About the Book

Book: The Neighbor Renovation

Author: Grace Worthington

Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy

Release date: March 30, 2023

My perfect summer just got ruined by a brunette in a tool belt.

This was my summer to get away from it all. Live like a hermit. Fix up my family’s vacation home.

Until Ella arrived.

My infuriating neighbor has returned for beach season.

Ever since our families bought summer homes next to each other, that was the beginning of our neighbor war.

Now I have to see her every. single. day.

When I let it slip that I’m making a few home improvements, she jumps at the chance to help. She’s an interior designer who needs work. I’m a man who loathes shopping. Any mention of the words color palette makes me want to break out in hives.

We’re the dynamic duo for this fixer upper.

There’s only one problem: the more time we spend together, the more attracted I am to her. Now our on-the-job flirting is veering into dangerous territory.

Because if there’s one thing I know, Ella and I are not meant to be together.

I’m emotionally unavailable. She’s sworn off relationships. And our families hate each other.

I know my future is at stake. But I can’t seem to tear myself away from this project…or her.

So I tell myself:

I most definitely will not fall for my neighbor.

But you know what they say about promises you can’t keep? Don’t make them.

Like most home projects, I’m learning that nothing ever goes according to plan.

Especially when it comes to love

Click here to get your copy!

  *I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and are not an endorsement of agreement with authors and their opinions presented.

About the Author

Grace Worthington is the author of sweet romance and sweet romcom novels. She loves quaint small towns and the beach is her happy place, which is why you’ll find both in her books. She’s obsessed with chocolate, romcom movies from the 80’s & 90’s, and goldendoodles. Get a free book sweet romcom at graceworthington.com

Author Interview

1. What/Who inspired you to write on the main themes found in the book?

One of my guilty pleasures is watching home renovation shows. I love seeing the transformation from a drab or dated house to something extraordinarily beautiful. It makes me believe I could do the same over the weekend.

Of course, after tackling several small projects with my husband, we quickly realized that we’re no Chip and Joanna Gaines. Nearly every home project we attempt has something unexpected happen that makes the project harder.

When you’re working with your spouse, it’s tricky, because it can get stressful fast. But it can also be fun. And there’s nothing better than when a project is finished!

When I created the book, I decided to ask the question: What if two people who were enemies worked on renovating a home together? Would they survive the renovation? Could it even make them fall in love?

It’s a great fit for a romcom, providing lots of hilarity, forced proximity, and a very happy ending. Even better than your favorite home renovation show.

2. Which character in your book do you relate to the most?

I really love Ella, the main female character, because her flaws represent things we all struggle with. She feels like she doesn’t fit in for several reasons, including a family situation that she has no control over. But over the years her shame has grown over her family, and she’s finally facing it head on.

She also has this very independent spirit. She’s a sunny optimist with a quirky fashion sense, and yet, she’s not afraid to lean into who she’s made to be.

She knows she’s made to be an interior designer, and even when her aunt puts doubts in her head, she doesn’t let it stop her.

In the end, she learns that she doesn’t need to listen to the world’s opinions about her. Because she is loved as she is.

3. Did you have to step out of your comfort zone to write this book? If so, how?

I’ve written several small town romance books, but this was my first romcom. I used to write sketch comedy, so it was like going back to my roots.

It was a riot coming up with the slapstick parts, like when she falls on her face in front of this gorgeous guy at the airport. Or when Grant tries to fix a plumbing issue and tells her how good he is at plumbing, right before causing a huge leak in the bathroom.

When we flesh out real characters with real flaws, it can be funny because we’re leaning into what makes us all human–our unique quirks and flaws.

4. Do you have a favorite drink or snack for when you’re writing?

I love drinking coffee. I write mostly in the morning and I need a little pick me up to push through the creative process. As far as snacks, chocolate is my favorite! And if you read the Wild Harbor Series,you’ll see that the coffee shop and chocolate shop play special parts in the story.

5. What message do you hope readers take away from your book?

Romcoms are often very lighthearted, but under the humor, there’s an important message about learning to love yourself–flaws and all. It’s so easy to get caught up in the social media comparison trap and try to find our value and worth from the world. But as Ella learns in the book, she needs to let go of the world’s opinions and accept herself as she is.

Sometimes, we all struggle with that. Learning to love ourselves can be hard, especially if we’ve spent years repeating certain limiting beliefs about ourselves. But like Ella, we can learn to love the way God has made us unique and different.

More from Grace

I love home renovation shows, because they make it look so easy to magically turn your home into something amazing in only a half-hour. (If only that worked in real life.)

But what if two people who were enemies worked on renovating a home together? Would they survive the renovation? Could it even bring them together?

I love all the tropes, but enemies to lovers is one of the most satisfying for me, especially in romantic comedy. The huge payoff is seeing two very opposite people come together quite magically. In the end, I’m always rooting for the couple who overcomes the odds.

It’s also been my experience that no matter how much you prepare for a home project, it never goes according to plan. This sets the stage for lots of hilarious scenarios as things go wrong and the couple learns to navigate these unexpected detours together.

But in The Neighbor Renovation, it’s not just about the physical home. There is a deeper metaphor of what happens in their lives as they learn to overcome past wounds and take a chance on love. Just like the home renovation shows, the renovation that happens in their hearts is almost miraculous.

So if you like HGTV, sweet romantic comedies, grumpy sunshine couples, and second chance love stories, then you’re going to enjoy The Neighbor Renovation: A sweet romantic comedy.

–Grace Worthington