Synopsis for Neighbors and Favors (from Goodreads):
New apartments should come with a trial period…I’ve just signed a two-year lease on an apartment I can barely afford.
My job hit a brick wall so I need the place to be perfect to help me get my life back on track. But the first night in, and I already know my neighbor isn’t going to make it easy on me.Tall, sexy, irresistible (and did I mention the British accent?), Shane Logan likes his loud activities…a lot. I can hear everything through the paper-thin walls. I’m about to tell him that in not-so-friendly terms when I realize he isn’t just sexy, he’s also friendly and eager to be of help.
Maybe having a neighbor like him isn’t such a bad idea.
I’m a writer in desperate need of inspiration. Shane so happens to turn into mine. With a deadline approaching fast, his offer to do me a favor turns into two and three. Before I know it, he’s forced his way into my life with the tenacity of a whirlwind.I can deal with the fact that he’s far too loud and far too sexy. But when my dog likes him more than me, I start to get a little suspicious. Soon it becomes clear Shane Logan has secrets.
Plunged into the suspicions surrounding my neighbor, suddenly the only thing I can be sure of is that Shane is fiercely determined to hide the truth about himself.Remember when I said the lease should have come with a warning?
Well, mine should also have come with a big, red, flashing signal.
Author: Kate Davis
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Heat Rating: cool
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Date: June 9, 2020
Source & Format: Kate Davis–eARC
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
Who doesn’t love the idea of a British hottie next door? When Kate pitched her novel to me, I was curious to see how this would play out. A mysterious but inspiring boy next door? I was more than intrigued.
The Plot:
Perhaps my mind went straight to the gutter on this one after I read the synopsis. I think I assumed our heroine was writing a romance novel and needed some help writing those sexy scenes…but that is far from the case here.
Instead, we get more of a platonic story about a very helpful–albeit mysterious–boy next door sprinkled with Sam’s views about faith and love. So clearly I had to curb my expectations in a lot of ways. It took me a few chapters to get into it, but once I understood what this novel was supposed to be, I enjoyed it.
I really liked the mystery aspect to Shane. I really couldn’t figure out what his deal was so I liked that it kept me on my toes!
The Characters:
I’ve never really gone out of my way to read a book that was rooted in Christianity because I fear they can be preachy about their faith. But this wasn’t like that at all! Clearly our heroine’s faith is important to her, but she wasn’t pushy about it at all. It’s just something that is ingrained in her character profile and drives her motivations.
I’d also describe Sam (our heroine) as quirky. I often struggle with humour in books because I can’t always grasp the tone, and that happened a little here for me. I missed a few of the jokes but there are some funny moments along the way.
The Romance:
So knowing how important her faith is, I quickly learned this wasn’t the romance I thought it was going to be. I thought the “favour” aspect of the story would be some hands-on sexy-time experience by Shane to give her material for her novel but obviously that isn’t the case. And the romance is more subtle than I thought it would be.
I almost wouldn’t classify this as a romance persay. It’s more like the adventures of an aspiring novelist who uses the mystery of the super cute and nice neighbour next door to write her novel.
My Rating: 3/5
If you want a lighter story with a dash of romance, Christianity and mystery, I think this will be the perfect summer read for you!
Read if You Like: light romance, books involving faith
Avoid if You: want erotica
- A Stardance Summer by Emily March (Eternity Springs Series #13)
Kate Davis
Kate Davis is a real-life coffee lover with her very own Pomeranian who was her biggest inspiration for this book. Yes, Sammy is real and her favorite command is “cheese.” In fact, it might just be the only command she obeys. Kate loves to play matchmaker, transporting readers to a place where her bold heroines have endearing flaws, the men are fierce and protective, the world isn’t always a safe place, and chivalry is alive and thriving! You can visit both Kate and Sammy online at katedavisauthor.blogspot.com or connect with her on Facebook.
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Kate Davis
I got the same vibes as you from the synopsis. Nice review!
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought that!