Good Neighbors: A Novel by Joanne Serling

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

A searing portrait of suburbia, friendship, and family strained by a devotion to false appearances.

In an idyllic suburb, four young families quickly form a neighborhood clique, their friendships based on little more than the ages of their children and a shared sense of camaraderie. When one of the couples, Paige and Gene Edwards, adopt a four-year-old girl from Russia, the group’s loyalty and morality is soon called into question. Are the Edwards unkind to their new daughter? Or is she a difficult child with hidden destructive tendencies?

As the seams of the group friendship slowly unravel, neighbor Nicole Westerhof finds herself drawn further into the life of the adopted girl, forcing Nicole to re-examine the deceptive nature of her own family ties, and her complicity in the events unfolding around her.

“I haven’t been captivated by a story like this in so long. The tension, the complexity, the obsession over status; how one hopes to be seen by others versus how one fears one is seen…GOOD NEIGHBORS is a stunning, shocking, entertaining, and thought-provoking look at humanity. I want everyone to read this book.”? Julia Fierro, author of The Gypsy Moth Mother and Cutting Teeth

“Riveting…GOOD NEIGHBORS exposes the dark underbelly of seemingly perfect families and friendships in this compulsively paced suburban thriller.”? Bethany Ball, author of What To Do About The Solomons

my thoughts:

What a terrific story! I absolutely LOVED Good Neighbors by Joanne Serling!

Paige and Gene adopt a little girl from Russia. Instead of rejoicing over their new addition, they are having to combat accusations from their neighbors - apparently, Paige's "mothering" is called into question when the neighbors (specifically, Nicole) begin to notice some odd behavior.  Of course, nothing is ever as it seems and no one really knows what is happening behind closed doors.  As speculation about Paige and her daughter heightens, the atmosphere becomes tense.  The neighbors aren't as neighborly as they once were.

Serling has written a fantastic story that is riveting, suspenseful, and chock full of drama. I just loved getting to know this group of neighbors and learning about their relationships through Nicole's eyes - talk about a skewed perspective!  As for the writing -  it was top notch with its attention to detail and slow-going pace.  I just loved getting caught up in the drama and trying to figure out what was really going on.  Serling's exploration of communities, relationships, and foreign adoption is fascinating. You can't help but think about your own neighborhood and relationships - definite food for thought.  Good Neighbors is a great read!

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE Good Neighbors!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Good Neighbors

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!