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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
This book was a bit slow to get going, but about 2/3 of the way through it took an intense turn that had me feeling upset after each time I sat down to read it. I seriously haven't felt so ill while reading in a long time. Oof.
This is almost a 4 star book. It brought to mind Lolita (though Brad is no Humbert Humbert when it comes to charm), Little Fires Everywhere, Everybody’s Son, and An American Marriage. I felt like the final part of the book was when the book really became its own and it succeeded in eliciting rage, sorrow, and even a bit of hope.
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book started off quite slow and slowly (SLOWLY) built up to an incredibly fast moving second half.
This book infuriated me, on so many levels. I was angry about certain situation and I was angry about the way the characters handled certain situations. But it made for a interesting read.
Unfortunately because the book was so slow at the beginning, it made it difficult for me to connect with the characters, so i often felt as though i was simply watching the story unfold, instead of living in with the characters.
This book touches on some deep issues, and I have doubts that this book will do these issues justice, perhaps in a light setting as a springboard to a much larger conversation, but I don't think this book can stand on its own.
This book infuriated me, on so many levels. I was angry about certain situation and I was angry about the way the characters handled certain situations. But it made for a interesting read.
Unfortunately because the book was so slow at the beginning, it made it difficult for me to connect with the characters, so i often felt as though i was simply watching the story unfold, instead of living in with the characters.
This book touches on some deep issues, and I have doubts that this book will do these issues justice, perhaps in a light setting as a springboard to a much larger conversation, but I don't think this book can stand on its own.
“Life was positively idyllic, but of course, good neighbors are hard to find,”
I won this ARC in a Goodreads giveaway. This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I have to say I was very impressed. Thank you to the publisher, the author and Goodreads.
This story is a modern day novel that revolves around two families and touches on so many current day issues and I encourage you to read it as it will cause you to stop and truly think about what it means to be a good neighbor. Some of the topics discussed are race, class, power dynamics and love in new and interesting ways. The story unfolds very fast as things spiral out of control. Wish their was a different ending, but understand the impact it has on the story. Would definitely recommend it for fans of Little Fires Everywhere and Ask Again, Yes.
This will definitely be a book people will be talking about in 2020 when it’s released.
I won this ARC in a Goodreads giveaway. This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I have to say I was very impressed. Thank you to the publisher, the author and Goodreads.
This story is a modern day novel that revolves around two families and touches on so many current day issues and I encourage you to read it as it will cause you to stop and truly think about what it means to be a good neighbor. Some of the topics discussed are race, class, power dynamics and love in new and interesting ways. The story unfolds very fast as things spiral out of control. Wish their was a different ending, but understand the impact it has on the story. Would definitely recommend it for fans of Little Fires Everywhere and Ask Again, Yes.
This will definitely be a book people will be talking about in 2020 when it’s released.
I thought the ending was abrupt - would have liked more character development
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Foreshadowing began with the opening sentences, narrated in a voice that brought to mind Rod Serling introducing a Twilight Zone episode, setting up the story.
A girl sitting beside a swimming pool behind her newly built home. The neighbor boy welcoming her to the neighborhood. A typical day in a typical good neighborhood, upscale and friendly, a place where women gather for book clubs and teenagers can safely run in the local park.
But underneath the 'tenuous peace' simmers the possibility of fracture, the conflict of class and money and race and values. For some, conspicuous wealth is the goal. For another, environmental concerns are primary.
And probing deeper, there are secret desires and blooming love and the blindness we hold on to for self-protection.
Lives will be destroyed.
Xavier was good looking, a National Honor Student. He had won a scholarship to study classical guitar. He was also biracial. His white father died tragically. His mother Valerie was a professor whose hobby was more than 'gardening', it was environmental restoration and preservation. She was especially proud of the towering oak tree in her back yard.
The oak tree whose roots had been harmed when the house behind was torn down and replaced with a showcase McMansion.
New girl Juniper never knew her dad. Her mom Julia struggled before she lucked out, catching the attention of a self-made man with a lucrative business. Brad Whitman set 'his girls' up in a sweet deal of a life. But Brad's easy-going charm hid his motivation of self-interest and sick obsessions.
Valerie includes Julia into the neighborhood while Xavier and Juniper discover friendship is turning into something more.
Valerie cannot allow development to destroy the environment--she must make a stand and decides on a lawsuit. Juniper doubts the Purity Pledge her parents shepherded her into taking and secretly meets Xavier. She knows something is wrong with her dad's attentions but Brad justifies his obsession and plots ways to take action.
I will tell you this: the culmination will make you shudder and you will cry.
A Good Neighborhood is a reflection of the social turmoil of our time.
I had to consider my own 'good neighborhood,' a two-square-mile city highly rated on lists, with quick selling properties, a safe neighborhood. A predominately white neighborhood with a small demographic of foreigners and split in half politically. A city that voted out a mayor who used tax money to dig up dirt on her opponent and fired long-time city workers who would not cooperate with her plans.
And yet...every tree-lined avenue may shade secrets.
I received access to a free ebook through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
A girl sitting beside a swimming pool behind her newly built home. The neighbor boy welcoming her to the neighborhood. A typical day in a typical good neighborhood, upscale and friendly, a place where women gather for book clubs and teenagers can safely run in the local park.
But underneath the 'tenuous peace' simmers the possibility of fracture, the conflict of class and money and race and values. For some, conspicuous wealth is the goal. For another, environmental concerns are primary.
And probing deeper, there are secret desires and blooming love and the blindness we hold on to for self-protection.
Lives will be destroyed.
Xavier was good looking, a National Honor Student. He had won a scholarship to study classical guitar. He was also biracial. His white father died tragically. His mother Valerie was a professor whose hobby was more than 'gardening', it was environmental restoration and preservation. She was especially proud of the towering oak tree in her back yard.
The oak tree whose roots had been harmed when the house behind was torn down and replaced with a showcase McMansion.
New girl Juniper never knew her dad. Her mom Julia struggled before she lucked out, catching the attention of a self-made man with a lucrative business. Brad Whitman set 'his girls' up in a sweet deal of a life. But Brad's easy-going charm hid his motivation of self-interest and sick obsessions.
Valerie includes Julia into the neighborhood while Xavier and Juniper discover friendship is turning into something more.
Valerie cannot allow development to destroy the environment--she must make a stand and decides on a lawsuit. Juniper doubts the Purity Pledge her parents shepherded her into taking and secretly meets Xavier. She knows something is wrong with her dad's attentions but Brad justifies his obsession and plots ways to take action.
I will tell you this: the culmination will make you shudder and you will cry.
A Good Neighborhood is a reflection of the social turmoil of our time.
I had to consider my own 'good neighborhood,' a two-square-mile city highly rated on lists, with quick selling properties, a safe neighborhood. A predominately white neighborhood with a small demographic of foreigners and split in half politically. A city that voted out a mayor who used tax money to dig up dirt on her opponent and fired long-time city workers who would not cooperate with her plans.
And yet...every tree-lined avenue may shade secrets.
I received access to a free ebook through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
I'm gonna go ahead and give this 4.5 stars and round it up to 5. If not for the current state of our state, nation, world, I probably would give it four. However, I'm feeling so anxious and concerned about the state of things so I'm feeling highly emotional. Excellent book. Easy read. DIFFICULT and HEAVY topic. But I highly recommend.
This was an intense read. I think it was written in second person (I may be incorrect on that), but it provided an interesting POV. I thought the pacing was good and it did not shy away from tough topics. Recommend.