This is the third book in the series.

I truly enjoy reading about the Baxter Family and all the trials they face, the joys they experience, and the closeness they share. Their story is like a beautiful tapestry, woven with the threads of love, faith, and family.

The strength they demonstrate because of their unwavering faith is truly inspiring. It makes me believe that no matter what difficulties come our way, we can find the courage and determination to overcome them.

I am eagerly looking forward to the fourth book in the series, “Rejoice”. I can only imagine the new adventures and challenges that the Baxter Family will encounter, and I can’t wait to be a part of their journey once again.

Each book in this series has been a delight to read, and I have no doubt that “Rejoice” will be no exception. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good family drama filled with heartwarming moments and valuable life lessons.

Return is the third book in the series, and it is yet another captivating page-turner.

It is described so beautifully here... "Son, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Return to me. Return to your first love." Luke found himself pondering how he could possibly return to God after making such a blatant mockery of the faith he had been brought up with. His family, especially his father, had respected his decision to venture out on his own and explore the choices that a fallen world presented. They had honored him and loved him, even as he was making plans to completely sever them from his life. "God, I'm so pathetic," he thought. And then he heard a still voice say, "Return to me, my son."

This passage truly touches the heart and makes the reader eager to follow Luke's journey of redemption and return. It makes one reflect on their own relationship with God and the power of His love and forgiveness.

This is truly a remarkable book.

It offers a wealth of valuable information regarding the characters. It delves deep into their backgrounds, providing detailed accounts of the events and experiences that have shaped them into the individuals they are in the latest installment.

By reading this book, one can gain a profound understanding of the characters' motives, desires, and the complex web of relationships that surround them.

The author's meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring these characters to life, making it a captivating and engaging read.

Whether you are a die-hard fan of the series or new to the world of these characters, this book is an essential addition to your library.

I have read the others in the series prior to this one, and I have truly relished observing the Baxter story unfold.

Nonetheless, this particular book progressed at a somewhat slower pace for me, and I found myself experiencing considerable frustration with Luke.

To be honest, I was completely baffled by how effortlessly he doubted God and how rapidly he embraced the entire "free thinking" belief system.

He simply appeared to transition so swiftly into an entirely opposite way of life.

Moreover, the book seemed to place greater emphasis on Ashley rather than Luke.

I do indeed take great pleasure in reading about Ashley and Landon's relationship.

However, what I don't appreciate is the incessant back and forth.

Ashley is almost always freaking out about something, and Landon is constantly striving to convince her that everything is okay and that he still loves her.

This cycle can be rather exhausting!

Nevertheless, I am still eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

The third installment in the "Redemption" series, which I borrowed from the church library, has once again taken me on an emotional rollercoaster.

The previous book was quite good, and I was eager to find out what became of a couple of the characters whose lives ended with cliffhangers in _Remember_.

However, my feelings towards this series are rather complicated. It seems that every possible misfortune and dilemma befalls the Baxter family. The chapters are filled with cliffhangers, leaving the characters and me constantly wondering whether they should take a certain action or not.

At times, I'm so frustrated that I want to hurl the book across the room and give up on reading this seemingly silly romance drivel. But then, there are also moments when I'm reduced to tears by the heart-wrenching scenarios.

Despite my mixed emotions, I can't seem to break free from the allure of this series. I keep turning the pages, hoping to find some resolution and closure for the characters I've grown to care about.

Mhmm, this was truly a surprise.

On one hand, it was okay, but on the other hand, it slightly resembled one of the Firstborn books. It was as if the Firstborn book was a repetition of Return. The plot had enough differences that it wasn't a complete copy, yet there was too much of a similar duo for my liking. It was really quite disappointing, but still had some enjoyable aspects.

Although it was repetitive, it was still a nice read, especially when it came to the murder scenes, which were the best in the series. However, Luke's mistakes seemed rather cliché to me, and I wish the author hadn't made them that way, but perhaps that's just my personal opinion.

The writing was a bit weak in places, and some parts could have been reworked to make it stronger overall. In essence, it was a rather timid book, lukewarm between being good and bad.

I do not believe this book easily stands alone in this series.

I am accustomed to book series of this kind, within this general genre, to be more lenient when it comes to reading order. Many are such that there might be a group, like a family, where each book in the series centers on one member of that group. Some will marginally progress the storylines of those in the group who are not the focus of that particular book, but usually only when that minor advancement pertains to a character who was the focus of an earlier book in the series.

This series extends that concept, perhaps beyond those limits. In this series, individual books like this one (only my second after the prequel #0) advance more than one story simultaneously, two significantly. Call this a twofer. (It is possible this is the only one that does that because the two are intertwined.) Also, based solely on my reading of the synopsis of book 2, it seems that the main story of that book isn't concluded until here in the 3rd one.

My point is - this series must be read in order.

The one story that has a culminating point is only minimally advanced otherwise. Two other stories reach a satisfying climax.

The stories that cover the most ground are Ashley with Landen and Luke with his romantic interest.

It felt as though there was sufficient explanation of things from earlier books to at least follow the major stories. There is some clarification about Kari and Ryan's background, but a great deal is either scarcely touched or done hastily.

I thought the pace was quite good, and the authors didn't overemphasize all the lamenting of what could never be in one or another character's mind. (That often drives me insane.)

This is a Christian book. There are frequent brief prayers, some even with verbal responses, and requests for prayer. Kingsbury is known for having God verbally respond with encouragement to characters. I didn't think the preaching was excessive.

There are some common tropes. Surprisingly, the biggest instance of a misunderstood sighting was handled differently than is typical. Another is a character admonishing another not to reveal something, but it has to come out.

The final chapter is emotional.

Mature themes (an element of most of my reviews) - not really. There is a reference to an abortion, but not described in detail. The emotional and health consequences of sex are discussed more than the act itself. A woman nearly dies in childbirth.

One of my absolute favorite books that I have ever read is truly a masterpiece. I have not only fallen deeply in love with the characters but also feel as if I am a legitimate part of their lives, living right there in Bloomington, Indiana. The hope, love, and friendship that are so beautifully portrayed in this book bring an abundance of happiness to my heart. I absolutely love seeing stories like the one that Karen Kingsbury has brought to life, which vividly展示 how God redeems His people and how He works through them. This book had me completely encouraged and entertained throughout the entire reading process. For all these reasons, this book truly deserves a solid 5⭐️

The Baxter series continues with its third installment. In this story, Luke makes a significant and rather heartbreaking decision.

He chooses to walk away from his deeply held faith and the loving family that has always been there for him.

This action of his leaves those around him in a state of shock and confusion.

His family, who has cherished and supported him through thick and thin, now struggles to understand why he would take such a drastic step.

Luke's faith, which had once been a guiding light in his life, seems to have lost its hold on him.

As the story unfolds, we are left to wonder what could have led to this momentous decision and what the consequences will be for Luke and those who care about him.

Will he find his way back to his faith and family, or will he continue on this path of separation and self-discovery? Only time will tell.

It is indeed a very good story.

Kingsbury has continuously done an excellent job with the theme of returning. The way he develops this theme throughout the story is truly remarkable.

The plot unfolds in such a way that it gradually draws the reader in and makes them emotionally invested.

The end of the story is particularly touching. It almost brought me to happy tears.

The way everything comes together and resolves in a positive way is both heartwarming and satisfying.

Kingsbury's writing style is engaging and his characters are well-developed, which makes the story even more enjoyable to read.

Overall, this is a story that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good read with a strong theme and a satisfying ending.

I literally have an intense love for this series.

For a certain period, I took a break from reading the book. However, when I picked it up again, I found myself completely engrossed and couldn't put it back down.

The authors possess an outstanding ability to craft raw and genuine plots.

It was truly exciting to finally witness Kari and Ryan officially get married, just as they should have done a long time ago.

This moment felt like a culmination of their journey and added a new layer of depth and satisfaction to the story.

The details and emotions described in the scene made it come alive in my mind, and I couldn't help but be swept away by the romance and happiness.

Overall, this series continues to be a captivating and engaging read that keeps me coming back for more.

This book holds such great significance within the realm of Christian fiction.

Luke Baxter, once deeply rooted in his religion and his family, which were the very essence of what he grew up loving, unfortunately falls away from all of it.

The burning questions that linger are: Does he manage to return? Does he succeed in finding his way back to the person he was prior to the tragic 9/11 attacks?

Karen Kingsbury, with her remarkable storytelling prowess, has once again delivered a heart-wrenching book centered around the Baxter family. This work beautifully showcases the reality that even Christians stumble.

We are not perfect beings; we all have our flaws. However, the message is clear - we can overcome these trials. And God, in His infinite mercy, is always patiently waiting for us to return.

I found this book to be an absolute gem. It touched my heart and made me reflect on the human condition and our relationship with God. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a profound and moving read within the genre of Christian fiction.