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llk's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
shanaqui's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Stephanie Burgis' Good Neighbours is actually a collection of short novellas, each of which is linked to one another, but which do feel a little episodic when read together (rather than seamlessly fitting together like a novel). There's the odd recap sentence here and there where reading in this format makes you want to say "yeah, I know, you said so five minutes ago".
The relationship between Leander and Mia is predictable enough, but there are some cute moments; their allies are perhaps more interesting to me, particularly Carmilla and Eliza (and I think there is a novella about them which I might well read), and also Mia's father and his relationship with Uriah. All in all, there's a touch of found family in it which is always fun (Mia only has her father at first, but ends up surprisingly opening up to her options with all kinds of neighbours).
It was a quick read and not one that seems to be sticking with me very well, but it was fun enough.
The relationship between Leander and Mia is predictable enough, but there are some cute moments; their allies are perhaps more interesting to me, particularly Carmilla and Eliza (and I think there is a novella about them which I might well read), and also Mia's father and his relationship with Uriah. All in all, there's a touch of found family in it which is always fun (Mia only has her father at first, but ends up surprisingly opening up to her options with all kinds of neighbours).
It was a quick read and not one that seems to be sticking with me very well, but it was fun enough.
marcellaluna_author's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
witchivor's review
3.5
This is a charming collection. I recommend reading the parts one at a time, a little spaced out, rather than reading the whole collection in one go. It’s nice to get them all in one, but I think they’re stronger with a little separation. It’s a feel-good series of stories, a little heavy handed with the messaging, but a nice bit of escapism.
klmoran's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely Cozy Halloween Read
Okay, you don’t need to wait for Halloween to read this delicious love story in three parts, but it makes for a great read at this time of year anyway. A reluctant heroine, a smoldering hot hero, and found family vibes galore. You’ll fall in love with Mia and Leander as they navigate their way through past pain and trauma to find their way to each other.
Okay, you don’t need to wait for Halloween to read this delicious love story in three parts, but it makes for a great read at this time of year anyway. A reluctant heroine, a smoldering hot hero, and found family vibes galore. You’ll fall in love with Mia and Leander as they navigate their way through past pain and trauma to find their way to each other.
geets88's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rusticreadingal's review
3.0
This was a charming read. It’s a collection of four short stories/novellas that follows new neighbors Leander Fabian, a necromancer who lives in a dark and foreboding castle, and Mia Brandt, an inventor who’s just moved to the neighborhood after a bad experience forced her and her father to leave their old one.
Mia was a fierce, stubborn, and independent woman who never backed down. She was set in her ways and had a bit of a prickly personality but was likable from the get-go. And her distaste for socializing was 100% relatable, at least for me. She was such a fun heroine to read about. My only complaint about her was her habit of constantly jumping to the wrong conclusion. It got kinda tedious after a while.
Leander was the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome. And the mysterious air around him just added to his intrigue. Him and Mia were great allies, but I never fully bought into their romance.
While this collection wasn't my favorite from this author, it was still an enjoyable read, especially the first two stories.
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
Mia was a fierce, stubborn, and independent woman who never backed down. She was set in her ways and had a bit of a prickly personality but was likable from the get-go. And her distaste for socializing was 100% relatable, at least for me. She was such a fun heroine to read about. My only complaint about her was her habit of constantly jumping to the wrong conclusion. It got kinda tedious after a while.
Leander was the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome. And the mysterious air around him just added to his intrigue. Him and Mia were great allies, but I never fully bought into their romance.
While this collection wasn't my favorite from this author, it was still an enjoyable read, especially the first two stories.
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
tessisreading2's review
3.0
Cute, relatively insubstantial fantasy romance short stories with an emphasis on accepting the unusual and found family - very sweet but not much to them, really.
blodeuedd's review
3.0
This is four novellas made into a book, and it does work well. It is just like 4 different longer chapters.
It's an 18th century world with magic and monsters , well beings, but some do want to wipe out everything different.
And Mia and her father moves into a little village. She is different and had to leave. Her nearest neighbor is an annoying necromancer (who is also hot.) In the first story they are bickering. Then they have a mission. And then there is also drama at the end with those idiots who do not like different.
Sure things happen fast because they are novellas in the end, but it work because there is not specific time of events.
Mia was cool, she could make anything mechanic, and there is a hidden thing to her too. As for Leander, sure he is a necromancer, but he seems like a decent guy. And this is a romance too so they will grow closer.
As for the end, well everyone is happy for now in their crazy little village. But I would like more from this world because it is really interesting, and those evil guys are still out there.
Cool world, interesting story and romance promised too.
It's an 18th century world with magic and monsters , well beings, but some do want to wipe out everything different.
And Mia and her father moves into a little village. She is different and had to leave. Her nearest neighbor is an annoying necromancer (who is also hot.) In the first story they are bickering. Then they have a mission. And then there is also drama at the end with those idiots who do not like different.
Sure things happen fast because they are novellas in the end, but it work because there is not specific time of events.
Mia was cool, she could make anything mechanic, and there is a hidden thing to her too. As for Leander, sure he is a necromancer, but he seems like a decent guy. And this is a romance too so they will grow closer.
As for the end, well everyone is happy for now in their crazy little village. But I would like more from this world because it is really interesting, and those evil guys are still out there.
Cool world, interesting story and romance promised too.