The Cul-de-Sac War

Melissa Ferguson

Nov 2020 · Sold by Thomas Nelson

About this ebook

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 comedy
• Book length: 77,000 words
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Ratings and reviews

I haven't read this author before and was looking forward to some romantic comedy. However, I just couldn't get into this book. I guess that's why it took me several days to read it. I usually read a book in 2 days max. I just couldn't get very excited to go back and read it each day. I never connected with the main character, Bree. She seemed immature even though she was older. She could never decide what to do with her life and just kept skipping along from job to job, never really deciding what interested her until her parents put a "condition" on her in order to keep her grandmother's house. Her inner thoughts were all over the place. Then she starts a "war" with her neighbor, Chip, which was very adolescent (he was a willing participant though) and on her side, she was a little more mean, I felt. I just didn't like her. I liked Chip, the other main character better, although he did some childish things too, to get back at Bree. For one thing, he didn't keep his out-of-control dog in check! I've been bitten by a neighbor's dog before so I know how scared Bree was by Chip's overly enthusiastic dog! Both Bree & Chip did things that were a little unrealistic so it was hard for me to find this story even partially believable (Bree be in a drama production that she wasn't qualified for and get a part that she only practiced for a handful of times and Chip think he could compete for a huge remodeling project of a large drama theater when he had a small construction company). Also, how does a small town have this lavish theater and drama production with wealthy donations? The whole book was just didn't add up to me and the romance was very rushed at the end so that even wasn't believable!

The Cul-de-Sac War By Melissa Ferguson Sometimes Love and Hate share a backyard Bree Leake's first introduction to Chip McBride is when he comes to her "rescue" when her costume for A Midsummer Night's Dream has a wee problem. They just seem to click. But then life gets in the way and it is all-out war as Bree tries to force Chip to move out of the house he's just bought - the house next door to the one that belonged to her Nana. It's not that there is anything wrong with Chip, other than the fact that he has a monster killer dog that has taken an obsessive liking to Bree. Bree can't see how being tackled and drooled all over is proof of like and she is not putting up with it. This is one Cute Meet doomed 30 seconds after it began. Or is it? As the neighborly pranks escalate Bree and Chip find themselves caught up in something neither expected. With her job on the line, Bree is going all out to get a role in the upcoming production at The Barter. The very theater that Chip is hoping to win the reconstruction contract for. But to get his foot in the door means that Chip needs Bree's inside scope on how to get a foot up on the competition - competition that includes his father and older brothers. The Cul-de-Sac War is a change of pace read for me. This is a contemporary read with a rom-com thread running throughout. Chip and Bree are both carrying the pain of family loss and the need to prove themselves. After a first meeting that offers the potential for something more, everything between them swiftly goes downhill faster than a downhill skier chasing a world record. But their neighborhood war is soon the fodder of neighborly gossip. If you are looking for a fun and diverting story that will take you out of your day-to-day, look no further. This is my first time reading Melissa Ferguson and after this delightfully amusing read, I'm sure it will not be my last. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own. BTW - After the opening scene it is a little slow but at the halfway point the story picks up.

About the author

Melissa Ferguson is the bestselling author of titles including How to Plot a Payback, Meet Me in the Margins, and Famous for a Living. She lives in Tennessee with her husband and children in their growing farmhouse lifestyle and writes heartwarming romantic comedies that have been featured in such places as The Hollywood Reporter, Travel + Leisure, and The New York Post. Follow Melissa with over 800,000 other subscribers on Instagram and TikTok at @ourfriendlyfarmhouse or her newsletter: melissaferguson.com.