Amazon.com: The People Next Door (9780739451311): Bettye Griffin: Books

Book Description

Publication Date: 2005

Includes reading group guide.

#outer_postBodyPS { display: none; } #psGradient { display: none; } #psPlaceHolder { display: none; } #psExpand { display: none; } Includes reading group guide.

More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Bettye Griffin Page

Bettye Griffin was told by her English professor that she had a gift for writing and might want to consider pursuing writing as a professional career. She promptly dropped out of college and started crafting stories...and just 22 short years later sold her first book. Bettye writes both contemporary romance and women's fiction. A native of Yonkers, New York, Bettye has also lived in Florida and Illinois, and now crafts her compelling, drama-filled tales from her home in the great dairy state of Wisconsin. Bettye thoroughly enjoys Wisconsin's contributions to the American diet and often nibbles on cheese while writing, and she celebrates a good day of writing by having a glass of the beer that made Milwaukee famous.

Since 1998, Bettye has written 6 novels of women's fiction, including Once Upon A Project (2008) and A New Kind of Bliss (2009); and 13 contemporary romances, including A Love For All Seasons (2007) and A Love of Her Own (1999). In 2009, seeing the creative and financial freedom of publishing independent projects, Bettye started her own imprint, Bunderful Books, and to date has published three contemporary romances through this outlet, Save The Best For Last (2009), The Heat of Heat (2010), and A Kiss of a Different Color (2011). Visit her web site at www.bettyegriffin.com, and befriend her at Facebook.

Customer Reviews

13 Reviews

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

3.2 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Living Next Door to Your Ex..., April 8, 2005

By

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The People Next Door (Paperback)

Lisa and Darrell Canfield are in search of the perfect spot to build their dreamhouse. They each have a daughter near the same age from their first marriages and a set of adorable twins. In addition, Darrell's mom is moving with them, thus, the large house they have planned will be perfect. Just as they give up on finding the ideal location, they discover a spot near friends and begin building. All is well in their lives as they look forward to their new home.

Across town, Brad Bentacourt is a bit sick of his wife's freeloading family. He wants to convince his wife, a stay-at-home mother, that they should move closer into town--and away from her family. When an opportunity presents itself and a recently built house is available for a quick sale, he jumps at the opportunity. Though he has to convince her at first, once they see the house, she loves it and they soon make the purchase. Unbeknownst to them, they have purchased the house next door to the Canfields. To add even more drama, Lisa is Brad's ex-wife. Yep, you read correctly. Brad and his new wife have moved next door to his previous wife. Want more drama? Well, the new wife isn't happy about the idea of her step-daughter being so close to Brad and does her best to hide it from him. The previous wife loves her current husband, but feels that what Brad has, should've been hers. Can someone say

D-R-A-M-A?

Author Bettye Griffin melds an unbelievable scenario full of nosey neighbors trying to out-do each other, arguments between the new wife and the old, lessons on unruly children, and situations revolving around social status. She also touches on some major issues dealing with blended families. Through the crazy incidents, the author's wit, and the various characters with all their flaws and misgivings, THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR is an enjoyable read. It showcases lessons on familial love, dealing with others, and learning from the lessons of the past.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal

of The RAWSISTAZ� Reviewers

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The People Next Door:An PeoplewholoveGoodBooks Review, May 5, 2005

By

Shay C (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)

This review is from: The People Next Door (Paperback)

The People Next Door by Bettye Griffin is a very enjoyable, entertaining read that will have you thinking long after you put it down. It is the story of The Canfields and the Bentancourts. Lisa and Darrell Canfield are looking to build their dream home and find the perfect lot in Jacksonville. Little does Lisa know that her ex-husband Brad and his wife Suzanne will end up buying the house next door. Of course, the wives don't get along because Lisa feels Suzanne is the reason for the break-up of her marriage to Brad. Suzanne, on the other hand resents Lisa because she feels Lisa is everything she is not: well-bred and educated. Suzanne grew up poor and considers herself lucky to be married to Brad, a very successful radiologist. The guys begin to build a friendship much to the surprise and dismay of the wives and of course, fireworks begin to fly because Suzanne is also resentful of the fact that Brad and Lisa share a daughter. Despite the fact that Lisa and Darrell, as well as Brad and Suzanne are happy and in love with each other, Lisa resents that fact Suzanne is living the life that she feels SHE should be living and it begins to cause problems with Lisa and Darrell. Of course, you always have the neighbors that try to keep up with everyone and put on appearances like they have more than what they have.....Ernie and Flo Hickman. Despite everything, they all learn to get along and to focus on the more important things in life: family. The People Next Door is not only a very entertaining blend of drama and comedy but it also deals with family issues and makes you aware of how things are in dealing with blended families. I give this book 4 stars!!!! Reviewed by Shay C of PeoplewholoveGoodBooks

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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Readers of the Mahogany Soul Book Club Review, May 8, 2005

By

A. Wade "Book Club Member" (Jacksonville, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The People Next Door (Paperback)

This book had a very slow beginning. Although it did pick up in the middle, the ending was very disappointing. We do not recommend this book.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring
This book have a very very very slow beginning lol. It pick up some what in the middle but still not enough to make u wanna keep the book in yo hands. Read more

Published 21 months ago by Ranel Sturgis

3.0 out of 5 stars *YAWN* stretch and *YAWN*
I am super glad I only got this book for $2.00. Let me begin with agreeing with the other reviewers, this book has an excellent storyline, full of rich charcters (but then the... Read more

Published on January 4, 2010 by C. Warner

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice for a bored rainy day
This book had the potential to be great, but it was completely to enamored with the 'keeping up with the Joneses' thing. Siddity people all trying to out do each other. Read more

Published on October 8, 2008 by C. Anderson

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
This turned out to be a good read. At first I was a little concerned since it started off a bit slow, but gradually the story line picked up. Read more

Published on December 2, 2007 by K. Johnson

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
This was a great book. Interesting storyline and plot and I think Ms. Griffin did a great job with the storyline and the characters. Read more

Published on July 24, 2007 by sunshine608

2.0 out of 5 stars i demand a refund
this book had a good storyline. i could have been really good. but it turned out to be a big snoozz

Published on July 23, 2006 by book addict

4.0 out of 5 stars SOUNDS LIKE MY NEIGHBORS!
THIS BOOK WAS PRETTY GOOD BEING AS MY NEIGHBORS ARE MUCH LIKE THESE CHARACTERS! IT WASN'T TOO WORDY AND IT KEPT MY ATTENTION AFTER THE BOGGED-DOWN BEGINING! Read more

Published on October 21, 2005 by BIG 6

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed this book
This was a book that kept me reading. I didn't think it was slow at the beginning as some reviewer had said. Interesting circumstances in this book. Read more

Published on August 12, 2005 by mizzgee

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It!!!!
I really enjoyed reading The People Next Door. I couldn't put the book down. I was so into the book that I finished it in one day. Bettye Griffin, you did a wonderful job.

Published on August 1, 2005 by Campbell

1.0 out of 5 stars Boring!
This book was boring and although it picked up in the middle it still did not make it any better.The Canfields are trying to find a place to build their dream home. Read more

Published on July 7, 2005 by nicole098

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Inside This Book (learn more)
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
people next door, bonus room

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Bettye Griffin, Saint Augustine, Villa Saint John, Gregory Hickman, Miss Paula, Hilton Head, Lisa Canfield, Miss Suzanne, Suzanne Betancourt, George Morton, Arthur Rutenberg, New England, Hamburger Helper, Kim Gillespie, Ernie Hickman, Ann Sorensen, Bradley Betancourt, Alicyn Gillespie, Johns River, Flo Hickman, Bill Sorensen, Country Day, John's County, Michael Gillespie, Doctor Brad

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