Hunter McCaffrey is a well-known published author who has lost the words after losing his wife in an accident two years prior. He and his dog Riley are taking refuge in a cottage by the ocean in Florida offered by his friend Fletcher, hoping to recapture his abilities and will to live again while striving to pull himself out of the dark pit. The pain of losing his wife and trying to exorcise his guilt seems like a battle he is quickly losing through isolation and drink. Needing quiet and solitude is something he demands but is definitely not going to get.

Sylvia Chase's friend Fletcher, who owns the joined cottages, offers her the other half of the cottage as she also needs some time to decide what she is going to do with her life. Losing her husband six months ago has left her alone and drifting with no special education to help her plan. Having no intentions of befriending the man in the cottage next to her, a friendly hello deems him "McAsshole" after the encounter. Hunter only has two weeks to suffer her presence staying in the next cottage. Determined to draw the handsome but nasty tempered man out, she uses her persuasions to succeed in becoming allies.

Surprised to find that they both enjoy each other's company and agree to a short "fling", Sylvia soon realizes she is in love with Hunter and he doesn't reciprocate. Speeding up his libido with Sylvia so close, he is determined to cut her off and protect her from falling for him and to avoid his becoming emotionally attached to her. Of course, Sylvia has other ideas!

THE COTTAGE NEXT DOOR is the second book I have read by Natasha Moore. She has a way of making the reader feel the sorrow and emotion in her characters. Be prepared to laugh one minute and cry the next. A strong willed and determined woman always makes a good story when she's fighting for what she loves and someone she is determined to heal. Natasha Moore is gifted with her words which make the reader feel strong emotions.