This is a reread for me.

It has been a significant number of years since I last delved into the story of the Baxter Family.

However, my affection for them remains as strong as ever.

The Baxter Family is truly a remarkable and engaging group.

Each member has their own unique personality, struggles, and joys.

As I embark on this reread, I am excited to once again immerse myself in their world.

I look forward to reliving their experiences, sharing in their triumphs, and empathizing with their difficulties.

The Baxter Family has a way of drawing me in and making me feel like I am a part of their lives.

It is a testament to the author's skill in creating such vivid and relatable characters.

This reread is not just a simple重温; it is an opportunity to deepen my understanding and appreciation of the Baxter Family and their story.

I can't wait to see what new insights and emotions this reread will bring.

This book is centered around The Baxter's.

John and Elizabeth are the parents who have 5 adult children namely Erin, Brooke, Kari, Ashley, and Luke.

The narrative of the book delves into the various aspects of family life that they encounter on a daily basis. It encompasses a wide range of emotions such as love, which binds the family together, loss that brings a sense of emptiness, grief that follows the loss, happiness that brightens their days, and sadness that sometimes clouds their lives.

As I was reading, I had the distinct feeling that I was acquainted with each and every one of them. I firmly believe that an author has accomplished a remarkable feat when the readers can establish a connection with the characters as if they were real individuals.

Undoubtedly, I will complete the entire series. I have developed a profound affection for the Baxters and their story, and I am eager to follow their journey in the subsequent installments.

A Good Read

Reading is a wonderful activity that can transport us to different worlds, expand our knowledge, and ignite our imagination. A good read has the power to captivate our attention from the very first page and keep us engaged until the last. It can make us laugh, cry, think deeply, and feel a whole range of emotions.

A good book is like a trusted friend that we can turn to whenever we need some entertainment or inspiration. It can take us on adventures, introduce us to new cultures and ideas, and help us understand the human experience in a deeper way. Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, a thought-provoking non-fiction book, or a beautifully written work of literature, a good read has the ability to enrich our lives and make us better people.

So, the next time you're looking for something to do, pick up a good book and let yourself be swept away by its pages. You never know what kind of journey it might take you on.

An older book, but a truly remarkable one.

The main protagonist is Kari Baxter, who discovers that her husband is having an affair. Oh, the turmoil that poor woman endures as she firmly believes that God is guiding her to hold onto her marriage, despite her husband's request for a divorce. I struggle to relate as I'm not certain I could be so forgiving. However, it serves as a great inspiration nonetheless.

It's a captivating story that showcases God's unwavering faithfulness, even when we may falter. It emphasizes the importance of being faithful to Him and witnessing the amazing things He can accomplish. It delves into our fears, frustrations, and anger, and reveals how surrendering them to God can bring a profound stillness to our hearts. A relevant quote from Mark 4 comes to mind as the disciples were out on the Sea of Galilee.

"The wind and waves were wild, tossing the boat like a child’s toy until the disciples cried out for their Teacher’s help….Where was Jesus? Sleeping at the back of the boat. But at their desperate request, He rose and stretched His hand out toward the sea. ‘Be still!’ he said. And suddenly the wind and waves grew calm again.”

Kari's father is somewhat similar to how I envision Karen Kingsbury's co-author, Gary Smalley, a devout Christian, a dedicated husband, and a loving father. It's truly heartwarming to see him pour his love and prayers into his children. His words of wisdom are ones that I will cherish in my heart for many years to come.

All in all, it's a wonderful book that is well worth my recommendation.

I was truly and pleasantly surprised by just how much I adored this book. It was brought to my attention by a kind woman from church who told me that I simply must read it. The characterization within the book was of such a high quality that I found myself feeling as if I truly knew the adult Baxter siblings. I am now eagerly looking forward to delving into the rest of the series to uncover what lies ahead in their lives.

This particular installment predominantly focused on Kari, who discovers the heart-wrenching news of her husband's infidelity. The manner in which they handle this difficult situation was both refreshing and painful for me. I have to confess that I managed to guess how it would ultimately end, but that's just me - always attempting to figure out the direction of the plot. Nevertheless, I still thoroughly enjoyed the journey that led me there. :)

Two quotes really stood out to me. The first one being, "God will always honor your choice. If ever you decide not to put God first, God will always honor your choice" (135). I thought this was an extremely profound point. We are the ones who make the conscious decision about whether to follow God or to follow our own selves, and God will allow the consequences that stem from following our own desires.

The second quote was, "When they were kids it all seemed so easy. They went to church and believed, and in return God took care of them and made sure everything worked out the way it was supposed to" (213). Hmmmm, I'm still trying to process that one. It does seem like an immature understanding, for sure. The character who had this thought is currently struggling with her faith, and I would venture to guess that her understanding is part of the reason. The Bible most definitely never promises that our lives will be easy simply because we follow the Lord. I think there are far too many people who hold this sort of expectation and then find themselves struggling when life throws challenges their way. I believe that's one of the main reasons why I am so thoroughly enjoying this series (as I immediately moved on to the second book before writing this review) - real life is happening to the Baxter family, and that makes them so relatable.

One thing that I have often grappled with when reading Christian fiction is the manner in which the authors depict the impact of the Lord in people's lives. All too frequently in Christian fiction, it can seem rather superficial.

However, this book, for me, almost hit the nail on the head. I adored how the characters' relationship with the Lord was an integral part of their lives. I loved how the characters spoke words that felt genuine rather than uttering words that were anticipated of them based on their religious convictions.

The writing was extremely well-executed. I was hooked right from the first chapter. I was eager to stay and see how this story would conclude for these characters.

In fact, I got teary-eyed at times, had a few laughs, experienced heartbreak, and saw myself in the family.

It's sad that this story has come to an end, but I am extremely pleased to discover that there are four additional stories in the series. I can't wait to embark on those reading adventures and continue to explore the lives of these characters and their relationship with the Lord.

The Baxter family series begins with a rather tumultuous situation. Kari, a central character in this family, finds herself in a heart-wrenching position. Her husband, whom she had loved and trusted, has engaged in an affair. This discovery shatters her world and sends shockwaves through the entire Baxter family. Kari is left to grapple with a whirlwind of emotions - betrayal, anger, sadness, and confusion. The family, too, is affected as they witness Kari's pain and try to support her through this difficult time. The affair not only strains Kari's marriage but also tests the bonds within the Baxter family. How will Kari cope with this new reality? Will the family be able to hold together in the face of this crisis? These questions linger as the story unfolds, setting the stage for a complex and emotional exploration of love, loyalty, and family in the Baxter family series.

Karen Kingsbury takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride in the story of Redemption. Personally, this one was extremely painful. However, I don't mean it in a negative way. Instead, it felt so real and relevant that my heart ached from start to finish.

My favorite elements of this story are as follows. Firstly, although there are main characters, it is not written from the perspective of just one or two characters. The lives of the Baxter family and their nearest and dearest are explored individually, with some receiving more attention than others. Secondly, the Word of God informs us of many things, but how does that look in reality? Karen Kingsbury paints a beautiful, truthful, and painful picture, bringing Biblical principles to life. Thirdly, I love how scripture is used. Fourthly, I love that God has his own voice. Fifthly, I love that the consequences of disobeying God's principles are emphasized throughout the story. It makes you stop, reflect, and examine your heart and your personal walk as a believer in Christ.

Overall, I adored this story. It made me cry, scream, shout, cry again, and also smile. Karen Kingsbury's writing is highly captivating. I can't wait to read more about the lives of the Baxter family in this series. I'm hooked! I listened to the audio version, narrated by Sandra Burr, and I give her 5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this on audio and finished it within 48 hours.

This book is recommended to all Christian contemporary fiction fans. Don't let the fact that it was written 16 years ago deter you. This story is just as relevant now as it was when it was first written. However, a warning: if you have faced adultery challenges in your marriage, this story may be very raw and difficult to read.

I really don't know how she manages to do it.

I had only read a few chapters, but I quickly got extremely hooked.

It's truly amazing that I felt so attached to almost every single character.

I keep wondering how she writes in such a way that makes me establish that kind of connection.

It's kind of wild and不可思议.

Her writing style must have some kind of magic that draws the readers in and makes them feel so involved with the story and the characters.

I can't wait to continue reading and see what else she has in store for me.

It's like she has this special ability to create a world that I just can't get enough of.

I'm really looking forward to uncovering more of the mysteries and emotions in her writing.

I think a great number of people rate this book highly for the message it conveys: Love is a Decision.

If my assessment were based solely on this aspect, I too would award it five stars. Karen truly presented the theme in a beautiful and engaging manner.

However, I don't simply read for a theme or a message. I desire an intriguing plot and fully developed characters. I need a clear demarcation between the different points of view I'm reading from.

For me, this was the most significant issue. There were so many characters who seemed indistinguishable, felt the exact same emotions, and described them in the exact same way. I understand that this is the first book in a series, but there were an excessive number of unnecessary characters and thoughts introduced, to the point where it became overwhelming at times.

This is my second Kingsbury novel, and to be honest, I was disappointed. The plot of this book and A Time to Dance was almost identical: a cheating husband, a dedicated wife, and a supporting family that doesn't quite understand. The plot held no surprises for me whatsoever. I accurately predicted the ending when I reached the forty percent mark, resulting in an \\"I told you so\\" conclusion.

I do have a genuine interest in Christian fiction and would be willing to try other books. I'm just not certain if they will be Karen Kingsbury's works.

My original review from 2 years ago:

This is my favorite book of the series. I liked it. I admit, I wanted Kari to leave her husband and go with Ryan, but it all happened differently. It was good.

My review now:

I have completely changed my mind. I still really like this book. (It was almost 4.5 stars for me.) It made me cry, and I thought it had funny moments, but most of all, the majority of it all felt real. I liked Kari. She was such a kind, yet flawed, individual. I find it sad to see how many Christians that have read this book didn't support Kari's decision to stay with her husband despite his unfaithfulness. There is nothing more Scriptural. Although adultery is the only grounds on which God allows divorce, it's obvious throughout the whole Bible that he does not like it. In fact, he hates divorce. Kari's choice to remain with Tim is what would please God more.

I liked all the other characters, and I really like the Baxter family. I changed my mind in the sense that I wanted Kari's marriage with Tim to work, and to last. I didn't want her to end up with Ryan. In fact, I barely liked Ryan this time around. Especially after the that little "fling" with Ashley.

Karen Kingsbury writes well, and some of what she wrote was somewhat cheesy, but the majority of it wasn't, at least not for me. I think this is my favorite of all the books she's written that I've read. Sometime soon I look forward to reading the rest of the Baxter series. :)

09/17/20 Update:

I really enjoyed this book again, though I found Ryan annoying. I felt bad for Tim and Kari. I hated that he had to die. I felt like it was pointless, though profound in a way. It showed the consequence of his decision. But it also took away from a lovely story.

I don’t really understand why some Christian people say that it was wrong for Karen Kingsbury to have Kari want to stay with Tim. There are definitely Scriptural bases for separation and divorce. However, Jesus never said people had to divorce when there was unfaithfulness. And the point seems to be not that married people always have to stay together, but that there are some cases were sticking to commitment truly is the right and loving choice. Maybe we would do well to listen to that.

This is truly an extremely bad book.

The character development within it is absolutely nil. There is no growth or evolution of the characters throughout the story.

The writing itself is of very poor quality. It lacks elegance, finesse, and the ability to engage the reader on a deeper level.

You initially want to care about the characters, but as you progress through the book, you realize that they possess no redeeming qualities whatsoever. They are one-dimensional and uninteresting.

The only character who seemed somewhat real in the entire book was the father. However, even his character was not developed enough to truly make an impact.

I am extremely sorry to have wasted both my time and the precious space on my Kindle app with this book. It is definitely one that I will be removing without a second thought.