
Member Reviews

Being Known by Robin Jones Gunn is a Christian romance by category but it is also a behind closed doors look at how relationships work. The novel focuses on Jessalyn and Joe’s marriage but also deals with Tess’ secret emotional affair and other problems faced by five friends in the Haven Makers group. This is the second book in a series but it is satisfying as a standalone.
Jessalyn’s problems have been faced by many young women. Her husband Joel is a workaholic who has achieved his livelong dream, owning and running his own restaurant. That means long days, late nights and emergency meetings. Meanwhile, Jessalyn takes care of a baby son and young daughter and is responsible for almost everything at home. While neither is happy with the situational distance between them, when Jessalyn reconnects with Garrett, her high school boyfriend, she stops trying to heal her marriage and loses herself in fantasy. Meanwhile, Tess has told her friends in the Haven group about “Guy” who is unavailable but has become an important part of her life. Now the women must learn how to make their faith and families priorities.
This a sweet, quick read with well drawn and likable characters. It addresses very real family problems and does not provide quick or unrealistic solutions. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, WaterBrook & Multnomah and Robin Jones Gunn for this ARC.

This is book 2 in the Haven Makers series. In the first book we see 5 friends come together and call themselves the Daughters of Eve. The purpose to bring support to each other in whatever comes their way. It brought a longing in my heart as I don't have those kind of friends, not even one.
This story is about one of those friends Jennalyn and begins with her remembering her mom who has passed away. Her life is busy with a new baby and a husband who is working towards his dream job. The characters in this story are told in such a way that by the end you feel like you personally know them.
The reality of her mother's death is hitting her among the busyness of her life and although she has friends to lean on, she is overwhelmed in her grief. An ex-boyfriend enters the picture, a husband who is so busy with his new job, 2 young children, and missing her mom are a lot to deal with. Just like real life when it seems everything is falling apart.
This book was fun to read and hard to put down.
I received Being Known from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

#BeingKnown#Bet Galley
A read that shows some real life struggles. Jennalynn's mom has passed away but she never really processed it She is trying to be a good Mom and wife to her husband who is always working. She has a group of friends Christ. Sierra, Emily,and Tess. She is struggling she meets a ex boyfriend at her daughter's dance class and doesn't tell anyone.. She thinks we are only friends it doesn't mean anything but doesn't tell her husband even though she tries but he is always to tired or to busy. They find out there friend Tess had lunch and has been talking to someone who is married all the friends are upset, she ends the phone calks. The friends are there for each inferno matter what. It's an exploration of faith, marriage, criendship, and the choices we make an all have a huge impact on our lives. I will read more books from this author.

I received an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. This was to me a typical sweet Christian romance book.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. You can get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Being-Known-Novel-Haven-Makers-ebook/dp/B07W78RL28/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Being+Known+Robin+Jones+Gunn&qid=1587400813&sr=8-1
This book is the second book in the Haven Makers series. Unfortunately, I was not blessed with reading the first book prior to receiving this book. There are scripture quotations and paraphrases throughout this book. We start the book with Jennalyn thinking of her mother and whenever she closes her eyes, she sees her mother’s red toenails and the signature nail-polish color, Oh My, Cherry Pie. Married to a part owner/ head chef of a restaurant is hard! Joel is always on the phone or at his restaurant. With Jennalyn just losing her mother, it is hard raising two small children and not having her mother to bounce ideas or problems off of. Jennalyn has her hands full with her two children. One that refuses to nap and is quite the handful. Vying for her mother’s attention at a time when Jennalyn needs to grieve for her own mother. Jennalyn’s daughter has quite the antics and I gave a little giggle at some of them, as my own daughter had some doozies! I am so glad mine are past that point-or are they? Jennalyn has a group of five gal pals that she calls, “Daughters of Eve” or “DOEs”. They all adopt a word for the year and try and read the scripture about it. Joel and Jennalyn are trying to get away on an adult vacation with their friends and trying to repair their marriage. We are taken on quite an adventure with the DOEs and Jennalyn. They come back to the scripture and God and this is so appropriate at this time! We have to remember that everything is good at this time and as long as we stay safe and adhere to the guidelines, I think we will all be ok and we have to trust that everything that happens is in someone else’s hands, a higher power. This book was a good reminder of this. It was a very sweet book! I look forward to reading more from Robin Jones.

I first started reading the Havenmaker series out of pure nostalgia. To say I was a Christy Miller fan would be an understatement. Christy, Sierra, and Katie all feel like dear friends. I worried that reading these new books as an adult might ruin all that.
My worries were in vain. This newest installment revolves around the life of Jennalyn aa a wife and mother. She deals with some heavy topics of marital struggles, loss of a parent, and transparency in relationships. I was glad that the author treated these topics with dignity and authenticity. I recommend this book to readers of Christian fiction.

I love a good romance story--- the meet cute, the falling in love, the happily ever after. What's not to love? But for anyone who has been married for a number of years, we recognize that those romance novels so often end before things get interesting....before life happens and it gets to the hard part of marriage. Before we have to truly put that love to the test. I always find stories that share those struggles to be even better than the initial falling in love tales, because it is in those stories that we see a lasting love. Being Known is just that type of story.
We catch up with Jennalyn as she's hit a bit of a rough spot in her marriage- with two young kids that take a lot of her time and energy and a husband who works a lot. Things get even more complicated when an ex unexpectedly comes back into her life. Now, I won't give too much away, but I will say that as a Christian novel, you can be rest assured that it does remind us the importance of marriage and working things out together... and about God's role in our relationships as well.
Aside from being a nice story about the trials of marriage, it is definitely a story of friendship as well. I loved this fantastic group of friends, and I think so many will walk away wanting their own group of Christian friends like that in the story... or finding themselves feeling really blessed that they too have that.
Being Known is the second book in the Haven Makers series. This group of friends were first introduced in that book, but it can certainly be read as a standalone as well without feeling lost. Overall, this was a really good read... and a fairly quick one as well. I look forward to reading more in this series.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

This is a cozy friendship novel, very true to Robin Jones Gunn's style. It feels very "of the moment" with references to the way friends communicate now and even the pressure to make events "Pinterest-worthy"! The best part of this series is just finding comfort in the women's friendships and honestly remembering what it means to be a good friend!

I am so glad Robin Jones Gunn is still writing stories featuring her beloved character, Christy Miller Spencer! This is the second book in the Haven Makers series that follows a group of five friends, including Christy and her friend Sierra from another one of Robin’s series, who call themselves the Daughters of Eve and support each other through all the changes and challenges their lives bring. This story is focused on Jennalyn, the one who brought the group together. It’s definitely a character-driven rather than plot-driven story, with characters who feel so real and relatable I can imagine I might run into them at the park if I went to their California town!
I love the premise of the series, about the women who fill in the gaps for each other when they don’t have mothers or sisters to turn to. Reading this beautifully written, heartfelt story made me feel welcomed into their group wish they were real! The author deals gracefully with some tough topics that so many women face in friendships and marriages, and shows us how good friends are instrumental in helping you through the tough times - if you have the courage to be honest and vulnerable and share your heart with them.
Note: although there’s nothing graphic, there is some content that’s more mature in this book; I would recommend it for older teenagers and up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed book one in this series, Becoming Us, where readers see how the group is formed, meet and see how five ladies, from all walks of life became unlikely friends. They call themselves The Daughter of Eve (inspired by the Narnia novels)
These ladies find ways to encourage, challenge, pray for and help each other. ” They see themselves as Haven Makers and unite to be remembered for what they do and not for what was done to them.”
Book two continues with this fun loving group and focuses on Jennalyn’s story and her struggles, as she is grieving the loss of her mother. Jennalyn is lonely and feels lost as a person. She finds it hard to grieve, navigate her marriage relationship with the time-consuming, enjoyable task of caring for two young children. At the end of the day she’s spent, there’s no energy left for much else. I liked how this author shows that relationships are not easy and take work. (She also shows it’s well worth your time in the long run and that it’s ok to admit you need help.) Despite what is reflected on a person’s FB page nobody’s marriage and/or family is perfect.
Robin Jones Gunn masterfully writes a tender, heartfelt story about doing life together with Jesus at the wheel of your life. your marriage and friendships. The author also talks about dealing with loss, sifting through emotions where perception is everything. I liked how gracefully this author deals with the powerful topic of emotional affairs with no blame or shame, but reveals to readers how it happens, shows a way to recognize it, confront it and deal with it. She also explores ways to share what you’ve experienced with others for encouragement and prayer.
The message is hopeful, fun, encouraging and makes you think. Characters Christy and Sierra are in this series too. It’s a winning combination. I highly recommend this book for you and yours book club. You don’t have to read book one but book two would be all the richer if you read it first.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

Like many Christian teenagers in the 90s, I grew up with Robin Jones Gunn's Christy Miller series. Christy was an inspiration, not because she was perfect, but because she cared about really following God, even when it was difficult. Since then, I've read Sierra Jensen, Katie, and Christy's college years, along with many other of Robin's books. But I hadn't realized she was still writing about Christy. When I saw that NetGalley had a new book by Robin Jones Gunn, even if it was mid-series, I knew I wanted to read it. It took me an entire chapter to realize that Todd and Christy were THE Todd and Christy. And from that moment in, I was hooked.
Being Known is the story of five women, four of whom are married with children, who have gathered together to create and live out Christian community. There is something beautiful about the idea, although it felt more fantasy to me than Robin's previous books. As someone who has grown up loving the church, I found in Robin's book a deeper picture of Christian community than I am used to seeing. Women who loved each other deeply, but offered gentle correction as well as grace. Women who cared about each other's marriages and families and relationships with God. Women who offered support in different ways that were appropriate to the different situations they each found themselves in. Women who didn't put pressure on others or themselves to be cookie cutter images of each other or even Biblical womanhood.
I know it's fiction, but as I read the book, I found myself wishing I knew community like that. I also found myself trying to make sense of why it felt more like an ideal fantasy than real life. Several reasons came to mind about why I think this is lacking, at least in my own life. 1. We hold others to identical standards as ourselves. This may not seem like a bad thing, however, none of us are the other and none of us fully understand the other. What God is teaching me or challenging me, may not be the same thing he is challenging you. I'm not claiming that right and wrong are relative, or even arguing for situational ethics, only saying that we need to withhold judgment and trust that God might be working in someone else's life differently than he is working in ours. 2. We don't all agree on moral standards. If you are married, is it wrong to have a deep conversation with someone of the opposite gender? Is it okay to date someone who is going through a divorce, but not divorced yet? When is jealously appropriate? I think we all have opinions on these topics, but I doubt we would all answer them the same way. Having different standards make it difficult to confront others. We might be able to create a group in which we all share the same values and are in the same place in life, but then I fear that it would be easy to be judgmental and hard to offer grace. Not trying to preach, just trying to understand where this type of Christian group could come close to fitting into reality.
While this type of fellowship might be rare in real life, the picture it painted of grace and true friendship was beautiful. It's a good reminder of what we can aspire to. When fiction challenges us to be better versions of ourselves, rather than just seeking to entertain us, that is always a good thing. It definitely challenged me to look more closely at my friendships and consider where more truth or more grace might be needed.
Disclaimer: For those who are sensitive to complementarity vs. egalitarian values in Christian fiction, headship and the desire for the husband to lead the family were named, but partnership was demonstrated in several of the marriages.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and have reviewed it freely.

I read Robin Jones Gunn's books when I was a teenager and enjoyed them very much, so I was excited to see she had a new book releasing that's targeted toward my current demographic. This is the second book in the Haven Maker series, although it can be read as a stand alone.
The characters are well-written, the dialog is compelling and it's fun to read a book by an author who knows how to portray a Southern California setting accurately. The heroine and her circle of friends are supportive and encouraging. Readers who expect a strong Christian message in their novels will definitely be pleased with the Biblical principles emphasized through the characters' words and actions.
I wanted to love this novel because I adored this author when I was younger and I have tremendous respect for her success in the publishing industry. Sadly, this book is not super compelling. Maybe I'm not the target demographic after all. I did finish it, but I really did not like Joel. At all. Because I didn't care for him as a character, it was hard for me to root for the heroine or the resolution of their marital conflict. He's rude and thoughtless and insensitive. The heroine spent much of the novel making excuses for his behavior.
A lot of their marital issues would've been resolved more quickly if they took the time to have a conversation and she stopped procrastinating or justifying his lousy behavior. I realize that's a significant plot point, but for me, this felt like several episodes of a suburban housewife's life linked together until the characters couldn't avoid their problems anymore and finally had a messy confrontation. The problems the heroine faced felt like ordinary, everyday life and I prefer a more intense plot with characters who grapple with much higher stakes. If this is supposed to be a novel about unresolved grief over the loss of the heroine's mother, that theme did not resonate with me.
Readers who like faith-based fiction focused on family, female friendships and marital conflict will probably enjoy Being Known.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions stated here are my own.

Being Known by Robin Jones Gunn is a look at life and how it challenges us to adapt to new experiences. Jennalyn and Joel are married and have two young children. Joel is a chef and part owner of a restaurant meaning very long working hours leaving Jennalyn alone with the children and house. They struggle to connect as a couple. She meets as regularly as she can with her group of friends but they all have a difficult time scheduling meetups. Will Joel and Jennalyn ever find their way back to each other and a way to connect as a family?
I enjoyed this very honest look at how couples can grow apart over time as work and other obligations demand more time. The characters are all very realistic and I felt a part of the girls’ group. The story moves along at a good pace and kept me engaged in the story line. I give this book 5 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Since my teen years when I read the Christy Miller series, Robin Jones Gunn has spoken so much wisdom into my life through her books. Being Known was no exception.
Joel and Jennalyn have slipped into their busy roles in life, and their marriage has suffered. Enter Jennalyn's ex-boyfriend, and struggles are compounded.
Being known hit on so many real life issues that at some times it was painful, but as Gunn always does, she points the characters and readers to Jesus. I highlighted numerous passages to go back and ponder.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley, and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Being Known is the story of Jennalyn, a mother of two grieving the loss of her own mom. Her husband, Joel, is struggling to balance family and a start up business, leaving Jennalyn lost in a sea of emotions. An unexpected encounter with an old flame also has her feeling confused and vulnerable. Although committed to her marriage, Jennalyn finds her heart quickly entangled. Can Joel and Jennalyn find their way back to each other before it's too late?
The second book in the Haven Makers series, Being Known follows the group of five women... supporting each other through the ups and downs of life. Unlike the first book (Becoming Us), this book follows the life of a new character. The other four women have storylines in this book as well, but all are secondary to Jennalyn and Joel's life, allowing the reader to know them better. Their struggle and emotions feel authentic, and it's easy to fall in love with the characters.
My biggest struggle with Being Known is that the issues are too easily resolved. Although Jennalyn's struggle with her emotions is very real, once she and Jowl communicate these issues seem to melt away almost too nicely. Being Known is a nice light read for a relaxing weekend.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Oh, man, this was so good. I love Robin Jones Gunn’s works, and this book is no exception.
I read the first book in the Haven Makers series right before this one (amazing for me! Lol!), and loved that I didn’t have to wait to continue the story. I was surprised to see that the story is from a different character’s point of view, but I soon got used to it. Having read some of the Christy Miller books (and ironically just finishing one soon after this that fills in the gaps on a key minor character—don’t worry, no spoilers here!), I particularly enjoyed the little Easter eggs included that I would have missed otherwise. You totally don’t have to have read them first, it’s just an added bonus, and I’m sure I’ve missed some still!
Gunn has such a peaceful way with words. I just felt like this book welcomed me in, like a book version of a hug.
I can’t wait for more books in the series!
I received a copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A red light on an ordinary Southern California January day sets off a series of events that leave Jennalyn Marino staggering under grief. Grief for the mother she lost seven years ago, grief for the way her marriage to the love of her life seems to flounder, and grief in feeling as if no one really knows her.
While she seems to have everything she needs to cope with the thug in her life (grief), she feels woefully unprepared. Without her fellow Haven Maker friends, she would shatter. When her first boyfriend (and the man she thought she would one day marry) shows up at her daughter’s dance class, Jennalyn starts down a path that could alter her life forever.
Book two in a series, Being Known explores marriage, friendship, and the little choices we make that can have a huge impact on our lives. Without sounding like a college psychology textbook, Gunn manages to work in textbook wisdom about communication for married couples. Her characters explore ways the friendships can sustain and nurture us through life’s dilemmas and trials.
The Haven Makers, a diverse group of thirty-something women from different backgrounds, band together in friendship and find ways to nurture each other using their unique superpowers.

“Being Known” is the sequel to “Becoming Us”. The story this time is told in the first person by another of the women, Jennalyn. Jennalyn is feeling vulnerable, her husband, Joel, works long hours at the restaurant he owns. He works there as the manager and head chef. Jennalyn feels she is left to parent their children on her own most of the time. She is also still grieving the loss of her mother to whom she was very close.
At her most vulnerable, she unexpectedly meets Garrett, an old boyfriend when she takes her daughter to her dance class. Jennalyn was crushed when her boyfriend ended the relationship, but her mother helped her to move on and in time she met Joel. However, Jennalyn still feels the connection with Garrett, especially as he too knew her mother and she finds it helpful to chat online with him about shared memories of her mother. She keeps it all to herself for a long time, but does in the end share with her friends and her husband, but not before much hurt is caused to both her husband and herself.
Jennalyn realised that although nothing physical happened between her and Garrett she did allow her heart to become entangled. When Joel and she finally start communicating more, he admits that by working such long hours he had made himself physically unavailable to her.
They know they have much to work through and that there is fault on both sides, but both are determined to put God first and they are committed to protecting and strengthening their marriage.
In this sequel, the five friends: Jennalyn, Christy, Sienna, Emily and Tess are once again there for each other as they go through life together. What I like about the friendship they share is there is no judgement between them, only the offer of love, spoken in truth and a comforting shoulder to cry on. They share an accountable relationship with one another which makes for a great relationship, not just in books, but in real life too. It’s something worth developing in our own friendships.

"Love grows in fields of grace, not in ruts of shame."
This book dealt with deep real life situations.
How can a book be so amazing!!!
I enjoyed reading about the girlfriends clique; Jennalyn, Christy, Sierra, Emily and Tess. Their girls times, talks, confession times... were incredibly heartwarming. Reading the book made me want to have lots of girlfriends.
My heart broke for Jennalyn for her struggles especially with her marriage and the grief of loosing her mother. I could so relate with her floating in her grief and not having any meaningful connections to talk about what was going on with her. I loved immensely how the author wove the story into how Jennie got to realize she was known by God and wasn't alone.
As a young unmarried lady I could relate soooo much with Tess when someone she shouldn't be having any emotional connection with came into her life. But I was glad how she handled it with guidance from God and great advice from her friends.
This book brought to mind the danger of living in isolation when dealing with issues. Isolation has a way of making darkness grow and become so overwhelming. But when Jennalyn trusted God and brought to light all she was passing through she became free. The verse that's says you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free was beautifully expressed in this books and the blessing of having Godly friends in one's life.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

This book touched my heart in so many ways! I have read many books by this author and each and every one has impacted me in a good way. The writing is amazing with a story line that draws the reader in. There isn’t any part of this story that someone can’t relate too. I look forward to many more books by this author!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley