Reviews

The Perfect Neighbors by Sarah Pekkanen

Only show reviews with written explanations

alatinaandherbooks's review

1.0

The ending was good but Lord actually getting there took forever. A bunch of stories I didn't really care for I just wanted to know the deal with Tessa and it took forever getting there

kstarr321's review

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emotional funny hopeful mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This was a really enjoyable book. It alternates between 4 women's lives in a small suburban street. Kellie has recently returned to work and is attracted to one of her new coworkers. She struggles with the pull between her marriage and family, and the excitement of a life outside of being a homemaker. Susan is gorgeous and successful, but is struggling with the end of her marriage and her ex-husband's new relationship. Gigi is the wife of an emerging politician, but she has a hard time connecting with her teenage daughter. Her husband's campaign picks up, and the toll it may take on her and her children make her wonder if it is worth it. Finally, Tessa is new to the neighborhood. She moved there with her family to escape a dark secret. Her story flashes back to "Before Newport Cove" as we learn more about what she is running from.

I would not categorize this as a psychological thriller, or even really as suspense. Though the story of Tessa unfolds throughout the novel, and you do wonder what she ran away from, it isn't particularly suspenseful. This book is really a story about four women who have their own demons, and struggle to hold their families together as they try to keep their secrets hidden. It delves into a lot of family issues that I think many women struggle with throughout their life.

This book is a quick read and enjoyable. It didn't have the same pull that some other books do for me. That said, I'm glad I read it. I may look into other books by this author at some point. It's a fun, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, look at suburbia.

sare1125's review

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

monsonkm22's review

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emotional mysterious medium-paced

2.5

syndi3's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The setting of this book si very similar to desperate housewives series. living in perfect and safe neighbourhood, perfect family. and everyone have a secret...

i found gigi is the most lame character. her passive dealing with her teenage daughter irritates me greatly. i feel like i want to shake her and scream at her.

the plot, the twist and the climax i found very disappointing to my taste. perhaps i am hoping for much dramatize ending. but this one felt flat.

the author building the characters up is also dragging.

kckburns's review

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3.0

Enjoyed the writing. Wasn't really anxious to finish the story though. Had no problem putting it down and walking away for days at a time. It was very similar to big little lies but big little lies was better.