit more drama, but it was compelling nonetheless. With everything going on in Holland's life, she finds a sense of found family (and blood family) and community in NYC. She finds a rock in Noble and a true partner.

Noble is exactly that. He's a noble, strong, patient, caring man who's on his own journey of self-discovery. Figuring out who he is outside of his CEO status. Holland is able to show him what he's been missing out on in life. Help him discover what it is he actually wants out of life. That's he's more than just his job.

It was a sweet romance between the two of them (a few spicy scenes, but they're quite tame compared to what I normally read) and while there is *kind of* a third-act break-up, it's not really a break-up (you'll understand if you read it).

Jamal West and Keisa Parrish really did a great job with the narration and elevated the story for me. I rounded up my star rating because of the work they did. They conveyed the emotions and the tragedy and the uncertainty both Noble and Holland had gone through.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. The romance was sweet, their journeys were fine, and the family saga was interesting.

Thank you, NetGalley and Renee for this ARC.

This was a quick listen with an intriguing premise but struggled to connect to the characters. I liked the female audio narrator but really didn’t get on with the male POV.

I enjoyed this book, however it did feel a little insta-lust/insta-lovey type, which unfortunately is not my favorite. I loved that it focused on more of the characters individually, but when we caught glimpses of the pair, I didn't really feel like their connection was believable. They just didn't seem compatible to me, and it took me out of the story. I honestly would have loved just focusing on Holly through the whole book -- so much of her history is fascinating and it would have been so good to just get a book on her -- I couldn't even really bring myself to care all that much about Noble, if I'm being honest.

This was a quaint read.

I liked how it felt like a small town read, even though it was based in NY. Maybe it's becuase she's from a small town in the south, but it still felt a lot closer knit than some other novels based in NY. I think that Holly's character got there in the end. At the beginning there was a lot of telling as to what was happening, and I wanted her to have more of a reaction, but her character got there in the end. I also wanted Noble's reaction to him loosing his position to be a bit more impactful.

Otherwise it was a cute romance. Audiobook was good, narrators did a good job.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio, Harlequin Romance and Netgalley for an early copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advanced audio book.

When Holland Davenport learns that she's the new owner of a Brooklyn brownstone, bequeathed by her now deceased great aunt. Hoping to learn more about her biological family, Holland travels from South Carolina to New York and finds Noble Washington, her very handsome neighbor. As Holland and Noble get to know one another, they both work to heal their family-related wounds in order to find their happily ever afters.

This was a sweet story about two people trying to find their way amidst dysfunctional families. Both Holland and Noble were fun to read and you can't help but root for them.

Unlikely Neighbors is out April 1, 2025

I really enjoyed this audio ARC! The narrators' voices were excellent and suited the characters perfectly.

The story touches on some heavier themes—loss, longing, illness, career shifts, strained family relationships, and long-held secrets. Despite these elements, the author crafted a romance that never felt overly heavy or overly dramatic. It’s a cute, quick read that balances emotion and lighthearted moments well.

While the main character sometimes frustrated me with her overthinking and tendency to get in her own way, I found her struggles relatable. That feeling of being lost, trying to find your footing as an adult, and breaking free from the norms you grew up with, really resonated with me.

I’d definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a cute, easygoing read.

In Unlikely Neighbors, Renee Daniel Flagler delivers a heartfelt story about love, healing, and the unexpected ways people come into our lives just when we need them most.

At the time they meet, Holland and Noble, are each grappling with their own struggles, one facing the loss of family and new revelations and the other navigating the uncertainty of an unfulfilled future. At first, they become each other’s distraction, a way to escape the chaos of their realities. But as their lives become more intertwined, they realize that what started as a fleeting escape is the foundation of something deeper; discovering that sometimes the person we least expect becomes our greatest source of strength.

Flagler beautifully captures the tension and emotional push-and-pull between two people who resist what’s right in front of them. The emotional depth of the characters makes their journey feel real and relatable, while the chemistry between them keeps the reader engaged. The novel’s themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the transformative power of love make it a touching and engaging read with just the right balance of drama and heartfelt moments.

Sincere thanks to Renee Daniel Flagler and Harlequin Audio for providing this audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

This was very cute, very funny and super wholesome!!

As a southerner this one checks the boxes for sure.

Who doesn't love a little 'mess' cause that 'mom' and her secrets add great dimension to this story.. 10/10

I loved the small town vibe of this book. The audio was very much enjoyable and I highly recommend listening to it on audio. The characters were everything I wanted them to be.

Unlikely Neighbors Honest Arc Review:

4.5 ⭐️

This story had me hooked! Seriously, once you get a couple chapters in you won’t want to put it down!

Holland Davenport is on a journey of self discovery as she inherits a Brooklyn Brownstone and learns of her ancestry. Upbeat and intriguing, this story starts off with Holland wanting change in her life as she planned to move to Charleston.

Her plans may not go as anticipated and her adventures begin. I really enjoyed this from the first chapter as Holland is relatable and entertaining. Noble seems like a good looking and
Genuine guy who happens to live next door. Noble is patient, understanding and kind.

The romance was fun to read and a bit steamy.
There was a sub plot regarding Holland’s family that I enjoyed equally as much, if not more. Characters are complex and develop further throughout the novel. This story involved love, loss, reflection and reconciliation.

This is a fun and interesting read. It is definitely 💯 one to add to your TBR!!

Thank you for sharing this ARC with me!

Pub Date April 1st
Format Audio 🎧

This was very wholesome & cuuuteee. I was never bored at any point in this book. Interesting plot, engaging, & funny.

Holland is a small town girl looking for a new start & ends up in New York after inheriting her biological Aunts house. The next door neighbor is Nolble fine self who is also on a new journey in his career. That mannnn did not play about Holland from the beginning. He adored her & it was the cutest thing.

The “plot twist” about the mom I wasn’t expecting but also feel like it was just off & not needed. I really didn’t care for that. Other than that I recommend reading this one. i truly enjoyed.

Thank you to Netgalley & Harlequin Audio for the ARC.

This is a cute book, it’s not ground breaking but it was entertaining. I had just finished a fantasy and before jumping into another one I wanted a palette cleanser type of book and this hit the mark. While it was an entertaining read it really could be a 5 star for some people I just personally did not feel a connection to the characters like I wanted too. The book almost read a bit fast which left me feeling detached. I believe with a bit more time these characters could have better developed and I would have felt more for them.

I do however know a Ms Elsie type of person and I loved her as a character!

I am thankful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance!

Overall, 3 stars. The story was interesting, but it didn't trigger an emotional response, I read the words instead of feeling the words. Holly and Noble were at a turning point in their lives and I enjoyed how the author guided me through their journeys of self-discovery. The plot twist with Holly's family was very shocking and life altering, I know this was secondary to the relationship between Holly and Noble, but I wanted more from this turn of events.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advanced audiobook!

Format: audiobook

When two worlds collide, unexpected things will happen.

Unlikely Neighbors by Renee Daniel Flagler and narrated by Keisa Parrish and Jamal West is a standalone novel and is such an interesting blend of two people’s lives who eventually cross paths and intertwine.

While this is what I would call a book for grown folks, it is beautifully deep. There’s so much happening due to the dual storylines but it works very well by bringing them together. I really love that this story is not just a usual romance, but so much more and has substance that is relatable to everyday people.

The biggest thing that felt off was the sudden conflict after the midpoint. It feels a bit forced and I couldn’t get back into the groove due to the reasoning behind Holland’s choices. They came off random and just for the sake of creating a problem.

I also enjoyed the fact that there’s so many themes like family, health, mental health, life altering suggestions, and loving life to the fullest. These and the story in general were brought to life through the voices of Keisa and Jamal. They were able to present the main characters in a strong manner as well as shifting between the other characters and narration. The emotions were also portrayed very well which allowed the words to feel more authentic. Great job!

If you are looking for black romance stories, found family, some spice, working through anxiety and grief, strangers to lovers, family secrets, CEO vibes, or even a small town girl big city guy vibe, then this is for you! I highly recommend! But be mindful that there may be triggers within so priced as needed. Enjoy the ride.

Others books by Renee: Asylum, Other Wives Club, One More Second Chance (By Nicki Night), Intimate Negotiations (Nicki Night)

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Unlikely Neighbors from Renee Daniel Flagler via NetGalley

Ａｕｄｉｏｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
🌟🌟🌟🌟
I gave this story 4 stars because it sometimes felt like a young adult (YA) story, even though it isn't. It's definitely a quick and easy read, something you could easily read in one or two days. This was an enjoyable read.

The audiobook was good, easy to listen to and understand. Its dual narration is a huge plus. I listened at 2x speed.

Holland Davenport is ready to go beyond her small-town existence. Her plan involves moving into an apartment in Charleston, not inheriting a run-down brownstone in Brooklyn from a relative she never knew. Yet, in a burst of daring, Holland meets the challenge head-on, moving to New York to learn more about her family and renovate the place. Noble Washington is the successful CEO of a company he spent a decade building.

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
•Found Family
•Small Town Romance
•Black Romance
•Black CEO

Thank you, Netgalley, and Harlequin Audio, for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I was so close to giving this book five stars. While I did enjoy the romance I enjoyed the story of family more. My mom died when I was young and I was adopted, so reading this story about finding family but having family touched my heart in a way I did not expect. The romance was good. I was so happy she had someone to lean on that was outside the family drama, but I also liked Nobel’s family drama. I am they type of person to cut you off, move on, and never look back so it was very interesting to see Holland and Nobel work through their family issues and come out better on the other side.