The book was very slow going and while the main character was likeable, the other characters not so much. It was past the 85% mark before there was finally something going on in the story by which time I was past caring.

I loved this book! It was so incredibly hard for me to put it down. I needed to know all the answers! It just felt so believable, I could imagine myself in this very scenario. The inescapable feelings that the FMC felt not just once, but twice throughout the book were painful for me. This has to be one of my favorite domestic thrillers that I have ever read. The unease and dread stayed with me even after putting the book down. I definitely had my ears extra perked at night. The FMC was a formidable single mother who would do anything for daughter and I really enjoyed her story struggles, flaws and all. The Stepford wives vibes of the rest of the neighborhood was eerie and chilling. This was one of those stories that stuck with me because it could happen. All in all I loved it! If you like domestic thrillers, Stepford Wives, or neighbors that maybe you should think twice about trusting…. Read this now!

Twisted.....................
If you are looking for a thrilling ride this year, then grab a copy of the book. The author, definitely, does not disappoint you. An engrossing plot with some secretive characters is just the thing for thriller lovers. Also, the author gives you an insight of Dementia and how it affects families which was a different experience for me. The characters are just fabulous. You need not to wait for something to happen, as with every page there are lots of twists and turns. So, be ready for a thrilling ride with the book.

Definitely, 5 stars for the book. Thanks to Netgalley and Rachels Random Resources for providing me an opportunity to be a part of the blog tour.

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

Shelly and her 10-year-old daughter, Lauren, are ready for a new start. Shelly had been taking care of her sick mother for the last two years. It was a stressful and difficult endeavor. A new beginning is just what Shelly and Lauren need. Shelly feels so lucky to have a home in a beautiful neighborhood.

Valerie, the next-door neighbor is less than impressed with her new neighbors. Shortly after moving in, their dog left a mess in her yard and Valerie made her thoughts crystal clear to Shelly.

It turns out that Valerie did not like the previous tenant either. No one knows why the woman left so abruptly. Every community has its secrets and there is always that one grumpy neighbor, but location is everything, isn't it?

I enjoyed the mystery in this book. Right from the beginning, things begin to happen and it's clear that Shelly and her daughter did not move into Mister Rodgers neighborhood. The characters/neighbors in this book are an interesting bunch. They all have distinct personalities and after getting to know them, it becomes obvious that there is more going on with most than meets the eye.

A new beginning becomes a tense and anxiety filled experience for Shelly. As she tries to uncover what happened to the woman who lived in the home before her, there is an uneasy feel to the book. The tension mounts as secrets are revealed.

This was my first book by Gemma Rogers, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

A intriguing and spooky physcological thriller. Shelley and her 10 year old daughter Lauren have moved to Beech Close after the passing of her mother. They are looking for a fresh start but the new neighbours are something else. When Shelley finds out that the previous occupant of her house is missing, she is determined to find out what happened but the consequences could be unforeseen. The length of the chapters are perfect and the story had me tantalized from the start. The characters though not all likeable they all have a mysterious vibe going on that makes you want to find out more about them. I adored the little dog Teddy and really enjoyed reading as the pages seemed to turn themselves. I could not believe the ending but you will have to read the book to find out more.

Love thy neighbour or fear thy neighbour?
For myself and Lauren, my 10-year-old daughter No3 Beech Close was to be our refuge after two years of hell nursing my sick mother.
In need of a fresh start and wanting to distance ourselves from the bad memories of my mother’s house we moved to Beech Close, a small cul-de-sac of six houses situated around a picture-perfect green.
It seemed perfect but I had underestimated the secrets that this tightknit community shared.
Within hours of moving in my next-door neighbour Valerie made it abundantly clear we were not welcome.
I soon discovered that Valerie hadn’t welcomed the previous occupant either and she’d since disappeared without a trace.
Had I put myself and my daughter in danger moving to Beech Close?
Which neighbours, if any could I trust?
And how far would they go to keep their secret?

What a thrilling read this was.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.

I have been a fan of Gemma’s work ever since I had the good fortune to pick up a copy of her first book, which is called ‘Stalker’, back in 2019. Since then I have read and loved each and every book that she has written. Gemma’s most recent release is called ‘The Neighbour’ and it was released on 5th January 2023. It’s another cracker of a read, which I Thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.

I was drawn into this book from the synopsis and when I started reading the story properly that was it and I was away as the saying goes. To say that reading ‘The Neighbour’ became addictive is a bit like me saying that I like eating cake- in other words a massive understatement. I would pick the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would read more like 6 chapters in one go. If I had to put the book to one side for any reason then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I developed my own theories as to what was going to happen and of course I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered off in the opposite direction. The pages turned increasingly quickly as I worked my way through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The Neighbour’. I found ‘The Neighbour’ to be a gritty and gripping read, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat.

‘The Neighbour’ is extremely well written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Gemma. Gemma certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me, this was more of a slow burn type of story- it started slowly but as time went on, the story gathered pace and momentum and the tension levels increased before concluding in a tense and dramatic fashion. Gemma describes her characters so well that they seem as real as you and I. I was so convinced by them that I began to compare them to people that I know. Reading ‘The Neighbour’ felt like being on an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Neighbour’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Gemma’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

The characters of Beech Close sound so much like the residents in the flats where I live...you think I'm joking, right?

I had absolutely no idea as to where we were going with this one, as everyone was on my 'guilty of something' radar.

It's cleverly plotted, fast paced, compelling and just you wait till you get to that ending...definitely a jaw dropper moment!

Time to check out Rogers back catalogue methinks!

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

After her mothers death Shelly and her 10 year old daughter, Lauren, moved into the tight-nit neighbourhood of Beech Close. It seems like the perfect place to start out on their own after spending years looking after her mum who battled with dementia. The little cul-de-sac only has 6 houses and was going to be a stop gap for Shelly until her mum estate went through. On her moving in day she has a run in with her next door neighbour Valerie and from there she made it clear that Shelly, her daughter and her dog were not welcome!

Shelly tries her best to get on Valerie’s good side, but when things start happening in her home, and she discovers that the previous tenant of the house has been missing for some time, Shelly cant let it go. It seems that Beech Grove, as idyllic as it is, also harbours a secret. A secret that Shelly is getting closer to discovering when all hell breaks loose!

This was one of those books that sucked you with the mystery of the previous tenant, and floored you when the truth was finally revealed! It was a great read that pulled me right in from the get go.

5 star

The Neighbour by Gemma Rogers was another brilliant psychological thriller. I have found with every book I've read by this author, she has a way of bringing her all audience into her books, Gemma will have you gripped from the beginning till the end which makes her one of the best story tellers out there!! This book was no different!!!

I highly recommend This latest book The Neighbour by Gemma Rogers and all of her books. This book is another 5 star read. I loved it.

Review on Goodreads and Amazon UK - Links not working

I was eager to start reading and the tension of reading a psychological thriller hit within the first few pages. When the newcomer, Shelly’s dog goes to the loo on the neighbour’s lawn, you know it isn’t going to be a happy outcome. After living in many places in my life with many neighbours, it was easily imaginable to see how it could escalate

Shelly’s longing for a nice environment for her daughter, Lauren, to grow up in after a turbulent few years was relatable and I liked them both. In a community of perfection, Shelly had a sense of normality about her and I could easily imagine being friend’s with her and chatting over a coffee, but I did find some of her reasonings and actions debatable especially when her suspicions were aroused about the previous resident of her house. It made me want to reach into the pages and shout at her, but I guess this is a positive as it meant I was invested in the story and her as a character.

This close-knit creepy road provides a significant cast of people to suspect in this thriller, as Shelly unpicks what happened beforehand and realises dangers await. The tension is set early on and I found my anxiety levels were kept high throughout, not helped by my concern over the dog. I think having two of my own who are like family means if there is a sense of danger concerning the fictional canines, the tension increases tenfold. Forget whether the residents of no 3 were going to survive the mystery surrounding the neighbourhood. I needed to know Teddy would be fine.

With unexpected twists, this was an enjoyable and refreshing read after the festive period and kept me reading into the night.

This book had me gripped from the start.
When Shelly's mum died, she uses money left to her to rent a property in the catchment area for the secondary school she wants her daughter, Lauren, to go to. She discovers that the lady that lived there before her, Danielle, has gone missing and she is determined to find out if she's okay.
Although the neighbours are all friendly and welcoming she starts to have doubts about them and wonders if they are somehow involved.
This book had me turning page after page to find out if Danielle had moved on or if there was something more sinister. Absolutely loved this book which contained suspense, drama and wickedness.

I have read a few of this authors books and enjoyed them so was keen to try this one. It had a unique enjoyable storyline which kept my attention and there were a few good twists thrown in.

Shelly, a single mother, has just moved into a rental home along with her daughter, Lauren, 10, and their dog, Teddy. Shelly had been caring for her mother for 2 years before she passed away. Now, she has sold her mother’s cottage and is happy to be away from it, especially as the woman had abused her as a child..

Most of the neighbors are nice, except for an elderly woman next door, Valerie, who has dementia. She seems to dislike Shelly on sight. Her son apologizes for his mother explaining her illness which Shelly certainly understands.

When she learns that the tenant in her home before her disappeared, Shelly becomes quite concerned and can’t help but feel that something about the house isn’t right.

This story shows a woman who is not very comfortable with others but the neighbors all like to get together and eat and drink. But, Shelly does her best to join in.

There are lots of twists and I wondered if the house she had rented was haunted. But the dementia-ridden Valerie is really scary and I wouldn’t want to live next door to her. The good things I saw was a devoted mother who adored Lauren and did everything she could to protect her and give her her undivided attention. The characters of Josh and his mother, Joyce, were terrific. Two wonderful people for her have in her life.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Another fast-paced belting story from Gemma Rogers. As the plot heats up and then unravels, I dare you to guess who the really evil neighbour is. Fantastic stuff.

<b>“Love thy neighbour or fear thy neighbour?”</b>

This dark mystery, with dysfunctional characters and sharp twists, has enough red herrings to keep you on your toes. And I guarantee you'll be shocked to discover the evil-doer behind the secrets and lies.

This was my first book by the author and I was fascinated to find out she started her writing career after a traumatic event in her own life.

Shelly moved in with her mother to care for her during her final years of dementia, bringing her 10-year-old daughter with her. It was an awful few years and she’s ready to leave those memories behind and start fresh. Once everything is settled, her mother’s estate will provide financial security for her and Lauren. Something they’ve never had before. Until then, she’s leased a house in a small cul-de-sac for six months.

But when she meets her neighbors, some unwelcoming and others strange, she’s not sure she’s made the right decision. And her doubts increase when she learns about the mystery surrounding the previous tenant and her sudden departure.

Sincere thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for providing this gifted ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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I absolutely loved this book. From the start this book will grip you and the tension builds as it goes along. I loved josh and shellys relationship and how much he looks after her, which I think he will need to do.
You never know who to trust with this it sends you in so many directions.
Such a good read I loved it.

I really liked the main character and found the plot to be interesting. I found it to be a little slow in the middle. This book didn’t ignite a fire inside me.

Shelly has just moved house with her ten-year-old daughter Lauren and their dog Teddy. Shelly’s mother died a few weeks ago whom they were looking after and so have gone into a rented house before buying one of their own. Teddy accidentally relieves himself on a neighbour's verge, Shelly is quick to both apologise and clear up however Valerie the neighbour is scathing. A few days later poor Teddy is ill and Shelly finds a half-eaten chocolate bar in the garden- it being poisonous to dogs. Shelly meets Valerie's son Remy who tells her she has early stages of dementia, something Shelly's mother had so she understands well but still feels there is more than they are letting on. She also discovers that both the woman and dog who lived there before have both gone missing and there is a strange message scraped on a wall. What is going on in the close and are they safe?

Ooh! This is one of those wonderful page turner reads where you just know there’s something amiss but not quite what. The skill of an author to build and keep that air of tension. It's a very clever premise and one I found myself entranced with. We think we know who the “baddie” is but do we? I really enjoyed this as I have with several of Gemma’s other books. One to keep the reader between the pages, a highly enjoyable read.
#blogtour (amazon done- misfits farm)

2.5 stars rounded up.

This book had an interesting premise. Shelly and her daughter Lauren move into a new neighborhood after spending years taking care of Shelly's mother who was battling dementia. Shelly's mother passes away and Shelly inherits her house and all the money she squirreled away. Shelly quickly puts the house on the market and her she is excited to live somewhere with nice and friendly neighbors. The move seems more like an excape because we get hints that not-so-great things happened with Grandma.

After a few days in the new place, her new neighbors seem to be a little odd. Especially her next door neighbor, Valerie, who yells at her (and her dog!) any chance she gets. Plus, Shelly discovers the previous tenant went missing and she goes digging to uncover the mystery.

My biggest issue with this book (and frankly, some other books I've read recently) is that it feels like it checks the boxes of the genre (this one being suspense, murder, creepy neighbors, twist ending) but it missed the mark for me. The character development was lacking —the neighbors were portrayed as creepy but I never got chills from them. Shelly did not feel like a fully formed character. The book was slow going and by the time we finally got to some action at the 88% mark, I was still pretty bored. I think the last line of the book was intended to be shocking, but I feel like the so-called twist was already revealed.
Thank you Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC for my honest review.