Laura’s Review: Perfection (Neighbor From Hell #2) by R.L. Mathewson

Basic Summary:  Zoe has had a horrible day, her boss’ wife attacks her, her boss fires her, her car window breaks on a cold rainy day, and her asshole of a neighbor parked in her spot.  It continues when she gets in a confrontation with that very neighbor, and it ends with him basically calling her fat.  Trevor Bradford, isn't so much an asshole as just incredibly selfish like most of the men in his family.  He gets by with his good looks and charm, but otherwise leads a bachelorhood existence waiting for the “perfect” woman.  Trevor knows one day he’ll land a woman that meets all his needs, including his monster size appetite.  Until then he plays the field with no strings attached.  All this comes to a halt though when he is confronted by his otherwise quiet neighbor.  Zoe was not his type; she’s chubby, plain and can’t cook at all.  He offers to help her out by finding her a new job, and hires her to clean up his apparent and keep refrigerator full for extra money.  This arrangement quickly turns into a physical arrangement which of course leads to the inevitable, love! Well, if Trevor doesn't mess it all up along the way. 

What I love about this book:  Like the first book in this series it’s freaking hilarious.  There is no huge drama, no jaded pasts haunting them, no huge heart break that most romance novels seem to have.  R.L. Mathewson manages to create lovable down to earth characters that any person reading this book can in some way relate to.  Trevor is hilarious, but at the same time sees himself as not good enough when measured up to his cousin Jason.  He is dyslexic and as a child skates by in school convincing other people to do his homework, but struggles with his disability none the less.  His father left him behind as a child, his mother died when he was older, but still has the support from his cousins, aunt, and uncle.  He has been able to make a decent life for himself despite his disability and has definite solid plans for his future which include his perfect wife.  Zoe a girl who grew up in foster care, with no family at all to lean on has put together her own life, even if it includes a lonely existence.  They both have had it tough, and along their journey find ways to be somewhat happy in life.  You feel bad for both of them, but unlike other books where this would completely handicap their personality development that would leak into their personal relationships, the author doesn't dwell on this part of their personalities.  It is not what makes the book; it’s just a background to the actual story line.  Which is what I find so refreshing because their past is somewhat in passing not the main dilemma in a way.  The Bradford men are known for their crazy appetite, and have been banned from almost every food delivery services as well as every all you can eat buffet, which causes some very funny scenes throughout the story line.  An entertaining scene in the book occurs when Zoe discovers a new buffet opening a couple towns away; the scene begins with every Bradford attending the opening and ends with them all being kicked out and banned for life.  This book keeps you laughing from beginning to end but sucks you in all at the same time. Jason and Haley from book one are supporting characters in this book, and adds to the hilarity that is Trevor and Zoe’s relationship throughout the story. 

        Zoe like Trevor is a lovable character, who has a skewed view of herself because of her weight.  She doesn't see the value that she can bring to a relationship, to her she is destined to meet a plain man and lead a plain life.  Zoe cannot wrap her head around the fact that someone as beautiful as Trevor could be attracted to someone like her.  That doesn't stop her from pouncing him whenever they are alone together though which leads to some very excellent sex scenes.  They seem to form a little family of sorts behind closed doors with their two cute little puppies leaving an open door policy between their two apartments.  They keep their relationship hidden from the public, and they think they are getting away with it but in reality not so much.  What I love about Zoe is that even though she has had such a crappy life, she is a somewhat positive and open person when it comes to the relationships she has with the people around her.  She reminds me very much of almost every woman who has insecurities about her body and how she views her physical self, compared to women around her.  I love that her mouth is what gets her in trouble because she always feels the need to voice her opinion, and although that has made her life exponentially harder throughout the years she refuses to keep it shut.  I love strong female lead characters and even though Zoe might not think that of herself she truly is a strong woman. 

Cons:  Although Zoe is a strong woman, she does become kind of whiny to me after a while.  I get why Zoe is the way she is, but at a certain point it becomes a little annoying.  Obviously for her relationship with Trevor to survive she has to accept the fact that he loves her, but it would've been nice if she did it a couple chapters sooner.  I get why Trevor keeps his relationship with a secret, and at the end he can’t wait to scream to the world how in love with her he is, but I would've like to have seen that part of their relationship elaborated more.  Maybe if there was just one more chapter added onto the book where they are in an actual real dating relationship in public I would've loved the book even more.  To me, when they get to this point of the story, the book is kind of just rushed through, and then it just ends.  The epilogue is great and it’s really funny, but I would've just wanted to see more Zoe and Trevor dealing their circumstances a little bit longer.  I can’t really want those circumstances are because it would spoil the ending for you. 

Overall:  This series is great, this is my second time around reading them because I read them a long time ago and I wanted to write a review about them but I didn't remember all the details.  R.L. Mathewson truly understands what a romantic comedy is, and it is delivered so beautifully through this series.  The sex scenes are just a wonderful as the food scenes are and everything in between.  I love this book and I love this author!!!!!