Do opposites really attract?
Neighbors with Benefits (Anderson Brothers #2)
by Marissa Clarke
About the Book:
CEO Michael Anderson might be something of a “control freak.” Still, he’s not quite sure why his therapist thinks dogsitting will fix anything―especially since he and the canine share a kind of mutual loathing. And to make matters worse, a house sitter moves in next door disrupting his peace—and his dates—with the worst possible music at the worst possible time… every time.
Free-spirited artist Mia Argaropolis has settled into the perfect gig—housesitting in NYC’s Upper West Side while working as an art therapist. Too bad she’s stuck living next door to a bossy control freak with a penchant for calling building security when she blasts music to drown out the noises coming through his bedroom wall.
Post-apocalyptic dinner rolls that nearly take her kitchen with them, a douchebag ex, and a Shih Tzu with the personality of Godzilla attack Mia in one day, and her unlikely neighbor comes to the rescue. Like it was her fault. And now, somehow, they find themselves engaged? Both agree, this neighborly feud just got taken to a whole new level.
Review:
And then I got to know Michael-freaking-David-Anderson better, and he blew his younger brother out of the water.
We of course met him in Sleeping, but it’s not until his own book that he becomes, well, human instead of a caricature of an emotionless boardroom executive. (In book one, when Will’s trying to appear serious and not crack a smile at Claire, he reminds himself to “channel his inner Michael.”) We finally get to know him and understand why he is the way he is…just in time for Mia and a Shih Tzu named Clancy to help him to becomemore.
Neighbors is a classic example of enemies to lovers–before they even meet, Mia and Michael can’t stand each other–him because of her loud, non-stop music and tendency to burn food and overflow plumbing fixtures while she’s working on a painting, and her because of his loud, late night visitors in the bedroom that shares a wall with hers and his constant complaints to the building super about her. Their “meet cute” ends abruptly when Mia finds out who Michael actually is and throws him out of her apartment in disgust.
But you know from that first chapter that that disgust won’t last long…(Dimples could totally inspire me to jump right into that Abyss; I’m with her there.)
I loved watching Michael use his laser-pointer-style focus to convince Mia to go along with his “benefits” plan. Actually, she manages to resist him for a heck of a long time–it’s pretty darn impressive, really. But once they get together? Watch out! (fans self, remembering)
And his grovel scene? So. Good.
The only part of the whole book that didn’t quite work for me was the big misunderstanding–the relationship “black moment–which relies heavily on Mia misinterpreting something Michael says and does. I get where her reaction stems from, but it seemed a bit over-the-top and forced. She soon sees the error of her ways, though, and the aforementioned grovel scene is awesome, so it’s definitely a case of all’s well that ends very, very well. 🙂
Bring on Anderson brother #3 (Chance)–I’m ready!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. He grinned and his dimples flashed, causing her skin to tighten and heat. Stupid body. Fortunately, Mr. Kawashima cleared his throat, which pulled her back from the lust ledge just in time, before she swan dived right into the Abyss of Really Bad Ideas.
Book Trailer:
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About the Author:
Marissa Clarke lives in Texas, where everything is bigger, especially the mosquitoes.
When not writing, she wrangles her rowdy pack of three teens, husband, and a Cairn Terrier named Annabel, who rules the house (and Marissa’s heart) with an iron paw.
Prior to attending University of Houston Law School, she received a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Drama from the University of Houston. She has taught drama and playwriting in a large public high school and English in a private school.
Currently, she serves as Vice-President of Programming for the West Houston RWA Chapter, and is a founding member of Houston YA/MG Writers, and the QueryTracker.net Blog.
Marissa also writes young adult novels for Penguin USA under the name Mary Lindsey. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Marissa Clarke’s conference, signing, & event schedule can be found here: APPEARANCES
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Giveaway: $100 Amazon gift card