Title: The Boy Next Door
Author: Meg Cabot
First published October 1, 2002
384 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9780060588700 (ISBN10: 0060588705)
Rating: 3.83
Overview
To: You (you) From: Your Helpful Assistant ([email protected]) Subject: This Book
Dear Reader,
As your helpful assistant, I wanted to personally recommend the book “The Boy Next Door” by Meg Cabot. With its witty humor, charming romance, and delightful cooking tips, this book is sure to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
But that’s not all! The story also includes a lovable Great Dane, a daring heroine in peril, and even dolphin-shaped driftwood sculptures. It’s a true masterpiece that you won’t want to miss.
So don’t hesitate! Head to your local bookstore and grab a copy of “The Boy Next Door” today. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Sincerely,
Your Helpful Assistant
Please note that this e-mail is not confidential and may be shared with other book lovers who may benefit from this recommendation.
About the Author
Meg Cabot, also known as Jenny Carroll and Patricia Cabot, was born on February 1, 1967, under the Chinese astrological sign of the Fire Horse, which is believed to be unlucky. However, she grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, where people were not aware of the superstition surrounding this sign.
As a teenager, she struggled with Algebra and tried to cut her own bangs, but eventually found solace in writing novels. Meg attended Indiana University for six years before moving to New York City to pursue a career in illustration, which did not work out.
She turned to writing novels as a hobby and worked various jobs to make ends meet, including a decade-long position as assistant manager of a freshmen dormitory at NYU, a job she still misses at times.
Meg has written nearly fifty books for both adults and teens, selling fifteen million copies worldwide. Her books have been translated into over 38 languages and several have been #1 New York Times bestsellers.
Her most notable series, The Princess Diaries, was made into two popular Disney movies. Meg has also written the Mediator and 1-800-Where-R-You?
series, two All-American Girl books, Teen Idol, Avalon High, How to Be Popular, Pants on Fire, Jinx, a series of novels written entirely in email format, a mystery series, and a chick-lit series called Queen of Babble. She is currently working on a children’s series called Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls and a new paranormal series, Abandon, which will debut in the summer of 2011.
Meg divides her time between Key West, Indiana, and New York City with her husband and various cats, including her primary cat, one-eyed Henrietta. Her husband does not know that she is a Fire Horse, so please keep it a secret.
Editoral Review
In her novel The Boy Next Door, Meg Cabot demonstrates her prowess for crafting heartwarming stories that are both entertaining and relatable. As a prolific writer of young adult and women’s fiction, Cabot is known for her ability to create captivating characters that readers can root for.
In this book, she explores themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery with a deft touch and an engaging narrative style. The story takes place in a suburban community in New York, where protagonist Melissa Fuller, a gossip columnist for the New York Journal, leads a humdrum life until her neighbors nephew, Max, returns to town.
Melissa’s life is forever changed by the arrival of the charming, mysterious, and talented Max, and she finds herself drawn to him. The novel follows Melissa’s journey as she navigates her complicated relationship with Max, her career aspirations, and her relationships with her quirky friends and family.
Cabot’s writing is witty, observant, and full of heart. Her characters are well-rounded and multi-dimensional, with flaws and quirks that make them feel like real people.
The setting of the book is vividly described, and the dialogue is natural and engaging, creating a sense of immediacy that draws the reader in. While the romance between Melissa and Max is at the forefront of the story, Cabot also explores deeper issues such as self-esteem, body image, and the pressures of modern life.
These themes are woven seamlessly into the story and add layers of depth and meaning to the narrative. One potential weakness of the book is its predictability.
Readers familiar with the genre of chick-lit may find the plot and character arcs a bit formulaic, with few surprises or twists. However, Cabot’s engaging writing style and likable characters more than make up for any predictability in the plot.
Overall, The Boy Next Door is a delightful, feel-good novel that fans of chick-lit and romance will thoroughly enjoy. Cabot’s skillful storytelling and relatable characters make this a perfect beach read or a cozy night in with a cup of tea.
Readers looking for a book that is both entertaining and emotionally satisfying should definitely give this one a try. Rating: 4/5
