3.75 star

I love love love these characters. This book isn’t as heavy on the mystery as I expected, but that’s ok. This is an all around fun book and I hope to see more of these character in the future.

I would like to move in to Shelley House right now, despite and because of its delightful tenants! I guess this is a difficult ask, so I'll have to settle for reading and re-reading this book to pretend that I do, in fact, live there. Sampson gives so much warmth and humanity to every character, even when I'm begging her characters not to do what they're doing. I agree with the other reviewer, this is more in line with Frederick Backman than Richard Osman, but it's infinitely better because it's Freya Sampson.

Nosy Neighbors is not at all what I thought it was going to be. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I was definitely expecting the book to be focused more on finding the criminal who injured Joseph – kind of murder mystery-esque but without an actual murder, I suppose? Instead it's very Fredrik Backman-y – complete with a crotchety old person – and revolves more around the interpersonal relationships between the characters and their quest to save Shelley House. The themes of forgiveness and letting go of the past are also quite prominent.

First of all, I adored the characters in this book. Dorothy and her notebook are so much fun, and Kat and Joseph are fantastic, too. And Reggie the Jack Russell is the best character of them all, because, well, he's a dog and dogs are perfect. I appreciated the depth of both Dorothy and Kat's characters – their histories are well-fleshed out and intriguing, and I enjoyed learning more about their backstories as the book progressed.

The plot itself is well-written and entertaining, if a little predictable. Dorothy and Kat's (somewhat awkward) relationship is endearing, and you can't help but to root for them as they attempt to save Shelley House together ... and as they work toward learning to forgive themselves and others. I'm slightly disappointed about how the business concerning Joseph and his mystery attacker ended, but every other loose end was wrapped up satisfactorily by the end of the novel. And the epilogue is perfect!

Overall, Nosy Neighbors is a delightful and heart-warming read. If you're a fan of feel-good stories, definitely give this one a go. 4 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

The premise is amusing. I stopped after chapter 1 (4%). The writing style didn’t grip me, but it seems like a solid three stars, four for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.