I walked into Nosy Neighbors expecting a cozy mystery and walked away with some much more! Sampson succeeds in combining all the best elements of a cozy mystery with amateur sleuthing and humor mixed with an emotionally charged plot filled with reflections on guilt and regret.

Our two main characters, Kat and Dorothy, might be opposites on the outside, but when they’re not feuding they actually have a lot more in common than either believes could be true. I loved getting to know them both individually, as well as watching their allegiance to save their building bring them together. In addition to two fantastic main characters, there is a cast of secondary characters that work their way into the reader's hearts. I loved getting to know everyone from the Shelley House!

This book is such a heartwarming breath of fresh air that readers of all genres can find something to enjoy within its pages!

This is the first book I've read by Freya Sampson, and it's nice to know there is some backlist I can get to as this was an enjoyable, charming read. It's very cozy, and while there is a lot of bittersweet in it as well, as the characters have experienced a variety of human tragedies big and small, it feels very hopeful and the found family is absolutely a joy.

Clever writing makes this plot a fun one to read! You get a peek into the daily lives of the residents of the 6 apartments inside the once grand, but now dilapidated Shelly House. One elderly woman, Dorothy, has made it her life's mission to note down everything that happens as she sits at her window watching or patrolling the building for issues. When the landlord suddenly decides all the residents must go and they decide to fight the eviction, strange events start to occur around the building. As the story unfolds, you start to see into Dorothy and Kat's lives more closely and the baggage that they carry with them from their pasts. Can they save the building, but more importantly can they save themselves? The characters are well drawn and created in a way that makes them realistic and flawed, but utterly relatable. I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author!

This book snuck up on me. I went into this expecting a fun, British, cozy mystery. And I got that, complete with an adorable dog. But, I also got a character-driven, poignant, humorous book with themes of forgiveness, healing, and found family. I loved it!

This story is full of interesting, well-developed characters. I enjoyed seeing beautiful generational friendships form among the quirky tenants trying to save the historic home where they live from being torn down by developers. The world-building is also excellent, and the setting, Shelley House, is vividly depicted in all its crumbling former glory.

This is told in dual POV of young, untrusting, jaded Kat and cantankerous, nosy, septuagenarian Dorothy. Despite their differences, their relationship takes on unexpected facets once they team up, even though it is not smooth sailing. Sampson's characters are flawed, have compelling backstories, and experience significant growth. They had me wholeheartedly rooting for them.

The secondary characters are also beautifully depicted, and the sense of community forged against the backdrop of a mystery investigation is heartwarming. I was sorry to leave these characters once I turned the final page. Well-written and touching, I was engaged from start to finish. This gem was my first read by Sampson, but it will not be my last.

Fans of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers will enjoy this story as both have characters who initially misjudge one another but form deep relationships and unforgettable senior sleuths.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the free book!

This book was so enjoyable to read and my first Freya Sampson story. It was a mix between cozy mystery and contemporary fiction. I loved the characters, the Shelley House “a dilapidated castle”, Reginald the dog, and the themes of community and found family. This book made me think a lot about my own community.

I have been living in the same neighborhood for about 7ish years and have a neighbor that is pretty tight knit. It didn't start that way but we went through a flood and it brought us closer. I also have a neighbor just like Dorthy. I can’t wait for you to meet Dorothy as well as the rest of the Shelly House tenets. I guarantee they will all remind you of someone you have lived nearby at some point in your life and hopefully provide you with the same nostalgia, giggles, and suspense that they provided me.

Now back to my neighbor and Dorthy. Dorthy is a 77 year old sassy, direct, sometimes Curmudgeonly tenant that feels it is her responsibility to monitor all the comings and goings of her neighbors. She jots it down in a notebook with her daily tea and soap opera. Just like my neighbor she is protecting her home. Just like my neighbor she is looking for connection and just like my neighbor she sure is nosy! You get to hear a lot of the story from her point of view and also from another tenant, Kat.

They initially really do not like one another and I found the way they get to know one another very endearing. It reminded me a bit of the character Ove from “A Man Called Ove” and the way he grows on people. I also really loved the other tenants and how their backstories are explored. I also loved how Sampson explores so many relatable themes!

Sampson really showcases that we never really know what our neighbors might be going through and often we are all looking for connection and someone to care. I loved that there are so many relatable topics explored through the characters, especially regret. I think so many of us have felt regret at some point and this story is reassuring and provides hope. It is a story that will make you laugh, make you try to guess whodunnit, and also feels like a warm hug, which is my favorite kind of story!

I am now going to go see how my neighbors are doing, especially the one like Dorothy, and also check out Sampson’s backlist! I can’t wait to hear what you think of this lovely story!

Centered around an apartment building with eclectic residents, Nosy Neighbors is a feel good story about found family.

The characters are endearing, some a bit cantankerous, others hard on the outside, soft on the inside, I absolutely loved watching the layers peel away.

I really enjoyed this one.

Shelley House has stood in the town for over 100 years. Though it's former glory has diminished, it still provides shelter to residents in six flats. Seventy seven year-old Dorothy Darling has lived in her flat for over 30 years. Joseph, across the hall has been her neighbor for almost as long. Sadly, they are neighbors who haven't spoken to one another in ages. The estrangement is Dorothy's choice. In fact, she rarely speaks to anyone unless absolutely necessary. Instead she spends her days watching the comings and goings of her neighbors and doing a daily inspection of the building. Every infraction is recorded in her notebook. Building issues are reported to the landlord who ignores them.
When notice to leave the building arrives, the renters are shocked and start a campaign to save Shelley House and their home. Dorothy, in denial refuses to join forces with her neighbors until eviction notices arrive. In due course residents move out but Dorothy stays put.
Nosy Neighbor could easily be considered lightweight and predictable but there are surprising plot twists, sad back stories and old secrets. The need for human interaction and personal forgiveness add touching depth to the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Books for the ARC.

I love when a community truly becomes a home and that’s the case in this one. Shelley House may be run down but inside these walls is a true bond between the neighbors especially Kat, and the elderly grumpy resident Dorothy. Of course, it didn’t start that way. Kat and Dorothy started off as enemies until they decided to join forces
and face a mutual enemy together. I love this super sleuth duo. This was a fun one!

Huge thank you to #berkleypub and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This story setting kind of gave me vibes like ‘Other Birds’ from Sarah Addison Allen. I enjoyed the living complex and following along while I put together the relationships between all the residents!

It also gave me a man called Ove Vibes but I wasn’t as into the grumpy characters in this story. It also kind of dragged for me but I enjoyed parts of the books still. I’ll be checking out more by this author ✌️

3.5 (am rounding to 4 stars, but in protest)

This book had a lot going on. I remembered liking “The Lost Ticket” a lot, so even though it had a strange title and didn’t necessarily seem like my type of book, I requested an advanced copy to eventually review.

This is quite a long book, which covers a lot of time, a lot of pain, and a lot of misunderstanding and betrayal. Shelley House is a former Victorian mansion turned apartment building where Dorothy has lived for 34 years, most of it alone and in pain. Kat is 25 and has just moved there, but is carrying her full 25 years of pain too.

It took a while for me to really get into the story. It was just an awkward time because we could see what Dorothy was doing by being the nosy complainer and busybody, but we didn’t yet have any compassion or, really, patience for her extreme behavior. It’s also a little annoying when we keep hearing these constant dramatic references to the pain of the past for both Dorothy and Kat, as well as other characters, but we don’t get any answers.

Eventually, I did get into most of the characters and their plight and it was an enjoyable read. I do like the ensemble books with people of multiple generations coming together, á la Clare Pooley, though this did miss a little something in the coming together part.

However,…

BEGIN SPOILER
<spoiler>

When the book jumped forward six months and ignored the actual eviction deadline, the book irrevocably lost much of my trust. Time jumps are a powerful force that should be used only for good and epilogues. Not only was the most important event glazed over, but, suddenly, everyone was in a different place. What should have played out there, ended up happening later anyway, but by that time, I was so annoyed, I don’t think getting what I expected eventually made up for the upset.

<\spoiler>
END SPOILER

If I had not gotten anything else out of the book, it was a repeat reminder that anger, regret, sorrow, and all of those emotions can be toxic if we hold them in, and that communication is invaluable. I’ve felt some of those regrets myself and it is a good reminder for all of us.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

This was such a sweet, endearing story that really pulled at my heartstrings.  I’d classify it as a cozy mystery at heart, but it really has so much more to offer.  Yes, there is suspense, but there is also heartbreak, grief, lost love, family estrangement and more. 
 
I paired the print and audio versions and really enjoyed this immersive experience.  The narration by Sarah Lambie was really well-done. 
 
I definitely recommend this one.
 
🌿Read if you like:
✨Cozy mysteries
✨Found family/unlikely friendships
✨Second chance romance
✨Mature main characters
✨Victoria-era buildings
✨British settings

Thank you Berkley Pub for the free book and thank you PRH Audio for my #gifted listening copy of Nosy Neighbors! #PRHAInfluencer #PRHAudioPartner #BerkleyBookstagram #berkleypub #BerkleyIG #berkley

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐍𝐨𝐬𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐲𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬𝐨𝐧
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐞
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

★★★★★

Freya Sampson has never once let me down! Nosy Neighbors was one of my most anticipated reads this year and my expectations were exceeded! Sampson writes the most heartwarming novels with the most interesting characters that you can’t help but love. This is cozy mystery with quirky characters and is a must read!

Dorothy Darling has lived at Shelley House longer than any other tenant. At 77 years old, she spends her days spying on her neighbors. There’s a reason she spends her days spying, but no one knows this closely guarded secret. Then there’s Kat Bennett, a new resident to Shelley House. Kat has never felt at home anywhere. At 25 years old, she has been plagued by guilt from her past, and her neighbors find her unapproachable. When their building faces demolition, Kat and Dorothy team up to save their historic home. But when one of their own residents is targeted and hospitalized, Dorothy and Kat must take matters into their own hands and bring a criminal to justice.

🎧I alternated between the physical book and the audiobook, narrated by Sarah Lambie. I loved Lambie as the narrator. Since I started with the physical book, I had an idea of what I thought the narrator should sound like and Lambie was EXACTLY what I imagined the the narrator would sound like. She nailed it! I found her to really elevate my listening experience and I highly recommend either format!

🧡Cozy Mystery
🧡Heartwarming
🧡Reggie The Jack Russell
🧡Quirky Characters
🧡Community

Posted on Goodreads on March 30, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
Posted on Instagram - Full Review- April 2, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on April 2, 2024
**-will post on designated date

Wow what an edge of your seat mystery. I loved how the neighbors gathered together at Shelley House to support each other during troubled times throughout the story, loved the chemistry between Joseph and Dorothy and Kat and Will. Highly recommend to all mystery lovers.

The Shelley House has its own guardian angel. Dorothy Darling is on the job. She is watching for needed repairs and the minor infractions that lead to big inconveniences. All is seen and duly written down in her notebook. The other members of the historic building don't always appreciate her diligence. The owner of the building disregards her strongly worded letters and won't take her calls. Time is running out for the Shelley House. Can it be saved? Should it? The first tenant's meeting after the eviction letters does not even get 100% attendance. Dorothy refuses to attend as it is in the apartment of Joseph, her arch nemesis. Pink-haired Kat Bennett, the new kid on the block, has no idea what she has gotten into. Freya Sampson excels at taking a ragtag bunch and showing their strengths in community. When the flatmates pull together, amazing things are accomplished. As many of us find, the past can be a weight that paralyzes and sabotages the present. Read this new release and see what the folks at Shelly House can accomplish for the future.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a heartwarming novel that has a mystery, well developed characters, found family, and themes of forgiveness. This is my third Freya Sampson book and she is definitely a go to author for me. A definite feel good book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the advanced digital copy of the book. The book will be published on April 2, 2024.

Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson
Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 4/2

This is a cute story full of unexpected alliances and unlikely friendships set against the backdrop of Shelley House. Kat Bennett, a young woman haunted by her past, and Dorothy Darling, the feisty older neighbor with a secret mission, make for an unconventional but endearing duo.

The strength of this novel lies in its characters. Dorothy's penchant for spying on her neighbors adds a delightful quirkiness to the story, while Kat's journey toward self-forgiveness adds depth and emotional resonance. And let's not forget Reggie, the Jack Russell who steals every scene he's in!

While the plot may follow some predictable paths, the heartwarming dynamic between Kat and Dorothy truly shines. Their evolving relationship, from sworn enemies to allies, is heartwarming and entertaining. As they band together to save their beloved home from demolition and uncover a plot in their community, we’re treated to a journey filled with humor, suspense, and heart.

Overall, this is a delightful and uplifting read. It's a perfect choice for anyone seeking a feel-good story about forgiveness, friendship, and the power of community. Thank you so much to Berkley for my advanced copy.

Welcome to Shelley House. The six-flat historic dwelling located outside of London had seen better days but has survived for one-hundred and thirty-three years. Pink haired Kat Bennett is the newest person to call it home. She is Joseph Chambers' illegal subtenant (subletter) in Flat 1. The twenty-five-year-old has changed her name but is drawn back to the town that holds many memories and secrets. In Flat 2 lives cantankerous Dorothy Darling, the resident who has lived there the longest. At seventy-seven, she is the self-appointed watchdog who writes down everything that happens at Shelley House and notes all the needed repairs and more. For someone so involved in everyone's lives, she doesn't seem to like anyone very much, especially Joseph, who lives with his sweet dog Reggie. The rest of the tenants are widower Omar and his daughter Ayesha, a nameless tenant who blasts music and hosts late-night parties; Tomas and his pit bull Princess and Gloria, who continues to date unsuitable men. When the building's owner announces his plans to evict everyone so he can build a new apartment complex on the site, can this group band together to save Shelley House?

Author Freya Sampson made me a fan with her last book The Lost Ticket. When Nosy Neighbors was announced, it became a must read. Like her last book, Sampson brings people together who form unlikely alliances and friendships. The backstories of the characters are heartbreaking, revealing that most people are much different than how they appear and most hide deep wounds and internal scars. There is an element of mystery, but the heart of the book is the relationships that evolve between the people in Shelley House.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It reminded me of both A Man Called Ove and Remarkably Bright Creatures in that we have the grumpy senior citizen with a secret tragic past and the found family that pulls them out of their shell. I liked the quintessentially British setting here, as well as the ramshackle building of “flats” (called Shelley House, on Poet’s Road - adorable!) This was a true cozy as there was no violence and only natural death. There was still an intriguing mystery to solve and lots of bonds to be forged.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a lot of fun and a unique storyline! A great cast of characters who were all so quirky and came together for a bit of a mystery mixed with a heartwarming story. A lot more than what I expected! Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this early copy for read and review

I enjoyed this book very much. Not quite as much as the author's last book (The Lost Ticket), but still a good read. It was well written with excellent character development. I think our patrons will enjoy it!