THE TROUBLE WITH DESTINY

Liza and her school marching band enter a contest on a cruise ship, but only drum-major Liza knows that they will fall to school budget cuts unless they can win the $25,000 first prize.

This light farcical romance depends on Liza’s misunderstandings and misadventures, which happen often enough to keep readers laughing. Her main rival, Demi, leader of an excellent dance troupe, is her former best friend and has no trouble fighting dirty. As soon as Liza boards the boat, she runs into childhood friend Lenny, who has turned into quite the hottie. Almost worse than Demi is quarterback-turned–band’s errand-boy Russ, who is distinguished by his incompetence. The band’s rehearsals, when they manage to have them, are near disasters, especially when Liza yields to the pressure and yells at her musicians. And then there’s that dropped bowling ball….More and more, she’s forced to rely on the help of the patient Russ, with results that will surprise only Liza. Morrill keeps her story light and almost fluffy as Liza flails about, both while leading her band and while pursuing romance. The rules of a rom-com prevail, but the ride is a pretty enjoyable one.

Slapstick and romance make for a cotton-candy read.