Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially drawn to Welcome to the Neighbourhood: Stories by Clea Young because of its intriguing synopsis, which promised a collection of engaging and thought-provoking tales. The book is set in the Pacific Northwest and explores themes of loneliness, connection, love, loss, fear, and fortitude.

Unfortunately, the book did not live up to my expectations. The pacing felt dragged, making it difficult to stay engaged with the narrative. I found myself struggling to connect with the stories and understand the characters' motivations, which often felt unclear and underdeveloped. Despite my efforts to push through, I could only get through about 35% of the book before deciding to put it down. While the premise had potential, the execution left much to be desired, leaving me feeling disappointed and unfulfilled.

A super creative writing experience to read. I was immediately invested in each story Young presented. Her craft of characters is unique, and I enjoyed this collection of stories. Bravo! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.