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Soulmates #3
The Boy Next Door
He was the one that got away, and I knew it before I ever broke things off with him.
I didn’t want to end it, but at the time I believed it was the right thing to do� Because of who he was, who he wanted to become, and because of where I came from.
I loved him more than I loved anything, but I thought he could do better.
Even then I knew I’d never be able to replicate the happiness I found with him.
I tried, of course, but based on my experience, I’ve come to believe there really is one right person for everyone.
And not only did I let my soulmate get away, I pushed him as far as he would go.
As a result, I was convinced I deserved every second of loneliness the universe handed me.
After all, I’d shunned the greatest gift it could offer anyone: True Love.
But luckily for me, it turns out the universe is just as stubborn as I am.
**Author's note: This is a full-length, standalone romance novel with no cliffhanger and no cheating. It is intended for a mature audience.
I didn’t want to end it, but at the time I believed it was the right thing to do� Because of who he was, who he wanted to become, and because of where I came from.
I loved him more than I loved anything, but I thought he could do better.
Even then I knew I’d never be able to replicate the happiness I found with him.
I tried, of course, but based on my experience, I’ve come to believe there really is one right person for everyone.
And not only did I let my soulmate get away, I pushed him as far as he would go.
As a result, I was convinced I deserved every second of loneliness the universe handed me.
After all, I’d shunned the greatest gift it could offer anyone: True Love.
But luckily for me, it turns out the universe is just as stubborn as I am.
**Author's note: This is a full-length, standalone romance novel with no cliffhanger and no cheating. It is intended for a mature audience.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2016
749 people are currently reading
737 people want to read
About the author
Hazel Kelly
60books806followersHazel Kelly is an Amazon bestselling author who writes sweet and steamy romance that will make you smile all over.
When she's not traveling the globe in search of cozy hammocks to write in, she enjoys tackling her tbr list with a nice big glass of anything will do. She lives in Dublin with her favorite Irishman and their three-legged cat.
For updates (and warm fuzzies!) follow Hazel on:
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And join her Inner Circle @ �
When she's not traveling the globe in search of cozy hammocks to write in, she enjoys tackling her tbr list with a nice big glass of anything will do. She lives in Dublin with her favorite Irishman and their three-legged cat.
For updates (and warm fuzzies!) follow Hazel on:
Բٲ�
And join her Inner Circle @ �
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
August 15, 2016
DNF- I just couldn't get into the story. I'm not a fan of stories told as mostly an internal monologue.
August 21, 2016
Every time I read something new by Hazel Kelly I get so excited because I adore her work so much. This series for some reason seems to be my favourite, I always find myself sucked into reading the stories that have been created and this happened with this book too. I adored both Connor and Laney, I found them to both be such amazing characters and in a way it does make you think that not life is perfect, I’ve had my fair share of bad experiences but they have made me think about all the choices I’ve made in the past. This is such a heartfelt love story and one that I suggest you give a read. Hazel Kelly never fails to disappoint with each book she writes, I just get sucked into more juicy reads each time.
Laney has had such a troubled past, she thought that if she managed to run away from the boy next door she loved then she wouldn’t be weighing him down. So that’s exactly what she did, which lead her to be living a life in New York with her boyfriend Henry and to be giving up her dream of Art to work in a greasy diner. When she happens to stumble across an engagement ring in her shared apartment with Henry she realises that she doesn’t love him enough to commit to him, however she makes the rash decision to pack up a small bag and head to her Nan’s house but little does she realise that the boy she let go and who’s heart she broke still happens to live next door.
Connor remembers when he first fell in love with Laney and even though she broke his heart all those years ago he never forgot her even though he tried to. He has been living in his family home for about a year ago, he has pretty much everything that a guy his age could want but the only thing that’s missing is the girl. He knows for a fact that there is only one girl for him and no matter how he tries to push her out of his head he can’t, so when he heads over to Helly’s house one day the last person he expected was for Laney to open the door. Honestly I would love to tell you more about this book but honestly I think it’s best if you read it for yourself.
Laney has had such a troubled past, she thought that if she managed to run away from the boy next door she loved then she wouldn’t be weighing him down. So that’s exactly what she did, which lead her to be living a life in New York with her boyfriend Henry and to be giving up her dream of Art to work in a greasy diner. When she happens to stumble across an engagement ring in her shared apartment with Henry she realises that she doesn’t love him enough to commit to him, however she makes the rash decision to pack up a small bag and head to her Nan’s house but little does she realise that the boy she let go and who’s heart she broke still happens to live next door.
Connor remembers when he first fell in love with Laney and even though she broke his heart all those years ago he never forgot her even though he tried to. He has been living in his family home for about a year ago, he has pretty much everything that a guy his age could want but the only thing that’s missing is the girl. He knows for a fact that there is only one girl for him and no matter how he tries to push her out of his head he can’t, so when he heads over to Helly’s house one day the last person he expected was for Laney to open the door. Honestly I would love to tell you more about this book but honestly I think it’s best if you read it for yourself.
September 25, 2016
3 stars! A solid effort from Kelly. I enjoyed this one just as much as I did My Best Friend's Brother although this one was a slow start for me. Overall, I would recommend Kelly's work for those who like quick new adult reads with pretty good character development and a nice little escape for an afternoon of reading. This particular novel had a bit more serious topics-dealing with abuse and addiction and how it affects those who are forced to be around it. I also enjoyed the way topics like self love, passion, forgiveness and personal growth were weaved into the narrative as well. Not much else to say on this one. I will probably read Kelly's other works when I need an above average New Adult read to tide me over.
July 30, 2022
👏
I truly, honestly, completely wish I could give this book more than 5 stars!!! I absolutely, I mean ABSOLUTELY, loved it!!! 😍
This story was increasingly enticing to the point where I could not put it down. I wanted- for lack of a better word- more. I cannot stress how much this novel deserves a high rating because it was deliciously good.
I truly, honestly, completely wish I could give this book more than 5 stars!!! I absolutely, I mean ABSOLUTELY, loved it!!! 😍
This story was increasingly enticing to the point where I could not put it down. I wanted- for lack of a better word- more. I cannot stress how much this novel deserves a high rating because it was deliciously good.
March 7, 2025
lovely story
It was a cosy, lovely story about second chances and believing in yourself despite all obstacles. Will read the other novels too.
It was a cosy, lovely story about second chances and believing in yourself despite all obstacles. Will read the other novels too.
August 20, 2016
Actual rating: 4.5
I am really liking Hazel Kelly's writing! This was my second book by her this month and I liked it just as much, if not a little more, than the first one. The story flowed easily with the dual POV and I flew through this in nearly one sitting.
How would you feel if you accidentally found a wedding ring hiding in your boyfriend's sock drawer? The boyfriend that you are currently living with? Would you immediately pack a bag and flee the city? Well, that's precisely what Laney did. To make matters worse, this isn't the first engagement that she has dodged...
Connor was just being a friendly neighbor when he dropped off some tomatoes for the lady next door. What he didn't expect to see when the door opened was the girl of his past standing right in front of him. The same girl who broke his heart and left him in shambles when she refused his proposal several years before.
I took to Connor, immediately. His humor was fantastic and he won me over from his first chapter. This was a boy I could have fallen for in real life. He wasn't afraid to take a chance on love and didn't let a painful past prevent him from a possible future with Laney.
Laney irked me, at first, until I realized that her behavior was related to the tremendous amount of guilt she carried over her treatment of Connor. She also struggled due to a troubled childhood which left her with physical and emotional scars. And now, letting her fear control her had caused Laney's life to become stuck in a rut.
The exchanges between Connor and Laney were downright adorable. I smiled over and over again as I read their conversations and watched the love blossom. The romance was scorching and I might have re-read the stairs scene more than once. Alright, three times.
Yum.
In closing...
I had skipped the first book of this series but will definitely read that one, too. And I sincerely hope there will be more books in this series. I am anxious to check out Hazel Kelly's other titles, too! 4.5 suns!
Full review on blog:
I am really liking Hazel Kelly's writing! This was my second book by her this month and I liked it just as much, if not a little more, than the first one. The story flowed easily with the dual POV and I flew through this in nearly one sitting.
How would you feel if you accidentally found a wedding ring hiding in your boyfriend's sock drawer? The boyfriend that you are currently living with? Would you immediately pack a bag and flee the city? Well, that's precisely what Laney did. To make matters worse, this isn't the first engagement that she has dodged...
Connor was just being a friendly neighbor when he dropped off some tomatoes for the lady next door. What he didn't expect to see when the door opened was the girl of his past standing right in front of him. The same girl who broke his heart and left him in shambles when she refused his proposal several years before.
I took to Connor, immediately. His humor was fantastic and he won me over from his first chapter. This was a boy I could have fallen for in real life. He wasn't afraid to take a chance on love and didn't let a painful past prevent him from a possible future with Laney.
Laney irked me, at first, until I realized that her behavior was related to the tremendous amount of guilt she carried over her treatment of Connor. She also struggled due to a troubled childhood which left her with physical and emotional scars. And now, letting her fear control her had caused Laney's life to become stuck in a rut.
The exchanges between Connor and Laney were downright adorable. I smiled over and over again as I read their conversations and watched the love blossom. The romance was scorching and I might have re-read the stairs scene more than once. Alright, three times.
Yum.
In closing...
I had skipped the first book of this series but will definitely read that one, too. And I sincerely hope there will be more books in this series. I am anxious to check out Hazel Kelly's other titles, too! 4.5 suns!
Full review on blog:
May 17, 2017
I picked this up after reading the first book in this series, and I enjoyed it just as much!
It was humorous with great dialogue between the characters. Definitely one of this author’s strengths.
“As much as he’d tried to put me back together, I was always going to have physical and emotional scars that would keep me from being the perfect girl he deserved.�
Laney and Connor were teenage sweethearts, until Laney broke Connor’s heart. They haven’t seen one another in years. When Laney escapes her current personal situation and runs to her grandma’s house, she doesn’t realise that Connor is also living next door, again.
“A few seconds was all it took for her to change my life the first time I saw her, too and I could almost feel it happening again�
All those old feelings return � well, they actually never went away. Connor wants his chance with her again, but Laney needs to love herself, and put her childhood past behind her, before she can truly be happy.
It was a fab read � sexy, funny, not overly angsty. Really like this author’s writing style!
It was humorous with great dialogue between the characters. Definitely one of this author’s strengths.
“As much as he’d tried to put me back together, I was always going to have physical and emotional scars that would keep me from being the perfect girl he deserved.�
Laney and Connor were teenage sweethearts, until Laney broke Connor’s heart. They haven’t seen one another in years. When Laney escapes her current personal situation and runs to her grandma’s house, she doesn’t realise that Connor is also living next door, again.
“A few seconds was all it took for her to change my life the first time I saw her, too and I could almost feel it happening again�
All those old feelings return � well, they actually never went away. Connor wants his chance with her again, but Laney needs to love herself, and put her childhood past behind her, before she can truly be happy.
It was a fab read � sexy, funny, not overly angsty. Really like this author’s writing style!
September 21, 2016
This was a really great book about second chances. It was different from the other second chance books because it's the guy that takes off and not the girl. It was good to read about a down to earth guy who had his heartbroken by his one and only love and have her come back several years later. Yes she had some issues but alot of that came from her childhood and she was trying to work on them the best way she knew how by pretending to be someone she's not. I was reading one chapter and ended up with a mental picture I did not want to see especially from a grandmother and I quote " When I'm buried, I want your grandfather's urn between my legs instead of up by my head." I furrowed my brow. " Why?" " Because it's been too damn long since he was there." That is not a mental image I wanted to see I couldn't help but to laugh at that.
March 22, 2017
Headline: Laughing, squealing, happy dancing�
I did all those things while reading this book. I pretty much loved the whole thing. The characters were sometimes sickly-sweet. Connor done stole my heart and ran far far away with it. Laney was the perfect fit for him. I really do enjoy small town love stories. It might because it reminds me so much of my grandparent’s relationship, which was the goal for all of their 20 grandchildren. Mainly I think the reason I love them is because of the simplicity of it all. The quiet town with people that you know and love close by to offer support any time you need it. The memories of places that don’t change very much over a span of years. The Boy Next Door was a great book and I recommend it and the rest of the Soulmates series by Hazel Kelly. Happy reading!
I did all those things while reading this book. I pretty much loved the whole thing. The characters were sometimes sickly-sweet. Connor done stole my heart and ran far far away with it. Laney was the perfect fit for him. I really do enjoy small town love stories. It might because it reminds me so much of my grandparent’s relationship, which was the goal for all of their 20 grandchildren. Mainly I think the reason I love them is because of the simplicity of it all. The quiet town with people that you know and love close by to offer support any time you need it. The memories of places that don’t change very much over a span of years. The Boy Next Door was a great book and I recommend it and the rest of the Soulmates series by Hazel Kelly. Happy reading!
February 23, 2017
Honest and beautiful
This was a heartwarming, beautiful story. It touched the beauty of the truth within ourselves when we must be bluntly honest to oneself. And it showed how forgiveness is necessary to love not only others but oneself also. Loved it!
This was a heartwarming, beautiful story. It touched the beauty of the truth within ourselves when we must be bluntly honest to oneself. And it showed how forgiveness is necessary to love not only others but oneself also. Loved it!
August 28, 2019
⭐⭐⭐⭐�
Conner and Laney get their second chance after years apart.
There are a few obstacles in their way to their happily ever after, the main one being Laney herself.
A brilliantly written story with excellent characters and a happy ending guaranteed.
Conner and Laney get their second chance after years apart.
There are a few obstacles in their way to their happily ever after, the main one being Laney herself.
A brilliantly written story with excellent characters and a happy ending guaranteed.
October 27, 2016
The female protagonist in the book totally sucks. She comes around but I was totally over her and her shit. The male protagonist is awesome.
September 16, 2016
Good
Great book couldn't put of down real page turner!!!!!!!!!
Hazel Kelly is a brilliant author love all of her books
Great book couldn't put of down real page turner!!!!!!!!!
Hazel Kelly is a brilliant author love all of her books
February 22, 2017
Four Star Read
Stand alone. HEA. Good book easy read. If I could describe Conner with one word it would be devoted. Sweet romance.
Stand alone. HEA. Good book easy read. If I could describe Conner with one word it would be devoted. Sweet romance.
June 1, 2017
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING! what a bland boring start to a book so much that i strugged to read it. WTF is with all the internal monologue? Most irritating characters ever. I gave up.sorry
March 12, 2020
A sweet read!
This has been a fun book to read. I really like the main characters, including the pets. I think the adult sections are well written and enjoyable. The supporting characters are good. The writing is smooth and fluid with some good humor interjected.
I’m a bit disappointed in the proofreading which missed several errors including failure to repeatedly use adverbs where appropriate allowing adjectives to stand instead. Not uncommon in the romance novels I’ve read in the past year.
I’ve awarded the book a 5-star rating because I like it. It’s been a good read for me. I like books ending with an HEA! They’re good escapism for me!
This has been a fun book to read. I really like the main characters, including the pets. I think the adult sections are well written and enjoyable. The supporting characters are good. The writing is smooth and fluid with some good humor interjected.
I’m a bit disappointed in the proofreading which missed several errors including failure to repeatedly use adverbs where appropriate allowing adjectives to stand instead. Not uncommon in the romance novels I’ve read in the past year.
I’ve awarded the book a 5-star rating because I like it. It’s been a good read for me. I like books ending with an HEA! They’re good escapism for me!
July 31, 2020
Tilt an ear & crane a neck
Seriously. Tilt and ear and crane your neck or at least get ready for every character to do this multiple times throughout the story. It’s so bad that I began imagining the not always likable characters as little dogs tilting their ears to a weird noise. Were the characters being sassy or is the entire character list hard of hearing and thinking pointing their open ears in the direction of the speaker helps them hear? Who knows, certainly not me and I think I may have to be done with this series for a while. The first 3 books all have excessive ear tilting and neck craning.
Seriously. Tilt and ear and crane your neck or at least get ready for every character to do this multiple times throughout the story. It’s so bad that I began imagining the not always likable characters as little dogs tilting their ears to a weird noise. Were the characters being sassy or is the entire character list hard of hearing and thinking pointing their open ears in the direction of the speaker helps them hear? Who knows, certainly not me and I think I may have to be done with this series for a while. The first 3 books all have excessive ear tilting and neck craning.
February 28, 2019
Good connections
This story didn’t wow me, but I still thought it was well done. The writing is good. The meaning was felt. My issues were with my lack of connection to the characters. I felt there wasn’t enough passion from Laney to make me forgive her completely, and there wasn’t enough insecurity or even questioning from Connor. I suppose it isn’t up to me to fully understand their love, but I need to for the deep satisfying feeling at the end of a story.
This story didn’t wow me, but I still thought it was well done. The writing is good. The meaning was felt. My issues were with my lack of connection to the characters. I felt there wasn’t enough passion from Laney to make me forgive her completely, and there wasn’t enough insecurity or even questioning from Connor. I suppose it isn’t up to me to fully understand their love, but I need to for the deep satisfying feeling at the end of a story.
April 6, 2020
One of my favorite authors to read, I really enjoyed this storyline! But as I have read many of the authors books this one at times I had a hard time following who was doing the speaking and it seemed disjointed as compared to her other writings. It was something in the way the narrative of the storyline was written, I think. I would still recommend reading this second chance romance is as a story of regret and forgiveness, leading to a wonderful HEA!!
December 7, 2020
Connor & Laney
I gave this only 4 stars because I didn't like Laney at all. I feel that Connor deserved better than her. Granted they were young when he first proposed, but the way she handled it was awful. She should have gotten therapy but she unfortunately didn't. I loved her grandma Helly. All in all it was a pretty good book but I most likely will not read again.
I gave this only 4 stars because I didn't like Laney at all. I feel that Connor deserved better than her. Granted they were young when he first proposed, but the way she handled it was awful. She should have gotten therapy but she unfortunately didn't. I loved her grandma Helly. All in all it was a pretty good book but I most likely will not read again.
April 7, 2021
Not my favourite from this series, that's still roommates and probably always will be (although my best friend's brother comes a close second), however, this did give me a brilliant grandmother, a blind kitten called Neo and a duck called Waddles, so I can't be too harsh on it. Honestly though, I wasn't a fan of how the sex scene was initiated in this one. Just saying.
April 20, 2022
Review
I’m glad I read this book and it was amazing. I love from the beginning everything wasn’t as well as everyone was expecting it to be but in the end each character has made their own happily ever after. That’s what I loved about it
I’m glad I read this book and it was amazing. I love from the beginning everything wasn’t as well as everyone was expecting it to be but in the end each character has made their own happily ever after. That’s what I loved about it
May 25, 2020
Amazing
I loved everything about Connor and Laney story I loved how he just knew since they were kids that they'd be together even with bumps in the road they ended up together
I loved everything about Connor and Laney story I loved how he just knew since they were kids that they'd be together even with bumps in the road they ended up together
October 20, 2020
2:5 stars for me....I didn’t massively adore it (not sure why because I normally love HK reads)
January 20, 2021
Light, good read. Not a ton of angst but a feel-good story.
July 17, 2022
Cute, not as good as the first two in this series but still a cute read.
February 27, 2023
2/11/23-2/24/23
Tw: Mentions the FMC going through abuse till the age of 13 I believe.
It’s the perfect book where the two reconnect and just simply fall in love. Not much happens. I did like that the guy didn’t go a grudge but still went on with his life. And that the fiancé situation wasn’t dragged out.
Tw: Mentions the FMC going through abuse till the age of 13 I believe.
It’s the perfect book where the two reconnect and just simply fall in love. Not much happens. I did like that the guy didn’t go a grudge but still went on with his life. And that the fiancé situation wasn’t dragged out.
October 12, 2023
Just couldn’t get into it. Dnf
February 24, 2024
⛔️(in notes)
March 6, 2025
An interesting and engaging read. .
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