Neighbors

by Stylo Fantome

[stacey_is_sassy]

This book was not for me.


I’ll start by saying that I’ve read some of Stylo’s previous releases and really enjoyed them. Below, I mention some of my issues in a vague sort of way, but please be aware that it MAY be a little spoilerish.

Unfortunately, Neighbors left a bad taste in my mouth. I’m not a fan of a heroine that allows her self-doubts to put her in danger. Yes, I’m all into experimenting and experiencing new things but to place such trust in practically a stranger is crazy. I did not feel “turned on” by the initial sex scene. There were too many things that made me feel like she was being taken advantage of by her new friend, Mr Experimental.

The heroine is feeling a little worse for wear after her sexual adventure, drags herself to work where she has an unusual meeting with an old family friend. We are informed she had a crush on him years ago. Maybe I missed something, but this guy is a douchewaffle of epic proportions. I did not find Mr Douchewaffle appealing at all. Unfortunately, because of her attraction to him, she allows him into her world.

So, the heroine comes clean to Mr Experimental AND Mr Douchewaffle that they’re both in her life. Happy, happy, joy, joy…they’re OK with that…for awhile.

By this stage, Neighbors is leaving me unsettled, but I'm willing to keep going because I'm hoping it gets better.

I don’t particularly like the main characters but I especially hate that this woman thinks so lowly of herself. It's obvious, she's uncomfortable with the situation and eventually acknowledges that she feels more for one than the other.

(I'm completely lost as to how she can have feelings for these guys)

Mr Douchewaffle doesn’t stop being a douchewaffle. Mr Experimental acts all sweet and kind. Guess who she’s thinking of keeping????

Then, that ending put me over the edge. Considering this is book one in the series, I can honestly say that I don’t want an HEA for any of the buggers.

Fellow readers, I’ll be honest and say that the writing was well done and I did finish the story (which says A LOT!) but if I don’t love the characters, I generally don’t love the story. It wasn’t the triangle and it wasn’t cheating (because it wasn’t really cheating), that left me disappointed in this story. What left me with gut-wrenching disgust was the purposeful actions that eventually led to hurt.

By the time the truth was revealed, I had no hope for a happy future I’d feel comfortable with. I don’t want to see the grovelling for forgiveness. Or, if there is no grovelling, the acceptance that the heroine is not good enough to expect better.

To each, his own and all that jazz, don't judge this book on my opinion alone. Take the time to read what other's say, and you may find Neighbors appeals, and works perfectly for you.