Husband Auditions

In Strong’s fun inspirational romantic comedy (after Finding Love in Seaside, Oregon), opposite personalities attract during an outrageous attempt to implement courtship advice from the 1950s. Meri Newberg, now that her former roommate is married, has been staying in her brother’s townhouse while he is away for the summer. Kai Kamaka, one of Meri’s brother’s two roommates who she is forced to stay with, is a video editor currently working the night shift at a news station. When Meri, who is the last of her Christian friends group to find a boyfriend, discovers and complains about a list from the ’50s on the internet about ways to attract a husband, Kai comes up with the idea of a YouTube show where Meri tries out the suggestions. Meri is hesitant at first, but leans into the idea—not to find a husband, but to encourage other single women. While filming is fun and allows Meri and Kai to get closer, their ploys (dropping a handkerchief, literally lassoing a male passerby) go nowhere. But going through the list gives Meri the confidence to be single, and also inspires Kai to stop being complacent and risk rejection. Readers will be pleasantly surprised by Strong’s twist on the happily-ever-after ending. Those who enjoy novels of Karen Kingsbury should take a look. (Aug.)