This book is very "christiany" and the propaganda within it feels quite real. There is so much drama that half of it seems unbelievable. In fact, at one point, I seriously considered quitting reading it. However, during my time in rehab, it was the only book I had available. It became a running joke between me and my roommates. We would often discuss the absurdities and the overly religious aspects of the story.

Despite its flaws, it did manage to keep my attention to some extent. Maybe it was because there was nothing else to read, or perhaps there was a small part of me that was curious to see how the story would unfold. Either way, it was an interesting experience having this book as my sole source of entertainment during that difficult time in rehab.

Looking back, I can't say that I would recommend this book to others. Its heavy-handed propaganda and excessive drama make it a rather polarizing read. But for me, it will always be associated with that particular period of my life and the memories I shared with my roommates.

Number 3 in the Redemption series, this book offers an in-depth exploration of Luke's story. After the tragic events of 9/11 and his breakup with Reagan, Luke finds himself grappling with his faith. It's a journey filled with doubt and inner turmoil as he tries to make sense of the world around him and his place in it.

Meanwhile, Ashley and Landon are experiencing growth in multiple aspects of their lives. Their faith deepens, their relationship blossoms, and they both make significant progress in their careers. It's a beautiful portrayal of how love and faith can support and enhance each other.

Brooke and Peter face a different set of challenges. While their daughter Maddie is miraculously healed from her illness, the stress takes a toll on their marriage. Their relationship is tested as they try to navigate the new normal and find a way to reconnect.

Ryan and Kari's wedding at the Baxter house is a joyous occasion, bringing the family together. Erin and Sam, on the other hand, are working hard to resolve their marriage issues and strengthen their bond. The first three seasons of The Baxter's on Prime cover Books 1 - 3, providing viewers with a captivating look into the lives and loves of this complex and endearing family.

This book has truly become far too depressing for me to handle. I had a great affection for the first two installments, but unfortunately, I found myself halting halfway through this particular one and simply couldn't bring myself to finish it.

The overall tone and content of this book were just too overwhelming and draining. It seemed to lack the charm and excitement that had initially drawn me in.

As a result, I have no intention of reading the remaining two books in the series. I'm not sure if it's just a personal preference or if there were other factors at play, but this experience has left me feeling rather disappointed.

I guess sometimes, even the best series can take an unexpected turn that doesn't quite resonate with every reader.

I know. I am late to this series. Many reviews have already been written. However, I am really enjoying this series and reading through them at a fairly quick pace. In the coming months and even years, I will be reading the ongoing sets of the Baxter books. This is because I have other things on my To Be Read (TBR) list, such as book club books for the library and the yearly book challenge I participate in, which pushes me to read books I wouldn't normally pick up.

This particular book focuses on Luke and Reagan, and as usual, the rest of the family also gets their share of the spotlight. The story takes place just after 9/11. Luke has run away from God with great speed and has fully immersed himself in worldly behavior. His mom, dad, and siblings pray fervently for him. At the beginning of this series, he was like the prodigal son's brother, judging others and following God in a legalistic way. But when he himself falls into sin, he can't handle it and can't see a way out with God, so he abandons everything. It's really sad, but this kind of thing happens in many families. As parents, we pray and pray that God will call His wandering children back home. I know I am one of those parents.

I am using this book for the The 52 Book Club 2024 Challenge prompt #43 - About finding identity (both personally and especially spiritually in this book). It will be interesting to explore how the characters in the book search for and discover their true identities, both in the physical world and in their spiritual lives. I'm looking forward to delving deeper into this aspect of the story and seeing how it unfolds.

I have an intense love for Karen's writing style. It's truly captivating and engaging.

Moreover, I have a great passion for learning about the Baxter family. Their stories are so real and relatable.

In this particular story, I really appreciated getting to know Luke better. His character development was truly remarkable. And I also learned more about Ashley, which was a great bonus.

What I truly appreciate about Karen's writing is that she doesn't shy away from writing about the struggles that any family could face. Life isn't always easy and filled with roses. It's about those faith-shattering circumstances, those times when we walk away from God and then find our way back. It's about the power of family love, no matter what challenges come their way.

I also love how she weaves the story around events that have truly taken place in our world. It makes the story even more relevant and impactful.

Although I'm not a big reader, in the last 10 months, I have managed to read six books by Ms. Kingsbury. And now, I'm excitedly moving on to the fourth book in the Baxter series, Rejoice! I can't wait to see what new adventures and lessons await me.

I came across a variety of reviews regarding this book. Some people said it wasn't the finest in the series. However, I held a completely different opinion.

I managed to finish reading this book in less than a week. Right from the moment I saw the front cover, it had me hooked.

It was more profound and weighty compared to her other books. It was filled with a plethora of emotions and genuine feelings.

Despite its depth, it was an incredibly good and quick read! I couldn't put it down. It truly captivated me and kept me engaged throughout.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story that is both emotional and fast-paced. It's a real gem that shouldn't be missed.

4.5/5

This is the third book in an extensive series that chronicles the Baxter family. I am continuously amazed at how captivating the stories remain, just like in the first book.

Every time I assume that things might have settled down for the Baxter family, another unexpected event occurs. "Return" commences immediately after the conclusion of the second book, "Remember," and it follows a prodigal son-like narrative with a central theme of "returning to your first love." While all five Baxter siblings are grappling with significant turning points in their lives, this particular story focuses on Luke Baxter and his estrangement from his faith. Luke's story strikes a particularly strong chord with me as I have experienced a similar situation in the past. Consequently, I have been deeply engaged in the outcome of his journey. His story persists beyond this book, and I adore the way his siblings and parents offer their support and come together around him, each in their unique manner, as Luke endeavors to sort things out for himself. At times, it is painful for them and, by extension, for me to read, but the story is truly outstanding.

I cherish this series for its sweetness and the glimmer of hope it offers, as well as the gentle way in which each sibling and their trials are portrayed. The level of drama is still substantial, providing a highly engaging topic for discussion with my dear friend, with whom I am buddy-reading this series.

About halfway through this series, and I was truly ready for this book to come to an end. There could be several reasons for this. Maybe it was because I had the distinct feeling that Ashley's story had overshadowed Reagen and Luke's. It seemed as if Ashley's narrative had taken center stage, pushing the other characters' stories to the background.

Perhaps it was also the bittersweetness I felt regarding Kari and Ryan. I'll admit, I really missed Tim and the person he was evolving into. And I was quite angry when it was stated that it was wrong for Kari to marry him. But, well, whatever the case may be.

Another factor that contributed to my eagerness for the book to end was the fact that conversations kept being rehashed over and over again. It got to the point where I felt like I was skimming through the same content repeatedly. The miscommunication (which seemed rather stupid at times) prevailed throughout the story. And it was clear that in this family, there was no hope of keeping a secret. Once something was shared, it was bound to spread like wildfire.

By the end of the book, I was simply tired and longing for a different story. I'm hoping that the next book in the series will offer me a fresher perspective and a new breath of air.

The baby of the Baxter family, Luke, has made a drastic decision. He has left his family and everything he has ever believed in.

One aspect that is vividly "painted" in this book is Luke's transformation into a "free thinker". He now thinks outside the box, does whatever feels right in the moment, and believes it's okay to be involved with more than one person at a time. He has let go of the "archaic-religious-strangling" morals he was raised with.

Luke is insistent that his family should accept the new him and his lifestyle, yet he is completely unaccepting of them. He wants the freedom to say whatever he wants, while expecting them to keep their opinions to themselves. This is a phenomenon I have witnessed in numerous situations in life and society. Those who break away from the norm to be "free and accepting of new ideas" often turn out to be very closed-minded towards those who don't agree with them.

I am now extremely curious to finish the series. Many changes have occurred among the various members of the family. The fundamental question remains the same: "How strong is our faith when tested?" Is our faith like a deep lake that can endure both rain and drought? Or is it more like a temporary lake that appears after a heavy rain overloads the drain system and disappears just as quickly after the storm?

Once again, there is an incredibly beautiful book about the Baxter family. It catches my attention that in each book, intense topics are addressed. In the previous part, it mainly dealt with Alzheimer's and September 11th. In this book, it is about abortion, turning against one's family, and the terrible news that Ashley receives (I won't go into this further here, as otherwise I would give away too much about the book). All these are topics that make you think deeply...

I am also becoming increasingly curious about the other books of Karen Kingsbury, because she writes with an incredibly amount of feeling. Truly an incredibly beautiful series!

Kingsbury's ability to bring these complex and often sensitive topics to life in a way that engages the reader is truly remarkable. Her characters are so well-developed that you feel as if you know them personally. The Baxter family series has become a favorite of mine, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us in the future books.

I have a deep affection for her older books, and this particular one is no exception.

Whenever I pick up this book, it's like embarking on a wonderful journey. The stories she weaves in these older works are often filled with charm and authenticity.

The characters come to life on the pages, making me feel as if I'm right there with them, experiencing their joys and sorrows.

Her writing style in these older books has a certain warmth and familiarity that draws me in and keeps me engaged from start to finish.

It's as if she is sharing her most precious thoughts and ideas with me through the medium of these books.

I truly cherish these older works of hers and will continue to revisit them time and time again.

This was probably my favorite book so far.

I was really excited when I started reading it, and I just could not stop.

This book had a plethora of twists and turns that were not always foreseeable, which I truly liked.

The story was filled with unexpected events that kept me on the edge of my seat.

One of the things I loved most about this book was the faithfulness of the family.

Their love and grace for each other were palpable and heartwarming.

It was beautiful to see how they supported and cared for one another through thick and thin.

The relationships between the family members were complex and well-developed, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

Overall, this book was a captivating and enjoyable read that I would highly recommend to others.