book review: The Chad Next Door - Something Splendid

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Five-star book review of The Chad Next Door!

I am loving this series by Dana LeCheminant! I knew I’d have to write a book review of The Chad Next Door. Enthusiastically recommend!

Overview:

The Chad Next Door is part of Dana LeCheminant’s Love in Sun City series featuring a sibling group. They each have a book in the series, and they’re simultaneously falling in love during a particular month. There are overlapping scenes within the books.

This book is a slow-burn romantic comedy with no explicit content. It features my favorite trope, grumpy-sunshine. It is also an age-gap romance.

The Chad Next Door summary

Caught between a quiet life and the chaos of unexpected romance, Private Investigator Chad Briggs is about to discover whether a snowstorm in Laketown can thaw his guarded heart. When he meets Hope, the stunning—and far too young—woman next door, his orderly world is suddenly upended, though he has little choice but to face the upheaval.

Hope is trying to adjust to a new life after unexpectedly gaining custody of her late sister’s children. She knows she shouldn’t be drawn to her much older neighbor, no matter how irresistible he is. But when a snowstorm traps them together under one roof, ignoring the sparks between them proves impossible.

With so many reasons a relationship could fail, especially with the kids involved, they know a weekend romance isn’t likely to last. Yet their hearts haven’t received the memo, and they may already be too invested to turn back.

Chad is the oldest sibling, and he keenly feels a responsibility to take care of the others.

As I get further into the series, I’m noticing how sweet the family bond is between the siblings. They really care about each other and genuinely like each other. Each book in the series highlights a particular sibling, but it’s fun to continue getting to know the others. Their perspectives on each other are so interesting.

From Chad’s thoughts early in the book, referring to his office where he works as a private investigator: “I try to be impartial, just a man finding the facts, and presenting them in the most helpful way. But I’ve lost track of the number of marriages that have ended in this room. Of the family members that have betrayed one another. I’ve lost the reasons I should be happy in a world that is increasingly awful.”

Chad has seen a lot of troubling situations in his professional life, as well as at home when he was younger. Those experiences reinforce his need to care for his siblings. They’re also the foundation for his gruff demeanor.

Hope brings her niece and nephew to live next door to Chad’s vacation home. She’s all that is lovely and sweet.

Hope’s thoughts about an older woman in town: “She is the embodiment of what I was hoping for from a small town, and I seriously hope she’s not the only kind one. It’s hard to be completely hopeful when Grizz is the only other person I’ve met so far, but I pray he’s the exception to the Laketown rules. I only have room for one gruff and grumpy guy in my life. When what I really need is all the help I can get.”

“Grizz” is Chad’s nickname among his siblings, and it’s how he introduced himself to Hope. I believe the other “gruff and grumpy guy” she’s referring to is her nephew. It’s clear that Hope is searching for support. She wants to provide a good and stable life for her niece and nephew.

Chad’s early impression of Hope, after learning the kids weren’t hers: “Hope is undeniably pretty. She has a girl-next-door vibe – I’m ignoring that irony – the kind of beauty that is natural and easy. So far, she’s worn her dark hair long and free. It has a little wave to it that gives it some life, and I wonder if it’s as soft as it looks. Her heart shaped face is young and full of life, with all the signs of her being quick to smile. I think her eyes fascinate me the most, if I’m giving myself this moment to catalog everything about her. They’re a rich brown, warm and soft and bottomless. Even when she’s glared at me, I’ve felt her gaze deep in my bones, like she’s lived a thousand lives in her short lifetime.”

They have a sweet love story, and Chad’s tenderness with the kids is a lovely aspect of it.

Dana handles the content about the kids’ trauma with sensitivity and thoughtfulness. They’re dealing with some complicated emotions, but it’s presented in a way that shows the difficulty but also offers some healthy ways of talking through it.

Special moments in The Chad Next Door:

Hope’s thought: “Each kiss is a new step down a path I am desperate to explore, each new taste another answer to a question I didn’t know I had.”

Chad’s thought: “I’ve never been known like this.”

a forest in the background, "five-star book review of The Chad Next Door by Dana LeCheminant" and "grumpy-sunshine, age-gap, sweet romantic comedy" in the text overlay

Definitely recommend!

I really enjoyed this book. It contains a lot of insight into working together through difficulties and prioritizing communication. I hope you’ve decided to try this series based on this book review of The Chad Next Door.

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Fondly,

Crysti