I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Receiving an advanced copy was a delightful surprise. I believe both existing fans and newcomers will find it equally enjoyable.

I may be the odd man out here, but I lost interest during this one...

Linda, Russell, and their teen twins moved to Plymouth Valley when Russel is hired to work there. Plymouth Valley is touted as being a safe place. It is a company town that boasts fresh air, top schools, and plenty of food. It's an elite place. Everything is taken care of for you - a home, a car, a job, etc. If you have a chance to live in this community, you would be a fool to turn it down as the outside world is falling apart.

This book is about the family trying to fit in with these wealthy people, trying to follow all of the rules and trying to be happy in this strange new environment. It’s clean there, the health problems they were having in the outside world are gone, but the people are difficult to deal with. Newcomers aren’t exactly embraced, and the family is struggling.

This was difficult for me to get into and it kept losing me at points in the last half but I was invested enough to finish.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

A Better World by Sarah Langan is a combined utopian/ dystopian novel. The Farmer-Bowens live in New York which like the rest of the world has succumbed to the challenges of global climate change and economic despair. The family is given the opportunity to go to Plymouth Valley, a seemingly utopian walled-off paradise-like community. I really enjoyed the first 100 pages of the book that described Plymouth Valley and the challenges that the Farmer-Bowen family faced gaining social acceptance in the community. The second portion of the book was slow. I contemplated putting down the book, but I am glad that I finished it. The final section of the book describing Plymouth Valley's Winter Festival was not at all what I expected, and I am glad that I stuck with the novel to experience the last section which gave me a lot to think about.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The world has fallen apart. The climate is destroyed and the population is dwindling. The Farmer-Bowen family isn't hanging on by a thread. Living in New York is becoming increasingly difficult. Then opportunity strikes. Russell is offered a position at Plymouth Valley working in the research department. The tight knit community is pure magic in the chaotic world. The air is clean, the houses are beautiful, and the best part the whole family will be safe. At least that's what they think. It almost feels like a lovely dream. Then the pieces stop adding up, the Farmer-Bowen family have a hard time adjusting and when they are finally accepted, they begin to wonder if it was all worth it. How far can you go to save your family without causing more harm in the process. What if Plymouth Valley isn't all it's chalked up to be.

Told from Linda, the wife and mother, you see how much she wants what is best for her family. She struggles with the change but hopes for the best. This book was funny, intriguing, and based in a future world that seems highly possible. It was just out of normal without being a complete stray from the world. Thank you Netgalley and Atria for the advanced copy of A Better World.

A new Sarah Langan book is an instant read for me, sorry TBR pile! Langan showed she is a master of domestic horror in her 2021 novel, Good Neighbors, and things get even more terrifying in her new book, A Better World.

The planet is going to the dogs. Resources are scarce, and the air is practically toxic. The Farmer-Bowen family need help, and when father Russell is courted by Plymouth Valley, a company town that promises everything a person could want, they jump at the chance to start over.

However, and somewhat predictably, PV is not as perfect as it seems, with standoffish and creepy neighbors, weird enforced celebrations, and questionable traditions known collectively as “Hollow”. With her medical expertise, mother of the family Linda manages to crack the veneer of the PV residents, and uncovers enough awful stuff to make her want to leave as soon as she can.

A Better World is the very definition of a page-turner. Linda is such a relatable character; a mother that will do practically anything to keep her family safe. I loved following her journey, and finding out just how bonkers, and eventually terrifying, her new neighbors are. The whole book was building up to a final showdown, and (no spoilers) I was not disappointed. Completely shocking and exhilarating.

Much like in Good Neighbors, Langan makes fantastic use of newspaper articles and academic journal pieces to give context to the story, and drive things along. I especially found the final piece incredibly satisfying.

Think The Stepford Wives meets Midsommar, and you’re not far off. Once again, Langan has found unique terrors in “normal” lives.

This was one hell of a dystopian future story! It was well thought out and executed. The characters were as normal and flawed as humanity. Well done! The story took me longer than I would have liked due to life, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

A BETTER WORLD should appeal to fans of dystopian fiction. The premise is great. The pacing seems a bit slow for this genre, and at times the writing is clunky and not particularly sophisticated. I expected a smoother, more sophisticated narrative from this author. On the bright side, Langan does a fantastic job with the setting and the overall eerie vibe. I also appreciated how she juggled a large cast of characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy; all opinions in this review are 100% my own.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on April 9, 2024.

Farmer-Bowen family is given the opportunity to move to Plymouth Valley one of the company towns. Here there is clean air, a house is given to you, you don't have to want for food or clothing as all is provided for you and all you have to do is make through the first year. They have rules which must be followed and the people haze the new comers but it is all worth it for a better life right? The strange animals they make for food, along with the altars in houses and festivals make Linda question what is really going on. Her husband tells her to behave as if they leave they will have nothing. I kept feeling like something scary was lurking on the next page and couldn't wait to figure out what it was.

Soon the festival with be here is it really for fun or is something more sinister going on.

I just loved this bizarre book and just couldn't flip the pages fast enough to find out what was going on.

The premise sounded like a dystopian I'd enjoy, but it fell a bit short in the execution. The eerie setting was interesting. There were teasers that were just left hanging, and there were too many loose ends. The pacing was okay in the first part, but it stalled for the latter half. Lots of repetition pulled me out of the story. The ending felt rushed. Numerous characters make it hard to truly connect to any of them, and none were particularly likeable.

4.5⭐️

A Better World is a fantastic work of dystopian fiction. Set in a near future where only the most privileged have the means to escape a world in chaos, we follow a family who have suddenly found themselves promoted from the have-nots to the haves, after they are accepted into a “company town.” These enclaves for the rich and privileged have clean air, a bounty of fresh food, a servant class, and some very specific customs. Some very weird and specific and sinister customs.

There is of course a cost to all this privilege, the question is, how high? And maybe more important: who pays it?

I loved this book, twisted and quietly ( and occasionally not-so-quietly) horrific as it was. I was glad to find myself in Plymouth Valley in the pages of this book, and NOT in real life - I highly recommend the former and ONLY the former.

I do wish there were an epilogue, as the ending felt a bit abrupt, but it’s a minor complaint and didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story or sense of resolution. Regardless, it’s a story that lingers in my thoughts days later.

Thank you Sarah Langan, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Plymouth Valley is an idyllic community. When they agree to hire Linda’s husband Russell, on a trial basis, they run to the community for the top .0001% With the world falling apart, this may be the family’s chance at safety.

Fitting in is harder than they thought. But Linda ends up securing them a spot.

Everything seems fine for a while, but then strange things start happening.

Linda’s warned to stop asking questions, but she doesn’t stop. The more she learns, the more frightened she becomes.

Dystopian thrillers are some of my favorite types of books, especially when the dystopian world is one that seems realistic. In the world that this book is set in, nuclear war is common, and people live in constant fear while the world is scrapping by. I loved the world that this was set in, but honestly it did hit close to home. However, I do with that there was some more background into how the world got to be the way that it was. That being said, it was amazingly done, and the writing was amazing and vivid. I loved the description of the town and everything about it. I think that this book was more than just a thriller, it also explored relationships. It was also amazingly suspenseful, and I kept trying to figure out what direction things were going to go. When we did get to the reveal, I was not exactly shocked, but it was shocking. I thought that it was enough shock and aw to keep people on their toes, but not so much that it was completely over the top.

In this dystopian story set in the near future, Russell and Linda Farmer-Bowen and their children feel like they won the lottery when Russell is selected for a coveted job in Plymouth Valley. Plymouth Valley is a company town closed off from the rest of the world and functioning independently. Admittance into the prosperous community is extremely limited and guarantees a comfortable life while the outside world struggles due to climate volatility and technology malfunctions referred to as The Great Unwinding. There are some odd customs and rituals to follow called Hollow, but it seems a small price to pay for healthy living and freedom from the struggles of the outside world. The Farmer-Bowen family quickly learns that what seems too good to be true often is.


There was some really interesting world building in A Better Life. That aspect of the story grabbed my attention right away.  The utopian community of Plymouth Valley inspired a feeling of dread and uneasiness right from the beginning with subtle hints of horrors lurking just below the pristine surface. The book leans strongly into dystopian territory,  but there were also some folk horror and cult elements that I really enjoyed. I would've loved to have been told more about the events leading up to this book and what was going on outside the company towns with the environmental and technological collapse. I found that part of the story quite intriguing.


The residents seemingly problem free lives and almost robotic behavior gave the story a Stepford wives feel that really added to the overall too-perfect-to-be-real, creepy atmosphere. I enjoyed this up to a point but felt it began to get repetitive after a while.  I struggled with the pacing and feeling disconnected from the characters, and I think that contributed to the story not fully grabbing me and compelling me to keep reading like I'd hoped it would. I will say that was one wild ending, and readers who are hoping the story will go full-on horror will likely love it.  


I did enjoy aspects of A Better World and think its a worthwhile read, especially for lovers of dystopian fiction, but I never reached a point of feeling invested in the story and characters like I did with the author's prior book, Good Neigbors. This one falls into the "liked" category rather than the "loved" for me.


Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book.

Langan is a crafty storyteller! I thought her first book was excellent, and this one was too—lots to think about as I was finishing the novel.

I am so unbelievably bummed about this. Good Neighbors is one of my favorite books and I was so excited for this. Unfortunately, this book did not work for me at all. I found it a complete chore to get through. I am confused because I felt the writing and storyline of Sarah Langan’s previous novel were razor-sharp. The writing here felt clunky and confused. Also, there were some pacing issues. In the first half of the book, I kept waiting for things to get interesting and just when action started happening, I was let down by the direction the story chose to go. Also, I was incredibly confused about the world.

Clearly, I am in the minority here but this was a slog and I couldn’t make it more than a couple pages without getting bored. The characters were okay, but weren’t memorable. I will be on the lookout for more titles by this author. This one was just a big miss for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Sarah Langan's A Better World is a riveting exploration of the dark underbelly of utopia, as the Farmer-Bowen family navigates the seemingly idyllic enclave of Plymouth Valley. Drawn by promises of safety and prosperity amidst a world in chaos, they find themselves ensnared in a web of deceit and control. Through Linda Farmer-Bowen's eyes, readers are thrust into a world where conformity is enforced with ruthless precision, and the price of paradise comes at the expense of individual freedom. Langan deftly blends suspense and social commentary, weaving a cautionary tale that echoes contemporary anxieties about power, privilege, and the erosion of autonomy. As the narrative unfolds, tensions escalate, culminating in a shocking finale that leaves readers questioning the true nature of utopia and the sacrifices made to attain it. A Better World is a compelling and thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page is turned, urging us to reconsider the cost of perfection.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books Publishing for an ARC ♥️
Hey there, fellow book lovers! I just finished reading "A Better World" by Sarah Langan and I'm still trying to process the rollercoaster of emotions it left me with. This family thinks they've hit the jackpot when they move into an exclusive community, but things quickly take a dark turn. Like, seriously dark.

Langan is a master at building tension and creating an atmosphere of unease. I found myself on edge as the town's sinister secrets began to unravel. And let me tell you, the way she skewers the entitled and privileged is like a razor-sharp commentary on our own society.

But what really got under my skin was how the family's desire for security and status led them down a dangerous path. It's like, we've all been there, right? Wanting to fit in and be accepted? But at what cost?

Anyway, if you're in the mood for a thought-provoking thriller that'll keep you up way past bedtime, grab a copy of "A Better World". Just don't say I didn't warn you about the creepy vibes! 😳

Read if you like: dystopian novels, unsettling towns, creepy neighbors, mysteries, missing kids

This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it very much. We follow Linda and her family as they secure a spot at an exclusive town in a crumbling world where they will be safe, healthy, and provided for. However not all is as it seems.

A Better World has great character development and pacing. I especially enjoyed the protagonist, Linda, because she felt real and I liked her quick wit and how intelligent she was. The book was detailed without being daunting and I could really visualize the world the author had created. I really got a sense of what the Farmer-Bowen family was going through during each “phase” of their stay. The author creates an aura of slow burn dread throughout the book.

The storyline was interesting with many layers. I wouldn’t say I was shocked by anything that happened but I don’t feel like this was the kind of book where you need that to make a compelling story. It touches on a lot of environmental and socioeconomic concepts that are very relevant today, making this future world a real possibility. This was perhaps the most chilling thing of all.

I loved this book. It definitely gave me 'that funny feeling' as Bo Burnham would say because most of it feels like it could be an accurate depiction of what lies in store for us in the future. I think each of us can read it and wonder what we would do in Linda or Russell's place. It was a bit long, and the bit at the very end seemed a little too pat/optimistic and maybe unnecessary. I am going back and reading this author's earlier works now, I am very intrigued. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books!