Being Known By Robin Jones Gunn

Being Known

by Robin Jones Gunn

Publisher: Multnomah

ISBN: 9780735290778

I got this book from NetGalley thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah. I should've tried reading book 1 first, just to have some context to who the characters were in general. I don't think having not read it affected the overall basis of the book.

Summary:

What does it mean to be truly known? In a marriage, in a friendship, or by a loving God?
 
After her mom passed away, Jennalyn was in the midst of moving, adjusting to life with a new baby, and helping her husband, Joel, work toward his dream job. At the time, she thought she’d processed her mother’s death, but only now that Jennalyn has two small children, a lovely new home, and a husband who is always working does she feel the full impact of what she has lost.
 
Even among her sweet circle of friends, the Haven Makers, grief silently overwhelms Jennalyn, until an unexpected encounter allows her to express herself in ways she hasn’t fully been able to with her husband. Even though Christy, Sierra, Emily, and Tess provide a soft place to land in times of tension, Jennalyn remains guarded, especially when Tess reveals she is tangled emotionally in a relationship that was thorny from the start.
 
Will the two women open up and remain honest with the others in their Haven Makers group? Or will their hesitation to truly be known, faults and all, keep them from holding on to the friendships that have been the sweetest gift during this season of life?

My Review:

I had to play a bit of catch up since I hadn't read book 1 yet! The writing was easy to get involved in. The author creates friendships that are relatable and honestly, exemplify the kinds of godly ones we should have. I felt like I was reading a story with real friends because of the way it's written. This book really exemplifies contemporary women's fiction in my opinion.

Jennalyn and her friends have an incredible bond. It's not perfect, but it's special. These are the kinds of relationships I think many of us strive for. The most important aspect overall for me was the truth they shared with each other. If one seemed to be making difficult decisions, the other ladies were able to lovingly share their thoughts.

I think in all 5 of the women's lives the reader is able to relate to them in various ways. I remember being a young mom at home with a couple of kids feeling like I was doing everything on my own. Jennalyn felt it in a stronger way with the loss of her mom and her husband working so much. It was so easy to see how she (or anyone really) could be lured into a sense of "ok" with someone of the opposite sex. I appreciated the storyline of Tess as well because being emotionally involved with someone can be just as destructive as being physically involved with them. It's an important topic to discuss.

I also liked that Christy's husband, Todd, is involved in encouraging Joel with a marriage retreat and further along in the story to being a good listener when needed. Sometimes men don't get any credit for the strength their friendships are to one another. 

Throughout the story, I loved how the Haven Makers built each other up and made wonderful memories together. These kinds of relationships are so vital to our day to day lives. The faith thread that works its way through the story is an important aspect of their friendships and marriages. It comes through in their words of the year, which I thought was a neat addition and something many people do in this day and age. Who needs a resolution when you can have a word to cling to that goes along with the Word of God?

I'm looking forward to going back to book 1 to get to know the ladies from the start and then the next book in the series! Anyone as impatient as me for future books? lol

About the Author:

Robin Jones Gunn has written over 100 books with sales of over 6 million copies sold worldwide. She and her husband have two grown children and live in Hawai'i. 

Her best-selling Father Christmas novels have been made into 3 Hallmark Movies. Get a behind the scenes look in her book, "How My Book Became a Movie".

Robin's best-selling, award winning novels include the Christy Miller series for teens as well as the Sierra Jensen and Katie Weldon series. The characters in these series continue in Christy & Todd: The College Years, The Married Years, The Baby Years and in The Haven Makers series. More details at www.ChristyMiller.com