Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
28(28%)
4 stars
31(31%)
3 stars
41(41%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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Lots of drama and action unfold in this story! It's truly captivating. I'm really impressed by how the Baxters remain united throughout all the challenges. Their family bond is so strong and heartwarming.


Elizabeth's happy marriage list is an absolute gem. It's filled with wonderful and practical tips that can truly enhance a relationship. I've written it down carefully so that I can refer to it often and remember the important lessons it contains.


These books are simply amazing. They draw you in with their engaging plots and well-developed characters. I can't get enough of them. I highly recommend them to anyone who loves a good story filled with drama, action, and heart.

July 15,2025
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A wonderful story is like a magical key that unlocks the door to a world of imagination and emotions. It has the power to transport us to different times, places, and experiences. A well-crafted story can make us laugh, cry, feel inspired, or even change our perspective on life.


Whether it's a fictional tale filled with adventure and mystery, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking parable, a wonderful story has the ability to engage our minds and touch our souls. It can introduce us to unforgettable characters, each with their own unique personalities, dreams, and flaws.


We can get lost in the pages of a good book, or be captivated by a movie or TV show that brings a story to life. A wonderful story has the power to stay with us long after we've finished reading or watching, leaving a lasting impression and perhaps even inspiring us to create our own stories.

July 15,2025
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I truly enjoyed this series!!

It ended in such a remarkable way, serving as a powerful reminder for us to simply wait and have patience in God.

He is always there, and we must trust that He will come through for us.

Although He may not answer our prayers or resolve our issues at the exact moment we desire, we should have unwavering faith that He will do so eventually.

I believe that the past circumstances and issues resurface to show us the trials and tribulations we have overcome.

They give us the mindset that we are strong individuals who can endure anything as long as we lean on Him.

Happy Reading!!
July 15,2025
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It seems that Dayne and Katy's lives are finally falling into place. They are making plans to tie the knot, envisioning a house in Bloomington, and attempting to draw closer to Dayne's birth family. Just when everything appears to be flawless, a tragic accident strikes, and suddenly, Dayne's life is hanging in the balance. They are in desperate need of a miracle.


Simultaneously, Luke is facing marital difficulties. In fact, he is grappling with problems of every sort as he endeavors to come to terms with the concept of having a brother, especially one who is far more successful than he is. He battles with jealousy, bitterness, and a sense of loss due to his mother's absence, and these emotions seep into all aspects of his life.


Ultimately, everyone must learn to unite and truly love one another through words, actions, and prayer.


This book is a significantly stronger addition to the Baxter series compared to the previous one. I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing Dayne's evolving relationship with God, his forays into family relationships, and the way the family rallies around him to offer an act of love to him and Katy. As always, here are my thoughts on each point-of-view character.


Katy: I have griped about her throughout the series. However, in this book during the tough times, she truly shone. She realized that she loved Dayne more than her life in Bloomington. She discovered an inner strength that surpassed her concerns about the tabloids. She found grace, love, and determination within herself to persevere no matter what. She is someone who has grasped what is truly important in life and has adjusted her actions and speech accordingly. That is truly a wonderful thing.


Dayne: As I mentioned earlier, I adored seeing his spiritual growth, understanding what was going on in his mind, and observing his determination in whatever he set his mind to. He spends a significant portion of this book in a coma, yet his character is not diminished because of it. I am wholeheartedly rooting for him and the entire Baxter family, and I have relished the journey of having him as the main character of the story over the past five novels.


Ashley: She is another character who often irks me, but she truly shines in this book. She expends all her efforts in assisting Dayne and Katy during their trying time, and she manages to pull off an outstanding act of pure love. It is beautiful and perhaps the best part of the book.


Bailey: She is a teenager, oscillating between boys, wondering who she truly "likes" and who truly "likes" her. She is also an actress in the kids' theater group, but most of her role in this book is centered around her teenage feelings for different boys. Ugh. Reading this made me feel two things: (1) Old, (2) Like these days are approaching far too quickly for my own children!!


John: He has a beautiful emotional range, and I have greatly enjoyed his role in all five of these books. I would never have wished for Kingsbury to kill off his wife, but he has truly shone as he has coped with that, with finding his child, and with navigating the waters of his life after the loss of his spouse. I have been relishing the budding relationship with Elaine, and despite a initial hiccup in it this book, I am hoping that Kingsbury writes much, much more about them. I also nearly wept as he remembers his wife, re-reads her old letters, and wishes that she were there to see their family now.


Luke: I just wanted to hang my head several times at how spoiled he was behaving in this book. With a new brother, he is so jealous that he can't bear it. He also feels like a failure because his life is not as he had always dreamed, and he feels less than a man as he still cannot provide for his wife and young children. He really pulls himself together by the end of the book, but not before causing his wife and his entire family a great deal of drama.


Jenny: She only has one or two point-of-view sections in the book. Mostly, she is there to offer a calmer, more adult perspective on Bailey's teenage drama. She is enjoyable to read, and I always渴望 to hear more from her view on life.


Reagan: There are issues between Reagan and Luke, and Reagan begins the book believing that they are all Luke's fault. In fact, her life is not unfolding as she would like, and she blames Luke. She is still harboring grudges from when they got pregnant out of wedlock, and she doesn't even realize it until things deteriorate between them to the point where the word separation is mentioned. She has to realize that the downward spiral of her marriage is not solely Luke's fault but that she has a lot to learn and atone for in the wrong way she has treated him. It is a realization that I have had to make in my own life, and it is a good one.


That concludes this Firstborn series of Baxter books. It is a strong finish, sufficient to keep me reading on into the next series. I am looking forward to hearing more adventures of the family. After all, Kingsbury hasn't even married off Dayne and Katy yet!
July 15,2025
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So, without even realizing it, I found myself starting right in the middle of this series. At first, I was a bit worried that I might miss out on some crucial details and not fully understand the story. However, as I delved deeper into the book, I quickly discovered that it was still a pretty good read. The author had done a great job of creating a vivid and engaging world that drew me in from the very beginning. The characters were well-developed and interesting, and the plot was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Despite starting in the middle, I was able to follow along and enjoy the story for what it was. It made me curious to go back and read the earlier books in the series to see how everything had started and how the characters had evolved. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to others, even if they might not have read the previous installments.

July 15,2025
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Yet another outstanding book by Karen Kingsbury!

In this particular installment, we witness Katy and Dayne encounter a difficult period in their relationship as Dayne finds himself hospitalized due to a car accident.

Luke continues to struggle with the reality that Dayne is his brother. He persistently tells everyone, including the paparazzi, that Dayne is not his sibling. However, towards the end of the book, he finally acknowledges Dayne as his brother.

All the members of the Baxter family hatch a plan to renovate an old house near the lake for Dayne and Katy to move into after they tie the knot. When they arrive and see the beautifully refurbished house, they are truly astonished. They are deeply grateful to the family, and Luke is overjoyed to have Dayne as his brother.

This book was truly amazing, and I absolutely adored this series!! It captured my heart from start to finish and left me eagerly anticipating the next installment.
July 15,2025
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This book is truly awful.

Giving it just one star is actually being quite lenient.

It presents this facade of what it means to be a Christian and how to become a good Christian.

But in reality, all it does is elevate all the toxic aspects of Christianity.

I loathed the entire anti-abortion storyline.

I respect that Ashley chose to carry her baby to term despite the fact that it was going to die.

However, Brooke should not have been portrayed as the villain for providing sound medical advice.

Moreover, I detest that the one doctor said, "I would never recommend an abortion."

Well, I don't need you to recommend anything based on your personal beliefs.

I need you to tell me what would be the best option for me from a medical perspective.

I am a Christian woman, and I felt judged and disheartened by this disgraceful exhibition of "Christianity."

DO NOT READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!
July 15,2025
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FOREVER... finally!

I absolutely adored the characters in this series. They were so well-developed and full of life. The drama was intense and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. And the storyline was truly captivating, taking me on an emotional rollercoaster.

However, I have to admit that I didn't love the long and drawn-out nature of the series. It seemed to go on and on, and at times, it felt like a never-ending quest to reach the end.

One of the main issues I had was the constant rehashing of past circumstances and trials. While I understand the writer's need to make each book a standalone novel, it can be frustrating for those of us who have read the entire series. The writer should trust that the readers have followed along and not feel the need to summarize past books.

But who am I to correct or critique Karen Kingsbury? Her stories are truly inspiring and engaging. Despite my dislike of redundancy, I will definitely continue to read the Sunrise series. I just hope that I won't have to do too much skimming to get past the repetitive information. I'm looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds and what new adventures the characters will embark on.
July 15,2025
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This is a very good book.

It has the power to captivate readers from the very first page. The story is engaging and full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

The characters are well-developed and you can't help but become invested in their lives.

The author's writing style is流畅 and easy to follow, making it a pleasure to read.

Whether you're a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book has something for everyone.

It offers valuable insights and lessons that can be applied to our daily lives.

Overall, it's a must-read book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read.

You won't be disappointed!
July 15,2025
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I absolutely LOVED this book.

It provided a truly satisfactory ending to the firstborn series. The story was engaging from start to finish, with well-developed characters and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The author did an excellent job of tying up loose ends and giving the readers a sense of closure.

Now, I am eagerly looking forward to what happens next to the Baxter family in the Sunrise series. I can't wait to see how their lives unfold and what new challenges and adventures they will face.

I have no doubt that the Sunrise series will be just as精彩 as the firstborn series, and I can't wait to start reading it.
July 15,2025
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Forever is the final installment in Karen Kingsbury's captivating Firstborn series and the 10th book in the beloved Baxter Family series.

Katy Hart and Dayne Matthews are on the verge of tying the knot!! Dayne has made the momentous decision to leave the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and settle down with Katy in Bloomington after their marriage. He dispatches Katy to search for a suitable home for them. Amazingly, without much effort, Katy discovers a property that is a definite fixer-upper but is absolutely perfect for them as it sits right on the lake.

Before boarding a plane to join Katy at the camp where she has been working with the kids all week to stage a play at the end of the camp, Dayne has breakfast with his co-star. However, Randi and Dayne are hounded by the paparazzi and are chased. Tragically, Dayne ends up in the path of a truck that barrels towards him and hits him on the driver's side of the vehicle. Ashley and John Baxter rush Katy to California to be by Dayne's side. Dayne's condition is critical; he could lose his leg, suffer major brain damage, and may never wake up from his coma. Katy remains by his side day and night, vigilantly waiting for Dayne to regain consciousness.

The Baxters have been discovered!! When Ashley and John traveled to California to be with Dayne after the car accident, the paparazzi got wind of their presence. They pursued them all the way to Bloomington, IL. John found one lurking outside his house, and then, when the Baxters were having a family picnic, a horde of paparazzi descended and started snapping pictures.

Luke is grappling with the knowledge that Dayne Matthews is his biological brother. He is seething with anger and refuses to accept Dayne as a brother. One day, as he emerges from his building, he spots a paparazzi across the street. The man chases Luke and shoves a camera in his face. Luke loses his temper and shouts at the guy that "Dayne Matthews isn't my brother. Blood doesn't make him a Baxter!!" Instantly, he regrets his outburst, but it's too late as the paparazzi captured it all. Additionally, Luke and Reagan's marriage is also in turmoil. John sends them a letter outlining the Ten Secrets to a Happy Marriage, hoping that these ten principles will turn their marriage around.

I can't include every detail in this review as I don't want to spoil the story for others who will read the book. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Firstborn series and eagerly anticipate reading the Sunrise series next. I have grown so attached to the Baxter family that I truly feel as if they are a part of my own family.

July 15,2025
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Adding books from an old reading journal is always an interesting task.

In this case, we have the story of Dayne who is involved in a tragic accident. It is quite predictable that he will recover, which is a bit of a let-down in terms of the element of surprise. However, despite this predictability, the ending of the Firstborn series is still a good one.

It presents a future with Katie and the Baxters, which gives a sense of hope and continuation. The relationship between Dayne and Katie has been a central part of the series, and seeing them together in the future is heartwarming.

The Baxters, too, have played an important role, and their presence in Dayne's life adds depth and warmth to the story. Overall, while the predictability of Dayne's recovery may be a minor flaw, the good ending and the future it presents make the Firstborn series a worthwhile read.
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