SISTERCHICKS IN WOODEN SHOES

Fiction. Literature. Christian Fiction. HTML:A multi-tasking mama, Summer Finley has found ways to handle whatever life throws at her with grace and a grin. Until now, that is. An "abnormal" medical test result sends Summer into an emotional tailspin and prompts her to fulfill a life-long dream of "meeting" her best friend and pen pal since fourth grade, Noelle Van Zandt, face-to-face. Their blissful week together in the Netherlands finds Summer and Noelle floating down a canal in Amsterdam, visiting Corrie Ten Boom's Hiding Place, sipping decadent Dutch cocoa in Delft, and bobbing merrily along through a sea of brilliant, spring-fresh tulips. Each day takes them further from midlife anxiety and closer to trusting God in deeper ways. When Summer finally confides in Noelle about the abnormal test results, Summer's honesty prompts Noelle to share a long-held heartache. The two friends find they both needed to be together more than either of them realized. Could it be this adventure was tucked away in God's imagination long before Summer bought her ticket to fly to the land of merry tulips and kalomping wooden shoes? From the Trade Paperback edition..… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member bebesarah

This was an Early Reviewer copy. I like light fiction and 'chick lit' and certainly inspirational literature, but this one was so lightweight it just about flew out of my hands (I wish it would have, but I had to doggedly finish it as an early reviewer). I think a 5-year old could read this with

ease, it was so simplistic. It was more like a travelogue with some Biblical verses and advice thrown in. I was extremely disappointed in the poor character development and the obvious plotting. Not recommended for someone looking for well-written and thoughtful Christian fiction.

Show Less

14 more

LibraryThing member KatKealy

A little too preachy at times, but generally just a book about friends who happen to be super religious getting to meet and hang out in person for the first time after a lifetime of being pen pals. Nothing super exciting, but not a bad quick read. I probably rated it a bit higher than I would have

if I hadn't had so many family members who have been diagnosed with one form of cancer or another. The idea in this book of just deciding to be in denial for a bit and enjoy a trip you've wanted to take your whole life is a good one.

That being said, I won't ever read another Sisterchicks book.

Show Less

LibraryThing member Justjenniferreading

This was a great book about finding yourself and spiritual growth.

I've never been in the position that Summer was placed in. Hearing that you have an abnormal test result is probably a very scary situation. I would imagine that all the things you've never done seems to spread themselves out like a

list of life's failures. But for Summer that seemed to be just what she needed.

The writing wasn't great but the characters, while a bit two-dimensional, were very real to me. The spiritual and introspective thoughts that Summer has were also very real. It is also very apparent the Robin Jones Gunn put a lot of research into the book. The places that Summer and Noelle visit are real places with real stories.

Through all of the inner turmoil Summer faces she's able to keep her head held high and just enjoy her visit. The humorous stories enter at just the right time, keeping what could have been a very serious and emotional story very light-hearted. This made the story touching and at the same time easy to read. I personally find most stories about a serious subject, such as serious illness, very hard to read emotionally. They just seem to drain me, and while the stories may be good they take a lot out of me. This story deals with a very serious topic in a way that makes it enjoyable. The story isn't so much about what Summer is going through, but rather it's just about her living her life and enjoying herself.

Overall it was a pretty good book. A bit of chick-lit mixed with a story of spirituality. It was a very fast read. It also made me want to read more of the Sisterchicks novels.

Show Less

LibraryThing member ktener

I won this book through the Early Reviewers. I didn't realize at the time that it was part of a series, but it appears each book is also stand alone and you don't have to read the others first. I found the plot line and characters very enjoyable, and I look forward to reading the other books in

this series.

Show Less

LibraryThing member rphalliburton

I received this book as early review. It was such a delightful book, It brought out so many truths about how God is ever watching over us. It tells of a friendship between two pen pals through the years that culminated in a visit to one's country, Holland, and an anticipated visit to the United

States, home of the other pen pal. To go into more detail would give the story away but the sisterchicks helped each other through a difficult time. Both were Christians and their insight into God's live was fantastic. Christian fellowship is so important. Also I learned a lot about Holland.

I must read other sisterchicks books!!!

Show Less

LibraryThing member lsikes

Robin Gunn is my favorite author. I was encouraged by her sweet story of friendship that crosses the ocean between two pen pals. Excellent writing as always. A delightful story as well. I always feel uplifted when I read one of Gunn's novels. I feel like I've just sat down to have tea and cookies

with my best friend. More please!

Show Less

LibraryThing member medievalmama

This is another book that I never would have picked up off the shelf that turned out to be the best book I could read at the time I received it. The main character has received a possible diagnosis of a potentially fatal terminal disease, so with her family's assistance, she moves to complete a

dream she has had for a very long time -- to visit the woman who has been her pen pal since Middle School, a woman who lives in Holland. It is all about the journey, knowing who one is, following one's dreams. I would recommend it for any woman, and for some men, in middle age crises, for those who have received a difficult and potentially life-changing diagnosis, or whose friend, relative, or colleague has, and for caregivers and those who work in hospice situations. While everyone can't take the physical journey this woman did, everyone can take the emotional, spiritual journey.

Show Less

LibraryThing member bookworm12

I've read all of the books in this series, so I knew what I was getting into with this book. But even with that knowledge I was not disappointed.

Gunn writes fiction with a base in Christianity, but the books never feel preachy. This book, like the other, follows the friendship and travels of two

women. In this case it is Summer and Noelle, lifelong pen pals who have never met. Both middle-aged now, Summer, who lives in the midwest, gets news that her mammogram has come back with an abnormality and she needs further tests. This call sends her into quick action. She books a flight to meet her friend Noelle at her home in the Netherlands. The two women meet and travel through the area. Their friendship and faith grow as they enjoy their week together.

The book is fun, a bit light, but a wonderful read. I have always enjoyed Gunn's work and this book is no exception.

It should also be said that this book can completely be read as a stand alone. There's no need to have read the other books in the series.

Show Less

LibraryThing member bellalibrarian

This book is very much like any other Sisterchicks book. It is lighthearted and fun. Some may call it a "fluff" read; however, I would not go that far. Two penpals meet each other after years of writing. Just good fun!

LibraryThing member dulcimermom

I received an Early Reviewers copy of Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes. This book is about the friendship between two women who have been pen pals since childhood, and about faith. When Summer learns that she needs a biopsy and may have cancer, she impulsively decides to visit her good friend Noelle in

the Netherlands. Summer's visit, her friendship with Noelle, and her faith in God help to give her the strength to face the medical tests once she returns home. In turn, she helps Noelle to realize the truth about her strained relationship with her father, and helps her to move forward toward reconciliation with him. This was an enjoyable read that, while clearly Christian literature, wasn't "preachy." I had never read a Sisterchicks book before, but I am definitely going to seek out more of this author's books the next time I visit a bookstore!

Show Less

LibraryThing member njstitcher

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes is a book that will appeal to those who like the genre of Christian literature. It is the story of two women who have been penpals since childhood and meet for the first time as middle aged women. The setting for most of the book is Holland where one of the woman moved

in her late teens. Much of the book reads like a travel guide with the plot being rather thin. It has an upbeat tone which rings somewhat false, and at time becomes very preachy. It attempts to create some plot tension through the angst of one of the women about a medical diagnosis, but even that doesn't ring true (I know because I've been through the identical situation). I would recommend this for a book group looking for a Christian themed novel, especially with the discussion questions at the end of the book. Overall, nothing in this book compels me to look for the other books in the series. If I hadn't received it as an early reviewer, I would not have picked this up.

Show Less

LibraryThing member dawnymae

Yet another installment in the Sisterchicks series, each book is a stand alone. This involved two women who were penpals for years, finally meet and go on a trip to Holland. Very fun, light and good for any woman who has or had a close friend!

LibraryThing member tipsister

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes is part of an ongoing series by Robin Jones Gunn. The stories are stand -alone novels of women getting together and finding out more about themselves, and God, along the way. In this installment, Summer heads to the Netherlands to meet her longtime pen pal Noelle. The

women had been great friends for years but had never met face to face. Summer is escaping from a possible breast cancer diagnosis and Noelle is still running from a difficult relationship with her father. As the two women share adventures, they learn that their friendship was meant to be and they both find healing.

Show Less

LibraryThing member reciperhon

Summer is like me! That's why I love this book! I can imagine trying to have my picture taken with my friend only to have our bikes roll down the hill into the canal and disappear. I strongly recommend this book and this series to any "sisterchick" looking for friendship and a good laugh. This was

a wonderful light read that helped me just get a way from everyday life and have some fun. I feel as if I made two new friends, Summer and Noelle. Every one of the books in this series has made me laugh hysterically at the characters' antics. I have three more countries to visit and I've completed the series. Thanks Robin Jones Gunn.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Show Less

LibraryThing member JenniferRobb

I expected a light read when I picked up this book. I wasn't expecting to find the main character facing a request for a biopsy in the wake of an abnormal medical test at the beginning of this book. It took me a while to decide to pick it up again. I'm glad I did as the lessons learned by the two

main characters were useful.

Show Less

Fewer