My Life Next Door was a gorgeously written debut which left me with a crazy eyed smile on my face, occasionally teary eyed with a longing for the long summer months and for my neighbours to move out and the Garretts to move in. By looking at the cover I was expecting a cute summery read which would provide some swoon worthy scenes, I’m happy to note Fitzpatrick provided this yet so much more.The Garretts have been living next door to Sam’s family for years now; you would think that they were complete strangers, as they’d never said a word to each other. Samantha’s mother Gracie is what I would call a snob, without even having the decency to introduce herself to Garretts or get to know them she’s quick to make assumptions about what they’re like. Because their lawn is over full with toys, the Garretts have six children which she thinks they can’t control, Mrs Garrett breastfeeds her daughter in public her how dare she! So she refuses to acknowledge them and basically bans Sam and her sister Tracey from talking to them either. But everything changes when Jase, one of the Garretts drops by Sam’s balcony, he’s even move gorgeous close up and Sam being the complete opposite to her mother knows he’s not like what her mum expects him to be. Before you know it Sam finds herself spending more and more time with Jase and the rest of the Garretts, she just can’t seem to get enough especially of Jase. But she still has to keep everything under wraps, her mum would blow a fit if she was fraternising with the enemy. Her mum already thinks nobody’s good enough for Sam especially not the Garretts.Oh the Garretts I loved them so much, from George and his constant questioning and fears over everything, Patsy and adorable vocabulary, Mrs Garrett and her blasé attitude, she never once seemed flustered with six kids running around all over the place, Alice once seeing her coloured hair (which she would change every time you saw her) you would be a little scared of her, but she was one of the most intelligent and over–protective sisters around, Harry, Joel, Mr Garrett and finally Jase. I had a hard time picking a favourite, Jase on occasion had the ability to make me melt with his smooth lines and his genuinely-sweet affection towards his family and Sam. But each time we entered the Garretts house, I fell in love with every single character that little bit more! Plus comparing the Garretts to Sam’s family or even her best friend Nan’s it’s clear to see why I want the Garretts to adopt me too.Another character who quickly became one of my favourites was Tim (Nan’s twin brother). He was so blunt at times that he could come across as quite hurtful, but as the story progressed I adored the direction his character went into. I liked how we were able to get to know his character that little bit more, under the facade he was a genuinely decent guy. Whereas the behaviour of the other characters totally left me disappointed.My Life Next Door was a book I recommend everyone should bust out with over the summer, with Fitzpatrick’s beautiful writing, a hugely likeable set of characters and a couple of curveballs thrown along the way this book does not disappoint. Also if like me you’ve become disillusioned recently with pretty neatly tied up endings, then you will appreciate the ending we are left with.