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Sierra Jensen #12
Take My Hand
On a trip to Southern California, Sierra has a rocky reunion with her love interest Paul, whom she has not seen in more than a year, and feels confusion yet again about their future
138 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1999
1 person is currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Robin Jones Gunn
164 books2,677 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 29, 2015
I can't even tell you how much the message of this novel grates my cheese.
It angers me a lot to have to read about all this "men are rapists" garbage. I'm not a man, but if I were a man I'd be really insulted. Actually, I'm insulted on men's behalf.
How dare this book suggest that men have such little control over themselves that any 'encouragement' from a woman just sends them over the edge? It's ridiculous. RIDICULOUS. I know tons of men and trust me - they are perfectly capable of seeing a woman in a short skirt or getting a kiss on the cheek from their girlfriend without being so overcome with lust that they need sex NOW. (Seriously. This book states that kissing your girlfriend on the cheek is something that will trigger an uncontrollable lust in a man. Not joking.)
They also imply that men are unable to enjoy snuggling. It always has to be sex. This is also not true. I know many men who enjoy snuggling.
This view of 'men as beasts' is not only popular with the fundamentalists Christians, but also in the majority of romance novels. It's insulting and I hate it.
But this fundamentalist Christian book doesn't only annoy me with this 'woman-blaming' aspect of 'men are lust-crazed animals.' It also annoys me by repeatedly telling me that men are in charge - the spiritual leaders - who should 'guide' women and teach them. And lead in the church.
I'm sorry, I'm experiencing a bit of a disconnect here. Let me get this straight. I'm supposed to believe that men are just walking around, barely holding on to the shreds of their humanity, completely at the mercy of any bare skin or suggestive words - BUT they are also the ones who are more spiritual? More able to lead? The ones who should be in control of the family and in charge of all the decisions and who should be obeyed and respected at all times?
What the heck? How certain Christians can meld these two mindsets together is BEYOND any of MY reasoning. If a woman really did buy this line of bullshit about men being very easy to turn into slavering animals - then why would she let one 'guide' her and teach her and make all her decisions for her? I mean, that's not exactly who I'd want in charge of everything.
...
Also, I really despise this message that if you have ex-girlfriends or boyfriends you are 'used' and 'worthless' and have somehow degraded yourself.
...
People usually focus on how religious views such as everything stated in this review hurt women and girls. But I'm here to tell you that they hurt men and boys, too. I know a lot of born-again Christian men who are severely damaged sexually and romantically because of how they were raised. Some of them are unable to date without feeling guilt, having read Joshua Harris's horrible book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye." Others beat themselves up and feel crushing guilt for such things as having wet dreams. All of them feel terrible, horrible guilt and anger with themselves for masturbating.
Then their very Christian parents are surprised and wonder why the man is still single at 33 and hasn't even had one serious girlfriend. And I want to tell them: It's because you fucked-up your son. Your religion fucked-him up and now he can't relate to women and he doesn't know what to do. He's terrified of his own sexuality.
I see this ALL THE TIME. It's even worse when the man has internalized all this 'women must be 100% pure' shit and refuse to date any woman who has had sex or even kissed a man before. It's a horrible vicious cycle in so many ways.
...
Then people ask me, "Why are you so angry at Christianity?"
I'm not. There's ways to be a Christian that don't involve all this BULLSHIT and instead focus on stuff like kindness, forgiveness, charity, and patience. I know 'sane' Christians, too - but unfortunately the extremists and the crazies seem to get all the press and ruin it for more understanding Christians.
P.S. I am never reading a Robin Jones Gunn book again. I'm completely done with this shit.
It angers me a lot to have to read about all this "men are rapists" garbage. I'm not a man, but if I were a man I'd be really insulted. Actually, I'm insulted on men's behalf.
How dare this book suggest that men have such little control over themselves that any 'encouragement' from a woman just sends them over the edge? It's ridiculous. RIDICULOUS. I know tons of men and trust me - they are perfectly capable of seeing a woman in a short skirt or getting a kiss on the cheek from their girlfriend without being so overcome with lust that they need sex NOW. (Seriously. This book states that kissing your girlfriend on the cheek is something that will trigger an uncontrollable lust in a man. Not joking.)
They also imply that men are unable to enjoy snuggling. It always has to be sex. This is also not true. I know many men who enjoy snuggling.
This view of 'men as beasts' is not only popular with the fundamentalists Christians, but also in the majority of romance novels. It's insulting and I hate it.
But this fundamentalist Christian book doesn't only annoy me with this 'woman-blaming' aspect of 'men are lust-crazed animals.' It also annoys me by repeatedly telling me that men are in charge - the spiritual leaders - who should 'guide' women and teach them. And lead in the church.
I'm sorry, I'm experiencing a bit of a disconnect here. Let me get this straight. I'm supposed to believe that men are just walking around, barely holding on to the shreds of their humanity, completely at the mercy of any bare skin or suggestive words - BUT they are also the ones who are more spiritual? More able to lead? The ones who should be in control of the family and in charge of all the decisions and who should be obeyed and respected at all times?
What the heck? How certain Christians can meld these two mindsets together is BEYOND any of MY reasoning. If a woman really did buy this line of bullshit about men being very easy to turn into slavering animals - then why would she let one 'guide' her and teach her and make all her decisions for her? I mean, that's not exactly who I'd want in charge of everything.
...
Also, I really despise this message that if you have ex-girlfriends or boyfriends you are 'used' and 'worthless' and have somehow degraded yourself.
...
People usually focus on how religious views such as everything stated in this review hurt women and girls. But I'm here to tell you that they hurt men and boys, too. I know a lot of born-again Christian men who are severely damaged sexually and romantically because of how they were raised. Some of them are unable to date without feeling guilt, having read Joshua Harris's horrible book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye." Others beat themselves up and feel crushing guilt for such things as having wet dreams. All of them feel terrible, horrible guilt and anger with themselves for masturbating.
Then their very Christian parents are surprised and wonder why the man is still single at 33 and hasn't even had one serious girlfriend. And I want to tell them: It's because you fucked-up your son. Your religion fucked-him up and now he can't relate to women and he doesn't know what to do. He's terrified of his own sexuality.
I see this ALL THE TIME. It's even worse when the man has internalized all this 'women must be 100% pure' shit and refuse to date any woman who has had sex or even kissed a man before. It's a horrible vicious cycle in so many ways.
...
Then people ask me, "Why are you so angry at Christianity?"
I'm not. There's ways to be a Christian that don't involve all this BULLSHIT and instead focus on stuff like kindness, forgiveness, charity, and patience. I know 'sane' Christians, too - but unfortunately the extremists and the crazies seem to get all the press and ruin it for more understanding Christians.
P.S. I am never reading a Robin Jones Gunn book again. I'm completely done with this shit.
September 28, 2017
Take My Hand is the Sierra Jensen series finale, and I've been working through the tales of Sierra and friends since around February, so it feels like the end of an era in a way. Did it live up to its prequels? Well...mostly. The drama towards the end is unlike anything in the previous novels, although the penultimate one's last third comes close. The writing, story, etc., are all as good as they've always been. It did feel slightly anticlimactic, but you don't spend eleven novels building up a story without having an ending volume that wraps things up pleasingly, and Take My Hand did just that. For anyone who likes teen-oriented, faith-based book series, this is definitely a winner; just make sure you have all the books available, because you'll be wanting to know what happens next as soon as each novel ends.
September 3, 2025
loved this!!! read it in one sitting & had a blast seeing my other favorite characters as the worlds collided once again!!! it was a sweet end to sierra’s series!! now i’m so happy to start rereading the christy college years for likely the 5th time😅
April 18, 2023
Sierra packs up and heads to college, but on the way there her family is making a stop to celebrate her sister Tawni's engagement. Tawni is engaged to Jeremy, so their engagement party will be the event that will finally reunited Sierra and Paul.
My favorite parts were when Grandma Mae told everyone that Sierra and Paul were engaged, how embarrassing, and when Sierra got to the college and reunited with Christy and Katie.
Looking forward to reading more about these characters in the next series.
My favorite parts were when Grandma Mae told everyone that Sierra and Paul were engaged, how embarrassing, and when Sierra got to the college and reunited with Christy and Katie.
Looking forward to reading more about these characters in the next series.
March 31, 2023
Take My Hand was a long-awaited story as Sierra and Paul are finally in the same location... and it looks like their relationship might be going towards boyfriend/girlfriend. Sierra moves into her dorm and her friends Christy and Katie are already there. It was so fun to see them again and know that Christy and Todd's relationship is going so well. Excited to read the final Sierra Jensen novel soon - Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2018
Last book great book too
January 26, 2012
was so fascinating i read it like 4 times just love it
May 2, 2024
paul ain’t it
February 19, 2026
Number of pages: 135
Genre: Contemporary YA
Series: Sierra Jensen Series #12
Age recommendation: High School (15/16)
Summary: Officially done with high school, Sierra is off to college with her friends. She just has one stop along the way: Tawni and Jeremy’s engagement party! Not only is she excited for her sister, Sierra also has plans of hanging out with Jeremy’s younger brother, Paul. That is, until it seems he doesn’t want to spend time with her.
My thoughts: I was a little disappointed. I was hoping for more about Tawni and Jeremy’s wedding, and a little less Sierra questioning (in her head) when Paul would kiss her. I’ve probably mentioned this before, but I’ll say it again: it’s not that I don’t like a cute romance in a story, I just can’t stand when it’s the driving force of the story and all the main character thinks about is “when is this guy going to kiss me?”
Paul is a really nice guy though and I think he’s perfect for Sierra. I don’t understand how he didn’t realize that his poems would be seen by Sierra as romantic. Sure, I agree kissing is a step further than poems, but I think poems are at least as romantic as hand holding so he didn’t need to think so poorly of Sierra for that. Anyway, I did like the point that different people (and guys and girls in general) have different standards of going too far too fast. God has a standard of purity, but exactly what might be too tempting for one person can be different from another. Sierra admits she has a hard time with Paul’s romantic letters and poems, while Paul has difficulty with Sierra’s physical affection: holding hands and hugging. It just goes to show that everyone needs to take time in their relationships to discuss and set boundaries for themselves so they don’t do something either will regret later.
There’s a big misunderstanding in the story, kind of related to the whole what’s going too far when you date, and it’s really awkward (I hate misunderstandings)
I like that Christy and Katie get to be at college with Sierra. And her brother too. It’s hard enough to go away to school, let alone in a completely different state from your parents. I think it will be really nice for Sierra to have her older brother around to look out for her.
This was not my preferred ending to the series, but overall, I enjoyed the books and especially getting to know Sierra!
My personal rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
Genre: Contemporary YA
Series: Sierra Jensen Series #12
Age recommendation: High School (15/16)
Summary: Officially done with high school, Sierra is off to college with her friends. She just has one stop along the way: Tawni and Jeremy’s engagement party! Not only is she excited for her sister, Sierra also has plans of hanging out with Jeremy’s younger brother, Paul. That is, until it seems he doesn’t want to spend time with her.
My thoughts: I was a little disappointed. I was hoping for more about Tawni and Jeremy’s wedding, and a little less Sierra questioning (in her head) when Paul would kiss her. I’ve probably mentioned this before, but I’ll say it again: it’s not that I don’t like a cute romance in a story, I just can’t stand when it’s the driving force of the story and all the main character thinks about is “when is this guy going to kiss me?”
Paul is a really nice guy though and I think he’s perfect for Sierra. I don’t understand how he didn’t realize that his poems would be seen by Sierra as romantic. Sure, I agree kissing is a step further than poems, but I think poems are at least as romantic as hand holding so he didn’t need to think so poorly of Sierra for that. Anyway, I did like the point that different people (and guys and girls in general) have different standards of going too far too fast. God has a standard of purity, but exactly what might be too tempting for one person can be different from another. Sierra admits she has a hard time with Paul’s romantic letters and poems, while Paul has difficulty with Sierra’s physical affection: holding hands and hugging. It just goes to show that everyone needs to take time in their relationships to discuss and set boundaries for themselves so they don’t do something either will regret later.
There’s a big misunderstanding in the story, kind of related to the whole what’s going too far when you date, and it’s really awkward (I hate misunderstandings)
I like that Christy and Katie get to be at college with Sierra. And her brother too. It’s hard enough to go away to school, let alone in a completely different state from your parents. I think it will be really nice for Sierra to have her older brother around to look out for her.
This was not my preferred ending to the series, but overall, I enjoyed the books and especially getting to know Sierra!
My personal rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
May 14, 2019
Great book, loved it so much.
April 25, 2023
Always well written
November 20, 2023
Sierra and Paul are finally together, but not the way Sierra imagines! A slightly painful, kinda funny look into Sierra's life as she begins her college life.
June 3, 2025
"This was a really good book, but I'm sad because my Mom won't let me read the college years until I'm older." -Cadee, age 13
July 4, 2011
If I had read this as a teenager, these books would all get four stars. Seeing as I'm no longer in that age bracket, though, this series was still good. They're the kind that you can breeze through, but because the core of every book is about God's heart for us, you can't simply dismiss or complete a book without at least being challenged or learning something, whether it's a verse or a different way of seeing God.
Sierra Jensen is definitely more feisty than Christy Miller, and something that I really appreciated about this particular series from Robin Jones Gunn was the portrayal of sisterhood between Sierra and her seemingly perfect older sister. That, if nothing else, struck me the most.
Sierra Jensen is definitely more feisty than Christy Miller, and something that I really appreciated about this particular series from Robin Jones Gunn was the portrayal of sisterhood between Sierra and her seemingly perfect older sister. That, if nothing else, struck me the most.
March 19, 2009
Ah! The ending to Sierra Jensen's adventure-filled life. I enjoyed seeing how things turned out in the end, especially with Paul. I will probably read more books by Robin Jones Gunn because of this series and the Christy Miller series. I'd recommend to fans of Robin Jones Gunn.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
December 4, 2017
Again, too much Paul things going on. Maybe because I know how their story goes from here and I appreciate that they don't have the "I found my soulmate at 15" thing that Christy and Todd have. And, again, probably more relatable when I was a teenager. Adult me would be rolling my eyes at my own teenage emotions too.
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March 26, 2010F GUN sj bk.12
October 28, 2014
Oh no I'm going through Sierra and Paul withdrawals! :(
September 5, 2018
Last read May 2011
November 12, 2012
Yes, Sierra and Paul are finally together!!! Why does the series have to end? :(
August 6, 2013
August 2013 re-read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews