This book isn’t exactly as advertised, but still an interesting read/listen. It didn’t hit me as a typical full on mystery/thriller, but more of a psychological emotional storyline with some twistedness written in. Sophie is living her life, is mostly happy healthy and loves her kids, but is in the place where she is questioning most everything about it. She isn’t emotionally fulfilled
and is stymied as to how to move forward. She feels judged and unworthy (mostly from within). When a new “picture perfect” family move in next door she only starts to feel worse about herself. Not worthy, less than afraid of being so stuck. After a disaster(storm), they actually meet and become friends. So begins a friendship that on the surface seems lovely. And then it isn’t. Betrayal, truths coming to the surface and knowing you can never ever go back and take away the hurt. The take away for me is to never ever wish for what you want for you just may get it. A well written interesting story.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. I have to say that I was not expecting this book to turn out like it did. I was engrossed in the drama of the story. It is my a mystery or thriller but more so a drama. Most importantly the story is about forgiveness. I was so Interested in the story that I listened to it in 24 hours. Highly recommend. I also loved the narrator's voice.

I picked this book up under the assumption that it was a thriller. I'm not sure if it was marketed at such or if I somehow came up with that idea all on my own. However; I did enjoy this book. The characters and relationships were fleshed out enough that it felt like I was watching this happen to my own neighbours or hearing about it from a friend. My level of enjoyment would've been much higher I think if I hadn't been constantly waiting for the shoe to drop or a some sort of domestic twist. If the book is correctly marketed as womens fiction and the reader knows what to expect then I think this will see lots of high praise from readers.

Going into this, I admittedly had a very different idea of what type of story this was. Due to the generic cover and title, I thought this would be some type of psychological thriller or demostic thriller. I was sadly mistaken and didn't realize this until about halfway through. After reading the description, I still thought it was going to be full of drama and intrigue but it was more along the lines of a family drama telling a story. I did find the audio narration a bit confusing throughout with so many characters to keep track of between the families. I thought the narrator was pretty good though and did a decent job of differentiating the characters. Due to my expectations going into this (mostly my own fault), I didn't enjoy this as much as I maybe could have. I was always waiting for something big or nefarious to happen, which it never did. I think if you read this for what it is, its a nice story with a good message. However, I did find it a bit boring for my own taste.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 5.5/10

The narrator was perfect for this story. Two very different women becoming friends because of their children.. Then the unthinkable betrayal happens when one of them sleeps with the others husband. I honestly did not see that affair coming, it was a great shock. The families are left to deal with the aftermath of the affair. Both families handled in very different ways, a little surprised. Years later the women are reunited when their children re-meet at university. Forces them to move on from the hurt, and rebuild their friendship. It takes a strong woman to work through the pain of betrayal. Absolutely loved this story.

A storm brought them together, but life will tear them apart.

Sophie is a happily married mother of two, overall fairly content with her "normal life", when a new family moves in next door. From what Sophie can see, this new family has it all together. Angie, the mother is beautiful, successful and also is remodeling a house that Sophie can only imagine living in. Angie's husband is both good-looking and successful, followed by their 4 well-behaved children.

Their friendship slowly develops, until they are close friends, forging a bond that doesn't come very often in friendships. But one of them is holding a secret in, and as we all know, secrets don't like to stay hidden.

Overall, I thought the story was thought-provoking and relatable in friendships and relationships. This book addresses the monotony of marriage, raising children, and careers while trying to juggle a social life and everything in between. I originally thought there would be more of a twist to the book, but it never came. I did enjoy it overall.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a multi-generational family drama. Overall, it was a good story although at times it was a little slow. For some reason, I expected this to be more on the thriller side of things, so that was a little disappointing but it was a good listen nonetheless.

This book kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I think we are all guilty of comparing ourselves to the family next door. When Angie moves next door, she seems better than Sophie in every way, more glamorous, successful and the perfect Mom. Although, as we know things are often not as they seem. As the two families entwine their lives, things become not so idyllic. Real, raw, and relatable, I loved this book! I highly recommend to anyone that likes a good drama with heart.

Interesting but not really my cup of tea. Well written I just personally couldn’t get into the story. Neighbors. On the outside they look like best friends. But underneath isn’t there always an unhealthy competition and comparison to be the best neighbor. And don’t you always wonder if the other person has a better life than you? I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was different from what I originally expected. There was a twist that I wasn't expecting which is always good. The only issue I had was with the narrator. I found the voice to be a little hard to get used to. Maybe it was the accent.

Let me start by saying that expectations are the root of disappointment. I think that because of the title of this book, the cover, and the fact that on Netgalley it is marketed as a "mystery and thriller", I was expecting at least some sort of mystery or thrill. But, instead I was waiting for the shoe to drop for the whole first half of the book and after the tiny, foreseeable, dramatic moment occurs, I was pretty much bored out of my gourd.

Angie and her family of 4 kids and a husband move in next door to Sophie, her husband, and two kids. The kids play, the moms grow close, the dads are aloof as always. They go on vacation together. Then the *unthinkable* (pretty sure you can guess) happens and "lives are torn apart" as hinted at by the cover.

I'm sure you can fill in the blanks of all the conversations that occur: friend is disappointed in friend, wife is mad, kids are clueless, husband is aloof. Meh.

I do think that if this book had simply been marketed as women's fiction, like a Liane Moriarty novel, I might not have been so let down. I wouldn't even call this a "psychological drama" as the book tries to get at, it really is just women's fiction. Which normally isn't my cup of tea, and probably why I didn't like this book.

Some reviewers have called this book a "look at the relationships in our lives" and sure, it might be. But it's not what I was expecting, and it was really anti-climactic and boring for me. The writing was very repetitive as well. For example: "A long explanation of x,y,z". Such and such character enters the room. "Tell your dad what you just told me". The same exact explanation of x,y,z ensues. Nobody has time for that.

That said, I did listen to this book on audio and have to say that the narrator did a good job.

Special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Women Next Door was for me a very forgettable book. I can’t say that it is bad but just not what I was expecting. This is listed as a thriller/mystery and it is neither. I kept waiting for the crazy heart pumping mystery but I was disappointed at every new development. This is clearly a domestic drama but was so predictable it was frustrating.

Sophie lives what she considers a boring but happy life with her two children and husband. This is until Angie, a beautiful lawyer, moves in next door with her four perfect children and adoring husband. The two ladies are not fast friends but soon become inseparable when by chance a storm blows in and intertwines the two families. Each lady starts to envy the other for very different reasons. The grass does really always look greener on the other side. These seemingly harmless jealousies soon become cracks that may destroy one family or the other or maybe even both.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for a honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this advance listener copy.

Description from NetGalley:
Sophie is a happily married mum of two who considers herself lucky—until her beautiful and highly successful new neighbour Angie moves in along with her charming husband and four talented children. The two women couldn’t be more different, but after a storm brings them together, an unlikely friendship develops. As their children grow closer, so does their bond.
But the alliance between the families is a wake-up call for both women. Angie’s success makes Sophie consider whether she really is as satisfied as she makes out. And Sophie’s uncomplicated marriage forces Angie to look at her own and accept that it’s not as perfect as it seems. Both women vow to change.
But their decisions may not lead where they expect, in this absorbing novel about risks and relationships that explores whether the grass is always greener on the other side of the garden fence.
I think I went into this expecting something else. In order to explain that I have to talk about their decisions. So please know that this book is ok, nothing out of this world. For me it is a 3.5/5.
(very light) SPOILERS!

I thought this was a murder thriller. This is probably due to the title similarities to other murder thriller titles. My brain also puts thriller and murder has synonyms when it comes books.
Overall: 3.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

First I would like to say that this cover and title did not fit this book at all. The current trend of psychological thrillers have seemed to monopolize the close up and bold look of this book. In addition the title is so similar to many , many thrillers and mysteries that I forgot what I was about to listen to and actually kept waiting for something to happen.
No , my friends this is actually a story about 2 families who live next to one another. Their lives mesh, then when a poor decision tears them apart we witness the after mess. It was a very disjointed story and I felt like I was missing something all along or at the very least waiting for something to happen. The final "part" of the book was 10 years in the future and flew along very quickly. Feeling the listener/reader a bit left out.
I don't know exactly why this book fell short for me. Maybe it the my expectation of something more exciting or it was the misleading title among a league of similar titles with twisty turny stories. Either way, this was a disappointment for me. 2 stars given because it wasn't a terrible story. Just not my cup of tea. The "crisis" was a bit surprising, but it was more of the "who" and not the "what" the shocker was.
So , if you're a fan of Chick lit or basic contemporary , pick it up. If you're expecting excitement and thrills, move along my dear reader...

Like her last book, I kept waiting and looking for the twist - but it never came. Natasha Boydell's books could stand on their own two feet as women's fiction, without trying to force them into the mystery/thriller niche. I does the books an injustice and leaves the reader left a bit wanting and a bit confused.

This is a solid story about families, decisions, regrets, love and forgiveness. The characters are well-developed and the plot is engrossing and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. The narration was excellent.

The Woman Next Door by Natasha Boydell is a domestic drama surrounding two families. Sophie is a wife and mom of two children; her new neighbor Angie, as a wife, mother to four, and solicitor. The women become fast friends as their children do the same. They just look at their own lives and compare it to that of their best friend. How does their friendship feed into their marital relationships?

Two families living in England, Angie and Sophie. Sophie's a writer and has two kids, Angie is a lawyer and has 4. They have wonderful husband and lives.

When Angie and her family move in tow their new house next to Sophie they become the best of friends, family vacations, dinners, play dates. However one women becomes lost in her life and another is trying to find herself professionally. The women who have been thick as thieves become distance randomly and questioning is this my fault
Then the unthinkable happens and lives are destroyed can one be forgive and is the grass really greener on the other side.

I was okay with this book, seem to me to be a normal family going though marriage issues and drama. I like it but to slow paced.
This is my honest review for the exchange on getting the audio book from NetGalley

This was an east, interesting read. Characters are easy to get to know, relate to. A tiny little twist is fun. I enjoyed and will absolutely recommend for purchase for our library.

The Woman Next Door is a well-told story demonstrating the old adage the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Another theme would be familiarity breeds contempt. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are well-drawn and come to life throughout the pages. I never saw the plot twist coming. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

Thanks for #Netgalley and #DreamscapeMedia for a review copy of this title for an unbiased review

I really enjoyed this book from author Natasha Boydell. The story had just enough suspense to keep my mind engaged in this tale of relationships between husbands and wives, children and their parents, and friends (and neighbors). Although the description I just gave you could fit thousands of stories, I have to say that this one was not as expected and definitely has an ending different than I thought would happen.

The plot was laid out very well and the characters were well developed. There were characters who I rooted for and a story worth fighting for. This plot story was a welcomed change to my current list of books to read and has brought a new to me author into my long list of authors to be read.