Every Good and Perfect Gift

In her moving debut novel, Souza shows the power of love and faith in the friendship of two women while exploring the theological problem of bad things happening to good people. Life is smooth sailing for Angel “Gabby” Whitaker Nevin and her best friend, DeeDee McAllister-Kent, who both married their college sweethearts and have enjoyed their planned child-free lives in California. Then, on the cusp of turning 40, DeeDee gets baby fever and will do anything to become a mother. Gabby rides the roller coaster of infertility as DeeDee desperately tries to conceive, and begins to question her own decision to remain childless. DeeDee's infertility problem is only the beginning of heartache for the two friends, however, as deeper problems create fissures in their well-ordered lives. Throughout, Souza adeptly portrays the strengths of friendship, and the wonderful but often difficult relationships between mothers and daughters. Occasionally, Souza overdetails events, and some unnecessary or needlessly long scenes intrude. Although some readers will find Gabby's acceptance of God's role in DeeDee's suffering coming a little too easily, Souza laudably refuses to succumb to a pat ending that neatly ties up all the loose ends. Souza's poignant story shows promise and should earn her some fans among inspirational fiction readers. (Jan.)