Abby looks forward to meeting the family who just moved in across the street—until she realizes they’re the one couple who could expose her deepest secretsAfter a night of fun back in 1992, Abby is responsible for a car crash that kills her beloved brother. It’s a mistake she can never forgive, so she pushes away Liam, the man she loves most, knowing that he would eventually hate her for what … eventually hate her for what she’s done, the same way she hates herself.
Twenty years later, Abby’s husband, Nate, is also living with a deep sense of guilt. He was the driver who first came upon the scene of Abby’s accident, the man who pulled her to safety before the car erupted in flames—the man who could not save her brother in time. It’s this guilt, this regret, that binds them together. They understand each other. Or so Nate believes.
In a strange twist of fate, Liam moves into the neighborhood with his own family, releasing a flood of memories that Abby has been trying to keep buried all these years. Abby and Liam, in a complicit agreement, pretend never to have met, yet cannot resist the pull of the past—nor the repercussions of the terrible secrets they’ve both been carrying…
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The Neighbors is a dark suspense about two married couples and the complexities of marriage and the choices they make. What transpires is a story about secrets, trust, lies, and betrayal.
The story begins in 1992 when Abby is convinced it’s her fault her brother Tom is dead. For the next twenty years Hannah will journey into six characters lives and the affects Tom’s death played not only in Abby’s life but the others as well.
When new neighbors move in next door Nate introduces himself finding out that Liam lived near Abby. When Abby showed up to meet the neighbors she found herself standing in front of her ex-boyfriend. Except Abby never told Nate about Liam because he was part of her past she wanted to bury along with the guilt from that night.
Nate is a nice gentle caring husband. He provided what Abby needed during that period of time in her life. Her gave her a new life with new opportunities. Nate was her protector and savior. Her knew Abby was dealing with abandonment, loss, death, and unworthiness. He had a strong unbreakable love for her that had her friends and co-workers envious. He loved her more than she loved herself because he felt she deserved happiness despite the tragedy.
Abby was one of those characters that you loved to hate. At times I understood her choices, but at the same time I questioned her behavior. I wasn’t completely sold on the idea of Abby’s character claiming to be unworthy of happiness because it’s something that I can’t relate to. Despite my battle with this concept Hannah wrote a compelling story.
The Neighbors is told from four different points of view: Abby, Nate, Sarah, and Nancy. I do have to wonder why she left out Liam and Zac’s point of view.
I like the way Hannah propels the story forward with interesting dialogue. Between all the characters and the extended family there’s plenty of interesting dialogue.
Hannah Mary McKinnon was born in the UK writing as a British author. The Neighbors was released in March 2018 making it her second book release. This is one of her darker suspense books.
Hannah cleverly delivered this doubt in my mind regarding both Nate and Liam’s intentions with Abby. I’m torn between the both just as Abby is. Even with the three other points of view this is still Abby’s journey and her individual relationships with Liam, Nate, her brother Tom, her daughter Sarah, and her mother.
There is some predictability with some unexpected twists and turns towards the end. Originally I didn’t under the purpose of Sarah’s diary thinking they were a waste of time unaware Hannah had plans for those. Hannah planned out a perfectly orchestrated and choreographed dialogue.
Great book. Really held my attention. Unforgettable ending.
Wow!!!! I loved this novel!!
Abby and her brother, Tom, are very close, until Tom dies in a horrific car accident. At the time, Abby was dating Liam, but she breaks up with him after Tom’s death because seeing him reminds her too much of Tom.
Fast forward 20 years and Liam and his family (wife Nancy and son Zac) move in next to Abby, her husband, Nate, and her daughter, Sarah.
And then all sorts of things happen.
I suspected some of the reveals, but was surprised at what happens to one of the characters near the end.
So good!!
Surprise ending.
Fast (maybe too fast) pacing at the end. Male characters more sympathetic than the female characters. No real surprises. I didn’t care for the book overall but do think the writer is promising.
I had the honor of reading this book from NetGalley via Harper Collins. It was a pleasure to read such a good book.
This book has lots of twists and turns. Secrets, lies, hurt, abandonment, pain and love. Lots of love too.
Abby blames herself for her brother’s death and doesn’t think she deserves to be happy ever again. Her mother blames her too. She’s a real piece of work and seems to hate Abby. Even more after Tom’s death. Their dad left when they were young and they never saw him again. Their mother hid lots of things from them that Abby will learn about many years later.
Liam is the love of Abby’s life until the wreck that took her brother’s life. She pushed him away. She did not want to be happy or felt like she should not be happy. After all she was driving the car that killed her younger brother.
Nate, he saved Abby’s life that night. He pulled her away from the burning car and he was there for her through a lot. They ended up together. Got married and had a daughter. She knew her heart would always belong to Liam but Nate had been there and she felt like he deserved her respect and love.
One day a family moves in next door. They have a son. It’s been many years since Abby stopped seeing Liam. The neighbors next door are Nancy and Liam and their son Zac. Liam and Abby act as thought they have never met.
Do they still have feelings for each other. Will they end up together? Will Nate and Nancy end up having an affair? Will each stay where they are and be happy? Or will something totally out there happen to throw you into a different world.
This book was SO good. It has a bit of everything. It totally surprised me at the end. I did not see it coming at all. I was shocked to say the least. I’m usually good at figuring out what is going to happen but not with this one. It blew me away.
I cried so much reading this story. I rooted for true love to win. I do not condone affairs at all but a part of me thought Liam and Abby should end up together. Somethings things are just not what you think. Now what they seem. This was one of the best books I’ve read. I truly, honestly loved it.
Another big 5 star book for me!!!
The Neighbors was an emotional rollercoaster ride! Full of long buried secrets, the story raced along to the end. And OMG! What an ending!! I loved it!