"A fine contemporary romance"

In Dolphin Bay, Blake Adams visits the law office of Mason and Mason to meet with the junior partner, his childhood pal defense attorney Marissa Mason. Blake explains rather poorly that he needs her help with a three-month old baby he calls Annie left on his doorstep this morning. Marissa grills him on the possibility that the infant is his, but Blake insists no way, hiding from her that his business Adams Landscape Designs has destroyed any fun socializing.

Marissa helps Adam with his and the child's legal rights and in seeking the mother. Though attracted the moment she saw him in her waiting room as if the years since she last seen him as a college freshman were yesterday, Marissa insists on a professional relationship; she remains shaky from a divorce. However, Blake wants both of his "new" women in his life permanently and will do what it takes to achieve his objective as he loves Marissa and Annie, but one more young surprise awaits him.

Though the premise of abandonment is in the news a lot, Blake's immediate need to raise Annie as a single father never fully comes off especially since he is always working while Marissa's reason to move in with him is even less rationale for such a logical person. Still, he is a heroic individual who does the right thing even if he has to bend the law to the breaking point. Marissa is a fine counterpart to Blake while the support cast adds depth to a fine contemporary romance starring two caring people and a matchmaking toddler or two.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 13, 2004