This was one of the most wholesome, emotional reads I've read so far this year; it being so emotional totally took me by surprise. I cannot believe how many times this one had me tearing up. I loved following our two polar opposite characters as they navigated saving their beloved apartment building. They were both so prickly and lovable, I could have read about them for dozens more tales of their lives.

Another win for Freya Sampson! Having enjoyed "The Lost Ticket", I was excited to pick up "Nosy Neighbors", a cozy mystery that lets its mystery take a supporting role so that its collection of misfit characters take center stage instead. I'll be honest, it took a little bit of reading before this book pulled me in, but I fell for the rich character development in the end.

The plot centers around a historical and beloved home, Shelley House, where several tenants find themselves under threat of eviction as the house is scheduled for demolition. Reigning over the house is its longest tenant, Dorothy, a rather grumpy older lady who keeps herself isolated from everyone else while nonetheless making everyone else's comings and goings her business (as well as fodder for her meticulous notes on their behaviors). Dorothy is far from pleased when a fellow tenant, Jacob, illegaly subleases part of his flat to Kat, a spunky 20-something with pink hair. When Jacob is unexpectedly sent to the hospital, Kat and Dorothy form a grudging and then friendly alliance to get to the bottom of what happened to Jacob and to ultimately save their home from demise.

There is both tenderness and humor in Dorothy and Kat, as well as the other quirky characters who share their home. "Nosy Neighbors" delivers strong themes of guilt, forgiveness, and redemption. While the plot does have some moments of predictability, it always led me in exactly the directions I preferred. This novel is a good choice for those looking for a heartwarming, feel-good read — light enough to be a beach read with a twist of intrigue, but with engaging emotional depth to make the conclusion truly satisfying. Love the title and cover art, too!

This book ended up being a surprise in that I went in thinking it was just going to be a cozy mystery and instead, I left it close to tears from how much heart was in this story.

Nosy Neighbors follows the tenants of the historic Shelley House, a building of six flats that has been around since the 1800s and has certainly seen better days. We primarily get to know two of the building's inhabitants: Dorothy, a 77-year-old woman who has lived alone for over 30 years and Kat, the 25-year-old that has temporarily moved in. When faced with mounting pressure to vacate the home by an aggressive housing developer and after one of the other tenants is suspiciously attacked after his public protests, this unlikely pair teams up together to save their home.

We start off thinking we know exactly who these characters are: Dorothy is a nosy busybody who has nothing better to do than to spy on her neighbors and Kat is an aimless millennial with no attachments because of her aloof nature. However, once we peel back the their shells, we learn vivid backstories as to why it is so important to save Shelley House. My heart broke for both of them when we learned what has happened in their lives to shape their existences. If I wasn't listening while I was at work, I honestly think I might have started crying.

I listened to the audiobook, and I highly recommend it, I think narrator Sarah Lambie did a phenomenal job of differentiating between these two leads as well as the entire cast of side characters we meet throughout the novel. I'm thankful that I was given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book as I'm not sure I would have picked it up otherwise and I'm so glad that I did.

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for this advanced copy through the #BerkleyBesties program. All thoughts are my own.

This was cute, but something about it just felt off. Maybe it was the time jumps? It was a cute story and I enjoyed the characters.

A fun romp with a super cute premise and lovely characters. It reminded me in some ways of Finlay Donovan but it all the best ways.

This was such a fun read! A murder mystery that's not really a murder mystery, interesting neighbors, lots of found family and community, and heart warming characters. I am writing a book review and waiting for the author's interview responses to post for the Feminist Book Club.

We all know someone who is nosy. But sometimes the snooper can take it to a different level. Sometimes it's just that they are bored. Other times it could perhaps be for another reason no one knows about. In Nosy Neighbor we discover the many different types of being nosy. The book is funny, mysterious, heartwarming and surprising as a group of residents from different backgrounds who live in a complex and who are not too cordial with each other, all with secrets, must somehow join together and not only try and solve a crime but also save their residence before it's too late.

The apartment complex is called Shelley House. It is an aged building and some of the occupants have been there for decades. But when a young woman with multi-colored hair named Kat sublets with one of the older tenants named Joseph, the biggest busy body of them all, Dorothy is disgusted and angered.

Dorothy, who was married but has lived alone in her apartment for many years keeps a daily diary of all the goings on and activities that occur during the day. This includes what is happening at the other resident's apartments as well as what is happening outside of the building. She sist at her table, drinks tea and takes copious notes and keeps logs. She rarely speaks to any neighbor and if she does it's to inform them of something more than likely against breaking rules...hers!

So when Kat moves in to Joseph's apartment, she takes an immediate dislike to the young girl. But in Kat's defense, she doesn't really want to be there either, but she has some secret unfinished business she needs to attend to so she can put this town behind her forever.

But, when the owner of the building decides to evict the residence so he can tear down the building, Dorothy cannot and will not accept this. She decides to ignore it. Another tenant Joseph decides they must fight to keep their home safe. But as Joseph begins his campaign to stop the evictions, he is hurt in his apartment. At first, they thought due to his age he perhaps tripped, but it is soon discovered someone attacked him. He is hospitalized and Kat decides she must try and figure out who tried to hurt Joseph.

Dorothy unfortunately does not want to help Kat, but over time agrees to assist with Joseph's dog, a Jack Russell who is miserable without him and takes care of him while Kat is at work. As time goes by, Dorothy and Kat will discover that even with their age gap, they have a great deal in common. They both have had great heartbreak and loss in their lives and that has changed them forever.

And with this blooming friendship, Dorothy's snooping and Kat's investigating come together and they discover not only what happened to Joseph, but also much, much more. Will it stop the evictions? Who really knows, but what they do discover is that the residents of Shelley House need each other and surprisingly understand each other.

And what about Kat? Why did she come back? What has she experienced to make her so angry and untrusting?

Out of hurt and anger sometimes can come forms of peace and acceptance in this charming, witty, reflective story in which a group of neighbors not only try to save their home, but also, their lives.

Thank you #NetGalley #Berkley #FreyaSampson #NosyNeighbors for the advanced copy.

NOSY NEIGHBORS is the cozy contemporary british litfic of my DREAMS! I thought this was a silly little mystery, but it’s NOT. Instead, it’s a delightful story about an old woman and spunky younger woman who bond over their mutual love for the adorable building they live in and their neighbors. Isn’t that the cutest thing you’ve ever heard?

I just adored this and it gave me so many feelings. I love a complicated character, and this book had so many! I love a little old lady, and this book had a fantastic one! I love a story about community, and togetherness, and belonging, and NOSY NEIGHBORS had all of that and more.

This was really cute! A cozy mystery, sweet characters you instantly bonded with and fell in love with and a story that kept me captivated!

Cute for a cozy mystery book. There was a lot of filler type content that had me a bit bored throughout the middle of the book. But I appreciated the relationships between the least likliest of friends - or should I say neighbors with zero things in common except a home. When someone builds up a wall to protect themselves and others due to major trauma, seeing someone unexpected break down those walls is fun to watch. This book was all about that. It was easy to cheer for the grumpy character and to hope they eventually realize they aren't just a bad luck charm.

What a lovely combination of a cozy mystery and an exploration of how past trauma has long-term effects. Add in one of my favorite themes, found family, and you have a winner in Nosy Neighbors.

The two main characters are Dorothy and Kat. You couldn’t find two women more different, or that’s how it seems at first. Dorothy is in her 70s and lives by herself in an apartment/flat in a building that is over 100 years old in a village in England. She’s lived there for over 30 years and keeps an eye on the comings and goings of her neighbors, writing in her notebook about everything she sees: So-and-so left the building at such-and-such a time, someone else left their trash in the wrong place, etc. Kat is in her 20s, with pink hair and tattoos and never stays in one place for long. She is subletting a room from another neighbor, Joseph. Both Dorothy and Kat have sad backstories, and eventually they come to understand one another. The book is the story of how that happens, starting with Joseph getting seriously hurt. Was it an accident or did someone attack Joseph and why?

The building they are living in is Shelley House, a once grand edifice that has fallen on hard times, after a succession of owners have failed to keep it up. The neighbors mostly don’t talk to each other much, and again, over the course of the story this changes. Eviction notices have arrived and the neighbors are trying to stop the current owner from tearing down the building to build a more modern place with many more flats. Joseph was trying to spearhead a protest when he got hurt/was attacked. The local police get involved, but of course, Kat also gets involved in trying to figure out who is behind everything.

A charming story that had me both laughing and tearing up. You will fall in love with not just Dorothy and Kat, but all the Shelley House neighbors: Joseph and his adorable dog Reggie, Tomasz and his dog Princess (who needs training!), Gloria and her stream of lousy boyfriends, Omar and his daughter Ayesha.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Completely charming and quirky, I loved this book with its amazing cast of characters! Ms. Darling was one of my favorite characters ever. So nosy! So so so nosy! Her inner dialogue made me laugh out loud multiple times.

Not quite a cozy mystery, but it does have mysterious elements. I loved the coming together of the group for their big plan and how all of the characters had so much growth in pursuit of their goal.

I did think certain parts could be tightened up and it was a little long, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this novel!

I'm a fan of British humor and cozy mysteries that aren't too niche, and this was really enjoyable! I can't wait to see what the author writes next!

3.25 stars - in theory this has a lot of the things that I love in a cozy, feel-good story: lovable characters , a strong sense of community, satisfying character archs and an adorable dog!
Unfortunately I was very underwhelmed with the first half of the book, the story set up was a little slow. Only halfway through did I start feeling a connection to the characters.
Some of them have secrets but the stakes feel very low, I think these bits are supposed to compel the reader but I was certain about the outcome. Also, I didn’t feel the spark at the romance parts.
It’s a cute story, I really got into it during the second half. Bonus points for The Last Chance Library references!

This is a first time read by this author for me and I was not disappointed. Well-written and entertaining, with a delightful cast of characters. Dorothy and Kat's relationship is exactly what you'd think considering their age differences, and it's touching to see them come together in their attempt to save Shelley House together. Joseph is charming and his drive to save Shelley House is quite unique. When he is attacked in his home, is it because of this or something else. But that is not the main point in this book, it's about forgiving yourself and others.

Nosy Neighbors is a delightful and heart-warming read. If you're a fan of feel-good stories, I'd give it a go.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I loved this book! The story was fun and easy to pick back up. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen. A wonderful cast of characters and a great little mystery.

"Nothing brings neighbors together like someone else’s secrets… At Shelley House, the walls have ears, and they’re attached to a ragtag duo of busybodies ready to pry, snoop, and generally annoy their neighbors into solving a crime."
Freya Sampson has written a good book. Filled with treachery and mystery it couldn't have been better.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

I enjoy reading Freya Sampson books as they are usually heartwarming. In this one, Kat has returned to the town where she has fond memories of her grandfather-before she was disowned. She arrives to let a room at Shelley House. Upon arrival, she is greeted by Dorothy with a list of violations. But, Joseph stops Kat before she gets away.
Throughout the novel, Kat just wants to leave the town, but events keep her coming back. Dorothy seems bitter and reports on everyone's comings and goings. She is rude and short with Joseph. But, after some of the tenants become hospitalized, Kat digs into what is going on with Shelley House, and finds that someone is trying to raze it, just like they did to her family farm. The story tells of the fight to save Shelley House, and the reason that Dorothy is so bitter. Or is she?
Sweet story of family and friendship.

Two neighbors-at-war band together to stop a dangerous criminal in their midst in this enthralling new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Lost Ticket.

Twenty-five-year-old Kat Bennett has never felt at home anywhere, and especially not in crumbling Shelley House. According to her neighbors, she’s prickly and unapproachable, but beneath her tough exterior, Kat is plagued by guilt from her past.

Seventy-seven-year-old Dorothy Darling is Shelley House’s longest resident, and if you believe the other tenants, she’s as cantankerous and vindictive as they come. Except there’s a good reason Dorothy spends her days spying on her neighbors—a closely guarded secret that no else knows and the reason Dorothy barely leaves her beloved home.

When their building faces demolition, sworn enemies Kat and Dorothy become unlikely allies in their quest to save their historic home. But when someone starts to play dirty and viciously targets one of the residents, Dorothy and Kat suspect foul play in their community. After the police close the investigation, it's up to this improbable pair to bring a criminal to justice.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

The residents of Shelley House have a fight on their hands. But, let’s start with seventy-seven-year-old Dorothy Darling. She is the self-appointed guardian of the one-time historic home. Taking notes and sending letters to the building owner to mark every infraction in the building. Not only does she have concerns for logical safety issues, she is watching her fellow neighbors with an eagle eye, and they are quite tired of it.

Building meetings don’t go well at all. Some of the other neighbors include Kat Bennett, father and daughter Omar and Ayesha, Joseph, Tomas Wojcik, Gloria Brown and a mysterious neighbor who never shows his face. With the building owner planning an eviction of all of the neighbors with grand plans for the building. Even before this can happen, some of the neighbors end up banding together, and this includes the nosy Dorothy.

When Joseph, who has know Dorothy for decades, falls ill, his boarder Kat takes responsibility for his dog. But Kat is only at Shelley house for a limited time and is more than reluctant to get close to her neighbors in any fashion. Her job means that she needs help with caring for Joseph’s dog, and this creates an unlikely bond with young Ayesha and Dorothy. But, the danger of eviction looms over all of their heads, and the tension in the building is unsurprisingly high.

Nosy Neighbors was not the book I thought it would be. I have read books or even watched television shows where neighbors are entirely too nosy. But this book has a surprising emotional edge. Just as the neighbors found ways to actually care for and about one another, as a reader, I felt close to the neighbors and really worried for all of them. The drama that Freya Sampson executed was done remarkably well, just as in her previous book, The Lost Ticket. This talented author has a way to make the reader connect with the characters, and in both books that I have read by her did just that.

Yes indeed. This book really drew me in. It was wonderfully heartwarming and was just the kind of feel good I needed to read. If this is how Freya Sampson can make me read while reading one of her books, then bring future ones right to my reading list. I certainly won’t pass them by.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This book surprised me. The cover and title had me thinking it would be a funny, cheeky story or maybe a cozy mystery. Instead, I got a book filled with traumatized characters with questionable coping mechanisms—and I wasn’t mad about it. I’d recommend this book for anyone needing a reminder that people aren’t always what they seem—and for those who enjoyed Backman’s A Man Called Ove.