This novel was “fine”. All of the important elements were there, but it was relatively underwhelming. It was not a bad novel by any means, it just didn’t do it for me. There were a lot of little elements and moments that I liked about this novel. There was some great banter at times between characters, particularly in scenes that involved Carly. The protagonists backstories were very well developed and their behaviors in the present made a lot of sense and flowed naturally.

I didn’t find that the protagonists had very much chemistry together. It was like they were antagonistic, and then suddenly they were together, without much of a reason or a transition period. The conflict between the protagonists was also somewhat repetitive and dull, with Freya simply refusing to engage with Lily and not much beyond that. I simply didn’t click with them as a couple. Overall, the entire novel felt like that; good pieces that didn’t quite come together. I found that although the novel was relatively short, it dragged on at times as I wasn’t very invested in the story.

Still, there was a good foundation here and there wasn’t anything particularly wrong with this novel. I can’t get excited about it, but I also don’t have any significant complaints. Its possible it simply wasn’t the right novel for me in particular, which sometimes happens.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was initially drawn to Party Wall by Cheyenne Blue because of its eye-catching cover—seriously, that wallpaper!—and the intriguing publisher's summary. Despite my usual hesitance toward books involving religious or spiritual themes, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Freya’s work leaned more towards mindfulness, which made it accessible and engaging for me.

Freya, the protagonist, starts off as quite the antagonist to Lily, the new and vibrant sex shop owner next door. This contrast creates an interesting dynamic, though Freya can come across as unlikeable at first. Fortunately, the dual point of view structure allowed us to delve deeper into her character and see beyond her initial antagonism.

While I enjoyed the story overall, I would have loved to see more development in how Freya and Lily's relationship unfolded. Despite this, Party Wall was a captivating read that kept me engaged.

This book intrigued me from the very title - which had me going down a research spiral about party walls. The story follows Lily and Freya, two characters who are simultaneously very similar and very different and whose similarities and differences are the primary drivers of most of their interactions.

There are a couple of well-developed side characters who add perspective and drama, and some fun Australianisms scattered throughout. Overall, this is a well written book and I would recommend it to someone looking for a relatively easy read that is both lighthearted and that touches on emotionally challenging situations.

Lily and Freya, small business owners who are worlds apart in their lives, businesses and personalities, are thrust together when Lily opens a business right next door to Freya. They find they must share a common studio room as part of their tenancy agreement and sparks fly as they try to come to an agreeance over access to the studio. As the story unfolds, they learn to respect their personal differences for the benefit of their respective businesses, and they bond over their support of mutual friend Carly who is experiencing her own personal trauma.

As with all of Cheyenne’s books, the story has quintessential Aussie elements that make it so very endearing. Cheyenne writes with clarity and creates characters that are so natural you become emotionally invested in their wellbeing. I loved it and couldn’t stop reading.

Another tantalizing story in the Window Shopping Collection
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book; it had more drama than I thought it would be but still has plenty of laughs to offer up in counterbalance. If you’re looking for characters who are not all twenty somethings with petite perfect bodies, you’ll find them here; ladies in their thirties and forties, with greying hair and large curvy bodies populate Party Wall giving it a refreshing dose of diversity and realism.
Freya has it in for her new neighbour even before they meet; she’s made up her mind about the person and the business they open next door to her shop and she’s nothing but hostile when they do meet despite Lily’s best efforts to be friendly. There are reasons behind Freya’s judgements that eventually are revealed but until then she struck me as a very unlikeable and unsympathetic character, her actions petty and childish. I much preferred Lily and the other cast of characters (who are a colorful bunch of people) over Freya. There is some wonderful humor in the story and plenty of drama with the clashes Freya is keen to have with Lily at every opportunity. The town in Australia where the story is set has an idyllic feel to it and its quirky inhabitants enliven the story further.
If you’re looking for some laughs and drama along with a slow burn romance and well written relationships between women, give this book a read. For more good lesbian romance reading, check out the other books in the Window Shopping Collection as well as Cheyenne Blue’s ‘Girl Meets Girl’ series.
(Reviewed September 23, 2017)

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

lily is opening a new sex shop in grasstree flat, she has scoped the place out and this she feels will be where she brings her business to... she has run these types of shops for others but this time its on her.... and she plans to make a success of it for herself.... she is also hoping to make new friends here as well

freya cant believe that sort of shop is opening in her town... this close nit community cant realise what is opening and she has no time for it or the owner....

but when lily starts to come to freyas yoga classes freya cant help watching lily....

from enemies to friends it was a fun read seeing how lily worked her charm on freya but what an uphill struggle for them both

also a gentle warning about domestic abuse...