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The Salinger Family #1
The Boy Next Door
Rundles and Salingers don''t mix. Not since the tragicaccident involving Zach Rundle''s brother andLindsey Salinger''s mother. But when the well-beingof Zach''s five-year-old nephew is at stake, Zach andLindsey are dragged together again.
At first Zach thinks the social worker is stirring up theold feud. But he soon realizes that''s the last thing onher mind. Before long, the attraction they''d felt twelveyears ago returns, too. Could a child''s needs bring themtogether? More important—would it help keep themtogether?
At first Zach thinks the social worker is stirring up theold feud. But he soon realizes that''s the last thing onher mind. Before long, the attraction they''d felt twelveyears ago returns, too. Could a child''s needs bring themtogether? More important—would it help keep themtogether?
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2007
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85 people want to read
About the author
Amy Knupp
119 books595 followersAmy Knupp is a USA Today Best-Selling author of contemporary romance and a freelance copy editor. She loves words and grammar and meaty, engrossing stories with complex characters.
Amy lives in Wisconsin with her husband, and has two sons, four cats, and a box turtle. She graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in French and journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, breaking up cat fights, watching college hoops, and annoying her family by correcting their grammar.
Amy lives in Wisconsin with her husband, and has two sons, four cats, and a box turtle. She graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in French and journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, breaking up cat fights, watching college hoops, and annoying her family by correcting their grammar.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 31, 2014
Closer to 3.5 stars
Guilt. We have all had moments we would like to live over again. What if I it did this way? Or I did not do it at all?
THE BOY NEXT DOOR explored choices that Lyndsey Salinger and Zach Rundle made 13 years ago. These same decisions affected their lives as adults.
Alcoholism, dementia, child neglect and learning to let go of the past are a big part of this story. Ms. Knupp injected some realism and empathy for several of the characters. Not everyone was likable but you felt the turmoil that Zack and Lindsey went through.
I had issues with all of these heavy subjects coming to a quick fix at the end. Also, the large gap of time: 13 years. But I liked Zach and Lindsey and wanted good things to happen. Just remember, it is a Harlequin.
Guilt. We have all had moments we would like to live over again. What if I it did this way? Or I did not do it at all?
THE BOY NEXT DOOR explored choices that Lyndsey Salinger and Zach Rundle made 13 years ago. These same decisions affected their lives as adults.
Alcoholism, dementia, child neglect and learning to let go of the past are a big part of this story. Ms. Knupp injected some realism and empathy for several of the characters. Not everyone was likable but you felt the turmoil that Zack and Lindsey went through.
I had issues with all of these heavy subjects coming to a quick fix at the end. Also, the large gap of time: 13 years. But I liked Zach and Lindsey and wanted good things to happen. Just remember, it is a Harlequin.
April 2, 2013
For the Sake of a Child is a well written, fast paced novel about the scared lives of two families and the heartache and grief of loss. Lindsey, whose mother was killed in an auto accident by the brother of Zach, their neighbor, still hasn't come to grips with her mother's passing or believe Zach didn’t have a role in all of it. At one time she had a crush on the teenaged Zach. Now full grown and sexy as ever, she finds herself attracted again, but this time as a woman.
Zach's brother, Josh, still a drunk and irresponsible has fathered a young boy who gets dumped on his doorstep. Zach's grandmother who raised both boys is now the unwilling caregiver. But she has problems which plague the aged and the boy is neglected. Lindsey finds him hiding under a bush near her family home and takes him in. She immediately feels a connection to this child even though he was a product of the man she loathes.
Torn by her need to protect children as a social worker and her anguish over the family, she calls in Zach who's moved out of their small town to come back and assume responsibility for the child. However, Zach wants nothing to do with the town or his brother's offspring. Compelled by Lindsey's pleas, Zach begrudgingly returns and tries to rehabilitate his brother so he doesn't have to shoulder the burden and his grandmother won't either. But Lindsey's pull is strong and Zach gets sucked into her heart and she into his.
When it's proven that Josh will not step up and his grandmother is too ill to care for the child, Zach does the right thing. But still Lindsey hangs on to too much grief and the mistaken idea she needs to protect her father from knowing her feelings for a member of the enemy camp. So she nearly loses her opportunity for love with Zach. The pivotal moment comes when Lindsey faces her grief then her fear and overcomes to find that precious and delicate love.
I loved the book. It was well written and so easy to get lost in. Some writers just have the knack to be able to tell a story that just captures your emotional attention and won't let go. This was one of those books. In the end I'm always asking myself, "How did the author do that? How were they able to capture and hold my attention all the way through without me tripping over the words and the way the book was written?" Great job Amy. Loved it.
Zach's brother, Josh, still a drunk and irresponsible has fathered a young boy who gets dumped on his doorstep. Zach's grandmother who raised both boys is now the unwilling caregiver. But she has problems which plague the aged and the boy is neglected. Lindsey finds him hiding under a bush near her family home and takes him in. She immediately feels a connection to this child even though he was a product of the man she loathes.
Torn by her need to protect children as a social worker and her anguish over the family, she calls in Zach who's moved out of their small town to come back and assume responsibility for the child. However, Zach wants nothing to do with the town or his brother's offspring. Compelled by Lindsey's pleas, Zach begrudgingly returns and tries to rehabilitate his brother so he doesn't have to shoulder the burden and his grandmother won't either. But Lindsey's pull is strong and Zach gets sucked into her heart and she into his.
When it's proven that Josh will not step up and his grandmother is too ill to care for the child, Zach does the right thing. But still Lindsey hangs on to too much grief and the mistaken idea she needs to protect her father from knowing her feelings for a member of the enemy camp. So she nearly loses her opportunity for love with Zach. The pivotal moment comes when Lindsey faces her grief then her fear and overcomes to find that precious and delicate love.
I loved the book. It was well written and so easy to get lost in. Some writers just have the knack to be able to tell a story that just captures your emotional attention and won't let go. This was one of those books. In the end I'm always asking myself, "How did the author do that? How were they able to capture and hold my attention all the way through without me tripping over the words and the way the book was written?" Great job Amy. Loved it.
January 14, 2010
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The cover and the description weren't particularly appealing to me but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway and I'm glad I did. I started to read a little of it after dinner last night and kept going until I'd finished it.
All of the characters are skillfully drawn with their own personalities and behaviors. The good guys have their flaws and the bad guy isn't completely bad. The conflict was believable and not forced or overblown and the resolution was natural.
A very good book that pulled me in and kept my interest. I'll definitely be looking for other books from this author.
All of the characters are skillfully drawn with their own personalities and behaviors. The good guys have their flaws and the bad guy isn't completely bad. The conflict was believable and not forced or overblown and the resolution was natural.
A very good book that pulled me in and kept my interest. I'll definitely be looking for other books from this author.
August 29, 2007
You gotta love Amy Knupp!
April 1, 2009
Ohh what a great book. Amy Knupp knows how to pull at your heartstrings and THE BOY NEXT DOOR proves she's an author to watch and devour.
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December 29, 2014Miniseries: Harlequin Heartwarming
Category: Wholesome
Category: Wholesome
November 24, 2013
Good fast read for a romance book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews