Reviewed by Lesley
TITLE: Next Door Dads
SERIES: Men of White Pines Book 1
AUTHOR: Gareth Chris
PUBLISHER: Entwined Publishing
LENGTH: 288 Pages
RELEASE DATE: January 27, 2026
BLURB:
Two single dads. One unexpected love that shatters every certainty.
Upon learning his late uncle bequeathed him his White Pines, Vermont home, gay New York novelist Myles Parker decides to move there with son, Joshua. When they arrive, Myles learns the home has fallen into disrepair. Adding to his concerns, the neighbor next door is as unwelcoming as he is handsome.
Since construction worker Adam Tilson’s wife left him and their son, Flynt, a dozen years earlier, he’s shunned relationships that exceed an evening. He isn’t keen on making friends with the sophisticated city guy who moved next door. But when his son and his neighbor’s click, Adam’s resistance lowers, especially once Myles offers him a lucrative house renovation project.
Guilted by Flynt, Adam hosts his neighbors until the Parkers’ home can be habited. Although Adam believes the proximity will be an annoyance, he and Myles bond as single fathers and friends. When their boys begin to behave like the four are a family, Myles worries his growing feelings for Adam will be unrequited, and Adam grapples with his attraction to a man.
REVIEW:
Myles Parker has 3 distinct elements to his identity, a writer, a father to his deceased sister’s son , Joshua and a gay man. His whole life is about Joshua, who is struggling with life in New York City. So when Myles’s Uncle leaves him his house in White Pines it seems like the perfect chance for the pair of them to move away and start over. Unfortunately, the house whilst not being in the best state of repair, is also infested with mice, not something Joshua or Myles can live with.
Adam Tilson, is the former sheriff of White Pines and a womaniser. Since being forced out of law enforcement by the corrupt mayor he is now a builder and he lives next door to the Parkers with his son Flynt. After an initial misunderstanding he agrees to take on the task of getting his neighbours house up to standard. As he works with Myles and the boys on the house he discovers more about Myles and himself. Maybe he isn’t as straight as he thinks. Can he convince Myles and the rest of the town he is serious about him.
Gareth Chris is a new author to me and one that I fully intend to read more of. I really enjoyed this small town, bi awakening, single dad romance. This was a well written, emotionally astute book. The characters were well developed including the teenage boys and they felt like real people with natural responses. If you like people such as Lucy Lennox, Riley Hart etc you will enjoy this book. The only one minor criticism and the reason this book lost a ¼ of a star is that the crisis point with the town whilst Miles, Adam and the boys were away, was a bit out of nowhere for me. I can see how it has set the rest of the book and series up though.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
RATING: 
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