“A sweet, sexy read, featuring a couple that feels both true-to-life and aspirational.” Kirkus Review, Starred Review American Angie Donovan has never wanted much. When you grow up getting bounced from foster home to foster home, you learn not to become attached to anything, anyone, or any place. But it only took her two days to fall in love with Australia. With her visa clock ticking, surely … clock ticking, surely she can fall in love with an Australian–and get hitched–in two months. Especially if he’s as hot and funny as her next-door neighbor…
Jace Walters has never wanted much–except a bathroom he didn’t have to share. The last cookie all to himself. And solitude. But when you grow up in a family of seven, you can kiss those things goodbye. He’s finally living alone and working on his syndicated comic strip in privacy. Sure, his American neighbor is distractingly sexy and annoyingly nosy, but she’ll be gone in a few months…
Except now she’s determined to find her perfect match by checking out every eligible male in the town, and her choices are even more distracting. So why does it suddenly feel like he–and his obnoxious tight-knit family, and even these two wayward dogs–could be exactly what she needs?
Each book in the Patterson’s Bluff series is STANDALONE:
* The Aussie Next Door
* Her Aussie Holiday
more
Sweet love story,
Great characters, good description of autism, great HEA. Some explicit sex.
Good story
The hero is on the Autism spectrum and is very likeable. The heroine had a terrible childhood in the US and is starting life over in Australia. There’s too much angst in this story, and it just moves so slowly. The story has potential, but I wondered why the heroine didn’t do a better job of planning beforehand, which would have eliminated the angst.
Favorite Quotes:
Jace’s brother was the kind of guy who seemed immune to worrying too much about his relationships— which had less staying power than the latest viral cat video. Along with his famous charm, Trent had the attention span of a goldfish, hence why their eldest brother, Adam, called him the One-Month Wonder.
His elderly neighbor, Mrs. Marsh, had stood on his doorstep, still wearing her nightgown and slippers, her hair wrapped in a silk scarf and Truffle on a leash… Mrs. Marsh said she’d found Truffle humping her beloved beagle, Archer. Or, in her words, bringing “the devil” into her home.
Please never have children, Nick. We’ll find them lined up in the backyard getting their nightly hose-down instead of having a shower.
“I had to make sure you weren’t an ax murderer.” “As opposed to some other type of murderer? Would it be less of an issue if I didn’t use an ax?”
My Review:
This was an enjoyable and amusing story with an interesting premise but also deftly handled some perplexing real-life issues with sensitivity and thoughtful insights in an entertaining and agile manner. Both main characters were endearing and likable while riddled with idiosyncrasies and unique personal challenges that required accommodation and understanding. I adored and admired them both well before reaching that well deserved HEA.
The wonderfully written storyline and the well created characters kept me totally captivated until the very last page was turned!
I enjoyed this book. It had moments that were a little slow for me, but overall it was good. I loved that Jace was on the autism spectrum and Ms. London portrayed him as having some issues that were definitely not average, but that he still managing to live a full life.
Angie had issues of her own that she had to overcome, but it made her able to relate to Jace and his issues a little better. Both were vulnerable, but were stronger together than they were apart. The animals added a lot to the story and helped to show the growth of both characters.
I enjoyed everything about this book – from the Australia location, to the characters and the tight knit togetherness of family, to a main character with Autism (and hearing things through the filter of that perceptive perspective), to the shenanigans at the retirement home.
This is my first time reading work from this author and I really enjoyed it. After reading the blurb I knew I needed to get my hands on this book. This was a heart-warming story about an American woman who needs to get married.
Angie is need of a marriage of convenience and she wants it to be someone she can one day have a relationship with. She wasn’t expecting her landlord Jace to offer to marry her. Neither of them thought it could turn into anything more but the more time they spent together things started to change. Will they give into their feelings for each other or let the past dictate their future?
I really enjoyed this book and will be reading more work from this author.
This was a nice cute read. There were parts that dragged here and there but all in all a good read.
4 stars
Adorable story about a flibbertigibbet American finding her mate in a steady Aussie.
Angie Donovan became the poster child for neglect and everything wrong with the foster care system and she’s searched long and hard for a place to escape her infamy and find a real home. Fleeing the American media coverage, she moves to Australia and rents a place from the delicious but reclusive Jace.
Jace, who is on the autism spectrum, craves order and routine but the universe has other plans for him. What with being forced to dog sit for two rambunctious dogs and the ever constant interruptions from his distractingly lovely neighbor, his peace and quiet are holding on by a thread.
With Angie’s abandonment issues and Jace with his quirks both struggle with believing they’re worthy of love but soon realize there is a lid for every pot. Delightful story!
AnnMarie – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
This was just okay. The beginning of this book drags really bad. It took putting it down, and coming back to it several times before I was able to get into it. The second half of the book was paced better, but I’m still on the fence about it as a whole. It’s mentioned in the blurb that Angie was in the foster care system, but in actuality, what happened to her was a little much for what was supposed to be a light hearted romance. I really didn’t feel like I even got the whole story with that situation. Jace was considered high functioning autistic, so I can honestly say I haven’t read a hero like him before. Jace and Angie were good together when it finally gets to that point, and the ending was sweet. Although I wasn’t a huge fan of this one, I would give this author another read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
The Aussie Next Door by Stefanie London is a sweet romance set in a small town Australia. Angie Donovan has escaped her past in America and found a fresh start in a new place that feels exactly like she believes home should be. Renting a small apartment from one of the hottest guys she’s ever laid eyes on doesn’t hurt. Even if he is a bit quirky and distant. Jace, on the other hand, doesn’t quite know what to make of his tenant. Her smiles, her non-stop chatter, her outgoing energy. It’s a lot for someone as introverted as he is but she is a bright spot in his life that he soon learns he can’t live without. Less a tale of how an American can stay in Australia and more a tale of how two people, vastly different, and each with their own issues, can learn to overcome their pasts and move forward. Sweet and sexy in all the right places, well-paced, and well-written, this was a great romance. Enjoy!
Sweet, funny, and touching
Book 1 in the Patterson’s Bluff series, this is a new to me author. The blurb here caught my interest so I decided to give it a try.
This book is usually the kind of story I love: two people who been hurt by life who find healing and love with each other. Plus, dogs! (I’m always a sucker for dogs in stories). It was a bit slow for me at the start, and I worried it wasn’t going to hold my interest, but the emotion was there, and it picked up nicely at above the halfway point.
I liked that Jace was on the autism spectrum; it made him a more interesting character for me, and while I don’t know a lot about autism, his depiction felt authentic to me. Angie was sweet and charming; I adored her enthusiasm and admired her not only for volunteering her time, but for how determined she was to move on from her past. There are plenty of secondary characters around to add to the story in the form of Jace’s loud and loving family, as well as various townspeople. And of course the dogs provide entertainment value as well, usually in the form of some comic relief—Truffle especially, lol.
Sweet, funny, and touching, there was plenty of emotion as well as great characters in this well written, entertaining story. 4 stars
B2B Kelly
I really wanted to like to like this book.
Romance Check
A new author to discover check
An Aussie next door check
A girl named Angie living in Australia now check
I really wanted to love this book, but I didn’t. I hate to say that, but it’s true.
I want to be honest in my reviews, and this one really disappointed me in so many ways.
I couldn’t connect with the characters, and I think because Angie rambled a lot, and I think because Jace was so disconnected with everything I fed off him.
I know that doesn’t make too much sense, but in my head it does.
The storyline sounded amazing, but I don’t think the execution was there.
I made myself read majority of the story and then I skipped through the last half of the book, and read the last chapter, and the epilogue.
My fave quote from the book:
1. Holy freaking physical perfection, Batman. – LOL!!!
What cute second chance romance. Angie is an American living in Australia feeling like she is at her best, but then she finds out that her Visa isn’t working. Jace is and throughout the book mentions his “high functioning Autism”- for one AMAZING job to the author for incorporating this “personality” in a book.
Jace likes everything in order and consistency and as you see Angie truly appreciates this. Angie is struggling to get her VISA figured out, one option is to find a suitable marriage, but who can she choose from. So Jace her very recluse landlord offers to assist in “watching” some suitable suitors. To watch as Jace sees the options come, he almost wants to stop this because he has feelings for Angie. Over time you see Jace start to grasp that he does want Angie and finally acts on them.
Angie struggles with trust; her trust was broken when she was a child. So for her to act on her feelings and ultimately allow Jace in take a lot. It was fun to see Angie grow with her insecurities and act on the passion she feels for Jace.
Here is more of my review on my YouTube Channel- https://youtu.be/BKkpvN6OjUU
The Aussie Next Door by Stefanie London is an entertaining read. I enjoyed the story, along with the two dogs that teach the main characters how to trust and love.
Angie Donovan grew up in the American foster care system, and learned at a very young age that the only person she could count on was herself. When her brutal upbringing was publicized nationwide by a corrupt attorney, she escaped to Australia to start a new life where no one knew about her past. She found peace and acceptance in the small coastal town of Patterson’s Bluff, however, her visa is due to expire very soon. Angie needs a husband in order to remain in Australia, and a marriage of convenience is not what she wants for her future. Angie is after the real thing, a loving husband.
Comics artist Jace Walters is a good looking guy who prefers to live in solitude with a daily routine that he can count on. Although Angie has been his neighbor and tenant for the past six months, Jace really doesn’t know her very well. He has no desire to be in a relationship, however, being around Angie makes him happy and calm. They become friends and he even helps her seek out a potential husband. Luckily, they both realize they are both perfect for each other.
I liked this book, however, the pace of the first half dragged considerably. Happily, the second half of book was quite engaging and I was rooting for Angie and Jace to get their forever together in the land down under. This is the first book from the author’s brand new series, Patterson’s Bluff, and it can be read as a standalone.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
When Jace Walters is forced into dog sitting a family friend’s two adorable dogs, his life is turned upside down. Ms. London’s start to The Aussie Next Door is adorable and engaging. I loved the small town setting and the strong sense of family and community. The slower pace seemed to fit the story, and there is just enough humor to add a sense of charm and appeal to the characters and plot.
The author treated Jace, an on-the-spectrum character, respectfully; she clearly made an effort to present his struggles without making the character pitiful. The character’s self doubts (especially relative to his siblings) and his avoidance of social gatherings and people is clearly evident.
I liked Angie’s bubbly personality and involvement in her adopted country. Her past is tragic because readers are told it is. Her backstory was not explored enough to make her a sympathetic character to me. In fact both main characters’ issues are developed just enough for them to be relationship hurdles and to depict two awkward adults whose insecurities and social struggles limit their ability to fit in. Exploring Angie and Jace’s backstory further would have given The Aussie Next Door more depth.
I loved the Walters clan. They’re a big, warm family. I felt drawn to each of these secondary characters.
When Jace’s ex comes back in town, I anticipated some juicy conflict and plot tension. However, their eventual meet up provides the epiphany that allows Jace to pursue Angie and help her stay in the country. While my anticipated drama would have been meatier, the reappearance of the ex-fiance did provide a nice catalyst for change.
Angie’s pursuit of immigration fraud put me off from the start. It is not a premise that I find acceptable, and that definitely colored my perception of the story and characters. I picked up the book because I’ve read and enjoyed some of Ms. London’s previous books, and if I had paid more attention to the description, I would have passed on this story. The book and writing are not without merit, the characters and setting are interesting and the denouement is authentic.
THE AUSSIE NEXT DOOR by Stefanie London takes place in the fictitious Australian beach town of Patterson’s Bluff. Angie Donovan has run as far as possible from her previous life. She’s finally found a place she feels she can call home but with an expiring visa, Angie could see herself unwillingly heading back to the US. Jace Walters is Angie’s landlord. He likes order and routine, and prefers to keep himself to himself. They may be neighbours, but the bubbly Angie and the introverted Jace are outwardly not a likely pair.
Once Angie and Jace decide to give a relationship between them a go, I really enjoyed their journey. They both come with baggage that impacts the relationship. I liked that their issues are not a result of miscommunication, but rather a perceived need to act in a particular way to appease each other. This creates a friction that makes for interesting reading.
The hurdle for me is that the parts I liked best in this book happen towards the end. To get there I needed to read a story that I felt was too slow paced to hold my interest and I found myself putting this book down several times because of the protracted story telling.
I did enjoy meeting the secondary characters, and I assume some of them will get their own books in this series. As an Australian, I very much enjoyed reading a book set in the country I live in. I would be happy to come back and visit Patterson’s Bluff in later books.
The blurb for The Aussie Next Door caught my attention immediately, and I just had to read this book. The premise was good and the storyline somewhat unique. However, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
Angie was likeable but came with the baggage you would expect of a foster kid who has been bounced around from home to home. Jace is an unusual hero with unexpected baggage of his own. I just didn’t feel his character was realistic and believable.
The plot was slow and dragged in places. It had a lot of potential and some good dialogue. Overall, the book and its unusual storyline was okay but not as great as it could have been.