“Throughout it all, Shelley House has provided a home to hundreds. Not just a home but a sanctuary; a safe port against the seas of change that have wracked this country. For one hundred and thirty-three years she has protected her residents. And now, Mr. Alexander, it is our turn to protect her!”

Freya Sampson’s Nosy Neighbors is the perfect read for fans of Fredrik Backman’s Britt-Marie Was Here and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry. Nosy Neighbors is narrated in alternating chapters by Dorothy, a 77-year-old homebody, and Kat, a jaded young woman, who are both tenets of Shelley House, a grandiose mansion on Poet’s Row, a quaint street in the sleepy town of Chalcot, England.

Synopsis:
Dorothy Darling has made it her business to know everything that goes on in Shelley House. After all, she’s lived there 30 years, and the landlord certainly isn’t taking care of things. It’s up to Dorothy and her diary to keep Shelley House and all its residents in check.

Kat is a nomad. She hasn’t lived anywhere longer than a year since she was a child, the last time she called Chalcot home. She used to live with her grandfather on his farm, but after an incident when she was a preteen, Kat hasn’t stepped foot into the old town—until now. Now Kat is subletting a room in Shelley House from a kind old man, Joseph, and hoping that she both will and won’t run into her grandfather. She’s changed her name, dyed her hair, and aged 15 years, but nevertheless, Kat still fears retribution for what happened all those years ago.

When Joseph is attacked in his apartment and moved to the hospital, Kat’s plans to flee are waylaid. Not only does she have to take care of Joseph’s dog Reggie, but she’s also been roped into a plot with some of her new neighbors to save Shelley House and stop their eviction. Because of course, the cherry on top of her situation is the looming threat of homelessness.

Joined by spunky teenager Ayesha, judgmental and stubborn Dorothy, and local reporter Will, Kat finds herself campaigning to save Shelley House from destruction, and her neighbors—especially Dorothy—from losing their homes.

Thoughts:
This book truly surprised me. From the cover art I was expecting a mystery in the same vein as Finlay Donovan, or a hilarious romcom ala Tessa Bailey, but instead Freya Sampson delivered a deeply intimate tale of grief, community, family, and resilience. To me this book is a combination of three of Backman’s novels: Britt-Marie, My Grandmother…, and A Man Called Ove. Take the crotchety older characters of Ove and Britt-Marie and you get Dorothy Darling, a nosy homebody like Britt-Marie who is eventually softened by the kindness of her neighbors like Ove. Then you have the fierce, world-hardened character of Kat, who is reminiscent of Sami, the elder brother in BMWH. Finally, the eclectic cast of characters that make up Shelley House are a clear comparison to the tenets of Elsa’s apartment building in MGAMTTYSS. Add in the tropes of found family, banding together to fight the government, unlikely friendships, and a second-chance romance, and you have the perfect recipe for a heartwarming, tear-jerking novel.

Overall:
In the end, I was pleasantly delighted and moved by Sampson’s Nosy Neighbors. Fredrik Backman is my favorite author of all time, so I loved the nostalgia I felt while reading. I look forward to recommending this book in April!

I don't think I'm a cozy mystery kind of girl. This book is cute. I kinda wanted someone to get stabbed or say some bad words. They did not.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

🕵🏼‍♀️🧡🏢5 ⭐ AUDIOBOOK/BOOK REVIEW🏢🧡🕵🏼‍♀️ (@prhaudio and @berkleypub #partner)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

📖Title: Nosy Neighbors
✍️Author: @freyasampsonauthor
📅Pub date: April 2, 2024
⏳Audiobook length: 10 hrs, 56 min

🧡I thought I'd love this one from the first second I heard about it just because of the synopsis, cover, vibes, early reviews, etc. I'm glad I was right because I LOVED THIS ONE! Also orange is my favorite color and we don't get enough orange covers!

🧡Shelley House is an apartment complex that has been standing over 100 years and is facing demolition! No one is more upset by this than longest time resident Dorothy Darling. One of the newest residents, a 25 yo, pink haired woman named Kat has her own reasons for involving herself in the mission to save Shelley House.

🧡I went into this expecting your basic cozy mystery, but this was WAY MORE. I'd probably just classify it as general fiction so no one is missed because it really moved me (almost to tears) a couple times. These characters are deeper than you'd expect from a cute/cartoon cover!

It was full of

🫂Unlikely friendships
🕵🏼‍♀️Amateur slueths
🐕A cute dog
⭕Full circle moments
🥹Heartfelt conversations

📚Three books that gave me the similar vibes and feels:

📖The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
📖The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley
📖A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman

🧡I'm so sad this was my first book by Freya (even though I've had one on my shelves for years), but I will now prioritize her backlist and obsess over all her future releases 😂

🎧The audiobook production was 👌 and so easy to listen to! Same narrators for two different people's perspectives but it didn't bother me at all this time! Definitely would recommend the audio route for this one!

Feisty old lady characters are a personal favorite, and all it took was the cover and title of Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson to draw me in. It is distrust at first sight when Dorothy Darling sees pink haired, tattooed Kat approach Shelley House. It takes eviction notices and an attack to unite them, along with an assortment of other residents, to take on the building’s nefarious landlord.

I enjoyed this blend of a woman in her twenties with a troubled past, a cantankerous woman in her seventies with a painful secret, a local reporter, and a variety pack of neighbors. Not your typical band-together-against-a-common-enemy story where common ground quickly unites disparate characters - Dorothy and Kat won’t make it that easy for each other - but do give it a go if a motley crew and strong but wounded characters are your cup of tea.

Freya Sampson’s third novel, Nosy Neighbors is a gratifying read that belies the lightheartedness of the cover and unexpectedly puts the reader through their emotional paces.

This review refers to a digital galley that I voluntarily read and reviewed via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

The Lost Ticket is one of my favorites books! SO I was elated to be approved to read the eARC of Nosy Neighbors

Cantankerous Dorothy has lived in Shelly House longer than any other resident. Kat has never felt truly at home, but she’s drawn to Dorothy despite her being utterly unapproachable. Now with their apartments facing demolition, Kat & Dorothy agree on one thing, they must save their historic building. But when someone plays dirty, and other residents get hurt, they seek justice.

This was a really cute cozy mystery, and it was really well done **the audio was amazing!**. Cozy mystery can be hit or miss for me because I find that I get bored, but there was a lot going on here & there was so much intrigue that I stayed interested. Not only was there suspense surrounding the demolition of Shelley house, but there were shenanigans regarding the demolition, some mild romance, & more!

I loved all the quirky characters, there was plenty to go around. All the characters, even the side characters, were well developed & played well into the story. There were a lot of characters, but I found it easy to keep track of who was who and I enjoyed getting the story from both Dorothy and Kat’s perspectives as they were so different.

The writing was well done and on par with what I came to expect after reading her last book. Freya knows how to weave an intricate tale and keep the reader engaged and interested in what is going to happen while painting a vivid picture. Not I can’t wait to Last Chance Library that’s been sitting on my TBR stack for WAY too long

Freya Sampson is a new author for me, but this book was getting good reviews so I picked it up. This was a good read.

Description:
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.

My Thoughts:
This is a heartwarming account of the group of people living in the historic Shelley House when they are notified the building is slated for demolition. The focus is the interpersonal relationships among the residents, and the author dug deep into these relationships and made me care about them - especially Dorothy and Kat. The story is told from two points of views, Dorothy's who is in her seventies and has lived in Shelley House for ages, and Kat's who is new to Shelley House. Dorothy is a cantankerous, grumpy woman who seems to hate or dislike everyone. She is the self-appointed monitor of everything related to Shelley House, but is ignoring the fact that she needs to move. Kat has trust isssues and is afraid to create relationships with anyone. I loved reading about the residents and their problems and interactions with each other. It kept me interested. The plot moved well and the book overall was well written. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys books with a feel good story

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group through Netgalley for an advance copy. Expected publication April 2, 2024.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing, Freya Sampson, and NetGalley for this digital arc. I thought this was a fun and different type of read than what I’m typically used to reading. I really fell in love with the two main characters - Dorthy and Kat. I liked how throughout the story, we were able to peel back the layers to each character to see who they are and how they came to be who they are. I think this would definitely interest some of my fellow readers and followers!

I received a gifted galley of NOSY NEIGHBORS by Freya Sampson for an honest review. Thank you to Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for the opportunity!

NOSY NEIGHBORS follows the residents of the Shelley House apartment building. Kat is a young woman who hasn't really ever had a home and temporarily renting a room from one of Shelley House's residents feels no different. Dorothy is an elderly woman and the resident who has lived there the longest.

If Kat is considered a bit unapproachable, Dorothy is the epitome of a cranky old woman constantly spying on her neighbors. The two don't get off to a very good start, but must come together when the residents receive eviction notices in preparation for the building's demolition. When things go even further and there's likely foul play in the building, the women and the whole community must find a way to look out for each other.

This is a book that centers on the found family trope and that is something that I really enjoy in books. I liked that the relationships here were rocky in the beginning and I think the author did well at showing us how and why situations began to change. There are mystery elements to the story as well. Not only do we want to know who is acting against the residents, but also Dorothy's character is a bit of a mystery as well. As the story goes on, we learn more about why Dorothy is so shut off from the world she so closely guarded.

I really enjoyed how everything came together in the end!

This was another light and fun book from Freya Sampson. It some humor, a little mystery and great eccentric characters. It's the perfect vacation book - entertaining but not too heavy or depressing. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

I adored this book! Quirky characters.. heartwarming and emotional.. publishes April 2nd. I think fans of Frederick Bachman will enjoy reading Nosy Neighbors.. has an Anxious People meets A Man Called Ove vibe to it.

While there is a mystery to solve, it's not the main focus of the book.. there is more going on at the Shelley House than an eviction and dirty tricks. Dorothy Darling is the epitome of a noisy neighbor, but trust me, you'll be rooting for her by the end of the novel.

Although pitched as a cozy mystery, I found it to have more depth and character driven storyline than your average fluffy cozy mystery. It was cozy, and there was a mystery.. just an added benefit of the characters being believable and well developed.

I went back and forth between 4 or 5 stars and settled on 4. I'm pretty stingy with my 5 stars, and this could have easily been rated 5, but in my opinion, there are some pacing issues at the beginning. Along with a weird 6-month leap in part of the story, which felt like a small cheat in character growth.. Well written, cast of fun characters and a touching story on grief, forgiveness, and friendship. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.

If you like the TV series Only Murders in the Building, you’ll definitely want to read Nosy Neighbors!

I expected this to be a fun read, which it absolutely was, but I didn’t expect so much emotional depth and thought provoking content. This is a beautifully layered story.

I loved how we got to know the people living in this building, with their backstories gradually unfolding, shattering first impressions and assumptions.

I loved the array of age groups, and how they all had something to teach one another.

I loved the dialogue.

I loved the underlying message and the whole vibe.

And the ending was perfection!

4.5 stars
This is my second book by Freya Sampson and it was wonderful. It had kind of the same premise as the other book I have read by her (The Last Chance Library). There is a building that is being closed/torn down and the residents rally together to try to save it.
This was such a character driven book. There were 2 POVs, Dorothy who is 77 and has lived in Shelley House for 30 something years. She is a recluse and spends her days spying on her neighbors and meticulously taking notes about what her neighbors do and what goes on around Shelley House. The other POV is Kat. She has moved into the flat across from Dorothy to share with Joseph. He is an older man like Dorothy and has lived there just as long. Kat grew up in Chalcot where Shelley House is, but something drove her away when she was 10. Both of these characters were grumpy. I loved it. I also love the age gap friendship between someone who could be grandparent/grandchild age. I don't know what it is, but I just love it. The residents of Shelley House start out not talking to each other at all. The little found family they create by the end is just so cute. Every resident was totally different and I liked them all.
The plot was not super fast moving, but it was never boring. Like I said, it's very character driven, so we spend a lot of time just getting to know the characters. We learn about Shelley House and mostly the lives of Kat and Dorothy. Towards the beginning of the book, each residents gets a Section 21 letter I think? It's a no reason eviction notice or something. The residents try to come up with a way to stop the evictions. Then Joseph gets attacked and ends up in the hospital. Now the residents want to stop the evictions and find out who attacked Joseph. There are such heartbreaking parts when we find out the reasons that Dorothy and Kat are both so grumpy and push everyone away. It was done in a way that my heart ached so badly for both of them and made me glad they found each other.
While this book is listed first as a mystery, the mystery didn't take up a ton of the book. But I will definitely be recommending this book to a lot of people in the future!

A full range of emotions is felt by readers in this novel.
Sampson pulls a lot of deceptions about the main character until farther in when more of their personal stories are revealed.
I had to laugh initially at Dorothy. She was the resident buddy body with the mark sheet. I thought she was the geriatric Harriet the Spy. I did think she was a nosy crank, but then most people have dealt with nosy neighbors.
I felt empathy for Dorothy and Kat after what both had experienced.
I loved how the the community pulled together and tried to figure out what to do.
I was surprised at the end with some events I hadn’t anticipated.
It’s a really good book!

Based off the cover and title, I expected this to be like Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice to Murderers. It was similar in the loosest terms: a cozy mystery with an elderly lady that is all up in others business. While Dorothy was a good character, you didn't want your own like you did Vera.

Most characters in the story were likeable, if a bit odd. I liked the details about the house and it's antique vibes. The whodunnit mystery the two unlikely detectives set out to solve was interesting too. While I was not pulled in to this one, I know a lot of people will love it.

I always know I’m in for a treat with a Freya Sampson book! She’s an auto-read author for me.

The small British town setting was so fun, and I loved the dynamics between all the residents of Shelley House. Though there are only two POVs throughout the book, you get a lot of background on the other characters as well. The found family aspect was sweet, and even though some characters’ actions were frustrating at times, they’re all lovable (especially Reggie!🐶). I liked the bit of mystery in the plot, and even I didn’t quite know what was going to happen. I think this wrapped up really well, and rounded out all the storylines, both big and small. Even though I’d say this is a cozy read, it does dive into some more serious themes at times, which I think balanced nicely with the lighter parts.

Only Murders in the Building meets a Man Called Ove. Dang. This book hit me HARD. I was not expecting it to make me cry at the end, but I cried so much I couldn't see the words on the pages and had to take a reading break before I finished it. The characters are absolutely wonderful. They leap off the pages straight into your heart. I loved Dorothy, Kat, and Joseph so much. Oh and sweet Reggie - who is the bestest boy in the whole world?!! All the stars for this one.

NOSY NEIGHBORS by Author Freya Sampson is the poignant, highly emotional story of a community of misfits living in apartments in Shelley House. It's the story of quirky individuals caught up in the mystery surrounding the historic house and their quest to save it from destruction. It's the story of enemies becoming allies in a search for a criminal targeting a fellow tenant. It's the story of family, forgiveness and reconciliation.

On one hand, Author Freya Sampson has rendered a lighthearted mystery with quaint, classic characters - from cranky, ancient, pro-busybody Dorothy who tracks every person daily in her notebook to the newer, mysterious, recent sub-tenant Kat with a hidden history and secret she closely guards. On the other hand, the story has a darker, more menacing side with broken characters seeking redemption and lives lost to drugs and alcohol addiction and broken families. Sampson peels back the layers of each individual even as she weaves all their lives together in the spirit of community and a common cause. Someone attacks one of the residents of the Shelley House about the same time that the owner serves eviction notices with his intent to tear the building down. Can a group of oddballs embrace their differences to unite and solve the mystery of the attacker while also saving their home from demolition?

Through the alternating points of view of Dorothy and Kat, readers are drawn into this heartfelt, complex story that proves to be much deeper than first indicated. A steadily increasing pace and unpredictable cast keeps readers on their toes through twists and turns expertly manipulated by Sampson. It would be easy to dismiss this as another cozy mystery, but as the story unfolds the individual heartbreaking, life stories of each tenant are explored exposing themes of addiction, communication or the lack thereof, loneliness and forgiveness. The author does a great job of weaving all the individual stories together into a tantalizing, often humorous tale of community joining forces in a common cause. Highly recommended to fans of cozy mysteries with a lot of depth and heart.

I adored this book. Cute book cover caught my interest, interesting plot description. Dorothy was definitely entertaining with her notebook, honestly it's something I would probably be doing too. Dorothy and Kat's character were definitely interesting and my mouth dropped open when I learned their back stories. Overall, a very entertaining read. You find yourself rooting for them as the book progresses. Definitely recommend this heartwarming story - it's a feel good one. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

At 25, Kat hasn’t felt at home anywhere since the last time she saw her grandfather. Facing deep guilt, she moves into dilapidated Shelley House. There, she clashes with decades-long resident Dorothy, who harbors a secret that keeps her tethered to her home. When their building faces demolition, Kat and Dorothy form an unlikely alliance to save it—and confront the demons from their past.

I loved the quirky characters and heartfelt relationships in this book. It’s engrossing and emotional, with a page-turning mystery as well.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I'm not sure if this was an amateur detective story or heartwarming fiction with a suspense element, but I did really enjoy it.

I wasn't familiar with Freya Sampson's first book, but I LOVE a good Neighborhood Thriller so was excited to read this.

A group of neighbors in a once elegant, now crumbling old building of flats band together when someone starts attacking them.

The story is narrated by Dorothy, a very long-time resident of Shelley House and Kit, a pink-haired Gen Z who is hiding something. Also, Kit is an illegal subtenant, which annoys rule-follower Dorothy greatly.

Nosy Neighbors is for readers who love the leisurely pace and small-town feel of a cozy mystery. Yes, there is suspense and danger, but nothing too scary or graphic.

Yes, there is a (slight) mystery to be solved, mostly tackled by intrepid Kit and Will, a reporter for the local newspaper. But this book (and it seems all Sampson's books) are also focused on characters trying to right wrongs and how this advocacy makes friends out of strangers.