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Sisterchicks #4
Sisterchicks Down Under
Kathleen joins her husband for a three-month trip work project in New Zealand and quickly discovers that creating a new life for herself is lonely without girlfriends. At just the right moment, she meets Jill at the Chocolate Fish Cafe. Even though the two women seem quite different at first glance, they find they share a common Sisterchick heart. Jill is also in need of a fresh, new friend and the women share a journey of restoration that takes them to Australia. Kathleen experiences a childhood dream come true when she feeds a kangaroo from the palm of her hand. Laughter becomes the best medicine as they watch God return to them the truest part of themselves that was set aside so many years ago.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2005
20 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
Robin Jones Gunn
162 books2,635 followersROBIN JONES GUNN has written more than 100 books with over 6.5 million copies sold worldwide. Her Father Christmas books have been made into three Hallmark Christmas movies. The timeless Christy Miller series now continues in Christy & Todd: The College Years, Married Years, Baby Years, and the Haven Maker series. Robin's novels and non-fiction works include Before Your Tween Daughter Becomes a Woman, Victim of Grace, Praying for Your Future Husband, and Before You Meet Your Future Husband co-authored with Tricia Goyer. Her books have received multiple awards and are a favorite with book clubs and study groups. Many of Robin's books are in eBook, audiobook, large print, and foreign editions. Robin does a weekly Podcast called "Women Worth Knowing" with Cheryl Brodersen. Robin and her husband have a grown son and daughter and live in California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
May 20, 2025
This was really good!!! I loved the Lord of the Rings and I Love Lucy references!!!
And the part where they were trying to jump out of the hobbit hole and scare the people walking by was kinda funny 🤣🤣
Frtc
And the part where they were trying to jump out of the hobbit hole and scare the people walking by was kinda funny 🤣🤣
Frtc
July 11, 2015
Love the quote from page 79... What would my life look like if I started to love extravagantly?.... The message rings beautifully throughout the book... Love God and love people. Not one or the other. It has to be both!
May 24, 2024
I’ve got Kindle Unlimited again and I’m on a mini vacation so, it’s time for a sisterchick book!
I just love Robin. And when I read her books, it’s almost not even about the story and the characters—it’s like I’m just sitting down with her and letting her talk to me, encourage me and mentor me. Her books are always beautiful, God-ward stories that lead me to loving Jesus more.
Also, really appreciated the widow story in this book.
I just love Robin. And when I read her books, it’s almost not even about the story and the characters—it’s like I’m just sitting down with her and letting her talk to me, encourage me and mentor me. Her books are always beautiful, God-ward stories that lead me to loving Jesus more.
Also, really appreciated the widow story in this book.
September 25, 2016
It is embarrassing to admit that I read this book, but it was shallow and entertaining and helped me go to sleep at night, which is honestly when I do the most reading. Here's a hint: if you read a really shallow book like this and enjoy it, don't take it to your small group to share at the book give-a-way. People will want to know who contributed it and You Will Be Exposed. Just drop books like this in the library sale box. Others can discretely read and enjoy your shallow hand offs.
May 26, 2023
Kathleen travels to Wellington, NZ while her husband works on a film there. At first she’s overwhelmed by all the changes and homesickness until she meets another woman from California and they along with a newZealand cafe owner Tracey have adventures: killing a garden Hobbit trying the drive on the left, NZ kiwi slang, an adventurous trip to Sydney Australia, house painting and many chocolate fish for doing good. They each help the other heal and move on asking what is the treasure in your hand?
First of all, they made 45 years old feel old- at almost 20 years older than that I beg to differ!!
Faith for them was trust,while for me it’s about questioning. “ if nothing happens without the Lords permission, then, would such a compassionate God, give permission for Ray to die? it doesn’t make sense to me. I keep looking for a reason, but there isn’t any” .(191) God “taking” people and things we love doesn’t fit with my experience of God- these characters were trying to figure out how to accept that when I don’t and am a person of Faith. God gives us free will and natural laws which mean natural consequences happen and life happens. God like us as parents have preferred pathways for us as children: loving/ following God, caring for/ respecting others / ourselves, not taking what isn’t ours, etc. we do have choices. We can be taken off the track by addiction, mental illness, greed, envy, trauma, etc. It’s what we do for ourselves /with others when that happens that matters. I believe God doesn’t make bad things happen to us; many times they happen & we didn’t deserve it. Agnes never did anything that atrocious in her life to deserve all that happened to her. Things happen in life and God is there to help us. While somethings in our lives, come as baggage even before we’re born, we still have choices. Each choice can take us in a direction. One of the characters husband made a choice that meant he lost his life and saved another persons life. God didn’t make him do that Ray the character was a loving, caring human being, who could not live with the idea that he hadn’t tried to save that other person. God was not to blame.
+ loves the scenery, travel, culture glimpses of NZ and Australia
- kind of simplistic believe all or believe nothing
- the women had not maintained lives beyond their roles as mothers and wives. They didn’t feel like they were worthy by themselves, they were also a little helpless on their own.
Sister chicks down under by robin jones Gunn
40 there’s something Ray used to say about answered prayer: if you feel a deep hunger, but don’t know what you want, just ask God to order it for you. That way you’ll always get whatever is best on the menu.
99 about World War I memorials in NZ
Jill: You’ll probably start to notice them now. If I remember correctly over 100,000 troops from New Zealand fought in World War I and over half the soldiers were killed or wounded. For a small nation, it was devastating. Everyone knew someone who had lost someone I think it affected the entire generation in a deep way.
Kathy: I never thought of New Zealanders being involved in either of the world
Jill: That’s because you and I grew up only hearing about America’s part and fighting for world peace during the past century, it’s a little stunning, isn’t it. When you slip into a place like this, and realize that we’re not really the center of the universe after all?
Kathy: What you just said, got to me. It’s true. We’re not the center of the universe, are we?
Jill: Certainly not the way we think we are.
118 Kathy about her favorite part of her job in a retirement community & considered pursuing it: I love being with the Stroke patients when they meet with their speech therapist.
I didn’t feel as if Jill was putting me on the spot like a lawyer trying to uncover facts. Instead, she seem to be turning over soil of my heart like a tinder gardener. She was preparing me for new bulbs that would brew inside my thoughts and bloom in another season.
Kathy: I guess I like being around the speech therapist so much because I see how they give the patients hope. When you’ve spent your whole life, depending on talking is your way to get your thoughts across, it’s horrible to have your voice taken from you. Most people think the worst part of the stroke is losing the use of an arm or not being able to walk without assistance. What no one understands is how debilitating it is to lose your words. If you can’t talk, people ignore you. They don’t try to interact with you. Your needs in your opinions, go unnoticed and unheeded.
Whenever a speech therapist breaks through with a patient, that’s when I say, this is been a good day. Those are my favorite days. It doesn’t mean every patient has the ability to train is through mouth to form words again. Some of them learn sign language, or learn to write short thoughts on a pad. One therapist designed a special board for Mr. Harris that has big colored dots. Red for no, green for yes, yellow for hungry… It was so great. I love seeing Mr. Harris‘s face light up when he discovered he could communicate again.
122 after watching 2 dolphins riding a wave:
Almost missed the train, ladies, the conductor said.
No, we almost missed the moment, Jill said, with her fabulous, free, spirited laugh.
131-2 New Zealand slang: last week I went to the chemist next to the dairy and was so booger. I got the Colly wobbles, and had to use the Dunny before I could buy my cotton buds and stick in plaster. Translation: last week you went to the drugstore next to the 7-Eleven or corner market. You were so tired that you got that nervous queasy feeling in your stomach and had to use the restroom. Then what did you buy? Oh wait, I remember Q-tips and Band-Aids.
149 about vegimite or marmite: what are you supposed to do with Vegemite?
Well, different people have different opinions what should be done with Vegemite I will simply tell you that you should try it and see what you think. I will also tell you that it’s considered a comfort food.
151 remembering ILove Lucy Vita vegimin so tasty too! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ercpVeR...
152- 155, Sydney Opera House
158 art museum: aboriginal art & Victorian art- woman in a light colored dress on the beach bending over with something in her hand- what is in her hand? What was her treasure? What is in your hand or mine?
169 didgeridoo
178 “Manly beach” T shirt: Manly life guard
190 Lamentations 3
191 Ephesians 5:2 God’s love was not cautious, but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us, but to give everything of himself to us love like that.
Jill: I still have a hard time with that last passage. If nothing happens without Lords permission, then, why with such a compassionate God, give permission for Ray to die? It doesn’t make sense to me. I keep looking for a reason, but there isn’t any do you think God is fair?
Kathy: He must not be I mean, I’ve never done anything to deserve the love and mercy. He gives me every day. If you were fear, I’d be condemned.
195 koalas, kookaburra, kangaroos
207 judder bar- speed bump
213 in the wop wops- in the boonies
214 pavlova dessert made of egg whites like meringues with fruit, or chocolate drizzle
Sisterchick- noun 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.
Bob’s your uncle- so there’s that.
First of all, they made 45 years old feel old- at almost 20 years older than that I beg to differ!!
Faith for them was trust,while for me it’s about questioning. “ if nothing happens without the Lords permission, then, would such a compassionate God, give permission for Ray to die? it doesn’t make sense to me. I keep looking for a reason, but there isn’t any” .(191) God “taking” people and things we love doesn’t fit with my experience of God- these characters were trying to figure out how to accept that when I don’t and am a person of Faith. God gives us free will and natural laws which mean natural consequences happen and life happens. God like us as parents have preferred pathways for us as children: loving/ following God, caring for/ respecting others / ourselves, not taking what isn’t ours, etc. we do have choices. We can be taken off the track by addiction, mental illness, greed, envy, trauma, etc. It’s what we do for ourselves /with others when that happens that matters. I believe God doesn’t make bad things happen to us; many times they happen & we didn’t deserve it. Agnes never did anything that atrocious in her life to deserve all that happened to her. Things happen in life and God is there to help us. While somethings in our lives, come as baggage even before we’re born, we still have choices. Each choice can take us in a direction. One of the characters husband made a choice that meant he lost his life and saved another persons life. God didn’t make him do that Ray the character was a loving, caring human being, who could not live with the idea that he hadn’t tried to save that other person. God was not to blame.
+ loves the scenery, travel, culture glimpses of NZ and Australia
- kind of simplistic believe all or believe nothing
- the women had not maintained lives beyond their roles as mothers and wives. They didn’t feel like they were worthy by themselves, they were also a little helpless on their own.
Sister chicks down under by robin jones Gunn
40 there’s something Ray used to say about answered prayer: if you feel a deep hunger, but don’t know what you want, just ask God to order it for you. That way you’ll always get whatever is best on the menu.
99 about World War I memorials in NZ
Jill: You’ll probably start to notice them now. If I remember correctly over 100,000 troops from New Zealand fought in World War I and over half the soldiers were killed or wounded. For a small nation, it was devastating. Everyone knew someone who had lost someone I think it affected the entire generation in a deep way.
Kathy: I never thought of New Zealanders being involved in either of the world
Jill: That’s because you and I grew up only hearing about America’s part and fighting for world peace during the past century, it’s a little stunning, isn’t it. When you slip into a place like this, and realize that we’re not really the center of the universe after all?
Kathy: What you just said, got to me. It’s true. We’re not the center of the universe, are we?
Jill: Certainly not the way we think we are.
118 Kathy about her favorite part of her job in a retirement community & considered pursuing it: I love being with the Stroke patients when they meet with their speech therapist.
I didn’t feel as if Jill was putting me on the spot like a lawyer trying to uncover facts. Instead, she seem to be turning over soil of my heart like a tinder gardener. She was preparing me for new bulbs that would brew inside my thoughts and bloom in another season.
Kathy: I guess I like being around the speech therapist so much because I see how they give the patients hope. When you’ve spent your whole life, depending on talking is your way to get your thoughts across, it’s horrible to have your voice taken from you. Most people think the worst part of the stroke is losing the use of an arm or not being able to walk without assistance. What no one understands is how debilitating it is to lose your words. If you can’t talk, people ignore you. They don’t try to interact with you. Your needs in your opinions, go unnoticed and unheeded.
Whenever a speech therapist breaks through with a patient, that’s when I say, this is been a good day. Those are my favorite days. It doesn’t mean every patient has the ability to train is through mouth to form words again. Some of them learn sign language, or learn to write short thoughts on a pad. One therapist designed a special board for Mr. Harris that has big colored dots. Red for no, green for yes, yellow for hungry… It was so great. I love seeing Mr. Harris‘s face light up when he discovered he could communicate again.
122 after watching 2 dolphins riding a wave:
Almost missed the train, ladies, the conductor said.
No, we almost missed the moment, Jill said, with her fabulous, free, spirited laugh.
131-2 New Zealand slang: last week I went to the chemist next to the dairy and was so booger. I got the Colly wobbles, and had to use the Dunny before I could buy my cotton buds and stick in plaster. Translation: last week you went to the drugstore next to the 7-Eleven or corner market. You were so tired that you got that nervous queasy feeling in your stomach and had to use the restroom. Then what did you buy? Oh wait, I remember Q-tips and Band-Aids.
149 about vegimite or marmite: what are you supposed to do with Vegemite?
Well, different people have different opinions what should be done with Vegemite I will simply tell you that you should try it and see what you think. I will also tell you that it’s considered a comfort food.
151 remembering ILove Lucy Vita vegimin so tasty too! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ercpVeR...
152- 155, Sydney Opera House
158 art museum: aboriginal art & Victorian art- woman in a light colored dress on the beach bending over with something in her hand- what is in her hand? What was her treasure? What is in your hand or mine?
169 didgeridoo
178 “Manly beach” T shirt: Manly life guard
190 Lamentations 3
191 Ephesians 5:2 God’s love was not cautious, but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us, but to give everything of himself to us love like that.
Jill: I still have a hard time with that last passage. If nothing happens without Lords permission, then, why with such a compassionate God, give permission for Ray to die? It doesn’t make sense to me. I keep looking for a reason, but there isn’t any do you think God is fair?
Kathy: He must not be I mean, I’ve never done anything to deserve the love and mercy. He gives me every day. If you were fear, I’d be condemned.
195 koalas, kookaburra, kangaroos
207 judder bar- speed bump
213 in the wop wops- in the boonies
214 pavlova dessert made of egg whites like meringues with fruit, or chocolate drizzle
Sisterchick- noun 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.
Bob’s your uncle- so there’s that.
March 2, 2024
I have enjoyed picking out the cameos from other RJG series (Teri and Gordon from Glenbrooke here) but I think this is the first Sisterchicks not to have a silent cameo from Chet and Rosie (from Sunsets) unless I missed it.
September 26, 2008
This one was great and made want to travel to New Zealand!
December 30, 2019
I thought this was going to be where they go on a trip from where they are living to Australia, like the other books I have read. However, Kathy moves to New Zealand with her husband for a short term job so the adventure in a new place begins right away. Kathy then meets Jill and they do travel from New Zealand to a couple of places, Australia included. I enjoyed this one just as I have enjoyed the others. This spoke to me in this time of my life because I am preparing for a move, hopefully short term (though not as short as Kathy's), and I am having a difficult time with it. Reading this is giving me hope to connect with people in this new place to experience what God has for me there.
August 21, 2018
The Sisterchick books have been great!
I have recently been reading these Sisterchick books by Robin. I love how real the character are. Plus the humor during the pages. They are a quick read, I'm not sure if there's an order to the books but I have truly enjoyed them all. This one is no exception. The descriptions of the the places is great plus the friendship and experiences with God's work through it.
Another awesome book by Robin Jones-Gunn
I have recently been reading these Sisterchick books by Robin. I love how real the character are. Plus the humor during the pages. They are a quick read, I'm not sure if there's an order to the books but I have truly enjoyed them all. This one is no exception. The descriptions of the the places is great plus the friendship and experiences with God's work through it.
Another awesome book by Robin Jones-Gunn
February 7, 2018
This was just as good as the first in the series, Sisterchicks on the Loose! I didn't enjoy the 2nd one, Sisterchicks Do the Hula!, quite as much so I was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed this one so much! I don't know if it's the setting that I enjoy more - Finland and New Zealand/Australia as opposed to Hawaii - or the characters.
December 10, 2022
The second Sisterchicks book I've read, and makes me want to visit New Zealand and Australia even more. I know personally about grief following the tragic death of a loved one, and having those friends who bring you out of your pit of despair. God brings people into our lives when we need it most, like Kathy and Jill.
August 8, 2024
This is my second Sisterchicks book, and I just adore them! They are just the right blend of wacky humor, relatable women, and meaningful scripture. Robin Jones Gunn knows how to write women and isn’t afraid to tackle our struggles with humor. When I finished this quick read, I felt inspired, refreshed, and dying to go down-under!
September 21, 2018
I am amazed at the manner in which Gunn can make me laugh right out loud on one page, and then think deeply and ponder the next. An incredible talent with words! These sisterchicks are another unique pair of friends that can peel back the deepest pain and release the finest joys.
January 30, 2020
Sweet and funny!
The Sisterchick books are sweet and funny. They offer a great light read that will leave you laughing and touched spiritually. The women have great adventures and grow from God's touch on their lives.
The Sisterchick books are sweet and funny. They offer a great light read that will leave you laughing and touched spiritually. The women have great adventures and grow from God's touch on their lives.
May 11, 2020
Light, informative, and memorable takeaway in this novel about two women who grow a lasting friendship and encourage one another. IA novel about letting go and starting new life stages. I doubt you'll finish this book without a longing to visit Australia.
May 13, 2020
God has surprises when we open our hearts to extravagant love
Robin weaves a great story of sister friends who learn to accept each other, learn to love, learn to forgive, even in midst of deep hurts
Robin weaves a great story of sister friends who learn to accept each other, learn to love, learn to forgive, even in midst of deep hurts
October 13, 2022
Fourth book in the Sisterchicks series. I loved these books for the light read, the feel good vibes, the friendships, and the vacations. Just a nice way to be transported somewhere else without much drama.
June 5, 2024
Not deep, but sweet and sentimental. I didn't realize it was going to be so heavily faith oriented, but I very much enjoyed that aspect. I also loved the portrayal of friendship. I'm totally going to read more in the series.
June 9, 2025
I know they supposed to be on their 40’s , but I don’t know it seemed they should be in their sixties. I’m in my 40’s with two school aged kids still in the house they just seem they should have been older too me. They act like teens sometimes.
December 24, 2025
I love the sisterchicks books. It's fun and interesting to visit the fun places where the sisterchicks travel. Gunn has a way of with words to make you feel like you're on the adventure with the characters.The faith aspect of the book is icing on the cake.
July 16, 2017
A quick, light story for those you need something like that.
August 15, 2017
#2 fav of mine within the sisterchicks series.
I love the ease of the sisterchicks relationship and the details of their simple days.
I love the ease of the sisterchicks relationship and the details of their simple days.
August 25, 2017
A fun, easy read.
July 12, 2018
One of my favorites in the series so far.
December 31, 2018
The writing was unsophisticated and it was a Christian fiction on top of that. Glad it only took up two nights of my life.
March 16, 2019
If you read this book, you will go through all the emotions - lots of laughter, maybe a few tears, heart warming love for friends, and so much more.
July 12, 2019
⚡ Sisterchicks rock!
January 19, 2020
Sweet book. Fun read. I liked the themes of adaptability for whatever life throws at you, recovery from loss, friendship, treasure, and good old fashioned fun.
January 30, 2020
Probably the weakest book of the series so far.....
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March 7, 2021See my review here. http://oldoriginalthoughts.blogspot.c...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews