After reading this I read that the author’s other books were legal thrillers which surprised me because the court case was a real low part of the book. It was so clear that something else was going on that it seemed silly and it was very slow. I literally fell asleep during this part.

I liked the idea and largely the book but I can’t help but think that the take away for a lot of people is going to be that racism is very subjective or in people’s heads or that we don’t always know the truth. I don’t think that was the goal at all but I don’t think it was explicit enough that these actions were all put in place because of two “nice” neighbors who couldn’t talk to their new neighbors about a bylaw.

This was my first Kia Abdullah book and it defiantly won’t be the last! Perfectly Nice Neighbors was fast paced and grabbed me from the start. I couldn’t put it down with all the unexpected twists and turns. It touched on several major issues that many of us are unfortunately facing today and did a great job showing all sides of these injustices. Perfectly Nice Neighbors would make a great pick for book clubs and is a must read!

Kia Abdullah has written two of my favorite all time five star novels and I have now added the third. The writing is award winningly outstanding, the plot is intrinsically dense and the lessons learned are heartbreaking. Racism is the scourge, biases are the weapon and we are all wounded. This is the novel that makes you stop at the end of a chapter and check yourself. Did I seriously feel empathy for a racist? At another point did I seriously question the reasoning of a woman of color? As an anti racist white women these feelings made me uncomfortable and Abdullaha’s writing always challenges me in such a sweeping manner. We expect a domestic thriller followed by a courtroom drama and every page is a revelation. We say books stay with us and I dreamed of these characters, saw them on the street and at work and felt their love, anger and pain inside and out. Remarkable. it’s hard to know what to write except to ask you to read this author and her previous novels if you haven’t. Brilliant.

This took a little while to get going and snag my interest. This was an emotional read for me as it dealt with community racism. Parts were hard to stomach but unfortunately true of today's world. The twists were excellent and so was the ending.

I love this author because she really makes the reader think from different, and often, opposing views. This book was a little easier ro read (in my opinion) than her others. 5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the copy of Perfectly Good Neighbors by Kia Abdullah. I loved the unpredictable, topical, and enthralling story.
This really takes moving into a new neighborhood to a new level of stress. The characters felt so realistic that I really cared about what happened to them. Set aside some time to read this book because the writing and story will pull you in and make the book impossible to put down until the stunning conclusion!

OMG. I’m nearly speechless. This book….It’s gonna keep u hooked, won’t be easy to put down, stir SO many emotions but I can’t promise you’ll “like” it. IKR. FIVE STARS. It’s a deep, moving novel but what I’m trying to say is “it won’t make you happy”. Does that make sense? The twists (last one especially) will dumbfound you. I felt so many emotions….anger, sorrow, even guilt. I, too, am a WW (blonde, even) but hopefully a better one than Willa. Though I did feel sorrow for Willa @ times & certainly for Salma. But @ times I wanted to say “ease up, don’t always be so angry”. 100 times I ask why Willa was with Tom, but…..This book will ping pong your emotions but it is such a wonderfully suspenseful read that if you enjoy that genre, pick it up. But know you won’t put it down Until. The. Bitter End. Kia Abdullah’s books are always riveting.

wow, if this isn’t an incredible take on not-so-casual racism in the white suburbs.

when a pakistani family moves into a mostly white neighborhood, everything seems fine… until they catch their neighbor taking down their BLM banner and putting paint on their windows. what grows into extreme hostility starts as a solitary act of racism.

this is written with a great deal of empathy. it is hard to stomach the racism that this family must endure, but it happens all too often. white people — you must read this and consider the way you treat your neighbors. your queer neighbors, your bipoc neighbors, your neighbor that’s a little “weird.” my only complaint is that the end feels a tad bit rushed.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Once again, KA has created a story that is topical and engaging.

My favourite part of her books is when the court room drama begins. KA is skilled at creating an intriguing case and filling it with immersive details that make you feel as if you are sitting in the courtroom alongside the characters. This plot is particularly hard hitting with so many relevant points on race and violence.

This is a really well-written story and so applicable to many things that happen in today's society. A definite must read for investigatory crime enthusiasts.