The Cul-de-Sac War

by Melissa Ferguson

Overview

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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780785231042
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	11/10/2020
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	157,688
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 5.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Melissa Ferguson is the bestselling author of titles including Meet Me in the Margins, The Dating Charade, and The Cul-de-Sac War. 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, Woman’s World, and BuzzFeed. She’d love for you to join her at www.melissaferguson.com; Instagram: @our_friendly_farmhouse; TikTok: @ourfriendlyfarmhouse; Facebook: @AuthorMelissaFerguson.

Editorial Reviews

08/17/2020

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. Agent: Kimberly Whalen, the Whalen Agency. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

'Ferguson offers an entertaining enemies-to-lovers story. . .Imagine one of Sophie Kinsella's rom-coms made into a Hallmark movie.'

Booklist

'Melissa Ferguson (The Dating Charade) has written a lighthearted, wholesome romance in The Cul-de-Sac War . . . Funny and sweet, this cute romance will have readers chuckling.'

Shelf Awareness

'Two neighboring houses, a big, slobbering dog without boundaries and one unwelcome attraction add up to a madcap romance in The Cul-de-Sac War . . . This kisses-only inspirational romance is a sweet treat with a soft center.'

BookPage

'A laugh-out-loud delight.'

Woman's World