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The Boy Next Door
You'll never forget your first... Brandon Townsend and Zachary Sherman were best friends and next-door neighbors. Growing up together in a cozy suburban town in New Jersey, they were inseparable and thought nothing could tear them apart. Then one night something happened between them, something that brought them even closer together... They didn't anticipate that what began as youthful sexual experimentation would lead them into an affair of the heart that would rock them to the core. Nor did they expect the danger of being discovered and separated by their families. At the time, neither Brandon or Zach realized that life would give them another opportunity. Now, ten years later, a chance meeting brings them together again. Let best-selling gay fiction author G.A. Hauser take you on an unforgettable journey. A coming of age story about faith, about courage, and about trust...you'll never forget The Boy Next Door.
182 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
G.A. Hauser
269 books513 followersAbout the Author Award-winning author G.A. Hauser was born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA and attended university in New York City. She moved to Seattle, Washington where she worked as a patrol officer with the Seattle Police Department. In early 2000 G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England where she began her writing in earnest and published her first book, In the Shadow of Alexander. Now a full-time writer, G.A. has written over eighty novels, including several best-sellers of gay fiction. GA is also the Executive Producer for her first feature film, CAPITAL GAMES. For more information on other books by G.A., visit the author at her official website. www.authorgahauser.com G.A. has won awards from All Romance eBooks for Best Author 2010, 2009, Best Novel 2008, Mile High, and Best Author 2008, Best Novel 2007, Secrets and Misdemeanors, Best Author 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 13, 2011
Brandon and Zachary have been best friends from the time they were two years old, with their families being close also. Once the two become teens, they discover they have feelings for each other that transcend friendship. As the two become closer and explore the love between them, and plan on a future together, forces outside their control intervene.
This is the story of how they love, lose each other, and reconnect.
Very well written, emotionally true to the characters, and very touching on many levels. Ms. Hauser explores young love and family, and how pressures can rip love apart.
I was touched by the slow build of this book, and heartbroken by some of the occurrences, but as usual, Ms. Hauser delivers strongly on the premise she has build.
Very enthusiastic thumbs up!
This is the story of how they love, lose each other, and reconnect.
Very well written, emotionally true to the characters, and very touching on many levels. Ms. Hauser explores young love and family, and how pressures can rip love apart.
I was touched by the slow build of this book, and heartbroken by some of the occurrences, but as usual, Ms. Hauser delivers strongly on the premise she has build.
Very enthusiastic thumbs up!
October 16, 2014
This is a sweet story of self discovery between two life long friends and next door neighbors Brandon and Zachary. They have explored each others bodies and have fallen in love. Both seniors in high school planning on attending college together. They both tempted fate too much while on vacation sharing a room Zach's violent homophobic father sees them an proceeds to beat Zach. It's so heartbreaking. Zach's family moves away and Brandon never finds out where he went. Until Brandon goes to Boston to write an article for the magazine he works for. He is interviewing attorneys and walks by a door with Zach's name on it. After 10 years they have found each other. They catch up and Brandon is angry that Zach never tried to find him.
July 4, 2009
7/4: This book ended up being kind of sweet. It was better than Secrets and Misdemeanors - it wasn't quite so ridiculous. I just wish Hauser had a better feel for the way real people actually talk and act. I spent most of the book thinking 'No one talks like that! No one would ever say that! No one's mom is like that except maybe in the 40's!'
7/3:
I'm on page 4, and so far the same 17 year old boy has said the following: "I love baseball. It's such a cool sport. I'm sorry it's almost over." and "It's Friday. We can get our homework done and stay up late."
Seriously? That's how teenage boys talk in your world, G.A.?
Update: "Late" ended up being 10:00pm.
7/3:
I'm on page 4, and so far the same 17 year old boy has said the following: "I love baseball. It's such a cool sport. I'm sorry it's almost over." and "It's Friday. We can get our homework done and stay up late."
Seriously? That's how teenage boys talk in your world, G.A.?
Update: "Late" ended up being 10:00pm.
September 12, 2017
I deliberated between a 2 and 3 star review.
More than half the book covers the MCs as teenagers, then the rest when they are adults. I felt like the level of immaturity and sexual innocence described of the MCs at 17 yrs old and the 13yr old sister were not that plausible for the 1990s. I also didn't like the negative speak towards women. Ranging from "girls are dumb" (at 17yr old) to "cunt" and "pussy" (at 27yr old). Women were not portrayed overall in a bad light, but I was really bothered by some of the broad negative statements and that most of the [minor] female characters being portrayed so negatively. Still the statements were plausible for the MCs and the context.
Also, the HEA was too sudden IMO.
More than half the book covers the MCs as teenagers, then the rest when they are adults. I felt like the level of immaturity and sexual innocence described of the MCs at 17 yrs old and the 13yr old sister were not that plausible for the 1990s. I also didn't like the negative speak towards women. Ranging from "girls are dumb" (at 17yr old) to "cunt" and "pussy" (at 27yr old). Women were not portrayed overall in a bad light, but I was really bothered by some of the broad negative statements and that most of the [minor] female characters being portrayed so negatively. Still the statements were plausible for the MCs and the context.
Also, the HEA was too sudden IMO.
April 10, 2022
3 or 3.5 stars.
The plot is simple yet endearing. It made me want to keep reading, to see how the story evolved. (It doesn't get all that deep, so it's a simply pleasure to enjoy - nothing wrong with that, just don't expect drama and twists blown over-the-top).
A quick, fun, enjoyable, touching read of two boys figuring themselves out, and then overcoming the obstacles left by adolescent love
The plot is simple yet endearing. It made me want to keep reading, to see how the story evolved. (It doesn't get all that deep, so it's a simply pleasure to enjoy - nothing wrong with that, just don't expect drama and twists blown over-the-top).
A quick, fun, enjoyable, touching read of two boys figuring themselves out, and then overcoming the obstacles left by adolescent love
December 25, 2017
3.5 stars
January 29, 2020
This author and I just don't seem to mesh. I find the writing to be overly simplistic, and the style rather soap opera-esque. I should have learned by now to leave it be.
Read
April 27, 2009I always love G.A. Hauser's books, they are easy to read and very romantic, with a "acid" side, it's not easy to explain, but her romances are never too sugary, since there is always a bit of naughty side in her characters.
The Boy Next Door is a coming of age book. I didn't expect that a great part of the book is dedicated to the relationship between Brandon and Zach when they where stil two teens in heat. Brandon and Zach always live next door, and since they were one years old, everything they did they did it together: the first sexual curiosity, the first hot glances to a naked body... and since they did all together, they did also the first sexual experience together and with each other. First kiss and eventually first time sex. But unfortunately their parents were not so glad of it and they torn them apart, sending Zach to Boston and Brandon to New York and Zach's parents managed to lose contact. When Brandon meets again Zach, he is a successful journalist, openly gay, and instead Zach is a soon-to-be divorced womanizer... something is happened in Zach's past. Is he ready to leave the past behind and build something new with Brandon?
I always like the story involving teens, and so I'm very happy to find that most of the book is spent telling us the story of Zach and Brandon as young boys. My only regret is that the book is relative short, 170 pages. I said "relative", since this is not a short novel, but since the two characters are so nice, and I like them, I'd like to read more, and I think it'd be interesting to read about Zach and Brandon as adults, and how they manage to be together; I feel like the second part of the story is too fast, and like I'm not just ready to leave Zach and Brandon and their story.
Brandon is apparently the shier boy, he has already realized to be in love with Zach but he fears to reveal his feeling to the other boy, he doesn't want to be reject by Zach. And so he is surprise, but happy, when the other boy makes the first move. But Zach, even if eager to be with Brandon, and always the first to push the sexual boundaries and to experiment with their young bodies, he is also the first to fear the reaction of the people, above all of their parents, but also of strangers. He thinks to be ready to give free rein to his body demands, but he is not ready to openly claim his sexuality. In this aspect, Brandon is much more adult.
After all, probably nor Zach or Brandon were enough grown for what they had. Since they were always together, they arrived too much soon to something that other people find further in their life. And since they were not ready to claim their love, it was easier for their parents to stop them. But as adults, I don't think the situation is much more different: Brandon is still the more balanced between the two, and Zach is still the one struggling with his own sexuality.
Both Zach and Brandon are not "noble" characters. This is one of the characteristic that I always find in Hauser's characters: they are men who mistake and mistake badly, but more often than not, find a justification for their action and with it an absolution; worst, sometime they also continue to behave badly, if this allow them to obtain what they want, sooner and in an easy way. So why I like them so much? maybe since they are not the perfect hero of the fable and they are more similar to the real people, and so to me.
In all the book I found only one thing that didn't ring right to me: the easiness in which Brandon and Zach approach sex, above all anal sex... it was all too simple, all went to right and without problem... don't know maybe it's only a "female" perception, and for two boys things are different.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BXWMD8/?...
The Boy Next Door is a coming of age book. I didn't expect that a great part of the book is dedicated to the relationship between Brandon and Zach when they where stil two teens in heat. Brandon and Zach always live next door, and since they were one years old, everything they did they did it together: the first sexual curiosity, the first hot glances to a naked body... and since they did all together, they did also the first sexual experience together and with each other. First kiss and eventually first time sex. But unfortunately their parents were not so glad of it and they torn them apart, sending Zach to Boston and Brandon to New York and Zach's parents managed to lose contact. When Brandon meets again Zach, he is a successful journalist, openly gay, and instead Zach is a soon-to-be divorced womanizer... something is happened in Zach's past. Is he ready to leave the past behind and build something new with Brandon?
I always like the story involving teens, and so I'm very happy to find that most of the book is spent telling us the story of Zach and Brandon as young boys. My only regret is that the book is relative short, 170 pages. I said "relative", since this is not a short novel, but since the two characters are so nice, and I like them, I'd like to read more, and I think it'd be interesting to read about Zach and Brandon as adults, and how they manage to be together; I feel like the second part of the story is too fast, and like I'm not just ready to leave Zach and Brandon and their story.
Brandon is apparently the shier boy, he has already realized to be in love with Zach but he fears to reveal his feeling to the other boy, he doesn't want to be reject by Zach. And so he is surprise, but happy, when the other boy makes the first move. But Zach, even if eager to be with Brandon, and always the first to push the sexual boundaries and to experiment with their young bodies, he is also the first to fear the reaction of the people, above all of their parents, but also of strangers. He thinks to be ready to give free rein to his body demands, but he is not ready to openly claim his sexuality. In this aspect, Brandon is much more adult.
After all, probably nor Zach or Brandon were enough grown for what they had. Since they were always together, they arrived too much soon to something that other people find further in their life. And since they were not ready to claim their love, it was easier for their parents to stop them. But as adults, I don't think the situation is much more different: Brandon is still the more balanced between the two, and Zach is still the one struggling with his own sexuality.
Both Zach and Brandon are not "noble" characters. This is one of the characteristic that I always find in Hauser's characters: they are men who mistake and mistake badly, but more often than not, find a justification for their action and with it an absolution; worst, sometime they also continue to behave badly, if this allow them to obtain what they want, sooner and in an easy way. So why I like them so much? maybe since they are not the perfect hero of the fable and they are more similar to the real people, and so to me.
In all the book I found only one thing that didn't ring right to me: the easiness in which Brandon and Zach approach sex, above all anal sex... it was all too simple, all went to right and without problem... don't know maybe it's only a "female" perception, and for two boys things are different.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BXWMD8/?...
November 1, 2012
Sweet idea, but lacks any real depth
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 6/10
PROS:
- The two main guys are sweet, the circumstances under which they fall in love are sweet, their reunion is sweet, etc.
- I had to laugh at the antics of two high school boys figuring out sex for the first time. They progress in realistic stages, I think, and they’re simultaneously tentative and enthusiastic, which I found endearing as all get out.
- I liked how easy the guys were even after not seeing each other for 10 years. There’s a tense scene or two, naturally, but once they get all the hard feelings out of the way, they’re right back to being best friends and soul mates.
CONS:
- There’s very little depth to the story or the characters. Hauser’s works tend to race along to the finish and not bother much with exploring the repercussions of plot developments or examining the characters’ psyches. The good guys are pretty one-dimensionally good (and/or pitiful, which explains away most of the bad things they’ve done), and the bad guys are pretty unequivocally bad.
- The male characters are basically stereotypical women with male anatomy. They’re very dramatic and emotional, they’re tender to the point of being a bit saccharine, and they’re not as much about sex as many men tend to be, especially as teenagers. The two main guys in this story always finish their homework after school before doing anything else, even when they’re alone in one of their bedrooms.
- Some of the dialogue is unrealistically context-heavy. For example, when Brandon’s talking on the phone with one of his co-workers, she says, “Why don’t you pursue your own writing career and quit this stupid magazine?” when in reality, I think something like, “What are you still doing here?” or “Why don’t you just quit?” would be more realistic.
Overall comments: This is a mindless, frothy, fun read. There’s not a lot here, as is the case with a lot of Hauser’s works, but I keep reading them because occasionally it’s nice to see a world where reality rarely intrudes.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 6/10
PROS:
- The two main guys are sweet, the circumstances under which they fall in love are sweet, their reunion is sweet, etc.
- I had to laugh at the antics of two high school boys figuring out sex for the first time. They progress in realistic stages, I think, and they’re simultaneously tentative and enthusiastic, which I found endearing as all get out.
- I liked how easy the guys were even after not seeing each other for 10 years. There’s a tense scene or two, naturally, but once they get all the hard feelings out of the way, they’re right back to being best friends and soul mates.
CONS:
- There’s very little depth to the story or the characters. Hauser’s works tend to race along to the finish and not bother much with exploring the repercussions of plot developments or examining the characters’ psyches. The good guys are pretty one-dimensionally good (and/or pitiful, which explains away most of the bad things they’ve done), and the bad guys are pretty unequivocally bad.
- The male characters are basically stereotypical women with male anatomy. They’re very dramatic and emotional, they’re tender to the point of being a bit saccharine, and they’re not as much about sex as many men tend to be, especially as teenagers. The two main guys in this story always finish their homework after school before doing anything else, even when they’re alone in one of their bedrooms.
- Some of the dialogue is unrealistically context-heavy. For example, when Brandon’s talking on the phone with one of his co-workers, she says, “Why don’t you pursue your own writing career and quit this stupid magazine?” when in reality, I think something like, “What are you still doing here?” or “Why don’t you just quit?” would be more realistic.
Overall comments: This is a mindless, frothy, fun read. There’s not a lot here, as is the case with a lot of Hauser’s works, but I keep reading them because occasionally it’s nice to see a world where reality rarely intrudes.
July 21, 2011
It was a sweet book. I liked the plot idea. The pool and the swimsuits were great.
I had issues with the dialogue and maturity levels of the characters. The things they said sometimes felt so out of place and young. In the first part, they didn't seem like they were about to graduate. More like they were 14. Make-out parties? Spurt? (I've never even read that word in a story in this context). They seemed far too young and their parents way old fashioned.
Then later on, at 27, I though Zach was far too successful. Law school lasts a long time and takes long to pay off.
I had issues with the dialogue and maturity levels of the characters. The things they said sometimes felt so out of place and young. In the first part, they didn't seem like they were about to graduate. More like they were 14. Make-out parties? Spurt? (I've never even read that word in a story in this context). They seemed far too young and their parents way old fashioned.
Then later on, at 27, I though Zach was far too successful. Law school lasts a long time and takes long to pay off.
December 6, 2013
I loved it! It had everything I love in a book - romance, drama, first times, reconnection, HEA. The MCs were adorable (although how one doesn't know a cock has been inserted in your ass, I don't know) and were equally as flawed and relatable once grown up.
My only complaint is that I would have liked a little more drawing out of their reconnection. It felt a bit rushed, but I do like my angst so it could be just me. :)
My only complaint is that I would have liked a little more drawing out of their reconnection. It felt a bit rushed, but I do like my angst so it could be just me. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2010
The real story is the first 2/3 of the book, which goes over the characters' evolving relationship & experimentation as boys. The final third, when we meet the characters again as adults, seemed superfluous. I didn't connect (re-connect?) with the characters and the issues they faced as adults were resolved way too quickly to be believable for me.
June 7, 2012
In this book I particularly liked the delicacy and simplicity with which the writer has treated the relationship of the two young protagonists, friendship, their attraction, the ingeniutà that accompanied the discovery of their bodies and their feelings. It 'was natural and immediate rooting for Brandon but Zachary earned his points when he renounced everything rediscovering his lover.
December 29, 2012
I enjoyed reading this. Was a sweet romantic story. Brandon and Zachary were really close and always had been. It could have been understood that their parents separated them, which was the touching part. But fate brought them together, which was a nice bright rebuild of the story brought about by Ms. Hauser.
May 29, 2011
Starting this book i had high expectations but as it progressed i just got bored and didn't feel like reading it. But out of my compulsion for finishing books i started i did finish it and found that the book was worth reading after all. A sweet happily ever after book.
November 1, 2012
This was a very good book! One minute the author has me all worked up and excited and the next in total awe of whats just happened. G.A. Hauser is another great author to read if you LOVE m/m romance books like I do. Definitely recommend this book. And who doesn't love a H.E.A.?
August 16, 2008
The Boy Next Door by G. A. Hauser (2008)
June 7, 2010
This was a nice book i find it one of Hausers better story's.
July 4, 2011
I liked the book, but I'll gush over others.
September 21, 2011
I liked that it had the before and after and showed their love mature more and more.
July 26, 2011
this was a sweet story...had a good flow...both protagonists were easy to fall in love with....
January 19, 2013
This was such a sweet story! I love when two men meet early in life and come back together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2015
I would have left Zach. But that's just me I guess.
July 7, 2011
My first G.A.Hauser and it wont be my last :)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews