I do my reviews in the form of a letter, which is why they are written like this.
Dear Robin Jones Gunn,
This volume and the first volume are tied as my favorites. They are both so touching and sweet. Honestly, all of the volumes are good, but volumes one and four are my favorites. :) I really like what happens between Christy and Todd. :)
A Time to Cherish-
Where to begin with this book? It's just honestly so good. The characters are good (except for Katie and Michael [argh!]). I really really REALLY love that Todd and Christy FINALLY start going steady. It's been nine whole books before they openly decide that it's time to date. :) I do admire them both for being so wise though. It was a good thing that she and Todd waited until they were older and wiser. It was just so great to read about them being boyfriend and girlfriend. I like how they are around each other now that they're dating- especially since Todd treats Christy like more than a friend now. He talks about all their special things, too. :) Unfortunately, I couldn't really stand Katie in this book. I felt really bad for her at first. The poor girl was having so much trouble getting a guy to like her. I could understand why she felt sad and somewhat insecure. I just did NOT like the fact that she started dating Michael. When she started dating him, it's like she completely forgot about God and put her desire to be liked by a guy first. And then she treated Christy like junk! Dating a guy that is not a Christian was NOT a wise move for her. It's not that non-Christians are disgusting or repulsive or anything like that. It's just that a person who doesn't know the Lord is not seeking the same thing a Christian is seeking. That makes the two people fundamentally different. Katie was just so blind, though! She acted as if Christy was being judgmental for telling Katie the truth. And she also stopped hanging out with Christy too. So in this book, kudos to Christy, but NO kudos to Katie.
Sweet Dreams-
I can't even begin with this book. It was totally and amazingly great! I looooved it! First off, I'm going to start with the small details. (Well, they're not that small.) I am so glad that Katie finally made her decision and broke up with Michael. I felt really bad for her, especially because she was really hurting. I'm just glad she made the right choice. Christy and Katie's friendship had been suffering for long enough. Also, it was nice to see Katie be her old self again. :) Also, Christy's senior year is almost over! It's so weird to think that she had just come out of her freshman year when I first met her. :/ Now to the bigger things. Christy and Todd and so serious about each other in this one! It's so cute! I love how Todd tells her how much he cares about her, and how they both fell in love with each other. And it's so clean! I really like that their relationship is very, very clean. :) But the ending... Why? Why? I wish Christy had never broken up with Todd!! They were getting so close and everything was perfect! But then Todd had to spill the beans about his missionary job offer. Well, at least they both honored God, and that's the most important thing. I especially like the message that we need to give God all we have, even what's most important. So anyways, great book!
A Promise is Forever-
This book is pretty good for the most part. Christy seems to be mostly over Todd. The majority of the time is spent planning and talking for Christy. I think it's really cool that she went to Europe for a while. She met a lot of friends and learned a lot about the culture. Anyways, there's a bit of drama in this book. Christy and Doug are dating, which I think is not a good idea at all. They should just be friends. Thankfully, they both figure that out, and Doug ends up with Tracy. It's so cute! Christy also meets Sierra, who seems like a cool character. I just might read her series some day. I really like the fact that Christy learns that she needs to depend on God alone. She finally figures out that God needs to be Lord of her life-not herself. Her trip to Barcelona is pretty harsh, but it teaches her that. And and and!!!! She is reunited with Todd!! I was soooooooo happy!! Todd and Christy belong together!!
Anyways, thank you so much for this book and for this series. It's so great!!
Sincerely,
Lena Marie
05/24/20 Update: I don’t know if it made a difference that I’m older and can understand more, but I really felt for Christy in these books. The last one, specifically. It was so obvious that Christy ached for Todd and wasn’t over him. It was obvious that she and Doug didn’t have the “spark” a man and a woman need to have a romantic relationship. Even though these books are fictional, there’s something about Todd and Christy being together that just feels so right. I have never encountered another fictional couple that meshed so well together. Todd and Christy love each other will the purest of loves. Now that I’m older, I really appreciate how long their relationship took to develop. It builds anticipation and also shows us all how we can be patient. And yes, I cried a good amount while reading these books, especially the last two.