While I enjoyed this book, I felt it could have been so much more. I liked the authors style, I liked the flow of the book.... but I guess I was expecting some huge reveal or drama, and it fell a little short. Not to say there wasn't drama; there was-- addiction, marital issues, parenting-- they all bring a certain amount of drama to the table.... but I felt like there was going to be something "more". Maybe that's just me, and I'm spoiled by crazy plot twists, but who knows? I'll definitely recommend this book, and I'd even re-read it myself.... a solid 3&1/2 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
This was my first book by Paige Roberts, and she definitely has a way of drawing you in. Great writing that's easy and enjoyable to read. That said, the subject matter of this book really wasn't my cup of tea. It's basically an insider's view of what can happen to a family as a result of opioid addiction. I was expecting a twist that never happened, which left me feeling a bit let down. The author was very careful to weave in the politically correct opinion that addiction is a disease, which tends to annoy me to no end. When all is said and done, while this was not my favorite due to the subject matter, I can see many people being able to relate and find it interesting or helpful.

The unique premise of this one is what captured my attention and the execution was brilliant. This is an engrossing novel that is hard to put down! I do not think that many authors would do this story the justice that Paige Roberts did!

The Last House on Sycamore Street by Paige Roberts is a story of friendship and motherhood with some added suspense. Amy and Grace meet when Amy and her husband purchase Grace and Julian’s home. Amy and Grace develop a friendship that starts with their children connecting with each other. Amy admires Grace’s style and looks up to her, however, it becomes clear early on that things with Grace are not exactly what they seem. Julian, Grace’s husband, exhibits odd behavior and past due notices keep showing up in the mail for Julian and Grace. I found Amy to be an annoying character with her insecurity and Grace was difficult to connect with as well because details about her were not forthcoming. The pace of the book picked up a bit at the end, however this is a book that I kept waiting for something more to happen but it really never did. I do believe an important subject was touched upon with the opioid epidemic being a subject that is brought up in this book. I just wish there would have been more, more drama, more character development, more of a storyline. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.

I was intrigued with the summary and description of The Last House on Sycamore Street and though I was captivated, it was with a slight sense of unsettled frustration. I kept waiting for a big shocking scene or a breakthrough that would bring me to the edge of my seat. But it was a good book and I did enjoy reading it. It flowed easily, the characters were relatable, and the plot and story were interesting, to say the least. Very engaging read!

Amy and Rob move from the city and find the perfect house with very eager sellers, Grace & Julian. While their eagerness was a little odd, the move happened and Amy & Rob began to get settled in. Some strange things happened though, such as receiving Julian's mail and several overdue bills. It became obvious that there were several secrets and odd things happening and Amy and Rob were starting to feel a little on edge.
The story has a sense of urgency and suspense to it, but it never quite hit the level I expected it to get to. However, when I had a free day to devote to reading, this book did draw me in and was a good read.

This is a low key tale of two women who become friends when one- Amy-buys the other's -Grace- house. Roberts has woven domestic drama with kids and the ongoing opioid crisis into a story where there's always menace lurking but it never goes over the top. Amy learns early on that Grace's husband Julian has an addiction problem. Sadly, Amy's brother Tim is also an addict. Grace and Amy become quite close largely because their sons Ethan and Noah are also friends. Something is not quite right, however, in Grace's world and things eventually come to a head. Roberts could have gone big with this plot but she didn't because this is a story of ordinary people both denying and dealing with a huge problem. That's a good thing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a well written story of what's underneath some of those smiles in the pick up line.

Perhaps the description of this book makes it seem a little more suspenseful that it really is. Basically - nothing happens to/for/about/any prepositional phrase Amy until almost 70% into the book. Everything is about Grace and Amy is just passively living her life.. Then a few things actually happen that actively involve Amy and then its back to being passive again.

It had amazing potential but every time Noah yelled I just wanted to tell him to STFU...so I was telling a fictional four year old how to quiet down every other page.

Overall Grade: C+

The Last House on Sycamore Street by Paige Roberts is not a thriller as I initially thought, but women’s fiction. Once you have your expectations adjusted, you can enjoy the book! I was waiting for something scary and thrilling to happen but it doesn’t, though this was a good book and I wanted to see how it ended.

Amy and her husband Rob along with their young son Noah who is very smart and introverted, buy the last house on Sycamore Street in the Philadelphia suburbs. Amy strikes up a friendship with the previous owners of her new house, stylish Grace and Julian, and their son Ethan becomes friends with Noah. There are some things about Grace and Julian that Amy doesn’t understand, things that seem weird about them like why does Julian’s mail keep getting delivered to the house? Where exactly do Grace and Julian live and why is she so evasive when Amy asks? What are their secrets?

Here’s the plot:

When Amy Kravitz opts to leave Washington, D.C., behind in favor of a less stressful life in the Philadelphia suburbs, she has a certain kind of house in mind. And on a charming street in a
family-friendly neighborhood, she and her husband Rob find it. It’s a perfect brick colonial with plenty of space, a beautiful yard, and great schools nearby. The sellers, Julian and Grace Durant, are eager to make a deal. In an unexpected bonus, the Durants’ young son, Ethan, strikes up a friendship with Amy and Rob’s introverted four-year-old, Noah.

Soon, Amy is unpacking boxes in her new home and arranging playdates for Noah and Ethan. But as weeks go by, Amy suspects something isn’t quite right. Julian’s mail keeps arriving at their old address, and Amy can hardly miss the “Final Notice” stamped on the envelopes in big, red letters. Behind the
laid-back veneer projected by the Durants, Amy senses lives reeling out of control. But how much does Grace know, how much is she choosing to ignore–and is there more at stake in Amy speaking up or in staying silent?

This type of story probably plays out again and again in the suburbs, things are not what they seem and people are not what you think.

Whomp whomp..... this definitely was not worth my reading time.

Of course.. what initially intrigued me to this novel was that white picket fence. I've always been a huge fan of horror.. and was totally playing out a horror flick with this cover. Sadly... my horror flick was not brought to life in this novel.

I was waiting and waiting for something... anything frankly to happen in this novel! Yikes... talk about waiting for a decade. This book detailed every moment of the Kravitz family... which wasn't the author's best play by play. If I have to hear about Amy's unpacking and freelance work one more time I think I was going to vomit. I felt like I was watching the Truman Show.... us being detailed on every single aspect of this family's life (in reality..... this family was super boring and dull)... YIKES.

I should probably have DNFe'd this book but I was hoping and praying that it would pick up and have some spice!

2 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Publication date: 9/25/18
Published to GR: 9/3/18

A brilliantly written tale which shows us that all is not as it often seems behind closed doors in wealthy, upper-class suburbia.

This book gives you a glimpse into a young family's life and I love books like that. It's just day to day stuff: buying a house, setting the house up, working, having the grandparents watch their pre-schooler, etc.

The family that owned the house before them forgot to get the mail forwarded and Amy and Rob end up finding out that family is having financial issues.  They also end up befriending the family that used to live there - which I found a little odd and unrealistic, but maybe I am just being cynical.  They end up realizing that the family that used to live in the house has some addiction issues and that puts Amy and Rob and their son Noah at risk.

It is a completely realistic and relatable story.  I would not be surprised if this has all happened to someone or if someday I hear a friend tell me this happened to someone they know.

Three stars for this quick read. I fell in love with the cover, and was intrigued with the right up. Unfortunately, the story itself didn’t live up to it. Amy and Rob buy a house from Grace and Julian. They each have 4 year old boys, so a friendship starts. But, something is not right, things that just don’t add up. Characters are fine, many are annoying and not really necessary to the story. The story is slow, but picks up about 60% in. Not enough substance in the story or characters for me. Predictable.

Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

Review posted on Goodreads and BookBub. Will post on Amazon on pub day.

This is one of those books where... stuff happens. It is the story of two families, both dealing with similar problems in different ways, who only know each other because one bought a home from the other. It feels like the author wanted this story to be poignant and meaningful, a deep, emotional read. Unfortunately, I didn't really connect with the characters in that way. I'm glad I stuck with it, and a myriad of people will love this book, however it was a rather slow, uneventful read for me.

Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and review "The Last House on Sycamore Street." All opinions expressed are solely my own.
I really am at a loss with this book. I found it pretty disjointed and really just dragged on and on and on........had a hard time finishing it. I kept thinking it has to get better but, it didn't.

Received a copy of this book from the publishers through Netgalley.
Interesting storyline but found it a bit long drawn out a lot of description could have been omitted,for instance Amy conversation eith her mother,Noel temperature for a dsy,short conversations with Emilly did not help but hinder the progress of the story.The main characters seemed weak both Gloria and Amy,collecting the mail,dubious characters looking for Jullian a bit far fetched all in all a pleasant summer read if the contents of the plot are polished up and added more suspence to the story.

I will definitely be reading Paige Roberts next book! The Last House on Sycamorw Street read like a story told by a friend. The plot was believable and relatable, as Roberts writes with ease on a range of subjects dealt with in the book from motherhood, to drug addiction and adult friendships. My only critical comment would be that the main character Amy was developed well with the exception of the exploration of her relationship to her mother/brother. There is so much to their backstory that could have given a greater insight into Amy, her surrender relationships and choices. Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was an odd read - I'm not sure exactly what genre it qualifies as. For most of the novel nothing happens at all. Amy and Rob buy a house and move in with their son Noah. Amy unpacks, Amy does freelance work, Rob's parents babysit so they can go out for dinner, Noah starts preschool. Noah has a fever - it is 99.9F in the evening and 100.1F in the morning. Amy passes on mail the previous owners have failed to get redirected. It was like reading the journal of some one living a normal life - very dull to an outsider.

Then the plot appears to thicken as the mail Amy receives for the previous owners reveals they are in financial difficulties, but even this drags for ever without anything coming of it. Amy accidentally opens one of these letters and agonizes about what to do about her knowledge of the contents.

Towards the end things do come to something of a head, but even then it is all smoothed over and it seems as if everything will work out in the long run. Not a terrible read (although the writing is unsophisticated), just very dull.

A realistic, engaging read! I loved this book. The writing style is fantastic, and the story is so real, it could be about anyone.

Excited to read more from Paige Roberts.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!