The Neighbours by Nicola Gill an unlikely four-star read. This is my first by this author and I hope it won’t be the last, it’s a story about unlikely friends who start as neighbours. This was well paced and had good characters, but it did feel overly long in places, most of the descriptive language used worked well, but a couple of times it felt overdone. The issues raised are done well and not some that you usually find in a novel of this genre. Ginny and Cassie are very different people in life, but as life shows just because you may not appear different on the surface, sometimes similarities run so much deeper.

Such a lovely romcom! Full of charm and humour, along with many heartfelt moments and triumphs.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ginny's journey from a life turned upside down, trials and error along the way, and the delightful ending. Though, I was left wanting more, there is closure. I just wished we got a bit a more.
I appreciate the author including mental health in this story. I struggle with depression, and it just goes to show, even when you feel alone, you aren't. And even people with money, who seem strong and unabashed, and have not a need in the world also suffer from mental illness. Mental illness does not discriminate.
All in all, I really enjoyed this novel. I did find the writing style a bit off. It just wasn't for me, but that's personal preference. The characters were extremely well developed and the story full and captivating. I feel like the story ended too soon, too abruptly for the depth of the story, but that just might be me being greedy. Haha. That said, I absolutely recommend!

Thank you Netgalley, Avon Books, and Nicola Gill for this advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A warm, light read full of wit and humour. I enjoyed this story and simply ploughed through it. The perfect way to fill a Sunday afternoon.

I know this isn't my usual genre, but there was just something about this title that spoke to me and I couldn't resist requesting a copy. My instincts turned out to be right, because I ended up really enjoying my time with this story. If you are looking for a poignant and entertaining romcom with that Bridget Jones vibe, The Neighbours should definitely be on your 2020 wishlist.

It's a superfast read and has both funny and more serious moments incorporated into the plot. Oh yes, it's not all roses and sunshine in The Neighbours as more heavy themes as depression, suicide and cheating are incorporated into the plot. It was interesting to see how the author used these elements in her story and then balanced them with lighter moments and a dose of humor here and there. The plot itself might involve some cliches, but there is no doubt that it makes for an engaging read and fans of the genre will be more than pleased. The writing definitely makes you turn those pages fast enough, and I literally finished The Neighbours in one sitting. Whether you are looking for your next beach read or something to make you forget about the cold winter weather, this story will do the trick.

That said, I did have mixed thoughts about the main characters. It's true that Ginny and Cassie make a very unlikely pair, and I did have a great time following their story and see their relationship grow. Cassie's character is fascinating, with her being an older actress who is no longer as famous as she used to be... I liked her sass and 'I don't give a damn' attitude and it was interesting to see other aspects of her personality developed as well. Ginny is an interesting character as well, although I did have issues with some of her character traits and decisions. Especially those relationship related and how she handles things in general... The whole love triangle vibe I could have done without as well, but those are only minor complaints for what is otherwise a very entertaining read.

In short, if you are looking for a fast, engaging, funny and sometimes poignant and heartbreaking romcom, this story is without doubt a great choice! I'm having the feeling fans of the genre will love this book.

A lighthearted romantic tale of a girl rebuilding her life following a breakup. Ginny walks in on her boyfriend in bed with her boss, losing her man and her job in one go. This book made me laugh and root for Ginny to get back up and find love again. The author also deals sensitively with the subject of depression, bringing some depth to what could be a typical bit of chick lit. Worth a read!

I really enjoyed reading The Neighbours. It had a great mix of realism and escapism; it was good to read a real representation of mental ill heath alongside real friendship with a good splash of romance. It left me feeling uplifted and I loved Ginny’s journey from the beginning to who she was by the end.

4 stars.

You look at the title and think it’s probably a thriller, because there seems to be a trend these days when it comes to thrillers — there’s either a girl somewhere, a wife somewhere, or a neighbour somewhere.

But nope, this is a book about two neighbours who live in the same building. It’s a story about the unlikely friendship they form, and how they help each other grow as individuals. Clinical depression is dealt with beautifully in Nicola Gill’s debut novel, as one of the characters undergoes a massive spell. The rock solid friendship formed between two women, with an age gap of twenty years, is the crux of the story.

One of the neighbours is Ginny, a woman who tries to put her life back together from one of festering mediocrity — she’s at a dead end job and the only thing she relies on is that she has a boyfriend whom she’s serious with — until she catches said boyfriend cheating on her with her boss. (Yikes!) She’s paranoid about her biological clock, thanks to excessive conditioning by the media, and is afraid of being alone in life — a fear that most human beings share.

The other half of the titular duo is Cassie — a small time actress who’s under media fire for a ton of things she says and does. She’s in her fifties, and is unapologetic about what she says in a time when it’s necessary to be PC all the time. She’s not racist or homophobic — in fact she’s vocal about speaking out against discrimination in real life — but somehow lands with her foot in her mouth, which is always recorded for posterity by the paparazzi. The second half of the story focuses on how she gets back on her feet as she struggles with depression, her friendship with Ginny being the rock that is instrumental in her recovery.

The story is narrated in a very lighthearted manner from Ginny’s point of view, but it never trivialises any of the issues that either of the main characters face. It doesn’t try to be unnecessarily humorous, but there’s an underlying sense of wit, that shines through at the right moments.

The story does feature romance, but it never delves into it. Things happen as they happen, and the primary focus is only on the characters’ professional lives and their personal development. It passes the Bechdel’s test with flying colours — and it that sense, I’d call it feminist. The right term for this novel would be “women’s literature”, not to be confused with the stereotyped category of “chick lit”.

The only qualms I had with this book is that it could have been shorter. While the first 40% of the book and the last 30% were engaging, the first few chapters especially so, the story kind of idled in the middle. I read this in four days flat despite a heavy workload — I couldn’t stop reading, but a lot of the middle could have been edited to be crisper. The descriptions were excessive at times, though at others, that was the backbone for some lighthearted humour. It still could have been made shorter, though.

Reading this book was a refreshing change. I saw the cover and description, and decided I had to give it a try — the cover is quirky and cute, and reminds me of O. Henry for some reason. It’s not a book for those who want a fast paced plot, or those who want some action. This book essentially is just a time lapse capture of two women who lead remarkably ordinary lives, over the period of about 18 months.

I truly enjoyed this breath of fresh air, and would like to see what Nicola Gill writes next. The book is slated to be published in Feb 2020, and I hope it does well.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an opportunity to read an advance copy of this book — I truly enjoyed it.

Much more depth to it than you'd find in other books in its genre and style (such as Bridget Jones' language and energy.) Author brought these two characters together naturally, making this a story of connection, trust, admiration and soul work. I loved how the book zipped along at a pleasant pace, making this one of those easy reads to cleanse the palate between heavier books....but here we find ourselves immersed in heavier topics, draw in, emotional, engaged, entertained, and hopeful. Gill knows how to craft a story, and this title pleases tremendously.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this free ARC in exchange for a review. I enjoyed this title very much.

What a fun, quick read! This author's writing reminds me of Sophia Kinsella whose writing I love.

The story was light and airy. I loved the humor - and Ginni was such a lovable character.

I didn't rate this a full 5* because believe it or not the story didn't draw me in right away.

A wonderful and truly delightful read. A pure feel good book. Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for my eARC of this book

This is a feel good story of an unlikely friendship. Heartwarming...........................sit down and enjoy it. Highly recommended

This is chic lit at its best! I read someone else say think Bridget Jones and yes in some ways it does have that feel! It is a light easy read and will grab you for the beginning.

Plot is two neighbors at different stages of life what could they possibly have in common but they find they do. Against a London backdrop it all works!

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC copy for my honest review.

Who has a neighbor has a treasure 😊
It is a totally uplifting story about friendship and relationships that you will finish of reading the last page with a wide smile plastered in your mouth.
Ginny never thought she could end up becoming into the best friend of her sarcastic TV star neighbor Cassie, at a time when they needed each other more than ever, even if they were not aware of it.
You’ll laugh out-loud, cry and fall in love because this novel has the main ingredients to get excited with every page.

Ginny and Cassie are at two different ends of a measuring stick, but I love how circumstances brought them together in this story and as a result I got treated to an unlikely friendship and some odd, hilarious and downright refreshing conversations.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC. I'd recommend this as light fiction, something that will entertain a reader.

This book started with great promise for me, but dragged in the middle, unfortunately, The central issue with the Nick character (not wanting children), remained unreasonably unresolved through about half of the book when the main character could simply have asked him. A better plot line was the relationship between the two neighbors and the neighbor's depression. I'm not really sure how to rate this book as I was completely on board for the first half and had to force myself to get to the end.

It is an enjoyable read with an interesting plot and loveable characters. Yes, even the one with the attitude. :) However, I did think now and again with some exasperation: "Why don't you communicate?". It could have saved so much hurt. Still, there is a happy ending so all is well. I recommend it to everyone who likes a good romance.

I thought this was going to be a funny chick lit story but it was a lot heavier than that. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed it and felt that it was heartwarming at times despite being quite emotional

"A funny, honest and moving exploration of life, love, friendship"

I didn't know what to expect when I started reading "The Neighbours" but the story picked up and it pulled me in, and, before I knew it, I cared about Ginni and Cassie, but especially Ginni.
The story is told entirely from Ginni's perspective, and it works well. Ginni is an endearing and very real character who makes mistakes and has to deal with her fears.
The story is a quick and easy read that will make you think about the things that matter in life, like friendship and caring for each other, but at the same time will make you laugh out loud.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

Wonderful storyline,the character's seemed lifelike,an unusual friendship developed between the main characters who are loveable,and what adventures they have.
A pleasant and in part amusing read.

Heavier subject matter than chick lit. Easy read about friendship and relationships which I enjoyed. Would recommend.