For Lexi Dean, burning down her kitchen was disaster enough. Agreeing to move in next door with her totally off-limits best friend, Matt Freeman, until her house is livable again? Utter madness. They’ve always been close, but this is ridiculous. If she’s not bumping into him at the refrigerator, he’s at the front door giving her date the third degree. And slipping between his borrowed sheets? … borrowed sheets? That’s about as distracting as listening to his shower run, because suddenly all she can think about is rivulets of water cascading down is spectacular body—the one he seems to be going out of his way to make sure she notices.
Not that it matters. He can flaunt his firefighter abs around her all he wants. They already share everything—their jobs, their friends, their backyard, even their dog—and that means only one thing: Lexi is not going to risk losing any of it by dipping a single toe in the temptation that is Matt Freeman.
Lexi may not know how to handle a fire extinguisher, but this is one fire that just might burn them both if they’re not careful…
more
This is the first time I have read this author. Finding Mr. Right Next Door was a fun quick read. If your looking for a page turner that is lighthearted grab this book.
Cute story
This is a sweet and funny best friend to lovers’ love story. After burning her kitchen Lexi moves to her best friend Matt and all of a sudden they both experience different kinds of feelings. They start a war who is gonna break first. They are both great characters they both have their flaws. Will they be strong enough to conquer the fear and give their love a chance?
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley
A charming best friends to lovers story with some great humor. I loved the banter between Lexi and Matt. Watching them navigate the changing dynamics of their relationship was so much fun I couldn’t put the book down. Octogenarian Elise and her antics were a hoot too! I’m looking forward to reading Diego’s story.
I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
This was a cute between friends to lovers.. Lexi and Matt have been best friends forever and everyone around them sees them as having a relationship, more than just friends. Matt is not the type to have a relationship he is happy with his manho status until he sees that his Lexi is going on a date and a cop to boot. He is a firefighter so what can Lexi be doing with him, while supposedly just trying to make sure she is safe ends up crashing her date and as these two bicker they realize that there is much more than they admit too. As they give in to there chemistry Matt gets a little worried that he is just not capable of a lasting relationship and messes it up, but luckily he has friends that can wake him up..Cute story.
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinion
Full review appeared at Reader’s Edyn on 05/17/20
Lexie isn’t known for her cooking prowess. A disaster in the kitchen she might be, but she is determined to bake a successful version of Matt’s grandmother’s tart. Big mistake. All she is left with is a flaming kitchen, a ruined family heirloom tart pan, and all of her co-workers on her front porch dousing the inferno. The most sensible plan is to move next door with her best friend, Matt, during the renovations. After a bit of hesitation, she concedes. But the forced proximity to her best friend since childhood stirs up all kinds of emotions and feelings they have never allowed themselves to explore for fear of ruining their perfect friendship. But chemistry and attraction under the same roof are difficult to extinguish and before too long, Lexi and Matt are creating a blaze of their own. But where do you go once the line has been crossed?
Matt has wanted Lexi since forever, but once they settled into their comfortable friendship, the risk involved if they didn’t work out became too much to gamble against. So when Lexi needs a place to crash, offering her a place to stay is automatic. What he didn’t count on was the fierce protectiveness that would consume him. And the fact that she’s just started dating – and a cop (his biggest rival as a firefighter) – isn’t helping one bit. So when they finally give in to their overwhelming passion, neither knows how to proceed, terrified that everything will change. And boy does it. Now something big is simmering and the outcome will determine if their relationship is ruined or has simply moved up the ladder to the next rung.
You guys! If you want a super fun, super cute, ridiculously hot, crazy sexy read … look no further. I was giggling and fanning myself in equal amounts throughout this entire book. I loved the friends to lovers’ idea of this book. Matt and Lexi had amazing chemistry and watching them try to deny it was a pleasure to watch unfold. One of the best scenes is when they have already indulged once. Not knowing the best course of action and scared of voicing their true feelings, they decide to ignore the whole thing ever happened. But neither can stop thinking about the other. Eventually, they end up trying to tempt each other. Matt mows the lawn shirtless, Lexi does yoga in the front window, and that’s just the footnote of the scene. I mean who would be able to resist? These two tempt and torment each other relentlessly, and it’s brilliant. The one thing I became annoyed with was the incessant bagging on Lexi and her cooking skills. Heck, skills in the kitchen, period. Forget only the cooking ability. Or inability as it were. At first, it was just a bit of ribbing between friends given the debacle in her kitchen. Understandable. But Lexi has a horrific reputation in this respect and they never let her forget it. After a while I just wanted them to shut up and leave her alone. It almost bordered on unfriendly banter, so if I had a complaint, it’s definitely the unrelenting teasing.
Several secondary characters add a lot to this story. I especially found Matt’s grandmother entertaining. She’s like the cool kid that never got the memo that she’s older. Living just as carefree as a teenager, but wise with her years of experience, this lady darn near steals the book. Bordering on inappropriate, she’s the grandma everyone wants to have. Lexi’s parents were also introduced. They didn’t have a very big role to play within these pages, but I appreciated their supportive nature and love for the main characters. On the more serious side is a fellow firefighter, Diego. Recently divorced, his wife cheated on him, yet he still maintains his belief in love and ends up playing a pivotal role in bringing one of the characters round to seeing the truth of their relationship. If I wanted to see anyone’s story following this book, it’s definitely Diego. A guy as great as he is with the junk deal he got doesn’t deserve to remain unhappy. He must have his own HEA at some point. I’m not sure if there is another book within this series yet. I assume there is one for Shane and Caitlin, but I could be wrong. This book is listed as part of the series, FIREFIGHTERS OF STATION 1, but it has no number associated with it. As a result, I am unsure if it is the first book in the series, or not. Regardless of its order within the series, it is a truly entertaining read that just might have you blushing as you read through a few particular pages. The passion between Matt and Lexi is crazy hot and the games they play with one another are exciting if a little annoying. I only say annoying because at one point I was screaming at them to just drop the façade and get it on. The fact they truly know each other inside and out allows them to play on a whole different level than your typical neighbors to lovers book. This best friends to lovers aspect definitely kicked things up a notch. And with them living next door, temporarily living together, and working together, there isn’t much time to play the avoidance game they are set on enacting. Or maybe there is more than enough time, depending on how you look at it. As a first read with Ms. Ballance, this book was fantastic. I enjoyed every minute spent with this cast of quirky characters and eagerly await my next experience with these hot firefighters and the women who set them ablaze.
Kindle version provided by NetGalley/Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
This book is everything you want in a beach read. I read it in one day because I couldn’t put it down. Matt and Lexi are lifelong best friends. Living right next door to each other, they share almost everything in life but have never taken that final step into a true relationship. Something happens to Lexi that has her having to stay with Matt and the story goes from there. These are two very likeable characters. Their story is fun, sexy and all the very best parts of a friends to lovers romance. I really liked the other characters in the book as well and look forward to reading more about them. The book is very well written and has put Ballance on my must-read authors list. 5 stars!!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions here are my own.
Finding Mr. Right Next Door is really opening-my-eyes-and-really-seeing-my-BFF-who lives-next-door. I think my version doesn’t quite have the same flow. This adorable mix of terrible cooking, accidents waiting to happen, a grandma whose first name (not middle) is inappropriate, and heat are a fun combination. Just don’t sit on Elsie’s couch, I can’t promise it’s safe. (Shudders thinking about all the octogenarian butt that may have rubbed up on that. )
Best friends fighting their attraction because they seem to want different things…yeah. No one believes these two can hold out. It certainly is fun to watch them try though!
I was so excited for this book and it did not disappoint! I have been dying for Matt and Lexi’s story ever since book one in this series (which is also amazing) and watching these two come to terms with their true feelings for each other was so much fun. They are absolutely hilarious together, riling each other up like only lifelong friends can. Then when those small sparks between them explode when they are forced into a temporary living situation – OMG these two melt the pages! I don’t think I have ever cheered so hard for a couple to get together. The story is well written and full of Ms. Ballance’s trademark wit and humor and I couldn’t get enough. Adding this one to my pile of favorites. This was a much-needed moment of joy for me and I can’t wait for more!
Lexi Dean lives next door to firefighter Matt Freeman, they both work at the Dry Rock Fire Department and they share his dog, Waffles. When she accidentally sets fire to her kitchen, Matt offers her his spare bedroom during the repairs. Lexi was already thinking too much about Matt and now decides to try a dating site. When Matt learns that she has a date, from the dating site, he is not happy. He has been thinking more about Lexi too, especially since she moved in to his home. Will Lexi and Matt realize that best friends can sometimes make the best lovers? An enjoyable and lighthearted “friends to lovers” romance. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
While reading this story there were so many times I laughed until I was almost choking and had tears streaming down my face. At one point it was so funny I had to call my sister and read portions aloud to her. Lexi is a disaster in the kitchen always managing to catch things on fire and worst of all she works at a fire station and all her friends are firefighters. Matt is her closest friend, they grew up together and now live next door to each other. They also work together. Iris is Matt’s grandmother and she is a hoot and provides some of the most hilarious moments in the book. This could definitely be classified as a rom-com as Lexi and Matt move from disaster to heat. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to just kick back and read a well written book that will leave you wanting for more while laugh your head off.
An charming rom-com that flowed nicely. Enjoyed watching Matt and Lexi find their way from friends to lovers to more. Every scene with Elise left me smiling. Looking forward to reading more by author.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided via NetGalley.
What a great friends to lovers story this was.
Lexi and Matt have been friends for years. Everyone around them has hinted about them becoming a couple but they have always denied it. They both concluded that they want different things.
I liked the character of Lexi. As someone who can’t cook I could relate to her on so many levels. I liked the friendship she had with Matt and how comfortable she was with him. I also really liked and admired her desire to put herself out there and start dating. I thought she was very understanding with her first date.
I also liked Matt. He was a man who didn’t like commitments and had no plans of HEA. I especially liked reading about him coming to realize his feelings for Lexi. I also really liked Matt’s grandma.
Lexi and Matt have been friends for..ev..er. Best buds who grew up together, hang out
and live next door to each other. Popping into each other’s house at any time was nothing new… until Lexi burns down the kitchen. Moving in with Matt until her kitchen is rebuilt was his idea. When Lexi decides to sign up with a dating service and goes out on a date, Matt follows behind her. A hilarious, fun read with a sexy couple who were always meant for each other, but afraid to take that last step. Totally great rom-com.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Finding Mr Right Next Door by Sarah Ballance a five-star read that will warm your heart. I adore Lexi Dean, she reminded me so much of myself in some ways, she just warmed me and the fear that she has, I can totally get that, loosing Elsie alone would be enough to scare me away. This was sweet and funny, and had the best heart, it made me think twice and hold my breath several times. Overall, it’s just a nice sweet read with some steam to keep you hooked. I will be looking for more form this author as I really enjoyed the writing.
This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed the friends to lovers story between Lexi and Matt. I won’t lie, at first I despised Matt and their friends for their constant teasing and blocking of Lexi finding someone to date, but I quickly realized why Diego and company did this. It became amusing to see just how deliberately blind Lexi and Matt both insisted on being until it all finally blew up in their faces. Of course, then they had to find a way to fix what they thought they broke, which was entertaining enough in itself. Overall, this was a quick and fun read.