This was the sequel to Even Now, which I gave 3 stars.

Even though I wasn't overly enthusiastic about the first book as it didn't wrap up everything neatly, I still felt compelled to read the second one.

I have to admit that the first book was superior. This story was extremely predictable.

And, of course, in Christian fiction, there has to be some unnecessary tragedy, which predictably occurred in this book.

I think it was intended to be a charming book about patriotism, courage, and love.

However, I felt like the author was once again attempting to make a political statement, and this time I didn't concur.

The book mainly focuses on the war in Iraq. The politically liberal character who opposes the war is depicted as someone who is spiritually adrift and confused but eventually discovers God and realizes that the war is something she should support.

This aspect kind of made me want to retch.

Nevertheless, I still gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because the author accurately portrays the concept that war is complex, not simply black and white, right or wrong, good or bad.

I have to give her credit for that, which bumped the rating up to 2 stars.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one for several reasons. At times, it seemed to drag on, and after the shocking event that occurred to Justin, the ending (Joe + Emily) was somewhat predictable. Nevertheless, I'm glad that I was able to get closure on the first book through this one.

I'm giving this book 2/5 stars instead of the 4/5 stars I gave to "Even Now". I had hoped for a deeper exploration of the political differences between Lauren and Shane. It felt like it only scratched the surface and repeated what was already said in the first book. Additionally, I believe that these two books could have been combined into one.

Overall, it's a sad, yet heartwarming story. Despite its flaws, it still managed to tug at my heartstrings. I'm interested to see what the author comes up with next.

This is a truly remarkable, heartwarming, and tear-jerking military love story.

The beginning was a bit slower, and for a moment, I almost wasn't hooked. However, I persisted, and I'm so glad I did. After a few chapters, I found myself completely engrossed and couldn't put the book down.

I would highly recommend this story to any reader. Just like all of Karen Kingsbury's books, it has the power to touch your heart and bring out a range of emotions. So, make sure you have your tissues ready because you're going to need them!

Whether you're a fan of military romance or just looking for a good, emotional read, this book is definitely worth checking out. Karen Kingsbury has once again delivered a beautiful and engaging story that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Don't miss out on this wonderful book!

Emily is an adorable little girl who is determined to do everything within her power to bring her parents back together.

She has come up with numerous plans and schemes, all in the hope of reuniting her mom and dad.

It is truly heartwarming to see her so committed to this cause.

Her efforts are not in vain, as she manages to bring a smile to her parents' faces on several occasions.

Even though the road ahead may be difficult, Emily remains positive and hopeful.

3.75⭐️

SUMMARY:

In this deeply moving sequel to Even Now, Emily Anderson finds herself falling head over heels in love with a young Army reservist who is on the verge of deploying to serve in Iraq. Meanwhile, her parents appear to be on the brink of losing everything they have worked so hard to achieve. The question looms large: Will a heartbreaking tragedy serve as the turning point for all of them?

REVIEW:

This book truly had me in tears. As the wife of a Vietnam vet who was engaged during his tour of duty, I could completely identify with every single emotion that Emily went through. I also understood Lauren's conflicting feelings, torn between supporting the military and longing for the safe return of all military personnel. Karen Kingsbury handled every aspect of this book with such depth, understanding, and intense emotion. The characters seemed to leap off the page, full of life and vitality. The storyline seamlessly continued the emotions and problems that were introduced in Even Now. It was an excellent read that kept me engaged from beginning to end.

I decided to stop reading Karen Kingsbury after going through this book and its prequel.

In my personal view, Lauren's political stance seemed to be constructed as a straw man. It appeared that her arguments lacked substantial intellectual support or genuine validity.

It was disheartening to see that the political aspect of the story was not presented in a more thoughtful and well-founded manner.

Rather than engaging in a meaningful exploration of different political perspectives, it felt as if the author was simply setting up a weak and easily dismissible argument.

This approach left me disappointed and less inclined to continue reading further works by Karen Kingsbury.

I had hoped for a more in-depth and intellectually stimulating examination of political ideas, but unfortunately, that was not the case with this particular book and its prequel.

Earlier this week, my sister recommended the book before this one, "Ever After".

I really enjoyed it a great deal and immediately embarked on this one as soon as I completed the first.

The story seamlessly continues right where the other one leaves off, which has been extremely beneficial for the character development within the series.

While I thoroughly relished both books, this particular one just struck a chord that was a bit too close to home for me, especially with regard to the military aspect, separation, and the loss of life.

It's important to consider that there may be triggers for some readers who might struggle with these themes.

Overall, it's a well-written series, but this book in particular brought up some intense emotions for me due to its subject matter.

Nevertheless, I still appreciate the author's ability to tell a compelling story that can have such a profound impact on the reader.

After LOVING “Even Now”, “Ever After” was a little disappointing. It seems that every page has an agenda of promoting and defending the military, which gets old really quickly. The overemphasis on this aspect detracts from the overall story. However, it is still a necessary read to complete the story. Without reading “Ever After”, the full picture and conclusion of the series would be incomplete. Despite its flaws, it does offer some insights and developments that are crucial to understanding the characters and their journey. So, while it may not be as enjoyable as “Even Now”, it is still an important part of the series and should not be skipped.

This is the second, and final story in the set of Even Now/Ever After.

It is of utmost importance that Even Now is read first. This is because it provides a wealth of context that is essential for a full understanding of this story.

I have a deep affection for both stories. The way they handle the reporting of the war and how the soldier perceives and experiences it is truly remarkable.

The authors have done an excellent job of presenting two different perspectives, allowing the reader to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex and often tragic nature of war.

Even Now sets the stage, painting a vivid picture of the events leading up to the war and the initial reactions of the soldiers.

This story then builds on that foundation, delving deeper into the emotional and psychological toll that the war takes on the individuals involved.

Overall, the Even Now/Ever After set is a must-read for anyone interested in war literature or the human experience during times of conflict.

Damn! I have always liked to consider myself as a tough guy.

However, this author, Karen Kingsbury, has achieved something that no other author has managed to do before.

This book of hers has actually brought me to tears!

Never in my life has an author been able to draw me so deeply into a story that I end up grieving along with the character.

It's truly amazing. You are incredible, Karen Kingsbury!

I am now eagerly looking forward to reading more of your wonderful books.

I can't wait to see what other emotional roller coasters you will take me on with your amazing storytelling skills.

Your books have become a source of great inspiration and entertainment for me.

Thank you for writing such amazing stories that touch the hearts of so many readers.

I will definitely be recommending your books to all my friends and family.

Keep up the great work, Karen Kingsbury!

This is one of the most heart wrenching books I have read in some time.

Definitely read this with a box of kleenex next to you.

Kingsbury tells the story of a young couple. She is attending college near the military base where a young Lieutenant is stationed. Emily gets a part time job at the base where Lt. Justin Baker is stationed. They click immediately.

Meanwhile, Emily's parents, with her dad being military, have been separated for years. They are trying to reconnect, but their opposing views on the military and wars keep tearing them apart.

What will happen to each of these pairs as they are separated due to the Iraq-Afghanistan War?

This story touched my heart deeply as my husband was a Navy Corpsman who served with the Marines during the Vietnam War. I could identify with so many feelings that arose throughout Kingsbury's amazing story.

The emotions and relationships described in the book are so real and vivid. It makes you think about the sacrifices made by those in the military and their families.

The story also shows the impact of war on people's lives and how it can tear apart even the closest of relationships.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, emotional read.

This was not as good as the first, which was a little disappointing.

I felt that the story focused too much on the war. The same points about it were made repeatedly, almost to the point of being tiresome.

Moreover, the story seemed to be longer than it really needed to be. It could have been more concise and still conveyed the essence of the plot.

However, I wouldn't say not to read it if you've already read the first one. There might still be some aspects that you could find interesting or engaging.

I never like to give a bad review, and that's not what I'm doing here. After all, I've never written a book myself, so who am I to really comment on it?

Maybe others will have a different perspective and will enjoy this installment more than I did. It's all a matter of personal taste and preference.