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Sierra Jensen #3
Don't You Wish
When Sierra meets the entire gang at the beach party of the century she realizes that it's important to be careful what you wish for.
144 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1996
2 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Robin Jones Gunn
165 books2,661 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 29, 2015
Randy might be the new putz for this series. He comes in, asking Sierra about flowers for the formal, and blah blah blah - only for her to find out a week later that he's taking another girl. What a putz! Good thing Sierra doesn't really have feelings for him, so there's a limit on how much he can hurt her - unlike Todd and Christy, where every putz move (and there were A LOT of them) was like a punch to her solar plexus.
What else? Uncle Bob gets "saved" and turns his life over to Jesus. Why? Because he was a little too enthusiastic with the BBQ and got quite a nasty burn. His wife, Marti, is still a heathen, and it's causing a lot of tension in their marriage.
Sierra is still working through her jealousy issues regarding her beautiful, put-together, tall, organized sister, Tawni. She does a good job learning to bite her tongue a bit and mellow out where her sister is concerned. It's hard to be second fiddle to someone. I sympathize with her plight. Tawni is "the pretty one" and everywhere she goes, men are watching. Little Sierra is still at that sweet 16 and never been kissed stage (literally) and it's very understandable that she feels resentful of her sister. It's also harder to meet men - they are always looking at Tawni and not at Sierra. Hopefully some guy (who's not a putz) will come along and see Sierra for the amazing person she is!
I realize that the above paragraph makes it seem like Sierra isn't pretty. She IS pretty, but just pales in comparison with her older sister. I don't think Jones Gunn would venture into writing an ugly girl or a fat girl. I always enjoy when the main character is ACTUALLY unattractive in some way (not like the YA trope of "oh, I'm so thin and tall no one could find me pretty but actually I look like a model" crap, but actual heroines with some physical flaws) but there are startlingly few books like that out there.
This was my favorite quote from the book:
Sierra thought her heart was going to melt all over the sand, and she would have to scoop it up in her towel, take it to the house, and put it in the refrigerator before she could get it back inside her.
What else? Uncle Bob gets "saved" and turns his life over to Jesus. Why? Because he was a little too enthusiastic with the BBQ and got quite a nasty burn. His wife, Marti, is still a heathen, and it's causing a lot of tension in their marriage.
Sierra is still working through her jealousy issues regarding her beautiful, put-together, tall, organized sister, Tawni. She does a good job learning to bite her tongue a bit and mellow out where her sister is concerned. It's hard to be second fiddle to someone. I sympathize with her plight. Tawni is "the pretty one" and everywhere she goes, men are watching. Little Sierra is still at that sweet 16 and never been kissed stage (literally) and it's very understandable that she feels resentful of her sister. It's also harder to meet men - they are always looking at Tawni and not at Sierra. Hopefully some guy (who's not a putz) will come along and see Sierra for the amazing person she is!
I realize that the above paragraph makes it seem like Sierra isn't pretty. She IS pretty, but just pales in comparison with her older sister. I don't think Jones Gunn would venture into writing an ugly girl or a fat girl. I always enjoy when the main character is ACTUALLY unattractive in some way (not like the YA trope of "oh, I'm so thin and tall no one could find me pretty but actually I look like a model" crap, but actual heroines with some physical flaws) but there are startlingly few books like that out there.
This was my favorite quote from the book:
Sierra thought her heart was going to melt all over the sand, and she would have to scoop it up in her towel, take it to the house, and put it in the refrigerator before she could get it back inside her.
August 28, 2017
A fun, easy read that poignantly shows how it is to be the only single in what feels like a planet full of couples.
September 5, 2018
Last read May 2011
March 18, 2009
This was a pretty interesting book, I liked the interaction between Sierra and her older sister. Even though it was sometimes a little stressful, I liked the change it brought to the book. I also liked seeing characters from the Christy Miller books. I would recommend if you were a fan of Robin Jones Gunn.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
March 20, 2023
Don't You Wish was a great story! So much happened in this book. Sierra and her sister go on their trip to visit Sierra's friends. During that trip Doug and Tracy get engaged! Todd and Christy's uncle get burned. Towards the end of the book we learn that Christy's uncle is now a Christian.
I liked how Christy was mature in this book and actually gave some good advice to Sierra.
I liked how Christy was mature in this book and actually gave some good advice to Sierra.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2008
by the third book i was ready for vol. 2!!
June 21, 2023
this has got to be the best Christian fiction series I've ever read.
Don't You Wish was definitely my favorite book *so far*
would highly recommend this series :)
Don't You Wish was definitely my favorite book *so far*
would highly recommend this series :)
August 22, 2023
(2011) Uncle Bob's accident is so scary but it helps him realize how human he is.
(2023) Mama Bear's Cinnamon Rolls make their first appearance ♥️
(2023) Mama Bear's Cinnamon Rolls make their first appearance ♥️
March 31, 2023
Sierra and Tawni, her sister, travel to California to spend the week with the friends Sierra made while in Europe on a mission trip. Sierra's hoping to meet a guy, but there's only one single one and he's interested in her sister.
Some things happen in this book that fans of the Christy Miller series have been waiting for:
Some things happen in this book that fans of the Christy Miller series have been waiting for:
September 23, 2014
It was interesting and simple. I enjoyed it. I like the two sisters Tawni and Sierra, how it was realistic. Two sisters fight over things but still cares about each other even a little.
I hated Randy because he asked Sierra what flowers she liked and then he wasn't going to ask her for the dance?! Wow, what a jerk. I liked Nick a lot (Was the boy's name in the end Nick? I forgot.) better than Randy because he seemed to show more compassion for Sierra. I don't know though, I never red the fourth book.
Overall, the book was great. The characters were given development and their feelings were shown even if it was just one person's perspective. It felt realistic and inspiring. But anyways, I liked it. :)
I hated Randy because he asked Sierra what flowers she liked and then he wasn't going to ask her for the dance?! Wow, what a jerk. I liked Nick a lot (Was the boy's name in the end Nick? I forgot.) better than Randy because he seemed to show more compassion for Sierra. I don't know though, I never red the fourth book.
Overall, the book was great. The characters were given development and their feelings were shown even if it was just one person's perspective. It felt realistic and inspiring. But anyways, I liked it. :)
November 6, 2017
Growing up my favorite Sierra books were the ones when Christy and friends made an appearance but now I realize how well Sierra can stand on her own. But I still enjoy visits from the old friends, although I think Christy's, Todd's, and Katie's timelines get a little messy with how they were written in the Sierra books before they got their own series again. But still, I enjoy all my time with these characters.
March 6, 2013
March 2013 re-read.
September 4, 2025
Number of pages: 129
Genre: Contemporary YA
Series: Sierra Jensen Series #3
Age recommendation: High School (15/16)
Summary: When Sierra gets the opportunity to go visit her California friends, she is so excited. On a whim, she invites her sister, Tawni, to come along, not expecting her to take her up on the offer. When Tawni actually agrees to go, Sierra starts having doubts about how fun her trip will be.
My thoughts: I really, really, enjoyed this story. I like how Sierra learns to get along with everybody, and to trust and wait on God’s timing in her life. I appreciated that Christy is able to be a friend and spiritual mentor to her. I like how Sierra learned to look at her own part when problems come up and to ask God to change her own attitude, rather than fix her sister. Sometimes both needs to be done, but we need to start with fixing our own attitudes. I think that’s a good message to share: stop being so high and mighty with how much better you are than others and think about how you might need to change.
So many good things happen in this book that I’ve been waiting forever to happen!
It’s really nice that Sierra invited her sister to come with her. Tawni really needs extra love and attention to feel accepted. I’ve read a lot of books about kids who are adopted, and one thing I’ve noticed is that those children carry around a lot of hurt. They often keep it all tucked away inside because they feel like they have to be grateful, kind, and polite for the people who are generously adopting them, and it’s hard for them to feel truly loved and accepted.
I think it’s hilarious that Tawni is the one who loses her luggage and has to borrow from Sierra. Also, that Katie likes Sierra’s style and wants to borrow from her.
Overall, it’s a really good book and I loved the story!
My personal rating: 4/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
Genre: Contemporary YA
Series: Sierra Jensen Series #3
Age recommendation: High School (15/16)
Summary: When Sierra gets the opportunity to go visit her California friends, she is so excited. On a whim, she invites her sister, Tawni, to come along, not expecting her to take her up on the offer. When Tawni actually agrees to go, Sierra starts having doubts about how fun her trip will be.
My thoughts: I really, really, enjoyed this story. I like how Sierra learns to get along with everybody, and to trust and wait on God’s timing in her life. I appreciated that Christy is able to be a friend and spiritual mentor to her. I like how Sierra learned to look at her own part when problems come up and to ask God to change her own attitude, rather than fix her sister. Sometimes both needs to be done, but we need to start with fixing our own attitudes. I think that’s a good message to share: stop being so high and mighty with how much better you are than others and think about how you might need to change.
So many good things happen in this book that I’ve been waiting forever to happen!
It’s really nice that Sierra invited her sister to come with her. Tawni really needs extra love and attention to feel accepted. I’ve read a lot of books about kids who are adopted, and one thing I’ve noticed is that those children carry around a lot of hurt. They often keep it all tucked away inside because they feel like they have to be grateful, kind, and polite for the people who are generously adopting them, and it’s hard for them to feel truly loved and accepted.
I think it’s hilarious that Tawni is the one who loses her luggage and has to borrow from Sierra. Also, that Katie likes Sierra’s style and wants to borrow from her.
Overall, it’s a really good book and I loved the story!
My personal rating: 4/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
January 31, 2019
I love this book, I have been reading the collection and truly love the character of Serria Jensen in this marvelous. I can really relate to serria in many ways and how we can always trust in God. I truly love this book and loved all of the plot twist. I totally Recommend this book and would love to keep reading this continued collection. I would like to have more about Serria and how she develops all of her confident.
February 23, 2024
this was so good!!!! i keep wanting to kick myself for not reading the Sierra books sooner because 1. they are so good and fun without all the Christy characters and 2. there are so many good Christy + friends cameos!!! in this book Sierra and her sister spend a entire week in SoCal with them and i cried at the end of their time there, because UNCLE BOB GOT SAVED!!!!!🥳🥳🥳 i had known this because it’s spoken about in later Christy books but to get to see it was so special!!!!
January 14, 2019
“Don’t you wish,” the third book in the Sierra Jensen series written by Robin Jones Gunn is a great story about trusting God. Sierra gets to visit the friends she met on a mission trip in California, when catastrophe strikes. Because of this catastrophe, miraculous things occur. If you are interested in what these things may be, read “Don’t You Wish.”
June 8, 2019
Chapter 17 gets to me everytime! When Bob announces he got saved, I literally cheer just as everyone else did, I get so emotional at that part.
I love the way Christy as developed in this book. She really sounds like a college student, meaning I picture her as a college student and not a high school student. She is more confident, strong, and outgoing both in personality and in her faith.
I love the way Christy as developed in this book. She really sounds like a college student, meaning I picture her as a college student and not a high school student. She is more confident, strong, and outgoing both in personality and in her faith.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2023
Always great to be back with the Christy and Todd gang, and it was interesting to see how Sierra learns to enjoy the stage she's at rather than trying to rush into adulthood.
May 23, 2025
"I like this book because it shows true love will do anything for you. I like all the "Love Stories" in this book." -Cadee, age 12
January 7, 2026
I loved this book! the character development was believable and relatable. It was interesting to see the thoughts of the main character, Sierra, and the conclusions she came to.
February 7, 2017
My mom picked this up somewhere for me to read- and because lately books have been hard for me (because Ms. Valente needs to write more Fairyland, am I right?)- I read it. I really enjoyed it, it was sweet.
March 29, 2018
Great Book! I love this series!!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews