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From the publisher:

ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES’ BEST ROMANCES OF THE YEAR!

“Martin’s prose is a live wire: There are little shocks of pleasure on every page.”—New York Times

Two rival candidates for a homeowner’s association presidency are about to find out how dirty suburbanites fight in this steamy new romantic comedy from Alexa Martin.

After years of hustling, Collins Carter has finally made it…back to her parents’ house. Between tending to the compost with her newly retired dad and running into her high school nemesis at the only decent coffee shop in town, Collins realizes this subdivision from hell she swore she’d never return to is her rock bottom.

Then the homeowner’s association complaint arrived.

Nathaniel Adams always dreamed of a nice, quiet life in his suburban hometown. Or at least that’s what he thought until Collins moved back and sent his quaint, organized life into a tailspin. He thought Collins was infuriating ten years ago, but when she announces she’s running against him for HOA president, all bets are off.

From secret board meetings to vicious smear campaigns whispered over backyard fences, Collins and Nate sink to levels their sleepy suburb has never seen before. But as hate turns into lust, these two enemies are forced to reckon with the feelings they’ve ignored for years. If only there were bylaws for real life.

“Martin’s prose is a live wire: There are little shocks of pleasure on every page. It’s incredible how epic this contest feels, even though the stakes are extremely local…Martin has a knack for layering vast emotional geographies onto cozy physical spaces.”—New York Times

“Martin’s (Better Than Fiction) sexy friends-to-lovers rom-com is full of endearing characters and emotional plotlines, set against a whimsical Midwestern backdrop. Will appeal to readers of feel-good contemporary romances.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Martin’s latest is a witty, humorous rom-com that doesn’t skimp on the comedy; Collins and Nate’s conversational clashes are as engaging as their vulnerability…”—Kirkus

https://amzn.to/473HNHe

This book hits several of my favorite tropes; second chance romance, enemies to lovers, and small town romance. Martin is one of the best contemporary romcom romance writers out there, and I have loved every one of her books. This one is no exception.

Nate and Collins grew up in this small town as best friends, and then something more. Until the summer Nate ghosted her. Collins never understood why, and that hurt turned into hate. So when Collins ends up moving back in to the house she grew up in, she is shocked to find out that Nate not only still lives there (in his own house,) but that he is the president of the homeowner’s association. And he’s out to get her.

To retaliate, Collins decides to run against him in the next association election and then things really get ugly. Except their chemistry keeps veering between hate and lust, and eventually lust wins out. But can the hate turn into love? Of course, it does, but it is so much fun getting there! This was a terrific read with enough laughs, lust, and drama to keep those pages flying by. It was a great read to start the new year!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

NEXT-DOOR NEMESIS by Alexa Martin. Berkley (November 14, 2023). ISBN: 978-0593337257. 368p.

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