"amusing yet serious contemporary romance"

Boston general Chief of Surgery George Stimson informs surgeon Hudson Stack that he worries that Stack, recently named "Boston's Hottest Bachelor" will suffer a stroke because his medical numbers are all in the red zone. Speaking as a friend George tells Hudson to take at least a month of vacation fishing. He arranges with a pal from medical school to get Hudson a place to stay as far from Beantown as possible. When he goes home to tell his family, Hudson overhears his daughter Bethany innocently state that she tells everyone at school the chauffeur is her dad. Hudson announces that he and Bethany are going fishing together.

The Stacks travel to Cottonwood, Texas where Hudson plans to rest and enjoy time with his neglected by him daughter. When he meets Realtor Amanda Dewhurst, Hudson finds a new interest, but must overcome the bounced check he gave her. As he and Bethany become closer, the Stacks also love the workaholic Amanda. However, will the Boston Brahma and the small town Texan find a way to make it permanent?

THE MILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR is an amusing yet serious contemporary romance that provides plenty of laughter with the message that people must balance their lives. Hudson is an intriguing lead character who, if he does not change his lifestyle, will lose his little girl and is an obvious cardiac arrest waiting to happen. He learns what life is all about in Texas as does Bethany, who frets over money. Though there is no major action or conflict, what Hudson does to just get his beloved to spend time with him is the fun in a fine contemporary tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 1, 2003