Melissa Ferguson’s new novel proves that good fences make good neighbors–and that sometimes love and hate share a backyard.Bree Leake doesn’t want to be tied down. She’s had more jobs than she can count–and the next stop on her journey is The Barter, the nation’s oldest live performance theater in Abingdon, Virginia. But just when it’s time to move on again, Bree’s parents make her an offer; … parents make her an offer; hold steady in Abingdon for one full year, and they will give her the one thing she’s always wanted–her grandmother’s house. Her dreams are coming true . . . until life at the theater throws her some curve balls.
And then there’s her new neighbor. Chip McBride.
For the first time in her life, she’s met the person who could match her free-spirited air–and it’s driving her to the ledge of sanity. She would move heaven and earth to have him out of her life, but according to the bargain she’s struck, she cannot move out of her house and away from the man who’s making her life miserable. So begins Bree’s obsessive new mission: to drive Chip out of the neighborhood–and fast.
Bree isn’t the only one who’s a wee bit competitive, and as Chip registers what Bree’s up to, he’s more than willing to fight fire with fire. But as their pranks escalate, the line between love and hate starts to blur.
In Melissa Ferguson’s latest rom-com, two enemies find something they never expected in one another–taking “all’s fair in love and war” to a hilarious and heartwarming new level.
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From the first page, I was pulled into the fun. Faced-paced and engaging, this book keeps you laughing and guessing.
The Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson is a romantic comedy. It attempts to be fun with its enemies to lovers trope. I think it was largely successful at this and I really loved the ending especially. I found the beginning of the story (where the characters were established) a bit confusing and found it took a while to figure out what was going on. Overall, it’s a good summer read. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
Once I started listening to this (audio) book, I couldn’t stop. The characters are fantastic and the story is engaging, romantic, and laugh out loud funny. I was so caught up in it that I was disappointed when I realized the story was coming to an end. I can’t wait to read more of Melissa’s books!
Neighbors can be wonderful or a royal pain, as in the case of Bree and Evie as next door neighbors to the struggling contractor, Chip McBride. Bree and Evie are forced to share her grandmother’s home as per her will, and they form a very odd friendship.
First off, I have to admit that the rom com definitely is not my genre, but I thought that Melissa Ferguson penned this one pretty well until Bree went a little overboard. The tone of the novel was playfully teasing until the very end, so it flowed very smoothly and it seemed to be a pretty quick read that I was surpised to enjoy, for the most part. If you like the love/hate relationship troupe, then this one is for you.
I borrowed a copy of this book from my local public library and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
I chose this book after reading a particularly serious book. By the name and the cover, I assumed this one would be light. It was. I almost quit after two chapters, because it was a little over the top. But I kept reading and enjoyed a clean, romance with plenty of twists and turns. Good read of you need a pick-me-up.
This is a cute, easy read. Issues are dealt with that entail neighbors that are very annoying, career challenges, and family dynamics. The humor in this book makes it an enjoyable, clean read. The ending is predictable but satisfying.
Bree is a free-spirited woman whose current profession (after trying many, many, before) is an actress at the local theatre. One night, during a play, she has a wardrobe malfunction and runs over a gentleman in her haste to find the costume director. He ends up helping her instead and saves the day while leaving the experience on a high note.
On the way home Bree is tailgated by a huge truck whose driver obviously needs lessons in road manners. Why does he keep following her? Why is he turning down her street? And WHY is he parking in the house next door. Bree meet Chip…your new neighbor.
I laughed so hard through this one from the very first chapter. What was first a positive experience, quickly turned from that to oh no he didn’t, and what is that beast he calls a dog doing, to oh that’s how you want to play it then? This is war.
It’s fun, clean, humorous and hit the spot, for me anyway. I will definitely be snagging her other books and recommend this one wholeheartedly.
This story had me chuckling the whole way through. You wouldn’t think two characters who make a sport of trying to infuriate each other could be so endearing, but they are. And I think that’s largely because Melissa Ferguson’s writing is so endearing and witty. If you love a good rom-com, this one is definitely worth your time.
Boring, DNF
Funny. Melissa Ferguson is funny – there is no other way around it. I lost track of how many times I laughed out loud while reading this book. I also never want to get on Melissa’s bad side because the things she had Chip and Bree do to each other were Jim Halpert (The Office) worthy. And I’ve got to applaud any author who throws in not one but TWO references to Lord of the Rings. Loved it – well done!
This book was hilarious in regards to the prank wars between Bree and Chip. I laughed at their antics so many times and loved the way they put signs in their windows for each other. Both characters were likeable and the writing was well-done and engaging. I would have liked a bit more emphasis on the romance, but as far as comedy, this was definitely enjoyable.
I also was glad this was a clean read. If you’re in the mood to laugh and read something light and just for fun, this book is a great fit. I also liked the happy ending, Chip was great for Bree.
It’s my second book that I’ve read by the author and I’m glad I took the chance to read her again because I was remembered why I enjoyed the first one so much.
The setting and cast of characters is really interesting and entertaining, the mystery of so many moments and twists is well done and I enjoyed the resolution of it.
Beautiful written and great story.
I just adored this neighbors to rivals to enemies to friends slow burn love story. Chip is an ambitious contractor who buys a house across the street from Bree, a fairy on stage who can’t settle on one thing, person, or hobby because she just hasn’t quite found the thing to make her stop. Until Chip rescues her with a roll of well placed duct tape, that is. Bree falls for him hard, then realizes this charming knight in a tool belt is already taken—and he’s her new neighbor. I loved the back and forth of their antics, I loved how the story turned more serious at just the right moment. Honestly, I would have liked a little more actual romance but the timing is everything. I also was trying to figure out Chip’s name but it just doesn’t fit his family scheme in the slightest, and it really seemed to me a juvenile reminder that he was the youngest son in his family. The epilogue was both satisfying and confusing, but it was a lovely way to bring everything full circle.
Bree just needs to hold a steady job at The Barter, the oldest live theater in the country, and she can score her grandmother’s house. Easy peasy! Well maybe until The handsome Chip McBride shows up as her next door neighbor. Bree can’t move out so she is going to drive him out of the neighborhood.
I really had fun reading this fantastic book by Melissa Ferguson! It was funny, delightful and heart warming. Such a cute read.
This week I painted our kitchen cabinets and reading The Cul De Sac War by Melissa Ferguson was the perfect book to read! This fun book took pranks to a whole new level! Some things they do to each other are hilarious and in my mind I’m trying to decide if it’s crossing the line to do it to my neighbors… because I like them but we do joke a lot. Bree and Chip both have a lot going on in their personal lives and the war between ends up bringing them together. They are both such great characters and I really enjoyed reading about them!
Definitely going to read her other book soon!
Enemies to more is one of my favorite tropes, and romantic comedy is a favorite genre, so I was eager to read Melissa Ferguson’s second novel. I had a bit of difficulty getting into the story, but it might have been because I haven’t yet read her first novel yet, and I understand that there are some characters from it in this story. The story picked up for me in the last half when the characters showed some vulnerability and connection. Ferguson has a fun sense of humor, and there were some witty and hilarious moments that made me laugh out loud. I’ll be looking forward to more stories from this author. 3.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The-Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson is a fun contemporary enemies-to-lovers romance. Main characters Bree and Chip have a great meet-cute that goes horribly wrong when Bree discovers Chip is her new (and in her opinion, obnoxious) next-door neighbor. This starts a prank war between them that ultimately involves everyone in their quiet cul-de-sac in an over-the-top stunt.
Amidst the silliness, this story has heart. Much of the plot centers around the (real) Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA as well as losses in Bree and Chip’s families that have far-reaching consequences.
Melissa Ferguson is a great follow on social media; her IG stories are hilarious…and her sense of humor shines through her writing. This novel was an enjoyable escape from reality.
Bree Leake and Chip McBride can’t stand each other, the only problem is that they are next door neighbors.
Bree is had spent most of her life drifting from profession to profession, her latest being a member of the fair folk in the Barter’s latest play. She longs to put down roots and find the place that she belongs, but nothing ever seems to be the right fit.
Chip McBride is starting over in his hometown, after moving back to be closer to his family. Everything is all set up for him, but he doesn’t want to follow the path marked out for him from the sales job to the girlfriend right out of Southern Belle Magazine. If only he could prove himself, and escape his family’s looming shadow.
This is a fast paced, modern romantic comedy, with colorful characters and plenty of hijinks along the way. This was an engaging read, but I wish that the characters had been able to spend more time together, rather than just thinking about each other all the time.
Overall, a light hearted read, with plenty of laughs, I absolutely loved Russell’s antics and his love for Bree. Mrs. Lewis is so adorable, and I loved Bree’s quirky friends. They both have fantastic families. A quick fun read, that is at times outrageous. Great for fans of romantic comedy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson is a LOL delight. The characters and plot are deftly developed into a wonderful romantic comedy. This is a fun read.
When Chip McBride and Brea Leake first meet, he rescues her from a wardrobe malfunction as her costume as a fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream starts to fall apart while she is on stage and they find themselves attracted to each other, even though Chip has a girlfriend and Bree an admirer. Unfortunately, that doesn’t last very long, as shorty there after, they find themselves as next door neighbors. Chip, a contractor, purchased the house next door to Bree, a house that needs a lot of work, but had a wonderful view. However, his the construction equipment damages her house, the house that belonged to her beloved step-Nana, which she partially inherited. While Bree has always been easygoing, Chip’s smile which she thinks is a smirk has gotten to her. Pranks between the two soon escalate from tit to tat, to all out war- until she goes too far. Both are dealing with insecurities and family issues, but when the unthinkable happens, Chip is there for her. The other cast members, family members and Chip’s dog add to the madness.
I read a free ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
What a fun, witty, completely enjoyable story! This sophomore novel by Melissa Ferguson is light-hearted and romantic, while making you laugh out loud and delivering plenty of sass! The “war” between the neighbors will keep you on your toes and make you smile. And if dog slobber isn’t your thing, don’t worry, it’s only within the pages of the book. Bree Leake and Chip McBride each have a backstory the other hasn’t quite figured out, but their back and forth antics to get at the other one are truly ingenious. I cannot imagine having such a relationship…but it was sure fun to read about! Definitely Rom-Com at its finest!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.