I wanted to like this more than I did. Not quite sure what was missing from this but it didn't quite hit the mark I expected it to. That said it was still an enjoyable read.

I loved Freya Sampson’s previous two books and was very excited to be approved for an ARC of this latest novel.
Shelley House is faced with demolition and the only way that it can be saved is if all the current tenants work together to campaign. However, none of the residents appear to have anytime for each other and it seems extremely unlikely that any of them will be prepared to work together even to save their homes.
As always, Freya Sampson creates a vivid group of characters. The main ones are Dorothy, the archetypal nosy elderly lady who makes notes of each time someone breaks a rule, and Kat, a young woman with pink hair who has never settled anywhere before. Neither Kat or Dorothy want to have anything to do with the other tenants but when Joseph Is attacked and left seriously injured, they have no choice but to begin to communicate with each other.
I loved all of the characters in the book and the way that gradually, they do start to come together and work to save Shelley House, I really enjoyed the back stories for both Dorothy and Kat and the way that they both found it so hard to let go of the past felt very believable. I was also pleased by the ending and glad that it wasn’t as predictable as I thought that it might be
This was another lovely, heart-warming read and I’m very grateful to the publishers and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC.

"Don't look so surprised, Dorothy. You've given your life to Shelley House and the people who live here. It's about time we gave something back to you"

Fun fact: my tear ducts were activated right after reading that. Yes, she did it again. Once again, Freya got me with her book. The moment I read the synopsis, I knew I would end up loving it and to receive an ARC of it made my week!! Freya has been my auto-buy author since reading The Lost Ticket back in 2022.

Nosy Neighbours carries a similar theme just like her previous books: "saving" something, while forming friendships and finding love along the way. This time? they're saving Shelley House, a historic building housing six tenants with six different life and personalities facing demolitions. They're tearing down Shelley House to build new apartments. Told from alternating point of views: Kat, a 25 years old girl living as a subtenant in flat 1, and Dorothy, a seventy seven years old woman living in flat 2. Off to a rocky start, neither knew that they have something in common: secrets and guilt that have been eating them alive for a long time. These two, as we learn, will have to put their mistrust towards one another aside when a tenant was hurt to find out if it's a foul play or not.

I loved The Girl on the 88 Bus and The Last Library by this author and jumped at the chance of a spot on the blog tour for this, her latest book.

Freya Sampson is skilled at producing books that are cosy and heart warming, yet at the same time tackling serious social challenges. In this story we meet busybody Dorothy Darling and the other tenants of Shelley House, all living their own lives until they’re served with a notice of eviction. For some of the tenants Shelly House has been their home for decades, others a place they last shared with loved ones and for others it’s their first safe place.

Can the group pull together to fight the eviction or will previous failings out fester on?

I slipped through this book, I loved all the characters including grumpy Dorothy and spiky Kat and would highly recommend.

Thanks to @thebookdealer @sampdonf @zaffre @netgalley for the opportunity to read this early copy.

Nosy Neighbours is a heart-warming and engaging read about unconventional friendships and community. In particular, neighbours, Kat and Dorothy, who, despite being at odds with each, form an unlikely alliance when their building, Shelley House faces demolition. A real feel good read 🥰

Would 100% recommend as an easy read for my older students and 6th formers. I loved this slow read that had a huge twist! As someone that can normally uncover a twist and turn; I did not expect this one at all. A great read.

This was my first book by this author and I have to say I was really impressed. From the very start I was drawn into the world of Shelley House. This mysterious lady sitting taking notes of everything she sees out her window, it very much gave me Miss Havisham vibes. But then as I read more and learnt little bits about her I could see her pain, I could see why she acted the way she did, she was almost in a kind of limbo, she couldn’t move forwards as she was constantly trying to atone for something in her past.

The book is told from Dorothy -the elderly lady, and Kat the mysterious pink haired newcomer. I really enjoyed how their stories intertwined and unfolded and how the other residents stories got told along with them as connections were made. A good message about things might not always be what they seem.

A really interesting story, so many twists and turns, and I loved the ending, I think I was just as moved as Dorothy was when everyone joined together to protect her.

3.5 stars ⭐️
First of all thank you NetGalley for providing me the ebook arc of Freya sampsons book coming out 28th of march 2024.

This book was quite hard to get into in the beginning it was really slow and dragging but after sticking with it for a bit it finally picked up and I could not stop reading! My first thoughts of Dorothy was maybe she’s just lonely and spends too much of her time observing and finding problems with stuff. But later on I loved how Dorothy completely changed as a person and I started to really care and love her character. This whole book was such a big mystery, such as; what’s the big secret with kats past? Why do Dorothy and Joseph not get along? Who tried to hurt Joseph? I loved it because your constantly trying to figure things out whilst following along with the story. I loved the twist at the end. Overall a really wholesome story with a sad underlying but a lovely story and ending all together. I look forward to reading more of Freya sampsons books!

At first I was very skeptical about this and unsure if I would get along with it. The more I read, the more I was drawn in and invested in the fate of Shelley House. I will say that I like that it wasn’t the black & white yay the place is saved no one has had to move out ending that I did initially expect. The stories with Dorothy and Kat and the emotional character growth that they went through in this is beautifully written.

A group of neighbours are about to be evicted from their flats, but not everything about them is as it seems.

I loved learning about all the different neighbours and their backgrounds. The characters were engaging and kept my interest - luckily, because the plot was pretty slow and took a long time to get going!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I found this book a little slow to start with but once I was a few chapters in I felt it flowed really well.

The story is about a group of neighbours facing eviction from Shelley House. I loved the fact the chapters swapped between the different neighbours perspectives and I felt this helped with the story.

I thought the backstories of Kat and Dorothy were so interesting and really added to her story making it a a lovely feel good book that was heartwarming with a perfect ending.

Thanks to Netgalley, Bonnier Books UK and Freya Sampson for an advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

I didn’t enjoy this one as much as her other 2 books, but still a really good nice easy read .Will be reading more from this author

This was a brilliant read told from the viewpoint of long term tenant Dorothy and new tenant Kat who are incredibly different people who have both been defined by their pasts and despite very strong animosity towards each other find themselves working together to fight eviction and the demolishment of their building. This is a string character read and I loved the mix of characters amongst the tenants but the backstories of both Dorothy and Kat were very strong. This didn’t follow the route I anticipated and it was all the better for that as I really enjoyed the unexpected.

In "Nosy Neighbours," Freya Sampson weaves a delightful tale of unexpected friendships, secrets, and the universal search for a place to belong. Set against the backdrop of the crumbling Shelley House, the story introduces us to the unlikely duo of Kat Bennett, a prickly twenty-five-year-old burdened by guilt, and seventy-seven-year-old Dorothy Darling, perceived as cantankerous by her neighbours.

The strength of the novel lies in Sampson's skilful characterization. Kat and Dorothy, despite their initial differences, evolve into a formidable team, revealing layers of complexity and vulnerability. Sampson delicately peels back the layers of their personalities, making the reader empathize with their struggles and cheer for their unlikely bond.

The narrative is cleverly constructed, combining elements of mystery and humour. As Shelley House faces the threat of demolition, Kat and Dorothy embark on a mission to save their home, becoming amateur detectives in the process. The author seamlessly blends suspense with wit, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. The plot takes unexpected twists, and Sampson skilfully plants clues that lead to a satisfying and surprising resolution.

The theme of community and the impact of past mistakes are central to the story. The supporting cast of quirky neighbours adds depth and charm to the narrative, creating a rich tapestry of personalities within Shelley House. The author explores the idea that true connection can be found in the most unexpected places and that understanding each other's past is key to building a genuine bond.

One of the novel's highlights is its portrayal of the passage of time. Sampson captures the essence of the old building, infusing it with history and memories. The juxtaposition of Kat's youth and Dorothy's wisdom creates a beautiful intergenerational dynamic, adding emotional depth to the story.

In "Nosy Neighbours," Freya Sampson crafts a heart-warming and engaging story that transcends age and stereotypes. With its memorable characters, clever plot twists, and exploration of the human need for connection, this novel is a delightful read that will resonate with readers who appreciate a blend of mystery, humour, and genuine emotion. Highly recommended for those seeking a feel-good and thought-provoking literary experience.

Love the premise for this book! I cannot wait t9 share my full thoughts and review! I love the idea of enemies coming together to save their home and I can’t wait to see what adventure lies ahead fir bth Kat and Dorothy! Very excited to share this with readers as well. We need more books about coming together more than ever thee days!