Over the Fence

By: Melanie Moreland

Narrated by: John Lane, Tatiana Sokolov

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

Two neighbors - strangers - with one thing in common: they share a fence. But is that the only thing they share? Nathan Fraser lives a solitary life, never letting anyone get too close. It's safer that way. Kourtney Whyte hides from the world and behind her work, too afraid to really live her life to the fullest. Rejection is what she knows best. But one night, the sound of her soft voice and the tantalizing aroma of her evening meal prove too enticing for Nathan to ignore. So begins their unconventional relationship - talking, learning, texting, and gradually opening up to one another, all over the fence. That is, until the day Nathan braves the high fence to protect Kourtney from her past, and changes everything forever. Can they move forward together, without the buffer of the fence? Or will their pasts prove to be too much of a barrier? Contains mature themes.

©2015 Melanie Moreland (P)2017 Tantor

Mixed review

When I think about this audiobook, I will forever think of it fondly and will most likely listen to it again at some point.

Melanie Moreland took such a simple idea of neighbors meeting over the fence and added so many interesting layers that I just loved it. There was drama, hot romance, humor, action, sweet love... so much good.

The part that I had took issue with was the main female character. I can understand not having self confidence and, after having it beat into your head your whole life, having a hard time believing differently when you meet someone who sees you as you truly are. However, a good 1/4 of the book was repetitive in nature with this theme. I think it could have been dealt with once and then we could have moved on. To have it be such a prominent theme of the book when there was so many other amazing things going on, it felt redundant and disingenuous.

That being said, it's totally worth a listen. I sped it up to 1.25 through the middle when it was lagging but after 3/4 of the way through, I was completely hooked again and couldn't wait to finish. I especially appreciated the epilogue with the texts seeing as that was their beginning. It was so sweet and funny.

John Lane and Tatiana Sokolov both were fantastic. My only issue is with John Lane and his penchant to pronounce the -ES at the end of a word like -IES. For example; messages was messagies. And it was like that for every -ES word and it absolutely drove me batty. Take that away and I really enjoyed both of their performances.

I'm nuts for GNat and his ChefGirl!

When I saw the cover of this book, I sort of thought it was going to be a cute RomCom. And although there is definitely plenty of humor, I was pleasantly surprised to find so much depth and emotion in this story.

Nathan and Kourtney are neighbors who get to know each other from across a tall fence. Without seeing each other or meeting in person until Nathan has to jump to Kourtney's defense.

"I could hear the emotion behind her words. Why was she so overwhelmed by a simple gesture of kindness? She handed them out to me daily without even thinking."

Kourtney seems painfully shy, but underneath her shyness is so much hurt and pain. As I read and got to know her story, I realized how amazingly strong and resilient she really is. And when Nathan needs to lean on her, Kourtney's true strength comes to the surface.

"I’m amazed how giving and loving you are; how selfless you are to those you don’t even know. It’s so instinctive with you. You’re exactly what I need.”

I loved Nathan's quiet protectiveness and caring. He didn't need to be aggressive to prove his alpha male-ness. He supported Kourtney and guided her, to help her see her own worth.

*"Nuts. You are still nuts."

**"About you—yes, I still am. Always will be. I love you, Chefgirl."

*"I’m so lucky."

I borrowed this book with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and then added the audiobook upgrade, so I was able to switch back and forth between reading on my ereader and listening to the audiobook. I loved this awesome book and completely enjoyed the great narration!

Love the characters....

Loved the story line. Melanie is new to my reading experience and I love her. John and Tatiana was great. looking forward to more books by Melanie.

loved this one.

sensitively addresses common human issues feelngs and how the support of the friends plus love gets us humans through the hard parts of life.

new approach

What a refreshing approach to the genre. We don't get physical descriptions until 3 hours in...just a wonderful build up based on daily interaction over the fence.

I loved this book so much!

I loved this book so much! I have not laughed outloud so much at a book in a long time. If you love romantic comedies, then you will love this book.

One of the best ever!!!!

One of the best books ever and I listen to a lot!!!! Great narrators, great characters, great story!!!!!

Good but....

Narrator was excellent. Like so many of the books I read, too much time spent on one scene. Too wordy. But this was a good book and a good story.

Mediocre Love Story

What would have made Over the Fence better?

This book had a slow plot and whiny, overwrought characters. There was so much repetition that the audiobook become droning.

Which scene was your favorite?

The first third of this book was great and I was engaged in the story. Once the characters meet, it goes downhill. Nathan becomes obsessive and stalker-ish from that moment forward.

Any additional comments?

I can't understand how this book has such a high rating on most review sites. It's slow-moving with cheesy dialogue. This book is drivel.

It is all about Nathan, Spoiler Review Alert

Spoiler and Trigger Warnig Review:

I love Melanie's writing of men, Nathan is not just another version of Richard in The Contract, the fact that John Lane narrates both is just a Bonus. My problem is Kourtney with a K. Is she really fat? Or is she just not bone thin like the emaciated scarecrow that is Katherine with a K of The Contract. I think Kourtney being smart and nerdy is cool, I think her David Bowie eyes giving her a complex is a fabulous story line, I think Kourtney being shy because of her mother's death and her father and brother's abuse is also a great storyline, I think Kourtney being the Birthday cake fairy is sweet, but TRIGGER WARNING making her fat like a White Elephant but she runs every morning and can out run a 6'3" guy, because she is that in shape enough to run miles, but still fat is a step to far. Fat people don't run, because they can't because they are fat. How do I know, because I am fat, and I can't run anymore because of that fact. When I was skinny or sub 140, yes, I ran and I ran a lot, I have been thin for 30 years of my life and fat for 25 so I know of what I speak. You can't run and stay fat the laws of nature do not allow it. She never says how much 5'2" Kourtney weighs. 130 on the frame would not be curvy, 140 on that frame is curvy but is not fat, 150 is close to fat but not there yet and 160 to 200 is just fat on a 5'2" frame. But I digress. I did say Trigger Warning.

I love the over the fence part, the whole conversation and that the way to a Nathan's heart was in fact through his stomach, he loved her voice and her food, it was beautiful how they built their relationship. Kourtney did not take his bs at all and called him on it. My only flaw with this book is Nathan's record, I honestly thought he was a drug dealer, or armed robber. In a normal world he would never have been charged for what he did. He was not drunk and he the real problem was the weather, but I only know that because I am a former prosecutor. Regular people would not know and I guess she had to give otherwise perfect Nathan a flaw.

The romance was great, the sex was great and I love this one as much as the Contract. Totally recommend this one, a 9 out of 10.

Over the fence

This was a wonderful love story!
I loved every minute of it.
The readers were exceptional John Lane and Tatiana Sokolov. If you are looking for an emotional story with a happy ending this is the one.

Disappointed

Didn’t really go anywhere. Disappointing slow and monotone. Several chapters just sex. Okay if that gets you going 😳