Matilda Next Door: a friends to lovers romance

Matilda Next Door is the first book in the Outback Brides Return to Wirralong series by Kelly Hunter. Matilda “Tilly” Moore is an Aussie farm girl who kicks off her dream trip to London. She is flat-sitting for Henry Church, her childhood friend. She has long anticipated the trip but her enthusiasm is dashed as London is daunting, crowded, noisy and she finds a baby girl on the doorstep. A note attached: “Henry, if you’re reading this, please know the worst has happened.” Henry returns to Wirralong to visit his grandparents, a visit that has been strained, and when he gets a call from Tilly, his whole world becomes topsy turvy. Tilly brings the baby to Henry in Wirralong, she finds herself falling for her childhood friend and his infant daughter. But it’s out of the question. Isn’t it? 

Matilda Next Door is a friends to lovers romance as childhood friends find themselves seeing each other in a new light. However, it wasn’t quite the romance I was expecting. First, Tilly was a hard woman to like. I was not a fan at all. She’s a 26 year old woman and yet doesn’t quite act like one. Henry was an interesting character as his relationship with his grandparents was estranged. Tilly and Henry together seemed a no-brainer except to Tilly and Henry. It was a bit odd that Tilly thought that she wasn’t good enough for Henry and Henry never truly contradicted her. Their romance was expected but still odd. Overall, it was a sweet story but I wasn’t thrilled. If you enjoy sweet romances in the Australian Outback, I recommend Matilda Next Door. 

Matilda Next Door is available in paperback and eBook