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Behind White Picket Fences: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 9 Jun 26Fusing page-turning suspense with keenly observed humor, this homage to female friendship explores the hamster wheel of modern motherhood, and the consequences for jumping off.
Kiersten Cleaver feels like she’s flunking Motherhood 101. Exhausted by travel sports, homework, and her son’s dyslexia, she joins forces with her neighbors, Rosamund and Piper, to drop out of the scholastic rat race for one year.
Together, they start the Beaverbrook Academy for Inquiring Minds in Kiersten’s kitchen, embarking on a journey back to the idyllic life they experienced as children, when phones were attached to the wall and kids played outside until the streetlights came on at dusk.
But the women quickly realize fractions aren’t their only problem. A sixty-year-old diary discovered in Kiersten’s basement raises unsettling questions about their neighborhood, their safety, and the seemingly simpler past.
Their picture-perfect suburb disguises deadly secrets—and someone wants to keep them hidden. As unsettling events rattle their fragile utopia, Kiersten, Rosamund, and Piper face an impossible choice. And if they expose the truth, they put everything at their children, their friendship, and their newfound community.
Kiersten Cleaver feels like she’s flunking Motherhood 101. Exhausted by travel sports, homework, and her son’s dyslexia, she joins forces with her neighbors, Rosamund and Piper, to drop out of the scholastic rat race for one year.
Together, they start the Beaverbrook Academy for Inquiring Minds in Kiersten’s kitchen, embarking on a journey back to the idyllic life they experienced as children, when phones were attached to the wall and kids played outside until the streetlights came on at dusk.
But the women quickly realize fractions aren’t their only problem. A sixty-year-old diary discovered in Kiersten’s basement raises unsettling questions about their neighborhood, their safety, and the seemingly simpler past.
Their picture-perfect suburb disguises deadly secrets—and someone wants to keep them hidden. As unsettling events rattle their fragile utopia, Kiersten, Rosamund, and Piper face an impossible choice. And if they expose the truth, they put everything at their children, their friendship, and their newfound community.
443 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 9, 2026
157 people want to read
About the author
Christine Gunderson
2 books199 followersChristine Gunderson grew up on a fourth-generation family farm in rural North Dakota where she read Laura Ingalls Wilder books in her very own little house on the prairie.
She’s a former television anchor and reporter and former Capitol Hill aide. She currently lives in the Washington D.C. suburbs with her three children, Star the Wonder Dog, and a very patient husband.
When not writing, she's sailing the Chesapeake Bay with her family, playing Star Wars monopoly, re-reading Jane Austen novels in the school pick up line or unloading the dishwasher.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 19, 2025
I devoured this book, a five star read! This was a fast paced book with a lot going on but it totally worked.
Following a small group of mums who decide to homeschool so as to live an easier, balanced life where they didn’t have stress/ travel etc of school and activities. This side of the story was really wholesome, where community all step up and you see the bonding between the children, the adults and the random neighbours who all want to play a part.
The other side of the story is when one of the mums finds diaries from the 1960s in her basement and we get chapters of Dottie (the author of the diary) and her life on the same street as the mums currently live. Dottie is suffering from domestic abuse and as we follow her diaries we find out how this links to the modern day street and how those who look perfect may be hiding the biggest secrets.
An absolutely brilliant novel. Thanks to net galley for the advanced copy!
Following a small group of mums who decide to homeschool so as to live an easier, balanced life where they didn’t have stress/ travel etc of school and activities. This side of the story was really wholesome, where community all step up and you see the bonding between the children, the adults and the random neighbours who all want to play a part.
The other side of the story is when one of the mums finds diaries from the 1960s in her basement and we get chapters of Dottie (the author of the diary) and her life on the same street as the mums currently live. Dottie is suffering from domestic abuse and as we follow her diaries we find out how this links to the modern day street and how those who look perfect may be hiding the biggest secrets.
An absolutely brilliant novel. Thanks to net galley for the advanced copy!
February 16, 2026
Five great, big, beautiful stars to this novel! If you want grit, humor, and a dose of real life, crack the pages and become enveloped in the lives of modern day moms who make an untraditional choice to home school their kids. Enter female friendships, a little mystery, unique and quirky characters and a satisfying ending! Loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book!
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book!
January 22, 2026
My first 5 stars of 2026! This book had me awake all night flipping pages as fast as I could, I devoured this book!
A book about power of girlhood, friendship, and community at it`s core. This book follows Kiersten, a new to town mom just trying to get a handle on her gaggle of boys and all of their commitments. Kiersten realizes she may have bitten off more than she can chew and meets her girlboss neighbours Piper and Rosamund in a moment of crisis. They quickly band together to support each other and hatch a plan to leave the fast paced over scheduled lives for their own makeshift academy. With a focus on getting back on track (and finally finishing her unpacking), Kiersten finds 3 journals that provide her a window into the past, through the writing of a young girl named Dottie.
The stakes are slow boiling throughout the entire book, and start to simmer over in the last couple chapters. A strong sense of sisterhood can be felt throughout the entire novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! Do yourself a favour and pick this one up in June!
A book about power of girlhood, friendship, and community at it`s core. This book follows Kiersten, a new to town mom just trying to get a handle on her gaggle of boys and all of their commitments. Kiersten realizes she may have bitten off more than she can chew and meets her girlboss neighbours Piper and Rosamund in a moment of crisis. They quickly band together to support each other and hatch a plan to leave the fast paced over scheduled lives for their own makeshift academy. With a focus on getting back on track (and finally finishing her unpacking), Kiersten finds 3 journals that provide her a window into the past, through the writing of a young girl named Dottie.
The stakes are slow boiling throughout the entire book, and start to simmer over in the last couple chapters. A strong sense of sisterhood can be felt throughout the entire novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! Do yourself a favour and pick this one up in June!
January 4, 2026
3.75 stars rounded up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Behind White Picket Fences is not at all what I thought it would be - what a ride!! I was awake all night finishing this, simply because I couldn't put it down. Our main characters Kiersten, Rosamund and Piper, plus the rest of the neighborhood, are SUCH endearing characters with their own hearts and motivations, but ultimately serve the same goal: bring a sense of calm and balance to themselves and these kids. And in come the Davis family to cause generational traummaaaa!
The first few chapters were not what they seemed in the best way possible. What starts as moms struggling to handle/manage their kids schedules turns into this thought-provoking discussion of what it means to be a parent in 2025, how to have your partners support, and how having a community can make all the difference. I found myself nodding along as Kiersten described all of /my/ personal fears of becoming a parent, how to be present, and still raise kids like the "good old days," but it was done with a sense of care and humility. A real strength of Gunderson's writing!
Finally, journals have always been a clever way of putting readers into the perspective of the past, and Dottie's entries are no different. While I do think they started to feel less like journal entries, and more like full scenes written by the author (ie, they lose the simplicity of "this and this happened" and instead included full dialogue written out and quoted), Dottie's perspective changed the entire story arc and added that level of suspense needed to push the characters and their motivations forward. It was so clear who the villains were, and yet, I was still SO shocked at how the reveal came together, which made it that much better.
I'm REALLY glad to have taken a chance with this one! The suspense and drama were there (even if a bit predictable at times), the kids and their personalities shined, and the discussion of what it means to be a good wife, mother, and "keeper of the home" so to say were great. If you liked the premise of Don't Worry Darling (Florence Pugh and Harry Styles), this is definitely one to pick up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Behind White Picket Fences is not at all what I thought it would be - what a ride!! I was awake all night finishing this, simply because I couldn't put it down. Our main characters Kiersten, Rosamund and Piper, plus the rest of the neighborhood, are SUCH endearing characters with their own hearts and motivations, but ultimately serve the same goal: bring a sense of calm and balance to themselves and these kids. And in come the Davis family to cause generational traummaaaa!
The first few chapters were not what they seemed in the best way possible. What starts as moms struggling to handle/manage their kids schedules turns into this thought-provoking discussion of what it means to be a parent in 2025, how to have your partners support, and how having a community can make all the difference. I found myself nodding along as Kiersten described all of /my/ personal fears of becoming a parent, how to be present, and still raise kids like the "good old days," but it was done with a sense of care and humility. A real strength of Gunderson's writing!
Finally, journals have always been a clever way of putting readers into the perspective of the past, and Dottie's entries are no different. While I do think they started to feel less like journal entries, and more like full scenes written by the author (ie, they lose the simplicity of "this and this happened" and instead included full dialogue written out and quoted), Dottie's perspective changed the entire story arc and added that level of suspense needed to push the characters and their motivations forward. It was so clear who the villains were, and yet, I was still SO shocked at how the reveal came together, which made it that much better.
I'm REALLY glad to have taken a chance with this one! The suspense and drama were there (even if a bit predictable at times), the kids and their personalities shined, and the discussion of what it means to be a good wife, mother, and "keeper of the home" so to say were great. If you liked the premise of Don't Worry Darling (Florence Pugh and Harry Styles), this is definitely one to pick up!
December 23, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up! This book went in a direction I didn’t expect but I found the ending really satisfying. It’s a good read for people who like stories about community building, mysteries/thrillers, and multiple POVs. My only qualms have to do with suspending my disbelief over some of the decisions characters make and the easy way some problems are wrapped up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Washington D.C. suburbs.
Kiersten just recently moved here from a safe and quiet and family filled farm-life in Minnesota. And now her husband is away all the time on his brand new government job and she's all alone with four sons under 14! There's not a second of free time between driving them to school and sports and doctors. The school year just started but Kiersten and the boys are already done with this new life - something has to happen.
Enter Piper and Rosamund. Her new neighbors. Piper is on leave from her cop-ish government job and she's also at the end of her rope with her three girls and their busy lives.
So the ladies decide to drop out of everything for a year and teach the kids at home.
No sport teams, no bullying, no constantly being in the car.
Sounded easier in their imagination than it is in real life. And that's only the beginning of all the action. Kiersten finds a bunch of 60 year old diaries in her basement.
Books filled with information that might mean danger for our darlings and the whole neighborhood!
I really enjoyed reading this!
At first I was a bit scared, because I was afraid that it was going to be a religious, home-school cultish kind of thing. And they could've left out the going to church Sundays. But other than that it was a really great story.
I didn't even mind reading the little diary entries - I usually hate going-back-in-time snippets in books! I loved it all - we had to know what happened to Dottie back then and if our ladies would save the day and survive this year!
I loved Kiersten and her new friends. The dads. The neighborhood teachers. The many many kids.
Great cast. Great story. I wouldn't mind seeing this on TV one day!
This was a beautiful and mysterious and exciting and funny story about life and family and marriage and friendship and community and history and SO MUCH MORE! READ IT!
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a fun book to read. I would actually place it somewhere between the mystery/thriller/suspense genre and the cozy mystery genre as it does certainly solve a crime and offer up suspense without gore, explicit sex scenes, and much profanity.
Our main character and mom to 4 boys, Kiersten, has recently relocated from rural Minnesota to Washington DC suburbia because of her husband's job. As a young mother whose kids are in every extracurricular activity, she finds herself absolutely frazzled, as do her children. Her husband's new job in agriculture demands that he's gone more than he's home, so the child rearing and running has fallen all onto her. The last straw is when she inadvertently leaves her youngest son at a truck stop two hours from home while returning from a travel team baseball tournament, a tournament that her oldest son, who was on the team, didn't even want to attend anyway.
Kiersten meets two of her neighbors, Piper (mother to three girls) and Rosamund (single mom to one daughter) as they all three commiserate on their and their children's mental states. What if they and their children could just step back and take a break? The other moms feel as exhausted as she does with their lifestyles, and their children aren't faring well either socially or academically in school either. The three moms decide to take a step back, after consulting with their children, and try an experiment for the rest of the school year - The Beaverbrook Academy for Inquiring Minds Experiment, their own homeschooling venture.
Their endeavor into homeschooling is sometimes hilarious but full of good intentions. They get help from other neighbors on Beaverbrook, too - a retired military drill sergeant who teaches PE; a retired teacher who specializes in the field of dyslexia; an 80 some year old neighbor who is full of history; and a retired biology professor from a nearby university.
To make things even more interesting, Kiersten finds diaries in the basement of their new home written by a very unhappy housewife who lived in the neighborhood in 1965. These diaries are enthralling and cryptic as they have ties with three of the families currently living in the neighborhood. Those families are also connected with a perhaps corrupt land developer. Henceforth, strange happenings begin to emerge in the neighborhood.
It's a fun ride to see the once frazzled suburban moms delve into this mystery of the disappearance of Dottie, the author of the diaries. Other perks I liked about the book were the dual timeline (1965-present day Washington DC) and the multiple POVs used for narration of the chapters.
If you're looking for a fun, fast paced mystery, definitely look for Behind White Picket Fences, when it becomes available June 9, 2026. Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the opportunity to preview this ARC.
Our main character and mom to 4 boys, Kiersten, has recently relocated from rural Minnesota to Washington DC suburbia because of her husband's job. As a young mother whose kids are in every extracurricular activity, she finds herself absolutely frazzled, as do her children. Her husband's new job in agriculture demands that he's gone more than he's home, so the child rearing and running has fallen all onto her. The last straw is when she inadvertently leaves her youngest son at a truck stop two hours from home while returning from a travel team baseball tournament, a tournament that her oldest son, who was on the team, didn't even want to attend anyway.
Kiersten meets two of her neighbors, Piper (mother to three girls) and Rosamund (single mom to one daughter) as they all three commiserate on their and their children's mental states. What if they and their children could just step back and take a break? The other moms feel as exhausted as she does with their lifestyles, and their children aren't faring well either socially or academically in school either. The three moms decide to take a step back, after consulting with their children, and try an experiment for the rest of the school year - The Beaverbrook Academy for Inquiring Minds Experiment, their own homeschooling venture.
Their endeavor into homeschooling is sometimes hilarious but full of good intentions. They get help from other neighbors on Beaverbrook, too - a retired military drill sergeant who teaches PE; a retired teacher who specializes in the field of dyslexia; an 80 some year old neighbor who is full of history; and a retired biology professor from a nearby university.
To make things even more interesting, Kiersten finds diaries in the basement of their new home written by a very unhappy housewife who lived in the neighborhood in 1965. These diaries are enthralling and cryptic as they have ties with three of the families currently living in the neighborhood. Those families are also connected with a perhaps corrupt land developer. Henceforth, strange happenings begin to emerge in the neighborhood.
It's a fun ride to see the once frazzled suburban moms delve into this mystery of the disappearance of Dottie, the author of the diaries. Other perks I liked about the book were the dual timeline (1965-present day Washington DC) and the multiple POVs used for narration of the chapters.
If you're looking for a fun, fast paced mystery, definitely look for Behind White Picket Fences, when it becomes available June 9, 2026. Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the opportunity to preview this ARC.
December 28, 2025
📖 Behind White Picket Fences - Christine Gunderson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5 Finished 12/28
This is the kind of neighborhood where everything looks safe… until it very much is not.
Christine Gunderson’s Behind White Picket Fences is a clever, layered exploration of modern motherhood, friendship, and the delicate architecture of suburban life. The narrative strikes a thoughtful balance between suspense and social commentary, capturing the pressures of parenting with uncanny realism such as late-night scheduling scrambles, the relentless digital tide, and the quiet, gnawing fear that something will always be “missed” or slightly off.
Kiersten, Piper, and Rosamund are wonderfully flawed and vividly human. Their efforts to homeschool, protect their children, and build a chosen community reflect a tension many parents will recognize. The mystery woven through the decades-old diaries is compelling but never overpowering; the story’s real strength lies in its subtle observations of behavior, relationships, and the long shadow of societal expectations.
Gunderson’s prose oscillates between poetic reflection and sharp humor, creating moments that are quietly funny alongside others that invite reflection on trust, boundaries, and the unseen burdens of caregiving. The book also echoes evidence-based truths: children thrive when families balance structure with autonomy, and adult support networks are essential for resilience. Research consistently supports this, and the narrative embodies it beautifully.
This is a book that rewards attention to small details such as notes tucked in trees, subtle power plays, and the nuanced dance of alliances between mothers, neighbors, and generations. While the twists may not surprise seasoned mystery readers, the layers of relational complexity and domestic tension resonate deeply. Gunderson captures the lived experience of parenting under pressure, weaving suspense, wit, and emotional depth into a single, satisfying read.
Content warnings: child harassment, historical abuse, threats to family safety, death, murder, and criminal activity including money laundering.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
This is the kind of neighborhood where everything looks safe… until it very much is not.
Christine Gunderson’s Behind White Picket Fences is a clever, layered exploration of modern motherhood, friendship, and the delicate architecture of suburban life. The narrative strikes a thoughtful balance between suspense and social commentary, capturing the pressures of parenting with uncanny realism such as late-night scheduling scrambles, the relentless digital tide, and the quiet, gnawing fear that something will always be “missed” or slightly off.
Kiersten, Piper, and Rosamund are wonderfully flawed and vividly human. Their efforts to homeschool, protect their children, and build a chosen community reflect a tension many parents will recognize. The mystery woven through the decades-old diaries is compelling but never overpowering; the story’s real strength lies in its subtle observations of behavior, relationships, and the long shadow of societal expectations.
Gunderson’s prose oscillates between poetic reflection and sharp humor, creating moments that are quietly funny alongside others that invite reflection on trust, boundaries, and the unseen burdens of caregiving. The book also echoes evidence-based truths: children thrive when families balance structure with autonomy, and adult support networks are essential for resilience. Research consistently supports this, and the narrative embodies it beautifully.
This is a book that rewards attention to small details such as notes tucked in trees, subtle power plays, and the nuanced dance of alliances between mothers, neighbors, and generations. While the twists may not surprise seasoned mystery readers, the layers of relational complexity and domestic tension resonate deeply. Gunderson captures the lived experience of parenting under pressure, weaving suspense, wit, and emotional depth into a single, satisfying read.
Content warnings: child harassment, historical abuse, threats to family safety, death, murder, and criminal activity including money laundering.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Behind White Picket Fences is a wonderfully sharp, heartfelt blend of suburban suspense and wry humour, wrapped in a story that celebrates female friendship while unpicking the pressures of modern motherhood. Christine Gunderson captures that familiar tension between wanting to give your children the world and wanting—just once—to step off the relentless treadmill.
Kiersten Cleaver is instantly relatable: exhausted, overwhelmed, and convinced she’s failing at the one job she cares about most. When she teams up with neighbours Rosamund and Piper to create their own makeshift “academy” in her kitchen, the story blooms into something warm and hopeful. Their attempt to reclaim a simpler childhood—one of landline phones, scraped knees, and streetlights as curfew—feels nostalgic without ever becoming sentimental.
But Gunderson doesn’t let the coziness linger for long. The discovery of a sixty‑year‑old diary in Kiersten’s basement shifts the tone beautifully, introducing a thread of mystery that winds through the story with increasing urgency. The idyllic suburb, with its manicured lawns and polite smiles, begins to crack, revealing secrets that have been buried far longer than any of the women imagined.
What makes the novel shine is the balance: laugh‑out‑loud observations about parenting and community life sit comfortably alongside genuine suspense. The friendship between Kiersten, Rosamund, and Piper is the beating heart of the book—messy, supportive, and fiercely loyal. As unsettling events escalate, their bond is tested in ways that feel both gripping and emotionally authentic.
Gunderson explores the cost of truth, the fragility of safety, and the courage it takes to protect not just your children, but the community you’ve built together. The stakes rise steadily, and the final act delivers tension without sacrificing the warmth that makes the story so compelling.
A smart, engaging suburban thriller with heart, humour, and a trio of heroines you can’t help rooting for. Perfect for readers who love domestic suspense with depth and a strong sense of sisterhood.
My thanks to Christine Gunderson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Kiersten Cleaver is instantly relatable: exhausted, overwhelmed, and convinced she’s failing at the one job she cares about most. When she teams up with neighbours Rosamund and Piper to create their own makeshift “academy” in her kitchen, the story blooms into something warm and hopeful. Their attempt to reclaim a simpler childhood—one of landline phones, scraped knees, and streetlights as curfew—feels nostalgic without ever becoming sentimental.
But Gunderson doesn’t let the coziness linger for long. The discovery of a sixty‑year‑old diary in Kiersten’s basement shifts the tone beautifully, introducing a thread of mystery that winds through the story with increasing urgency. The idyllic suburb, with its manicured lawns and polite smiles, begins to crack, revealing secrets that have been buried far longer than any of the women imagined.
What makes the novel shine is the balance: laugh‑out‑loud observations about parenting and community life sit comfortably alongside genuine suspense. The friendship between Kiersten, Rosamund, and Piper is the beating heart of the book—messy, supportive, and fiercely loyal. As unsettling events escalate, their bond is tested in ways that feel both gripping and emotionally authentic.
Gunderson explores the cost of truth, the fragility of safety, and the courage it takes to protect not just your children, but the community you’ve built together. The stakes rise steadily, and the final act delivers tension without sacrificing the warmth that makes the story so compelling.
A smart, engaging suburban thriller with heart, humour, and a trio of heroines you can’t help rooting for. Perfect for readers who love domestic suspense with depth and a strong sense of sisterhood.
My thanks to Christine Gunderson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 rounded up!
I will just start out by saying, coincidentally, I just so happen to be the wife of a DS agent 😂. What are the odds!? I tried to not be too nit-picky about that aspect of the book but actually Gunderson does a good job describing how life is for a DS spouse while stateside (considering Piper is no longer an agent and is a stay at home mom during the entirety of this book).
All of that aside, this was a totally unputdownable read! I picked this book up because I enjoyed Gunderson’s debut novel, “Friends with Secrets,” last year. I had absolutely no idea I was going to be reading something that I related to SO CLOSELY. She really hits the nail on the head when showing the struggle moms face in this age of technology and endless extracurriculars, as well as the social/academic pressure that comes along with raising children in the DC surrounding area.
Also: who doesn’t love a book where someone discovers a hidden journal? I live for this stuff, yes! Every time the entries from the journal came around I could not help but think of the movie “Don’t Worry Darling.” Very eerie 1960s housewife vibes.
The ending left me feeling so sad but it was tied up nicely…if not a little bit too nicely but that is just my own personal opinion. I only knocked off half a star because I was able to predict the twists, but this was a really fast paced entertaining read that I can confidently recommend if you enjoy mystery/thrillers and female bonding.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
I will just start out by saying, coincidentally, I just so happen to be the wife of a DS agent 😂. What are the odds!? I tried to not be too nit-picky about that aspect of the book but actually Gunderson does a good job describing how life is for a DS spouse while stateside (considering Piper is no longer an agent and is a stay at home mom during the entirety of this book).
All of that aside, this was a totally unputdownable read! I picked this book up because I enjoyed Gunderson’s debut novel, “Friends with Secrets,” last year. I had absolutely no idea I was going to be reading something that I related to SO CLOSELY. She really hits the nail on the head when showing the struggle moms face in this age of technology and endless extracurriculars, as well as the social/academic pressure that comes along with raising children in the DC surrounding area.
Also: who doesn’t love a book where someone discovers a hidden journal? I live for this stuff, yes! Every time the entries from the journal came around I could not help but think of the movie “Don’t Worry Darling.” Very eerie 1960s housewife vibes.
The ending left me feeling so sad but it was tied up nicely…if not a little bit too nicely but that is just my own personal opinion. I only knocked off half a star because I was able to predict the twists, but this was a really fast paced entertaining read that I can confidently recommend if you enjoy mystery/thrillers and female bonding.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 14, 2026
Behind White Picket Fences by Christine Gunderland absolutely gripped me. I had to physically force myself to put it down last night so I could function at work the next day. This is one of those books that quietly pulls you in and then refuses to let go.
Set in a seemingly idyllic community, the novel explores what really lies beneath the carefully maintained lawns and polite neighbourly smiles. When a group of residents begin connecting more deeply and leaning on one another, their individual lives start to shift in powerful ways. What begins as community support and shared vulnerability slowly uncovers a long-buried mystery rooted in the 1960s, revealing secrets that have shaped generations.
The strength of this book is how it weaves personal healing with collective reckoning. Watching the community come together, challenge old narratives, and confront the past is deeply moving and incredibly well done. The emotional weight feels earned and human, never sensationalized.
Trigger warning: there is discussion of miscarriage throughout the book, but it is handled gently and without graphic detail.
Heartfelt, compelling, and impossible to put down, this one will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend!
Set in a seemingly idyllic community, the novel explores what really lies beneath the carefully maintained lawns and polite neighbourly smiles. When a group of residents begin connecting more deeply and leaning on one another, their individual lives start to shift in powerful ways. What begins as community support and shared vulnerability slowly uncovers a long-buried mystery rooted in the 1960s, revealing secrets that have shaped generations.
The strength of this book is how it weaves personal healing with collective reckoning. Watching the community come together, challenge old narratives, and confront the past is deeply moving and incredibly well done. The emotional weight feels earned and human, never sensationalized.
Trigger warning: there is discussion of miscarriage throughout the book, but it is handled gently and without graphic detail.
Heartfelt, compelling, and impossible to put down, this one will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.
This book is a solid 4.5 star read for me. The writing creates an incredibly readable and perfectly paced story. All of the characters in this book feel so well-formulated, as if they were real people. I loved the switches in perspective and the incorporation of journal entries. The entire story is a multi-generational mystery and drama that did a great job at keeping me interested and entertained.
I really loved that this book went beyond just a simple mystery or drama. There was a lot of conversation around motherhood and the experience of being a woman. The scope of the experiences really weaved together an interesting and truthful portrayal of what it means to be a woman, both in modern times and in the past.
My only issue with the story was the ending. Everything felt like it wrapped up a little too easily and there was some "monologuing" that added an unrealistic solution to the story. Overall, this book was entertaining and compelling and I would widely recommend it.
This book is a solid 4.5 star read for me. The writing creates an incredibly readable and perfectly paced story. All of the characters in this book feel so well-formulated, as if they were real people. I loved the switches in perspective and the incorporation of journal entries. The entire story is a multi-generational mystery and drama that did a great job at keeping me interested and entertained.
I really loved that this book went beyond just a simple mystery or drama. There was a lot of conversation around motherhood and the experience of being a woman. The scope of the experiences really weaved together an interesting and truthful portrayal of what it means to be a woman, both in modern times and in the past.
My only issue with the story was the ending. Everything felt like it wrapped up a little too easily and there was some "monologuing" that added an unrealistic solution to the story. Overall, this book was entertaining and compelling and I would widely recommend it.
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January 2, 2026I LOVED this book. I read into the night, and lost a lot of sleep. I think so many moms of today can identify with the hamster wheel we want to get off, but feel that, if we do, our kids will suffer.
I was particularly drawn to the character of Kiersten, because her son had dyslexia as does my daughter.
While this book has a mystery (actually a couple of them) at the heart of it, it also has humor, bits about marriage and raising kids that ring true, and a LOT about women's friendships
She and a few of her neighbors decide to try "the experiment," to homeschool the kids all together, each mom, and some other neighbors all using their own strengths to school the kids.
They also bring back all the old school things many of us remember: playing in the neighborhood with friends, watching TV with family, having some "down" time, etc.
I highly recommend this book.
#BehindWhitePicketFences #ChristineGunderson #LakeUnionPublishing #NetGalley
I was particularly drawn to the character of Kiersten, because her son had dyslexia as does my daughter.
While this book has a mystery (actually a couple of them) at the heart of it, it also has humor, bits about marriage and raising kids that ring true, and a LOT about women's friendships
She and a few of her neighbors decide to try "the experiment," to homeschool the kids all together, each mom, and some other neighbors all using their own strengths to school the kids.
They also bring back all the old school things many of us remember: playing in the neighborhood with friends, watching TV with family, having some "down" time, etc.
I highly recommend this book.
#BehindWhitePicketFences #ChristineGunderson #LakeUnionPublishing #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An interesting and well written take on modern motherhood, this novel follows three neighbours who become friends, and bond even more closely in the process of searching for an alternative system of life based education for their kids - at least for a limited period of time. Because Rosamund, Kiersten and Piper share a longing for the children to have a taste of the kind of childhood they themselves experienced, free of devices and consisting of more wholesome pursuits.
Except things don't work out quite as planned. Especially after one of them finds an old diary that indicates the past is not quite as squeaky clean as the sanitized version that the trio hold in their hearts.
This is an example of deeply satisfying storytelling which ticks a number of boxes. Recommended reading.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Except things don't work out quite as planned. Especially after one of them finds an old diary that indicates the past is not quite as squeaky clean as the sanitized version that the trio hold in their hearts.
This is an example of deeply satisfying storytelling which ticks a number of boxes. Recommended reading.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ladies get your girls together and let the fun and mystery of this novel begin. It combines a good ole “who dunnit” with the ties that bind a neighborhood. Fed up with the unending circus that is their lives, Three women come together and decide to change their lives completely, in favor of the “Experiment “ . A change that includes home schooling their children. It is through this experiment that they come to know their neighbors and they in turn begin to expand their lives by offering expertise and insight . The mystery begins with the discovery of a set of diaries starting in 1965. The diary chronicles the day to day of a young woman caught in a marriage she entered into too soon. It is her diary that puts a spotlight on a seemingly perfect family in this perfect neighborhood. Too delicious; you must take a bite.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such an entertaining read. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” and then suddenly I was way further in than planned. The pacing really worked for me and I genuinely wanted to know what was going to happen next the entire time.
The characters were well done and easy to stay invested in, and the writing itself felt solid and engaging throughout. I did start to piece together where the story might be headed a little past the halfway point, but honestly, that didn’t take away from the experience at all. I was still eager to see how everything would actually unfold.
Some moments did feel a bit far-fetched, but if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief and just go along for the ride, it’s an enjoyable one. Overall, this was a fun, compelling read, and I’d definitely be interested in picking up more from this author in the future.
The characters were well done and easy to stay invested in, and the writing itself felt solid and engaging throughout. I did start to piece together where the story might be headed a little past the halfway point, but honestly, that didn’t take away from the experience at all. I was still eager to see how everything would actually unfold.
Some moments did feel a bit far-fetched, but if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief and just go along for the ride, it’s an enjoyable one. Overall, this was a fun, compelling read, and I’d definitely be interested in picking up more from this author in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You know that perfectly manicured suburban neighborhood where everyone smiles too hard and waves like they’re auditioning for a toothpaste commercial? Yeah. That place is lying to you.
Behind White Picket Fences starts off cozy and relatable overwhelmed moms, school stress, and the eternal pressure to be Doing Parenting Right and then casually drops a 60-year-old diary into the mix like, “Good luck, besties.” From there, it’s secrets, messiness, and suburban chaos served with a sharp sense of humor.
The friendship between Kiersten, Rosamund, and Piper is the real MVP here. These women are flawed, funny, exhausted, and trying their best while everything quietly spirals. The banter is on point, the mom rage is valid, and the social commentary hits a little too close to home (in a wow, I feel seen kind of way).
Thank you NetGalley
Behind White Picket Fences starts off cozy and relatable overwhelmed moms, school stress, and the eternal pressure to be Doing Parenting Right and then casually drops a 60-year-old diary into the mix like, “Good luck, besties.” From there, it’s secrets, messiness, and suburban chaos served with a sharp sense of humor.
The friendship between Kiersten, Rosamund, and Piper is the real MVP here. These women are flawed, funny, exhausted, and trying their best while everything quietly spirals. The banter is on point, the mom rage is valid, and the social commentary hits a little too close to home (in a wow, I feel seen kind of way).
Thank you NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you to netgalley for a copy of this arc!
i really enjoyed this book. i loved the double mystery throughout and both were explored enough that it didn’t feel as though one was a subplot but they were woven together nicely. the characters were well-fleshed out. i enjoyed the fact that it was female-driven. i did find the family tree a little bit confusing in the middle but towards the end, it got cleared up. overall, i loved it and i will probably think about this book more than i care to admit.
i really enjoyed this book. i loved the double mystery throughout and both were explored enough that it didn’t feel as though one was a subplot but they were woven together nicely. the characters were well-fleshed out. i enjoyed the fact that it was female-driven. i did find the family tree a little bit confusing in the middle but towards the end, it got cleared up. overall, i loved it and i will probably think about this book more than i care to admit.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Behind White Picket Fences by Christine Gunderson, published by Lake Union Publishing is a complex, complicated read told in multiple povs.
Kiersten is an exhausted mother of a son, who juggles motherhood, job and private life. Annnd she co-foundes the Academy for Inquiring Minds together with two neighbor women.
A good story that had me confused a time or two, multiple povs aren't my favs, but the end is satisfying and well earned by author and characters.
Kiersten is an exhausted mother of a son, who juggles motherhood, job and private life. Annnd she co-foundes the Academy for Inquiring Minds together with two neighbor women.
A good story that had me confused a time or two, multiple povs aren't my favs, but the end is satisfying and well earned by author and characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review to come!
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