There's a 20 year age difference between Cassie and Ginnie but they have so much in common- and they find that they can help one another. Ginny threw a plant at her boss, who she found in bed with her boyfriend and now she's not got a job or a boyfriend. Ginnie was a Bond girl who lived a vibrant life filled with men and scenes but a stint on reality TV torpedoed it all. She's coping (not always well) with depression. Cassie, a publicist, takes her on as a client and along the way, these two grow. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a good read that's a little more serious than you might expect.

A bit wishy washy to start, The Neighbours is all about who you let into your life, and how you get back your groove after everything comes crashing down around you. I love the way Nicola Gill tackled discussing mental health, and how blood family is not always as strong a bond as the family you make around you.

Sometimes you just need a great chick flick... in book form! That’s this book. I couldn’t put it down once I started and I’m thirsting for more!

Ginny Taylor works in PR. Or at least she did until she came home and found her boss and her boyfriend together. Now she is jobless and boyfriend-less, and no prospects for either one. Her downstairs neighbor Cassie Frost is an actress who, after a long string of bad publicity, is finding it hard to get new roles. So Cassie hires Ginny to help her clean up her image.
I have mixed feelings about this book. The first half of the book seemed to drag and several times I seriously considered just giving up. I am glad now I didn't because by the second half Ginny's character became more likeable and the storyline picked up. If you are a fan of chick lit then you may want to give this one a try.

3.5 Stars ~ Rounded

Told from the point of view of Ginny, now 34, working for a boss she abhors, in a flat relationship that she thinks will bring her the “dream”, but won’t ‘correct her boyfriend’s bad behavior, losing a flatmate to the hustle and bustle of New York, and generally thinking that she’s stagnated when others have moved on. Oh – and she has MASSIVE baby fever, with all of the engagements, pregnancies and ‘promotions’ that scroll across her social media daily. But walking in on her boyfriend in a compromising position with her boss tosses everything to the wind – and she’s soon unemployed after a colossal scene, and retreats into a pity party for one, appropriate behavior optional.

And we have plenty of these pity party moments from Ginny, who has one of the strongest self-sabotaging voices in the world, that constantly tap on the little self-esteem she has, and have her second guessing everything. When her downstairs neighbor, an aging actress just off a stint on a reality show that went pear-shaped for her coaxes her into performing a bit of ‘PR’ to polish up her image, Ginny reluctantly steps up, in between several failed interviews for new jobs, a promising ‘future’ possible opportunity through a friend, and much (make that CONSTANT) self-flagellation over her own perceived ‘failures. Through a solid boyfriend after several tossers, an up and down relationship with Cassie’s needs for ‘attention’ and her stuttering star, and then Cassie’s near abrupt dive into a serious depression, Ginny is pretty self-absorbed while wanting to do the right thing: even when her own experience is lacking.

And Gill handles the second guessing, the depression and the support from Ginny with flair – showing Ginny’s hopelessness in the face of Cassie’s illness and lack of response. But there was just something not quite accessible in Ginny. Obviously she was good at her job or people wouldn’t follow her and look to see her succeed – but even a ‘can you come to my office’ sent her into instant thoughts of being fired, her lack of openness with the ‘good’ boyfriend left her spinning her wheels in regret and impulsivity, and through it all, despite saying it – never really found that ‘steel’ within herself to move forward and be confident. And there was so much I wanted to really Like about Ginny, or really wanted to see her just ‘man up’ and move on without overthinking, which made her so frustrating, and perhaps a bit too real? We’ve all had the moments, and compare ourselves and our lives to those we see on Social Media – and maybe, in many ways, this floundering from Ginny is what is more needed by everyone. At any rate, despite the low self esteem and the clinical depression that were both key elements of the story, it was easy to read and engaging, and the voices were clear, if there were several places where the ‘getting to know” Ginny and her background could and should have been cut down as they wandered and dragged without enhancing the ultimate story.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=’https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aCn /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

This is the first book I have read by Nicola Gill which was based on friendships. I found this to be a pleasant and easy read.

The Neighbours is story of unlikely people who become a part of each others lives. They share laughs, fun times, bad times and everything in between. I had fun reading the story, only negative - it is a tad too long,and that's why it's a 3.5 *** for me.

This is an interesting book as it defies the commonly promulgated idea that we don't know, or care about, or neighbors in London. My personal experience is that this is not true.
In hondon, we live in small communities, towns if you will, where, when you walk out the shop owners know you, the station staff recognise you, and you always bump into, and talk with, a neighbor. True, you need to smile and say 'Hello' first and maybe join in a community activity, of which there will be lots to choose from.
Not so in Commuter Land.
I lived there for 19 years and barely knew nextdoor.
Here in London I know lots of people & even have had drinks with
the people upstairs.
That said, this is a warm story, almost sentimental, with a young person befriending the grouchy neighbor below stairs, and as such helping her turn
her life around.

Ginny is about to turn 35 and finds herself jobless, roommateless, boyfriendless, and desperately wanting a baby. Cassie, Ginny's neighbor, is an almost washed up actress with lots of issues of her own. Somehow, these two women form a deep friendship.

I really wanted to like this book a lot more than I actually did. This particular genre is one I turn to for fun, light-hearted reading as a break from some of the heavier books I read. Unfortunately, this particular book just dragged. I didn't mind the heavier topics -- infidelity, depression, etc. -- but I did mind that they seemed to come out of absolutely nowhere. I also didn't like how weak Ginny was -- she lets men treat her however they want, when she finally meets a nice man, she acts like she's 14 instead of 35.

The ending was fine, but by the time we finally got to that point, I didn't really care about Ginny or Cassie anymore, unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. It has not influenced my opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Nicola Gill for a digital review copy in return for an honest review.

This was a book that made me smile even though it covered some 'heavy' topics including depression and low self esteem. The characters are well thought out and I found myself cheering on Ginny and Cassie, the unlikely neighbours.

I have seen suggestions that there is a "Bridget Jones" feel to the book, which I can understand, however I found Ginny to be much more likeable and caring than Bridget.

A great debut novel, looking forward to reading more books by Nicola Gill in the future.

I like this author. Around 40% of the way into The Neighbours by Nicola Gill this thought came into my head. It didn't burst its way in, it didn't sneak in. One moment it was just there and I knew it to be fact. By time I was 2/3 of the way in, it was gone. I love this author had replaced that initial, weak thought. And I do, I love THIS author.

If asked my favorite genres, I invariably say "historical fiction Not romance disguised or dressed up as historical fiction because that is yucky" and then I mention mystery, fiction, memoirs, cookbooks, non-fiction, etc. I rarely if ever say woman's fiction mainly because I am not quite sure what it is. Isn't is just fiction? Why say woman's fiction, there isn't such a thing as men's fiction is there? That seems to be a debate for another time and place. The Neighbours may have been categorized as women's fiction but I don't think you actually need to be a woman to enjoy it or maybe even understand it. To be sure, there is much that I instantly understood, perhaps it is the shorthand of shared experience but there is a commonality of enduring heartache and doubt that we all share in the human experience.

Many times in this novel, I felt that Mrs. Gill was writing my thoughts and feelings. That is a gift that many authors do not possess. While The Neighbours is on the surface a light and quick read, underneath it examines heavier subjects and does it well. The ability to discuss those subjects while avoiding the trap of being either heavy handed or of being too flippant is something that should not be dismissed. It is impressive when much published author are able to straddle that particular fence; the fact that Nicola Gill has so ably done this in her debut novel is astounding. She is an author to watch.

I will be recommending The Neighbours by Nicola Gill to every reader I know. While this is a perfect summer read, I will be telling them don't wait, read it now. As I read the final words, I felt a very real sigh of satisfaction, don't put that feeling off because of the season, start reading now!

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I had a hard time reading this. It was really slow and long. I didn’t enjoy the characters or the plot. Overall this was just not for me.

Unfortunately could not empathize with the main character and this turned into an unpleasant read as I kept waiting for her to get her ducks in a row but she kept making impossible mistakes, and the victim mentality and woe-is-me angle that dragged on and on further turned me off from enjoying this story

A proper jaunty feel good affair of a book

Meet Ginny, 34, in P.R., unlucky in love but self effacing and ‘lovely’

Meet Cassie 55, ex Bond actress now reality TV ‘star’ with a vicious tongue and acidic humour

Both women are the complete opposites of what you would imagine a friendship could be, but as neighbours in London apartments via a set of circumstances that is what they, tentatively, become

I LOVED them both, their polar opposite personalities really worked well and as their friendship blossomed so did the hilarity and also equally the sadness of their lives

Bang full of wonderfully evil co-workers to caddish lovers the book has many many likeable and likeable characters to hate and not one a dud, every person in the book was easily placed in my mind such were the descriptions given

The book deals with unexpected friendship, romance, work relationships and a really touchingly unusual part about Ginny’s parents lives

Some of the situations are lol farce comedy they really are, some bring a tear but I guarantee you will remember these 2 and I hope, really hope, there is a follow on book

Wonderful!

10/10
5 Stars

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

DNF’d at 27%. Writing is all over the place and plot going nowhere. Tons of names and details that were unnecessary and made things confusing. Disappointed since it had so much potential!

An excellent read with a great story line and well thought and interesting characters.
I liked the storytelling, the character development and read it as fast as I could.
It's an excellent read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This book had a lot promise but frustrated me so much.
I was really excited to pick this one up and I’m very thankful for the opportunity to read the advanced copy.

Characters are everything. I was very annoyed with the main character throughout the story. I could not connect with her at all. There were times when she was interacting with other characters in the book and I began to like her but then the inner dialogue would start and I was back to frustrated.

I almost DNF’d this book a couple times but decided to push through thinking it would get better. It didn’t.

This book was just not for me.

Sadly I wasn’t too keen on this one I gave it a good old go but I just could not get into to it . So sadly this was a did not finish for me

Ginny Taylor is almost sure that her on - again - off - again boyfriend Jack is finally ready to commit. But then she finds him in bed with her own boss. Now she's not only single but also jobless.
Ginny's neighbour Cassie Frost used to be a popular and well loved actress but it's all in the past now. The recent stint on reality TV portrayed her really badly so she desperately needs a positive PR. Her neighbour Ginny is a publicist, so maybe those two can help each other?

The story is told from Ginny's point of view but also going deep into other characters' issues. However, even though Ginny was the main heroine, I think I could better connect with Cassie - she was simply more 3 - dimensional than Ginny, and she was strong, determined and had a passion, even when she was at the weakest point. Ginny, on the other hand, seemed too flat, too whinge-y and I somehow cannot warm to her completely. She made some really crappy decisions, I didn't get her choices and altogether we couldn't be friends, me and Ginny, even though I have a soft spot for characters with this name. But I liked the unlikely friendship that developed between the women, the way they embarked on life, life full of ups and downs, facing up to all the challenges. It is a story of two women, with rather ordinary lives, but this made them more believable and likeable, even though one of the character's was an actress you could relate to them.

I loved the beginning of this book. It was funny, light - hearted and intriguing. But the more I read, the less hooking the book was coming. I started to have a feeling that it doesn't know in which direction it wants to take us - there were many ideas, the author touched upon many issues but it felt underdeveloped and chopped. The main character wanted to befriend a neighbour? Done - chop. The main character didn't want her boyfriend? Done - chop. The issues of depression? Chop. Short romance? Chop. Main character suddenly wants a baby? And then chop and it's time for another issue.

The overall feeling that I got from this book was of sadness, darkness and depression. Actually, I was surprised at the change of tone, as the beginning was rather light, witty and engaging, and then, suddenly, the darkness came and where I was looking for light - hearted humour, I didn't find any. And after that, it takes a bit of time to get into the heart of the story, as it seems a little disjointed and unstructured. It is a book with more depth than you expect, telling a story of the unlikely friendship, of growing to see the important things in life, also dealing with some heavier issues such as depression, showing the characters' personal development. It wasn't quite what I was expecting but it seems to be an issue lately, however it was still an enjoyable enough book.

Man oh man, did I want to like this one. And man oh man, did it not do well for me. *sigh* I knew there'd be some hard luck and I knew there'd be some trials and tribulations and I expected some funny moments with an overall heavier theme ... but I was not expecting this book to be so downright miserable with completely unlikable or sympathetic characters.

There was a lot of promise to this book, and I appreciated the way the author was (maybe?) trying to show that depression can come for anyone, whether you're young or old, rich or poor, famous or a nobody - it'll even come after you whether you're a nice person or not. However, I feel like if that was the message, it got lost somewhere ... and/or I'm pretending that was the message so that there would be something redeeming for my personal reading journey with this story.

Also, Ginny? Drove me bonkers. Making bad decision after bad decision with absolutely zero impetus and a backstory that in no way substantiated the poor decisions she kept making. Cool that she got her HEA and all, but she could have gotten there sooner in my opinion. *shrugs a lot*

Thank you to NetGalley & Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date. This is no way affected my review, opinions are my own.