While the premise was interesting enough, I was having a hard time getting through the beginning chapters. I didn’t like the joint journal format and I couldn’t stand one of the main character’s narration style. It just seemed too forced and unnatural.

I give this a 3 stars for the amount that I completed. I did not finish this book. The plot and premise grabbed my attention to request it but once I started reading this book I struggled with it. It’s essentiallu the writing format. From what I had read so far it seemed like the book was being written as if this couple was writing in a journal. So one of them would write a chapter discussing the events of when they first moved into this strange house and then the other would write a chapter where one paragraph is in response to the others chapter and then they would just decide what they wanted to talk about. This made it hard to grasp the timeline. There is definitely more to this story. The couple was both keep things from each other as they continued to live in this house and that was what was keeping me reading for as long as it did. I wanted to know when they would discuss their discoveries with one another and eventually understand what the overall point of the story was. But as I mentioned, I just had a hard time with the style of writing and trying to follow the timeline and I lost interest due to that.

A twisty turn of a story that is a compelling read. The suspense ratchets up like a Hitchcock film, and I devoured it eagerly. Anyone looking for a slightly scary story will enjoy this.

Wow! Just wow. All I will say is the ending makes it all worthwhile. Keep reading folks, the boredom will end.
Somewhat disjointed and the narrative jumps from one character to another and abrupt changes in time
occur. But it is ultimately an interesting, imaginative read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

2.5 stars

The New Neighbors was pretty short, so I finished it quickly, but was left with mixed feelings. On one hand, I was interested enough to read it quickly, but on the other hand, it was kind of boring. There wasn't anything earth shattering about the book - nothing unique or that hadn't been done before, and when it ended, I was left with the "that's it?" feeling. I felt like I was waiting for something more to happen, which isn't how I want to feel after finishing a book!

I think I went into the book with expectations that were too high - I was expecting more of a thriller, but got a domestic suspense (heavy on the domestic, light on the suspense). Throughout the first half of the book, not much happened, and I was wondering where the mystery or crime would come in, and I thought it was a little odd that nothing happened for so long.

I thought the ending of the book was okay, but again, I read a lot of thrillers, and this one didn't do anything new, and followed a pretty formulaic plot in my opinion. Overall, this wasn't a winner for me, but if you're not well versed in the thriller genre, you may enjoy this one more than I did. I'd like to thank Netgalley and Berkley for my copy of the book. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Meet your new neighbors, Jack & Syd. They are a bit of an odd couple.  Jack is a pretty straitlaced social worker, and Syd has sown a few wild oats in her day. They have saved up to buy their "forever house" and fall into a bit of luck in finding the perfect place at a great price. But are things too good to be true? Pretty soon after moving in, things start to go awry.  To document the happenings, Jack & Syd begin a journal, which is told alternately by each. The journal documents the strange things going on as well as the unraveling of their relationship. The writing is fluid, and the tale is told seamlessly between the two. Both are very likable characters, flawed for sure, but you really do want a happy ending for them.

At first I thought this would be a paranormal thriller (not sure where I got that idea), but it isn't.  It is a psychological thriller with a plot so twisty you won't be able to figure out whodunit. The subject matter does become dark, then very dark. I did consider putting it down as it seemed to slow down and the focus was on the dark side of human nature. But I had to find out how it ended and the second half of the book picks up. The plot does a U-turn in a way that I had never imagined. All in all, this was a very satisfying and suspenseful read, with a lot of creepiness thrown in.

If you enjoy a novel that makes you work for it, The New Neighbors fits the bill. The synopsis tells you there's a dead body, however that is the opening scene, and we go back in time from there. Simon Lelic uses a writing technique I had to get used to reading. he presents the dead body and then takes us back almost diary like to the beginning, which readers see form both the husband and wife's points of view. There are definitely twists and turns, secrets revealed, and the story unravels quickly. I found the New Neighbors to be an entertaining mystery, not quite a thriller.

Right from the beginning this book intrigued me. It begins with the story of a young couple, Jack and Syd, who move into their first home. As the story unfolds they each have some disquieting experiences. The initial tone is almost supernatural and it leaves the reader to wonder exactly what the focus of the book will be.

The chapters alternate between Jack and Syd, with each of them giving their rendition of the series of events that eventually lead to the discovery of a body just outside their back door. I especially enjoyed the two points of view. It is definitely a different way to tell a story and I found it to be quite inventive. The author manages to weave both the past and the present into an almost seamless narrative. Several times I was pretty sure that I had figured out the inevitable conclusion, only to encounter a twist in the story that was quite unexpected.

Simon Lelic has crafted an excellent story of a struggling relationship, dark pasts and horrors yet to come. It is a book that is hard to put down and the reader will be anxious to read the final pages.

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Starts strongly, with a creepy gothic feel that makes it seem like supernatural horror, but its scares are too real. Nice final twist!

The New Neighbors is another book I have read in recent weeks where the synopsis makes it sound much more interesting than it really is. In fact, if you did not read the synopsis, you would be unclear just what was happening. The story does not begin with a murder. In fact, no one mentions murder until well past the halfway point. Only then does the story shift into a murder mystery. Prior to that point, it reads more like a relationship story in which the drama is between Jack and Syd and not with any neighbors.

I say the story begins as a relationship story because it starts as a journal kept by both Jack and Syd in which they write a letter to the other, telling their version of events, their feelings during those events, and their general thoughts. We learn their individual feelings about buying the house and their reasons for doing so. We learn a bit about how their relationship formed. We see how each views any situation differently. There is reference to the need to capture on paper everything that has happened and the hope that the exercise will help them make more sense of those mysterious events. However, there is only one cursory reference to the police to indicate that the event they want to understand is ominous in nature.

The problem with the story is that it veers down several different paths and does so without warning or tying back to the previous path. It starts out as a strained relationship novel, veers into a murder mystery, followed quickly by an abuse story. It is not until the end where all arcs combine together into one. This lack of cohesion makes the novel confusing if only because you never know where you stand or where the story is going. You are left wondering if it is going to veer into yet another direction or if it will eventually make sense.

Plus, even though we supposedly get to know Jack and Syd through their innermost thoughts via journal entries, they remain relatively one-dimensional. Jack in particular remains unchanged as the story shifts from his story to that of Syd’s. There is no growth or learning in either character and certainly no changes. It is not that they are bad characters, but we only get one glimpse into their lives and even then it is what they deem to put on paper. By the end of the novel, you understand just how many secrets they continued to keep from each other and consequently from the reader.

I hate to say this but The New Neighbors suffers for trying to be too clever and too Gone Girl. Multiple plot twists and potentially unreliable narrators does not always make for a good story, which is where we find ourselves with this one. The New Neighbors has all the feel of a bad roller coaster, one in which you start out excited hoping it is going to be good and finish the ride grateful that it is over. You don’t really know what happened in-between those two, but you just know that you did not enjoy it.

After spending what felt like forever finding their perfect home, Jack and Syd finally found it. A great location and they got it for a great price. But as the saying goes, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Soon after moving in Jack makes a disturbing discovery in the attic meanwhile Syd begins wondering about the girl next door. Something doesn’t make sense. But each of them keep their findings to themselves as to not worry the other. But when someone turns up dead behind their house, the police get involved and they aren’t sure what to think or believe. I thought this was a fantastic book, told in two alternating perspectives of the main characters, Jack and Syd. The story gets dark really quick and the story took a surprising turn…which I was all about! Definitely give this a read if you’re looking for a quick thriller!

I love a good thriller and this one definitely kept me guessing. It pulled me in right away with the alternating narrative. We get both Jack and Syd’s point of view of the events that happened leading up to..whatever it is that just occurred before they began writing. I won’t spoil anything, but this was creepy and addictive. I couldn’t put it down and I really want to pick up more of the author’s books.

The New Neighbors also has a bit of a supernatural feel to it and I LOVE the authors explanation for this at the end of the book. Definitely make sure to read that part when you’re finished with the story!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for sending me a copy to review!

Jack and Sydney (Syd) visit a realtor's open house where they view a London residence that's up for sale. Their bid is immediately accepted, although it's low and there seemed to be a lot of competition. From the beginning, Jack is bothered that the previous owner, who ran off to marry a woman he met on the internet, leaving behind all his junk. However, Syd was enamored with the house right from the start. Soon after they move in, they begin to hear strange noises, and Jack finds something mysterious in the attic (but he doesn't confide in Syd)...tensions mount as secrets threaten to surface and ruin everything.

Finding a new house be exhilarating. When the perfect one comes along, it can be euphoric. However, actually moving can be nerve racking. New bedroom, new town, new neighbors. Beware of buyer’s remorse.

When Jack and Syd buy a fully furnished new home, they believe it was a steal. Unlike previous occasions, their bid was accepted almost on the spot. However, the couple quickly realizes they got more than they bargained for. The past owner’s possessions seem off. Innocuous sounds become a little too eerie, and paranoia begins to set in.

Syd is a bit relieved when she meets her teenage neighbor whom she quickly builds a friendship with, even coming up with a language using flashlights from their respective windows. Unfortunately, Syd begins to realize they may have more in common than she thought… an abusive father.

Jack and Syd’s relationship is pushed to the brink as both are required to confront the past and the present. White lies become dark secrets to each other, neighbors, and the police.

The novel has some Gone Girl-esque facets and the first half of the book uses a unique almost journal-like prose. Unfortunately, I never became fully immersed in the story. I was hoping for more (believable) conflict and action. Each outcome seemed more far-fetched than the prior.

Verdict: Skip it (2/5 Stars)

I too have had a hard time reviewing this book. It had all of the ingredients there for a fine mystery but the lead up left me asking where is this going?

Sad and Jack are a couple who have spent the time and energy to save up for a down payment on a house in London. When a detached house comes on the market they attend an open house for fun and submit an offer. Knowing the house is way above what they can afford. Yet somehow, all other bids were not accepted and Syd and Jack are the happy new owners. Or are they? Weird noises are waking them at night. Syd becomes concerned for the well fare of a neighborhood girl whose childhood mirrors her own. This does not go down well with the girls father. An alcoholic brute who beats his child. Jack himself gets mixed up with the same man only to have a very public fight and public threats issued. While all this is going on we get insights into Syd’s childhood and her less than idealic father. But no one really knows how bad it was.
Until more things start happening in the house and the possibility that Syd’s father has found them. Which if true sets off a chain of events that threaten the very happiness Syd has been trying to build all these years.
Part one was necessary to create tension and a back story so that part two of the novel could be explained but I found this to jump around and having a few other story lines in the background muddy the flow of the story telling.

All in all, this will be a book you get or you don’t. Over all, the flow was interrupted too many times for me to truly enjoy.

Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

This book started out very promising but I found the storyline dull. Jack one of the main characters was very one dimensional and I was unable to connect with him or Syd.

Great book!! Kept me guessing till the end! I couldn't put it down. I liked the way the chapters switched from one character to the next, I got both points of view this way..

I actually finished reading The New Neighbors a few weeks ago but have been struggling somewhat with writing this review. I've been reading so many mystery/thrillers lately that I think I'm starting to develop a pretty high expectation for new ones I pick up. With the synopsis above I thought this was going to be a heart-stopping, fast-paced sort of thriller but I didn't find that to be the case. That isn't to say it wasn't enjoyable, it was. It just wasn't quite what I was expecting. Let me explain...

The beginning starts with the police outside Jack and Syd's new house and goes back in time to have them both, separately, tell the reader what happened from their own viewpoint. It's written almost as a confessional or diary, being somewhat informal and even funny at times. I loved this way of letting things unfold! However, as I neared the 50% mark and both characters were still being incredibly vague about absolutely everything, I began to get a little fed up and just wanted pieces to begin falling into place. And when those pieces did in fact fall I found the revelations to be somewhat anti-climatic and not that surprising. I just didn't find it all that "thrilling".

Something else I did enjoy, and which I wasn't expecting, was the more domestic drama aspect of the story. Both of these characters had incredibly hard childhoods, especially Syd, and seeing how those childhood traumas reached their ugly fingers into the characters' adult lives, influencing the kind of people they became and the actions they would take, was interesting. I think I might have enjoyed the story more if I went into the reading thinking this was more family drama then psychological thriller.

The New Neighbors, while definitely not what I would consider a "page turner", was still a quick and enjoyable read. There are still a few twists to satisfy a mystery reader, although I can't say they were all that hard to see coming. I love the way the author first presented the story, with the back and forth confessional style between Jack and Syd, and I would very much like to read other stories in this format as I think it could prove an excellent way to throw shocks and twists into a reading experience. While not a homerun for me I am still interested to see what else the author might have coming out next.

So — if you read me, you know I love suspenseful novels, and this one was no exception. There are lots of things happening in this story and you need to pay attention to them (or end up confused!). I thought I had it all figured out (twice) but I was wrong. I will say that I had to suspend my disbelief just a tad with the ending. Overall, it was a fast and fun read that kept me eerily on edge!
Thank you for my review copy via Net Galley!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

This was an unexpected read for me - I had seen good reviews and I wasn't 100% sure what to anticipate.

Jack and Syd manage to find the their dream house, in London no less, and for a price they can somehow afford. It seems too good to be true, and it isn't long before they start wondering how lucky they really were.

I enjoyed the way the story was structured through the first part, as the characters writing the story down. I also enjoyed the way details from the mystery were dished out. However, I was able to figure out the last twist before if happened, and it fell a little flat for me, if only because it seemed a bit far fetched. Overall, an interesting read, as a different take on thrillers.