User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
This is a Women's Fiction book. Meredith White use to be an actress, but after her husband cheat on her and her son’s death. She become a shut in and cut herself off from everyone but her live-in housekeepers for companionship. Then an earthquake hits where she lives, and Meredith decides to go out and help her neighbors by taking them into her house. We follow Meredith, but we also learns/follow the neighbors that Meredith takes in. Normally, I do not love following so many characters, but this book is written so well that everything flows together and it is easy to follow. I think having so many characters made this book so great. This book was character driven, but the storyline/plot was really good as well. The book was very well-written. There was enough drama and life events in this book that makes you want to keep reading. This book pulled me in for the beginning and it kept me wanting to keep reading, and I had to finish it last night which means I was reading until 2 am. I loved this book so much. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Delacorte Press) or author (Danielle Steel) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
Rating: really liked it
Disasters bring out the best in some people and the worst in others!
Merideth White lives in San Francisco, she was at one time a huge movie star, but since her 14 year old son died in a boating accident she has become a recluse. She rarely leaves her house, though she keeps in shape and has overcome her grief. She has a couple that live in with her and keep up the house and grounds as well as cook and do the shopping. They have worked for her since her son died about 14 years ago and have always been nice to her.
Though Merideth is unaware of all that they have stolen from her. They take some money off the top of what she gives them for bills and groceries and while Merideth was in the grips of a depression she didn’t notice all the things that have gone missing in her house, like high end works of art that used to hang in the common rooms but have been since moved to Debbie and Jack’s suite of rooms.
When a huge earthquake hits San Francisco, Merideth’s home comes through virtually unscathed. She also has a back up generator so hers is the only house in the neighborhood with power. Merideth invites her neighbors to come and stay since their homes are damaged and unsafe.
You can tell right off the bat there will be drama. One of the neighbors is a surgeon and he has anger issues that are shown early in the book. His wife has bruises and the kids are wary of him when he is in a bad mood. The guy is a classic abuser, and he doesn’t even try to hide it. He immediately accuses his wife of flirting with the other guys and puts her down whenever he can. I was married to a man just like him, though my husband was a great guy around other people, so you know if this guy doesn’t care about hiding his anger, there is bound to be issues with a bunch of people staying in one place together.
Another neighbor is a famous blind pianist and his hired assistant as well as a businessman who made it big in a few high tech start-ups and has an ego as big as his checkbook. His latest girlfriend is there as well, he treats her like a possession. Debbie and Jack are none too happy about the houseguests but Merideth is enjoying her house filled with talking and laughter again. Debbie and Jack see their control over their meal ticket slipping away as Merideth begins to have friends and rejoin society.
I liked the premise and the story itself, one thing that bothered me though and I was a bit surprised since this was a Danielle Steel novel and I know she is a well known author with tons of books under her belt. However, I felt some things were repeated over and over ad nauseum. For example Merideth’s daughter though Merideth was too harsh on her ex husband when their son died and she became closer to him. I read that same thing many more times than was necessary. I am not sure if it was just repeating because she wanted to really drive it home, or if it was a device to get you on Merideth’s side. I know I was, and I was kind of mad at the daughter. So if that was a device, then I guess it worked!
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
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Rating: really liked it
Abused and their abusers. Thieves and their enablers. Worst part is they practically get away with it. Seldom have I despised a story as much. The so-called punishment, or lack thereof is a resounding miss. Zero stars if I could and I can. O of 10 stars
Rating: really liked it
Danielle Steel writes such beautiful books, her characters are real and stories are relatable. Apart from Royal last year, it has been a while since I had read one of her books. The Neighbours is a lovely story of friendship, love and loss and pretty much just people. It was a quick read that dealt with some serious issues. Readers of women’s fiction and fans of Danielle Steel will not be disappointed.
Meredith White is a for,we Oscar winning actress. For the past 15 years, after her personal life fell apart, she has been a recluse. Living in her big house, locked away from the world. She relied on her staff for companionship. That all changes when a massive earthquake hits San Francisco and her neighbours need her help. Without hesitation she invites them in to stay with her until their homes are safe again. This act of kindness is a turning point in her life. She starts to open up again, to live again with new friends.
Thanks to Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this book to read.
Rating: really liked it
I have reached for Danielle Steel books for years when I needed a relaxing read. This one (after not having read any for years) did not disappoint. An aging movie star and her neighbors were shaken by an earthquake. Never having met they shared her home afterwards and secrets start coming to the surface. It's a heartwarming story of hope, love and new beginnings.
Rating: really liked it
This is my 34th book by Danielle Steel and it was not my favorite. An earthquake in CA happens and a lot of the houses on one street are badly damaged. All the neighbors who barely know each other go to stay with an ex-movie star who has lived like a recluse for many many years. (Her house had very little damage) They all share meals, learn each other’s secrets, etc. It moved a little slow for me and I felt like there was a lot of repeating in this book. Looking forward to her next novel. Trigger point - there is some physical abuse in this story. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: really liked it
Meredith White, an iconic actress, has retreated from the world after her husband’s betrayal and her son’s death. She is almost completely cut off and relies on her live-in housekeepers for companionship. Then a devastating earthquake occurs and Meredith finds herself rushing out to help her neighbors.
I really liked this one from Danielle Steel, An icon herself, she can write about a star who has that kind of fame with great understanding. She also tackles the tough subject of domestic violence in a believable way. I very much enjoyed and appreciated the theme of a recluse slowly opening up again through the act of helping others.
There are several different storylines in this book as we see into the lives of Meredith’s neighbors. We also see into the thoughts, daily lives, and motivations of her housekeepers.
If you want to read a romance that tackles the issues of domestic violence, self isolation, and loss, you should check this one out.
I received a free copy of this book from Random House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
Rating: really liked it
This is the worst book I've ever read. The first 1/3 could've been written by a third grader. Totally repetitious. Perhaps the author was on drugs or alcohol or suffering from Covid. The publisher never should have let this go to print. Shameful. I had to pay hardcover price for it; I'd never read her before and was willing to take a chance. Never again.
As a side note, I was attracted by the title; and the premise of the book was a really good one. A lot more could have been done, however. An interesting exploration of relationships.
Rating: really liked it
This was my first novel by this author in probably 25 years. That kinda surprised me, but I can remember sneaking them from my mother as a teenager because I thought they were so good. So I went into this with high expectation and sadly, it kinda let me down.
Mere did was once I giant Hollywood actress married to a famous producer. They had it all, 2 kids, a mansion and money and fame. Until a disaster strikes the family and it never recovers. They family gets fractured and Meredith becomes a recluse in the mansion with only her house managers as friends and family. Unbeknownst to her, they are taking advantage of that.
One day, there’s an earthquake and merely decides to go check on her neighbors, which she hasn’t ever done, and it starts a chain of events that changes her life forever.
Some of it was just plain unbelievable and even more so, the story was told in such a matter of fact way that it made it hard to connect with the characters or feel anything.
Overall, it was a likeable book, just not an “oh my I have to tell everyone about it” for me.
Rating: really liked it
As ever, I am fairly certain that the AI has been invented which can read all her old books and spit out new “Danielle Steel” books at regular intervals. These later books are like you think you’ve ordered say...Secrets, by Danielle Steel, but when it comes you see the postmarks and the crooked cover art & realize this is Sucrets, the Wish or AliExpress version.
I mean the story, ok, it wasn’t ground breaking. Nothing she hasn’t done a million times. But the writing? You can’t tell me a woman this prolific, and who has - let’s be fair, written some truly delightful formulaic romances - has forgotten how to write. This has to be an algorithm, right? Steel herself wouldn’t mention that Andrew seemed perfect but was hiding a dark side 4 times in three pages. She wouldn’t mention multiple times in the same paragraph how much Meredith enjoys the hot sun while she gardens. It’s just sloppy writing and even though the painfully predictable story here (modern Steel heroines get off WAY easier than the 80s and 90s ones who really suffered) was more entertaining than the last “Steel” books I have read, in that I could actually finish this one, it still diminishes the talent I once associated with her to allow these to be written. By AI or underpaid romance sweat shop writers, I don’t know, but I do know the author of Family Album and Kaleidoscope was not putting pen to paper to write this watered down, toothless version of the quality romance fare I used to count on her for.
Rating: really liked it
This was the worst Danielle Steele book I have ever read. Who did the editing? Constantly repeating what had already been written. At least 20% of text was repeated. What a waste. So disappointed.
Rating: really liked it
When you’re in the mood for a quick, light read, a Danielle Steel book always fits the bill. Her latest is
Neighbors. Steel brings us the story of Meredith White, a highly acclaimed actress who has been living in seclusion in a large, gated house in San Francisco after a family tragedy. Estranged from her daughter, her only companions are her live-in help, a married couple who have been unscrupulously stealing from her for fifteen years. When a major earthquake takes place, her stone fortress remains intact and Meredith decides to come to the aid of her neighbors whose homes are uninhabitable.
Meredith, now in her sixties and still beautiful and vital, becomes energized by her new friends - a doctor, his wife and two children; a renowned pianist and his helper; a wealthy owner of high-tech companies and his young, beautiful girlfriend. An attractive, retired Air Force Colonel comes to the aid of the group, especially Meredith, with whom he is immediately attracted to.
Lots of drama takes place within the group. Meredith becomes a pillar of strength for her neighbors and starts to come to terms with her past. Some serious topics are addressed. Plus, there’s a little romance.
Neighbors is a perfect weekend read when you need a break from heavier books and the world around us. A good way to start the new year.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Delacorte Press / Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, and Danielle Steel for the opportunity to read
Neighbors in advance of its January 5, 2021 release.
Rated 3.75 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Rating: really liked it
The only reason I finished this drivel is that I had it on audio and I was in the middle of a large project. I needed something to distract me, and I didn't have time to search for a replacement. I only half listened, but still, this was just plain awful.
The writing felt like 6th grade level, EVERYTHING was repeated ad nauseum, the characters were barely fleshed out, the problems were magically fixed with little or no difficulty, and psychological issues are cured, instantly and with no therapy.
I thought an earthquake story would be interesting.
Reminder to self: you don't read Danielle Steel books for a reason.
Rating: really liked it
I love Danielle Steel’s book’s I was excited to get a arc copy from NetGalley. 4 star read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Happy Reading
Lisa
Rating: really liked it
Just short of selling rainbows with a pot of gold.
I don't mind a fantastical romance read once in a while but this one is beyond fantasy. The sheer number of wondrous coincidences that occur with these characters is beyond belief.
Too syrupy sweet and unrealistic on every front and every theme.
