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Lesley Barrett (Joy Smithers) is a corporate lawyer on the fast track to become a partner at one of Sydney's top law firms. She's got her life all planned out -- until one day when Fred (Rhett Giles), a temporary secretary and unemployed actor, walks into her office to work for her. They fall head over heels for each other, but as he's so far beneath Lesley on the corporate food chain, she's mortified as to how it will look and she swears him to secrecy --causing all sorts of problems for their relationship. But more importantly, watching Fred chase his acting dreams reminds her of the stage dreams she gave up for security, prestige and her parents' approval. Years ago, Lesley wanted to be a country music singer, much to her parents' and future fiance's disdain and chagrin. Afraid to break away, she settled for a Xerox copy of her parents' conventional lives -- and realizes, through Fred, that that's not what she wants at all. In the end, Lesley realises that living up to someone else's expectations isn't important and that following your heart and desires is. LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE is a heartwarming romantic comedy about falling in love and not settling for second best.