Starry Night

Christy Miller #8

by Robin Jones Gunn

It’s Christmastime, and Christy has lots going on with school, family, work, and maybe, just maybe, going to the Rose Bowl Parade with a bunch of friends. If only she could answer Uncle Bob’s tough questions about life. What does her future hold? Todd’s friend, Doug, gives her some insight that causes her to start appreciating Doug in a whole new way. Since Todd is still off at college in Hawaii, Rick takes the opportunity to show up at the most unexpected moments. But is he there to see Christy or the cutest elf at the mall? The new year finds Christy sitting on the roof of a familiar VW bus counting the stars. The question is, which guy is sitting beside her when that heavenly moment finally happens?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Young Adult, Christian, Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Teen

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

ROBIN 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.

Reviews

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me: *gets super frustrated with basically everyone and has strong desires to toss the book out the window of a speeding train*

Todd: *exists*

Me:...nvm we good.

[Carmen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think Christy Miller and Friends is becoming a little too much of a confusing soap opera for me.

Christy seems to still have feelings for Rick, who is either a jerk or a jerk-being-reformed. Also, Katie and Rick are flirting/kissing. This doesn't mean anything since we've pretty much established that Rick's a hound dog. And even though Rick is flirting/kissing Katie and probably a dozen college girls as well, it seems like he's still carrying a torch for Christy and hoping she'll change her mind about him and agree to be Girlfriend again.

Todd, who we all know will end up being Christy's True Love has been incommunicado for almost three whole books now, since he moved to Hawaii.

Doug, Todd's best friend - Christy is now starting to look at him in a different light. He claims to have no feelings for her beyond "sister in Christ" but he does stuff like physically pick her up and carry her into the kitchen for breakfast. Um, that sounds like flirting in my book.

Speaking of Doug, male virginity is FINALLY addressed in this book, when we are told that Doug is 20-years-old and never kissed a girl, or been kissed by one. He's saving his first kiss for his wedding day. Christy and her girlfriends have a discussion and decide that it's okay to kiss before being married - as long as there's no tongue involved. Well, I'm glad they got that sorted out.

And in the end, Todd comes back from Hawaii. He makes some generalized non-committal noises in Christy's direction, because he's a putz, and Christy swoons as if he's proposed marriage. o.O I think Jones Gunn is saying Christy's faith in Todd's love should be like her faith in God - both 'God' and 'Todd's love' are unseen, but she should just wait around until Todd decides he's ready to make some sort of commitment. *rolls eyes

To much Days of Our Lives type drama. No me gusta.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book from the 90's. I loved it. Loved how innocent and sweet love at the time is. It was all clean fun, and the guys intentions here were pure and real. As much as I love modern books set in our generation, there will always be times that I'll miss the 90's and the innocence that goes along with it. Starry Night implies just that. It was very clean (I don't remember much about the swearing) and guys weren't pigs then. You could always pinpoint players because they stood out like a sore thumb and they won't camouflage like now. Hahaha. Kidding aside. Also, the book dwelled a lot on religion. It tested my beliefs in God, and it affected me a lot, because I have gone through phases in my life wherein at some point, I questioned my beliefs. Haven't we all? This book made me believe more in God and implanted a message in my mind that he will always be there and He will always guide us to the right path. This book was also very honest. And the chocolate chips made me drool!

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

So some people read smutty romance novels as their secret pleasure. I have been known to pick up a young adult Christian book to indulge in. I'm working my way through this series, and I'm becoming more disenchanted as I go along. They are very clean, wholesome books, but I'm not sure it's really something that I'd want my teenager to read and take to heart. I guess the thing I have trouble with is the whole Christy/Todd thing and the role of women. Todd is a very frustrating character for me. He comes into her life, says they are more than friends, but not really, waltzes off to Hawaii and sends her a coconut and everything's supposed to be dandy. Then he returns to California and more of the same. Christy appears to want more, but yet it is Todd who dictates their relationship, lest she becomes a fallen woman or something. I don't like to see my heroines be so subservient.

[Megan Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book might be one of my favorites yet. I really enjoyed Christy's family vacation. I also loved the surprise ending. Doug and Todd are such great guys! I have to say, at the moment I almost like Doug a little better than Todd, but that might be because Todd really hasn't been in the last couple books. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

[Sasha Bredenhof · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually loved this one...

[Hannah Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ENDINGGGGGGGG
everything else was cute, too. 5 stars

[M.L. Little]

I noticed a few problematic remarks in this book. No one is really pointing these things out and it's concerning to me.

--Rick is emotionally manipulative and controlling, and he needs to go. This book needed to stop trying to redeem everybody. Sometimes life has bad guys. He needs to just go.

--At one point, Rick grabs Christy, and she feels uncomfortable and doesn't want him touching her. The older, wise mentor character says that because Christy is so godly, she is irrestible and Rick doesn't know how to act around her, thus excusing Rick's behavior. This is a horrible message for young, impressionable girls. Your godliness has nothing to do with people touching you. If you don't want to be touched, then there is no excuse.

--Then Rick kisses Katie without her consent. She is upset about this when she reveals it to Christy, and has mixed feelings. Christy comforts her and tells her, "Your first kiss is a wonderful thing." Uh...not necessarily? Your first kiss is a wonderful thing if you WANT the kiss and it's with someone you love and trust. What's next, someone gets raped and Christy tells them "Your first time having sex is a wonderful thing?"

--I agree with the reviewer who said it's so unfair of Todd to expect Christy to date only him and then hardly ever be in the picture. That's a little bit controlling, too.

--This is more minor, but Christy is basically incapable of helping herself.

These are bad messages for young girls, and I'm surprised no one else pointed them out.

[Rosie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book picks up shortly after book #7 during Christmas vacation/New Year's. Christy and her family plan on spending the holidays in a cabin in the mountains which initially makes Christy upset because she wanted to spend her break with her friends (really, Christy? Who wouldn't want to go on a trip?). After the holidays Christy is invited to attend the Rose Bowl Parade with Katie, Doug, Tracy, and her other beach friends. Rick, her ex-boyfriend, is also there but has now started pursuing Katie.

I'm going to come right out and say that i don't like Rick at all. He may have dated other girls in college but is still holding out for Christy, as if she might change her mind. This book had the feel of a little soap opera with figuring out who is interested in who. Obviously Christy is still interested in Todd, who finally makes an appearance in this book. The one thing that stood out to me was the discussion regarding Dough and his commitment to not kissing any girl until his wedding day. I found that very noble of him and something I hadn't seen discussed in other YA books (both Christian and non-Christian).

[Danae · Rating 3 out of 5]

i must say that i love doug in this book. he's such a sweet guy. probably my favorite character. rick annoys me. as usual. in this book, christy thinks a lot about dating vs. not dating and she is frustrated with her parents because they don't let her do things her friends' parents let them do. i enjoyed this one. the series is meant for a younger age, so it's not quite as exciting to me as other books i've been reading, but it's still cute.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christy's family decides to go on a vacation to a cabin over Christmas. Her aunt and uncle join them, but Christy is disappointed she won't see her friends. Christy was definitely a bit annoying in this one. I love Doug, he's probably my favorite character and wish there were more scenes with him. The ending was abrupt, but sweet.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christy kinda bugged me with how indecisive she was with relationships. I didn't like the whole Katie with Rick storyline (especially since Katie was so negative on Rick when Christy was dating him). I'm glad that finally Todd was back in Christy's life and it was sweet the way he just showed up unexpectedly. The ending was a bit abrupt to me, so I'm eager to start the next book.

[Maggie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

(2023) "God isn't a fantasy. His love is more real than anything,"

Maybe God, in His love, had provided an abundance, but people didn't share with those in need, so things became worse until the world ended up as it is today.

[Kait_Roc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very different from the others in the series, but it was a good kind of different. Christy started a new chapter of her life and I am so excited to be a part of it. She resolved a lot of conflict left over from past books. I was so relieved by this because I can’t help but share in Christy’s experiences, and this has been a roller coaster! As I read I saw Christy’s focus turn towards God and leading other people to Him. I also watched her self-control and inner peace strengthen in her recent trials. I feel as though I have really gotten to know Christy and I can’t wait until I read the next book in the series. This book was so well constructed with an amazing ending. The only thing I’m not happy about is being over halfway finished with the series. There is beer mentioned in a conversation and people talk about others kissing, but not in any detail. This book is appropriate for people 11 and up.

[Daliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is one of my favorite Christian authors, I love the main character ( Christy Miller), the main focus of this book was about Christy and her Christmas fiasco. I love the storyline and how Charity finds a way to have Jesus in everything she does and struggles with common teen struggles as a Christian. I dislike the character Rick in this book and wish that this book had more of how Katie felt with rick.

thank you!

[jaymee ◡̈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i forgot about a lot that happened in this one and it’s really surprising because a lot of important things happen in this one. the ending is so good!!

i love this quote so much i had to share it.

"I surrender to You, Father. I do this a lot, don't I? I'm glad You don't ever get tired of forgiving me for not trusting You completely. I don't want to run ahead of You. I want to walk with You. I want to hear Your voice and feel Your hand of blessing on my head."

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Enjoyed the family Christmas vacation. Marti and Bob are such delicious opposites, but in this one Christy actually finds a tough spot in Bob when it comes to believing in God. Rick is annoying - Katie needs to drop him like a hot potato. And the ending was sweet.

[Olivia Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Doug says that I will never be able to think of the thought of us dating as long as that bracelet is on your wrist because he loves and respects Todd and Christy's feeling for each other! Made me want to cry because that is honestly what forever friends should do for one another!

[ToeToe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think what I like the most about this one is that Christy is starting to think, talk, respond as an adult. There are only some instances where her age and the reality of being a young woman shines through but its amazing to see her grow up.

[Becky Giovagnoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending of this book has stuck with me since the first time I read it.

[Paula Perin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me incomoda, aliás só agora depois de adulta, essa ânsia de Chris em ter um namorado... rsss

[Eunice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Topics: Friends, dating, saving kisses for marriage, sharing faith.

[Nikole (dreamingofreadingx) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forever waiting for Todd to show up. Also this was a re-read for me. Read these books back in middle school. But honestly I barely remembered this one.

[Jessica Grewe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christy continues to grow and mature in her faith. She still struggles but seems to be more forward and confident in expressing her faith.

[Kyra Bredenhof · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Cadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I like this book because I like the Abraham story at the end it was very meaningful." -Cadee, age 11

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is up with Christy’s “friends” going for the guys she’s dated?? It’s so bizarre… I guess it’s a good thing Christy is so forgiving. Plus, that ending made me feel like “Rick who??” 🤣🫶🏻

[BookWorm]

16 year olds with nothing on their mind but boys

lots of preaching

one boy believes kissing should be saved for marriage and he was labeled as extreme.

[Shiloh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was one of the best books I’ve read in 2023 I literally gasped and I almost died from how excited this book made me. And this is one of the first books I would recommend to anyone who wants an actually a good clean romance book that a 12 year old could read.
-cussing 🤬 I don’t remember anything bad
-sexual content 🚨😘🚨there’s some kissing and a few sense talking about losing there virginity but that’s it nothing more.
But it’s not a 🌶️ book and I would totally 💯 recommend this series