I really enjoyed this. The main character was really annoying and didn't make the brightest decisions but I am a sucker for a creepy neighbour/ toxic relationship situation. It wasn't that fast paced but the slow burn did build up the tension and the creepiness factor whoch I enjoyed. Its not reinventing the wheel but it's still an enjoyable book

The ending shocked me. The story is told from the protagonist's point of view. Her narration will pull you in and keep you guessing. Olivia is separated from Carl and moving out of their house with their daughter, Ellie. The neighbor upstairs quickly ingratiates himself into Olivia's life with dire consequences. There were lulls in the story, but the suspense will keep you reading.

The title and cover of this one is adorable. I recommend this for a bookclub with a lot of good discussion points!

DNF - the book was repetitive and the story was not interesting to me. I also did not enjoy the second person narration.

Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I chose not to post on Goodreads since I was not able to finish the book.

I found I was glued to this book from the beginning to the end, really enjoyed it, liked the main character even though at times I felt like slapping her in the face… read it you won’t be disappointed ..

#TheNeighbourUpstairs #NetGalley
Good read.
The break-up of Olivia’s marriage is hard on all involved, but especially her nine-year-old daughter, Ellie. They attempt to build a new life, and focus on the future. But Olivia is crushingly lonely, so when her new neighbour, Michael, extends the hand of friendship, it’s all she can do to stop herself clutching at it and never letting go. Olivia has no idea how the course of her life will be altered by that choice. Before long, Michael and Oliva are a couple. There are some difficulties making it work – after all, both parties have emotional baggage. Doesn’t everyone keep some secrets? If only Ellie could adjust, and Michael’s erratic sister, Chloe, didn’t keep bringing drama to their door. But Olivia doesn’t listen to the warning signs before it’s far, far too late. By the time she realises something is badly wrong with the man she’s involved with, she cannot escape. The only way out is for the truth to explode like a bomb, shattering their lives, and ensuring no one caught in the middle will ever be the same again…
Her novels make me tired with unnecessary dialogues but this one was brilliant. Read it and you'll know what I'm saying.

Really disappointed that this was yet another re release from Kathryn Croft , I wasn’t a fan then and not this time around though I stuck with it , definitely not to her usual standard with a very unlikeable main character , I usually love Kathryn’s books so will wait patiently for. New one

This was a surprise! I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. The writing style took awhile to get used to and it was a bit of a slow burn which I don’t normally like but it worked well in this case. I could not imagine being a floor awhile from this creepy, unpredictable guy. It was creepy and I found myself frustrated with the main character as she put herself in various situations.

Olivia and her daughter Ellie move to a new apartment after the end of Olivia’s marriage. Lonely and heartbroken, Olivia is immediately taken with her new neighbor Michael. They quickly develop a friendship that turns into more than Olivia could have predicted.

Olivia and Michael’s relationship hits some bumps especially when Michael’s sister Chloe gets involved. Olivia ignores all the red flags about Michael and by the time she finally listens to the warning signs it’s too late.

The Neighbour Upstairs is available October 6, 2022.

Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo Publishing for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

A Toxic Relationship…
A toxic relationship comes under deep scrutiny in this twisted suspense. When circumstances conspire and Olivia and Michael become a couple it seems that there is nothing but a constant stream of drama. There are, however, also secrets and these cannot be hidden for long. Tension fuelled and frenetic at times with a cast of well drawn but unlikeable characters and a choice of narrative tense that actually makes for rather awkward and unenjoyable reading. Previously published as ‘Behind Closed Doors.’

This was another great book from Kathryn Croft.Olivia is just getting over a divorce from Carl and her daughter Ellie who has taken it badly and when they move into their new flat she meets Micheal from upstairs and they become involved and Olivia moves in with him when her lease is up they seem happy enough but not Ellie who hate’s Micheal’s sister Chloe who is round all the time causing trouble.When a work mate suggests going out for a drink with a family friend she reluctantly agrees because she and Micheal have temporary separated, but then the troubles start because he won’t take for no for an answer and starts sending abusive texts.With plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing who is up to things and why? It a book I read in a matter of days.Another great five star read from Kathryn Croft.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

Definitely not her best pasilla good enough. A ratio of a book published in 2013 under a different name. The writer has obviously grown since then, but it’s not a bad way to pass the time on a rainy day if you love thrillers

3.5 rounded up

Thank you NetGalley, Canelo and Kathryn Croft for letting me read “The Neighbour Upstairs” in exchange for an honest review.

Apparently this book has been previously published under the title “Behind Closed Doors”. I didn’t realise this at first.

What is the book about? Can’t really tell you. All I read was that Olivia moves out with her daughter because she split with her husband. She struggles in her new flat. Then we get to meet the new neighbours, Michael and it all goes to s***.

What disturbed me greatly right from the start was the writing. I can not stand the second persons POV “Your hand feels warm and too soft”. You this and you that. No no no, I can not stand that. That was already a red flag for me, I wanted to just let it be. But I am not the one to give up, if I can’t help it.

But now I found myself giving up. The constant second person. As if she was talking directly to Michael. I could not get forward. It was just way too annoying.

It’s the third book out of more than 200 this year that I gave up. I got no joy out of it. The story might have sounded good, but nope. I guess I admit defeat and say it’s not the book for me.

Olivia and Carl's marriage shatters, causing angst, hurt and pain to both and especially their ten-year-old daughter Ellie. Oliva moves out with Ellie and soon becomes a couple with the neighbour upstairs. Michael also has baggage and a disturbed sister. Then there's Jonathan, Myrah and Henny. Due to broken and dysfunctional relationships all over the place, this book is full of anger, resentment, mistrust and darkness.

My favourite aspects of the story are the slow burn, riveting suspense and the thick tension could be sliced with a knife. But several of the main characters are detestable and infuriating, particularly Olivia and Michael as their relationship is grossly abusive. Author Kathryn Croft writes brilliantly. But the sexual situations are just too descriptive too often.

Psychological domestic thriller lovers may (or may not) really like this book. Though I enjoy thrillers, this one just wasn't for me. It did, thankfully, have good qualities.

My sincere thank you to Canelo and NetGalley.

Olivia has recently separated from her husband Carl and moved into a flat with their daughter, Ellie. Olivia becomes involved with the upstairs neighbor, Michael. Michael is a bit odd and doesn't share much about his life, but Olivia is still wanting to pursue a relationship with him. Michael's sister, Chloe, is not a fan of Olivia and she doesn't hide it. Olivia continues to try to befriend Chloe, but will she be the cause of this relationship's doom?

This is my first book by Katheryn Croft. It was originally published in 2013 as BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. I was sucked into this story that is told in first person by Olivia. It was something different and I really liked that. There are some spicy scenes that I was not expecting, but after knowing the final reveal of the story, everything makes sense. Overall, this is an intense read and I can see others reading it within a days time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted on my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

This book was just not for me. Far too slow. Unlikeable characters . I guessed some of the twist quite early on. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

OMG!! Kathryn Croft is brilliant! I totally loved this dark edgy thriller. This one hooked me right away and just never let go. The characters were off the charts, even though I wanted to slap a couple of them. The tension and execution were simply perfect. Do not miss this one!
Highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

When Olivia's marriage falls apart, she moves to a flat with her nine year old daughter Ellie. When neighbour Michael starts a friendship with her, she readily accepts and soon they become more than friends. They face some difficulties especially with Michael's dramatic sister Chloe. Olivia doesn't notice the warning signs of the relationship until it's far too late... A tense and thrilling story that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

A decent start to the book, a couple splitting and the drama that entails. Throw into the mix a daughter and a couple appearing to want to do the best by her.
Olivia comes across as a needy sex addict and it seems she will put up with any abuse be it physical or mentally just so she has the attention of her neighbour.
I found it difficult to find any endearing qualities to Olivia and certainly none at all to her neighbour Michael.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for my copy.
Sadly not one of my favourites by this author.

Have you ever wanted to scream at someone for ignoring all the red flags? Olivia kept putting her "relationship" with Michael as her number one priority. I actually felt bad for Ellie because of how Olivia was acting. In the beginning Olivia is leaving Carl, spill the goods girl! I wanna know why, obviously later in you find out he cheated. I am nosey, so when notes are left for Olivia, I wanna know what they say. I feel like more detail could have been added here and less detail of the painstaking relationship or lack of with Michael could have been talked about. It kind of got repetitive with Michael and Olivia having an argument, them having sex, and Michael apologizing later. But hey I guess that's what you do when you're dating a narcissistic? Chloe was just annoying with drinking and fighting with Michael all the time. I don't feel there was any character growth, Olivia remaind oblivious to everything that was going on around her and bringing her daughter into that situation. In the end I did feel bad for Olivia and Carl. Thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for this read for honest feedback.

There were so many things I liked and disliked about this making it really hard to rate. I am an empathetic person so it's really something when I want to slap the protagonist for being so naive. I understand toxic relationships all too well but come on now. This was also a bit redundant the first half between the sex and the thoughts of the main character. Aside from that I will say that at the same time, I couldn't put this one down. The little interludes is what did it for me leaving me dying to know what happens in the end and the ending did not disappoint. I just wished for a little more of explanation in the end though. Still a little undecided I will rate rounding up to Three Stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Canelo for this ARC.