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Behind White Picket Fences
Fusing page-turning suspense with keenly observed humor, this homage to female friendship explores the hamster wheel of modern motherhood, and the consequences for jumping off.
Kiersten Cleaver feels like she’s flunking Motherhood 101. Exhausted by travel sports, homework, and her son’s dyslexia, she joins forces with her neighbors, Rosamund and Piper, to drop out of the scholastic rat race for one year.
Together, they start the Beaverbrook Academy for Inquiring Minds in Kiersten’s kitchen, embarking on a journey back to the idyllic life they experienced as children, when phones were attached to the wall and kids played outside until the streetlights came on at dusk.
But the women quickly realize fractions aren’t their only problem. A sixty-year-old diary discovered in Kiersten’s basement raises unsettling questions about their neighborhood, their safety, and the seemingly simpler past.
Their picture-perfect suburb disguises deadly secrets—and someone wants to keep them hidden. As unsettling events rattle their fragile utopia, Kiersten, Rosamund, and Piper face an impossible choice. And if they expose the truth, they put everything at their children, their friendship, and their newfound community.
Kiersten Cleaver feels like she’s flunking Motherhood 101. Exhausted by travel sports, homework, and her son’s dyslexia, she joins forces with her neighbors, Rosamund and Piper, to drop out of the scholastic rat race for one year.
Together, they start the Beaverbrook Academy for Inquiring Minds in Kiersten’s kitchen, embarking on a journey back to the idyllic life they experienced as children, when phones were attached to the wall and kids played outside until the streetlights came on at dusk.
But the women quickly realize fractions aren’t their only problem. A sixty-year-old diary discovered in Kiersten’s basement raises unsettling questions about their neighborhood, their safety, and the seemingly simpler past.
Their picture-perfect suburb disguises deadly secrets—and someone wants to keep them hidden. As unsettling events rattle their fragile utopia, Kiersten, Rosamund, and Piper face an impossible choice. And if they expose the truth, they put everything at their children, their friendship, and their newfound community.
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2026
About the author
Christine Gunderson
2 books237 followersChristine Gunderson grew up on a fourth-generation family farm in rural North Dakota where she read Laura Ingalls Wilder books in her very own little house on the prairie.
She’s a former television anchor and reporter and former Capitol Hill aide. She currently lives in the Washington D.C. suburbs with her three children, Star the Wonder Dog, and a very patient husband.
When not writing, she's sailing the Chesapeake Bay with her family, playing Star Wars monopoly, re-reading Jane Austen novels in the school pick up line or unloading the dishwasher.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
August 17, 2026
Honestly, I am a little lost for words. I think I will sleep on it a bit.
A FEW WEEKS Later...
Well, I click a lot of titles on NetGalley and very often forget exactly what the plot of the ARC I have chosen is. I confess that I got this book mixed up with another series that the publisher does release.
Behind White Picket Fences is a contemporary novel about a group of suburban mothers who band together and try homeschooling their kids. Soon, the whole community seems to possess the skill to teach the kids a lifelong lesson. At the same time, one of the mothers finds a journal, written by a woman many decades before, and soon all the mothers want in on finding out more about her—a little bit of mystery, drama, and relatable domestic life.
Unfortunately, I was more engaged in the journal sections than with any of the women I was following in the contemporary setting. My personal takeaway is that it was difficult to stay with the plot. I kept putting this book down and picking up others.
#BehindWhitePicketFences #NetGalley.
Publication Date 09/06/26
Goodreads Review 31/07/26
A FEW WEEKS Later...
Well, I click a lot of titles on NetGalley and very often forget exactly what the plot of the ARC I have chosen is. I confess that I got this book mixed up with another series that the publisher does release.
Behind White Picket Fences is a contemporary novel about a group of suburban mothers who band together and try homeschooling their kids. Soon, the whole community seems to possess the skill to teach the kids a lifelong lesson. At the same time, one of the mothers finds a journal, written by a woman many decades before, and soon all the mothers want in on finding out more about her—a little bit of mystery, drama, and relatable domestic life.
Unfortunately, I was more engaged in the journal sections than with any of the women I was following in the contemporary setting. My personal takeaway is that it was difficult to stay with the plot. I kept putting this book down and picking up others.
#BehindWhitePicketFences #NetGalley.
Publication Date 09/06/26
Goodreads Review 31/07/26
June 20, 2026
Sometimes a title fits a book so perfectly that by the time you finish reading, you can't imagine it being called anything else. Behind White Picket Fences was one of those books.
When Kiersten moves to a new neighborhood, she's quickly overwhelmed by the endless schedules, school pressures, activities and expectations that seem to come with modern parenting. Fortunately, she finds two kindred spirits in Rosamund and Piper, and together they decide they've had enough of the rat race.
Their solution? Start a homeschooling program and reclaim some of the simpler childhood experiences they remember from their own younger years. With the help of other neighbors, they create a unique learning environment for their children, and for a while, everything seems to be going well.
Then they discover an old journal.
The diary, written decades earlier by a former resident, raises more questions than answers and sends the women down a rabbit hole of investigation. At the same time, their supposedly peaceful neighborhood begins experiencing a series of unsettling incidents, vandalism, and other strange events that make it clear something isn't quite right behind those picture-perfect facades.
I really enjoyed this book. While it leans more toward mystery and suspense than a traditional thriller, I found it to be a very engaging and easy read. The mystery surrounding the diary kept me curious, but what I loved most was the friendship between Kiersten, Rosamund, and Piper.
Watching them support one another, work together, and balance their determination to uncover the truth while also protecting their families was one of the highlights of the story for me.
Yes, the book is on the longer side, but I never found myself struggling to get through it. The pacing worked well, the characters were likable, and the mystery unfolded at a satisfying pace.
Overall, this was a solid and enjoyable read that combines friendship, family, community, and mystery in a way that kept me turning the pages.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley & Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
When Kiersten moves to a new neighborhood, she's quickly overwhelmed by the endless schedules, school pressures, activities and expectations that seem to come with modern parenting. Fortunately, she finds two kindred spirits in Rosamund and Piper, and together they decide they've had enough of the rat race.
Their solution? Start a homeschooling program and reclaim some of the simpler childhood experiences they remember from their own younger years. With the help of other neighbors, they create a unique learning environment for their children, and for a while, everything seems to be going well.
Then they discover an old journal.
The diary, written decades earlier by a former resident, raises more questions than answers and sends the women down a rabbit hole of investigation. At the same time, their supposedly peaceful neighborhood begins experiencing a series of unsettling incidents, vandalism, and other strange events that make it clear something isn't quite right behind those picture-perfect facades.
I really enjoyed this book. While it leans more toward mystery and suspense than a traditional thriller, I found it to be a very engaging and easy read. The mystery surrounding the diary kept me curious, but what I loved most was the friendship between Kiersten, Rosamund, and Piper.
Watching them support one another, work together, and balance their determination to uncover the truth while also protecting their families was one of the highlights of the story for me.
Yes, the book is on the longer side, but I never found myself struggling to get through it. The pacing worked well, the characters were likable, and the mystery unfolded at a satisfying pace.
Overall, this was a solid and enjoyable read that combines friendship, family, community, and mystery in a way that kept me turning the pages.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley & Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
January 22, 2026
My first 5 stars of 2026! This book had me awake all night flipping pages as fast as I could, I devoured this book!
A book about power of girlhood, friendship, and community at it`s core. This book follows Kiersten, a new to town mom just trying to get a handle on her gaggle of boys and all of their commitments. Kiersten realizes she may have bitten off more than she can chew and meets her girlboss neighbours Piper and Rosamund in a moment of crisis. They quickly band together to support each other and hatch a plan to leave the fast paced over scheduled lives for their own makeshift academy. With a focus on getting back on track (and finally finishing her unpacking), Kiersten finds 3 journals that provide her a window into the past, through the writing of a young girl named Dottie.
The stakes are slow boiling throughout the entire book, and start to simmer over in the last couple chapters. A strong sense of sisterhood can be felt throughout the entire novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! Do yourself a favour and pick this one up in June!
A book about power of girlhood, friendship, and community at it`s core. This book follows Kiersten, a new to town mom just trying to get a handle on her gaggle of boys and all of their commitments. Kiersten realizes she may have bitten off more than she can chew and meets her girlboss neighbours Piper and Rosamund in a moment of crisis. They quickly band together to support each other and hatch a plan to leave the fast paced over scheduled lives for their own makeshift academy. With a focus on getting back on track (and finally finishing her unpacking), Kiersten finds 3 journals that provide her a window into the past, through the writing of a young girl named Dottie.
The stakes are slow boiling throughout the entire book, and start to simmer over in the last couple chapters. A strong sense of sisterhood can be felt throughout the entire novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! Do yourself a favour and pick this one up in June!
June 21, 2026
Behind White Picket Fences was such an incredibly hard book for me to rate. On the one hand, I really enjoyed this book and finished it in a day and a half. It was super fast-paced with a great cast of characters and an engaging plot. On the other hand, there was also a lot that annoyed me.
Let's start with the good. I really loved the portrayal of motherhood in this book. Each of the main characters was a different kind of mom with completely realized identities outside of their children. I also really adored the friendship that the mothers developed while trying to figure out the best way to help all of their kids. There was also a great balance between the friendship/motherhood story and the mystery aspect of trying to figure out what happened to Dottie.
However... the entire plot relied on one coincidence after another. How fortuitous that the neighborhood has all these wonderful people who love children and have different skills that they are able to contribute in order to become teachers at their homeschool. It felt like every character and plot point was conveniently crafted to move the story along. I also did not enjoy how unrealistic the diary entries were. Dottie would not have been writing in dialogue. And come on, yall really took that long to finish reading the diary entries? I can read an entire 400 page book in a few hours. It didn't make sense that they only read a few pages a day. The story would have been over quickly if their actions had been realistic. . Also, all of the pop culture references were too much for me. I am a millennial, but even I cringed.
Overall I would rate this 3.25 stars. If you like domestic thrillers with a strong focus on female friendships and motherhood, definitely check this out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Let's start with the good. I really loved the portrayal of motherhood in this book. Each of the main characters was a different kind of mom with completely realized identities outside of their children. I also really adored the friendship that the mothers developed while trying to figure out the best way to help all of their kids. There was also a great balance between the friendship/motherhood story and the mystery aspect of trying to figure out what happened to Dottie.
However... the entire plot relied on one coincidence after another. How fortuitous that the neighborhood has all these wonderful people who love children and have different skills that they are able to contribute in order to become teachers at their homeschool. It felt like every character and plot point was conveniently crafted to move the story along. I also did not enjoy how unrealistic the diary entries were. Dottie would not have been writing in dialogue. And come on, yall really took that long to finish reading the diary entries? I can read an entire 400 page book in a few hours. It didn't make sense that they only read a few pages a day. The story would have been over quickly if their actions had been realistic. . Also, all of the pop culture references were too much for me. I am a millennial, but even I cringed.
Overall I would rate this 3.25 stars. If you like domestic thrillers with a strong focus on female friendships and motherhood, definitely check this out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 10, 2026
I definitely took advantage of the audio. I was almost done with the book but had to go to work (UGH ADULTING) but was able to listen during my commute! I highly recommend the audio book!
Behind White Picket Fences is a smash up of a women's fiction with a little mystery thrown in.
I found it so relatable as a mom. Although my girls are older now, so much of this resonated. From the full time working mom having to juggle most (all) kid related stuff, to managing activities schedules, to the nagging required to get stuff done. This was so REAL.
Christine Gunderson's writing is impressive. Her characters are well formed, complex and expertly crafted. They have such a sense of humor. I'm just disappointed they aren't real, as I'd love to have them as friends. Extra bonus points for short snappy chapters! My favorite!
This is a story about community, justice and standing up for what's right.
Behind White Picket Fences is a smash up of a women's fiction with a little mystery thrown in.
I found it so relatable as a mom. Although my girls are older now, so much of this resonated. From the full time working mom having to juggle most (all) kid related stuff, to managing activities schedules, to the nagging required to get stuff done. This was so REAL.
Christine Gunderson's writing is impressive. Her characters are well formed, complex and expertly crafted. They have such a sense of humor. I'm just disappointed they aren't real, as I'd love to have them as friends. Extra bonus points for short snappy chapters! My favorite!
This is a story about community, justice and standing up for what's right.
June 14, 2026
Go into this book as blind as possible.
I really think it makes an already great book even better.
I love when cozy mysteries manage to dig deeper into issues – in this case, DV and the importance of female friendships.
This book does a really good job of that but still delivers a really satisfying ending.
SISTERHOOD FTW!
I really think it makes an already great book even better.
I love when cozy mysteries manage to dig deeper into issues – in this case, DV and the importance of female friendships.
This book does a really good job of that but still delivers a really satisfying ending.
SISTERHOOD FTW!
December 19, 2025
I devoured this book, a five star read! This was a fast paced book with a lot going on but it totally worked.
Following a small group of mums who decide to homeschool so as to live an easier, balanced life where they didn’t have stress/ travel etc of school and activities. This side of the story was really wholesome, where community all step up and you see the bonding between the children, the adults and the random neighbours who all want to play a part.
The other side of the story is when one of the mums finds diaries from the 1960s in her basement and we get chapters of Dottie (the author of the diary) and her life on the same street as the mums currently live. Dottie is suffering from domestic abuse and as we follow her diaries we find out how this links to the modern day street and how those who look perfect may be hiding the biggest secrets.
An absolutely brilliant novel. Thanks to net galley for the advanced copy!
Following a small group of mums who decide to homeschool so as to live an easier, balanced life where they didn’t have stress/ travel etc of school and activities. This side of the story was really wholesome, where community all step up and you see the bonding between the children, the adults and the random neighbours who all want to play a part.
The other side of the story is when one of the mums finds diaries from the 1960s in her basement and we get chapters of Dottie (the author of the diary) and her life on the same street as the mums currently live. Dottie is suffering from domestic abuse and as we follow her diaries we find out how this links to the modern day street and how those who look perfect may be hiding the biggest secrets.
An absolutely brilliant novel. Thanks to net galley for the advanced copy!
August 12, 2026
I may have judged a book by its cover- it happens right?
This was not as cutesy as it looked and I was thrilled for that!
The story of a group of neighbors and moms who just want to slow down from the rat race and just be! Live like they did as kids- sans electronics and so many after school sports! So they decide to form a homeschool pod and while coming up with their plan, mom, Kirsten, finds some very old diaries from a woman who lived in her neighborhood in the 1960s that share a very ominous tail.
I really enjoyed this story. The pacing was great, the characters were meaty and likeable! Very real and I found myself laughing more than once. Ending was a bit rushed but that’s pretty common.
This was not as cutesy as it looked and I was thrilled for that!
The story of a group of neighbors and moms who just want to slow down from the rat race and just be! Live like they did as kids- sans electronics and so many after school sports! So they decide to form a homeschool pod and while coming up with their plan, mom, Kirsten, finds some very old diaries from a woman who lived in her neighborhood in the 1960s that share a very ominous tail.
I really enjoyed this story. The pacing was great, the characters were meaty and likeable! Very real and I found myself laughing more than once. Ending was a bit rushed but that’s pretty common.
February 16, 2026
Five great, big, beautiful stars to this novel! If you want grit, humor, and a dose of real life, crack the pages and become enveloped in the lives of modern day moms who make an untraditional choice to home school their kids. Enter female friendships, a little mystery, unique and quirky characters and a satisfying ending! Loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book!
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book!
June 9, 2026
I absolutely could not put this book down! I’m not usually the fastest reader, but I knocked this one out within a day and a half of starting it.
Kiersten and Piper offer two very different approaches to life and parenting, forming an unlikely alliance thanks to the universal challenges of motherhood. I loved both of their characters and the way they presented different perspectives.
Such a great mix of everything - mystery, adventure, humour, romance, everything you could want in a book.
Kiersten and Piper offer two very different approaches to life and parenting, forming an unlikely alliance thanks to the universal challenges of motherhood. I loved both of their characters and the way they presented different perspectives.
Such a great mix of everything - mystery, adventure, humour, romance, everything you could want in a book.
August 17, 2026
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for providing an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley.
Kiersten and her husband have moved from a Minnesota farm community to DC so he can work for the Department of Agriculture; his constant travel leaves her to manage schedules for four boys far away from their family support structure. Piper is on administrative leave from the State Department after a wrong call caused embarrassment for the agency, trying to juggle activities for three girls and convince a reluctant school to protect her eldest from harassment. Rosamund is a single mom writing hugely popular romance novels under a pen name while trying to help her bullied daughter just get through school.
After accidentally leaving one of her sons at a truck stop, Kiersten floats the idea of a homeschool program to the other moms, inspired by the trad-wife influencer who lives next door. No more endless traffic jams, no more frustrating grade tracking apps, no more dizzying schedules crammed with extracurriculars—just kids getting the individualized support they need, away from screens and bullies and the overwhelming stress of packing every single hour full of activities. While the other moms are skeptical, they eventually agree, and the ‘Beaverbrook Academy for Inquiring Minds’ is born. Eventually, a bunch of other neighbors get involved, too—a retired Marine drill instructor takes over P.E., a Georgetown professor volunteers some time to help with Biology lessons, a retired teacher steps in to help with lesson plans, an older woman on the block talks about the history she lived through—and things start to really go well.
Meanwhile, Kiersten has gotten the other moms interested in a set of diaries she found in her basement, hidden in hollowed-out encyclopedias along with some cash. The woman who wrote these diaries lived on the block at some point, and Kiersten wants to return her belongings to her—but there isn’t enough identifying information, so she is reading them in hopes to find more. The diaries tell the heartbreaking story of a young woman being abused by a narcissistic husband in a time where she had no way to escape, and the moms are soon incredibly invested in her history. More than just wanting to get her property back to her, they really want answers: what happened to Dottie?
The story is told in chapters that rotate point of view, switching between Kiersten, Piper, and Dottie’s diary entries, along with a couple of chapters from one of the secondary characters. Most of the characters are delightful in their own unique ways: Reggie, the former Marine, goads Kiersten into working out with him to relieve her stress and get back in shape; Valentina, the retired teacher, is appalled that the moms are homeschooling, but she volunteers her time to help Kiersten’s dyslexic son with his reading; and Lillian, a much older retiree who has lived in the community for a long time and is very interested in local history, starts out watching the kids through binoculars and worrying they’ve started a cult but soon becomes something like a beloved grandmother to all of the children, who love hearing her first-hand stories of some of the history they are learning. All of these characters have their own personalities and quirks, and they all feel very real and lovable.
Unfortunately, based on the publisher’s summary I somehow got the idea this book was a mystery (and that’s totally on me, I admit). Once I was reading, I quickly began to suspect it was not. This book has a suspenseful plot, but I began to put together the answer to the mystery about a quarter of the way through, and had figured out almost all of it by the time I finished a third of the book. This is definitely not for habitual readers of mystery, thriller, or crime fiction, who will likely figure it all out far, far before the characters do. It was honestly frustrating to watch Kiersten realize something I had figured out 150 pages before, and see her absolutely flabbergasted by it. Piper was better—being naturally more paranoid and security-minded from her job in security for the State Department, she was more skeptical of the characters that deserved it, and more inclined to put the pieces together to reach the right answer, and I found myself sympathizing with her frustration over Kiersten’s (understandable and probably not entirely unrealistic) naiveté.
Behind White Picket Fences is well-written and engaging, and there is an incredibly funny scene involving kids giving muddled explanations and confusing the heck out of some cops that I could not stop laughing over for a long time. There is some great humor, and the relationships between the characters were a lot of fun. However, the absolute lack of mystery I experienced brings the rating down for me. There are just too many obvious clues, and watching the characters fail to connect the clues ended up frustrating me to perhaps an unreasonable degree. From the reviews I glanced over, most people had a different experience of it, which is fine. It’s a good book, just a bad mystery. But the lessons about building community, slowing down, reducing screen-time, and being curious about the world are all great ones.
3.5 stars, rounded down.
Kiersten and her husband have moved from a Minnesota farm community to DC so he can work for the Department of Agriculture; his constant travel leaves her to manage schedules for four boys far away from their family support structure. Piper is on administrative leave from the State Department after a wrong call caused embarrassment for the agency, trying to juggle activities for three girls and convince a reluctant school to protect her eldest from harassment. Rosamund is a single mom writing hugely popular romance novels under a pen name while trying to help her bullied daughter just get through school.
After accidentally leaving one of her sons at a truck stop, Kiersten floats the idea of a homeschool program to the other moms, inspired by the trad-wife influencer who lives next door. No more endless traffic jams, no more frustrating grade tracking apps, no more dizzying schedules crammed with extracurriculars—just kids getting the individualized support they need, away from screens and bullies and the overwhelming stress of packing every single hour full of activities. While the other moms are skeptical, they eventually agree, and the ‘Beaverbrook Academy for Inquiring Minds’ is born. Eventually, a bunch of other neighbors get involved, too—a retired Marine drill instructor takes over P.E., a Georgetown professor volunteers some time to help with Biology lessons, a retired teacher steps in to help with lesson plans, an older woman on the block talks about the history she lived through—and things start to really go well.
Meanwhile, Kiersten has gotten the other moms interested in a set of diaries she found in her basement, hidden in hollowed-out encyclopedias along with some cash. The woman who wrote these diaries lived on the block at some point, and Kiersten wants to return her belongings to her—but there isn’t enough identifying information, so she is reading them in hopes to find more. The diaries tell the heartbreaking story of a young woman being abused by a narcissistic husband in a time where she had no way to escape, and the moms are soon incredibly invested in her history. More than just wanting to get her property back to her, they really want answers: what happened to Dottie?
The story is told in chapters that rotate point of view, switching between Kiersten, Piper, and Dottie’s diary entries, along with a couple of chapters from one of the secondary characters. Most of the characters are delightful in their own unique ways: Reggie, the former Marine, goads Kiersten into working out with him to relieve her stress and get back in shape; Valentina, the retired teacher, is appalled that the moms are homeschooling, but she volunteers her time to help Kiersten’s dyslexic son with his reading; and Lillian, a much older retiree who has lived in the community for a long time and is very interested in local history, starts out watching the kids through binoculars and worrying they’ve started a cult but soon becomes something like a beloved grandmother to all of the children, who love hearing her first-hand stories of some of the history they are learning. All of these characters have their own personalities and quirks, and they all feel very real and lovable.
Unfortunately, based on the publisher’s summary I somehow got the idea this book was a mystery (and that’s totally on me, I admit). Once I was reading, I quickly began to suspect it was not. This book has a suspenseful plot, but I began to put together the answer to the mystery about a quarter of the way through, and had figured out almost all of it by the time I finished a third of the book. This is definitely not for habitual readers of mystery, thriller, or crime fiction, who will likely figure it all out far, far before the characters do. It was honestly frustrating to watch Kiersten realize something I had figured out 150 pages before, and see her absolutely flabbergasted by it. Piper was better—being naturally more paranoid and security-minded from her job in security for the State Department, she was more skeptical of the characters that deserved it, and more inclined to put the pieces together to reach the right answer, and I found myself sympathizing with her frustration over Kiersten’s (understandable and probably not entirely unrealistic) naiveté.
Behind White Picket Fences is well-written and engaging, and there is an incredibly funny scene involving kids giving muddled explanations and confusing the heck out of some cops that I could not stop laughing over for a long time. There is some great humor, and the relationships between the characters were a lot of fun. However, the absolute lack of mystery I experienced brings the rating down for me. There are just too many obvious clues, and watching the characters fail to connect the clues ended up frustrating me to perhaps an unreasonable degree. From the reviews I glanced over, most people had a different experience of it, which is fine. It’s a good book, just a bad mystery. But the lessons about building community, slowing down, reducing screen-time, and being curious about the world are all great ones.
3.5 stars, rounded down.
July 11, 2026
5 stars. Motherhood, family, and the pressure to get everything right.. this one felt so real, and once the hidden diary came into play, I couldn’t stop turning the pages fast enough. Loved this. 📖🎧
June 15, 2026
Dang, I read this book all morning and couldn’t put it down! As always, I’m a sucker for neighborhood/mom gossip and drama 🤣 I just loved the friendship that was formed throughout the book by the moms. The diary from Dottie kept the book so enticing and I just wanted to read more from Dottie. I just felt so bad for her the entire time. What a horrible life she had to live.
Absolutely loved!!!
“But she knew their struggles and understood their fears because she shared them. They were moms, too, attempting to raise kids in an anxious, competitive, technology-infused world, hurtling toward an unknown future. And that created a shortcut straight to the heart of what really mattered.”
Absolutely loved!!!
“But she knew their struggles and understood their fears because she shared them. They were moms, too, attempting to raise kids in an anxious, competitive, technology-infused world, hurtling toward an unknown future. And that created a shortcut straight to the heart of what really mattered.”
June 14, 2026
Gunderson has written an engaging, intriguing story that is richly layered. There's subtle social commentary, the strength of female friendship, an unflinching examination of work-life balance, the infiltration of technology into so much of our lives, and much, much more. Part mystery, part adventure, part literary fiction, BWPF will captivate you with its well-developed characters, clever bits of humor, and honest assessments of modern life.
June 18, 2026
Behind White Picket Fences by Christine Gunderson was such an entertaining and thought provoking read.
I loved how this story blended suspense, humor, and the realities of modern motherhood. Kiersten, Rosamund, and Piper felt relatable as they tried to step away from the pressures of academics and create a simpler life for their children. What started as a refreshing escape quickly turned into a gripping mystery that kept me turning the pages.
The friendships were one of my favorite parts of the book. Their bond felt authentic, and I enjoyed watching them navigate challenges together while uncovering secrets hidden beneath their seemingly perfect neighborhood.
This book is a great reminder that things are not always what they seem behind closed doors. If you enjoy domestic suspense with strong female friendships and a touch of nostalgia, this one is worth adding to your TBR.
I loved how this story blended suspense, humor, and the realities of modern motherhood. Kiersten, Rosamund, and Piper felt relatable as they tried to step away from the pressures of academics and create a simpler life for their children. What started as a refreshing escape quickly turned into a gripping mystery that kept me turning the pages.
The friendships were one of my favorite parts of the book. Their bond felt authentic, and I enjoyed watching them navigate challenges together while uncovering secrets hidden beneath their seemingly perfect neighborhood.
This book is a great reminder that things are not always what they seem behind closed doors. If you enjoy domestic suspense with strong female friendships and a touch of nostalgia, this one is worth adding to your TBR.
January 4, 2026
3.75 stars rounded up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Behind White Picket Fences is not at all what I thought it would be - what a ride!! I was awake all night finishing this, simply because I couldn't put it down. Our main characters Kiersten, Rosamund and Piper, plus the rest of the neighborhood, are SUCH endearing characters with their own hearts and motivations, but ultimately serve the same goal: bring a sense of calm and balance to themselves and these kids. And in come the Davis family to cause generational traummaaaa!
The first few chapters were not what they seemed in the best way possible. What starts as moms struggling to handle/manage their kids schedules turns into this thought-provoking discussion of what it means to be a parent in 2025, how to have your partners support, and how having a community can make all the difference. I found myself nodding along as Kiersten described all of /my/ personal fears of becoming a parent, how to be present, and still raise kids like the "good old days," but it was done with a sense of care and humility. A real strength of Gunderson's writing!
Finally, journals have always been a clever way of putting readers into the perspective of the past, and Dottie's entries are no different. While I do think they started to feel less like journal entries, and more like full scenes written by the author (ie, they lose the simplicity of "this and this happened" and instead included full dialogue written out and quoted), Dottie's perspective changed the entire story arc and added that level of suspense needed to push the characters and their motivations forward. It was so clear who the villains were, and yet, I was still SO shocked at how the reveal came together, which made it that much better.
I'm REALLY glad to have taken a chance with this one! The suspense and drama were there (even if a bit predictable at times), the kids and their personalities shined, and the discussion of what it means to be a good wife, mother, and "keeper of the home" so to say were great. If you liked the premise of Don't Worry Darling (Florence Pugh and Harry Styles), this is definitely one to pick up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Behind White Picket Fences is not at all what I thought it would be - what a ride!! I was awake all night finishing this, simply because I couldn't put it down. Our main characters Kiersten, Rosamund and Piper, plus the rest of the neighborhood, are SUCH endearing characters with their own hearts and motivations, but ultimately serve the same goal: bring a sense of calm and balance to themselves and these kids. And in come the Davis family to cause generational traummaaaa!
The first few chapters were not what they seemed in the best way possible. What starts as moms struggling to handle/manage their kids schedules turns into this thought-provoking discussion of what it means to be a parent in 2025, how to have your partners support, and how having a community can make all the difference. I found myself nodding along as Kiersten described all of /my/ personal fears of becoming a parent, how to be present, and still raise kids like the "good old days," but it was done with a sense of care and humility. A real strength of Gunderson's writing!
Finally, journals have always been a clever way of putting readers into the perspective of the past, and Dottie's entries are no different. While I do think they started to feel less like journal entries, and more like full scenes written by the author (ie, they lose the simplicity of "this and this happened" and instead included full dialogue written out and quoted), Dottie's perspective changed the entire story arc and added that level of suspense needed to push the characters and their motivations forward. It was so clear who the villains were, and yet, I was still SO shocked at how the reveal came together, which made it that much better.
I'm REALLY glad to have taken a chance with this one! The suspense and drama were there (even if a bit predictable at times), the kids and their personalities shined, and the discussion of what it means to be a good wife, mother, and "keeper of the home" so to say were great. If you liked the premise of Don't Worry Darling (Florence Pugh and Harry Styles), this is definitely one to pick up!
May 24, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Format: digital e-ARC & ALC
Genre: Women’s fiction, mystery, literature fiction
Series: standalone
Thank to you NetGalley, the publisher and the author, Christine Gunderson, for a digital ARC and ALC of Behind White Picket Fences in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts are my own.
——
Behind White Picket Fences is a multiple POV story, starring Kiersten, Piper and Dottie. Kiersten and Piper are both suburban moms and neighbors, with multiple kids, who are trying to find balance in their lives between being a mom and having a job. Kiersten had just moved to this neighborhood in the DMV from Michigan, and as she’s still unpacking all of their stuff, she finds three diaries hidden in the attic: Dottie’s diaries. Now, Kiersten decides to find out what happened to Dottie with Piper’s (and their other suburban friend mom, Rosamund’s) help, but at the same time, all the moms start to build this huge community in the neighborhood without even realizing.
——
WOW!! This book was absolutely amazing. I went into it mostly blind so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The first half of the book felt like a women’s fiction novel, talking about homeschooling, kids running around and building community; it truly felt like I was really a book set in the 90’s. But then the second half took of the book a huge turn and now we’re entering the mystery (maybe even thriller?) part of the book and I was completely hooked, I love me a good suburban drama and this one did not disappoint. Also, I was able to both read and listen to this book at the same time and the narrator was fantastic! To the point where I woke up at 4:00am on a weekday just so I could finish the book 😂 that’s how good it was!!
I cannot recommend this enough, please read this if you like genre-bending novels, found family and solving mysteries, you won’t regret it!!
Format: digital e-ARC & ALC
Genre: Women’s fiction, mystery, literature fiction
Series: standalone
Thank to you NetGalley, the publisher and the author, Christine Gunderson, for a digital ARC and ALC of Behind White Picket Fences in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts are my own.
——
Behind White Picket Fences is a multiple POV story, starring Kiersten, Piper and Dottie. Kiersten and Piper are both suburban moms and neighbors, with multiple kids, who are trying to find balance in their lives between being a mom and having a job. Kiersten had just moved to this neighborhood in the DMV from Michigan, and as she’s still unpacking all of their stuff, she finds three diaries hidden in the attic: Dottie’s diaries. Now, Kiersten decides to find out what happened to Dottie with Piper’s (and their other suburban friend mom, Rosamund’s) help, but at the same time, all the moms start to build this huge community in the neighborhood without even realizing.
——
WOW!! This book was absolutely amazing. I went into it mostly blind so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The first half of the book felt like a women’s fiction novel, talking about homeschooling, kids running around and building community; it truly felt like I was really a book set in the 90’s. But then the second half took of the book a huge turn and now we’re entering the mystery (maybe even thriller?) part of the book and I was completely hooked, I love me a good suburban drama and this one did not disappoint. Also, I was able to both read and listen to this book at the same time and the narrator was fantastic! To the point where I woke up at 4:00am on a weekday just so I could finish the book 😂 that’s how good it was!!
I cannot recommend this enough, please read this if you like genre-bending novels, found family and solving mysteries, you won’t regret it!!
June 7, 2026
4.25!! Binged this in a day. That should tell you all you need to know! It comes out June 9 and I recommend it!!!
Gunderson is one of my favorite voices in writing. Her style is fresh, funny, and verbose. She truly is a must-read author for me.
Her second novel follows a group of moms in a neighborhood who decide to drop out of the rat race and homeschool their kids to see if they can achieve a more balanced life-one like they had growing up. But when one mom finds a diary from the 60s in her basement, suspicions arise about their neighbors and if they really know where they are living.
I could talk forever about her writing, but Gunderson can convey a life experience I’ve never had (motherhood) and make me feel every ache, pain, and joy that these characters experience. The setting, side characters, and pacing was great. Such a fun read.
Picket Fences was a page turner I couldn’t put down.
Gunderson is one of my favorite voices in writing. Her style is fresh, funny, and verbose. She truly is a must-read author for me.
Her second novel follows a group of moms in a neighborhood who decide to drop out of the rat race and homeschool their kids to see if they can achieve a more balanced life-one like they had growing up. But when one mom finds a diary from the 60s in her basement, suspicions arise about their neighbors and if they really know where they are living.
I could talk forever about her writing, but Gunderson can convey a life experience I’ve never had (motherhood) and make me feel every ache, pain, and joy that these characters experience. The setting, side characters, and pacing was great. Such a fun read.
Picket Fences was a page turner I couldn’t put down.
December 23, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up! This book went in a direction I didn’t expect but I found the ending really satisfying. It’s a good read for people who like stories about community building, mysteries/thrillers, and multiple POVs. My only qualms have to do with suspending my disbelief over some of the decisions characters make and the easy way some problems are wrapped up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
July 19, 2026
Christine Gunderson writes books with characters that are completely relatable. Her latest tells the story of an overwhelmed mother wondering if all the driving she does, taking her kids from one activity to another, exhausting everyone, is worth it. She soon meets other mothers who have the same questions and they take on the challenge of trying something different.
This story is about motherhood, friendship and community with a mystery thrown in. I couldn’t put the book down. Five stars!
This story is about motherhood, friendship and community with a mystery thrown in. I couldn’t put the book down. Five stars!
August 11, 2026
Wow! I wasn’t sure when it started but boy did I get sucked in when the drama started. I love how the whole neighborhood became one big family solving crime together. I just loved Dottie, and all the neighborhood moms!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2026
Thank you to Christine Gunderson, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
4/5 stars
Behind White Picket Fences is an intriguing story that blends thriller, wholesome, and emotional elements into a compelling read.
The novel centres on a group of women living in a rural community—mothers struggling with the everyday pressures of family life, alongside the emotional strain of supporting children who are facing their own challenges. When the women finally come together, one suggestion emerges: to slow down. They decide to homeschool their children and embrace a simpler lifestyle in the hope of easing some of the pressure they all feel.
At the same time, a collection of hidden diaries is discovered in a basement, introducing us to Dottie, a woman living in the 1960s who finds herself trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage. As the community becomes captivated by her story, a search begins to uncover who Dottie was and what became of her. Along the way, we are introduced to several members of the community, each with their own secrets and mysteries waiting to be unravelled.
I really enjoyed the multiple points of view and found it easy to stay engaged throughout the novel because all of the storylines were so well connected. Even Dottie’s diary entries, which could have felt separate from the main narrative, were woven seamlessly into the story as the present-day characters reflected on and discussed her experiences. The mystery kept me invested, and I found the ending particularly satisfying. Not only were the major questions answered, but the author also included “what comes after” chapters, which I always appreciate.
My favourite character was Dottie. Despite her difficult circumstances, she possesses a fierce and determined spirit that made her impossible not to root for. Her story is told beautifully through her diary entries, maintaining an air of mystery until her identity and fate are finally revealed through the perspectives of the other characters.
Overall, this is a well-written and accessible novel. The shorter chapters made it easy to pick up and read whenever I had a spare moment. For me, it offered the perfect combination of community, friendship, mystery, suspense, and danger, making it an enjoyable and memorable read.
4/5 stars
Behind White Picket Fences is an intriguing story that blends thriller, wholesome, and emotional elements into a compelling read.
The novel centres on a group of women living in a rural community—mothers struggling with the everyday pressures of family life, alongside the emotional strain of supporting children who are facing their own challenges. When the women finally come together, one suggestion emerges: to slow down. They decide to homeschool their children and embrace a simpler lifestyle in the hope of easing some of the pressure they all feel.
At the same time, a collection of hidden diaries is discovered in a basement, introducing us to Dottie, a woman living in the 1960s who finds herself trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage. As the community becomes captivated by her story, a search begins to uncover who Dottie was and what became of her. Along the way, we are introduced to several members of the community, each with their own secrets and mysteries waiting to be unravelled.
I really enjoyed the multiple points of view and found it easy to stay engaged throughout the novel because all of the storylines were so well connected. Even Dottie’s diary entries, which could have felt separate from the main narrative, were woven seamlessly into the story as the present-day characters reflected on and discussed her experiences. The mystery kept me invested, and I found the ending particularly satisfying. Not only were the major questions answered, but the author also included “what comes after” chapters, which I always appreciate.
My favourite character was Dottie. Despite her difficult circumstances, she possesses a fierce and determined spirit that made her impossible not to root for. Her story is told beautifully through her diary entries, maintaining an air of mystery until her identity and fate are finally revealed through the perspectives of the other characters.
Overall, this is a well-written and accessible novel. The shorter chapters made it easy to pick up and read whenever I had a spare moment. For me, it offered the perfect combination of community, friendship, mystery, suspense, and danger, making it an enjoyable and memorable read.
July 15, 2026
Couldn’t stop listening once I started! Loved this book so much!
July 8, 2026
Instantly obsessed.
I literally cannot stop thinking about this one.
I picked this one solely on the cover, and I’m so glad I did! For me, this felt like Desperate Housewives (my very favorite comfort show) meets Nancy Drew. I was hooked immediately and could not put it down. The details kept me fully invested. And the twists?! Such a wild time! I don’t think I’ll ever stop talking about this one.
I literally cannot stop thinking about this one.
I picked this one solely on the cover, and I’m so glad I did! For me, this felt like Desperate Housewives (my very favorite comfort show) meets Nancy Drew. I was hooked immediately and could not put it down. The details kept me fully invested. And the twists?! Such a wild time! I don’t think I’ll ever stop talking about this one.
June 25, 2026
BEHIND WHITE PICKET FENCES was an interesting mystery that I loved! I have read several neighborhood mystery/drama stories like this and I have really enjoyed them. The old diary that was found was icing on the cake and it added to the suspense!
Many thanks to Christine Gunderson for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.
Many thanks to Christine Gunderson for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.
July 4, 2026
This is an underrated Kindle Unlimited gem! I stumbled upon this title on a Kindle ad and gave it a chance. Frankly, I'm surprised it hasn't gotten more hype --- it's really good! And the audiobook (also on KU) is great!
Without spoiling the plot, this is mix of Women's Fiction and mystery/suspense. Think The Goonies but the friends are a group mid-life moms and the mystery is both interesting and engaging.
Content: Some mild profanity, suspense related themes.
Without spoiling the plot, this is mix of Women's Fiction and mystery/suspense. Think The Goonies but the friends are a group mid-life moms and the mystery is both interesting and engaging.
Content: Some mild profanity, suspense related themes.
July 2, 2026
A really fun read, but also had me tearing up a couple times! The power of female friendship shines through this author. I found it predictable, but the journey of reading was so fun that I couldn’t put it down! I will say, there’s some diet culture chat, so if that’s triggering to you please be warned.
July 2, 2026
Amazing!
I couldn’t put this book down- the action is so interesting and the characters so well developed. Plus the time changes from 1960s to the present, and how the timelines intertwine, it was a thriller and drama in one. I will be looking for more books by this author.
I couldn’t put this book down- the action is so interesting and the characters so well developed. Plus the time changes from 1960s to the present, and how the timelines intertwine, it was a thriller and drama in one. I will be looking for more books by this author.
June 29, 2026
I know a book is great when I’m sad for it to be over! Behind White Picket Fences has relatable characters who are hilarious and heartwarming. I couldn’t wait to get back to this story when I put it down. I especially wanted to know what happened to Dotty. Christine had unexpected twists and kept me guessing right until the end of the book. I can’t WAIT until next summer when her third novel comes out.
June 29, 2026
I could not put this one down. Sure, I was trying to take advantage of my 2 month trial on Kindle Unlimited and I am so glad I picked this one! I love the found family aspect, so watching everyone come together was honestly my favorite part. It ended up being more heartwarming than I expected, even with all the secrets and drama.
The only thing I wasn't super into was the trad-wife storyline. It wasn't enough to take away from the book, but it was definitely my least favorite part.
If you like domestic thrillers with neighborhood drama, secrets, and characters you actually end up rooting for, I'd definitely recommend this one. As soon as I finished it, I was looking for another book that gave me the same feeling.
The only thing I wasn't super into was the trad-wife storyline. It wasn't enough to take away from the book, but it was definitely my least favorite part.
If you like domestic thrillers with neighborhood drama, secrets, and characters you actually end up rooting for, I'd definitely recommend this one. As soon as I finished it, I was looking for another book that gave me the same feeling.
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