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!

“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.