Nobody Else But You

April 20, 2020
Marti (Sunset in Laguna) brings Hollywood charisma to cowboy romance with this witty but poorly paced love story. Holt Ericsson, a Hollywood stuntman turned film producer, travels to Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., to secure the use of Pacific Vista Ranch as a filming location, but the owner’s fiery-tempered daughter might throw a wrench in his plans. Ranch manager Samantha McNeill is furious her father would even consider allowing a film crew to intrude on her sanctuary, no matter how attractive she finds Holt. The McNeill family used to be in showbiz themselves, and Samantha’s dealt with more than enough paparazzi-fueled scandal for one lifetime. But Samantha’s father secretly craves his old life in the spotlight and agrees to let the film shoot on the ranch; suddenly Holt and Samantha are spending a lot of time together. Their early, contentious flirtation is sparky and delightful, but after their first kiss they immediately jump into a committed relationship, dissipating the fun of anticipation. This abrupt change in relationship status will leave readers disoriented. Despite a fumbled execution, the snappy dialogue and appealing characters mark Marti as a writer to watch.