Book Review – Playing for Keeps (A Neighbor from Hell Novel) by R.L. Mathewson

Playing For Keeps (A Neighbor From Hell Series – Book #1)
I stumbled upon this series while checking out some potential new reads that had been recommended. These weren’t on my list, but something possessed me to click on them and check them out a little deeper. I mean, come on… anything that has a “Neighbor from Hell” in the title sounds like it’s gonna be fun! There weren’t many reviews at the time, but the few they did have were extremely positive, felt real, and the synopsis had me chuckling. Oh and the price couldn’t be beat! I downloaded both ASAP, and even though I had other books I intended to read first, these just kept calling me.

And let me tell you. They were GREAT!! 4 star great! Maybe even 4.5 stars. Yep! I couldn’t help but announce my enthusiasm here for book#2  (even if my book review wasn’t done yet) AND on my Facebook page when I finished book #1 (this one). It would appear so many of my Facebook friends agreed!

Maryse’s Book Blog: Heading to the airport, on my way home. While I was away, I read Jason’s book in the Neighbors From Hell series. I loved it just as much as #2 and even found it to be slightly more intense at times. There’s nothing more awesome than a book about two “friends” that sleep together and it be only sleep… I LOVED that about them! all that build up is titillating!!

Yanira: I loved this one had me LMAO and I needed the laugh after a very intense sad reading.

Brandie: I loved it too! Read #2 yesterday and loved it just as much. They were just so much fun! Can’t wait for more.

Nicolle: I read Perfection first and was kind of bummed I read out if order ! I guess I should still read about Jason?

Jamie: I actually liked Jason more than Trevor. I liked Trevor in the end, of course, but Jason had me cracking up hysterically in both books!

Maryse’s Book Blog: Nicolle you must read Jason’s book. It’s not ruined because their story isn’t elaborated on in book #2 and I was very much into their “issues”. Hilarious but their attraction was believable.

Nicolle: Okay, twist my arm! 😉

Yanira: I also liked Jason better, he’s so funny!! I was laughing my butt off since the second page.

Sara: Reading it right now. I love the whole foody hoarding the Bradfords have going. so funny. Jason is funny, but so is Haley.. good story

Lisa: I’m reading book 2 now. I did love Jason in the first. to funny

Janet: Loved both, but I liked Jason more than Trevor

Patricia: It’s a tie for me Trevor had me at the cinder blocks……teehee and Jason when he became a stowaway ……..oh Maryse…..I think you found a winner I wonder if all her books are as good?

Jamie: I loved the cinder blocks too! I loved his family’s response to the cinder blocks. Too hilarious! What a great family! Hahahaha!

Brandie: The food thing had me dying laughing and their genuine suprise and outrage at things, lol, I really loved these books. I felt guilty that they were only a dollar a piece because they were worth more than that, imo.

Sandra: OK, I’m still in my PAJAMAS – finished both books! I liked book two better

Mariel: Hey Maryse!!! Just finished the neighbor from hell series and I’m hooked!!! Can’t wait for the 3rd 🙂 thanks again!!

While I accidentally read book #2 first, this one was not spoiled. In fact, Jason, the main character in this book had me laughing so hard in book #2 that I couldn’t wait to get to him, officially. And he did NOT disappoint. In fact, I don’t have a preference between the two. Trevor’s book had me laughing more, and had me shed a few tears right off the bat (and had me growling in anger quite a few times), but this one had a more intense thing going on. Funny, OH YES, but the romantic tension is what had me. I love the whole “trip mishaps/hotel issues” where the best friends are forced to share a room, premise.

“Fine but just so you know, anything that comes over this way will be chopped off.”

“Duly noted,” he said, snuggling deeper into the bed.

“Oh, and if you snore I’ll kill you in your sleep,” she mumbled.

“Ditto.”

That attraction that they are denying themselves, well… it’s hard to deny it when you wake up “spooning” ya know? All cuddled up, and limbs intertwined, and they suddenly realize just how cozy they really are…. tee hee!! But don’t think the romance starts there, and that it’s all just given away at that point. ‘Cause it ain’t. (ew! I said “ain’t” ;))

So what’s it about?

Well, once upon a time, a sweet, quiet schoolteacher buys a house, tends to it, builds her beautiful flower gardens, and thoroughly enjoys her quiet and peaceful life. And then… Jason moves in next door and he proves to be a neighbor from hell. Gorgeous, but UGH!!!! He pees in public, has obnoxious friends, does all sorts of things to drive her crazy. But she’s non-confrontational and holds her tongue, enduring his tortures.

For the next five years he turned her picturesque life into a nightmare. She wasn’t sure how one person managed to take so much control over her happiness, but he did. Over the years she dealt with paintball pellets decorating the laundry hanging on her clothesline and the side of her house, loud music, parties, twice she found naked people trying to climb the fence to skinny dip in her pool, three a.m. drunken basketball games, women throwing hissy fits on his front lawn and sometime on hers when the jerk refused to come out and deal with them.

Oh, and!! He is a new teacher at her school. LOL!!! Steals her CHALK!!! But then one day… he does something that absolutely makes her crazy and her wrath is unleashed!!

Sooooo fun! These two enemies that sort of become friends, and slowly but surely, BEST friends. Complete opposites, but it’s the “getting to know each other” that will hook you. And it’s the fact that the author allows us to experience every little detail, every look, every thought, every nuance of their denied attraction to each other. I dunno… it was just so well-described, or the story was paced well enough that even though I *knew* the obvious, and was sure of where the book was going, I still felt antsy, excited and giddy over their emotional flubs. And the emotional flubbing really takes them into some danger zones, taking this from silly fun to a much deeper, almost angst-y level, and even that was intense.

Jamie:  Did you laugh really hard? I agree with the intensity. It had some pretty intense stuff in the end. I honestly didn’t know which way it was going to go…”

You are so right, Jamie! Sure, Jason’s an absolute goof. You can’t help but fall for him, but even he has his limits (and I loved him for it).

4 stars!