Robin Jones Gunn

Fern and Lily have been friends since a summer mission trip to Costa Rica years ago. Although one lives in Denver and the other in Nashville, they've managed to retain their friendship. Fern works as an editor for a publishing company; Lily earns her income as a wedding planner. When family members cannot go on a safari and her husband can't go along, Lily insists Fern needs to go with her. Fern is hesitant to give such a short notice for a vacation, and when she does, she finds that her show more company has just been bought out and that she would miss the announcement that her position would become redundant with the new company. Neither woman tells the other what is going on in their own lives immediately, but they both read each other so well that they know and soon share their troubles. The people they encounter along the way, especially Wanja who nicknames them the "Suitcase Sisters" because they are traveling light, are delightful. Their experiences in Africa help them appreciate God and the awesomeness of creation and come to understand more about themselves. It is a Christian book, but Christianity is incorporated in ways one would expect in normal conversation between Christians instead of feeling forced. I'm glad I picked this one up on a whim at the library. It was a beautiful book and even made me want to enjoy tea in the company of elephants. show less

Jennalyn's husband Joel is putting in long hours at the restaurant where he is head chef and co-owner. Meanwhile, Jennalyn is feeling the loneliness of caring for two children under the age of five. She has supportive in-laws and a group of loving friends, but she is grieving her mother anew, wishing that she could get the motherly advice she craves. In the midst of all this, Garrett, the boy who broke her heart in high school, steps back into her life: his young daughter is in the same show more dance class as Jennalyn's. Garrett apologizes for the way he treated her in high school, and it's clear that he's hoping for a renewed friendship, or maybe more. Jennalyn feels uncomfortable about the situation, but clings to the memories of her mother that Garrett brings up. And, with Joel so busy at the restaurant, there never seems to be time to tell him about meeting Garrett...

This is another gentle inspirational novel from Robin Jones Gunn, in which long-established characters appear alongside new ones. (Is it just me, or was Sierra not this irritating when I was a teenager?) The focus is on Jennalyn and Joel's relationship, though there's a secondary plot line about Tess, the only single member of the group, who is having a similar experience to Jennalyn's. If you enjoy reading Christian fiction about marital problems and caring friend groups, this is a great choice, especially if you're familiar with some of Gunn's other books. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it more widely than that, though I did enjoy it. show less

Alissa has had some bad experiences with men, so she’s not looking to start a relationship with anyone. Particularly not her obnoxious new neighbor Brad. However, as she works through her own issues, and as she and Brad keep getting thrown together, she can’t escape the fact that she’s attracted to him. Does he feel the same?

As I’ve mentioned in other reviews, the enemies-to-lovers trope doesn’t always work for me, but in this case there’s enough going on that it doesn’t bother show more me much. Brad’s kind of a jerk, to be honest, but not enough of one to make me root against him and Alissa ending up together. Recommended if you’re already a fan of this author or this series, but I probably wouldn’t say this was a great starting point. Fans of Gunn’s teen books may remember Alissa from the Christy Miller series. show less

When I picked up this fiction book to escape to amazing Africa, I don't know what I expected. I just know I didn't realize how much my heart would be ministered to as I read. It was truly an escape as I flipped the pages of mesmerizing description of beautiful scenery and animals, but it was also a journey. Not just following along with the character's experiences, but participating in the journey myself. I saw pieces of my own story reflected in the baggage brought and healing sought by show more these two wonderful suitcase sisters. In many ways, the words spoken to them (especially the ones from the Bible or through wise people) were also spoken to me and over me, and I experienced my own healing through the words of Robin Jones Gunn. Truly an amazing read, especially for anyone who has their own life-changing international experiences to reflect back on. show less