Two powerhouse authors bring you a hilarious tale of one woman’s journey to find herself again.Ever have one of those days where life just plain sucks? Welcome to my last three months—ever since I caught my can’t-be-soon-enough ex-husband cheating with his paralegal. I’m thirty-five years old, and I’ve lost my NYC apartment, my job, my money, and frankly, my dignity.But the final heartache in the … the final heartache in the suck sandwich of my life? My great-aunt Maggie died. The only family member who’s ever gotten me.
Even after death, though, she’s helping me get back up. She’s willed me the keys to a house in the burbs, of all places, and dared me to grab life by the family jewels. Well, I’ve got the vise grips already in hand (my ex should take note) and I’m ready to fight for my life again.
Too bad that bravado only lasts as long as it takes to drive into Huckleberry Hills. And see the house.
There are forty-seven separate HOA violations, and I feel them all in my bones. Honestly, I’m surprised no one’s “accidentally” torched the house yet. I want to, and I’ve only been standing in front of it for five minutes. But then my hot, grumpy neighbor tells me to mow the lawn first and I’m just…done. Done with men too sexy for their own good and done with anyone telling me what to do.
First rule of surviving the burbs? There is nothing that YouTube and a glass of wine can’t conquer.
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This is such a wonderful and funny Women’s Fiction with a side of Rom-com. The character of Mallory was such a fun delight. I really enjoyed her interactions with Nick. She is such a fun character to root for.
The story is told completely from Mallory’s POV and she was a really relatable heroine. She is trying to find herself and what she wants after letting her ex-boss her around. She struggles with her relationships both familial and romantic but is determined not to make the same mistakes again. I loved her mix of humor, sass, and self-awareness as she figures things out.
The romance and other plot points were nicely paced. There is a bit of slow burn leading up to Mallory exploring her romantic options, and it was hard to put the book down.
Tracy Wolff and Avery Flynn are two of my go to authors so when they write a book together, I am all in. Flynn a known romance author and Wolff has a following in a fantasy and darker romance this is very much a lighthearted Women’s Fiction read. If you are a fan of Mary Kay Andrews, you will Love Back in the Burbs.
This is one hilarious ride. Mallory is 35 and her life is literally falling apart. So many things happen in this story, there is never a dull moment. But what you really need to know is Mallory is looking to find her way. She meets a man who is everything she needs, yet he shows up a bit too early. Mallory just hasn’t worked through everything yet. Mallory is a fun character as she looks at everything with humor. I did laugh out loud, also shed some tears. Fantastic story and hard to put down!
Meet Mallory Martin Bach. She’s 35, unemployed, her ex has swindled her out of her fair share of their divorce settlement, and she’s had to move back in with her parents. Ouch! And if that wasn’t enough, her Great Aunt Maggie – her only supportive family member – has recently died.
Yet even in death, Maggie is looking out for Mallory. She has willed Mallory her property. It’s not in the greatest of condition, but for now it’s hers and Mallory is treating this windfall as the first step towards a brand new life: A life where she calls the shots.
There is, however, a very big obstacle to this plan: Nick Holloway. Neighbour and president of the Homeowner’s Association (HOA) that has issued scores of outstanding violations on the house Mallory has inherited. That he’s a hottie and revs Mallory’s engines is inconvenient, to say the least.
I know of Avery Flynn & Tracy Wolff as independent romance book authors. With BACK IN THE BURBS they’ve moved very much into the women’s fiction sphere, and have done a commendable job. The story is engaging and there are a few interesting twists. The various themes in the book are well integrated into the story. I would have liked more of a focus on Nick because I don’t think his attraction to Mallory was fully explored. The writing flowed smoothly, and I could not tell the book was written by two authors.
When Mallory finds out about her soon to be ex-husband cheating, she needs to escape, and when her great-aunt Maggie passes away, she inherits her house, which gives her someplace to regroup and get her life back on track. Nick is gruff and hiding a huge heart and caring nature and is Mallory’s new neighbour. They both have emotional baggage, and the sparks fly between them, as time goes by their relationship develops from enemies / lovers. This is a well written flawless story which is fun, entertaining, humorous, heartwarming, and with emotions and witty banter, which had me hooked throughout this addictive page turner. This duo of authors has done a fantastic job with this collaboration, and I look forward to reading more from them, and I highly recommend their work.
This was one fun, sweet, and endearing story because I felt Mallory and the things she was going through. I also felt her strength and determination and just couldn’t put this down. I had so much fun reading. The HOA violations themselves just had me laughing so hard. This was one amazing, feel-good read.
Back in the Burbs was such an entertaining and witty read. It was light and fun and had me laughing my way through. There’s a nice amount of angst and drama mixed in as well as a whole lot of heart. This was a wonderful story about moving on, finding your path, and going after what you want.
A sparkling romance full of twists and turns. A little air of lightness for this really cute and funny chick-bed. Maggie is a wacky heroine who manages to flourish as she goes from afar, her blunders are delicious as well as her encounters with her overly serious good neighbor, Nick. It’s well written, addicting and undeniably “feel good”, perfect in this very gloomy period.
I have read these authors before and really enjoyed their romances. This story was a big departture from what I have read of theirs before. I would class it more as women’s fiction or chick Lit than Romance. Though it does have a romance and I really enjoyed the romance, its not the center point of this story. This is more of a story about a woman who finds herself after a horrible marriage to a horrible man and she is a success. Its more about girl/woman power and finding your power and following your heart.
The story is told entirely from Mallory’s POV and well she is a riot and she made me laugh and giggle so much in this story. It starts off where her aunt Maggie has died and left her, her home but its in disrepair, the HOA is after the owner of the home and there are huge taxes on the home. Her father wants her to sell it and she refuses and she decides after a nasty divorce in process from her husband a lawyer to take possession of the house and try to turn it around.
Her neighbor is Nick and they start off as enemies but he eventually falls for her charms and they figure out a way for them to help each other and Mallory gets free labor from him and thats how they start to get to know each other and become friends.
I adored this story so much. I loved the main characters and even the supporting characters and cannot wait to read more from this series.
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I laughed a lot with this book and really enjoyed the witty banter. Nick is the uptight attorney who likes his life orderly and the suburbs to be kept tidy. Mallory is starting over after leaving her cheating ex-husband. She has a larger than life spirit much like her Aunt Maggie and I adored her. The heart of this book really lies in watching Mallory build her confidence and strength in herself. She was made to feel less by her ex-husband and with the new opportunity provided by Aung Maggie she can finally be herself. Nick is a true support for her and exactly what she needs to fully grow into her full potential. There are good laughs, twists and turns for an all around good read.
Tracy Wolff and Avery Flynn have teamed up to give readers a laugh out loud sexy contemporary romance that had me crying at times I was laughing so much. There were plenty of drama along the way to keep your emotions jumping as well.
I really loved Mallory pretty much from page one and have to say I also had some mad love for grumpy neighbor Nick just as quickly. Mallory is pretty much at her lowest low as Back in the Burbs begins. She recently caught her husband cheating on her, she lost her job in his law firm, and had to move back in with her parents. When she learns her Aunt Maggie left her home to her, Mallory has big goals, and isn’t prepared when she arrives, as the home is in major need of repairs, clean out, and HOA violations seem to be never ending.
Mallory is starting over when she moves to Huckleberry Hills. She needs to find a job and then a contractor to help get her new home back in shape. As no one in her family had been in her aunt’s home in years, she wasn’t prepared to the hoarding her aunt had in her home. That part of the story pretty much broke my heart. Her parents were aware that Maggie had hoarding tendencies, yet hadn’t checked on her at all. While Mallory had every right to be completely overwhelmed, I love that as she cleaned out her aunt’s home, she had so many fond memories of her aunt as she cleaned out each new room.
Nick aka grumpy neighbor actually ended up being one of my favorite characters in this book. I loved that he was actually friends with Maggie and did all in his power to help her out and take care of her when she was his neighbor. I really loved that Nick and Mallory had some pretty great chemistry from the very first time they met, even if they didn’t start off as friends. Part of that was Mallory having trust issues due to how her ex treated her. I really liked that Nick was there to help Mallory along the way with the house, finding her an attorney to battle her ex, and even finding her a perfect job. When Nick and Mallory finally made love for the first time, I had all the happy feels. Their differences and strengths made them such a great couple. My only real problem with this story was Malloy comparing Nick to her ex for way too long. Nick really did go out of his way to take things slow so Mallory would feel comfortable and help her in any way needed. As he was absolutely nothing like her ex, other than also being an attorney, Mallory really made me mad when she compared Nick to her asshat ex.
Back in the Burbs kept me glued to the page pretty much from the moment I picked it up. I don’t know about everyone else, but my reading has taken a huge hit since the start of the pandemic. The fact that I pretty much read this book in one day was huge for me, and a testament to this wonderful story. Thank you to both Tracy Wolff and Avery Flynn for giving me the wonderful rom-con in Back in the Burbs!
Rating: 4 Stars (B+)
Review copy provided by publisher
4.5 Stars
I am a huge fan of Avery Flynn’s books and was over the moon when I heard about Back In The Burbs, written in collaboration with Tracy Wolff. There is just so much happening in this book that I don’t even know where to start.
Mallory is in her thirties and separated. Her ex trying very hard to screw her over and out of what is rightfully hers after a decade of marriage. He is a douche canoe of the first order. My heart went out to her because unfortunately, I’ve known several women who have been in similar situations and it is horrible. After her dear aunt leaves her her house, Mallory decides to grab life by the horns and make it work. Dear aunt Maggie was a hoarder and Mallory has her work cut out for her.
In the middle of all this crazy enters, sexy as sin, neighbor Nick. I adored sexy suit wearing, plant whisperer, Nick, so much. He was a treat and watching Mallory shake up this man’s world was so much fun. As profound as her effect on him was, his on hers, was even more. Watching Mallory and Nick fall slowly in love despite everything standing in their way, made this an unputdownable romance read.
(Full Disclosure – this book is written from Mallory’s POV only, I would have loved if it included Nick’s POV as well).
I really enjoyed this book, my first from Tracy Wolff but I’m a die-hard Avery Flynn fan. The characters ran the gamut for me, from loathsome to love him, which is exactly what I expect a good story to have…great people, total jerks and maybe a hot mess.
Mallory is that hot mess and she was all over the place. I think she was one of those characters you either love/accept for what she is or can’t stand. I understand why she was like she was, but I honestly wanted to shake her a few times.
Most seasoned romance or women’s fiction readers (which this book could be categorized as) know the hero when he’s introduced onto the page, so I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say I loved Nick from his first gruff and grumpy appearance. Although, I do hope Mikey gets his own gal! Nick was often much more likable than Mallory, at least to me.
I absorbed this book in one sitting and was sad when it was over. That, to me, is the sign of a good book!
This is such a wonderful and funny romcom! There were so many times that I was nodding along with Mallory with her thoughts and actions. She is such a fun character to root for and I had a blast reading it. Mallory is definitely someone I could be friends with.
Mallory is thirty five years old, has just caught her husband of ten years cheating on her, and learns that her great aunt, Maggie, has left Mallory her house, which needs a lot of work and has many HOA violations. And that is just from the outside! The inside is a whole other hoarder story! Against her parents wishes, Mallory accepts the house and is determined to fix it up.
Nick lives across the street from Maggie’s house and Mallory meets him right away. He is a rule follower and grumpy when they first meet. She will soon come to realize that he is a good man with a good heart and genuinely wanted to help Maggie and now her. If Mallory doesn’t let her thoughts about her ex-husband and her marriage get in the way of starting something new and fresh, that is. She spent ten years being knocked down and treated terribly and it takes an adjustment to her thinking of men.
This book started out strong and never let up. I enjoyed every second of my time reading about Nick and Mallory (and their slow burn). Romcom fans…definitely pick this book up!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You might be checking out this book, looking for a romance read, but with this one, you’ll get so much more! The devastation of a breakup, finding oneself, and family dynamics shaken to their very foundation are a few of the heartfelt, compelling subjects included in this romance.
Mallory gave a decade of her life to her husband and helping to build his law practice, handling a diverse array of details that never cross the typical office manager’s desk. Then she catches her husband cheating with his paralegal, and Mallory ends up losing everything. Adding insult to injury, Mallory finds out her favorite person in the world, and the only one who ever loved Mallory just as she is, has died. And Great-aunt Maggie has left her home in the suburbs to Mallory.
Mallory packs her bags, heads to the ‘burbs, and determines this will be the start to her new life. Until she sees the house no one has lived in for over year. A glorious old home that, sadly, looks like it should be demolished, has multiple HOA violations with large fines looming, and packed full enough to be a hoarder’s dream home. With little money and thousands in repairs, Mallory is understandably overwhelmed. On top of all that, her first interaction with Mr. Tall, Handsome and Broody across the street is for him to order Mallory to cut the knee-high grass. Well, Mallory’s nothing if not resourceful and has a few clever ways to deal with Nick Holloway.
I can’t tell you a lot about Nick without revealing too much, but he’s actually a kind, compassionate man with a giant heart of gold. If only Mallory can stop seeing Nick through the myopic view of her relationship with her ex.
One of these writers is new to me, but I’ve come to trust the other unequivocally with my romantic heart, and she delivers a phenomenal read once again. With perfectly flawed characters, exquisite manipulation of the reader’s heartstrings, and laugh-out-loud, spew-your-drink hilarious moments, this one will strike every note in the chord of your emotions and give you one of your very best romantic comedy reads of the year! Run to the 1-Click now and make sure you don’t miss it!
If you are after the perfect book that will have you laughing, nodding your head as you read, a little hot and realising that life is what you make it then look no further than this book from powerhouses Avery Flynn and Tracy Wolff. It’s everything!!!
I accidentally inhaled this book because I was so engrossed in Mallory’s story and I don’t regret a single moment.
I went into this book expecting an entertaining read and what I got was a book that had everything I wanted, needed and didn’t know I needed. From a hot a neighbour, family drama, finding yourself when you least expect it and a room full of vibrators (yes you read that right and it’s one of my favourite scenes) and the best scene ever when Mallory gives the proverbial middle finger to her HOA, I loved everything about this book and have no doubt you will too.
This is an unexpected writing duo that I absolutely can’t wait for more from. Please, please, please make that happen!
Back in the Burbs is an easy to read, likeable, entertaining story with fun characters.
The collaboration of the two authors worked extremely well and I look forward to reading more from them both.
Mallory has inherited her aunts house but when she actually goes to look at it, she’s in for the shock of her life. Needless to say meeting the neighbor and his HOA issues, rubs her the wrong way. She starts to learn she can defend herself and get her life in some sort of order by standing her ground and doing. She has a lot on her plate for sure, but with some support and a lot of cleaning out at her aunts house, now hers, the journey we are sent on is nothing short of entertaining. Can she let go of her past and look toward a happy and promising future? Who will help her in her efforts?
I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline, it was refreshing, lighthearted and just wonderful. Go 1-click. You wont be sorry!
Although I’ve read many of Avery Flynn’s creations, Tracy Wolff is a new to me author.
I’d say that the influence of a writing partner has changed the ‘feeling’ of what I’m used to from Avery Flynn in this particular novel, but most certainly not in a bad way.
In fairness, not having read Tracy Wolff before is skewing my take on this book. Perhaps Avery Flynn’s influence changed the way Tracy Wolff normally writes.
Whichever way round this happens to be, it is impossible to tell how this collaboration was organised, the flow is seamless and the reader is easily carried along in the Mallory current.
Back in the Bubs is laugh out loud, but only in bits. Other sections have you tearing your hair out in frustration with Mallory and then, quick as a flash, you feel so much sympathy for her!
For me, this is a story of a woman coming into her own after having been mal-treated for many years. A woman who, with the aid of memories of her late aunt, remembers how to be strong. The journey for Mallory and Nick is just a side benefit.
Definitely worthy of a spece on your TBR!
4.5 Stars for Back in the Burbs by Tracy Wolff and Avery Flynn
I’m very familiar with Avery Flynn but Tracy Wolff is a new author to me but after reading Back to the Burbs that will certainly change, this duo of very talented authors did a seamless job with this entertaining read, if fact i have no idea who wrote what and that’s a sure sign of a good writing duo.
Mallory has inherited her aunts house and she sees this as a golden opportunity to get her life back on track, she needs to move on from her cheating ex husband and this could be just what she needs, what she didn’t bargain for was to be in endless fights with the HOA who seem determined to have her fail, she needs someone who knows there way around the suburb she has moved into and could that be her extremely hot but grumpy neighbor Nick.
As Nick and Mallory get to know each other, sparks start to fly as emotions and feelings come into play. As their relationship moves forward Mallory really becomes the woman we knew was hiding inside right from the start of this book, struggling with relationships becomes a thing of the past as we see her embrace her sense of humour , show her sassy side and open her heart to Nick.
This enemies to lovers is a wonderful, entertaining read that will appeal to a wide range of audiences, the banter is witty, the characters adorable and the story is believable. This book certainly ticked all my boxes and I’m sure it will tick yours too.
Back in the Burbs by Tracy Wolff and Avery Flynn was a fun read with so many feels. Mallory and Nick had steamy chemistry and witty back and forth that had me captivated from start to finish. Mallory just wanted to start over after finding her ex in a very compromising position. She felt a bit lost, but I love how determined she was. Nick can be a bit gruff, but he can also be caring and so damn likable. I loved their interactions so much. Their journey had me smiling, though there are some emotional topics that the authors did a great job handling. A rom-com that will leave you happy and smiling.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
So much fun!!!!
This is one of the best rom-coms I’ve ever read. Mallory is a mess and it takes her some time to figure things out but once she does, watch out!!
Nick is so awesome!!