Girl meets ape - Chrissie Manby

When Dr. Jennifer Niederhauser takes on the role of head of the chimpanzee project at Prowdes Animal Sanctuary, the uptight young zoologist is looking forward to making her mark in the conservation world. But the ramshackle regime at Prowdes seems set to defeat her. The chimpanzees are uncontrollable. And the keepers are wilder than the chimps.

It doesn't help that Jennifer first set eyes on her second-in-command, Guy Gibson, when he was half-naked and covered in baby oil, stripping for a crowd of bachelorettes. How can she take him seriously after that, no matter how much he tries to impress her? Six weeks after arriving at Prowdes, Jennifer has almost decided never to work with animals or the childish again. Not that her job is guaranteed... Prowdes is in big financial trouble too.

Salvation comes in the form of a television documentary team who want to film the progress of a chimp called Ulysses, the sanctuary's most recent arrival. Prowdes definitely needs the money. But does Jennifer need the exposure to the show's smooth presenter - Dr. Timothy Lauder - chimpanzee expert and, more importantly, her ex?