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Katie is about to be amazed. Ever since high school when she hung out with her best friend, Christy Miller, Katie has wondered what it would be like to be Rick Doyle's girlfriend. Is she about to find out? The swirl of her life catches her off balance when she receives an unexplained bouquet, an unexpected call from her mother and unhappy news about her beloved car, Baby Hummer. Rick's new roommate, Eli, complicates things by inviting Katie on a midnight jaunt to see a meteor shower. Under a show more canopy of stars Katie grasps a new view of the universe-out there as well as up close. As if she had nothing else to do, on a whim she singlehandedly starts a fund-raising campaign for clean water for Africa. With Rick caught up in making plans for his future, how will Katie navigate her way through the remainder of her college career with no money, no transportation, no spare time, and no idea what God is doing? On a Whim is book #2 in the Katie Weldon series. show lessTags
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I've read the Christy/Todd series and the Sierra Jensen series as well as the first book of this series, though this was many years ago. I applaud Gunn for trying to show how romantic love should be according to Christ's precepts (no sex before marriage, not kissing every guy/girl you go out with, avoiding temptations etc.) but her concept of having the girl not sure if they're really a couple is getting old.
It seems Katie has wanted to be Rick's girlfriend for a long time. Yet to me, both Rick and Katie are sending some mixed signals. Katie claims Rick is her boyfriend, but she also claims to relate more to Eli's way of life than she does to Rick's. Rick at times acts like Katie's his girlfriend, but he also seems to be a bit flirty show more with Nicole. Leaving me to wonder if the two of them will make it through the series.
I liked the interaction between Eli and Joseph and the stories about living in Africa. I felt sad for Joseph that he'd left his wife and daughter behind when he was chosen to pursue and education in the US. (Apparently something happened with their paperwork that prevented them from joining him.)
Katie does seem to fly off the handle a lot, particularly if she feels someone is criticizing her. It seemed like she fought with most people in the book, except maybe for Eli and Joseph. Something she's going to have to work on as she matures. show less
It seems Katie has wanted to be Rick's girlfriend for a long time. Yet to me, both Rick and Katie are sending some mixed signals. Katie claims Rick is her boyfriend, but she also claims to relate more to Eli's way of life than she does to Rick's. Rick at times acts like Katie's his girlfriend, but he also seems to be a bit flirty show more with Nicole. Leaving me to wonder if the two of them will make it through the series.
I liked the interaction between Eli and Joseph and the stories about living in Africa. I felt sad for Joseph that he'd left his wife and daughter behind when he was chosen to pursue and education in the US. (Apparently something happened with their paperwork that prevented them from joining him.)
Katie does seem to fly off the handle a lot, particularly if she feels someone is criticizing her. It seemed like she fought with most people in the book, except maybe for Eli and Joseph. Something she's going to have to work on as she matures. show less
Katie Wheldon is now in her senior year of college and she thinks she has everything planned out. She especially thinks she's ready to take her relationship with Rick to become more serious. Rick is ready too but his work schedule works havoc into making their intentions happen. So Katie steps back and lets things go more slowly. However after a midnight trip into the desert to do some star watching with Rick's roommate and events like Baby Hummer dying, Katie becomes confused about how her future should be planned out.
Reading about Katie Weldon is like reading the story about one of your close friends. I grew up reading the Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen series so reading Katie's books is a must. I definitely miss being an undergrad show more student living in the dorms when I read this book. Dorm life is something everyone should experience. The adventures Katie has in the dorms just bring back a lot of memories. I loved the whole flower mystery. I was kind of worried about the way Katie and Eli's relationship was going. I don't want anything to compromise her relationship with Rick. The trip out to the desert, while breathtaking, did have grounds for concern from Christy and others. While totally innocent, I could see why eyebrows might have been raised especially at a Christian college. I do love reading about her and Rick's relationship. It's great to see Rick evolve from the high school jock who tried to get Christy to this really nice grown up guy who cares very much about Katie. I just do not understand Katie's mother. It seems that no matter what Katie does, she cannot please her. I would go absolutely berserk if she was my mom, but Katie handles her very well. She would be an interesting mother in law for whoever marries Katie. The whole story is just something almost every 20-something goes through. I, myself, could totally relate with Katie throughout her choice, decisions and feelings. I get excited every time I read a Robin Jones Gunn book because I know it will be a good read. I really love the characters she's created and I hope she'll never stop writing about them. I cannot until book 3 comes out! show less
Reading about Katie Weldon is like reading the story about one of your close friends. I grew up reading the Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen series so reading Katie's books is a must. I definitely miss being an undergrad show more student living in the dorms when I read this book. Dorm life is something everyone should experience. The adventures Katie has in the dorms just bring back a lot of memories. I loved the whole flower mystery. I was kind of worried about the way Katie and Eli's relationship was going. I don't want anything to compromise her relationship with Rick. The trip out to the desert, while breathtaking, did have grounds for concern from Christy and others. While totally innocent, I could see why eyebrows might have been raised especially at a Christian college. I do love reading about her and Rick's relationship. It's great to see Rick evolve from the high school jock who tried to get Christy to this really nice grown up guy who cares very much about Katie. I just do not understand Katie's mother. It seems that no matter what Katie does, she cannot please her. I would go absolutely berserk if she was my mom, but Katie handles her very well. She would be an interesting mother in law for whoever marries Katie. The whole story is just something almost every 20-something goes through. I, myself, could totally relate with Katie throughout her choice, decisions and feelings. I get excited every time I read a Robin Jones Gunn book because I know it will be a good read. I really love the characters she's created and I hope she'll never stop writing about them. I cannot until book 3 comes out! show less
I love Robin Jones Gunn's books. They make me feel good and unashamed to be a Christian. In this book Katie is waiting for the first kiss. She gets it and much more. The Katie Weldon series has a strong abstinence message that some might find unrealistic or unbelievable. I find this book as well as all Gunn's Christian romances sweet.
this is a good addition to the christy miller series. she deals with love, freindship problems, and good times. this always is a good book to read just as a wheever book.
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145+ Works 18,006 Members
Robin Jones Gunn grew up in Orange County, California. As a Christian author, her first book was published in 1988 and has since written over 60 books. She has been nominated for various Christian Fiction awards including two Christy awards and a Gold Medallion award. She is on the board of reference for the Christian Writers' Guild.
Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- On a Whim
- Original title
- On a Whim
- Original publication date
- 2008
- People/Characters
- Katie Weldon; Rick Doyle; Christy Miller; Todd; Joseph Obuki; Eli (show all 11); Nicole; Julia; Josh Doyle; Mrs. Doyle; Mr. Doyle
- Important places
- Rancho Corona University; San Diego, California, USA; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Africa
- Dedication
- For my forever friend and amazing agent, Janet Kobobel Grant. Thank you for two decades of wisdom and grace every time I'm ready to out "on a whim." What will the next two decades hold for us? With deep appreciation to the... (show all) team of God-Lovers I have the privilege of working with at Zondervan Publishers. And to the best assistants on the planet, Rachel and Natalie.
- First words
- "Which button do I push?" Katie stared at the panel of options on her best friend's microwave.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)They drew together at the same moment and gave each other a kiss that was equal to any fairy-tale kiss that ever accompanied a story of "almost ever after."
- Original language
- English US
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 199
- Popularity
- 163,533
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (4.02)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 6
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 3




























































