This book really reminded me of Only Murders in the Building and I enjoyed that comparison a lot! I also like Freya Sampson's character work.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kat is just renting a room off Joseph until she can find some place better. She has no intention in getting vested in his life or the lives of the other tenants of Shelley Place. But first there is an eviction notice and then when Joseph is viciously attacked, leaving her behind to watch over his dog Reggie, she can’t seem to leave.

When she joins forces with Dorothy, the apartment building’s resident nosy neighbor, to take care of Reggie, figure out who attached Joseph, and stop the eviction, she gets tied up in more than just these things; she gets tied up in the lives of people she never planned to care for.

My second Freya Sampson book, and I loved it. When the flats at Shelley House, a decaying subdivided mansion, are scheduled for demolition, the secrets of the residents start to unravel, and one of them is the victim of a crime. Prickly, 25-year-old Kat, a loner and a bit of a stray waif, and 77-year-old Dorothy, a meddling, nosy woman who has lived there longer than anyone, become unlikely allies as they try to figure out what happened to kind, gentle Joseph, a dog owner who has sublet a room in his flat to Kat. Along with the assorted other residents of Shelley House - all of whom have their own intricate and interesting backstories - they also try to fight having their home torn down and replaced by a more modern residence.
I loved the charm and character of the novel, which is a delightful mix of cozy mystery and found-family story, with a hint of romance. The characters were all appealing despite their quirks, particularly the central three described above, and I was rooting for their stories to resolve in a positive way. Through struggles with personal guilt and self-recrimination, as their stories are revealed, they become closer to one another and form a true community. This is a great story for readers who want to read a feel-good novel with just enough intrigue to keep it from veering into being too sweet. I also liked the author's novel The Lost Ticket very much, and I will look forward to reading The Last Chance Library, her first, and The Busybody Book Club, her most recent.
I was pleased to receive an advance review copy from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet, heartwarming mystery and not at all what I was expecting! The story revolves more around the people in Shelley House, like Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, and less around the mystery. I enjoyed the writing and the deep character arcs but I would’ve liked a bit more mystery and investigation sprinkled in.

3.5 rounded up to 4 for the ‘goodest’, sweetest, smartest Jack Russell, Reggie!

Endearing and heartfelt, this book centers on an apartment complex and the quirky, layered characters who call it home. It was a bit outside my usual reading comfort zone, but I can definitely recommend it to others who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of mystery.

The main characters—Kat, who feels lost and burdened by shame, and Dorothy, an older woman weighed down by grief—are both compelling and real. Their interactions with the neighbors add warmth and depth to the story, making the community feel alive.

While it’s not my typical read, I appreciated the blend of humor, heart, and gentle suspense throughout.

Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson is a delightful read! The quirky characters and charming neighborhood setting make for an engaging and heartwarming story. I wish Kat and Dorothy were my own neighbors! Sampson's writing is both humorous and touching, capturing the essence of community spirit beautifully. If you're looking for a book that will make you smile and feel good, Nosy Neighbors is the perfect choice! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC!

Freya’s books are like BBC cozy mysteries.
Dorothy is a nosy old woman who takes notes on the comings and goings of her neighbours. Kat moves in (gasp!) as an illegal room renter and has (gasp!) pink hair. But together they discover who’s terrorizing the building and become each other’s friend and support along the way.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun read but also ended up being rather serious too. It kind of makes you take a step back and think about all those cranky elderly people you may know. What caused them to be that way?
Dorothy Darling is Shelley House’s longest resident, and probably its most judgmental too. When Kat shows up, she shoos her away just for having pink hair. Must be a delinquent. On the same token, Dorothy details everything that goes on at Shelley House and what maintenance needs to be done— in her heart of hearts she’s keeping the tenants safe.
Kat has a sordid history— a mom who could barely take care of herself, and an incident that had resulted in her grandpa disowning her.
These two end up sleuthing together when a mutual tenant ends up the victim of a crime in Shelley House and they find themselves having a common enemy. The whodunnit is the focus for the first half of the story, but as we dig deeper, more about Kat and Dorothy’s past ends up being disclosed and we see these two growing more, and their hearts melting. They both shut people out from guilt. We do find out who did it, and it’s amazing how everything is connected together, and how it’s never too late for a new beginning— whether in your 70s or your 20s.

Thank you Berkley for the read!

Freya Sampson’s "Nosy Neighbors" is a heartwarming and inspiring tale of community, resilience, and unlikely friendships. The novel follows the residents of Shelley House as they fight to save their historic home from demolition by a local business mogul. Despite their initially disjointed efforts, they soon realize that unity is their greatest strength.

At the heart of the story are two compelling protagonists: 77-year-old Dorothy and 25-year-old Kat. Both women are carrying the weight of personal secrets and struggles, yet their unexpected alliance becomes a powerful force in the fight to preserve their home. As their friendship grows, so does their ability to face their pasts and embrace new beginnings. Their journey is one of redemption, healing, and the courage to move forward after life’s hardships.

Sampson masterfully weaves together humor, emotion, and a strong sense of place, making Nosy Neighbors a touching read. The novel explores themes of found family, second chances, and the power of standing together in the face of adversity. Fans of Fredrik Backman will likely find themselves drawn to the warmth and charm of this story.

This book leaves a lasting impact, and I would love to see a sequel that delves further into the lives of Dorothy, Kat, and their neighbors. Highly recommended for those who enjoy uplifting narratives about resilience, friendship, and the beauty of community.

I really liked this one! This is the book to pick up if you are looking for a cozy whodunnit. I really liked the characters and their development throughout the book. The pace felt slow at times but overall this was a great read.

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for my copy!

This book was deeper than the cover lets on. I was expecting something light and fluffy and got so much more than that.

Dorothy, the nosy neighbor, has been keeping and eye on her neighbors for the past 30 years. But why IS she so nosy? And what is happening in the neigborhood lately? Break-ins, new tenants, a hospitalization of a tenant and a mass eviction notice. They neighborhood is in shambles. Can Kat, the new girl figure out what is happening before the eviction is final?

I adored this book and fell in love with this rag tag bunch of characters!

Looking for your next cozy mystery fix? This charming whodunit pairs a nosy 77-year-old neighbor with her reluctant 25-year-old partner-in-crime-solving as they try to save their historic apartment building. With a lovable Jack Russell terrier, quirky residents, and plenty of secrets, it's perfect for fans of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club.

I had to DNF about 50% of the way through, which is way farther than I usually go but I finally realized that I didn't care about any of the people or their housing crisis and it wasn't particularly funny.

3.5 stars

Two neighbors-at-war band together to stop a dangerous criminal in their midst in this new novel by Freya Sampson.

Six very different tenants living in a historic apartment building are about to be evicted by their greedy landlord. Nosy Neighbors is told in the alternating POVs of Miss Dorothy, who lives in apartment two and is nosy and a stickler for the rules and Kat, a young sub-letter with pink hair. When one of the tenants is attacked in his home, the group begins keeping watch and working together to save their apartment building from being demolished. As they work together, secrets are exposed and wishes are shared. Can this rag-tag group become friends and save their home?

I really enjoyed The Last Chance Library by Sampson and, while this one seemed to drag a bit and my interest wandered, I enjoyed the characters and getting a peak into their lives. I look forward to reading more from Freya Sampson.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Nosy Neighbors is story that focuses on the unlikely friendship between Kat Bennett, a troubled 25-year-old, and Dorothy Darling, a 77-year-old curmudgeon who has lived in the crumbling Shelley House for decades. When the building faces demolition, Kat and Dorothy must put aside their differences to try and save their home. The dynamic between the two women is endearing and highlights how connections can form in the most unexpected ways.

The heart of the novel lies in its exploration of found family, forgiveness, and the process of moving forward, even later in life. Though the book is filled with quirky and colorful characters, and its focus on relationships offers plenty of warmth and heart, the mystery element is a bit underwhelming. The pace is slower and the plot was a bit too cozy and light on suspense for my personal liking.

This was an enjoyable read for me, but it didn't pull me in. Any time I listened to it, I found myself entertained, but not so much that I couldn't put it down. I do like Freya Sampsons writing and will read more from her in the future.

There is a lot of grief in this novel and it overwhelms what was billed as a fun cozy mystery. I enjoyed the characters, but the mystery totally fell flat. I really wanted a print version of Only Murders in the Building and that was not to be.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Digital Advanced Readers Copy of the book!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson. I enjoyed the warmth of Shelley House's community, with its quirky characters and charming dynamics, especially Dorothy and her trusty notebook. The story’s themes of forgiveness and redemption were woven with tenderness and humor, though the plot leaned heavily on familiar tropes, making it predictable at times and occasionally slowing the pace. While some characters felt more like charming stereotypes, Nosy Neighbors still captured the spirit of community beautifully, offering a cozy, feel-good read that fans of Sampson's work will likely appreciate.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for this ARC for an honest review.

Such a fun book! I loved the protagonists, the building, the heartbreaking back stories. Wonderful ending. Perfect!