NEIGHBOR DEAREST by Penelope Ward-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 15, 2016
After getting dumped, the last thing I needed was to move next door to someone who reminded me of my ex-boyfriend, Elec.
Damien was a hotter version of my ex.
The neighbor I’d dubbed “Angry Artist” also had two massive dogs that kept me up with their barking.
He wanted nothing to do with me. Or so I thought until one night I heard laughter coming through an apparent hole in my bedroom wall.
Damien had been listening to all of my phone sessions with my therapist.
The sexy artist next door now knew all of my deepest secrets and insecurities.
We got to talking.
He set me straight with tips to get over my breakup.
He became a good friend, but Damien made it clear that he couldn’t be anything more.
Problem was, I was falling hard for him anyway. And as much as he pushed me away, I knew he felt the same…because his heartbeat didn’t lie.
I thought my heart had been broken by Elec, but it was alive and beating harder than ever for Damien.
I just hoped he wouldn’t shatter it for good.
Author’s note – Neighbor Dearest is a full-length standalone novel. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
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REVIEW: NEIGHBOR DEAREST by Penelope Ward is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic romance story line focusing on artist Damien D.H. Hennessey, and youth center counselor Chelsea Jameson. Chelsea was first introduced in Ward’s Stepbrother Dearest that focused on the taboo relationship between Elec and his step-sister Greta.
Told from first person point of view (Chelsea) NEIGHBOR DEAREST focuses on the relationship between neighbors Chelsea Jameson and her current landlord Damien Hennessey. From eavesdropping on personal conversations, to movie night with popcorn and drinks, Chelsea and Damien’s friendship continues to grow until Damien begins to push Chelsea away. Damien has a secret: one that forces Damien to keep Chelsea from falling in love but Damien’s continuous mixed signals including jealousy over her ex-boyfriend, and setting Chelsea up on a dating website both confuse and irritate our story line heroine. Damien claims not to do romance or love but his actions say otherwise. What ensues is a relationship that is taken to the next level when the truth is revealed, and Damien sees the possibility of a future with the woman with whom he is falling in love.
NEIGHBOR DEAREST is a stand alone story but a ‘spinoff’ tale from Ward’s Stepbrother Dearest. Chelsea’s former boyfriend Elec makes a cameo appearance but for all intents and purposes he is not the bad guy in the current story line premise. The conflict does not come from an outside source but from Damien’s constant need to push Chelsea away and the secret he keeps.
We are introduced to Damien’s brother Tyler, and Chelsea’s sister Jade, and I suspect there is building story line between Tyler and Jade. Jade is an actress currently living in L.A., and Tyler is hoping to get into the business.
Penelope Ward’s NEIGHBOR DEAREST has moments of humor, fun, romance, love, heartbreak and steamy $ex. The premise is compelling and intimate; the characters are passionate and engaging; the romance is seductive and energetic. The sexual energy between Chelsea and Damien is palpable; there is no denying the attraction between one another-it is almost intoxicating and you can hear our heroine’s heartbreak when she knows it is time to walk away. NEIGHBOR DEAREST is an impressive and moving story about taking a chance on love.
Copy supplied by the tour operator
Reviewed by Sandy
“What are you talking about?”
Nice try dodging the question.
He moved in closer to me. “What am I talking about? You leaving me with a giant fucking basket of muffins and running off before I could even say anything? Ring a bell?”
“I thought you’d be alone. It caught me off guard.”
His eyes softened. “You were upset…”
“No, I wasn’t.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Chelsea. Fucking horrible at it. You don’t hide your feelings very well.”
“You think you know just about everything there is to know about me, don’t you?”
“Not everything. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to read you. It’s one of the things I like about you, though. You’re one of the least fake people I’ve ever met.”
“Then, tell me. Why do you think I was upset?”
“Honestly? I think you’re confused about me.”
“Confused…”
“Yes. I think you’re wondering why I opted not to have dinner with you and instead ended up with a woman I’d literally just met, someone who isn’t as sweet as you and sure as fuck isn’t as pretty as you. So, you’re wondering what the hell I was thinking. Am I right?”
That’s exactly what I was thinking.
He continued, “I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but I do feel a connection with you, okay? If you’ve sensed something, you’re not imagining it.”
“Well, if I wasn’t confused before…now I definitely am.”
“I feel like I need to say this now, because I can’t stand the thought of you thinking that I somehow find you undesirable when it’s exactly the opposite.”
I crossed my arms. “Again. Not following you.”
He closed his eyes as if to try to find the right words. “It’s just that I know for sure that I can’t ever be what someone like you needs in a boyfriend, in a partner. It’s not that we wouldn’t have fun or be great together at first. I’m just not good for you in the long-term—not marriage material. And the reasons are too complex to get into, except to say that it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me. I can’t, in good conscience, start something with a girl like you.”
“A girl like me…”
“Yes. You’re not the kind of girl a guy takes home for a quick fuck. You’re the girl he keeps.”
Right. Just like Elec did.
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.
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Great review, Sandy. Sounds like a good story line.
Wonderful review, Sandy. I like the premise of this book.
Looks like an interesting story,thanks Sandy.
Wonderful review Sandy, thanks. Looks like an interesting story.
Very nice review. This story looks like a different kind of read for me to try.
wonderful review, sandy. looks like a good story.
Thanks for the wonderful review Sandy. Congrats to Penelope on the new release.
Very nice review, Sandy. I like the cover.
Another great review, thanks Sandy.