First Dates & Soulmates
First Dates & Soulmates
52 | A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood: Neighbours to Lovers Trope Deep Dive
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52 | A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood: Neighbours to Lovers Trope Deep Dive

Peeping Toms & HOA Drama

Don’t forget, Meg’s new book All Twerk No Play drops May 15th! So get thee to the ‘Zon and download/buy your copy ASAP. Support indie writers! https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z

Now onto the show…

This week on First Dates & Soulmates, we're cracking open the windows, cranking up the tension, and diving into one of the most underrated romance environments: neighbours to lovers.

Meg and Nikki break down why this setting-based trope hits so hard, especially when your neighbor just might be your next emotional disaster or love story.

Listen in for:

  • Voyeurism vs. Peeping Toms (yes, there’s a difference)

  • What happens when your reset space becomes the drama space

  • HOA battles, casseroles, and surprise goats

  • Why grumpy-sunshine works extra hard when you share a wall

  • Plus: Nikki checks for Mr. Rogers fanfic and we are all horrified (then not)

Our Big List of Neighbours to Lovers Romance:

  • Everything for You, Chloe Liese — Ted Lasso, and also next door neighbors

  • Get a Life, Chloe Brown!

  • Fall, Kristen Callihan — rockstar next door

  • Home Ice, Olivia Lynd

  • Next Door Nemesis, Alexa Martin

  • Reckless, Elsie Silver (this is the doctor that treated Cade’s hand in heartless)

  • Don’t Hex & Drive, Juliette Cross

  • Pint of Contention, Susanna Nix

  • Life’s Too Short, Abby Jimenez

  • Queen Move, Kennedy Ryan

  • Beach Read, Emily Henry

  • Whiskey Chaser, Lucy Score

  • The Worst Guy, Kate Canterbury

  • In a Jam, Kate Canterbury

  • Protecting What’s His, Tessa Bailey

  • Nashville Neighborhoods series, Nikki Sloane

  • Love at First, Kate Clayborne (Romeo & Juliet retelling where they live in the same apt bldg)

  • Ruthless Creatures, JT Geisslinger (he’s a mafia hitman hired to kill her, moved in next door and couldn’t go through with it)

  • Sweet Spot, Stella Rhys — book #2, before Hothead

  • Only Santas in the Building, Alexis Daria

  • Clean Sweep, Ilona Andrews??

  • Neighbor from Hell series, R. L. Mathewson

  • Handy, K.M. Neuhold

  • Nailed KM Neuhold

  • Wallbanger, Alice Clayton

  • Cheap Heat, Lily Mayne

  • Crossroads by Riley Hart

  • Watching Him by Jennifer Cody

  • Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts by Charlie Cochet

  • The Jerk Next Door by Mia Monroe

  • Dad Next Door by Willow Dixon

  • How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life by Jocelynn Drake

  • Beautifully Unexpected by Lily Morton (Magnus & Laurie)

  • The Neighborly Thing by Allison Temple (accidental sex toy delivery)

  • Keeping It Casual by Jax Calder (everyone wants to set up the new single dad with the other gay dude)

  • The Geek Who Saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert (grumpy silver fox neighbour + happy young Xmas fan)

  • You Can Count On Me by Fae Quinn (single dad + man with playboy rep)

Other Media We Mention:

  • Starfire by AJ Sherwood

  • Betrothed to the Emperor by Kai Butler

  • Iron & Works series by EM Lindsey


Pre-Order Meg’s next book, All Twerk No Play: https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z releasing May 15, 2025!

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