Relax and Read Book Club: Welcome to the Neighbourhood by Jane Fallon

Spabreaks.com’s Relax and Read Book Club gives you the chance to discover new books, learn about the authors, share your opinions and really escape into an inspiring world of literature.

This month we're reading Welcome to the Neighbourhood, a story of nosy neighbouring and its consequences, as Kitty welcomes a glamorous new couple to her street, only to discover they might not be quite who they appear. As she and her best friend turn amateur investigators, on a street where everyone knows everything, what if they uncover more than they bargained for?

"It’s everything I love in a book, gossipy like the author is talking to you, wonderfully real characters, friendship, revenge and dark very funny humour all set in the ( for me ) black forest gateaux book eqv of a new neighbourhood brimming with (no surprise) neighbours and WhatsApp Groups and get togethers" - Review on Amazon

Here, we interview Jane Fallon to find out more.

What inspired you to write Welcome to the Neighbourhood, and how did you approach blending humour with suspense in this suburban drama?

I’d recently moved into a new area and gone from living somewhere where I’d say hello to probably 20 people every time I left my house to knowing no one locally. I felt incredibly isolated and unmoored even though my old stomping ground is probably only a five minute drive away (but I don’t drive). It started me wondering about how someone who has made a much more drastic move to a new city at an age when most people have already formed their friendship groups would find a way to fit in.

Do you have a favourite character in the book? If so, what makes them stand out to you?

I think Grace. She’s annoying and she never shuts up, but she has a heart of gold.

Could you give us a sneak peek into the central themes of your book, such as friendship, envy, and the secrets of suburban life?

The themes are really about loyalty and appreciating what you have, even if what you have doesn’t seem as sparkly as other things on offer. The grass isn’t always greener.

How did your personal experiences or observations influence the storytelling and character dynamics in this novel?

I’ve written so many books now (this one is number 14) and story lined so many TV shows it’s impossible to fathom the root of most of my ideas. I hoover up the stories friends tell me about their lives or things they’ve heard, snippets of real life anecdotes in magazines and conversations I hear In cafes. I love exploring the ways people who are supposed to love each other – friends, families, couples – hurt each other.

Could you share insights into your daily writing process and how you balance creating such relatable characters with compelling twists?

I write early in the morning, usually starting around 5.30. This is nowhere near as virtuous as it sounds. I’m an insomniac and I find it impossible to sleep beyond 5. The thing with twists, I think, is that they have to be completely surprising but also believable. I always keep asking myself ‘would this character actually do this?’ If the answer is no then it has to go.

Who are some of your favourite authors or books, and how have they shaped your journey into contemporary fiction?

I always credit Fay Weldon with having the greatest impact on my writing. The first time I read her, aged about 16 or 17, I was blown away by her conversational style.

How does your wellness routine integrate with your writing practice, especially when working on such character-driven stories?

I walk a lot to clear my head. It used to be running but surgery on my ankle and 2 dodgy knees has put an end to that. I’m trying to embrace meditation, but I find it hard to switch off. It takes practice, though, and I’m getting better.

If you could visit a spa anywhere in the world, where would it be, and what treatment would you choose to recharge?

Definitely a deep massage. Probably in one of my favourite cities: Prague or Copenhagen or Stockholm.

What is your top tip for maintaining creativity and focus during the intense process of writing and promoting a book?

Trying to clear my mind of other clutter is the most important thing. I have a pitiful attention span. When I’m really struggling I do the 20/20/20 thing – first set an alarm on your phone, then work for 20 minutes allowing absolutely no other distractions, then 20 minutes chores or admin and then 20 minutes doing whatever you like. Repeat. It’s game changing.

Finally, what do you hope readers take away from Welcome to the Neighbourhood and its exploration of community, secrets, and self-discovery?

Mainly I hope they enjoy it – ‘I couldn’t put it down’ is my favourite compliment. But, if there’s a lesson to be learned it’s that loyalty trumps everything.

Quick fire questions

Facial or massage?

Massage

Writing in a cosy café or writing at home?

Home

Darkly comic twists or heartfelt moments?

Both

Sauna or hot tub?

Sauna

Suburban secrets or glamorous city life?

City life

Planning every detail or letting the story unfold naturally?

Planning a bit and then letting it unfold