From the author of the best-selling Christy Miller and SisterChicks series comes a new book of community, friendship, and tackling the hard things of life with God and loved ones around a table. Five young moms, including beloved Gunn character Christy Miller, gather to share meals and soon become unlikely best friends. The regular gatherings provide opportunities for the women to reveal their stories, and those life stories endear them to each other. They experience their lives naturally meshing as they raise their children together in community. In Becoming Us the group find ways to challenge, encourage, and help each other become the nurturing mothers they wished they'd had when they were growing up. They unite to be remembered for what they do as moms and not for what was done to them. “Robin has an ability like no other to write a story that not only captures your attention but your heart. That’s exactly what she’s done yet again with this must-read, Becoming Us !” —Cambria Joy, author of Look Inside “Robin beautifully tells a story of friends who walk through the realities of life: motherhood, singleness, infertility, friendship, moving, what it looks like to support and follow your husband, celebrating life’s joys, and understanding one another’s sorrows. You will feel like you’re part of this sweet circle of friends—welcomed and known.” —Alyssa Bethke, coauthor of Love That Lasts “In her classic voice, Robin Jones Gunn draws us into a story of family and friendship, of courage and spirit. Becoming Us is a heartwarming story that will stay with you long after the final word.” —Rachel Hauck, New York Times best-selling author “ Becoming Us is a sweet and beautiful tale of letting go and letting God. The characters made me, a young mom myself, feel surrounded by a group of treasured friends, as they welcomed me into the haven they created.” —Lindsay Harrel, author of The Secrets of Paper and Ink “A heartfelt story of the power of faith and love, Becoming Us is hard to put down. Once again, Robin Jones Gunn has created believable characters who struggle with everyday problems and emotions that we all face. Her ability to weave beauty and hope into the complicated life of Emily Winslow and her newfound friendships, a delightful circle of women, renewed my faith in God’s good plans for my own life and relationships. A must-read!” —Amber Lia, best-selling coauthor of Triggers and Parenting Scripts ROBIN JONES GUNN is the best-selling Christian author of 90 books, including several series aimed at teen girls, the widely popular Christy Miller series, as well as Christian fiction for adult women and several non-fiction books. Her books have sold over 4 million copies worldwide. She makes her home in Hawaii. Chapter 1 I had no problem finding Jennalyn’s house that windy night in early December. The two-story charmer stood out from the other Costa Mesa ranch-style houses on Ventura Street. I even made it as far as the welcome mat by her front door before a rising sense of panic pressed in on me, causing me to stop and draw in a deep breath. You don’t have to do this, Emily. You can leave now. No one inside knows you’re here. My gaze went to the meandering red ribbon that looped through the fresh evergreen wreath hanging on the door. The wreath had an artistic assortment of bright silver bells, clusters of holly berries, and strategically placed starfish—a charming blend of beachy, artistic, and classy. Just like Jennalyn. Nervously, I pulled her handmade invitation from my shoulder bag as if another glimpse at it would bolster my courage. Come to a Favorite Things Party! 7 p.m. on December 5 at Jennalyn’s new home. Bring a plate of Christmas cookies and 5 gifts of your favorite thing that costs under $5. (No whiskers on kittens or bright copper kettles, please.) It was all so cute. The idea, the invitation, and now the charming wreath on Jennalyn’s front door. Why did I say I would come? I can’t do this. I won’t fit in with these women. My feet didn’t move. In my pounding ears, I could hear the echo of my husband’s calm voice right after we moved to California. He had to coax our daughter out of the car on her first day of fifth grade. “You gotta be brave, sweetheart. You’ve gotta take the first step. Truth is, I don’t know anyone in this wide world who wouldn’t want to be friends with you. Go on, you can do this.” Audra took that first step, and she had made lots of friends at school over the past three months. Now it was my turn. If Trevor were standing beside me, I knew he would slip into his most adorable southern drawl and say, “Go on, Emily, darlin’, ring the bell. You’ll be glad you did.” You better be right, Trevor Winslow. You better be right about a lot of things. I rang the doorbell and waited. When the door opened, cheerful Christmas music spilled out. Jennalyn’s dark, silky hair hung over her shoulders, and she smiled at me in her welcoming way. “I’m so glad