Months ago, when I first learned of Karen's new release,

I made a firm decision to go back to the very beginning and re-read as many Baxter books as possible before her new book hit the shelves.

I was truly dedicated to this task and managed to read the entire Redemption series.

However, I must admit that I had a bit of a struggle through the last 8 chapters of Reunion.

These chapters seemed to mirror a similar situation that our own family had experienced approximately 4 years ago.

As I read those pages, it was as if all the memories came flooding back, bringing with them a sense of sadness.

Nevertheless, in spite of this sadness, I still found myself enjoying this book.

As a believer, I really treasure the way Karen skillfully incorporates faith and scripture into these highly realistic stories.

It adds a depth and meaning that makes the reading experience even more profound and enriching.

The saddest of the five Redemption series books, this one is yet another outstanding chapter in the Baxter Family chronicles. It is simply filled with faith and contains messages that are relevant for everyone in today's world.

The story takes readers on an emotional journey, exploring the depths of love, loss, and forgiveness. It shows how the Baxter family, despite facing numerous challenges, manages to hold onto their faith and find strength in one another.

Ms. Kingsbury has once again done an excellent job of creating a story that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Her writing is engaging and draws readers in from the very beginning.

Thanks again, Ms. Kingsbury, for sharing this beautiful story with us. It is a reminder that no matter how difficult life may get, there is always hope and that faith can carry us through the toughest of times.

I am only awarding this book 4 stars because it brought me to tears near the conclusion!

This book was extremely sad and truly challenging to get through. I very nearly didn't finish it, yet I had to. It was the final book of the series and I had already journeyed so far! Reading about the matriarch of the family passing away was incredibly tough.

As a mother to two young children and married to my beloved, it was difficult not to envision myself in the story, imagining what it would be like to leave my family behind. Such a heart-wrenching thought.

Karen Kingsbury is an outstanding author. She does an excellent job of making you feel as if you truly know the Baxters. It's such a captivating story with remarkable characters that you can't help but want to keep reading about!

I will state that my favorite part was Ashley and Landon's wedding! I felt as if I was actually there! I will likely read more of the Baxter series in the future, but for now, I will take a break from this emotional roller coaster.

Finally, I would like to add that I find it both encouraging and unique to read about God's voice in each book and how it is prominent and present in their situations. I highly recommend this book, but make sure to have tissues close by!

I absolutely adored this entire series. Each and every character had a unique charm that held my interest captive from start to finish. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, eager to discover more about their lives and the twists and turns that awaited them.

Reunion, without a doubt, was the most captivating installment of the series. It had me in tears on numerous occasions, but I couldn't help but love it. Karen has an extraordinary talent for bringing the pages of her books to life, making the reader feel as if they are right there in the midst of the story.

I have read an abundance of her books, and I can attest to the fact that she is a master storyteller.

If you decide to embark on the journey of reading any of the Baxter Series (excluding the stand-alone titles with Baxter characters), it is of utmost importance to begin at the beginning. Otherwise, the impact of the story may not be as great.

This series is truly remarkable. It is so good that it is well worth the time and effort to read. ❤️

This book was truly wonderful, just like the rest of the series. However, it was also very difficult to read.

It mainly focused on Elizabeth Baxter, the mother and matriarch of the Baxter family, losing her battle with cancer. Having read the Sunrise series, I was aware that she was going to pass away. Nevertheless, I struggled along with the family and never lost hope for a miracle.

I also noticed the grave stone on the front cover of the book in the Baxter’s backyard. If this is meant to be Elizabeth’s, next to the bench where she and John would talk, it doesn't seem right because in the Sunrise series, the family would visit a cemetery with a bench beside the grave.

Anyway, the family gets to say their goodbyes, but a secret between Elizabeth and John persists. They gave up their firstborn son when Elizabeth got pregnant before they were married. They attempted to locate him when Elizabeth first fought cancer in the 90s but were unsuccessful. Instead, Dayne Matthews, a movie star, finds Elizabeth. Through a series of coincidences, Dayne’s entertainment lawyer is in a firm where Luke Baxter is working as an intern/part-time before he obtains his law degree. Dayne is introduced to Luke, and they have no trouble having a conversation. When Luke shows Dayne pictures of his family and his mother, Dayne is hit with a sense of recognition that he has seen Elizabeth’s picture before. He discovers a box marked adoption papers in a storage unit he had with his parents’ belongings. (His parents were killed in a plane crash while doing missionary work.) In the box is a picture that resembles the one on Luke’s desk. Only after hiring a private investigator is the truth confirmed...Elizabeth is his birth mother, and the Baxter’s are his family. Dayne is able to reach his mother’s bedside hours before her death, and they are able to meet for the first time, alone. A nurse sees him but thinks he is Luke.

Ashley and Landon get married. They have to move up their wedding a week earlier due to Elizabeth’s impending death, but the day turns out perfectly.

Kari and Ryan have the Flanigan family over for dinner. We are introduced to the family. Jim works with Ryan coaching football at the college.

Brooke and Peter’s daughter, Hayley, continues to make progress from her drowning.

Erin and Sam are living in Texas. They are waiting to adopt a baby girl, but the baby’s mother, boyfriend, and his friend make Adam and Erin pay them an extra $5000 for “expenses.” Only when they ask for another large sum of money do they call the authorities. Then when the baby is born, the biological mother, Candy, refuses to give up her daughter. But as time passes, Candy becomes more addicted to drugs and leaves her baby with a neighbor to take care of. She doesn't return, and in the meantime, she gets arrested for shooting a man in a drug deal. Because of her jail sentence, and because Candy’s mother will be working on a cruise ship, Erin and Sam not only can adopt the baby, Amy Elizabeth, but also her two sisters, Chloe and Clarisse. Erin and Sam also adopt a baby that was abandoned by its mother, who they name Heidi Joe! So they now have four daughters!

It’s extremely rare for me to shed tears while reading books, and it’s equally uncommon for me to stay up past 1 am engrossed in reading. However, this particular book proved to be a remarkable exception!

This book was by far the most challenging Kingsbury book that I have ever had the opportunity to read.

It delved deep into my own personal experiences with family members and the devastating impact of cancer.

The emotions it evoked were so powerful that I would highly recommend having a box of tissues at the ready.

You will most definitely need them as you journey through this touching and heart-wrenching story.

Despite the difficult subject matter, I found myself completely captivated by the narrative and truly loved this story.

It made me reflect on the importance of family and the strength that can be found in the face of adversity.

Kingsbury has once again managed to create a work that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a story that will touch their heart and stay with them long after they have turned the final page.

Honestly, if Karen Kingsbury had ripped my heart out of my chest and thrown it on the floor in this book, she might have been nicer to me! I spent half of this book crying. (I'm sure it doesn't help that I'm pregnant right now either

This was my absolute favorite of the redemption series. It truly served as a powerful reminder for me to be grateful every single day for the precious gifts in my life - my beloved husband, my dear daughter, and my adorable granddaughters.

I was deeply impressed by how incredibly close the family in the story was. Their unwavering care and support for one another was truly heartwarming. Among all the characters, Ashley was definitely my favorite.

The new series is the Firstborn series, which delves into the lives of more characters within the Baxter family. I am eagerly looking forward to reading that series.

For me, reading Karen's books is not only a source of entertainment but also a means of uplifting my spirit. It allows me to escape into a world filled with love, family, and hope, and always leaves me feeling inspired and rejuvenated.

I can't wait to see what new adventures and emotions the Firstborn series will bring.

The Redemption series is truly wonderful.

It is filled with an abundance of true to life examples that have the power to touch and transform anyone's life.

It is extremely difficult for me to express in words all that I feel about this series. Even if I were to attempt to put into words what my heart has read and is currently processing, it would still fall short.

Even if you don't consider yourself a fan of Karen Kingsbury, I urge you to give this series a chance just this once.

I am eagerly anticipating moving on to the Firstborn series, as I know it will provide me with more nourishment for my soul.

These books have a way of captivating the reader and taking them on an emotional journey that is both profound and life-changing.

I highly recommend the Redemption series to anyone looking for a good read that will leave a lasting impression.

The original article seems a bit brief and perhaps a bit unclear. It states that it finished with more questions than really answers. This could imply that a particular task, discussion, or exploration ended in a state of uncertainty or with more unresolved issues than resolved ones.

This situation is not uncommon in many aspects of life. For example, in scientific research, experiments may lead to new questions that were not initially anticipated. In a debate or discussion, different perspectives may emerge, leaving more questions unanswered than answered. Even in our daily lives, when we make decisions or try to understand a complex situation, we may find ourselves with more questions than answers.

Rather than seeing this as a negative outcome, it can actually be an opportunity for further exploration and learning. The unanswered questions can serve as a starting point for new investigations, discussions, or reflections. By embracing the uncertainty and continuing to seek answers, we can expand our knowledge and understanding. So, while it may be frustrating to finish with more questions than answers, it is also a sign that we are engaged in a process of growth and discovery.

The Worst Book I've Read Lately

This book is truly awful. It gives the impression that it was written by a fourth grader. One has to wonder if the author even considered how the content sounded before sending it off for publication. And does she have an editor at all? There are numerous small but weird contradicting details. I noticed quite a few of these throughout the series, but in this particular book, it was significantly worse. To the extent that I really struggled to finish it. It seems as if all the characters are living in some sort of fairytale world. Maybe there are some people who enjoy this type of literature, but it's definitely not for me. I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone. It's a real let-down and a waste of time.