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stephanywrites's review against another edition
5.0
This book. Oh, my goodness, this book. Tugged at my heartstrings more than any other book has. I am in love with the Baxter family. In love with their stories, their heartaches. I feel like they are a part of me now.
I knew beforehand that Karen Kingsbury does not write books that are full of fluffy Christianity, puppies, and rainbows. She writes about things that are tough and hard. Christians who are persecuted. Christians questioning their faith. Christians going through good times and bad times. I've been searching for an author who doesn't shy away from the hard facts about Christianity and Kingsbury is the best at giving the real picture.
I knew beforehand that Karen Kingsbury does not write books that are full of fluffy Christianity, puppies, and rainbows. She writes about things that are tough and hard. Christians who are persecuted. Christians questioning their faith. Christians going through good times and bad times. I've been searching for an author who doesn't shy away from the hard facts about Christianity and Kingsbury is the best at giving the real picture.
elemenoreed's review against another edition
3.0
While this book is a continuation of the Baxter Family series, I have to say that the true characters in it are the people living in the Alzheimer care center. Most of the time I was just reading through particular parts just so I could see how things were going with the Alzheimer patients and whether or not the office manager would get the sack because I pretty much couldn't stand her. Not much gets resolved in this book. The only story line that is seen through to some kind of conclusion is Kari's story. I know that they purposefully leave things unfinished so that you will continue to read the series (which is a good strategy, I guess, since I'll be reading the next book) I just wish there weren't as many loose ends, especially when the youngest sister, Erin, has an issue that comes up and is solved all in a couple of chapters near the end of the book. Also, Luke's sense of entitlement is just completely irritating by the end of the book. The writing isn't anything spectacular, so if you're looking for issues you can work out on your own, without the author handing you the golden nuggets of her meaning and points, this may not be the book for you. But as for me, on to the next.
smutty_vibes's review against another edition
5.0
tears i didnt want this book to end but have no fear book 3 here i come.... this book is awesome the struggles this baxter family go through is so real you can really feel for this family Karen Kingsbury has a wonderful way to make you feel love loss friendship family and much more ❤❤❤
shellyk51's review against another edition
5.0
This one broke my heart to watch Ashley suffer for her trip to Paris. We are always hard on ourselves. Cried through this one.
raben_76325's review against another edition
4.0
This book continues the Baxter family drama, focusing on Ashley Baxter. A single mom who has gotten away from God and has committed a series of bad mistakes, Ashley has erected high walls over her heart. She holds everyone at length, especially Landon Blake, the man who has loved her since they were in high school. She's convinced no one can love her, including God, because of the mistakes she has made. Still, after getting a job working with Alzheimer's patients and after beginning to spend time with Landon following an accident he has at work, cracks begin form in the walls around her heart.
However, this book does not completely follow Ashley's story. Kari and Ryan's story also continues as Kari heals from Tim's death and as Ryan works on the coaching staff of the New York Giants. Luke Baxter is also introduced as a major character, and he is a college student who shares a sweet relationship with his girlfriend Reagan.
When the events of September 11th enter into the world of their family, the story of these relationships twist and turn as does the nation. Ashley finds herself drawn back to God, but Luke finds himself driven away by his disappointments and his questions.
I found this book to be an interesting book. The world of the Baxters has expanded and grown to where, instead of this being a book mainly about one character, the book has begun to follow the whole family. The story is pleasant and was enough to keep me hooked. I especially loved the sweet interplay between Ashley and her Alzheimer's patients. They really made the book for me. :-)
One of the lingering interests that I had from this book was Luke's story. He was firm and rigid in his beliefs about God. Then, a little sin, and what he felt was punishment and unanswered prayers from God completely turned him away into humanism and atheism. I think that this part of the story is a part where we can all relate.
Luke had always worshipped a God who answered his prayers in the way that he wanted them to be answered. He had never had a major prayer that wasn't answered and had never felt disappointed by God. Then, he has an unanswered prayer and his faith comes tumbling to the ground. This is a struggle that is so common, especially among those who are coming of age in their faith. It is a struggle that I have had in my own faith walk. God does not always answer our prayers in the way we expect or prosper us in a way that aligns with the "American Dream." Therein, lies a problem we often find in ourselves and our faith. I will be going into the next book as I have finished this one because I am interested in seeing how Luke's story is resolved. It is clear to me that Kingsbury's goal is to bring all the siblings to God, but the how is the interesting part of the journey, and one I'm looking forward to reading.
However, this book does not completely follow Ashley's story. Kari and Ryan's story also continues as Kari heals from Tim's death and as Ryan works on the coaching staff of the New York Giants. Luke Baxter is also introduced as a major character, and he is a college student who shares a sweet relationship with his girlfriend Reagan.
When the events of September 11th enter into the world of their family, the story of these relationships twist and turn as does the nation. Ashley finds herself drawn back to God, but Luke finds himself driven away by his disappointments and his questions.
I found this book to be an interesting book. The world of the Baxters has expanded and grown to where, instead of this being a book mainly about one character, the book has begun to follow the whole family. The story is pleasant and was enough to keep me hooked. I especially loved the sweet interplay between Ashley and her Alzheimer's patients. They really made the book for me. :-)
One of the lingering interests that I had from this book was Luke's story. He was firm and rigid in his beliefs about God. Then, a little sin, and what he felt was punishment and unanswered prayers from God completely turned him away into humanism and atheism. I think that this part of the story is a part where we can all relate.
Luke had always worshipped a God who answered his prayers in the way that he wanted them to be answered. He had never had a major prayer that wasn't answered and had never felt disappointed by God. Then, he has an unanswered prayer and his faith comes tumbling to the ground. This is a struggle that is so common, especially among those who are coming of age in their faith. It is a struggle that I have had in my own faith walk. God does not always answer our prayers in the way we expect or prosper us in a way that aligns with the "American Dream." Therein, lies a problem we often find in ourselves and our faith. I will be going into the next book as I have finished this one because I am interested in seeing how Luke's story is resolved. It is clear to me that Kingsbury's goal is to bring all the siblings to God, but the how is the interesting part of the journey, and one I'm looking forward to reading.
katemixon1117's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, while I enjoyed this book enough, I wouldn't say I enjoyed it a lot.
Things I liked: I thought Landon was a great character, and I thought he was perfect for Ashley. They compliment each other very well. I also appreciated that this was Christian fiction and that the characters exhibit a true faith. Also, Kari and Ryan have my heart.
Things I didn't like: this list is much longer. While I appreciated the faith aspect, it felt forced and inauthentic most of the time. If not those things, then it felt extremely cheesy. Overall, the whole story feels cheesy. There were moments I was rolling my eyes or would just skip a few pages. And, as we know, I am a SUCKER for a good romance, so it wasn't that. It all just felt too good to be true. This was yet another reread I did that I found to be disappointing.
Things I liked: I thought Landon was a great character, and I thought he was perfect for Ashley. They compliment each other very well. I also appreciated that this was Christian fiction and that the characters exhibit a true faith. Also, Kari and Ryan have my heart.
Things I didn't like: this list is much longer. While I appreciated the faith aspect, it felt forced and inauthentic most of the time. If not those things, then it felt extremely cheesy. Overall, the whole story feels cheesy. There were moments I was rolling my eyes or would just skip a few pages. And, as we know, I am a SUCKER for a good romance, so it wasn't that. It all just felt too good to be true. This was yet another reread I did that I found to be disappointing.
teganmullen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katemixon17's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, while I enjoyed this book enough, I wouldn't say I enjoyed it a lot.
Things I liked: I thought Landon was a great character, and I thought he was perfect for Ashley. They compliment each other very well. I also appreciated that this was Christian fiction and that the characters exhibit a true faith. Also, Kari and Ryan have my heart.
Things I didn't like: this list is much longer. While I appreciated the faith aspect, it felt forced and inauthentic most of the time. If not those things, then it felt extremely cheesy. Overall, the whole story feels cheesy. There were moments I was rolling my eyes or would just skip a few pages. And, as we know, I am a SUCKER for a good romance, so it wasn't that. It all just felt too good to be true. This was yet another reread I did that I found to be disappointing.
Things I liked: I thought Landon was a great character, and I thought he was perfect for Ashley. They compliment each other very well. I also appreciated that this was Christian fiction and that the characters exhibit a true faith. Also, Kari and Ryan have my heart.
Things I didn't like: this list is much longer. While I appreciated the faith aspect, it felt forced and inauthentic most of the time. If not those things, then it felt extremely cheesy. Overall, the whole story feels cheesy. There were moments I was rolling my eyes or would just skip a few pages. And, as we know, I am a SUCKER for a good romance, so it wasn't that. It all just felt too good to be true. This was yet another reread I did that I found to be disappointing.
annareads1452's review against another edition
5.0
Luved It it was amazing everyone should read these books because they are so powerful!!