IF WE LIVED HERE is a charmer. Emma Feit and Nick O'Hara have been in a relationship for three years. Both professionals working in New York City, each with their own apartment. It has been decided, mostly by Emma, they would search for an apartment and move in together. Their experiences with two possible landlords are scary and funny but in the end the "perfect home" for them is found in Red Hook, just in time for Hurricane Sandy.

Nick is a fifth grade school teacher who loves his job and his students. He works hard with his lesson plans and his students always thriving to make this year better than the last year. His classes are fun and his friendship with the assistant principle, Carl, who was only given that job to get him out of the classrooms, is humorous.

I loved Nick. A vegan, happily and sometimes secretly playing his computer games, drinks too much/too often but I feel he has a sweet and loving heart. He keeps track of the important moments in their courtship, by selecting a meaningful charm to place on the charm bracelet he gifted Emma. Sure, it is old fashioned. It is not yet a diamond ring, but I love his thoughtfulness. Lying next to each other testing mattresses at IKEA , he presents the "perfect home" charm to Emma and it really touched me. I loved the way he listens to Emma rave and rant and then calmly offers an alternative and they move on. This is their story about moving on.

Emma lives for her BFF, Annie, She is maid of honor at her splashy wedding, marrying her wealthy fiance, Eli. Annie has dreamed about her wedding forever and now it is her time. Emma is concerned that now that Annie is married and becomes pregnant, their friendship will change and they will not be as close as it has always been. Her job at 123....Ivies, as a tutor is challenging. If your parents are wealthy enough and their child has a good reputation, the sky is the limit. It is Emma who must tutor them in everything to get them into the college of their (or their parents) choice. All the applications, interviews with one goal in mind, that letter of acceptance from Yale, Harvard or wherever they want to enroll. Interesting sub-plots about the students she works with especially Sophia who ends up studying art in Spain thanks to Emma's help and perseverance.

Lindsey J. Palmer writes beautifully about today's relationships and commitments. Her characters are wonderful and I hated to leave them after I turned the last page. Nick and Emma have mixed feelings about giving up certain freedoms, and they are both a little scared of taking that next step. Together, they take it and they are moving on. I loved IF WE LIVED HERE!