Checkmate (A Neighbour from Hell Series #3) By RL Mathewson

Buy Link: Checkmate

There’s nothing worse than living next door to your childhood nemesis, except maybe being forced to share your dream project with him, being blackmailed into going along with something that was just wrong on so many levels, and having your hot cocoa stolen by the person that drove you to drink it in the first place.

As long as she has plenty of hot cocoa, a pair of pliers on hand and is able to resist Connor O’Neil’s bad boy charm then Rory James should be able to make it through this project with her sanity intact. If not…..

She’d probably face a few more nights in jail, have a few more restraining orders slapped against her and lose her heart to the man that ruined her life.

Okay, I totally said Lucifer was my favourite character, but I lied. I forgot all about Connor and Rory James. 

Connor has been a big bully to her since he first saw her in nursery. But unlike anyone other else, who ran away and cried, Rory gave back as good as she got. 

When they're put on a project together, Rory is like, yeah, I can do this. I'm an adult.... Connor on the other-hand, was plotting ways to take the contract away from her, expecting her to bring him coffee and sit in the office. 

He's so wrong. 

So, when he thinks of the idea of playing her, willing to get her brothers to work for him instead of her and get her to sell her business, I actually thought he was an arrogant ass. Because he is. Out of all the men in the series, he is the cockiest. 

But she's also a Bradford. 

It's funny to see all his plans fail, but mostly, I love these two together. 

I liked RL brought the other characters into it. My two faves, Jason and Trevor. Because without those two, it wouldn't be the same. They are just too funny. 

I really do hope RL gives books to all the Bradford kids. 

5*

Double Dare (A Neighbour from Hell Series #6) By RL Mathewson

Buy Link: Double Dare

Marybeth still couldn’t believe that she’d survived this long with a friend like Darrin, but somehow she’d managed to beat the odds and not give in to temptation and smother him with a pillow while he slept.
Of course some days were more difficult than others…

For twenty years he’s been biding his time, waiting for the right moment to make his move and now that she was finally his, he had to do everything in his power to keep her even if it meant making a decision that would tear them apart and force her to face the truth.

This is different from the other NFH books. Whereas the others just meet their soul mates, Darrin and Marybeth have been friends forever. 
It all began with, 'I double dare you' 
And ever since then...

They've been inseparable. 

But that's not what keeps Marybeth from facing the truth, that she's in love with Darrin. The two are in a sexual relationship, but Marybeth won't let him put their relationship out in the open because of a medical condition. 

It was hard at times to read. Because, her medical condition is something I can't imagine. I'd never like to be in that position and although I could understand her side of things, and her fears, but it didn't excuse the way she treated Darrin at times. 

That said, I couldn't get enough of this series. I really couldn't. 

5*

Fire And Brimstone (A Neighbour from Hell Series #8) By RL Mathewson

Buy Link: Fire and Brimstone

What happens when a Bradford with questionable OCD, a temper and a reputation for making his employees cry falls for the woman that refuses to accept the fact that he’s fired her and was terrifyingly more of a Bradford than he was?
Well, we can’t share that here, because it would be seriously inappropriate, but we’re sure that you can see where this is leading…
To the altar or a stint in the slammer, either one is possible when it comes to the Neighbor from Hell Series.

Lucifer became my favourite Bradford the minute the books starts with 'You're fired'. 
I laughed so much the first chapter, that I knew, just knew, this book was going to be epic. 
I loved it. 
He owns his own restaurant, and to keep sane, he has banned every Bradford from it. He has OCD so he wants everything to be perfect, but that doesn't happen when he can't even fire Rebecca, who is his not only working for him, but she lives in the apartment opposite him. 

The two are polar opposites, and couldn't be more perfect for each other. It's so funny to see Lucifer try to console her, comfort her and care for her. Half the time he says he doesn't want to but does it anyway. 

These are my favourite characters so far, I think. There's still a few more to go, so who knows. 

5*

Delectable (A Neighbour from Hell Series #9) By RL Mathewson

Reese Bradford is a typical Bradford, he enjoys his food, is easy on the eyes, and has a killer smile, but there's one thing about him that he doesn't want anyone to know about, which of course is the first thing that his ex-fiance makes sure that everyone finds out about after she leaves him for his best friend. Out of options, he reluctantly heads out of town to spend the summer in the cottage that he'd rented for his honeymoon only to find himself tormented by a woman that never should have crossed his mind twice.

More intrigued than he'd ever thought possible, he can't help but wonder about the woman that made him smile.

Neighbour from Hell series... 
First off, I've never read these in order so please, bare with me aha 

Reece, is a typical Bradford. He loves his food, is hot as hell and has many talents. He's a cop and loves working for his uncle. But he's always felt unsettled with his life. 

He's also a virgin. 

Yes, you read that correctly. 

When he moves into the cottage he had rented for the summer for him and his ex fiance, he just wanted peace. 
But then he meets the crazy woman next door, Kasey and gets the nickname 'yummy'.
She's a single mom who runs a cooking website... already perfect for Reece Bradford. 
I loved her daughter Mikey. She's going to fit in well with other Bradfords. And her first encounter with Reece? Priceless. 

Anyway, the two are hilarious together and so incredibly cute. 
I loved it. I laughed so much, like I do with all the other books of hers, but I do have to admit, I loved the secondary characters just as much. 
I want to know what is going to happen with Roger, Reece's ex-bestfriend, and Mac. I want to know what happens between Eric and Sarah, Kasey's two best friends. 

So many possibilities with these characters. 

One of my favourites reads this year. 
I flipping love this series. 

5*

R.L.Mathewson

R.L.Mathewson's Series Reading Order

Neighbor From Hell

• Playing For Keeps #1 ~ My Review
• Perfection #2 ~ My Review 
• Checkmate #3 ~ My Review
• Truce #4
• The Game Plan #5 ~ My Review
• Double Dare #6 ~ My Review
• Christmas From Hell #7
• Fire And Brimstone #8 ~ My Review
• Delectable #9 ~ My review

Pyte/Sentinel

• Tall, Dark and Lonely #1 ~ My Review 
• Without Regret #2 ~ My Review
• Tall, Dark and Heartless #3 ~ My Review 
• Tall, Silent and Lethal #4 ~ 
• Fated #5

Hollywood Hearts

• A Humble Heart #1
• A Reclusive Heart #2

EMS

• Sudden Response #1

Cursed Hearts

• Black Hearts #1

Author Links:

• Facebook
• Goodreads
• Amazon

Tall, Dark, and Heartless (Pyte / Sentinel #3) By R.L.Mathewson

Buy Link: Tall, Dark, and Heartless

He should have left her and never looked back….... 

That's not how things played out for Caine, a nearly one thousand year old Pyte, who should have known better. Instead of walking away years ago, he has been watching over the only human who has touched his heart. He stays to protect her, at least that is what he tells himself. When trouble finds her, he knows that he should just cut his losses and walk away, but there is no fighting the hold the child, who has become a woman, has on him. Now they are both paying the price. 

Danni knows that she isn’t technically a Sentinel and is putting her life in danger every time she goes out on patrol. She isn't worried, she has a job to do. It is the only thing that matters to her anymore and she isn’t going to let it go without a fight. Unfortunately for her, she didn’t foresee her ex-boyfriend selling her out to a Master, being captured, getting locked up and stuck in a room with the cranky Pyte. The same Pyte that broke her heart years ago and wont stop glaring at her as if their little predicament is all her fault.

I'm still not sure about this one... I don't know. Do you know when you really love a set of characters and then a new bunch of characters take you away from them??? That's what I felt like with Caine and Danni. 

I did love the story line though, I can't fault that. It did have a few errors mind you but nothing major, it didn't ruin the story at all. 

Danni is such a strong character. She's determined to fight with the Sentinel's, wanting to fight the evil of their world and it's admirable. I loved how feisty she was and how brave. God, the things she went through and she did it all with a secret, a life threatening secret. 

In my last review I mentioned about wanting to read about Joshua's story and Kales. We get to see them more in this book as well as the other vampire they captured, the one who has taken a liking to Madison's sister Jill. 

The stories just entwined and for some reason, I can see there being a reason these two characters were brought in. I'll be reading the rest in the series, I can't not read them, but I will be having a little break so I can review other novels. 

Caine, I didn't like much at the beginning. He falls asleep when they are threatening to torture Danni unless he does as they say. He didn't know what they were going to do when he said, pin her down, they could have raped her or anything but he just fell asleep. Not even in his deepest mind, where his feelings are kept private does he care about her. Then something happens, yes its major and I can see why he saw her in a different light, but the sudden 'he loves her' moment? Kind of annoying. She should have let him work harder. After all, he made her suffer. 

Towards the end Caine, I loved him. He was like a new character. 

There's also a part I'd like to address to other readers who have read this novel, and that is, did any of you get why Kale walked in Joshua's sell and asked him if he was in control of it???? I thought it meant something, especially when Joshua spoke for the first time and said yes. 
If anyone knows or has a theory, please contact me, comment, anything. I'd really like to know your thoughts. 

Next thing... Anyone else love how protective Kale is over Jessica and Izzy? I really like him. I can't wait to see if he gets a book. 

I also loved the pack that both Caine and Danni meet up with. Their alpha is funny, hot and incredibly alpha male lol I really liked him. 

4*

Without Regret (Pyte / Sentinel #2) By R.L.Mathewson

Buy Link: Without Regret

Chris Williams is used to making sacrifices. For years he's done his duty by his family and his calling as he awaited the one person that was meant for him. When she finally came into his life she was nothing like the woman he'd expected. Instead of being the warrior ready to help him protect his family and the humans under his care he got..... 

A computer geek named Isabella, who somehow managed to get her name on every Master's hit list. One minute she admits that she'd made a foolish mistake and the next she's kidnapped, held hostage by a crazy cult who steals her chocolate and she's sure is after her program, a program she has no plans on giving up anytime soon. As she tries to keep her wits about her the sexiest man she's ever seen claims her, only he doesn't seem to happy about it. It's clear that he doesn't want her, but the stubborn man just won't let her go even when it's clear that he may not have a choice.

So, most of you know from my last review that I freaking loved this book and Chris as a character. He was a hero in his own way, saving girls at school when their boyfriends beat them up and even went as far as befriending the new teacher. Yes, it worked out for him in the end, since they took him in and adopted him. First his dad, then Madison. 

The last book ended with Chris coding, basically killing my favourite actor, but this book picks up from years later, all the human characters grown up and living their own lives. 
So why did I have a problem with this??????? Well, mainly because the writer went into too much detail of what went on in between, what happened to Chris and his recovery and even went too far into their background story and how they all met etc. It got a tad boring for me since I just wanted to read the story in the NOW!!!I felt most of it was thoughts, thoughts that kept going off track. 

The other major let down for me was Chris. He was such a freaking asshole in this book, nothing like the character we come to know and love. It really annoyed me. I understood his reasons and his fears, and the writer did a very good job detailing them in a way that lets us understand. The only thing that set it apart was the fact he was a complete dickhead to Izzy. He was so nasty at times that it made my heart sink and I was genuinely angry that she stayed and let him keep using her.

Izzy, now I loved her character. She knew nothing about Sentinels or the dangers of their world. So when she's attacked by vampires, it's just an illusion, when she's kidnapped and attracted to one of the people keeping her... she's been drugged. When they tell her she's married to said kidnapper, that he's her mate... she thinks they're a cult. When they take her to a nest of werewolves for her to find her powers... It was a play, a set up, all acting.
But it's the nearly getting eaten by a werewolf that makes Izzy finally realise that the world she lives in isn't black and white. It also didn't help that she watched Ephraim save her life, getting his hand bitten off in the process. 

Anyway, she just doesn't know about their world, she also doesn't have the strength. Whenever she's been in trouble in the past, she's laid down and curled up in a ball, not able to do anything else since her body freezes. 
Instead of protecting her, or showing her how to protect herself, he calls her a coward, a weakling... amongst other vile things. 

Then, if things couldn't get any worse for the lovable Izzy, she's taken away, threatened to be taken to an excluded island where she'll live for the foreseeable future. Only, she doesn't like feeling trapped and tries everything to run away. 
I thought once they 'mated' they'd be okay, he'd fall in love and live happily ever after. Nope. He turned into a bigger asshole. One I freaking disliked with a passion. 

Although, he did some admirable things in the end to gain some respect back, he ruined it at the end with the whole, 'you'll have your legs spread when I get home, a dinner on the table and other than that, we're nothing, you're nothing' speech. (There's more to this but you'll have to read it. It's the reason why the above being said made me so freaking angry.) 

Anyway, the story concluded and more characters are added into the book. I then proceeded to buy book three, to find out it's not about these characters. I looked at book four and five, and still, none of the characters. I'm dying to read Kale's book, Joshua's book and the group leaders whose name I've forgotten (whoops) 

All in all, it was an engaging story and I loved seeing the new characters and how it all came together. 

4* 

Tall, Dark & Lonely (Pyte/ Sentinel #1) By R.L.Mathewson

Buy Link: Tall, Dark & Lonely

When the mother that abandoned them years ago suddenly shows up and moves them to New Hampshire, Madison has no choice but to go or lose her family. Shoving her dreams aside yet again, she tries to make a life for her siblings only to discover that nothing is going the way that it should. It's really cold. Her fifteen year old sister acts like a hooker in training. Men act funny around her. Her boss is a real jerk. She feels like an outsider. Her best friend turns out to be a mouthy sixteen year old kid and the incredibly handsome guy renting the room adjoining hers not only hogs the bathroom, taking three showers a day and leaving her with cold water, but he also has a secret. A secret that she becomes a bit obsessed with and can't let go no matter how many times she's warned off. 

Detective Ephraim Williams learned long ago not to show any emotion or allow himself to get attached to humans. What was the point? They came and went and he remained. This time wouldn't be any different or so he thought. When his landlady told him that her grandchildren were moving in he didn't expect much, well other than to be left alone. What he didn't expect was to have to fight bloodlust every time he so much as caught the scent of his delectable neighbor's blood or her bombarding him with questions every time she cornered him. If that's not bad enough, a Master from his past has found him once again and is demanding his blood and is willing to do anything to get it, even using the beautiful, irritating, neighbor that makes him feel more than pain for the first time in centuries to get it.

As you can tell I've been reading a lot of paranormal novels as of late. I've got a huge love for them. I can't seem to put them down. 
This is another book that has made me love them stronger. 

Maddison is a strong character. She comes from a broken home with an absent mother. Her mother, Candy, always run off with any man who wanted her, leaving Maddison to take care of her two younger siblings. Still, Maddison managed to put herself through school, learning to become a teacher and she succeeded. 
But when her mom comes back, refusing to sign custody of the kids over because she needs the welfare she'll get for them, Maddison is made to move to their Grandma's, a woman they've grown up not knowing. 
The only good thing to come out of it was that her Grandma was like Maddison, she wasn't like Candy who didn't care about anyone but herself. 
After her mom turns her little sister into something she's not, Maddison is thankful that she'll finally have help. Her grandma had made a deal with their mom, saying she would let them stay if Candy signed over custody to her. Maddison only followed because she didn't want to part with the kids, always having seen them as hers since she raised them both. 

Anyway, Grandma ends up setting up a job for Maddison at the local high school and giving her a room on the other side of the house so she could have some privacy. The only person Maddison had to be near really was her mysterious neighbour who she shared a bathroom with. 
He's also a detective. Ephraim has a secret, one he likes to keep a secret. But when Maddison starts fishing, asking questions and sees what he is, he can't fight his attraction for her. 

It was funny to see how the two would have a relationship. Maddison is a virgin, not wanting to be like her mother, always falling for the bad bloke. But when it comes to finally wanting to lose her virginity, she can't... as such. Because her boyfriend is a pyte, a vampire. Any sign of her blood will send him into a bloodlust and he'll crave her enough to drink her dry. 
What she does is just... LOL and OUCH come to mind ahaha 

I loved all the secondary characters. It's a fun light read that you can enjoy without it getting to deep, although, I only think this book touched the surface. 
I can't wait to read Chris' book as I fell in love with his character straight off. 

I also loved how they all reacted to Empraim to being what he is. Personally? I thought the grandma would have a heart attack, the little boy would be scared shitless and get nightmares and the Jill the other kid, would run away. I never expected what happened. 

I really enjoyed this book and have already one clicked the next which I've just found out is Chris' book. 

4.5*

Playing for keeps: A neighbor from hell By R.L.Mathewson

Buy Link: Playing for keeps

Done with being the world's biggest pushover, Haley decides that things are going to start changing. The first thing that she was going to do was to put a stop to all the crap that her aggravating neighbor put her through. What she hadn't expected was to be sucked into his world, but Haley has a game plan and she won't let herself forget what the bad boy next door is capable of. 

The last thing that Jason expected was for his shy little neighbor to go Rambo on him over some ruined flowers, but he quickly got over it once he realized exactly what he'd been missing. After he decides to take her under his wing, he can't help but notice how nicely she fits in his life. Now the only thing left to do was to convince her that this is anything but a game. 

I'm told this is the first in the A neighbor from hell series, so I read this one straight after reading the newest one. I can tell from the writing in this one that the author has improved. I didn't find this one as good as all the others and was actually confused because I'm sure Haley worked at the site that Jason's dad owns and Jason worked there because he files a sexual harassment complaint against Hayley, so his dad would fire her because she was working heavily pregnant. In this though, they are both teachers. So yes, kind of confused. 

The book starts out with them not getting on, but we don't see none of that as they become friends straight off. Well, after he ruins her flowers, gets chased and locked in because of a swarm of bee's, but you know what I mean. 

I don't think this one is the funniest, even with the food parts it didn't feel the same. I think if I had read this first it would have got a higher rating, but I didn't so.... 

3* 

The Game Plan: A neighbor from hell By R.L.Mathewson

Buy Link: The game plan

The Game Plan 

Spend the next 40 years in prison or break her lease early? 

Normally she’d be able to say that this one was a no-brainer, but things have definitely changed since she was forced to move in across the hall from Danny Bradford. 

A lot of things…… 

She wanted to get through one day, just ONE day without Danny Bradford doing something to test the limits to her control, but with that damn smile of his and his habit of leaving her contemplating manslaughter, she didn’t see that happening anytime soon. 

He loved his family, but some days……. 

It was too much, but that was okay, because his small neighbor living across the hallway provided him with endless hours of entertainment. Not on purpose of course, but did it really matter as long she made him smile? 

I have been following this series for some time now and have read a few of them a couple of times. This one though has to be my favourite. I have never and I mean never laughed so hard in my life. I cried tears I laughed that hard in some places. 

The main female character is funny as hell, she lives across from Danny Bradford and we all know what that means for food ;) 
She is constantly complaining to Trevor, her landlord about his cousin and the things she wants to do. But she stays once Trevor gives her a hefty discount on her rent. 

The two end up having to share a shower after Zoe's food turns to acid, oh this scene is so funny LOL and well, there friendship kind of goes from here. 
I can't remember the females name, so I am sorry LOL, but anyway, she has a thing for thinking that the men in her life treat her like a kid sister, but the only one she feels that doesn't is Danny, but then she's scared to take a chance in case he does start to see her like that. Honestly, it's funny as hell, because it's actually her that places the men in her life as the big brother type so to speak and it's only until Danny mentions it that she realizes it herself. 

Oh and one more thing before you read this novel, DO NOT LET HER TAKE MEDICINE LOL!!! 
For those who have read this will understand, for those who don't read it so you will because it's the most funniest thing you'll ever read lol 

4* 

Perfection (A neighbor from hell series Book Two) By R.L.Mathewson

Buy Link: Perfection

Zoe is used to taking care of herself and has long ago accepted that if anything bad was going to happen, it was going to happen to her. So when she loses her job over something most bosses would probably be happy with and her life starts going down hill from there she doesn't expect it to get any better. She certainly didn't expect any help from the loud jerk next door, but then again she has nothing to lose so puts her trust in him and hopes for the best. What she didn't expect was the once in a lifetime opportunity that he offers her through an arrangement where they both benefit and no one is supposed to get hurt, but she should have known better because her luck has never been that good. 

Like most Bradfords, Trevor has a soft spot for food, but that's about all. He leads a pretty straightforward life and likes to keep things simple and that includes his relationships. He wants the perfect woman and knows exactly what she'll be like. So when he discovers much to his horror that he's thinking about his frumpy little neighbor he decides the best way to get his head straight is by working her out of his system. He'll keep her around, but only until he finds perfection.

Okay, so Zoe has the worst luck EVER!! First she gets hired from her lousy job after finding one of the partners wives embezzling, then she finds her car window is broken when it's pouring out. To top that off her neighbor from hell has parked yet again in her parking space, so she's left to park across the road. Soaking wet and in a terrible depressing mood, she goes home, to have a hot shower, and order a takeout. 

Sound easy? 

Nope, not with our Zoe LOL!! 

She ends up ordering pizza, taking a shower only for her next door neighbor to flush the toilet, then take a shower at the same time, sending her water cold. If things couldn't get any worse after she finds she can't wash her clothes because the asshole neighbor stole her last bit of fabric softener, she only ends up to find he also stole her takeout. 

This is how the story begins. I honestly couldn't stop laughing, even though her situation had me feeling stressed. I felt soooo sorry for her, just not enough not to laugh. 

I did find the author repeated a lot of what she was saying and made the book dragged. 

Apart from this the book was really good and had me laughing a lot throughout. 

The men in this book are so beyond funny it's not even a joke. 

The ending is sweet, cute and funny. When Trevor is in the wrong he always finds something to be mad at Zoe for, which is really funny. 

Make sure you give this one a read, this is the second time of reading this and I still laughed like it was my first. 

4*