Blurb:

When a squirrel chews its way through my bedroom wall, I do the first thing any single girl like me would do: run screaming out of the house to the neighbors, begging for help.

I should mention that the house next door is full of hockey players. And when I lock eyes on rough and rugged Brodie Stockhausen—who happens to be outside brooding on the porch—I’m not exactly impressed.

But I’m desperate, in a bathrobe, and needa bit of rescuing.

Soon I’m begging for his help with more than just squirrel duty and DIY projects. I want his attention and his touch—not just his friendship!

I want what every girl wants: him lying in his bed at night, so desperate for me that he’s willing to scale two stories to sneak into my window. Hey, a girl can dream…

But Brodie has a secret; one that leaves me wanting more every time we’re together but has him pulling away…

My 4* Review:

The Pucker Next Door by Sara Ney is a really sweet and amusing RomCom about the slow burn romance between Brodie Stockhausen and Lizzy Campbell. They live next door and after a hilarious incident become friends and then it becomes a will they or won’t they situation. With interventions from their friends and a very persistent squirrel, will he continue to resist her or will she break down his defences. It was refreshing to read a story where the characters are unsure and awkward at the start, became more confident as they discovered things about themselves and then finally embraced their relationship. An enjoyable funny and quirky book about Broody Brodie and Neighbour Girl – and of course Nutty!! 

The house Lizzy, Jill and Bethany rent develops a major problem – squirrels in their attic! The other two girls leave and at first Lizzy enjoys being home alone but when one comes bursting through her bedroom wall, she runs next-door for help. Brodie is a talented college hockey player who is sitting on his porch minding his own business when she screams for help. Lizzy has always been intimidated by athletes and Brodie is massive but he doesn’t seem like your typical jock. She has to convinces him to help her and his reactions to her predicament are hilarious. I loved his awkwardness when they are in his room after the incident. 

Brodie is a quiet, shy  and unassuming guy who studies and is focused on his sport. He doesn’t date and has his reasons for living his life the way he does. It was sweet how he overthinks everything and half the time he has no idea what to say to her. She had caught his eye the day she moved in and deep down he wanted to date her but knows he would never ask. Brodie certainly does better on the ice than he does in real life. He is confident and aggressive when he plays and skates like he owns the ice, if only he could be like that with Lizzy. 

It was nice to see them building a friendship and getting to know each other. The text messaging is funny as she really tries to push him out of his comfort zone. Lizzy is curious why he never flirts with her and realises she is more interested in him than he is in her. This leads to her attempting to get him to ask her out and they encounter some amusing situations. I liked how although they were such opposites, they had some things in common and neither were that experienced in dating so both learning as they went along.

Their roommates add a lot to the story with their banter, teasing and advice. First Sully then Reed pick him up on his lost opportunities with Lizzy. Sully was a true jock at first but then his thoughtfulness and concern for the couple was a revelation. Hopefully he will get his own book as he was brillant. Bethany was great as she also tried to help. 

She finds him adorable and the more she is with him, the more she falls for him. He is very slow to open up to her due to his secret. Will he ever share it with her and if he does, how will she react? Be prepared for a funny and unusual epilogue which appropriately brings this story full circle.