Falling for the Girl Next Door

An entertaining read with well-developed characters, a wonderful creative setting, some real-life problems, and a sweet romance I could totally get behind.

I haven't read any of the other books in this series (including the first book which tells how Sloane and Tru got together) but it didn't matter as this can be read as a standalone.

I love that both mains were creative people - Sloane is the mystery talent behind Graphic Grrl, a very successful online animated superhero strip, and Tru is a wannabe filmmaker who loves nothing more than filming his beautiful girlfriend - and it really created a great backdrop for the story.

Tru and Sloane are great characters, both complex and well developed and a good representation of teenagers struggling to deal with family and identity issues. Together, they were a wonderful team and a great example of a truly supportive relationship. I could understand that Tru didn't want Sloane to become his crutch, and he wanted to be the type of boy she deserved, but I hated that he mistakenly pushed her away. Sloane wants to do the right thing by him so she goes along with it even if she is missing him terribly. 

The situation with Finn was very humorous at times and I'm intrigued to read his and Willa's story now.

I love that family features quite prominently in this book, even if it is more of the dysfunctional variety. I adored Dylan and only wish we had gotten to see more of him. Jenna was also a great character.

The romance was sweet and clean and my only complaint is that I wish there had been more of it and that it was a little more emotionally intense.

The plot wasn't anything amazingly original but it's well executed and it chips along at a nice pace. The book does deal with some serious issues but it's not a deep read, however, I liked that therapy was involved and how that played out as that's an important message (even if the transition would have taken longer in real life.)

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read and I look forward to checking out other books in this series.

I didn't read the first book about Sloan and Tru, and felt that I had missed some important back story information. But it didn't stop me from becoming involved in this pair's entanglements. It was great to be able to watch them find strength deep inside them, and be able to work through issues, both individually and as a couple.

I liked that Tru was honest about his problem and tried to fix it. Those first tentative steps alone were harsh, but necessary. While dealing with his drinking issue was handled simply and perhaps too easily, it still showed the obstacles he faced.

But Truman's story is really secondary behind Sloan's crumbling family. She feels a lot of guilt, but that turns to anger and frustration as secrets are revealed. But the family drama feels real, and Sloan's realisation that support is dovetails nicely with Tru's acceptance about the same thing. 

I liked seeing all the other characters of the Creative HeArts books. It's a clever intertwining of stories. Copy provided by Netgalley. Released on November 14.

A well written read for teens 12+ 

This is book 2 in the Sloane&Tru series which follows Sloane and Tru two sixteen year olds as the face some big hurdles. Sloane has been banished to Austin Texas with her Mum after she runs in with the law leaving her workaholic father and brother in New York. Tru is born and bred in Austin but doesn't fit the mould his father wants him to fit (nor does he want to). This angsty installment is set in the Christmas leadup as they each have to face their own problems and at Tru's behest they are doing it alone. 

This book explores issues that many teens will experience or at least be exposed to, it shows how they deal with it and the ramifications of those choices. It has some wonderful subconcious messaging that teens will benefit from hearing. Definitely a recommended read for any teen.

I love this series. Everytime I get right back into the world of Austin and NextGen, with all the characters from the other books and it only makes me want to read more and more ^^ 

Though this is one of my favourites, not only because it was the first one, but because I really like Sloane, a kick-ass comic writer with a lot of love for the boy next door Tru. She is easy to relate to and well, she does things the way I would do them. 
In this part I really liked how grown-up they are getting, learning from their mistakes and making progress. Especially Tru is really evolving, awesome ^^

Reading this one also makes me more anxious for the next book about Willa and Finn, really want to know what is going to happen to them !!

One of the downsides though, is how fast it is over again.. I finished it within a couple of hours.. Even though it is part of this series charms as well, I would like more. MORE.

I received this book via NetGallery in exchange for my honest review. 

This book continues on from book 1, but this book deals with a bit more serious issues. I would recommend reading the first book before this one to be able to follow the whole story. 

I really liked Tru is this book, he was so much stronger. Realizing on his own that he had a problem and that it needed to be fixed. He wasn't afraid to admit it and get help. Sloane had been through a lot in book 1 and in this book I felt she grew more, she was thrown something big at her in this book from her brother both with the blackmail and the divorce, she did not let her affect her she still moved forward. It sucked that Tru and Sloane were apart in the book because I really enjoyed them together but in the end glad that everything worked out. 

I was kind of disappointed in the ending of the book. I liked how Sloane and Tru finally figured things out between them and got back together, but I felt that the family issue at the end was left open, would have liked to have had a bit more to the story to see how the family issues end up as it was a big part of the story. 

I enjoyed this book, I read the other books in the series before I read about Sloane and Tru and would recommend them all.

I haven't read the previous books in this series,but this can be read as a standalone but it helps to read the others to get a little history on the character.Loved the whole girl next door idea.

So I requested this book and read it without reading all the other books that come before. In spite of, it's a book that's easily read on its own. I enjoyed it because within this book, I saw progress in the characters. I liked that Tru worked with his problem. Even though he knows she was a big factor on him wanting to get better, it's not about she being the solution. Rather, it's about him and his fight. I liked that Sloane knew she had real feelings for Tru and didn't get all confused with Finn. I also enjoyed that she really cared about him and put him first even if it meant pain for her. But I loved that she was always checking on him. 

I look forward to knowing what happens with Sloane's family and Tru's. 

Overall, I had a good time reading it.