This was not an unputdownable, edge-of-your-seat, “can’t go to sleep till finished” type of book, but it was enjoyable and it was worth definitely worth the read. All in all, a solid read if not life altering. But do we always need those? Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC opportunity !

Great idea for a book and really well executed. A thoroughly good read. Highly recommended. .

Living in a commune style with my neighbors is nothing I would ever want to do but for these three families it seemed to make sense. Yet after taking the walls down each family found their own issues. These problems could have been there before they took the walls down but were brought to light after. With each problem the support from the other families was wonderful. There was never a doubt that they would support each other, pick each other up, and help each other in any way possible.

I am not sure what my thoughts were on the how the adults all seemed to bond with each other’s spouses. What I mean is that the wives all bonded with different husbands. I am not sure that everyone in the house didn’t overstep boundaries many times. The style of living did not give any private/personal time to couples or individual families. I am not sure how any of these marriages managed to stay together.

The children in this story were not prominent characters but there was still an attachment to them. I wonder how confusing it would be to young children to call other women mommy and other men daddy. This is something that I thought about each time it happen but maybe it is just because I am a mommy and I wouldn’t want my daughters to call anyone else mommy.

When I finished reading I just sat and thought about how my world would be if I lived in a world like they did. How would my relationship with my husband change? What would my children think?
Pretty Little World is an interesting read. I devoured it.

This novel is about three families who are close friends and also neighbors living in adjoining row houses in Philadelphia, who decide to knock down the walls in between the first floors of their homes and have a communal living space. Each of them have their own issues and of course living together solves certain problems while creating others. An interesting and different idea, but kind of eh in the execution for me - there were too many characters, they were all kind of annoying and not fully fleshed out, and the book was just too unrealistic. That being said, it was a quick read, just kind of disappointing especially since I enjoyed Elizabeth LaBan's previous book "The Restaurant Critic's Wife." 2.5 stars.

Pretty Little World is an intriguing novel about the walls individuals put up around themselves when the physical walls come down. LeBan and DePino are able to navigate through the lives of three families on Emerson Street in an engaging way, allowing readers to relate to each person at different times throughout the novel. These writers are not afraid to hit on hard topics, yet do so in a way that is not overbearing or judgmental. Overall an interesting story that takes readers along a journey of codependency and individuality that is neither predictable nor traditional.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing (they rarely fail me) for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book had a lot of potential, but it just didn't quite bear out. The group is a bit of a commune, with the families living near each other, sharing, well.....everything. The characters should've been better developed, so that we liked them, or felt invested in them, but that's where it lacked.

Pretty Little World by Elizabeth LaBan and Melissa DePino was a fun look at an "alternate lifestyle". Three families pooling their resources and altering their physical homes to accommodate their adventure was interesting but there is going to be obvious problems. I loved the setting but didn't enjoy the predictable downfalls.

The idea of a communal family intrigued me right away, maybe because it’s so far out of my own comfort zone and something I would NEVER consider in a million years. Six friends and neighbors decide to go ahead and take a chance after one family wants to move in order to have more space. This was such a compulsive read for me, I was surprised by how quickly I was wrapped up in their lives.

Three families enjoy living next to one another in row houses. They each have young children and and often chip in to help each other out. One family announces that they are in need of more space and that they are going to put their house on the market. The two other families are heartbroken. One of the women comes up with an idea to knock the walls down between the houses. This will provide everyone with more space and help with logistic issues as it relates to their children.

At first, the families are not keen on the idea of “communal” living. They all mull the idea over and then circumstances change shifting the families mindsets into agreeing to this unconventional living situation. Once the walls are removed, chaos slowly ensues among the adults as secrets are kept and boundaries are crossed. They all begin to obtain different perspectives about one another and themselves.

I was intrigued by the concept of the book. I live on a small street and would be heartbroken if one of my neighbors moved away since we have great relationships. The book grabs your attention as it examines male/female relationships, raising children, and the bond of marriage in a non traditional setting. This is a joint novel from two authors, and I look forward to more works from this partnership.

What a great book. I really enjoyed it and did not want it to end.

The idea of a communal family intrigued me right away, maybe because it’s so far out of my own comfort zone and something I would NEVER consider in a million years. Six friends and neighbors decide to go ahead and take a chance after one family wants to move in order to have more space. This was such a compulsive read for me, I was surprised by how quickly I was wrapped up in their lives.

There are seven different points of view here, I know that sounds like too many, but it truly works seamlessly here. Mark and Celia have three kids and both have demanding careers. They are the ones that initially want to move, but they change their minds after Mark has a serious health scare. Stephanie and Chris have one child and both work as well. They’re happy with their son as an only child, but also intrigued by the idea of giving him a larger, untraditional family. Hope and Leo also have one daughter and Leo is a sommelier while Hope stays at home. They’ve been trying to have another child for two years and are thrilled to expand their family anyway they can. Lastly, there is Nikki the new neighbor on their block.

Of course things get messy and complicated pretty fast, but the way things got muddled shocked me. Lines get blurred and boundaries get crossed as three separate families try to merge into one. Large family dynamics are very different than those of a single family unit, and many relationships are put to the test. The women have always been extremely close, but events drive a wedge between them. The men love to get together for a beer or an occasional guys night out, but when things get complex, they feel the after effects as well. Then there are the always convoluted male and female relationships, especially when secrets are being shared, and NOT always between spouses.

This was a provocative read, but one with heart and great characterization. It explores parenthood, marriage, work woes and friendships, all in an interesting way. What truly defines a family? Can a non traditional family really work, to the benefit of both the adults and the children? This is especially difficult as they’re keeping this arrangement under wraps in order to avoid judgment. This was one that grabbed me from the start, at no point did I want to put it down. I’m wowed that this was LeBan and DePino’s first collaboration and am desperately hoping it’s not their last!

The premise - a modern day commune – of Pretty Little World by Melissa DePino and Elizabeth LaBan is intriguing. The “decision” of the characters to make their lifestyle a secret and some of the story lines the book pursues detract from that focus. Personal and marital issues exists in and out of communal living; I would rather the focus had stayed with the story lines centered around the shared living experience.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2017/01/pretty-little-world.html

Reviewed for NetGalley

This didn't work for me. The couples, both as couples and as individuals, were not developed enough for me to remember who belonged with who and what each person's respective thing was. I also was incredulous that an architect would undertake a massive secret renovation without regard for building codes (and also that this would actually be possible.) No one seemed to question the whole situation, there's some odd sex scenes, and frankly the person I liked the most was Nikki, who is not a part of the "family." Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I had a hard time finishing this and it's not one I'd recommend.

This was so nice. I really enjoyed her first book, and was so excited to see this. Such an interesting story. 3 families take it a step further and become one family. Will it work out? I just really enjoyed myself reading this one. This author has the perfect rhythm. Engrossing! That's the word...enjoy!

This is a story of three exceptionally close couples who live in a rowhouse but decide instead to break down the walls between their homes and live communally. In theory to them, it makes sense, a twist on a modern family where they all count on each other, although it's not a concept that I can really wrap my head around. But they lean on each other to help out with kids, jobs, family problems, etc., which inevitably leads to trouble, secrets and people feeling taken advantage of.

But as much as I liked the story and wanted to see how it went, I didn't particularly like any of the characters (maybe that was the author's wish?) Hope and Leo provide a lot of the domestic responsibilities - primarily childcare for the 5 children of the three families and the majority of the cooking, but Hope seems needy throughout the book (giving your husband a "free pass" to go out for beers with the guys?!?) and Leo was likable enough until he starts an inappropriate relationship with one of the housemates, Stephanie. The other 2 couples don't seem to contribute nearly enough to the family - Mark and Celia seem like workaholics (until Mark finds other dalliances to keep him busy... namely, Nikki) and Stephanie and Chris don't seem to contribute to the household nearly as much as the other two families. I really didn't like what Mark did with Nikki and then in the end, leaves his wife as if she was the one that did something wrong. However, I thought Stephanie and Leo were particularly underhanded and inappropriate, even though they didn't engage in a full fledged affair, I think I would be more hurt (as a spouse) by their actions than even by Mark's, due to the closeness between the families. That being said, even though I really didn't love any of the characters, I really did enjoy the book and enjoyed it, even though it felt like there were some loose ends that could have been more neatly wrapped up.

I received an eARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was definitely a step outside my comfort zone. I'm typically drawn to books that I relate to or that that I like the characters. The usual exception to this rule is thrillers and procedural type mysteries that are super plot driven. This was the exception to that exception. No one dies and it's definitely not a plot driven book. Yes, stuff happens but there aren't big huge events exactly or a set story arc. These are 3 couples who are living their life surrounded by friends who think things might just be better if they opened the walls and operated like one big family. That in itself is as faraway from something I would consider doing that it might as well be science fiction. This book made me realize just how much of an introvert I am as there is no way I could handle multi-family meals everyday and endless round of girls nights.
The characters are well-developed, seriously flawed, and interesting. At one point or another I disliked each of them for but that was continually fluctuating as something would change and relationships developed or decayed. But despite not always liking the characters I was always interested and I always wanted to find out what happened next. This wasn't the easiest read - not because the writing wasn't compelling because it very much was - but because it felt a bit too real. I felt like I was peering through windows and eavesdropping on conversations that weren't my business. The ending is a bit open ended but while that usually drives me crazy it worked for this book. Life is open ended and an ending tied with a bow would have just felt wrong on this book. If you're looking for a read that's different and not easy but not full of angst or grief this is a good pick. I'm definitely glad I read it even though it confirmed even more for me that I really need a house in the center of 100 acres!

3.5 stars.
Pretty Little World by Elizabeth LeBan and Melissa DePino is about three families who live side by side in narrow houses with a basement and a few stories to them. It all begins when a burst water pipe causes a crisis and a gap between two of the houses, and the plan is born. Knock down the walls of the main street floor and turn it into communal living, with each family having their own floors above separate. And quickly and with no hiccups it is done.

The couples were interesting, although I have to say I had to have written in front of me who was married to whom and.... ah who had their eye on whom! Celia and Mark have three children and just so need to sell up and move to a bigger house. As well as the burst water pipe this is the catalyst for the idea to remove the walls. They are also not really getting along swimmingly with each other.

Leo and Hope are another couple. Leo loves to cook, Hope wants another child but isn't having any success. They also don't seem to be all of what a happy couple is about. Stephanie and Chris make up the third couple. Stephanie is an organizer, she has her own business for that. Chris is not that happy in his job and is wanting change.

So how does this commune like living go? Well suffice it to say it has its advantages and disadvantages. There is a sense of community among them, but little cracks keep appearing. Some crises bring them together and some send them apart.

All of them seem to be in mid life crisis, none of them struck me as happy or fulfilled. I couldn't see any satisfaction in life or their partners. They didn't communicate well with the right people and I often wondered how they had all ended up like this.

The ending was interesting but not particularly satisfying for this reader. I just felt no real growth or progress had been made by any of the characters and I couldn't see how life was going to improve for them in the future.

A well written book that did make me think and would make a great book club book. I am sure it would engender much discussion.

I was Really Into This book. I love a good slumber party & I’ve often thought how awesome it would be if I had my favorite people with me all the time. Like, if I could get my best friends to live next door to me, that would be EVERYTHING.

Well, that’s exactly what three families do in this book. They live in row houses stacked against each other & when one family wants to say, “See ya!” to the neighborhood to get more space, the other two families step in & come up with a crazy idea to take down their bottom floor walls & share a communal living space.

Now, I know a lot of folks would be like, “Heck, no,” but hear me out- this actually works well for these three families- at first. There’s Celia & Mark- she works all the time & he just had a major health scare & is now becoming distant towards his family. There’s Stephanie & Chris- she’s a professional organizer who loves yoga & seems like she’d be fun at Happy Hour, while he likes to pick the kids up from school, likes routines & traditions & isn’t very happy with his job right now. Last, there’s Hope & Leo- Leo knows all about food & good wine, but he’s not really present for family time, while Hope is a stay at home Mom & relishes in her new role as, “Mommy Hope” to all the children.

This book has everything I love; relationships, secrets, family/work life issues, parenting issues, friendships, affairs, pregnancies- I was REALLY into it. It’s got heart, it kept my attention, it’s a quick read & one you definitely want to talk about with your girlfriends & read again on a rainy day. I want this book to be a TV family drama, like Parenthood. It’s really great & it’s out today.

Special thanks to Elizabeth LaBan, Melissa DePino, Lake Union Publishing & NetGalley for providing my copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

Three married couples living side by side in Philadelphia decide to take some walls down and combine forces to live in a commune like way. Upon reading the synopsis, I was completely intrigued and excited to read and review the book. I knew that I would enjoy seeing if the author could convince me that this could work between three married couples. Let me say that yes, I was convinced that combining some part of a living situation and splitting adult responsibilities could be interesting and work, but there were other things I had difficulties with in this book.

The biggest thing that really frustrated me in this book was that I didn't feel like the adults were adulting very well. They all had different issues they were dealing with and that was fine with me, but the way they handled themselves was just ridiculous and made me feel like they were young adults trying to be adults. I kept getting frustrated with the things they were doing, the decisions they were making and how they were treating each other - grow up.

Because of the above, it left a bad taste in my mouth and although I loved the whole concept of communal living and each adult taking on what their are passionate about in the home, the way they were out annoyed the enjoyment of the concept.

I wouldn't be opposed to read another book by these authors, but I would be a little cautious.

I thought the idea within this book was interesting. After a disastrous water leak ruins the walls between two row houses, a group of neighbors (who are also close friends) decide to tear down the first floor walls between their homes and live together. They shared responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning and child-rearing. This was not as if they were simply roommates. It was as if they were a giant family.

Throughout the book I desperately wanted to reach inside the pages and strangle the characters until they came to their senses. Except perhaps Celia. I don’t remember being too upset with her; but the rest of the lot, gosh! If only they had communicated – but I will get to that in a second. There are a lot of times when boundaries are crossed and the lines get blurred in this book. There are emotional affairs, physical affairs, and something else I can’t even explain because I’m not even sure what exactly was going on. I’m still confused by it. Honestly, I was surprised these couples agreed to tear down the first floor walls. In the first chapters, it didn’t seem like they liked each other all that much.

Some of the things about communal living seemed beneficial. Kids to play with other kids. Shared cooking and cleaning responsibilities. Someone always around to help out with something, or just simply to hang out. I think it could work with the right people. But it seems these couples just had too many issues in and among the group to make it work.

I think the character development fell flat. I hardly knew anything about them or how they came to be married to their spouse. In order to have been more invested in the characters, I needed to know more about them. Maybe the authors felt there wasn’t enough space to include this, because there are 7 main characters that get focused on. That’s a lot of characters to keep straight. Admittedly, I wrote down the couples’ names and who their spouse was in order to keep it all straight. Anyways, it was lacking.

This book did teach me an awful lot about marriage. It made it clear that open honest conversation (and lots of it!) is extremely important for a healthy, happy, satisfied marriage. If these couples had stopped to communicate honestly with their significant other, and listened to their partner, they all could have saved themselves a lot of stress and heartache.

“This was what their life was like now. Entire days and nights passed without their even knowing what had filled the other’s time.”

The ending left me with so many questions and so many things unresolved. I’ll just have to make my own conclusions as to what I think happened. I just wish there had been more closure.

I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.