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Misunderstood

Sebastian Bradford’s life isn’t going the way that he planned, but he has no one to blame but himself, which is why he was going to do everything within his power to make sure that his parents never found out just how badly he wished things were different in this YA contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author R.L. Mathewson.

Mikey Campbell loves her family, baseball, and teasing a smile out of her best friend. She’d never met anyone like Sebastian before. He was smart, funny, incredibly kind, and way too damn serious for someone their age and she had no idea why, but she was determined to find out.

He just needed one chance to make things right, but it seemed that no matter what he did, Sebastian couldn’t seem to stop screwing up. He’d never expected things to end like this, but then again, he’d never expected a lot of things and that was the problem. He just needed to figure out how to fix this before it was too late. There’s only one problem with that…

He’s about to learn a life lesson that he will never forget. 

Welcome to the next generation of Bradfords.

Reviews for Misunderstood

Loved Mikey and Sebastian’s book! It had all the humor, sarcasm and deviousness of the NFH series but in a PG setting. I was able to read this on a long train ride without having someone look over my shoulder.
And Sebastian’s story is full of love, heartbreak and friendship. Truly a great book and a must read

–ZeeZee

We have all been waiting for Sebastian and Mikey’s story. It’s been building since the book Delectable dropped Reese and Kasey’s love story into our lives.
This was by far the best YA book I have read in a long time. There was laughter, sarcasm, pranks, friendship, and even some heartbreak.
R.L. did a wonderful job with Sebastian’s character. I suspected that he was more of a softy and took the blame for more things than he needed too, and she confirmed it. You see him mature. You see him fall in love. You see a perfect personality combo of Trevor and Zoe in Sebastian.
I love how clueless Mikey is about her love for Sebastian. It is still innocent and pure. I also love that girls fire. Her response to his stupid boy things is hilarious. She is wiser than her years and R.L. did an amazing job with her character.
While I’m not happy with having to wait for number two in the series (I lack patience, sorry) I know it will be worth the wait for the whole series. I highly recommend the Neighbor From Hell series and really all of her books.

–Kellee

I swear you live to torment us your fans. To leave it on a cliffhanger like that and it says I won’t get another book until next year! What am I going to do with my life without this the next book? We all know your sexy self is writing your little heart out but it is definitely not fast enough for me and I know it will make you happy to know you have tormented me with that ending! But I can be patient ( as I have no choice ) I just beg that you hurry before I wither away with longing! Lol definitely a five star book great for children and adults alike I laughed and cried and can’t wait for the next one! You are amazing as always!

–Karmen

The Perfect Beginning to Mikey and Sebastian’s Story. This is the first YA novel in their series that’s perfect for teens.
I loved how this story really seems to light teenage mentality and problems.
For those of you that are familiar with the Bradford’s and R.L’s Neighbor From Hell series then you know exactly who Sebastian and Mikey are. For those of you who are not, this series will follow two amazing characters. How they meet, become best friend, and eventually their HEA.

This book also gives you a glimpse of past characters and their children. Overall it’s a phenomenal read.

–SaraMarie Campos

I have no words! I am currently on my third (or fourth) reread of this book and it still hits me as hard as it did the first time! This book has been a long time coming since the first Neighbor from Hell book and when I say it delivered? IT DELIVERED! I felt all the pain, heart ache, love, and care that the main characters (and the supporting characters) had for each other and I can’t wait for the next book! RL Mathewson has done it again!

–DDO

Again, R.L. Matheson drew me in and now, I’m totally addicted! We first met the adult Bradfords. Now the next generation is on board for laugh out loud exploits and touching (but hidden) love for all of their family members. Sebastian, Mikey, Jonathan, Cole, and others are growing up, having to face up to their previous behaviors, and learning that things are never black and white. The interaction between generations is crafted carefully. I can’t wait for the rest of the stories!!

–Kindle Customer

I really enjoyed this book. I do not normally read YA books but since this one was written by R.L. Mathewson I wanted to give it a try. I adore the Neighbors from Hell series and this book was written exactly like those. The storyline is wonderful. It’s a great way for the readers to get to know the Bradford kids from youth to adulthood. I can’t wait to see what happens next with the Bradford kids!

–Summer

I have been a fan of this authors work for a while now, so when she announced she would be doing a YA book I jumped on it. This is everything I could have asked for in a book I feel comfortable letting my children read. I can’t wait for the next installment to find out what’s going to happen between Mickey and Sebastian and all the other kids. This will go on my reread list!

–Kindle Customer

I have to say I didn’t know sometimes whether I should laugh hysterically or give into the moments that pulled at my heart. I started reading this series several years ago and have reread many of your books. I also, have read your newsletters/chronicles. I feel the depth of theses characters are amazing! They reach out and make you want to cheer for their success. I definitely can’t wait for the next installment.

–Michelle E. Delfs

I absolutely love the Neighbors from hell series and this is a spin off with the kids. I LOVED it. I read it in 9 hours, with being forced to take breaks for life. And I just can’t wait for Sebastian to continue his story. So many emotions will be pulled from you in this book, including some tears, so be prepared.

–Kindle Customer

Print Excerpt

The good news was that she probably didn’t have to worry about writing that book report anymore, Mikey thought as she took in the large man glaring down at her.

“Start talking,” Uncle Trevor said, not really looking all that happy to find her curled up in his son’s bed, which was understandable since she wasn’t exactly supposed to be here.

“I missed you?” she said with a hopeful smile only to add, “so much,” when he narrowed his eyes on her.

“What did we talk about, Mikey?” Uncle Trevor asked, sighing heavily as he folded his insanely large arms over his chest while he waited for an answer.

“That making Jonathan cry for my own amusement is wrong?” she said, ignoring the gasp of outrage from the other side of the room.

“For the last time, little girl,” Jonathan snapped as he shoved his blankets aside and got to his feet, “I had something in my eye!”

“No, he didn’t,” she mouthed, shaking her head as Uncle Trevor tried to bite back a smile only to end up clearing his throat and turning his head with a small cough to cover the chuckle that escaped.

“You know what? We’re over!” Jonathan bit out as he grabbed a change of clothes from his bureau and stormed off toward the door only to add, “Over!” once again as he slammed the door shut behind him.

At Uncle Trevor’s questioning look, Mikey said, “He’ll be back,” with a firm nod that had him opening his mouth to say something only to close it when Jonathan walked back into the room, looking calmer than he had a few seconds ago. With a helpless shrug, Jonathan said, “I forgive you.”

“For getting you stuck at the top of the Ferris wheel or for making you cry because I was bored?” Mikey asked, mostly because she liked clarification. She didn’t bother asking him if he forgave her for making that video since she doubted that he would ever forgive her for doing that.

Then again, since he didn’t know that she’d made a video…

It was probably for the best if she didn’t mention it at the moment.

His eyes narrowed on her as he said, “There was something in my eye,” before he took a shuddering breath and waved it off as though it was of little consequence. “For the sake of our relationship–”

“Ah, we don’t have one,” she pointed out only to have him continue as though she hadn’t said anything.

“–I’m willing to forgive you.”

And with that, Jonathan turned around and walked away, leaving her sitting there, shaking her head in disbelief as she turned her attention back to Uncle Trevor to find him rubbing his hands roughly down his face as he said, “I really just can’t with that kid.”

“Understandable,” Mikey murmured, nodding solemnly as she glanced down to find Sebastian on his back with one arm thrown over his face, fast asleep on the bed next to her.

God, he looked exhausted, Mikey thought even as she couldn’t help but smile. He’d stayed up all night, helping her get through her book and when she’d been too tired to make out the words, he’d taken over, reading to her while she’d curled up next to him with her eyes closed as she’d lost herself to the soft timbre of his voice as he’d made the story come alive.

At some point, she’d fallen asleep only to wake up to find Sebastian’s arms wrapped around her, holding her close. When she’d tried to roll over onto her side, he’d growled as his arms tightened around her and pulled her closer until she gave up trying to roll over onto her side and snuggled in closer only to fall asleep within minutes. He really was a demanding bed hog, Mikey thought, biting back a sigh when she once again turned her attention back to Uncle Trevor to find him watching her, looking as though he was debating his next words.

Finally, he said, “Mikey, I really don’t think this is a good idea.”

“What’s not a good idea?” she absently asked as she shoved the blankets off and swung her legs over the side of the bed while she reached over and grabbed her book that wasn’t as bad as she first thought, off Sebastian’s nightstand.

“Sleeping in the same bed with Sebastian,” he said with a pointed look at them.

“Would it help if I told you that I hadn’t planned on sleeping over, but that boy,” and this is where she paused so that she could point a damning finger at Sebastian, “wouldn’t let me borrow a dictionary without an interrogation?”

Frowning, Uncle Trevor asked, “Wait. Why don’t you have a dictionary?”

“Because my religion forbids it,” she said with a firm nod that had him narrowing his eyes on her.

“But your religion is okay with you sleeping in the same bed with a teenage boy?” he countered.

“It does when I have a book report due on Monday,” Mikey said, holding up the thick book as proof.

“And you couldn’t have asked your parents for help?” Uncle Trevor asked as she slipped her feet back into her sneakers.

“Not if I wanted a passing grade,” Mikey admitted with a sad shake of her head that had his lips twitching.

“I see,” he murmured, looking thoughtful before asking, “And how exactly did you get in here?”

“I feel that it would be in my best interest not to answer that question,” she said, tossing the book on the bed so that she could reach down and grab the sweatshirt that really was quite comfortable off the floor and pulled it on.

“And I’m assuming that you’re not going to tell me how you got out of your house without your parents knowing either?” Uncle Trevor asked, clearly understanding her need for survival.

New York Times Bestselling author, R.L. Mathewson was born in Massachusetts. She’s known for her humor, quick wit and ability to write relatable characters. She currently has several paranormal and contemporary romance series published including the Neighbor from Hell series.

Growing up, R.L. Mathewson was a painfully shy bookworm. After high school, she attended college, worked as a bellhop, fast food cook, and a museum worker until she decided to take an EMT course. Working as an EMT helped her get over her shyness as well as left her with some fond memories and some rather disturbing ones that from time to time show up in one of her books.

Today, R.L. Mathewson is the single mother of two children that keep her on her toes. She has a bit of a romance novel addiction as well as a major hot chocolate addiction and on a perfect day, she combines the two.

In 2019/2020, R.L. Mathewson will be publishing Devastated, the first Anger Management novel, Tall, Dark & Furious, the 6th installment to the Pyte/Sentinel series, Irresistible, the long anticipated novel for the Neighbor from Hell Series as well as many more books throughout the year, paranormals, contemporaries, and YAs.

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