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Neighborly
A not-to-be-missed novel of suspense about the secrets hidden in a young couple’s new neighborhood.
Kat and Doug felt like Aurora Village was the perfect community. Minutes from the city, affluent without pretension, low crime with a friendly vibe—it’s everything Kat never had, and that she’s determined to provide for her infant daughter. Snagging a nice bungalow in this exclusive enclave was worth all the sacrifice. But everything changes overnight when Kat finds a scrawled note outside their front door.
That wasn’t very neighborly of you.
As increasingly sinister and frighteningly personal notes arrive, each one stabs deeper into the heart of Kat’s insecurities, paranoia, and most troubling, her past. When the neighbors who seemed so perfect reveal their open secret, the menace moves beyond mean notes. Someone’s raising the stakes.
As suspicious as she is of every smiling face and as terrified as she’s become of being found out, Kat is still unprepared for the sharp turn that lies just ahead of her on Bayberry Lane.
Kat and Doug felt like Aurora Village was the perfect community. Minutes from the city, affluent without pretension, low crime with a friendly vibe—it’s everything Kat never had, and that she’s determined to provide for her infant daughter. Snagging a nice bungalow in this exclusive enclave was worth all the sacrifice. But everything changes overnight when Kat finds a scrawled note outside their front door.
That wasn’t very neighborly of you.
As increasingly sinister and frighteningly personal notes arrive, each one stabs deeper into the heart of Kat’s insecurities, paranoia, and most troubling, her past. When the neighbors who seemed so perfect reveal their open secret, the menace moves beyond mean notes. Someone’s raising the stakes.
As suspicious as she is of every smiling face and as terrified as she’s become of being found out, Kat is still unprepared for the sharp turn that lies just ahead of her on Bayberry Lane.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2018
3703 people are currently reading
5374 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Monago
15 books101 followersEllie Monago is the pen name of a novelist and practicing therapist. She’s also a wife and mother, and when you add it all up, she doesn’t wind up with much time for hobbies. But she’s an avid tennis fan, a passionate reader of both fiction and nonfiction—especially memoir (nothing’s as juicy as the truth!)—and she relishes a good craft cocktail. She spent most of her life living in the U.S. and now resides in Western Canada with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 837 reviews
February 27, 2018
“The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.”
― G.K. Chesterton
Kat and Doug have spent nearly every penny they have on the crappiest house in the best neighborhood in the San Francisco Bay area. And, oh, what neighbors! They throw a block party to welcome the newcomers! (I had just one woman stop by when we moved here. She brought some sort of gray looking muffins, and really, it was only to invite my boys to attend her church's vacation bible school.) But the residents of Aurora Village pull out all the stops to make their new neighbors feel right at home. So, of course there's a reason for all their solicitousness . . .
Soon someone is leaving disturbing notes, and it turns out the "neighborhood association" has some pretty swinging ideas of what constitutes neighborly love. Doug's kind of a jerk, and Kat has some deep, dark secrets of her own. Yeah. This has all the makings of the backyard barbecue from hell.
For what it is - a fast moving tale of ways humans can be nasty to one another - this book is fine. Great literature, it's not, but it's something of a page-turner that I probably would have finished in one sitting had time allowed. There's a lot of back-stabbing, and hatred, and not a single likable character. (Well, the jury's still out on the baby, but I'm guessing she'll end up being a "mean girl.") Though there's a lot of talk about sex, there's only one barely steamy scene, and it's within the bonds of holy matrimony, so yawn . . . I mean, amen. This book is really not that good, but I'm giving it three stars because I believe the author achieved what she was aiming for - an enjoyable thriller with a twisted Desperate Housewives vibe.
Well, I'm off to Lowe's 'cause I suddenly feel the need to surround my property with the tallest spite fence money can buy.
― G.K. Chesterton
Kat and Doug have spent nearly every penny they have on the crappiest house in the best neighborhood in the San Francisco Bay area. And, oh, what neighbors! They throw a block party to welcome the newcomers! (I had just one woman stop by when we moved here. She brought some sort of gray looking muffins, and really, it was only to invite my boys to attend her church's vacation bible school.) But the residents of Aurora Village pull out all the stops to make their new neighbors feel right at home. So, of course there's a reason for all their solicitousness . . .
Soon someone is leaving disturbing notes, and it turns out the "neighborhood association" has some pretty swinging ideas of what constitutes neighborly love. Doug's kind of a jerk, and Kat has some deep, dark secrets of her own. Yeah. This has all the makings of the backyard barbecue from hell.
For what it is - a fast moving tale of ways humans can be nasty to one another - this book is fine. Great literature, it's not, but it's something of a page-turner that I probably would have finished in one sitting had time allowed. There's a lot of back-stabbing, and hatred, and not a single likable character. (Well, the jury's still out on the baby, but I'm guessing she'll end up being a "mean girl.") Though there's a lot of talk about sex, there's only one barely steamy scene, and it's within the bonds of holy matrimony, so yawn . . . I mean, amen. This book is really not that good, but I'm giving it three stars because I believe the author achieved what she was aiming for - an enjoyable thriller with a twisted Desperate Housewives vibe.
Well, I'm off to Lowe's 'cause I suddenly feel the need to surround my property with the tallest spite fence money can buy.
June 10, 2018
Thank you Amazon first reads, because of your generosity I didn't have to buy it!
Good fences make for good neighbors. Minding your own business and not interacting with your neighbors makes for better neighbors!
Kat her husband Doug and baby daughter, Sadie, move to the perfect neighborhood on the perfect block with the most wonderfulest perfectest neighbors ever! They are so kind and full of love that the neighbors have a block party to welcome them into their community. Everyone is so warm and welcoming and they want to get to know Kat and be her friend, but like Mr. Roboto, Kat has a secret, secret, secret, she has a secret. It's a secret so dark and terrible her husband doesn’t even know about it.
Life in her new neighborhood isn't that perfect, someone is leaving her threatening notes and it turns out her neighbors are a bunch of creepy swingers who want Kat and Doug as fresh meat for their sex sandwiches or whatever it is that swingers do with fresh meat.
Kat is a struggler, she struggles with just about everything like her self esteem, her marriage and sex life, money, her successes and/or failures as a mother, her new home, her new neighbors/friends and her in laws whom she does not like. Oh and there's that secret she struggles with on the daily.
After blacking out during a girls night out with her neighbors things go from just being a struggle to THE. STRUGGLE. IS. REAL. Kat is convinced that someone roofied her drink with Special K her husband seems to hate her guts all of the sudden and Sadie becomes gravely ill with a mystery illness. It's during this illness that Kat has an epiphany that someone in the neighborhood poisoned her daughter and sabotaged her marriage and that she needs to stop struggling and do something about it, and do something about it she does!
After putting all of the pieces together Kat confronts her tormenter/s and tries to make a citizens arrest. It goes a little something like this...
Kat to Guilty Party: “Hello there, long time no see. I finally figured it out! Nice cosmetic surgery by the way. You poisoned my daughter!”
Guilty Party: “I did not! And you ruined my life and my family you dirty liar!”
Kat: “Did not!”
Guilty Party: “Did too!”
Kat: “Did not!”
Guilty Party: “Did too!”
Kat: “Did not!”
GuiltyParty: “Oh, well then maybe you didn’t.”
Kat: “That’s what I’ve been saying!”
Kat to tagalong neighbor who happens to be a police officer: “Arrest this person!”
This book is chock full of nondescript characters, zero action and little to almost no suspense. And the writers handling of Kat's secret, a very serious one at that, is shitty.
Remember good neighbors don’t ask neighbors to be the fresh meat in their sex sandwiches.
Good fences make for good neighbors. Minding your own business and not interacting with your neighbors makes for better neighbors!
Kat her husband Doug and baby daughter, Sadie, move to the perfect neighborhood on the perfect block with the most wonderfulest perfectest neighbors ever! They are so kind and full of love that the neighbors have a block party to welcome them into their community. Everyone is so warm and welcoming and they want to get to know Kat and be her friend, but like Mr. Roboto, Kat has a secret, secret, secret, she has a secret. It's a secret so dark and terrible her husband doesn’t even know about it.
Life in her new neighborhood isn't that perfect, someone is leaving her threatening notes and it turns out her neighbors are a bunch of creepy swingers who want Kat and Doug as fresh meat for their sex sandwiches or whatever it is that swingers do with fresh meat.
Kat is a struggler, she struggles with just about everything like her self esteem, her marriage and sex life, money, her successes and/or failures as a mother, her new home, her new neighbors/friends and her in laws whom she does not like. Oh and there's that secret she struggles with on the daily.
After blacking out during a girls night out with her neighbors things go from just being a struggle to THE. STRUGGLE. IS. REAL. Kat is convinced that someone roofied her drink with Special K her husband seems to hate her guts all of the sudden and Sadie becomes gravely ill with a mystery illness. It's during this illness that Kat has an epiphany that someone in the neighborhood poisoned her daughter and sabotaged her marriage and that she needs to stop struggling and do something about it, and do something about it she does!
After putting all of the pieces together Kat confronts her tormenter/s and tries to make a citizens arrest. It goes a little something like this...
Kat to Guilty Party: “Hello there, long time no see. I finally figured it out! Nice cosmetic surgery by the way. You poisoned my daughter!”
Guilty Party: “I did not! And you ruined my life and my family you dirty liar!”
Kat: “Did not!”
Guilty Party: “Did too!”
Kat: “Did not!”
Guilty Party: “Did too!”
Kat: “Did not!”
GuiltyParty: “Oh, well then maybe you didn’t.”
Kat: “That’s what I’ve been saying!”
Kat to tagalong neighbor who happens to be a police officer: “Arrest this person!”
This book is chock full of nondescript characters, zero action and little to almost no suspense. And the writers handling of Kat's secret, a very serious one at that, is shitty.
Remember good neighbors don’t ask neighbors to be the fresh meat in their sex sandwiches.
July 2, 2018
Truly riveting, couldn't put this book down!
Oh yes! A book that I loved to be lost in. This one suckered me in from the very first page and held me in a type of reading bondage. Willing participant of course.
The storyline is brilliant. If you love suburbia that's got a twisted side under perfect facades then this is for you. The book is paced perfectly and when the first reveal hits, even if you sense it coming, its still deliciously naughty and thrilling!
As for the characters. There are quite a few and yet I sensed them all, got to know each one. No confusion knowing the star players in this book. As the book goes on and twists and more reveals enter play I was unable to stop reading. Nothing was tearing me away until I knew the grand finale.
The ending is fitting and unexpected. I love being surprised. This book just essentially won me over. I really lime this author's ability to tell a story about people living in a block of houses who seem so perfect yet are anything but.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. Its psychologically exciting and for me there was not one thing that disappointed. Five stars and I need more from this author please. Grab this gem!
Oh yes! A book that I loved to be lost in. This one suckered me in from the very first page and held me in a type of reading bondage. Willing participant of course.
The storyline is brilliant. If you love suburbia that's got a twisted side under perfect facades then this is for you. The book is paced perfectly and when the first reveal hits, even if you sense it coming, its still deliciously naughty and thrilling!
As for the characters. There are quite a few and yet I sensed them all, got to know each one. No confusion knowing the star players in this book. As the book goes on and twists and more reveals enter play I was unable to stop reading. Nothing was tearing me away until I knew the grand finale.
The ending is fitting and unexpected. I love being surprised. This book just essentially won me over. I really lime this author's ability to tell a story about people living in a block of houses who seem so perfect yet are anything but.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. Its psychologically exciting and for me there was not one thing that disappointed. Five stars and I need more from this author please. Grab this gem!
February 14, 2018
sListen, I am not a prude but I feel like it is not fair or really cool to not give readers a heads up about the incredible amount of highly sexual content of this book.
Parts were incredibly uncomfortable (again not a prude) but because I was not expecting it. You will accidentally stumble down the rabbit hole and not see it coming. I slapped my forehead for my lack of seeing the foreshadowing of things to come.
Those who dislike f bombs will really need a pass on this. Yes, there are some but to me they pale in comparison to some of the frank talk in the book. (and by frank I mean talk that I would never in a million years utter out of my lips in front of anyone-maybe I'm a secret prude) I continued reading the book but feel it needs a warning to those who will feel gut punched and suckered by not knowing what they are getting into.
OK, now you know what to expect. But what about the book???? A great deal of hand wringing and self doubt. Like A LOT. Too much. After half way through I was sick of hearing about how our heroine Kat felt. Her internal dialogue is churning, churning and churning. My favorite anxiety quote: "It's ok if Doug (husband here) pities me, just a little, but if he knew everything, he'd be ddisgusted. And I couldn't live with that."
How about a quote from the meat of the suspense: "Just because your paranoid doesn't mean nobody's after you."
But really there was not ENOUGH suspense or at least I was too preoccupied by all the overpowering emotion baggage from Kat.
This is Stepford Wives in a Trans-Urban twist. In Dec of 2016 a book titled The Missing by Caroline Eriksson was one of the Kindle Firsts for the month. I disliked that book because the suspense was bogged down in all the over wrought hand wringing self doubt that killed the book for me from getting anywhere and sadly it is shades of that for me here.
The book will be loved by those who can overlook some of the things that just didn't sit with me. Not enough suspense for a book billed as suspense, the fry pan in the face with the sex talk that would make Dr. Ruth blush. F bombs not included.
Just because your paranoid doesn't mean nobody's after you. F bombs and highly sexualized content. Childhood is a template for all that comes later
*****For those of you with reading comprehension problems (all snark intended) go back and actually read my review. I never said there was graphic sex AT ALL. I said highly sexual content and sex talk. Where I come from standing on the sidewalk talking about which one of the male neighbors has a tongue that can make you quiver is SEX TALK. Next! ******
Parts were incredibly uncomfortable (again not a prude) but because I was not expecting it. You will accidentally stumble down the rabbit hole and not see it coming. I slapped my forehead for my lack of seeing the foreshadowing of things to come.
Those who dislike f bombs will really need a pass on this. Yes, there are some but to me they pale in comparison to some of the frank talk in the book. (and by frank I mean talk that I would never in a million years utter out of my lips in front of anyone-maybe I'm a secret prude) I continued reading the book but feel it needs a warning to those who will feel gut punched and suckered by not knowing what they are getting into.
OK, now you know what to expect. But what about the book???? A great deal of hand wringing and self doubt. Like A LOT. Too much. After half way through I was sick of hearing about how our heroine Kat felt. Her internal dialogue is churning, churning and churning. My favorite anxiety quote: "It's ok if Doug (husband here) pities me, just a little, but if he knew everything, he'd be ddisgusted. And I couldn't live with that."
How about a quote from the meat of the suspense: "Just because your paranoid doesn't mean nobody's after you."
But really there was not ENOUGH suspense or at least I was too preoccupied by all the overpowering emotion baggage from Kat.
This is Stepford Wives in a Trans-Urban twist. In Dec of 2016 a book titled The Missing by Caroline Eriksson was one of the Kindle Firsts for the month. I disliked that book because the suspense was bogged down in all the over wrought hand wringing self doubt that killed the book for me from getting anywhere and sadly it is shades of that for me here.
The book will be loved by those who can overlook some of the things that just didn't sit with me. Not enough suspense for a book billed as suspense, the fry pan in the face with the sex talk that would make Dr. Ruth blush. F bombs not included.
Just because your paranoid doesn't mean nobody's after you. F bombs and highly sexualized content. Childhood is a template for all that comes later
*****For those of you with reading comprehension problems (all snark intended) go back and actually read my review. I never said there was graphic sex AT ALL. I said highly sexual content and sex talk. Where I come from standing on the sidewalk talking about which one of the male neighbors has a tongue that can make you quiver is SEX TALK. Next! ******
February 2, 2018
Far fetched & awkward
I hate to write negative reviews but this was just a ridiculous and unbelievable plot, with terrible, one-dimensional characters and nothing redeeming.
I hate to write negative reviews but this was just a ridiculous and unbelievable plot, with terrible, one-dimensional characters and nothing redeeming.
February 17, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Kat and Doug have moved into a new neighborhood called Aurora Village. It is certainly a dream come true, even if it cost them every penny they had. From a threatening note found outside their door to deep, rather disturbing secrets, Kat instantly becomes extremely worried. Also, they are the new parents of Sadie and this brings on challenges of its own, including the distance that has developed between Kat and Doug. More than one thing is off-kilter.
Between meeting the neighbors at a block party in their honor, and Kat's and Doug's time with nights' out with their neighbors, secrets begin to surface. All the while notes continue to appear and they progressively become more sinister. Unfortunately, things move beyond the notes, making them, especially, Kat very uncomfortable, if not rather terrified.
Personally, I am an avid user of spreadsheets in my everyday reviewing life. Well, spreadsheets have a major role in this story. A lot of neighborhoods have associations, well, this one tests the extremes of neighborly love. What will Kat and Doug do? No doubt my shock and surprise paled in comparison to what they must've thought.
That is the first half of the story. What happens thereafter in Neighborly is equivalent to a sharp right turn on a curvy road. The story shifts directions and touches on many issues, including Kat's childhood trauma. Not only that the person behind the notes steps up and that scenario is detailed through another perspective. The danger Kat faces is suddenly life-threatening.
How did I read this book in one sitting when I couldn't stand Kat? Granted she had a lot on her plate, but as this story was mostly old in her first-person perspective, readers got to get inside of her head. This left me just a bit nonplussed. But, the author certainly knows how to develop a finely-tuned balance. The story is full of twists and turns, no doubt about that. The conclusion, though...wow! Ellie Monago definitely has a knack for telling stories. As I just read her second book, Confidential, All I can say is that I am duly impressed.
Kat and Doug have moved into a new neighborhood called Aurora Village. It is certainly a dream come true, even if it cost them every penny they had. From a threatening note found outside their door to deep, rather disturbing secrets, Kat instantly becomes extremely worried. Also, they are the new parents of Sadie and this brings on challenges of its own, including the distance that has developed between Kat and Doug. More than one thing is off-kilter.
Between meeting the neighbors at a block party in their honor, and Kat's and Doug's time with nights' out with their neighbors, secrets begin to surface. All the while notes continue to appear and they progressively become more sinister. Unfortunately, things move beyond the notes, making them, especially, Kat very uncomfortable, if not rather terrified.
Personally, I am an avid user of spreadsheets in my everyday reviewing life. Well, spreadsheets have a major role in this story. A lot of neighborhoods have associations, well, this one tests the extremes of neighborly love. What will Kat and Doug do? No doubt my shock and surprise paled in comparison to what they must've thought.
That is the first half of the story. What happens thereafter in Neighborly is equivalent to a sharp right turn on a curvy road. The story shifts directions and touches on many issues, including Kat's childhood trauma. Not only that the person behind the notes steps up and that scenario is detailed through another perspective. The danger Kat faces is suddenly life-threatening.
How did I read this book in one sitting when I couldn't stand Kat? Granted she had a lot on her plate, but as this story was mostly old in her first-person perspective, readers got to get inside of her head. This left me just a bit nonplussed. But, the author certainly knows how to develop a finely-tuned balance. The story is full of twists and turns, no doubt about that. The conclusion, though...wow! Ellie Monago definitely has a knack for telling stories. As I just read her second book, Confidential, All I can say is that I am duly impressed.
February 5, 2018
You can tell this book was written by someone with a background in psychology. It felt like someone did a psychoanalysis on a lifetime movie and this book was the end result.
That’s not exactly a critique; was interesting to an extent. I also thought the anguish Kat felt as a new mother felt very real. I don’t have kids by choice and a lot of the fears revealed by Kat are major reasons as to why. I did get a little tired of Kat’s insecurities being hashed over and over and over and over.... you kind of get why, as you learn more about her past. But at some point she just becomes this weepy, needy nuisance.
The whole neighborhood of swingers thing was predictable but I think it was supposed to be. It was cheesy, in ways, but kind of interesting thanks to the extra dialogue that reflected the psychoanalysis I mentioned earlier. I could never do spouse sharing but this book subtly made cases for or against it, that made it feel a little less smutty.
It had the typical element of mystery/thriller as to who was targeting Kat and why. Unfortunately, all was revealed (and resolved) too fast and too conveniently, which really ruined it for me. The least believable part was how quickly June/Ellen let go of her grudge, all things considered.
I wish the book had done a better job of fleshing out Kat and Ellen’s childhood friendship. I didn’t care that they reconciled or not because I didn’t have any insight to their history.
All in all, I’m glad I didn’t pay for it but can’t say I regret reading it. It wasn’t exactly good but it took me out of my comfort zone.
Literal LOL at the negative reviews based solely on the fact that this story involves swinging, though. Jesus Fucking Christ.
That’s not exactly a critique; was interesting to an extent. I also thought the anguish Kat felt as a new mother felt very real. I don’t have kids by choice and a lot of the fears revealed by Kat are major reasons as to why. I did get a little tired of Kat’s insecurities being hashed over and over and over and over.... you kind of get why, as you learn more about her past. But at some point she just becomes this weepy, needy nuisance.
The whole neighborhood of swingers thing was predictable but I think it was supposed to be. It was cheesy, in ways, but kind of interesting thanks to the extra dialogue that reflected the psychoanalysis I mentioned earlier. I could never do spouse sharing but this book subtly made cases for or against it, that made it feel a little less smutty.
It had the typical element of mystery/thriller as to who was targeting Kat and why. Unfortunately, all was revealed (and resolved) too fast and too conveniently, which really ruined it for me. The least believable part was how quickly June/Ellen let go of her grudge, all things considered.
I wish the book had done a better job of fleshing out Kat and Ellen’s childhood friendship. I didn’t care that they reconciled or not because I didn’t have any insight to their history.
All in all, I’m glad I didn’t pay for it but can’t say I regret reading it. It wasn’t exactly good but it took me out of my comfort zone.
Literal LOL at the negative reviews based solely on the fact that this story involves swinging, though. Jesus Fucking Christ.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2018
Disappointing Read
I can see why this writer chose a pen name.
I'm not a fan...the narrator was unlikable and the plot wasn't believable.
Also, PSA since the main character did NOT stop bringing it up...you can have a damn glass of wine when you're breastfeeding. My. God.
Disclaimer, I hated this book.
I can see why this writer chose a pen name.
I'm not a fan...the narrator was unlikable and the plot wasn't believable.
Also, PSA since the main character did NOT stop bringing it up...you can have a damn glass of wine when you're breastfeeding. My. God.
Disclaimer, I hated this book.
April 17, 2018
Warning: long review!
This read started well for me, I got through the first 45% really quickly. It’s a pretty generic story but it was fast paced and due to the mass amount of characters, I didn’t have any idea who could have been the mischievous note-leaver.
Then we get to 45%, and the story gets weird… I don’t always mind a strange plot change, but this one was bad. It comes all at once (hahahahaha THAT’S a pun) and out of nowhere. It’s really left-field and instantly halted my reading. The appeal of finding out who was ‘stalking’ Kat all but vanished. Not to mention, it didn’t even need to be part of the book for the rest of story to make sense. There was definitely an easier, and less unbelievable, way for the author to fulfill her ideas about the end of the book.
Characters in this book are dislikable… actually I’d go so far as to say detestable. Kat, our main character, is a new mum, has moved with her husband into a new house and village, and is desperate to escape her past. She wants to make new friends and move on with her life and her perfect little family. Super cliche, but sounds likable, right?
Wrong. Kat is the most needy and self-pitying character I’ve ever come across. She’s pathetic and got on my nerves within a couple of chapters. The thing that annoyed me most was her embarrassment at her baby crying. Unless time was moving super quickly in the book without me realising, Sadie (the child) would begin to cry (as babies do) and within 3 minutes Kat would be saying “I’m such a bad mom!! I don’t know my baby!!” and then next thing you know she’s accusing Sadie of not appreciating how hard she works to please her! …It’s a baby! However, there are moments in the story where I felt a pang of sympathy for her, and for that reason she isn’t the least likable character in the whole book.
On the other hand, Doug, the husband, is totally dislikable from page one. So often in these ‘throwaway thrillers’ (I’m going to copyright that phrase) the husband is an arse, even if he doesn’t end up being the bad guy (and I’m not saying he is or isn’t in this, I’m just saying that as a example). Doug is a spiteful, grudge-holding idiot who has no respect for his wife and he irritated the heck out of me.
As for side characters, there’s about 3 million. To be honest, they all merged into one in my head and I couldn’t actually remember who was who whenever a name popped up, apart from Andie, who had a bit more of a developed story than the rest of them.
As mentioned before, this really is one of those ‘throwaway thrillers’, I can assure you I will have forgotten the story or the characters within a few months, even though I semi-enjoyed it while reading. The plot for this one is nothing unique but it is quite gripping at times and I did enjoy the guessing game of who the baddie was going to be. I had my suspicions about parts of the plot which ended up being correct, but at no point did I have any clue who was leaving the notes… until the chapters begin changing POV. Monago continues to keep the identity of the person undercover, but it becomes really easy to work out who they are, and so even that last reveal becomes dulled by the long drawn out process of officially finding out who they are.
I will say that the writing in this book is alright. It’s not the greatest but it did well to keep me interested. It’s just a shame that the story that went along with it couldn’t keep up with the quality.
Overall, I tolerated this novel. If I could give it a half star, I would drop this to a 2.5 star rating. I would still check out another book by the author though, as I think her writing has good potential! Plus, the cover is super effective and draws you in – well done to the artist on that!
This read started well for me, I got through the first 45% really quickly. It’s a pretty generic story but it was fast paced and due to the mass amount of characters, I didn’t have any idea who could have been the mischievous note-leaver.
Then we get to 45%, and the story gets weird… I don’t always mind a strange plot change, but this one was bad. It comes all at once (hahahahaha THAT’S a pun) and out of nowhere. It’s really left-field and instantly halted my reading. The appeal of finding out who was ‘stalking’ Kat all but vanished. Not to mention, it didn’t even need to be part of the book for the rest of story to make sense. There was definitely an easier, and less unbelievable, way for the author to fulfill her ideas about the end of the book.
Characters in this book are dislikable… actually I’d go so far as to say detestable. Kat, our main character, is a new mum, has moved with her husband into a new house and village, and is desperate to escape her past. She wants to make new friends and move on with her life and her perfect little family. Super cliche, but sounds likable, right?
Wrong. Kat is the most needy and self-pitying character I’ve ever come across. She’s pathetic and got on my nerves within a couple of chapters. The thing that annoyed me most was her embarrassment at her baby crying. Unless time was moving super quickly in the book without me realising, Sadie (the child) would begin to cry (as babies do) and within 3 minutes Kat would be saying “I’m such a bad mom!! I don’t know my baby!!” and then next thing you know she’s accusing Sadie of not appreciating how hard she works to please her! …It’s a baby! However, there are moments in the story where I felt a pang of sympathy for her, and for that reason she isn’t the least likable character in the whole book.
On the other hand, Doug, the husband, is totally dislikable from page one. So often in these ‘throwaway thrillers’ (I’m going to copyright that phrase) the husband is an arse, even if he doesn’t end up being the bad guy (and I’m not saying he is or isn’t in this, I’m just saying that as a example). Doug is a spiteful, grudge-holding idiot who has no respect for his wife and he irritated the heck out of me.
As for side characters, there’s about 3 million. To be honest, they all merged into one in my head and I couldn’t actually remember who was who whenever a name popped up, apart from Andie, who had a bit more of a developed story than the rest of them.
As mentioned before, this really is one of those ‘throwaway thrillers’, I can assure you I will have forgotten the story or the characters within a few months, even though I semi-enjoyed it while reading. The plot for this one is nothing unique but it is quite gripping at times and I did enjoy the guessing game of who the baddie was going to be. I had my suspicions about parts of the plot which ended up being correct, but at no point did I have any clue who was leaving the notes… until the chapters begin changing POV. Monago continues to keep the identity of the person undercover, but it becomes really easy to work out who they are, and so even that last reveal becomes dulled by the long drawn out process of officially finding out who they are.
I will say that the writing in this book is alright. It’s not the greatest but it did well to keep me interested. It’s just a shame that the story that went along with it couldn’t keep up with the quality.
Overall, I tolerated this novel. If I could give it a half star, I would drop this to a 2.5 star rating. I would still check out another book by the author though, as I think her writing has good potential! Plus, the cover is super effective and draws you in – well done to the artist on that!
February 5, 2018
I had to force myself to finish this book. The first half was not interesting at all. The second half got better but it just wasn't my cup of tea. About a community that shares each others spouse. It just didn't have interesting content to me. The main character was a total bore with all her complaints. It just went on and on with her.
March 23, 2018
Started off really well, but I was disappointed with the rushed ending. The issues are resolved so quickly and in such an unbelievable manner, it spoilt the rest of the book for me. Still, this kept me attentive and entertained throughout although the female main character was irritating (what is it with all these whinging and whining female protagonists at the moment? I just keep coming across them all the time at the moment.)
The neighbors could have done with some more character development, I had problems keeping some of the characters straight and remembering the individual couples correctly. If topics such as open marriages/partner swapping offend you, you may want to miss this one, as several reviewers seem to have been put off by some of the content.
Overall, an easy, quick listen and the two narrators were very good.
The neighbors could have done with some more character development, I had problems keeping some of the characters straight and remembering the individual couples correctly. If topics such as open marriages/partner swapping offend you, you may want to miss this one, as several reviewers seem to have been put off by some of the content.
Overall, an easy, quick listen and the two narrators were very good.
March 6, 2018
This was ok to start, but BOY did it spiral down into a ridiculous mess of nonsensical absurdity. I recommend you skip it.
March 9, 2018
It started off pretty good. It interested me at first and then it got weird, in my opinion. I think it was supposed to be different and weird, though it wasn’t my cup of tea. I think there was a moral or something in there. There were loads of secrets and lies but a lot of, uh openness about things as well. Had these ppl all just talked about this stuff earlier this whole thing ... mountain out of a mole hill situation.
The end was just “off” to me and entirely too convenient. 2.5 rounded up
The end was just “off” to me and entirely too convenient. 2.5 rounded up
December 18, 2018
DRAMA, Drama, Drama! It makes me appreciate moving from suburbia to the country even more; where my closest neighbors have four legs, don't talk and always mind their own business.
March 6, 2018
DNF'd at 35%. Terrible book, boring characters, almost no plot, nothing to keep the reader engaged.
February 9, 2018
I wanted to like it but....
First of all, too repetitive. Same thoughts over and over from the narrator about her family, problems, love for them, her deep psychological understanding of people and events. The story got sillier and more unrealistic as it went on. Pedophilia, open marriage, murder, threats, poisoning, and this all on ONE block in the most desirable neighborhood in the city. One additional detail thrown in was that our narrator lives in the teeniest home on the block named, Crayola, because the rooms were painted in primary colors. Very cute. All the rest of the homes seem to be richly decorated mansions. Why they lived in the Tom Thumb house is another part of this whacky story. Enough is enough is enough.
If the people who read this book like all this nonsense, I can only say that opinions of books are very subjective. It's also very difficult to write a really suspenseful book with great twists that are shocking but also plausible. No wonder my favorite genre is historical fiction. At least the authors have some truths to base their stories on that root them to the ground before they let their imaginations take them on a flying carpet to Never-Never Land.
First of all, too repetitive. Same thoughts over and over from the narrator about her family, problems, love for them, her deep psychological understanding of people and events. The story got sillier and more unrealistic as it went on. Pedophilia, open marriage, murder, threats, poisoning, and this all on ONE block in the most desirable neighborhood in the city. One additional detail thrown in was that our narrator lives in the teeniest home on the block named, Crayola, because the rooms were painted in primary colors. Very cute. All the rest of the homes seem to be richly decorated mansions. Why they lived in the Tom Thumb house is another part of this whacky story. Enough is enough is enough.
If the people who read this book like all this nonsense, I can only say that opinions of books are very subjective. It's also very difficult to write a really suspenseful book with great twists that are shocking but also plausible. No wonder my favorite genre is historical fiction. At least the authors have some truths to base their stories on that root them to the ground before they let their imaginations take them on a flying carpet to Never-Never Land.
June 23, 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Oh, Neighborly, how I adore thee!! *insert gratified sigh*
Seriously, big smooches to the author Ellie Monago for sharing this magic with the world! 😘
So Kat and Doug are super excited to move into the coveted neighborhood of Aurora Village, AKA the AV. What they don’t know is in the AV lies something sinister behind that Stepford facade and all of the gushy, ‘be my bff’ ‘no, be MY bff’ goodness. So who is behind the notes and threats and will they find out and disclose Kat’s secret??
Kat is ...my soul mate, my spirit animal, my bookish BFF, if you will. I wanted to highlight her every thought and hug her through the pages. Her paranoia, mistrust, need for order and control, yearning for love and affection... it’s all justified and it made her very real and human. Her past walks along side her every day in secret shame and she’s terrified someone will discover it. Ok, so I love her.
There are many likable characters and different personalities coexisting in Neighborly but they are very easy to keep track of as the character development by Ms. Monago was insanely amazing. There wasn’t a single one I disliked.
Snarky? Check. Bitchy? Check. Sweet? Check. Delightfully evil? Check check!
The whole book kept me on the edge of my seat! I love the idea of back stabbing suburbanites! (Or should I say ‘transurban’, Regina?)
Neighborly is a quick moving thriller with a satisfying and unexpected ending! I either need a second book (trilogy? 🙏) or I need to move to the AV! I would highly recommend it to anyone enjoying domestic noir and psychological thrillers.
Ps The audio narrators were outstanding! (I love a good whispersync read!)
Oh, Neighborly, how I adore thee!! *insert gratified sigh*
Seriously, big smooches to the author Ellie Monago for sharing this magic with the world! 😘
So Kat and Doug are super excited to move into the coveted neighborhood of Aurora Village, AKA the AV. What they don’t know is in the AV lies something sinister behind that Stepford facade and all of the gushy, ‘be my bff’ ‘no, be MY bff’ goodness. So who is behind the notes and threats and will they find out and disclose Kat’s secret??
Kat is ...my soul mate, my spirit animal, my bookish BFF, if you will. I wanted to highlight her every thought and hug her through the pages. Her paranoia, mistrust, need for order and control, yearning for love and affection... it’s all justified and it made her very real and human. Her past walks along side her every day in secret shame and she’s terrified someone will discover it. Ok, so I love her.
There are many likable characters and different personalities coexisting in Neighborly but they are very easy to keep track of as the character development by Ms. Monago was insanely amazing. There wasn’t a single one I disliked.
Snarky? Check. Bitchy? Check. Sweet? Check. Delightfully evil? Check check!
The whole book kept me on the edge of my seat! I love the idea of back stabbing suburbanites! (Or should I say ‘transurban’, Regina?)
Neighborly is a quick moving thriller with a satisfying and unexpected ending! I either need a second book (trilogy? 🙏) or I need to move to the AV! I would highly recommend it to anyone enjoying domestic noir and psychological thrillers.
Ps The audio narrators were outstanding! (I love a good whispersync read!)
February 3, 2018
This was a Kindle First Reads book, and I was excited to read it based on the synopsis. Everything in this book could have been wrapped up in a short story.
Kat and Doug put everything they have into buying a house in the most coveted neighborhood. Everything is seemingly perfect, just the kind of life Kat dreamed of providing for their picture perfect daughter. Then threatening messages start arriving, and Kat starts becoming paranoid. She has a dark secret past that she’s never revealed to her spoiled rich kid husband. He starts acting like a prick and their marriage is on the rocks. The neighborhood is a total swinger’s colony, and Kat is completely insecure, while Doug seems to be contemplating his options. Then someone in the neighborhood poisons their daughter with a bacteriavirus (the author is not sure what her selected organism actually is—a bacterium). More paranoid drama ensues, resulting in a shootout at the end. Kat goes home to Doug and they agree to work on their marriage. The End.
If this had been written for a creative writing class in college, I would give the undergrad a B+ to keep encouraging them to refine their skills. I am very glad I didn’t pay money for this book.
Kat and Doug put everything they have into buying a house in the most coveted neighborhood. Everything is seemingly perfect, just the kind of life Kat dreamed of providing for their picture perfect daughter. Then threatening messages start arriving, and Kat starts becoming paranoid. She has a dark secret past that she’s never revealed to her spoiled rich kid husband. He starts acting like a prick and their marriage is on the rocks. The neighborhood is a total swinger’s colony, and Kat is completely insecure, while Doug seems to be contemplating his options. Then someone in the neighborhood poisons their daughter with a bacteriavirus (the author is not sure what her selected organism actually is—a bacterium). More paranoid drama ensues, resulting in a shootout at the end. Kat goes home to Doug and they agree to work on their marriage. The End.
If this had been written for a creative writing class in college, I would give the undergrad a B+ to keep encouraging them to refine their skills. I am very glad I didn’t pay money for this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 2, 2018I stopped reading 36% of the way in. On nearly every page, the narrator consistently mentioned feeling out of place, not being good enough, and generally denigrating herself. It was exhausting - pages full of self-doubt, not feeling good enough for her husband, who was better, more handsome, kinder, etc.
I hadn't read any reviews before starting this book, but other readers commented on the f-bombs and explicit sex scenes, so I'm stopping now.
I hadn't read any reviews before starting this book, but other readers commented on the f-bombs and explicit sex scenes, so I'm stopping now.
May 1, 2018
Ugggghhhh , skipped read most of this book just because I try to finish everything I start .
I found the writing simplistic and cheesy ,the characters unremarkable and the plot farcical .
I found the writing simplistic and cheesy ,the characters unremarkable and the plot farcical .
April 11, 2019
numbing-ly.
June 5, 2018
This was a strange book. It isn't really the mystery as much as it is a 'thriller' but it is rather banal thriller. The story has an unreliable narrator, this wasn't a term I was aware of until I started watching Westworld. The problem I had with the book is the main character Kat is really unlikeable but since she is a victim you feel bad for not liking her. she is a thirty something woman struggling with her temporary stay at home mom role in her home in a exclusive neighborhood.
One of the reasons I didn't like her was that she refused to assemble flat pack furniture. It isn't hard FFS. She doesn't have any disability that prevents her from doing it and it was a stupid thing to put between a husband and wife. If I had to depend on a man to build flat pack furniture I would kill myself.
And I was really just bored with the book.
One of the reasons I didn't like her was that she refused to assemble flat pack furniture. It isn't hard FFS. She doesn't have any disability that prevents her from doing it and it was a stupid thing to put between a husband and wife. If I had to depend on a man to build flat pack furniture I would kill myself.
And I was really just bored with the book.
November 8, 2018
3.5 stars
December 31, 2018
In a neighborhood that just recently finished reading Fifty Shades of Grey and then discovered fetlife and google sheets, one woman must confront her past and being a new mother and postpartum depression and moving into a tiny house and fitting into the perfect neighborhood, all while learning how social media works.
Fortunately her husaband with the Zoey Daschnell* smile is there to sort of support her while mostly just being an adolescent man-baby who needs attention, what with the wife being so distracted by the other things and gross baby stuff. Also, this ruggedly masculine but still charming man with Urban Outfitter good looks has to be pressured to do anything and will whine like an child whenever asked to contribute. Other than that, totally supportive and worth fighting for!
A story with so many twists and turns, and turns and twists, and then a real bender, and character perspectives and sudden format changes and herring so red even Agatha Christie would be jealous that it is almost exactly like reading a mystery novel. And in case you missed that at one point the author tells you that many Agatha Christie novels have, in fact, been read and this is just like that.
So, if all that sounds like an excellent good time to you, read on...
*I wish I was making that up, but this is an actual description from the first few pages of the book and my eyes rolled so hard they practically went right out a plane window.
Fortunately her husaband with the Zoey Daschnell* smile is there to sort of support her while mostly just being an adolescent man-baby who needs attention, what with the wife being so distracted by the other things and gross baby stuff. Also, this ruggedly masculine but still charming man with Urban Outfitter good looks has to be pressured to do anything and will whine like an child whenever asked to contribute. Other than that, totally supportive and worth fighting for!
A story with so many twists and turns, and turns and twists, and then a real bender, and character perspectives and sudden format changes and herring so red even Agatha Christie would be jealous that it is almost exactly like reading a mystery novel. And in case you missed that at one point the author tells you that many Agatha Christie novels have, in fact, been read and this is just like that.
So, if all that sounds like an excellent good time to you, read on...
*I wish I was making that up, but this is an actual description from the first few pages of the book and my eyes rolled so hard they practically went right out a plane window.
February 6, 2018
Got this as a Kindle First as the synopsis sounded interesting as a creepy thriller.
Kat and Doug have used literally all their money to buy a house in the "perfect" neighbourhood and basically, right from the outset, things are not as perfect as they seem. There's something odd about the street and the inhabitants but this idea initially comes from Kat who isn't the most reliable of sources.
The issue is that none of the characters are properly developed, and that could even be said of the main protagonists. We know nothing really about any of the neighbours beyond a snapshot, we learn next to nothing about Doug and Kat comes over as more neurotic than sympathetic a lot of the time, so as a reader I wasn't much invested in the outcome by the time it was all over.
The resolution was also very neat and tidy: it took a couple of pages to tie everything up in a nice neat package. Bad guy gets caught, small twist at who is the real bad guy, bad guy gets dealt with. Kat and Doug are working on their marriage and everyone is in therapy. The End.
The reviews I had read before picking this book up were tentative but ultimately I have to side with more with the lower end of the review scale. I think this could have been a good book but it's not really fully formed.
Kat and Doug have used literally all their money to buy a house in the "perfect" neighbourhood and basically, right from the outset, things are not as perfect as they seem. There's something odd about the street and the inhabitants but this idea initially comes from Kat who isn't the most reliable of sources.
The issue is that none of the characters are properly developed, and that could even be said of the main protagonists. We know nothing really about any of the neighbours beyond a snapshot, we learn next to nothing about Doug and Kat comes over as more neurotic than sympathetic a lot of the time, so as a reader I wasn't much invested in the outcome by the time it was all over.
The resolution was also very neat and tidy: it took a couple of pages to tie everything up in a nice neat package. Bad guy gets caught, small twist at who is the real bad guy, bad guy gets dealt with. Kat and Doug are working on their marriage and everyone is in therapy. The End.
The reviews I had read before picking this book up were tentative but ultimately I have to side with more with the lower end of the review scale. I think this could have been a good book but it's not really fully formed.
January 17, 2019
I gobbled this up like a starving animal. I could not put it down and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it, trying to figure out all the secrets and mysteries. This story is packed with thrill and mystery, it moves from one to the next with barely a breather in between. Definitely thriller of the year. A must read. Satisfying with real, multifaceted characters that invoke strong emotions, both good and bad.
February 4, 2018
This is a prime first reads book.. I couldn't put it down.. It's a first rate thriller with a satisfying ending.
May 5, 2018
The perfect amount of neighborly drama I was looking for!
October 5, 2022
Interesting and creepy good! Doug, Kat, and baby Sadie have just moved into a new neighborhood and are given a welcoming party by all the neighbors. They are thrilled and think this will be a great place to live. All of the residents seem happy and take such an interest in each other's lives--even a "girls night out" which Kat is invited to and is glad to be included in this elite group, until they mention the Spreadsheet! But there is so much more than meets the eye and I had to take notes to keep track of all the great twists and turns!
February 19, 2019
Oddly enough I was really hooked on this book until the end when everything all came together.
Neighborly follows Kat and Doug and their new baby, Sadie, as they move into a seemingly idyllic neighborhood full of interesting characters. This main premise - along with the promise of a murder - is what initially hooked me. The drama leading up to big reveal was just that, dramatic. It kept me on my edge trying to figure out who was responsible and piecing together Kat's background.
But then the big reveal happened. Whomp Whomp. It felt too dramatic, too perfect and too over-the-top. I don't believe it had to end with murder. I don't believe the person killed was really all that bad, given how she was portrayed in the rest of the book. Taking her out of the big reveal completely would have felt much more natural to me.
But alas, I was not consulted on this one. I would still give this one 4 stars as it was a really enjoyable read. Just felt like the ending needed more work.
Neighborly follows Kat and Doug and their new baby, Sadie, as they move into a seemingly idyllic neighborhood full of interesting characters. This main premise - along with the promise of a murder - is what initially hooked me. The drama leading up to big reveal was just that, dramatic. It kept me on my edge trying to figure out who was responsible and piecing together Kat's background.
But then the big reveal happened. Whomp Whomp. It felt too dramatic, too perfect and too over-the-top. I don't believe it had to end with murder. I don't believe the person killed was really all that bad, given how she was portrayed in the rest of the book. Taking her out of the big reveal completely would have felt much more natural to me.
But alas, I was not consulted on this one. I would still give this one 4 stars as it was a really enjoyable read. Just felt like the ending needed more work.
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