Gone with the Nerd By Vicki Lewis Thompson

In Hollywood, glamorous actress Zoe Tarleton asks her lawyer Flynn Granger to allow her to study him so that she can learn how a nerd thinks as she hopes to land the non sexpot role of Vera Parsons, a research chemist in the film the Billion Dollar Pill. Flynn tells her he is going to marry Harvard professor Kristen Keebler, but he agrees to meet her in Long Shaft, California so that he can teach her to behave like a nerd, but also will tell his fianc e the truth. Zoe wonders how it would feel to have someone protect her like he does Kristen.

In Long Shaft, Zoe meets her high school friend Margo Taggart, who has arranged everything. Flynn arrives and one look at Zoe tells him she over killed the nerd bit. He also enjoys the Bigfoot paraphernalia in the area as he appreciates cryptozoology. As Zoe observes Flynn and rehearses her role with him, they begin to fall in love, but questionable accidents and strange sightings seem to interfere with their kisses.

The strong lead couple carries this nerdy but fun tale that will send the audience seeking previous nerd novels (see NERD IN SHINING ARMOR, THE NERD WHO LOVED ME, and NERD GONE WILD). The story line is amusing with a touch of suspense caused by the incidents that seem to happen a lot to Zoe. The Sasquatch locale and the two youngsters the lead couple meets add humor. Although the intrigue subplot involving the accidents seems an unnecessary stretch, readers will enjoy the romance between the accounting nerd and the sexpot actress.

Harriet Klausner