Melissa Fuller, Mel, is from Lansing, Illinois, population 13,000. Now she lives in the Big Apple--New York City. What woman, like any of us, hasn't wanted a real gentleman, and then wondered when the date was over, what was wrong with her that he hadn't make a pass at her? Mel's quirky hobby? Following the headlines regarding natural disasters, and spreading the soap opera lifestyles of the rich and famous in tabloid journalism. What better job for her than on the gossip page of the New York Journal?

John Trent is a respected journalist for the competition, the New York Chronicle. He shouldn't have anything in common with the country damsel. Born on the east coast into wealth and high society, he is a member of the Park Avenue "Trents". His family wishes he would settle down, somebody that grandmother would approve of, and go into the family business, but being patronized for his wealth is lonely and cold no matter how many people fawn over him, because none of it is real.

If anybody needed to grow up and face his responsibilities, it was Max Friedlander. He is self centered, egotistical...well, you get the picture.

Mrs. Friedlander is attacked and lays in a coma at the hospital. Melissa, the elderly woman's next door neighbor, volunteers to care for her pets. Promising an indefinite period of obligation, her generosity soon causes repeated tardiness at work and cuts into her forthcoming maid of honor responsibilities. Following her best friend's advice, she contacts Mrs. Friedlander's nephew.

Max Friedlander is living the sex fantasy of his life in the Key West with a supermodel. No way is he cutting it off short and sit idly by, caring for a dog and cat. But, he can't risk losing the hefty inheritance as his aunt's only living relative. He calls in a favor from his old college buddy, John Trent. All John has to do is tell Mel that he is Max and take over the care of the pets until Max finishes his vacation, the old lady awakens, or god forbid that she dies. Debt paid.

John arrives at the apartment as Max. What has Max gotten him into? Melissa is a redhead, and always a romantic fool for redheads, its love at first sight for John. How is he supposed tell her the truth when he's already introduced himself as Max? What will she do when she finds out who he really is and that he works for her newspaper's competition? And what about Mrs. Friedlander? She doesn't fit the profile. Was she really the intended victim?

Melissa can't understand it. Max is nothing like the publicity tabloids report. She likes him. Will she be burned again? Will her mother finally convince her to move back home and leave the dangers of the big city? Or will love finally win?

This story is told entirely in emails between the hero, heroine, friends, family and co-workers. I have to be honest. I opened up the book and thought, 'Oh, no.' but started reading it and I couldn't put it down! The characters are alive and entertaining. I like all of them, even the prime and overprotective grandmother that gets into the act!

Book Summary

Who is... The Boy Next Door? (Melissa Fuller desperately needs to know!) Is he really Max Friedlander, notoriously wild, famously self-centered fashion photographer-nephew of poor old comatose Mrs. Friedlander? (But he seems so nice!)

Has he come to relieve Mel of the burden of having to walk (or be walked by) Mrs. F's monster Great Dane, Paco -- so maybe she can start getting to work on time and maybe keep her job at the New York Journal?

He's not really trying to find out who assaulted his "aunt" in her own home and why, is he? All by himself? Isn't that a bit dangerous?

And how can one man be this gorgeous, funny, charming, fearless, sexy and mysterious? (And why the heck does he want Mel to call him "John"?)

Anyone with information, please e-mail melissa.fuller@thenyjournal.com -- and hurry... because she's headed for BIG trouble!