How do I even rate this book lol. (3 stars isn't my real rating; I just had to put up something!) Most of my thoughts are on the reading update.

I don't think I'll be reading more books from the author, not because she's not a good writer. On the contrary, I think she does amazing work with how she draws a myriad of emotions from readers. But while I adore deep love stories, I'm not a fan of books full of twists and sorrows like she often writes about. I also don't love the doubts they've been putting in my head.

On that note, this book was definitely VERY twisty, taking us through possibilities, pulling us back from them, and then making one of those possibilities reality in unexpected ways.

I don't know if it's because I've had a fairly straightforward life, but I feel like books like these make the Christian life feel full of pain and uncertainty. Despite trusting God, Kari just goes from one terrible pain to the next. And it almost gives this impression that God uses his children's lives to play. Kari has no time to heal before the next hard thing is thrown at her, and she's told'my grace is sufficient for you'. Each time I have to remind myself that this is the author's doing and not real life. (Although you should read the author's note yourself to decide on this). Because as Christians we're taught that God doesn't like his children suffering and that our pain is his. But these books seem to show otherwise—even though it might not be conscious to the author.

I feel torn because this is really good storytelling. And based on the series success, she's a writer that has her readers hooked. There are also places I found more understanding about the Christian faith and some Bible verses I loved. I liked characters like John and Elizabeth—they remind me of my mom's love and sharp instinct with her children—and Ryan. The book was interesting enough to keep me reading to the end. It had a lot of good going for it. Based on these qualities, I'd give it a 4.5 stars.

But on the aspect of the message and themes, I'm leaning to a lower rating.

{Spoilers}

A lot of women suffer cheating in their marriages and still stay with their husbands anyway. So Kari staying with Tim isn't anything new. What's different for me is the extent Tim went to humiliate her. Moving in with the mistress like a shameless fool (pardon me), and constantly telling Kari to give him a divorce. Often when the husbands cheat, once they're caught, they (supposedly) get remorseful and beg forgiveness. In that case, I suppose it's a bit easier to forgive and get through it. But Tim kept pushing for a divorce and shaming Kari. That makes it hard to swallow that God will still want Kari to endure the humiliation. Then again, the author says this story was divinely inspired so maybe it's possible, I don't know. I'm just speaking from my 'unmarried girlie opinion'.

The author didn't make Tim possible to root for… at all. His physical description was the type that makes you wonder what Kari sees in him. Then his behavior was so sleazy, dating a student ten years younger. Even toward the end when he and Kari reconciled, he kept calling HIS infidelity 'our issues'. “You all know the issues Kari and I faced last month…”. Instead of “You all know the unfair ways I treated my wife...”. He made his faults an 'us' thing, and that doesn't show a man who feels truly guilty or is owning up to his faults. This part frankly didn't feel divinely inspired, but like the author's oblivion to how selfish Tim sounded.

I think I understand God wanting Tim to be redeemed before he died, but Kari having to endure Tim's horrible unfaithfulness and forgive him, and then have her husband die just when she'd accepted him back into her heart, gives the impression that God constantly puts his children through pain for external reasons. It's the same with One Tuesday Morning. Jake died, and in doing so Jamie knew God and Jake made those around him know Christ just before they all died. But that was him again suffering for other people—losing a chance to see his daughter grow and leaving his beloved wife heartbroken. It's just as how Jamie suffered through losing Eric only to help Eric be a better man to his family. I don't know if this is how Christianity really works, but I find that packaging it this way in books feels discouraging both to new believers, and unbelievers trying to decide if to accept Christ.

It puts a fear in me, honestly, that as a Christian there are great trials ahead just waiting. I've always known life isn't perfect and that being a Christian doesn't magically make it so. But these books feel like Christians responsibility is to suffer great anguish, and it gave me real anxiety recently that I had to talk to my family about.

In a way, while I wait on God to answer a long-running prayer point and the wait has been virtually agonizing, I've found some comfort in reading this and knowing that the wait and the pain of it has a purpose. But compared to what KK's characters go through, my own pain and wait feels like child's play.

I could go on and on. But basically, I have both admiration for the storytelling, protests, and annoyance in equal measure. So I couldn't quite tell you how I feel about this book. (Again 3 stars isn't my real rating; I can't decide on a rating and just had to put up something). But I definitely recommend a read IF you like twisty, non-straightforward books that you can also learn from.

Oh wow!

I was initially a little skeptical about embarking on these books. The reason being that it's Christian fiction, and I wasn't entirely certain how good it would turn out to be. Boy, was I ever wrong!

This first book was truly great, and the second book is proving to be just as excellent. I devoured this one in a mere 2 days. I could hardly put it down.

You find yourself laughing at some points, crying at others, and I completely immersed myself in the emotions of this captivating story.

I am now eagerly anticipating reading more about the Baxter family. Their story has truly hooked me, and I can't wait to see what adventures and challenges they will face next.

It's amazing how these books have managed to draw me in and make me feel so connected to the characters. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a good read that will touch your heart and soul.

Um what… Karen?

Karen is a name that has gained a certain reputation in recent times. It is often associated with a particular type of behavior. A Karen is typically seen as someone who is overly demanding, entitled, and quick to complain. They may cause scenes in public places, argue with employees, or try to get their way by any means necessary.

The term "Karen" has become so popular that it is now used in a wide variety of contexts. It can be used to describe a person's behavior, or even as a general term for someone who is difficult or unpleasant. While it is important to remember that not everyone named Karen is like this, the term has become a shorthand for a particular set of characteristics.

Overall, the phenomenon of the "Karen" is an interesting one. It reflects the changing attitudes and behaviors of society, and shows how certain types of behavior are now being called out and criticized. Whether or not the term will continue to be used in the future remains to be seen, but for now, it has become a part of our cultural lexicon.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book before reading it. However, now that I have, I can say without a doubt that it was well worth the read.

It spoke to me in a number of different ways. It made me step back and look at certain situations from a different perspective. I am truly grateful to God for all that He has done for me. I thank Him for His forgiveness and His unwavering love.

I read a review on here where someone stated that they hated this book. They claimed that it was because they felt the author was trying to push her beliefs rather than write fiction. I completely disagree with this assessment. I think the person was simply upset because they had to face the fact that there are people in the world who truly believe in this type of love, and I am one of them.

Love, in the form of God, has the power to help us overcome anything. I'm really looking forward to finishing the series and continuing to explore the beautiful message it has to offer.

God Bless!

If you have a penchant for bible verses being seamlessly integrated into a sappy romance novel, then this particular book might just be the one for you.

An acquaintance highly recommended it to me. The reason being that the story is set in Bloomington, Ind., a place where both of us had resided at one point, and she absolutely adored the book.

To be fair, it did manage to hold my attention to a certain extent. However, I am far too cynical by nature to truly appreciate the unwavering goodness of the lead character.

In fact, I couldn't help but roll my eyes every time scripture constantly popped into the characters' heads, seemingly out of nowhere, to either motivate or justify their actions.

Moreover, I had a really hard time accepting the fact that the husband went from being a teetotaler to a hapless drunk in just a matter of days after simply sipping his very first white zinfandel.

What I ultimately learned from this experience is twofold: Firstly, don't drink cheap white zinfandel. And secondly, it's probably best to read the Bible and romance novels separately.

What a great book!!!

It truly captivated me from the very first page. The story was so engaging and filled with excitement and adventure.

The characters were well-developed and I found myself really rooting for them throughout the entire book.

The author's writing style was also very unique and easy to follow, which made the reading experience even more enjoyable.

I cannot wait to read the next one! I'm sure it will be just as amazing as this one.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good read.

It's definitely one that you won't want to put down until you've reached the end.

Overall, I give this book a huge thumbs up and can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next.

Karen's books are truly remarkable.

Each and every one of them is filled with real life situations that readers can easily relate to.

The characters in her books are like real people, with their own flaws, dreams, and emotions.

It's as if you are reading about the lives of your own friends and family.

What's more, Karen's books offer spiritual encouragement that can touch the hearts and souls of readers.

Whether you are going through a difficult time or simply looking for some inspiration, her books have the power to uplift and inspire you.

I love all of Karen's books and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a good read that will leave a lasting impression.

They are not just books, but a source of wisdom, inspiration, and hope.

This is the first book of the Redemption series, and it offers the very first glimpse into my second family, The Baxters.

In this book, the focus is on the daughter Kari and her marriage. Her husband wants a divorce, but Kari refuses to give it to him.

Throughout the entire book, Kingsbury constantly turns to scripture to help Kari through this difficult time in her life and to show her ability to resist temptation.

It also demonstrates that by being faithful to God, He will bless and fulfill the desires of your heart in life, even if they are things you never expected.

In my own life's journey, I have felt compelled to think of Kari several times and wonder, "How would Kari Baxter solve this situation?"

This book is a very easy read, and you immediately feel like a part of the very Christian and loving family, the Baxters.

I am currently rereading a Christian fiction series that I first read during my high school days. The story is set in Bloomington, Indiana. Interestingly, this setting holds far greater significance for me now than it did back then.

As I revisit these pages, I find myself more attuned to the details of the town and how they contribute to the overall narrative. The descriptions of the local landmarks, the community spirit, and the everyday life in Bloomington add a layer of authenticity to the story that I may not have fully appreciated before.

Perhaps it is because I have grown older and have gained more life experience. Or maybe it is because I have a deeper understanding of the Christian faith and how it can impact the lives of those who believe. Whatever the reason, rereading this series has been a wonderful experience, and I look forward to seeing how it continues to unfold.

I really liked this book. I was on the edge of my seat and put all my reading enthusiasm into it.

The beginning was difficult as I really had problems keeping track of all the characters. But in the end, everything was great. I think the end of this book is sad but also beautiful. I believe others may see it differently. But if one has one's own faith in the good and in God and Jesus, then what they do and say is actually golden.

My absolute favorite character was Rayen. She was so brave and kind-hearted. She always tried to do the right thing, even when it was difficult. I also liked the way the author described her emotions and thoughts. It made me feel like I was right there with her, experiencing everything she was going through.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story with interesting characters and a powerful message. It really touched my heart and made me think about my own beliefs and values.

I was really hyped up and had high expectations. And it was truly GREAT. In fact, I even considered giving it a full 5 stars because it was great and very inspiring. However, there were certain aspects that fell short for me. So, I decided to provide honest criticism on this Christian fiction book that I did really love.

First of all, the writing style felt rather flat. There was nothing unique or excellent about it, which might be the reason for the following issues I had with it. I never truly got attached to the characters. Even though I loved the story, I just couldn't form a deep connection with them. Also, from the very beginning of the book, I knew what tragedy would take place (aside from the infidelity), so it was just too predictable. Another thing that bothered me was that the faith-filled characters all heard God's voice in the same way, which made it seem a bit unrealistic to me. But on the positive side, it also inspired me to listen to Him in the depths of highly emotional situations! Sadly, again, the writing just didn't quite hit the mark for me. I wanted it to so badly, but I was just disappointed.

Nevertheless, there were some points that I really loved. For instance, God's voice was presented in bold or italicized, which made it stand out. There were so many faith-filled characters, mostly obedient but also human and disobeying at times. I really liked that this book was about infidelity and how God can bring healing after it, even when everyone around you is telling you to leave. It teaches us to be strong and follow God's voice.

This was truly a remarkable book. It was filled with excellent examples of Christian faith, which were not only inspiring but also had the power to encourage one to strive to be a better Christian. The author did not shy away from addressing the real-life hurts and struggles that many people face. This authenticity was greatly appreciated.

It wasn't a simplistic fairy tale set in a beautiful field of roses. Instead, it was the story of Kari Jacobs, whose husband, Tim, was having an affair. While Kari's unwavering commitment to God in her decision to stay with her husband was admirable, I couldn't help but feel that she should have had more anger towards Tim. That aspect of the story seemed a bit unrealistic to me.

However, as the book advanced, I came to appreciate its complexity. It didn't present a picture of a perfect world with only sunshine and rainbows. Instead, it showed the long and arduous process of healing that takes time.

I'm extremely excited to read book 2! I love that this is a series centered around a family, with each member having their own unique story line. I look forward to spending many more wonderful hours immersed in this captivating series.