Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii by Robin Jones Gunn-- Short Summary and Self Connections

Currently, I am reading Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii by Robin Jones Gunn. I'm 58 percent through the book and am loving it. In the story, Sierra Jenson the main character in her late twenties who works with a mission organization in Brazil. The book starts off with her being informed with awful news-- the school she works with was cutting the program that was her mission work. Sierra and her friend, Marianna, decide to take a trip to Sunset Beach, Hawaii, and there Sierra must make a decision of where to go next with her life. She can either take a position she was offered in a remote area in Brazil (which would pretty much guarantee her a single status forever), or do something else undetermined. On top of all this, Sierra meets Jordan while in Sunset Beach. They really hit it off and are wondering how their relationship can fit in to their own lives. Is it just a short summer romance or something that could last forever?

Perhaps one of the reasons I'm enjoying this book so much is that I feel I can relate to some things Sierra is going through-- like the situation where you have to make a huge decision. We have all had to make decisions in life, and some handle that stress differently. Sierra's friend, Marianna was describing the situation to Sierra in chapter three. She said, "...you need time away from here to think about what you're supposed to do next. Just a week... We'll go to Hawaii..." Sierra obviously agreed to this. If I were Sierra, I'd do the same thing that she is doing. I would go on a relaxing vacation and spend time thinking and processing information there. I also understand Sierra's need for a break from things... that's how I feel every time when school's out for a break.

 Not only do I get Sierra's way of handle the pressure of making a huge decision, but I have also get the feeling of making a big decision. Just recently, I had to make a decision about my plans in the upcoming summer. A church retreat in Florida that I absolutely loved last year happened to fall on the same week that my family would visit Connecticut, the place where I used to live. I either could have a blast with my friends and grow my faith at the retreat, or I could see everyone back in Connecticut. After time of processing over winter break, I decided to do the retreat. That decision may not have been life changing, but it was important and hard to make-- just like Sierra's.

The situations above as well as others that Sierra goes through are very relatable and interesting to read about. I definitely recommend this book, and can't wait to finish it.