On a Whim (The Katie Weldon Series #2) [Paperback]

Robin Jones Gunn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 2008

Ever since high school, Katie Weldon has wondered what it would be like to be Rick Doyle's girlfriend. As a college senior she's about to find out. In the swirl of Katie's upgraded dating life, she receives an unexplained bouquet, an unexpected call from her mother, an unprecedented girls' night out with Christy, and an unhappy moment when her beloved car, Baby Hummer, takes its last wheeze. Rick's new roommate, Eli, complicates things by inviting Katie on a midnight jaunt to see a meteor shower. Under a canopy of stars Katie grasps a new view of the universe---out there as well as up close. As if she had nothing else to do, on a whim, she singlehandedly starts a fund-raising campaign for clean water for Africa. With Rick caught up in making plans for the future, how will Katie navigate her way through the remainder of her college career with no money, no transportation, no spare time and no idea what God is up to? On a Whim is the second book in the Katie Weldon Series.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Gunn has been writing about Katie and her friends for years, most notably in the popular Christy Miller series... The dialogue that ensues is at once heartbreaking and utterly familiar to anyone who has ever been in Katie's shoes. Moreover, Katie's religious faith never feels sentimentalized or tacked on, but is integrated beautifully into the charming plot.' -- Publishers Weekly, February 2008

(Publishers Weekly, February 2008 )

From the Back Cover

Ever since high school, Katie Weldon has wondered what it would be like to be Rick Doyle's girlfriend. As a college senior she's about to find out. In the swirl of Katie's upgraded dating life, she receives an unexplained bouquet, an unexpected call from her mother, an unprecedented girls' night out with Christy, and an unhappy moment when her beloved car, Baby Hummer, takes its last wheeze. Rick's new roommate, Eli, complicates things by inviting Katie on a midnight jaunt to see a meteor shower. Under a canopy of stars Katie grasps a new view of the universe---out there as well as up close. As if she had nothing else to do, on a whim, she singlehandedly starts a fund-raising campaign for clean water for Africa. With Rick caught up in making plans for the future, how will Katie navigate her way through the remainder of her college career with no money, no transportation, no spare time and no idea what God is up to? On a Whim is the second book in the Katie Weldon Series. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 15 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310276578
• ISBN-13: 978-0310276579
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

You are warmly invited to visit Robin's website at www.robingunn.com. Be sure to sign up for the Robin's Nest Newsletter and have a browse in the Online Shop.

Over the past 25 years Robin has written 70 books with over 4 million copies sold.

She started writing for teens when the girls in her church youth group challenged her to write stories for them. It took 2 years and 10 rejections before the first Christy Miller novel was published in 1988. Since then the tales of these Forever Friends have continued. The Christy Miller series was followed by the Sierra Jensen series, Christy and Todd the College Years and the Katie Weldon series.

As Robin's readers grew older they asked for more stories about characters their age. The 8 book Glenbrooke series was launched followed by the Sisterchicks(R) series and a variety of standalone destination novels including "Under a Maui Moon" and "Canary Island Song".

Join Robin Jones Gunn on her facebook public figure page where she frequently posts updates on her latest travel or writing adventure.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's like reading about my own life, January 9, 2009

By 

Deborah "Books, Movies and Chinese Food" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: On a Whim (The Katie Weldon Series #2) (Paperback)

Katie Wheldon is now in her senior year of college and she thinks she has everything planned out. She especially thinks she's ready to take her relationship with Rick to become more serious. Rick is ready too but his work schedule works havoc into making their intentions happen. So Katie steps back and lets things go more slowly. However after a midnight trip into the desert to do some star watching with Rick's roommate and events like Baby Hummer dying, Katie becomes confused about how her future should be planned out.

Reading about Katie Weldon is like reading the story about one of your close friends. I grew up reading the Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen series so reading Katie's books is a must. I definitely miss being an undergrad student living in the dorms when I read this book. Dorm life is something everyone should experience. The adventures Katie has in the dorms just bring back a lot of memories. I loved the whole flower mystery. I was kind of worried about the way Katie and Eli's relationship was going. I don't want anything to compromise her relationship with Rick. The trip out to the desert, while breathtaking, did have grounds for concern from Christy and others. While totally innocent, I could see why eyebrows might have been raised especially at a Christian college. I do love reading about her and Rick's relationship. It's great to see Rick evolve from the high school jock who tried to get Christy to this really nice grown up guy who cares very much about Katie. I just do not understand Katie's mother. It seems that no matter what Katie does, she cannot please her. I would go absolutely berserk if she was my mom, but Katie handles her very well. She would be an interesting mother in law for whoever marries Katie. The whole story is just something almost every 20-something goes through. I, myself, could totally relate with Katie throughout her choice, decisions and feelings. I get excited every time I read a Robin Jones Gunn book because I know it will be a good read. I really love the characters she's created and I hope she'll never stop writing about them. I cannot until book 3 comes out!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On A Whim, October 4, 2009

By 

Jennifer Dieleman "book worm" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On a Whim (The Katie Weldon Series #2) (Paperback)

The second book about Katie was incredible. I couldn't put her story down because I was excited about what would happen in Katie's life. I felt her pain, her joy and became truly excited at the way the ending turned out. Robin Jones Gunn has an amazing way of bring God into the picture in the most unlikely ways. I am looking forward to reading the third book in this series to see what happens next.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Worthwhile Read!, July 11, 2009

By 

the bookworm - See all my reviews

This review is from: On a Whim (The Katie Weldon Series #2) (Paperback)

As an avid fan of Robin Jones Gunn, I've read every series that she's ever written. However, out of this genre of her novels, the Katie Weldon books are clearly her best works.
Katie Weldon, a relatable college undergraduate, is doing her best as an RA at Rancho Corona University. She has finally moved into the "fast lane" with her boyfriend Rick and has made new friends in her dorm. However, life gets complicated in the dorms when Katie meets Rick's roommate, Eli, who has an odd vested interest in her, and when an unexpected call comes from Katie's mother, and as Katie recieves some unwelcome news about her long-lost brother. However, through it all, Katie looks to God and keeps hope.
I would highly reccommend this series. Katie is a lovable and complex character, who is easy to relate to and interesting to read about. In my opinion, Robin Jones Gunn is keeping up her reputation as a highly inspirational writer for teens.