Coming Attractions: Katie Weldon Series #3

Katie Weldon #3

by Robin Jones Gunn

Katie graduates college and follows her heart into a new adventure with Eli beside her.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit

326 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2009

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

[Amydeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of you may know Robin Gunn from her Sister Chicks series, or the Christy Miller Series. I really enjoy those. Robin has a very smooth writing style that will make you laugh and if you’re anything like me you’ll feel like she’s reading your mind. She’s quite funny!

The best part of the book was when Rick told Katie not to “go hormonal” on him. I had someone say that to me once, and I totally understood Katie’s reaction. I love how Robin includes everyday and relate-able slang. There was more than one time I caught myself laughing out loud with this book. I was smiling, or giggling, or waiting for something good to happen. Robin definitely kept me turning pages!

The book is full of silly girl things that only girls can really understand and love! This is the kind of book that I would let any teenage girl read as well. It’s full of characters that prove to be good examples and what friendship is about. I really love books that prove that. They put them in real dilemmas and struggles that we go through (or can live vicariously through lol). This book touches on subjects of the heart that most girls face at one point or another and you’ll find you might even tear up a bit amongst the laughter.

If you’re looking for a hilarious and heart warming read pick up a copy of Coming Attractions . I really had a hard time putting it down and loved all the different rides she took me on. You’ll enjoy the tilt-a-whirly ride you go on!

Thanks Robin for giving me a good giggle! I truly enjoyed it.

[Melanie M. D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading the first Christy Miller book my freshman year. I decided to stretch the entire series out my entire high school season. Looking back on this plan, I think it was more of a "God-thing" then it was me! Every time I've picked up one of these books, I have been blessed beyond what I can imagine! I just finished the third Katie Weldon book today! I laughed through the entire book (except for chapters 8-10) and cried at the end. Now that I have finished the series, it's like a season of my life is finally closing...I'm ready to see what God has in store for me in the future! I am so blessed to have been able to get my hands on these books! God is good and I am more than blessed to be a "victim of His grace"!
Awesome books, incredible author, and an amazing God who always has an unique/cool/surprising blessing around every corner of my life!

[jaymee ☁️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHH THIS IS SO GOOD!!!! I was on the edge of my seat to see how things worked out as I’d read it many times but it’s been so long I couldn’t remember the exact details!!! SO SO GOOD!! I can’t wait to read the next one!!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

August 2025
Reread, audiobook

Normally I would be irritated at a series that led us through a romantic relationship for multiple books before changing course in the 11th hour. But I do not feel that way about this series. The way the relationship(s) morph in this final volume just *works* for these characters.

The final chapter of this book has to be one of my favorite endings in all of RJG’s extensive backlist. I listened to it with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye.

July 2022
Reread, paperback

Each book in this series is better than the one before it! Absolutely love the ending.

June 2015
Reread, audiobook

May 2014
Absolutely loved it. This was originally planned as the third and final Katie Weldon book. It was a perfect ending to Katie's three book arc. That being said, I am so glad RJG wrote a fourth :)

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, where do I begin?

Robin Jones Gunn is one of my all time favorite authors. These books are incredibly nostalgic and so sweet, I love them. I started the Christy Miller series in high school and have read it off and on for several years. As well as all of the other intertwined series.

This one had me a little bit torn. I have never really liked Rick tbh. I love his redemption story but he has always rubbed me the wrong way and his character seems very polarizing. One moment he is kind and sweet, the next he is a jerk, sorry for a lack of a better word. So I mean I wasn’t disappointed when him and Katie broke up. I didn’t think they were good together. I liked the storyline of Nicole having a crush on her best friend’s boyfriend, I think that’s honestly a pretty realistic issue that teens/young adults face. However, I didn’t feel like the break up between Rick & Katie was realistic or the healing process after. You don’t just bounce back from a one year relationship, especially if you have moved into a more physical aspect with hugging, kissing, etc. I honestly think it would have been better if they broke up much earlier.

I feel SO torn about Katie being with Eli. I love it, I mean they are literally meant for each other. But also it felt so incredibly rushed. I know Eli has basically been waiting for her this whole time but again, I feel like Katie needs to process and heal. She just broke up with her boyfriend of like a year, now her best friend is dating him, her parents who she has a hard relationship with randomly show up to her graduation, her brother is in rehab or he was and now he is nowhere to be found/can’t be contacted, and she just graduated from college with no plans for the future. I mean that’s a lot!!

It also seemed like Christy and Todd were not their normal selves in this? Maybe I am way off on that? I think this isn’t my favorite RJG book but also she has written so many amazing books, so I can totally have some grace for her ♥️

[Kayleigh(Kay) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!🫶🏻 The end was so cute and romantic! Katie and Eli are dating ahhh!!!🩷🩷

[Maggie Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been 14 years since I last read this book and hands down Katie Weldon's series is my favorite. Am I allowed to say that? Simply put you just see so much growth in her while she is in college.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

when eli said that african saying “if you wanna go
fast, go alone. if you wanna go far, go together” i IMMEDIATELY thought of that song from mufasa 😆

[Britni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing I noticed when I got the book was that it was part of a series, the Katie Weldon series. I don't know about you, but I'd never heard of that series (or Gunn's other series, the Christy Miller series) before so I was intrigued. I'm a sucker for a good series so I was pretty excited when I first started reading the book.

And I was still excited the next day when I got to the last page of the book and Gunn left the ending somewhat open, like there will be another book in this series. I'm not sure if that's true or not, but if it is, I'll definitely pick it up.

Coming Attractions is about Katie Weldon. She's a senior in college, has great friends, the perfect boyfriend, and everything all laid out in straight lines to where she eventually wants to go. The problem is that Katie doesn't really like straight lines, she likes wavy ones. With the help of God and a boyfriend a little too eager to get married when he learns about her large inheritance, Katie figures out how to get back to the life she wants to lead instead of the one she thought she was supposed to.

Gunn's writing is easy to understand and read, her characters are extremely relatable (who hasn't wished their life were more spontaneous and less planned out), and the story moves along quickly. The only part of the book that could have been improved for me was that the plot was fairly predictable, but it ends happy, which I couldn't complain about. I knew what was going to happen from reading the back cover and the first chapter of the book.

With all of its positives and negatives, this is a good read if you have even a little bit of free time. Nothing ground-breaking, but a good positive story to help remind you to follow your heart even if it doesn't seem like the best decision to everyone else.

[Dreamergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book but I can't help but disagree about some things. I didn't like the characters and didn't feel for them at all. Especially since I was constantly angry with Katie and my anger built even more when I couldn't understand her as a character. To me the most important thing in books is that I personally "know" the characters,that even when I disagree with them I still understand them. The plot also had way too many predictable twists that were, just that, twists, and no story worth calling a plot. By making her main character of less intelligence was the only way the author was spinning a plot, because if Katie was smart and not as confused she would have seen her guy friend's love for her much earlier than we, the readers did. This withdraws the second most important problem I had with this book- Robin Jones Gunn claims that this book is christian but sorry this is another thing that I have to disagree with. I personally think that the only thing "christian" about this book is how her guy best friend constantly connected love with faith to hint to Katie that he loved her, which to me, was underestimating religion. The writing was good, but for Gunn, who I know can do a lot better it was an averege of three stars. There are a lot of good christian fiction books but this one just wasn't enough for me. It's as if Jones Gunn is looking skin-deep, with no sublplots and only one, single predictable plot in the story. I might recommend but look at it as what it is, just another romance story...

Interest level: Medium
Reading level: Medium-easy

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming Attractions
Katie Weldon Series
Robin Jones Gunn
2009
Zondervan
Fiction/Christian/Contemporary

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

For more than half her life, Katie Weldon had dreamed of being Rick Doyle's girl. And now she was, and had been for a year and a half. So why was she feeling so uneasy about her relationship with Rick?
Why did it seem such a struggle to see him? Sure they were both busy, she finishing up her last semester in college and he working hard to open two cafes with his brother. Still there was a uneasiness in the relationship.

When it hit her, being the ever impulsive person she was, she had to share with Rick right then.
Their relationship was over, because they had gone as far as they could go in their hearts. They were not knit together in their hearts. Rick is angry, hurt and downright mad at her. She is trying to deal with her own emotions of an ending relationship.

Watch as Katie's friends help her through this sorrowful time, and help usher her into a relationship that she is very resistant to, but that is God ordained. Follow along as Katie, helps guide Rick into a new relationship with a close friend of hers. Be amazed at just how smoothly God works out this mangled and twisted relationship.

While this book is part of a series, and there are references to happenings from other books, this story totally stands alone. You will enjoy it on its own, or perhaps be inspired to check out more of the series. A wonderfully written book, a well presented story. A story of love and grace. 288 pages $14.99 US

[Lena Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do my reviews in the form of a letter, which is why they are written like this.

Dear Robin Jones Gunn,

I read this book from December 21st-December 23rd in 2014, and I reread it recently.
This book was great! I just want to start by saying that I am so glad that Katie broke up with Rick. I do not like Rick. I find him manipulative, materialistic, and bossy. Also, I feel like he calculated everything in their relationship to much. So I am so happy they're not together anymore. Katie was too good for him.
I love Katie. She is very spontaneous, energetic, outgoing, and funny. I admire her honesty and her inability to keep her thoughts and feelings to herself. It makes for a very interesting read. I will always admire you, Robin, for making the everyday, ordinary stuff fun to read about.
I love Eli. I love what he said about love, and I truly admire him. As a missionary kid, I have a soft spot for him. He's a fierce God-lover, a prayer warrior, and he loves Katie with a patient, yet bold, spirit. Practically the entire time, I was trying to knock some sense into Katie. She belonged with Eli.
I admire how you make each couples' story different, Robin. Katie and Eli didn't know each other like Christy and Todd did, yet they knew they loved each other and they were a good match. Nicole and Rick were good for each other, too. They were both higher class, fancy, and materialistic.
I can't wait to see what happens. Thank you for writing this book!

Sincerely,
Lena Marie

[Christy Trever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming Attractions by Robin Jones Gunn is the second book in the Katie Weldon series. It's always hard picking up a book that comes near the end of a series you are unfamiliar with, as it was for me with Katie and her friends, but Gunn keeps the exposition to just the necessary minimum. Katie is gearing up for her college graduation and considering a life with her long-time crush and new boyfriend (finally!), Rick. But their plans seem to keep running in different directions, and with Eli giving her looks of more than friendship, Katie has no idea just what her future may hold. Katie is a fantastic character and completely refreshing in that she doesn't beat herself up trying to live for other people but listens to the Holy Spirit and starts to live the life of adventure He has for her. So many books aimed at young adults feature characters that flail around wildly frustrating the readers with stupid choices and actions, but Katie is just the opposite (although I get the impression that this attitude is a new one for the character). Her faith is amazing, and her character wonderful. The connection between Eli and Katie is electric, and I dare the reader to get through the final pages without tearing up! I hope that Gunn isn't finished with Katie, because I'd love to read more.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's ending kind of threw me for a loop. I won't give it away, but I was surprised. I have followed along with Katie and seen her ups and downs and so I was looking forward to a nice conclusion that would tie things up. I felt this book ended kind of abruptly, but once I got used to the idea I slowly began to like it...not love it, but it didn't ruin the entire series for me or anything drastic like that. It was definitely an interesting way to end the series.

I'm not sure I agree with some of the things in this book, but they didn't stop me from enjoying the story, it just made me ponder my own thoughts. I can't really go into much detail because it would give away too much of the plot, but they were mainly concerning relationships. I would still recommend the series though.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

It breaks my heart not to give this book a 5, but I did enjoy it a lot! I just can't relate to Katie like I can to Christy, or even Sierra. But, I do enjoy reading about being an RA; brings me back to my college years. I didn't miss check out and walking down the empty halls of the residence hall. I find that extremely depressing.

I admire Katie for being able to really pare down her worldly possessions and make a major life change without much notice. I should do the same, but I don't know if I can. I like my stuff - a lot.

One thing I liked from this book is reading about the prayer warriers - I want to be like that. Commit to pray for people I care about and continue doing it, even when I don't see immediate results.

One dissapointment is that Katie said spiritually she is not where she wants to be, but the author never shared what changed, and how she once again become tuned in to God.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up with Christy Miller and her friends, thanks to my mother buying the Christy books when I was a preteen. I was so happy to read the Katie Weldon series (although I wasn't too terribly fond of her in the Christy books, she really grew into her own in her series) to read more about the characters. Katie is an inspiration to me to live my life for God, and I love that Bible verses and faithful advice are incorporated into the stories (especially when Todd is giving the advice, the same old guy he was when he was 16!).

Some people have mentioned they didn't like the ending so much, but I LOVED it, mostly because I totally identify with Katie's choices. I would have made the exact same ones. I very much enjoyed this book!

[Keri Murcray · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, I love anything and everything Robin Jones Gunn writes. The Katie Weldon series is a wonderful addition and I love reading her continuing story.

* In re-reading this series I feel a much stronger connection to Katie and her story than I did in my previous reading. Life experiences that I have had made me connect with her story in a much more relevant way and I have felt so encouraged and blessed by Gunn's stories and ability to relate God's truth in such beautiful and simple ways.


Last read June 2011

[Deborah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didnt really like this book. I love the Christy Miller series, and I thought this one would be nice too. HUGE mistake. This one changed almost completly Katie's personality. I totally hate her now. She cant make up her mind about ANYTHING!
I didnt even finish it. Actually I didnt even read the first and second one- and it made NO diference. Its only a HUGE blablabla... lots of words, no story. Just a ridiculous never ending romantic drama!
: /

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in the Katie Weldon Series. I liked it and I did see the big change coming but I am a little disappointed in her choices--it is weird I know she is a fictional character. But still a good and inspiring read. My favorite quote: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

[Jenny de Presno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful. It brought me to the realization that I don’t always have to know what’s next. God still holds me by the hand and leads the way.

These three books about Katie’s life were just so meaningful and true. I’m so thankful to Robin Jones Gunn for writing them. And thankful to God who speaks through them!

[Kacie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Everyone knew the end just by reading the first book in the series. It was too nice. No one is like "oh, my best friend likes my boyfriend that I just broke up with last week. Oh well! She can have him" & encourages her to date him?

[Carisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am just loving this series. I love that Robin wrote a strong female lead. Christy was sweet and a great role model, but Sierra and Katie are awesome and are their own women. They are women of God examples. I bought every book just so I can have them to share!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"YES!!!"
That was the first word that came out of my mouth after finishing this book.
The ending - perfect, absolutely perfect!

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of this book and the other two in the series at
http://belovedgraceful-carissasbooksh...

[Hannah B]

These are getting better and better! AHHH ELI AND AFRICA AND BAM PLOT TWIST WHAT?

^^This review/thought dump is from October 2013. Wish Goodreads didn’t repost is as my 2022 thoughts 😆

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this is always a joy to read!

[Karina (Karina's Christian Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number of pages: 299

Genre: Contemporary YA

Series: Katie Weldon Series #3

Age recommendation: 17+

Summary: Graduation is just around the corner, and Katie and Rick promised not to move further in their relationship until then. But as the day approaches, Katie finds herself feeling more and more distant from Rick’s gestures of affection, and appreciating Eli’s company.

My thoughts: I just want to start by apologizing; I thought I had written the review for this book right away but apparently I didn’t. The series is now a little jumbled in my head, but I’ll try to keep it accurate.
There was way too much kissing in this book, or at least there’s too much description when they kiss. Also there’s way too many cheesy lines. I thought we were done with this after the first Christy series, but I guess not.
I thought the graduation was a great ending to Katie’s college career. I mean, the war paint thing was a little annoying (for Katie too), but I loved that Katie’s parents showed up to her graduation.
It was the perfect ending without being too unrealistic.
It’s pretty obvious that Rick and Katie are not meant to be. I’m glad Katie finally breaks it off, and I think she’s right to take a break from dating for a bit too. It’s also obvious now that Katie and Eli will soon be a thing – you don’t put two peoples’ names on the back cover together for no reason! I loved his gift for Katie when she was sick; it was definitely much better than roses. Eli's really nice, but a bit too pushy.
I think Christy and Todd needed to be careful how they give advice. I’m not sure Katie was ready for what they pushed her into doing at the end of the book. Oh well, what’s done is done. We’ll see how it pans out in the next book.

My personal rating: 3.5/5 stars.

[M Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book was amazing!! Robin Jones Gunn once again enchants you with her eloquent and submersive writing style. It tied up Katie's story really well in my opinion. Everything happened in a way that felt right, as if all the events in this series, and all the books that focuses on The Christy Miller Gang and Sierra Jensen, were real and just like you or me. Gunn's characters are flawed in the way that makes a human being a human being. They each have separate personalities, and this is one of the reasons I love reading her books. Almost everything felt believable as something that could happen in real life, unlike some Christian romance books where it seems a fairy tale was written instead of something that people can relate to or have the feeling that what happened was practical.

I'm one of those people who wants books about Christy, Katie, Sierra, and the others to never end. I love their stories, and wish that they were actually real people. We need some strong, prayerful Christians in the world today. And that is what I think is fascinating about Katie. She and her friends can talk to God as if He were standing right there beside them.

This book I would recommend for teenagers and up. There is talk about a rape, but it doesn't go into detail, and it is when one of the characters is telling his back story to Katie, Christy, and Todd. Very brief and no real descriptions about it. Other than that, I would say to definitely read the book series in order. ( The Christy Miller Series, The Sierra Jensen Series, Christy and Todd the college years, The Katie Weldon Series )

[Erin Laramore · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this cutesy contemporary romance. This felt an awful lot like a YA novel (and I've read YA novels that actually feel less like a YA novel). The spiritual thread is actually what kept me reading though, as this book had greater spiritual depth and dealt with learning to trust in God's plan throughout. I had picked this one up because I'd gotten the recommendation in a facebook group for the Katie Weldon books because she was a character that had "no filter" and always blurted out what she was thinking. While there were times in this book that she spoke before she thought, I didn't really find this to be quite like that as she didn't really ever say anything inappropriate. But maybe it's because I'm an older adult that I think that way. Or maybe it's because I'm the same way and so I don't really know what most people consider inappropriate? Not sure. Either way, the characters were young, and so there was some immaturity in there and the romance thread seemed a bit too wishy-washy for my liking, but the story line was still good and the characters were likable in spite of their immaturity. I'm not likely to read any more of this series as YA stories are generally not my cup of tea, but will definitely try the author again as I did enjoy the writing style and spiritual thread. If you enjoy YA novels about life changes such as college graduation, this is one I'd recommend.

[Ashtyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tears! Happy tears! I rarely cry when reading a book and several silver drops made their way down my face as I read Katie’s happy ending in this book. Took long enough! I don’t know how she managed to tell herself she didn’t care for Eli the way he did for her for so long. I love how this book shows Rick’s and Katie’s personalities so starkly. They are both good people who love the Lord… and obviously don’t go together. It became more and more apparent throughout this series. But Eli? Oh man, I hope and pray that men like him exist in the world. I admire his quiet strength and the way he prays. He notices things and thinks deeply. He has a childlike love for the Lord. Katie is a unique, beautiful peculiar treasure and I’m so glad that God put a man in her life who deserves her and wants her. And she gets to go on an adventure to Africa along the way! I want to see more of them together so I can’t wait to reread the next and last book in the Katie Weldon series.