Christy Miller Collection, Vol. 3

Christy Miller #7-9

by Robin Jones Gunn

The first twelve books in the popular Christy Miller series are now available in four treasured volumes!

Bestselling author Robin Jones Gunn packs each one with enough action, romance, and drama to keep you reading and wanting more. It all starts the summer Christy vacations on a California beach and meets two friends who change her life forever. But after moving across the country with her family, Christy must begin her sophomore year of high school uncertain where she'll fit in. A red-headed new best friend, a try at cheerleading, a job at a pet store, and expectations for the prom fill Christy's high school years with a string of laughter-and-tears moments. Fireball Katie keeps everyone guessing what she'll do next, and surfer Todd keeps showing up while popular Rick has determined to get her full attention! As these memorable years unfold, Christy and her God-loving friends find out what it means to be a "peculiar treasure." Follow Christy Miller as she stays true to her identity in Christ, drawing closer to God for help in realizing her dreams and dealing with her disappointments.

Whether you're meeting her for the first time or have known her for years--

Christy Is a Forever Friend

True Friends

What is a true friend? Christy Miller knows she has two of Todd and Katie. To show how much she appreciates them, she writes to Todd, who's off surfing in Hawaii, and she agrees to join the ski club with Katie...even though she's scared of skiing! Fortunately, Christy and Katie can laugh as they bumble their way around the bunny slopes at Lake Tahoe. But Christy finds herself caught between new friends and her loyalty to Katie. Will Christy find a way to be a true friend when it counts most? And will she ever hear from Todd?

Starry Night

It's Christmastime, and Christy Miller has so much going family time, work, and maybe, just maybe, going to the Rose Bowl Parade with a bunch of friends. If only she could answer Uncle Bob's tough questions. Todd's buddy Doug gives her some insight, and she starts to appreciate him in a whole new way. Rick Doyle shows up again...but is he pursuing Christy or the cutest elf at the mall? Through it all, will Christy find someone special to count the stars with?

Seventeen Wishes

It's summer, and that means the beach and other adventures. And Christy Miller's best friend, Katie, is always full of ideas. They'll be camp counselors! But when Katie can't go, Christy is bewildered and overwhelmed by her fifth-grade girls, who have boundless energy for anything except what Christy wants them to do. Do they even hear a word she says? Soon they're playing matchmaker between Christy and Jaeson, a handsome counselor...and he doesn't seem to mind. When Christy's seventeenth birthday arrives later in the summer, just what will she be wishing for?

Story Behind the Book

"The Christy Miller series began when a group of thirteen year-old girls challenged me to write a novel. I'd been questioning the content of their favorite books when they said, 'Why don't you write a book for us?' I told them no, I only wrote picture books. But they 'How hard could it be? We'll even tell you what to write! We want a love story with teenagers at the beach.' It took two years to write  Summer Promise  but once it was published I continued writing about Christy. There are now over 40 books about Christy and Todd and their Forever Friends." 
--Robin Jones Gunn

Genres: Christian, Christian Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Childrens

480 pages, Hardcover

First published February 17, 2005

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

[Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series- so good!

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christy Miller Volume Three Reread 2019: 4.5 stars.
~•~
True Friends - 4 stars.
Starry Night - 4.5 stars
Seventeen Wishes - 5 stars

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great christian fiction for youths. I enjoyed reading how young people interacted with God.

[Jill Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a three-books-in-one volume that includes books 7, 8, and 9 of the Christy Miller series. I’ve given a review of each story below.
Book 7
True Friends
Christy’s new assignment in class is to write an essay about what makes a true friend. This gets Christy thinking about how good of friend Katie is. She becomes determined to do something special with Katie to show her how much she cares. But Katie wants to go on a ski trip, and Christy is scared of skiing! Still, Christy goes, but some of the other girls on the trip will test Christy and Katie’s friendship to the breaking point. Will it survive?
I love Christy. She is such a sweet, naive girl. Sometimes I feel bad for the way she gets treated, then sometimes I feel bad for the way she treats her friends. But that’s human nature, I suppose. This is a great book for friends.
Book 8
Starry Night
Christy introduces Katie to her beach friends and has a hard time when Rick flirts with Katie. Christy wonders if Katie likes Rick, after all the times Katie told Christy that Rick was no good for her. Christy makes plans to attend the Rose Parade with her beach friends, but balancing her uncle’s tough questions about God, Doug’s attentions, and Rick and Katie’s growing affection in making for a stressful holiday.
This book worried me. I wanted Christy to get her chance to talk things out with Rick, but things kept going wrong. And I just wanted Christy to get closure. And now I think that Rick is only interested in Katie to make Christy jealous, so I feel bad for Katie! Argh! Robin Jones Gunn does a great job at portraying realistic characters. And this book has a wonderful surprise ending for Christy!
Book 9
Seventeen Wishes
When Katie suggests that she and Christy attend a week of summer camp, Christy is really looking forward to it. Until she finds out that Katie can’t go and that it’s not a teen camp, but one for 5th graders. And Christy is going as a counselor. From the start Christy feels in over her head with the young girls. And when they start playing matchmaker for Christy and one of the boy’s counselors, Christy doesn’t know what to do.
This is a great story for anyone thinking about being a camp counselor. I totally related to Christy’s feelings and experiences as a counselor…except for the guy thing. That part actually annoyed me a bit. That this guy would flirt with Christy in front of the campers. Any camp I worked at that was a no no. Counselors were there to set an example. Anyway… Christy is a smart girl, and she works it all out. This was a good one. They’re all good!
As always, I highly recommend this series for girls ages 12 and up. I wish I would have read them as a teen! I would have inhaled them and learned a ton. There are three more Christy novels that I need to go boy, and of course, then I need Christy and Todd: the College Years. So I’ve still got more fun to look forward to. If you are looking for a fun long-=lasting series for teen girls and haven’t looked into these book, you absolutely must. They are wonderful. Check out Robin Jones Gunn’s author website to find more at http://www.robingunn.com/.

[✧*̥˚ Jordyn *˚✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favorite in the series so far!
I feel like Christy is really maturing, and I'm cringing less, but also just the setting and plot seemed a level up from the other books.

True Friends ★★★★★
Loved the different setting, and the ways that Katie & Christy are maturing together.
It was also nice to see realistic reactions to High School situations.

Starry Night ★★★★★
Loveddd this one so much. I'm slightly obsessed with stars and so it was cool to see someone else that felt close to the Lord while stargazing.
I couldn't help but laugh though, because if Marti & Bob lived in more modern times they fully would've been instacarting/doordashing their groceries up that mountain.
And the talk of Hawaii was so awesome ✨

Seventeen Wishes ★★★★☆
Not my favorite of the volume, I wasn't craving to read it the way I did with the others but it was still good. I really loved the camp part, and seeing Christy interact with the kiddos.

I have some bones to pick, including the fact that Todd is almost picked on because he's "so religious" like 😞

Ngl this isn't my best review, but people are ticking me off (irl) rn and I don't have the brrainpower.

[Ava ✿ (ia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing! I think this one was my fave so far! <333

[Bella off hiatus · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Lena Morrison · Rating 4 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,

Thank you for this third volume. It's my least favorite of the volumes, but I still like it. :)

True Friends-

This book was pretty good. I just wish there was more Todd. So, in this one Christy basically tries to be a better friend to Katie. She realizes that Katie is such a good friend to her, and she wants to do better. So, she ends up agreeing to go on a ski trip with Katie. Together they raise money and go on the trip.
In this book, I still see that Christy has matured a lot in her relationship with Christ and with others. Katie I like, especially because she's not afraid of being herself and speaking the truth. The three snobby girls I can't stand. Other than that, the characters in this book are minor. I did like this book, I just wish there was more of Todd in it. I loved the whole "I hold you in my heart thing." It's a beautiful Bible verse.



Starry Night-

This book was also good. Christy and Katie have a bit more to deal with. I like how Christy is open about her faith with Jon here. She really does well! Not much other than some friend drama happens here. :) Katie gets somewhat into Rick, which I admit is annoying. Rick isn't even likable! But at least Christy and Rick get to talk a little, even if the first time was embarrassing. Then, in the end, Todd comes back! I'm so glad he came back. :)

Seventeen Wishes-

Honestly, this book is probably my second least favorite of the series. I definitely don't dislike it. I just don't really like that for most of the book Christy is alone and doesn't have her most important friends. I also wished Todd and Christy had a bit more romantic parts. :) Other than that, this is a good book. I like that Katie FINALLY gets over Rick. I also like reading about Christy taking care of a bunch of kids. And I like that Christy has grown up a lot more and become closer with God. :)

Thank you for writing these books. They helped me get closer to God and love Him more.

Sincerely,
Lena Marie

[M.L. Little · Rating 3 out of 5]

I noticed a few problematic remarks in this book. No one is really pointing these things out and it's concerning to me.

--Rick is emotionally manipulative and controlling, and he needs to go. This book needed to stop trying to redeem everybody. Sometimes life has bad guys. He needs to just go.

--At one point, Rick grabs Christy, and she feels uncomfortable and doesn't want him touching her. The older, wise mentor character says that because Christy is so godly, she is irrestible and Rick doesn't know how to act around her, thus excusing Rick's behavior. This is a horrible message for young, impressionable girls. Your godliness has nothing to do with people touching you. If you don't want to be touched, then there is no excuse.

--Then Rick kisses Katie without her consent. She is upset about this when she reveals it to Christy, and has mixed feelings. Christy comforts her and tells her, "Your first kiss is a wonderful thing." Uh...not necessarily? Your first kiss is a wonderful thing if you WANT the kiss and it's with someone you love and trust. What's next, someone gets raped and Christy tells them "Your first time having sex is a wonderful thing?"

--I agree with the reviewer who said it's so unfair of Todd to expect Christy to date only him and then hardly ever be in the picture. That's a little bit controlling, too.

--This is more minor, but Christy is basically incapable of helping herself.

These are bad messages for young girls, and I'm surprised no one else pointed them out.

[Victoria Gimmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirering, Duh!

[Awakening · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another volume follows up on Christy. In this one she is growing closer to God, but is kind of becoming a hopless romantic.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I promise you will love these!

[whatsalliereading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread: For nostalgias sake this series as a whole must stay at a 5 ⭐️ for me 😝

[Jennifer Maloney · Rating 3 out of 5]

True Friends ⭐️⭐️💫

I found myself waffling between bored and frustrated in this one. The main storyline involves Christy and Katie bickering a lot, but ultimately making up. They discover what true friendship means. And I suppose this a valuable life lesson for the tween market demographic, but reading this as an adult was like… eyeroll. 😂

—-
Side storyline about sneaking alcohol on a school trip. Brief discussion of freezing someone’s underwear at a sleepover.
—-

I still find Todd so incredibly annoying. He’s mostly absent from this one but that’s part of the problem. Christy is so sure he’s her future, but he has yet to make any overtures. He barely speaks to her, in fact.

In the last chapter, Todd finally makes contact in the form of a brief note on a coconut that he sent through the mail. Apparently postcards and phones don’t exist in Hawaii (where he lives currently). 🙄

I feel like these books are trying to paint a picture of one’s perfect Christian future husband as one who never talks to you and barely says anything to you unless it’s in the form of a Bible verse. It really gives weird and unrealistic expectations and doesn’t actually demonstrate how to talk to boys.

Then there’s Katie basically gaslighting Christy when she worries about why she hasn’t heard from Todd in so long. Katie tells her that she needs to rest in what she knows��� that Todd told her he was her forever friend, so he is, and she needs to have faith in that.

Like um… to an extent, I suppose there’s some truth there… but also, he needs to communicate. It’s not needy to want a little reciprocity. And given his actual actions in the past, I’m not even sure I’d read anything beyond casual friendship into his (very few and far between) actions.

And yet she’s basically in love with him. I get it. I was 16 once too. I just don’t like how her friend is basically downplaying her needing to not feel like it’s so one-sided with Todd. Like that’s a perfectly valid thing to be concerned about in a relationship, any relationship… even just a friendship.


——
Starry Night ⭐️⭐️

Where do we begin?

So Christy’s parents treat her like she’s five. It’s super weird at this point. She’s 16 and about a year and a half from being an actual adult. Yet they’re making weeklong plans without telling her, requiring her to change her work schedule, disallowing her to go on an outing with her group of Christian friends that she hasn’t seen in ages… oh and her dad even almost didn’t allow her to walk half a mile to the store because… why? I have no idea. They’re so controlling. Her aunt and uncle do balance it out, but still. 🥴

Christy’s got all kinds of angst in this one, too. She’s super concerned that she and (super toxic ex-boyfriend) Rick remain friends. Um why?? She also starts crushing on Doug (who thinks of her like a sister… um okay sure). Then there’s Todd and her never knowing where he stands and what he wants from her. In the back of her mind she likes him most of all, but because of the zero communication, she mostly stews about the other two guys all book.

We’ve also got some more nice gaslighting, mostly from Katie and Doug, and even from Rick, making her feel like her gut reaction red flags about Rick are just in her head and something she needs to let go. This aspect of the book is honestly so toxic. This isn’t a great message, especially in a YA book, that you should stymy your gut instincts. God gave us those for a reason.

To be completely fair, Christy also gaslights Katie, who was upset that Rick kissed her without her wanting him to. Christy tells her that her first kiss is a wonderful thing and that she should feel awesome about it. 😐🙄

There was one scene in particular where Rick forces his presence so close to Christy that she was in tears, wrapping her in a public hug she didn’t ask for and was clearly uncomfortable with. Doug tells her “it’s just cuz he cares so much about you, Christy!” Dude. My dude. No. Do not gaslight a girl out of feeling shaky and crying about unwanted physical attention. That’s just all kinds of toxic and gross. I normally like Doug, but that was completely uncalled for. 🤮

—-
In the end, good ol uncommunicative Todd comes back… and uses a Bible story to justify his ghosting Christy for months. No I’m not kidding. 🙄🥴

Todd then takes her to a special alone spot and Christy wonders if he’s FINALLY going to clarify what’s brewing between them. But nope… of course not… cuz that would be healthy. Instead he just smiles mystically at the stars and says he has faith that they’ll figure it out. 🤦🏼‍♀️

—-
There was also a storyline about how Doug is saving his kisses for his future wife, which is honestly just weird. But sure. You do you, Doug.

The really weird part though, was then all the girls start swooning about how romantic this was and how they wished they hadn’t kissed anyone before so their first kiss could be with their husband. 🥴🤦🏼‍♀️

Thankfully good ol gaslighty Katie saved the day this time. She reminded Christy that it’s perfectly fine to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince. Very true, Katie. You might have some wisdom in you after all.


——
Seventeen Wishes ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Katie and Christy go to visit the boys in San Diego. I swear Doug flirts more with Christy (I think of you like a sister!) than Todd ever has. And yet Katie and everyone insist that Christy has made it big with Todd as her special someone. Dude never communicates. Not even when asked directly. I can’t stand that guy.

—-
Brief discussions of forced abortions in China
—-

Anyway then summer arrives and Katie signs up herself and Christy as summer camp counselors without telling Christy. Because of course. What best friend wouldn’t commit someone else to a job without telling them first? 🤦🏼‍♀️ In fact Katie doesn’t ever tell her about the counselor part, but only that she signed her up for camp. It’s not for like a month later before Christy even realizes she was signed up to be a counselor. Like… might’ve been a good detail to mention. Good grief.

—-
Todd is his usual uncommunicative self. Christy even outright asks where he sees them going in the future and he just smiles like Luna Lovegood and says something about enjoying today for today or else you’ll miss it. Like what?? Be a man, Todd. Use your words. This weird non communication vibe you’ve honed to an art form is super cringe. Major red flag. 🚩

Tbf Christy does see these red flags in Todd but Katie constantly gaslights her that she’s “so lucky to have Todd”, completely downplaying Christy’s gut instinct that something’s wrong here. I think this is what I hate most about these books… the constant shooshing of Christy’s gut instincts. That’s not okay to do to someone. Very toxic.

—-
The main storyline is of Christy counseling for a week at junior camp. She’s actually pretty good at it. Makes me wonder again why her parents are so controlling. They don’t trust her one bit and I really don’t get it. It’s definitely more about them than her.

She does have a fling with another counselor. Very PG hand-holding only. But in the end she feels super guilty about it, blaming herself for thinking it might’ve been real. Like dude… that’s not on you if a guy leads you on like that. He was pursuing her and more attentive and romantic than any of her other boyfriends. It makes sense that she’d assume it meant something. But once again she downplays her gut instincts.

—-
We end with Christy feeling how lucky she is to have Todd (who still hasn’t given her the slightest indication that he’s even into her). 🤦🏼‍♀️

This series is honestly ridiculous. It seems to be teaching young girls that the most romantic godly way a man can be is to just utterly ignore you. And meanwhile you best be ignoring any red flags you see in him or other guys you try to date. 😐🥴

[Becca Catherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always look forward to reading a Christy Miller book and this collection is no exception! For me, I am drawn to these books because of their relatable characters and overall happy feel. It's the perfect "stress reliever" type of book. They're such easy reads, it doesn't take much focus to get absorbed in the world of forever friends.

In this volume, books 7 & 8 seemed to have a main focus of friendship. Christy and Katie's skiing trip in "True Friends" turns out to be a valuable lesson for them in loyalty to each other, deciphering real vs fake friends and other friendship lessons.
"Starry Night" continues a friendship theme when Christy struggles with how to be friends with her ex boyfriend and how to handle her friend Katie becoming friends with her "beach friends".
The last book in this collection, is about Christy's adventure at summer camp, where she learns you can never love too much.

Overall, I find these light-hearted, delightful reads so good, this review is being written after my second time reading them!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that you can only rant so much about one series, because eventually it just becomes repetitive. Sometimes it's harder to explain any more than that I lOVE this series. I t also really makes me want to know how Robin Jones Gunn has all this insight on life and people. I'm kind of sad about having finished volume three, though, because it means there is only one more volume left. I admit that I'm kind of scared to read it, because I know I'll read it quickly and then it will be over. :( I'm also kind of scared that once I'm no longer reading them I will a) not remember their lessons and b) not have the will power to read other books that are mediocre in comparison. So I guess that while I say they are amazing and you should definitely read them, read at your own risk :)

[Bellasara · Rating 5 out of 5]

these books are amayzing. They truly enlight the way you veiw the world. and how you make desisions in life. Through a Godly perspective. I strongly suggest this book to all of those readers out there who are looking for a book they cant put down. In that case Christy Miller is the book for you. my star rating is : ***** :) Robin i think you should right about christy and if she has Kids. Give the crowd a little sizzle. I think if you make more christy miller books you will surly be happy you did. Besides you are a great writer. I hope to see what still is instore for me in these wonderful and breath taking books. Thankyou. - a book critick

[Sofia Pinzauti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christy has two of the greatest friends ever and she is put to the test to show them how much they mean to her. Her friends Katie invites her to Lake Tahoe for some snow time in the winter and Christy had other plans with some new friends she met. She is caught In-between new friends and her loyalty to Katie.

She's working now for a summer camp that Katie dragged her to do not telling her that she was going to be a camp counselor for fifth graders. And at the last minute Katie bails and leaves Chirsty to do this on her own. Christy isn't sure what to do anymore, she's overwhelmed with everything.

[Amanda Galliano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing book that Robin Jones Gunn has written. I truly am inspired by how strong Christy keeps her faith and even through all the ups and the downs she will stay true to God and true to that special someone that comes in and out of her life. she wants certain things through out the whole series (Volume 1-3). She just has to find out that God is who she truly wants and He will set her in the right path if she just puts total trust and faith in him. I might have a different perspective on these books than others might have but they just are truly inspiring and i pray that they are inspirational for someone else who truly needs it.

[Ashley Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved these when I was a teen. they changed my perspective on dating, christianity, and being a true God-lover. Heavy stuff for a 13 year old. I just re-read them trying to decide when to give them to my oldest niece and I definitely say the audience is for 12-15 year olds. Gunn does an excellent job targeting that age with her narrative and though this may seem a little out of date the concepts are still very relatable (I read them when they were still listening to tape players...they've been updated to CHS in this version but still haven't been updated to the digital age of cellphones and mp3s---though I'm not really sure that is necessary!)

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This of course like the 2 volumes before it was amazing. I met Robin Jones Gunn when she came to my town to one of our local churches, she was one of the nicest people i've ever met and my friends had told me how great these books were, i had bought the book about a year before and had yet to read it. So i said, why not. I always seem to learn something from these books. God will always be there for you. No matter what. Christy and her friends are strong characters and great examples of how christian teens can make good choices.

[Emilee (Fantastical Paper Realm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the last volume! But I guess I'm just waiting for the climax! I'm excited for the next one! I love todd! Coolest, most original guy ever! I was never a fan of the prince charming/perfect/cliche male protagonist, so it's refreshing to see a guy who is just figuring out life and doing his best to break a hormonal teen girls heart along the way! I liked Christy much more in this volume too! I don't think she had quite as many melt downs. This volume felt more like the first!

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll just say this for the whole Christy Miller series. I read every book, minus the college years, about a year or two ago. I don't remember the little details, but I do remember LOVING the books. They were all very fast reads and contained great lessons for my faith. The only thing bad about any of them is they can get a little cheesy at time, but not enough to make me put them at a 4 star rating.
Whole Series: 4.5 stars
(And I do plan on eventually reading the last three books in the college volume.)

[Morgan Parson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin Jones Gunn knows how to connect to her target audience so well! These books are absolutely fabulous and are much better than most of the shows on TV targeted to the same age group. I think these books are much more entertaining! And even though they don't have cell phones or Twitter in the books, they are still relevant.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally got around to reading this series. This volume has the next three books of the series, and they're good. The writing is well done, the characters are interesting, and the plots are cute--totally appropriate for older kids and teens. I love her learning about faith and about friendships and relationships.

[This_young_author Hartford]

Cjristy is learning what she can from life, and a whole lot more. In these three books she's juggling Todd, Rick, and all her friends combined, while learning important lessons. Christy is growing up, and it isn't easy. A definite must-read.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christy doesnt go to prom (not even with Todd, gasp!) and realizes how much the 1 Cor. 13 verse "Love is patient; love is kind" plays into her life.

Goes to camp, meets cute guy. Summer fling, dont mean a thingggg....

Can't remember last part. Something to do with Rick, though...

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best christain books I have ever read. A cute christian love story. Clean, fun, and captivating. I read some of these books in a single day. All of my friends have loved the Christy Miller series and I STRONGLY recomend this book to any teenage girl.

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christy Miller series is really awesome! I love reading it and finding out what happens to Christy and her friends. A wonderful series about loving God and growing up. Very encouraging and a must-read for all young, Christian girls! :D

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is fantastic! I can never put it down! I love how we see a young woman struggling with the normal things all teens deal with: real friends and overcoming arguments, "friends", family, and boys. Although, I cannot wait for her to get through her little boy craze and just date Todd!