The Woman Next Door

A Novel

By: Barbara Delinsky

Narrated by: Laura Hicks

A compelling and haunting exploration of the secrets and shadows that can be hidden within a marriage from the New York Times bestselling author of Before and Again.

The easy harmony that exists between three close-knit couples on a charming cul-de-sac in suburban Connecticut is shattered when a beautiful young woman, widowed and unattached, reveals she is pregnant.

Rumors and questions begin spreading about the potential father. One by one, the couples turn inward, taking stock of their marriages and discover weaknesses they had previously ignored. As each wife struggles with this sudden crisis, they discover that they are being forced into making a decision—one that could result in either the strengthening or the dissolution of her marriage.

An ingenious portrait of suspicion and deception, faith and love, Barbara Delinsky’s “adept and compelling exploration of the inner workings of the modern upper-class American family makes for one of her best books” (Booklist).

Cul-de-sac Drama

The story gave me insight into what couples struggle with when conception does not occur. Lots of biting and bitter dialog between the couple trying to conceive. Many times I felt like taking them to a therapist who specializes in this sort of difficulty. Author missed the mark here by not writing this into the story line. But that would have diluted the drama the author was looking for.

Other Cul-de-sac dramas involve a philandering husband and his bitter wife (who can blame her?). A teenage suicide and fall out from that. A controlling, nasty mother/mother-in-law who should have been dealt with by her son well before she was. An attractive, quiet, and lonely widow who is disliked and gossiped about by the cul-de-sac women for which I saw was no good reason. The book was boring for me up until the last quarter of it. I only liked a few of the characters in this book. The rest were whiny, immature and superficial.

I was generous by giving the story line three stars.

The performance by Laura Hicks is what kept me listening, and the fact that I have enjoyed listening to other books by Barbara Delinsky.

slow starter

story starts out very slow but if you stick with it you will find it's worth it in the end

Interesting

I found this story interesting because one event causes so many ripples in the fabric of the other families lives. I think you can enjoy this book. The narration for me was somewhat difficult to determine who was talking. That could just be me. The narrator performed well, I had to start it several times to determine the character.

Kept me wondering!

Any additional comments?

Whose kid was it???!!! I was guessing (and guessing wrong) the whole book. It was a nice story, and I could relate to the close knit neighborhood. Little bit of everything - romance, scandal, mystery...Typical chick lit! Definitely enjoyable.

Do not bother!

The story was unsubstantial and predictable. The narrator was horrible. Screamed when trying to portray male characters. I purchased this book accidentally because it has the same title as the one I wanted. Wrong author. So do not bother with this one.