In this captivating Depression-era set novel by New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe, two couples find their grudges endangering more than their Alabama small town’s deceptive peace . . . When good-time couple Milton and Yvonne Hamilton moved one house over from the respectable-but-restless Odell and Joyce Watson, it was a fast friendship of shared secrets—and secret jealousies and … secrets—and secret jealousies and betrayals. Their alliance was bound to crash and burn, but the Hamiltons won’t quite let the flame die out, even after scandalous accusations get them arrested . . .
Odell would do anything to be free of his bootlegging, blackmailing, money extorting neighbors and recover the peaceful—and financially prosperous—life he and Joyce once had. But Milton and Yvonne seem to always bounce back from bad luck, and this time they’ve returned angrier, and greedier, than ever. Determined to get what Odell “owes” them, the Hamiltons have a big surprise for Joyce too, one that shows how far they will go to get revenge . . .
Now pushed past his breaking point, Odell is sure he’s got a foolproof plan to end the scheming once and for all. But it soon spirals into lies, shattering violence, and permanent damage that will roil their tranquil community, and alter his and Joyce’s world forever . . .
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Really enjoyed this read and the series over all. I tell you, these characters had me shaking my head. Ending was VERY fitting.
This is the final book in the Neighbors series. I am sad that the series has ended but the book did not disappoint. My favorite characters, Milton and Yvonne Hamilton, are still at it and perhaps they were in too deep. The story picks up after their release from jail for false charges that were brought against them. Now they are in more debt after their arrest and needing money to pay back a loan. Upstanding neighbors Odell and Joyce Watson continue to live their carefree life. I can’t remember how I felt about Odell in the previous books but I definitely don’t like his character in this book. The way he continues to lie to his wife and her family is very foul.
Milton and Yvonne are always together in their ideas and plans. That’s one reason why they are my favorite characters because in their marriage they are a team and have each others back. I think they took advantage of an opportunity by blackmailing Odell and even though it was wrong I don’t think they deserved what they got for being greedy. I was hoping they would wise up and stop with the money scams. It seemed like the more money they could get the more they wasted. I appreciate that they did try to help Joyce but their plan took a different turn. I didn’t care for Joyce’s character because she thought she was better than others, but I guess she couldn’t help it since its part of her upbringing. She was gullible and naive to the wool Odell had over her eyes. I felt sorry for her and understood her defense in speaking so harshly to Milton and especially Yvonne since Yvonne is pretty and had children something that Joyce lacked. Even though I didn’t care for Joyce I wanted her to question Odell, at least see through his lies or something to show she had some ‘girl power’.
The story ends up closing all loose ends and the ending was a surprise that I didn’t see coming. I enjoyed the characters, the story and I hope the author has more enjoyable series like this.
This is a series that I highly recommend to those that enjoy southern drama.
Across the Way by Mary Monroe is the third and final book in her The Neighbors series. The novel is set in the late 1930’s and is told through the alternating points of viewpoints of the main couples, the Hamiltons and the Watsons.
Milton and Yvonne Hamilton are fun-loving, down on their luck bootleggers. They’ve moved one house over from the prosperous, straight-laced Watsons, Odell and Joyce. The disparate couples become friends. Everything would be perfect but for secrets, jealousy, betrayal and revenge.
As usual, Ms. Monroe has done an excellent job and Across the Way is another triumph to add to her repertoire. Enough backstory is provided for the book to read as a standalone. The grammar and dialogue are perfect for the time period and the characters. The characters are vibrant but so flawed they must be real. The ending is truly jaw-dropping. I enjoyed this novel from start to finish and was sad to see the series end. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
My thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
This was the 3rd and final book in the series. I really enjoyed reading this book. The ending was a surprise. I am glad Milton and Odell got what was coming to them.
Just what I needed to get my mind off of the craziness going on with all this social distancing. I could hang out with the characters in the book and stay safe!!