Becca by the Book

Getaway Girls #3

by Laura Jensen Walker

Sales clerk, barista, telemarketer, sign waver ... At twenty-five, free-spirited Becca Daniels is still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. What Becca doesn't want to be is bored. She craves the rush of a new experience, whether it's an extreme sport, a shocking hair color, or a new guy. That's why she quit her bookstore job, used her last bit of credit to go skydiving, and broke her leg. And that's why, grounded and grumpy, Becca bristles when teased by friends for being commitment-phobic. In response, Becca issues an outrageous wager---that she can sustain a three-month or twenty-five date relationship with the next guy who asks her out. When the guy turns out to be 'churchy' Ben---definitely not Becca's type---she gamely embarks on a hilarious series of dates that plunge her purple-haired, free-speaking, commitment-phobic self into the alien world of church potlucks and prayer meetings. This irrepressible Getaway Girl will have you cheering her on as she 'suffers' through her dates, gains perspective on her life's purpose, and ultimately begins her greatest adventure of all.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Chick Lit, Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Romance

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2009

About the author

Award-winning author Laura Jensen Walker has written several books, including the Lefty nominated historical fiction, DEATH OF A FLYING NIGHTINGALE. Dubbed "riveting and affecting" by NYT bestselling author Susan Elia MacNeal, this book spotlights a group of real-life overlooked women heroes--the Flying Nightingales--from WWII. An Air Force veteran formerly stationed in the UK, Laura had the great honor of interviewing the last living Flying Nightingale, before she passed.

Bibliophile Laura fell in love with mysteries after reading Trixie Belden in the fourth grade, Her cozy mystery debut, MURDER MOST SWEET (2020) was nominated for an Agatha Award, and her next cozy, THE ALPHABET SLEUTHS, releases in Feb. 2026. Publishers Weekly says about the book: "Walker's feisty, funny, and fully realized seniors easily sit beside the casts of THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB and THE MARLOW MURDER CLUB in the coy pantheon. Readers will be charmed."

THE POSTMISTRESS OF PUDDLINGTON, Laura's second historical novel, features women on the home front in WWII England and releases in August 2026. She is currently at work on a women's fiction novel (aka book club fiction.)

Laura flew a typewriter across Europe in Uncle Sam's Air Force in her twenties, and lived in England for three years where she became a lifelong, tea-loving Anglophile. Shenow lives in Northern California with her Renaissance-man husband and their two rescue pups.

Reviews

[Carla Laureano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so surprised by this book. Funny, snarky, and ultimately had one of the best portrayals of "real Christianity" that I've ever seen in fiction. I'm not surprised it didn't get high marks from a lot of reviewers, especially Christian reviewers... it's slightly subversive. It makes fun of "Christianese" that people throw around sometimes without really understanding the meaning behind it; takes a dim view on the commercial, materialistic Christian gift industry ("souvenirs from Jesus-world"); and rejects religion focused on legalism instead of love.

Even though the quote never came up in the book, James 1:27 came to mind: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress."

And... it had one of the funniest endings to a book I've read. Pitch perfect.

[Christy Trever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becca by the Book is the third book in the Getaway Girls series by Laura Jensen Walker. Becca in unusual in her book club; while the rest of the group is Christian, she's firmly noncommittal, and that doesn't just apply to religion. Becca can't seem to commit to a job, hobby, or guy, so her pals bet her that she can't date the same guy for the next three months or twenty-five dates. She can't pass up the dare and accepts an offer for coffee with cute Ben, who just happens to be a Christian and many of their dates end up involving the church. I am a huge fan of this series that doesn't focus so much on a woman's finding the right man as finding where God wants her to be in life. Becca is searching for a way to give in a meaningful way; Kailyn just thinks that happiness comes with a husband and children, but her dreams are on the stage. Walker has thrown together a wide variety of women with someone to please every reader, and each one has a something to offer. Becca is a breath of fresh air with her refusal to believe that she needs a husband and her fierce determination that while Jesus is cool, Christians usually aren't. Walker writes Christian fiction that should please Christian and secular readers with a intelligent main character and a sweet non-romance. I can't wait to see what's happening next in this series!

[Kelli · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a fluffy chick lit. It started out enjoyable to read but I do have one peeve--I don't like series books that keep introducing you to the past main characters in books. Its gets a bit stale and old for me.



Becca by the Book is an interesting take on writing a book about someone whose perspective of Christians, comes from the outside--the main character being a non-christ follower at the beginning of the story. While I like the concept, I felt that the author was being super cliche, while trying hard not to be, making it all the more cliched. The church scenes and the main characters concept of what a non christian would think, was totally by the book and written like cardboard. Lucy was a sweet character and a cool influence on Becca. However, she was described so sadly and very unbelievable as a former drug addict.

Plus the whole book begins to fall completely apart by the last quarter. The ending doesn't even make sense. The whole character of Ben doesn't even serve a purpose. Its like the whole weight of the book was dumped during big parts of the story. The wanting to go to Africa bits were a good idea, I just wish thats what the book had been written about, and not another mediocre chick-lit where each girl gets a quick wrap-up ending.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book should be required reading in churches. It is a really insightful book which shows how "outsiders" view the church. Plus, it has some great quotes:
"She knows better than to ask me to go to church. Not my thing. Too many rules and regs. And glitz. Some of those churches, especially those big ones, really creep me out. Too much Splenda razzle-dazzle...

Don't get me wrong. I don't have anything against Jesus. Jesus was cool. He took care of the poor, hung out with lepers, and treated women well-unlike most men of his time. Really, if you think about it, Jesus was a feminist. But to some people, that f-word is a dirty word. And applying it to Jesus? Heresy.
Another reason I'm not into church. Everyone gets so uptight if you take Jesus out of their churchy box."

I have to say, that when I read the back of this book, I thought it would be really preachy, with obvious Come-to-Jesus moments. I was very happy to find that wasn't the case, and thought the ending was surprising and well done.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian fiction - one of The Getaway Girls series. I have not read any other books in this series, but enjoyed this one. Becca is a 25 year old who still doesn't know what she wants to be when she grows up. She breaks her ankle skydiving, and through a bet with her friends, ends up trying to sustain a 3 month dating relationship with the next guy who asked her out - who turns out to be Ben, a "churchy" young man who is definitely not Becca's type. I don't usually read anything except mysteries, but saw this one at the library and liked it - it was a quick read.

[Abby Cavenaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book a higher review because I really liked the first half a lot. Becca is a great character with some really funny observations about Christianity. But as the book went along, those started to wear a little thin. I was also expecting and hoping for a good Christian love story that never came to pass.

My biggest complaint: too many characters. With similar names. It was very difficult to keep them all straight! This is why characters in books should only have a handful of friends. At least ones that are important to the story.

Lord I wish I could find a great Christian novel that didn’t go all cheesy and unrealistic!

[Alicia Lowery · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not a fan of this book. I listened on audio and didn’t like the narrator. She tried to do tooooo many accents.

I’m also not a fan of this book’s ending. Very unlike the others in a most disappointing way for this genre.

[Cheryl Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I swallowed the cliche language because the storyline was pretty good. Walker kept it realistic and nice to move along with.

[Jalynn Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

About the Book:

Sales clerk, barista, telemarketer, sign waver ...At twenty-five, free-spirited Becca Daniels is still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up.What Becca doesn't want to be is bored. She craves the rush of a new experience, whether it's an extreme sport, a shocking hair color, or a new guy. That's why she quit her bookstore job, used her last bit of credit to go skydiving, and broke her leg. And that's why, grounded and grumpy, Becca bristles when teased by friends for being commitment-phobic. In response, Becca issues an outrageous wager---that she can sustain a three-month or twenty-five date relationship with the next guy who asks her out. When the guy turns out to be 'churchy' Ben---definitely not Becca's type---she gamely embarks on a hilarious series of dates that plunge her purple-haired, free-speaking, commitment-phobic self into the alien world of church potlucks and prayer meetings. This irrepressible Getaway Girl will have you cheering her on as she 'suffers' through her dates, gains perspective on her life's purpose, and ultimately begins her greatest adventure of all.

My Review:

Becca loves adventure, so when the idea of skydiving comes up, she jumped for the opportunity, literally. First time was great but the second time was a failure, she ended up in the hospital with a broken ankle. Her friends from her book club, The Getaway Girls, come to the rescue. They do pretty much everything for her, feeding, driving, even dyeing her hair for her. But during on of their book club discussions, The Getaway Girls bet Becca can't commit to the next guy who asked her out, for at least 3 months. Becca takes the challenge and the next day while at her old new job in a bookstore, Ben, catches her eye. He asks her to coffee and they really hit it off until she found out he was well, a churchy. He went on mission trips, did all the things a christian would and now she had to date him for three months. When he invites her to church, she's the topic of conversation. They ladies of the church feel that Becca may cause him to back slide and is no good for him. But little do they know what really is going on.



**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Christian Review of Books.

[JaneReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review first appeared at: C Jane Read.

Becca is another one of the book club girls, but the only one who is not a Christian. Due to events from her past Becca has become very jaded against Christianity in general but the girls in her group are an exception. This story revolves around Becca trying to decide what she wants to do with her life. During a discussion about her inability to commit to anything, the book club girls bet her she can’t go on 25 days with the next guy who asks her out. Trying to prove the girls wrong Becca strives to prove the girls she can commit. However, the next guy to ask her out is Ben who happens to be a Christian and has served in missions. Because of this Becca is exposed to church and the Bible more than ever before. I struggled to connect with Becca or the whole dating premise. Majority of the so-called dates her and Ben went on didn’t really seem like dates and why did Ben even agree to participate in this bet? I did not understand his motivation. It was interesting to see Becca experience different types of churches and discuss Christian terms and phrases she didn’t recognize with the book club girls. I did enjoy that I could spend more time with the characters from books one and two. And I was pleased to see how Chloe’s life has changed in the last few years. However I was disappointed with Paige’s storyline, it just didn’t feel like the Paige I had come to know in book two. I was disappointed in the way the story ended. Overall I found this story boring with not much character growth and Becca’s attitude began to get on my nerves at times. I found myself caring more about Lucy’s story, who was a very minor character, than I did Becca. While I didn’t love the previous two books, I enjoyed them more than this one.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becca by the Book is the third book in the Getaway Girls series, a series I have enjoyed tremendously. Becca is the only non-Christian in the group which makes for a fun and entertaining story. I have to admit though; I initially did not care too much for Becca. She seemed a bit to sarcastic and negative, but as I kept reading about her, I started to understand why she is that way and I really started to like her and appreciate her quirky sense of humor. It was really nice to see Chloe, Paige and the other Getaway Girls in this book as well. As always, Laura Jensen Walker has written a very entertaining book with charming characters and realistic stories.

Now, while Becca by the Book is a wonderful book, as are the other Getaway Girls books, it makes a very strong and important point. Becca may not be a Christian, but she has nothing against Jesus. She likes Jesus, but she is simply tired of the same old, same old from Christians. All of the old ways and sayings of Christianity have left her feeling disillusioned about Christians. That is certainly understandable. The bigger point this book is trying to make is that there is an entire generation of people who are not being reached by the “old ways”. There are many people, not all young, who just don’t want their grandparents’ Christianity. Becca got a glimpse at the other side (the more accepting side) of Christianity and I think that is important for us all to not only see, but embrace that type of Christianity and drop the judgments and trite sayings and allow Jesus to really lead us the way He wants us. I think Laura Jensen Walker did a gutsy thing here and it may ruffle some feathers. I hope it does, it should. She gets it.

This book never feels heavy, even though it makes this very important point. There is a lot of Becca’s wonderful humor and honest observations that make this a wonderful read. I loved Becca’s story and I grew to like her very much and I left the book rooting for her. This book goes above and beyond Christian Chick-lit and I highly recommend it.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story made me a bit teary-eyed at the end. I liked Ben and his grandmother. I was surprised at the fact that it wasn't typical chick-lit, but I liked that at the same time. I also liked that the ending wasn't so predictable. Some of the Christense humor was funny (as were her definitions) and some great points were made about Christians not being perfect and how that can be a good thing when Christians show that they are fallible as long as they are sincere and not fake about it. That was a great message. I found that very real and helpful, too. Sometimes we seem to have the strongest affect on people who don't share our faith when we show them that we struggle with behaving all the time, too. I've noticed that for some people that makes Christianity more attainable in their minds because they know they aren't perfect. None of us are. That was probably my favorite implication in this book.

I also enjoyed getting to know Becca. She wasn't the most likable character, but I understood her and how she was jaded because of her mother's scamming. I liked that she started to soften but didn't do the predictable things typically seen in CBA novels. While the book was a bit snarky at times and poked fun at things that aren't very Christian about the subculture in churches, I didn't find it offensive. To me it was more insightful. I think the author did a good job showing what the typical person outside of the Christian faith might observe when looking at the typical church culture.

[Stephany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, mainly because it included non-Christian themes. The book was about a non-Christian girl named Becca who is in a book club with Christian women. After breaking her leg in a sky-diving accident, her friends challenge her that she can't date a man for more than 3 months (or 25 dates). She takes the challenge and meets a Christian guy at her work, who is also involved in missions. While he's not her first choice, she decides to date him.

Throughout the story, Becca is drawn closer and closer into the Christian world but never fully accepts Christ. The book has a curse word in it (Damn), beer-drinking at a Christian get-together, a Christian getting pregnant before marriage, and even a chat about evolution v. creationism. I think it deals with all these Christian faux-pas in a great way and it makes the book more real life than any Christian book I've ever read.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst one yet of the entire poorly-written series. And while I have a laundry list of things I didn't like, I was at first so excited that there was new narrator since the narrator of the previous two books was incredible whiny. But this narrator seemed to think that each character needed a different accent -- even if they're all from Southern California. That's a seriously diverse population they have there. And just because a character is of Scottish heritage doesn't mean that she has a Scottish accent, but to this narrator it does. Problem is, her "Scottish accent" sounded more like someone doing a bad impression of Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite.

As for the problems with the text itself, other reviewers have already listed it. For someone so street-wise, Becca is pretty dumb. And for someone so progressive, Becca stereotypes other characters quite often. Etc, etc, etc.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book three ( final book ) in the Getaway Girls series. I think Becca's attitude for life in general is my favorite. She just wants to do whatever comes to mind at the moment. She doesn't have to fit into the traditional form of marriage, husband and kids.

I like seeing faith, church and Christianity from someone who is not sure it all works for her. I like that she went places and did things with Ben that she wasn't excited about. I think it is good to learn about yourself by trying different things.

The ending was not what I thought it was going to be. It was kind of nice to see a different ending then you usually get at the end of a chick lit series.

More Reviews at Ope's Opinions.com

[Sky Thibedeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Becca is the only non Christian in the 'Getaway Girls' book club and at times thinks herself as the odd woman out. Recovering from an accident she takes a bet from the other members that she will date the next guy who crosses her path 20 times.

In walks Ben who is a very very active church member. Becca finds herself being taken to every type of Church event save a 'snake handling'. Becca puts her chin up and tries to learn Ben's way of life and culture. I think it does impact her preconceived notions instilled by her past. Hopefully she has more insights into her friends as a result and can understand their point of view better.

Over all it was fun and did not end how I expected it to. Still I enjoyed Daring Chloe a lot more.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't necessarily disagree with other people who liked the book because of it's "snarky" viewpoint on stereotypical Christian groups or because of the non-traditional, fun twist on the chick-lit/romance story line. But I found it difficult to enjoy the main character's arrogance and snobbery towards everyone - even for her supposed buddies. I suppose she is a fairly realistic character, but I feel more pity for her than interest in reading through all her hang ups. By some standards she would be considered a free spirit, but I think another character pegged her more correctly as having a chip on her shoulder. She's blessed that all of the other characters didn't give up trying to be her friend.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book - but I didn't love it. I had a hard time getting through the first few chapters. I couldn't relate to Becca at all - she is much younger than me (and when I was her age I was married and a mother) and she has little sense of responsibility. The sentence structure was choppy (to get across the way Becca thinks, but still, it bothered me) and there were way too many characters to keep track of (I had to keep going back to remember who everyone was). I did like the idea of the main character being a non-Christian surrounded by Christians. This is the third book in a series but I won't be reading the other two. I think I'm a bit older than the target audience.

[Angela Risner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becca has been my least favorite character out of the series and I don’t think I’m alone in that feeling. However, this book helped me see a different side of this character. You find out that she had a pretty rough childhood, which of course shaped her character and its rough edges.

I liked this book for the most part, but the ending seemed out of place. It just kind of happened, with little to no warning. In other words, it was rather abrupt.

Out of all of the books in this series, this is the one that explores the religious theme the most, but in the end, it really doesn’t force the views on you. To that end, I was pleased with the way it turned out.

[chanceofbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of Christian fiction anymore, so I tend to be pretty picky about what I do read. This book was bit more "preachy" than I like with fairly stereotypical characters, although I do give the author credit for the entertaining glossary at the end of the book and for trying to break the mold a little. I was a bit disappointed by the ending as I wanted a bit more of a HEA for Becca, although that might be the fault of the blurb which billed it as more of a romance. I also think this works better as more of a YA--had I read this at 18 or 19 I would probably give it 4 stars.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think this was as good as the others in the series, but I still liked it. I enjoyed the new characters that were introduced, especially Lucy, Ben, & Ben's grandmother. However, I felt Becca was too flighty and irresponsible. The ending felt too abrupt for me, like something was missing.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny look at commitment. Of course it gets more serious as the book goes on but there are chuckles until the end. This is the third in a series of "Getaway Girls" book club. Good Christian Chick Lit.

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author has been very hit and miss for me. I didn't care for this one, and had to do some skimming to finish it. The main character is pretty unlikeable, and most of the rest of the characters are very clichéd.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is supposed to be Christian fiction but Christians are portrayed in a negative light - preachy, unattractive, smug, superior. The only nice Christian girl in the book who attends a traditional church is physically unattractive.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wasn't really impressed by this book, the main characters constant snarky attitude was grating after a while. It was funny at first, but afterwards, it was as if she couldn't develop the character much. I don't know.

[carabellisima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book although I was disappointed with the ending. Wasn't the outcome I was expecting and perhaps that's the whole point. It's a realistic ending but kind of abrupt. Could have used another two or three chapters for full closure.

[David Nelson]

Great ending

This appears to be the last book in the series of Getaway Girls. I enjoyed reading the series about mainstream Christian women who find themselves. I wish there were more books like this one.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story with a very realistic look at life as a Christian. Great characters, very heartfelt story.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't entirely thrilled with the ending but overall it was good.

[Cherie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing because I really enjoyed the two previous books.