Danielle Steel never disappoints. Although it has been a couple of years since reading a Danielle Steel book, her latest book “ Neighbors” quickly reminded me why I always enjoyed reading her novels. Her characters were relatable and engaging. ‘Neighbors’ shows us that you are never too old to find love and friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed this easy to read, ‘couldn’t put down’ book.

What can I say about a Danielle Steel book that hasn't been said before. The woman is amazing and can weave a story like no one else. I can always count on her for a great read and this one proved no different. Loved it and looking forward to any she writes.

I am a longtime fan of Danielle Steel and this book took me back to her early writings. The pain one feels when having lost a child can stifle our ability to move forward. The tragedy of the earthquake was the catalyst to help Meredith move forward and once again find happiness in this life we live. Certainly one of the best books Ms. Steel has written. I highly recommend this book.

This is vintage Danielle Steele. Strong woman lead character and several minor disruptions changing her life. Meredith White has become a recluse. She was a Hollywood legend but the death of her son and divorce made her go into hiding. For years she let a couple take over her life and finances. When a major earthquake shakes the neighborhood she opens her home to several families who help her discover she is being robbed blind. As she becomes involved in their lives she realizes that life is worth living and becomes more active in her life. I loved the characters and the interaction that takes place. I loved that they all changed and become a family as well as friends. The book looks at family violence and consequences of divorce. It would be great to have Neighbors Two and continue the children's stories. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Author #Danielle Steel has a new novel # Neighbors. Interesting fact is
she has sold almost a billion copies of her novels! And this one on a personal note is now one of my favorites.
Meredith White lives in San Francisco as a recluse. Once being one of Hollywood's most recognizable faces. Then, a massive earthquake strikes. Filled with drama, twists, and courage. Such a enjoyable novel of love.
Thank you for the advance copy,
# Netgalley, # Danielle Steel and # Delacorte Press

In San Francisco, a group of strangers who happen to be neighbors will be brought together in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. Meredith White, a once-famous actress and now recluse opens her gated mansion to a group of people who cannot safely return home yet.. Shocked that Meredith lives on their street, this unusual crew of neighbors form a new family in the midst of tragedy. Each person is hiding something or facing their own personal challenges and the earthquake forces them to face reality head on while forging a new start. This is trademark Steele-while there aren't any real surprises it is a short, easy read that fans will enjoy.

Thank you to the publisher, writer and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

The novel Neighbors by Danielle Steel is over five hundred pages long, and I'm here to tell you it should have ended at page 277, chapter 8, when everything that could and should have happened didn't. I DNF'd this at 53%.

The focus of the plot is an older woman named Meredith who is a retired actress having spent fourteen years or so as a recluse, living with a couple who work for her. After the death of her son and the divorce that lead to her daughter moving away, her husband cheating on her and leaving, things have not been so great. Fortunately ( wow ), an earthquake around 8.3 on the scale brings several houses in the rich Californian area down to shambles. Suddenly, Meredith opens her doors like Elsa does in Frozen and opens her home and her heart to several couples and people in general.

I had no issue with the plot. At first, I was intrigued by the idea of a natural disaster creating bonds and forcing people who normally wouldn't meet, to get along. To see their fates intertwined. However, this book had its several issues.

First, the writing style. I know Danielle Steel is a best selling author with a million books and people are obsessed with her, but reading this novel really made me question what people are attracted to. Is it because, in this novel to me, it's super easy and quick to read because there is more telling of the story than showing?

This writing reminds me of the rushed epilogues in books, the last five pages of a really good novel that makes a decision to do a recap on what happens next for the reader who might be unsatisfied with finishing it. This entire novel feels like a recap, like I'm being told what happens, who says what, what people feel and what they do next. While there are characters I wish I could get attached to, like the blind pianist Arthur who I'd love to see have a book and his help Peter who wants to be an author and is dedicated to helping Arthur like a son. The shock factors and character development were subtitles on a screen.

I wasn't sure if this was actually meant to be read like a movie, but it just could not have gotten worse than it did to me. I decided to DNF because at 50%... I honestly thought it would be the end, and I wanted it to be. I kept asking myself, "What can happen now? Why will anything happen?". I just do not care about it.

I really wish I had a better first impression of Steel's writing. This... was an unfortunate find, and her latest one. I have no idea what else I could read after this.

Second, the plot. While exploring the relationships further past the main event is a good idea and can be done well, Steel doesn't set it up that way. Yes, we see things such as Meredith's workers development, how they want to keep Meredith from being free again. There's her new relationship with a man, and Peter's new love. Oh, and not to mention Tyla and her kids, how will we ever find out how she leaves the abusive relationship?

The first eight chapters, mind you it took 277 pages, set this novel up for a failure in my experience and not so humble opinion. I truly wish I hadn't suffered this many pages. While the characters could have been special, and interesting, and they could have driven a real story... I was handed a story written in a text book explanation format. The perspective was simple and bluntly written with no emotions evoked in the dialogue.

In an example, when we are told that a certain character feels a certain way... nearly the next page another character explains that feeling out loud to another character. Almost every page is a reminder, six paragraphs too long, of a scene that happened before. Then, something else happens.

I honestly did try to enjoy this. And I couldn't. I don't recommend this, especially for anyone my age, or someone who needs to experience a novel in order to enjoy it.

This book had an interesting story line--a reclusive woman takes in her neighbors after a large earthquake. But, I simply could not finish it (I read about half), because of the writing style. Steel seems to be off her game in this book, constantly repeating in one paragraph what was already said in the previous one. It's as if the main goal was to reach a particular word or page count, rather than to make the story flow. And, there are rapid shifts from the perspective of one character to another, without transition of any sort. Finally, the characters seem quite stereotypical. A story with great potential, but lacks the substance to make it work.

Neighbors (this review is from a Net galley ARC)
Author: Danielle Steel

Meredith White lives in San Francisco, she was at one time a huge movie star, but since her 14-year-old son died in a boating accident and her husband (also a movie star) left her for another woman, she
had withdrawn from public life and does not venture out of her house and is virtually a recluse..
Her only interaction is with her two staff members who live on the property who see to all her needs.
One night there is a destructive earthquake which damages many of the houses of her neighbors, and Meredith feels she must reach out to her neighbors to see if there is anything she can do. We are then introduced to the many characters in the story and they change Meredith’s life for the better. One of the neighbors is a surgeon and he has anger issues that are shown early in the book. His wife has bruises and his kids are petrified of him. Another neighbor is a famous blind pianist and his hired assistant as well as a businessman who has done well in the technology sector. He treats his girlfriend of two years as a possession as he is not interested in marriage and he could discard her at any time.
Meredith in house staff Debbie and Jack are none too happy about the houseguests Meredith will only find out later that they were stealing from her in many creative ways. A former military officer Charles who she meets because of the earthquake through his suspicions he finds out the shocking truth about her housekeepers. Meredith also has a contentious relationship with her daughter Kendall who never forgave her mother for the death of her brother Justin. There is a granddaughter that Meredith eventually meets and this relationship blossoms.
Neighbors is a look at when people are faced with disasters they react in different ways, with the forces of love and courage they can develop new relationships. This novel also covers domestic violence and self-isolation.

Meredith White was one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. But a personal tragedy cut her acting career short and alienated her from her family. For the last fifteen years, Meredith has been living alone in San Francisco with two trusted caretakers.
When a massive earthquake hits Northern California that is when everything changes. Neighbors' houses are damaged and they need places to stay. Meredith opens up her home to several families. They didn't even realize that she lived there. Now they are all living in this mansion and getting to know each other.
1 is a family who the husband is a doctor and his wife and children fear him. Another is a beautiful woman who is dating a playboy and then we have a blind musician being taken care of by an aspiring writer.
Meredith is actually feeling whole again being around people and helping them. During all of this she meets Charles, a former military officer.
Meredith also has a family but they seem estranged from her.
I had a really hard time putting this book down. We get to know ll the characters and the friendships that are formed.
Meredith also has a couple that takes care of her and her mansion and they aren't to happy these people have all moved into the mansion and they aren't who Meredith thinks they are.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC to review.

I received this book through netgalley. I am late on my review
I always love her book's to me they are getting shorter and shorter.
I can not wait to read more of her books.

I received this book from NetGalley to read and review. I love Danielle Steel and have been reading her books for so long now.
I found this book to have an interesting premise. The main character goes through some horrible events in her life and becomes a recluse. In doing so she leaves herself open to being used and misused by people that she has hired to take care of her.
When another major event happens she is woken from herself and goes out to meet her neighbors and see if she can help. Since her home is the only one livable she invites the neighbors to live with her until the abodes are repaired and safe again.
So start the intertwining of people lives, loves, secrets and daily issues. As the neighbors grow closer they start to depend on each other more and more and the problems they all have start to surface.
Ride along as we follow these characters dealing with issues that some of us might now or have dealt with and how they overcome life on a daily basis.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
On a par with most DS novels but does deal with some important social issues - domestic violence, live in help who embezzled from their employer, natural disaster in the form of an earthquake that brings neighbors together. A little slow moving but entertaining.

Anticipation is what I have come to feel from America’s #1 bestselling author. Neighbors addresses some hard realities in life.Be it either from family or outside forces. Ms. Steel adeptly weaves a well crafted story centering around an earthquake which quickly changes the lives of these neighbors whom up to this point have never met. They rapidly become intertwined with each other’s lives offering friendship and what ensues next is relatable to many. Another DS novel in which I was quickly transported to this California town and the characters she craftily developed. Thank you #Netgalley #Neighbors for the early copy. All opinions are my own.

Love Danielle Steel's books. This was her at her best.Neighbors was a book about what good neighbors should be. After a earthquake hits a bunch of neighbors meet, some for the first time. And as there stories start to come out it goes to show not everybody's what they seem. I want to thank netgalley for the change to read this book for an honest opinion. 😊.

Terrific story using an earthquake to bring a reclusive movie star out into the present. Great characters, wonderful story lines all well blended in Danielle Steel's great story telling talent. Will be one your your favorites for a long time.

Over the years, I think the Danielle Steel novels I love most are like this one - some larger tragedy, occasionally loosely based on a real-life event, or a possible natural disaster like this one with an earthquake - that shakes up the characters and presents a story full of incredible layers, character development, and page-turning plotline.

As always, Steel’s characters are the heart of the story and the reason I will always pick up every title she ever writes.

Thank you to Delacorte Press + NetGalley for providing me an eARC in exchange for my personal review.

Another Danielle Steel great read. Danielle Steel is one of my favorite authors, she never disappoints!! Loved the characters and storyline. The interaction between the characters is amazing. Danielle is not afraid to address all issues facing the world today. In this book it is domestic abuse, and it was beautiful written.

We all can identify with the concept of Neighbors, we like some, we dislike some, and some even end up in stupid fights over little things like nature. Despite all of our differences, nevertheless we are there for our neighbors when disaster hits. Danielle Steel created a unique dynamic around this neighborly way in her newest book, Neighbors.
As we have seen over the years, Steel takes charge of the romance novels and delivers on all our expectations in each book, but this one is different. Steel touches on some “touchy” topics, mainly domestic abuse, embezzlement, and toxic masculinity. She writes about these in a way that no matter what phase of life you are in or even if you are in a situation that these characters experience, you are able to identify. I find this to be an important part of being a great author. You want your readers to be captivated and be able to imagine themselves in your story, and Steel delivers.
Some of you may be wondering why only a 3 out of 5? The reason is, it was slow. There was nothing wrong with the story or the character development or even the plot, it was just slow. To be fair I did start this book at 3am on a Monday morning at the beginning of December, and it might have been the time, the excitement over the holidays, a long depressive episode, or the sheer fact that it was 3am, but it didn't immediately capture my interest. It starts off very repetitive and I was not the biggest fan of the redundancy.
Overall, after things picked up I could not put the book down and was so intrigued by what would happen! The twists and turns, the small spoiler of it doesn’t follow the basic romance novel pattern was ultimately what kept me going in the end and what made me change my ranking from low to middle. If you get the chance to read this, check it out from the library or any other way of obtaining the book, do it. Read it and pass it along.
If you or a loved one is in an abusive situation and need help please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or visit their website at the www.hotline.org

Loved reading the engaging and enthralling story by the phenomenal author, Danielle Steel. After an earthquake, Meredith invites her neighbors to stay with her and builds lasting relationships with them. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, riveting storyline with captivating characters, and a must read story.'
I reviewed a copy of the book through NetGalley.