This was an entertaining mother-daughter, fish out of water story, as Ginny formerly a single mother and artist from Queens, moves to New Jersey suburbia to live with her new husband. Thrust into small town catty cliques of the PTA moms, Ginny tries to fit in for the sake of her daughter but neither is able to find acceptance with these mean moms and their daughters.

There are a few funny moments and some poignant mother-daughter/friend moments. This is definitely more women's fiction than romance. Ginny's husband Jeff leaves for Ireland shortly after Ginny moves in, leaving her to survive on her own. Luckily Ginny does befriend a kind old widower.

This debut is perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls, Abbi Waxman or Big little lies. Much thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book! I loved the setting, the characters were quirky and fun. Quick, light read that kept me interested!

Welcome to the Neighborhood by Lisa Roe is a heartfelt, often funny story. Ginny is an independent free spirit with a child much like herself who relocates to her new husband's longtime home in a wealthy New Jersey suburb. She sticks out amidst the cookie cutter moms, and struggles to find the balance of acclimating to her new community and maintaining her autonomy while protecting her family. A lot happens to push Ginny to her limits over her first months in the neighborhood, but when push comes to shove she's going to have to make some tough calls about her relationships and values.

This book was categorized as a romance - it's definitely not. The story is entirely focused on the growth of the main female character, not on her relationship with her partner.

This story mechanic - the hippie artist moving into the bougie suburban mini-mansions and maneuvering the Mean Girl-esque neighborhood moms - is not what I enjoy to read. I didn't read the entire book, just the first third and the final chapter. Abstractly, it's well-written and I could see it being enjoyed by others. Not for me.

Not a new favorite but I did really enjoy this one! This was like Gilmore Girls meets Desperate Housewives and Real Houswives. The mom/daughter relationship was great to read, there are not enough of those! Ginny also reminded me a bit of the mom in The Princess Diaries. It's a fun and cozy read.

Cute, comical, and artsy, Welcome to the Neighborhood by Lisa Roe reminds you that it's better to be yourself that changing just to make more friends or please others.

Overall, it wasn't the book for me, but I was glad I read it. The characters just annoyed me just a bit, that's why I'm giving it a 3/5.

Thank you, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for my copy.

I loved that this book starts with a chicken on the kitchen counter! Simple, funny and meaningful - Welcome to the Neighborhood was a nice read.

Ginny and her daughter Harri move to a ritzy neighborhood when Ginny remarries, but face some drama as they get to know the neighbors.

I think fans of Desperate Housewives may like this book. Ginnny and Harri do what they can to fit into their new neighborhood, but there's lots of neighborly mama drama and the women and their children are unlikeable and manipulative. Ginny eventually has enough of the backstabbing and I I appreciated seeing her come to her senses about how these women act, but it felt too little too late. I wish she stood up for herself sooner, both with the neighbors and her husband Jeff, if only to be a better role model for her daughter.

Thanks Sourcebooks Casablanca for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I liked Ginny and Harri, but man I didn't like everything they had to go through.
But this is very true to real life, people can be nasty. Not just kids but their parents can be too.
I think this is a relatable story but not for the faint of heart.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

I can’t get into this story. After reading the first 3 chapters, I feel like I am too annoyed by the heroine and while I get why she’s like that and I can see where this story is going already, I don’t think it’s a good fit for me.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

I really loved this story. I really liked Ginny and Harri’s characters. I especially thought this story was well written, and in such a way that I felt like I was right by Ginny’s side feeling her pain and frustrations. It was a bit of a tear-jerker at times to read - I didn’t like how the neighborhood women and their daughters were so nasty!
I’m really excited for this book to be out there for others to read. I think it’s quite a relatable story that others will enjoy!
I look forward to read more from the author!