My Review: 3.5 stars
Once again, Sally Hepworth has brought the secrets of families, neighbors and friends under her realistic lens in The Family Next Door. This is the third book I’ve read of Hepworth’s and I still would rate The Things We Keep as my favorite of hers. I enjoyed understanding the puzzling behaviors of these characters that were slowly unraveled to the reader.

It’s quite true that no one’s life is what it seems, especially if it looks absolutely perfect. This book unleashes the stereotypical, as well as some off the chart secrets that people keep. I had never heard of GSA (not going to disclose the meaning of this acronym to avoid spoilers) and it was very interesting. There was an unknown narrator, which reminded me of the omniscient voice on Desperate Housewives. Of course that led me to the similarities of their one word street names: Wysteria and Pleasant.

All of the women on the Pleasant Circle had to deal with their own demons, but I would’ve liked some of the subplots mentioned earlier to have finished what was started. For example, the one that most stood out was the start of a Neighborhood Watch group. I definitely thought that would lead to some kind of “wow” or “ah hah” moment, yet it read as a dead end.

Nonetheless, even with my few issues, I still gobbled this book up as I sat at by the pool while on vacation. Reminded me of a B version of Little Big Lies.

A small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Three friends, Fran, Ange and Essie seem to live fairly normal lives, but each have their secrets. They are married and live in a family friendly neighborhood, but then Isabelle moves in next door to Essie and she is single with no kids and just doesn't seem to fit in. Why is she there? Questions start to arise when they find out what Isabelle does for a living and slowly we learn secrets about the 3 friends which they would rather have kept to themselves.
A good mystery book, which keeps you guessing.

Gripping from the first page. This story reminded me of Alfred Hitchcock's movie "Rear Window" where you sit on the sidelines and get to peak into the intricacies of your neighbors daily life.

So many secrets. Lots of intrigue. A touch of mental illness. Manipulation. A sleepy little town. Real life drama. You never know what happens under someone else's roof. Why do people do the things they do? Why do we hurt the ones we love? You'll get some answers by the end of the book.

The story is told in chapters, each chapter told by a key player; Essie, Fran, Isabelle, Ange and Barbara. I really enjoy reading books where many perspectives tell the story, as I relate to each character, I experience different feelings reading each chapter depending on how I feel about that particular character. All characters were well defined with very human flaws.

I thought I had the story figured out and then it went in an entirely different direction. Loved that Ms. Hepworth didn't take the expected route.

I really enjoyed this story, I power read long into the night to finish. Take yourself on a little sabbatical and hunker down with a copy of this book. Kudos Ms. Hepworth, well done.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. I enjoyed this story, however, it was confusing when in the middle of a section, there was a flashback that was totally irrelevant to what I was reading. Towards the end of the book, when the mystery was revealed and explained, the flashbacks made sense. The story centers around three families who live near each other and are all hiding secrets behind closed doors . A stranger moves into the neighborhood and disrupts everything. Essie becomes fixated on the new friend she’s made , while her mother , husband and others are suspicious of the budding relationship. Others are hiding secrets and infidelities. I enjoyed this interesting story, but, didn’t like the flashbacks interjected where they were placed in the story. The characters were developed nicely and kept my attention.

Pleasant Court is a family neighborhood where everyone seems to be hiding something. When Isabelle moves into the neighborhood, things change, as she's not the "typical" neighbor- single, no children, and apparently no job. Why is she there? And what secrets do everyone seem to be hiding? A well written story that makes you realize you never really know your neighbors, do you?

Basically, everyone has a secret. But who can you share your secrets with? And should you? Definitely some twists and totally enjoyable

This book involves five women who live in the upscale neighborhood known as Pleasant Court, where families mingle but also cherish and protect their privacy. Three – Ange, Fran, and Essie – are married with young children. The new neighbor, Isabelle, is single and childless. Barbara is Essie’s single mom and grandmother to Essie’s little girls. All five women have their secrets and their frustrations, and we get to know them well as they take turns telling this story from their individual points of view.

Sally Hepworth brings all of it together in an ending I didn’t see coming. Throughout the story, we’re aware of each woman’s struggles with motherhood, marriage, and men who disappoint in one way or another. We know about their psychological breakdowns, their mistakes, and what wears them out by the end of the day. We watch them grapple with personal demons that require difficult decisions. And running throughout is the question, who is the anonymous, mentally disturbed narrator who has taken someone else’s baby from the hospital?

All in all, it’s an interesting look at the face we put on for others and leaves you wondering what you don’t know about that nice family down the block.

I am a longtime fan of Sally’s books and The Family Next Door does not disappoint. A tale of the families of Pleasant Court, Hepworth lets you in to the seemingly ‘pleasant’ lives of all its residents. Essie and Fran have new babies, Ange is sharing her picture perfect life with each upload to Instagram, and the husbands are all good looking and wonderful. Even Essie’s mum moved in next door. Then solitary Isabelle moves into this family friendly neighborhood and sparks the curiosity of everyone. Where’d she come from? Why Pleasant Court? As friendships made and betrayals revealed, it just goes to show, you never really know what’s going on behind the closed doors of the family next door.

I received an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This is not what I expected. I thought for sure I knew where this was going but I missed it. The heart of this story is Essie but this novel also involves her neighbors and their lives and the plot alternates between them. I’m awful with names so it was confusing for me until I had all of the characters figured out. Each woman is going through something different but at the center of it are their relationships, especially with their husbands. This is a very compelling read that you won’t want to put down. It’s not action packed but very real glimpses behind closed doors into other people’s lives.

I thought I was reading about the lives of a group of women who lived in the same neighborhood. Then the story took a twist that I didn't see coming. Great book!

A page-turning look at the lives behind the facades of our neighbors' lives.

I tried to find something positive to say about some aspect of the book like maybe at least it portrayed a post partum depression in
comic book form, actually the whole novel was revised in my mind to the comic book as nothing about the characters or plot was
anything but far fetched.. By the end of the book I felt like I had spent the day eating truly bad junk food, Not sure if it helps
to know that the amazing writer Ashley Hay sets perfectly written stories in Melbourne. This book was a real time waster, do your self
a favor and spend a good 20 minutes reading the new Jumpha Lahiri short story in the New Yorker to remind yourself that good writing
is one of the true pleasures of life.

Excellent book by Sally Hepworth. Fans of Liane Moriarity will love this family drama, full of rich characters and deep connections.

When Isabelle Heatherington moves into Pleasant Court, her neighbors are intrigued. The area is filled with married people and children, and Isabelle doesn’t fit the bill. While Essie, Fran and Ange are all trying to figure out what brought Isabelle to their neighborhood, Isabelle seems to be on a mission of her own. Captivated by the new tenant, Essie tries to befriend her and ultimately opens the door for an unbelievable discovery.

“The Family Next Door” absolutely blew me away. Not only did I feel like I was a part of each woman’s life, but I also managed to be thoroughly shocked by the twist that Hepworth delivered. I loved that mental illness plays such a large role in the story, because I think it’s a misunderstood ailment that occurs more often than anyone is willing to admit. The way that it relates to Essie’s storyline is powerful and stunning, and it adds a depth to her story that makes everything that much more devastating.

Even though the main story revolves around Essie and Isabelle, Hepworth spared no effort in creating supporting characters with fully flushed out lives—and issues—of their own. Fran and Nigel have two daughters, but is one of those daughters embodying a secret that could tear the family apart? Ange and Lucas are both successful entrepreneurs, but is their marriage as solid as their friends think it is? I loved that both of these women owned up to the truth of what their marriage was, and they made the best choices for their particular situations.

I implore anyone who enjoys domestic fiction and mystery to read this book as soon as it is published. You will feel the characters, you will get personally involved in their lives, and you will be amazed when you learn Isabelle’s real reason for moving to Pleasant Court. Remember, though—not all is as it appears.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of The Family Next Door. In exchange I offer my unbiased review.

I thought I knew exactly what this book was about but, wow; was I taken for a ride on crazy train! Sally Hepworth really knows how to throw some wild curve balls.
Set in a small suburban Australian neighborhood, where neighbors prefer to wave hello then actually stop and chat, the arrival of single Isabelle to the family friendly block is quite a surprise. And when Isabelle starts getting friendly & personal the mommies get panicky. In this town nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors, and there is LOTS going on!!!
This book was fun & entertaining but it's not going to rock your world. Somewhat trite and cliche, this is best read with a cup of wine and the kids tucked in bed for the night.

Quite a page turner filled with so many secrets and family drama. The mystery involved really keeps you guessing. Very well written, and the women characters could be any of my friends. I will definitely be recommending this book to our library patrons. I look forward to reading more by this author. Thank you for the opportunity to read.

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.

5 OUTSTANDING STARS all the way!!! I loved Sally Hepworth’s The Family Next Door! This is an absolute must-read, I will be recommending this to friends and family the next time I am asked, “read anything good lately that I should read?”

The Family Next Door centers around five families who live in Melbourne, Australia on Pleasant Court, each of these families have hidden secrets inside their beautiful idyllic homes; some of these secrets are jaw dropping!

Essie is a stay-at-home-mother of two young girls. She is married to Ben who owns a successful fitness company. In the beginning of the book you learn that Essie had a difficult time after her first pregnancy and her husband Ben and her mother keep a watchful eye on her.

Barbara is Essie’s mother and moved next door to help Essie with her two children. She is the perfect doting mother and grandmother who is always taking any stresses and burdens off her daughter. I often found myself wishing she was my own mother.

Fran is the mother of two young girls who appears to have everything together and makes everything look easy without being boastful. Fran is married to Nigel and is currently on maternity leave from the law firm she works.

Ange is a successful realtor, the mother of two boys, and the wife of Lucas. She thrives on appearing like she has the idealt life and sets up photo opportunities to present her perfection on social media.

Isabelle is the newest resident on Pleasant Court and the street takes an immediate interest in the new, 40 something who is single and without children. She just doesn’t fit the mold of the street and all eyes are focused on her.

The Family Next Door gave me all the feels, I laughed, I cried, I loved. There wasn’t a single character I didn’t fall for despite their flaws and indiscretions. I often wanted to give the women in this book big hugs, an ear, or a shoulder to cry on. Sally Hepworth developed beautiful, unique, and real characters that were authentic and likable. I was engaged throughout this novel and wanted to know what was going on, I enjoyed how each chapter was told by a different female resident on the street and they each had their own dramas unfolding behind closed doors. My mind was BLOWN AWAY by the big reveal and I cannot stop thinking about it. This will not be the last read from Sally Hepworth, I really enjoyed her writing style.

***Will review on Amazon and Barnes & Nobel on March 6, 2018

You may think you know your neighbors and those around you, but this story shows that you never know what goes on behind close doors or what others are dealing about in their personal lives. A new neighbor moves in and her background and motives behind her move are a mystery to the other ladies. The main mystery starts to reveal itself in the story but all character are dealing with their own events in their lives.