The Family Next Door: A Novel

I wanted to love The Family Next Door since I really enjoyed Sally Hepworth’s last novel, The Things We Keep. This book is about the secrets kept by four women neighbors in Australia. Fran, Ange, and Essie have never been close, but when Isabelle moves into the neighborhood – a single woman without a family – their paths begin to cross a bit more, and their secrets begin to unravel.

This book is told in alternating chapters between all four characters. I love that writing style, and it worked well for this book, but for some reason I had a hard time keeping the characters straight at the beginning. I didn’t really find myself connecting too much with any of the characters, so while I enjoyed the story, I didn’t really love it.

I’m writing this review about a month after reading this book, and sadly not many of the details have stuck with me.

Blog: Opinionated Book Lover

I loved this book. It wasn't what I was expecting at all. With so many surprising twists, it made it hard to put this book down. I unfortunately had many interruptions while reading this book (you know, life). If it hadn't had been for that, I probably would have devoured this book in a day or two. Great characters, very relatable, and a fantastic storyline. I thought I had a few of the women from Pleasant Court figured out but boy was I wrong. This was a very gripping story, so many surprising secrets in each family, and I liked how it was told in the point of view of all of the female characters. I can't believe I have not read any other of Sally Hepworth's books. The writing in this book was fabulous, so I definitely will be reading more of her books. I highly recommend THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR.

I received an advance review copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

In a world of boasting life's accomplishments on Facebook, this is a very timely book, although I think the theme of "putting on a face for the neighbors" is a timeless theme. It's a very relatable book for anyone that doesn't feel like they can be their true self in front of people.

We interact with several different characters, each of which are hiding something from us. As the plot progresses, we slowly learn what's being hidden and the rationale for it. This book moves quick, and it never lost my interest. The characters, a group of neighborhood friends, are each flawed in a different way, which makes it interesting to watch their friendship play out.

The ending was a surprise to me, which I love!!! I have found lately that I'm able to predict outcomes but this one crept up on me and shocked me.

I received and Advance Review Copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

When a new neighbor (Isabelle) moves in, women (Essie, Ange, and Fran) discover that Pleasant Court might not be as pleasant as it seems. Who is harboring secrets, and why?

Ever since she was a child, Essie wanted to be a mother. But, now that she is, she wonders why everything is so difficult for her. Could she be suffering from postpartum depression? Perhaps. Now, fast forward a few years, add another baby, and she seems to be doing much better; or, is she?

And what about her Pleasant Court neighbors, Ange, Fran, and Isabelle? Are they all as perfect as they seem, or is each woman concealing a secret of her own? Find out in this amusing and intriguing book perfect for a day at the beach! I would recommend this one for fans of Big Little Lies.

3.5 stars

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Essie’s living a quiet life in suburban Melbourne. She suffered severe postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter, and her husband and mother have been on edge since the birth of her second. Cracks are starting to show, and when a mysterious woman named Isabelle moves into the neighborhood, Essie becomes fascinated with her and goes a little Single White Female. Isabelle seems to be looking for a missing child, and thinks Essie might be involved. There’s some side plot drama with two other neighbors, Ange and Fran, (affairs, cuckolding, etc.) that help round out the narrative a bit, but the main, and weird, story is between Essie and Isabelle. It’s not quite full-on suspense, but the twist is interesting and it makes you question the limits and boundaries of human memory.

I received an early copy of this book - my opinions are my own.

I want to thank the publisher, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is my first title from this author, Sally Hempworth and I am looking forward to read her other works.
This book is really about the question how well do you know somebody and in this case your neighbor.
This story takes place in an idyllic neighborhood, Pleasant Court> and it follow the lives of five families. The book is so spot on with the different experiences that suburban wives and mothers may go through.

I enjoy reading about all the drama but also about the forgiveness, resolutions. I really liked that one of the characters, Ange, found her voice.
I do feel that some of the events in took away from the focus of the story.
But overall a very entertaining read!!

The family next door are not always what they seem, and that's perfectly illustrated in this story about the seemingly idyllic neighborhood of Pleasant Court, a suburb of Melbourne. Ange is a married mother of two pre-teen boys, a real estate agent, married to Lucas, a photographer. Essie is a stay at home mom of two girls, preschooler Mia and baby Polly. Essie's husband Ben owns a fitness studio. Fran is a lawyer, home on maternity leave. She's married to Ollie and they have a preschool aged daughter. Isabelle who is unmarried and childless moves to the street and for some reason the veneer of Pleasant Court begins to crack. It seems that everyone's got secrets, including Isabelle, but everyone is very busy pretending they are living the perfect life, until one day, they're not. All opinions are my own.

I received a free e-copy of this book and have chosen to write an honest and unbiased review. I have no personal affiliation with the author. The setting is Melbourne, Australia but this is a story that could go on behind closed doors in any home in any neighborhood in the world. Everyone has secrets. A new and somewhat mysterious neighbor becomes the object of everyone’s curiosity. She is single with no children in a family oriented neighborhood. Is she hiding something? Why did she choose this neighborhood to move into? Does she have an ulterior motive? This is a well-written novel with a good plot and well-developed characters. The suspense steadily builds to the climax. ‘The Family Next Door’ is well worth the read and I look forward to reading more from Sally Hepworth in the future.

3.5
Essie tries hard to look like she is living a normal life. Only a few people know that she has something from her past that she is trying to hide. When a new neighbor, Isabelle, moves in Essie finds herself strangely attracted to her. Little does she realize this attraction runs the risk of bringing her secret to life.

Something strange is up with Isabelle and I couldn't wait to find out what it was. Was she there for good or evil?

This story kept me engaged and moved quickly. I was surprised by the twist at the end when we discover Isabelle's real story. I thought this was a well thought out mystery.

I received this from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley.

This novel was absolutely wonderful! I was drawn into this novel from the first chapter straight through to the very last page! I enjoyed the depictions of the couples and their lives with each other and their children. Sally has written a novel that has funny characters you can relate to. But at the same time, the novel is very emotional and mysterious! The story is based around the families that live in the Pleasant Court neighborhood in Melbourne. We get to know three families in particular and a single woman who has just moved into the neighborhood. We get to see into their daily lives and their relationships with the other neighbors. How well do we really know our spouses or our neighbors? Everything will be different for everyone in this neighborhood by the end of the novel.

This is the first Sally Hepworth book I have read, and it won't be the last. She is a gifted storyteller who has spot on instincts to keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing at the plot twists. I am usually good at seeing what is about to happen, but not with The Family Next Door.

The setting is in a quiet, family-oriented neighborhood where life is seemingly perfect until you look deeper inside each home. The characters where developed perfectly to the point that I thought I knew them, and then a shocking reveal happened. How well do you know your family, friends, or neighbors? This novel makes you questions all of that.

You won't be disappointed in reading this book.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All Opinions are my Own.

I am such a fan of books where everything is not as it seems and this book had that element in spades. I loved the secrets, and twists and turns that kept me guessing the whole time. And in the end, things were absolutely not what I had guessed them to be and I adored that!

This was a book filled with secrets, lies and deception for sure, but it was also a book about friendship, love and relationships, some good and some bad, but all well written and I found myself totally invested in all if it.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good domestic thriller with very well written characters and a story that keeps you turning the pages. I really enjoyed this one.

I received an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review "The Family Next Door
by Sally Hepworth" It was a great work of Women's Fiction. I love books that show multiple points of view. It helps keep things interesting. Each character point of view in the book was fantastic. The characters were interesting and likable. "The Family Next Door" really makes me wonder what my own neighbors are like and what they are going through. This book centers around Essie, a women in her thirties who had it all, the house, the kids and the husband. When a new single neighbor named Isabelle moves into their family oriented neighborhood, everyone is interested to know more about the new women. The story continues to introduce characters and show the power that women hold within themselves. A wonderful read that I would highly recommend.

Perfect women. Perfect husbands. Perfect families. Perfect suburban neighborhood...perfectly named Pleasant Court.

Unsurprisingly, all is not what it seems . . . but don't be fooled into embracing easy answers. Hepworth has crafted a page-turner of a novel, with a plethora of interesting and sympathetic characters (surprisingly, almost all quite believable) and a plot that yields the unexpected time and again. This is not a literary read like THE PERFECT NANNY, nor does it insult the reader by demanding absurd suspensions of disbelief like THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW, but it is a solid and highly entertaining work, well worth the loss of a a full night (or two) of sleep to rush headlong toward the end.

Note to St. Martin's Press: For heaven's sake, hire an effective proof reader!

It took me awhile to get into this book' at first it was confusing trying to keep the characters straight. Once I became familiar with each of them, I was fascinated to learn what would happen next in each of their lives. So many secrets! It made me realize that no matter how well we think we know friends and relatives, there are likely many things we'll never know about them. And things they'll never know about us!

I thought I knew where the story was going but the author pulled a major switch that made the story even more interesting! Though situations in all their lives were resolved, nothing was perfect. Like in life.

I enjoyed the book very much and recommend it.

Pleasant Court in Melbourne Australia seems like a pleasant place to live...or is it.? This is another book that asks the question "Just how well do you know someone?" You live with a person, share their bed, share meals with them, raise children with them, you know them right??? Well, do you?

Ahhhhhh, small towns. Lovely scenic places. They are supposed to be safe. Nothing bad ever happens there. How can it? Bad things don't happen when things are so pleasant do they? What a joy to live in a community where you know your neighbors and your neighbors know you. A place where you can get together for neighborhood watch or just to chat about your day over a cup of tea or glass of wine. A place where one can smile and wave, believing that everything is okay, everything WILL be okay, everything should be okay...but what happens when it isn't?

Have you ever know someone who looks like they have their shit together? Seriously, he/she is the one who looks great, smells great, is healthy, always smiling, always on time, never seems to have a bad day and you envy them...because life is hard and they make it look so easy. Well as they say, you never know what goes on behind closed doors. What drives someone to exercise excessively, what drives someone to always smile even thought their heart is breaking, who acts as if everything is honky dory even thought he/she is harboring a HUGE secret?

Every family/person in this book has something to hide.

Ange works out, gets her hair and nails done. She wants to look good for her handsome husband. He is a good looking man and women throw themselves at him. Ange wants to -no she needs to look good for him.....

Essie once took her daughter to the park and left her there. Her husband and Mother keep close eyes on her to make sure she is "Okay" Her mother, Barbara helps her out a lot as she had postpartum depression. She has even moved closer to Essie to help her out. A Mother's job is never done.....

Fran runs all the time. Several times a day and she is uncomfortable when her husband is left alone with their youngest daughter. Why? She doesn't seem to care when he is with their eldest. Their marriage seems fine so what is her issue?

Isabelle is the single woman who moved into the neighborhood. Single and childless, she sticks out and everyone wonders about her. But Isabelle also wonders about those in her neighborhood. She watches them and makes her observations.

It soon becomes evident that not everything is as it seems once you get behind closed doors. Characters have their secrets and as the book unfolds, their secrets come out. Some we see coming and there was one that was a shocker!

This was a really enjoyable read. It is fun, the plot moves along at a nice fast pace and nothing felt rushed or drawn out. I felt that the revelations came at just the right time. I liked how the story is told through the various women's point of views. This is a great way to see what is motivating them, what is going on behind that smile, a look at their personal feelings and emotions. We learn their secrets and the secrets of other's in their lives.

I have read a couple of Sally Hepwoth's books (The things we keep, The Mother's promise) and have enjoyed them! This is another wonderful book by her. So far she has not disappointed and I will continue to be a happy reader of her work.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to them for the opportunity.

I've read a lot of Sally Hepworth's novels and always enjoyed them. This one will be the second book in a row that will get a 5 star from me. It's a great story of attached townhomes in Melbourne, Australia where almost all of the occupants have a deep secret that is basically driving them crazy! It was a page-turner and more than mid-way through there was a twist that I never saw coming but then my brain isn't at its top form right now. Maybe others will figure it out? I loved all the characters, even the flawed ones. They were fleshed out really well and for me it was a great read as I'd never read a book with this kind of plot. Also a complete happy ending - nothing weird.

The story was entertaining and kept my interest, but I was surprised by how bad the editing was as far as grammatical mistakes. This appears to have been published by a legitimate publishing house, but it is full of wrong words and lousy punctuation. I truly hope they didn't charge much for their services.

Do you ever really know your neighbors? Do your loved ones have terrible secrets?

This book dealt with a lot of hard issues and kept me turning the pages. I just had to know what was going on and what would happen next!

The women of Pleasant Court have secrets, life-altering ones. When a new face moves onto their street new things begin to come to light to cause them all to question the things that they thought they knew about each other, their family....and themselves.

* Thank you to Sally Hepworth, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Family Next Door is Sally Hepworth’s newest novel and quite different from her earlier works. It’s an engaging suburban drama about the families who live on a cul-de-sac. Everyone thinks the other families are living perfect lives while theirs is far from perfect. As the curtains are pulled back on each family the others will be surprised by the secrets revealed and some will be life-changing. A few relatable moments, some drama, and some mystery all combine for a book I read in two days. Recommended to fans of the author and family dramas with a Desperate Housewives vibe. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending my copy.

I am such a fan of books where everything is not as it seems and this book had that element in spades. I loved the secrets, and twists and turns that kept me guessing the whole time. And in the end, things were absolutely not what I had guessed them to be and I adored that!

This was a book filled with secrets, lies and deception for sure, but it was also a book about friendship, love and relationships, some good and some bad, but all well written and I found myself totally invested in all if it.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good domestic thriller with very well written characters and a story that keeps you turning the pages. I really enjoyed this one.

I received an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review "The Family Next Door
by Sally Hepworth" It was a great work of Women's Fiction. I love books that show multiple points of view. It helps keep things interesting. Each character point of view in the book was fantastic. The characters were interesting and likable. "The Family Next Door" really makes me wonder what my own neighbors are like and what they are going through. This book centers around Essie, a women in her thirties who had it all, the house, the kids and the husband. When a new single neighbor named Isabelle moves into their family oriented neighborhood, everyone is interested to know more about the new women. The story continues to introduce characters and show the power that women hold within themselves. A wonderful read that I would highly recommend.

Perfect women. Perfect husbands. Perfect families. Perfect suburban neighborhood...perfectly named Pleasant Court.

Unsurprisingly, all is not what it seems . . . but don't be fooled into embracing easy answers. Hepworth has crafted a page-turner of a novel, with a plethora of interesting and sympathetic characters (surprisingly, almost all quite believable) and a plot that yields the unexpected time and again. This is not a literary read like THE PERFECT NANNY, nor does it insult the reader by demanding absurd suspensions of disbelief like THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW, but it is a solid and highly entertaining work, well worth the loss of a a full night (or two) of sleep to rush headlong toward the end.

Note to St. Martin's Press: For heaven's sake, hire an effective proof reader!

It took me awhile to get into this book' at first it was confusing trying to keep the characters straight. Once I became familiar with each of them, I was fascinated to learn what would happen next in each of their lives. So many secrets! It made me realize that no matter how well we think we know friends and relatives, there are likely many things we'll never know about them. And things they'll never know about us!

I thought I knew where the story was going but the author pulled a major switch that made the story even more interesting! Though situations in all their lives were resolved, nothing was perfect. Like in life.

I enjoyed the book very much and recommend it.

Pleasant Court in Melbourne Australia seems like a pleasant place to live...or is it.? This is another book that asks the question "Just how well do you know someone?" You live with a person, share their bed, share meals with them, raise children with them, you know them right??? Well, do you?

Ahhhhhh, small towns. Lovely scenic places. They are supposed to be safe. Nothing bad ever happens there. How can it? Bad things don't happen when things are so pleasant do they? What a joy to live in a community where you know your neighbors and your neighbors know you. A place where you can get together for neighborhood watch or just to chat about your day over a cup of tea or glass of wine. A place where one can smile and wave, believing that everything is okay, everything WILL be okay, everything should be okay...but what happens when it isn't?

Have you ever know someone who looks like they have their shit together? Seriously, he/she is the one who looks great, smells great, is healthy, always smiling, always on time, never seems to have a bad day and you envy them...because life is hard and they make it look so easy. Well as they say, you never know what goes on behind closed doors. What drives someone to exercise excessively, what drives someone to always smile even thought their heart is breaking, who acts as if everything is honky dory even thought he/she is harboring a HUGE secret?

Every family/person in this book has something to hide.

Ange works out, gets her hair and nails done. She wants to look good for her handsome husband. He is a good looking man and women throw themselves at him. Ange wants to -no she needs to look good for him.....

Essie once took her daughter to the park and left her there. Her husband and Mother keep close eyes on her to make sure she is "Okay" Her mother, Barbara helps her out a lot as she had postpartum depression. She has even moved closer to Essie to help her out. A Mother's job is never done.....

Fran runs all the time. Several times a day and she is uncomfortable when her husband is left alone with their youngest daughter. Why? She doesn't seem to care when he is with their eldest. Their marriage seems fine so what is her issue?

Isabelle is the single woman who moved into the neighborhood. Single and childless, she sticks out and everyone wonders about her. But Isabelle also wonders about those in her neighborhood. She watches them and makes her observations.

It soon becomes evident that not everything is as it seems once you get behind closed doors. Characters have their secrets and as the book unfolds, their secrets come out. Some we see coming and there was one that was a shocker!

This was a really enjoyable read. It is fun, the plot moves along at a nice fast pace and nothing felt rushed or drawn out. I felt that the revelations came at just the right time. I liked how the story is told through the various women's point of views. This is a great way to see what is motivating them, what is going on behind that smile, a look at their personal feelings and emotions. We learn their secrets and the secrets of other's in their lives.

I have read a couple of Sally Hepwoth's books (The things we keep, The Mother's promise) and have enjoyed them! This is another wonderful book by her. So far she has not disappointed and I will continue to be a happy reader of her work.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to them for the opportunity.

I've read a lot of Sally Hepworth's novels and always enjoyed them. This one will be the second book in a row that will get a 5 star from me. It's a great story of attached townhomes in Melbourne, Australia where almost all of the occupants have a deep secret that is basically driving them crazy! It was a page-turner and more than mid-way through there was a twist that I never saw coming but then my brain isn't at its top form right now. Maybe others will figure it out? I loved all the characters, even the flawed ones. They were fleshed out really well and for me it was a great read as I'd never read a book with this kind of plot. Also a complete happy ending - nothing weird.

I am a longtime fan of Sally’s books and The Family Next Door does not disappoint. A tale of the families of Pleasant Court, Hepworth lets you in to the seemingly ‘pleasant’ lives of all its residents. Essie and Fran have new babies, Ange is sharing her picture perfect life with each upload to Instagram, and the husbands are all good looking and wonderful. Even Essie’s mum moved in next door. Then solitary Isabelle moves into this family friendly neighborhood and sparks the curiosity of everyone. Where’d she come from? Why Pleasant Court? As friendships made and betrayals revealed, it just goes to show, you never really know what’s going on behind the closed doors of the family next door.

I was very much looking forward to The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth, but felt it didn't quite live up to all the hype. "A gripping domestic page-turner full of shocking reveals, perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Amanda Prowse and Kerry Fisher." That is from the Goodreads listing.

The story wrapped up nicely, but it was the getting there that was spotty and unreliable for me. There was a lot of flitting about by the mothers in this book, but everything seemed to be very surface level until near the very end suddenly everyone was best buddies. We didn't see how they got there. **SLIGHT SPOILER** Perfect example, Essie leaves her baby, Mia, at the park. All by herself in a stroller. Then she walks home. Quite a while later Essie's mother, Barbara, comes by and wants to know where Mia is. We see them show up to get her and then *poof* it's years later.

Most of what happens in this book is approached this way. Things happen, but we never get the meat of the story, just the surface. It may just be me, but after seeing the hype and listening to others discuss this book, I wondered what I missed. Don't get me wrong, it's not a terrible book, but I was left wanting more out of the characters - the women carry the story and their husbands are primarily filler.

If you like suspense you'd probably enjoy this book. I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it, which I was hoping to. Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and author for an early copy.

Set in the Melbourne suburb of Pleasant Court, "The Family Next Door" deals with the lives of several neigbouring families. The author relates the lives of these families, each with their own issues, well, and the reader is absorbed by the drama of the neighbourhood.

When single Isabelle Heatherington rents a home in the area, the neigbhours are curious about why she would want to live in this family neighbourhood. Isabelle's motivation becomes central to the story, resolving a mystery from several decades before.

I found "The Family Next Door" hard to put down and read it within one day. A GR8 read!

The story was entertaining and kept my interest, but I was surprised by how bad the editing was as far as grammatical mistakes. This appears to have been published by a legitimate publishing house, but it is full of wrong words and lousy punctuation. I truly hope they didn't charge much for their services.

Do you ever really know your neighbors? Do your loved ones have terrible secrets?

This book dealt with a lot of hard issues and kept me turning the pages. I just had to know what was going on and what would happen next!

The women of Pleasant Court have secrets, life-altering ones. When a new face moves onto their street new things begin to come to light to cause them all to question the things that they thought they knew about each other, their family....and themselves.

* Thank you to Sally Hepworth, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Family Next Door is Sally Hepworth’s newest novel and quite different from her earlier works. It’s an engaging suburban drama about the families who live on a cul-de-sac. Everyone thinks the other families are living perfect lives while theirs is far from perfect. As the curtains are pulled back on each family the others will be surprised by the secrets revealed and some will be life-changing. A few relatable moments, some drama, and some mystery all combine for a book I read in two days. Recommended to fans of the author and family dramas with a Desperate Housewives vibe. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending my copy.

The Family Next Door is an excellent, stay up late to read book that begins with a view of the residents of a little close-knit neighborhood. Everything looks great on the surface of this community, but the lives behind the doors are beginning to come unraveled. The story is told through the alternating voices of the women of the circle, but there is one story interspersed with the others that doesn’t fit and isn’t identified. We keep getting pieces of the puzzle, but we aren’t sure where they all fit. It was interesting and suspenseful without being frantic, and it was easy to identify with all the characters.

This is not what I expected. I thought for sure I knew where this was going but I missed it. The heart of this story is Essie but this novel also involves her neighbors and their lives and the plot alternates between them. I’m awful with names so it was confusing for me until I had all of the characters figured out. Each woman is going through something different but at the center of it are their relationships, especially with their husbands. This is a very compelling read that you won’t want to put down. It’s not action packed but very real glimpses behind closed doors into other people’s lives. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up

Wow! This book has held me in its clutches for much of the past 24 hours. I could not stop turning the pages! Sally Hepworth has an uncanny talent for giving her readers characters that are relatable and realistic. The women in this story were all incredibly flawed, yet also incredibly human.

I thought I had things figured out but I did NOT expect the story to take the turn that it did. I was impressed with the direction the author took the story and was completely gripped. This book shows that we never really know anyone as much as we think we do, and that a web of secrets is something very dangerous to get tangled up in.

This novel explores the themes of marriage, family, parenting, postpartum depression, friendship, and infidelity. It reminds us that each person is dealing with something beneath a cool, calm, and collected surface.I enjoyed this story, but for me, it wasn't as good as some of the other books that I've read with similar themes. The story is entertaining and well paced but is not a standout for me. However, I have seen many 4 and 5 star reviews with many people loving this book, so please don't let my review sway you!

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

An exciting read that revolves around three families living in—what seems to be—the perfect suburb. But nothing is ever as it seems, and no one is ever who they make themselves out to be. The story focuses on the relationships between several women who live complicated lives. It delves into their relationships with their partners, children, and each other.

This is a great read with a few unexpected twists and turns. The characters have real-to-life issues and secrets that keep you intrigued throughout the book. I love a good read that keeps me captivated from page one, and this book definitely had the ability to do that.

I Recommend This Book

Yes
"The Family Next Door" felt like Liane Moriarty's books: a complex set of characters, a microcosm of the social world and a collision of personal incidents. I was not convinced of its realism once past the phase of character establishment. The plot began to feel too mechanical after the arrival of Isabelle and the final section of the novel seemed irrelevant and rather "happily ever after", even though it was not necessarily "happy". The novel teeters between a "good read" and soapie but I did want to find out what happened, so there is merit in that!

This is an amazing book of secrets, lies, and more secrets! I loved it and could not put it down! Essie, Fran, and Ange are friends and neighbors. Then a new neighbor Isabelle, moves onto their street. Each of the four women have secrets. I loved the characters and felt like I could be one of the women on their street. I thought I had it figured but I was completely wrong! I truly loved this book and it kept me guessing until the very end! I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own

I had high hopes for this book. I have heard of the author but have never read any books by her so I was thrilled to be approved for this arc.

First, the good. The story's pace moves along quickly. Even though it has several different perspectives, I really had no trouble keeping up with who was in charge of what at which time. The characters have real flaws and despite that, overall they are relatable.

The so-so. Just because they're relatable doesn't mean that they're likable. It's easy to find characteristics in real life people to like despite their flaws, it's not as easy with book characters. Not liking the characters made me kind of turn off.

The bad. The story is kind of rushed. Maybe an extra 50 pages or so would have fleshed it out a little bit better. It's also kind of sensational, which I suppose is the point. But it's sensational to the point of being unbelievable, which I didn't really think was the point in this kind of novel.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It's a quick read, but not particularly memorable. 3.5 stars.

Each chapter uncovered another layer of the characters’ worlds. Despite the fact that I guessed the outcome of the story, it was a satisfying ending that provided just enough closure. I’d love to see another book in this series to find out how the characters progressed through their lives. The Family Next Door goes down as one of my 2018 favorites, and I highly recommend it!

I loved the twists and turns in the plot and the surprise reveal near the end of the book. I also appreciated that the book didn't end on a note of acrimony, but on a note of forgiveness and love--at least for two of the families. The characters were well-developed and multi-dimensional. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Hepworth.

This was my first read by this author and I absolutely loved it! It was very easy to get swept up in the drama and mystery that surrounds Pleasant Court and those that live there. With each chapter , the suspense grew and more secrets revealed. A fun, fast read. I thank Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I'd actually rate this at 3 1/2 stars. The story reminded me of a Liane Moriarty novel, although it didn't have her unstated humor. This is still an entertaining book. The dynamic within the families and between the neighbors in this small enclave was intriguing and kept the pages turning. If you like Liane Moriarty's books, give this a try.

This is a book that I could not put down. Gripping page turner, everything looks wonderful from the outside of this perfect neighborhood but it's anything but that. Flawed characters that I absolutely loved! It kept me guessing until the end.

I highly recommend this book. My first book by this author but will not be my last.

Family comes in all shapes and sizes. The suspense and the twists are so surprising in this story! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was completely caught off guard as I was going down one path while the story twisted onto another path! I loved ALL the characters and wanted the best for all these neighbors who became friends like family!

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley. Excellent read. This is a good story with a strong plot and believable characters. I really enjoyed it. It has enough twists and turns to keep you reading and guessing up until the end. So definitely pick this up and carve out enough reading time because it's unputdownable. Happy reading!

An enjoyable fast read of neighborly friendships and many unexpected secrets. Living in a lovely street in the suburbs these young mothers, harboring their own challenges, while putting on a brave face, and feeling as if the "grass is greener" at the neighbor's home. Many twists and turns, made this book relatable and interesting.

The story takes place in a cul-de-sac street called Pleasant Court. As the heading suggests we delve into the lives of the Neighbors who all live next door to each other. The story is told in multiple voices and the chapters were relatively short which made for a quick page turning read. The characters were very addictive and relatable and they were the heart and sole of the story.

The story covers everything from love, secrets, lies forgiveness and family drama. There was even some suspense to it, which was unexpected.

I really loved this book as it was well written and realistic and these happenings could very well be occurring in my cul-de-sac!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC.

This was an enjoyable book about a group of neighbors and things are not how they appear on the surface. I found this book very entertaining and reminds me of Liane Moriaty's books. I would consider this a great beach/vacation read.

I received an advance review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was really a 3.75. It was good. The story line was different. I can’t talk much about it without giving the book away. There were five main characters in the book, each with their set of problems. They all worked themselves out.

The Family Next Door is a story about several couples who live in a neighborhood. Each has issues to deal with: new babies, infidelity, careers, and a twist in one story that broadsides readers. It was a decent read, but in come areas it dragged. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Great book. Kept my interest thruout.
The characters were so interesting, the storyline kept me guessing.
I couldn't put it down. Read it in two days.
I definitely recommend this book if you like dramatic, well told, edge of your seat reading.

A lovely suburban neighborhood in Melbourne. How interesting might that be? In this case, it's a very interesting place. There are enough secrets, lies, and misconceptions to draw you in and keep a firm hold on you from beginning to end.

I throughly enjoyed this book I like a GOOD story something that holds your interest from beginning to end this one does The characters were very believable I felt like I was right in their circle the premise is a new neighbor moves in that’s it .If your looking for an interesting story line this will do it New author for me I will be checking her other books

This is my first "Audible" book. On Disk 2. Sooo much petty detail on the characters, their thoughts, their conversations. I found all that to be tedious and unnecessary to the storyline. I'm not finished, but hope it gets better.

This is a book that I could not put down. Gripping page turner, everything looks wonderful from the outside of this perfect neighborhood but it's anything but that. Flawed characters that I absolutely loved! It kept me guessing until the end.

I highly recommend this book. My first book by this author but will not be my last.

Family comes in all shapes and sizes. The suspense and the twists are so surprising in this story! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was completely caught off guard as I was going down one path while the story twisted onto another path! I loved ALL the characters and wanted the best for all these neighbors who became friends like family!

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley. Excellent read. This is a good story with a strong plot and believable characters. I really enjoyed it. It has enough twists and turns to keep you reading and guessing up until the end. So definitely pick this up and carve out enough reading time because it's unputdownable. Happy reading!

An enjoyable fast read of neighborly friendships and many unexpected secrets. Living in a lovely street in the suburbs these young mothers, harboring their own challenges, while putting on a brave face, and feeling as if the "grass is greener" at the neighbor's home. Many twists and turns, made this book relatable and interesting.

The story takes place in a cul-de-sac street called Pleasant Court. As the heading suggests we delve into the lives of the Neighbors who all live next door to each other. The story is told in multiple voices and the chapters were relatively short which made for a quick page turning read. The characters were very addictive and relatable and they were the heart and sole of the story.

The story covers everything from love, secrets, lies forgiveness and family drama. There was even some suspense to it, which was unexpected.

I really loved this book as it was well written and realistic and these happenings could very well be occurring in my cul-de-sac!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC.

This was an enjoyable book about a group of neighbors and things are not how they appear on the surface. I found this book very entertaining and reminds me of Liane Moriaty's books. I would consider this a great beach/vacation read.

I received an advance review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

**I was provided with an advanced reader copy from St Martin’s Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I could NOT stop reading this book. It hooked me on page 1. This story is told from different POV, which I loved. Each chapter left me with a cliffhanger, like a Netflix show that I’d binge-watch, and I kept wanting more. Definitely a binge-read type of book. I walked away asking myself if I really know the people in my own life as well as I think... If you love a good suspense, you’ll tear through this one.

This was really a 3.75. It was good. The story line was different. I can’t talk much about it without giving the book away. There were five main characters in the book, each with their set of problems. They all worked themselves out.

The Family Next Door is a story about several couples who live in a neighborhood. Each has issues to deal with: new babies, infidelity, careers, and a twist in one story that broadsides readers. It was a decent read, but in come areas it dragged. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Great book. Kept my interest thruout.
The characters were so interesting, the storyline kept me guessing.
I couldn't put it down. Read it in two days.
I definitely recommend this book if you like dramatic, well told, edge of your seat reading.

Many different story lines all in one book. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but then I got totally caught up and wanted to know how all of the stories were heading. I ended up enjoying this book. I'd like to read more by this author.

A lovely suburban neighborhood in Melbourne. How interesting might that be? In this case, it's a very interesting place. There are enough secrets, lies, and misconceptions to draw you in and keep a firm hold on you from beginning to end.

I throughly enjoyed this book I like a GOOD story something that holds your interest from beginning to end this one does The characters were very believable I felt like I was right in their circle the premise is a new neighbor moves in that’s it .If your looking for an interesting story line this will do it New author for me I will be checking her other books

This is my first "Audible" book. On Disk 2. Sooo much petty detail on the characters, their thoughts, their conversations. I found all that to be tedious and unnecessary to the storyline. I'm not finished, but hope it gets better.

I Recommend This Book

Yes
"The Family Next Door" felt like Liane Moriarty's books: a complex set of characters, a microcosm of the social world and a collision of personal incidents. I was not convinced of its realism once past the phase of character establishment. The plot began to feel too mechanical after the arrival of Isabelle and the final section of the novel seemed irrelevant and rather "happily ever after", even though it was not necessarily "happy". The novel teeters between a "good read" and soapie but I did want to find out what happened, so there is merit in that!

This is an amazing book of secrets, lies, and more secrets! I loved it and could not put it down! Essie, Fran, and Ange are friends and neighbors. Then a new neighbor Isabelle, moves onto their street. Each of the four women have secrets. I loved the characters and felt like I could be one of the women on their street. I thought I had it figured but I was completely wrong! I truly loved this book and it kept me guessing until the very end! I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It took a number of chapters to get me interested in this book. I kept thinking there was something very familiar about this book and then I realized it was just like watching episodes of Desperate Housewives including the author's mention of Wisteria Lane. There were some twists and turns in this book but to me it ended up being just an okay book.

**I was provided with an advanced reader copy from St Martin’s Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I could NOT stop reading this book. It hooked me on page 1. This story is told from different POV, which I loved. Each chapter left me with a cliffhanger, like a Netflix show that I’d binge-watch, and I kept wanting more. Definitely a binge-read type of book. I walked away asking myself if I really know the people in my own life as well as I think... If you love a good suspense, you’ll tear through this one.

Many different story lines all in one book. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but then I got totally caught up and wanted to know how all of the stories were heading. I ended up enjoying this book. I'd like to read more by this author.