Next to You One wild birthday, a fixer-upper bus, and a friends-to-lovers romance packed with forced proximity, emotional baggage, and a broody handyman

This is the greenest flag that I have ever seen! ✨ You've ruined me. Do it again. " Matt is the definition of perfect. He listens. He get's things done. He reads. He puts thought behind his gifts. He is patient. He is teaching her to be selfish. He is there when she wants him to be, and he gives her space when she asks him to. "I know how to wait my turn. If it's me you need, I can give it to you. If it's space you need, it'll hurt, but you can have that too. I can wait." Lane, on the other hand, is funny, a little bit quirky, and fighting anxiety and her social battery. I love her. I will protect her. This was THE perfect rom-com. It was funny, lighthearted at times, and emotional at others. There was no stupid, unnecessary conflict or third-act breakup just for show. It felt real, entertaining, super cute, romantic, did I mention funny? and overall, the perfect length. I loved to see Warren, Chloe and Willow from Book #1 pop up as side characters; still "Next to You" has to be superior to "Next of Kin" (for me personally), because I was able to relate more to the characters, and Matt was just THE cutest ❤️ Some more quotes: ️ "I don't actually smoke, but in the interest of equality, I take a ten-minute break every few hours, as my co-workers might." - Honestly, inspirational! ️ "I don't know if you've noticed, but we seem to have this dynamic where you ask for something, and I take care of it." ️ "The moment he's outside, he spins on his heel and mimes scoring a touchdown." 4.5 stars rounded up ✨