Author: Melissa Adelman
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Date Published: June 20, 2023
When Sam and Alexis move into the “perfect” neighborhood, the disappointments are mounting up and the activity in this quiet cul-de-sac is anything but perfect.
Alexis’s poor self-confidence is compounded by what she sees as her post-partum body, the money trap that is her new house, and her husband’s demeaning attitude. She’s the only person of color in her wealthy neighborhood, and that is weighing in her thoughts as well. So, when her neighbor Blair takes her under her wing, Alexis finally starts to relax and feel like she belongs.
Adelman does a great job of describing the creepiness of those “perfect” neighbors, the issues with being the least wealthy residents in the neighborhood, and the secrets behind the facades. I felt there was something missing in the characterizations, but I think it was an attempt to maintain the mystery behind their backgrounds – which wasn’t as big a deal as I thought in Alexis’s case. I would describe this as a domestic thriller and would read more by this debut author.
Background photo courtesy of J King (fifthjmk) on Unsplash.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for an advance reader’s copy.
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