I read the book over the course of three days, off and on, finishing up at about 1AM on the third day. N. L. Hinkens is a favorite of mine and has never left me feeling less than wowed.
I can’t — won’t — divulge details about the book, but I can honestly say that I felt like I had just gotten whiplash from all the times I thought I knew what was happening, only to find that I was SO wrong!
I honestly NEVER saw the twists coming, let alone coming every single time I thought I had it all figured out.
An absolutely gripping story! Tension through and through!

This book was such a wonderful surprise to me, it was a really fantastic psychological thriller. This is set against an “idyllic” suburban community where the gossip mill thrives & the HOA is maybe a little too involved.

The Neighbor is set apart by the way N.L. Hinkens really crafted complex, believable characters and the way she wove the psychological states of the characters seamlessly into the story. It was so well done, and it never took away from the fast pacing of the story.

The twists were never ending, which did end up feeling like a popcorn thriller in some ways, but the story kept me intrigued the whole time. I was able to binge this book fairly quickly, and I will definitely keep a watch for more titles by this author!

3.75 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

N.L. Hinkens, The Neighbor, Joffe Books, expected publication date March 4, 2025

N. L. Hinkens delivers a riveting tale of suspense and intrigue in her latest novel, The Neighbor. Set against the backdrop of a seemingly idyllic suburban community, the story unfolds through the eyes of Kay, the determined and increasingly paranoid HOA President. When Kay and her husband, Warren, rent out the house across the street to the enigmatic couple Gary and Beth, the tranquil facade of neighborhood life begins to crack.

Hinkens masterfully captures the essence of suburban life, weaving a narrative that is both relatable and chilling. Kay’s character is brilliantly crafted; her initial warmth and hospitality quickly give way to a gnawing suspicion when Beth mysteriously disappears. The author skillfully explores themes of trust, secrecy, and the darker undercurrents that often lie beneath the surface of close-knit communities.

The pacing of The Neighbor is relentless, propelling readers through a labyrinth of twists and turns. Hinkens expertly builds tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Kay’s incredulous suspicions spiral into obsession. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, with moments of dark humor that provide brief relief from the mounting suspense. Each character is well-developed, and their interactions create a rich tapestry of motives and secrets, making it hard to discern who can be trusted.

What sets The Neighbor apart is Hinkens’ keen understanding of the psychological aspects of her characters. As Kay's paranoia intensifies, readers are drawn into her internal struggles, questioning the reliability of her perceptions. The exploration of her mental state adds depth to the narrative, transforming this thriller into a thought-provoking examination of human nature and the lengths one might go to protect their own.

The climax is both unexpected and satisfying, leaving readers with a sense of closure while also inviting them to ponder the implications of the story long after they turn the final page. Hinkens has crafted a compelling mystery that resonates with the complexities of modern life, reminding us that not everything is as it seems, even in our own neighborhoods.

Overall, The Neighbor is a five-star thriller that combines sharp writing, well-drawn characters, and an intricately woven plot. N. L. Hinkens has solidified her place as a master of suspense with this gripping novel, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. Whether you’re a lover of psychological thrillers or simply enjoy a good mystery, The Neighbor will keep you guessing until the very end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

The Neighbor by N.L. Hinkens was a jaw-dropping twisty thriller full of shocking surprises and twists throughout the entire book.

We never really know our neighbors as well as we think and we never know who we can truly trust. Kay is finding this out quickly when a new couple, Gary and Beth, moves in next door. They are renting the property owned by Kay and her husband Warren. From the start Kay distrust Gary and knows he's up to something and vows to figure out what. As president of the neighborhood HOA she feels it's her job to know if her neighbors are safe. The extent she goes to is a bit overboard.

At first I found Kay very annoying and pushy. But she did grow on me and I found myself championing her. The story itself was very entertaining right up to the gasp out loud ending. The writing was smooth, making it easy to binge read. This was my first read by N.L. Hinkens and I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be checking out more of her books. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the advanced copy

OMG - what did I just read?!? Fantastic psychological thriller that kept me hooked from the first page to the last. The twists in this book are incredible—just when I thought I had it all figured out, something new would come up that completely changed the game! The perfect build up of suspense, and the pacing is spot on. The characters are complex and the tension is palpable, making it hard to put the book down. But it was the unexpected ending that really blew me away—did not see that coming! If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that keep you guessing, this one is a must-read.

Absolutely loved it—definitely worth 5 stars!

I read this is 24 hours. It had me on the edge of my seat! The first half, I was anxious about everything the female main character was doing. I wanted to reach into the book, grab her by the collar, and tell her to stop! The second half had so many twists, all unexpected, and even in the last moments, I was surprised. Overall, this was a really engaging read!

The Neighbor by NL Henkins, is nothing like you think it is. When Kay and her husband Warren rent out their rental property, to Beth and Gary. Kay’s suspicions are immediately raised Gary seems brutish and as if he doesn’t want her visiting Beth, and everything he tells her it seems Beth claims isn’t true. She says she has a daughter who is dead, but Gary claims the daughter quit talking to Beth because she’s a drug addict. Beth says she’s never done drugs in her life. soon Beth goes missing and Gary claims she is in rehab, but is dodgy on the name of the facility and soon claims she passed away there, but when Kate believes she is uncovering the truth, she still has no idea of the true treachery she has invited in her neighborhood. Once she finally figures it all out. She’ll be lucky to live to tell someone. this was such a fun, awesome thriller I went and downloaded other books by the author. There is a mic drop ending, and a surprise most will not see coming. I thought I was getting burnt out on thrillers, but this book has shown me. I just haven’t been reading the right ones. #NetGalley,#JoffeBooks, #TheBlindReviewer, #NLHinkens,#TheNeighbor,

Oh my god....Kay should have just been named Karen. Nosey, loud and somewhat of a bully, she has to know everything that's going on in her neighborhood. Also, Kay as the lead in this story was a FANTASTIC choice.

Kay wants to befriend the new neighbors Gary and Beth. Gary rudely cuts Kay off and makes it VERY clear they are not interested in being friend. Kay finds out that other neighbors all are friendly with Gary, so she decides that something is clearly off and Gary is hiding. When Beth disappears, Kar--sorry, Kay feels that she MUST solve the mystery and spends her time spying with binoculars.
---

Man, Kay was the WORST but also....kind of the best. Hinkens does an excellent job of creating a character that is so unlikeable and yet, by the end, you couldn't help but kind of like her.

This is a fun little domestic thriller that I couldn't put down.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

Hmm.. this was mid for me. I really like how it started and progressed but the ending fell apart for me. I am all for plotting to make someone look crazy and that’s what happened in this but then it was so many people involved in the scheming but they all went off the tracks and did their own thing so the plan got totally twisted. Sounds confusing, yes? So I did enjoy the overall plot and I always enjoy this author but this was pretty middle of the road for me.

Thank you for the ARC!

Thanks Netgalley and Joffe books for this free ARC! Well, the premise was enticing enough and the storyline lived up to its premise. Highly engaging novel with suspense and twists and turns. I wasn’t expecting the ending for sure! I would definitely recommend for any psychological fiction fan!

I really enjoyed this book and I loved all the twists and turns. This was a short and quick read, but packed with suspense, mystery and very entertaining. The ending was so good and I truly believe most people who like thrillers, would also love this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

There's a lot to work with in this one, for sure. The basic storyline is indeed pretty gripping and it does keep the reader guessing. But that's all it seemed to me - the skeleton of a good plot, without any real meat.

Everything just feels rushed. Twist after twist just gets thrown at you seemingly without rhyme or reason, and the final twist doesn't really do much to explain away everything, even if I predicted it coming.

There is a complex web of lies to be sure, but there's too much telling and not enough showing. I hate to give any writer negative feedback, but in this case I think it's warranted. I feel as if this book is a rewrite or two away from being something great, but as it is, I can't say that I enjoyed it as much as some other people. There can be such a thing as too many twists and I think that this one just has a bit too much.

I really enjoyed the twisty story and the short chapters that really made me fly through the book - finished in one sitting! It was my first N.L. Hinkens, but I feel like it won’t be my last! Thanks for the early copy

Kay is the homeowner’s association president in the neighborhood where she and her husband reside. She is very involved in neighborhood activities and a bit of a busybody, going so far as to be a little Gladys Kravitz like—using her binoculars to keep tabs on the new neighbors. Kay doesn’t trust Gary who lives next door in the house she and her husband own and rent out. Gary’s wife Beth seems skittish and Kay believes he is controlling her, or doing something worse. Her suspicions lead her down a rabbit hole of investigation as things keep getting stranger in the neighborhood that Kay is determined to protect.

The neighbor was a quick read and a wild ride. So many twists and turns, and I never guessed any of them were coming. The action leaves you wondering if all this is in Kay’s head or if there is something truly sinister going on next door, and the ending was truly shocking. Overall a fun, enjoyable thriller. Four stars.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

Now THIS is a psychological thriller!

At no point, did I know who or what to believe. I had trouble putting this book down because I needed to know what was going on! Where was Beth? Did Gary kill her? The further I got, the more questions I had.

This book was fast paced, thrilling, and easy to read. The authors writing style was perfect!

I enjoyed Kay’s character as the nosey HOA neighbor who gets in everyone’s business. Her spying and her nosiness knew no bounds! Regardless, I was rooting for her!

This was such a good read for me!

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for an early copy of The Neighbor. The cover was a great picture, loved it. The story was utterly ridiculous, I don’t know why I kept reading it but I finished it. Kay was sooooo annoying but turned out to be very clever. I really didn’t like the dialogue or the characters, I am so sorry.

Kay has rented a property to Gary and Beth and now she's spying on them with binoculars...

She knows there is something off with the couple but doesn;t quite know what..

This is a fun OTT read and I absolutely loved. It reminded me a little of where I live, all the neighbours are nosy and what they don;t know they make up.

It is a thought provoking read and I was proper invested in the story..it was a one sit read for me.

recommended read

Gary and Beth are renting Kay’s rental house next door. But Kay is suspicious of them. A lot of weird things are happening and Beth seems like an abused wife. Kay’s husband tells her to stay out of it, but she can’t. Beth might need her help.
This one had some surprise twists and turns!

Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Neighbor by N.L. Hinkens due to be published March 4, 2025.

My husband, Warren, says I shouldn’t be watching Beth and Gary through binoculars. But they’re not just our neighbors, they’re renting our property. Kay knows something is off about them. She’s just not sure if they’re dangerous or just very strange.
Kay must be the nosiest neighbor ever! I don’t care if she does own the rental, she goes over and “snoops” several times to see what is going on (possibly illegal)! I thought this was a little far fetched and over the top with all the snooping and insinuating by Kay, but it was a fun read!
Also recommended by N.L. Hinkens: The Cabin Below

#NetGalley #NLHinkens #JoffeBooks #TheNeighbor

This is a gripping read that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish
The plot is filled with twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next.
The writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed.