I have has never heard of this author until after I read this so I didn't know his background went in blind. I learnt his back story after reading, I can see why the book worked so well and I felt so real now.

This book for me was a mix of wit, mystery and dark undertone it flows and reads easy but never once felt lazy or brain fluffy it was insightful observant and smart it never once was a chore to read. I read it over a day I couldn't put tot down.

I loved the short chapters each told from a different characters POV in the third person. There was vast cast of characters each with a unique voice and story they interlinked perfectly to tell what was complex plot that was told with real style. There was a sense of pending tension though out, the characters developing as the plot does...the writing was truly a class act.

I got big white lotus, little big lies, Kevin Kwan and Emma Rosenblum vibes from this which I loved.

Really really enjoyed this one, great from start to finish I'd say it make perfect pool side reading.

Crying out to be made into Netflix series

A strong 4.5 Stars

As an audiobook it works really, the reader had good tone and kept the pace well

Frey has created a world of privilege that everyone will do anything to get to. I want something else to happen in this glitzy neighborhood so I can go back! The story and dialogue would lend well to a movie or series. Gershon as the narrator was perfect. The sexy drawl of her voice lent to the nefarious characters and the mystery at hand.

I really enjoyed this. It definitely reminded me a lot of Big Little Lies, with much more debauchery. I did find it difficult, at times, to keep the characters and their spouses straight but in the end, it all fell together nicely for me. I did predict the reveal but that didn't make it any less enjoyable for me. After all, I support women's rights and, more importantly, women's wrongs.

Next To Heaven, written by James Frey and narrated by Gina Gershon, is an absolute must read/listen! In a way, it felt like a modern twist on the kinds of novels that turned me on to reading ages ago written by authors like Jacqueline Susann, Jackie Collins, and Sidney Sheldon. Thoroughly escapist and unputdownable. The fictional town of New Bethlehem is really New Canaan, CT—the town right beside mine in Fairfield County, CT. I recognized all the landmarks and his descriptions are spot on. Some characters I loved, some I loved to hate. But I enjoyed every minute!! And Gerson has the perfect sultry voice for this book! Highly recommend!!!