This book centers around Luke, the youngest member of the Baxter clan.

Luke renounces his religion and moves in with a coed who is a freethinker and doesn't believe in exclusive relationships. However, a significant change occurs when he looks into his newborn son's eyes, leading him to make a 180-degree return to religion.

Virtually everything that could happen to a family is unfolding for the Baxters. The parents remain坚强 and supportive, but the soap opera drama has been cranked up several notches in this book.

The plot has become rather unbelievable, and the characters even more so. Nevertheless, I was touched by a couple of scenes, which is the reason I rated it a 4. But if the storyline doesn't move towards some degree of reality in the next book, I will not continue with the series. It has become too annoying.

I hope that the author can bring more authenticity and believability to the story in the future installments.

I have a deep affection for Karen Kingsbury, and it comes as no surprise that I adored this book to the fullest! I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Prayer is indeed a powerful force, and this book vividly demonstrates that even when you have adult children who have strayed from the Lord, regardless of their age, God possesses the ultimate power to draw them back to Himself.

The story within these pages beautifully illustrates the unwavering love of God and His ability to work miracles in the lives of those who seem far from Him. It serves as a reminder that no situation is too difficult for God to handle.

Kingsbury's writing is engaging and touching, making it easy for readers to connect with the characters and their struggles. Through this book, she offers hope and encouragement to all those who may be facing similar challenges in their own lives.

Whether you are a believer or not, this book has the potential to touch your heart and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the power of prayer and the love of God.

Return is a captivating tale that centers around Luke Baxter. He is the youngest in the family and the only son of John and Elizabeth Baxter. The tragic events of 9/11 had a profound and lasting impact on Luke's life. It led him to question the very existence of God. After attending several "free-thinking" meetings rooted in humanism, he became convinced that life was nothing more than a series of random coincidences.

I found this story truly engaging. Luke Baxter's faith had never been put to the test like this before. He had firmly believed that if one obeyed the Lord and did all that God asked, then God would grant him everything he desired. However, he failed to understand that sometimes God's answer is no.

Reagan, on the other hand, lost her father in 9/11. She is burdened with regret and guilt for not answering her father's phone call the night before. When she learns of Luke's poor decisions, she decides not to tell him that she is pregnant with their son. After a harrowing experience where she nearly loses her life and her baby's, she grapples with the decision of whether or not to reveal the truth to Luke. I really admired Reagan. Despite the bad decision she and Luke had made and the pain of losing her father, her faith remained unwavering.

I was extremely satisfied with the conclusion of this story. Luke finally realizes that there is a God in heaven. Although he may not fully comprehend why God allowed 9/11 to happen, he comes to understand that God does care and that there is a final day on earth for everyone. This realization brings a sense of closure and hope to the story.

So far, this is undoubtedly the weak link in the Redemption Series.

I don't have overly high expectations for this series. Besides providing entertainment, giving me some sigh-inducing romantic moments, and perhaps teaching a few thought-provoking Christian principles, that's about it. The first two installments delivered as promised.

However, the resolution in "Return" was just a bit too hasty and convenient for my taste. Towards the end of the book, every conversation seemed to be one that the characters had already had at least two or three times before.

Moreover, I really couldn't overlook a particularly irritating product placement reference. Were Kingsbury and Smalley receiving some travel perks from priceline.com? If not, they should make up for the dullness of that reference.

It's a shame that this installment didn't quite live up to the standards set by the previous ones. I hope that future books in the series can improve and offer a more engaging and satisfying reading experience.

This is the third installment in the Redemption series and also the third book in the Baxter family series.

I truly relished this particular book. It centers around Luke Baxter and his straying from the family's faith. It's indeed a contemporary rendition of the parable of the prodigal son. Luke is the sole male offspring of John and Elizabeth Baxter. He has always adhered to the right path and looks down upon those who have stumbled. Then, he engages in sexual activity with his girlfriend Reagan, who ignores a phone call from her father during the act. Tragically, Reagan's father passes away the next morning in the 9/11 attacks before she can speak to him. Reagan departs for New York, leaving Luke behind. She refuses to return his phone calls. Luke believes he is being punished by God, if there even is a God. How could a God allow 9/11 to occur?

Luke distances himself from his family and God. He moves in with a girl he meets in college and begins attending events that criticize the Christian faith. He starts to concur with all the talk about Free Thinking. He lets his hair grow long and stops shaving. He completely severs ties with his family.

However, God persists in pursuing Luke, much like a Heavenly Hound (a形象 I quite like). This is Luke's account of his journey back to God and his family.

In addition, there are updates on all the other members of the Baxter family. Ashley's story holds significant importance in this book - it's not just a brief update. I would even give her second billing in this regard.

Overall, it's a captivating and thought-provoking read that delves deep into themes of faith, redemption, and family.

I would rate this book 4 or 5 stars. I truly loved it.

The entire series has such a wonderful and profound message. It teaches us that no matter what we do in life, no matter how far away we may stray from God, He will always be there.

He is always waiting for us with open arms, ready to welcome us back.

And what's more, He will always have a plan for each and every one of us.

This message gives us hope and comfort, knowing that we are never alone and that there is always a purpose and a path for us.

The book really brought this message to life in a beautiful and engaging way, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an inspiring read.

It has truly touched my heart and made me believe even more strongly in the love and grace of God.

I can't wait to see what else this series has in store.

The third installment in the Redemption series stands as the finest one yet.

The Baxter family finds themselves embroiled in a web of complex situations. There is a child who has strayed from the path, a marriage that teeters on the brink of collapse, a couple of health scares that send shockwaves through the family, and a beautiful wedding that has been long awaited.

Near the conclusion, I was moved to tears on multiple occasions. The emotions were so palpable and the story so engaging.

I am eagerly anticipating delving deeper into the lives of the Baxter's in Rejoice and ultimately in Reunion. It is certain that there will be more heartwarming and poignant tales to discover about this wonderful family.

I continue to give this series an opportunity because it is labeled as "clean" "Christian" Fiction. However, the quality of the writing fails to improve.

Cari previously stated that Tim completely owned her heart. This was the reason she wasn't leaving him even after he cheated on her with her "first" and newfound love, Ryan Taylor. Now, in her wedding vows to Ryan, following Tim's tragic death in a previous book, she claims that she has always and only truly loved Ryan.

Sorry, but is this a daytime soap opera? The character Luke's story isn't much better, and neither is Ashley's. It's time for more fiction like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, something that offers a more engaging and complex narrative.

Perhaps it's time to move on from this series and explore other literary works that can provide a more satisfying reading experience.

This volume manages to balance Kari, Ashley, and Luke’s storylines in a more or less equal manner. There are also some sections from Brooke which serve as a segue into the next book. Just like Tim’s alcoholism in Redemption, Luke’s humanism rebellion is resolved relatively quickly and has limited long-term consequences for him (although Reagan does face some). Some of the consequences that the characters face for their actions seem realistic, such as Ashley’s health crisis, while some of the “rewards” do not.

For instance, Kari and Ryan did not have an affair while she was married to Tim, nor did they have a physical premarital relationship. As a result, they are rewarded with a storybook wedding and what appears to be a carefree happily ever after. I believe that stories like this give new believers the impression that if they obey God, everything will work out in their favor in this life. They will be rewarded and will not experience suffering. I understand that this is light fiction and not theology, but obeying God does not necessarily mean that you will get everything you desire in an ideal life on earth. Sometimes, you may suffer through no fault of your own, simply because we live in a fallen world.

I also had an issue with the Author’s Note from Gary Smalley. I would contend that his “return” principle may be applicable to generally healthy relationships with minor issues. However, there should be a caveat that this is not a wise or realistic approach in situations of unrepentant abuse.

Once again, I am probably reading too much into this fiction series. As dramatic Christian fiction, this series is a real page turner and often brings a tear to my eye.

Wow, this is really a great series for me.

It is so realistic with a beautiful message and plots that I couldn't have thought of. Just like the other books, I'm on page 1 today.

In this family, it's not all just roses and moonlight. It's really awesome and I'm very curious about the continuation. #theoriginalBaxterfamily serie

This series has truly captured my attention. The realistic portrayal of the characters and their relationships makes it feel like I'm part of their lives. The unexpected plots keep me on the edge of my seat, always eager to turn the next page.

I can't wait to see what happens next in the Baxter family's story. Will they face more challenges? Will they find happiness and love? Only time will tell, but I'm sure it's going to be an exciting journey.

This subject truly broke my heart.

It is disheartening to witness someone turn their back on God.

Moreover, it is alarming to see how cults and organizations deceive people by feeding them lies and telling them exactly what they want to hear.

Luke, who was a Christian, unfortunately, still got drawn into such a situation.

The book that explores this topic is very good. It provides valuable insights into the dangers of being misled by false teachings and the importance of remaining firm in one's faith.

I am really looking forward to the next book in the series. I hope it will continue to shed light on these crucial issues and help readers to better understand and navigate the complex world of faith and belief.

Overall, this book has been a thought-provoking and eye-opening read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in matters of faith and spirituality.

Return is Luke's story.

I am striving to be impartial while penning this review. However, the reality is that I simply cannot tolerate this character at any juncture within the series. As a result, it becomes arduous to relish any of his content. I deem him insufferable both prior to, during, and subsequent to his book. He is self-centered and callous, and so capricious that his entire personality undergoes a transformation depending on whether he attains what he desires or not.

Besides Luke, this narrative also persists with Ashley's romance with Landon. Although I generally do take pleasure in this couple, their story takes a vexing detour. Once again.

We also witness the commencement of Brooke and Peter's story arc which will carry on in the forthcoming book. What we observe thus far is an abundance of bickering.

I have an overall liking for this series, yet this is not a book that I have any inclination to reread. There are certain good moments here and there, but for the most part, I found it exasperating.