This is a rather mediocre piece of writing. In some parts, it's truly eye-roll-y. It presents a very simple moral story, which left me quite disappointed. I really wish the author could have delved deeper into her ideas. She starts off with a good premise, but then it seems as if she holds back (to avoid offending anyone). In real life, things can be offensive, and being a Christian isn't easy. So, I hope she would just be honest about that and create characters who act more like real individuals rather than:

1) Saints.

2) People who question God in a very polite manner. Additionally, I thought this book was going to focus more on the concept of compromise. However, instead, one character realizes they are completely wrong and zap! immediately switch their viewpoint to the "right" one, and presto! everyone is happy. This simplistic approach doesn't do justice to the complexity of real life and human emotions.

Always A Must Read

If you have delved into Karen Kingsbury's other literary creations, you are well aware that her works possess an irresistible allure that makes it nearly impossible to set them aside. This particular piece is no exception! The story unfolds around a couple who, having a daughter together, encounter each other once more after the passage of many years. As they reconnect, they discover that they are worlds apart in terms of their faith, political leanings, and their perspectives on how to lead their lives. However, despite these differences, the powerful force of love still binds them. It is a faith-filled narrative that beautifully illustrates the concept of being governed by love and the gift of a second chance. This book is truly a gem that I wholeheartedly recommend to all avid readers. It will touch your heart, make you reflect, and leave you with a sense of hope and inspiration.

Even Now was a great read, but its sequel truly took my breath away. I found myself more emotionally invested in this one than the previous book. In fact, I cried more while reading this than I ever have with any other book. The author did an outstanding job of infusing so much emotion into the story that you couldn't help but cry along with the characters.

The plot was somewhat predictable, yet the amazing writing style kept me glued to the pages. Emily and Justin fell in love and had an amazing summer together. However, tragedy struck when Justin shipped out and died. Lauren, his best friend, flew back with his body, and all the people came out to support him. After the funeral, Lauren and Shane got married. Meanwhile, Emily and Joe ended up falling for each other after 18 months.

This book was a beautiful exploration of love, loss, and healing. It made me laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance with a touch of heartbreak.

This book was significantly more political than the first one.

Although I don't have an issue with a political theme in a book, it simply didn't capture my interest.

Nevertheless, I truly relished the way the story concluded.

The ending was engaging and brought a sense of closure to the narrative.

It made me reflect on the events that had unfolded throughout the book and how they all led up to this final moment.

Despite my lack of enthusiasm for the political aspects, the well-crafted ending managed to salvage my overall experience with the book.

It showed that even if certain elements of a story may not appeal to everyone, a strong conclusion can still leave a lasting impression.

I would recommend this book to those who are interested in political themes or who enjoy a story with a thought-provoking ending.

However, if you're not a fan of politics, you may want to approach this book with caution.

I absolutely loved this two-book series!

It was truly a remarkable reading experience. The story was filled with a mix of emotions that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

The books had a unique charm that made them impossible to put down. The plot was engaging and full of unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very last page.

Although the series had its share of sad moments, it was also very sweet. The characters were well-developed and their relationships were heartwarming.

I found myself completely invested in their lives and rooting for them to overcome all the obstacles in their path.

This two-book series is definitely one that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read. It will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between.

Overall, it was an amazing series that I will cherish for a long time.

Of course I liked it, but there is so much more to this story than just liking it.

I hardly ever cry, but this story had me on the edge of tears often. The characters are truly great. It's wonderful to see that Emily's parents are on the verge of their happily ever after. But wait, are they really? There is an element of uncertainty that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

And how great is it that Emily found both her parents after growing up without them. This adds an extra layer of emotion and depth to the story. There is so much to love and so much to learn from this book.

Karen Kingsbury has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her writing is so engaging and powerful that it draws you in and doesn't let go. I can't wait to read more of her work.

I thought EVEN NOW was a great book, but WOW...EVER AFTER was truly incredible.

I read the last hundred pages with blurry eyes and a wad of tissues in my hand. EVER AFTER picks up right where EVEN NOW leaves off. Emily's parents, Lauren and Shane, are finally reunited. However, their opposing views on the war continue to be a significant obstacle to their happily ever after.

Meanwhile, sharing her father's patriotic views, Emily secures a job on an army base and soon falls in love with Justin Baker. When Justin is deployed to Iraq and Lauren decides to leave Shane and return to reporting the war abroad, Emily feels as if her world is turning upside down. Now, two of the people she loves the most are in the most volatile place in the world. Justin is fighting for what he believes in, while her mother is reporting what she sees as a waste of time and human life.

When Emily receives devastating news, her faith is severely tested, as are her hopes for a happily ever after. This was an outstanding book. It encapsulates what I assume are the feelings of many Americans. It provides a perspective on the war we wage on foreign soil to safeguard our freedoms and bestow freedoms upon those who have never known them. Great book, Karen! I can only hope that one day my writing might have the same impact on others as yours has had on me.

I'm not entirely certain as to why some individuals didn't have the same level of affection for this sequel as they did for the first book. However, for me, I thoroughly relished it.

There was a particular moment in the story that brought me to tears of sadness. In my opinion, if a book has the power to evoke emotions within me to such an extent that I shed tears, it is a testament to great writing.

This sequel truly drew me in and made me develop a genuine concern and care for the characters. It had a captivating charm that held my attention from beginning to end.

Perhaps those who didn't like it as much had different expectations or preferences. But for me, it was a wonderful continuation of the story that left a lasting impression.

I would highly recommend this sequel to anyone who enjoyed the first book and is looking for a story that will tug at their heartstrings and keep them engaged.

I cried more with this book than any other one I have read for a long time. It was truly an emotional journey. I had to stop reading in the doctor's office because the tears just started streaming down my face. The story seemed so incredibly real to me.

Justin, the main character, was a young man you would really want to know. He had such depth and charisma. You couldn't help but be drawn into his world and root for him.

The only thing that bothered me about the book was that it seemed to go on and on. At times, I felt like it could have been a bit more concise. However, despite this minor flaw, the overall impact of the story was still powerful. It made me think, it made me feel, and it will stay with me for a long time.

Drags on and on. I truly want to love this book. However, it is not precisely what I had been anticipating. I am currently on chapter 21. It appears that the plot just drags on and on and on, never really getting to the point. So far, it seems like a rather depressing story. But I will persevere until the end. I have invested too much time and effort now to simply stop.

Perhaps there is something more profound hidden within these seemingly endless pages. Maybe the slow-paced plot is building up to a significant climax that will make it all worthwhile. I keep hoping that as I turn each page, the story will take a more interesting turn and capture my attention fully.

Despite the current state of the book, I remain determined to see it through. I believe that there might be some valuable lessons or emotions that I will discover along the way. After all, sometimes the most rewarding experiences come from persevering through the difficult parts. So, I will continue reading, hoping for a breakthrough in the story.

Wow, this book really wrecked me.

I mean, I have an absolute adoration for this story. It was so incredibly heartbreaking that I found myself crying for approximately 100 pages.

However, it was such a fantastically good story! Karen Kingsbury has managed to work her magic once again with this book.

The emotions it evoked were intense and raw. I was completely drawn into the lives of the characters and felt every pain and joy they experienced.

The way Kingsbury weaves the story is truly remarkable. Her writing is so engaging and powerful that it keeps you hooked from the very first page until the last.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good, emotional story that will leave you in tears but also with a sense of satisfaction.

I can't wait to see what Karen Kingsbury comes up with next.

Ever After

This novel truly broke my heart. From the very beginning, I had a sense of unease, as if I was constantly waiting for the other boot to drop. The story was so realistically portrayed that it felt as if I was living through the characters' experiences. However, because of my Christian values, I was able to find strength and get through the very realistic ending. It was a difficult journey, but in the end, I was able to marvel once again at Karen Kingsbury's literary gift. Her ability to create such complex and relatable characters, and to tell a story that tugs at the heartstrings, is truly remarkable. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and emotional read.