Hilarious. Laughed out loud the whole time. We all know a neighbor we can put right in this book! ( )

fun, chick lit. easy read and nice characters. ( )

This book is charming enough, it just felt a little...off. The story is great, it's a nice study in neighbor relations, how easy a rumor can spin out of control - note to self - make sure any computer conversation is with the intended person, not accidentally her children! But the dialogue felt off, a little twee. Not every marital conversation is that cutesy and humorous, regardless how good the marriage is. Mindy's family chaos felt real, as did the pristine sterility of Beth's. The humor is there, and the author has a very good touch with it. I didn't even mind the shared history, although how convenient was that? I did like how significant that history became to all of them. I did enjoy it, and will likely search out other books by the author.

A small complaint, though. Editors! Watch your stuff! The word that means "crying" is "bawling" not "balling." This is one typo that utterly throws me completely out of the story. I'll accept that I'm two steps away from the gutter, but to read that a 13 year old is "in her room, balling her eyes out" is not...pleasant. It's used correctly later in the book, so I know the editor knows its usage, but it's still disturbing. ( )

Long Island mom Mindy Sherman looks at the life of next-door neighbor Beth Diamond and sees everything she doesn't have -- wealth, prestige, expensive purses. But what Mindy doesn't realize is what Beth is seeing looking across that same fence -- a loving marriage, happy children, contentment.

And so goes this story of dueling neighbors who realize they have far more in common than they could have ever dreamed, and I absolutely loved every second of my stay in Rosenberg's Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead. Alternating between laugh-out-loud hilarious and heartbreakingly poignant, every twist and turn of this story kept me flipping the pages -- and sometimes flipping ahead, dying to know what was going to happen. Sprinkle in some in-laws who can't quit their kvetching, Mindy's well-meaning best friend-turned-gossip who can't keep Beth's business off the Internet, a long-lost son, and several teenage girls who want nothing more than to have the bat mitzvahs of their dreams and you're in for something pretty different.

With completely fresh, realistic dialogue, loveable (if flawed) characters and a plot that was anything but predictable, I can't recommend this book highly enough. I'm glad to have started out the new year with a novel so great! I'll be thinking about Mindy and Beth's wild ride for a long time. ( )

I'm sure there are a few people out there that have had experiences with a neighbor who makes you want to put a note in their mailbox that says, "Dear neighbor, drop dead." This is exactly what Mindy Sherman did to her horribly mean neighbor Beth Diamond.

Mindy is an average overweight wife and mom of three who juggles work, carpooling the kids and the stress of just barely managing not to drown in debt while ducking and dodging mean comments from Beth. Beth and her husband seemingly have it all; new cars, a huge immaculate house and two perfect kids. But all is not as it seems... Beth's marriage is about to fall apart at the seams and she has no real friends to turn to. Suddenly she's apologizing for treating Mindy bad in the past and looking for a shoulder to cry on.

Meanwhile Mindy's own family drama is escalating and they've just learned that Mindy's stepson is coming for a visit which eventually turns into a permanent stay. With everything flipping upside down around her, Mindy channels Oprah and Dr. Phil to help make everything right again.

Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead is a funny madcap look into the life of a soccer-mom. Just when you think things might be looking up for Mindy, Beth and their families another bad thing happens and you can't help but laugh. I enjoyed reading this book but the ending was just too "storybook" for me to rate it higher. It’s a quick two/three day read that I do recommend reading if you have the chance. ( )