Chick Lit Lite, but thats not a bad thing! (The Guy Next Door - Meg Cabot)

Member Name: Lbird99

Product:	The Guy Next Door - Meg Cabot
Date:	29/04/09 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quick Easy Read

Disadvantages: Bit too Fluffy

I first started reading Meg Cabot books when I was working in central London, and just wanted some easy reading to keep me awake on the train. I love The Princess Diaries films, and when I saw that she had written some adult chick lit novels I thought I would give them a go. She is also sometimes published as Meggin Cabot.

I would probably describe the style as chick lit light, as they are real no brainer novels. Don't mistake this as a criticism though, they are well written and enjoyable, but lack a bit in substance - Perfect as a beach read!! The style is really unique too - it is all written in the form of , none of which are longer than 2 pages long, so you can pick it up and put it down easily.

The main character in The Guy Next Door is Melissa Fuller, gossip collumnist for the New York Journal. She is never on time for anything, and is known for sending sarcastic responses to the HR department in response to their late notes, until one morning she has a genuine excuse! She finds her elderly next door neighbour unconscious following a running with an intruder, and finds herself as guardian to her many animals including Paco, and unruly great dane. Mel calls in her neighbours nephew Max to help her, but he is too caught up in vacation with a supermodel, and delegates the role to his old school friend John mascarading as Max. As Melissa and John get closer, how can a relationship survive when she doesn't know who he really is?

Due to the style of the book being in the form of emails we learn about their character by the their notes to other people in their lives. Melissa mainly talks to her best friend Nadine, food critic who is frantically dieting for her wedding to chef Tony. John's story is told through his emails to his brother Jason, sister in law Stacey and some hilarious notes from his little nieces Brittany and Hayley. I found it hilarious to read the differing advice from Jason and Stacey, as it reminded me a lot of me and hubbie!!

This is a funny easy read that you will wizz through in two days max. They are no likely to win any litarary awards but are well worth a look if you are a chick lit fan. I would also recommend these for older teenagers looking for a progression into adult books. I picked this book up for 70p in a charity shop and I really enjoyed it for that price. I will definately be looking out for some more Meg Cabot books to take on my next holiday

Summary: Great Beach Read