Only Uni

OK, Camy. You've made me mad! You see, I'm the one who never cries. Never. I don't cry at sad movies. "You've Got Mail" didn't faze me. Neither did "Sleepless in Seattle." But girl, ONLY UNI made me cry. And not just sniffles. We're talking I-gotta-have-a-box-of-tissues! I can't believe you got to me, but you did - in a good way. ONLY UNI continues the story of the remaining four female unmarried cousins in a large, close-knit family. This time, the main character is Trish - the flirty, popular, people-pleaser cousin. Trish finds herself in trouble no matter where she turns. It's not enough that she's wrestling with her faith and the dating scene, but her strictly-traditional grandmother keeps badgering her to get married and give her grandchildren. What's a girl to do? You may have guessed from the title that the main characters in this series are Asian. But the issues they are dealing with are the same for any young woman today. Camy sprinkles bits of Asiana throughout the book, but don't worry, she writes in such as way that you won't get lost if you aren't familiar with the culture. In fact, a woman of any age would enjoy this book because we've all dealt with temptation, sin, asking for forgiveness from our gracious Lord and then trying to forgive ourselves. And if you're involved in your church, you'll recognize yourself in some of the situations that Trish faces. Your emotions will really get a workout, though. I laughed out loud as she ran the gamut of ministries trying to find her place in her church. And I cried when ... um, sorry. I can't tell you any more with out spoiling it. But I know you'll like it. Camy, reading this was a cleansing experience for me and I truly enjoyed it. Your writing blew me away. Can't wait to read your next one!

Trish Sakai is trying to turn over a new chapter in her life when it comes to relationships with guys. This means following rules from 1st and 2nd Corinthians which will guarantee that she won't end up in another disastrous relationship that she had with artist Kazuo. Unfortunately for Trish, life doesn't always go as planned. She doesn't foresee her budding relationship with her coworker Spenser or her grandmother trying to get Trish and Kazuo back together. Then there's trying to teach Sunday School, fixing up a moldy apartment and repairing her relationship with her cousins. Why are things so hard even when she's trying to do everything right? Ever since I heard there was an Asian Christian chick lit author releasing books, I knew I was going to be a fan. After reading Sushi for One I was hooked and couldn't wait for the sequel to come out. As soon as I got Uni in the mail, I tore into it like I was let loose at a Chinese buffet. I enjoyed this book even more than Sushi. I think that the story flowed much more smoothly in this book and that the characters were easier to follow and likable as well. I could also relate more to Trish and the situations she was going through. I loved the scenes during the worship services when Trish finally allows herself to be free and throw her hands up to praise God. I felt exactly the same way she did when I was at Passion earlier this year so it was great to see someone else feeling the same way I did. I also thought it was hilarious at how focused Trish was on her worshiping that she didn't notice that she had given Blondie the black eye (who I thought totally deserved it). Another scene that stood out most to me was Matthew and the hamster. Bleh ! I don't want to spoil the story but if you are squeamish about rodents and children who put inedible objects in their mouth, read with caution!!! While Grandma is still uber-annoying in this book, she's not as irritating with Trish as she was with Lex. Trish actually stood up to her on several occasions. Kazuo really freaked me out by the way he kept trying to control Trish. It's scary because there are lots of girls who fall prey to guys who are like that and what was worse was how Grandma kept trying to make Trish stay with him. I did like Spenser very much and loved the bantering that went on between the two of them. As in the first novel, there are serious issues mixed in with all the hilarity which will make the reader think and want to support Trish throughout the book. I really love Camy's writing and I enjoyed seeing all the Asian culture blended in throughout the story. This is a stellar second novel and it makes me really want to read the next book in the series. One of the best chick lit novels of the year and is very highly recommended.

Only Uni by Camy Tang is the second book in The Sushi Series. This book focuses on Trish, flighty, flirty, and newly driven to focus on God. Trish has made a multidtude of sins in her past, including sleeping with her creepy artist ex-boyfriend. But she's decided to change all of that. No more looking at men, time to preach the Gospel, and rely on God for strength. But, her new research partner, Spenser is too handsome to ignore, her attempts at volunteering at church seem to end up with blood being spilled, and it's hard to remember to keep your mind always on God. Tang writes with such zest! Her quartet of cousins are best friends, and the banter between them is never stilted or preachy, even when they talk about their faith. The dialogue sounds like she transcribed a group of real women. They call each other on their foibles and comfort when the going gets tough. Trish is a hard character to empathize with; her mind bounces from one thought to the next so quickly, that it could be hard for the reader to keep up, but Tang handles it with flair. Trish comes across as a real flesh and blood woman with deep regrets about her sexual past. Tang throws a shocker in near the end of the type that isn't normally seen in Christian fiction (good for her!). It's realistic and painful, but I look forward to watching Trish's character continue to grow in the next book. The first chapter for the next book, Single Sashimi, is included in the back. Don't read it unless you're a masochist like me; now I have to wait until August to see what happens next!

Trish, next in line to inherit her family's title of "oldest single female cousin" now that Lex (from Sushi for One? (The Sushi Series, Book 1)) has a boyfriend, wants to take control of her life. Her wild, flirtatious behavior has left her unfulfilled and alienated her cousins and best friends, but most devasting of all has created a chasm between her and the Lord. Her desire for a turning point hits an all-time high when she discovers that her father's having an affair, her mother has a heart attack, and her control-freak Grandma keeps throwing Kazuo, her too-tempting (not to mention non-Christian) ex-boyfriend in her path. More than anything, Trish wants to feel pure before God again, but she doesn't know how He and her long-suffering cousins can possibly accept that her desire for change is real and genuine after witnessing so many failures. To prove her resolve, she creates three rules to follow from First and Second Corinthians - 1) no more looking at guys as potential date material, especially non-Christians, 2) witness to others about Christ, and 3) persevere and rely on God. However, her three simple rules turn out to be not so simple after all when Kazuo, bolstered by her grandmother's support, becomes temptingly considerate and attentive and handsome work colleague Spenser proves to be an irritatingly attractive distraction. With two temptingly handsome guys with vastly different motives pursuing her, can Trish ever hope to stick to her rules and transform her life? I absolutely loved Lex's story in Sushi for One?, and couldn't imagine how Camy could possibly top that novel with a sequel - especially one that focused on cousin Trish, who I found to be rather self-centered and unlikable. However, Tang reveals that underneath Trish's bravado and occasionally flaky exterior is a heart full of hurt and confusion - having gone so far and given away so many pieces of herself, Trish doubts if she can ever be redeemed. Only Uni takes the strengths of its predecessor - the family dymanic, the snappy dialogue, the yummy food *wink*, and a sensitively handled spiritual thread - and deftly tackles the issue of a "backsliding" believer's journey into grace. Trish's desperate search for redemption and change, while liberally peppered with humorous episodes, is one of the most moving portrayals of God's grace that I've ever read. Tang's characters are so real they practically leap living and breathing from the page. Their emotions are so real you'll want to cry with them when they hurt, laugh out loud at their nutty escapades, and rejoice with their successes. Camy is one of the funniest authors I've ever read, but she balances humor like few can with healthy doses of real issues and emotional depth. I can't wait to read the prickly Venus's story in Single Sashimi (Sushi Series), releasing in September. Bravo to Camy for delivering another winner!

I enjoyed Sushi For One so much that I put it on my Top 7 Most Entertaining Books of 2007 list - and it deserved to be there. Then came Only Uni... hello - I loved this book! Even more than Sushi! First and foremost, it is about Trish (who is the cousin I didn't really love in Sushi) and she is so real and vulnerable that it almost hurts. You just want to cheer her on when she makes good decisions and groan in pain when she makes bad ones. One of the best chick lit books I have read - hands down!