I battled to get caught up in the story at first. It was a slow start. However, about halfway through the book I was completely captivated. I read the second half of the book in one sitting because I just could not put it down. The sudden change in pace was a pleasant surprise. It was a light an enjoyable read. It has a calm, spring-like atmosphere with lots of flowers and old(er) ladies, who do old lady things, like do gardening, nosy on their neighbours, gossip, and keep secrets. She is an outdoorsy person and loves stomping up a mountain, walking the coastal paths and exploring the wonderful glens and beaches on the Island while she's plotting her next book. She has three children and two step-children who are all grown up and leading varied and interesting lives, which provides plenty of material for new stories. Having a Kindle Unlimited subscription, I decided to give this book a go about an ideal break-up. Is there such a thing? This one left a burning in my gut that wasn't just acid. From the start it was a bit of a mystery. The prologue had no names so all that was known was it was a woman in danger. The living arrangement was bizarre for me. The calm just friends split that decide to live right next door to each other for the sake of their son? I don't see it. All the pet peeves and strain would've been already there with he whole love to hate scale.

I really wasn't invested in any of these characters and didn't like Jess (the narrator). The plot is flat and very nonsensical. I also felt that the storyline was super obvious. It takes away from the reading experience when you figure it out before you even know what has happened! Well this definitely sets up the storyline for a very complicated family situation. Can this possibly work or will forces be against them? I think it would be much less entertaining for all of us if this goes very smoothly, we all need a few bumps along the way to keep us engaged and entertained. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be on the look out for more of this authors work. Jess has just moved in with her new partner, her son and his daughter. It's a strange set up as she has moved next door to her ex husband and his new partner.First there’s the explosive rows. Then she catches one of them digging a grave-shaped trench in the garden. The other storyline is rather heartbreaking, and I was really satisfied with how the things turned out at the end.

This book was so unpredictable and full of so many twists and turns, which has made it into a fab thriller. The further in you get you realise how clever the writing is, luring you into the complex web of family, friendships, lies, betrayal and so much more. OH MY DAYS!! I mean seriously OH MY DAYS! Yes, I have to shout this! This book has blown me completely away... As soon as you open the book you are hurtling so fast that you need a minute to take a breath... M y head is still spinning from it all! Blinding!' Zooloo's Book Diary⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved, loved, loved it!!!... A gripping, edge of your seat read to keep us guessing right up until the end!!... The plot twist was goooood!' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jane has the sad task of emptying her mothers house after she’d passed away but along with this come nightmare neighbours, childhood friends and hidden family secrets. As Jane faces her past she fears history is repeating itself next door and decides she will do all she can to stop it. Today we move into our new houses, right next door to each other.My ex-husband and me. He’s with someone else. So am I.Jess and her ex have moved next to each other with their new respective partners. Not the most normal set up but this is for them to work as blending their extended family. When a couple divorce, they want to make sure their child isn’t affected by it. Both have new partners with children of their own and they buy 2 houses next door to each other so that they can continue to help each other out. Wow!!!!... An absolutely fantastic unputdownable psychological thriller... It kept me on the edge of my seat and then in the edge of my bed until late at night as I just could not put it down!!!' Bookworm86 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Just a note about books written during the Pandemic - I’m just happy there’s an escape for the author. It truly doesn’t have to mean much for anyone else if that helps!

The author handles the difficult subjects of domestic abuse and alcoholism with great sensitivity, and if occasionally the reader feels 'cheated' because events weren't at all as originally portrayed, perhaps that is just reflecting life - we never really know what goes on in a marriage. The Wife Next Door is a thriller that draws you in - starting relatively slowly as you get to know the characters, it then takes off as the twists start coming and becomes a book you won’t want to put down. It’s not always an easy read, focusing as it does on domestic abuse, but it is nonetheless compelling. I wanted to read this book as soon as I read the premise. I had to see how this all would work out. I'm sorry, on what planet does a divorced couple think it's a good idea to move into houses next door to each other?! Halsall does a solid job of explaining why the family does it, but I just don't get it. As the description states - ‘Two Houses. Two front doors. One family’ What could possibly go wrong!What would it be like to move with your new significant other next door to your ex and his new lady? I can’t say anything too much, as I really don’t want to give any spoilers and this is the type of book I would recommend going blond into.