The Perfect Neighbors: A Novel

Considering my one neighbor mows the lawn in his underwear while the opposing side's couple enjoys making love in their outdoor hammock LOUDLY in the wee hours of the evening, I was intrigued by the idea of "The Perfect Neighbors". Does such a thing exist? I did not think so and therefore in my mind this was already a masterpiece of modern fiction.As I filled my glass of wine and settled in to my deck chair to read, I marveled over the lovely cover. Front and center was the requisite faceless woman that is on the cover of all of Ms. Pekkanen's novels. This one was different in that she was peering over the hedges. Ooh! A peeper! Immediately I was intrigued. What was so salacious on the other side of the hedge that got her attention? Was she not afraid of getting caught? Aha! Now we had a brazen peeper. Could this get any better? My hopes were high. Also, who did her blowout? The model's hair was Pantene commercial worthy. I gazed at the glossy locks finding myself impressed with the hair stylist's mad skills.Folicle envy aside, I finally began the book with the hope that it would provide a brief momentary escape from the humdrum of my everyday existence. By the end of the first chapter, I was hooked and the day's troubles were all but a distant memory. I was now happily ensconced in Newport Cove and was no longer subject to the memory of Mr. Bulging Belly mowing the lawn at 5 a.m. in his BVD's. What kept me hooked you ask? I really don't want to go into plot details because frankly, if you need them there are many other reviews besides mine that will go into it a lot more eloquently than I ever could. All I know is that the wine was flowing, the pages were turning and time was flying. Could you really describe a more ideal evening? Ahem. A more REALISTIC ideal evening? (Tuck those Ryan Gosling fantasies away you Pekkafan)Anyway, I read the book from beginning to end in one evening since I was unable to put it down. The storyline kept me hooked and the list serv excerpts at the beginning had me laughing out loud so much that it gave my amorous neighbor performance anxiety. For once I did not have to tell my children that the shrieking sounds coming from next door was the neighbor's cat. The book paid for itself right then and there if you ask me.So grab "The Perfect Neighbors" for a beach read or for one of those days when you require some much needed 'me' time. I've read all of Ms. Pekkanen's books and this by far is her best. Enjoy (and please stay out of the hammock #28). Thanks.

I’ve had this book on hold on Libby for quite some time. It became available at a time I was picking my next read and I’ve been on a thriller kick lately so decided to give it a try.. and I gotta say, I’m glad I did.The Perfect Neighbors involves 4 women and their families who live in the ideal perfect neighborhood. They have ideal lives but each of them has secrets and part of living in this perfect neighborhood is making sure those secrets don’t surface.This book definitely gave me “Desperate Housewives” vibes but I’m not mad about it. I liked the suspense, I enjoyed the buildup and the mystery surrounding these secrets. Not too much of a thriller it was definitely more of a slow burn but overall I’m rating it 3.5 stars.

Such a fan of Sarah Pekkanen's writing. I've read of all her books that she co-wrote with Gree Hendricks and loved them. What I found interesting about "The Perfect Neighbors" is that is covered a number of 'heavy' topics, yet Sarah creatively infused humor with the Listerv. Honestly, I could not get over how hilarious the Listerv entries were and was eager for the next complaints about dog poop. Frank's entries in particular were my favorite."The Perfect Neighbors" is a book that I think anyone can relate to since it paints such a honest depiction of the struggles and choices we all face as humans.Highly Recommend.

I would say this is more women’s fiction than mystery or suspense. It’s true that each woman does have a secret, but only one of their secrets is of the criminal variety. Even with the element of a potential murder in one of the lady’s past, I still didn’t feel a driving force of suspense. The story is built largely in understanding how each of the women tick, what each one finds important, and the steps the women take to try and find their peace.It’s a fairly easy read because each woman is interesting, but I did find Kellie to be tedious at points the further along I got into the book. Susan and Gigi were my favorite storylines. This novel took me a little longer to get through; partly because I was busy over the holidays, but also because I never felt compelled to get to the end. When I did read it, the pages went quickly and it was easy to follow along. But when I wasn’t reading it, I didn’t feel driven to get my kindle out and find out what happens. All in all, I do like the author’s writing style; by the end of the novel, I was invested (to varying degrees) in the women’s stories and I was pleased with the resolutions to various roadblocks that each woman had encountered.For those who are interested: There isn’t a lot of foul language and no graphic sex, but just a warning that there is brief storyline reference of child molestation (nothing in-depth).

Similar to desperate housewives. Not extremely exciting but an okay read. Buts of a tangled mess. Some laughter to keep it interstating.

Easy read, very pedestrian and predictable. Basic 4 characters life happenings entwine as they live life in the "perfect suburb"

Very good, did not disappoint .

Bought for my wife and she really enjoyed it. Would recommend to friend. Jo oh n u unu im up

Oooooookkkkkkkkkk. I did enjoy this but it was a bit 'pedestrian'. I was sold on this book by a suggestion from a blog on 'thrillers' with twists in the end hat are well worth a read. It really is a good read but I prefer a more psychological type thriller. This was more of an edgy 'Babysitters Club'. Perfectly enjoyable but not that thought provoking.

Good