Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a delightful contemporary rom com and I loved every bit of it! The author did a fantastic job of witty banter and likeable characters in Bree and Chip. I appreciated so much that this was a clean romance. As a special side note, this book was especially meaningful as the setting is close to my hometown in southwest virginia. Great read and an author I will definitely follow!!!

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.
This was very cute. Chip and Bree were so cute together. The war was truly impressive though; they both really and truly committed. It was really interesting to see their feud and it’s beginning and ending. I really enjoyed this one.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3576926587I went in blind, thinking this was more of a women's fiction with a focus on the women in a cul-de-sac, and instead found a story I loved so much more!

This book caught my attention right away - Bree being part of a production just SPOKE to me, and had me in all the nostalgic feels. There’s just something about the theatre and how it was written in to include everything from the way she portrayed Bree’s role in the company, to the reality of worrying about the position when shows can’t go on.

At times the antics in this title were just laugh out loud funny, and Russell was an absolute scene stealer - between the dog & Bree’s parents I just loved all the supporting characters that were also introduced.

The only thing I felt I could have done without was Chip having a girlfriend as they began this book, I almost wish they had both just been single & ready to mingle - BUT I think it’s the reality for many, that as feelings are fading from someone combined with the realization that they just aren’t THE ONE. To me it was such a small part of the story, but also added a great perspective to each of their lives.

Since being approved for the title I have connected with Melissa herself on social media, and I am just SO thankful to her, NetGalley & Thomas Nelson for giving me a story I enjoyed. It has been an honor being able to encourage others to pick up a copy & I'm keeping fingers my Target gets her book in to support her even further!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Cul-de-Sac War
By Melissa Ferguson

Sometimes Love and Hate share a backyard

Bree Leake's first introduction to Chip McBride is when he comes to her "rescue" when her costume for A Midsummer Night's Dream has a wee problem. They just seem to click. But then life gets in the way and it is all-out war as Bree tries to force Chip to move out of the house he's just bought - the house next door to the one that belonged to her Nana.

It's not that there is anything wrong with Chip, other than the fact that he has a monster killer dog that has taken an obsessive liking to Bree. Bree can't see how being tackled and drooled all over is proof of like and she is not putting up with it.

This is one Cute Meet doomed 30 seconds after it began. Or is it? As the neighborly pranks escalate Bree and Chip find themselves caught up in something neither expected.

With her job on the line, Bree is going all out to get a role in the upcoming production at The Barter. The very theater that Chip is hoping to win the reconstruction contract for. But to get his foot in the door means that Chip needs Bree's inside scope on how to get a foot up on the competition - competition that includes his father and older brothers.

The Cul-de-Sac War is a change of pace read for me. This is a contemporary read with a rom-com thread running throughout. Chip and Bree are both carrying the pain of family loss and the need to prove themselves. After a first meeting that offers the potential for something more, everything between them swiftly goes downhill faster than a downhill skier chasing a world record. But their neighborhood war is soon the fodder of neighborly gossip. If you are looking for a fun and diverting story that will take you out of your day-to-day, look no further. This is my first time reading Melissa Ferguson and after this delightfully amusing read, I'm sure it will not be my last.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

A cute, binge worthy, enemies to lovers story that will keep you turning the pages wanting to know what happens next.

This was a really cute "enemies"-to-lovers romantic comedy. Bree and Chip are next door neighbors who are engulfed in a prank war. I loved the banter between them as the pranks grew more and more elaborate. I thought the evolution from annoyance to friendly to romance was wonderful and the characters fit really well together. The ending did seem a little abrupt, though the epilogue went a long way to helping with that. I wish the epilogue had been a part of the rest of the book and that it was a little longer and less of a time skip. Otherwise, I thought the story was a perfectly lovely comedic romance for a light and enjoyable read.

If you are looking for a light and entertaining romantic comedy, this is it!

the relationship between the characters was cute and their banter was great, I really enjoyed it. Sometimes I had problems with the reasoning of the protagonists, especially Bree, who came across as annoying, but after all they were a good fit for the other. Although I had worked a little more on the writing and the setting, because the writing felt a little cut at times, and the setting had some holes or things that I did not fully understand.

I really enjoyed this book, it’s a fresh take on the “enemies to lovers” trope. I like the way the characters interacted, their pranks got more elaborate as time wore on! 4 stars, a relaxing read.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers romance. I like it better than Melissa Ferguson’s other book The Dating Charade - maybe because this felt more realistic. 🤷‍♀️ This is a cute story and a quick listen!

Another adorable read from Ferguson! The Cul De Sac War is lots of fun and I can see it being turned into a movie. Great characters with heart, a fun side detour into the world of live theatre and some stubborn enemies turned lovers--I don't think there's much more you could ask for in a Romance! I love the fact that this story is set in an area I have actually lived near before...Ferguson did her homework and knows what she's describing. Don't miss this second charmer--I can't wait for the next story!

Bree and Chip are neighbors who, often hilariously, trade barbs and dare their reader not to enjoy their Shakespeare-themed journey to romance. Ferguson's Enemies-to-Lovers tropey goodness, includes a delightfully maddening heroine and a hero wanting to make his own mark, not the one seemingly destined for him. While the plot does tackle loss, it is a sweet story with plenty of wit and home-spun secondary characters. A refreshing follow-up to an equally enjoyable, The Dating Charade.

Content warnings: Loss of loved one/grief, seriously ill child

I enjoyed this book but it wasn't quite what I was expecting. The antics between Chip and Bree are amusing but if you're expecting romance to be at the center of the story you will be waiting almost until the end of the book for it to finally take over. Again, depending on your mood, this sort of lighthearted romcom might be exactly what you're looking for. For me though I need my romcoms to more rom than com and this book wasn't quite that.

However, there are for sure some sweet, funny moments. But, just a heads up, grief and a child's illness so pkay a roll in the plot.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bree Leake and Chip McBride can't stand each other, the only problem is that they are next door neighbors.

Bree is had spent most of her life drifting from profession to profession, her latest being a member of the fair folk in the Barter's latest play. She longs to put down roots and find the place that she belongs, but nothing ever seems to be the right fit.

Chip McBride is starting over in his hometown, after moving back to be closer to his family. Everything is all set up for him, but he doesn't want to follow the path marked out for him from the sales job to the girlfriend right out of Southern Belle Magazine. If only he could prove himself, and escape his family's looming shadow.

This is a fast paced, modern romantic comedy, with colorful characters and plenty of hijinks along the way. This was an engaging read, but I wish that the characters had been able to spend more time together, rather than just thinking about each other all the time.

Overall, a light hearted read, with plenty of laughs, I absolutely loved Russell's antics and his love for Bree. Mrs. Lewis is so adorable, and I loved Bree's quirky friends. They both have fantastic families. A quick fun read, that is at times outrageous. Great for fans of romantic comedy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Cul-de-Sac War is another delightful read from Melissa Ferguson. She does such a great job of creating a hilarious premise and still infusing her story with heart as well.
This book brings back characters from her previous novel, which was really fun to see. I loved both Bree and Chip. They’re such interesting, funny characters, and every interaction between them is riveting. The secondary characters are also really compelling, even the dog. I read this book in record time because it was just so fun to read. I would certainly recommend it for those looking for a funny, light-hearted read that carries some depth along with it, during this holiday season.
Like her first book, The Cul-de-Sac War is more of a sweet romance than a strong Christian fiction title, but it did have hints of that faith element that I enjoyed and thought were very meaningful.
I thought it was really fun that Ferguson wrote about Abingdon, as I’ve driven through there before. After reading this novel, though, I think I’ll be needing to take a road trip to see more of the town for myself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Cul-De-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson tells the story of two neighbors who at first seem to be so much alike that you can’t help but think they would instantly “click” and get along famously. That is not the way it happens. It is because they are the same that they can’t get along.

Bree Leake is a free-spirited woman whose destiny in life is to life in her grandmother’s house, float from job to job, and never stay in one place. After her grandmother passes away, she is faced with the prospect of living in her house for the rest of her life. The only stipulation is that Bree must keep the same job for a year.

Chip McBride has just moved in to the house next door. He is struggling with his own challenges with his family, and has decided to start his own business. Chip thinks that by getting a coveted restoration, he will finally be able to show his family that he is a smart and capable man.

Bree wants Chip to move out so she doesn’t have to live next to him, and Chip finds Bree a breath of fresh air. That is, until the prank war starts. As the war heats up, so do the interactions between Bree and Chip. What will the outcome of the war be? Who will be the winner?

As much as I liked the story, some of the pranks were over the top. They were so harsh and rude and spiteful. I didn’t appreciate how Bree treated Chip during some of the pranks. She set out to take all the joy out of Chip’s daily life. I almost stopped reading because I was so upset on Chip’s behalf.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson is a funny rom-com book that I enjoyed, but didn't love. Bree and Chip spend most of the book, pranking each other, which was funny, but it didn't have a lot of romance. If you enjoy a funny light rom-com I recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a fun book and their prank war is hilarious, but there are also a lot of plot holes and just unbelievable premise that made it hard to fully immerse myself in the story. Great book if you can ignore things like suddenly there's an issue with not having the rights to perform Much Ado About Nothing... even though it's public domain...?

Rating edit: 2.5 stars.

Okay, I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked Chip. I liked the way Chip and Bree meet and then meet again. I liked their mini conversation and the way they think about each other. I enjoyed Russel's (Chip's dog) strange fascination for Bree. It's funny, sometimes. I liked these things, but the problem is, I didn't enjoy other things. The other characters, the random scenes, basically when Chip and Bree were not together.

Another thing that I found strange, that I couldn't visualize the settings. It was very confusing.

And something that really disappointed me is the love story. I missed the love and romance. It just goes on and on about so many other things that the love story is lost (in my personal opinion). Overall, I really wanted to like this book, but it turned out to be an okayish read.

This story is funny!! I love the mix of snark, heavy-real life hard, love, friendship, and life. The plot is interesting and unique, not one that’s overly done.
However, it took too long to set up the story. There’s too much detail and it gets overwhelming. I found myself wanting to give up reading it. But then it gets good and there’s not enough detail. I feel like the ending is rushed. It just seemed like a really odd choice of which details to highlight and which to leave out. Like the details about Anna, the niece. She was rushed to the hospital and it was this big seeming moment and it was over just like this. There was so much that could have been developed in that moment and it was just brushed over. But then there’s like so much detail about Chip setting up his art stuff and hiding from people at the art show. It was a little annoying. Because of this I gave the book 3 stars.
I received a digital copy from NetGalley. I was in no way required to write a positive review. All thought see my own.

The Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson is a LOL delight. The characters and plot are deftly developed into a wonderful romantic comedy. This is a fun read.

When Chip McBride and Brea Leake first meet, he rescues her from a wardrobe malfunction as her costume as a fairy in A Midsummer Night's Dream starts to fall apart while she is on stage and they find themselves attracted to each other, even though Chip has a girlfriend and Bree an admirer. Unfortunately, that doesn't last very long, as shorty there after, they find themselves as next door neighbors. Chip, a contractor, purchased the house next door to Bree, a house that needs a lot of work, but had a wonderful view. However, his the construction equipment damages her house, the house that belonged to her beloved step-Nana, which she partially inherited. While Bree has always been easygoing, Chip's smile which she thinks is a smirk has gotten to her. Pranks between the two soon escalate from tit to tat, to all out war- until she goes too far. Both are dealing with insecurities and family issues, but when the unthinkable happens, Chip is there for her. The other cast members, family members and Chip's dog add to the madness.

I read a free ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.