Next to You by Hannah Bonam-Young (Paperback)

A spontaneous birthday decision changes everything for a woman who feels stuck between who she is and who she wants to become. Lane is surrounded by friends settling into relationships and careers that feel out of reach for her own life. On impulse, she buys a huge abandoned school bus with the idea of turning it into a home, even though she has no renovation experience and no clear plan beyond needing a change.

To bring the project to life, she turns to her close friend Matt. He is a skilled mechanic and handyman with a steady presence that balances Lane’s chaotic energy. What starts as a practical arrangement soon shifts as they spend more time together working on the bus, sharing space, and confronting feelings neither of them expected. Their long-standing friendship begins to blur as attraction builds, despite both trying to keep things simple and avoid crossing a line they might not be able to step back from.

As the renovation progresses, both Lane and Matt are forced to confront personal fears about commitment, identity, and what it means to build a future. Lane struggles with emotional uncertainty and a sense of grief that shapes how she connects with others, while Matt carries his own need for stability and family.

Set against the backdrop of a unique renovation project, this story explores friendship, emotional growth, and the risk of opening your heart when it feels safer to stay guarded.

Perfect for readers who enjoy friends to lovers romance, forced proximity, emotional healing, found family energy, and slow-burn connection.