Contemporary
The Guy Next Door
By Sarah W
Jul 1, 2008 - 3:37:45 PM

Maggie's life has become something of a mess since her parents started divorce proceedings. She moved out of her very wealthy neighborhood, away from her crush and boy next door, Ethan Andrews, and has moved into a small apartment with her mom. Suddenly Maggie's life is all about her job at an ice cream parlor, and her fencing club which she enjoys. Unfortunately fencing has been cancelled as a school approved club and Maggie is distraught.

Fortunately, Ethan needs fencing lessons and that throws Maggie into contact with her crush. Ethan has journalistic ambitions and with Maggie's help, may uncover some secrets about the school's new headmaster. However, with the financial differences between them, and with Maggie's braces, will Ethan ever see beyond the memory of her as his neighbor and to the smart young woman she is becoming?

Maggie is a rather typical high school girl who is just looking for acceptance and a way to blend her old life with the new reality she is facing. She may attend a wealthy school but her life is far from the ritzy life she used to have. She is making the best of it however, even as she longs for Ethan. Maggie's emotions are true to any high school student and girls will definitely empathize with what she is going through, the angst, drama, and emotions. This book is suitable for any high school student. Carol Culver creates a sympathetic character and makes her shine.