Family

Firstborn #4

by Karen Kingsbury

A Sensational Trial
When Katy Hart travels to Los Angeles to testify against the knife-wielding fan who tried to kill her, she is hunted by paparazzi who quickly realize she is the mystery woman photographed with movie star Dayne Matthews. Tension and pressure build to a dangerous level as Katy and Dayne seek private moments amidst the frenzy. In the end, Dayne’s celebrity life makes Katy certain that a future with him is all but impossible.

A Life-Changing Decision
As the trial comes to a close, Dayne searches for answers. Not until he talks to his childhood friend does he realize his desperate need for wisdom and direction. Ultimately, his journey leads him to an isolated beach where God makes Dayne’s future as clear as the waters of Cancún. But can he live with the decision God places before him?

A Stunning Discovery
Landon and Ashley Blake are celebrating the happiest days of their lives, enjoying Cole and their newborn son. But Ashley cannot find peace until she finds her older brother—the firstborn Baxter sibling. Her constant questions to her father, John Baxter, have netted nothing. Now she receives news that rocks her world and threatens to end her search in heartbreaking finality.

A story about the search for renewed hope and the desperate need to be loved and to belong.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Romance, Christian Romance, Adult Fiction, Inspirational

345 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.

See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...

Reviews

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s just something special after reading a Karen Kingsbury book for me. A sense of peace and joy as you read the final words of one of her novels.
Family, the fourth book in the Firstborn series, was a tale of the bond that love and family can bring, no matter what life throws at you.
It’s a continuation of Dayne and Katy’s complicated relationship. It’s also a continuation on the Baxter Family’s quest to find out more information about their older brother.
I look forward to reading the last installment of this series and as always my heart will have to process all the emotions that come along with reading a Baxter family story.

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading other reviews regarding FAMILY, and the Firstborn series as a whole, I would say I have to agree with some of the more critical reviews regarding redundancy, exaggeration, and rehashing of the same scenes. But because I wanted to continue with the series, and see where the Baxter family ends up before I move onto the Sunrise series, I had to learn to recognize the tells of Ms. Kingsbury digressing into a reflective moment and condition myself to skim the large authorial or superfluous sections.

Dayne and Katy are the typical Romeo and Juliet. Their relationship is made up of clandestine moments, others keeping them apart, a love so deep it aches, and the feeling as if life is not complete without the other. Thankfully, Dayne and Katy don’t end up like their counterparts.

This installment in the series is a lot of back and forth between Katy and Dayne. At times, I felt like pulling my hair out because of the conjured up reasons they both kept coming up with that would make their relationship too difficult to continue. But, the highlights –the courtroom scenes, the times Katy and Dyne are together, and a fulfilling ending, is enough to keep true Kingsbury fans connected. The series could’ve easily been wrapped up in three books, but hey, Ms. Kingsbury and Tyndale House Publishers know a good thing when they have it. And no matter how repetitive the stories, I am still committed to finishing the series so I can move on to the next.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review may not be entirely fair because once again I was given this audiobook by someone else & it turned out to be like the fourth in the series. So I found that although I followed the story well enough I really didn't have much investment in the characters.

Pretty standard romance plot between a hollywood movie star & a regular person plus a trial involving a crazy stalker.

Strong Christian theme too, which is certainly admirable, but personally as a Christian I find it a bit hard to swallow. As a Christian I don't really get the personal whispers from God or the scriptures popping into my head whenever I need them - but maybe that's more an indication of my own failings. I don't know.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I recommend reading this book as part of the Baxter family saga, it wasn't my favorite in the series. The paparazzi angle was crazy, overdone, and repetitive. Some of it may have been realistic, but I felt like the book dwelt on it too much.
I love the Baxter family & their adventures though. I really believe they are REAL! ;)

[Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy with where this book took the Baxter family to. I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Smutty~ Vibes · Rating 5 out of 5]

i dont care what people say this book was amazing and i love her and her books this series is wonderful and i really cant wait to read forever ❤❤❤❤😍😍😍

[Reagan Soper · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my yay!! so as I said in my last review, i take back any negative or remotely negative thing I have said about this book. it ended with family and before I thought it wasn't going to happen. well reagan, you were wrong. and I'm extremely happy that I was wrong. and oh how could I forget DANYE AND KATY ARE ENGAGED!!! oh the love I have for this series. a definite recommend. again, like the last book, 5 stars⭐️!

[Christine Indorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the Firstborn series ended with Family but I was pleasantly surprised that I have one more book to read!!!!! This book could have ended with the book. It was such a wonderful book that had me just happy. It will have all your questions answered, but I will get an extra treat with Forever!! Just so glad I got the opportunity to get to know the Baxter family. If you haven’t read the Firstborn series, read it. It’s a 5 star series!!!!!!

[Ana Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously love the Baxter family and this whole world so much.
I love how Ashley is always the one finding out about everything and how she always puts the pieces together in order to figure out the secrets.
Ashley and Landon continue to be my favorites, both their individual characters but also as a couple.
The were a couple of times during the book where the drama between Dayne and Katy and their endless, will they finally be together or won’t they, got a little old but it was nice to see it get resolved at the end. I’m so glad that Dayne seems to have finally decided to choose not just God but also his love for Katy and his desire to be with his family.
I can’t wait to see what will happen in the final book of this series before moving on to the next series in this Baxter family world.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the books, but the one thing that gets annoying is the style at the end of every chapter. It is identical. To the point where you almost know exactly what the last sentence is going to be before you read it. It gets a little old. But, I am enjoying the story.

[Sarah Wurth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Karen Kingsbury and I love the Baxter’s but I felt the storyline dragged a bit. Katy’s character is very weak minded. I very much liked reading from Ashley’s perspective through this book, but there was too much Katy and her indecisive thoughts.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Karen Kingsbury's writing. She's really able to bring the reader into the story and make them feel for the characters.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing ending. I love this family. Can't wait to start next one :)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The paparazzi angle in this series drives me a little crazy, but we certainly get the point of how awful it must be for the people who have to deal with them in real life. What also drives me a little crazy is reading Ashley's full name over and over. Why not just refer to her as Ashley? We all know who Ashley is by this point. What was good and hopeful? Seeing Dayne's time alone with God on the beach (thinking I could use that about now) and how God used that time to help him see clearly. Seeing how Ashley had to learn to deal with her impatience. Watching Katy go through the mental and spiritual ordeal of waiting on God and feeling like maybe God wanted her to give up a dream. The ending. I know God can work all things together for good, even the bad and sad, and it was good to see it happen even fictionally.

[Onisim Pînzariu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so so thankful for this book. It was kind of short compared to the previous three, but I can see why. I couldn’t bear one hundred more pages without knowing how and when and if and ajdodkssbsuaksnkdlajsaha. I’m sorry, I’m trying to be professional here, but I just can’t. My heart was beating so fast with every page I’ve turned today and ever since I’ve started this book. The last few chapters gave me so much joy and happiness and I’m so curious about the ending to this series!! There are still tons of things for the characters to solve or figure out, but I’m sure everything will fall into place, eventually. But I’m so curious how that’ll happen.

[Cadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5! This book was good. Kinda continued on with the themes in the third book, which I liked.

[Danna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite book. I felt it was very repetitive and redundant. The story line was rehashed over and over again.

[Thera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het begint wat langdradig te worden in deze serie. In dit vierde deel spelen minder verhaallijnen en duurt het hele paparazzi-gedoe waar Dayne als beroemdheid mee te maken heeft wel erg lang. Krappe drie sterren voor dit deel.

[Corryn Geheb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book! I loved the way it ended and I can’t wait to continue to watch their love blossom.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family is the 4th book in the Baxter's Firstborn Series. It is the 9th book in the Baxter series.

Katy and Dayne are set to testify in the trial where a crazed fan tried to kill Katy and Dayne on a beach one night. Dayne has done what he can to hide Katy's identity, but now that the hearing is here, they must release her name. The tabloids go crazy and do their best to get pictures of Dayne and Katy together. Katy and Dayne love each other but they just can't figure out how to be together with the paparazzi chasing them with their every move. Katy and Dayne almost have a car accident with the paparazzi chasing them and they realize that they have to say goodbye to each other b/c they will never be able to have a normal life without the paparazzi chasing them. One last look to each other and telling each other that they love the other one and that is their final goodbye. Dayne gets a call from his missionary friend who tells him that he needs to go to a beach someone and make a list of the important things in his life and then go after them for the rest of his life. Dayne makes that list and then he is determined to following it.

Ashley is determined to find her older brother, who was adopted. Ashley is the only sibling that knows about the adopted brother. Ashley keeps pushing her Dad to tell the other siblings. John Baxter sits down to write a letter to tell the other siblings about their brother and then decides to make a phone call and tell them. They are shocked but are forgiving of their parents and keeping the secret that they have kept for so long. Ashley answered her Dad's cell phone one day and Dayne Matthews is on the other end. Dayne made up an excuse but with other things that Jenny Flanigan tells Ashley, she figures out that Dayne Matthews is their brother. She calls him to find out if it is true and she invites him to their 4th of July picnic.

I am loving the Baxter series. I am not usually one for really long book series and I usually get sidetracked with other books but this series has kept my attention going on 10 books now. I love Karen's style of writing and I look forward to reading Forever.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars 4th in second Baxter series. Rather slow. Dayne and Katy decide they want to be together.

The fourth book in Kingsbury's Firstborn series gives an in-depth look at the price Dayne pays for fame. It's pleasant to meet the characters again, but the plot moves slowly. The portions involving Katy's assault trial are exciting, and the process of forging a new family is heartwarming and real. But the tabloid/paparazzi aversion is overdone and gets tediously preachy. The overall theme of learning to trust God's priorities rather than what feels convenient is soul-stirring. Fans of the series will enjoy this new addition,
but newcomers may be lost in the continuing saga.

Katy Hart doesn't know what to expect from the upcoming trial. She's fallen deeper in love with Dayne Matthews, but his fame gets in the way of their relationship. Now that her identity will be brought into the open, can she handle the effects?

Dayne is happy that he has connected with his father John Baxter and hungry to meet his siblings. He's not anxious to expose them to any media scrutiny, yet there doesn't seem to be another option.
Review originally appeared in RT BookReviews

[Honeypie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I think Karen Kingsbury could have come up with a better title. Sure, the Baxter series is all about family, but I guess what struck me the most about this book is not exactly family-related.

My favorite moment was when Dayne went on a 2-day vacation to the beach, and listed down what his priorities are, and then decides what he should do about it.

Quite simple, right? But who among us can really find time to do that? Yes, we could initially book a flight, and spend a few hours (if not minutes) working on our priorities. But to do something about it, immediately after? Wow.

This may be a fiction, but it doesn't mean it's not possible.

With God, all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26

Now, how do I find time to do that exactly? Hmm....

Another realization: With believers and followers of Christ, getting into a romantic relationship and getting married doesn't take time. There's no dating. Only God and forever.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've said this in previous reviews, but it also applies to this book: If you liked the previous tales of the Baxter family, you'll most likely enjoy this one...but if you didn't care for the prior installments, then don't even bother with Family. That statement alone probably tells you whether or not this is for you.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long read with a predictable ending.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the entire series about the Baxter family

[Jack Vasen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This series is mostly one long story which is built upon characters developed in a previous series (The Redemption Collection). This book has a touching conclusion which almost completes the saga. More than the three previous books, the book has an ending. This is definitely a series to be read in order. As to characters from the previous series, the author fills us in on the important details, but as I was reading, I frequently felt I was missing something since I had not read the earlier books.

Speculating about the future and the final book. I really don't see what this book can't be a conclusion to the series, perhaps with a little additional material which in my mind would be far better use of space than much of the trial section. I really don't think this series needs to be five books, especially with given the Sunrise Collection.

I just wanted to get through this book. The first third or more of the book surrounds the trial of the knife wielding stalker and what Katy and Dayne struggle through as they are able to spend time together. To say I am not a fan of lawyers and courtrooms is an understatement. The same goes for the paparazzi. If the paparazzi were villains in the earlier books, this book really pours it on them. Ruthless and greedy before, now add recklessness to the point of dangerous. The defense lawyer likewise comes off in a bad light. I hated this whole section of the book. Of course the whole experience only causes the couple to once again swear that they can't be together.

Some of Katy and Dayne's choices in this book diminish my respect for both of them, not in terms of morality but common sense. I also didn't like the fact that Katy becomes a victim in this book and shows almost none of the competence we see in her during the other books.

The middle focuses on the Baxters, especially Ashley as she puts more and more pieces together. The stretches out but I will admit interest starts to build again towards the predictable but exciting climax.

Unless you count the horrific experiences with the paparazzi, this book doesn't have the tragedies and resulting danger of the earlier books. There is one heartwarming moment with the theatre kids, but it is brief.

This is a Christian book. The author has returned to events and circumstances in the story to do the preaching. Most of that comes from a suspenseful description of the Narnia play. Characters still pray a lot and God still speaks verbally but inaudibly to more than one major character.

Mature themes: no sex is described. The knife attack from the first book is reviewed as part of the trial.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 4th book of the Firstborn series. This is not the best of the Firstborn series or the Baxter family series. What I have enjoyed most about the Baxter family books is how Kingsbury takes things that all families go through and applies God's word to the issue the Baxters are facing.

In this book, there was too much-treading water. If it didn't have to follow the theme of all the titles starting with the letter "F', it would be better titled "Indecision". John's indecision on telling his kids about Dayne and contacting Dayne. Ashley's indecision about who was her brother and how to contact him. Dayne's indecision about connecting with the Baxter family. And finally Katy and Dayne's indecision on what to do with their feelings for each other.

The second redundant theme, beyond indecision, was the evils of the paparazzi. They make Dayne's life as a movie star horrible. They are also the reason that Katy won't come to Los Angeles to be with Dayne. They also prevent Dayne from coming to meet the Baxters. He doesn't want to subject their lives to their terror. Unlike the average family, dealings with the paparazzi are not something that the average reader can identify with. That is what makes the other Baxter family books enjoyable.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a couple great things that happen in this book. First, Katy and Dayne finally put an end to the will-they-or-won’t-they storyline that has consumed 4 books. Thank goodness - a reprieve. And second, the ongoing drama about whether Dayne will meet the Baxters is also resolved. Again, thank goodness. Both storylines have been dragging out and it’s nice to see these come to fruition.

Unfortunately, the paparazzi storyline is alive and well and as tedious as ever. Yes, we get that they are awful and ruin lives. Yes, we’ve now read 4 books foreshadowing a tragic outcome from the paparazzi stalking. We know it’s coming.

Here is the question that is foremost in my mind when I read this series: the author portrays all of the Hollywood women as manipulative hussies, Hollywood itself as a cesspool of immorality and drug use, and the lives of actors as completely intolerable because of the paparazzi. If this is how she feels about Hollywood, why set an entire 5 book series there? I don’t think she has written a single positive thing about it. As a reader, I can feel the characters’ misery and I’m not enjoying wallowing in it.

I do still like the characters, but am looking forward to this Firstborn series ending.

[Rachel Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this either in college or in high school, so it has been a while. Yet the series was enjoyable to read—it takes you into the challenges and struggles of the characters and brings you through realistic situations. There are parts, looking back, that I cannot find as realistic though: like Landon “waiting” for Ashley since high school; most guys just move on with life and find another girl to marry—or famous Dane Matthews going after small-town Katie. And all of the characters seem good-looking as well (my brother always made fun of me for reading these books—especially when there’s an attractive male on the front cover—haha). There also is a bit of a melodramatic element to these stories, but overall enjoyable and helpful for me when I was younger.

Also… the Firstborn series made me realize the cost of fame. This was really eye-opening for me and made me feel for the celebrities in real life. And it also made me see the emptiness of fame.

[Taryn Spearey · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was another amazing Book! In this one, Dayne keeps having conflicting thoughts about whether or not to involve the Baxter in the spotlight or not. He doesn't want to subject them to that kind of life, and the same goes for Katy.

Throughout the book, Dayne Katy are constantly running for the paparazzi no matter where they are. They want to be together so much, but don't know how to make it work.

Dayne's sister, Ashley, wants him to come to the family gathering, and meet the other siblings, as she was the only one who knew he was their brother. He takes a few days at a beach and prays to God.

Finally, towards the end of the book, Dayne finally goes and sees his family and Katy. They are all so happy he ended up coming, and Dayne hits it off with everyone. Finally, at the end of the book, Dayne asked Katy to marry him, and she says yes.

What a happy ending!!