The Reluctant Nerd: A Pet Friendly Romance

Scientist Ernestine St. Bennett has always been different. Most women like parties; Ernie's comfort zone is the lab. Most women are adept at small talk; Ernie talks to her pet fish, Waldo.

Then Ernie spots Simon Prime. Awkward, hunched, hiding behind thick glasses… Why, he's obviously a nerd, too! Sympathizing, Ernie decides to help him. Using masculinity boosting principles learned in her fish studies, she'll turn Simon from meek to macho!

What Ernie doesn't know (but Waldo suspects) is that Simon Prime is really ex-cop, private investigator Sam Pierce in disguise. A man who's plenty macho already—thank you very much! He's simply undercover, playing a shy nerd to solve a case.

Sam thinks the disguise is perfect…until Ernie's gentle encouragement, her sweet smiles, and her earnest faith in him make him forget he's pretending. Sitting on the beach late at night, waiting for grunion to appear? Strangely stimulating. Watching her explain animal mating rituals while demonstrating "power stances"? She's too adorable.

And too dangerous. Because somewhere between the fish facts and the flirting, he's fallen for her. The woman who thinks he's a nerd named Simon.

Can Sam come clean without losing Ernie?

(Waldo's betting no.)

A sweet romcom about fish, faking it, and finding real love.