Sushi for One? (The Sushi Series, Book 1) written by Camy Tang and published by Zondervan (2007) will definitely give you a laugh. Much of it is lighthearted, with the cousins bantering back and forth and questioning the sanity of their various relatives at the many family functions they all attend.

The leading lady of this novel is Lex Sakai, a 30-year-old Japanese-American women. She and many of her relatives live in the San Jose area of California. Lex is about to become the oldest unmarried cousin at her upcoming cousin Mariko’s wedding. Her grandmother believes this is not good at all, and she has threatened to pull funding for Lex’s junior high volleyball team if Lex does not produce a boyfriend by the time of the wedding.

Lex has had some difficulties with her love life in the past. Eight years ago she was raped by one of her dates. (Very few details are given in the books.) She is now very cautious with men. She neither appreciates her grandmother’s attitude nor how her older brother and aunts are always trying to set her up with unacceptable young men. Lex’s outlook is skeptical and sarcastic. Furthermore, she refuses to consider dating men if they are not Christians and do not measure up to an “Ephesians List” she has created. Her grandmother doesn’t understand the importance of the men being Christians.

Lex is definitely the one in control in her life. She has not yet released the reigns to the Lord. She loves Him and wishes to follow Him, but she has much room for growth.

Another key character of this story is a young man named Aiden, who has been introduced to Lex by her brother. Although she treats him somewhat cautiously, she does like him. He is not a Christian though, and therefore, she will not date him. Aiden is a physical therapist who finds many admirable qualities in Lex. He decides to take up volleyball. He is interested in the game but also because she plays. Lex and Aiden become friends and, as time goes on, her feelings for him deepen.

Aiden decides to check out his co-worker’s church and gradually becomes more and more interested in the Lord. At one of Lex’s family parties, she is uncomfortable with a guy who persists in flirting with her. Aiden intervenes, asking Lex if she wants the man to go away. She definitely does. In what follows, the man shoves Aiden. Aiden’s shoulder bumps into Lex and she falls, tearing her ACL.

This is a huge disappoint to her, as she has just been accepted onto a semi-professional volleyball team and she has also landed a job at the Sports Website Mecca of North America in Silicon Valley. She is distraught, yet Aiden is there along with some of her cousins to help her out. Aiden becomes her physical therapist.

Mariko’s wedding is getting closer. Lex becomes increasingly concerned about her junior high volleyball team and their funding. She is afraid her grandmother will pull their funds when Lex doesn’t show up with a boyfriend at the wedding. She likes Aiden a lot, but he is not a Christian, so that door is closed to her.

Lex gives up on the hope of funding for the junior high team. But she decides to take Aiden to the wedding as a friend. While they are there, he talks to her grandma and Lex finds out that he has recently become a Christian. Her grandmother tries to question Lex and give her a hard time, but all the cousins and Lex’s father surround her, pressuring grandma to keep her promise to Lex. She agrees.

Lex is beyond thrilled that Aiden is now a Christian and they finally begin dating. She realizes that she has been foolish by not allowing the Lord to have total control of her life. She sees that He had the very best plan for her all along.

I would recommend this book to young women ages 21 and above. It is very funny and keeps your interest. Most of the deeper spiritual truths are found near the end of the story.

Patsy Ledbetter says she has many titles, but her favorite is being mom to her five children. Her two daughters, two sons and one son-in-law are her joy. A teacher with forty years experience Patsy has taught children of all ages and also special needs children and adults. She writes occasionally for a local newspaper and performs in church theater productions on a regular basis. Her husband is the church choir and orchestra director. They have been married for 32 years. She says, “It is my desire to bring honor and glory to my Lord Jesus in every area where He has allowed me to minister.”

BTW: Donna Fujimoto interviewed Camy. Interesting lady. Interview with Camy Tang