Customer Reviews

Wildflowers (Glenbrooke, Book 8)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Genevieve Ahrens had been married to Steven many years. Their oldest daughter had already left the nest and only two remained. With Steven being an airline captain and gone often, she kept busy with her newly-acquired café. Gena had wonderful plans for the Wildflower Café. The famous author of the "All The Best" line of books even stopped by. He planned to return in a few months to see if the changes would be good enough for him to feature the café in his next book! Gena's assistant, Leah, was a big help and a close friend.

When a major crisis occurred at the café, once again Steven was not there for Gena. Their marriage problems were getting worse and their future together looked bleak. But friends slowly showed her how to open her heart to God. Gena must learn that sometimes God does not answer prayers for very good reasons.

***** An excellent example of writing! This is the type of novel that should be read slowly and savored. I enjoyed every page! Each time I stopped reading it was with a glow in my heart. Wonderful! I hope to see more from this author soon. *****

The book, Wildflowers, doesn't focus mainly on teens, as many books nowadays do. Being a teen myself this is okay, but for the adult readers, it's not. I was very surprised to find out that Genevieve wasn't a teen, nor was she 20 or 30. This was very refreshing! I commend Robin J. Gunn! This book actually illustrated things that can really happen, as opposed to, "Oh yeah, my boyfriend broke up with me today.My dog bit me." This book is highy reccomended!

Robin Jones Gunn has done it again! She has made me happy.
Her books are the best, everytime I read a new one by her I think, her books cannot get any better! Wildflowers, her latest book in the Glenbrooke series defies this and only shows her great writing style.
The main character, Gena goes through many situations that make her start questioning what has happened to her faith in God. This book is like a coming of age book (although Gena is not a teen or young adult) she learns some important truths prior to her new understanding of what it is to really know someone is by and will never leave you. Through the her renewed relationship with God, she comes to overcome obstacles that were hindering her relationships from going further.
I really liked the book because it was by Robin Jones Gunn! Also, the book is great because no matter what is going on, I can feel the presence of God in the midst of all the turmoil in Gena's life. The book is a reminder to all that it is never too late to renew your relationship with God, or if you don't have a relationship with hime yet, you can start right away!

Ms. Gunn tackles everyday woes and worries with a kind and sometimes funny approach. In today's world where divorce seems to be the only answer, Ms. Gunn provides a different way. She portrays the fears and frustrations that can build between a husband and wife over the years until divorce seems the way out to relieve the pain. The author treats this subject with understanding and spiritual wisdom. It's so hard sometimes to give your life to God and let the pain go. Though this is fiction, the situation is believable and the results leave the reader with a good feeling. I have re-read it twice and still enjoy the story.

I've loved all of Robin's Glenbrooke series, but this is now my favorite. It's a great gift of hope to anyone who has felt the joy seep away over her married years. "Wildflowers" will awaken your heart.

So this was the last book and it's so sad that no more books will be made about the Glenbrook gals anymore! I liked Wildflowers a lot! It drew the other 7 books in very well and made a happy ending out of every book written. Reccomended to everyone!

I love all of Robin Jones Gunn's book of the Glenbrooke series. I can not wait until she writes another one. They are so easy to read and you feel like you are part of the community of Glenbooke. I highly recommend this book and all of the other 7 in the series.

Wildflowers is the 8th and final book in the Glenbrooke series. I am not sure if it is my favorite because I read all prior 7 books in the series, so felt like I already knew many of the characters, or because it is one of the few romances I have read where the two main characters are already married, but due to some external difficulties and challenges, both began to wonder "Where did the excitement and beauty of our first days together go?" It also helped that there is no gratuitous sex, violence or occult themes which are found in so many of the popular romance novels. Yet it is obvious that God created men and women to have intimacy and celebration and good communication as part of a healthy marriage.

Since I have been married over 30 years, I have seen some of those challenges which this couple faced. Fortunately, neither my wife or I have had to see either of our businesses burn to the ground or wonder where the money would come from to rebuild, but I have been laid off from a job more than once, and similarly to what this couple saw, we have seen God's provision, both directly, and through gifts from thoughtful Christian friends, as well as being hired to new jobs after sending out many resumes, networking etc. I loved how they wrote Bible verses on the floor of the restaurant before tiling and painting it, and looking over someone's shoulders as some of those encouraging verses were found. When I finished the book, I only had two disappointments, 1) That the series was over, and 2) That my wife and I did not have enough money to go and buy 20 copies of this series so we could share copies with our friends. We did loan out this and other of Robin Gunn's books to a few friends and bought a few for gifts, as well as tell some firend which libraries had a copy or two available to put on hold.

Even if you don't have time to read the prior 7 books, Robin gives enough info on the other characters that you could easily read and enjoy this one first. Then, if you enjoyed it, you could go back and read some or all of the others. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is between 24 and 80, but some folks older or younger may enjoy it as well. The books in Sierra Jenson Series by Robin Jones Gunn are likewise excellent, but targeted to girls in their late teens. I read some of these with my daughter when she was in high school. My wife, Joy, has been enjoying the Sisterchicks Series, especially Sisterchicks Do the Hula. We read part of that book together. By the way, of the 20+ Robin Jones Gunn books I have read, this is still my favorite.

wildflowers Glenbrook series book 8 by robin jones gunn

steve and Geneviere have a trusting marriage, he's an airplane pilot and is often jetting off to attend conventions,

she runs a local cafe their 2 girls keep them busy. things start to wear on her as she's saddled with the girls

all the time and the cafe, the inheritance money he invested badly that her store could've really used. so she starts

making some changes in the cafe after spending a dinner at a resort 40 miles away. it has a tree growing in the middle near

the fireplace that make Geneviere hoping that if she used that n her cafe to attract more to come daily and things go

wrong to the point there is a major disaster. things happen that bring them back to the church and answers to many

questions that have piled up over the months. the bible and verses she discussed with her lady friends at their meetings

and that helped not only her marriage but her daily life. really like how the local people in town help and their stories

are brought up to date from previous books.

I admit to being a hopeless romantic and I'm pretty much my own video rental service when it comes to romantic comedies. I like my happy endings. I also know I often buy into romance as told by Hollywood. New love--dating, engagement, and newlywed stories feel far more vibrant and exciting. How often do we sigh over stories about a couple married 10 or 20 or 30 years? Rarely. When the honeymoon is over, what else is there? A lot actually and Wildflowers by Robin Jones Gunn proves it.

In the picturesque town of Glenbrooke, Oregon, meet Genevieve Ahrens--married over half her life, raising 3 beautiful daughters, and pursuing new dreams. Life looks perfect on the outside, but her heart is hardened and cold on the inside. Can God resurrect dead relationships in her life? With a group of sweet friends and a loving God, Genevieve walks this journey, showing a beautiful picture of God's patient love and faithfulness even in dark times.

I came across Wildflowers when it was first released. I read it in one sitting (in the middle of a bookstore). I bought it on the spot. I now read it every year. One catch--Wildflowers is book number eight in the Glenbrooke Series. They should be read in order, so start with Secrets and make your way through. I own them all, I love them all, I read them every year.

Wildflowers stands as a beacon of hope and encouragement in a culture that is in love with the idea of love, but not the realities of unconditional commitment. For this and many other reasons, this book is a treat and a treasure to read.