I was in doubt whether I would give three or four stars to this book, but in the end I went for three stars.

The story didn't really appeal to me that much. The war in Iraq plays an important role in this book in various aspects, and also the image of how Americans look at their military personnel is very prominent in it. Unfortunately, I can't really identify with it myself.

What I did like was that the author shows that situations that occur in people's lives can be used by God to reveal Himself. But as far as I'm concerned, this could also have been done with a completely different story.

Overall, while the book has some interesting elements, it didn't fully engage me and left me with a somewhat lukewarm impression. I think there are other books out there that handle similar themes in a more captivating way.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. I'm not sure if it was due to the event that occurred or something else entirely. For some reason, it just didn't have that captivating charm that would make me completely engrossed. However, I did manage to finish it relatively quickly. Maybe it was because I was determined to give it a fair chance and see if it would improve as I went along. But unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The story seemed to lack depth and the characters weren't very well-developed. It felt more like a rushed attempt rather than a精心crafted piece of literature. Despite this, I can't say that it was a terrible book. It just didn't meet my expectations.

It might have been a good book.

However, I was listening to the audiobook and unfortunately, I just couldn't listen anymore.

I simply didn't get caught up in the story.

Perhaps the reason for this was the narrator.

To be honest, I just didn't like her voice.

It didn't seem to fit the tone and atmosphere of the book.

As a result, it was difficult for me to fully engage with the story and its characters.

Even though the book itself might have had great potential, the audiobook experience was somewhat disappointing due to the narrator's voice.

I wonder if I would have had a different opinion if I had read the book in its printed form instead of listening to the audiobook.

Maybe then I would have been able to better appreciate the story and all its nuances.

Nevertheless, based on my experience with the audiobook, I can't say that I would recommend it to others.

This was an extremely challenging book to listen to.

For some inexplicable reason, I had the impression that it would closely resemble its prequel, zeroing in on family and love. However, to my great surprise, it was entirely centered around the Iraq war and politics.

Certain portions of it seemed like a blatant agenda and propaganda, which really made me angry. But as I approached the end, it became a bit more coherent.

The one valuable takeaway I had from it is that war is an incredibly complex matter. Nevertheless, we can deeply appreciate those individuals who sacrifice their lives in service to safeguard us.

If you're seeking something lighthearted and enjoyable, this definitely isn't the book for you. This novel forces you to confront harsh realities. I can't claim that I supported every single opinion and perspective presented within its pages, but I can fathom why it was written in the way it was, especially considering the era in which it was penned.

I truly wish Kingsbury had dedicated more attention to Shane, Lauren, and Emily as a family. That was precisely the reason why I picked up this book in the first place.

3.75

I liked this one slightly more than the previous one.

However, both are books that I regret reading. It's not because the plot or the concepts behind the plot were bad.

Rather, it's simply because I didn't enjoy the process of reading. I felt that, similar to the first one, it was much too slow-paced and didn't have enough dialog.

This made the reading experience a bit dull for me.

But still, I did like it a bit more than the first one. For some reason, it felt more realistic to me.

Maybe it was the way the characters were developed or the setting was described.

Nonetheless, I wouldn't really recommend this to anyone. I only read this book because I was quarantined, had bad internet, and was extremely bored.

But if you're desperate for something to read and don't have many options, this is a relatively wholesome book.

And who knows, you might have a completely different opinion and like it more than I did!

After all, everyone has different tastes when it comes to reading.

Love is a powerful force that can move mountains and touch hearts. There is a very moving story about love that I would like to share with you.

It is about a couple who have been together for many years. They have faced many challenges and difficulties in their lives, but their love has always remained strong.

One day, the husband falls ill and is hospitalized. The wife stays by his side day and night, taking care of him and comforting him.

Despite the doctor's efforts, the husband's condition worsens. The wife is heartbroken, but she refuses to give up.

She prays every day and believes that her love will help her husband recover.

Finally, after many days in the hospital, the husband miraculously recovers. The couple is overjoyed and their love is stronger than ever.

This story shows us that love can overcome anything. It is a beautiful and powerful emotion that can bring hope and healing to those who are in need.

We should all cherish the love in our lives and never take it for granted.

She never disappoints!

Another beautifully written novel of love and loss and redemption has emerged.

This particular work may have tugged at my heartstrings more powerfully than any of Kingsbury's other creations.

Perhaps it's due to my family's military history that this story holds such a special place in my heart.

It's essential to read "Even Now" before delving into this one, for otherwise, you will be completely in the dark.

Kingsbury's ability to craft a narrative that is both engaging and emotionally resonant is truly remarkable.

The characters come alive on the page, and their struggles and triumphs feel so real.

The themes of love, loss, and redemption are explored in a profound and thought-provoking way.

This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good story that will touch their heart and leave them with a sense of hope.

Favorite quote from book: "Love is not possible without sacrifice, and sacrifice is not possible without love" [from authors notes:]

When I completed "Even Now" [the prequel to "Ever After"], I was let down by the ending - it appeared 'incomplete'. I then picked up the sequel, "Ever After" to determine if it provided 'closure'. The answer was indeed yes! I favored "Ever After" the most out of the two. There is sufficient'reminiscing' to fill in the reader if they haven't read the first book (although I would recommend reading both if you have the time).

I was extremely glad that my family was fishing this weekend. I would have faced a difficult time explaining my weeping to them. I have been 'weepy' while reading books before, but seldom do the tears actually leave my eyes. Oh no, not with this one! The tears welled up before the middle of the book, and by the time I finished it, they were streaming down my cheeks and onto my neck!! [I must justify myself. First, the author herself stated that the book "flowed out of her in just 5 days" and she "wept more than ever before while writing". Second, this might not have been the best 'week' to control emotions. Third, one main character is 22-years-old and going off to war... and my 19-year-old leaves in 10 days to serve a church mission in Mexico for two years. Probably not the most opportune time for me to be reading such emotional material!!:]

Even with all the weeping, I truly liked the book!

I absolutely loved this book!!! There was an abundance of emotions and intense feelings within its pages.

As a military wife, it was truly refreshing to come across a book that accurately depicted all the aspects and concerns that we experience.

What's more, it presented a respectful perspective on both sides of the political argument regarding war. It was handled in a very well-done manner.

I would highly recommend this book, but be sure to grab plenty of tissues because it will tug at your heartstrings!!!

It's a remarkable read that offers a unique insight into the lives of military families and the complex issues surrounding war.

I can't wait to share it with others and see their reactions.

Overall, it's a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the sacrifices and emotions involved in military life.

I have just read the first 2 chapters of this book.

To be honest, it is really very boring.

The whole content seems to be just about how she is a liberal and he is not.

She is constantly looking or not looking to God for the justification of why she doesn't support war.

It feels like a never-ending debate that doesn't really go anywhere.

Based on these first two chapters, I have decided that I am not going to read any more of this author's books.

I don't think I can endure this kind of uninteresting and repetitive writing style.

There are so many other great books out there that I would rather spend my time on.

Maybe this author's writing just doesn't suit my taste.

But in any case, I'm done with this book and this author for now.

I picked up this book with great anticipation after having read the first book Even Now which I could hardly put down.

However, this one falls short. There were long discourses of character reflection and introspection, which is my pet peeve. I much prefer dialogue and more character action and interaction.

Kingsbury does do a lot of these sorts of inner dialogues in her books, and usually they don't bother me. But this time, it was just too much of that and not enough action between people.

I found Laura Gibbs' change of heart about the war forced, trite, and way too fast. She and her hero, Shane Galanter, are at odds about the Iraq war throughout the entire book. Then suddenly, she changes her mind, he changes his mind, and that's it.

In turn, the ending, while a happily ever after, was too quick and unsatisfying.

If you are into tear jerkers, though, have a box of Kleenex handy because you'll need it for most of the last 1/3 of the book. It seems that despite some drawbacks, there are still elements that can tug at your heartstrings.

Overall, it's a bit of a disappointment compared to the first book, but perhaps it still has something to offer for those who are fans of Kingsbury's style.

I only read this because it was the second in a series and I thought it might be better than the first. However, to be honest, I will never read another book by this author.

Her writing style is truly horrible. There is so much tragedy in her books. The first one I read by her was just as terrible. I thought I would give her another chance with a different series, but sadly, her style remains the same.

It seems that she is too focused on creating a tragic atmosphere, which makes the reading experience rather depressing. I prefer books that can bring me joy, inspiration, or at least some thought-provoking ideas.

Therefore, I have decided not to take a chance on her books anymore. I will look for other authors who can offer me a more enjoyable and fulfilling reading experience.