Your New Best Friend

Jane Austen's Emma made a habit of meddling in other people's lives, but Melanie Abbott has turned it into a cottage industry. As "modern American royalty" living in Abbott's Bay, Massachusetts, a town founded by her ancestor, Melanie Abbott feels it's her right—even her duty—to employ her uncanny knack for knowing exactly what everyone needs to improve their lives. She eagerly shares her wisdom and insight with her friends and neighbors . . . whether they ask for it or not. If only Conn Garvey, her dearest friend, agreed with her. Connacht Garvey has been keeping an eye on Melanie since they were kids. A bit older, far more level-headed, and infinitely patient, Conn feels it's his duty to pull Melanie back from whatever cliff's edge she's about to wander off. Conn thinks Melanie is egotistical, self-centered, irritating, infuriating, relentless, ridiculous . . . and irresistible. Not that Conn's confessed to that last one. Yet. When Melanie impulsively starts up a...