This Side of Heaven

by Karen Kingsbury

Annie Warren always wanted the best for her son, Josh. But years of failure and bad choices created a heartbreaking distance that has grown far worse since the day Josh was hit by a drunk driver. Now on medical disability, Josh has put his life on hold for years, waiting for the insurance company to send a settlement that never seems to come. Worse, he believes the story of a scheming woman who claims they have a seven-year-old daughter named Savannah.
Despite the unlikelihood and complete lack of evidence, Josh dreams of being a father and is determined to one day claim the child. His family doesn't know the full story. They don't know what happened the night of the accident that was worth the chronic pain Josh suffers every waking minute, or that he is turning his life around. They haven't seen that Savannah's eyes are his, and they don't know how desperately the little girl needs her family.
When the settlement that rightly belongs to Josh is threatened, Annie sets out to defend her son. But she might find a treasure more valuable than money, one she never expected, one that is the greatest gift her son could ever give her--THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Contemporary, Inspirational, Drama, Adult Fiction

351 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

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

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sucked. Not because the writing was terrible because it was great. Not because the plot was stale because I was so shocked at a plot twist, I kept hoping it wasn't true. Not because the characters were unlikeable, even though I was really annoyed with Annie and her inability to get over her disappointment in JOsh. This book sucked because I have never teared up so many times while reading a book. No less than three times, maybe four, because I was so touched by the family and their emotion and their circumstances. This book was really good. I thought it was going to be a tough read because of the plot, and it was. But I also couldn't put it down. My only grievance is with the book cover. Savannah has red hair not blonde :-)

[Janna Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are certain times when you need to read a book like "This Side of Heaven". Days when emotions are pent up and you need an outlet. Moments when you need to think outside of yourself and your problems and think about the rest of the world. Instances when you need to let go and let God. This book is a conduit to do all those things.
Josh is a tow-truck driver and a disappointment to his family. He could have done so much with his life, but he just drives a tow-truck and harbors a false hope of being a daddy to a little girl when his family knows the mother is just trying to get a free ride through child support and the girl isn't even his. His parents and sister love him, they are just disappointed. In the meantime, Josh is actually a hero but only a few people know it, but now he is out of work because of a job related accident - will anything ever go right for Josh?
Do we ever really know the people that matter most to us? Are we walking through life with a bunch of facades? This book just might change the way you look at those around you, especially those closest to you. When you are done reading this book read the author's note at the end (but not until you are done with the book!) and get a glimpse of Karen's heart.
What a wonderful book!

[Aleida Oskam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wauw! Wat een mooi verhaal was dit. Ik kan het niet anders zeggen. Ik werd algauw in het verhaal getrokken waardoor er allerlei emoties bij mij naar boven kwamen tijdens het lezen. Het was al weer even geleden dat een verhaal mij zo mee trok. Ik heb van elke bladzijde genoten! Zeker een aanrader!

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know where to begin. I don't think there's a more unrealistic book out there. Everyone is so 'Christian' and boring. By the end of the book, everything turns out fine, everyone's happy and God has solved all the problems and conflicts that seems so impossibly hard to face at the beginning.
I have nothing against Christian fiction, but I'm not keen on letting my children read this fluff and believe the world is nothing but a pink cloud and everything always turns out as hoped/planned/expected. It's just not the reality.

[BxerMom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone who knows me knows that this isn't the type of book that I normally read. I just don't go for the sappy, inspirational, let God cure it all books. This book, my first by Karen Kingsbury, was actually pretty good. While it still isn't my first choice genre, it was an enjoyable book. It took a direction that I wouldn't have thought it would and while it saddened me, it brought the story full circle.

I found myself relating to many of the characters in the story. I honestly think its a story that everyone could find a bit of themselves in. When I read the author note at the ending and found that a portion of the story is based on fact, it brought tears to my eyes. You have to remember...No matter how bad you have it, there is always someone else who has it worst.

Great story. If we had half stars it would be 3 1/2.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was a Christian literature book when I picked it up from the library. I have read a few books from this genre so I kept on reading. This book was predicitable from the beginning. I felt the author harped on things that weren't really important and glossed over things that were. The writing was also bland and repetitive. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, Christian or not.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het boek bevat twee verhaallijnen die langzamerhand bij elkaar komen en heeft een aantal onverwachte wendingen, hoewel een deel van het plot ook voorspelbaar was. Desalniettemin was een fijn en ook goed weg te lezen boek. Ik waardeerde vooral hoe het geloof door het hele boek en de verschillende karakters heen was gewoven; het boek spreekt van vertrouwen en hoop en dit komt zichtbaar terug in de gedachten en het handelen van de verschillende personages.

In een woord achteraf liet de auteur liet weten dat één van de verhaallijnen gebaseerd is op haar eigen familieverhaal en dat maakt het verhaal nog indrukwekkender.

[LadyCalico · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good points but they were hard to find, buried among the fluff and hokey--some great Bible lessons but really poor characterization and story-telling. Will you shed tears over this story? Only if you cry over the Old Navy mannequins commercials--the characters have the same lack of depth, animation, and realism. The writing was grade-school primer "Run, Spot, Run" level, which, blessedly, made it a fast read. Look up the definition of "mediocre" in the dictionary, and you'll find a picture of this book. Kingsbury really took a step backward when she wrote this one.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

OCTOBER 2024 - This book was so repetitive. It really got on my nerves. I felt like it could have been 200 pages shorter. It was just ok.

[Jacolien · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Een hoopvolle toekomst' is het zoveelste boek dat ik van Karen Kingsbury heb gelezen - en toch weten haar verhalen me elke keer weer te pakken vanaf het begin. Dit boek is indrukwekkend; vooral toen ik, na het lezen van het boek, aangekomen was bij het hoofdstuk 'Van de auteur' (blz. 295) en ik erachter kwam dat dit boek gebaseerd is op het waargebeurde verhaal van de broer van Karen Kingsbury. Die wetenschap maakt het verhaal en de boodschap die in het verhaal zit verweven nog veel dieper; dat God een God is van wonderen en ook dat we het goede moeten zien in de mensen om ons heen, in het bijzonder in de mensen die voor ons minder opvallen, omdat ze misschien geen grote ster zijn of waren. En zoals Karen Kingsbury schreef: 'Iemand die niet populair en succesvol was op de manier zoals de wereld die dingen definieert. Want allemaal kennen we in onze levens mensen als Dave en als Josh.' (blz. 299)
Ik zal dit verhaal niet snel vergeten!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible book, Karen Kingsbury at her best!
Meet Josh, and the incredible things that he does, that his family has no clue about. He’s a hero, and hisDown Syndrome neighbors are the only ones who have any idea about it!
This book made my heartbreak and tears flow, but not just in a sad manner, but in happiness later on. You will meet Savannah, a wonderful little girl that you will love right away, the Down Syndrome boyfriend and girlfriend, CJ and Daisy, Josh’s parents and his sister, along with Jesus Christ and His affections on this whole story!
Really great book, highly recommend!!

[Sheleea Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will bring you many emotions. I’ve always been a fan of Karen Kingsbury. Have your tissues ready as it’s an emotional roller coaster-God’s plans for our lives have an impact in the most unexpected ways- remember to love and know God’s path for others is for them and we shouldn’t question -

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ended up with a great ending, I cried throughout a good portion of the book though. Very sad parts. Still loved this highly emotional read. Happy reading/listening!

[Leya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am crying right now. This story was so touching really pulled at the heart strings. I really didn't expect Josh to die that actually stocked me, was like hey what's gonna happen now?
But wow Karen Kingsbury really brought the book to conclusion really well. Great book.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the writing could have been better, I really enjoyed this book. It brought me to tears because it really broke my heart.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so moving and it showed the power and compassion of God.

[Doranne Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still crying.

This book is indeed a life-changer. One of her very best. I doubt I will ever forget this one or the message written within the pages.

[Karen Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT story!

This book turned out to be EXCELLENT!!
I’ve read a lot of Karen Kingsbury books and this one did not disappoint!!
A very uplifting story of faith, love and forgiveness!

[Jennifer V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed KK’s Cody Gunner Series. The first and third books were my favorite. Book 2 ties them both together.

Book 1 - A Thousand Tomorrows
Book 2 - Just Beyond the Clouds
Book 3 - This Side of Heaven

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing had worked out as Josh Warren had planned. After high school, his girlfriend Becky had broken up with him, he quit school and became a tow truck driver. He had a dream of opening his own tow truck business.

A year after a wild week in Vegas he discovers he is the father of a little girl, Savannah. Her mom wants child support, but Josh does not have the amount that she wants, so she stops contacting him and he is left to wonder about his child. Soon after that, an accident at work leaves Josh with severe back pain and fighting for a settlement from an insurance company. He hopes with the settlement money he can get the surgery he needs on his back, find his daughter, who is now seven, and open up his tow truck business. He has hope again as he just rededicated his life to Christ.

Josh's parents, especially his mom Annie, has felt great disappointment in Josh. They do not understand why he would want to drive tow trucks. They had expected him to go to college and marry Becky. They are convinced that Savannah is not his daughter and want him to let go of those thoughts himself. Annie feels he has thrown his life away.

When Josh is not able to search for Savannah, will Annie pick up his cause and fight to find Savannah to try to discover if she is truly his daughter? And will she take the time to discover the man that her son has become?

This book pulled me in immediately and got me emotionally attached. Then it punched me in the gut and left me crying and trying to catch my breath - only to lead me on to a victorious ending, even though it is not the one you can only imagine.
I love Karen Kingsbury and how her books evoke great emotion - at least in me. At the end of this book she shares how this story is based on her brother Dave's life, which made me cry all over again. If you haven't had the opportunity to read one of her books - this would be a good one to start with.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

April 14, 2009

This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury is a book about twenty-eight year old Josh Warren, who lives a hard and painful life as a result of being hit by a drunk driver. Josh is physically disabled from the accident and must quit his job as a tow truck driver. With the help of his attorney, Josh waits day after day for the insurance company to send him a settlement. However, this is not what troubles Josh the most. After going to Vegas and having a one night relationship with a woman there, he receives news that he is a father to the woman's daughter, who lives in New York City. Josh's dream is to be a father and will do whatever it takes to make this dream come true.
Although I have not completely finished this book, I have loved it since the first page. Like every Karen Kingsbury novel I've read, This Side of Heaven is a page-turner involving hardship and the test of one's faith. One of the main things I like about this book is the way Kingsbury tells the story in each person's point of view, switching from Josh's, to his mother's, to his sister's, and even to that of the woman Josh had a relationship with in Vegas and her daughter's. Because Kingsbury did this, the book is more interesting instead of monotoned with only one narrator the whole time. This book is wonderful, and I cannot wait to finish it and find out what happens in the end. If you are a regular reader of Karen Kingsbury or just love a good read about overcoming heartache with faith, then definitely add This Side of Heaven to your to-read list.

[Kw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how I'd review this book until I read the author's note at the end and grasped where it had come from. I suspect that some of the negative reviews are by people who bypassed that.
An incredible story, but sometimes - maybe often - the truth is stranger than fiction, and more unexpected, shocking, heartwarming, edifying, satisfying, or destructive, depending on how we respond to the events in our lives.
Also, God is in the miracle business and how He adores the unloved mistreated child.

[Ang Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I absolutely LOVED the plot and the characters, but not being the biggest religious person out there, the mention of praying and God every other page got to be a bit tiring. I know for a fact that I wouldn't have read this book had it said on the back that it was about extremely religious people or that the author was a religious writer. Having said that, I AM glad I read it, cause it was a very good book. Hence the love/hate relationship.

[Lily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this all well as some of Karen's other books. I thought she was "reaching" for a new sotryline until I read Karen's comments at the end -- it was based upon her brother. Her conclusion is not to give up on anyone. One thing that kind of bothers me is that Karen quotes in most of her books, "I am with you always" as coming from the Lord in answer to her characters' prayers. That is good, but I wonder if there could be more, and if it is enough.

[ABookAddictHere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost gave up on this book in the beginning. Savanna’s mom is awful to her and you feel bad for what Josh was put through. But someone told me to continue pushing through so l did and glad l did finish it. The beginning may have been rough but the ending was nicer. Savannah doesn’t feel loved by her mom but thanks to Josh’s love and hope to finding her, to holding her, and loving her, she finally finds a forever home and Josh’s parents finally fill a hole that was emptied.

[Don Gubler · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be fair, this is quite well written and well intended. It is at times inspiring and thought provoking. Perhaps this just isn't my kind of book but I personally did not enjoy it much at all. I found the narrative jumped around, disjointed and confusing and the plot to me was rather empty when certain events (omitted to prevent spoiler) put me off.

[S.J. Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Kingsbury will love this poignant story of family, faith, forgiveness and friendship. It's a tear-jerker for sure. If readers of the Cody Gunner books are looking for him to be the main character, though, they may be disappointed. However, Cody and his family are supporting characters in this book, along with his brother, C. J. and C. J.'s girlfriend, Daisy.

[Debbie Sue · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an incredibly depressing book. so much pain and suffering didnt need to happen except that Mom Annie and Dad Nate were self absorbed social climbers that didnt know there only son was addicted to pain pills and his daughter their grand daughter was raised by a drug addicted prostitute.
definitely will not read it again and do not recommend it

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just didn't get into this book. It was so sappy and God spoke to everyone through the whole story. I need to be uplifted, intrigued or really involved in the story and this did none of those things. To my surprise..it ended very happy. blech.