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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
I have a love-hate relationship with Karen Kingsbury books, and this book continues that feeling. Her writing reintroduced me to the world of Christian fiction 15 years ago, and now the stories are predictable. Boy and girl meet as kids. Conflict. Resolution.
In this book, Ashley Baxter Blake is a major character. I adore catching up with the Baxters but this story is so similar to "Every Now and Then", I literally rolled my eyes at one point. The plugs of Kingsbury's other novels and her son-in-law's music was like an awkward hug from an acquaintance. Sweet but awkward.
I will keep reading her books related to the Baxters but wished for less formulaic writing. I do like how she's still incorporating Scripture into the character's lives.
In this book, Ashley Baxter Blake is a major character. I adore catching up with the Baxters but this story is so similar to "Every Now and Then", I literally rolled my eyes at one point. The plugs of Kingsbury's other novels and her son-in-law's music was like an awkward hug from an acquaintance. Sweet but awkward.
I will keep reading her books related to the Baxters but wished for less formulaic writing. I do like how she's still incorporating Scripture into the character's lives.
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
A hard read if you are an Oklahoman. A good book, but read with tissues.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Karen Kingsbury always brings us an uplifting story with a Christian message. Enjoy!
Two teenagers who were greatly affected by the bombing meet at the Oklahoma bombing memorial and hit it off. However they misplace their phone numbers and years pass with no contact. The Baxter family go to visit the memorial and Ashley sees a young man put a letter on the fence. She is greatly effected by this gesture and becomes involved in finding Jenna.
This is the one book I don't think I enjoyed. I just couldn't get into the story. It was Dayne's story all over, just a different back story. However, that being said, as always the story brought hope and encouragement.
What I have come to expect from a KK book. Always a go-to author and always a good story. Can’t wait to read her new one!
Check out this full review and many more at: 5171 Miles Book Blog
Many thanks to Howard Books/Simon and Schuster for the chance to read and review this novel!
I was absolutely delighted when Simon and Schuster contacted me about Karen Kingsbury’s upcoming release To the Moon and Back, part three in her much-loved Baxter series. Even before I was an avid reader I heard nothing but praise about Kingsbury’s writing. She is a family favorite and go-to author for my mother-in-law.
Though this is the third book in this particular Baxter Family collection, it can be read perfectly as a standalone and is a great place to get started with the series or with Karen Kingsbury books in general! To the Moon and Back was a special read for me because I happen to be the same age as a couple of the main characters.
Brady Bradshaw and Jenna Phillips were five years old when the Oklahoma City Bombing took their parents’ lives. Every year Brady visits the memorial, unable to move on from the heartbreak of losing his sole caregiver – his mom. On one anniversary, a chance encounter at the memorial brings Brady and Jenna together for a full day of remembrance and shared heartbreak. After exchanging numbers, the pair plans to see each other again after they both felt their unmistakable connection. Unfortunately, a set of circumstances keeps that from ever happening. Though they both fondly remember the day and the connection they shared, they no longer have the means to get in touch.
A decade later, Ashley Baxter Blake, her sister, and their children venture to Oklahoma City for Spring Break to pay their respects on the anniversary of the bombing. When Ashley happens upon Brady, a perfect stranger, she can’t help but be drawn to his haunted expression. She feels compelled to find a way to help this young man, no matter how crazy everyone thinks she may be.
Like Brady and Jenna, I was five years old at the time of the Oklahoma City Bombing. It was the first American tragedy in my lifetime I remember vividly. I remember watching days of news coverage with my mom, asking questions, and wondering how and why something like this could happen. Then I remember hearing children like myself were inside and some had died. It was terrifying to imagine.
Karen Kingsbury brought these characters to life in the most realistic sense. I could truly envision the heartbreak and brokenness that comes with such tragedy. Though some characters had been through more difficulty than others, the prospect of redemption made this an exciting and encouraging read. I loved the chance to equally explore each character’s past and present, making me anxious for every page and new perspective. Though the story is told from three characters’ point of view, it was never a challenge to follow. The only negative for me was the abundance of characters in certain scenes, making it slightly difficult to keep up with who was who. This was the only point I thought it would have been helpful if I had read the other books in the series because I would have known the backstory behind each character’s name.
Overall, this was an interesting and heartwarming read, keeping me interested from beginning to end. I enjoyed Ashley’s influence in the story, and not just because we share a name. She acted as a kind of “middle-man” helping to make a love connection happen. I have been known to feel compelled to do things for strangers in a similar fashion, making me especially enjoy her perspective, as “out-there” as it sometimes seemed.
I’m looking forward to catching up on more of Karen Kingsbury’s books and possibly the TV series, which will be coming soon to Lightworkers.com. If you’re looking for a clean, inspirational Romantic read, To the Moon and Back is one to keep in mind. This beautiful story is available for pre-order now, releasing on May 29th.
Many thanks to Howard Books/Simon and Schuster for the chance to read and review this novel!
I was absolutely delighted when Simon and Schuster contacted me about Karen Kingsbury’s upcoming release To the Moon and Back, part three in her much-loved Baxter series. Even before I was an avid reader I heard nothing but praise about Kingsbury’s writing. She is a family favorite and go-to author for my mother-in-law.
Though this is the third book in this particular Baxter Family collection, it can be read perfectly as a standalone and is a great place to get started with the series or with Karen Kingsbury books in general! To the Moon and Back was a special read for me because I happen to be the same age as a couple of the main characters.
Brady Bradshaw and Jenna Phillips were five years old when the Oklahoma City Bombing took their parents’ lives. Every year Brady visits the memorial, unable to move on from the heartbreak of losing his sole caregiver – his mom. On one anniversary, a chance encounter at the memorial brings Brady and Jenna together for a full day of remembrance and shared heartbreak. After exchanging numbers, the pair plans to see each other again after they both felt their unmistakable connection. Unfortunately, a set of circumstances keeps that from ever happening. Though they both fondly remember the day and the connection they shared, they no longer have the means to get in touch.
A decade later, Ashley Baxter Blake, her sister, and their children venture to Oklahoma City for Spring Break to pay their respects on the anniversary of the bombing. When Ashley happens upon Brady, a perfect stranger, she can’t help but be drawn to his haunted expression. She feels compelled to find a way to help this young man, no matter how crazy everyone thinks she may be.
Like Brady and Jenna, I was five years old at the time of the Oklahoma City Bombing. It was the first American tragedy in my lifetime I remember vividly. I remember watching days of news coverage with my mom, asking questions, and wondering how and why something like this could happen. Then I remember hearing children like myself were inside and some had died. It was terrifying to imagine.
Karen Kingsbury brought these characters to life in the most realistic sense. I could truly envision the heartbreak and brokenness that comes with such tragedy. Though some characters had been through more difficulty than others, the prospect of redemption made this an exciting and encouraging read. I loved the chance to equally explore each character’s past and present, making me anxious for every page and new perspective. Though the story is told from three characters’ point of view, it was never a challenge to follow. The only negative for me was the abundance of characters in certain scenes, making it slightly difficult to keep up with who was who. This was the only point I thought it would have been helpful if I had read the other books in the series because I would have known the backstory behind each character’s name.
Overall, this was an interesting and heartwarming read, keeping me interested from beginning to end. I enjoyed Ashley’s influence in the story, and not just because we share a name. She acted as a kind of “middle-man” helping to make a love connection happen. I have been known to feel compelled to do things for strangers in a similar fashion, making me especially enjoy her perspective, as “out-there” as it sometimes seemed.
I’m looking forward to catching up on more of Karen Kingsbury’s books and possibly the TV series, which will be coming soon to Lightworkers.com. If you’re looking for a clean, inspirational Romantic read, To the Moon and Back is one to keep in mind. This beautiful story is available for pre-order now, releasing on May 29th.
Being from the northeast the OK bombing didn’t hit me as hard as 9/11. I’m so thankful for the personal perspective that this book gives. Also I’m always happy for a new installment of the Baxter family.
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
sad