HOLD ON TIGHT
Sierra Jensen Collection: Volume Four, Book Ten
Robin Jones Gunn
Multnomah
Fiction
ISBN: 9781590525913
168 pages

Sierra Jensen is thrilled when her older brother Wes asks her to visit colleges in California with him. In HOLD ON TIGHT, the 10th installment in Robin Jones Gunn’s Sierra Jensen series, Sierra also gets to invite best friends Vicki and Amy along for what certainly will be a fun-filled road trip. Sierra is looking forward to the sunshine and the beach, but most of all, she’s excited about getting to spend quality time with her brother and friends.

That is, until Vicki decides to ask what seems like the entire school to come along with them. With a big group now wanting to join in, Sierra doesn’t know how to uninvite anyone. There is one person in particular who is bound to ruin the trip: difficult-to-get-along-with Warner. Deciding that she must include him, Sierra sets off with her friends and resolves to make peace with her very self-centered travel companion. But within minutes of leaving for California, the fighting begins, and it looks as though the 20-hour drive may seem like a painful eternity.

However, an unexpected accident suddenly changes the course of the trip, and it looks like it may be for the best. As Sierra starts touring colleges, the reality of growing up and leaving home finally begins to set in, and she begins to doubt if she’s ready for it. Sierra also makes some important realizations about herself, which will inevitably change her relationships with family and friends. A surprise encounter in an unexpected place may change the course of Sierra’s future. But is it for the right reasons? And where does long-obsessed-about Paul fit into the picture? He’s finally coming back to the country, which will completely alter whatever relationship they have. Should Sierra take him into account while planning her future? Sierra must quickly learn that the freedom of growing up comes with some very heavy responsibility and decisions --- and she might not be ready to make them.

HOLD ON TIGHT seems to contain quite a bit of recycled material: a trip to California, drama between friends and unexpected encounters. While Gunn manages to keep the story somewhat interesting, readers may begin to tire of these recurring themes. One will also have to stretch their imagination in several parts, such as Sierra, Randy and most of the characters from Gunn’s Christy Miller series all independently deciding to attend the same college. However, fans will certainly enjoy seeing where Sierra’s life is going as this series comes to a close. The book may also be helpful for some older readers who are beginning to make decisions about choosing colleges and leaving home.

    --- Reviewed by Jennifer Crosby

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