<b>4 entertaining, dramatic, neighborly stars to The Family Next Door!</b>🏠 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I’ve learned I can rely on Sally Hepworth for a well-written, entertainingly indulgent read. Some of my friends have mentioned that The Family Next Door has a Desperate Housewives feel, and it most definitely does. That angle makes it a little dramatic at times, and some of the things that happened were a bit of a stretch; however, there is an emotionality to Hepworth’s writing that I find exceptionally endearing. You have to keep the tissues handy.

The Family Next Door also had a Liane Moriarty Big Little Lies feel to it because it was a little twisty and kept me on my toes. Who are your neighbors? What <i>really</i> happens behind closed doors? What secrets does a family hold? Even when I thought I had this story figured out, I was wrong.

An intricate web of plot with well-developed characters, I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this indulgence!

Thank you to Sally Hepworth, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for the complimentary, most entertaining ARC.

<b>The Family Next Door will be released on March 6, 2018.</b>

An exclusive neighborhood, a safe neighborhood, a neighborhood with couples and children. Added to this perfect place came a single woman who didn't really fit it, but wanted to get to know everyone.

Who could Isabelle be, and why would she move into this neighborhood that she really didn't fit into?

Each of the five main character s tried to be friends, but each has something to hide or something they aren't happy about.

I also questioned if the husbands had something to hide as well.

Ange always has to be in control, but we don't know why.

Essie has problems being a mother.

Fran has a secret she finally reveals to her husband.

Barbara is Essie's mother and a perfect mother and grandmother.

Isabelle is the questionable one.

Lucas seems to be a lady's man.

Ben does seem sweet, but withdrawn.

Nigel seems clueless about everything even though he is brilliant.

THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR doesn't refer to one family but to all the families in the neighborhood. They all seem to have access to each other's homes and all seem to be involved in each other's lives, except for the secrets.

At the beginning it seems like a soap opera, but don't be fooled. It is marvelous and heartwarming.

The ending is a marvelous revelation of a lot of secrets and a lot of love.

ENJOY when you read Ms. Hepworth's newest gem. 4/5

This is the first Sally Hepworth novel I've read and overall I really enjoyed her style and the storyline! Initially I was confused starting the book out, but don't let that scare you away! Once I realized what was going on I got sucked in! I really enjoyed how Sally had several families who's profile we got right up front - it was interesting to "meet" all the neighbors. From there it's just a matter of time (and circumstance) until we see the layers peeled back in each family life. While the wives share many characteristics, they also are wildly different. The details and sub-stories were all well done and played out, I felt like a fly on the wall of the homes in this neighborhood!

The storyline was well-paced and I like that it was a plausible story. I especially liked the ending - I felt like it was very honest and raw and probably an accurate portrayal of a real-world ending. To really consider the situation and the lives involved to come to this end, it wasn't as clear-cut as maybe readers want it to be. And I appreciate that honesty.

This was my first read of 2018 and if it's any indication of what's to come - I am looking forward to my line up this year!

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for my Kindle and thanks to Goodreads for the ARC paperback!
I have read all 4 of her books and have copies of all of them. Every one is a good one, and this one is no exception.
"The Family Next Door" is about several "normal" families and what goes on behind closed doors. I knew what was going on with Ange's family, I thought I knew what was going on with Fran's family, but I was completely surprised with what was going on with Essie's family.
If you enjoy reading about families and relationships, you'll enjoy this book.
Looking forward to more book by Sally Hepworth who has become one of my favorite authors!

I fully expected to enjoy this book, and thankfully, I was not disappointed. Although it was categorized as a mystery, I think the actual "mystery" part was secondary to the plot. That said, I absolutely, 100%, was not expecting the outcome of "mystery" part, the twist, which was nice, because I can typically see where a story is heading very early on.
The main plot revolves are several women at critical turning points in their lives and relationships. I enjoyed the fact that while the women were facing their own tragedies, none were painted as damsels in distress or weak minded. They all had a very strong sense of intuition, which they heavily relied on, and because of that the characters were all very relatable. I found myself rooting for each character, hoping they'd get the "happy ending" I felt they deserved. I found myself staying up hours after my bedtime, trying to discover exactly why Isabelle had taken such a liking to Essie so quickly, and vice versa; why was Ange's husband always wandering off, or in possession of a secret cell phone; what decisions Nigel and Fran would make regarding their marriage.... I found each character's arc extremely engrossing.
This book was well written and so enjoyable that I finished it in several days-- despite my own busy life with three small children. I absolutely intend to recommend this, both socially and professionally. I could see a sequel to this, and would love to find out how the characters fare down the line with both the decisions they made and the decisions that were made for them. I am grateful for the opportunity to have read an advance copy, and fully intend on purchasing this book once it is officially released.

Every mother's worst fears are laid bare on the counter in this novel by Sally Hepworth. A woman leaves her baby behind at the park. Another guards the secrets of her child's paternity. Another worries that her handsome husband is straying again. And yet another woman, the newest neighbor on a quiet cul-de-sac, is keeping an eye on everyone, waiting for her chance to take back what was once hers. In Hepworth's story, nothing is as it seems, and no one is as she appears. Well-written glimpse into the secrets that surround us.

This is an uncommon tale of families who live in a neighborhood together and who all have real family secrets that they are keeping from each other, and sometimes even spouses. Essie is married to Ben and her mother Barbara lives next door. Essie has been known to forget that she has young children, but the new baby and Mia cannot be forgotten, so her mom watches over her care-taking. Ange is married to Lucas and they have two sons, Will and Ollie. All seems okay in their house, but Ange suspects that Lucas is stepping out on her again, but she isn’t sure that she wants to know the truth. Fran and Nigel seem to be a perfect couple, but one of their two children may not belong to Nigel. And, finally, there is Isabelle, a single lady who suddenly appeared in the neighborhood and who is watching everyone and trying to discover their secrets. What is her goal? Why is she there? This book is more entertaining than a soap opera and more dramatic, too! Lots of secrets that push the characters headlong into a multi-faceted surprise ending. Reading this book reminded me of reading “Peyton Place” many years ago, but this one is much better written and rated for all readers who enjoy finding out facts about new characters and cheering for the good guys to win! .

I'd like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an E-ARC of this book. I am not married, and I am not a mother - yet I found every families' story relatable. I enjoyed this book immensely. #TheFamilyNextDoor #NetGalley

Truly loved this story and the mystery of who Isabelle was. The looks at the different families was also a great point of this story,

I’m very torn in how to rate this book. It completely reminds me of Desperate Housewives but that made it somewhat predictable.
I thought that the characters were fun and well developed. The storyline progressed at a good rate and I never had the desire to stop reading it.
All in all, I did really enjoy it and thought that it had just enough plot twists to keep me entertained.

I really enjoyed this book. Each chapter revealed more about each character. The premise of the story is that there is a child that was kidnapped and a nephew neighbor, Isabelle, a single fortyish woman shows up to a neighborhood. A nice, friendly but not too friendly neighborhood. At first glance, we have the first impressions that each of the main households is under the control. The only anomaly is simply that Essie suffered a post partum episode after the birth of her first child. Yet as the story unfolds, the reader discovers that each family has deep struggles. The book concentrates on telling the stories through the women and touches on what women seem to struggle with the most; motherhood, life balance, and impression management.

As crises occur, however, the women slowly break down barriers and discover good friends and support systems where they didn’t expect. Their original opinions of the family next door, whoever they may be, shifts.

The author paces the novel very well. She explores the subjects of marriage, motherhood, friendship, as well as infidelity, rebuilding after a crisis, or choosing not to include people after crisis. The reader doesn’t know who the abductor of the child is and, although there are arguments for each of the households highlighted, the child abduction is really just the catalyst for the houses of cards to fall and personas to slip.

I really enjoyed the book. I found it intriguing but also deeper than what I expected.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the preview copy of this book.

I had read and enjoyed The Things We Keep, and The Mother's Promise and this latest offering from Hepworth continues in the same vein. Excellent character development, and engaging storyline and a close look at how families work.

I, too, thought I knew where the story was headed and enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns.

Recommended.

If you enjoyed watching Desperate Housewives, this is a great book for you. Pleasant Court is a lovely neighborhood where Ange, Fran and Essie are each living with their husbands and raising their families. Things are so peaceful. But, each of the ladies has a secret she's hiding. Things become more intriguing when Isabelle, a single young woman moves into the neighborhood. Why would she want to move into this family neighborhood? No one seems to know. It sure seems like she has a secret she's hiding from everyone too. Soon the neighborhood secrets begin to unravel. How will everything end? Fantastic characters, great plot development, definitely a great book!

First time reading this author & I look forward to reading more by her.

Takes place in a Melbourne Australia neighborhood, Pleasant Court. Young married couples with small children, each family doing what families do- work, take care of the kids & keep on moving! But not everything is a perfect as it seems, a little bit of a Peyton Place!!

We met 3 women & their spouses & children, the twists & turns this story takes will keep you guessing & surprised by the twist this story takes. A new person moves into the neighborhood, a single woman & that is when things really start to snowball.

Each character was well developed & I didn't see the turn the story took until towards the end.

Very enjoyable book!!

I received an advanced review copy of this book from The Great Thoughts Ninja Review Team & from Net Galley, this is a fair & honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read The Family Next Door.
What defines a "normal" family, living in a "normal" neighborhood, in a "normal" town - this book tears that premise apart. The story centers on several families and their secrets and how they intertwine. There are alot of characters and subplots so this is not an easy read. I had to go back a few times to make sure I was comprehending.
Good Book - just a bit wordy and more complicated than I like to read. Fans of Moriarty and Unger will like this book.

When I read the synopsis for The Family Next Door, I thought that this would be a quick read. Something that would be a light read. Yeah right. This book is anything but light.

The Family Next Door has two major storylines and four sub-storylines. One of the major storylines was the mystery lady who is telling her daughter how thankful she was to have her. The other major storyline was about Isabelle and the reasons she moved to Pleasant Court.

The sub-storylines center around Ange, Fran, and Essie. Each has a secret that no one knows about. Ange needs to control every aspect of her life. Fran will not let her husband come near their newborn daughter. Essie’s storyline is a bit more complex. It focuses on her leaving her then-newborn daughter to a park and leaving her.

I loved how the author took each woman’s story and interwove it with Isabelle’s storyline. Each woman added depth to Isabelle’s storyline and they all interconnected. The mystery woman adds a bit of mystery that makes you want to know more about her and her situation.

I am not going to get into each woman here. But I will say that I did enjoy each woman’s story. I also felt bad for each woman portrayed. Each woman had issues to overcome and each did it in their own way.

I did predict what happened towards the end of the book. But I was not ready for the lengths that the person would go through. I actually felt bad for her. The trauma she endured was crippling. Doesn’t excuse what she did but still.

The Family Next Door is a gripping drama that breaks your heart. The characters are fleshed out. The plot is great. This was a book that made me think at the end of it.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Sex, language, and mild violence

I would like to thank Sally Hepworth, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing to read and review The Family Next Door.

All opinions stated in this review of The Family Next Door are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

Things are not as pleasant as outward impressions would have you believe on Pleasant Court. A new, single woman has moved in to this family neighborhood and everyone is wondering why. Fran has a new baby and a secret that she is trying to bury with endless running. Ange, the perfect working Mom, is seeing things in her husband that make her question his every move. And everyone is worried that Essie will again suffer postpartum depression and is keeping a close eye on her. When Essie becomes obsessed with the new neighbor everything begins to unravel. A story of family and truth and love that keeps you guessing about who is telling the truth.

This story centers around a neighborhood- “Pleasant Court” - of primarily married couples with children. It’s a family friendly community.

Ange & Lucas - Essi & Ben - and Fran & Nigel each have two kids.
Barbara is a single woman who lives next door to Essi — Barbara is Essi’s mother...and a hand’s on grandmother.
The only only single women mentioned in this community ( or of significant interest) is newcomer, Isabelle. She lives next door to Essi ( we assume the opposite side from her mother)

The men play a small role in the novel. It’s the women who are in the drivers seat.

With plenty of snide remarks, prissy attitudes, trials and tribulations, judgements, jealousy, gossip, infidelity, secrets and lies......”The Family Next Door”, is equal parts a serious soap opera, soap opera parody.....
.......a sympathy card to the pressures of raising a family and a satire jab at suburbia and the women who can always find something to gossip and complain about.

Personally, I felt this book was ‘readable’ but not inspiring. Besides the fact that I felt the plot was thin - lacking authentic depth - I felt there were too many roads that lead to nowhere. A path got carve out ... but then we didn’t get to walk on it.

At the start of this story Essi leaves her baby in a park and goes home — there was potential to move the story in many directions - much could have been explored .....
but instead the author quickly moved us to 3 years later — and essentially moved on to learn about everyone else in the community ( yes Essi spent time in a psychiatric institution- but it was simply mentioned).... ZIPPY-DO-DA.... Essi is well with another baby in hand.
I never felt Essi’s forgetting her baby -leaving it in that park - ever tied in with the rest of the story.

Later — Ange wanted to begin a “Neighborhood Watch”....and invited the ladies to her house. NOTHING about that idea got developed.

One of the kids broke his wrist - it was another tidbit detail no more important than eating Froot Loops for breakfast.

The big question this novel brings up is “how well do we know our neighbors”? Fact is ..... I think the topic is very thin. To get me/ the reader to ‘care’ one way or another I would need another story than the one we read. At times the writing was a bit too clever and smug for its own good.

If I knew this book was straight black comedy I think I might have liked it better...
As it was .... otherwise — it’s hard to read an entire novel with most of the women so tightly-wound up to their issues.

However .... I like this quote very much.... I read it a few times. And it made me sad .....because the people who suffered most in this novel were the children.

“One thing you didn’t realize until you were a grandparent was is that little children were a tiny glimpse of magic in a dreadfully difficult world”. ...... absolutely the authors best line in this book IMO!!!

3 Stars .... I actually considered giving it less to be honest.... but I feel there ARE women who will eat this type of book up —
The PLUS for me in reading it —

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth.

Pleasant Court seemed like the perfect place to raise your family. Fran, An He and Eddie all lived on Pleasant Court with their families. Then Isabelle, a single woman, moves onto the street! The only other single person on the street is Essie's mom. Pleasant Court holds many secrets. This cul-de-sac of folks is not so perfect after all. This book kept me guessing to the end.