For Eve, home is far away in England since she and her husband relocated to an apartment building on New York's Upper East Side. Violet has live... read full description
reviews
Jul 16, 2010
Amanda
rated it: 
As is common with a number of Noble's books, here she takes almost a short story 'Love Actually' approach where we see snippets of intertwining lives. The reason for it in this book is people living in an apartment block in New York, and hence impacting on each other.
The main drive of the story is Eve and Ed, an English couple who move across from England when Ed starts a secondment in the New York office. Eve suffers due to the move, feeling lonely and needy, and eventually decides th More...
The main drive of the story is Eve and Ed, an English couple who move across from England when Ed starts a secondment in the New York office. Eve suffers due to the move, feeling lonely and needy, and eventually decides th More...
Feb 28, 2010
Andrea
rated it:
Having lived in Manhattan, I really loved this book because it captures the feeling of loneliness one can feel there despite being surrounded by millions of people. I enjoyed the author's character development; her use of details and language is rich and interesting. I started to lose interest during the middle of the novel when all the characters seemed to blend together with somewhat predictable storylines (how many affairs and failed marriages can occur in one novel?) but things quickly pic
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Feb 09, 2010
Diane
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An apartment building on the Upper East Side of Manhattan is the backdrop for Elizabeth Noble's latest novel. Ed and Eve Gallagher move from York, England to New York City because of Ed's bank job. The couple believes that they have found the perfect place to live, however, Ed is gone a lot because of his job, and Eve finds herself becoming very lonely as a stay at home wife.
Violet Wallace is a private woman, she is an 82 year's old, an Englishwoman who also lives in the building a More...
Violet Wallace is a private woman, she is an 82 year's old, an Englishwoman who also lives in the building a More...
Jan 27, 2010
Sue
rated it: 
I did not like this book. I think I've decided that I don't really like books with a large ensemble of characters. Too many stories to follow and not enough character development. I don't really get invested in any one character or story-line. So there's nothing propelling me to finish a book like that. I read a couple pages here, a couple pages there. And that just irritates me. This book was also kind of sad. I was really rooting for the nerdy librarian girl (obviously) and at the end, sh
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Dec 06, 2009
Chloe
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Eve and Ed Gallagher have just moved to their new apartment in New York City after his job transferred him. He’s eager, but Eve is feeling really lonely and a bit adrift.
But when she meets her elderley English neighbour Violet, a whole new friendship blossoms, and the Gallaghers begin to understand the other residents of their building and their lives too. Kim and Jason are struggling with their marriage and boisterous child Avery, Rachael and David seem to have the perfect family wi More...
But when she meets her elderley English neighbour Violet, a whole new friendship blossoms, and the Gallaghers begin to understand the other residents of their building and their lives too. Kim and Jason are struggling with their marriage and boisterous child Avery, Rachael and David seem to have the perfect family wi More...
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Oct 07, 2009
Bridget
rated it: 
Le sigh. I am pretty sure I lost some brain cells reading this one. Not that it was bad, but it was just not worth the time. I can imagine people would like it if they enjoy a lot of "chick-lit." I can only take so much, personally.
The story is about the lives of residents in a New York City co-op, and how their lives intertwine over a period of time. Some characters were more interesting than others, some more likable. But really, for the most part, their problems we More...
The story is about the lives of residents in a New York City co-op, and how their lives intertwine over a period of time. Some characters were more interesting than others, some more likable. But really, for the most part, their problems we More...
Dec 28, 2011
Christine
rated it:
3.5 Stars.
This book tells the story of Eve and her husband Ed who have recently moved from England to an apartment in New York. Throughout the book, we get to meet their new neighbors and learn about their lives.
My thoughts:
One thing that bothered me was on the very first pages was the List of Characters. There are over 20 of them to keep track of! I find it can be very hard to enjoy a book when you are constantly flipping back and forth to try to remember who More...
This book tells the story of Eve and her husband Ed who have recently moved from England to an apartment in New York. Throughout the book, we get to meet their new neighbors and learn about their lives.
My thoughts:
One thing that bothered me was on the very first pages was the List of Characters. There are over 20 of them to keep track of! I find it can be very hard to enjoy a book when you are constantly flipping back and forth to try to remember who More...
Jan 18, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
Internationally best-selling author Elizabeth Noble was born in Britain and recently moved to the United States with her husband. Other titles include: The Reading Group, The Friendship Test, and Alphabet Weekends. She resides in New York.
Ed Gallagher's promotion forces a move from the U.K. to New York, so he and his wife, Eve, are thrilled to find the perfect apartment, though Eve feels secluded and alone, struggling to meet people, until she befriends Violet Wallace, an 82-year-ol More...
Ed Gallagher's promotion forces a move from the U.K. to New York, so he and his wife, Eve, are thrilled to find the perfect apartment, though Eve feels secluded and alone, struggling to meet people, until she befriends Violet Wallace, an 82-year-ol More...
Dec 01, 2009
Maia
rated it:
Bookclub selection--for my 'light reading' group of women friend readers but, still, sometimes you wonder what people are thinking when they make certain choices! I'd sort of liked Noble's previous books, within their range, never expecting too much from them, but this one was a silly read. Set up like one of those UK soap operas and with so many characters and storylines that each merited a book on its own. Plus, I never really bought into the characters, and not for once did I believe the Amer
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Jan 05, 2010
Carla
rated it:
I thought I may have a hard time keeping up with such a long list of characters, but it was actually pretty simple. Every type of relationship you can think of is represented in this novel - good and bad marriages, single men, single women and friendships. Although the novel is somewhat centered around Ed and Eve Gallagher, we meet all of the residents in this New York City apartment building. As relationships are begun, ended, cemented and transformed, the main story in the novel is that of Eve
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Apr 15, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
I like Elizabeth Noble, generally. She's easy to read, but again, use of f-word somewhat annoying and distracting.
This was a pretty good story. It revolves around the tenants of a co-op in NYC. Each person or group deals with some kind of relationship issue. Unfortunately, the issues and resolutions tend to be predictable. There is the young couple estranged by fertility issues, the stereotypical gay couple, the trust-fund playboy reformed by hardworking athletic beautiful (but very nice) g More...
This was a pretty good story. It revolves around the tenants of a co-op in NYC. Each person or group deals with some kind of relationship issue. Unfortunately, the issues and resolutions tend to be predictable. There is the young couple estranged by fertility issues, the stereotypical gay couple, the trust-fund playboy reformed by hardworking athletic beautiful (but very nice) g More...
May 14, 2009
Bobbie
rated it:
The Girl Next Door
Written By: Elizabeth Noble
Published By: Penguin Group Canada, 2009, First Edition, 464 pages, paperback
ISBN 978-0143168829
The Girl Next Door starts off slowly, no doubt do to the somewhat long list of characters that you have to sort through. Thankfully there is a ‘List of Characters’ at the beginning of the book which the reader can refer too; I had to do so several times. Once you remember who each of the different characters are (perhaps you ha More...
Written By: Elizabeth Noble
Published By: Penguin Group Canada, 2009, First Edition, 464 pages, paperback
ISBN 978-0143168829
The Girl Next Door starts off slowly, no doubt do to the somewhat long list of characters that you have to sort through. Thankfully there is a ‘List of Characters’ at the beginning of the book which the reader can refer too; I had to do so several times. Once you remember who each of the different characters are (perhaps you ha More...
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Dec 31, 2010
Alice
rated it:
Another $1 from the library booksale. I've read three of Elizabeth Noble's other books and liked them (well, upon review I gave all of them three stars, but that's good for chicklit), so I picked this one up. As with all of Noble's stories, this one is gentle, easy-to-read and soothing.
I liked:
- The NYC setting
- Multiple characters/storylines in a single apartment building; although I haven't really read a book where this works, Noble makes a valiant effort
I did no More...
I liked:
- The NYC setting
- Multiple characters/storylines in a single apartment building; although I haven't really read a book where this works, Noble makes a valiant effort
I did no More...
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Jul 26, 2011
Don't we all want to find the perfect mate who will love us no matter what and give us all of their attention whenever we need it? The Girl Next Door addresses the reality of couples set in an apartment house in NY. Noble does a good job developing the characters. I love the story of Violet, especially how it comes out, not all at once, but in bits and pieces. I was much more sympathetic with Jason (although at one point I thought if I was his wife I'd be kicking him to the curb) than I was wi
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Jan 18, 2010
Jackie says:
Elizabeth Noble, author of "The Reading Group" and several other well received books, is back with another winner. "The Girl Next Door" involves an ensemble cast and seems very much like a reasonably intelligent soap opera. We get to see bits of the lives of several people in one building in Manhattan--relationships begin and end and have everything in between happen to them as well. There is birth and death, love and hate, fear and joy. This isn't a f More...
Elizabeth Noble, author of "The Reading Group" and several other well received books, is back with another winner. "The Girl Next Door" involves an ensemble cast and seems very much like a reasonably intelligent soap opera. We get to see bits of the lives of several people in one building in Manhattan--relationships begin and end and have everything in between happen to them as well. There is birth and death, love and hate, fear and joy. This isn't a f More...
Oct 06, 2009
Jackie
rated it:
Elizabeth Noble, author of "The Reading Group" and several other well received books, is back with another winner. "The Girl Next Door" involves an ensemble cast and seems very much like a reasonably intelligent soap opera. We get to see bits of the lives of several people in one building in Manhattan--relationships begin and end and have everything in between happen to them as well. There is birth and death, love and hate, fear and joy. This isn't a fluff read--Noble wea
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Nov 16, 2009
Charlotte
rated it:
The Girl Next Door is an absolutely delightful read. The characters, even with warts and all, are very likeable and easy to relate to. Elizabeth Noble uses her incredible talents to paint the story of this co-op and it's people. Their triumphs and their tribulations. It is very easy to imagine this delightful book as a movie. It would make the perfect chick flick and one I would love to pay money to see. The book does not hit the shelves until late December, but it would be the perfect book to c
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Jun 05, 2010
Rebecca
rated it:
So does anyone in an apartment complex actually get to know their neighbors in a way that's possible in fiction and in television shows? I don't. Perhaps I need to start paying more attention (like the Liza Minnelli song about stepping out into the hallway every once in a while).
I liked this book. I liked the characters, I liked their self-absorption and drama and liked that most everything turns out the way you think it should.
I'm in a big fiction-lite phase right now, More...
I liked this book. I liked the characters, I liked their self-absorption and drama and liked that most everything turns out the way you think it should.
I'm in a big fiction-lite phase right now, More...
Nov 29, 2009
Sandie
rated it:
I am not familiar with any of Elizabeth Nobles previous books so when I began reading THE GIRL NEXT DOOR I couldn't help but notice its similarity to Candace Bushnell's ONE FIFTH AVENUE. Both books utilize a particular piece of New York real estate as a backdrop for the stories of their residents, a group of people whose eclectic personalities and varied lives are the bricks and mortar of their respective tales.
Both books feature interwoven stories about love, life and learning to l More...
Both books feature interwoven stories about love, life and learning to l More...
Apr 15, 2010
Sally
rated it:
I only got halfway through this before deciding to move on. The characters were so bland, and it seemed their only issues revolved around their looks and their relationships. Judging by the shopping and designer labels, they certainly didn't have any money worries. The married ones were all about their children, or wanting children. I might be an ex-pat Brit living in the USA, but I couldn't relate at all to the English woman who'd newly arrived in New York with her husband. I would have been in
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Jan 08, 2010
Mary
rated it:
I enjoyed this book as I usually enjoy her books. There were some characters that I truly loved like Eve, the transplanted Brit, and Emily and Charlotte, both single and wanting love in their own different ways. My one criticism is that there were too many characters going at one time. There were a few that really had nothing to do with anything. I don't know if she's setting up the next book or not. It did have me in tears at the end, I won't spoil it, but there are some very emotional pages to
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Dec 28, 2009
Jan
rated it:
Eve and Ed move from England to New York city. Ed is busy with his new job, Eve is bored and sad. She is pulled from her loneliness by a 78 year old neighbor Violet. They become great friends. The apartment building on New York's Upper East Side is filled with interesting characters, with lives intersecting and clashing.
This is very entertaining and you will become involved with this group. As a book club pick, there is much to discuss. Cheating, forgiveness, friendship and what makes a fa More...
This is very entertaining and you will become involved with this group. As a book club pick, there is much to discuss. Cheating, forgiveness, friendship and what makes a fa More...
Jan 02, 2012
Marie
rated it:
http://mariesbookgarden.blogspot.com/201...
The Girl Next Door takes place in a Manhattan apartment building. The book starts with Eve, who has been transplanted from England because of her husband's job. Soon Noble begins adding a large cast of characters, most of whom live in that same apartment building. Fortunately, she includes a list of characters in the beginning, which is helpful.
I do struggle at times with books that have too many characters. For the most part, thi More...
The Girl Next Door takes place in a Manhattan apartment building. The book starts with Eve, who has been transplanted from England because of her husband's job. Soon Noble begins adding a large cast of characters, most of whom live in that same apartment building. Fortunately, she includes a list of characters in the beginning, which is helpful.
I do struggle at times with books that have too many characters. For the most part, thi More...
Apr 08, 2010
Kathy
rated it:
Ensemble cast, interconnected stories of a bunch of people who all live in the same apartment building in New York City. I read while on vacation, so it was perfect for my frame of mind at the time. It's light reading (though some of the storylines deviate into more dramatic areas)and thoroughly enjoyable. I was happy to hear that there will be a follow-up novel because some of the storylines were not as resolved as I would have liked. The peek into life in NYC was fun for this Midwesterner.
Mar 01, 2010
Kari
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 19, 2011
Jo
rated it:
This is the second book I read for Elizabeth Noble (after Things I want my daughters to know). I usually don't read for the same author twice, but I enjoyed the first book for her, hence I picked up this one.
Very enjoyable! I loved the different setting of characters, 6 strangers living in the same building! Felt like I was more living the story than actually reading it!
A high recommended light read ...
Very enjoyable! I loved the different setting of characters, 6 strangers living in the same building! Felt like I was more living the story than actually reading it!
A high recommended light read ...
Feb 27, 2010
Trine
rated it:
A story about the different people in an appartment building in New York. We follow several different persons and their lives which means that all become somewhat thin. Having read this book I sit with a feeling that the author wants to tell me something profound but what escapes me. In a chick-lit book she attacks serious issues, but perhaps too many to be able to explore them thoroughly. It left me with an unsettled feeling.
Jan 26, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book - I found myself being almost immediately pulled into each of the character's lives which made the book pretty hard to put down. I think it was the good mix of characters, each with their own storyline, that made me want to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. Once the book got going, there was never really a "dull moment".
The writing style was a bit off, in my opinion. I was expecting each chapter to be told by a different p More...
The writing style was a bit off, in my opinion. I was expecting each chapter to be told by a different p More...
Oct 29, 2011
V
rated it:
An interesting book. I really liked reading about all the different characters, how they looked at themselves and their families, and how the other people in the building looked at them, how they interacted and all that. It's all very real, real emotions, feelings and thought. Well-written.
Because of how their particular story ended, I would have loved to read more about the Schulmans, and also how Charlotte got along. But at the same time I'm quite happy with the ending.
I l More...
Because of how their particular story ended, I would have loved to read more about the Schulmans, and also how Charlotte got along. But at the same time I'm quite happy with the ending.
I l More...
Jan 11, 2010
Su
rated it:
An interesting story of a high-rise apartment in the heart of New York City and the people that reside there. At first I thought it might be one of those "feel good" knitting club or reading club or cooking club stories where the characters all help solve each other's problems. And you know, it was a bit like that only much more realistic and intriguing. I found it to be a very enjoyable story.
