Learning Curve, The

Nicky Hobbs loves teaching at the local primary school. She's idolised by her class - in particular ten-year-old Oscar Samuels - but she's starting to find she'd quite like some adult adoration for a change. Mark Samuels is a frazzled single father working all the hours God gives to provide for his beloved son, Oscar. But he's unable to see that Oscar would prefer his presence to his presents once in a while. Ms. Hobbs knows Mr. Samuels is a heartless workaholic. Mr. Samuels is certain Ms. Hobbs is an interfering busybody. But, when they finally meet, they start to discover that first impressions can be deceptive. And perhaps they've both got a bit of learning to do... Author Biography: Melissa Nathan was born and raised in Hertfordshire. A journalist for twelve years, she turned to writing novels full time in 1998 and shortly afterwards Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field and Persuading Annie were published. Melissa discovered she had breast cancer whilst writing her first novel for Random House, The Nanny, which hit the Sunday Times Top Ten in the spring of 2003. She went on to write another top ten bestseller, The Waitress, and finished her fifth novel The Learning Curve in February 2006. Sadly she died two months later, aged 37. She is survived by her husband, Andrew, and young son, Sam.