Shelly had the perfect teenage romance with Jonathan, the boy next door, but when she left to pursue her dreams of becoming a flight attendant, all of their sweet dreams fell apart. When a chance encounter brings them back together, will they be able to reconnect as adults?

This is a pleasant inspirational romance, and though it's part of the Glenbrooke series, this one stands alone pretty well and would be a fine entry point into the series. Shelly and Jonathan are not my favorite couple in the series, but that's personal preference more than anything else, and I do enjoy their story, particularly the part that takes place in Germany. Recommended to fans of the genre. ( )

“Clouds” is the fifth novel in The Glenbrooke Series by Robin Jones Gunn, published by Multnomah Books. Shelly Graham and Jonathan Renfield grew up next door to each other and were fast friends. They even rigged a bucket on a rope between their upstairs bedrooms to send things back and forth to each other. Shelly grew up wanting to see the world and decided that she would be an airline hostess. Jonathan intended to go to college and because he was a little older than Shelly, was scheduled to leave home first. During their last conversation together, something went very wrong and both did not speak to each other again before they parted ways to begin their lives away from home.

Shelly fell victim to the financial crunch and was transferred from her dream job in L.A. to the SeaTac airport in Seattle/Tacoma Washington. She moved back into her parents’ home for a while before sharing an apartment with her sister. She never forgot Jonathan and always wondered what happened to him. She and her sister Meri went to Germany to check on a Christian Camp in order to start a similar one back at home. Shelly and Meri found that Jonathan was a part of this Christian Camp. Now it’s up to the two of them whether or not their friendship continues or founders.

Although I enjoyed this book, it is not one of my favorites. It is a sweet story and totally believable. I think the story shows how even though you might have your life planned out in your dreams, Gods plan for you happens anyway.

I received a free print copy of this book in return for my honest review from the publisher, MultNomah Books. The opinions expressed here are my own.

You can read this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-5a ( )

clouds glenbrook series #5 by robin jones gunn
love explanation of why the book was called this, good idea
flgiht attendant shelly comes home and wants to see her old boyfriend.
memories of things that happened as children, birthdays, happy tears, sad tears.
she transfers to a location and travels to Germany where he is doing
charity work. she hides her feelings as he's about to get married.
Her faith in God helps her get through the tough choices.
Love her ideas on decorating and using things that were useless. She seems
to have found her calling in life as things progress. ( )

Clouds
Robin Jones Gunn

Book Summary: This bestselling former Palisades release is book five in the new Glenbrooke series by award-winning author Robin Jones Gunn. Shelly Graham has moved home to Glenbrooke, where she's flooded with memories of her high school sweetheart, who took off for Europe after they broke up. But when Shelly travels to Germany, she suddenly runs into the former boyfriend who has filled her thoughts. Learning that Jonathan is engaged, Shelly hides her feelings for him. After returning home, however, she must face these feelings, especially after her path crosses Jonathan's yet again. Only this time, if they can find the strength to be honest, they just might discover what God has in store. She remembers their childhood with longing their parting with regret... Coming home wasn't supposed to feel this way. After five years as a flight attendant, Shelly is home again, in a house alive with happy memories. Yet she feels strangely lost. Without direction. Alone. Where is Jonathan Renrield when she needs him? Jonathan, her best friend nearly all her life, her first and only love. Shelly hadn't meant to hurt him when she left him behind to chase her dreams. And she misses him more than she's ever admitted. When they unexpectedly meet in Germany , Shelly manages to hide her feelings from Jonathan-and his fiancée. But she can no longer hide them from herself. Will she ever be ready to tell Jonathan the truth? Will she have the chance? Not until a business trip takes her to charming Glenbrooke , Oregon does Shelly finally understand: only the truth can set her free. But is it too late for her and Jonathan?

Review: I grow fonder of this book every day. When I first read it I enjoyed the twists and the turns, the clever dialog and how well written it is. I now can appreciate it from time and experiences and realize that sometimes what we look for when we are younger have flaws that bring us rewards greater than we can ever imagine. For me this is just such a book because a first love is precious but to mature it and care for it are a tremendous responsibility. It is always romantic to ponder the ‘what ifs’ in life. This book delves into this with heart wrenching moments and with many exciting backdrops of Germany and Oregon. I enjoy the ancillary things in books sometimes more than the big themes for me it is upon those little details that build believability. It is always a pleasure to read a writer who crafts a well written tale. Thanks to Robin Jones Gunn and God for the gifts he gives of ideas along with the talent to write. ( )

This was the first Robin Jones Gunn book I read and is still my favorite except for, maybe, Echoes. The book is bittersweet as Shelley longs for her childhood and high school sweetheart. You can't go home again, but sometimes, with God's help, you can go forward and reclaim a little of the life that would have been yours if you had not made the mistakes of youth. ( )