Book Review – Back in the Burbs by Avery Flynn and Tracy Wolff

Title: Back in the Burbs

Authors: Avery Flynn & Tracy Wolff

Publisher: Entangled: Amara

Publication date: March 30th, 2021

400 pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Ever have one of those days where life just plain sucks? Welcome to my last three months—ever since I caught my can’t-be-soon-enough ex-husband cheating with his paralegal. I’m thirty-five years old, and I’ve lost my NYC apartment, my job, my money, and frankly, my dignity.

But the final heartache in the suck sandwich of my life? My great-aunt Maggie died. The only family member who’s ever gotten me.
Even after death, though, she’s helping me get back up. She’s willed me the keys to a house in the burbs, of all places, and dared me to grab life by the family jewels. Well, I’ve got the vise grips already in hand (my ex should take note) and I’m ready to fight for my life again.

Too bad that bravado only lasts as long as it takes to drive into Huckleberry Hills. And see the house.
There are forty-seven separate HOA violations, and I feel them all in my bones. Honestly, I’m surprised no one’s “accidentally” torched the house yet. I want to, and I’ve only been standing in front of it for five minutes. But then my hot, grumpy neighbor tells me to mow the lawn first and I’m just…done. Done with men too sexy for their own good and done with anyone telling me what to do ever again.

First rule of surviving the burbs? There is nothing that YouTube and a glass of wine can’t conquer.

Review

I read Back in the Burbs right after reading Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle, and the premises are very similar. An elderly, estranged family member dies and the MC goes back to refurbish the house to escape their miserable life only to find a grouchy man who pushes their buttons but are crazy attractive. Cue hate to love romance. Now, I’m not saying one book is too similar to the other in terms of it being a negative reaction, it was just interesting how similar it was and how I read them so close to each other.

I really enjoyed Back in the Burbs, it was quick and easy to read while also incorporating some more serious topics. The MC is funny and self-deprecating, which is a combination I love. I appreciated reading about her career journey and standing up to her ex-husband – and eventually family.

The book was missing just a little something to push it to a 5 star read. I also would’ve loved for it to be a dual POV, I always love getting both perspectives in romance books.

Happy reading, folks!