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Sierra Jensen #7-9
Sierra Jensen Collection, Vol. 3
Happenstance…or God’s Great Plan?
She’s the bold, free-spirited type. She’s cute, she’s fun, and she’s following God. She’s Sierra Jensen, Christy Miller’s good friend, ready for her junior year of high school! All twelve books in the popular Sierra Jensen series come together in four volumes to reveal the ups and downs of Sierra’s incredible God-led journey!
Volume An exciting trip to Europe challenges Sierra to Open Your Heart to loving others without expectations. At the start of her senior year, only Time Will Tell the truth about Sierra’s friendships. And in Now Picture This, she wonders if her relationship with Paul is as picture perfect as she thinks!
Christy Miller knows a good friend when she meets her,
and so will you—Sierra Jensen is at it again!
Open Your Heart
What an adventure! Having Christy Miller invite Sierra on an all-expenses-paid trip to Europe was amazing—but that was just the beginning. Sierra never imagined she’d meet someone like Alex, a dark-eyed Russian college student who’s a Christian. Or that they’d all come face-to-face with disaster. Through it all, one question haunts c an she learn to love others without expecting anything in return? Will she finally be able to open her heart to others—and to God?
Time Will Tell
Sierra’s senior year of high school is here, but after the great summer she just had, how can it be anything but a letdown? Sure enough, the year tanks big-time when the school issues her buddy Randy an ultimatum. Stuck in the middle—Sierra wonders, what’s right? Her friend or the rules? She longs to talk it over with Amy, but Sierra’s best friend still isn’t talking to her. What’s worse, she hasn’t heard a word from Paul! No doubt about it, this school year is totally frustrating! Will Sierra ever understand her friendships or God’s plans for them?
Now Picture This
Why can’t everyone just leave Sierra alone? All she wants to do is find a place to read the letter she just received from Paul—to soak in every word and memorize the photo he sent her—but Thanksgiving at the Jensen house means relatives every where! Sierra hides out, immersed in her ideas for Paul’s birthday and Christmas gifts, especially his requested a photo of her. Sierra’s determined—the photo has to be spectacular! But a small voice of doubt nags at her. What does God think of her ignoring her family and friends this way? Is her picture-perfect relationship with Paul really all she thinks it is?
Story Behind the Book
“After writing the twelve-book Christy Miller series for teens, a new character showed up on the pages of the final novel. Her name was Sierra Jensen, and she was so compelling as a teenage character that readers began asking for a series about Sierra in order to hear more about her life choices. Our family had just moved to Portland at the time, and I found it easy to picture a sixteen-year-old like Sierra shopping at the local vintage clothing stores, hanging out with friends at a garage band concert, and serving at the homeless shelter on weekends.”
—Robin Jones Gunn
She’s the bold, free-spirited type. She’s cute, she’s fun, and she’s following God. She’s Sierra Jensen, Christy Miller’s good friend, ready for her junior year of high school! All twelve books in the popular Sierra Jensen series come together in four volumes to reveal the ups and downs of Sierra’s incredible God-led journey!
Volume An exciting trip to Europe challenges Sierra to Open Your Heart to loving others without expectations. At the start of her senior year, only Time Will Tell the truth about Sierra’s friendships. And in Now Picture This, she wonders if her relationship with Paul is as picture perfect as she thinks!
Christy Miller knows a good friend when she meets her,
and so will you—Sierra Jensen is at it again!
Open Your Heart
What an adventure! Having Christy Miller invite Sierra on an all-expenses-paid trip to Europe was amazing—but that was just the beginning. Sierra never imagined she’d meet someone like Alex, a dark-eyed Russian college student who’s a Christian. Or that they’d all come face-to-face with disaster. Through it all, one question haunts c an she learn to love others without expecting anything in return? Will she finally be able to open her heart to others—and to God?
Time Will Tell
Sierra’s senior year of high school is here, but after the great summer she just had, how can it be anything but a letdown? Sure enough, the year tanks big-time when the school issues her buddy Randy an ultimatum. Stuck in the middle—Sierra wonders, what’s right? Her friend or the rules? She longs to talk it over with Amy, but Sierra’s best friend still isn’t talking to her. What’s worse, she hasn’t heard a word from Paul! No doubt about it, this school year is totally frustrating! Will Sierra ever understand her friendships or God’s plans for them?
Now Picture This
Why can’t everyone just leave Sierra alone? All she wants to do is find a place to read the letter she just received from Paul—to soak in every word and memorize the photo he sent her—but Thanksgiving at the Jensen house means relatives every where! Sierra hides out, immersed in her ideas for Paul’s birthday and Christmas gifts, especially his requested a photo of her. Sierra’s determined—the photo has to be spectacular! But a small voice of doubt nags at her. What does God think of her ignoring her family and friends this way? Is her picture-perfect relationship with Paul really all she thinks it is?
Story Behind the Book
“After writing the twelve-book Christy Miller series for teens, a new character showed up on the pages of the final novel. Her name was Sierra Jensen, and she was so compelling as a teenage character that readers began asking for a series about Sierra in order to hear more about her life choices. Our family had just moved to Portland at the time, and I found it easy to picture a sixteen-year-old like Sierra shopping at the local vintage clothing stores, hanging out with friends at a garage band concert, and serving at the homeless shelter on weekends.”
—Robin Jones Gunn
480 pages, Hardcover
First published July 3, 2006
40 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Robin Jones Gunn
164 books2,652 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 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 23, 2018
As this series continues, I continue to really enjoy each novel. In all honesty, each story isn't anything spectacular....it's essentially the life of an "average" (what is even average nowadays) teenage girl. However, within each novel there are relatable issues that either the main character Sierra faces or side characters who also deal with comparable dilemmas.
This series is geared towards a younger audience of pre-teens or teenagers and I certainly think that audience would benefit the most from these novels. I WISH I knew about this series when I was growing up. Yet at the same time, I really do identify with components that go on within this series even at 26 years old. It really reads as a timeless series that would be enjoyable at any age.
As a disclaimer, I will mention that the series is advertised as being a Christian series and therefore is centred around that. However, with that being said, I believe the novels could also be enjoyable to those who aren't involved in any religion.
I will definitely be continuing the series along with more of Robin Jones Gunns' works that I haven't read yet. Every novel that I have read by her has been consistently well done and I will always consider her as one of my favourite authors.
This series is geared towards a younger audience of pre-teens or teenagers and I certainly think that audience would benefit the most from these novels. I WISH I knew about this series when I was growing up. Yet at the same time, I really do identify with components that go on within this series even at 26 years old. It really reads as a timeless series that would be enjoyable at any age.
As a disclaimer, I will mention that the series is advertised as being a Christian series and therefore is centred around that. However, with that being said, I believe the novels could also be enjoyable to those who aren't involved in any religion.
I will definitely be continuing the series along with more of Robin Jones Gunns' works that I haven't read yet. Every novel that I have read by her has been consistently well done and I will always consider her as one of my favourite authors.
September 24, 2021
I was glad to see Vicky return in this volume, and to see Sierra, Amy, and Vicky resume a (healthier) friendship. I really like how Robin Jones Gunn writes friendships - she follows some characters for years, and allows their relationships to grow and evolve with them. Still don't love the pseudo romance with Paul (more so on this re-read than when I initially read these as a teen). I think: let him be a boyfriend or let him be a friend. Stop the back and forth and in between. It's frustrating to Sierra and to the reader. I do like how Sierra recognizes her own impulsiveness and tendency to run on emotion, and how she reorients herself with the Lord when she's off track.
July 5, 2024
Good book
April 5, 2020
Sierra is the type of teenager I wish I was and the type of teenager I am a little afraid I was. Which makes her a relatable, realistic character. Having read the Christy series, I enjoyed the crossover to Sierra, but was also glad to see a completely unique storyline and character. One who is a little more spiritually mature, but still a teenager dealing with life. Gunn does an excellent job developing the character and the relationships over the course of the three books. Like Katie and Christy, Sierra is a little boy crazy, but I find the friendship angle to be stronger in these books which I believe is a valuable theme for teenagers.
December 15, 2017
As always, I have loved getting to know Sierra a little bit more. She is always learning and growing and making mistakes and seeking God throughout them. I love her spirit and her adventures in this collection. I also think it's an important one for young girls to read. The lessons on relationships, purity, and not opening your heart so easily are ones I wish I had learned earlier. I'm excited to read the last in this little series and see what else Sierra has up her sleeves.
February 25, 2021
I am loving the Sierra series. She is so real (and so like me as a teen)...so many emotions. I love learning thru her character to lean into God to help us discern....emotions can't always be trusted. I hope all 3 of my daughters read this series in due time. ❤️
May 30, 2022
I really enjoy reading about Sierras life and am looking forward to the next book! I remember being her age and having mixed up feelings about relationships. I enjoyed that she spent time explaining the importance of guarding her heart.
July 8, 2022
What I liked:
This book has great messages for Christian teens! I loved how she talked about keeping yourself emotionally pure as well as physically. So eye-opening.
What I didn't like:
Sierra's obsession with Paul got kind of annoying...and the story was kind of slow and boring at times.
This book has great messages for Christian teens! I loved how she talked about keeping yourself emotionally pure as well as physically. So eye-opening.
What I didn't like:
Sierra's obsession with Paul got kind of annoying...and the story was kind of slow and boring at times.
August 6, 2020
I like the family Sierra comes from, the stories are good they touch on teen issues of coarse, I'm reading them for the back story to the haven maker series
November 9, 2021
Was exactly what I needed at the time I needed it.
December 5, 2022
Open Your Heart: 5 stars
Time Will Tell: 4.5 stars
Now Picture This: 3.75 stars
Rounding to 4 stars total for this volume
Time Will Tell: 4.5 stars
Now Picture This: 3.75 stars
Rounding to 4 stars total for this volume
February 15, 2016
I do my reviews in the form of a letter, which is why they are written like this.
Dear Robin Jones Gunn,
I will review each of the three books separately.
Open Your Heart-
This book was a lot of fun. I really like the fact that Christy and Sierra get along so well. I like that you manage to incorporate Christy into this series. Anyways, it was really interesting and attention capturing to be with Christy, Aunt Marti, and Sierra as they traveled. Alex was such a perfect guy. I kind of wish that he and Sierra had remained together. The most interesting part for me was when Aunt Marti finally revealed her secret about Johanna. For so long, I had been waiting to hear about that. I was beginning to think that you had forgotten about that. I liked the way God provided and spoke to Sierra in this book as well.
Time Will Tell-
I'm just going to say that in this book, Amy starts driving me crazy-more than usual. She is such a bad friend for Sierra. I don't really understand why Sierra still wants to hang out with her. Randy is so cool in this book. I really like how he decided to obey the authority and treat them with respect. I was a little annoyed with all the weird people that were trying to get him to disobey. It was so great to meet Vicki! I, like Sierra didn't like her for a long time. I was suspicious of when she started trying to hang out with Sierra. But once I got to know her, I liked her immediately. I liked her more than I liked Amy. Sorry, but I don't really like Amy.
Now Picture This-
Sierra embarasses me in this book. She's way in over her head when it comes to Paul. She doesn't think things through, and she doesn't actually try to think about the fact that maybe Paul doesn't feel the same way she does. She writes him every single day, and he only writes her about every two weeks. It's so humiliating. Adding to that, she ignores her family and starts wanting to go to Scotland for college, just for Paul. I like Sierra, but I can't stand her over zealousness. Especially when it comes to Paul. I need to her to slow down. On the bright side, Amy, Vicki, and Sierra are all friends again. I like that, even if I can't really stand Amy. Also, I'm glad that Sierra finally does realize how much she's idolizing Paul.
All in all, I did like this volume. Sierra is growing up. I really like how you wrote the stories. They were very captivating. Thank you for them.
Sincerely,
Lena Marie
Dear Robin Jones Gunn,
I will review each of the three books separately.
Open Your Heart-
This book was a lot of fun. I really like the fact that Christy and Sierra get along so well. I like that you manage to incorporate Christy into this series. Anyways, it was really interesting and attention capturing to be with Christy, Aunt Marti, and Sierra as they traveled. Alex was such a perfect guy. I kind of wish that he and Sierra had remained together. The most interesting part for me was when Aunt Marti finally revealed her secret about Johanna. For so long, I had been waiting to hear about that. I was beginning to think that you had forgotten about that. I liked the way God provided and spoke to Sierra in this book as well.
Time Will Tell-
I'm just going to say that in this book, Amy starts driving me crazy-more than usual. She is such a bad friend for Sierra. I don't really understand why Sierra still wants to hang out with her. Randy is so cool in this book. I really like how he decided to obey the authority and treat them with respect. I was a little annoyed with all the weird people that were trying to get him to disobey. It was so great to meet Vicki! I, like Sierra didn't like her for a long time. I was suspicious of when she started trying to hang out with Sierra. But once I got to know her, I liked her immediately. I liked her more than I liked Amy. Sorry, but I don't really like Amy.
Now Picture This-
Sierra embarasses me in this book. She's way in over her head when it comes to Paul. She doesn't think things through, and she doesn't actually try to think about the fact that maybe Paul doesn't feel the same way she does. She writes him every single day, and he only writes her about every two weeks. It's so humiliating. Adding to that, she ignores her family and starts wanting to go to Scotland for college, just for Paul. I like Sierra, but I can't stand her over zealousness. Especially when it comes to Paul. I need to her to slow down. On the bright side, Amy, Vicki, and Sierra are all friends again. I like that, even if I can't really stand Amy. Also, I'm glad that Sierra finally does realize how much she's idolizing Paul.
All in all, I did like this volume. Sierra is growing up. I really like how you wrote the stories. They were very captivating. Thank you for them.
Sincerely,
Lena Marie
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2020
Update on second read through: I have my own "Paul" right now. Someone I feel called to pray for and part of me hopes that maybe something might happen there oneday but I know it's not likely and re-reading these books has really helped me with that. I was dreaming and hoping and wondering why God would let me care so much and not take the feelings away. Well, maybe he needs me to pray for him like Paul needs Sierra to pray. I may never know but I'm more calm and content now about the whole thing.
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I can totally relate to Sierra in the emotional department. I struggle with emotional purity and trying to not building castles in the air. I've done the same thing she did with Paul. It is so nice to have characters like Christy and Sierra to relate to.
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I can totally relate to Sierra in the emotional department. I struggle with emotional purity and trying to not building castles in the air. I've done the same thing she did with Paul. It is so nice to have characters like Christy and Sierra to relate to.
December 27, 2010
I absoulutely, completely adored this book from the very first page! The author is such a good writer that I couldn't take my eyes of the Vol. 3 the whole time. I agree to almost all of Sierra and her friend's God opinions and thoughts. I think I can really relate to Sierra in so many ways and I'm sure anyone can. I also really loved the quote she seems to say a lot, "...And above all things have fervent love for one another... ". When I finished it I felt like I had just read Sierra Jensen's whole diary. Robin Jones Gunn is one of my new favorite authors. I would definitely recommend this book a 100%.
December 2, 2025
Content Rating: 5/5
Content Notes: It's been awhile since I first read this, but I think there were some discussions of pregnancy out of wedlock and infant loss, and some emotional conversations about/with a teen going through her parents' divorce. All handled really well, though.
Theme Rating: 5/5
Age Rating: 14/15+
Content Notes: It's been awhile since I first read this, but I think there were some discussions of pregnancy out of wedlock and infant loss, and some emotional conversations about/with a teen going through her parents' divorce. All handled really well, though.
Theme Rating: 5/5
Age Rating: 14/15+
August 29, 2012
Spunky individualist Sierra Jensen is such an awesome character.In these first three books about her,she grows in her faith and learns to make new friends and adjust to new situations.They're well written, entertaining, and insightful--totally appropriate for older kids and teens.
October 9, 2008
Love this series.
Read
December 25, 2008reading these books taught me so much about infatuations, love, and growing up. this series is a must read for all christian girls, along with the christy miller series by the same author.
June 21, 2009
I really enjoyed this book and I recomend it to 12 and up.
October 16, 2011
Enlightening and a good example to follow.
May 13, 2010
really great book!!!
Read
July 2, 2010LOVE it! Sierra is amazing.
April 20, 2011
Great for young teenagers to read, especially if you want them to understand why they should wait till marriage to have sex.
July 21, 2015
Great books! Sierra is so real and easy to connect to! These books are wonderful for middle and high school girls!
Read
January 31, 2012can u read the books on this site new usert
still figuring out this thanks
still figuring out this thanks
September 4, 2013
Great read but now i just need to find the fourth book...
July 1, 2015
First book as the best
October 29, 2015
This volume was so good, and I am so excited to read the final volume (once I get it)!!!!! I love Sierra and her spirit, and her adventures are so relatable and fun to read about.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews