The Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson {Book Review}

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are my own. 

 

All’s fair in love and prank wars. 

Bree Leake doesn’t want to be tied down. She’s had more jobs than she can count, and she plans to move as soon as the curtains fall on her less-than-minor stage role at The Barter—the oldest live performance theater in the US. But just when it’s time to move on again, Bree’s parents make her an offer: hold steady for a 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 at the theater throws her some curve balls. 

And then there’s Chip McBride—her handsome and infuriating next-door neighbor. 

Chip just might be the only person whose stubborn streak can match Bree’s. She would move heaven and earth to have him off her cul-de-sac and out of her life, but according to the bargain she’s struck, she can’t 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 tad competitive, and Chip is more than willing to fight fire with fire. But as their pranks escalate, the line between love and hate starts to blur—and their heated rivalry threatens to take a hilarious, heartwarming, and romantic new turn.

Melissa Ferguson lives in Tennessee, where she enjoys chasing her children and writing romantic comedies full of humor and heart. Her favorite hobby is taking friends and acquaintances and turning them into characters in her books without their knowledge. She is confident you should read all her novels, starting with this one. Connect with her (and prepare for the possibility of becoming her next character) at: 

Instagram: @melissafergusonauthor

TikTok: @melissafergusonauthor

Website: https://melissaferguson.com/

Facebook: AuthorMelissaFerguson”

A little over a year ago or so, I had the pleasure of reading Melissa Ferguson's The Dating Charade. I so enjoyed this humorous romance that also took on a few weighty topics as well. Naturally, when I saw she had a new book out- one that seemed as though it would offer that same humor that I previously enjoyed as well- I couldn't wait to check it out for myself. While it was certainly a fun and lighthearted quick read, I must admit it didn't quite live up to the expectations I'd had from the previous book. 

In this book, we meet Bree as she's working as an actress, living in her grandma's home of which she'd partially inherited. Her life gets turned upside down when construction worker Chip moves next door. Through a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, the two get off on the wrong foot and their neighborly battle gets a little out of hand. The war that follows is humorous and certainly kept me involved in the story to the end. It was fun and certainly the break from reality so many of us need. I must admit though, I didn't connect with the characters as much as I would have liked. This kept me from fully enjoying the story as much as I believe I could have otherwise. Still as a fun, lighthearted read I'd still give it a solid 3.5 stars.