The Family Next Door: A Novel

This book was so good. It was hard to put down and caused me to lose sleep. The characters we ever evolving and you weren't sure who they would be, as far as characteristics or personality, until the end. It was riveting until the very end. The end was not what I expected but it was so fitting.

I was seeking a new book to read when after a few days of searching, this was the first book I came across that interested me. I love a good domestic drama that’s not also considered to be a psychological thriller. This book sounded like it fit. I found that the very beginning of the book lured me in, and made me want to know more. It kept me interested. However, from approximately 10% through 40% of the way through, I thought it kind of dragged. It was a bit confusing to follow, and didn’t really hold my interest as much. I actually almost abandoned this book to start another book I had since purchased. When that happens, I find that more often than not I don’t end up returning to finish the abandoned book- and since this was a pretty expensive book, I really wanted to try my best to get through it. I’m glad I did, because eventually, I became hooked. I needed to find out what was going on & what would happen. Nearer to the end, the chapters ended in little cliffhangers. However, even though the next chapter that followed may have focused on someone else, it was still not disappointing because I still was just as interested in that storyline. Once the book “got going”, I thought that all of the neighbor’s stories were interesting. The title of the book, “The Family Next Door”, accurately describes the book perfectly. Each family was the “family next door” to someone else, and you just never really know what’s going on in other people’s lives- and every family has their issues. It wasn’t the kind of book that’ll stay with me for days after finishing it, nor one I’d probably read again, but It was good, and I would recommend it to those who like domestic dramas.

Reminded me somewhat of the old TV show Desperate Housewives. Plenty of female characters, spouses and boyfriends along with children - can make it a little hard to keep track of. It's a quick read, with a good twist, but I don't really understand where the other female neighbors fit into the whole of the story. Maybe it's just me.

I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't put it down! I have read all Liana Moriarty's books and have been trying to find a similar author and luckily I have finally found her. So excited to read the rest of Sally Hepworth's books, which I have already bought!

This book wasn’t what I had expected, but I ended up liking it a lot. I thought it would be a mystery thriller and more sinister in it’s storyline.There is mystery and some suspense but not how I thought it would be. It kept me reading and turning the page to find out what happened next. Definitely a good read.

Gifted it to happy recipient

I really enjoy this author and have now read all but one of her books. If you're looking for that intriguing-character-driven novel for the plane or the beach, Sally is your gal.Life can get messy, and this trio of young mothers--who all think that the other mothers have it figured out--show us wonderfully that no one has it all figured out. One mother seems to have the perfect husband--that rare helping out with everything from cooking to kids while his wife earns a good living--turns out to have feet of clay, while the seemingly imperfect husband, turns out to be quite perfect in his way.Like all of this author's books, there is a BIG secret that affects the characters by their not knowing. I find this a great plot device because it always keeps me reading.In this book we have a mysterious woman who comes to town who acts as a catalyst making the other three women examine their own lives. The ending is satisfying, and the characters are realistic and compelling. It's not the kind of novel that will change your life--it's more like watching a good soap-opera show like Big Little Lies, which I enjoy with guilty pleasure.I'm not sure what's in the water in Australia but they keep turning out great authors who excell at female-character-driven-hard-to-put-down novels. I have recommended this book to all my reading friends needing a new novel.

Multiple levels of charactersLike the way the author leaves each chapter with a bit of an interesting cliff hanger

I just loved how the story ran and ran I could emphasise with all the characters. Have just discovered a new favourite authou

Great book. Could not put it down.

I enjoyed reading this book. Surprised by the events of real people's life. I recommend it. And I love to read books from Australian's writers, just because my son leaves there.

This was a fantastic reading cleverly written. It started slow but as the story unfolds it becomes fast paces and even more addiction.

This is my first book by Sally Hepworth and it was a page turner right from the beginning.I felt invested in the lives of those in Pleasant Court and curiosity on how these lives unfold kept me reading late unto the night.Worth any time or money you spend.