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mistysreads's review against another edition
3.0
Parker and Skylar are those characters that have strong personalities and they bicker back and forth, but you know its also part of their chemistry. Parker is a Marine that is home for PT after an injury while deployed. He throws parties every night driving his neighbor Skylar crazy with all the noise. What everyone doesn't know is that he has had a crush on her for awhile. Everything changes the night Skylar is working and she stabs herself in her hand with a tool and Parker takes her to the hospital.
The thing that is problematic for them is a one night stand of Parker's shows up with a 3 year old boy and says that it is his. Well in the meantime she is vandalizing Skylar's work, turns his mom against her, and generally makes her life harder. Skylar has enough, gets hurt, and just leaves. Parker is willing to do whatever it takes to get her back.
This book was OK, it wasn't great. I really didn't care for Parker's mom. She was too focused on the fact that OK here is this woman she, is the mother of your grandson, and you need to be a family. It didn't matter to her how Parker felt about her or what kind of woman or mother she is. Parker is a great guy and does what it takes to take care of the people he cares about. I feel that his sons mother did what she could to sabotage not only Skylar but also Parker. In the end I'm glad that Skylar told Parker the truth about her past and he stands up for her to his parents. Like I said this book was OK, just not great.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review
The thing that is problematic for them is a one night stand of Parker's shows up with a 3 year old boy and says that it is his. Well in the meantime she is vandalizing Skylar's work, turns his mom against her, and generally makes her life harder. Skylar has enough, gets hurt, and just leaves. Parker is willing to do whatever it takes to get her back.
This book was OK, it wasn't great. I really didn't care for Parker's mom. She was too focused on the fact that OK here is this woman she, is the mother of your grandson, and you need to be a family. It didn't matter to her how Parker felt about her or what kind of woman or mother she is. Parker is a great guy and does what it takes to take care of the people he cares about. I feel that his sons mother did what she could to sabotage not only Skylar but also Parker. In the end I'm glad that Skylar told Parker the truth about her past and he stands up for her to his parents. Like I said this book was OK, just not great.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review
books_and_more_books_byt's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book I have read by this author but will certainly not be the last! This was such an amazing book and I fell in love with the characters right away. The first chapter caught my interest, and I couldn’t put the book down. It had a credible storyline and realistic and easy to connect with characters. I enjoyed seeing the tough guy Parker Jax open up and show his sensitive side as the relationship between him and Skylar progressed. Skylar was fighting her own painful memories of her son and husband and dealing with their loss. They both had a lot of obstacles to overcome in order to have their happy ever after. I can’t wait for the next book to be released and to see another tough marine find his HEA.
she_readddsss86's review
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I’ll start by saying that I finished the book. The story was interesting enough that I wanted to see what would happen. I was in the mood for a lighthearted read with a little smut. This one was quick but it was a struggle to get through. I rolled my eyes the whole second half . And honestly they talked about the sexy parts more than there were actual spicy scenes.
One of my issues with the book was that the writing was a little bit unnatural. For example, what 30
year old American man would said “once more” when he could say “again”? The dialogue was not believable and because the characters weren’t well fleshed out it was hard to be invested in the story.
Which leads me to my other struggle with the main protagonist and her relationship to Parker. It seems like their whole relationship stems from a long-standing mutual physical attraction.
But it’s clear that neither have been invested enough to try to find out anything more about the other. Skylar seemed to have no backbone and was perfectly content to let Parker make all of her decisions from their first official conversation. I think this could be ok if he had the redeemable quality of basic respect for her . Throughout the book he kept mentioning how much he had pined over her, yet he let his mother disrespect her multiple times, he let his friends block her driveway and litter in her yard, he chose to believe a known liar and addict over her while she was doing him a favor. It just didn’t make sense . I’m also disappointed that an independent black woman main character completely lost herself when her hit white neighbor took over her life.
I’ll wrap up by saying that if you’re interested in a short read with a “happy” ending and a few racy scenes this is an option. But if you’re hoping for a believable romance, there may be a better choice.
One of my issues with the book was that the writing was a little bit unnatural. For example, what 30
year old American man would said “once more” when he could say “again”? The dialogue was not believable and because the characters weren’t well fleshed out it was hard to be invested in the story.
Which leads me to my other struggle with the main protagonist and her relationship to Parker. It seems like their whole relationship stems from a long-standing mutual physical attraction.
But it’s clear that neither have been invested enough to try to find out anything more about the other. Skylar seemed to have no backbone and was perfectly content to let Parker make all of her decisions from their first official conversation. I think this could be ok if he had the redeemable quality of basic respect for her . Throughout the book he kept mentioning how much he had pined over her, yet he let his mother disrespect her multiple times, he let his friends block her driveway and litter in her yard, he chose to believe a known liar and addict over her while she was doing him a favor. It just didn’t make sense . I’m also disappointed that an independent black woman main character completely lost herself when her hit white neighbor took over her life.
I’ll wrap up by saying that if you’re interested in a short read with a “happy” ending and a few racy scenes this is an option. But if you’re hoping for a believable romance, there may be a better choice.
teesbookjourney's review
2.0
This was not what I was expecting. I knew it would be a alpha male, I expecting sexiness.. And I got those things however the plot had a lot of holes and things I just didn't understand.
The relationship between skylar and Paker made no sense .there response to each other didn't sound like what real people would say to each other and the pit relationship journey didn't seem natural.
The fake engagement made no sense for the time and place in the story. It actually didn't seem needed at all. His parent reaction, his reaction to his baby mamma.. All seemed so unlikely and unrealistic.
Both Skylar and Packer had some baggage that could have added some depth to the but it was never really talked about other than touched on when someone reacted based on that past baggage. Could have brought therapy to the forefront.
If you're looking for sex and lots of drama this didn't have a storage of it...once I was able to accept the unrealistic reactions and situations it was a good light read.
The relationship between skylar and Paker made no sense .there response to each other didn't sound like what real people would say to each other and the pit relationship journey didn't seem natural.
The fake engagement made no sense for the time and place in the story. It actually didn't seem needed at all. His parent reaction, his reaction to his baby mamma.. All seemed so unlikely and unrealistic.
Both Skylar and Packer had some baggage that could have added some depth to the but it was never really talked about other than touched on when someone reacted based on that past baggage. Could have brought therapy to the forefront.
If you're looking for sex and lots of drama this didn't have a storage of it...once I was able to accept the unrealistic reactions and situations it was a good light read.
lagadema's review against another edition
3.0
We have Skylar, an African-American woman, a wood artist, and a neighbor with an active duty marine, Parker Jax. When Parker is home, he has loud parties with a lot of women parading through his home. And all that is annoying for Skylar. They are denying their mutual attraction but when she agrees to help him and act like she is his fiance until a paternity test could be done on the child that is allegedly his, something starts to develop. There are a lot of things going on in this story and something from that situation is born and how will develop, you will have to see it by yourself.
This is a mashup of tropes, some were nicely fitted, and others unnecessary. We have enemies to lovers; interracial romance; fake dating...
It is an easy read that will help you fill the time on these hot summer days.
This is a mashup of tropes, some were nicely fitted, and others unnecessary. We have enemies to lovers; interracial romance; fake dating...
It is an easy read that will help you fill the time on these hot summer days.
virago's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
This was so sweet and hit me on the feels in certain places. Skyler and her annoying marine neighbor had such delicious banter. I'm a sucker for fake dating and kids. While there were places that were a bit cringe, for the most part, this was a fun read.
teesbookjourney's review against another edition
2.0
This was not what I was expecting. I knew it would be a alpha male, I expecting sexiness.. And I got those things however the plot had a lot of holes and things I just didn't understand.
The relationship between skylar and Paker made no sense .there response to each other didn't sound like what real people would say to each other and the pit relationship journey didn't seem natural.
The fake engagement made no sense for the time and place in the story. It actually didn't seem needed at all. His parent reaction, his reaction to his baby mamma.. All seemed so unlikely and unrealistic.
Both Skylar and Packer had some baggage that could have added some depth to the but it was never really talked about other than touched on when someone reacted based on that past baggage. Could have brought therapy to the forefront.
If you're looking for sex and lots of drama this didn't have a storage of it...once I was able to accept the unrealistic reactions and situations it was a good light read.
The relationship between skylar and Paker made no sense .there response to each other didn't sound like what real people would say to each other and the pit relationship journey didn't seem natural.
The fake engagement made no sense for the time and place in the story. It actually didn't seem needed at all. His parent reaction, his reaction to his baby mamma.. All seemed so unlikely and unrealistic.
Both Skylar and Packer had some baggage that could have added some depth to the but it was never really talked about other than touched on when someone reacted based on that past baggage. Could have brought therapy to the forefront.
If you're looking for sex and lots of drama this didn't have a storage of it...once I was able to accept the unrealistic reactions and situations it was a good light read.
autismreading_mom's review against another edition
5.0
I recieved this as an ARC from NetGalley. This was the frist time I had read anthing written by Aliyah Burke. I loved Her Marine Next Door so much. I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in a day. It was extremely well written. I loved the characters. They were relatable. I am interested in reading more books by Aliyah Burke.
tita_noir's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick read filled with well worn tropes that was at turns comfortable and yet still somewhat unsatisfactory.
At its heart this is an enemies-to-lovers/ fake-dating storyline.
Parker is a marine who lives next door to Skylar a wood-artist/craftsperson. Whenever he comes back from a mission his house becomes party central for the first few nights for his team. Skylar suffers through the cars blocking her drive but she makes her displeasure felt.
Even while She and Parker exchange barbs and insults over their shared fence, they are massively lusting for each other.
During his latest leave, things come to a head. Parker is injured so he is is grounded until he gets the all clear. The animosity between him and Skylar is at an all time high. Until an ex-hook up shows up with a surprise in tow. And Parker enlists Skylar's help.
So the foundation gets laid for a fake engagement so that ex-hook up doesn't get ideas while a DNA test is in the offing.
On the one hand, I found the enemies-to-lovers deal with Skylar and Parker fun. Their snarky back and forth was good as was their little bit of hot and cold that went with it.
What didn't land as well was the fake dating. It felt contrived (more than usual) because Parker rather high handedly claimed Skylar as his fiancee without her input. And of course she does not demur because ... lust... and they latch onto it as an excuse to be in each other's orbit. This wouldn't be so bad, but it felt... immature of these two.
Also there is a bit of tonal dissonance for me. The way the fake dating is written, Parker acts and speaks as if it is a real thing. Skylar at least reminds him it isn't, but then she kinda lets him railroad her a bit so she gets pulled under by scheme. He introduces her to his family as his fiancee. I can't put my finger on it, but this whole thing never really coalesced for me.
Added to that there is the ex-hook up who insinuates herself into their lives. Again here, this did not work for me, another area of tonal dissonance. Parker is supposedly this tough alpha dude but his treatment of the ex felt like bluster and theater. I get that we are supposed to feel good about Parker that he is willing to work with the mother of his child, but she was a walking cliche (and a super terrible person and mother) that was used as an external conflict device when there was already enough conflict to be had.
And finally, I was kinda pissed at Parker. Skylar basically upended her life was doing him a huge solid and it was his people who were shitting on her life but if just felt like he just didn't have her back in situations where he should have with enough conviction for me.
One smallish note, this is an ARC so it may be corrected in final publication, but at one point Parker is referred to as 'Brodie'. It was just once but it felt like maybe Brodie had been the character's name at one point but this one instance of it got missed.
So while this was an easy read and at no point did I feel like I wanted to set it down, it was rather frustrating in places.
This is an honest review is based on an ARC received via Netgalley from the publisher.
At its heart this is an enemies-to-lovers/ fake-dating storyline.
Parker is a marine who lives next door to Skylar a wood-artist/craftsperson. Whenever he comes back from a mission his house becomes party central for the first few nights for his team. Skylar suffers through the cars blocking her drive but she makes her displeasure felt.
Even while She and Parker exchange barbs and insults over their shared fence, they are massively lusting for each other.
During his latest leave, things come to a head. Parker is injured so he is is grounded until he gets the all clear. The animosity between him and Skylar is at an all time high. Until an ex-hook up shows up with a surprise in tow. And Parker enlists Skylar's help.
So the foundation gets laid for a fake engagement so that ex-hook up doesn't get ideas while a DNA test is in the offing.
On the one hand, I found the enemies-to-lovers deal with Skylar and Parker fun. Their snarky back and forth was good as was their little bit of hot and cold that went with it.
What didn't land as well was the fake dating. It felt contrived (more than usual) because Parker rather high handedly claimed Skylar as his fiancee without her input. And of course she does not demur because ... lust... and they latch onto it as an excuse to be in each other's orbit. This wouldn't be so bad, but it felt... immature of these two.
Also there is a bit of tonal dissonance for me. The way the fake dating is written, Parker acts and speaks as if it is a real thing. Skylar at least reminds him it isn't, but then she kinda lets him railroad her a bit so she gets pulled under by scheme. He introduces her to his family as his fiancee. I can't put my finger on it, but this whole thing never really coalesced for me.
Added to that there is the ex-hook up who insinuates herself into their lives. Again here, this did not work for me, another area of tonal dissonance. Parker is supposedly this tough alpha dude but his treatment of the ex felt like bluster and theater. I get that we are supposed to feel good about Parker that he is willing to work with the mother of his child, but she was a walking cliche (and a super terrible person and mother) that was used as an external conflict device when there was already enough conflict to be had.
And finally, I was kinda pissed at Parker. Skylar basically upended her life was doing him a huge solid and it was his people who were shitting on her life but if just felt like he just didn't have her back in situations where he should have with enough conviction for me.
One smallish note, this is an ARC so it may be corrected in final publication, but at one point Parker is referred to as 'Brodie'. It was just once but it felt like maybe Brodie had been the character's name at one point but this one instance of it got missed.
So while this was an easy read and at no point did I feel like I wanted to set it down, it was rather frustrating in places.
This is an honest review is based on an ARC received via Netgalley from the publisher.