The Cul-de-Sac War
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3.9 • 25 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
In this charming rom-com, two enemies find something they never expected in one another—taking "all's fair in love and war" to a hilarious and heartwarming new level.
Actress Bree Leake doesn't want to be tied down, but just when it's time to move on again, Bree's parents make her an offer; hold steady in Abingdon for one full year, and they will give her the one thing she's always wanted—her grandmother's house. Her dreams are coming true . . . until life throws her some curve balls.
And then there's her new neighbor. Chip McBride.
For the first time in her life, she's met the person who could match her free-spirited air—and it's driving her to the ledge of sanity. She would move heaven and earth to have him out of her life, but according to the bargain she's struck, she cannot move out of her house and away from the man who's making her life miserable. So begins Bree's obsessive new mission: to drive Chip out of the neighborhood—and fast.
Bree isn't the only one who's a wee bit competitive, and as Chip registers what Bree's up to, he's more than willing to fight fire with fire. But as their pranks escalate, the line between love and hate starts to blur.
Good fences make good neighbors—and sometimes love and hate share a backyard.
Sweet, stand-alone romantic comedyBook length: 77,000 wordsIncludes discussion questions for book clubs
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Ferguson returns to the world of The Dating Charade in this cute but slight rom-com. Actor Bree Leake stumbles into Chip McBride while she's attempting to avoid an embarrassing costume malfunction during a performance at the historic Barter Theater in Abingddon, Va. It's an adorable meet-cute, and both are immediately smitten despite Chip's girlfriend waiting just inside the theater. But Bree's feelings sour when, after a fellow driver almost runs her off the road on her way home, she realizes that Chip is both the object of her road rage and her new next-door neighbor. After a few more bungled interactions, their good first impression dissolves completely and the pair become locked in a neighborhood prank war. But after a surprisingly compassionate night which seems to hint toward a cease-fire, Bree pulls off a prank that goes too far. Disappointingly, the focus on their feud leaves little time to explore the softer side of Chip and Bree's feelings for each other. Instead, the emotional core of the novel is found in Chip's strained relationship with his father and the touching moments between Bree and her well-intentioned, matchmaking parents. Readers will find plenty here to hold their interest, but long for a more fleshed-out love story.
Customer Reviews
THE FINE LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE
Melissa Ferguson has written two of my favorite rom-coms in the last year, The Dating Charade and now the delightful The Cul-de-Sac War. Ferguson’s characters are so relatable that you feel like they have become your close friends by the end of the novel. They are just normal. They are people just going through life, trying to make their way, in spite of some false starts and wrong turns and they make you want to cheer them on to becoming their best!
Ferguson introduces us to Bree Leake, a free spirit who has had multiple jobs in attempting to discover her passion. Her latest landing is at The Barter, the nation's oldest live performance theater in Abingdon, Virginia. When that gig is up, her parents make her an offer she thinks she cannot refuse. If she can hold down a job there for a year, she can have her Grandmother’s house! It is a DREAM come true — until it quickly is not.
Enter the new neighbor in the cul-de-sac, Chip McBride. Oh, Chip is mighty fine looking. The kind of guy that distracts you and makes you do incredibly stupid things like burn your breakfast while sneaking looks at him out of your windows! He is also very nice. So what is the problem you ask? His D.O.G. Not just any dog mind you, rather a dog the size of a small car! If that is not bad enough, the dog has a Mad Crush on Bree!! His love for Bree is all consuming to the point she cannot even get out of her car in her own driveway! Bree finally gives Chip an ultimatum to install an underground fence. He almost meets the deadline. She is okay with things until someone mentions it is TELEPHONE WIRE in the trench and not Invisible Fence Wire! Let the Games Begin! From this point on, it is all out WAR to best the other in pranks to drive each other CRAZY. The antics are hilarious! And, of course, with each new prank, they become even more devious! While waging the War, Bree and Chip are each fighting for their Big Break in their careers. They finally are forced to take a step back and take a look at how over the top their attacks have become. Upon further reflection, have they become obsessed with the War or with each other?? A truly delightful read!
I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by Thomas Nelson Publishers & NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.