One House Over

The Neighbors #1

by Mary Monroe, Kentra Lynn (Narrator), James Shippy (Narrator)

New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe returns to the 1930s era of her acclaimed novel The Upper Room with a dazzling portrait of two very different couples whose friendship and fast times are no match for shattering betrayal . . .

A solid marriage, a thriving business, and the esteem of their close-knit Alabama community--Joyce and Odell Watson have every reason to count their blessings. Their marriage has given well-off Joyce a chance at the family she's always wanted--and granted Odell a once-in-a-lifetime shot to escape grinding poverty. But all that respectability and status comes at a cost. Just once, Joyce and Odell want to break loose and taste life's wild side, without consequences . . .

When their new neighbors turn out to be high-steppin' bootleggers Milton and Yvonne Hamilton, the Watsons plunge headlong into good times and fast living. For Joyce, Yvonne is someone she can show off too--and look down on. And Odell won't introduce crude, unsophisticated Milton to his friends--but is happy to let Milton ply him with free booze and good times. Milton hates being slighted and disrespected and he's determined to do something about it . . .

When Milton inadvertently discovers Odell's scandalous double life with a long-term mistress, he decides this is the perfect chance to wreck the Watsons' perfect world . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, African American, Adult Fiction, Drama, Romance

Audible Audio

Published March 27, 2018

About the author

I am the third child of Alabama sharecroppers and the first and only member of my family to finish high school. I never attended college or any writing classes. I taught myself how to write and started writing short stories around age four. I spent the first part of my life in Alabama and Ohio and moved to Richmond, California in 1973. I have lived in Oakland since 1984.

My first novel THE UPPER ROOM was published by St. Martin's Press in 1985 and was widely reviewed throughout the U.S. and in Great Britain. An excerpt is included in Terry McMillan's anthology BREAKING ICE. I endured fifteen years and hundreds of more rejection letters before I landed a contract for my second novel, GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. It was published in October 2000 by Kensington Books. GOD DON'T PLAY is my seventh novel to be published, and it landed me a spot on the prestigious New York Times Bestsellers list for the first time! My eighth novel, "BORROW TROUBLE," was released December 2006. My ninth novel, DELIVER ME FROM EVIL, was released September 2007 and my tenth novel, SHE HAD IT COMING, was released in September 2008, and my eleventh novel THE COMPANY WE KEEP, will be released March 2009.

I won the Oakland Pen Award for Best Fiction of the Year in 2001 for GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. I won the Best Southern Author Award for GONNA LAY DOWN MY BURDENS, in 2004.

I am divorced, I love to travel, I love to mingle with other authors, and I love to read anything by Ernest Gaines, Stephen King, Alice Walker, and James Patterson. I still write seven days a week and I get most of my ideas from current events, the people around me, but most of my material is autobiographical.

Reviews

[Patrice Hoffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where should I begin with One House Over by Mary Monroe? Based on the star rating I've given, there's obviously somewhere to start... It's just whether it should be with the good or the bad.

So let's just start at the beginning...

Once upon a time there was a woman named Patrice, who longed to read Mary Monroe's work. After reading and hearing how stellar her work is in God Don't Like Ugly and the series that follow, Patrice was ecstatic to see she'd been approved for Monroe's latest through Netgalley. What could be a better way of rounding out Black History month with a period piece about a prosperous black couple who have everything going for them during the 1930s when the depression was ripping at the core of the country? These two, O'dell and Joyce seemingly not phased by the hard times, financially at least, managed to remain pillars in their community with a romance that seems as stable as their bank accounts.

One House Over was exactly what Patrice was looking for... until it wasn't.

That's where I leave the fairytale behind as well as the 3rd-person because this is about to get real.

So...

We're introduced to Joyce first in One House Over who is educated and works as a teachers aide in a school for colored children. She lives with her parents who are the proud owners of a colored grocery store. Because they had her late in life, Millie and Mac often pressure Joyce with getting hitched. Yet, they can't help reminding her in the same breath of how homely she is and she shouldn't be too picky. I mean really...

The references to Joyce being unattractive just becomes too much after a while. I mean EVERY character makes sure to never let Joyce, Odell (her husband), or the reader forget that she's not pretty and could possibly look like a devil spawn.

Wait!!!! Don't get me started on Odell.

Odell initially describes his self as a hustler from the beginning. While he's employed as a stock boy for Joyce's parents, Mac and Millie, he meets Joyce. He woes her and you know... the rest is history.

But not really... that's when the story really begins.

I feel that One House Over is riddled with mines that could blow any efforts I have of remaining spoiler free in this review so I will tread carefully. What I was hoping for was a good period piece, great writing, mixed in with a juicy story line. Instead I got a host of characters I could not hate more... and I mean EVERY SINGLE character was shit. To top off those shitty characters, the story line was fattened with drama or unsavory characters in an effort to make the plot seem thicker, more dense, then it really was.

AND what sucks the most for me, and hurts my heart to say, is that I actually hated the writing. Monroe is a seasoned author so I had high expectations for her. It's not fair to be this thin with your fans. It's not fair to shut out potential new fans such as myself. There were so many missed opportunities to make One House Over rich and a worthwhile read. Instead we get the cliched handsome man meets troll woman. They live a happy life until they don't. Then enter a sleazy, bootlegging couple that can knock them off their high-horse and... what a high-arrogant horse it is. And instead of me rooting for anyone to come out on top, I was secretly hoping for the demise of every single person encountered in this book.

Odell is either bipolar or Monroe is not sure if she wants him to be seen as a villain or devoted husband. That was frustrating enough...

LET ME STOP HERE. My review is turning into a rant that has no direction, similarly to One House Over.

I'll end by saying... I was definitely not happy with Mary Monroe's latest. Maybe I set the bar too high. Maybe I'm the problem. Maybe I'm the glass house, one over throwing rocks when I really shouldn't be. Regardless, I appreciate the review copy and am still looking forward to reading the God Don't Like Ugly series. But one house over is seriously not enough space for me to get away from my disappointment in this book and the ones to follow in this series...

Copy provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley

[Danita Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very good read. I think O'Dell is a fool and I hope Joyce gets the life she deserves. I give this story 3 stars. Very good.

[Read In Colour · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very abrupt "to be continued" ending

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was thrilled when I saw this title on Netgalley. I had enjoyed her work in Breaking Ice and God Don't Like Ugly. So I thought I hit the jackpot when I got approved to review this title. To say the least I am disappointed. Not only did I not take to ANY of the characters but I found myself getting pissed off from the outset. Instead of highlighting passages that I loved I found myself writing notes about my frustration. So sad I really wanted to really like this one.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feverishly tore through this book to get to "the blow up" to be left hanging! I'm so mad right now.

Odell is is a foul manipulator.
Joyce is deliberately dumb, naive and low self esteemed.
Betty Jean knew what she was doing from the start. Her and her sister are foul.
The only person I have any empathy for is Yvonne and I think she is into some sneaky stuff too.
Milton is a gambling snake, but he's just doing what any desperate dum dum would do.

This is all a mess. An entertaining messy mess. I will be picking up Over The Fence soon.

I received an ARC from Kensington Books/Dafina via Netgalley

[Edie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the first Mary Monroe I picked up to read. She certainly seems to have captured the segregated worlds of the South.

However, any book that ends with To Be Continued is a true disappointment.

Wind it up; end it.

[JaVone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really rate this a 4.5. Goodreads, we are waiting on a half point system. Anywho, this was a good read from start to finish and I am anxiously awaiting the sequel as the story is not even close to being done. I'm foreseeing a wild ride coming soon.

[Keesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read every Mary Monroe book there is, I think. She is the type of author for me that if I see her name, I automatically get it. But this one had a slow start. I almost stopped reading it. But I am so glad I continued. It doesn't really get started good until after the marriage, which is half way through the book (almost the middle), making you think that the book's description is incorrect. Then it turned into more of a Kimberla Lawson Roby-type book, where you can't wait until the dog of a husband gets caught at his shenanigans. I didn't realize it was going to be a series until I logged in here to write a review and saw the #1 after the title. YAY! I definitely think the rest of the story needs to be told and I will be front and center. I laughed out loud at some parts, which is definitely characteristic of Mary Monroe. She is crazy!

[Amira Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I could accurately rate this book I think I need to read the second installment. This book ended so abruptly and in the middle of a story line, I’m still a little confused as to why?! The main characters are all over the place! Joyce is sad, naive and just plain gullible. Her parents are overbearing and just mean. Odell is greedy, self centered, and stupid to think that whatever he does in the dark will never come to light. And the new neighbors are a mess. They seem to have a shady past and by the looks of it a shady future as well. I am interested to see how the lives of these characters will continue on in book 2. I do hope the story becomes more interesting and not just predictable.

[Burgundy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book becausr2 of Mary Monroe's previous work. I tried to like this book. I really did. But it did not make sense. From tbe synopsis, it sounds like a great book but from what I read the synopsis doesn't even match the story. In this story we have the daughter Joyce who is in her late 30's unmarried and the way they described her in the book. shes the jolly green giant. Then theres Odell the hustler, the stockboy at her parent's store who they push off on her. Some of the things that happened in the book made no sense. Joyce had no sense. she was so naive. I can't even write a proper review without spoilers. This a book you read at your own risk.

[Dee Cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Good beginning to series. A great job was done introducing the characters and their situations. Storyline with mild drama that quickly picked up in the middle. At first, I liked Odell, but as the story continued his actions changed my mind. Odell and Joyce's next door neighbors were something else. Comical dialogue at times, especially between Joyce and Yvonne. I'm looking forward to reading next part to see how Odell handles his "situation"

[T.A. Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been awhile since I have read a Mary Monroe novel and I am glad I picked up, One House Over. It gave me a what is done in the dark vibe. You never know who is listening and or watching.

Joyce and Odell Watson are a newly married couple moving into their first home. After the older couple moves out next door a younger one takes their place. The Watson's are friendly and enjoy Milton and Yvonne’s company. Things seem to be going great, Odell gets a promotion at his in-law’s grocery store and Joyce is expecting their first child.

Odell takes a fishing trip that changes everything. He now must keep up appearances and even more so because someone knows what he did. Joyce has changed as well, because now she looks down on certain folks instead of paying attention to what is going on right under her nose.

This was a very refreshing contemporary story about marriage and manipulation. The connection between these two couples and what becomes of their friendship is the making of a good television show. I was captivated with these characters. I could not put this book down and will be reading the rest in this series. If you like a little drama and some anticipation, One House Over is for you.

[Chaundra · Rating 1 out of 5]

The synopsis drew me in and yet I found myself referring to it in confusion several times as I continued to read. I was more than half way through the book, wondering if the wrong book cover had been placed on the contents that I was reading-it wasn’t matching up at all. Finally I came to the portion that is referenced by the synopsis and then the author could not even provide an ending to her story! “To be continued”...capitalism at its finest-find a way to get the readers to buy more books! This is not the way to do it (unless,perhaps the story is that engaging). This story was not that engaging, although just interesting enough that I chose to at least finish reading. I was so disappointed to not find a true and satisfying ending. I certainly am not interested enough to pick up the sequel to find out how the author finally wraps things up!

[Monica **can't read fast enough** · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well. dang. This wasn't a very good story for me. I usually enjoy Mary Monroe much more than this. RTC

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[Shannan Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally had a chance to read this book because I had an ARC of book 2. It was an ok read. A little slow at time, but enjoyable. What I didn't really like about the book was the ending, because it just stopped

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up
Whew lawd this was a wild ride.
I did not know what to expect but I was sucked right in.
On to book 2🤷🏾‍♀️

[Dynah Zale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet endearing ole’ time novel

This was a good book. The characters were engaging and enlightening. Set in a country Alabama town. This is a lovely read for a lazy afternoon

[Candice Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[LoLo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well... in my opinion, this is not Mary's best. I was anticipating this read and was left unsatisfied. The ending was a big disappointment for me. It ended abruptly. I understand that this is the beginning of The Neighbors series, but I was hoping for a better ending than the one I got. I gave it a 3 (going up from a 2) because I love how the book is written in general. I love how well written the characters are, especially Joyce. Joyce was normal, not like many books I have come across lately where every character is described like a supermodel or a celebrity. That was truly refreshing.

Even though the book takes place during the Jim Crow era, there were times where I felt it was in current times. Throughout the book I was immediately reminded that it wasn't. Also to see African Americans doing well for themselves during that time was also a plus.
Odell was the worst. I couldn't stand him. The parents were beyond annoying throughout the book. One minute, they wanted one thing for Joyce and then the next minute they changed. Joyce's parents had me very confused during this read. They went extremely over the line at times with Joyce and I feel Joyce needed to stand up for herself more and be smarter about her surroundings.

I will most likely read the next book just to find out what happens. Hopefully it will be a lot better.

[Nandi Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1934 in Branson, Alabama. Joyce McPherson is the spinster daughter of older parents who want to see their 30 year old daughter married. When they hire Odell Watson to stock their grocery store, they hurry to let him meet Joyce. In Odell, Joyce see the answer to her prayers and In Joyce, Odell see marriage and stability, so with time, and a looming pregnancy, they marry. Married life in spite of things is good even though a Depression is going full speed but to black folks, stuff wasn't so hot before it either. But Joyce and Odell is happy until he gets caught up with this young thing who latch on to him when he shouldn't bringing on a heap of stuff he really don't need and on top of it, he gets a set of bootlegging neighbors, who seem to let them drink "on the house" and hang out. But, stuff takes on a turn when them neighbors keep being more than a neighbor. I have to say I tolerated the characters. Joyce is too dang naive, Odell too damn stupid, and their neighbors plain out messy and nosy. Joyce parents were looking out for Joyce, and though you were right to advise her to go with her husband when he goes driving out and about. Agree 100%, but sometimes you don't need to buy trouble either and trouble is what you put on your child. Look forward to the next installment.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, let me tell you what I liked about this book:
. The characters were well-written, engaging and each had their own personality.
. Joyce, the main female character, is easy to relate to. She is a complex mix of confident, desperate and naive. I really felt her emotions in this story.
. The book is an easy read that paints an interesting picture of the depression years in the deep South. I thought the historical context added to the tale.
What I didn't like about this book:
. Odell is the most sleazy person I have encountered in a book in a long time. He is a weak character that blames his problems on others. I really hated him.
. This has to be the most unsatisfying ending to the book that I can imagine. There is a great build-up and then the story ends with ... TO BE CONTINUED.
Basically, I think this is a well-written book that should have brought the story to a conclusion.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.

[Vanetia Singleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm..I’ve read several books by Mary Monroe and this left me quite disappointed.

I did not know whether to like Odell and Joyce or hate them. Odell was a manipulator and a liar. Joyce was too naïve to be true. Her relationship with her parents was just too much. They were very old and age and still very opinionated, and very much ruled her life. I think the only reason she married Odell was to be free from them. And she refuse to believe that their relationship could be anything other than pure love even when obvious things were right in her face.

I am going to read book 2 to only to find out what happens with Yvonne and Milton, the couple next door. And what happens with Betty Jean and her three children with Odell.

[Erin Tierney-Butler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter garbage. Love historical fiction but this story could have been set in any time period. The bootlegging references and a few other references to segregated stores and school are the only things that supported an historical fiction genre identification. I only kept reading in the hopes that this no good, two-timing, deceitful man would get found out. Can't believe there is a whole other book about how this guy lies and cheats and steals from good people who believe all his smooth talking. What a waste. Why would anyone pick up the second book in this series?

[Angelica Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion, this was not Ms. Monroe’s best work. But I liked it well enough to want to continue with the second book in the series. I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen to the people”one house over”! Now when will it be released?

[Dione Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Messy

This is a messy book. Joyce is Unreal. What Woman in their right man would allow her man to be away like that & not pop up? How could they take being Friends with Milton & Yvonne?? I am on to the next 2 books..Popcorn and A 🍸

[Veronica Harger]

Another good one.

Great read and very realistic characters. The author has a unique way of placing the reader into the character's shoes.

[Angela S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this was a book that kept my attention. The story flowed very well and all of the characters were well developed. I can see this book becoming an entire series!

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not waste your time. Mary Monroe was one of my favorite writers but this... pissed me off to say the least.

[Nita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read all the way through and then “bam” it’s just done. Certainly not a stand alone read.

[Simone Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good ol’ messy read. 😌