Book Review – Checkmate (A Neighbor From Hell #3) by R.L. Mathewson

4 stars

Just like with the first two, this book is another gem of a fluff read. A lighthearted, sexy, hilarious, over-the-top frenemies-to-lovers story. Pure fun!

Teasing, banter, a cocoa addiction, a bad boy, a tough girl and some seriously crazy pranks involving super glued boxer shorts, three week old fermented yogurt, laxatives, being hog tied with medical tape, being chained to a toilet, many purple nurples…. the list goes on to ‘fun’ that landed them more than a few overnight jail time and bans from stores.

Guys, don’t take this book seriously, just enjoy the ride 🙂

Ever since preschool Connor has been certain that Rory “had been put on this earth solely for him to torture and torture her he did.” He would tease her mercilessless and she’s give back every bit as good as she got. As they grew older, the severity and frequence of their pranks grew until pretty much everyone in the town knew to duck for cover when they were breathing the same air.

“She’d been the prettiest little girl that he’d ever seen and he just had to push her and pull on her pigtails.”

Now, twenty-five years since they first met in preschool, their two rival construction companies have been hired to do a joint project much to the disgruntlement of both Rory and Connor, and are they are forced not only to work together but to collaborate on the job, the constant close quarters lead them to explore if maybe there is something other than just the intense desire to torture each other between them.

“As long as I’m stuck with you on this project and you try to get in my way, anything goes,” she said…
“Is that a fact?” he demanded evenly.
“Yes,” she practically hissed as her eyes narrowed no his.
You’re only here because of my generosity, Rory. Push me and you might just find yourself locked in the trunk of a car and on a ferry headed off to Nova Scotia… again,” he said softly, loving the way she practically shook with rage against him.
“I knew that was you, you bastard!” she snarled…
“You deserved it,” he felt obligated to remind her.

Oh Connor *shakes head* … lol, I had to laugh at his antics. He was just such a lovable asshat. On one had it was totally cute that he secretly cared for her, but when you got inside his head, I just couldn’t wait for the next time Rory would kick his ass.

But I loved that no matter what Connor did, Rory never gave him the satisfaction of ‘winning’ and always stood up for herself. Oh, and lets not forget that she’s got five hot older brothers watching her back too (hmmm… *wonders about future books*)

And I was not expecting the HOTNESS from this book! Their first love scene took up 4% of my kindle!! Whew *fans self*

“Oh my God!” A woman whispered loudly. “They’re going to do it on the front lawn!”

And in case you are missing those yummy, always-hungry Bradford men from the first two books, fear not! Both Jason and Trevor have absolutely hilarious cameos that had me laughing myself silly! Love those guys so much <3

“Tell me that you didn’t break the ban, Rory. Tell me that there aren’t two Bradfords beating the shit out of each other over the last slice of cheese in my kitchen,” he pleaded, already knowing and dreading the answer.”

I did like also that as strange as their relationship was, when the inevitable ‘something’ came between them, it was dealt with rationally and functionally instead of the usual freak out and stupidity that often plagues novels.

And despite the craziness of the story, I did love that there was a touch of sweet heart warming backstory that came out that gave a whole new insight into Connor.

“When this project was over, he was keeping her, deal or no deal. She belonged with him…This morning he had a taste of what it could be like between them and he’d have to be out of his fucking mind to give that up.”

I can’t wait for more from this series!!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m feeling a massive craving for some hot cocoa 😛