IT HAD TO BE YOU

Windsor's protagonists, Sunny and Dan, are two gorgeous, eligible Texans with high moral standards and no romantic baggage, although they are both pushing 30. They meet on a Thanksgiving cruise—on which each has booked passage for purely family-centered, self-sacrificial reasons—and screwball romantic comedy ensues. While the soon-to-be lovebirds are both dealing with the loss of parents, this grief and other negative emotions add little weight to the light-as-air atmosphere and candy-sweet tone of Windsor's fourth novel. Even the familiar convert-him-then-marry-him Christian romance trope is barely in play here; though Dan has strayed from the church a bit since his father's death, he is still far too devout to be described as lapsed. Moreover, Windsor seems unable to think of more than one argument for Sunny and Dan to have, so they simply repeat the same one three times. Despite the lack of any genuine obstacles to love, or perhaps because of it, the novel swims along genially from wacky day-trip hijinks and late night Lido deck heart-to-hearts to only slightly heated disagreements and finally, of course, to declarations of love. Except for occasional bouts of clichéd language and ideas, Windsor's style is fresh and pleasing. Not for those who tire easily of gender stereotypes or bland, G-rated situation comedy, this novel is, however, perfect for Christians who seek simple entertainment that reflects and celebrates their values. (June)