San Francisco, California – Present Day

Maggie is so lucky to attend Manderley Prep, one the most expensive and exclusive high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, but things at home are not as good as they should be. Her parents have just gotten divorced, and Maggie and her mother moved from their huge house to a much smaller one. Maggie's friends and classmates may be trust fund kids, but Maggie isn't, and she works dishing out ice cream for some spending money. She also daydreams about her former best friend and neighbor, Ethan Andrews. Gone are those days when they use to hang in her tree house. Now, Ethan hardly talks to her.

When Maggie is not in class or working, she spends her days fencing. One day Ethan comes to her because he wants to sign up for fencing. His coach feels that fencing would be a great way for him to improve his lacrosse skills and Maggie becomes his coach. She is on cloud nine and thinks Ethan will become friends with her again, even though she would love to be his girlfriend. But she knows that is not possible because she feels ugly in her braces, and Ethan is such a hottie.

Maggie is also part of the school's choir. This year they are going to the Pacific Rim Music Festival in Hawaii, but because of the cost, Maggie may not be able to go. And when Ethan and his buddies join the choir, Maggie is even more upset, that is, until Ethan starts paying more attention to her. Maggie does find a way to go on the trip and wonders if Ethan will pay as much attention to her as he has been. Along with her friends, Victoria and Cindy, Maggie will try to have as much fun as she can even if that means hanging out with other teens like herself, especially the cute surfing instructor and some boys from another school who are also competing in the festival.

Ethan won't let her out of his sight and seems upset about Maggie hanging out with these strange boys. Maggie is confused by his behavior, but doesn't mind. Hopefully Ethan will see that she is not just some old neighbor, but a girl who has changed and wants him to be more than just THE GUY NEXT DOOR.

Carol Culver has written a wonderful Young Adult book that shines in every way. Maggie’s character is a girl you sympathize with. Her situation is like most girls her age with parents who don't understand her, along with her growing feelings for Ethan. But Maggie is one teenage who is a role model to those around her. She cares about her grades, is very active in her school, has a great circle of friends and most importantly, knows how to handle herself in difficult situations.

I would definitely recommend THE GUY NEXT DOOR to both pre-teen and teens. This novel touches upon topics such as drugs, alcohol and those annoying feelings a girl finds herself having for a boy such as Ethan. Ethan is a bit clueless about Maggie, but all in all, he is a great guy. And it was such a treat to see his feelings for Maggie grow into something more, especially when other boys around notice that she is truly a beautiful girl, both inside and out.

This is one book that I am so glad to have read as an adult. It brought back memories of my own high school years. There is no better way to say how much I really enjoyed reading about Maggie and her friendship with Ethan than to award THE GUY NEXT DOOR an RRT Perfect 10 Award!

Kate Garrabrant