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Plays Well with Others
Bestselling children’s author Lauren Myracle makes her literary fiction debut with a gripping suspense novel about the dark side of “perfect” parents in a tightly knit suburb.
Jacquelyn “Jake” Nolan has lost a lot: her stillborn son, her marriage, and her job and reputation. Still grieving, she makes a determined effort to start over. She settles into a new house, and, buoyed by a growing friendship with an upbeat woman named Mabel, begins to believe a brighter future is ahead. But this charming little neighborhood across the street from an elementary school conceals an undercurrent of darkness and rage.
Jacquelyn “Jake” Nolan has lost a lot: her stillborn son, her marriage, and her job and reputation. Still grieving, she makes a determined effort to start over. She settles into a new house, and, buoyed by a growing friendship with an upbeat woman named Mabel, begins to believe a brighter future is ahead. But this charming little neighborhood across the street from an elementary school conceals an undercurrent of darkness and rage.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 10, 2025
65 people are currently reading
14200 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Myracle
95 books2,026 followersLauren Myracle is the author of numerous young adult novels. She was born in 1969 in North Carolina. Lauren Myracle holds an MA in English from Colorado State University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. she has written many novels, including the famous IM books, ttyl, ttfn, and l8r, g8r.
Her first novel, Kissing Kate, was selected as one of ALA's "Best Books for Young Adults" for the year 2004. It was named by Booklist as one of the "Top Ten Youth Romances" of the year, as well as one of the "Top Ten Books by New Writers." Her middle-grade novel, Eleven, came out 2004, followed by its YA sequels (Twelve, Thirteen, Thirteen Plus One) .
Her first novel, Kissing Kate, was selected as one of ALA's "Best Books for Young Adults" for the year 2004. It was named by Booklist as one of the "Top Ten Youth Romances" of the year, as well as one of the "Top Ten Books by New Writers." Her middle-grade novel, Eleven, came out 2004, followed by its YA sequels (Twelve, Thirteen, Thirteen Plus One) .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
July 6, 2025
Wowzers! If you’re looking to visit a drama-filled neighborhood consisting of thoroughly broken, morally gray characters, Plays Well With Others will fit that bill to a T. With a handful of dysfunctional families alongside oodles of gossip, there was just no end to the delightfully ridiculous antics. After all, this domestic thriller hit all the right chords as it produced the perfect combination of hilariously satirical and just barely over-the-top thrills. At the same time, there were some serious themes underneath all of the fun, which had me thinking long and hard after closing the cover of this unputdownable new novel. Bravo, Ms. Myracle, on one heck of a stunning adult fictional debut.
While I absolutely enjoyed the unfolding drama, the top two winning pieces of this binge-worthy read were easily the well-developed characters and the unguessable, earth-shattering twist. Compelling and genuinely flawed, they all came to life as I learned about their pasts—even if they did take things a step too far most of the time. Alongside of that was a “WTF?!” twist that had me shouting out loud. Shifting the plot in just the right way, I was utterly floored when the pieces dropped perfectly into place. Illuminated on all sides by multiple distinct POVs, I couldn’t put the book down and even happened to finish it in one single sitting of wide-eyed appreciation.
All said and done, despite a slow burn first two-thirds and the need to suspend all disbelief, the multiple plot lines and twisty, twisty plot delivered a win. Treating heavy topics with sensitivity and humor, it became a solid, thought-provoking story that crackled with emotion. You see, with depth to the plot as well as the characters, I was floored by how well she captured the psyches of all those involved. Exploring the rise and fall of human relationships, she shined a light on how people aren’t just good or evil, but a mixture of both. Clever, insightful, and just slightly unhinged, I loved being a fly on the wall—although I wouldn’t want to live next to any of these people for real. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
One year after her ex-best friend posted their private correspondence on social media, good girl Jake Nolan is still reeling. Thanks to Shelby's betrayal, Jake lost her job, her house, and her husband, not to mention a cherished friendship that turned out to be built on deceit. Circle Shelby; cross out Jake.
But enough is enough, and after moving into a bungalow on idyllic Sweetwater Lane, Jake decides to retaliate by doing some crossing out of her own. When her brand-new friend and neighbor Mabel admits to also having an enemy, they decide to join forces. Why not, since they're both itching for revenge?
Only they're not the only ones. It seems that everyone on Sweetwater Lane is nursing a grudge or two, and although most of the grievances are trivial, a few sprout fangs. While Jake and Mabel's revenge game begins as a series of giddy pranks, the stakes become deadly when uninvited participants join the fun.
Thank you to Lauren Myracle and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 10, 2025
Content warning: infidelity, ableism, breaking and entering, child abuse, stillbirth, arson, domestic violence
While I absolutely enjoyed the unfolding drama, the top two winning pieces of this binge-worthy read were easily the well-developed characters and the unguessable, earth-shattering twist. Compelling and genuinely flawed, they all came to life as I learned about their pasts—even if they did take things a step too far most of the time. Alongside of that was a “WTF?!” twist that had me shouting out loud. Shifting the plot in just the right way, I was utterly floored when the pieces dropped perfectly into place. Illuminated on all sides by multiple distinct POVs, I couldn’t put the book down and even happened to finish it in one single sitting of wide-eyed appreciation.
All said and done, despite a slow burn first two-thirds and the need to suspend all disbelief, the multiple plot lines and twisty, twisty plot delivered a win. Treating heavy topics with sensitivity and humor, it became a solid, thought-provoking story that crackled with emotion. You see, with depth to the plot as well as the characters, I was floored by how well she captured the psyches of all those involved. Exploring the rise and fall of human relationships, she shined a light on how people aren’t just good or evil, but a mixture of both. Clever, insightful, and just slightly unhinged, I loved being a fly on the wall—although I wouldn’t want to live next to any of these people for real. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
One year after her ex-best friend posted their private correspondence on social media, good girl Jake Nolan is still reeling. Thanks to Shelby's betrayal, Jake lost her job, her house, and her husband, not to mention a cherished friendship that turned out to be built on deceit. Circle Shelby; cross out Jake.
But enough is enough, and after moving into a bungalow on idyllic Sweetwater Lane, Jake decides to retaliate by doing some crossing out of her own. When her brand-new friend and neighbor Mabel admits to also having an enemy, they decide to join forces. Why not, since they're both itching for revenge?
Only they're not the only ones. It seems that everyone on Sweetwater Lane is nursing a grudge or two, and although most of the grievances are trivial, a few sprout fangs. While Jake and Mabel's revenge game begins as a series of giddy pranks, the stakes become deadly when uninvited participants join the fun.
Thank you to Lauren Myracle and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 10, 2025
Content warning: infidelity, ableism, breaking and entering, child abuse, stillbirth, arson, domestic violence
June 10, 2025
ARC for review. To be published June 10, 2025.
1 star.
Jake (a woman. I was confused at first.) was married to Adam. They had a baby who died then not too long after that Adam left Jake for her best friend, Shelby…but not before Shelby was kind enough to make Jake a pariah both online and in Fort Collins, Colorado by posting comments on social media showing Jake denigrating those with cleft palates (this makes sense in context.) I guess the silver lining is at least we know Adam and Shelby are perfect for each other, amirite?
Jake licks her wounds for a year then moves to a new neighborhood where she meets Mabel and tells all. Mabel also has a nemesis, someone on the Good Neighbor app (read NextDoor please don’t sue me) who always goes after her online. Then Jake finds out something about that person and Mabel thinks the two of them need to get revenge. Oh, and there are also the neighborhood kids who have issues.
I think Myracle may be a YA writer and you can see that here. The whole thing is childish in the way it’s set up and with its ridiculous coincidences. Plus there’s a shout out to Hobby Lobby which is not a friend to women, so no thanks there. I think I rolled my eyes so many times one of them is permanently stuck. So now I’m a freak until someone gives me a hearty smack on the back. Thanks, Lauren Myracle.
*******If you’ve read this review, please indulge me for one more minute and read the comments. Lauren Myracle responded in the absolute most positive way positive and I want to give her all the credit in the world for that. I did not love this book, but LAUREN is great and I would give her books another try based solely on the fact that she’s a stellar person.
1 star.
Jake (a woman. I was confused at first.) was married to Adam. They had a baby who died then not too long after that Adam left Jake for her best friend, Shelby…but not before Shelby was kind enough to make Jake a pariah both online and in Fort Collins, Colorado by posting comments on social media showing Jake denigrating those with cleft palates (this makes sense in context.) I guess the silver lining is at least we know Adam and Shelby are perfect for each other, amirite?
Jake licks her wounds for a year then moves to a new neighborhood where she meets Mabel and tells all. Mabel also has a nemesis, someone on the Good Neighbor app (read NextDoor please don’t sue me) who always goes after her online. Then Jake finds out something about that person and Mabel thinks the two of them need to get revenge. Oh, and there are also the neighborhood kids who have issues.
I think Myracle may be a YA writer and you can see that here. The whole thing is childish in the way it’s set up and with its ridiculous coincidences. Plus there’s a shout out to Hobby Lobby which is not a friend to women, so no thanks there. I think I rolled my eyes so many times one of them is permanently stuck. So now I’m a freak until someone gives me a hearty smack on the back. Thanks, Lauren Myracle.
*******If you’ve read this review, please indulge me for one more minute and read the comments. Lauren Myracle responded in the absolute most positive way positive and I want to give her all the credit in the world for that. I did not love this book, but LAUREN is great and I would give her books another try based solely on the fact that she’s a stellar person.
June 15, 2025
You know those neighborhoods where everyone smiles too hard, the HOA sends passive-aggressive emails about your trash cans, and behind every picket fence is at least one felony? Welcome to Sweetwater Lane. Population: emotionally unstable women, traumatized children, and one very cursed community app.
Jake Nolan has lost everything before we even meet her. Her son dies, her husband Adam cheats on her with her best friend Shelby (because of course), and Shelby publicly cancels her by leaking private messages that make Jake look like a complete monster. This isn’t some petty Mean Girls level betrayal. Shelby takes a flamethrower to Jake’s entire life and then marries the ashes.
So Jake moves, hoping for a reset, and lands on Sweetwater Lane, which has the "cute neighborhood" aesthetic hiding some deeply broken people. Enter Mabel, who is chaotic in the way only someone who suggests revenge over baked goods can be. She’s got her own online nemesis, and together she and Jake form a petty little revenge duo that starts with harmless antics and spirals quickly into felony territory.
The neighborhood cast feels like a Real Housewives spin-off, except more emotionally devastating. Across the street is Billy, trapped in the whiplash mood swings of an abusive mother. Further down are Wendell and Delilah, two kids with horrific trauma that gets revealed piece by painful piece. There’s gossip, secrets, arson, online harassment, child neglect, and plenty of those moments where you sit there thinking, "Absolutely no one here should be allowed near sharp objects."
And yet, scattered through all this darkness, Myracle threads in moments of strange, misplaced humor. The Good Neighbor app (NextDoor’s chaotic evil twin) offers little pockets of petty comic relief, but the tonal shifts are jarring. One minute it’s cupcake wars, the next it’s full-on child endangerment. I’m all for unlikable characters, but even I was craving someone with a functioning moral compass.
This isn’t a thriller in the traditional sense. The mystery elements exist, but mostly you’re watching a slow-motion implosion of multiple lives. There’s no true "whodunit," but there are plenty of "oh God, what now?" moments that keep you reading, mostly out of morbid curiosity.
At the end of the day, it’s a compulsive read that leaves you emotionally ragged. Myracle can write chaos like a pro, but with such heavy topics and such wildly fluctuating tone, it didn’t fully land for me. Solid 3.5 stars for sheer audacity and the wild ride, but you definitely need to brace yourself going in.
Whodunity Award: For Turning Suburban Passive Aggression Into a Full-Contact Sport
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks and NetGalley for the early access to the audiobook. I really enjoyed Kelli Tager’s narration, her performance brought the neighborhood drama to life perfectly!
Jake Nolan has lost everything before we even meet her. Her son dies, her husband Adam cheats on her with her best friend Shelby (because of course), and Shelby publicly cancels her by leaking private messages that make Jake look like a complete monster. This isn’t some petty Mean Girls level betrayal. Shelby takes a flamethrower to Jake’s entire life and then marries the ashes.
So Jake moves, hoping for a reset, and lands on Sweetwater Lane, which has the "cute neighborhood" aesthetic hiding some deeply broken people. Enter Mabel, who is chaotic in the way only someone who suggests revenge over baked goods can be. She’s got her own online nemesis, and together she and Jake form a petty little revenge duo that starts with harmless antics and spirals quickly into felony territory.
The neighborhood cast feels like a Real Housewives spin-off, except more emotionally devastating. Across the street is Billy, trapped in the whiplash mood swings of an abusive mother. Further down are Wendell and Delilah, two kids with horrific trauma that gets revealed piece by painful piece. There’s gossip, secrets, arson, online harassment, child neglect, and plenty of those moments where you sit there thinking, "Absolutely no one here should be allowed near sharp objects."
And yet, scattered through all this darkness, Myracle threads in moments of strange, misplaced humor. The Good Neighbor app (NextDoor’s chaotic evil twin) offers little pockets of petty comic relief, but the tonal shifts are jarring. One minute it’s cupcake wars, the next it’s full-on child endangerment. I’m all for unlikable characters, but even I was craving someone with a functioning moral compass.
This isn’t a thriller in the traditional sense. The mystery elements exist, but mostly you’re watching a slow-motion implosion of multiple lives. There’s no true "whodunit," but there are plenty of "oh God, what now?" moments that keep you reading, mostly out of morbid curiosity.
At the end of the day, it’s a compulsive read that leaves you emotionally ragged. Myracle can write chaos like a pro, but with such heavy topics and such wildly fluctuating tone, it didn’t fully land for me. Solid 3.5 stars for sheer audacity and the wild ride, but you definitely need to brace yourself going in.
Whodunity Award: For Turning Suburban Passive Aggression Into a Full-Contact Sport
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks and NetGalley for the early access to the audiobook. I really enjoyed Kelli Tager’s narration, her performance brought the neighborhood drama to life perfectly!
September 12, 2025
TW/CW: Cheating, language, death of baby, grieving, depression, anxiety, divorce, death of parent, death of sibling, child abandonment, child abuse, toxic family relationships
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
One year after her ex–best friend posted their private correspondence on social media, good girl Jake Nolan is still reeling. Thanks to Shelby’s betrayal, Jake lost her job, her house, and her husband, not to mention a cherished friendship that turned out to be built on deceit. Circle Shelby; cross out Jake.
But enough is enough, and after moving into a bungalow on idyllic Sweetwater Lane, Jake decides to retaliate by doing some crossing out of her own. When her brand-new friend and neighbor Mabel admits to also having an enemy, they decide to join forces. Why not, since they’re both itching for revenge?
Only they’re not the only ones. It seems that everyone on Sweetwater Lane is nursing a grudge or two, and although most of the grievances are trivial, a few sprout fangs. While Jake and Mabel’s revenge game begins as a series of giddy pranks, the stakes become deadly when uninvited participants join the fun.
Release Date: June 10th, 2025
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 322
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Enjoyed the writing style
2. Characters were interesting
What I Didn't Like:
1. Some parts rambled on
2. Didn't like the close bow ending
Final Thoughts:
Not me side eyeing Shelby's tea and then Jake losing her child. I knew she was responsible for the baby's death.
I really enjoyed this book. This is the author's first adult book outside of ya and I think they did a great job.
The characters are flawed but not an annoying way. Sometimes characters will get on your nerves and you really just aren't enjoying the story, but with this one I felt like each woman added to it a different element. Absolutely absolutely hate Shelby. What kind of person is sleeping with her friends husband and then makes her friend go through a miscarriage by giving them tea? She's a real piece of work. Of course I also hated Jake's ex-husband. He makes out like she's terrible because she wants to remember their son but he wants to just move on. He wouldn't even let her mourn on the one-year anniversary of his death. He just needs to be thrown away.
I just think there was too many coincidences in this book that did drive me crazy. One being that Shelby somehow moves near where Jake is living. Also somehow Jake having half siblings and they also live in her neighborhood. It's all just too much of a coincidence to make it interesting. I think this is a problem sometimes with mysteries and authors is that they will put too much into it that would just never have that many close coincidences in it.
I also feel like there wasn't a lot of mystery in the book. Everything is kind of laid out for you nothing is ever gasp worthy. Overall though I think it was entertaining and like I said I like the characters and I liked the story.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
One year after her ex–best friend posted their private correspondence on social media, good girl Jake Nolan is still reeling. Thanks to Shelby’s betrayal, Jake lost her job, her house, and her husband, not to mention a cherished friendship that turned out to be built on deceit. Circle Shelby; cross out Jake.
But enough is enough, and after moving into a bungalow on idyllic Sweetwater Lane, Jake decides to retaliate by doing some crossing out of her own. When her brand-new friend and neighbor Mabel admits to also having an enemy, they decide to join forces. Why not, since they’re both itching for revenge?
Only they’re not the only ones. It seems that everyone on Sweetwater Lane is nursing a grudge or two, and although most of the grievances are trivial, a few sprout fangs. While Jake and Mabel’s revenge game begins as a series of giddy pranks, the stakes become deadly when uninvited participants join the fun.
Release Date: June 10th, 2025
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 322
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Enjoyed the writing style
2. Characters were interesting
What I Didn't Like:
1. Some parts rambled on
2. Didn't like the close bow ending
Final Thoughts:
Not me side eyeing Shelby's tea and then Jake losing her child. I knew she was responsible for the baby's death.
I really enjoyed this book. This is the author's first adult book outside of ya and I think they did a great job.
The characters are flawed but not an annoying way. Sometimes characters will get on your nerves and you really just aren't enjoying the story, but with this one I felt like each woman added to it a different element. Absolutely absolutely hate Shelby. What kind of person is sleeping with her friends husband and then makes her friend go through a miscarriage by giving them tea? She's a real piece of work. Of course I also hated Jake's ex-husband. He makes out like she's terrible because she wants to remember their son but he wants to just move on. He wouldn't even let her mourn on the one-year anniversary of his death. He just needs to be thrown away.
I just think there was too many coincidences in this book that did drive me crazy. One being that Shelby somehow moves near where Jake is living. Also somehow Jake having half siblings and they also live in her neighborhood. It's all just too much of a coincidence to make it interesting. I think this is a problem sometimes with mysteries and authors is that they will put too much into it that would just never have that many close coincidences in it.
I also feel like there wasn't a lot of mystery in the book. Everything is kind of laid out for you nothing is ever gasp worthy. Overall though I think it was entertaining and like I said I like the characters and I liked the story.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 3, 2025
If domestic drama is your jam this book should offer enough to satisfy your cravings 😂
If you love a good petty revenge oriented queen then this one is for you! The fake poops where my fave m, iykyk.. however i did feel for Billy receiving all the wrath 😪
We all agree that anonymous online keyboard warriors are absolutely the worst kinds of human beings in real life, but in book and fiction format it is pretty fun to watch unfold!
You can choose for yourself which character it root for and which to defend their bad behaviour, I personally rooted for the main character and was glad she made a supportive friend with her wacky neighbour 😆
Not my typical genre but over all I enjoyed this book!
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Publishes June 10th
If you love a good petty revenge oriented queen then this one is for you! The fake poops where my fave m, iykyk.. however i did feel for Billy receiving all the wrath 😪
We all agree that anonymous online keyboard warriors are absolutely the worst kinds of human beings in real life, but in book and fiction format it is pretty fun to watch unfold!
You can choose for yourself which character it root for and which to defend their bad behaviour, I personally rooted for the main character and was glad she made a supportive friend with her wacky neighbour 😆
Not my typical genre but over all I enjoyed this book!
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Publishes June 10th
June 10, 2025
Happy publication day 🎉🥳🎧
This was a nice surprise, a fairly short and quick Domestic thriller that packs a punch and has a heart, Jake is hiding herself away after her husband has shacked up with her best friend, and exposed some awful comments online. Mabel is determined not to let her new neighbour hide, and lures her out with cake and friendship. The pair get up to some really ridiculous antics that I found amusing, think nursery age humour. Meanwhile across the street from Jake is little Billy and his mom, she flips on a coin, adores him one minute and abuses him the next, at the other end of the street are new kids Wendell and Delilah, Wendell and Delilah have a horrific backstory, and as the story plays out all of the characters knit together beautifully.
Trigger warnings apply for Domestic violence, child abuse and child loss.
A first read for me from the author, her skills in writing children’s books shine through in the writing of the kids in the story.
Great narration.
Huge thanks to Blackstone Publishing-Audiobooks via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC🎧
This was a nice surprise, a fairly short and quick Domestic thriller that packs a punch and has a heart, Jake is hiding herself away after her husband has shacked up with her best friend, and exposed some awful comments online. Mabel is determined not to let her new neighbour hide, and lures her out with cake and friendship. The pair get up to some really ridiculous antics that I found amusing, think nursery age humour. Meanwhile across the street from Jake is little Billy and his mom, she flips on a coin, adores him one minute and abuses him the next, at the other end of the street are new kids Wendell and Delilah, Wendell and Delilah have a horrific backstory, and as the story plays out all of the characters knit together beautifully.
Trigger warnings apply for Domestic violence, child abuse and child loss.
A first read for me from the author, her skills in writing children’s books shine through in the writing of the kids in the story.
Great narration.
Huge thanks to Blackstone Publishing-Audiobooks via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC🎧
January 2, 2026
A dark and twisty domestic thriller.
This story is filled with psychological suspense and tension, exploring the use of social media to seek revenge or retribution, fractured relationships, hidden motives and bitter betrayal.
The audiobook is narrated well by Lauren Myracle, who had me immersed in the petty neighborhood drama, dark humor and the shocking darkness hidden within this supposedly tight-knit suburban community.
This story is filled with psychological suspense and tension, exploring the use of social media to seek revenge or retribution, fractured relationships, hidden motives and bitter betrayal.
The audiobook is narrated well by Lauren Myracle, who had me immersed in the petty neighborhood drama, dark humor and the shocking darkness hidden within this supposedly tight-knit suburban community.
June 8, 2025
Plays Well With Others by Lauren Myracle. Thanks to @blackstonepublishing #blackstoneinsider for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jake has moved to Sweetwater Lane after a betrayal from her husband and best friend. She meets her new neighbor, Mabel, who also has an enemy so they decide to join forces.
This one had a lot of very heavy and serious topics but also had a lightness about it. I loved all the neighborhood drama on the community page because it was a refresher during some of the heavier topics. Billy’s character was very well done. His internal struggle and the forces affecting it really showed well and gave the reader a lot to think about.
“One day maybe I’ll wise up, but you will forever be ugly to the bone.”
Plays Well With Others comes out 6/10.
Jake has moved to Sweetwater Lane after a betrayal from her husband and best friend. She meets her new neighbor, Mabel, who also has an enemy so they decide to join forces.
This one had a lot of very heavy and serious topics but also had a lightness about it. I loved all the neighborhood drama on the community page because it was a refresher during some of the heavier topics. Billy’s character was very well done. His internal struggle and the forces affecting it really showed well and gave the reader a lot to think about.
“One day maybe I’ll wise up, but you will forever be ugly to the bone.”
Plays Well With Others comes out 6/10.
June 6, 2025
This title should have come with a big fat warning: it is full of cruelty to animals and children's abuse.
That said, why give it four stars?
The story creeps up to you. It starts with the meeting of Mabel and Jake in their small neighbourhood, and we also meet several other women and their children. Or at least, the children that live with them. Slowly the background stories unfold, and only halfway it become more clear what actually happened with each and every character. Now, within a few short weeks, things come together to end in a horrible way. The fact that there is all the way at the end some good news for the characters is just not enough to be a satisfying ending.
There is no fun, no humour and except from one or two all characters are not very likable.
But still, I read the whole book because I was hoping for better things to come, so yes, I had to give it four stars for the intense feelings (not good ones, mind you) it gave me.
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and Edelweiss for this review copy.
That said, why give it four stars?
The story creeps up to you. It starts with the meeting of Mabel and Jake in their small neighbourhood, and we also meet several other women and their children. Or at least, the children that live with them. Slowly the background stories unfold, and only halfway it become more clear what actually happened with each and every character. Now, within a few short weeks, things come together to end in a horrible way. The fact that there is all the way at the end some good news for the characters is just not enough to be a satisfying ending.
There is no fun, no humour and except from one or two all characters are not very likable.
But still, I read the whole book because I was hoping for better things to come, so yes, I had to give it four stars for the intense feelings (not good ones, mind you) it gave me.
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and Edelweiss for this review copy.
March 30, 2025
Many YA authors are often met with skepticism when they decide to write a novel for adults. Lauren Myracle should not be one of them. Her latest book is an engrossing and entertaining adult thriller about social media harassment, heartbreak and suffering, former friend turned foe, new friendships, secrets and troubled kids in a seemingly perfect little neighborhood that is far from perfect. The truly likable characters, and some truly awful ones, will keep you engaged and struggling to put this book down.
Plays Well with Others is a solid domestic thriller. The very definition of a binge read. You will forget about your laundry and have to order pizza for dinner because you just don’t have time to cook and you need to finish this book! Yes, I speak from experience. This one is not to be missed. I know I will be keeping my eye out for her next thriller.
Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing for gifting me an advanced reader copy of Plays Well with Others by Lauren Myracle.
September 9, 2025
This story is not for the faint of heart! Both cruelty to animals and children are present, so for those who cannot handle that stear clear.
however this story is both creepy scary and also so very incredibly sad. I don't think I've ever had a thriller make me feel so deeply for the bad guy. All of the children in this neighborhood need several hugs, sandwiches, and new parents. I was not expecting the emotional part, but the thriller part is really good too. Plus some petty revenge on a cheating husband and ex best friend that will make you smile.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Lauren Miracle, and Blackstone Publishing for my ARC of this audiobook.
however this story is both creepy scary and also so very incredibly sad. I don't think I've ever had a thriller make me feel so deeply for the bad guy. All of the children in this neighborhood need several hugs, sandwiches, and new parents. I was not expecting the emotional part, but the thriller part is really good too. Plus some petty revenge on a cheating husband and ex best friend that will make you smile.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Lauren Miracle, and Blackstone Publishing for my ARC of this audiobook.
May 30, 2025
This is a fabulous novel that had my heart racing! Jake's husband Adam is now married to her once-best friend, Shelby--something she tries hard to get over but it's still worrisome. Jake is active on website GoodNeighbors and many of the moms have cute screen names that they hide behind so no one will know their true identities. But you can't always continue to hide behind a screen name, and Jake is determined to get the truth behind some of the actions of this community that pretends to be above-board about everything. It may make you rethink what you say online!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
January 12, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.
I found Plays Well with Others to be the most surprising book I’ve picked up yet in 2025, and I do mean that in the sense that it went far wider and deeper than I expected - the best way possible.
Jake has gone infamously viral after saying the worst things possible about babies with cleft lips and palates in an email to her best friend - seemingly caught up in her fury at said friend after Jake discovered her affair with her husband. In reality, Jake’s email was doctored by said supposed friend, and Jake was also mourning the death of her unborn baby with said husband. The cards fell where they will, though, and the world thinks of Jake as a monster with no input from her exposing what’s occurred, Jake quietly retreating to a new home post divorce to watch a bit too closely as her husband and her ex best friend play house.
I was sure from this opening that the mystery and thriller element would be Jake joining forces with another women to take her exes down, going too far. And I wasn’t wrong in some ways, but this is so much more. We learn about Jake’s upbringing and why she’s not advocated for herself through this trauma and how that’s colored by her experience with past trauma. We also learn about her friend, Mabel’s, own skeletons. And finally, at times sweetly but unexpectedly, we have a third mystery with the kids in Jake’s new neighborhood, all having dealt with or dealing with their own forms of trauma. All of these plot lines marry together well, never getting to be too much but all making sense in the broader scheme. And for those that expect it given how Jake’s been wronged, there’s also some healthy and unhealthy revenge at play, though it’s secondary to the larger drivers in the story.
As mentioned, I was incredibly surprised by the robust story I ended up completely absorbed in. This is more than a mystery thriller, with plenty of heart and anger but, really, all the emotions across the spectrum. Recommended for all, this book has something for everyone.
I found Plays Well with Others to be the most surprising book I’ve picked up yet in 2025, and I do mean that in the sense that it went far wider and deeper than I expected - the best way possible.
Jake has gone infamously viral after saying the worst things possible about babies with cleft lips and palates in an email to her best friend - seemingly caught up in her fury at said friend after Jake discovered her affair with her husband. In reality, Jake’s email was doctored by said supposed friend, and Jake was also mourning the death of her unborn baby with said husband. The cards fell where they will, though, and the world thinks of Jake as a monster with no input from her exposing what’s occurred, Jake quietly retreating to a new home post divorce to watch a bit too closely as her husband and her ex best friend play house.
I was sure from this opening that the mystery and thriller element would be Jake joining forces with another women to take her exes down, going too far. And I wasn’t wrong in some ways, but this is so much more. We learn about Jake’s upbringing and why she’s not advocated for herself through this trauma and how that’s colored by her experience with past trauma. We also learn about her friend, Mabel’s, own skeletons. And finally, at times sweetly but unexpectedly, we have a third mystery with the kids in Jake’s new neighborhood, all having dealt with or dealing with their own forms of trauma. All of these plot lines marry together well, never getting to be too much but all making sense in the broader scheme. And for those that expect it given how Jake’s been wronged, there’s also some healthy and unhealthy revenge at play, though it’s secondary to the larger drivers in the story.
As mentioned, I was incredibly surprised by the robust story I ended up completely absorbed in. This is more than a mystery thriller, with plenty of heart and anger but, really, all the emotions across the spectrum. Recommended for all, this book has something for everyone.
January 8, 2025
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Amazing! This had me hooked from the start and I could not put it down. Jake is such a lovable character, flaws and all. I sure hope that she (and her neighbors!) have a chance of coming together for a sequel.
Amazing! This had me hooked from the start and I could not put it down. Jake is such a lovable character, flaws and all. I sure hope that she (and her neighbors!) have a chance of coming together for a sequel.
June 25, 2025
Plays Well With Others by Lauren myracle is a funny book about a girl whose real name is Jacqueline that goes by Jake which I just found so odd. Usually nicknames or abbreviated versions of your actual name and Jake just does not correlate to Jacqueline at all. Moving on after being canceled for sending an email to her best friend about the best friend sleeping with her husband behind her back and then her husband leaving her on the one year anniversary of the death of their son Liam. Her best friend then puts her comments misconstrued and out of context completely on X a.k.a. Twitter and she got drugged through the mud big time she lost her job her husband her best friend but she did get a brand new pretty little cottage where she’s living now. This is where she meets quirky redheaded Mabel who is a great baker and just as childish as Jake. There was a lot I loved about this book found family literally and figuratively a great heartwarming story lol moments but I do want to say there is a lot and I do mean a lot of childish potty mouth and bathroom humor not to mention the antics of Jake herself who I won’t give anything away but OMG I really wanted to tell her to get over it. I also do not want to end this review without saying how sweet was little Wendall and also was Billy good or bad or just abused? There’s a lot of horrible things that happen in this book not so much it’s unreadable because it is far from that I just wish they would’ve had more intelligent retribution tactics besides ceramic poop and snarky comments on the neighborhood app. I still absolutely recommend this book if you love women behaving badly then you will definitely enjoy it and if you love potty humor then you will probably love it. I enjoyed it and definitely recommend it. #NetGalley,#BlackstonePublishing, #TheBlindReviewer, #LaurenMyracle, #PlaysWellWithOthers,
May 30, 2025
Suspenseful, disturbing, and tight!
Plays Well with Others is a tempestuous, edgy thriller that takes us to the coveted Sweetwater Lane, where abuse is hidden, drama is high, gossip is rampant, marriages have ended, lives are messily intertwined, and very soon some of the residents may be injured or even dead.
The prose is brisk and sharp. The characters are tormented, troubled, and conflicted. And the plot is an unsettling tale filled with family, friendship, lies, deception, scandal, tragedy, infidelity, suspicions, revelations, mayhem, neglect, inappropriate behaviours, jealousy, and violence.
Overall, Plays Well with Others is a dark, twisty, compelling adult fiction debut by Myracle that delves into the emotional, psychological, and physical effects long-term manipulation, control, and abuse can have on children.
Plays Well with Others is a tempestuous, edgy thriller that takes us to the coveted Sweetwater Lane, where abuse is hidden, drama is high, gossip is rampant, marriages have ended, lives are messily intertwined, and very soon some of the residents may be injured or even dead.
The prose is brisk and sharp. The characters are tormented, troubled, and conflicted. And the plot is an unsettling tale filled with family, friendship, lies, deception, scandal, tragedy, infidelity, suspicions, revelations, mayhem, neglect, inappropriate behaviours, jealousy, and violence.
Overall, Plays Well with Others is a dark, twisty, compelling adult fiction debut by Myracle that delves into the emotional, psychological, and physical effects long-term manipulation, control, and abuse can have on children.
April 25, 2025
I won this ARC right here on Goodreads! I’m giving it 5 stars because it was really, really good! I could not put it down, finished it in 2 days. Twists and turns and so many unexpected moments- highly recommended!
June 13, 2025
This was a very enjoyable domestic thriller for me. I didn’t know who was crazier: the adults or the kids. It made me think it could be a great tv series with all the goings-on in the neighborhood. The only thing I didn’t like was the author’s use of Hobby Lobby in the book. I do not support them.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
June 30, 2025
4.25⭐️ - This was chaotic, petty, and full of unhinged women making terrible decisions. I devoured it!
We follow Jacquelyn (Jake), who’s been through hell: her baby passed away, her husband left her for her best friend, and that same “friend” destroyed her reputation online and in their tiny Colorado town. A year later, Jake is trying to start over in a new neighbourhood, where she meets her eccentric neighbour Mabel, who has secrets of her own and a serious taste for revenge.
What starts as a neighbourhood drama with nosy mums and passive-aggressive feuds soon turns darker and much more emotional than I expected. There’s betrayal, trauma, and so many suburban secrets simmering beneath the surface. While it’s darkly funny and unexpectedly heartfelt in places, the story does cover very heavy topics, including domestic violence and child abuse.
If you enjoy stories about messy women, revenge plots, and the dark side of suburbia, definitely add this to your list!
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ALC. 🩷
We follow Jacquelyn (Jake), who’s been through hell: her baby passed away, her husband left her for her best friend, and that same “friend” destroyed her reputation online and in their tiny Colorado town. A year later, Jake is trying to start over in a new neighbourhood, where she meets her eccentric neighbour Mabel, who has secrets of her own and a serious taste for revenge.
What starts as a neighbourhood drama with nosy mums and passive-aggressive feuds soon turns darker and much more emotional than I expected. There’s betrayal, trauma, and so many suburban secrets simmering beneath the surface. While it’s darkly funny and unexpectedly heartfelt in places, the story does cover very heavy topics, including domestic violence and child abuse.
If you enjoy stories about messy women, revenge plots, and the dark side of suburbia, definitely add this to your list!
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ALC. 🩷
April 5, 2025
ARC for Review: This domestic thriller by New York Times bestselling author, Lauren Myracle, is a gem of a book. With excellent character development and plenty of plot twists, this book is one you won’t want to put down. The structure flows well and progresses nicely, becoming a book of moments, both disturbing and delightful. With her debut into adult fiction, Myracle has done an impressive job of capturing the yin-yang of human existence. Through her exploration of difficult relationships and budding friendships, the author explores the darkness and light of people and how one can embody both shadows and light, depending on the circumstances and perspectives in question. Overall I loved this book and I would highly recommend it to others. Be sure to add this to your “Want to Read” list in time for its June 10 release date!
April 22, 2025
First I would like to thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this eARC.
I quite enjoyed this book. I have never read anything written by Lauren Myracle and that is on me. I’m so glad that I read this and will read more from Lauren. She has included several things that I enjoy most in psychological thrillers. Twists & Turns! I love a good plot twist. Though at about 80% in I figured out the big twist, it was still great to read. I absolutely do not give out spoilers in my reviews nor do I paste and copy the book description. If you’re reading my review you already know what it’s about you’re just looking to see if it’s worth a read. To that I say ABSOLUTELY!!
I quite enjoyed this book. I have never read anything written by Lauren Myracle and that is on me. I’m so glad that I read this and will read more from Lauren. She has included several things that I enjoy most in psychological thrillers. Twists & Turns! I love a good plot twist. Though at about 80% in I figured out the big twist, it was still great to read. I absolutely do not give out spoilers in my reviews nor do I paste and copy the book description. If you’re reading my review you already know what it’s about you’re just looking to see if it’s worth a read. To that I say ABSOLUTELY!!
July 2, 2025
I went into Plays Well with Others expecting a mystery or psychological thriller, but it ended up being more of a domestic drama. While the writing was solid and some of the emotional dynamics were interesting, it didn’t deliver the suspense or twists I was hoping for.
I did enjoy the short chapters and the use of multiple POVs — it kept the pacing quick and gave insight into each character’s mindset. The beginning started with a bang and really pulled me in, but unfortunately, that opening storyline didn’t carry through the rest of the book. It felt like it lost momentum and never quite followed through on its initial promise.
One thing that also pulled me out of the story was the kids — their ages didn’t match their behavior. They were written with a level of maturity and insight that just didn’t feel believable for how young they were supposed to be. It made a few scenes feel off and harder to connect with.
Overall, it’s not a bad book if you’re in the mood for something more character-driven and emotional, but just be aware it leans much more toward drama than suspense. Not quite what I was looking for, but others might enjoy it more depending on expectations.
I did enjoy the short chapters and the use of multiple POVs — it kept the pacing quick and gave insight into each character’s mindset. The beginning started with a bang and really pulled me in, but unfortunately, that opening storyline didn’t carry through the rest of the book. It felt like it lost momentum and never quite followed through on its initial promise.
One thing that also pulled me out of the story was the kids — their ages didn’t match their behavior. They were written with a level of maturity and insight that just didn’t feel believable for how young they were supposed to be. It made a few scenes feel off and harder to connect with.
Overall, it’s not a bad book if you’re in the mood for something more character-driven and emotional, but just be aware it leans much more toward drama than suspense. Not quite what I was looking for, but others might enjoy it more depending on expectations.
June 11, 2025
Original review immediately after finishing:
3.5 rounded up. may drop to a 3 (or go to a real 4) once I've had time to digest. Actual review to come. For now, I'll say that I don't know how I feel about it. I was super frustrated at all the stupid decisions. (They really bothered me!!) And the thing with the tea was too obvious too early on. I don't know. Let me marinate for a couple days and come back.
Final review after a few days:
I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about this book, but after letting it sit for a few days, I think it still deserves 3.5 stars, which I've rounded up to four because no rating site uses half-measures. Ugh!
Anyway!
This book is a messy, sometimes infuriating exploration of flawed friendships and questionable choices. The characters are each more back-stabby than the last. Their choices often left me frustrated, feeling like I was watching a slow-motion train wreck I couldn't look away from.
The main character, while sympathetic in some ways given what she goes through, is also deeply flawed and not particularly likeable. Honestly, none of the characters are easy to root for, which made for a challenging but oddly compelling read. The whole “tea” subplot was telegraphed a bit too obviously far too early, so some of the twists lost their punch long before they ever delivered the actual reveal.
Despite all this, I can’t deny that the book kept me thinking -- perhaps seething is the better word -- long after I finished. It’s a story about the worst sides of friendship and the consequences of bad decisions, and while it’s not always an enjoyable ride, it’s definitely a memorable one. If you’re in the mood for a novel that isn’t afraid to show its characters at their most unlikable, this might be worth your time.
Even if, like it did me, it leaves you a aggravated and not sure how to rate it at the end.
3.5 rounded up. may drop to a 3 (or go to a real 4) once I've had time to digest. Actual review to come. For now, I'll say that I don't know how I feel about it. I was super frustrated at all the stupid decisions. (They really bothered me!!) And the thing with the tea was too obvious too early on. I don't know. Let me marinate for a couple days and come back.
Final review after a few days:
I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about this book, but after letting it sit for a few days, I think it still deserves 3.5 stars, which I've rounded up to four because no rating site uses half-measures. Ugh!
Anyway!
This book is a messy, sometimes infuriating exploration of flawed friendships and questionable choices. The characters are each more back-stabby than the last. Their choices often left me frustrated, feeling like I was watching a slow-motion train wreck I couldn't look away from.
The main character, while sympathetic in some ways given what she goes through, is also deeply flawed and not particularly likeable. Honestly, none of the characters are easy to root for, which made for a challenging but oddly compelling read. The whole “tea” subplot was telegraphed a bit too obviously far too early, so some of the twists lost their punch long before they ever delivered the actual reveal.
Despite all this, I can’t deny that the book kept me thinking -- perhaps seething is the better word -- long after I finished. It’s a story about the worst sides of friendship and the consequences of bad decisions, and while it’s not always an enjoyable ride, it’s definitely a memorable one. If you’re in the mood for a novel that isn’t afraid to show its characters at their most unlikable, this might be worth your time.
Even if, like it did me, it leaves you a aggravated and not sure how to rate it at the end.
June 9, 2025
3.75 rounded up
I don’t normally like neighborhood dramas but couldn’t put this one down. There are a few dark topics and spots in the story but overall it felt authentic and raw. There was also a surprise reveal around 85% and another in one of the last chapters that buttoned everything up nicely.
Thanks netgalley! Will read more by this author!
I don’t normally like neighborhood dramas but couldn’t put this one down. There are a few dark topics and spots in the story but overall it felt authentic and raw. There was also a surprise reveal around 85% and another in one of the last chapters that buttoned everything up nicely.
Thanks netgalley! Will read more by this author!
May 26, 2025
Plays Well with Others could not be a more apt title for this twisty thriller which is set in Colorado. Personal tragedy, family and neighborhood drama, obsession with social media, bullying and revenge are rife and the claws are out. Layers of tragedy follow Jake as she loses her cherished baby, adulterous husband and job in short order. She has a back story as well. Her new neighbor and friend Mabel isn't without secrets, either. Shelby, the other woman, has skeletons in her closet. Who doesn't in this book? Women use the GoodNeighbor app to track each other's lives and likes. They team up against each other and resort to nasty posts and pranks. Comments are snide and hurtful yet there is also true friendship hidden amongst the thorns.
I like that the story is told in multiple perspectives, including those of two children which are crucial to the story. An interesting addition. Sad events such as a terrible accident, heartbreaking miscarriage and a mother/son relationship add reality and deep emotions.
There is so much to like about this novel such as the clever plot, unusual character depth and inclusion of children as major characters. The twists and tension are marvellous. What didn't work as well for me is the maddening immaturity level of many of the adult characters, though that is probably indicative of today's increasingly shallow society. The adult language did not endear me.
All in all, well worth jumping into, especially if you crave something a bit different.
I like that the story is told in multiple perspectives, including those of two children which are crucial to the story. An interesting addition. Sad events such as a terrible accident, heartbreaking miscarriage and a mother/son relationship add reality and deep emotions.
There is so much to like about this novel such as the clever plot, unusual character depth and inclusion of children as major characters. The twists and tension are marvellous. What didn't work as well for me is the maddening immaturity level of many of the adult characters, though that is probably indicative of today's increasingly shallow society. The adult language did not endear me.
All in all, well worth jumping into, especially if you crave something a bit different.
July 5, 2025
Plays Well With Others had some moments that offered comic relief & some moments that were pretty emotional that touched on heavier topics. The narrator in the audiobook remarkably distinguished these moments by adding her perfect diction & tone to these moments. I immediately wants to see what else has she narrated after hearing her performance!
When Jacquelyn “Jake” Nolan moves for a fresh start after enduring life changes that would break most people, she begins to uncover secrets from some of the new neighbors in the surrounding area. Some of these secrets were definitely jaw dropping.
I was wondering the purpose of Jake befriending some of the children in the area, but it all unfolded nicely & made sense as to why she was drawn to them.
The emotional journey of hearing Jake’s story throughout her healing journey from having a stillborn son was heart wrenching & if it’s not triggering for some, readers will enjoy.
There were some lovable & some dislikable characters, I’m unsure of who I despised more Vanessa, the neighbor that is despicable to her son or Shelby the ex best friend that betrayed Jake in the worst way. Although it took her a while to get there, I enjoyed Jake’s character development! When the opportunity presented itself to “get her lick back” she chose to use that opportunity to help others.
Favorite Quote
“She does not deserve an inch of your mental real estate, nor mine.”
Overall worth the read, 3.5 ⭐️ and I will be reading more from this author. Thank you Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
~~~~~~
When Jacquelyn “Jake” Nolan moves for a fresh start after enduring life changes that would break most people, she begins to uncover secrets from some of the new neighbors in the surrounding area. Some of these secrets were definitely jaw dropping.
I was wondering the purpose of Jake befriending some of the children in the area, but it all unfolded nicely & made sense as to why she was drawn to them.
The emotional journey of hearing Jake’s story throughout her healing journey from having a stillborn son was heart wrenching & if it’s not triggering for some, readers will enjoy.
There were some lovable & some dislikable characters, I’m unsure of who I despised more Vanessa, the neighbor that is despicable to her son or Shelby the ex best friend that betrayed Jake in the worst way. Although it took her a while to get there, I enjoyed Jake’s character development! When the opportunity presented itself to “get her lick back” she chose to use that opportunity to help others.
Favorite Quote
“She does not deserve an inch of your mental real estate, nor mine.”
Overall worth the read, 3.5 ⭐️ and I will be reading more from this author. Thank you Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
~~~~~~
May 24, 2025
I really enjoyed this and finished it pretty quickly.
I grew up on Lauren Myracle books. (Winnie will always have my heart)
So to read an adult thriller written by her was really exciting 😄
I grew up on Lauren Myracle books. (Winnie will always have my heart)
So to read an adult thriller written by her was really exciting 😄
June 3, 2025
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS by Lauren Myracle
ARC review • pub date 06.10.25
Jake is seeking revenge after her ex-husband leaves her for her best friend. She becomes friends with a new neighbor, Mabel, who has her own enemy.
Jake is super immature but I do enjoy reading books with wild unhinged characters so it was fitting. This book is super bingeable and I ended up reading the last 60% in one sitting! Read if you love books with online forums, revenge, and multiple characters POV.
4⭐️
Thanks to @blackstonepublishing for my #gifted ARC!
ARC review • pub date 06.10.25
Jake is seeking revenge after her ex-husband leaves her for her best friend. She becomes friends with a new neighbor, Mabel, who has her own enemy.
Jake is super immature but I do enjoy reading books with wild unhinged characters so it was fitting. This book is super bingeable and I ended up reading the last 60% in one sitting! Read if you love books with online forums, revenge, and multiple characters POV.
4⭐️
Thanks to @blackstonepublishing for my #gifted ARC!
June 14, 2025
Lauren Myracle's foray into adult literary fiction marks a significant departure from her celebrated young adult works like the Internet Girls series and standalone novels such as Shine and The Infinite Moment of Us. In Plays Well with Others, Myracle crafts a psychological thriller that peels back the pristine veneer of suburban life to reveal the festering wounds beneath, creating a narrative that's both unsettling and compulsively readable.
The story centers on Jacquelyn "Jake" Nolan, a woman whose life has imploded spectacularly. She's lost her stillborn son Toby, watched her marriage crumble under the weight of her husband Adam's infidelity with their mutual friend Shelby, and seen her reputation destroyed in a very public online scandal. Now residing in a modest bungalow in the Sweetwater neighborhood, Jake attempts to rebuild her shattered existence while grappling with the demons that have haunted her since childhood.
Character Study: Flawed Humanity at Its Core
Myracle's greatest strength lies in her unflinching portrayal of damaged characters who resist easy categorization. Jake emerges as a deeply flawed protagonist whose actions throughout the novel challenge readers' sympathies. Her obsessive surveillance of her ex-husband and his new partner, her manipulation of neighborhood conflicts through anonymous social media personas, and her increasingly erratic behavior paint a picture of someone teetering on the edge of complete psychological collapse.
The supporting cast enriches this psychological landscape considerably. Mabel, Jake's effervescent neighbor who becomes her unlikely confidante, initially appears to be the antithesis of Jake's darkness. However, Myracle gradually reveals Mabel's own capacity for manipulation and revenge, particularly in her treatment of neighborhood nemesis Vanessa through the "WarriorMom" persona on the GoodNeighbors app. This duality makes Mabel a fascinating character study in her own right.
Billy, the ten-year-old boy living across the street with his volatile mother Vanessa, represents perhaps the most tragic figure in the novel. His attempts to connect with other children, particularly the disfigured newcomer Wendell, reveal both his essential kindness and the psychological damage inflicted by his abusive home environment. Myracle handles Billy's character with particular sensitivity, avoiding the trap of making him either entirely innocent or irredeemably damaged.
Social Media as Modern Poison
One of the novel's most prescient elements is its exploration of how social media amplifies and distorts suburban conflicts. The GoodNeighbors app serves as a perfect microcosm of contemporary online discourse, where petty grievances escalate into vicious public battles fought through anonymous accounts and carefully curated personas. Myracle captures the addictive nature of these digital confrontations, showing how characters like Jake and Mabel become consumed by their online feuds.
The backstory of Jake's public downfall, revealed through a fictional news article about her ill-conceived Facebook post regarding Shelby's affair with Adam, demonstrates how quickly private pain can become public spectacle in the digital age. The phrase "frozen peas on my breasts" becomes a viral symbol of Jake's humiliation, showing how the internet strips away context and nuance to create devastating memes from human suffering.
The Playground as Battleground
Myracle's decision to set much of the action around Sweetwater Elementary's playground proves symbolically rich. The school represents both innocence and the competitive nature of parenting, where children become extensions of their parents' egos and insecurities. The playground scenes, particularly those involving the developing friendship between Billy and Wendell, provide some of the novel's most emotionally resonant moments.
The climactic playground disaster, where Billy's attempt to rescue Wendell from a shed fire results in his own severe injuries, serves as both literal and metaphorical culmination of the adults' failures. The incident strips away all pretense and forces every character to confront the consequences of their actions and inactions.
Writing Style: Accessible Darkness
Myracle's prose maintains the accessibility that made her young adult novels so successful while tackling much darker material. Her ability to shift perspectives between multiple characters—Jake, Mabel, Billy, and Wendell—creates a kaleidoscopic view of suburban dysfunction. Each voice feels distinct and authentic, from Jake's bitter self-loathing to Billy's confused yearning for acceptance.
The author's background in children's literature serves her well when writing from the perspectives of Billy and Wendell. These sections avoid both condescension and artificial maturity, capturing the genuine voices of children navigating complex adult conflicts they don't fully understand.
However, the novel occasionally suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the middle sections where Jake's obsessive behavior becomes repetitive. Some readers may find her continued surveillance of Adam and Shelby's house tiresome rather than compelling, and the revelation of her break-ins feels somewhat anticlimactic given the buildup.
Thematic Depth and Social Commentary
The novel's exploration of motherhood proves particularly complex and troubling. Jake's loss of her stillborn son Toby creates a wound that never heals, informing every interaction she has with other children. Her simultaneous protection of and cruelty toward Billy reflects this complicated relationship with motherhood. Vanessa's abusive parenting style and Mabel's sometimes manipulative relationship with her stepdaughter Bethany add additional layers to this examination.
The theme of redemption runs throughout the narrative, though Myracle refuses to offer easy answers. Jake's final confrontation with Vanessa, where she drunkenly reveals the harsh truth about Billy's social standing, represents a moral nadir that calls into question whether she's capable of genuine growth. Yet her actions during the playground crisis suggest a capacity for heroism that complicates any simple moral judgment.
Critical Perspectives: Strengths and Shortcomings
Plays Well with Others succeeds admirably as a character study and social commentary, but it occasionally stumbles as a thriller. The suspense elements feel somewhat forced, and the revelation of Jake's break-ins lacks the psychological complexity of the novel's best moments. The book works better as a slow-burn exploration of suburban malaise than as a traditional page-turner.
The novel's treatment of mental health issues deserves praise for its nuanced approach. Rather than offering simple explanations for character behavior, Myracle shows how trauma, particularly childhood trauma, can manifest in complex and sometimes contradictory ways. Jake's self-destructive patterns clearly stem from her abusive childhood, but the novel doesn't excuse her actions because of this background.
Some critics might argue that the novel's resolution feels somewhat rushed, with Billy's heroic actions and subsequent hospitalization providing a convenient catalyst for other characters' growth. However, this climax does serve to illuminate the different ways people respond to crisis, from Jake's genuine heroism to Vanessa's characteristic self-absorption.
Final Verdict: A Worthy Evolution
Plays Well with Others represents a successful transition for Lauren Myracle from young adult to adult fiction. While not without its flaws, the novel offers a compelling exploration of damaged characters struggling to connect in an increasingly fragmented world. The suburban setting provides the perfect pressure cooker for these psychological conflicts, and Myracle's skilled character development keeps readers engaged even when the plot occasionally lags.
The book's unflinching examination of how childhood trauma shapes adult behavior, combined with its astute observations about social media culture and modern parenting, creates a thriller that resonates beyond its genre conventions. Though some may find Jake's behavior frustrating or Billy's situation too heartbreaking, these responses speak to Myracle's success in creating complex, human characters who resist simple judgment.
For readers who enjoyed the author's previous works, this novel demonstrates significant growth in both scope and ambition. For newcomers to Myracle's writing, it serves as an excellent introduction to her ability to balance accessibility with emotional depth. While the thriller elements may not satisfy genre purists, the novel's psychological insights and social commentary make it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in contemporary suburban fiction.
The story centers on Jacquelyn "Jake" Nolan, a woman whose life has imploded spectacularly. She's lost her stillborn son Toby, watched her marriage crumble under the weight of her husband Adam's infidelity with their mutual friend Shelby, and seen her reputation destroyed in a very public online scandal. Now residing in a modest bungalow in the Sweetwater neighborhood, Jake attempts to rebuild her shattered existence while grappling with the demons that have haunted her since childhood.
Character Study: Flawed Humanity at Its Core
Myracle's greatest strength lies in her unflinching portrayal of damaged characters who resist easy categorization. Jake emerges as a deeply flawed protagonist whose actions throughout the novel challenge readers' sympathies. Her obsessive surveillance of her ex-husband and his new partner, her manipulation of neighborhood conflicts through anonymous social media personas, and her increasingly erratic behavior paint a picture of someone teetering on the edge of complete psychological collapse.
The supporting cast enriches this psychological landscape considerably. Mabel, Jake's effervescent neighbor who becomes her unlikely confidante, initially appears to be the antithesis of Jake's darkness. However, Myracle gradually reveals Mabel's own capacity for manipulation and revenge, particularly in her treatment of neighborhood nemesis Vanessa through the "WarriorMom" persona on the GoodNeighbors app. This duality makes Mabel a fascinating character study in her own right.
Billy, the ten-year-old boy living across the street with his volatile mother Vanessa, represents perhaps the most tragic figure in the novel. His attempts to connect with other children, particularly the disfigured newcomer Wendell, reveal both his essential kindness and the psychological damage inflicted by his abusive home environment. Myracle handles Billy's character with particular sensitivity, avoiding the trap of making him either entirely innocent or irredeemably damaged.
Social Media as Modern Poison
One of the novel's most prescient elements is its exploration of how social media amplifies and distorts suburban conflicts. The GoodNeighbors app serves as a perfect microcosm of contemporary online discourse, where petty grievances escalate into vicious public battles fought through anonymous accounts and carefully curated personas. Myracle captures the addictive nature of these digital confrontations, showing how characters like Jake and Mabel become consumed by their online feuds.
The backstory of Jake's public downfall, revealed through a fictional news article about her ill-conceived Facebook post regarding Shelby's affair with Adam, demonstrates how quickly private pain can become public spectacle in the digital age. The phrase "frozen peas on my breasts" becomes a viral symbol of Jake's humiliation, showing how the internet strips away context and nuance to create devastating memes from human suffering.
The Playground as Battleground
Myracle's decision to set much of the action around Sweetwater Elementary's playground proves symbolically rich. The school represents both innocence and the competitive nature of parenting, where children become extensions of their parents' egos and insecurities. The playground scenes, particularly those involving the developing friendship between Billy and Wendell, provide some of the novel's most emotionally resonant moments.
The climactic playground disaster, where Billy's attempt to rescue Wendell from a shed fire results in his own severe injuries, serves as both literal and metaphorical culmination of the adults' failures. The incident strips away all pretense and forces every character to confront the consequences of their actions and inactions.
Writing Style: Accessible Darkness
Myracle's prose maintains the accessibility that made her young adult novels so successful while tackling much darker material. Her ability to shift perspectives between multiple characters—Jake, Mabel, Billy, and Wendell—creates a kaleidoscopic view of suburban dysfunction. Each voice feels distinct and authentic, from Jake's bitter self-loathing to Billy's confused yearning for acceptance.
The author's background in children's literature serves her well when writing from the perspectives of Billy and Wendell. These sections avoid both condescension and artificial maturity, capturing the genuine voices of children navigating complex adult conflicts they don't fully understand.
However, the novel occasionally suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the middle sections where Jake's obsessive behavior becomes repetitive. Some readers may find her continued surveillance of Adam and Shelby's house tiresome rather than compelling, and the revelation of her break-ins feels somewhat anticlimactic given the buildup.
Thematic Depth and Social Commentary
The novel's exploration of motherhood proves particularly complex and troubling. Jake's loss of her stillborn son Toby creates a wound that never heals, informing every interaction she has with other children. Her simultaneous protection of and cruelty toward Billy reflects this complicated relationship with motherhood. Vanessa's abusive parenting style and Mabel's sometimes manipulative relationship with her stepdaughter Bethany add additional layers to this examination.
The theme of redemption runs throughout the narrative, though Myracle refuses to offer easy answers. Jake's final confrontation with Vanessa, where she drunkenly reveals the harsh truth about Billy's social standing, represents a moral nadir that calls into question whether she's capable of genuine growth. Yet her actions during the playground crisis suggest a capacity for heroism that complicates any simple moral judgment.
Critical Perspectives: Strengths and Shortcomings
Plays Well with Others succeeds admirably as a character study and social commentary, but it occasionally stumbles as a thriller. The suspense elements feel somewhat forced, and the revelation of Jake's break-ins lacks the psychological complexity of the novel's best moments. The book works better as a slow-burn exploration of suburban malaise than as a traditional page-turner.
The novel's treatment of mental health issues deserves praise for its nuanced approach. Rather than offering simple explanations for character behavior, Myracle shows how trauma, particularly childhood trauma, can manifest in complex and sometimes contradictory ways. Jake's self-destructive patterns clearly stem from her abusive childhood, but the novel doesn't excuse her actions because of this background.
Some critics might argue that the novel's resolution feels somewhat rushed, with Billy's heroic actions and subsequent hospitalization providing a convenient catalyst for other characters' growth. However, this climax does serve to illuminate the different ways people respond to crisis, from Jake's genuine heroism to Vanessa's characteristic self-absorption.
Final Verdict: A Worthy Evolution
Plays Well with Others represents a successful transition for Lauren Myracle from young adult to adult fiction. While not without its flaws, the novel offers a compelling exploration of damaged characters struggling to connect in an increasingly fragmented world. The suburban setting provides the perfect pressure cooker for these psychological conflicts, and Myracle's skilled character development keeps readers engaged even when the plot occasionally lags.
The book's unflinching examination of how childhood trauma shapes adult behavior, combined with its astute observations about social media culture and modern parenting, creates a thriller that resonates beyond its genre conventions. Though some may find Jake's behavior frustrating or Billy's situation too heartbreaking, these responses speak to Myracle's success in creating complex, human characters who resist simple judgment.
For readers who enjoyed the author's previous works, this novel demonstrates significant growth in both scope and ambition. For newcomers to Myracle's writing, it serves as an excellent introduction to her ability to balance accessibility with emotional depth. While the thriller elements may not satisfy genre purists, the novel's psychological insights and social commentary make it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in contemporary suburban fiction.
June 15, 2025
This book was so much more than the little blurb states. It has the humorous bits, actions taken in revenge for cheating husbands, or the online battle on Good Neighbors (I really wanted one of the pottery made poop piles!) but there are so many feelings too. Yes, there is darkness, but you also have Jake working on a new beginning after all the heartbreak both in the recent past and when she was a child, Mabel trying to figure out how to be a good stepmother to Bethany, Wendell and Delilah mourning the loss of their mother, and what I would consider the saddest situation with Billy and his mother. There isn't a happy ending for everybody and the author did a really good job of making people (except maybe Vanessa) complicated with good and bad intentions and actions. They felt real and that just makes the heartbreak and joy of found family or boys twisted and abused that much more.
This book hones in on the power of childhood trauma, child abuse, and the dangers of snowballing in social media battles with words taken out of context until it all can be twisted to whatever makes the most outrage and can ruin lives. All good things to think about in this world today. How things on the internet never really disappear and how bad things still happen behind closed doors.
I did really enjoy listening to this audiobook, even with the dark subjects and the narrator did a great job in bringing the characters and story to life.
This book hones in on the power of childhood trauma, child abuse, and the dangers of snowballing in social media battles with words taken out of context until it all can be twisted to whatever makes the most outrage and can ruin lives. All good things to think about in this world today. How things on the internet never really disappear and how bad things still happen behind closed doors.
I did really enjoy listening to this audiobook, even with the dark subjects and the narrator did a great job in bringing the characters and story to life.
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