The Neighbours

Wonderful read.devoured it this weekend.Lovely characters story a relaxing enjoyable way to spend a few hours,#netgalley#avonbooksuk

This is a very quick read. Finished it in one sitting. I think the story is really good.! You immediately will fall in love with the characters and because it's a quick read, it's a perfect pallet cleanser after you've read an intense book which is what I needed.

This was a much needed book. I enjoy some books that I can just sit down and read in one sitting and this was one of them. I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the main characters and thought that this book was very well written.

Meet Ginny, 34, and Cassie, 55. Neighbours, and (very) unlikely friends.

Some women have it all. Others are thirty-four and rent a tiny flat alone because they recently found their long-term boyfriend in bed with their boss. Ginny Taylor is certain her life can’t get any worse. But then she meets her downstairs neighbour…

Cassie Frost was once a beloved actress, but after a recent mishap, she desperately needs a new publicist. And Ginny is a publicist who desperately needs a job – but can she be persuaded to work for the prickly woman who lives below her floorboards?

Ginny and Cassie are two very different women, but they have more in common than they’d care to imagine (or admit). And when their worlds collide, they realise that bad neighbours could become good friends…

Such a great read. Ginny and Cassie are so different, but damn it they are not also the same. Friendship has no age limits and one cannot just love them both.

Heavier subject matter than chick lit. Easy read about friendship and relationships which I enjoyed. Would recommend.

It is an enjoyable read with an interesting plot and loveable characters. Yes, even the one with the attitude. :) However, I did think now and again with some exasperation: "Why don't you communicate?". It could have saved so much hurt. Still, there is a happy ending so all is well. I recommend it to everyone who likes a good romance.

"A funny, honest and moving exploration of life, love, friendship"

I didn't know what to expect when I started reading "The Neighbours" but the story picked up and it pulled me in, and, before I knew it, I cared about Ginni and Cassie, but especially Ginni.
The story is told entirely from Ginni's perspective, and it works well. Ginni is an endearing and very real character who makes mistakes and has to deal with her fears.
The story is a quick and easy read that will make you think about the things that matter in life, like friendship and caring for each other, but at the same time will make you laugh out loud.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

Ginny and Cassie are at two different ends of a measuring stick, but I love how circumstances brought them together in this story and as a result I got treated to an unlikely friendship and some odd, hilarious and downright refreshing conversations.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC. I'd recommend this as light fiction, something that will entertain a reader.

A wonderful and truly delightful read. A pure feel good book. Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for my eARC of this book

This is a feel good story of an unlikely friendship. Heartwarming...........................sit down and enjoy it. Highly recommended

This is chic lit at its best! I read someone else say think Bridget Jones and yes in some ways it does have that feel! It is a light easy read and will grab you for the beginning.

Plot is two neighbors at different stages of life what could they possibly have in common but they find they do. Against a London backdrop it all works!

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC copy for my honest review.

Who has a neighbor has a treasure 😊
It is a totally uplifting story about friendship and relationships that you will finish of reading the last page with a wide smile plastered in your mouth.
Ginny never thought she could end up becoming into the best friend of her sarcastic TV star neighbor Cassie, at a time when they needed each other more than ever, even if they were not aware of it.
You’ll laugh out-loud, cry and fall in love because this novel has the main ingredients to get excited with every page.

4 stars.

You look at the title and think it’s probably a thriller, because there seems to be a trend these days when it comes to thrillers — there’s either a girl somewhere, a wife somewhere, or a neighbour somewhere.

But nope, this is a book about two neighbours who live in the same building. It’s a story about the unlikely friendship they form, and how they help each other grow as individuals. Clinical depression is dealt with beautifully in Nicola Gill’s debut novel, as one of the characters undergoes a massive spell. The rock solid friendship formed between two women, with an age gap of twenty years, is the crux of the story.

One of the neighbours is Ginny, a woman who tries to put her life back together from one of festering mediocrity — she’s at a dead end job and the only thing she relies on is that she has a boyfriend whom she’s serious with — until she catches said boyfriend cheating on her with her boss. (Yikes!) She’s paranoid about her biological clock, thanks to excessive conditioning by the media, and is afraid of being alone in life — a fear that most human beings share.

The other half of the titular duo is Cassie — a small time actress who’s under media fire for a ton of things she says and does. She’s in her fifties, and is unapologetic about what she says in a time when it’s necessary to be PC all the time. She’s not racist or homophobic — in fact she’s vocal about speaking out against discrimination in real life — but somehow lands with her foot in her mouth, which is always recorded for posterity by the paparazzi. The second half of the story focuses on how she gets back on her feet as she struggles with depression, her friendship with Ginny being the rock that is instrumental in her recovery.

The story is narrated in a very lighthearted manner from Ginny’s point of view, but it never trivialises any of the issues that either of the main characters face. It doesn’t try to be unnecessarily humorous, but there’s an underlying sense of wit, that shines through at the right moments.

The story does feature romance, but it never delves into it. Things happen as they happen, and the primary focus is only on the characters’ professional lives and their personal development. It passes the Bechdel’s test with flying colours — and it that sense, I’d call it feminist. The right term for this novel would be “women’s literature”, not to be confused with the stereotyped category of “chick lit”.

The only qualms I had with this book is that it could have been shorter. While the first 40% of the book and the last 30% were engaging, the first few chapters especially so, the story kind of idled in the middle. I read this in four days flat despite a heavy workload — I couldn’t stop reading, but a lot of the middle could have been edited to be crisper. The descriptions were excessive at times, though at others, that was the backbone for some lighthearted humour. It still could have been made shorter, though.

Reading this book was a refreshing change. I saw the cover and description, and decided I had to give it a try — the cover is quirky and cute, and reminds me of O. Henry for some reason. It’s not a book for those who want a fast paced plot, or those who want some action. This book essentially is just a time lapse capture of two women who lead remarkably ordinary lives, over the period of about 18 months.

I truly enjoyed this breath of fresh air, and would like to see what Nicola Gill writes next. The book is slated to be published in Feb 2020, and I hope it does well.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an opportunity to read an advance copy of this book — I truly enjoyed it.

Much more depth to it than you'd find in other books in its genre and style (such as Bridget Jones' language and energy.) Author brought these two characters together naturally, making this a story of connection, trust, admiration and soul work. I loved how the book zipped along at a pleasant pace, making this one of those easy reads to cleanse the palate between heavier books....but here we find ourselves immersed in heavier topics, draw in, emotional, engaged, entertained, and hopeful. Gill knows how to craft a story, and this title pleases tremendously.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this free ARC in exchange for a review. I enjoyed this title very much.

What a fun, quick read! This author's writing reminds me of Sophia Kinsella whose writing I love.

The story was light and airy. I loved the humor - and Ginni was such a lovable character.

I didn't rate this a full 5* because believe it or not the story didn't draw me in right away.

I really enjoyed reading The Neighbours. It had a great mix of realism and escapism; it was good to read a real representation of mental ill heath alongside real friendship with a good splash of romance. It left me feeling uplifted and I loved Ginny’s journey from the beginning to who she was by the end.

A warm, light read full of wit and humour. I enjoyed this story and simply ploughed through it. The perfect way to fill a Sunday afternoon.

I know this isn't my usual genre, but there was just something about this title that spoke to me and I couldn't resist requesting a copy. My instincts turned out to be right, because I ended up really enjoying my time with this story. If you are looking for a poignant and entertaining romcom with that Bridget Jones vibe, The Neighbours should definitely be on your 2020 wishlist.

It's a superfast read and has both funny and more serious moments incorporated into the plot. Oh yes, it's not all roses and sunshine in The Neighbours as more heavy themes as depression, suicide and cheating are incorporated into the plot. It was interesting to see how the author used these elements in her story and then balanced them with lighter moments and a dose of humor here and there. The plot itself might involve some cliches, but there is no doubt that it makes for an engaging read and fans of the genre will be more than pleased. The writing definitely makes you turn those pages fast enough, and I literally finished The Neighbours in one sitting. Whether you are looking for your next beach read or something to make you forget about the cold winter weather, this story will do the trick.

That said, I did have mixed thoughts about the main characters. It's true that Ginny and Cassie make a very unlikely pair, and I did have a great time following their story and see their relationship grow. Cassie's character is fascinating, with her being an older actress who is no longer as famous as she used to be... I liked her sass and 'I don't give a damn' attitude and it was interesting to see other aspects of her personality developed as well. Ginny is an interesting character as well, although I did have issues with some of her character traits and decisions. Especially those relationship related and how she handles things in general... The whole love triangle vibe I could have done without as well, but those are only minor complaints for what is otherwise a very entertaining read.

In short, if you are looking for a fast, engaging, funny and sometimes poignant and heartbreaking romcom, this story is without doubt a great choice! I'm having the feeling fans of the genre will love this book.

A lighthearted romantic tale of a girl rebuilding her life following a breakup. Ginny walks in on her boyfriend in bed with her boss, losing her man and her job in one go. This book made me laugh and root for Ginny to get back up and find love again. The author also deals sensitively with the subject of depression, bringing some depth to what could be a typical bit of chick lit. Worth a read!

Read in one sitting, I enjoyed this quick read very much. Loved the characters and the undemanding style of this talented writer. Will be looking out for more from Nicola Gill.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

The Neighbours by Nicola Gill an unlikely four-star read. This is my first by this author and I hope it won’t be the last, it’s a story about unlikely friends who start as neighbours. This was well paced and had good characters, but it did feel overly long in places, most of the descriptive language used worked well, but a couple of times it felt overdone. The issues raised are done well and not some that you usually find in a novel of this genre. Ginny and Cassie are very different people in life, but as life shows just because you may not appear different on the surface, sometimes similarities run so much deeper.

Such a lovely romcom! Full of charm and humour, along with many heartfelt moments and triumphs.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ginny's journey from a life turned upside down, trials and error along the way, and the delightful ending. Though, I was left wanting more, there is closure. I just wished we got a bit a more.
I appreciate the author including mental health in this story. I struggle with depression, and it just goes to show, even when you feel alone, you aren't. And even people with money, who seem strong and unabashed, and have not a need in the world also suffer from mental illness. Mental illness does not discriminate.
All in all, I really enjoyed this novel. I did find the writing style a bit off. It just wasn't for me, but that's personal preference. The characters were extremely well developed and the story full and captivating. I feel like the story ended too soon, too abruptly for the depth of the story, but that just might be me being greedy. Haha. That said, I absolutely recommend!

Thank you Netgalley, Avon Books, and Nicola Gill for this advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Nice feel good book. It flowed very well. was easy to read. Nice characters. Good storyline. What’s not to love.

I really enjoyed this book because it was raw, real and honest and not what I expected from this book at all. It took me awhile to read because I was reading other novels but once I got further into the story, I had to complete it. Other readers need to give this a chance because it was not just a vacation book; I think other readers will identify with Ginny's story.

Not quite what I expected, but a great read.

Ginny was a bit annoying at times, when you think she could have just had a conversation and saved herself a lot of heartache. Cassie was a fun character, and you feel sorry for her.

Looking forward to reading more from this author.

The premise is different than I usually dive into, but I loved the change of pace. I read this book so fast! This was due to the great flow of the story, the awesome characters, and the good writing. Would definitely recommend for someone who is looking for just an all around good read!

A unique Concept spicy novel that I’d recommend and read again. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing

This is my first book by this author and it was enjoyable. The main character does come off a little naive at times but the story is raw and emotional and had me slowly growing into the characters.

My first book by the author and an interesting story.
Very well written and a fast-paced read although it has a bit of dragging somewhere in the middle of it and it’s more like I felt a bit too many words that didn’t add anything to the story unfortunately for me.
You’ll think you know your neighbours but you can never know what really happens behind the closed doors. I liked the main heroine and how she went to a length to help her neighbour who needed her.
I’ll definitely read more books by the author and recommend this story.

Ginny first appears to be a bit self absorbed, as things in her life are not going her way. Walking in on her boss and boyfriend in a compromising position results in her losing her job and boyfriend at the same time. While home she meets her neighbor Cassie, an aging star who is suffering from depression as her star is fading. Ginny and Cassie become close, as Ginny doesn’t give up on helping Cassie while putting her own life back together. There are laughs and many tears in this gem of a novel. I enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This was such a sweet read! The characters are so charming and I found myself wanting to befriend them as well. I read this book in one sitting, and immediately wanted to pick it up and read it all over again!

After a bit of a slow start to this book it turned out to be a great read. I'm sure there will be comparisons with Bridget Jones and the narration by Ginny gives it a feel of that. But it has a little more to it than an average chick lit book.The characters explore so many life issues within the pages, with some humour thrown in at times and great one liners.

One of the things I didn't like about the writing style was the author explaining what was happening without the preamble. It would work great visually but in a book I had to keep re reading parts, thinking I had missed something. So Ginny gets some notebooks - she's admiring them, where did they come from? Next paragraph describes her getting the notebooks from the person she was just talking to.

The book is more about Ginny and Cassie's friendship than the romances and I found this a refreshing change. There are some dark times in the book, which without spoilers is difficult to convey. Once I got to know Ginny and Cassie I found the book hard to put down and read about 3/4 of it in one sitting as I really wanted to find out what was to become of them both.

I'm giving this book four out of five stars.

A wonderful sweet story of an unlikely friendship.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Nicola Gill’s The Neighbours is a fantastic entertaining new novel. Ginny Taylor, age 34, comes home from work suddenly to find her long term boyfriend cheating on her with her current boss. Suddenly, Ginny’s life spirals into unknown territory. She’s sharing a room with someone she’s never met, she’s out of a PR job (after throwing plants at her cheating boss) and befriends the ex-famous neighbour, Cassie, downstairs in her flat. The Neighbours does an excellent job of following both Ginny’s story of job hunting, boyfriend finding and soul searching. Along the same time, readers get to know Cassie. A much older woman struggling to overcome a shattered working reputation, many ex-husbands and complicated sister. Ginny and Cassie’s stories are engaging, delightful, sometimes sad and ultimately make for a wonderful read. I cannot wait to discuss The Neighbours with friends in 2020 and keep Ginny and Cassie’s friendship alive!

A sincere thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a sweet story of friendship between Ginny and Cassie. A 20-year age difference didn’t stop these neighbours from leaning on one another. I adored the mother-daughter relationship and the ending was not expected – but it was well-written and a needed topic in literature as more and more people face suicide and depression. Love was never the main topic in “The Neighbours” but friendships and just plain life as adult move through their thirties and see everyone around them growing up.

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Neighbours is a sweet book about two women who develop an unlikely friendship. I loved reading about Ginny and Cassie and how their friendship helps them grow and develop as women. This book is a wonderful way to spend a few hours!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Absolutely adorable read. One would think its chick lit based off its description, but it is so much more.
Gill was not afraid to tackle tough subjects and she showered the bonds and strength of female friendship that spans over 20 years. Such a great read. Thank you #netgalley for the ARC

I was gripped by this story in parts, but I thought it took too long to get going in terms of pace. I skipped over some parts, especially during the second half, because I felt there was too much detail and to be honest I wanted to see what the outcome of the romance would be. That said this is not a romance. It is a story about friendship. Depression is covered in great detail. We also see how Ginny becomes stronger. I thought that her decision to just end things with Nick without talking through the kids issue was silly on her part. I also found there were abrupt scene changes which made working out what was happening at times a bit confusing. There are a lot of good things here, but not quite enough for me to give it five stars. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Although not a book I would purchase in my professional life, it is one that I will be recommending in my volunteer life and to friends. I expected a light read, but it was more than that, and I enjoyed it!

An amusing, thought provoking read. Definitely difficult to read in places because it’s hard hitting, but so well written that you have to carry on. Highly recommended.

Ginny and Cassie are neighbors in the same building, and both seem to have it all....until they don’t. Ginny is a 34 year old on the top floor with the perfect roommate and a great boyfriend. But soon the roommate moves away, and Ginny comes home to find her boyfriend sleeping with her boss! She’s also despite for a baby and surrounded by loving couples with wedding or baby plans. Her boyfriend is gone, her roommate is gone, and so is her job in PR.

Then she meets former once-loved actress and more recently washed up reality star, Cassie. More than anyone, Ginny sympathizes with her and vows to restore Cassie’s reputation. Hijinks ensue.

I had originally picked this book up picturing a psychological thriller, but it turns out I found something better in The Neighbours.. This book explores friendship, family, relationships, and the messiness that can be life. Once I got started I couldn’t put this book down. Hopefully the author is already at work on her next book!

This is a lovely story of freindship. Ginny comes home one day to find her boyfriend and boss in a compromising position - through a series of events she becomes jobless and also becomes a reluctant friend to her neighbour who lives downstairs.
This is a heartwarming and easy read that I devoured in a couple of sittings - There are some amusing bits and dark bits - very good read

The Neighbours is a book I couldn't put down. I had to keep reading, chapter after chapter, crisis after crisis to see what happened. I rejoiced with Ginny's wins and cringed when she made really, really stupid relationship decisions. I applauded her efforts to get a new job and also for not giving up on Claudia, who needed help. Nick is a dreamboat and Jack is a jerk. Read the book and find out why.

When I first started reading this book, I thought that it was going the same as others, and to an extent, it was - there is romance, betrayal and more romance. But, an interesting part of the story for me was the developing relationship between neighbours. It was very sensitively handled and proved that just because you’re famous, doesn’t mean you’ll fiind happiness necessarily.

I have never read any books by this author and I really enjoyed it. The story and characters were fully developed and whilst I felt that Ginny was a bit irritating at first given the length of time in the book devoted to her recovery from Jack’s betrayal, she really developed. All the secondary characters were brilliantly written
I can only hope the author writes a second book to follow on as there were a few loose threads

This is a great book to read when you are looking for new beginnings and to start over. Despite hardships, Ginny continued to believe in herself and most importantly keep herself open to success and love. Her kindness is evident in the way she treated Nancy, Cassie and most importantly Nick. A lot of life changing moments were experienced by all characters in this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was a really good read which tackled some huge issues really sensitively and well with a good level of humour.

The story is centred around two main characters Ginny and Cassie who are neighbours who against the odds become firm friends.

Their unlikely friendship ends up saving one life and overhauling another.

Cassie a former Hollywood star hits rock bottom with a severe bout of depression and after initially having a professional relationship the duo become firm friends with Ginny helping Cassie through her depression.

Ginny is a really likeable character who has been dealt a pretty crappy hand when it comes to her personal life.

I love that she doesn’t let herself wallow too much in her own self pity and works hard to get her life back on track.

I absolutely hated her stupid on off boyfriend Jack and loved Nick who I was rooting for to be the one.

A really great enjoyable read.

Thank You to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for allowing me to read this ARC for an honest review
The Neighbors by Nicola Gill, is such a great read, I found myself reading non-stop. It was interesting, heartwarming and genuine. The Neighbors is about two unlikely friends, Ginny a 34 year old PR whose world turns inside out when she discovers her long term boyfriend with her boss, now she is alone and without a job, not knowing what to do next. At this time in her life she meets Cassie, a 55 year old unapologetic actress, she is currently under scrutiny and hated by the public. Both women are in difficult stages in their life but despite the age difference their friendship flourishes, I think it actually caught them off-guard, how much their friendship developed and as the reader I could only cheer in the sidelines and secretly be jealous of their friendship.
To me this was a great read, my only negative comment would be how much time and effort Ginny spent on the whole baby issue and her lack of commination, to me it felt like a step backward to her character development and I felt that that was never truly resolved by the end of the book.
Other than that I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Nicola Gill.

A lovely easy read. Great characters. A book on friendships and relationships. You'll read in one sitting.

A thriller title but a contemporary cover? What is this trickery! There are certain titles these days that give books a feeling of Psychological Thriller and probably would make me gloss over it because there are so many of those around at the moment (too many books too little time!) But this is different - great catchy title, beautiful vibrant colour...this is a refreshing debut novel from Nicola Gill. It's not romance as such - it's not a beach read - it's something else. It's one of those in-between books where very serious subject matters are explored carefully but at the same time it's not dry or dull. In fact, at times, it's pretty hilarious!

The only element that dropped it from five stars to four was the chapter structuring. There are chapters in the book which are clearly marked out - but there are also other times when it just segues into the next line but it's a completely different time or something else has happened and it's not naturally marked out as a chapter change. Reading it digitally meant that this was often tricky to follow.

A good holiday read, full of ups and downs of relationships. A lost love who in my opinion was not to let back in ever, a crazy minor celebrity who suffers mental issues , work colleagues come and go and in the final chapters a happy result for all. Not a hard read but entertaining.

This is an interesting book as it defies the commonly promulgated idea that we don't know, or care about, or neighbors in London. My personal experience is that this is not true.
In hondon, we live in small communities, towns if you will, where, when you walk out the shop owners know you, the station staff recognise you, and you always bump into, and talk with, a neighbor. True, you need to smile and say 'Hello' first and maybe join in a community activity, of which there will be lots to choose from.
Not so in Commuter Land.
I lived there for 19 years and barely knew nextdoor.
Here in London I know lots of people & even have had drinks with
the people upstairs.
That said, this is a warm story, almost sentimental, with a young person befriending the grouchy neighbor below stairs, and as such helping her turn
her life around.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Nicola Gill for a digital review copy in return for an honest review.

This was a book that made me smile even though it covered some 'heavy' topics including depression and low self esteem. The characters are well thought out and I found myself cheering on Ginny and Cassie, the unlikely neighbours.

I have seen suggestions that there is a "Bridget Jones" feel to the book, which I can understand, however I found Ginny to be much more likeable and caring than Bridget.

A great debut novel, looking forward to reading more books by Nicola Gill in the future.

I like this author. Around 40% of the way into The Neighbours by Nicola Gill this thought came into my head. It didn't burst its way in, it didn't sneak in. One moment it was just there and I knew it to be fact. By time I was 2/3 of the way in, it was gone. I love this author had replaced that initial, weak thought. And I do, I love THIS author.

If asked my favorite genres, I invariably say "historical fiction Not romance disguised or dressed up as historical fiction because that is yucky" and then I mention mystery, fiction, memoirs, cookbooks, non-fiction, etc. I rarely if ever say woman's fiction mainly because I am not quite sure what it is. Isn't is just fiction? Why say woman's fiction, there isn't such a thing as men's fiction is there? That seems to be a debate for another time and place. The Neighbours may have been categorized as women's fiction but I don't think you actually need to be a woman to enjoy it or maybe even understand it. To be sure, there is much that I instantly understood, perhaps it is the shorthand of shared experience but there is a commonality of enduring heartache and doubt that we all share in the human experience.

Many times in this novel, I felt that Mrs. Gill was writing my thoughts and feelings. That is a gift that many authors do not possess. While The Neighbours is on the surface a light and quick read, underneath it examines heavier subjects and does it well. The ability to discuss those subjects while avoiding the trap of being either heavy handed or of being too flippant is something that should not be dismissed. It is impressive when much published author are able to straddle that particular fence; the fact that Nicola Gill has so ably done this in her debut novel is astounding. She is an author to watch.

I will be recommending The Neighbours by Nicola Gill to every reader I know. While this is a perfect summer read, I will be telling them don't wait, read it now. As I read the final words, I felt a very real sigh of satisfaction, don't put that feeling off because of the season, start reading now!

A proper jaunty feel good affair of a book

Meet Ginny, 34, in P.R., unlucky in love but self effacing and ‘lovely’

Meet Cassie 55, ex Bond actress now reality TV ‘star’ with a vicious tongue and acidic humour

Both women are the complete opposites of what you would imagine a friendship could be, but as neighbours in London apartments via a set of circumstances that is what they, tentatively, become

I LOVED them both, their polar opposite personalities really worked well and as their friendship blossomed so did the hilarity and also equally the sadness of their lives

Bang full of wonderfully evil co-workers to caddish lovers the book has many many likeable and likeable characters to hate and not one a dud, every person in the book was easily placed in my mind such were the descriptions given

The book deals with unexpected friendship, romance, work relationships and a really touchingly unusual part about Ginny’s parents lives

Some of the situations are lol farce comedy they really are, some bring a tear but I guarantee you will remember these 2 and I hope, really hope, there is a follow on book

Wonderful!

10/10
5 Stars

An excellent read with a great story line and well thought and interesting characters.
I liked the storytelling, the character development and read it as fast as I could.
It's an excellent read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Neighbours Ginny and Cassie meet at just the right moment in their lives, in this charming romcom from Nicola Gill.
Ginny, in her mid thirties, suddenly finds herself out of her PR job having discovered her boyfriend Jack in a rather compromising situation with her boss Annabelle. Oops!!
Cassie, a once lauded actress of stage and screen is keen to make a come back after her initial disastrous attempt in the jungle reality Tv show. Who better than Ginny, who whilst in between jobs and determined to become a published writer, could help her achieve her dream??
That’s the premise for this novel which is lighthearted with some hilarious scenarios. Struggling to find another job and clearly failing in the relationship department, these two neighbours become unlikely friends and as their friendship develops we get further insight into what makes these women who they are.
I think I almost prefer the character of Cassie over Ginny, for her outspoken behaviour, cynicism and tendency to say the wrong thing landing herself in hot water time and time again. As a once famous actress she has some great anecdotes about the showbiz world and is still incredibly glamorous if (almost)completely self centred. On the other hand Ginny is the typical thirty something looking to find The One and her biological clock is ticking loudly, a fairly predictable character of this genre. She doesn’t have much self belief, either in her own creative writing abilities or in her role in PR, even when she lands another great job at a media agency. Both these characters symbolise some of the internal struggles we all face as women, lack of confidence, desire to find true love, hang ups about our appearance and fear of becoming old and forgotten. This makes Ginny and Cassie very relatable characters and they are easy to like.
Predictably, even when Ginny meets Nick, an eligible perfectly lovely man, the path of true love is littered with obstacles. Surprise surprise!! However, whilst this is on the face of it a breezy uncomplicated read, the author does tackle the real problem of depression albeit with a lighthearted touch so thankfully it’s not entirely fluffy and nice throughout!
I found this novel immensely pleasurable to read, easily caught up in these two fictional women’s lives and their unlikely friendship. Friendship is such an important part of everyday life and this storyline proves that often people come into your lives at certain times when what they have to offer is exactly what you need. Heartwarming and a perfect excuse to escape reality, this romcom will put a smile on your face and satisfy a need for a happy ending.
My thanks as always to the author and publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.

There's a 20 year age difference between Cassie and Ginnie but they have so much in common- and they find that they can help one another. Ginny threw a plant at her boss, who she found in bed with her boyfriend and now she's not got a job or a boyfriend. Ginnie was a Bond girl who lived a vibrant life filled with men and scenes but a stint on reality TV torpedoed it all. She's coping (not always well) with depression. Cassie, a publicist, takes her on as a client and along the way, these two grow. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a good read that's a little more serious than you might expect.

A bit wishy washy to start, The Neighbours is all about who you let into your life, and how you get back your groove after everything comes crashing down around you. I love the way Nicola Gill tackled discussing mental health, and how blood family is not always as strong a bond as the family you make around you.

Sometimes you just need a great chick flick... in book form! That’s this book. I couldn’t put it down once I started and I’m thirsting for more!

3,5 stars rounded to 4

Ginny and Cassie were neighbours who quickly became friends. Ginny walked in on her boss and her boyfriend in a comprising position. She ends up loosing her job. Cassie is an aging star who suffers with depression. Ginny tries to help Cassie get her life back on track and becomes her PR.

I don't know what I was really expecting when I started reading this book. Its told from Ginnys point of view. I liked Ginny, she's made mistakes, but who hasn't? It touches on a lot of difficult topics ut it also has some humor. There were parts that seemed to drag on a bit. It's well written and fast paced. This is an easy book to read with a storyline that's realistic and characters that could live next door to hou.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author Nicola Gill for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There is so much packed into this novel, it's really surprising that it's Nicola Gill's debut!

Ginny is in her mid-thirties and, as part of a relationship for the last couple of years, is waiting for THE proposal. Shame no-one told her partner. Ginny also has the boss from hell and when she discovers the pair of them 'in flagrente', her world implodes on both fronts and she finds herself without either of them. And so she gets to know her neighbour . . .

This is a skilfully crafted book, and one which kept my attention throughout. There is a good range of characters, each with their own stuff going on, all with a serious side but the story is sprinkled with humour all the way through. Each thread is tied off leaving no doubts about what happened to anyone - just as I like it! I imagine that this is far from the author's first work - although it is her first published novel - as the writing is accomplished and polished, and I really enjoyed everything about it. It unfolds into a very entertaining tale, one which made me smile and giggle! Most definitely one I'm very happy to recommend, and I consider this well worth 4*.

My thanks to publisher Avon for my copy via NetGalley; this is, as always, my honest, original and unbiased review.

Ginny has a lot to cope with, an ended relationship ,no job, and a bad tempered celebrity neighbour. Really engrossing, well written,realistic, sad times but also with laugh out loud moments. Perfect reading for a cold ,wet,winters day or a holiday in the sun.

Finally, I’ve read a decent book this year. I was beginning to wonder whether it was going to be possible and whether I’d used up all my good book tokens in 2019! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this; it was the breath of fresh air I was after. It encaptured me, and I was even thinking about it when I’d put it down and was doing other things. It was continually drawing me back into its depths and world.
I, like most people who have left reviews, had thought that it might be a Psychological Thriller based on the title and a bit of the blurb. I had read a similar one about neighbours last year which didn’t turn out quite so happily ever after! This is definitely not a PT, through. It is an uplifting, blossoming and charming story. It does touch on some tough subjects, but they are handled delicately and are in keeping with the storyline.
I really liked the author’s style of writing. I can understand why some of the reviewers couldn’t get on board with it. I suppose it could feel a little disjointed. I felt, however, that it wasn’t littered with unnecessary scenes and detail. We were left in places to fill in the blanks. For example, Ginny sends a text to a client. The author could very easily have regaled us with a full-blown conversation that went backwards and forwards, tying that part of the story up in a neat bow. However, all we get is that the text was sent and Ginny moves on to the next thing in the story, we don’t really get to find out what the client thought or whether there were any repercussions. However, we would have done if there were any, we didn’t need this spelling out for us. This is just one small example that I can give without giving any significant spoilers. I thought this worked really well, and I didn’t feel like I was wasting my time reading things that I didn’t need to be reading, and I could get on with the story that mattered. However, I’m not sure it quite worked with the very very end, which did finish very abruptly. I turned the page expecting just a little more and was shocked to find the acknowledgements. I’d been wrenched from the world quite abruptly, oh well.
I loved the characters. Cassie was superb. I wish I could be more Cassie and not give so many cares! Ginny’s transformation and growth in confidence really transpired as the book went on, but oh my days I really felt for her curly fringe at the awards ceremony. I wanted to stand up and ask anyone if they had a brush for her!
I received a bag of Cadbury’s Twirl Bites in the post as part of the promotion for the Blog Tour for this book; I thought it was random as I’d not yet read the book. They were very welcome though, as the day I received them was a very stressful day and chocolate, as we know, solves everything. Now I’ve read the book they don’t seem so random. So thank you Avon Books for making my day with a little bag of goodness, I’m certainly glad they were Ginny’s favourites and weren’t some nasty vegan celery!
Overall, a fantastic read and I am sure this author is going to go to do absolutely amazing things! I can’t wait for her next book!

The Neighbours was a women’s fiction that revolved around Ginny and her neighbor Cassie. It was about friendship, fighting depression, relationship, getting over fear, and working to achieve dream.

Writing was good. I liked the way author represented Ginny’s mediocre life and Cassie’ defamed life with realistic tone that had balance of seriousness and wit. Story was told from Ginny’s perspective.

Book started with 34-yr-old Ginny talking about her simple life whose fertility clock was ticking at rapid rate. She was holding onto her boyfriend to fulfil her simple life by marrying and producing babies with her. But that went to downhill when she found him having pleasure with her boss at her own flat. You can guess where this is going. Jobless, boyfriend-less, wallowing in sadness and self-pity was not exactly a picture she imagined. At the same time her neighbor, Cassie was turning into national hate figure after a reality show. She needed publicist who can help improve her reputation and Ginny desperately needed a job.

Now Ginny lacked confidence and she was not sure she could handle Cassie’s bad reputation and a prickly nature while Cassie no matter what people says never lacked confidence and her power of persuasion was irresistible.

The story was about two totally opposite in nature and in life style neighbours forming strong friendship, helping each other in all kind of situation, uplifting other from depression, giving an honest opinions, and developing over the time.

This was character driven story and relationships between characters and their life was most important part of the story. When I read synopsis, I knew I’m going to have wonderful female friendship and I wasn’t disappointed there. I expected this book to be fun and light-hearted but it was much more than just friendship and fun moments, there was darkness, sadness and depression.

Ginny was timid, squeamish, and a pushover but at the same time she was nice at heart, helped her family and friends. She definitely deserved better than non-committing, competitive, and self-centered Jack. I really felt for her in the beginning but then she was wallowing and whining too much. I had really difficult time to warm with her but when she actually started helping Cassie when she was going through depression, I liked her a little more. But then she had to make that stupidest decision. I wasn’t happy with it. Then again she became such wonderful neighbor, I started liking her back. You see my like and dislike for her was really bumpy ride.

I can see why she was taking one after another disastrous decisions but how could she not see the relationship she was giving a chance won’t last long and what that guy was doing to her. Can a person really be blind in obsession of family and child? I know the answer and we have read thrillers who have given us horrible layout on that. Another point was she never voiced her thoughts and took decision based on what she assumed. I mean you are already hurting somebody what harm would come if you can just say what you’re thinking! It was just so hard to warm to her.

Anyway, I loved her development (that definitely could come earlier) and what she did for Cassie. I admired when she worked to achieve her dream and her amazing decision (one and only) when she got over her fears in climax.

Now even though Ginny was near my age and Cassie much older (55), I connected with her and I liked her from the very beginning. I could see she was bitchy, temperamental and difficult woman but she was honest, brave, bold, and spoke her mind. Yep, total badass. The way people treating her making her national hate figure, it was really horrible. Oh hell, some even said she should have died! I don’t understand why and she was taking it all with such brave face, rode the hate wave like diva. But of course she was human and it affected her. I loved the way she fought her depression, gave her loved ones a chance, and developed by the end of the book. No doubt she was my favorite character.

Some side characters were good while some were shockingly horrible. My second favorite character was Nick. He was such a gentleman and lovely guy.

What I liked most was the message conveyed here through Cassie and Ginny’s story. Depression can come to any one at any time, some face it during their downtime while some can face their worst time and see depression coming much later. There are so many ways to treat depression but it’s different for every person. What works for one person might not work for another. Depressed person should not be left alone they need love, care and companionship no matter how much they denies. Another message was never stop chasing your dream. It’s always hard but there’s always a way or an alternative. You cannot just depend on others to get what you want. And the most common one- talk about your problem with concerning person, don’t just assume things and take decision that you might regret later.

There were few twists and turning points in the book that kept me hooked to story. I really dreaded a heartbreak or even worst but thank fully the end wasn’t bittersweet. It was chocolicious sweet.

Why 4 stars-

Ginny was really frustrating most of the time. I wanted to shake her so hard. As I said it was just so hard to warm to her.

The thing is I loved Cassie I wanted few chapters from her perspective. We are told she was bitchy and did things on reality show that had turned her into hate figure. It was not in detail what exactly happened or what she said, how she felt/so suddenly felt depressed. I wanted to give that middle portion which was so focused on Ginny’s stupid decision to Cassie.

Overall, it was great read with strong message and friendship that all women’s fiction readers would love to read.

In this era of “ageism” it is wonderful to see a book about two women with roughly two decades of difference in their ages come together in a celebration of friendship.

Ginny is a thirty-something woman who is struggling with her place in life. She feels unfilled in her job but has no idea how to get a different and better one. When she walks in on her live-in boyfriend shagging her boss – in Cassie’s own apartment – she is forced into looking at life from a different, jobless perspective. She is good at what she does – marketing and PR – but she isn’t always on her game when it comes to job interviews.

Her neighbor, Cassie, is a fifty-something, well known actress who, sadly, has sabotaged her career over time with her boorish behavior, uncensored mouth and worse. She desperately needs an agent or PR consultant to help her get her life back in gear but no one will touch her, not even with a ten foot pole!

Cassie talks Ginny into helping and soon the two realize, well, they have absolutely nothing in common and barely can tolerate one another. As they work together, however, they realize that one doesn’t always have to have similarity as a foundation upon which to build a great friendship. Both of these women learn from one another, help each other turn their weaknesses into strength and, ultimately, they form a beautiful friendship.

The Neighbours is a humorous, witty look at relationships of all types and illustrates how each of us have something to offer to one another, despite our differences. And yes, in today’s world where differences are highlighted and maligned, it is a joy to see how our lack of sameness can be a strength. This is a wonderful, well written story of friendship that is perfect for readers of all genres.

The premise of this book- two women from very different walks of life trying to band together to get their lives back on track- called to me. I was really excited to read this, and I have to say... it delivered! This was in parts a fun, fast read with soulful bits that tore at me. I laughed, I cried.... I wanted to throw the book in a fit of frustration with the characters. In short, I loved it.
The characters of Ginny and Cassie were both really well done and, while there was a lot of things they did that I disagreed with, I found myself rooting for them. Cassie, especially made me laugh on her "good days" with her charm and self depreciating witt. Her bad days broke my heart. Watching the two women interact and try to get their lives back on track was interesting and heart warming. The way Cassie was taken out of context in parts seemed far too real- in the world of Instagram, YouTube and paparazzi it's easy for things to be misconstrued and a simple misstep can break you.
The cast of characters here were really well developed and memorable. My favorite was Nic and I might have a bit of a book-crush on him if I am honest. He was so charming and patient, supportive of Ginny and accepting of her need to take care of Cassie. I respected that. The romance between Nic and Ginny made me smile... it just felt so natural! This was a four star book for me, I will be keeping my eyes peeled for more of her books!
On the adult content scale, there's some sexual content, substance abuse (?) and language. I would give it a three. While definitely geared toward adults, I would hand this over to my teen niece without issue.
I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this book from Netgalley and Avon books in exchange for an honest review. My thanks!

The Neighbours starts with Ginny, a 34 year old woman who works in PR and whose life is about to be turned upside down. Her roommate and best friend, Nancy, is moving to the US and when Ginny comes home from work she expects to come home to an empty apartment. But instead she finds her boyfriend Jack cheating of her with her boss Annabel. She dumps Jack and she quits her job.

Cassie is Ginny’s downstairs neighbour. Cassie is a 55 year old actress who is suffering from a reputation-damaging and embarrassing TV-show appearance.

Ginny and Cassie paths cross and an unlikely friendship develops. At first they don’t seem to have a lot in common, but the more they get to know each other, the more they begin to see they can help and support each other.

The story is written from Ginny’s perspective. She feels as though she should have accomplished more at her age. She isn’t where she wants to be career wise and relationship wise. I thought Ginny’s inner dialogue felt real, believable and relatable.

The Neighbours deals with some difficult and heavy subjects. Mental health (depression), disappointment and insecurities.. Nicola Gill did a wonderful job on writing about these subjects in a sensitive way. The story is light-hearted and filled with humour, but it never feels like the subjects are trivialised.

But this is not just a book about mental health. It is also about friendship, love and finding happiness. Both Ginny and Cassie’s characters grow over the course of the novel. Ginny learns to be more confident and Cassie finds peace with who she is and where she’s at in life. They grow and they support each other.

The Neighbours shows the importance friendship and it’s a heart-warming story that made me tear up and laugh out loud.

I enjoyed this book very much. It was well written and especially the latter half had some really funny, laugh out loud sections. The main character Ginny was very likeable and I particularly enjoyed the telling of her friendship with Cass. The romantic storyline didn’t quite ring true for me but I liked the way it was all tied up in the end.

Fab read about helping others even when things go wrong, and finding friendships with perfect you wouldn’t expect you. Thoroughly enjoyable book, well worth adding to you reading this for this year. Thank you for letting me review this book x

3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4.

I believe I picked this book up on NetGalley because I thought the cover was so cute. When I started reading it, I wasn't even sure who the author was and I immediately assumed it was Mhairi McFarlane because the main character reminded me so much of her characters and the writing felt super similar. When I finally looked, I realized it wasn't Mhairi at all.... BUT if you like Mhairi's novels, chances are you'll like this one from Nicola Gill, as well!

Ginny is a 34-year-old Londoner who has just ended a serious relationship in a terrible way. Not only that, but she's lost her job (in large part because of it!) and is constantly being reminded of how successful all of her peers are in terms of their careers, love lives, and families. Really, it's a tale as old as time, but Ginny is such a likable character, which made it an enjoyable read. Throughout the book, Ginny befriends her washed up celebrity neighbor, hunts for a new job, and ventures into the dating world.

The Neighbours isn't the kind of book that's going to change your life (and honestly, I don't feel like the title is very fitting), but it is a nice escape read that almost made me feel like I was spending time with a friend.