This is the first book that I have read by this author, although she does have one before this that I am currently reading. This book and author has joined my list of not to be read in public in case people think I'm crazy for bursting out in laughter at random times.

This is a romantic comedy, it is both funny and romantic. I loved the timing and flow of the book, I was often snorting as I read one shenanigan after the other. I liked that I got to read the story from each of the main character's perspective, it really kept me engaged. I also felt that it lent authenticity to the novel.

The characters were a delight. All of them, main, supporting and random. Human and animal. There was just the right amount of personality (crazy) that had me leaning in.

The events and timeline were believable and timely. There was no rushing or question how feelings got there everything moved along nicely and appropriately.

I immensely enjoyed this book and look forward to more from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for the review copy of this book. When she has a costume malfunction at a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bree meets a knight in shining pick-up-truck, and the damsel in green fairy makeup is immediately smitten. That is, until she discovers that he has attended the play with his girlfriend.

Fast forward, and Bree discovers her new neighbor is none other than Chip, the play attendee who came to her rescue. What starts out as innocent jokes and accidents escalates into an all-out prank war quite quickly. If only Chip and Bree weren’t trying so hard to deny their feelings.

I found this book very enjoyable. The characters were quirky, if not always likeable. The pranks were outlandish, but really just part of the fun. I laughed often, and even felt some tugs on my heart. This book is really about how two people are working toward their goals and realizing impactful insights along the way. I loved the home improvement and theater back stories as well. What does it mean to be a good neighbor? Chip and Bree are about to find out!

This is my first Melissa Ferguson book, and I am now a fan! The Cul-de-Sac- War would make a great movie. It reminds me of You've Got Mail. A rom-com with serious undertones. Bree and Chip are hilarious and adorable. I was rooting for them from the first chapter. A great read!!!

When I started this book I did not realize that there was a book previous to this one that may have added to this story. This book may have flowed a little better if I had realized this so you may want to read the author’s first book before starting this one. I did like the chemistry between Bree and Chip but wish I had some additional background information on the other characters. All in all it was a decent story but it was lacking in a few places. I may go back an read her first book to see if it makes this book more complete. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After how long last week felt and, like many others have expressed, I had a hard time focusing on the book I was reading. I picked this up in the hopes that a fun, light-hearted romance would pull me out this funk. And well, I was disappointed.

This is supposed to be an enemies to lovers romance but it definitely didn’t feel that way. The reason Bree “hates” Chip does not come off as believable to me. Bree and Chip also engage in a prank war, that honestly, was very childish. I think the author’s purpose was to bring some humor to the story but it was just annoying.

For being a romance novel, there was hardly any of it until literally the last chapter. It is easy to assume that the characters are going to end up together but the execution did not make the big confession worthwhile or believable. Not to mention the last third of the book was extremely rushed.

Overall, a quick read that left me quite disappointed.

I loved this book so much! It was adorable and I had some serious laugh out loud moments! I don’t know why people aren’t talking about this book more. I read this several days ago (in one sitting!) and I still keep thinking about Bree and Chip! I definitely recommend this book!

I enjoyed this book enough to buy the first book in the series. That doesn’t mean that I liked the heroine initially. It was very hard for me to click with Bree because I just couldn’t understand why she was acting like such a child. There really was no reason, even though, yes, she was dealing with a traumatic experience. It was just kinda unbelievable. I’m not sure that excuses her behavior, though. I kept going with the book because of Chip. In a great turn of events, Chip humanizes Bree for me, and I enjoyed that element of the book. I enjoyed it. I probably would give it 3.5, but bump it up to 4.

If you could use a little bit of escape and want something with romance and humor, then I recommend you read The Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson. This book had me laughing so hard at all the "war" strategies the two neighbors try on each other. I even had to explain to my husband what I was laughing about, and he thought it was funny too. It wasn't all comedy though. There was also drama with families, jobs, roommates, and relationships. And there was romance that would make a good hallmark movie. This is definitely a book that you should try if you just want a good romantic comedy to take your mind off of everything going on around you. I recommend this book for those who enjoy romantic comedies and contemporary fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The would make a good YA novel , because the characters act just like children . Like get a hold of yourself !!
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Bree and Chip are neighbor who are bumping heads over the brute of a dog, property line and other stuff . They started playing trick on each other , trying to out do the other . They’re each facing their own struggle , trying to process their careers while figuring out this adulting thing .
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This is kind of a enemies lover romance , without the love or the romance . I get that this is a clean novel, that’s no issue , I’m a big clean romance cornesieur ( hello Judith Miller ), but where is the connection? When Bree said she was in Love With Chip, I said HOW ??? WHEN??? , YOU DONT EVEN KNOW HIM.
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Thanks netgalley for the ARC of this book!

This book took a long time to get to the actual romance part. That's unlike most romance novels out there. Not sure if I liked that.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Cul-De-Sac War.

This sounded fun and cute and I love enemies to lovers, but unfortunately this fell flat for me. The synopsis didn't quite seem to match what I read and it was hard to get into, there were too many characters and the main characters were just so unlikeable.

I normally like light romantic comedies. Especially when the world seems like it’s going to hell in a handbag. But, this book just didn’t do it for me. I found some of it just a little too over the top and then some of it just a tad bit juvenile. I wanted the pranks to be a little more funny and a little less kiddish.
There wasn’t enough development of the romance. I thoroughly enjoyed the teasing between Chip and Bree, but it was overshadowed by my internal thoughts of telling them to grow up.
To be honest, I didn’t know this was a Christian romance when I requested it. If I hadn’t looked up Melissa Ferguson, I wouldn’t have known. My mistake. It just wasn’t what I was expecting after reading the blurb. I was disappointed, because the description sounded awesome.
Overall, the relationship was strange and similar to elementary school. Their was definitely some humor and heart in this and it will appeal more to those who do enjoy Christian fiction, or those that enjoy young adult romances where there is nothing physical.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a chance to read this book. All thoughts are my own.

What a great book to read during these trying times in the world. A delicious romantic comedy that warmed my heart. Bree and Chip are such delightful characters. Their war against each other is hilarious, and Russell the drooling dog.....! I was always anxious for Chip. He never fretted not having enough money or jobs, he just plugged through and got 'er done. I loved the way Bree persevered & practiced her way into theater. They both had family who cared about them and who they cared about. I would definitely recommend this light read.
Thanks to #ThomasNelson and #netgalley for an ARC of this book.

If you are looking for a quick rom-com read you will be satisfied with this book. I prefer more depth to my books, especially books marketed as Christian. The faith element of the book seemed non-existent for me. I think the author is gifted with creative writing ideas and some scenes were funny and entertaining but overall, it fell flat for me. Bree was an unlikeable character and immature and I didn’t see her personal growth as the author tried to present at the end of the story.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This review is my personal opinion.

Unfortunately, this book just didn't work for me. I listened to part of this as an audio book and read part as a print copy. The narrator of the audio book was good and she definitely kept me engaged in the lightheartedness of the story.

To start with, the book just didn't match the synopsis. I thought from the narrative that Bree had inherited half of the house? The synopsis seems to indicate that there was a bargain worked out with her parents, but I didn't get that at all. Maybe Bree was flighty when it comes to jobs, but I also didn't get that from the plot. She was acting from the first page, so I never saw evidence of previous jobs. Also, in what universe would a bit part at an out of the way theater support a person? I want to live there! And I thought Shakespeare was public domain for theaters, so I didn't buy that suddenly this theater company doesn't have the rights to perform Much Ado About Nothing after the cast had been hired (and why didn't they have contracts and how were they getting paid if they didn't?)--my logical brain just couldn't make sense of all of these seemingly large holes.

The love story just didn't ring true. Admittedly, once the relationship between Bree and Chip developed, it was cute and their banter was endearing. However, it took most of the book for that to gel and for me it was too little, too late. I was so angered by the dog basically attacking her and holding her hostage and his attitude of both thinking it was funny and not a big deal that I almost quit reading right then (and it was nearly at the beginning of the book). The pranks got really old and I found myself rolling my eyes far more often than chuckling at their adolescent behavior.

Overall, if you light light romantic comedy, you might enjoy this one. It just wasn't the right book for me.

Readers looking for a fun and lighthearted romantic comedy will certainly want to read this latest from Melissa Ferguson. This is one romance that will have you laughing throughout the book.

The story centers on Bree and Chip, who have a pleasant first meeting that seems as if it will be one of those instances where people meet and never cross paths again. As luck would have it, Bree and Chip meet again under some not so pleasant circumstances when they discover that he has bought the house next door to Bree’s and has plans for a renovation.

To add to their issues is Chip’s dog Russell. Russell is a large mastiff that has taken a liking to Bree and loves to show her some slobbery love, along with a few unexpected tackles to the ground.

I’ll admit, this story was highly predictable, but it was lots of fun following the relationship and the pranks the characters pulled on each other. I highly recommend this to readers who need a fun rom-com to lighten things up in their life.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing to read an advance copy and give an honest review.

After a truly stellar first chapter, this book turned into a never-ending narrative of days with no purpose. Almost no funny pranks (as the book description suggests), no meaningful events, and zero chemistry between the leads. At 67% the leads are STILL IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PEOPLE and have had no romantic interaction with each other.

But this book just keeps plowing forward, drawing out every mundane daily task with no thought to building a narrative. I finally gave up.

DNF at 70%

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson

“All’s fair in love and prank wars.”

Fans of the enemies to lovers trope, this one is for you! Bree cannot stand her new next door neighbour, Chip. He’s bought the house next door and is fixing it up, but could not be further from neighbourly. Add in his 200lb+ dog that tackles her every time she gets out of her car and she’s had enough. Neighbour prank wars ensue!

This is a quick, lighthearted rom com that is sweet and funny, with virtually no steaminess. Although it took me some time to get into it, I enjoyed the novel overall, and it was a cheerful way to spend an evening. I liked Bree & Chip’s banter; I also really liked the alternating points of view so we could see how they each came to care about the other throughout the course of the book.

I would recommend this for readers in the mood for an easy happily ever after book, who are looking for that cheesy but heartwarming combination. A bit of escapism, a few laughs, a nice tidy bow at the end.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for free access to an e-copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️

Bree Leake does not want to be tied down by anything. She has had too many jobs to keep track of and is planning to move after the show she is in at The Barter performance theater.  When it comes time to move Bree’s parents offer her grandmothers house if she will stay put for a year. She has always wanted this house. Her next door neighbor Chip Mcbride might be the only person who is more stubborn then Bree. He has made her life miserable since she can't move for a year she does the next best thing to force Chip to move instead. Chip is very competitive as they start playing pranks on each other something changes from hate to love. 

I have never read this author before but I did enjoy this book. It was a slow start for me at first but I liked it. It is an entertaining read. It is definitely a unique storyline and not something that is overdone. I couldn't wait to see what ended up happening. If you are looking for a new author or book check this out. 

I received this book from Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it and this is my honest review.

I've been avoiding reviewing this because I have such mixed feelings about it. I'm rounding up my 3.5 star review to 4 since I did really enjoy the last 40% of the book. If you read The Dating Charade, you just know that Melissa Ferguson is an excellent writer! I have a paperback copy of The Dating Charade, so I shared it with my sister and my mom. They loved it as much as I did. I was so excited to read The Cul-de-Sac War, and I was going to tell my sister to be sure to get a copy of the book. Now, I'm just not so sure.

It was cute, yes. But, Bree was just so mean in the first part of the book.

I don't want to give spoilers, but from the synopsis you can see that she's trying to get her new neighbor to move since he annoys her. Rather than talk to him and try to be neighborly, she gets on this vindictive kick. It's more than pranks. Some are harmless, but others cause Chip some major problems.

When they finally do really talk, Bree finds that he's not what she thought....and that is very late in the book. Then things start feeling more like the first book, and I zoomed through to the end. (I feel like it took me forever to get through that first part.)

Also, I agree with some of the other reviewers who point out that there's not much Christianity in the book. I'm not sure if that's the publisher's doing or what because I really feel as if there was more in the first book. Chip touches on his faith a bit during that last part that I loved, but there's nothing that specifically points the reader to a relationship with Christ.

This would have been at least a 4.5 star book for me if the first 60% felt like the last 40%! I'm crossing my fingers for another book by the author that feels like The Dating Charade for at least 90% next time!

Thanks, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the free ARC. I was not required to leave a review.