This review is for “Best Man Next Door” by Stefanie London. First, I love that the author gives you a novella and it is a complete story and it doesn’t feel truncated. Sage Nielsen and Jamie Hackett grew up next door to each other. Sage was a very shy, nerdy girl and Jamie was one of the few people that was consistently nice to her. Jamie was a popular jock who was on his way to a professional career in tennis. Sage was bullied by the school’s mean girls and her only outlet was her sewing. When they left high school, Jamie pursued Tennis and Sage went to Paris to work for a fashion house making wedding dresses. It is now years later and Sage and Jamie are both back in their hometown for the wedding of Jamie’s best friend and Sage’s sister. Both of them have dealt with their dreams being derailed, and now they have to figure out how they are going to go forward with their lives. I loved both of these characters and the story was compelling. I received an arc of this book from the author and publisher for my honest review.

I read the story from Stefanie London - Best Man Next Door and it was an enjoyable quick read. Sage and Jamie were neighbors back when they were in high school and Sage had quite the crush on Jamie. Back then Jamie was one of the cool, popular athletes and Sage was a quiet girl who got picked on all the time, even though Jamie was always nice to Sage they were only ever friends. After high school Sage moved away from home and avoided ever coming back, until now when she is back home for her younger sister’s wedding. Sage became a wedding dress designer and designed her sister’s dress, which is a good thing because it gave Sage something to do while she figures out her next career step. While back home Sage is thrown together with Jamie since he is the best man in Sage’s sister’s wedding. This gives Sage and Jamie time to reconnect and finally give in to the attraction they have for each other. Jamie and Sage both had something big happen in their lives and careers and they both help each other see that there is something more out there for them.

Three novellas by three excellent authors. Say You’ll Stay by Susan Mallery, This Time For Keeps by Synithia Williams and Best Man Next Door by Stefanie London. All are easy, entertaining reads, family, drama, romance and HEAs, each are lovely to read, with a tie in with the holidays. Grab this one for the beach or just your leisurely “me” time.