The Neighbors

By: Hannah Mary McKinnon

Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells, Alex Wyndham, Billie Fulford-Brown, Elizabeth Knowelden

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

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 secrets.

After 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 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....

©2018 Hannah Mckinnon (P)2018 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Oh, That ENDING!!!

This is a tricky audio book to review- part steamy 80's soap opera, part Greek morality play, The Neighbors is a mostly enjoyable ride with occasional boggy patches. It's the story of two couples whose paths seem destined to cross, read in alternating chapters by four different narrators. The four characters (six, if you count their bratty teenagers) are a relatively unsympathetic bunch. Each has a unique POV and voice but they all come off as childish rather than childlike and selfish rather than quirky. McKinnon's storytelling is solid; a little TOO solid with only one surprising twist in an ending that should have had many (like 6?) had McKinnon not over-laid the groundwork and given a little too much away.

It's a bit of a strange brew considering the production is one of the best audio productions out there. The director & readers chose to push the steamy soap aspects to the level of vocal Kabuki. While far from my usual cup of tea, the style is kind of brilliant, particularly at the ending. I'll say it again: oh, that ending!

About three-quarters of the way through the Neighbors, I believed I knew everything that would happen and rather wanted the author to get on with it, but once the denoument started- well- author McKinnon used a literary device I have always despised. I found myself laughing with glee at the audacity and inevitability of it's use. It made sense of the story and of the near theatrical emotion of the production."Bravo!", I laughed.

While it was sometimes difficult to engage with the characters and the novel could have used a bit more editing, it's a very well crafted tale. I found much to admire and enjoy in this production of The Neighbors.

💖😭😭😭

Wonderful story, well developed characters, absolutely heart breaking ending. You really feel like you're right there with them.

Well Done! Enjoyable!

The Neighbors by Hannah Mary McKinnon is a compelling listen and a good psychological thriller. I was pleasantly surprised at the story and the characters. It's doesn't fall flat in any way (except maybe the end a little). I loved the four different narrators, which in my opinion always brings the story to life for the listener. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good thriller.

-Wendi

Good narration, loved the ending

This book wasn’t what I was expecting at all! Hannah Mary McKinnon tends to do that to me.

This story is about a woman who must live with a horrible trauma she blames herself for, a man re-emerges with tons of secrets under his belt, and their two significant others who are caught in the crossfires of their spouse’s passionate affair.

I was teetering on a 3 and a 4 ⭐️ review with this book because I didn’t know how much I was liking the story and the characters in the beginning and middle of the book. I found every character to be completely flawed and there was no one for me to root for. Then I got to thinking... 💭 THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF THE STORY! These people, every single one of them, are a$$holes! It’s like watching one giant 💣 go tick...tick...BOOM! Their lives were all effected by secrets and the past and no one had any clue how deep they were in their hole (figuratively and literally).

I also love the fact that we never got to go in the perspective of one specific character. I’m glad HMM chose to do that, because I would have hated myself for even liking this person, come the ending. Because no matter what, each perspective we heard, albeit they were all horrible people, had some attempt at making them redeemable.

I would characterize this book as Fiction/Drama; not so much Thriller. There was never really a mystery, in the sake of murder or danger. It was just flat out drama. Because of this, I do loveeee the ending. I felt like I was watching Jerry Springer. Secrets were being dropped left from right. It was great!

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Feeling Frustrated!

No spoilers, but this book was really frustrating, first let me tell you what I liked:

1. Character Development was amazing and on point
2. The narration was tremendous, what a great production!
3. Very likable characters for the most part

Now here is what i didn't love.... THE END! I gave this book 4 stars because I really liked it, but the end frustrated me so much! AHHHHHH!

Worth the credit, but a very annoying end.

Wow! What an ending

I enjoyed this book. It pulled me in from the very beginning and it did not disappoint. I liked the ending and enjoyed the narration. I highly recommend this book.

So so good!!

The last 3 chapters totally blew my mind. Loved the narrators. Totally addictive and exciting

A rollercoaster of emotions! Wow!

It’s been a couple of years, so I’m giving this one a second listen…

A rollercoaster of emotions! Wow!
I almost missed this hidden gem. One of the most complex and astounding books ever! Every emotion fills this story, from humor to sadness to the jaw-dropping ending, literally. I finished this with tears streaming down my face. A $5 bargain, this is well worth a credit. Following four major characters, the plot and subplots kept me listening late into the night. So highly recommended, I can’t see to the top. A book like no other, thanks to the brilliance of author Hannah Mary McKinnon. Kudos to the skilled narrators for their flawless presentation! Epic, I say. EPIC!

👏✍🏻🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✍🏻👏

Realistic story

I couldn't stop listening to this audiobook. So many life lessons, so realistic. The ending is jaw dropping Great performance by all involved. Top 3 best book I've read this year.

Terrible and predictable

I don’t understand why so many reviewers loves this book and talked about all the shocking twists. Every single reveal was predictable. I was so disappointed. I don’t recommend it at all.