I Do!

Diary of a Teenage Girl #5

by Melody Carlson

Caitlin Oâ?Conner, now 21 and in her senior year of college, accepts Josh Millerâ?s proposal for marriage. But Caitlin soon discovers thereâ?s a lot more to getting married than just saying â??I

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

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 2005

About the author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Reviews

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good wrap-up to the Caitlin series, but compared to the other books it felt like that extra spark was missing. Either that or it suffered from how long ago I read the first book.

It was fun to see wedding planning from her point of view once she accepts Josh's proposal. Other issues are raised (mostly anorexia and pre-marital sex), though not as deeply as readers of the series may expect. I feel like I should have more positive to say, but by book five it's become pretty standard.

On the downside, their relationship is sweet, but I felt disconnected from it. The former books mentioned but didn't really delve into their e-mails, and this book didn't seize the opportunity to show why they were so perfect for each other. I recognize it's hard to do that in the diary format and certainly wasn't looking for a full-blown romance novel, but it felt stilted. Some issues seemed resolved too easily, and I didn't see as much growth in Caitlin as I expected. She remains the girl who comes off as preachy and too perfect. I appreciate the attempt to show what it's like to be "the good girl" in today's society, but Caitlin really ended up turning into a Christian stereotype. I also felt like I should have read some of the Chloe books in between, but am looking forward to doing so now.

Overall, I did like the book. The mushy side of me loved what romance was there and it's certain to be enjoyable for those who invested in the first four.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

WoW. This book is just simply AMAZING!!! Out of the whole series, this book and "On my Own" are my favorites. It was kinda sad when I finished this book, and I realized that this is the LAST book! I wish Melody Carlson would just right more and more Caitlin books. I loved "I Do" so much. Caitlin and Josh are really PERFECT for each other. (:

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Up to this point, I had enjoyed reading the diary of Caitlin O'Connor...but this finale ended the series with a whimper. Not much excitement, and the ending is nothing surprising. It's sad that such a good series would finish with this kind of travesty. It almost makes me wish I hadn't bothered with this series.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 4 stars.

I thought this was a really good ending to Caitlin's story. She got her "happy ending" so to speak and the whole book just made me feel happy.

I really liked the fact that Melody Carlson isn't afraid to discuss things in her book. She really showed the emotional toll for everybody involved that having sex outside of marriage can cause. I thought she dealt with it tastefully while showing the effects.

I really like Caitlin as a character and narrator, I think she's relatable.

I didn't like Josh AT ALL in the first book, I started warming up to him a little in the second and by this last book I admit, I do like Josh. Would I call him one my all time favorite book guys? No, probably not. But I did like him a ton more, so I think that really showed how much he grew as a character.

I really enjoyed all the characters really and all the different personalities that were in this story that came together to make a really great storyline.

I look forward to getting started on Chloe's books, because I really enjoyed her character in these books and I look forward to seeing her perspective on things.

[$hanel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here it is! My favorite book in the Caitlin series! The last book is about how Josh Miller proposes to Caitlin and of coarse Caitlin says yes. Caitlin can`t forget that she still has to finish college before the wedding and she has to prepare for the big event too! How much more stress can Caitlin handle with her mean roommate Elizabeth too? In the fifth book her two best friends are out at college too. Beanie is in a fashion school and Jenny is going to a bible college and continuing her "anorexia problem." Like I said this is my favorite Caitlin book and I was very excited to start reading it too. Don`t forget to read the first four books before reading the best one! I loved the Caitlin series and the series also gives teens lessons on God.

[Makayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the Caitlin series all I want is for my dreamy 'Josh Miller' to be waiting around the corner for me. I Do was a perfect ending to an amazing series following the challenges and triumphs of Caitlin's spiritual and emotional journey through life. It brings a tear to my eye knowing that I am not able to follow her through her life anymore but am so happy that she was finally able to get her 'happily ever after.' Her trust and faith in the Lord is something I hope to follow through with in my life.

The Caitlin series' encouraged me when I was at my lowest to keep getting up, putting my trust in the Lord and turning to him in all situations.
Thanks melody Carlson for such a great, easy, inspiring read!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a bunch of fluff, but a very nice end to the series.
However, I know God has a way of making things fall into place (experienced it waaaaay too many times to doubt it!), but aside from the wedding, Caitlin's life had no real stress and the book just seemed to have no plot. No sooner does one thing happen than it gets cleared up. I know that's how I would be in real life, but it doesn't make for a really good story. Jenny's anorexia seemed to clear up too quickly without any backward steps, Caitlin didn't seem to get really stressed about anything... and I know I'm complaining. In truth, this was a nice book.

And I managed to have time to read it in one sitting, which was very, very nice.

[Stephanie Ziegler]

This book was nothing special. It tidied up Caitlin's life. She graduated and got married. I felt that these books were supposed to give teenagers role models they could live by. However, the author made everything in this book simple and just about free and keeps the fairytale ending. Weddings cost a lot of money and not everyone has a group of creative family and friends to help.

As I mentioned in the previous book, as the series comes to an end, the less substance there was in the books. I am glad everything worked out for Caitlin, but that is not real life and I do not think the audience (teenagers) will understand that. My little sister is in her late 20s and is realizing it is not as easy as TV and books make life seem.

Until next time, take life one page at a time!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAY they finally got married!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D

Hey, call me biased, but I think the entire series rocks. The way Melody Carlson wrote Caitlin's character makes her seem like a real person - all her characters are like that, really. It's almost sad to think they don't exist!!!!

And it was neat - sometimes while reading one of the books I'd go in my head, "Hey, I have that inward struggle too . . . " and then something that Caitlin said would get me thinking . . . it was just cool :)

THUMBS. UP. FOR. THE. WHOLE. SERIES.

Read it. It is STINKIN' good :D :D :D

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just can‘t quite figure out my strange fascination with Christian YA books, when I really do have a lot of philosophical issues with them. I actually did find this one to be better than I expected. I really prefer this series to Christy Miller. This series is much more realistic. The s word (sex, gasp) is mentioned, and people actually have it in this series. I also find this series less preachy and judgy than Christy. I also appreciated the simple, inexpensive wedding, which was still full of neat touches, cause my wedding was like that, and I've never regretted it.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably my favorite Caitlin book! It was fun to read about her wedding planning and think about what I'd like about my wedding. I also thought the discussion questions at the end were actually great. More about applying the concepts in the book to your own life, rather than did you understand the plot kind of books.

I think I should have read the Choloe series in between some of the Caitlin books, but oh well. I'll check out Choloe next, and then Kim.

[Ashli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I love this book. Don't get me wrong. I love Caitlin's point of view, and all the subjects that happened throughout it.
Why did I give it 3.5 stars?
I don't like how book 4 was when she was a freshman in college than BAM. In this one, she was a senior. I don't get why Melody would do that; it just made me feel like she was rushing the end of Caitlin's story (which isn't exactly true since she "shows up" in the other girl's books).

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because it sanctifies the beauties and qualities of a marriage with God as the center. When I was younger I looked down on marriage because my parent's relationship, although intact, was not a fairytale and it was not "perfect" no one is perfect and all relationships take work especially something as intimate as marriage.

I enjoyed reading this book because it reassured to me that marriage can be rewarding just as it can be work.

[Ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I'm finished with these book!!! Seriously these books have gotten me through SOOOOOO much in life!! I seriously cried as I read the last part in the book! It was sooo cool to follow this journey with Catlin! I've learned so much from these books I couldn't thank Melody Carlson enough!!!! Can't wait to start another series!!!!!

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was good, but I didn't like that they author skipped a few years of her college and the start of Josh's job at the start of the book. I liked hearing about all the wedding planning and stuff about the dresses (they all sounded really pretty). Overall if was fine, and not great but fine.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute last story in this series. The girl who has wanted to marry this guy for the last four books finally gets engaged and it goes thru the trials of planning a wedding. She lives the whole wedding in God's hands and it turns out even better than she expected. She saves a ton of money and gets alot of help from her friends and family. What a great story about the things that God can do.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little encouraging book. I liked how her faith grows in each book... though I do wonder if she'll ever get together with Josh... I think she does, I mean the last book is called I Do! Which sound like a wedding title to me. ^_^ I like the college theme, I'm in college now and It was interesting to read. :)

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again - I just love Melody Carlson. The "diary" series are so entertaining to read, and while Caitlin wasn't the best character (she was REALLY preachy) I still really liked these.

I was glad this was the last one, though.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't my first choice of book, it's not a book I would normally read. I enjoyed it more than I figured I would. The book did teach me things, lots of things, it would be better if it were a book i normally read.

[Danae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this one. It's a nice ending to the series. Although, she finds a ton of amazing deals when wedding planning, which i think is giving me unrealistic expectations when it comes to wedding budgets. But all-in-all: cute book and cute series.

[Esther Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Caitlin's testimony a lot! She was so lost and kinda shallow when she was only a freshman in high school. But after she met God, she kept trusting God and putting things on the alter. I want to live like that way!
I will keep reading Melody Carlson's book!

[Maryam Magdy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well to be honest this book was a bit boring compared to the others in the series. But I have to admit I feel rather bad that it was the last one. I wish I could keep reading caitlin's diaries for all my life because it does help me to grow spiritually closer to God.

[♥Marissa♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, christian book. : D

[Aleah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a wonderful book and I loved it!!

[Angela Sellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caitlin and Josh finally got married! (I was cheering when I read this part.)

[brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Maddie]

Good book, but I wish they had a book between #4 and #5 because I wanted more about Josh and Caitlin and how they started dating (again).

[Daddy's Girl]

Ok, I know that I say that I love all of this seris but above all else this book I could never get enough of this books

[Gabrielle Link · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. And that is all I have to say.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

good series