With a fresh divorce under her belt Melanie Taylor is moving with her ten-year-old son into an apartment. Although her pride stings a bit due to her husband leaving her for a much younger woman, overall Melanie is relieved to be out from under his thumb. She may not have worked since her son Billy was born, but she is confident that she’ll be able to make ends meet. While she stands wishing that the heavy boxes and bags would move themselves, a gorgeous young man offers his assistance. He introduces himself as Zack Conrad, her neighbor from two doors down and a college student, and he holds himself with the cocky self-confidence that only the very young and very self-assured have.

What begins as assistance in moving quickly becomes friendship, and before she knows it, Mel is falling in love with the surprisingly nice young man. He’s attentive, he genuinely likes her son, and he is an amazing lover – what else could she want from a man? Unfortunately, the nine-year gap between their ages seems like a bottomless chasm. Mel’s mother tells her she is making a fool of herself by chasing a younger man, and she chooses to believe this. Why on earth would this beautiful young man choose a thirty-one year old mother and divorcée when there are so many young attractive girls on campus? In spite of Zack’s protestations of love, Mel pushes him away, breaking both of their hearts. Has Mel ruined her chance at happiness? How can something that feels so right be so wrong?

Two Doors Down is the story of a woman who must learn to trust her heart and not listen to the unsolicited opinions of others. The novella is sweet and emotional and sometimes humorous, and Ms. Marie has created characters who will worm their way into the affections of the reader. Zach is young and has quite an ego on him, but he is genuine and quite nice for a young man of twenty-two. He has no idea how to deal with rejection and is hit hard when Mel pushes him away. Melanie is riddled with self-doubt when it comes to her appeal to a younger man, but she is a great mother who puts her son’s needs way ahead of her own. Readers who happen to be a parent themselves will surely empathize with her dilemma about whether or not to tell Billy about her relationship with Zach.

The narration of this story flows very smoothly with no awkward moments. Overall, Two Doors Down is very pleasant to read. However unlikely the match may be between the two main characters, we wish them the joy of a happy ending. Nicely done, Ms. Marie.

Reviewed by: Whitney