Beautiful story, wonderful mix of emotions with a veil of suspense. Fluently written and with short chapters that make you want to keep on reading. I also liked it that each main character told her own story.
This author is one of my favourites because she has a way of making you feel every emotion in the book. Loved it!

I liked the way that the plot evolved around multiple friends and real life struggles. These choices are cleverly captured and the decisions are tough. Highly recommend.

A great read! It takes a deeper look into a small neighborhood and how we all have our own secrets we keep to ourselves. I liked the fast pace of the book and his we read about each neighbor and what is going on in their separate lives. It shows us that we don't always know what is going on in the lives of the ones we think we know. I found some of the story lines predictable, but others surprising. Would definitely recommend to others.

I found each of the main characters here too flawed to connect to it feel sympathy for. But the story itself was interesting with quite a few plot twists and red herrings. However the big mystery was much too easy to figure out. 2.5 stars.

If nothing else it was a fast paced read.

I have to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the free eBook version of book in exchange for my review. This was a quick enjoyable read. These neighbors had there own stories and dramas to deal with but somehow they all still came together as friends. They began more like acquaintances but because they each had their own problems to deal with it seemed to pull them together as closer friends by the end

As the title indicates, this is a story of neighbours living in Pleasant Court and of how little we know of the neighbours, or even those we live with. There are many secrets and I loved the way the suspense just kept building as we were teased with the next level of the story. There were multiple POV’s, but I found it very easy to follow and also necessary to understand all the characters. I have not read books by this author before but I certainly will now.

Have you ever looked out your window and wondered what was going on with the lives of the neighbors in your neighborhood? Well, Sally Hepworth tells us all the secrets of the little suburb of Pleasant Court.
Essie is suffering from postpartum depression for the second time. Barbara, Essie’s mother, is her doting mother who is always there for her. Isabelle is new to the neighborhood who has taken an interest in Essie. Does she have an ulterior motive? Ange is worried that her husband is cheating on her... AGAIN! Fran is worried that a very big secret she is keeping from her husband will be exposed.
The author takes us through the lives of these families and with many twists and turns exposes all of their secrets. You will find out things aren’t always what they seem.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for an ARC in exchange for a non biased review of this book.

This novel was absolutely wonderful! I was drawn into this novel from the first chapter straight through to the very last page! I enjoyed the depictions of the couples and their lives with each other and their children. Sally has written a novel that has funny characters you can relate to. But at the same time, the novel is very emotional and mysterious! The story is based around the families that live in the Pleasant Court neighborhood in Melbourne. We get to know three families in particular and a single woman who has just moved into the neighborhood. We get to see into their daily lives and their relationships with the other neighbors. How well do we really know our spouses or our neighbors? Everything will be different for everyone in this neighborhood by the end of the novel.

How well do you know your neighbors? How well do you know your own family? Is anyone who they claim to be these days? These are some of the questions the women of Pleasant Court find themselves wondering all too often, starting with the arrival of the mysterious, single Isabelle in their family oriented street. I enjoyed getting inside the head of these different women and seeing where their stories would lead.

Small, perfect towns often hold the deepest secrets.

From the outside, Essie’s life looks idyllic: a loving husband, a beautiful house in a good neighborhood, and a nearby mother who dotes on her grandchildren. But few of Essie’s friends know her secret shame: that in a moment of maternal despair, she once walked away from her newborn, asleep in her carriage in a park. Disaster was avoided and Essie got better, but she still fears what lurks inside her, even as her daughter gets older and she has a second baby.

When a new woman named Isabelle moves in next door to Essie, she is an immediate object of curiosity in the neighborhood. Why single, when everyone else is married with children? Why renting, when everyone else owns? What mysterious job does she have? And why is she so fascinated with Essie? As the two women grow closer and Essie’s friends voice their disapproval, it starts to become clear that Isabelle’s choice of neighborhood was no accident. And that her presence threatens to bring shocking secrets to light.

My Thoughts: In the quiet Melbourne neighborhood, there are expectations about how people should interact with one another. There are get-togethers, there is a civility between them that is somewhat superficial, but then there is a neighborhood watch to make them feel safe.

As we gradually come to know each of the characters, there are hints of their secrets, and we are not quite sure how much we will learn. Which of the families has the most to hide? Why did Isabelle, a single woman, move onto Pleasant Court? We sense something is not right with her. She seems almost too enmeshed in their lives. What could she be hiding?

Alternating narrators tell the story in The Family Next Door, and occasionally an unidentified narrator is experiencing something horrific: a stillbirth, anxiety, and then confusion.

We learn about some of Fran’s secrets, and why she runs several times a day, almost like an addict.

Ange needs to present the perfect front…she is the realtor, after all. She “sells” the life you want to lead. But her seemingly perfect husband Lucas has layers of secrets.

Then there is Barbara, the perfect grandmother, but something is not right there, either.

As the revelations start coming to light, especially one totally unexpected one, we see that a missing piece of the puzzle has just clicked into place. 4.5 stars.

***My e-ARC came from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is a light easy read that I enjoyed. I’d rate it 3.5 stars as it did keep me entertained, and I didn’t want to give up on it at any point. This is the story of 5 women, four of which all live in the same neighborhood. It was a slow build up of keeping up with the main characters and their husbands and children’s names. The author did a great job of character development which led to a good story. Each woman was unique and had their own set of “family drama” issues. It’s hard to believe all this could happen in one Australian neighborhood, but it did make for an light entertaining read with a few twists. I was most proud of Ange for having the strength to leave a husband that she loved but put herself first and finally chose to accept that Lucas wouldn’t change his ways despite his promises to do so. Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Pleasant Court is an ideal place to live to raise a family and meet and enjoy living with good neighbors, who are sure to become more than people you pass on the street as you walk your dog or back out your car out of the driveway on the way to work. However, the residents all have secrets (I suspect everyone has some secrets, though, if you dig deep enough). Essie is living on the court with a secret about events that happened a few years back that marked her and probably will, at some point, come back to haunt her. Fran has her own problems and memories that have become part and parcel of her own deep secret, one she has kept from everyone, including her husband, but one that haunts her day and night. Angie also has secrets and suspicions about her husband’s fidelity that are well on their way to becoming secrets that will haunt her every day. Next, Barbara, Essie’s mother and regular helper and babysitter for her young children, has perhaps the biggest secret of them all—though possibly not if you are one pf the others. Finally, their newest resident Isabelle, who arrives and does not fit the Pleasant Court “mold” (i.e. is unmarried, with no children, no husband, interestingly suspicious job, etc.), who arrives and distracts them all, as they try to figure out what and who she is. This book follows these women as they go about their daily lives, acting and reacting to the secrets they hold close to their hearts, and how this secrecy affects them. In the end, all secrets are important, though are handled differently by each one of them.

This was a pretty good book. The fact that everyone had secrets that totally affected their daily lives made it an interesting read. I was a bit surprised at the ending, but I knew something like this was coming, based on the latter part of the story. I did find it a bit unusual and not exactly what I expected, but I can live with that. The book deals with a myriad of issues: infidelity, kidnapping and its effect on the family of the kidnapped, sexual attractions/relationships and the possible guilt that accompanies it, relationships between neighbors as well as between women who have become somewhat close because of the proximity of their houses, mother and daughter relationships, etc. There are others, but I am not going to go on. I thought it interesting that all this was in the book, but the book still retained its interest, good story line and plot and good characterization think most people will find the book interesting. I know I did. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

This story takes place in Melbourne, Australia, in a quiet cul-de-sac of identical homes called Pleasant Court. It centers around the main character of Essie, who suffered from postpartum depression after having her first child, Mia. As the book begins, at the suggestion of her mother Barbara (who lives next door) Essie takes Mia out for a walk to the park "to get fresh air." However, as is the norm Mia starts wailing if the carriage isn't in constant motion. It starts to rain and Essie must take refuge under a tree. She's at the end of her tether tending to her daughter without benefit of much sleep. After waiting for a bit for the rain to let up, she abruptly decides to escape to a shop for a cup of tea. I must tell you I was flat out shocked when I realized pages later she had actually left the baby at the park. This is the lightening bolt event that kicks off the book.

The other two ladies who live in the development are Fran and Ange. This sleepy suburban wholesome scene isn't all that it appears, for everyone is holding a secret behind their perfect facades. Fran is on maternity leave after having her second daughter. She goes out to run multiple times during the day as if she is literally running from something. Ange is a real estate agent married to Lucas, a photographer who owns his own studio just off the local park. He's several years younger than Ange and once had an affair earlier in their marriage. Ange frets that his studio is a hotbed for temptation... and she's also holding a secret that haunts her.

Then a mysterious and attractive woman moves into one of the homes. She seems all too perfect; very friendly and so good with everyone's children. Does she work? Is her absent "partner" male or female? She's around forty...will she ever have kids?

Then there's the character of Barbara, mother of Essie. She conveniently lives next door and is relied upon heavily to help Essie with her kids. She makes it all look so easy while Essie is constantly exhausted by them. Barbara/Gran hides the biggest secret of all!

The story chugged along at a steady and even pace, holding my interest throughout, as the inhabitants of Pleasant Court's issues resolved neatly to their conclusions.

Full review for Shelf Awareness -- but I loved this Liane Moriarty read alike.

The Family Next Door focuses on five women - Essie, Fran, Ange, Isabelle and Barbara - all living in a suburb of Melbourne called Pleasant Court. They all have their own domestic challenges yet they all assume the grass is greener next door and across the street.

This novel touches on a lot of serious issues yet I would not describe it as a heavy novel. I think the slightest hint of Desperate Housewives and the author’s wry sense of humor provided just the right amount of levity to the story. I frequently found myself pleasantly caught off guard by the insight on motherhood, marriage, family and friends throughout this novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would highly recommend it. Fans of Liane Moriarty would definitely love this one!

4.5 stars

I received an ARC of "The Family Next Door" from NetGalley for an honest review. I wish to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Sally Hepworth for the opportunity to read this book.

This book took me a bit to fully get into as there were five main characters - it was confusing until I settled in with it all. It took a while to figure out who was who and what husband and kids belong to whom. But, I must say, once I started really reading this book, I couldn't put it down.

The storyline of the novel was incredible - I truly thought that it was going in one direction and it totally fooled me and went in a different direction.

The author writes so well! This is the third book of hers that I have read and it is by far the best of the four that she has written. I am looking forward to reading the missing book that the author has written.

This will definitely be a big selling book and will do very well via word of mouth. This will make a fantastic spring break read!!

DEFINITE recommend!!

3.5⭐️ Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Family Next Door surrounds three women who live in a very peaceful and happy neighborhood. Essie, mother of two and wife, had an episode years before where she left her daughter in the park. She now is trying to show that she can be the mom everyone wants her to be. Ange has a perfect life.... on instagram. And Fran is holding on to a secret. But with their busy lives these three women are still intrigued when Isabelle moves in on the street. Isabelle is kidless and husbandless. Why would she want to live here?

I found this book to be good but not great. I enjoyed it and will recommend it to others for sure. However, for me it just wasn’t a book that made me gasp or put the book down to say “What just happened?!?!” It just didn’t have that oomph for me because the ending fell a little flat. I enjoyed the characters and the relationship dynamics between all the characters.

I did enjoy the author’s writing and would like to back and read some of her other books.

Book sent to me to review.
I have read her previous books and enjoyed them.

The introduction hooked me- I have shared feelings of motherhood.

Pleasant Court
I could envision the neighborhood- seems like a lovely place to live.
True suburbia, neighbors coming together to form friendships and a neighborhood watch program.

Smiles on all the friendly faces around neighborhhod
Smiles masking the hidden secrets inside
Secrets come to light - pieces fall and come together
Answers question - perfect or real??

The multiple points of view gives the whole story.
You will want to know the whole story!

I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. I read it in under 24 hours, reading late into the night because it just kept getting better. I've read Sally Hepworth's previous books, and really enjoyed them, but The Family Next Door is a head above. Perhaps I'm just a sucker for a book about women who are in the same life stage as me, facing a combination of normal and extraordinary circumstances, but I was completely engrossed with the story of this neighborhood and these women, and an honest depiction of motherhood that neither demonize or glorify the experience. This book will be a great recommendation for readers of Liane Moriarty, Jane Green, and JoJo Moyes.

THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR
Sally Hepworth


MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️
PUBLISHER St. Martin’s Press
PUBLISHED March 6, 2018

An intriguing novel that will leave you wondering - how well do you know your neighbors.

SUMMARY
Essie, had just had first baby and was experiencing postpartum depression. She was alway exhausted and had to keep Mia’s pram in constant motion so she wouldn’t cry. In an act of desperation, Essie left Mia at a park one day. Just left her there, so she could go have a cup of tea. While Mia was very soon rescued by Essie’s mom, the event was not soon forgotten. Essie’s nurturing mom moved in next door to keep an eye on Essie and help with Mia. Essie’s friends on the street Fran and Ange, never knew what had happened. Three years later, despite the postpartum risk, Essie was finally able to convince her husband Ben, a fitness studio owner, to have a second child. It was another baby girl, Polly. Everything seemed to be going fairly well, until a new neighbor moved in next door to Essie on Pleasant Court. Isabelle is single with no kids, and doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the ponytailed moms on the street, but Essie really likes her, and is excited at the prospect of having a new friend. There is one thing that Isabelle, Essie and the other moms on the street all have in common, everyone has a secret.

REVIEW
The Family Next Door is an immensely satisfying book full of high drama. The adept writing is a careful ascent into the lives of five families on Pleasant Court and their secrets. The story shows just how destructive secrets can be. It’s a street where everyone keeps to themselves, and where appearances can be deceiving. There is a lot going on on Pleasant Court and this book captures it all. It’s a bit much to take in, but it’s definitely worth the effort. This book will have your head spinning. SALLY HEPWORTH’s character development was masterful and the plot was intriguing. Recommended for anyone who likes to get wrapped up in intricate family dramas such as Big Little Lies. Sally Hepworth is a writer based in Melbourne, Australia who has written three other novels: The Mother’s Promise (2017), The Things We Keep (2016), and The Secrets of Midwives (2015). Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.