I’m going to share my thoughts for the series overall in bullet points:

* In these books, we encounter a faith that is both incredibly simple and astonishingly nourishing to the soul. It's a faith that doesn't require complex theological debates but rather offers a profound connection to something greater.

* The Baxters represent the ideal. It's not that they are without flaws or imperfections; in fact, they are very human. But what makes them ideal is that they show us the power of putting God at the center of a family. When God is given the highest place, amazing things can happen within the family unit.

* Every member of the Baxter family is granted their humanity. They have doubts about God, question Him, and sometimes turn away from both Him and each other. They make mistakes, go against their convictions and virtues. This realism makes the characters relatable and allows us to see ourselves in their struggles.

* Luke and Ashley have become the most meaningful characters to me. Perhaps it's because I see so much of myself in their stories. Ashley endures trauma as a result of her rebellion, while Luke makes a series of bad choices due to what he later realizes is a shallow and self-righteous faith. Their experiences mirror a three-year period of my own life during my early college years.

* Lori Callahan is a striking side character. She never finds redemption in these books, but in her, we see how often the waywardness of our hearts is influenced by others. Luke is led astray not because of Lori herself but because he opened his ear to her in a vulnerable time. This serves as a reminder of the importance of being careful who we allow to speak into our lives.

* The loss of Elizabeth in the final book was truly devastating. Kingsbury's writing is so powerful that it makes you care deeply for the characters and almost feel as if you are part of their lives.

* The series' focus on family cannot be overemphasized. Family is at the heart of this story, and God is at the center of this family. Coming from a Christian home and having经历过 my own "black sheep" phase, facing medical crises with family members, and dealing with negative relationships in church circles, I can attest to the realism of this series.

* In many ways, the experiences of the central characters seem parabolic. We watch as they go through a series of tragedies, triumphs, losses, and miracles. Each event and character's decision serves a purpose, illustrating both biblical and real-world truths.

* I also appreciated the way these books depicted prayer as a relational experience. Characters have conversations with God and often hear His still small voice in response. This challenges me personally, as I often spend so much time praying that I forget to listen.

* Most importantly, these books unlocked parts of my heart that I didn't know existed. Watching the characters' experiences with love, whether it's falling in love, resisting love, learning to love, running from love, or opening themselves up to love, awakened a longing in me. It also helped me realize how my own past experiences and failures have affected my relationship with love.

* These books were deeply impactful and profoundly memorable, and I'm excited to continue with the spin-off series.

This book truly had me completely captivated from the very first sentence.

It served as a beautiful culmination and ending for this remarkable series.

I found myself on an intense emotional edge all the way to the very end.

And then, boom!

No, I most definitely did not see that particular turn of events coming.

The story had me hooked, my emotions were constantly in turmoil as I eagerly devoured each page.

The author's writing was so engaging that I was completely immersed in the world of the characters.

The build-up throughout the series led to this final moment, which was both unexpected and satisfying.

I will definitely be recommending this book and series to all my friends who love a good story that keeps them on the edge of their seats.

It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys a thrilling and emotional literary experience.

This book truly tore me up!

I have an absolute passion for everything related to this series. As you immerse yourself in it, you become completely wrapped up in the lives of each character, and it feels as if you have a deep understanding of them. What I really appreciate is how Kingsbury incorporates real-life scenarios into her books. It's not simply a feel-good Christian book; rather, it delves into topics such as pain, addiction, infidelity, child trauma, and so much more.

The most wonderful aspect is that Jesus serves as the thread that binds all these elements together throughout the difficult (and also the good) aspects of life. This is an absolute must-read series!

I'm incredibly excited to embark on reading the next installment and continue exploring the captivating world that Kingsbury has created.

The ending of the redemption series truly had me in tears. It was so powerful and emotional that it left a lasting impact on me. This series has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. The characters are so well-developed and the storylines are engaging and heartwarming. I have been completely captivated by the Baxter family and their journey.

I can't wait to read the rest of the Baxter books. I know that each one will be just as精彩 as the redemption series. I am sure that I will continue to be moved and inspired by these stories. The Baxter books have a special place in my heart and I will cherish them always.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good family drama. It is a must-read for all book lovers.

If you have read the entire series, you are well aware of what lies in store for you in this installment regarding Elizabeth. I can only say that the emotional impact this book has had on my heart and my faith is attributed to my dear grandma Judy. I love you and miss you more and more each day, but I know that one day we will joyously reunite.

As for the other characters, their stories persist and are filled with astonishing twists and turns. I am truly looking forward to delving into the next series, titled Firstborn. I am eager to see how the adventures and developments of these beloved characters will unfold.

The world created within these books is so captivating that it keeps drawing me in, making me eager to discover what comes next. I am confident that the Firstborn series will be just as engaging and thrilling as the previous ones.

I can't wait to embark on this new literary journey and continue to be a part of the lives of these remarkable characters.

The Baxter Family series is a captivating family drama and romance series. Each book in the series focuses on a different member of the Baxter family, yet there are common threads that run throughout all of the books. One such thread is the family's unwavering faith in God, which serves as a source of strength and comfort during the many trials and tribulations they face. Another thread is the steadfastness of the family unit itself, which remains intact despite the incredible amount of tragedy and loss they endure.

After reading the series for the first time, I remember thinking that only a masochist would want to marry into the Baxter family, given the seemingly endless stream of tragedies they experience. However, it is important to note that they do ultimately make it through everything, and their stories are filled with grace, wisdom, and redemption. That being said, if you are not in the mood for a tearjerker, this series may not be the best choice for you.

This particular book initially seems to be Erin's story. She and her husband have been on a long and difficult journey with infertility, and they are now attempting to adopt a baby. They face several challenging and even illegal situations along the way, but they finally reach their goal of becoming a family. However, their story ends rather abruptly, as the author quickly moves on to something else.

The real primary storyline in this book is Elizabeth Baxter's terminal cancer diagnosis and her last few months of life as she says goodbye to her beloved family. It is an absolutely heartbreaking story, and as someone who has watched a loved one go through the end stages of cancer, I can attest to the fact that it was at times difficult to get through. So, a trigger warning is definitely in order.

Despite the sadness of Elizabeth's story, a new family member is introduced during her end stages. This part of the book is interesting and leaves the reader eager to see what will happen in the next book. Overall, while this book is not without its flaws, it is a powerful and moving addition to the Baxter Family series.

These books can best be compared to a Netflix series that you get addicted to and want to binge-watch in one go.

I have indeed read a lot in the past period and truly devoured this series.

So much happens in the Baxter family that it is never boring. It is written in such a way that you see the situations in detail and it completely draws you into all the emotions that come along.

Faith plays a big role, which I have come to appreciate more and more while reading the series, inspiring and educational.

In short: wonderful! I will take a break for a while, but I will take the Baxter sequel series about Dayne Matthews with me on vacation!

This is the fifth book in the Baxter Family/Redemption series by Karen Kingsbury.

There are five (or really six) Baxter children. The first four books mainly focused on one of the kids. The others were involved and discussed, but the issues of one child were the main part of each book. So, I initially thought Erin and her adoption struggles would be the main focus of this book. Erin was indeed involved, and her adoption experience was a significant part, but she wasn't really the main focus. She was probably the third topic in this book.

The main focus of this book is that the cancer that Elizabeth has been struggling with has returned. How do the kids react? How do John and Elizabeth handle cancer and all that it brings? How does terminal cancer affect their faith? How does a Christian face death? How do you react when God doesn't answer your prayers the way you think He should?

Kingsbury does an excellent job of showing God's Word and its applicability even when things aren't going well for you. We all have one thing in common - we will all die. Some at a young age, some at an old age. Some quickly, some over a long period. Some painfully, some with little pain. I will always remember "Your will be done" instead of my will. I will also always remember that we should not fear death because God will be with us, helping us make the transition to going home.

The second biggest part of this book is Dayne Matthews and his involvement with the Baxter family. I won't go into his connection with the Baxter family as I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read the story yet.

I am looking forward to the upcoming stories that will provide more background on Dayne Matthews and his connection to the Baxters and to God.

Love the storyline.

Dealing with terminal cancer and its effects on the family is not very common in Christian fiction, and it's well done. The author has managed to bring out the emotions and challenges that come with such a difficult situation in a very realistic way.

I do feel there are a bit too many other storylines that the book jumps around between. It sometimes felt like the main one was weakened by not having as much space as it could have. However, this didn't take away from the overall impact of the story.

But definitely a book I will re-read. And kudos to Kingsbury for not tying it all up with a pretty little bow by having her miraculously healed. As is pointed out in the book, we all will die, and it doesn't have to be something the Christian fears. This adds a layer of authenticity and depth to the story that is truly refreshing.

The characters are well-developed and the writing is engaging, making it a page-turner from start to finish. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a meaningful and thought-provoking read.

Book #5, the final installment in the series, is truly a heart-wrenching tale that will bring tears to your eyes.

It tells the story of a profound loss, yet also offers a glimmer of hope. The line “Yes, her body was gone, but she would never leave him. She would live on in the memories he would cherish, in the years and decades his family still had left together” beautifully captures the essence of how love endures even after death.

As the story progresses, we are led to a moment of great significance. “The greatest reunion of all, one that would see Hayley running the streets of heaven, and no more tears for anyone!” This powerful image gives us a sense of closure and a belief that in the end, all will be well.

The book takes us on an emotional journey, making us feel the pain of loss and the joy of reunion. It is a must-read for anyone who loves a story that touches the heart.

First, I want to say that I truly relished the entire series. However, this review is specifically focused on just this book.

I was really impressed by how the author skillfully intertwined all the stories of each of the Baxter siblings. We are continuously privy to some of their misfortunes, only to then be shown their blessings. Just as in real life, we encounter trials, but then manage to overcome those situations.

While one might anticipate a Christian book to have a happy ending in the sense of everyone living happily ever after, it was actually quite refreshing to read a book with a more realistic conclusion. I deeply appreciated the reminder of how we can incorporate God into our times of sadness or when we might experience a sense of lost hope.

I believe in my reviews of the other books I mentioned this, and I'll repeat it again... I love how throughout this book, right up until the end, there are references to the Bible.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the entire series. The author is truly very enjoyable to read.

Heartbreakingly beautiful!

It is truly a perfect end to the beginning of a fantastic series of books. These books have the power to capture your heart and have a profound influence on your life.

The storylines are engaging, filled with emotions that will tug at your heartstrings. The characters are vividly portrayed, making you feel as if you know them personally.

Each book in the series builds upon the previous one, creating a rich and immersive world that you will not want to leave. Whether you are a fan of fantasy, romance, or adventure, this series has something for everyone.

Prepare to be swept away by the beauty and power of these books, and let them change your perspective on life.