Next to You book review

 

This is my second Hannah Bonam-Young book and after loving the first one I read this did not disappoint. 

Next to You follows Lane and Matt who we have previously met in Next of Kin, and have a strong friendship. Lane has just bought a school bus that she plans to turn into a home with Matt’s help and even though they know they are both attracted to each other they also know that nothing more than friendship will work between them. 

This book is a standalone companion to Next of Kin so you have no need to have read Next of Kin but takes place afterwards so if you want to read both it will spoil Next of Kin in a few different ways. 

We follow Lane’s perspective throughout the story and really get to know her and understand what has happened previously in her life that has led her to behave how she does. At times it is hard to read and you wish that things had been easier for her but you do get to understand her and are happy with the way things start to change in the later part of the book. 

I really liked seeing Lane and Matt’s friendship develop as a friendship and into more throughout the story. You could tell that first and foremost they wanted to be there for each other and support them when that support was needed but with that, it led to them wanting to make sure they were putting in and taking the right amount rather than only taking and not giving and I liked how they were aware and while they wanted the relationship they wanted to do it right because it doesn’t feel like something I see often, especially when it comes to third act break-ups. 

I also love the support that Lane and Matt get from both their friends and family. I have grown to love this friendship group so much over these two books, how much they support each other and how understanding they are always trying to be even if they aren't as understanding as they may think they are being. Matt's family was also great to read about and I love how supportive they also are, as well as that general noisiness and chaos that comes with large families but is great fun to read about. 

Overall a really fun romance book that I could not put down and highly recommend. I love Hannah Bonam-Young's writing so much and cannot wait to read Out on a Limb as soon as I can. An easy 4.5 stars, and I will definitely be getting my hands on a physical copy as soon as possible. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Bedford Square Publishers for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.