Sally Royer-Derr’s The Secrets Next Door may not break new ground in the thriller genre, but it’s certainly an enjoyable read that delivers on its promise of suspense and intrigue. For anyone who enjoys the layered dynamic of twin relationships, this book is a treat. Royer-Derr’s portrayal of the bond between the sisters is compelling, showcasing both the closeness and underlying complexities that often accompany twin dynamics. This connection between them drives the narrative forward, making it easy to stay invested in their story.

The novel is fast-paced and sprinkled with enough twists to keep readers guessing. While I managed to predict a few of the twists, it didn’t detract from the overall experience—if anything, it added to the fun of seeing how the story would unfold. Royer-Derr’s skill lies in her ability to craft characters who feel familiar yet keep you wondering, and that’s what makes this book hard to put down.

In all, The Secrets Next Door is a satisfying, quick read that should appeal to fans of suspense and family mysteries. If you love stories about siblings, hidden secrets, and unraveling the past, this book is a perfect pick for a cozy weekend escape.

I did audio on this one, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I had difficulty with the voices being the same for both POV, and Talia and Tabatha being twins. Slow paced at the start but once the twists started coming, they didn’t stop. Learning about Ann as enjoyable and figuring out what she was really doing in the neighborhood. The characters outside of the twins I didn’t feel as invested in, but was interested to. I thought some of the ideas were farfetched, and at times had difficulty following along or figuring out the story.

I love a good neighborhood cozy-crime turned thriller, and while I enjoyed the idea of the books plot, it didn't keep me captivated. The ending was a surprise, so I enjoyed that! The narration was excellent, I just thought the arc of the book could have had a few more details that I thought were missing, and deeper character development to help me get attached and care about the different characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Storms Publishing for the ALC of this book.

Oh well, this one really surprised me!
I had to start over listening a few times since I always got confused and distracted but in the end I am so glad I finished it!
This is the story of twin sisters Talia and Tabitha (maybe it was due to listening to the audiobook, but these super-similar names really complicated the story for me). Anyway what starts over as bit of a cozy-crime takes a serious turn! One I really enjoyed!
Thank you #NetGalley #Dreamscape Select | Storm Publishing for this audiobook

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for an audio ARC of this book.

The Secrets Next Door is quick and light thriller about neighbours and hidden pasts. I love a good twist, which we got about halfway through the book. That kept me reading, as I was a little bored otherwise. Apart from Talia and Tabitha being twins, I couldn’t tell you anything else about the characters, so I think a little more development could have helped with that.

No complains about the narration - she did a good job!

Talia and Tabitha are twins. One of the feelings they share is their suspicion and sense of unease regarding their new neighbor Anne. Mystery surrounds everything about her. I was intrigued initially by the mysterious Anne and the amateur sleuthing attempts by the sisters. I was shocked at how the plot went from an innocent mystery to a dark, disturbing tale about jealousy, betrayal, and pure evil. Most of the characters were extremely unlikeable. The ending was surprising with elements I never could have predicted. While listening to the audiobook, I would have appreciated more distinction between the female characters. Overall, it was a satisfactory listen with a few highly implausible plot points. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for my audiobook.

Wonderful is how I describe this book. The secrets immediately caught my attention.

I loved the permission and the story was really well constructed and lived up to everything the premise promised.

As for the writing, it is very fluid and it is very easy to get into the story. I highly recommend it.

Really enjoyed this read. I got hooked at the second chapter. Really enjoyed the twists and turns and suspense in this book.

On a leafy, suburban street, curtains subtly twitch to watch the new neighbor moving in. Anne receives the welcome she expects: a basket of homemade cupcakes from the woman next door and her best friend. Talia and Tabitha, the neighbors, seem perfect with their pale-peach sweater sets and close-knit community status. But Anne has secrets of her own. As suspicions rise, the women play a dangerous game—one that reveals hidden truths and leads to a jaw-dropping ending. A twisty psychological thriller that keeps you guessing!

I absolutely loved this audiobook. I love this genre. This didn’t disappoint. Kept me guessing throughout. I enjoyed the story of the twins and their neighborhood. Some scary stuff going on there. Will definitely read more by this author. Thank you, NetGalley and publisher for providing this advanced copy to me.

This book drew me in right away - twin sisters living next door to each other and now there's a mysterious new neighbor. A domestic thriller full of jealousy, revenge, betrayal and murder told from multiple points of view. The characters were well developed and the overall story was good, it was just a little too predictable and slow moving for where it ended up going in my opinion. Reading other reviews, I seem to be in the minority - so, I would encourage you to give it a read or listen and make your own opinion.

The audio narration was solid and kept me engaged. I didn't dislike like this book, it just left me wanting more.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the ARC audio of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a somewhat. Fast paced thriller, with best friend and twin sister neighbor drama! I felt that the buildup was slower and once the turn happened it was a bit rushed.

I wanted, and was hopeful to love this book - but I was not able to be fully captivated by it. I’m unsure if it was the writing style, narration, or a combo of the two.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of the audiobook!

I really really enjoyed this book!! The reason I am giving it 4 stars is because it took me awhile to get into but I think this might partly be because I was listening to the audiobook at first and really did not like the narrator. Once I started reading it I got into it very quickly! I’ve read some other reviews saying the twists were too predictable and I completely disagree!! My husband gets annoyed with me because I always guess what happens in every movie we watch before it happens, same with books! And I did not see these twists coming!!! My mouth dropped a few times!!! It’s a slow starter but once I got about 40% through I was hooked and had to know what happened next. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for providing this ARC. ❤️

A predictable mystery with mostly annoying characters

2.5 stars rounded up.

Identical twins Talia and Tabitha live next door to each other in a little town in New York and run a successful local bakery together. Though they are supposedly close, the twins actually don‘t seem to like each other much, always making snide comments about the other (the book is told from both their POVs, but heavily favors Talia). When Anne Gravely, an accomplished mystery author, moves into the house next to Talia, the twins are immediately suspicious of her (though why never really becomes clear), and their lives start to unravel.

This is a book where most readers will guess the biggest twists a few chapters into the story, although you will need a certain suspension of disbelief to get there, as some aspects are just that implausible. Unfortunately, it‘s also a book where both main characters are completely unlikeable (seriously, these women are crazy!), and it doesn‘t help that one is married to a serial cheater and one to a verbally abusive douche whom she idolizes. Finally, the women‘s actions routinely contradict their inner monologue, and Talia in particular cannot make up her mind (does she adore her husband or are they struggling because of his issues? Should she be afraid of Anne or does she want to be her best friend? Does she want to try IVF or not?) and constantly goes back and forth on these topics in her head (repeatedly).

Overall, I was quite underwhelmed.

I listened to the audio version of the book, and initially rolled my eyes hard at the overly dramatic prologue, but then found the narrator‘s subsequent narration of Talia and Tabitha’s POVs spot-on and enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeSelect for the eARC of "The Secrets Next Door".

The storyline was exactly what a thriller should be. There were so many aspects that I didn't see coming and then there were a few I did see. Overall, it was a suspenseful book, an easy read, and very enjoyable.

4ish stars

This was a quick, fun, fast-paced story. I figured out a lot of the twists before they were revealed, but there were a few surprises left at the end, and I quite enjoyed it. It was the dramatic, over-the-top, twisty thriller that I needed.

3.5 ⭐

Talia and Tabitha are twins who live next door to each other, own and run a cupcake shop together, and are involved in every aspect of each other's lives. But when Ann Gravely moves in next door, the dynamic begins to shift between the twins and secrets are revealed.

This was a fast-paced psychological thriller written primarily as a dual POV. I enjoyed this book up until the twist. There was quite a bit of predictability but still interesting. I was annoyed by the twist as it didn't seem like there was enough to hint to it and just seemed like it came out of thin air.

As far as the narration, I wish there would have been two narrators rather than just the one as sometimes it was hard to remember which chapter was told from which twin's POV. I also really could not stand the giggle/laugh from the narrator.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC audiobook.

**please note due to low rating I will not be leaving a public review for this book as I have not paid for it.**

Narrated by Patricia Rodriguez ⭐ - 10

Wow. It's not often I dislike a narrator but I would actually go as far to say I hate this one. Patricia Rodriguez voice itself is beautiful and soothing but her delivery is shocking!!! She is waaaaaaaaaaaay too over the top. The over acting was so painful to my ears. Please never use this narrator again.

Story by Sally Royer-Derr ⭐ 1.5

This is my first time hearing of Sally Royer-Derr and I was shocked to see that (according to goodreads) she has 13 books to her name. The writing in this book felt very amateur, but hating the narrator so much which can make or break a book I'm wondering if the reason It felt that way was in fact due to Patricia Rodriguez.

Having this been my only reference to Sally Royer-Derr I would try another of her stories but from a library or KU.

This was a good story and had me on edge a few times wondering what was going to happen next.
The twist was brilliant and showing the potential differences between twins was unique.
I liked the ending.

Interesting story! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me listen to an advance copy of the audiobook! I like a nice mystery to listen to while I work. I have twin cousins so I know a lot about twin lore, and so the twin stuff in the book was really fun. A quick read!