smilesgiggle's review against another edition
4.0
Maggie is the driving force of this book. After an even eluded to throughout the book, Maggie withdrew from her family, the outside world, her marriage, and certainly from herself. Her husband, Craig, walks out, telling Maggie she has lost her spark. Maggie agrees - consciously making an effort. Using her energy to recover, to reconnect, to herself.
And so Maggie starts to connect with her neighbors.
Julia lives alone - much to the concern of her son. They never seemed to connect - but Julia adores her grandson, Mark. He moves in - after yet another argument with his father. Together Julia and Mark figure out their futures.
Heidi and Aiden are newlyweds after a whirlwind romance. Aiden suffers from PTSD - Heidi lending her support. But Aiden's mother is the real issue. Aiden agrees with every recommendation - and Heidi wonders when Aiden will take his wife's side.
Dani and Nick seem to have the best life and relationship. Both professionals with thriving practices, raising two sons - no one can see the darkness consuming their lives.
Sean has been out of work for months. Finally an interview - that is a total fail. But he tells his wife, Olivia, things went well. The lies continue.
Great book - what do we really know about those who leave so close?
And so Maggie starts to connect with her neighbors.
Julia lives alone - much to the concern of her son. They never seemed to connect - but Julia adores her grandson, Mark. He moves in - after yet another argument with his father. Together Julia and Mark figure out their futures.
Heidi and Aiden are newlyweds after a whirlwind romance. Aiden suffers from PTSD - Heidi lending her support. But Aiden's mother is the real issue. Aiden agrees with every recommendation - and Heidi wonders when Aiden will take his wife's side.
Dani and Nick seem to have the best life and relationship. Both professionals with thriving practices, raising two sons - no one can see the darkness consuming their lives.
Sean has been out of work for months. Finally an interview - that is a total fail. But he tells his wife, Olivia, things went well. The lies continue.
Great book - what do we really know about those who leave so close?
bookedonbooks2020's review against another edition
4.0
Cul-de-sac by Joy Fielding was such a good read, I finished it in one morning. Going back and forth between 5 different families who live in the Cul-de-sac, I couldn't wait to find out where each families' story would go. As someone who is curious about my neighbors, this was a great read for peeking inside the lives of the people who live in a neighborhood and proves that the grass isn't always greener on the other side and every family has their own secrets and flaws.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
thelucyjones's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Rape, Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Emotional abuse
sandycruzlab's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tamaralgage1's review against another edition
5.0
WOW … By the time I got to the end of this book, I could not put it down. For those of you that know me, NO I DID NOT READ THE END. So I had to stay up well past midnight to see who would kill who in this highly dysfunctional neighbor/family dynamic.
For 5 years of my life, I lived on a Cul-de-sac and somehow I feel cheated. Or perhaps I am the teenager that is so self-absorbed that I didn't even notice what was going on with the rest of the neighbors. But I believe that just about every social issue is covered by at least one of the families. Now, roll them all into a ball (or Cul de Sac) and least see what happens.
Just a heads up … there are a lot of characters and storylines. I keep notes of the character names, who was married to who, children, the helicopter mother in law, the struggling PTSD character(s), … Don't worry about who owns guns. They all do. I rated this book a 5* because it was very entertaining and I learned more than I ever wanted to about life.
For 5 years of my life, I lived on a Cul-de-sac and somehow I feel cheated. Or perhaps I am the teenager that is so self-absorbed that I didn't even notice what was going on with the rest of the neighbors. But I believe that just about every social issue is covered by at least one of the families. Now, roll them all into a ball (or Cul de Sac) and least see what happens.
Just a heads up … there are a lot of characters and storylines. I keep notes of the character names, who was married to who, children, the helicopter mother in law, the struggling PTSD character(s), … Don't worry about who owns guns. They all do. I rated this book a 5* because it was very entertaining and I learned more than I ever wanted to about life.
calmcelebration9888's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book cover to cover. I was concerned that there were too many characters to keep track of but by the end of the book I was interested in each character’s fate. This book read to me very much like Desperate Housewives. A bunch of families on a street, each with their own secrets. An abusive husband, a husband lying to his wife, a traumatized wife, a vet with PTSD and a young couple with a meddling mother in law. This book is extremely well written and exciting without being the standard thriller.
crystalbrutlag's review against another edition
It's been a few months since I read this book and this is a prime example of why I should write reviews faster. Here are my thoughts when I see this book on my list for 2o22:
1. Oh yeah! I read that.
2. I thought it was going to be YA for some reason but it wasn't.
3. I enjoyed it!
4. What's it about? Neighbors and someone's murdered?
5. I don't really remember...
6. I'm pretty sure it's a Liane Moriarty type of book so maybe fans of her will like it.
1. Oh yeah! I read that.
2. I thought it was going to be YA for some reason but it wasn't.
3. I enjoyed it!
4. What's it about? Neighbors and someone's murdered?
5. I don't really remember...
6. I'm pretty sure it's a Liane Moriarty type of book so maybe fans of her will like it.
badger5815's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
zaisgraph's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hot damn this is very good. There is one mystery here, who dies? Then again, it is not a mystery mystery more like an explanation on how it got to that point... I just kept guessing which house it will be. Boy oh boy this novel was entertaining. I really felt like a fly on the wall and the pace was very fast. Additionally, I just love that this was written by a senior citizen.
Honestly feel that this would've been better if the POV was first-person. Other than that, I'm glad to have picked this one up!
Honestly feel that this would've been better if the POV was first-person. Other than that, I'm glad to have picked this one up!