Loved this so much!!

Oh I just loved this! 😍 Small town romance done in a perfect and fun way. Dillon came home to help the family when they needed it (at a time when she needed it too). And Donovan came back to the place he spent so much time with his grandmother (at a perfect time when his life starts falling apart). These two start out not getting along very well, until one stormy night changes everything. Then you can’t help but be singed by their sizzling connection. I loved all the goings on in this book, trying to figure out who the bad guy was (you’ll see) what’s wrong with her brother (you’ll see) and will they make it (you’ll see!). Truly loved it! And Andi Arndt and Teddy Hamilton as Dillon and Donovan? Absolute perfection!

4 people found this helpful

Couldn't bear to hear Andi Arndt

Andi Arndt was so boring and the story was snore worthy. I struggled through 2 chapters, but I just couldn't listen to any more.

2 people found this helpful

Sweet and Emotional Romance!

This sweet and emotional story takes place in the small town of Pearl Lake. This tight knit community is filled with close friends and family who are fun, quirky, and despite loving to gossip, they are totally supportive. It's the kind of place that draws you in and makes you feel right at home. It was also the place that Dillion couldn't escape from fast enough. As a young girl, all she could focus on was proving she was more than what the vacationers thought of the small town residents. After ten years living in the big city, she is back home to help her family when tragedy strikes. She is embarrassed at first, but begins to feel more at home when the people welcome her home with open arms. But when the grandson of her neighbor, who she loved and missed dearly since her passing, moves in to the small cottage, Dillion is afraid he will destroy the quaint but beautiful property. Dillion and Donovan do not start off on the best of terms. But I love a great meet cute and this one was so awkward and fun, and set the stage for the rest of this delightfully adorable, moving, and steamy romance. Donovan has always loved his summers with his grandmother, Bee. He always crushed on the towny girl who lived next door. Now she is even more beautiful, and sassy, and he loves to push her buttons every time they run into each other. The more time they spend together, the more they learn to like and trust one another, and their chemistry becomes more passionate. Donovan has always felt at home in Pearl Lake, and Dillion and her family is a big part of it. But someone is messing with Donovan's life, and it could threaten not only the peaceful town, but what he is building with Dillion as well. I love Dillion and Donovan together. She is so honesty, loyal, and fiercely protective, and he is playful, sweet, and caring. They helped each other find themselves, and the home they always wanted. I loved all the local family and friends who felt genuine and made this story so rich, fun and heartfelt. ​
The narration by Andi Arndt and Teddy Hamilton was fabulous! They are so perfect as Dillion and Donovan, as they not only build the tension of the story, but the playful and fiery attraction between Dillion and Donovan as well. Their banter was fun, and they conveyed the depth and complexity of all their emotions beautifully. I always love their work and was completely lost in their moving performance.
​I loved this engaging story and the little twists and turns that the storyline took kept me on my toes, and tugged at my heart. This is a great start to the Lakeside series and I can't wait for more from Pearl Lake!

2 people found this helpful

Grammy Bee!

When your deceased grandma plays matchmaker is what so much of this book is about. Grammy Bee arranged for Dillon and Van to become part of each others lives without them realizing her intentions. Van as the sole owner to her home and Dillon as the executor she knew they would end up with each other, so that aspect of what some of the reviews are saying as predictable...maybe. Still a good story with good narration (again despite reviews). Good story with some decent humor.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful narrators, story okay.

I didn't love this one and I'm not exactly sure why. I usually love Helena Hunting. This one just didn't feel like her other stories that I love so much. It didn't have the same spark and addicting quality I always get from her stories. I was a bit bored, and struggled to want to pick it back up and finish it. I think that maybe because it focused more on their families, the town, and the money laundering, and not as much on the romance, I didn't feel connected to these two.

I liked it enough to continue the series and I'm sure I'll read the next one. I'll never give up on HH.

Sex and Language

Sex and F Bombs.. Not my thing.
Male narrator was terrible. Do not recommend.

Love this performance!!!

Great story told by great voices!!! A Good read i couldn’t stop listening to. Great

Rom-com with a message…

Love Next Door by Helena Hunting (Lakeside, Book 1) is a rom-com with a great message about mental health. It’s still a fun book and not to heavy. I really liked the way Helena Hunting addressed the mental health issues. I would definitely recommend this book. I look forward to reading the next one in this series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.Just ok

Decent book, but predictable. Hated the narrators voice for some of the characters. The voice didn't match the character.

Good Story

4 Stars for me!

My rating range of this story...
If significant, why? 4 - 4.25

Main Character Ratings...
H = 8
h = 7

Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of?

Scenes with heat... A Few
What point does it start? Last 20%
How much of the story? 5%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained

Heat Rating... 6/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above

Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No

The back story... The H comes back to town to help the family business after her brother is injured while driving drunk. She had just broken up with her boyfriend and lost her job as well. The H came back to start getting his grandmother's property in order after she passed away. The h is the executor and has lots of angry run-ins with the H.

The Romance... Slow burn and well laid out.

The drama explosion... They confront the bad guy.
Did it feel real or contrived? A tiny bit.
Was it OTT? A tiny bit
Separation involved? No
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Properly

Final Notes...


HEA or HFN? HEA