Member Reviews
Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was a gripping and well-paced thriller. I was invested in the characters and their story, and Childs created tension well. Twisty, moving, and with a nail-biting cliffhanger, this was an excellent read.
What a twisty thrill ride this book was! It was my first Jill Childs book and it did not disappoint. I found it interesting that the majority of the story was told through the POV of the two main female protagonists, life-long best friends Anna and Lily, however one of them was narrating through first person and the rest of the book was told in third person. Not sure why it was written that way, but it didn't detract from the story. It takes most of the book before you really start compiling scraps of information integral to the main plot points, but in an organic way.
I've rated it four stars only because I became pretty frustrated in the sections where each decision Anna makes to "protect" her daughter ends up causing more harm than good in the long run. It also sometimes felt like the character of Anna sublimated down to "I only exist for my daughter, she can't ever know the truth, she must be protected from the world at all costs and nothing else matters". I can understand how a parent might feel that way sometimes, but I also think that hiding important truths from a child is never really the answer in a healthy relationship, so the repetitious nature of those sections ended up rubbing me the wrong way a bit.
But all told, I think the main essence of the story boils down to this - how far are you willing to go to protect the ones you love? And simultaneously, how many lies would you be willing to tell to keep from hurting those around you? I don't want to post spoilers but a lot of this story hinges on painful secrets from the past that Anna is desperate to keep from being dredged up, but circumstances beyond her control start compounding until everything, good and bad, comes to light. What that means in the story, and how it affects all the characters and their choices, you'll simply have to read the book to find out! But I will say this: I was caught totally off-guard by the very end of the story and it's still got me pondering what repercussions it would inevitably have. Which, in my humble opinion, is what a successful story does - keeps you thinking about it long after you've finished the final page.
The House Across the Street by Jill Childs is my first read from this popular author, and it will certainly not be my last.
Anna and Lily have known each other their whole lives, having grown up across the street from one another. They are as close as sisters, but when a sudden tragedy befalls one of the residents of Riverside Road, secrets will be revealed that threaten to completely unravel a lifetime of friendship and trust.
This is a quick and compulsive read, and the twists left me reeling. I look forward to reading much more from this author.
Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC.
The house across the street is full of twist & turns. Anna & Lily are best friends, their families intertwined. They’ve been keeping secrets from each other & for each other. This book is about the fallout of those secrets & what will be done when the bond between best friends is tested. Just when you think you’ve figure this book out you find out you’re wrong.
Twist , and turns , family secrets as well as lies ,kept me on the edgy of my set though out the book because I had to know who I could trust and the suspense was right on the mark and made it even more of an enjoyable read.
OH WOW - what a great read - DID NOT expect the twists and turns - marvelous writing. read it in a day - edge of the seat all the way.
Highly recommended - awesome talent.
Wow, a plot twist i did not expect at all, my jaw kept dropping over and over during the last few chapters.
The house across the street seemed like a very interesting book. There were definitely some twists and turns in this book but it just wasn’t for me. I didn’t find myself wanting to pick it up and continue reading it. I’m not sure if it was the multiple timelines that I struggled with or what. I really wanted to like this book. I love psychological suspense books but this one just wanted it for me. I hope to read it again someday and maybe have a different view on it.
Thank you NetGalley, Jill and Bookouture for the ARC!
The House Across the Street by Jill Childs is about family secrets and lies that always come back to haunt you. The author unfolds a story about how two entangled families do whatever it takes to keep long-held secrets from being forced out into the open.
The House Across the Street is a good psychological suspense story about secrets and lies and how tight friend and family connections can blur the lines of justice. The story is told from multiple timelines and perspectives, which work and culminate in a diabolical ending.
The House Across the Street is a good weekend read that will hold a reader's interest until the twisty ending.
#TheHouseAcrosstheStreet #NetGalley @bookouture
Don't read this book unless you can devote at least a whole day to it! It grabs you from the start and I couldn't tear myself away from it. Twisty and taught, with suspense in all the right places. I really loved it.
A really exciting read with fabulously written characters.
Two families growing up together with a host of secrets. and boy are they big one's.
Thrilling and exciting throughout.
One thing that got forgotten bothered me right up until the end and the end was a real shocker.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.
Wow, The House Across the Street will have you on the edge of your seat! I was on a roller coaster of emotions reading this book. There’s a lot going on, with more than one side story that all ties in together with an incredible plot twist. Add this quick read to your TBR list.
Secrets come to light after the murder of prominent Dr Taylor. He was like a second father to neighbor Anna, who found him murdered on the night of her brother’s welcome home party. With no murder weapon found, threatening notes left at her door, and a mysterious stranger watching them at night, no one is safe in their close knit neighborhood. Could the killer be closer than they think?
Just wow! Gripping, intensive and kept me at the edge of my seat. Initially I wasn’t sure of this book. But when it got to a particular part..the pacing became edgy and the tension built up was so good. I was racing past the pages to see what happened next. Gosh I was mind blown at one point. In such a plot, you tend to have a list of people who you think did it or assisted in it. When it’s revealed, I was more interested in why rather than the culprit. What a shocker! The twists and turns! Boy that ending..what? Duped for sure but I loved it.
Another brilliant book from one of my favourite authors. Extremely well written with great characters and all their secrets.
I was hooked on this from the very beginning, such a great page turner and equally great storytelling
What can I say about the fantastic ending? just when you think everything has been brought to a conclusion you are in for a very big suprise.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC which I have no hesitation in recommending.
The house across the street has an interesting cast of characters that carry the story along a nice pace and create depth to the story. Great plot and I found myself filling an afternoon reading this in one sitting as I found it so enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest , unbiased review. 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mysterious messages. Murder and mayhem. Family and friends. Neighbors. Find the body. Recipe for disaster. This talented author has written a cannot put down novel. This would make a good movie. Suspenseful. Guessing the ending was not easy. Thanks Netgalley.
This incredible book is based on two families that have grown up together. Their lives are entwined in many ways with several secrets.There are so many things that keep you guessing. There are several parts where you are kept in suspense while trying to figure it all out. You won’t though. I highly recommend this book. You won’t regret it!
Best friends are like the family you have picked yourself and you would do anything for them. You spend as much time as possible with them, you support them through the good and the bad times. They are the ones you love and you would protect them no matter what.
Mistakes are being made and although the outcome was devastating, they are forgiven and the cracks that showed are plastered over. Sometimes there is one secret too many and that bond that seemed unbreakable, now is ripped apart and the pieces are thrown away, never to be mended again.
This book is full of twists and revelations. You are like sisters, vowing to be like this for ever and ever, until...
I saw through one person, but there was a lot left I had no idea about. Excellent read. 5 stars
Thank you
Looking forward to more by this author. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you entertained. Surprise ending. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the chance to read this book.