The Boy Next Door is told through e-mails sent between the main characters. Mel Fuller is a gossip columnist struggling with the threat of being fired by Human Resources because of her constant tardiness. One day she finds her next door neighbor, Mrs. Friedlander, lying face down on her living-room carpet. Her neighbor's nephew, Max Friedlander is a famous photographer who does not want to leave his shoot
to come home and take care of his aunt, so he sends his friend, John Trent to pose as him and get Mel to stop bugging him to come home. Mel immediately has a crush on John. He moves into Mrs. Friedlander's apartment to take care of her animals, and they begin to date, however John can't tell her who he really is or he will break his promise to his friend. This book is an enjoyable romantic comedy, with two charming leads, and a wonderful supporting cast of gossiping office co-workers, who just can't seem to get thier noses out of Mel's business. | ||
Plot & Themes Time/era of story Hidden Identity/Secret Motive Yes Is really... - rich/upper class If one lover chases another... - he chases after her Main Male Character Profession/status: Age/status: - 20's-30's Main Female Character - 20's-30's Profession/status: Setting United States Yes The US: - Northeast City? Yes City: - New York Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death What % of story is romance related? - 70% How explicit is the sex? - vague references only Focus of story - Her How much dialog - significantly more descript than dialog |