Review: The Hustler Next Door by KA Tucker
Thank you Valentine PR and KA Tucker for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know The Simple Wild by KA Tucker is an all time favorite book of mine. I’ve read a few other books by her and I’m always drawn to the connections she creates between her characters. I really enjoyed The Player Next Door when I read it in 2020 so I was excited to finally get back to the Polson Falls universe!
Once I hit my stride with this book, I really liked it. It’s not as poetic and all consuming as The Simple Wild, but it’s fun and flirty and the banter is * chef’s kiss *. I also always really love how Tucker works in pining and genuine feelings with her spicy scenes. It all feels so natural and not forced.
I struggled with the first 25% or so with this book because I could tell Justine had walls up. The “enemies’ portion felt…kind of forced. But I suppose that was the thing Justine had to really overcome.
Synopsis:
“Justine MacDermott is in what she would call a transition period: squatting in her best friend’s house and working in an appliance store in Polson Falls while the man she was supposed to marry starts a new life with someone else.
She’s definitely not thinking about slashing his tires and wishing his vital extremities would fall off.
When newcomer Garrett Harrington strolls into Murphy’s Appliances looking to buy a refrigerator, Justine convinces herself she’s found her rebound. Or the next love of her life. Either works. But a chance encounter leads her to discover that Garrett isn’t who he made himself out to be, and he’s more interested in hustling her kindly old boss out of his family business—and using her to do it.
Furious at being fooled by yet another man and itching for retribution, Justine enlists the help of unlikely townsfolk to battle Harrington Group’s big-city development plans for Polson Falls.
It’s all going to plan … until Justine finds herself crossing enemy lines.
What I Liked:
The Characters—I loved Garrett so much. And Justine is so refreshing and unlike any other character I’ve read in a romance in a while. I feel like some people may say she has “Pick Me” vibes but I actually really liked her firecracker ways.
The Relationships—I love Scarlett and Justine’s friendship but also the other characters in the town! Ned, Todd, Shirley…they’re all fun and wonderful. We spent a lot of time outside of Polson Falls in this book, but the characters still give it the small town vibes.
The Banter—KA Tucker writes incredible banter. I loved how Garrett and Justine went back and forth with each other! So fun.
What Didn’t Work:
The Pacing / First 25% ish—I didn’t think I was going to like this book when I started reading it. It took a bit to get into it and I wasn’t sure if it was going to be Dean or Garrett as the love interest. But once I crossed that threshold I really really enjoyed it!
Character Authenticity: 4/5
Spice Rating: 2.5/5
Overall Rating: 3.9/5
Content Warnings:
Infidelity