Totally His

October 2, 2017
Nicholas’s third Opposites Attract contemporary (after Forever Mine) is moving and inspiring. Actress Sophie Birch has always been a pawn in her father’s schemes for financial security. She started acting at a young age after her mother died, has had five stepmothers, and was constantly moved around. She’s up for her biggest role yet when police officer Finn Kelly saves her from her burning theater. Sophie’s dad, who’s a part owner of the theater, steals the insurance money, so Finn and his family help renovate the building, as acting there is Sophie’s only source of income. Despite her distrust of families, she quickly bonds with the boisterous, close-knit clan, which is led by a clever matriarch. Just when she thinks she can finally be a part of a real family, Sophie’s father tries to tear her and Finn apart. Nicholas successfully weaves the two families together while addressing their issues realistically, and Sophie and Finn grow together without sacrificing their own identities. Agent: Elizabeth Winick Rubinstein, McIntosh & Otis.

Police officer Finn Kelly first sees Sophie Birch as she is sneaking back into a burning theater. Sophie is wearing only pink lingerie, and narrator Vanessa Edwin brings out the humor of the situation. It turns out that Sophie owns the damaged theater, and Finn, his large family, and his friends decide to help her by putting on a play to raise money for its restoration. Edwin deftly captures a range of voices--from the older timbre of Finn's mother to the sassy tones of Sophie's friends. Sophie's estranged father, a con artist, shows up, and Edwin easily portrays his smarmy personality. Edwin's appealing voice draws listeners into the story. S.B. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine