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fireflyhollow's review against another edition
5.0
I've read several reviews of this book that expressed the disappointment and disapproval of Karen Kingsbury promoting women staying with cheating husbands. I do not believe the author was saying that you have a Biblical responsibility to stay with a spouse who has cheated - because you don't. Adultery is a biblically justified reason for divorce. The main character in this story, Kari, deeply believed that God wanted her to stay with her husband and resolve the problems they had, and there is absolutely no shame in trying to fix a broken marriage.
I had a difficult time reading this when
I also believe that Kari's persistence to follow what she believed God wanted to her to do concerning Tim was extremely encouraging. I can only imagine the hurt Kari felt when her husband betrayed her. Even the thought of my husband being like Tim makes my heart hurt. What would I do if Matthew looked at me with no emotion and told me he wanted a divorce and there was nothing I could say or do to change his mind? What if I knew he was spending every night in the arms of another woman? Could I bear it? I don't know. But, I do know that the only way I could possibly make it through would be to lean on God which is what Kari did. She didn't believe she had the strength to fight for a marriage that she believed God wanted to be healed but her husband didn't. It's so easy to give up when things are really, really hard, but we have to remember that we first live for God and need to follow His guidance even when we don't understand why.
I had a difficult time reading this when
Spoiler
Kari found out that Ryan, her first love, hadn't betrayed her and if she had been a little more patient all of her dreams would have come true. It makes me wonder how many times my impatience has cost me something I have been so desperately wanting. I did want her to be with Ryan, but I knew that it was wrong while she was still married to Tim. I think too many people today think it is okay to be with someone while you are separated but still married to someone else. Just because the other person ended it emotionally first doesn't mean that your actions are any better than theirs.I also believe that Kari's persistence to follow what she believed God wanted to her to do concerning Tim was extremely encouraging. I can only imagine the hurt Kari felt when her husband betrayed her. Even the thought of my husband being like Tim makes my heart hurt. What would I do if Matthew looked at me with no emotion and told me he wanted a divorce and there was nothing I could say or do to change his mind? What if I knew he was spending every night in the arms of another woman? Could I bear it? I don't know. But, I do know that the only way I could possibly make it through would be to lean on God which is what Kari did. She didn't believe she had the strength to fight for a marriage that she believed God wanted to be healed but her husband didn't. It's so easy to give up when things are really, really hard, but we have to remember that we first live for God and need to follow His guidance even when we don't understand why.
jazzyjan94's review against another edition
4.0
This review appears on my blog: https://confessionsofabookwormweb.wordpress.com/2018/10/08/book-review-redemption/
This is probably my 4th or 5th reread of this book. I also forgot how weighty these books can be, but I still love this series. This book deals with the widely discussed topic adultery and divorce in Christian circles.
I liked how the authors showed Kari as someone who is willing to fight for her marriage, even though her husband, Tim, refused to – they could have really easily just had her concede to the divorce and run to the arms of her old flame.
Even though it deals with some serious topics, it was still an enjoyable read. I also liked all the different perspectives from Kari, Tim, Angela (the other woman), Pastor Mark Atterbury, Ryan, John and Elizabeth Baxter, ass well as a couple of others – it gave the story more depth and dimension.
It was great to revisit these beloved characters especially with the T.V. show coming out later this year based on the series. 4/5 Stars.
This is probably my 4th or 5th reread of this book. I also forgot how weighty these books can be, but I still love this series. This book deals with the widely discussed topic adultery and divorce in Christian circles.
I liked how the authors showed Kari as someone who is willing to fight for her marriage, even though her husband, Tim, refused to – they could have really easily just had her concede to the divorce and run to the arms of her old flame.
Even though it deals with some serious topics, it was still an enjoyable read. I also liked all the different perspectives from Kari, Tim, Angela (the other woman), Pastor Mark Atterbury, Ryan, John and Elizabeth Baxter, ass well as a couple of others – it gave the story more depth and dimension.
It was great to revisit these beloved characters especially with the T.V. show coming out later this year based on the series. 4/5 Stars.
wisdm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
langanle's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
taye10's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing book, brilliant story. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
rachel93's review against another edition
4.0
What start as me finding out I had to read I have to read 24 other books before I can read Mrs. Kingsbury’s latest Baxter series ended with me actually enjoying this book and hopefully I can make it to the one I would really like to read.
Redemption is the story of Kari Baxter Jacobs who finds out her husband Tim is an adulterer who also wants a divorce. Devistated she goes and stays with her parents for a while and decides that she wants to work on her marriage and refuses to divorce him. While staying with her parents she ends up seeing her old friend/ex boyfriend Ryan Taylor at church. Between both her husband, her ex boyfriend, and news she finds out in between she makes the decision to keep loving her husband hoping that he’ll come around.
The big take from this book was the message in it that love is a decision. Kari made the decision to keep loving her husband even after he not only cheated on her but said he wanted a divorce. While reading this book the message was kinda drilled into me more and more. Not in a bad way or anything it just made me think about it more. In fact this was the first time I’d ever heard/read that.
Both Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley did a great job. Although I’m not entirely sure what was written by who. I am sure though that the story was well written and evenly passed. The characters (some at least) were likable and in many ways relatable. Had I not had to put this down I definitely would have finished it in a day. While it had me drawn when I first picked it up, after putting I down for a couple days it did take me a little out to get back into it. That’s the only reason why this is four and not five stars.
After now being invested in these characters lives I will definitely be checking out the next book in The Redemption series.
Redemption is the story of Kari Baxter Jacobs who finds out her husband Tim is an adulterer who also wants a divorce. Devistated she goes and stays with her parents for a while and decides that she wants to work on her marriage and refuses to divorce him. While staying with her parents she ends up seeing her old friend/ex boyfriend Ryan Taylor at church. Between both her husband, her ex boyfriend, and news she finds out in between she makes the decision to keep loving her husband hoping that he’ll come around.
The big take from this book was the message in it that love is a decision. Kari made the decision to keep loving her husband even after he not only cheated on her but said he wanted a divorce. While reading this book the message was kinda drilled into me more and more. Not in a bad way or anything it just made me think about it more. In fact this was the first time I’d ever heard/read that.
Both Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley did a great job. Although I’m not entirely sure what was written by who. I am sure though that the story was well written and evenly passed. The characters (some at least) were likable and in many ways relatable. Had I not had to put this down I definitely would have finished it in a day. While it had me drawn when I first picked it up, after putting I down for a couple days it did take me a little out to get back into it. That’s the only reason why this is four and not five stars.
After now being invested in these characters lives I will definitely be checking out the next book in The Redemption series.
nicolemcor's review against another edition
3.0
The twists at the end saved this book! Once you can get past some of the “cheesiness” the story is decent. There were certain plot points I had a hard time digesting and I would not recommend this book to people who are not secure in their Christian faith because I feel like this book poorly represents many Christians.
reese2323's review against another edition
4.0
So far, I like this series. The beginning was a little blah...but I ended up liking it very much. On to book #2 :)
felinity's review against another edition
4.0
Here we have the character-building and gentle romance of Karen Kingsbury combined with the relationship savvy of Gary Smalley to show us a marriage ripped apart by infidelity, the addictiveness of a new relationship, the hormonal rush and created high it brings, and the devastation that follows in its wake.
It also shows that as there are two people in a marriage, each contributing to it - for better or for worse - there are also two sides to any breakup. Kari's forced introspection helps her to understand her part in Tim's distance, and after all she has her own temptation to resist.
They're not afraid to question God (Why did this happen? How could this happen?) and the answer seems to be that we must remember God views things from a different perspective, seeing the complete Monet rather than the brush strokes viewable up close.
The impending crisis from Dirk felt very artificial, but otherwise this was a great read, one which reiterates and demonstrates one of Gary Smalley's key points: that love is a decision, not a feeling, and that marriage is something both parties need to work at.
It also shows that as there are two people in a marriage, each contributing to it - for better or for worse - there are also two sides to any breakup. Kari's forced introspection helps her to understand her part in Tim's distance, and after all she has her own temptation to resist.
They're not afraid to question God (Why did this happen? How could this happen?) and the answer seems to be that we must remember God views things from a different perspective, seeing the complete Monet rather than the brush strokes viewable up close.
The impending crisis from Dirk felt very artificial, but otherwise this was a great read, one which reiterates and demonstrates one of Gary Smalley's key points: that love is a decision, not a feeling, and that marriage is something both parties need to work at.