I just finished reading this book not even a minute ago. And let me just say, I have not put down the tissue yet.

I was hesitant to read this series because I was afraid it would be too Hallmarky. (Yes, I like Hallmark during Christmas.) However, what I actually found out is how relatable these stories were!

I am so glad I picked up this series. Honestly, I am going to probably read the rest of the Baxter family books. I had read two other books by Karen Kingsbury before. The first one I was not too impressed with. But now, the Baxters have my heart!

The characters in this book are so well-developed and the storylines are engaging. It's like I'm a part of their lives. I laughed, I cried, and I felt all the emotions in between.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good family drama with a touch of romance. You won't be disappointed!

This book truly had a profound impact on me, breaking me in more ways than one.

I don't recall ever crying as intensely while reading a book as I did when I read Karen's 9/11 series. And this one, Reunion, was written with such beauty and elegance.

The emotions it evokes are so powerful that I highly recommend having a box of Kleenex beside you, dear readers, when you embark on this reading journey.

You will most definitely need them! The story weaves a web of love, loss, and redemption that tugs at your heartstrings and doesn't let go.

It makes you feel every single emotion along with the characters, and by the end, you'll be left in a state of both heartbreak and hope.

It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

HEARTBREAKING.

I am completely at a loss for words when it comes to describing this book. It was a truly bittersweet experience to read. On one hand, it was so beautifully written that I was completely engrossed in Elizabeth's story. On the other hand, it was heartbreaking to watch her journey come to an end.

I had fully anticipated that the book would be about Elizabeth's battle with cancer, but I never expected it to end with her death. How could she die? It seems so unfair. And what about the Baxter family? How will they ever be able to move on without her? Dayne only got to know her for an hour before she passed away. It's a tragedy that I don't think I will ever be able to come to terms with.

John, in particular, will have to face the rest of his life without the love of his life. It's just too much to bear. The book was so good, but the ending has left me completely devastated. I don't think I will ever recover from it. And to make matters worse, it happened just 10 days after Ashleigh and Landon finally got married. I can't handle it. This is not okay. I cannot cope. Karen Kingsbury, how dare you create such beautiful characters and then just take them away from us? I am not okay.

Ughh, for the last 20 pages and 30 minutes of this book, I just sobbed and couldn't stop sobbing.

I never cry over books, but this one got me!! Karen Kingsbury has a truly remarkable way of writing.

Her words are so real and authentic that they draw you into the story and make you feel as if you are a part of it.

The emotions she evokes are so powerful that it's impossible not to be affected.

With each turn of the page, you become more and more invested in the lives of the characters.

You feel their joys, their sorrows, and their pain as if they were your own.

This book is a testament to Karen Kingsbury's talent as a writer.

It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good story that will touch their heart and make them cry.

I highly recommend it!

This was truly great.

The Baxter family is set to have a reunion, all because Elizabeth has cancer. When she discovers this, her one wish is to bring her family together for one last time. However, there is only one person missing, and that is Elizabeth and John's firstborn son.

Dayne Matthews, a famous movie star, has a longing to find his birth mother. He has always been aware that he was adopted and yearns to locate his birth family. When he arrives in Bloomington and meets his mother, he makes a decision not to meet his siblings. He does this out of concern that it would subject them to a life in the spotlight.

Another significant event in this book is Ashley and Landon's wedding. They decide to move the wedding up so that Elizabeth can be a part of it. I found the wedding to be simply beautiful.

The ending of the story had a bittersweet quality. The happy part was that Dayne went to the hospital and finally met his birth mom, just moments before she passed away.

It was an awesome book, as usual!

A Sad but Expected Ending

The Redemption Series by Karen Kinsbury has come to a conclusion that is both sad and poignant. However, it is also heartwarming to know that all of Elizabeth's kids and grandkids were by her side when her life ended. This ending brings a sense of closure to the story, yet it also inserts a lead-in to the oldest brother that no one knew about. This brother will be the focus of the Firstborn Series, which I have already downloaded. I am eager to see how his story unfolds and how it will connect to the events of the Redemption Series. Overall, while the ending of the Redemption Series is bittersweet, it has left me with a sense of anticipation for what is to come in the Firstborn Series.

Never to be forgotten!

"Reunion" is truly one of the most powerful books I have ever had the privilege of reading. It is a literary masterpiece that delves deep into the human experience. God's presence seems to be intricately woven into every single detail of the story. His boundless love, grace, and mercy are vividly evidenced in the lives of each and every character. The pain they endure is palpable, almost as if it leaps off the pages and into our hearts. But in the midst of all this turmoil and suffering, we can see God's hand at work, providing a source of comfort that soothes our tears. Although "Reunion" is classified as a novel, it feels like a true reflection of real life, with all its joys, sorrows, and moments of unwavering faith. It is a book that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page, leaving an indelible mark on your soul.

This is the fifth book in the series,

yet I have an intuition that it is not the conclusion of the Baxter family saga.

Each book within the series centers on a distinct sibling and their respective issues,

however, none of the books can truly be regarded as an independent narrative.

The storylines seem to persist into the subsequent books.

In this final installment, the matriarch of the family is unfortunately afflicted with a serious illness,

and how she and the family manage her ailment is the core of the novel.

But there is also a secondary narrative regarding a secret that the parents have been withholding from their children.

This series has an overall impression of a Christian soap opera,

if such a thing exists, with all the overpowering emotions and intense Christian "preachiness,"

yet not very engaging writing.

The plots are mostly foreseeable and rather trite,

and I'm not certain,

but it appears as if the characters never undertake anything – and I mean anything at all –

without praying about it and informing you that they are praying about it.

This series is overly forceful in its witnessing

but fails to hit the mark as well-written inspirational Christian fiction.

I read this either in college or in high school, so it has been a while.

Yet the series was truly enjoyable to read. It has the remarkable ability to transport you into the intricate challenges and intense struggles that the characters face, and guide you through highly realistic situations.

Looking back, however, there are certain parts that I now find less than completely realistic. For instance, Landon "waiting" for Ashley since high school seems rather improbable. In reality, most guys would simply move on with their lives and find another girl to marry. Similarly, the idea of famous Dane Matthews pursuing small-town Katie also stretches the bounds of believability.

Moreover, all of the characters seem to be extremely good-looking. My brother always made fun of me for reading these books, especially when there was an attractive male on the front cover. Haha.

Despite these minor flaws, there is a certain charm and appeal to these stories. There is indeed a bit of a melodramatic element present, but overall, they were both enjoyable and, in a way, helpful for me when I was younger. They provided an escape from reality and allowed me to immerse myself in the lives of the characters.

Karen Kingsbury truly possesses an extraordinary gift for storytelling.

Even though this marks the conclusion of the series, it is evident that it is not the end of our connection with the Baxters.

This has beautifully wrapped up the journey that we have witnessed the Baxter family undertake throughout this series, leading to a culmination that is truly remarkable.

Oops, I must refrain from revealing any spoilers here - it's extremely difficult not to discuss what actually occurs.

The love that their family has for one another and for God is both touching and highly motivating.

It gives the impression of being the kind of family that perhaps every reader dreams of being a part of!

Maybe I am one of the few guys who reads her books, but I constantly find them captivating and emotionally wrenching.

I have conflicting emotions when I finish one of her books because while I am saddened that the story has come to an end, I am also eager to move on and read another one of her wonderful stories.

Wow!

This is truly the fastest I have ever devoured a book!

I am simply enamored with how each installment further immerses us into the lives of the characters within the Baxter family.

This particular one tugged at my heartstrings, yet I adored how Karen artfully weaves elements such as faith, hope, trust, and redemption into the narratives of each life.

Life often doesn't unfold in the manner we envision, and the things we祈求 aren't always what we receive.

However, God is perpetually good, always faithful, and is actively working out His perfect plan in and through us, provided we permit Him to do so.

I was captivated by the vivid imagery in the book regarding being in God's will.

No spoilers here!

I eagerly anticipate the next series!

Over a month has passed since I completed this book, and yet I find myself thinking about it every single day. It's truly难以置信 how much I wept while reading it. This is the fifth installment in the Redemption Series, which follows the Baxter family. And finally - finally - there are some excellent resolutions to the numerous problems that this family has been grappling with throughout the series. Most of the resolutions are truly wonderful, but, of course, Ms. Kingsbury managed to find a way to shatter my heart into a million pieces as well. This family loves each other so deeply, and it has been both a source of joy and pain to follow them for these five books now.

I feel as if I know them on a personal level, and I miss them terribly since I finished this series. The finale did an excellent job of setting up the next two spinoff series. In fact, on the very day that I finished this book, I promptly went out and purchased the next nine books in this universe. I'm just not ready to let go of these characters.