When I got the invite to read Next Door Nemesis and interview Alexa Martin, I couldn’t reply fast enough. I’ve been a fan of Alexa’s since her debut and the new book sounded like everything I could ever want.
Before we get to Alexa’s answers, let’s check out the book.
Title: Next Door Nemesis
Author: Alexa Martin
Pages: 367
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: November 14, 2023
Find it: PRH | Bookshop | GoodreadsSynopsis: After years of hustling, Collins Carter has finally made it…back to her parents’ house. Between tending to the compost with her newly retired dad and running into her high school nemesis at the only decent coffee shop in town, Collins realizes this subdivision from hell she swore she’d never return to is her rock bottom.
Then the homeowner’s association complaint arrived.
Nathaniel Adams always dreamed of a nice, quiet life in his suburban hometown. Or at least that’s what he thought until Collins moved back and sent his quaint, organized life into a tailspin. He thought Collins was infuriating ten years ago, but when she announces she’s running against him for HOA president, all bets are off.
From secret board meetings to vicious smear campaigns whispered over backyard fences, Collins and Nate sink to levels their sleepy suburb has never seen before. But as hate turns into lust, these two enemies are forced to reckon with the feelings they’ve ignored for years. If only there were bylaws for real life.
Sounds good, right?
1) Please give the elevator pitch for Next Door Nemesis.
Next-Door Nemesis is an enemies to lovers romance where Collins has been forced to move back to her parents’ house in her small hometown. When she runs into her former best friend turned nemesis and finds out he’s running for HOA president, she runs against him out of pure spite. But as the two are forced to spend more time together, deep-seated feelings arise, and they begin to realize the line between love and hate is thinner than they thought.
2. Which came first: the characters or the plot?
The plot! I’ve wanted to write a book around an HOA for years and I was shocked when my editor let me. The idea was a sitcom style romcom with a surplus of kissing. I knew I needed the characters to be complete opposites because I wanted to have fun with banter and playfulness and Collins and Nate came from that.
3. Why do you love Collins and Nate and why should readers root for them?
I think Collins and Nate are the most fun couple I’ve ever written. It’s so easy to get lost in the games they are playing with one another and even when they’re fighting, they are still so likable. They are both so real and their chemistry is immediate—even though they would never admit that! Plus, they have so much history and you just want to see them overcome everything.
4. Were there any weird things you googled while drafting?
I learned a lot about HOA’s, but my favorite google search was about the origin of the nickname of C-Bus for Columbus. I will never forget reading that C-bus is the “J-Lo of Ohio.” I also googled midwestern salads and I’d be happy to never think about that again. Jello and mayonnaise do not go together, and that’s a hill I will happily die on.
5. Without spoilers, which scene was your favorite to write?
I had two scenes that I had an absolute blast writing. The first is a confrontation between Collins and Nate that takes place with a giant, inflatable Ben Franklin. I laughed while writing the entire scene, it’s exactly what I pictured while planning this book. The other is the first spicy scene of the book. I was able to lean into everything I love about the enemies to lovers trope and write an explosive scene. I don’t usually enjoy writing the spicy scenes as much, so this time I was surprised how excited I was to write it.
Speed {ish} round:
1) You find out that you’re being published for the first time. Describe the next 5 minutes.
When I found out I was being published, I was in the back seat of an Uber on the way to the Ripped Bodice for the first time! I’m pretty sure I cried and my poor driver didn’t know what to do with me. I tried to call my husband, but he was in a meeting, so I screamed about it with my best friend.
2. What three things would you take to a desert island?
Well, I’ve watched too many episodes of Naked and Afraid to not say a water filter, a fire starter, and probably a pot. All of these things are boring and miserable and exactly why I avoid islands. For more fun, I’d bring a romance novel, vodka, and a mattress. But again, I would NOT thrive in any outdoor survival scenario.
3. You can only read one book for the rest of your life. What is it?
This isn’t fair!!!! One book? Every year I do a Kristen Ashley re-read, so probably one of hers. It would either be The Gamble or Mystery Man, but I would probably have to pick with my eyes closed.
4. What is the one thing about publishing you wish someone would have told you?
So many things, but the main thing would be that it isn’t linear. Also, it’s almost impossible not to play the comparison game, but try not to fall for it. As long as you focus on craft and enjoying what you’re doing, you’re winning.
5. You wake up and discover you are Bella in Twilight. You know how it plays out. What do you do differently?
I stay in Arizona and say no thank you to the overbearing vampire.
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Alexa Martin is the award winning author of Better than Fiction, Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes, and the Playbook Series. Her first book Intercepted was optioned for tv/film with Starz and G-Unit Production. She lives in Dallas with her husband, four children, and German Shepherd. The Playbook Series was inspired by the eight years she spent as a NFL wife and her deep love of all things pop culture, sparkles, leggings, and wine. website | instagram
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Huge thanks to Berkley for the invite and to Alexa for taking the time! Next Door Nemesis releases tomorrow and buy links are above!
Have you read Alexa’s books? Which is your favorite?
So I loved one book by t his author, but had another I didn’t enjoy and DNFed. However this one sounds really good so I still want to read it! Thanks for sharing!
This one is definitely my favorite of hers. I hope you love it if you try it. thanks for reading and commenting!