Becoming Us - Robin Jones Gunn

Five young women, including beloved Gunn characters Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen, gather for a simple Christmas party and soon become unlikely best friends. Told from the viewpoint of Emily, a timid young mom going through a difficult season of life, the regular gatherings provide the much needed community she's longed for. As the women begin sharing their life stories in Becoming Us they are endeared to each other and find ways to challenge, encourage, and help each other become the nurturing mothers they wished they'd had when they were growing up. They see themselves as Haven Makers and unite to be remembered for what they do and not for what was done to them. (Amazon description)

Becoming Us by Robin Jones Gunn brings together 5 young mothers who connect and form a close bond with one another. The story is told mostly from the POV of Emily who has recently moved from North Carolina to California with her husband and young daughter. Unlike the others, Emily's child is not a baby or toddler, so that plus being in a very vulnerable season in her life causes her to be hesitant about forming friendships within the group. When an unexpected event thrusts her into a shared experience, however, she allows herself to be pulled into the group.

The transformation of Emily from a shy, lonely, timid woman who has allowed family to shape her life into a person emerging from the shadows strong in faith, confident in herself, willing to take risks, and determined to do what is best for herself, her husband, and her child is an encouraging story for anyone who struggles to find herself. Both Emily and her husband Trevor make strides to lean less on their own thoughts, understanding, and indecisiveness and to trust fully in God... which also is a lesson observed and adopted by daughter Audra.

For the fans of Christy Miller and Sierra Jenson, it will be a treat to revisit them in "Haven Makers" series. I know Robin Jones Gunn through her "SisterChicks" books, but now I want to read more. I give Becoming Us 5 stars and look forward to reading future books about these friends.

I received a copy of this book at no cost to myself as part of the WaterbrookMultnomah Becoming Us Launch Team. All opinions are my own.

RobinGunn.com
WaterbrookMultnomah.com
Becoming Us on Amazon

Spoken For by Robin Jones Gunn & Alyssa Joy Bethke

Spoken For: Embracing Who You Are and Whose You Are by Robin Jones Gunn and Alyssa Joy Bethke

A great romance was set in motion before you were born. A relentless Lover is pursuing you, and He has made His intentions clear. He wants you to be His forever. How will you respond to the One who longs for you to be His with your whole heart?
In Spoken For, Robin Jones Gunn and Alyssa Joy Bethke speak to your heart about what it means for you to belong to Christ, who you are because of His love, and how that affects the way you live. Drawing on biblical promises and their personal experiences,   these two friends share what it’s like to live out God’s unfolding love story.
You are not up for grabs. You are spoken for.
Includes questions for group discussion and personal reflection.  (publisher description) 

Spoken For speaks to all who have ever known the pain of rejection from someone they loved or feel that not even God loves them.Chances are, this includes all who will be reading this. Robin and Alyssa share painful break-ups in their own lives with the grieving process and their eventual healing. This includes anecdotes from falling in love with the men they married and the assurance that God has a better plan if we rely on Him. But, more than just stories of human courtship and love, they share the love God has for us. Through stories and the discussion questions, the reader is shown that God wants to pursue her in a relationship that makes her feel treasured and loved beyond measure. Chapters include:
1. An Epic Love Story – Yours
2. You Are Wanted
3. You Are Pursued
4. You Are Loved
5. You Have Been Called
6. You Are of Great Value
7. You Are a Peculiar Treasure
8. You Are Set Free
9. You Are Covered
10. You Are Promised
11. You Are Spoken For
 
Maybe because of my age, my favorite part was not in the romantic love stories. There was a story Robin told about a young girl who came to her house, upset because her parents refused to let her see a move that all her friends were going to see. Using 2 Timothy 2:21 and a fine china plate, Robin uses both to explain that her parents love her and want her to be special and to keep her mind pure. That reminder made more of an impact on me when considering Christ as the Bridegroom and me (as part of the Church) as the waiting Bride.

Really good book and I did enjoy it and found truths and reminders I need (often) that God loves me and is pursuing me. While it did not always capture my full attention, I would definitely recommend it for high schoolers and college-aged women. Naturally, older women can get a lot out of it too, but I found it more suitable for a younger age.

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book for free from "Blogging for Books" for my honest review.

Take Flight: A Sisterchicks Devotional by Robin Jones Gunn and Cindy Hannan

SISTERCHICK® n.: a friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and provides a reality check when you’re being a brat.

I have enjoyed each of the Sisterchicks novels written by Robin Jones Gunn and was very happy to be given an opportunity to review this devotional. Thanks to the WaterBrook Multnomah Blogging For Books program for providing me a copy for an honest review.

If you have read the books, you will recognize a few quotes scattered throughout the book and they are sure to bring back fond memories. If you haven't (and you need to start soon!), you will still love this book. It is filled with stories of shared adventures with friends, quotes, photos, Scripture, and places to jot down what is on your mind. There are also suggestions of things you can do with, or for, a Sisterchick. The 2 authors work together well in sharing things from a personal perspective. I loved From Robin's Nest and From Cindy's Perch and the insight each brought. This book is filled with wit and wisdom that you are sure to enjoy on your own or as part of a devotion time with a Sisterchick or two...or a whole flock of them.

 For more information, check out the following links:

• Author's Web site
• More Info
• Read Chapter One
• Author Bio

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."

Sisterchicks In Gondolas by Robin Jones Gunn

Sisterchicks In Gondolas is part of a delightful series by Robin Jones Gunn. Sisterchicks novels can be read as stand alone novels since it is the theme rather than the characters that remains consistent. Each novel is about close friends who share a common faith and have a chance for a vacation or simply to spend time together. (Actually, I was very surprised to realize that I had missed reading this one.) The story for Sisterchicks In Gondolas (from the website) is the following:
 
Jenna and Sue have been sisters-in-law for nearly thirty years but inseparable friends for only the last five. When Jenna is invited to a week’s stay at a fifteenth century restored palace on a quiet canal in Venice, Sue is her travel companion of choice. The catch? They must cook for a group that is staying at the palace for a retreat. With about six words of Italian between them, a map, and a keen appetite for gelato, Jenna and Sue enter into the lilting gondola-paced Italian lifestyle. Together they discovering corners of Venice most tourists never see and over boiling pots of pasta they dare each other to dream again. These two Sisterchicks realize that sometimes when serving God, the most important thing to do is just show up…and watch for goodness and mercy to follow close behind. 

I am a huge fan of all of the books in this series, but this one touched me even more than some of the others. I have never been to Venice, so I enjoyed reading more about it. The descriptions and information about the city and surrounding areas was fascinating. There is also a lot of humor in this story, as well as moments that caused me to pause and consider my own life. However, the 2 Sisterchicks in this story both had traits that reminded me of myself. Jenna had been divorced for many years, and felt like she couldn't me as much use to God and that family looked down on her for it. (Me too.) She was also invited to cook for some missionaries on a retreat, but is not a good cook. (I can relate to being a bad cook!) She only knows a few words of Italian, but that doesn't stop her for trying. (You should hear my Spanglish! LOL!)

Sue is adjusting to a new normal since her husband's accident...and is wanting to break out of her old patterns of legalism and being fearful. Also, she can cook! I can identify with the ways she has become a bit fearful of life and is wanting to LIVE rather than just continuing to EXIST. The way Sue and Jenna lean on one another and lift up one when the other is down is such a perfect portrait of unselfish love for a friend. They each want to help the other be the person God intended, plus walk closer with Him. This is both a book that makes a valid point of trusting God and His Grace, but also wrapped in pure joy. I loved it!

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 "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."