The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot

Author: Meg Cabot

Title: The Boy Next Door
Publication: October 8th 2002
Publisher: Avon Books
Source: Purchased
Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: 5 out 5

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Synopsis: To: You (you)

From: Human Resources (human.resources@thenyjournal.com)
Subject: This Book

Dear Reader,

This is an automated message from the Human Resources Division of the New York Journal, New York City’s leading photo-newspaper. Please be aware that according to our records you have not yet read this book. What exactly are you waiting for? This book has it all:

• Humor
• Romance
• Cooking tips
• Great Danes
• Heroine in peril
• Dolphin-shaped driftwood sculptures

If you wish to read about any of the above, please do not hesitate to head to the checkout counter, where you will be paired with a sales associate who will work to help you buy this book.

We here at the New York Journal are a team. We win as a team, and lose as one as well. Don’t you want to be on the winning team?

Sincerely,
Human Resources Division
New York Journal

Please note that failure to read this book may result in suspension or dismissal from this store.

*********This e-mail is confidential and should not be used by anyone who is not the original intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error please inform the sender and delete it from your mailbox or any other storage mechanism.*********

Thoughts: What the heck did you read in the summary? It's not your average paragraph. That's because The Boy Next Door is all written in emails. That's an example of an email that is given to a character. The format is also email based. On top there's a "to", "from", "subject", and body so it looks like a legit email. In order to know who's talking you have to look at the "from" line. It's hard to get used to at first, but once you get the hang of it the book is really fun to read!

This book starts off with Mel who is a reporter for the New York Journal. She has a lovely older lady next door to her apartment, but one day her grandson -- Max -- came to visit and she "fell down" into a comma. Max, to put it bluntly, is an ass hole. He's self centered and a player who photographs naked women as a job. He freaks out and calls his friend John and asks him to take his place. John agrees and takes the identity of Max. Shortly after he moved in meets Mel and finds her very attractive, funny, witty, and all around a good person. John works for the New York Chronicle which is the rival journalist company to Mels. The challenge is to keep his identity is safe, but it gets harder when his family gets involved. All of this is sent via emails. They talk about their day and what they think about people to their friends and family so that's how you understand the plot.

This book made me laugh multiple times; Megs humor never fails to amuse me. Mel is a smart woman who doesn't care for romance in her life but get's it anyway. Same with John, he doesn't think about love until he meets Mel. All of the secondary characters (like Max, Mels best friend, all of her co-workers) play a huge part in the plot. It's not just John and Mel creating emails to each other, sometimes the secondary characters have an email chain of their own. The Boy Next Door is very clever, and I provided two examples email below... sorry it gets cut off. You can fill in the blanks pretty easily. This is an example of her humor, It's a conversation between John and his brother Jason. On the side of the first example you can see a snippet of Max and Johns conversation. It gets complex sometimes, but again you'll get used to it.

Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot

Author: Meg Cabot

Title: Size 12 and Ready to Rock

Publication: July 10th 2012
Source: Library

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: 5 out 5

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Synopsis: Just because the students at New York College have flown the coop doesn't mean assistant residence hall director Heather Wells can relax. Fischer Hall is busier than ever, filled with squealing thirteen- and fourteen-year-old girls attending the first ever Tania Trace Teen Rock Camp, hosted by pop sensation Tania Trace herself—who just happens to be newly married to Heather's ex-boyfriend, heartthrob Jordan Cartwright. But the real headache begins when the producer of a reality TV show starring Tania winds up dead ... and it's clear that the star was the intended victim.

Grant Cartwright, head of Cartwright Records, wants to keep his daughter-in-law (and his highest-earning performer) alive. So he hires his oldest son, black sheep of the family and private investigator Cooper Cartwright—who just happens to be Heather's new fiancé. Heather should leave the detecting to Cooper. But with a dorm full of hysterical mini-divas-in-training, she can't help but get involved. And after Tania shares a really shocking secret with her, this reality suddenly becomes more dangerously real than anyone ever anticipated.

Thoughts: This is the fourth installment of the Heather Wells series. Heather is a former teen sensation and toured with her then boyfriend, Jordan. He was the hottest celebrity around the block, and decided to pick up Tania – a growing pop idol – along the way. She found Jordan in bed with Tania, and broke up with him on the spot. After, the label dropped her. Over 10 years later, Heather gained weight (to a size 12, if you didn’t get it by the title) and works at the “death dorm” in a New York City college. Don’t say dorm around her, she’ll correct you with “resident housing”. It’s called death dorm because of how many deaths there are… all of them include Heather finding out why it happened and who the culprit is. She starts living with Jordans older brother Cooper, and they fall in love. In this book she’s engaged to him but they want it a secret.

Tania – the girl who Jordan cheated on – is hosting a camp for teens that want to become stars. It’s sort of like the Disney Channel movie “Camp Rock” where everyone is talented and getting ready for the final battle. In this book the winner gets to sign on with Cartwright Records. Problem: Someone wants to kill Tania. Heather and Cooper take it upon themselves to figure out why she’s in danger, and keep the public out of it.

This book has tons of humor in it. Heather is known for being a teen idol, and when people recognize her they say “Ah! It’s Heather Wells! *pause* Uh… what happened to you?” (regarding her weight) It hurts her, but her new fiancé always tells her how beautiful she is which is so adorable! Unlike other books, both Cooper and Heather don’t fight or disagree with each other. The only drama is trying to figure out who the killer is. That’s a definite relief... books usually have more dilemma between characters to keep you on your toes. This one has enough to keep you intrigued. It’s a light read, so you wont have to trudge through it. As a Meg fan, I recommend this book.

The Mediator series by Meg Cabot

Author: Meg Cabot

Title: The Mediator
Publication: December 28th, 2004
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 5 out 5

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Synopsis: Suze is a mediator -- a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations.

Thoughts:  I love you Meg. Will you marry me?

Nah, just kidding (mostly). Everything she writes, I love. All of her adult and young adult books are addicting. I haven't read her kid/tween selections yet, but I'll get there sooner or later. For now, let's start on her series The Mediator. The main character Suze is a kick ass character that can see ghosts that need help passing over to the afterlife. She's strong willed, quick on her feet, street smart, real, and good with weapons. Not like swords or hammers will do anything to a ghost, but they'll for sure slow one down. On her first day in her moms new house, she finds a hot ghost named Jesse and tries to get him to leave. His argument? I was here first. Pretty legit reason, so Suze copes with a really attractive spanish speaking ghost that not only wont leave her alone, but protects her when other spirits try to harm her... which is so adorable. They become a really good team, and feelings start to grow.

Her mother remarried when her father died (a father she still sees from time to time *wink wink*) and now she's stuck with three brothers. Suze names them after Snow Whites dwarfs because their personality matches. There's Sleepy (the oldest and I believe to be written like he does marijuana), Dopey (same age as her and attractive but not too bright), and Doc (because he's really smart). Doc sometimes helps Suze on her adventures, and he figures out about Jesse pretty quickly. There's lots of humor in it as well, so you'll find yourself laughing in some of the situations she puts herself in.

The series is action packed and written very well. The character development progression is great, I didn't think there were any slow parts in any of the books, her friends are likable, and the cutesy romance doesn't disappoint. You'll get addicted fast, and you're welcome for recommending such a great book. *pats self on back*

Underworld by Meg Cabot

Author: Meg Cabot

Title: Underworld
Publication: May 8th, 2012
Publisher: Point
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 5 out 5

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Synopsis: Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn’t dead.
Not this time.
But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.
Her captor, John Hayden, claims it’s for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they’ve come back as Furies, intent on vengeance…on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.
But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there…and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.
And unless Pierce is careful, this time there’ll be no escape.

Thoughts:  Meg Cabot is one of my favorite authors. Her humor, strong characters and interesting storylines is what makes her a thrilling writer. This trilogy is based on the greek myth featuring Hades, lord of the underworld, and his queen Persephone, goddess of spring. In the first book -- Abandoned -- Pierce (aka Persephone) died and was brought back to life by John (Hades). He has a big-boy crush on her, and doesn't want to let her go. He wants Pierce to live in the Underworld with him. The second book starts where the first left off. She's in the Underworld and wants to get out and back to the living. The plot is about Pierce finding a way to stay out of Johns reach, even though it's stated in the first book she loves him. John is such a sweet guy. He's done things in the past that brought him to the Underworld, and your heart squeezes when he tries hard to omit the truth because he loves Pierce. Just like the first book, you're going to root for the heroine. She's smart, doesn't take crap, cares for her family, and has a strong heart. This is a good read if you want something that makes you feel happy. It definitely ends with a cliffhanger, so watch out for that! Five stars.