The Good Neighbor - Amy Sue Nathan

Description

Things are a little rough for Izzy Lane. Still reeling from the break-up of her marriage, the newly single mom moves back to the Philadelphia home she grew up in, five-year-old Noah in tow. The transition is difficult, but with the help of her best friends—and her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Feldman—Izzy feels like she’s stepping closer to her new normal. Until her ex-husband shows up with his girlfriend. That’s when Izzy invents a boyfriend of her own. And that’s when life gets complicated.

Blogging about her “new guy” provides Izzy with something to do when Noah’s asleep. What’s the harm in a few made-up stories? Then, her blog soars in popularity and she’s given the opportunity to moonlight as an online dating expert. How can she turn it down? But when her friends want to meet the mysterious “Mac,” someone online suspects Izzy’s a fraud, and a guy in-real-life catches her eye, Izzy realizes just how high the stakes are. That’s when Mrs. Feldman steps in, determined to show her neighbor the havoc that lies can wreak. If Izzy’s honest, she could lose everything, and everyone. Is the truth worth any cost?

Review

It took me a while to get into this book and feel anything towards the main character Izzy. It all seemed a little superficial and did it matter if she lied online anyway, wasn't it all just a little harmless make believe?

After a couple of chapters that all changed for me, I really bought into Izzy and the challenges she was facing as her ex-husband went to California for an extended break, leaving her with no support or income.

I started to enjoy the Carrie Bradshaw type posts that Izzy was writing and the dilemmas she faced in the real world. Then the "good neighbour" part of the story kicked in and we met Mrs Feldmen. What a fantastic character - I could just picture her house and her family, but formed the wrong picture about them it turned out, but I will let you discover that for yourself.

(BTW - if you search for the book online, make sure you use the USA spelling of Neighbor - otherwise you won't find it by title).

One of the scenes near the end of the book with Mrs Feldmen did give me a moist eye and not something I saw coming. This book is a real surprise, the chick lit type description does not do the book or the author justice as she tackles lots of different issues and on different levels.

Oh and the lying online? - turns out it did matter - big time - but as I don't do spoilers you can discover that point yourself.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars.

My thanks go to netgalley for a e copy of the book in exchange for a review.