As the lines between villains and heroes shift, readers will be reminded how "right" and "wrong" choices are rarely crystal clear. Fitzpatrick's excellent first novel movingly captures the intensity of first love, the corrupting forces of power, and the losses suffered by innocent victims caught in a web of political deceit. As Samantha wrestles with what to do, she risks losing her comfortable lifestyle, her mother's trust, and the boy she most admires. But the summer romance turns into a nightmarish moral dilemma as Samantha becomes aware of a secret, hidden by her mother's unscrupulous campaign aide, which could destroy Jase's family or ruin her mother's political career. As fate would have it, the two teens fall in love despite or perhaps because of their different backgrounds. Jase, part of a large, boisterous family that's despised by Samantha's mother, has to work hard for what he gets. Rich, beautiful Samantha has led a privileged life, strictly dictated by her state senator mother. Like Rapunzel, compliant and affluent Samantha Reed has watched the boisterous Garrett family from her window for years, because her icy control freak state senator mother simply doesn’t interact with “that kind of people.” When Jase Garrett finally introduces himself, Samantha finds herself not only falling in love with him, but with his family and the zestful way they live.Although they've been neighbors for 10 years, Samantha Reed and Jase Garrett are worlds apart. Meanwhile, her mother is falling under the control of a political Svengali, her best friend Nan is distancing herself in a pre-college frenzy, and Nan’s twin Tim grapples with substance abuse – and the biggest obstacle to Samantha and Jase hasn’t even happened yet. This excellent book features likeable, good-kid leads and conflict that is gripping without pulling from extreme issues. YA contemporary plots typically run on a deadline, with events having to occur before or around school year milestones like breaks, prom, or graduation. This can make plot points predictable (“It’s April, so she’s going to have to tell Dad she didn’t apply to his alma mater about now, or he’ll find the envelopes.”). My Life Next Door is set across the summer, and the only major thread on a timetable is Samantha’s mom Grace running for office. The ‘Stony Bay’ series is continued with a companion novel titled The Boy Most Likely To, which was published in 2015 and features characters. It was initially published in 2012 and has since been republished in paperback, hardcover, and eBook versions. Consequently, this book feels fresh and original. My Life Next Door is the first book in the ‘Stony Bay’ series by Huntley Fitzpatrick.
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