N.L. Hinkens delivers a gripping psychological thriller in The Neighbor, a novel filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and a creeping sense of paranoia. Published by Joffe Books, this story follows the head of the HOA—bossy, nosy, and increasingly obsessed with uncovering the truth about her mysterious new tenant. As she grows more convinced that something is off, the police dismiss her concerns, leaving readers to wonder: is she truly onto something, or is she unraveling before our eyes?

Hinkens masterfully builds tension, keeping readers on edge as the protagonist’s obsession deepens. The novel plays with perception, making us question what is real and what might be a figment of an overactive imagination. The pacing is tight, the twists are sharp, and the psychological intrigue keeps the story moving at a breathless speed.

For fans of psychological thrillers and domestic suspense, The Neighbor is a must-read. Hinkens crafts an immersive, addictive narrative that keeps you second-guessing every character’s motives. If you enjoy novels that toy with your sense of reality while delivering an edge-of-your-seat experience, this one will not disappoint.

The Neighbor by N.L. Hinkens was a really good psychological thriller especially as it was full of twists and turns throughout that made it an enjoyable, quick easy read and it kept me guessing till the very end.

I highly recommend this book.

Oh my god what a wild ride, well read, this was! I have to say. I have been loving the psychological thriller genre more and more. This one just cements how good it can be. At the start of the novel we think our protagonist Kay is just a nosy and rather full on neighbor. Involved in the HOA and always checking in on those in her street. When Beth and Gary move in next door she feels something is off about Gary but her husband ignores her. Sure Beth needs help, Kay is not deterred and then Beth ends up missing. Kay is determined to get to bottom of what is happening no matter the cost.

Now I will say that I originally thought Kay was a tad full on. She’s the average ‘busy body’ or seems to be. I particularly disliked her when Beth had shared a secret swearing her to silence when only a few pages later she’s telling her friend. So I was worried this was going to be difficult to read when I didn’t like the protagonist. How wrong I was. Hinkens writing brings Kay to life through first person narration and we slowly realise that while Kay is indeed a bit over the top at times she seems to have good intentions.

I also have to say the fact this is all in Kay’s POV adds so much to the tension. I really didn’t see some of the twists and by the end I was totally on Kay’s side. Pacy, punchy and tightly woven this is the perfect psychology thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

hanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The premise was intriguing, and for the most part, I thought it was well executed. Some moments had me thinking, really?, and while I guessed part of the twist, I was still surprised by the way it played out. It was gripping, tense, and packed with twists that kept me hooked.

One thing I loved was how the author managed to create a cast of characters I really didn’t like, yet I still couldn’t stop reading because I had to see what happened next. The main character, Kay, is the ultimate in-your-face "PTA mom" type, except instead of running bake sales, she’s the head of the housing association. It felt like a neighborhood watch group but on steroids, with endless events and get-togethers.

Kay takes her role very seriously and refuses to be put off when her new (and very odd) neighbors, Gary and Beth, rudely rebuff her attempts at friendship. She just won’t give up. The plot is definitely over the top, but that’s what made it so engrossing, I couldn’t put it down! Despite the dramatic twists, it was easy to keep track of each character, and they were all well developed.

Overall, a great read even if a bit far-fetched, and one I’d definitely recommend!

A really enjoyable, quick and easy read. I raced through this in a few days and the twists and turns were brilliant xx

This is a book I did not want to put down! It was an interesting read because I did not like any of the characters but still loved the story!

This is a difficult book to review. While I was thrilled for the first few chapters the book never regained its pace and in the end the short, sharp chapters fell flat, too forced.

No one is likable in this book but that didn’t need to leave me with such a gaping lack of empathy, which it did.

This fell flat for me as it wasn’t a thriller, nor really a mystery and ended carelessly.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. I did like the fast pace of it and the short chapters, however none of the characters were likeable and the plot was just too far-fetched for me.

This is one novel I could not put down. Kay is renting her parents' house next door to hers. Kay try's to be neighborly, but Gary and Beth want to be left alone. Kay does not let up. Beth disappears and Gary's story changes. A thrilling novel that has a number of twists.

The Neighbor by N.L. Hinkens keeps you hooked till the very end.
A well written suspense filled with twists that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
A quick and fun read that I finished in a few hours.
The characterization was superb, the writing pacey and flowing, and the tension delivered in a series of shocks and twists along the way.
This is a tightly written story, with well developed characters and enough suspense to keep you reading.

This was such an intense read right away, I found myself being hooked by the suspense and the twists.

A very entertaining story with more twists and turns than Lombard Street.

The Neighbor is the fourteenth book by N.L. Hinkens I’ve read. I’ always amazed that each of her books keeps me guessing until the very end. The Neighbor kept me not only engrossed in the story, but I constantly thought I had figured out where the story was going only to learn each of my theories were wrong until I hit on what was going on. Sure, I was right until I wasn’t because I could never have predicted the ending of this story.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers, give The Neighbor a shot, you won’t’ be sorry. If you are new to N.L. HInkens writing, The Neighbor is a wonderful introduction. I promise it will take you on a thrilling roller-coaster ride of action and intrigue.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of The Neighbor and chose to provide my review.

I have read several books written by the talented N.L. Hinkens, and she never disappoints! “The Neighbor” was no exception; it was a fun twisty ride.

Though the protagonist, Kay, came off a bit strong and unpleasant, Hinkens has a way of writing her tales that makes me not want to stop reading. Kay is a character that is a bit nosy and is persistent in the thoughts she has about her new neighbors. At first, her suspicions seemed a bit far fetched, but as the story progresses, the reader can tell that something isn’t quite right with the new neighbors, Gary and Beth. It was fun seeing how everything came together in the end.

Every chapter was filled with great plot development that kept me glued to every page. Knowing this author’s writing style, I knew I’d be up late at night, wanting to finish the book and see how it all came together. True to Hinkens’ ability to capture readers, the constant question whether Kay had actual reasons to be skeptical of her neighbors or if she was letting her mind spiral in seemingly odd directions was so entertaining. There were a couple of minor loose ends when I finished the book. I’m curious to see if there will be a part two or if these loose ends are up for the reader’s discretion to decide what happens next.

Themes of trust, honesty, relying on your own hunches, betrayal, relationships, and more can be found within these pages. All of the themes helped in making this an enjoyable read.

Though Kay can be quite frustrating for a while in the book, it never deterred me for wanting to continue this fast-paced story. Its captivating plot, and the twists and turns included really made this a quick read. I can’t wait to see what N.L. Hinkens has in store next! I happily give “The Neighbor” a 5 out of 5 stars!

My opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (Joffe’s Books) for giving me an ARC and the opportunity to read “The Neighbor”.

Hooked me in straight from the very beginning and didn't l;et me go until I finished, I read it in a couple of hours. Kept me guessing all the way through. I loved it

This is a new author for me and I was looking forward to getting to know her.

There are people who don't care what their neighbors are up to and then there are others who like to look out for them. Some call them nosy and meddling, some call the mcaring.

And when you see things you feel not comfortable with, you might like to go over and investigate. And that is exactly what Kay is doing. She tries to be the best possible neighbor. Mind you, not everybody puts up with that though...

This is a splendid thriller. Kay is getting obsessed with her neighbors and it might even be bordering on paranoia and where do you draw the line between concern and being intrusive?

The more you read, the more intriguing the story becomes and the more you realise you don't know who is telling the truth anymore. 

Just when you think you have figured it all out, the story takes an unexpected turn. It's a manipulation fest and it makes your head spin.

Masterfully written, this book keeps you questioning every character’s motives until the very last page. I never expected the book to follow this path, but I loved it. This author has gained a fan. 5 stars

Thank you

Thank you, NetGalley and Joffe Books, for providing early access in exchange for my honest review.

In "The Neighbor," we are introduced to Kay, a dedicated and somewhat obsessive head of the HOA, who eagerly takes on the roles of both landlord and neighbor after purchasing her late parents’ house. She rents the property to Gary and Beth, a new couple looking to start fresh. With a strong desire to maintain community standards, Kay is determined to ensure that her tenants fit seamlessly into the neighborhood. However, as she learns more about Gary and Beth, her initial excitement quickly shifts to suspicion, particularly regarding Gary's controlling demeanor and the potential risk he poses to Beth.

The plot grabbed my attention right away; however, Kay's nosiness and need for control were off-putting, making it difficult to connect with her character. At times, I wanted to take her and yank her because it got annoying.

While I preferred N.L. Hinkens' previous works, such as "I Know What You Did" and "Never Tell Them," this book was still full of suspense, keeping me eager to find out what would happen next.

The Neighbor is a exhilarating physcological thriller that had me riveted to my kindle and unable to take my eyes away from the book start until the surprising finish. It's about Kay and her husband Warren who are renting there property to a couple called Beth and Gary. Kay is watching them from her house next door and is suspicious of Gary and when Beth disappears Kay becomes more involved in determining whether Gary has done something to Beth. I feel blindsided by the twist ending and I am kicking myself that I didn't pick it because once it is revealed it became obvious. I wasn't a fan of the characters but the plot is so believable that it more than makes up for it. I held my breath as it grabbed my attention and I was fully invested in the outcome. So utterly breathtaking!

Such a great book. Couldn't stop reading it. Thank you for my advance reader copy. Can't wait to look up other books from this author.

Well played Norma, well played!! Everytime I thought I knew what was going on, the rug was pulled out beneath me. I eagerly turned the pages needing to know more details, how this story would unfold. "May the best con artist win" - a character in the book.

I went into this book expecting a solid thriller, and at first, it had me intrigued. Kay, our protagonist, immediately suspects her neighbors of something sinister, setting up an air of mystery. But wow—was she nosy! Her paranoia was so relentless that I found it hard to focus on any actual evidence (or lack thereof) because she was busy seeing ghosts everywhere.

The pacing threw me off, too. The story started out slow—really slow. And then, at about 70% in, it was like someone hit the fast-forward button, launching me into a whirlwind of twists that felt more chaotic than clever. I love a good plot twist as much as the next reader, but these came out of nowhere, making it feel less like a well-crafted mystery and more like a storm that materialized out of thin air. With Kay being so hyper-suspicious, you’d think she’d have at least anticipated *something*, but nope—she was just as blindsided as I was.

Character-wise, it was basically The Kay Show. Everyone else existed in the background, adding little to the story. I wish I had cared more about them, but they were barely developed.

Overall, this was a frustrating read. It had potential, but the pacing, the overwhelming twists, and the lack of depth in the supporting cast left me feeling more unsettled than satisfied.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Joffe Books and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.