A review by becca_thegrimreader
Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

It may be the dream to live in a nice house in the suburbs for many people out there. Well, for me, after reading this book, I would run a million miles away. 

Maple Street, the picture-perfect suburb in Long Island, is nothing as sweet as its title. Here, families are loving, with children who grow up with the potential for greatness, and parents who push them every step of the way there. With the recent addition of the Wilde family, the balance is offset. Arlo Wilde is a former rock star, Gertie is a beauty pageant queen, Julia is wild, and Larry is seen as an outsider. Then comes the night when a sinkhole opens in their park, and a girl from the neighbourhood falls in. And the mother accuses Arlo Wilde of something deeply sinister. 

This was an enjoyable book with a lot of twists and turns along the way. It took me a while to understand why it was set in 2027 and 2040 but knowing that global warming and the damage we have done to the environment are why. The author discusses the effect we have had on our planet, and that in 2027 we are finally seeing the results. If you want to know, read the book, it’s not a pretty future ahead of us. I thought this was an interesting choice, and I’m glad that the stark reality of our future is shown, but I wish it had been more clear from the start. 

The story itself is shocking. What appears to be an accident turns into a widespread hate campaign with an angry mob. Through the spread of gossip and false stories, we see the disastrous consequences of peoples’ lives being ruined forever. The residents of Maple Street lose all sense of sanity, and even in excerpts from the future, many remain adamant they did the right thing. 

A good book, but one that didn’t have me sitting on the edge of my seat. We are told at the beginning that there is a murder, and for fans of thrillers, it is a little predictable. The narrative changes between characters, and while this is well done, there were characters who I felt lacked depth due to little time in their mindset. Some had difficult and upsetting backgrounds, and though discussed, were left in the background. I think that if this had been explored more we would have gotten a better sense of the character, what made them who they are today.
I received this book from Titan Books and Netgalley. My review is unbiased and completely honest. 
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