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The Secret Next Door
How well do you really know your neighbors?
Alyson Tinsdale is giving her son the childhood she never had: a stable family, a loving home, and a great school in a safe neighborhood.
Bonnie Sloan is the neighborhood matriarch. With her oldest son headed to Yale, and her youngest starting kindergarten, Bonnie is now pursuing her own long-held political aspirations despite private family struggles.
When the open space behind some of the most expensive homes gets slated for development into an amusement facility, the neighborhood becomes deeply divided. The personal pressures and community conflicts ratchet with every passing day, but it's when a thirteen-year-old is found dead beside the neighborhood lake that simmering tensions boil over into panic.
Gossip flows, lies are exposed, and accusations are made as cracks run through the community's once solid foundations. The neighborhood's faith in exterior appearances is eclipsed by the secrets every house keeps. And as Bonnie and Alyson fight to keep their children safe and their messy personal lives from becoming neighborhood knowledge, it becomes clear that their neighbors might not be who they appear to be.
Fans of Lisa Jewell and Wendy Walker will love this fast-paced, engrossing novel that reminds us that nothing and no one are ever as perfect as they seem.
Alyson Tinsdale is giving her son the childhood she never had: a stable family, a loving home, and a great school in a safe neighborhood.
Bonnie Sloan is the neighborhood matriarch. With her oldest son headed to Yale, and her youngest starting kindergarten, Bonnie is now pursuing her own long-held political aspirations despite private family struggles.
When the open space behind some of the most expensive homes gets slated for development into an amusement facility, the neighborhood becomes deeply divided. The personal pressures and community conflicts ratchet with every passing day, but it's when a thirteen-year-old is found dead beside the neighborhood lake that simmering tensions boil over into panic.
Gossip flows, lies are exposed, and accusations are made as cracks run through the community's once solid foundations. The neighborhood's faith in exterior appearances is eclipsed by the secrets every house keeps. And as Bonnie and Alyson fight to keep their children safe and their messy personal lives from becoming neighborhood knowledge, it becomes clear that their neighbors might not be who they appear to be.
Fans of Lisa Jewell and Wendy Walker will love this fast-paced, engrossing novel that reminds us that nothing and no one are ever as perfect as they seem.
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2021
114 people are currently reading
8184 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Taylor
10 books515 followersRebecca Taylor is a licensed psychologist and author of bestselling women's psychological fiction. Her book The Secret Next Door was a bestselling title in Target stores throughout the USA, a #1 bestselling book on Amazon, and a Book of the Month selection on Apple Books. Her book Her Perfect Life was the winner of the Women's Fiction Writer's STAR award. Her previous titles have won the Colorado Book Award and been nominated for the RWA RITA award. She lives in Colorado but currently spends most of her time on airplanes, writing and traveling all over the world.
Learn more at:
www.rebeccataylorbooks.com
@RebeccaTaylorPage (Facebook)
@RebeccaTaylorBooks (Instagram)
Learn more at:
www.rebeccataylorbooks.com
@RebeccaTaylorPage (Facebook)
@RebeccaTaylorBooks (Instagram)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 358 reviews
August 1, 2024
The Secret Next Door by Rebecca Taylor, Narrated by Libby McKnight
Alyson Tinsdale is so insecure. She is also spineless, dense, clueless, lonely for friends, unable to control her five year old, and will melt into a puddle at the first sign of conflict with anyone. Oh, that is except when a teacher or principle at her son's highly rated school tries to help her understand that her son is troubled and in need of help with learning and coping skills. Then she'll verbally slap those people down without listening to what they are saying even though they are telling her things that she knows are true...that her son is out of control and he's having trouble learning. She kept him out of school the year before but apparently did nothing to prepare him to learn and get along with others.
When Alyson saw The Enclave, with it's highly rated school, parks, and expensive homes, she stood up to her husband, demanding they buy one of the lesser expensive houses on the edge of The Enclave, despite his insistence that they couldn't afford it. Then she went back to her spineless, clueless self, while her husband retreated into the basement apartment and treated her with disdain.
Bonnie Sloan is the queen of the neighborhood and she exudes grace and confidence. She seems to have it all, the perfect family, wealth, a son heading to Yale on a football scholarship, things Alyson can never have. While Alyson is upper middle class, Bonnie is at the top of the hierarchy, living in a multi million dollar home, dated but still one of the most expensive in The Enclave. Alyson is jealous of the wealthy folks of The Enclave, all the while wanting to become part of their circle. Poor Alyson seems to cycle between her usually sniveling self to irrational moments, such as the time she calls out Bonnie's son online, for speeding through the neighborhood.
Gossip in this neighborhood is like an out of control freight train. Apparently Bonnie is not as untouchable as it seems at first glance. Alyson even hears things about her new friend Gabby. Cruel things are said about everyone, but still, Alyson wants to be part of the group so she jumps into the fray, too. And all the while, Alyson's marriage is so broken she can't even speak to her husband.
Listening to this audiobook, which was narrated very well, was entertaining, in a bystander gawking at an impending train wreck kind of way. I do think the journey was better than the actual destination. I didn't like anyone in this story and if I had to pick a favorite it would be Alyson's basement dwelling husband. The air of smug satisfaction for the decimation that occurs by the end of the story just seems unsavory, to me.
Publication: November 9, 2021
Thank you to RB Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
Alyson Tinsdale is so insecure. She is also spineless, dense, clueless, lonely for friends, unable to control her five year old, and will melt into a puddle at the first sign of conflict with anyone. Oh, that is except when a teacher or principle at her son's highly rated school tries to help her understand that her son is troubled and in need of help with learning and coping skills. Then she'll verbally slap those people down without listening to what they are saying even though they are telling her things that she knows are true...that her son is out of control and he's having trouble learning. She kept him out of school the year before but apparently did nothing to prepare him to learn and get along with others.
When Alyson saw The Enclave, with it's highly rated school, parks, and expensive homes, she stood up to her husband, demanding they buy one of the lesser expensive houses on the edge of The Enclave, despite his insistence that they couldn't afford it. Then she went back to her spineless, clueless self, while her husband retreated into the basement apartment and treated her with disdain.
Bonnie Sloan is the queen of the neighborhood and she exudes grace and confidence. She seems to have it all, the perfect family, wealth, a son heading to Yale on a football scholarship, things Alyson can never have. While Alyson is upper middle class, Bonnie is at the top of the hierarchy, living in a multi million dollar home, dated but still one of the most expensive in The Enclave. Alyson is jealous of the wealthy folks of The Enclave, all the while wanting to become part of their circle. Poor Alyson seems to cycle between her usually sniveling self to irrational moments, such as the time she calls out Bonnie's son online, for speeding through the neighborhood.
Gossip in this neighborhood is like an out of control freight train. Apparently Bonnie is not as untouchable as it seems at first glance. Alyson even hears things about her new friend Gabby. Cruel things are said about everyone, but still, Alyson wants to be part of the group so she jumps into the fray, too. And all the while, Alyson's marriage is so broken she can't even speak to her husband.
Listening to this audiobook, which was narrated very well, was entertaining, in a bystander gawking at an impending train wreck kind of way. I do think the journey was better than the actual destination. I didn't like anyone in this story and if I had to pick a favorite it would be Alyson's basement dwelling husband. The air of smug satisfaction for the decimation that occurs by the end of the story just seems unsavory, to me.
Publication: November 9, 2021
Thank you to RB Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
March 28, 2022
The Secret Next Door by Rebecca Taylor is a 2021 Sourcebooks Landmark publication.
Alyson wants her son, Andrew, to have the opportunities in life, she did not. To that end, she and her husband, Justin, have moved into an elite neighborhood, where Alyson can enroll her son in a choice school system.
Her perfect life doesn’t turn out to be quite the fairytale she imagined it to be. For starters, she gets off on the wrong foot with the neighborhood matriarch, Bonnie Sloan, and then her husband begins spending hours upon hours hiding out in the basement, while Andrew struggles at his new school.
Then the unthinkable happens-the body of a teenage boy is found by the neighborhood lake…
This book doesn't seem to know what it wants to be- a family drama, a psychological thriller, or a murder mystery? Combining all these elements into one novel is fine if one has the writing chops to pull it off, but sadly, in this case, none of the genres represented are fully realized.
A new personal review rule for myself is to avoid over-analyzing standard thrillers because I spend more time trying to write the review than I did reading the book. Still, I couldn't help but feel confused by some mixed signals here- but I'm probably just overthinking it, again.
So briefly- I really struggled with this one. To say too much might enter spoiler territory, so I won’t go into the details of every issue- but mainly, I thought making the family drama, which took up the bulk of the novel, and was tied to the psychological elements, was not the best focal point. The characterizations are overwrought, defensive and easily offended- and their actions are too implausible, even for me.
The murder mystery was especially bad, with a ‘Jessica Fletcher' style wrap up at the very last minute, without many updates about how the investigation was moving along - then all of a sudden there's a solution and an easily obtained confession. It was nothing short of miraculous. I could barely suppress a groan.
What the author was going for here is not entirely certain. Taking the story at face value is probably the best approach. Whatever the moral of the story was, might send me down a rabbit hole and I'll break my own 'over analyzing' rules, but if the novel was a dig at classism, it didn't quite hit the desired mark. Crime and tragedy reach us all in one way or another, though some feel more entitled or expect special treatment if they have some wealth or status, but the 'stay in your lane' moralizing fell flat for me.
Overall, this one was mostly a miss for me.
2.5 stars
Alyson wants her son, Andrew, to have the opportunities in life, she did not. To that end, she and her husband, Justin, have moved into an elite neighborhood, where Alyson can enroll her son in a choice school system.
Her perfect life doesn’t turn out to be quite the fairytale she imagined it to be. For starters, she gets off on the wrong foot with the neighborhood matriarch, Bonnie Sloan, and then her husband begins spending hours upon hours hiding out in the basement, while Andrew struggles at his new school.
Then the unthinkable happens-the body of a teenage boy is found by the neighborhood lake…
This book doesn't seem to know what it wants to be- a family drama, a psychological thriller, or a murder mystery? Combining all these elements into one novel is fine if one has the writing chops to pull it off, but sadly, in this case, none of the genres represented are fully realized.
A new personal review rule for myself is to avoid over-analyzing standard thrillers because I spend more time trying to write the review than I did reading the book. Still, I couldn't help but feel confused by some mixed signals here- but I'm probably just overthinking it, again.
So briefly- I really struggled with this one. To say too much might enter spoiler territory, so I won’t go into the details of every issue- but mainly, I thought making the family drama, which took up the bulk of the novel, and was tied to the psychological elements, was not the best focal point. The characterizations are overwrought, defensive and easily offended- and their actions are too implausible, even for me.
The murder mystery was especially bad, with a ‘Jessica Fletcher' style wrap up at the very last minute, without many updates about how the investigation was moving along - then all of a sudden there's a solution and an easily obtained confession. It was nothing short of miraculous. I could barely suppress a groan.
What the author was going for here is not entirely certain. Taking the story at face value is probably the best approach. Whatever the moral of the story was, might send me down a rabbit hole and I'll break my own 'over analyzing' rules, but if the novel was a dig at classism, it didn't quite hit the desired mark. Crime and tragedy reach us all in one way or another, though some feel more entitled or expect special treatment if they have some wealth or status, but the 'stay in your lane' moralizing fell flat for me.
Overall, this one was mostly a miss for me.
2.5 stars
November 16, 2021
This was so much fun! 🏡 🏡 🏡 🏡
Alyson is proud her son has the best- a safe home, a good family; all the things she didn’t have growing up. Bonnie basically runs the neighborhood, and at the same time, she’s hoping to run for political office.
There’s an open space in the neighborhood that’s set to become an amusement park, which has the residents solidly divided on their thoughts. And then a teenager is found passed away in the neighborhood, which understandably tears it apart even more. Gossip and accusations are ruling the day, and Alyson and Bonnie may have the most to hide.
The Secret Next Door has some solid twists, and there was good depth to the story that made it feel like “not just another neighborhood thriller.” I really enjoyed it!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Alyson is proud her son has the best- a safe home, a good family; all the things she didn’t have growing up. Bonnie basically runs the neighborhood, and at the same time, she’s hoping to run for political office.
There’s an open space in the neighborhood that’s set to become an amusement park, which has the residents solidly divided on their thoughts. And then a teenager is found passed away in the neighborhood, which understandably tears it apart even more. Gossip and accusations are ruling the day, and Alyson and Bonnie may have the most to hide.
The Secret Next Door has some solid twists, and there was good depth to the story that made it feel like “not just another neighborhood thriller.” I really enjoyed it!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
November 20, 2021
When Alyson insists that they move to the exclusive gated community...well her husband is less than pleased. You see...they can't afford the gorgeous home they are buying- again...Alyson does not care. She furnishes the home with the best of everything, she is absolutely desperate to fit in.
This book had everything! Drama, mystery, wine drinking...book club..yes book club!!! Did I mention these girls like their wine??? All is picture perfect- until it is not. When a neighborhood child is found murdered..well things get really interesting.
This book had me highly engaged the entire way. Not only was it entertaining- in a Real Housewives or a Desperate Housewives type of way- which I love both! It was also a twisted domestic/thriller drama that kept me guessing. Every single person was a suspect on my list! The husband that locked his secrets in the basement, the neighbor who ranted constantly on social media or the mom who would get black out drunk?? Or maybe a complete stranger?? This seriously kept me guessing to the very end.
Thank you so much to SuzyApproved Tours and the publisher for my gifted copy.
This book had everything! Drama, mystery, wine drinking...book club..yes book club!!! Did I mention these girls like their wine??? All is picture perfect- until it is not. When a neighborhood child is found murdered..well things get really interesting.
This book had me highly engaged the entire way. Not only was it entertaining- in a Real Housewives or a Desperate Housewives type of way- which I love both! It was also a twisted domestic/thriller drama that kept me guessing. Every single person was a suspect on my list! The husband that locked his secrets in the basement, the neighbor who ranted constantly on social media or the mom who would get black out drunk?? Or maybe a complete stranger?? This seriously kept me guessing to the very end.
Thank you so much to SuzyApproved Tours and the publisher for my gifted copy.
October 31, 2021
An exclusive neighborhood in Denver is the setting for this domestic drama. I went in expecting a thriller, but it turned out to be a mystery. This did not disappoint me in the least. In fact there was a happy ending of sorts after some difficult decisions are made. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I was especially impressed with the family values Rebecca Taylor holds up for us in this new release. Alyson and Bonnie are the lenses through which we view this story. They could not be more different. The way their lives intersect are for the most part very believable for the suburbs. Aside from the murder mystery that turns the neighborhood upside down. I think this would work well for fans of Joshilyn Jackson and Jessica Strawser. Am definitely interested in reading Her Perfect Life which was released by this author last year.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2021
The Secret Next Door was not a thriller, but rather a domestic drama with a sprinkle of thrills and a dash of intrigue. It reminded me slightly of Cul-de-sac and Big Little Lies, because everyone has a secret. I was pulled into the daily lives of each character as the misconceptions were revealed. This character driven drama is told from the perspectives of Alyson Tinsdale and Bonnie Sloan. Each woman has a life filled with uncertainty, grief, anguish and a fragile facade full of cracks. The audiobook was perfectly narrated by Libby McKnight. The story was compelling, entertaining and thought provoking. Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for my audiobook.
October 9, 2021
I found this to be a well written, easy reading mystery. This is a domestic suspense, with a neighborhood full of secrets! Sometimes the lives people want you to believe they have, aren't really the happy lives they're portraying.
Alyson Tinsdale, her husband and her son move to the exclusive Enclave community, trying to make a better life for themselves. Alyson is giving it extra to try and fit in with the other moms in the neighborhood. One of the mom's, Bonnie, is having toubles with her son, who is having issues with other kids. Then a little boy's body is found and the neighborhood turns chaotic. Who's boy is this, and why would someone murder him? Who knows what's going on?
This was pretty darn good. I love how you can relate to these characters. Some of the secrets are not what I was expecting and I thought the plot was great. I'd definitely recommend picking this up
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
Alyson Tinsdale, her husband and her son move to the exclusive Enclave community, trying to make a better life for themselves. Alyson is giving it extra to try and fit in with the other moms in the neighborhood. One of the mom's, Bonnie, is having toubles with her son, who is having issues with other kids. Then a little boy's body is found and the neighborhood turns chaotic. Who's boy is this, and why would someone murder him? Who knows what's going on?
This was pretty darn good. I love how you can relate to these characters. Some of the secrets are not what I was expecting and I thought the plot was great. I'd definitely recommend picking this up
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
November 24, 2021
WOW, what A THRILLING ride of domestic suspense!! The majestic Colorado Rockies are the backdrop to THE ENCLAVE, -an exclusive suburban neighborhood where perfection, money, status, and wine flows 24/7. And of course, there is a downside of living within The Enclave; gossip, deception, drama, and yes, murder.
The story is told from the perspectives of Alyson and Bonnie, two women, worlds apart different, but struggling all the same.
Alyson Tinsdale wants to give her 5-year-old, Andrew, everything she never had; a stable family, beautiful home, safe neighborhood, great school, and in doing so, her and her husband have over-extended themselves. And fitting in isn’t as easy as Alyson thought.
Bonnie Sloan is The Enclaves matriarch. She’s been playing house long enough, and now wants a Colorado senate seat. She bows out when her son is found at the nearby lake, his death ruled a homicide. Neighborhood tension is spilling over at this point.
Delving beyond the main characters into the neighborhood families as a whole, I loved the insight into their lives, which gradually showed the truth behind The Enclave facade, -their lives being anything but put together. I was glued to my seat reading about their secrets and outer disguises (reminding me of my favorite tv show, Desperate Housewives.) I found myself highly anticipating what the author was going to throw at me next. This is very entertaining, turning into much more than your everyday drama. A page-turner for sure!
*Much thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark via NetGalley for approving this arc in return for an honest review.
The story is told from the perspectives of Alyson and Bonnie, two women, worlds apart different, but struggling all the same.
Alyson Tinsdale wants to give her 5-year-old, Andrew, everything she never had; a stable family, beautiful home, safe neighborhood, great school, and in doing so, her and her husband have over-extended themselves. And fitting in isn’t as easy as Alyson thought.
Bonnie Sloan is The Enclaves matriarch. She’s been playing house long enough, and now wants a Colorado senate seat. She bows out when her son is found at the nearby lake, his death ruled a homicide. Neighborhood tension is spilling over at this point.
Delving beyond the main characters into the neighborhood families as a whole, I loved the insight into their lives, which gradually showed the truth behind The Enclave facade, -their lives being anything but put together. I was glued to my seat reading about their secrets and outer disguises (reminding me of my favorite tv show, Desperate Housewives.) I found myself highly anticipating what the author was going to throw at me next. This is very entertaining, turning into much more than your everyday drama. A page-turner for sure!
*Much thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark via NetGalley for approving this arc in return for an honest review.
October 6, 2021
I’m kind of burnt out on “perfect neighbors with horrible secrets” stories, but this was a pleasant surprise in that it wasn’t that simple. This was more than just the telling of a dramatic group of people in a neighborhood; it was about women, marriages, parenting and friendship. Before that makes it sound schmaltzy, let’s back up…
Alyson and her husband, Justin, have over-extended themselves by buying a house in The Enclave, an exclusive area in Denver. The neighborhood is full of professionals, and their children all go to an elite school. Alyson feels out of place around these people who have a lot more money than her, but the women are friendly and invite her to book club meetings and football parties. Soon, she’s made some friends (but she still feels inadequate around them).
One woman is more standoffish than the others, and that’s Bonnie Sloan. She’s the unofficial neighborhood matriarch, with a son heading to Yale, a son in middle school and a daughter in kindergarten. She’s also running for political office, but when her younger son is murdered and his body dumped at a lake by the neighborhood, everything in her world stops. They all take pause; the neighbors are scared for their children, and worried that there is a killer among them.
Alyson is one of the better characters I’ve read lately. She feels inept, her husband is keeping secrets and not sleeping with her anymore, her son is having a hard time adjusting to his new school, and she doesn’t feel like she fits in anywhere. She wanted this house, this neighborhood, for a better life - but it sure doesn’t feel better. She keeps trying though, and she’s quite a sympathetic character.
This novel wasn’t brilliant or amazing, but it was a really good book with characters you can root for or against, and a solid mystery to keep things interesting. It started slow, but picked up as it went along, and the ending was nice and neat. Overall, this was quite an entertaining one, and I’m happy to give it four stars.
(I’d like to thank Sourcebooks, Rebecca Taylor and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
Alyson and her husband, Justin, have over-extended themselves by buying a house in The Enclave, an exclusive area in Denver. The neighborhood is full of professionals, and their children all go to an elite school. Alyson feels out of place around these people who have a lot more money than her, but the women are friendly and invite her to book club meetings and football parties. Soon, she’s made some friends (but she still feels inadequate around them).
One woman is more standoffish than the others, and that’s Bonnie Sloan. She’s the unofficial neighborhood matriarch, with a son heading to Yale, a son in middle school and a daughter in kindergarten. She’s also running for political office, but when her younger son is murdered and his body dumped at a lake by the neighborhood, everything in her world stops. They all take pause; the neighbors are scared for their children, and worried that there is a killer among them.
Alyson is one of the better characters I’ve read lately. She feels inept, her husband is keeping secrets and not sleeping with her anymore, her son is having a hard time adjusting to his new school, and she doesn’t feel like she fits in anywhere. She wanted this house, this neighborhood, for a better life - but it sure doesn’t feel better. She keeps trying though, and she’s quite a sympathetic character.
This novel wasn’t brilliant or amazing, but it was a really good book with characters you can root for or against, and a solid mystery to keep things interesting. It started slow, but picked up as it went along, and the ending was nice and neat. Overall, this was quite an entertaining one, and I’m happy to give it four stars.
(I’d like to thank Sourcebooks, Rebecca Taylor and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
November 3, 2021
I love a solid neighborhood drama and The Secret Next Door definitely delivered!!
I was hooked on page one and invested in the life of Alyson Tinsdale and her family. The story unfolded deliciously. Drama, gossip, unlikable characters ....
It's funny! Every time I read a book about questionable neighbors in these affluent areas I wonder how much I would really enjoy that living situation. I should thank these authors for saving me loads of money and keeping me safe. HA HA!!
I did not see that ending coming at all. Very surprised! Well executed.
Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Landmark for my gifted copy!!
I was hooked on page one and invested in the life of Alyson Tinsdale and her family. The story unfolded deliciously. Drama, gossip, unlikable characters ....
It's funny! Every time I read a book about questionable neighbors in these affluent areas I wonder how much I would really enjoy that living situation. I should thank these authors for saving me loads of money and keeping me safe. HA HA!!
I did not see that ending coming at all. Very surprised! Well executed.
Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Landmark for my gifted copy!!
December 23, 2021
This book was pretty awful. Alyson, the main character, is unlikable and spectacularly stupid. The plot meanders and never quite goes anywhere except that Alyson and get husband are poor communicators and got in over their heads in a house they couldn’t afford. Wow. Thrilling.
November 19, 2021
This was a fantastic must read. I loved it, I had no clue who killed the little boy. I was thinking the wrong person the whole time. Taylor out did me on this one. I Highly recommend this 5 star mystery. The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
Read
October 19, 2021Just couldn't get into this book, so not going to rate it. I'm sure many will enjoy it, but for me it seemed sort of pedestrian and ordinary. Bland characters. Not much happening for pages on end. A lot of cattiness between women, a common stereotype when set among families in middle or upper-middle class neighborhoods. Just not for me.
However, I did win this book, so thank you Goodreads! I always appreciate any that I win through your program and try to give each and every book a fair shake. I shall be passing this book on to a friend.
DNF, no rating
However, I did win this book, so thank you Goodreads! I always appreciate any that I win through your program and try to give each and every book a fair shake. I shall be passing this book on to a friend.
DNF, no rating
August 22, 2021
Alyson Tinsdale is moving into her dream home in the exclusive Enclave neighborhood with her husband, Justin, and her son, Andrew. She is excited to provide a safe neighborhood with great schools for her son to grow up in. Alyson wants to also fit in with the other women in the Enclave and makes extra efforts to do so. Bonnie seems to be one of the important ladies in the neighborhood. Now that all 3 of her children are in school, she has decided to run for a Colorado senate seat. But her son Elijah and their family matters are making it difficult for Bonnie.
All is well until it becomes public knowledge that there are plans to build an Extreme Golf facility on some empty land right next to the Enclave. This causes the neighborhood to become divided into strong supporters and strong detractors. With tensions already high, there is a discovery that a young boy has been found dead by the lake. This sends the neighbors into a tail spin of panic and fear.
Rebecca Taylor has created an engrossing story that most people will be able to relate to, at least on some level. As in real life, things are not always perfect even in beautiful and affluent neighborhoods. The author puts a great spin on this theme and kept me entertained from beginning to end. I would highly recommend THE SECRET NEXT DOOR!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
All is well until it becomes public knowledge that there are plans to build an Extreme Golf facility on some empty land right next to the Enclave. This causes the neighborhood to become divided into strong supporters and strong detractors. With tensions already high, there is a discovery that a young boy has been found dead by the lake. This sends the neighbors into a tail spin of panic and fear.
Rebecca Taylor has created an engrossing story that most people will be able to relate to, at least on some level. As in real life, things are not always perfect even in beautiful and affluent neighborhoods. The author puts a great spin on this theme and kept me entertained from beginning to end. I would highly recommend THE SECRET NEXT DOOR!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
September 3, 2021
I love a book that slowly reveals it's secrets; what I love less is a book whose characters hide secrets from the reader.
When Alyson and her family move into the high-class neighborhood the Enclave - although at the lower end of said high-class - she tries everything she can to belong. In fact, our main protagonist is portrayed as a social climber, enthusiastic wine drinker and frustrated wife and mother.
One of the frustrations - her husband is sleeping and spending all his time in the basement. Which is locked. That was a real what the f*ck moment - we are dealing with a woman too afraid to go into her own basement. The reasoning behind Alyson's husband, Justin, locking the door is later revealed and is a bit of a let down, to say the least.
Juicier are the secrets in the neighborhood, and what kept me reading - in addition to the easy writing style - is the portrayal of neighbor Bonnie and her family. Whomever said money cannot buy happiness is right - especially when Bonnie's son is murdered and the police have no leads.
Alyson turns out to be an instrumental part in finding out whodunit - but while the author reveals that Alyson finds out things about her neighbors that lead her to the answer - the reader does not know what those 'things' are until the mystery is solved. Give us all the clues so we can go ahead and be proud to solve it ourselves.
3.5 rounded up to 4.
Thank you Netgalley for this preview!
When Alyson and her family move into the high-class neighborhood the Enclave - although at the lower end of said high-class - she tries everything she can to belong. In fact, our main protagonist is portrayed as a social climber, enthusiastic wine drinker and frustrated wife and mother.
One of the frustrations - her husband is sleeping and spending all his time in the basement. Which is locked. That was a real what the f*ck moment - we are dealing with a woman too afraid to go into her own basement. The reasoning behind Alyson's husband, Justin, locking the door is later revealed and is a bit of a let down, to say the least.
Juicier are the secrets in the neighborhood, and what kept me reading - in addition to the easy writing style - is the portrayal of neighbor Bonnie and her family. Whomever said money cannot buy happiness is right - especially when Bonnie's son is murdered and the police have no leads.
Alyson turns out to be an instrumental part in finding out whodunit - but while the author reveals that Alyson finds out things about her neighbors that lead her to the answer - the reader does not know what those 'things' are until the mystery is solved. Give us all the clues so we can go ahead and be proud to solve it ourselves.
3.5 rounded up to 4.
Thank you Netgalley for this preview!
November 5, 2021
This title made it impossible for me to know which “next door” I was to focus on because the author did such a great job creating crazy throughout the entire neighborhood.
I’ve read a lot of great mystery thrillers this year and this is another one. The writing was compelling and every chapter pulled me further into the story. This one was unique because the author did a good job introducing each of the families and then tying everything together. I highly recommend listening to this one. The narrator was Libby McKnight and she was great for this book. It was 11 hours and 45 minutes long.
Thanks Recorded Books Inc. via Netgalley.
I’ve read a lot of great mystery thrillers this year and this is another one. The writing was compelling and every chapter pulled me further into the story. This one was unique because the author did a good job introducing each of the families and then tying everything together. I highly recommend listening to this one. The narrator was Libby McKnight and she was great for this book. It was 11 hours and 45 minutes long.
Thanks Recorded Books Inc. via Netgalley.
November 2, 2021
This was such an entertaining and absorbing domestic thriller! A wealthy neighbourhood with an abundance of secrets, lies and scandal? I was hooked and couldn’t stop turning the page!
I enjoyed that each character felt realistic and relatable and I loved that they were all flawed in some way yet incredibly captivating! I found this made it an exceedingly easy, quick and fun read!
This whodunit and suburban suspense leaves you curious until the very end!
I enjoyed that each character felt realistic and relatable and I loved that they were all flawed in some way yet incredibly captivating! I found this made it an exceedingly easy, quick and fun read!
This whodunit and suburban suspense leaves you curious until the very end!
April 22, 2024
I was able to read this book in an afternoon, but I'm not sure I actually enjoyed it. The murder was barely mentioned, and you don't even find out how the victim was killed until the very end. There's no investigation, no real drama around it. I was expecting a juicy neighborhood drama, full of secrets and tension. Instead, I got a very blah book about unlikable mothers drinking and dealing with school and behavior issues and in-laws and basically just living their lives. Justin was ridiculous and his secret was silly and still didn't explain most of his actions. The reveal comes out of nowhere and is rather underwhelming. Although there were some clues in retrospect, we weren't given any information about the death, so it seemed random. Honestly, I'm not sure what the point of this novel was or what it was trying to be. It wasn't suspenseful or thrilling. I guess it was kind of a lackluster family drama. Either way it wasn't terrible, and it was an easy read, it just wasn't particularly exciting.
February 6, 2022
I wanted to like it. I wanted to LOVE it. This is my neighborhood. I mean that literally. I know the author is local so I'm familiar with and recognize a lot of things that obviously inspired her. The school? The neighbors? The golf deal? Yeah… me too girl. Me too.
The problem is that it never goes anywhere. The characters are all unlikable, even the children, but they don't develop from there. The plot mentions go nowhere. The golf monstrosity that was mentioned... so? Side characters secrets? So? Even the murder plot… We forgot about that. We are finally treated to the good gossip that our protagonist finds out but the reader never gets the tea. Sadly for me, it all leads to not much.
The problem is that it never goes anywhere. The characters are all unlikable, even the children, but they don't develop from there. The plot mentions go nowhere. The golf monstrosity that was mentioned... so? Side characters secrets? So? Even the murder plot… We forgot about that. We are finally treated to the good gossip that our protagonist finds out but the reader never gets the tea. Sadly for me, it all leads to not much.
Read
November 18, 2021When Alyson, her husband Justin and their young son Andrew move into the exclusive neighborhood known as The Enclave, she thinks they have finally made it! Although a bit out of their price range, she finally convinced her skeptical husband that it would be well worth the cost. Andrew would be getting the best education in the safest neighborhood with wonderful friendly and affluent neighbors.
But as so many know, no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors. The outside can sometimes be the facade needed to cover-up the inside strain and turmoil. Nearby residence can be jealous of what others have. Both monetarily, emotionally and physically.
Take Bonnie Sloan. She is running for political office. She has one son who will be going off to Yale, another son in middle school and a daughter in kindergarten. They are the family everyone looks up to. But quietly, behind closed doors their lives are falling apart. Her husband, who took over his family’s business has basically bankrupted them by making poor business decisions. Their two boys do not get along at all and have horrible physical altercations. And now the only hope for the Sloan family to financially survive is if a new development is built next to their beautiful neighborhood. This has divided residence.
So when Alyson gets invited to attend the exclusive neighborhood book club she jumps at the chance. Her new friend Gabby has been able to wrangle the invitation. Once there, as the women gossip about all the neighbors including her, she begins to drink too much. Alyson wakes up the next morning in her bathroom unable to recall anything from the previous night. Her husband who is under great pressure to figure out how to pay for this house they can’t afford has had enough. He begins to distance himself from his wife. That’s when Alyson’s life truly begins to fall apart.
That morning as Alyson is nursing a hangover, a neighborhood child was found on the road killed the night before. Her husband begins to sleep in his man cave which was her selling point to him when they bought the house. He also locks its door. Her son who she has perhaps pampered a bit too much suddenly has developed issues at school. He can’t keep up with the work in class and has been shown to anger easily.
As the neighborhood speculates on who killed the child, they begin to deliberate whether Alyson’s family is perhaps too unrefined for the beloved community. Alyson is grateful she has Gabby to lean on as her marriage begins to falls apart and her son is ostracized. She is sure once they figure out what happened to the dead child everything else will return to normal. But she is stunned at the contempt her neighbors suddenly have for her family.
But people with too many secrets, including her own husband, always try to find someone else worse than them, don’t they? What will normal ever look like? And the shocking ending will send ripples around the neighborhood with lives changed forever. Who will recover from their secrets? More importantly, who will not?
Thank you #NetGalley #SourcebooksLandmark #RebeccaTaylor #TheSecretNextDoor for the advanced copy.
But as so many know, no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors. The outside can sometimes be the facade needed to cover-up the inside strain and turmoil. Nearby residence can be jealous of what others have. Both monetarily, emotionally and physically.
Take Bonnie Sloan. She is running for political office. She has one son who will be going off to Yale, another son in middle school and a daughter in kindergarten. They are the family everyone looks up to. But quietly, behind closed doors their lives are falling apart. Her husband, who took over his family’s business has basically bankrupted them by making poor business decisions. Their two boys do not get along at all and have horrible physical altercations. And now the only hope for the Sloan family to financially survive is if a new development is built next to their beautiful neighborhood. This has divided residence.
So when Alyson gets invited to attend the exclusive neighborhood book club she jumps at the chance. Her new friend Gabby has been able to wrangle the invitation. Once there, as the women gossip about all the neighbors including her, she begins to drink too much. Alyson wakes up the next morning in her bathroom unable to recall anything from the previous night. Her husband who is under great pressure to figure out how to pay for this house they can’t afford has had enough. He begins to distance himself from his wife. That’s when Alyson’s life truly begins to fall apart.
That morning as Alyson is nursing a hangover, a neighborhood child was found on the road killed the night before. Her husband begins to sleep in his man cave which was her selling point to him when they bought the house. He also locks its door. Her son who she has perhaps pampered a bit too much suddenly has developed issues at school. He can’t keep up with the work in class and has been shown to anger easily.
As the neighborhood speculates on who killed the child, they begin to deliberate whether Alyson’s family is perhaps too unrefined for the beloved community. Alyson is grateful she has Gabby to lean on as her marriage begins to falls apart and her son is ostracized. She is sure once they figure out what happened to the dead child everything else will return to normal. But she is stunned at the contempt her neighbors suddenly have for her family.
But people with too many secrets, including her own husband, always try to find someone else worse than them, don’t they? What will normal ever look like? And the shocking ending will send ripples around the neighborhood with lives changed forever. Who will recover from their secrets? More importantly, who will not?
Thank you #NetGalley #SourcebooksLandmark #RebeccaTaylor #TheSecretNextDoor for the advanced copy.
November 7, 2021
The first line in the publisher’s description sums this book up perfectly…how well do you really know your neighbours? I love neighbourhood drama thrillers and this one did not disappoint!
When Alyson moves into a coveted high end neighbourhood with her husband and 5 year old son, she is ecstatic. She’s been wanting to provide her son with a safe neighbourhood and terrific school. Her biggest concern is hoping that the women on the block like her and want to be her friend. However, when she makes a pointed yet humiliating post about her neighbour Bonnie’s son on the neighbourhood Facebook page, this sets off an unforeseeable chain of events that lead to devastating consequences.
In the spirit of Lisa See books, The Secret Next Door delves into the fragility of relationships and how one can unknowingly impact the lives of others. It also explores the importance of family bonds versus external pressures. I loved this complicated and emotional character driven story. It ripped my heart out of my chest.
The audiobook performance was solid. The narrator was a perfect match for the MC and kept me engaged.
A gracious thank you to #RBMedia and Netgalley for an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
When Alyson moves into a coveted high end neighbourhood with her husband and 5 year old son, she is ecstatic. She’s been wanting to provide her son with a safe neighbourhood and terrific school. Her biggest concern is hoping that the women on the block like her and want to be her friend. However, when she makes a pointed yet humiliating post about her neighbour Bonnie’s son on the neighbourhood Facebook page, this sets off an unforeseeable chain of events that lead to devastating consequences.
In the spirit of Lisa See books, The Secret Next Door delves into the fragility of relationships and how one can unknowingly impact the lives of others. It also explores the importance of family bonds versus external pressures. I loved this complicated and emotional character driven story. It ripped my heart out of my chest.
The audiobook performance was solid. The narrator was a perfect match for the MC and kept me engaged.
A gracious thank you to #RBMedia and Netgalley for an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2021
Ahhhhh this book was amazing! I started reading this a little late in the evening and of course stayed up reading because it got me good! The lies, gossips, accusations slowly infiltrated an affluent neighborhood with lots of drama and twists I just enjoyed reading about!
A perfect psychological thriller read about the secrets of neighbors whose outside lives are so perfect you just can’t seem to get enough of what it’s really like inside. Taylor really knows how to spin a tale and with that amazing writing that had the perfect pacing and suspense, this one can’t be missed. Fantastic read!
A perfect psychological thriller read about the secrets of neighbors whose outside lives are so perfect you just can’t seem to get enough of what it’s really like inside. Taylor really knows how to spin a tale and with that amazing writing that had the perfect pacing and suspense, this one can’t be missed. Fantastic read!
October 22, 2021
I really enjoyed The Secret Next Door!
Alyson, our primary narrator, felt incredibly relatable. Living in a nice neighborhood filled with well-off neighbors, you could tell she just want a to fit in so badly and give her son a nice life but that isn’t ever easy, especially as we started diving into her relationship troubles with her husband, Justin.
Bonnie, our secondary narrator, was one of those well-off neighbors (who is a little too snooty at times) but her life had been turned completely upside down in more ways than one. Watching her try and get her life back in control while everyone gossiped about her life hurt my soul quite a bit. And when we found out what really happened to her family - wowza. That reveal shook me.
I honestly just loved watching the story unfold through our narrators eyes, but also through the conversations they had with the neighbors. They were such a wild bunch and it all felt very real. You KNOW there’s a neighborhood just like this somewhere, neighborhood Facebook group and all. 😅
I really want to thank NetGalley for sending me this ARC - it was such a treat! The Secret Next Door drops November 8 so preorder it or jot it down on your TBR because you NEED to read this one.
Alyson, our primary narrator, felt incredibly relatable. Living in a nice neighborhood filled with well-off neighbors, you could tell she just want a to fit in so badly and give her son a nice life but that isn’t ever easy, especially as we started diving into her relationship troubles with her husband, Justin.
Bonnie, our secondary narrator, was one of those well-off neighbors (who is a little too snooty at times) but her life had been turned completely upside down in more ways than one. Watching her try and get her life back in control while everyone gossiped about her life hurt my soul quite a bit. And when we found out what really happened to her family - wowza. That reveal shook me.
I honestly just loved watching the story unfold through our narrators eyes, but also through the conversations they had with the neighbors. They were such a wild bunch and it all felt very real. You KNOW there’s a neighborhood just like this somewhere, neighborhood Facebook group and all. 😅
I really want to thank NetGalley for sending me this ARC - it was such a treat! The Secret Next Door drops November 8 so preorder it or jot it down on your TBR because you NEED to read this one.
November 9, 2021
Wow…what a modern day Peyton Place!!! The Enclave Community is full of secrets & with secrets comes lots of drama. Alyson Tinsdale may have got more than she bargained for.
I found this to be a more of a drama/mystery but still quite enjoyable. The characters while I was not always fond of were relatable. This was an quick read that was well written.
I cannot wait to read more from this author!
Thank you #NetGalley, #RebeccaTaylor, #thesecretnextdoor & Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I found this to be a more of a drama/mystery but still quite enjoyable. The characters while I was not always fond of were relatable. This was an quick read that was well written.
I cannot wait to read more from this author!
Thank you #NetGalley, #RebeccaTaylor, #thesecretnextdoor & Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 28, 2021
Intriguing and exciting, THE SECRET NEXT DOOR features a cast of flawed, relatable characters co-existing in an affluent neighborhood brimming with dark secrets. Rebecca Taylor expertly unfolds the plot, clue by delicious clue, engrossing the reader in a gripping, emotional story of women who will do anything to protect their families. For fans of Liane Moriarty, this domestic suspense will surprise you right to the very last page.
November 28, 2021
You haven’t seen neighborhood drama until you’ve come to The Enclave, the heart of Rebecca Taylor's novel,
The Secret Next Door
.
The Enclave is your typical exclusive neighborhood, full of the haves and those struggling to pretend they’re haves. Everyone tries to make their lives look enviable from the outside even as they deal with marital, financial, and/or parenting challenges.
The neighborhood is roiled by the proposed building of a golfing entertainment facility on adjacent land. Neighbors take sides and accusations are thrown that one family might actually benefit from the development.
But when the body of a 13-year-old boy is found by the neighborhood lake, it touches off a powder keg of fear, suspicion, guilt, and, of course, gossip. It also causes two families to evaluate everything they hold dear and determine just what they want.
The Secret Next Door is a soapy, twisty book. If you’re a fan of this type of neighborhood drama book you’ve seen some of the story before, but it’s still pretty addictive. And Taylor really threw in some twists I didn’t see coming.
Thanks to Suzy Approved Book Tours, Rebecca Taylor, and Sourcebooks Landmark for inviting me on the tour and providing a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review!!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
The Enclave is your typical exclusive neighborhood, full of the haves and those struggling to pretend they’re haves. Everyone tries to make their lives look enviable from the outside even as they deal with marital, financial, and/or parenting challenges.
The neighborhood is roiled by the proposed building of a golfing entertainment facility on adjacent land. Neighbors take sides and accusations are thrown that one family might actually benefit from the development.
But when the body of a 13-year-old boy is found by the neighborhood lake, it touches off a powder keg of fear, suspicion, guilt, and, of course, gossip. It also causes two families to evaluate everything they hold dear and determine just what they want.
The Secret Next Door is a soapy, twisty book. If you’re a fan of this type of neighborhood drama book you’ve seen some of the story before, but it’s still pretty addictive. And Taylor really threw in some twists I didn’t see coming.
Thanks to Suzy Approved Book Tours, Rebecca Taylor, and Sourcebooks Landmark for inviting me on the tour and providing a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review!!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
October 19, 2021
The Secret Next Door by Rebecca Taylor. Thanks to @sourcebookslandmark and @thisisedelweiss for the gifted e-Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alyson has moved with her family into her dream house, in her dream neighborhood. Now she wants to meet the new neighbors, fit in, and make friends. With political community issues brewing, and a body found, it won’t be easy.
I love suburban thrillers where a mother is trying to fit in with the well-off, elite members of the community. This one was just like that, but with a murder mystery thrown in too. I also liked the main character’s marriage and the problems they were going through. It was a pretty realistic view of marriage. The ending was surprising and unexpected for me, but some avid mystery fans may be able to see it coming… not me though!
“Any woman trying that hard to make you believe everything is perfect, is anything but.”
The Secret Next Door comes out 11/9.
Alyson has moved with her family into her dream house, in her dream neighborhood. Now she wants to meet the new neighbors, fit in, and make friends. With political community issues brewing, and a body found, it won’t be easy.
I love suburban thrillers where a mother is trying to fit in with the well-off, elite members of the community. This one was just like that, but with a murder mystery thrown in too. I also liked the main character’s marriage and the problems they were going through. It was a pretty realistic view of marriage. The ending was surprising and unexpected for me, but some avid mystery fans may be able to see it coming… not me though!
“Any woman trying that hard to make you believe everything is perfect, is anything but.”
The Secret Next Door comes out 11/9.
December 8, 2021
This thoroughly modern domestic thriller was indeed a page turner, though to be brutally honest I wasn't that fond of the protagonist, Alyson Tinsdale. She was too insecure, she drank too much, and though she loved her son, she was seriously lacking in parenting skills.
My favorite character was Bonnie Sloan. She seemed a more empathetic woman in my opinion.
The neighborhood tragedy was one written with understanding and realism.
The novel spoke to the oftentimes detrimental effect social media can have on an already tenuous and delicate situation. It covered themes of materialism, parenting, marriage breakdown, and parental grief.
The ending tied up the novel's loose ends in a neat and satisfactory way. I would definitely read this author's work again when I am in the mood for a thoroughly modern thriller.
My favorite character was Bonnie Sloan. She seemed a more empathetic woman in my opinion.
The neighborhood tragedy was one written with understanding and realism.
The novel spoke to the oftentimes detrimental effect social media can have on an already tenuous and delicate situation. It covered themes of materialism, parenting, marriage breakdown, and parental grief.
The ending tied up the novel's loose ends in a neat and satisfactory way. I would definitely read this author's work again when I am in the mood for a thoroughly modern thriller.
dnf-2022
August 10, 2022DNF @ 30%.
Wow. These characters are awful. This is like, some weird domestic drama crap that I am just not here for.
Also, the MC doesn't remember the night of the murder because she was uncharacteristically black out drunk and if I have to read this in a thriller one more time my brain may explode. She's also always yelling at her husband for spending so much time at work and like bitch, you made him buy a house in a neighborhood you liked even though he told you it wasn't financially possible. What did you expect? Not to mention you sit around on your ass all day without a job, doing nothing. Didn't send your kid to pre-school AND didn't work with him on any type of learning at home and you're pissed at the teacher for not teaching him enough when the other kids can read and your kid doesn't know what sound an A makes.
I cannot. I will not.
Wow. These characters are awful. This is like, some weird domestic drama crap that I am just not here for.
Also, the MC doesn't remember the night of the murder because she was uncharacteristically black out drunk and if I have to read this in a thriller one more time my brain may explode. She's also always yelling at her husband for spending so much time at work and like bitch, you made him buy a house in a neighborhood you liked even though he told you it wasn't financially possible. What did you expect? Not to mention you sit around on your ass all day without a job, doing nothing. Didn't send your kid to pre-school AND didn't work with him on any type of learning at home and you're pissed at the teacher for not teaching him enough when the other kids can read and your kid doesn't know what sound an A makes.
I cannot. I will not.
November 8, 2021
The slight suspense was the only thing that kept me reading this book. I disliked ALL the characters and did not enjoy reading about their crappy lives and the bad things that happened and how they messed up their kids lives. It annoys me to no end that most every problem in this book could have been solved by the characters actually talking to each other. I had stoped rating books before I read this one, but it annoyed me so much that I had to.
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