Judy Christenberry, Daddy Next Door

Daddy Next Door

Judy Christenberry

Harlequin American, Jan 2007, $4.99

ISBN: 0373751494

In North Dallas, Nick Barry moves into the apartment he sublet from his Aunt Grace, who moved to an assisted-living facility when he is accosted by a three-year-old girl who insists he is her daddy. Nick meets Missy's "mommy" Jennifer Carpenter and the little girl's sisters. He and Jennifer clarify that he is not their daddy, but the three young girls cry.

Though Nick knows he needs to flee the four females next door, he finds he cannot. He likes the little ones and is attracted to the big one. As Nick keeps coming around, Jennifer appreciates how much attention Nick provides the three girls she wants to adopt, but though half in love with him, she assumes a bachelor hunk like him does not need a family of four.

Though Missy seems too precocious at times, readers will enjoy this fine family drama as the two adults fall in love, but both recognize that the kids must come first. The storyline is driven by the three preadolescent matchmakers who follow the lead of that pint-sized General Missy who anoints Nick as daddy; from there he did not stand a chance unless he made a full retreat out of the state even if he is a Texan. Judy Christenberry writes a warm tale of love between two adults and three children creating a family.

Harriet Klausner