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The People Next Door
Numbers 7, 8 and 9 of Miller's Avenue look like any other houses in any other well-kept neighbourhood. But behind these brightly coloured doors live people with very complicated lives. When Yvonne in number 7 joins an online dating website, she's looking for something more than friendship but after a series of disastrous encounters, decides to shut down her account. Is she shutting out her only chance of finding love? Next door in number 8, Dan signs up for a cookery course, determined to move on after his wife's desertion. But as his lemon souffle rises, so does his interest in someone close to home - will his fingers get burned second time around? Further along in number 9, Kathryn is struggling to keep her marriage together despite the best efforts of her interfering mother-in-law. As tension grows between the two women, Kathryn wonders if Grainne will finally succeed, as she realises that she may never give her husband Justin what he wants. As the drama unfolds along Millers Avenue, the inhabitants learn that the things you most yearn for can often be found on your own doorstep.
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First published March 1, 2008
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About the author
Roisin Meaney
44 books386 followersBorn on 3rd September.
A published author of twenty books for adults and three for children, Roisin worked as an advertising copywriter for a number of years, and brings a vast amount of experience to the editing team. Her first novel, The Daisy Picker, won a Write a Bestseller competition. Her third novel, The Last Week of May reached number one on the Irish bestseller list and her fourth, The People Next Door reached number two. Her books have been translated into several languages, and two, Semi-Sweet and Life Drawing for Beginners, have been published in the US. She is currently working on her next book, which is scheduled for publication in autumn 2023. She is also plotting another children's book - shhhhh.
A published author of twenty books for adults and three for children, Roisin worked as an advertising copywriter for a number of years, and brings a vast amount of experience to the editing team. Her first novel, The Daisy Picker, won a Write a Bestseller competition. Her third novel, The Last Week of May reached number one on the Irish bestseller list and her fourth, The People Next Door reached number two. Her books have been translated into several languages, and two, Semi-Sweet and Life Drawing for Beginners, have been published in the US. She is currently working on her next book, which is scheduled for publication in autumn 2023. She is also plotting another children's book - shhhhh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 31, 2021
January 31, 2021: Re-read. Still enjoyable! I mostly skimmed this time and got to what I call the good parts though..
Original review.
Ta dah! I have finished with all of my re-read updates. I read this book sometime around 2013 I think. I happened to download a sample of this book and found myself drawn in around the many characters that lived on Miller's Avenue.
Even though there are only three houses that we read about in this book, we actually follow several characters.
At number 7 we have Yvonne widowed for a large number of years and her teenage daughter, Clara.
At number 8 we have Dan dealing with his wife leaving him for his uncle (you read that right) and him taking on a roommate.
At number 9 we have happily wedded couple Kathryn and Justin. The only fly in their happiness is that Justin's mother Grainne dislikes Kathryn for being older than him and does what she can to undermine Kathryn at ever turn.
I really did enjoy Kathryn's story the most. I think in the end she truly out of the whole cast of characters got her happily ever after.
I think that was because ultimately the endings with Yvonne and Dan were not the most satisfying to the romantic in me. I think I disliked Yvonne's the most because in the end the way her story came about was that someone else was going to be hurt.
You also read about how Yvonne's marriage was not a marriage based on love, but on necessity. I don't know what it is with certain romance books when they have a widowed person. Either the person's dead spouse was a saint or was awful. I don't know if the writer does that so the reader is rooting for the person and the new love or what. I just know that it irks me. A lot. The worst romance book I have read where the widower just up and went and did a 180 who acted as if he never heard of love before he met his new love interest was Obsidian Blue review of The Hero. I still to this day tell my friends if they want to read a book about moving on mere moments after his wife died, here's a story for them.
I did think that the writing was very good and the pacing was too. The plots really did twine together quite well the further along you read. I don't like it when I read a book set up the same way and it feels like the characters are just inhabiting the same book together, but don't really have much to do with one another.
In the end this really is what I consider a perfect beach read. A plot that keeps you engaged enough, with a lot of characters that keeps things interesting.
Original review.
Ta dah! I have finished with all of my re-read updates. I read this book sometime around 2013 I think. I happened to download a sample of this book and found myself drawn in around the many characters that lived on Miller's Avenue.
Even though there are only three houses that we read about in this book, we actually follow several characters.
At number 7 we have Yvonne widowed for a large number of years and her teenage daughter, Clara.
At number 8 we have Dan dealing with his wife leaving him for his uncle (you read that right) and him taking on a roommate.
At number 9 we have happily wedded couple Kathryn and Justin. The only fly in their happiness is that Justin's mother Grainne dislikes Kathryn for being older than him and does what she can to undermine Kathryn at ever turn.
I really did enjoy Kathryn's story the most. I think in the end she truly out of the whole cast of characters got her happily ever after.
I think that was because ultimately the endings with Yvonne and Dan were not the most satisfying to the romantic in me. I think I disliked Yvonne's the most because in the end the way her story came about was that someone else was going to be hurt.
You also read about how Yvonne's marriage was not a marriage based on love, but on necessity. I don't know what it is with certain romance books when they have a widowed person. Either the person's dead spouse was a saint or was awful. I don't know if the writer does that so the reader is rooting for the person and the new love or what. I just know that it irks me. A lot. The worst romance book I have read where the widower just up and went and did a 180 who acted as if he never heard of love before he met his new love interest was Obsidian Blue review of The Hero. I still to this day tell my friends if they want to read a book about moving on mere moments after his wife died, here's a story for them.
I did think that the writing was very good and the pacing was too. The plots really did twine together quite well the further along you read. I don't like it when I read a book set up the same way and it feels like the characters are just inhabiting the same book together, but don't really have much to do with one another.
In the end this really is what I consider a perfect beach read. A plot that keeps you engaged enough, with a lot of characters that keeps things interesting.
May 1, 2022
This was enjoyable but lacked the sweetness that typifies Roisin Meaney's best stories. I still plan to read everything she has written.
Read
July 16, 2020If you are looking for a guaranteed chunk of enjoyment, lift a Roisin Meaney book. The People Next Door is another well written tale of life and love, casualties as well as survivors.
This is a perfect beach read, highly recommended.
This is a perfect beach read, highly recommended.
January 21, 2018
Really enjoyed this book
August 22, 2018
Roisin Meaney has done it again, taken the trivialities and mundanity of life and made them in to an interesting read. Miller's Avenue may only have 3 houses on it now but there is a rich seam to be mined in these resident's lives. It did feel almost voyeuristic at times as we pop in to Numbers 7, 8 and 9 to see just what they are up to. Really, nothing out of the ordinary happens to any of the protagonists in the book. When you stop and think about it these are kitchen sink dramas that are likely happening just next door to us every day without us realising. What makes this so enticing to read I don't know.
As I have come to expect from Ms Meaney's books there is no overt characterisation of anyone in the book and we are left to make up our own minds about who these people are. We learn about them from their conversations with friends, colleagues and neighbours; from their internal dialogues and from their little snippets of backstory that are eked on to the page rather frugally. This means that it is like getting to know someone at work or the new neighbour that has just moved in.
The plot is very gentle and really meanders on to the page rather than being overt. There is a very definite story arc about reaching for your happiness and overcoming the obstacles that life thrusts in to your path but it is a slow build and doesn't slap you around the face. In some ways it was like reading a diary written by each of the characters but one which draws you in and makes you eager to find out what happens in 3 weeks time and if what they did 2 days ago will affect them now.
This book is a celebration of everyday life and shows how no matter how work-a-day and pedestrian life feels it is full of drama if only we know how to acknowledge the small events that really mean so much.
As I have come to expect from Ms Meaney's books there is no overt characterisation of anyone in the book and we are left to make up our own minds about who these people are. We learn about them from their conversations with friends, colleagues and neighbours; from their internal dialogues and from their little snippets of backstory that are eked on to the page rather frugally. This means that it is like getting to know someone at work or the new neighbour that has just moved in.
The plot is very gentle and really meanders on to the page rather than being overt. There is a very definite story arc about reaching for your happiness and overcoming the obstacles that life thrusts in to your path but it is a slow build and doesn't slap you around the face. In some ways it was like reading a diary written by each of the characters but one which draws you in and makes you eager to find out what happens in 3 weeks time and if what they did 2 days ago will affect them now.
This book is a celebration of everyday life and shows how no matter how work-a-day and pedestrian life feels it is full of drama if only we know how to acknowledge the small events that really mean so much.
January 7, 2019
If you enjoy a book where 3 of the women have surprise pregnancies (two of them during the period the story is set in and one years earlier) and a 20 something single woman has two references from other characters as going to have (lots!) of babies, despite no mention of it from the character herself, have I got the book for you!
If you enjoy reading about other events in life, maybe pass on this one.
Maybe being a bit harsh, initially it did have potential as an easy to read chick lit, but as it became more and more baby focused, I became more inclined to fling it across the room. I'm sure it's got its audience, and I know there are women who love reading about babies and pregnancies, but this is the first and last for me from this author.
If you enjoy reading about other events in life, maybe pass on this one.
Maybe being a bit harsh, initially it did have potential as an easy to read chick lit, but as it became more and more baby focused, I became more inclined to fling it across the room. I'm sure it's got its audience, and I know there are women who love reading about babies and pregnancies, but this is the first and last for me from this author.
July 18, 2018
Couldn’t put it down
Great characters. One surprise after another. Very well written. The only thing that kept the book from being five stars was, that in my opinion, the ending was weak. I wasn’t expecting to turn the page and find the acknowledgements. I’m not sure what I did expect...everything seemed to be concluded. And it won’t stop me from reading more by Roisen Meaney.
Great characters. One surprise after another. Very well written. The only thing that kept the book from being five stars was, that in my opinion, the ending was weak. I wasn’t expecting to turn the page and find the acknowledgements. I’m not sure what I did expect...everything seemed to be concluded. And it won’t stop me from reading more by Roisen Meaney.
August 31, 2018
Three houses off to themselves, with three stories about families in crises.
My first book by Roisin Meaney, an Iris author. Good read, involving three families, in an Irish town. Each has drama as two women and one man deal with life's ups and down. From a twenty something daughter, to babies , and in-laws, a very interesting book.
My first book by Roisin Meaney, an Iris author. Good read, involving three families, in an Irish town. Each has drama as two women and one man deal with life's ups and down. From a twenty something daughter, to babies , and in-laws, a very interesting book.
May 15, 2019
Enchanting!
Roisin Meaney writes a wonderful tale about ordinary people living their lives. But oh, how she weaves the story! All the threads woven together exquisitely to make a twisty, didn’t-see-that-coming plot. Fabulous characters you’d love to meet in real life. Go get your copy!
Roisin Meaney writes a wonderful tale about ordinary people living their lives. But oh, how she weaves the story! All the threads woven together exquisitely to make a twisty, didn’t-see-that-coming plot. Fabulous characters you’d love to meet in real life. Go get your copy!
June 4, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though read it spasmodically due to caring for my 5year old Grandson :)
Can someone please explain the weird ending?
Who is Douglas??
I fully expected an exposure of the daughters molester, Kieron, or had I read it wrongly?
Did I lose concentration due to finger painting at the same time?
HELP!
Can someone please explain the weird ending?
Who is Douglas??
I fully expected an exposure of the daughters molester, Kieron, or had I read it wrongly?
Did I lose concentration due to finger painting at the same time?
HELP!
February 11, 2018
Good story
I really enjoyed the book, stories of neighbouring characters and how they all connected in some way. Characters were real and the storylines flowed nicely. Highly recommended read
I really enjoyed the book, stories of neighbouring characters and how they all connected in some way. Characters were real and the storylines flowed nicely. Highly recommended read
April 27, 2018
Recommend this one!
This was a great read. A lot of fun - liked the different narrators. If you're after a slice of life read, then I thoroughly recommend this. I've found an author whose works I can rely on enjoying :)
This was a great read. A lot of fun - liked the different narrators. If you're after a slice of life read, then I thoroughly recommend this. I've found an author whose works I can rely on enjoying :)
August 4, 2018
Enchanting.
Multiple characters all play a lead role and all deserve attention. Yvonne Kathryn and Dan are three neighbors with three different life challenges and the book skips happily thru each. Keeps you on your toes but so much fun to read. I hate to let them go.
Multiple characters all play a lead role and all deserve attention. Yvonne Kathryn and Dan are three neighbors with three different life challenges and the book skips happily thru each. Keeps you on your toes but so much fun to read. I hate to let them go.
December 30, 2018
A good steady read
I really enjoyed becoming involved in the lives of these neighbors. The story was real and showed us the day to day of various lives lived. Perhaps not remarkable lives but still the hope and concern the we all face. It brings understanding and sympathy.
I really enjoyed becoming involved in the lives of these neighbors. The story was real and showed us the day to day of various lives lived. Perhaps not remarkable lives but still the hope and concern the we all face. It brings understanding and sympathy.
September 22, 2020
Another beautifully written book by Roisin Meaney - she is fast becoming one of my 'go to' authors for an enjoyable read. A gently meandering story about the lives of 3 neighbouring households - great read
November 5, 2024
Loved this book. Really enjoyed getting to know all the characters and how their stories unfolded. First book I've read by this author, can't wait to read more. Was surprised by lack of proofreading in some places.
December 30, 2017
Really good story with excellent twist
June 26, 2017
Good Book
To be truthful I liked the cover of the book but on starting to read I couldn't put it down it was just a lovely read.
To be truthful I liked the cover of the book but on starting to read I couldn't put it down it was just a lovely read.
July 23, 2018
Quirky characters, twisty-turny plot lines ... a brisk, satisfying read.
August 3, 2018
A page Turner!
The characters are delightful! The stories of three families are intertwined to produce a book I could not put down.
The characters are delightful! The stories of three families are intertwined to produce a book I could not put down.
August 11, 2018
couldn't finish it. not compelling enough.
August 13, 2018
This was an amusing read, nothing to great but good.
August 27, 2018
Three stars
I found this book very difficult to follow as it was hard to keep the characters sorted. The ending was very abrupt.
I found this book very difficult to follow as it was hard to keep the characters sorted. The ending was very abrupt.
September 2, 2018
Reminded me of Maeve Binchy novels..loved the characters.
September 5, 2018
Once I got the characters and their houses straight, I enjoyed the book a lot!
September 21, 2018
The people next door
I enjoyed the different characters, and their lives. Well descriptive, and well worth reading again. Thank you Roisin Meaney, I plan to read more of your work.
I enjoyed the different characters, and their lives. Well descriptive, and well worth reading again. Thank you Roisin Meaney, I plan to read more of your work.
November 19, 2018
Three households on the same small street interact with each other, share sad and happy times, but also hide secrets even from those in their own house.
November 7, 2018
Boring and way to slow.
November 30, 2018
Enjoyable read
Enjoyable book - moves along nicely with a couple of unexpected twists. I enjoyed reading this novel although it took me a little while to get in to it
Enjoyable book - moves along nicely with a couple of unexpected twists. I enjoyed reading this novel although it took me a little while to get in to it
December 15, 2018
A nice easy listen on audible, really enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews