All the Little Houses by May Cobb
It’s the mid-1980s in the tiny town of Longview, Texas. Nellie Anderson, the daughter of the Anderson family dynasty, has burst onto the scene. She always gets what she wants. What she can’t get for herself… well, that’s what her mother is for. Because Charleigh Andersen, blond, beautiful, and ruthlessly cunning, remembers all too well having to claw her way to the top. When she was coming of age on the poor side of East Texas, she was a loser, an outcast, humiliated, and shunned by the in-crowd, whose approval she’d so desperately thirsted for. When a prairie-kissed family moves to town, all trad wife, woodworking dad, wholesome daughter vibes, Charleigh’s entire self-made social empire threatens to crumble.
Who will be left standing when the dust settles?
Age Recommendation: Adult (18+)
This book is an adult novel with themes more appropriate for mature readers.
All the Little Houses by May Cobb
Author: May Cobb
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Fiction, Thriller
Year of Publication: 2026
Date of Publication: January 20, 2026
ISBN-10: 1464245797
ISBN -13: 978-1464245794
Pages: 480
Audiobook Narrators: Malin Akerman, Allyson Ryan, Alexandra Hunter, and James Fouhey
“The story is told from multiple perspectives. We hear from Jane, Nellie, Charleigh, Alexander, Ethan and Abigail. When we first read the blurb, we were not sure we were ready for another catty or jealous girls story. But once the drama and suspense began to build, we found this book to be an exciting read. Many of the characters are questionable, and their secrets definitely add to the suspense and tension that you feel as a reader, throughout the story.
Cobb does a great job creating a web of secrets between the characters and she did so in a way that feels natural. If you ever watched the soap operas from the 90’s, you will kindoff get the same vibe all centered around envy, revenge, selfish motives, and small-town drama.”
Main Plot and Characters
- Nellie Andersen: She is the entitled daughter of Charleigh and Alexander Andersen. Nellie is not liked by many of the other children in Longview because of some of her previous actions. She is used to privilege but insecure in ways that make her dangerous.
- Charleigh Andersen: She is Nellie’s mother. Charleigh is driven, ruthless, and obsessed with maintaining status. She will do whatever it takes to protect her family’s place in town.
- Alexander Andersen: He is married to Charleigh. Alexander is from a rich family.
- The Swift family: They are newcomers whose wholesome lifestyle disrupts Longview’s social scene. Their arrival creates tension and fuels old resentments.
- Jane Swift: Her family moved from Dalls to Longview at the end of the school year and her presence seriously upsets Nellie.
- Abigail Swift: She is Jane and Julia’s mother. She makes home made products.
- Ethan Swift: He is Abigail’s husband and Jane and Julia’s father. He is a carpenter and makes furniture for a living.
- Julia: She is Jane’s sister and Abigail and Ethan’s daughter.
- Dustin: He is form one of the richest families in town. Nellie and him were dating out of necessity.
- Jackson Lee Ford: He is a close friend to Charleigh. She considers him to be her best friend.
- Luke: He is Jane’s friend from Dallas. They both love music and art.
- Monica Chambers: A woman who lives in the community. She is Blair’s mother.
- Blair Chambers: She is Jane’s friend but used to be friends with Nellie. Blair is Monica’s daughter.
- Denny: He is the son of the shope keeper. He likes Julia.
Book Gallery:
