In It Had To Be Drew, one meddling old lady sets up her niece, recent college grad, Sophie, with the man of her adolescent dreams, small town lawyer, widower Drew Grayson. Sophie is the illegitimate daughter of a woman of "lesser morals" who had basically been drummed out of the town many years prior. However, when her aunt has a (faked) injury, Sophie swallows her pride and returns to help out. Sophie, ever the soft touch, is also drawn into helping Drew with his out of control thirteen year old daughter. Her biggest problem is Drew himself, who stirs up her blood and her fantasies. Unfortunately she feels overshadowed by her memories of Drew's deceased wife, who she felt was the perfect woman/wife/mother.

Drew is torn up by his response to Sophie. He wants her in the worst way, but feels too old for her. He is tortured by his memories of his wife, who didn't want to be a mother, hated the town they lived in and bottom line hated him. Eventually giving into his raging desire for Sophie, he thinks- briefly- that his life is under control again. This illusion dies a quick death when Sophie discovers he has known all along who her father is, vicious gossip threatens to destroy her confidence, and finally to take the cake, he learns about her aunt's matchmaking scheme. Will Sophie have enough hope for the two of them to carry them through? Will Drew put aside his fears and let true love take its course? Will he ever forgive her aunt for messing so thoroughly with his orderly, controlled life?!

Ms. Nelson crafts a wonderful, engrossing story. Her sense of humor shines through in multiple scenes, especially ones with Sophia's scheming aunt. Her depiction of Drew's adolescent daughter is so on target, she is almost frighteningly easy to picture with her confusing, rapid swings of emotions. Drew's complete inability to understand the changes she is going through only adds to his charm. Sophie is delightful in her attempts to wrest order into an entirely disordered situation. Yet in the midst of all the laughs, the two generate some serious heat. I recommend this to anyone looking for a light hearted, feel good romance. Five Angels. RR.

Reviewed by: Lynn