The Girl Next Door

by Matt McGregor

She's beautiful. She's charming. She's going to destroy your life.

When her only son leaves for college, Helen Martin thinks her biggest worry is an empty house.

Then Dakota moves in next door. Young, beautiful, and brash, Dakota quickly attracts the ire of the homeowners association — and the wandering eyes of Helen’s husband, Sam.

But Helen is determined to be a good neighbor. When Dakota's violent ex-husband comes looking for her, Helen thinks she can help drive him away.

She's wrong.

What starts as a simple act of kindness spirals into a nightmare of obsession, lies, and deadly secrets that will threaten her marriage — and her life.

How far will Helen go to save herself, her home, and her family?

The Girl Next Door – the shocking psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Last Wife

Genres: Thriller

ebook

Published October 19, 2025

About the author

Matt McGregor is a writer of psychological thrillers. Before becoming a writer, Matt taught English, ran a nonprofit, worked with maps, and worked in tech startups.

Now, he mostly spends his time inventing surprising ways to murder his characters, which is totally fine and nothing for you to worry about.

When he’s not writing in the third person, he likes to explore the local wilderness, swim in the sea, and play with his exhaustingly energetic young children.

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone knows what it’s like to have an annoying neighbor. This situation is next level. There were many times the characters had me questioning their puzzling decisions. Each character made choices that were baffling. Many things that occurred were over the top and unbelievable. In many ways, this kept me engaged and racing to the shocking conclusion. The plot is fast-paced and very entertaining. Thank you Booksprout and Inkubator Books for my copy.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Inkubator books and Matt McGregor for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3⭐ - Helen and her husband Sam live in a quiet suburban area, with their son off to college. They have more time for each other. When the house next to theirs is sold, an attractive young Dakota moves in.

As soon as Dakota moved into her new house, her abusive ex husband arrives on the scene. Helen wants to be there for her new neighbor and discovers that Dakota is trouble and shouldn't be trusted.

I often got frustrated with Helen, it's clear that Dakota is dangerous but being the good person that Helen is, lead her to make poor decisions. if you're looking for a fast paced psychological thriller with short chapters and loads of twists, this is the one for you!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ | If I have one wish, it would be to never have a neighbor like Dakota. I mean don’t get me wrong, Helen brought some of her drama on herself with her extremely poor decision making, but I think everyone would agree that things just went downhill after Dakota moved in. This quiet neighborhood harbored some ugly secrets and the overall story had a claustrophobic vibe, as the drama was confined to this neighborhood. This built the tension even more. I really enjoyed the descriptive scenes, during some of those tension filled moments. It made me feel as though I was watching everything play out.

Overall and engaging read, the fans of domestic thrillers with questionable characters may enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Girl Next-Door by Matt McGregor, on the day Sam and Helen are to drop their only child off at college, they notice someone moving in next-door they soon learn her name is Dakota and on first introductions it seems her and Helen get off on the wrong foot. Dakota is young and sexy and doesn’t hide it as a matter of fact the women in the neighborhood are starting to talk about her demeanor with their husbands. Unfortunately since Helen is her next-door neighbor the head of the HOA Allison instead of filing a complaint wants Helen to talk to her neighbor. As if that wasn’t bad enough Dakota plays her music loud and recently has had a dangerous looking man yelling at her from the driveway accusing her of stealing his money and wanting it back, along with all the other seedy men she does allow in her home. Although it’s obvious Helen‘s husband Sam is attracted to Dakota he insists that Helen keep her far from their home and do not make friends with her but soon a tragedy will happen and someone will wind up dead but this will just be the beginning of the nightmare. Soon Noah comes home and he will also become a pawn in Dakotas dangerous game of bet your life, but who will be the loser. I couldn’t make up my mind if I loved this book or hated it Helen made some of the dumbest decisions I have ever seen in a book. I mean granite she did do something that caused harm to Dakota but I still don’t think that warranted her ultimate decision to soothe her guilt. Also who moves in the neighborhood with an HOA and then cries because no one likes you playing your music loud having strange men around etc? I did find the authors writing style was a really good one and thought unlike a lot of male authors he did really good with Helen‘s character there was a lot to like about this book but I found some of the decision making in the book outrageous bordering on the ridiculous. There were many things that happened in this book that would’ve had me smacking Dakota at the very least while Helen was steadfast and kind. I think if you like books by Phil Baxter and James came and many other talented authors I could name I think you will like this book it is a fun twisty read and I don’t think anyone would think of it as a waste of time. I definitely recommend it. #BookSprout, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,#TheGirlNext-door, #MattMcGregor,

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the arc 🫶
This was hands-down one of the best psychological thrillers I have ever read. It kept me engaged the entire time, from start to finish. I basically read it in one sitting, it was that good.
There was so much that happened in this book, I don't even know how to properly summarize it. You have Dakota, Helen and Sam's new neighbor, who is trying to escape a bad 'manager', Leon. Then, Helen and Sam's son Noah gets involved in the mess that seems to follow Helen and Sam, as does his ex-girlfriend Kimmy in the end.
I felt bad for Noah in the end; he was just used and manipulated by Dakota as part of her sick game to get back at his parents for their part in losing her job and the wreck that became her life. He really was innocent in all of this- he really believed that Dakota loved him and naively refused to believe that she was only with him as revenge.
The ending actually shocked me, I wasn't expecting that many people to die in this book, especially at the end.
I was really attached to these characters, and I enjoyed learning their stories and how they each went about handling the shit life and Dakota threw at them.
This was an un-putdownable, twisty, fast-paced thriller with a great ending. I would definitely read this one again when I am in a reading slump, and I never re read books.

[Donna C.K · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as thrillers go, this was really good. I think it would make a good movie.

I enjoyed the twists and turns, and the heart racing moments as the story, starring the Martin family -Helen who is a lawyer, her software developer husband Sam and their college age son Noah, Dakota the young, pretty "girl next door" and the cast of supporting characters, would unfolded.

Set in Camden Grove which is close to Boston, we meet the Martins as they're about to head out to drop Noah off at college. We also meet his girlfriend Kimmy and Dakota, who is the antithesis of the residents of the cul-de-sac, as she is moving in.

Sam declares at the start of the novel that he thinks she's trouble and as we read on we realise that the docile, mild mannered Helen was no sweet bread either. The thing is that the statement seems to raise Helen's hackles and has her seeing things that aren't there while interestingly enough, volunteering her husband to help Dakota fix things around the $2 million home she purchased.

What follows is a series of events that make Helen regret Dakota moving in. She had no idea what she was capable of when cornered. What I couldn't understand is why Helen seemed so pre-occupied with the younger woman's life when she orchestrated some of the things. I figured she didn't anticipate the outcomes but had no choice than to deal with the fallout.

There are secrets, lies, revelations, conniving, slaps, threats, skullduggery, tears, and some blood shed, a burial, and a cover up in this gripping plot that moves the story along quickly. There were numerous times I was laughing because I couldn't believe what was going on.

I did figure out how this was going to end but all in all, this was a good book that I found entertaining as I turned the pages to see how it would play out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I will be reading the author's previously published books.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced psychological thriller about a family whose new next door neighbor is a bit of trouble to say the least. It’s a quick read with short chapters! I finished it in less than 24 hours because I was hooked to find out how it ends. The characters are somewhat unlikable and irrational, but they are written really well. It is an entertaining read of betrayal, jealousy, and crime with the perfect amount of crazy.

Thank you to Matt McGregor, Inkubator Books, and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review for The Girl Next Door by Matt McGregor

I thoroughly loved this gripping psychological thriller that had me hooked as soon as I started reading this superbly plotted story. I found it impossible to put the book down as I was riveted to the story and I needed to know what happened next. I found it was a quick read and I just couldn’t turn the pages quick enough. The story has been expertly written to keep you in suspense and raises the tension just that little bit more! The characters have been created so some you like and others you don’t. Dakota moved in next door to Helen and Sam the day they took Noah to college. Both Sam and Noah ogled at her in her skimpy red dress. What they didn’t realise was the trouble she was bringing with her and how it would affect all their lives. Helen started to notice slight changes about Sam, then the amount of time he spent with Dakota, he watched her from their home and then she caught him surfing Dakota’s page on a website on his mobile. It seemed like he was obsessed with her. Was she losing her husband and marriage? This story was so well thought out and planned by the author as he wrote it. As the danger escalated, Helen and Sam had no-one to turn to for help. What can they do to save themselves? I like this author’s writing style and how easy it is to read his books. I really enjoy reading Matt McGregor’s books and this one was no exception. I think he is a superb author and writes terrific psychological thrillers that I love reading and I can’t wait for the next thrilling read from him.

Blurb :

She's beautiful. She's charming. She's going to destroy your life.

When her only son leaves for college, Helen Martin thinks her biggest worry is an empty house.

Then Dakota moves in next door. Young, beautiful, and brash, Dakota quickly attracts the ire of the homeowners association — and the wandering eyes of Helen’s husband, Sam.

But Helen is determined to be a good neighbor. When Dakota's violent ex-husband comes looking for her, Helen thinks she can help drive him away.

She's wrong.

What starts as a simple act of kindness spirals into a nightmare of obsession, lies, and deadly secrets that will threaten her marriage — and her life.

How far will Helen go to save herself, her home, and her family?

The Girl Next Door – the shocking psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Last Wife.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's something uniquely thrilling about discovering a page-turner penned by a fellow Kiwi, and Matt McGregor's The Girl Next Door delivers that hometown pride alongside genuine suspense that kept me reading well past my bedtime.

Helen Martin's story begins with a relatable pang of empty nest syndrome—her son Noah has left for college, and the house feels too quiet. It's a moment many of us dread, that shift into a new life phase. But Helen's quiet existence is about to become anything but peaceful when Dakota arrives next door.

Dakota is everything that disrupts suburban tranquility: young, beautiful, brash, and seemingly unconcerned with the homeowners association's pearl-clutching disapproval. She's the kind of neighbor who draws attention—including from Helen's husband, Sam—and Matt McGregor skillfully plants those early seeds of unease without tipping his hand too quickly.

What I appreciated most about this thriller is how Matt McGregor subverts our expectations. Helen isn't the suspicious, jealous wife we might expect. Instead, she's determined to be kind, to be neighborly, to help when Dakota's violent ex-husband surfaces. It's this very goodness that becomes her undoing, and watching her simple act of compassion unravel into something sinister is both devastating and completely gripping.

The premise—"She's beautiful. She's charming. She's going to destroy your life"—promises twisted psychological suspense, and Matt McGregor delivers. The escalation feels organic rather than contrived, each revelation peeling back another layer of deception. Dakota isn't simply the villain in a domestic thriller; she's a force of chaos that exposes the fragility of everything Helen holds dear.

As a New Zealand reader, there's genuine pride in seeing our local authors craft thrillers that can stand alongside any international bestseller. Matt McGregor understands the genre's requirements—the twists, the darkness, the moral ambiguity—and executes them with confidence.

The Girl Next Door is a cautionary tale wrapped in a propulsive thriller: sometimes kindness isn't enough, and sometimes the greatest danger comes wearing a friendly smile.

[MoMo Book Diary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of psychological thrillers — at least one a day — so it takes something pretty exceptional to completely knock me sideways. While The Girl Next Door didn’t quite reach that level for me personally, it’s still a solid, twisty thriller that I think many readers will genuinely enjoy.

From the start, there’s an uneasy tension running through the story that kept me turning the pages. I liked the setup of an ordinary suburban life slowly cracking open, and the shifting dynamics between Helen, Dakota and Sam felt believable in that uncomfortable, voyeuristic way domestic thrillers do so well. The author builds suspicion and doubt cleverly, letting small choices snowball into something much darker. I also appreciated that the drama felt grounded rather than overly theatrical. The characters make choices that frustrate you at times — but not in a way that feels unrealistic. You can easily imagine this kind of situation playing out behind closed doors in any neighbourhood, and that’s part of the appeal.

For me, it just didn’t pack the same punch as some of the standout thrillers I’ve read recently. That’s not a flaw in the book — it’s more to do with how many of these stories I go through and how high my personal bar has become. For the average thriller reader, especially those who don’t devour them daily, this will likely hit the spot. It’s well written, easy to follow, and the tension builds nicely all the way through. If you enjoy domestic suspicion, secrets between neighbours, and the slow unraveling of “normal” lives, this one is definitely worth picking up.

A strong four stars from me — not a new favourite, but a good, engaging read that many thriller lovers will get a lot out of.

[A Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap on a cracker!!! I'm not even going to pretend I had any self-control with this book because I did NOT, and I could NOT stop reading The Girl Next Door until I hit the very last page. It grabbed on at page one and refused to let go.

Helen and Sam are living their best life. Their only son is leaving for college, beautiful home, upscale neighborhood, great jobs, they really have it all. That is until Dakota moves in next door. Suddenly, everything starts spiraling out of control and not in a good way. What was once a quiet neighborhood and an idyllic lifestyle has become a nightmare.

This book has everything you want in a psychological thriller. Lies, secrets, betrayal, MURDER!! The characters were pretty cringeworthy, including Helen. For being a lawyer, she was dumber than a pile of rocks for getting involved in Dakota's dark past. She really could have learned a lesson in MYOB! The writing is so flawless and smooth, making this totally bingeable. This was my first book by Matt McGregor, but when I finished, I was literally tripping over myself to find another one of his books. This is a definite must-read for suspense lovers.

Thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the advanced copy

[Georgia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished The Girl Next Door by Matt McGregor, and I have to say, it completely consumed me. From the moment the story opens, I was fully invested in Helen’s seemingly solid marriage to Sam, and the creeping sense of unease that settled in when Dakota, the titular girl next door, arrived.Dakota isn’t your average new neighbor; she’s an unsettling presence, and her interactions with both Helen and Sam immediately twist the domestic bliss into domestic dread. What makes this thriller so good is its genuine unpredictability. Every time I thought I had a handle on the narrative—was Helen becoming paranoid? Was Sam hiding something? Was Dakota truly manipulative, or just misunderstood?—McGregor yanked the rug out from under me.The suspense is handled masterfully, building slowly from subtle glances and whispered rumors to a full-blown crisis. This is a rare book that keeps you second-guessing the motives of every single character until the final pages. If you are searching for a thriller that delivers on its promise of heart-pounding, non-predictable suspense, you absolutely must add this to your list. I couldn't put it down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tina A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girl Next Door, by Matt McGregor, is a chilling suburban domestic thriller which centers around the Martin family—Sam, his wife Helen and their college-bound son Noah—whose lives get entangled with their young and attractive new neighbor, Dakota, with a sketchy past.

This imaginative, riveting page-turner kept me glued to the pages wondering about all of the secrets and bizarre behaviors exhibited by Sam, the air of mystery that surrounded Noah during his absence, how a young Dakota could manage to mortgage a home in the upscale HOA community, and more! It had me contemplating all of the possibilities surrounding the many lies and deceit. Towards the end the conflict ramped up quickly into a crazy chaotic climax that left me at the edge of my seat!

It would have earned a 5-star if Helen would’ve had more spine and a realistic display of justified anger each time she stumbled across things she wasn’t meant to know about. But my little hang up doesn’t dissuade me at all from 100% recommending it. This is the second book I’ve read by Matt McGregor and I’m definitely reading more from him!

***This advance reader copy was provided by Inkubator Books via Booksprout, and these thoughts are my own opinion***

[Nikki B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really really wanted to like The Girl Next Door. And for the most part, the story is pretty interesting. However, the characters frustrated me and I couldn't get past it. A young, beautiful, single woman moves in next door to Helen and Sam the same day they are off to take their son to college. This young and beautiful girl, named Dakota, immediately catches the attention of Sam and his son Noah. Not just because of her looks but she apparently has the body to go with it and dresses in a way to show it off. Immediately Helen starts to notice changes in Sam. The way he talks down about Dakota, insinuating that him and his wife just need to keep their distance from her. But, even seeing the way Sam is behaving towards Dakota, Helen keeps putting him right in her path. This, honestly, frustrated me about Helen's character. But then, Sam's behavior is also frustrating because nothing he's saying is matching up with his actions and it made me confused as to what was really taking place. The plot of the story is intriguing, I just wish the characters played it out a little different. I also enjoyed the authors style of writing. The story flows nicely, I just couldn't connect with the characters.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

As we call them today, this is a popcorn thriller that is a quick read. Helen and Sam are married and live in a community where you must follow the rules of the homeowner’s association. This includes being a certain type of person, one who is respected and does not bring any trouble or disrepute to the community you live in. But then Dakota moves in next door, she is young, pretty and catches the eye of Helen’s husband Sam.

However, Helen is the type of person that sees good in everyone and when Dakota starts to cause problems, Helen is there to defend her. Dakota’s ex-husband Rick then arrives on the scene, and he is a very violent individual who then causes mayhem in the street, and their lives but there is also more to Dakota and soon lies and secrets will unravel with the ability to destroy Helen’s family.

The book had a lot of potential, but at the halfway point a certain event happens which to me really let the story down and I started to lose interest as the book then becomes completely unbelievable.

Thank you to Negalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Shauntelle (shauntellereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one pulled me in right from the start. Helen thinks she’s just being a good neighbor when she helps Dakota, the young woman who just moved in next door. What begins as friendly small talk and harmless favors quickly turns into something darker, and before long, Helen’s life is unraveling in ways she never saw coming.

I loved how quickly this story escalated. It has that slow-creeping sense of dread where you just know something is about to go very wrong. The short chapters kept the pace moving fast, and I finished it in a single sitting because I had to know how it would end. Every time I thought I’d figured Dakota out, another layer was revealed that made her even more unpredictable.

The characters aren’t always likable, but that worked for me. They're the kind of people who make messy choices under pressure. I would have loved to see Helen showing a little more fire once things started falling apart, but it didn’t take away from how entertaining and chaotic the ride was.

If you like quick domestic thrillers with sharp tension, messy characters then this book is for you.

Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[VDKeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

😳 Y’all… The Girl Next Door by Matt McGregor had me clutching my coffee like it was a life raft. Helen Martin’s “quiet suburban life”? Yeah, about to be shredded by Dakota—the young, gorgeous neighbor with a flair for chaos. One minute it’s HOA drama and wandering eyes; the next, it’s obsession, secrets, and a nightmare creeping through the cul-de-sac like a storm cloud you can smell. ⛈️💥

Helen is smart, relatable, and surprisingly bold, trying to navigate a hurricane of lies while keeping her family afloat. McGregor’s writing is sharp and cinematic—you can feel the tension like the heat of a summer sidewalk, the metallic bite of fear, and the subtle creep of danger sneaking into every polite smile. 🌡️👀

Only reason this isn’t 5 stars? A few twists were a little predictable—but damn, the tension, the pacing, and the morally messy drama? Chef’s kiss. This one’s a suburban thriller that will have you peeking over your shoulder at your own next-door neighbor. 🏡💀.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gwen Chester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Wow...I guess this book is really the true meaning of an eye for an eye. And I totally did not expect this ending. I guess we see here how far some people will go to protect what is theirs. Sometimes reading these books I think, who can we really trust? Is my life a lie?

Sam and Helen Martin live in a beautiful neighborhood with the Homeowners Association keeping them all in line. They tell you when your grass is too long, or your yard needs more flowers. They are there just to keep the neighborhood looking good and clean but sometimes they come down on you just because they do not like you and if you get enough fines then maybe they will get lucky and you will move.

Helen was a little upset because they had just left their son at college and now she would face an empty house. But little does she know they have a new neighbor and she is young and beautiful. She dresses to show off her body and wears as few clothes as she can. Dakota is now the talk of the neighborhood.

[Sami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow—this one grabbed me right from the start. When Helen’s son heads off to college, she’s left in an empty house, feeling lonely and restless. Enter Dakota, the charming new neighbor who seems almost too perfect. What starts as friendship quickly takes a dark turn, and before long, I couldn’t tell who was lying—or why.

I loved the quick pacing and the constant feeling that something was off just beneath the surface. The alternating POVs kept me guessing, and the tension built beautifully toward an ending I genuinely didn’t see coming. A couple of moments leaned into familiar thriller territory, but honestly, that didn’t stop me from devouring this in two sittings.

If you enjoy twisty domestic thrillers about trust, manipulation, and the secrets hiding behind perfect suburban smiles, this is one to add to your TBR.

[Susan Belman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Next Door by Matt McGregor was an absolute page-burner — I demolished this in a single day because I just couldn’t stop reading! Yes, parts of it are a little outlandish, but honestly? That’s half the fun. It’s fiction, and I loved getting swept up in all the chaos, drama, and jaw-dropping twists.
It starts off a bit slow, and for a while, I wasn’t sure where it was going. But once the story kicked into gear, I was holding on for dear life. Who was Dakota really? Was Sam cheating, or just losing it? And what was up with their son Noah? Every time I thought I had it figured out, something else would blow the story wide open.
This was pure entertainment — dark, twisty, and totally binge-worthy. If you love domestic thrillers packed with secrets, manipulation, and “just one more chapter” energy, this one delivers big time.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Last Wife and The Makeover. I was very happy to review The Girl Next Door.

I felt for Helen and her husband when their son left for college and I nervous as to what Dakota would be like. I was shocked at how she acted.

The conflicts in this book are done well, whether they're between Helen and her husband, Dakota and Helen, or the neighbor's association.

I have now reviwed all of Matt McGregor's books so far. I hope there will be more in the future.

4 stars

Thanks to Matt McGregor. He creates family dynamics, suspense, and a feeling of "all is not what it seems" and unease in a neighbourhood excellently and in a way which makes it hard to forget in every one of his books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very first page. It’s a tense, twisty psychological thriller that kept me guessing the whole way through. I couldn’t stop reading because I needed to know what was going on.

The story follows Helen and Sam, a couple whose quiet life starts to unravel when Dakota moves in next door. She’s young, beautiful, and mysterious and her presence quickly stirs up trouble. I liked how the suspense built slowly, with small things feeling off before everything exploded into chaos.

Helen’s growing doubts about her husband and the strange behaviour around Dakota made the tension feel real. I kept wondering who was telling the truth and who was hiding something. The characters aren’t perfect, and that made them more believable.

Every chapter added a new layer to the mystery, and the ending was intense.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ upgraded to 4.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It's a new author for me, a quick, fast paced psychological thriller full of lies, deception and murder. The book was a little slow in the first few chapters but it really picked up after that and I couldn't put it down. The writing is really good, except for a couple phrases that I thought were worded oddly (ie. "That was a royal pain in the buttocks" umm, no grown man says that and Helen describing her son as a 'dweeb' is a little off). The characters were a bit dull and not that likeable. There's no way Helen, a lawyer, could be so dense as to fall for all those red flags and follow her husband so blindly.
But all that aside, it's worth a read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for this digital ARC.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished The Girl Next Door by Marr McGregor this is a pychological thrill had me completely gripped. Secrets, lies and betrays luring being suburban doors, Everything I love in a domestic thriller. The story follows Helen as her life impedes due to a secret coining out when the girl moves in next door. There is a lot of twists and turns. Helen is a likable character and even thought she makes some poor decisions I was rooting for her. Her husband also makes some strange decisions and I'm not quite sure why he does some of the things he does, making poor decisions. This was a quick read very engaging

Thanks to NetGalley, Author Marr McGregor, Inkubator books for the ARC in review for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#NetGalley
#TheGirlNextDoor
#MattMcGregor
#Inkubatorbooks

[Soozee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story revolves around a comfortable couple who's son has left for college and a new neighbour, Dakota, has moved in next door. Dakota is young and pretty, and Helen fears her husband (and son) are attracted to her. Then Dakota's ex-partner turns up, threatening violence and Helen and Sam try to protect her.

Dakota has her own agenda, and before long Helen is seriously regretting getting involved. The plot was lively and gripping, but a bit far-fetched for me. Some of the characters' behaviour is just not realistic or very likely.

But its a fun read and certainly kept my attention as I waited to see how it all panned out. Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Inkubator and NetGalley for the advance copy. This is the first book that I have read from this author. I finished it in less than a day, and enjoyed it.

Helen and Sam live in an affluent neighbourhood, and their son Noah is about to head off for college, leaving them with an empty nest. The house next door has recently been sold, with the previous neighbours selling up quickly under mysterious circumstances. When the new neighbour Dakota arrives, young and attractive, Helen braces for trouble, but nothing could prepare her for what would unfold.

Small town, domestic thriller. Easy read.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a typical thriller. This doesn't mean it was bad, but it was average. Typically in books I find someone that I like, however in this book I do not think I liked anyone. They were all twisted in their own ways. I think the motive behind the actions were a little excessive and the ending I understand, but the epilogue I could have done without. Over all it was ok. I would not say no to another book by this author, however I would like at least one redeeming character in a book to feel for and quite frankly I did not feel sorry for anyone by the end.
*I was provided an Ebook ARC by Netgalley.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I spotted this cover, I knew I had to give this a read.

I was intrigued by the image and tags and loved the bright pop of colour that drew my eye.

 

I've read a couple of books by this author before and really enjoyed the writing style and this one also grabbed me from the start.

 

I really connected with Helen straight away as my son has also just headed off to university and so I was so familiar with all those feelings, the worry, the emptiness at home and wondering what to do with herself now - luckily, I still have another son to go - but it was all too relatable.

 

When new neighbour Dakota arrives, I totally got that Helen had too much time on her hands to think - but was she thinking straight or over thinking things?

 

Obviously, I wasn't quite so keen on Dakota or Sam - but I liked the way that their parts were written and the way this developed over time to build the tension and make me wonder - how well do we really know anyone around us!?

 

This was a pretty quick read and I raced through to the end needing to know what was going to happen next.

Things do escalate a fair bit, but this just flowed naturally as we learn more about each of the characters.

 

Another great read and I'm looking forward to more soon.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a quick read this will answer the call. It's fast paced and an easy read but not without its issues. The story started off promising but then just got to improbable to be believable. Too many instances that any normal wife would have confronted her husband about immediately is just one example of things that just didn't add up. The ending was less than satisfying as well. Rate it 2.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Helen & her family get a new next door neighbor, Helen doesn’t realize just how dangerous Dakota is until it’s too late. What starts with Helen innocently helping Dakota ends in secrets, lies, & a deadly obsession that threatens to tear her life, family, & marriage apart. The twists & turns this psychological thriller takes you on will keep you glued to your seat until you reach the unpredictable shocking conclusion.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.