review of good neighbors~sarah langan

 

my musings

welcome book lovers

Welcome to Maple Street, a picture-perfect slice of suburban Long Island, its residents bound by their children, their work, and their illusion of safety in a rapidly changing world.

Arlo Wilde, a gruff has-been rock star who’s got nothing to show for his fame but track marks, is always two steps behind the other dads. His wife, beautiful ex-pageant queen Gertie, feels socially ostracized and adrift. Spunky preteen Julie curses like a sailor and her kid brother Larry is called “Robot Boy” by the kids on the block.

Their next-door neighbor and Maple Street’s Queen Bee, Rhea Schroeder—a lonely community college professor repressing her own dark past—welcomes Gertie and family into the fold. Then, during one spritzer-fueled summer evening, the new best friends share too much, too soon.

As tensions mount, a sinkhole opens in a nearby park, and Rhea’s daughter Shelly falls inside. The search for Shelly brings a shocking accusation against the Wildes that spins out of control. Suddenly, it is one mom’s word against the other’s in a court of public opinion that can end only in blood.

Oh, how to describe this book...dramedy? I think maybe that's the closest one I can think of?

I can't say too much because to elaborate ruins the appeal of this smarty written book about how gossip makes everything bleed. 

Langan has really hit it out of the park- when books are described as twisty and surprising I don't always agree- but believe those words about this book. And the fact the characters are horrible only makes this book so much better! 

Although it's a tad slow at times, stick with it- it pays off.