Robin Jones Gunn
Sisterchicks on the Loose! (2003)
Author: Robin Jones Gunn
Genre (and Subgenre): Chick Lit/Christian
Plot summary:
Sharon is a good Christian housewife and mother who pleases everyone (except
her mother-in-law). Her best friend Penny is too, but she's flamboyant and
funny, and has a wild past. Penny drags Sharon, who has barely left her small
hometown of Chinook Springs, with her to Finland to meet Penny's only
connection to her past – an aunt who may not still be alive. After a bumpy
plane ride and some lost luggage, the two decide to throw their plans away and
put themselves at God's mercy. In Finland, Sharon discovers her sense of
adventure and questions her relationship with her family – Penny is far from
perfect, but she is honest and open and close to her children. Their
adventures lead them from Helsinki to the Finnish countryside to England, and
finally home again. Together, Sharon and Penny rediscover their faith, their
families, and the joys of rolling around naked in the snow. Sisterchicks, the
name Sharon gives the pair in Liverpool, is a fun read. The characters don't
go too far beyond types, but Gunn captures the adrenaline rush of travel. The
story is narrated by Sharon, so even though Penny is the catalyst of the
story, the adventure is also Sharon's.
Geographical setting: Chinook Springs, Washington; Finland; England
Time period: present
Series: Sisterchicks (#1)
Appeal characteristics:
Christianity, best girl friends in their 40s, travel, Finland; this book will
also appeal to members of the Red Hat Society
Sisterchicks in Gondolas! (2006)
Author: Robin Jones Gunn:
Genre: Chick Lit/Christian
Plot Summary:
When Jenna is invited to Venice to cook for a group of men at a Christian retreat, she readily accepts and quickly invites her sister-in-law, Sue. Both women have been going through some tough times - Jenna is still recovering from the pain of divorce and Sue is coping with the stress of her husband's debilitating accident. The trip seems like just the thing to help the women re-connect with God and take a much needed break from their stressful situations. SPOILER The week is filled with life changing spiritual experiences, gelato tasting excursions and the women return to the states free of the emotional burdens that threatened their faith.
Geographical Setting: Venice, Italy
Time Period: Present Day (2006)
Series: Sisterchicks in Gondolas is part of the Sisterchicks series but the books are not numbered and have different characters, so one need not read them in chronilogical order.
Appeal Characteristics:
Sisterchicks in Gondolas is set in Venice and the entire frame of the book revolves around the cultural atmosphere of the city. Readers are given detailed descriptions of the city, culture, the way the food tastes and smells and there is even a little bit of Italian language thrown in here and there. Even though the book is heavily detailed, it is still an easy read. There is a lot of dialogue between the two main characters, none of the chapters are all that long and there is only one plot to follow throughout the book. Because of the details and the "we're on vacation" aspect of the plot, the pacing of the story is more relaxed - the women are only in Italy a week but it seems like much longer. Jenna and Sue are really the only characters that are developed in the story - and with the exception of one of the men at the retreat, secondary characters don't have much dialog or any background details. Even though they are the main focus of the book, we only get minimal backstory on the women and more focus is placed on them re-discovering their faith and renewing of their weary spirits. Jenna and Sue are very down-to-earth, likeable and will seem inspiring to women readers who may be going through similar situations. This book is heavy on God, Christian values and spirituality and will not appeal to readers who don't enjoy elements of Christian faith in their fiction.
Read-alikes: The most obvious read-alike-choice for readers who enjoyed Sisterchicks in Gondolas are the five other books in the Sisterchicks series. Several of the the other books in the series feature two main characters on a spiritual journey, often traveling abroad and giving the books and storyline a unique cultural framing, similar to the setting in Sisterchicks in Gondolas. Readers who liked the friendship and dialog between the characters in Sisterchicks in Gondolas should also enjoy The Potluck Club by Linda Evans Shepherd. The book features a multigenerational mix of female characters who develop strong friendship bonds built on their faith in God and their love for cooking. Readers also get a bonus - there are recipes from the potluck club included at the end of each chapter. The Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson is another title with female characters similar to the characters of Jenna and Sue in Sisterchicks in Gondolas. The Yada Yada Prayer Group is also a series, but this particular title (and the first in the series) focuses on a group of diverse characters that become friends at a prayer conference. The friendships formed at the conference help the women face the challenges and crisis' in each of their lives, much like Jenna and Sue's retreat in Sisterchicks in Gondolas. Another choice for fans of the sisterchicks is Desperate Pastor's Wives by Ginger Kolbaba and Christy Scannell. The book follows four different pastor's wives who become close friends and support each other daily through prayer. Like the Sisterchicks books, there is a lot of dialog between the characters and emphasis is placed on inspiring readers who can personally identify with the situations in the book. A final suggestion is the Carter House Girls series by Melody Carlson. The characters in the books are all female and live in one big house, where they support each other like "sisters" and help each other as they struggle with their faith. Much like the Sisterchicks novel, several of the books in the series have stories and life changing moments when the characters are traveling the U.S. and abroad. Readers who enjoyed the conversational tone and unhurried pace of Sisterchicks in Gondolas will enjoy The Trophy Wives Club and Just Above a Whisper.
Billerbeck’s The Trophy Wives Club tells the story of Haley Cutler and her rediscovery in faith after a divorce leaves her terribly jaded.
For readers who want their own personal sisterchick adventure and to rediscover their faith should read Get Off Your Knees and Pray , by Shelia Walsh. Like Gunn, Walsh shows female readers how they can change tier life by simply putting their trust in God and serving him. This book serves as great bonding material for ladies Bible studies groups.
Red Flags: A gondalier makes a suggestive comment. Some readers might be turned off by the over abundance of Christianity.
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