Title: The Neighbor
Author: Lorhainne Eckhart
Series: The O’Connells #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020
Whilst I seriously enjoyed this novel, it was nowhere near as suspenseful and romantic as I was expecting. I mean, I was expecting a whole lot of steam and action that you just couldn’t look away from. Instead, it was an unexpectedly sweet love story that had more darkness to it than anticipated. In fact, when I reflect on the story line, for me, this is very much a story about a dark and hidden past being moved on from and a happily ever after being found.
I love the fact that this novel was medium-paced, it was definitely hard to put down (because I wanted to know what was happening to Alison), it wasn’t impossible. And, the outcome of Alison’s going missing was nowhere near as dark as I was expecting. I mean, probably a bit hard to have a happily ever after, romantic ending in a story that ends the way my brain was expecting… but that probably says more about my brain than anything else (and let’s just not go there).
My favourite thing about this story was the O’Connell family. They’re such a great, tight-knit group. And, having only grown up with one sibling myself, what I always dreamt of in a family. I love the idea of the chaos that is inspired in every gathering of the clan. And the way that they rally together to ensure Alison is found and bought home safely? It’s just too damn adorable.
This is probably more of a psychological suspense novel than a physical one. Jenny’s abusive past and her ability to overcome it hold true to form. It’s not as if everything is magically fixed when Ryan decides to come into her life, but rather, it takes time. Plus, all of the crap that her ex hangs over their heads, even from the grave… wow. I had a bit of a sick feeling in my gut throughout reading this for that fact alone. Eckhart does such a brilliant job of giving you just enough information to make you feel seriously uncomfortable. Which makes me REALLY excited to read The Third Call.
Earth and Skye 
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