Loved this book!
These girls, who are lifelong friends, have bolstered each other through life's trials and tribulations.

They suffer a number of losses, and their bond just gets closer.

The book is not a thriller as such, but it is a page turner. It is an easy read, and while there are deaths, there is no gore.

The characters are very real. They have their flaws and love each other despite those flaws.

Would definitely recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

I picked this up as it was listed as a mystery/thriller. I was highly disappointed. This is a story about four girls born months apart, who grew up together and remained like sister as adults. The story revolves around the drama of their everyday lives, along with marriage, kids, work, and death. It took almost the entire book to get to a suspenseful scene, that would help label this book as a mystery. From there it moved quickly, though, there wasn’t much left to read. While I enjoyed how in depth the author wrote about each character, the overall story didn’t hold my interest, and it wasn’t the mystery/thriller/suspense it was categorized as.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Girls Next Door is billed as a mystery & thriller but I would say it shines as women’s fiction focused on family drama and ties. Erin, Melissa, Jess, and Chantelle grew up as sisters, not in blood, but in closeness and their experiences supporting one another. While they go through life’s highs and lows together they need to band together especially when Chantelle’s husband passes (starting the mystery and thriller element). This book really focuses on each friend and their relationships, and with that it is heartfelt and sings true. I almost think the mystery element was unnecessary in doing that. A character driven book, I thought this was well crafted and appealing. I enjoyed the twists but ultimately I will remove some stars for not fulfilling the thriller description I expected.

Anita Waller whatever the topic of her books always manages to make them so easy to read. One is immediately wrapped up in the story and empathising with her 3D characters. In The Girls Next Door the main characters are four young women born very close together on the same street at the same time. They stay close all their lives and become like sisters to one another. They never fail to be there for each other when their individual worlds begin to fall apart. Although this is a murder/mystery which is Anita Waller's usual genre, the murders don't overwhelm the story. The relationships between the girls takes priority. A thoroughly enjoyable read as always. A pleasure to recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own

this is my first read from this author and while i was invested into getting to know the characters, i wish it had more thriller to it because it focused more on the bonds etc. wasn’t my fav but didn’t hate it.

I liked the idea of this story. Sadly, I really struggled to get into it. For a “thriller” it did not move fast enough. There was too much detail and character development. I lost interest in all the characters.

The Girls Next Door unfolds the relationship of four women, born within a six months' time span on the same street. Their lives are woven together throughout childhood, and they remain close as adults. When one of the girl's husband dies, the others rally around to provide support and to look for answers, as it is likely that he was having an affair.

I read about a fourth of this book, but I didn't find it engaging, and I couldn't connect with the main characters. It left me not caring who did what to whom, or why. Employing the motto, "So many books, so little time," I chose not to labor through to the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This was such a great heartfelt story of four girls: Chantelle, Mel, Jess, and Erin. The four of them have been best friends but act more like sisters since they were born. They have been there for one another to celebrate the wins and to comfort during the hardships. I absolutely loved the bond these four women had throughout the book. I wasn't really sure this was a thriller until about 57% through when there was an actual murder. The majority of the book is giving the reader insight into each girls lives and what they are currently facing. I felt at times there was too much fluff that took away from the actual story, however; I can see why some of these parts were left in to give you more of an idea of each girl. In my honest opinion, this was more of a heartfelt story of the bond these women share rather than a thriller. I think this story would have been more up my alley if it focused more on the thriller part of the story. This is not to say I did not enjoy it as it was a very cute story. Plus, in every good thriller fashion there was a slight twist in the end. Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to this author and reading something outside of what I consider my typical thriller.

"The Girls Next Door" by Anita Waller seems to promise a riveting exploration of friendship, secrets, and the darker side of suburbia. The premise, centered around the lifelong bond between four women born on the same street, sets the stage for an engaging narrative.

It cleverly weaves together the lives of Jess, Erin, Melissa, and Chantelle, highlighting the depth of their friendship and the support they provide each other through life's trials. The fact that one of the characters shares my name, "Chantelle", adds a personal touch that may resonate strongly with me. I love it.

As the plot unfolds with Chantelle's shocking discovery of her husband's affair and subsequent death, the tension escalates, drawing readers into a web of intrigue and suspicion. Waller appears adept at crafting suspenseful twists and turns, keeping readers guessing about the true nature of events on Larkspur Close.

The themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the fragility of trust seem to be central to the narrative, offering readers a thought-provoking exploration of human relationships and the secrets that can tear them apart.

Overall, "The Girls Next Door" is a compelling read that combines elements of mystery, drama, and psychological insight. Fans of character-driven stories with a hint of suspense are likely to find this novel thoroughly engaging.

A well written family drama/thriller. Four women who have grown up together like sisters. An interesting read where you think you know who has done what only to find you don't!
I really enjoyed this expect for one little gripe......i felt there was far to much detail especially around what they ate and drank.
Overall a worthy four star read.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

It took a while to get into this: there's a lengthy set up about each of the four women. I wasn't even sure it was a thriller until it became clear that a death was suspicious, followed by several other incidents around the women.
The pace improved and I enjoyed the friendship between the four friends. It was interesting to learn about Erin's antiquarian book business. I loved the relationship between Jess's grandparents and the broader group.
Just when I thought the killer had been identified and all the loose ends tied up, there was a surprise twist at the end.

Anita Waller's books are real page-turners, packed with intense plots, characters you can't help but get invested in, and stories that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. And that is exactly what this one does.

I loved the concept of the four best friends all being born within six months of each other, it really showed how these friends are more like family and the bonds that family have, and what one will do to protect another.

This isn't your run of the mill thriller, this is more of a deep story of connections and family, with some thrill mixed in.

I really enjoyed it and am excited to try out Wallers other stories.

Aw. This book is really heartfelt and tugs at the heart. Four women with an unbreakable bond. Now that's a sisterhood I want to be a part of.

I like the chemistry of the four bestfriends. They all have different personalities and each of them has their own insecurities and flaws but they compliment each other very well. I am glad that no crime or murder could destroy this unique friendship.

Although sometimes the events tend to be a bit monotonous and tedious, I enjoyed Erin's bookstore and eventual cafe shop. I imagine myself having a cuppa while reading a book. That must be nice.

Everyone likes tea too much, by the way.

A very decent read.

Thank you Boldwood Books & Netgalley for the ARC!

What fantastic book, I didn't want it to end! Anita is an amazing writer, and has the abilty to bring out the sinister and twisted in the most mundane of situations! I've loved all her books, this is another cracking read.

Wow! I loved this! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Excellent storytelling and the hits kept coming. I really enjoyed the multiple points of view, the friendships between the girls that could withstand anything and an excellent twist that I didn’t see coming at the end.

This talented author has written a page turner. Friends with secrets…red herrings kept me guessing. Follow the days’ events with these women and try to guess what will happen next. A book to be read all at once…a cannot put down novel that sadly reads like nonfiction, at times. This book would make a suspenseful movie. Thanks Netgalley.