Back in the Burbs – Tracy Wolff & Avery Flynn

A fun romantic comedy to break up all the thrillers!

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the free copy in exchange for my honest review

BACK IN THE BURBS – Tracy Wolff & Avery Flynn (Released March 30th, 2021)

Book Description:

Ever have one of those days where life just plain sucks? Welcome to my last three months—ever since I caught my can’t-be-soon-enough ex-husband cheating with his paralegal. I’m thirty-five years old, and I’ve lost my NYC apartment, my job, my money, and frankly, my dignity.

But the final heartache in the suck sandwich of my life? My great-aunt Maggie died. The only family member who’s ever gotten me. Even after death, though, she’s helping me get back up. She’s willed me the keys to a house in the burbs, of all places, and dared me to grab life by the family jewels. Well, I’ve got the vise grips already in hand (my ex should take note) and I’m ready to fight for my life again.

Too bad that bravado only lasts as long as it takes to drive into Huckleberry Hills. And see the house.
There are forty-seven separate HOA violations, and I feel them all in my bones. Honestly, I’m surprised no one’s “accidentally” torched the house yet. I want to, and I’ve only been standing in front of it for five minutes. But then my hot, grumpy neighbor tells me to mow the lawn first and I’m just…done. Done with men too sexy for their own good and done with anyone telling me what to do ever again.

First rule of surviving the burbs? There is nothing that YouTube and a glass of wine can’t conquer.

My Thoughts: 4/5 stars

This book was definitely a lot of fun to read! BACK IN THE BURBS is co-authored by Tracy Wolff and Avery Flynn, and both are new to me authors. I loved their writing styles and they blended together so seamlessly that I wasn’t even aware of the fact that it was written by two people. Nothing takes you out of it quite like having the book feel choppy and broken up, so I’m always impressed when multiple authors can work together like this!

To say the lease, things in Mallory’s life aren’t exactly going as planned. A recent divorcee that has lost everything to her ex-husband. She’s definitely regretting putting so much of herself into their company that she now has nothing left – her job, her apartment, money, and her life as she knew it. That all changes after her great-aunt dies and leaves her a house in the suburbs. However, this house s over 40 standing HOA violations that she needs to address immediately. Her crabby and unwelcoming neighbor becomes part of the enemies to lovers trope and what unfolds is a fun little romance as Mallory tries to work through her grief, her new home, and finding herself.

I was reminded why it was an absolute requirement that we were not part of an HOA when we were looking for our house. Sounds like nothing but a nightmare to deal with and I’ve heard awful stories about restrictions and what’s considered a violation. If I’m paying a mortgage, I’m not having a nosy neighbor decide that something in my yard isn’t the way it should be. I like having no visible neighbors and no HOA to answer to. If you’re looking for something fun then this will be the perfect addition to the spring TBR!