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Above the Line #2
The Baxters Take Two
Will the price of fame be worth the cost?
Filmmakers Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison have completed their first feature film, and Hollywood is buzzing with the news. In the wake of that excitement, the producers acquire rights to a novel that has all the ingredients they want for their next project. At the same time they cross paths with a well-connected player who introduces them to the right people, and suddenly every studio in town wants to talk to Chase and Keith.
The producers’ dreams are on the verge of coming true, but Chase’s marriage is strained and Keith’s daughter—Andi Ellison—is making questionable choices in her quest for stardom. The producers are gaining respect and are on the verge of truly changing culture through the power of film—but is the change worth the cost?
Filmmakers Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison have completed their first feature film, and Hollywood is buzzing with the news. In the wake of that excitement, the producers acquire rights to a novel that has all the ingredients they want for their next project. At the same time they cross paths with a well-connected player who introduces them to the right people, and suddenly every studio in town wants to talk to Chase and Keith.
The producers’ dreams are on the verge of coming true, but Chase’s marriage is strained and Keith’s daughter—Andi Ellison—is making questionable choices in her quest for stardom. The producers are gaining respect and are on the verge of truly changing culture through the power of film—but is the change worth the cost?
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First published January 1, 2009
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About the author
Karen Kingsbury
208 books12k followersKaren 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...
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
June 12, 2010
I am not enjoying this series at all. There are too many unrelated storylines. I think the Bailey/Cody thing could have been in a different book as there is only the thin tie of Andi. It is once again predictable and frustrating to read as the little inconsistencies pop up. It is almost as if she doesn't pre-plan the story in anyway and just writes what pops into her head. I was bothered that no one "remembered" they knew Taz from Clear Creek High until the middle of this book. Cody and Bailey had both seen him, but only now remembered they knew him and his reputation. I am also disappointed in the Chase/Kelly storyline as it appears to be all her fault and not his at all. She must suffer completely because he is doing his calling from God. This is why so many ministers end up in divorce because they neglect their families for the sake of the call and that isn't God's plan at all. The ending left too many loose ends and now you have to read the third book to find out what happens next.
April 12, 2012
I love Karen Kingsbury novels but this was not even close to a good book.
First, let me say, I started this series before I picked up on the continuation of the Baxters after their first series ended.
Knowing that may effect my opinion of this series but really she explains everything that has happened pretty nicely and catches the reader up (almost too redundantly in each one)
Take One was okay and my husband bought me all 4 for Christmas so I'm giving them all a chance but I hope the rest are better than this one was.
1. I don't like Bailey. AT ALL. I hear she's this "favorite" character and she's so wonderful. I have the rest of her series after this sitting on the Kindle I bought ahead. And now I dis like this girl so much it's unbelievable for a character. She tosses so many rocks like the typical judgemental Christian that I really kept hoping one would bounce back in her own head and knock her out. It annoyed me to death how judgemental the author wrote this person's thoughts. So her room mate is going through some bad choices, rather than understanding the past of the friend's death and really being there she is almost haughty with her right at the beginning of the novel. Seriously? If that were my only experience with a Christian novel, or religious material, I'd be offended and turned off before I was to page 100. As a Christian, I catch myself asking "Is how this girl is portrayed Christ like?" Because everyone in the novels certainly thinks the sun revolves around her.
2. While she's busy doing all of this judging on her room mate, Andi, she doesn't dare share a good Christian man for her to date. She bounces between Tim & Cody in her mind all the time. It's like enough already. For such a wonderful moral example she is jealous of Cody with no rights to be as she is with someone else and leading him on for two novels now. Really? That rock she tossed about her room mate's behavior at a party in the beginning...meet glass.
3. I could have overlooked point 2 if the author were making the point that they are very young adults and still undecided about serious relationships had the author allowed Cody to at least date Andi a little bit and really open up with her and show him moving on a little bit. Instead she has Cody & Bailey so stuck with each other, yet only one of them is even attempting to move on and see other people. It's just awkward and doesn't work. They both are young, dumb, and playing the college field or they aren't. Instead they are both so lovesick it's terrible and she's going to drag this out in 2 more books in this series and 3 or 4 in another? Seriously? How many more men will Bailey use?
4. Kelly's weight was a big issue because she ate some junk food. WHAT? So her husband is gone all the time and she eats a few M&M's or cookies and suddenly she's terribly fat. Is this even pretending to be serious or reach people?
I love, love, love Karen's previous novels but this looked like some formulated crud threw together to appease a publisher. It was just terrible. I hope the rest of the series improves but given how much I'd like to never see Bailey's name again, something tells me I'm going to regret the money I spent on this and the next series. Normally, I can feel some emotion with her novels. Or they touch me. Or I can even see them touching non believers and being a good witness tool. As far as witnessing to someone that doesn't know Christ, this book should be thrown away. It would leave a terrible taste in their mouth and could almost be a new story line for the ABC show that's such a controversy on Sunday nights instead.
First, let me say, I started this series before I picked up on the continuation of the Baxters after their first series ended.
Knowing that may effect my opinion of this series but really she explains everything that has happened pretty nicely and catches the reader up (almost too redundantly in each one)
Take One was okay and my husband bought me all 4 for Christmas so I'm giving them all a chance but I hope the rest are better than this one was.
1. I don't like Bailey. AT ALL. I hear she's this "favorite" character and she's so wonderful. I have the rest of her series after this sitting on the Kindle I bought ahead. And now I dis like this girl so much it's unbelievable for a character. She tosses so many rocks like the typical judgemental Christian that I really kept hoping one would bounce back in her own head and knock her out. It annoyed me to death how judgemental the author wrote this person's thoughts. So her room mate is going through some bad choices, rather than understanding the past of the friend's death and really being there she is almost haughty with her right at the beginning of the novel. Seriously? If that were my only experience with a Christian novel, or religious material, I'd be offended and turned off before I was to page 100. As a Christian, I catch myself asking "Is how this girl is portrayed Christ like?" Because everyone in the novels certainly thinks the sun revolves around her.
2. While she's busy doing all of this judging on her room mate, Andi, she doesn't dare share a good Christian man for her to date. She bounces between Tim & Cody in her mind all the time. It's like enough already. For such a wonderful moral example she is jealous of Cody with no rights to be as she is with someone else and leading him on for two novels now. Really? That rock she tossed about her room mate's behavior at a party in the beginning...meet glass.
3. I could have overlooked point 2 if the author were making the point that they are very young adults and still undecided about serious relationships had the author allowed Cody to at least date Andi a little bit and really open up with her and show him moving on a little bit. Instead she has Cody & Bailey so stuck with each other, yet only one of them is even attempting to move on and see other people. It's just awkward and doesn't work. They both are young, dumb, and playing the college field or they aren't. Instead they are both so lovesick it's terrible and she's going to drag this out in 2 more books in this series and 3 or 4 in another? Seriously? How many more men will Bailey use?
4. Kelly's weight was a big issue because she ate some junk food. WHAT? So her husband is gone all the time and she eats a few M&M's or cookies and suddenly she's terribly fat. Is this even pretending to be serious or reach people?
I love, love, love Karen's previous novels but this looked like some formulated crud threw together to appease a publisher. It was just terrible. I hope the rest of the series improves but given how much I'd like to never see Bailey's name again, something tells me I'm going to regret the money I spent on this and the next series. Normally, I can feel some emotion with her novels. Or they touch me. Or I can even see them touching non believers and being a good witness tool. As far as witnessing to someone that doesn't know Christ, this book should be thrown away. It would leave a terrible taste in their mouth and could almost be a new story line for the ABC show that's such a controversy on Sunday nights instead.
July 15, 2010
I really enjoyed the Baxters' series but I just can't get into the Above the Line series. I disliked many things about this book, including how Chase and Keith seemed to always put their families second to their work but that was okay because their work was a mission from God. I also was disappointed with how the Andi/Tax storyline played out. As a book, it basically said that what Andi did was right because it was "art". Perhaps there are repercussions in the following books but it still didn't sit right with me. I just don't relate to the Bailey/Cody/Andi stories and feel they are somewhat unrealistic. I was disappointed with the (lack of) ending. I'm tempting to just read some spoiler reviews on the third book to see what happens because I don't have much of a desire to read the whole thing.
July 10, 2019
This book was not nearly as good as the first one. It falls into the category of “I’m glad it is out there for people who are/were struggling with the issues addressed, but I prefer not to fill my reading choices with these books”.
Before I get into this, I just want to say that 1) I don’t normally write reviews, but I felt this needed an explanation, and 2) I loved the faith in Keith and Lisa and a few other characters. That being said, I liked this book less and less the further I got into it. I am seriously considering not finishing the series mostly because of one or two characters.
My biggest problem was Andi. She’s a missionary kid that used to have a strong faith, but now that she’s in college she wants to “live a little”. Even when you think she will learn, she turns around and does the same thing all over again except this time, even worse then the last.
I don’t typically read contemporary books because of the modern day issues (drinking, drugs, boyfriend/girlfriend, rape, sex, depression, affairs, divorce, all of which are included in this book). I prefer reading books that are wholesome and more general audience than this book. I don’t mind a little romance and most characters are going to make a bad choice somewhere along the line. But to repeat that bad choice over and over again? Not normally.
Also, Chase never seems to think about his wife and kids unless he feels discouraged and wants to talk to his wife. And then when they reschedule a meeting to his daughter’s birthday when he was supposed to be home and didn’t even say anything. This is so frustrating. And then he acts like everything is Kelly’s fault. I also have a slight problem with Kelly. She can’t seem to be able to keep up with the house and the girls when Chase is gone, but yet even if he had a normal job, wouldn’t she have to do that anyway? And she gets into the overeating habit way to fast and can’t stop even though her stress is partly because they have no money? It sounds like she’s drowning $5-$10 of candy a day! It’s one thing if the food is already at your house, but when you go and waste so much money on it...
I’m also not saying that Karen Kingsbury is a bad writer. I haven’t read her other books so I wouldn’t know. And some people will think that I’m crazy. I just don’t like these topics coming up in the books that I read. If you are ok with all the issues mentioned above, you will enjoy this book more than I did.
Before I get into this, I just want to say that 1) I don’t normally write reviews, but I felt this needed an explanation, and 2) I loved the faith in Keith and Lisa and a few other characters. That being said, I liked this book less and less the further I got into it. I am seriously considering not finishing the series mostly because of one or two characters.
My biggest problem was Andi. She’s a missionary kid that used to have a strong faith, but now that she’s in college she wants to “live a little”. Even when you think she will learn, she turns around and does the same thing all over again except this time, even worse then the last.
I don’t typically read contemporary books because of the modern day issues (drinking, drugs, boyfriend/girlfriend, rape, sex, depression, affairs, divorce, all of which are included in this book). I prefer reading books that are wholesome and more general audience than this book. I don’t mind a little romance and most characters are going to make a bad choice somewhere along the line. But to repeat that bad choice over and over again? Not normally.
Also, Chase never seems to think about his wife and kids unless he feels discouraged and wants to talk to his wife. And then when they reschedule a meeting to his daughter’s birthday when he was supposed to be home and didn’t even say anything. This is so frustrating. And then he acts like everything is Kelly’s fault. I also have a slight problem with Kelly. She can’t seem to be able to keep up with the house and the girls when Chase is gone, but yet even if he had a normal job, wouldn’t she have to do that anyway? And she gets into the overeating habit way to fast and can’t stop even though her stress is partly because they have no money? It sounds like she’s drowning $5-$10 of candy a day! It’s one thing if the food is already at your house, but when you go and waste so much money on it...
I’m also not saying that Karen Kingsbury is a bad writer. I haven’t read her other books so I wouldn’t know. And some people will think that I’m crazy. I just don’t like these topics coming up in the books that I read. If you are ok with all the issues mentioned above, you will enjoy this book more than I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2023
I was not impressed. The characters' problems dragged in from the first book and just got worse. The worst part was that it didn't resolve any of it in the end. It ended in the middle of multiple problems.
July 16, 2010
I keep hoping that her writing style goes back to her earlier books. I feel as if she is just pumping out books now and I don't really like them anymore.
November 23, 2024
This part of the Baxter books are my least favorite, but they are an important part of the series, and this one has a great ending!
*Enjoyed the second reading also!
*Enjoyed the second reading also!
March 14, 2017
SORRY EVERYONE! I HAVE BEEN INFORMED I HAVEN'T BEEN AT YOUR PRESENCE ON THIS SITE FOR 13 DAYS! I'm incredibly sorry for the inconvenience. but I did finish this book last night and the ending was good. finished of with Kelly knowing what to do and things. BUT I wish the book included more of the Baxter side or even the Flagian side. now, I know this isn't supposed to be about them but it is just so sad to give up these wonderful characters. anyway, Karen signed this book and it is a pretty wonderful signature.
August 29, 2009
I find myself either loving a book by Karen Kingsbury or walking away disappointed. Are you with me? One Tuesday Morning...LOVE. Take One and now Take Two...disappointed. I enjoy the characters and the plot line, but I see myself knowing where things are headed and just getting frustrated waiting for the inevitable.
This said, I do believe there are strong messages here for college women facing challenges and making tough choices and for professionals working hard to keep their integrity in a fallen world. To that end, I pray this book has touched some, and helped them choose Christ, even if it is not the book for me.
On a more detailed note...I love Cody and Bailey but could we just get on with the obvious?!?
This said, I do believe there are strong messages here for college women facing challenges and making tough choices and for professionals working hard to keep their integrity in a fallen world. To that end, I pray this book has touched some, and helped them choose Christ, even if it is not the book for me.
On a more detailed note...I love Cody and Bailey but could we just get on with the obvious?!?
October 23, 2018
I have been reading the Baxter books in order from the very beginning. I am currently in this Above The Line series and I am really trying to enjoy it as I have with all of the other previous books/series... but this series just doesn’t do it for me like the other books have. I understand this series is about the new set of characters with some of the original characters as tie ins but I am having trouble connecting with these new characters. The story lines seem to be scattered everywhere and not really tying into each other like the previous books have in the past.
July 23, 2009
I enjoy all of Karen Kingsbury's books and story lines. And while this was another one that had a good line to it, there was also a side to this one that I didn't like. It was much more sensual than what I remember any of her others to be. While I will most likely read the next one to continue following Bailey and Cody, I didn't appreciate the plot that involves Andi. I'm not sure if I would let my teen daughter read this...probably not.
September 3, 2020
3.5🌟 Not as good as the first book. There are a lot of storylines that are a little hard to keep track of. The one producers daughter makes some really bad decisions and her parents don’t really seem to try very hard to get involved in her life to help her. Bailey’s story is fun, so I’m glad there is a series dedicated to her and her family.
November 29, 2024
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Even tho this is only the 4th Novel ive read in The Baxters Series and by Karen I have to say I'm really enjoying this series.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. I still Shipp Bailey and Cody.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in California and Montana while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Book 2 in this Contemporary Romance Series.
Can't wait to read more by Karen in the future!!
Review:
Even tho this is only the 4th Novel ive read in The Baxters Series and by Karen I have to say I'm really enjoying this series.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. I still Shipp Bailey and Cody.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in California and Montana while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Good Book 2 in this Contemporary Romance Series.
Can't wait to read more by Karen in the future!!
August 1, 2017
another amazing book written by mrs Kingsbury.... i love this book although i want to hear more about cody and bailey i love hearing about andi and the poor girl she keeps making all the wrong choices here one feels for her.... i wish bailey would get rid of tim and finally be with cody 😂😂 and chase!!!! watch out with him and kelly being on the outs kendall is sneaking in :) look forward to reading take 3 i cant wait
March 27, 2021
I was really sucked into the continuation of the characters' stories from book 1. The ending is a cliffhanger, leaving all sorts of questions I hope get answered in books 3 and 4.
October 12, 2025
a little redundant at times.
unexpected cliff hanger.
unexpected cliff hanger.
October 15, 2024
Book 2 in the Above the Line series and it’s getting better. Dealing with many tropes which I have found wonderful. Glad I’m continuing on with the Baxter series!!
September 8, 2009
I have read very mixed reviews on this book, but I really liked it. Too often when I read Christian books I feel like everything is all tied up in a neat bow and the characters are either too perfect or too sinful. The reality is that most people relate better to something in the middle of those two. I love that Karen had characters struggling through real issues and that despite their attempts, their battles haven't been won quickly. That seems more realistic.
I know there has been some harsh criticism of the Andi character and some of her choices in this book. I saw that someone had said they wouldn't even let their teenage child read this book. I completely disagree. If you have a teenage daughter, this series would be an excellent one to read together and discuss. For things like staying pure, you have to have a plan for how you're going to deal with dating situations. Not discussing situations and what you would do, doesn't help you when you actually come to those situations. The struggles Andi is having are the kinds of struggles 90% of teenaged girls in our culture are having. I'm so thankful Karen decided to delve into some dark places with this character. I think this book could be an excellent tool for a mother in her teenage daughter's life. It's easy to talk a good game regarding our faith, but (as we see with Andi) when we're in the situation, how quickly we can fall away.
I also liked the reality of the marriage between Chase and Kelly. Their struggles are real and I could feel myself relating with each of them at times.
Great book! Can't wait to see what happens next!
I know there has been some harsh criticism of the Andi character and some of her choices in this book. I saw that someone had said they wouldn't even let their teenage child read this book. I completely disagree. If you have a teenage daughter, this series would be an excellent one to read together and discuss. For things like staying pure, you have to have a plan for how you're going to deal with dating situations. Not discussing situations and what you would do, doesn't help you when you actually come to those situations. The struggles Andi is having are the kinds of struggles 90% of teenaged girls in our culture are having. I'm so thankful Karen decided to delve into some dark places with this character. I think this book could be an excellent tool for a mother in her teenage daughter's life. It's easy to talk a good game regarding our faith, but (as we see with Andi) when we're in the situation, how quickly we can fall away.
I also liked the reality of the marriage between Chase and Kelly. Their struggles are real and I could feel myself relating with each of them at times.
Great book! Can't wait to see what happens next!
March 31, 2011
I'm not sure if it is because I knew the characters better this time, but I liked this much better than I liked "Take One". I enjoyed the first one, but not as much as I did Karen's other books. I wasn't sure if I was going to like the series and had put off reading "Take Two". I'm glad I did and I picked up "Take Three" as soon as I finished. Maybe I identified with Kelly some, now that her character has been fleshed out more. My husband traveled a lot when my youngest son was little and I was all alone. I felt a lot of what she has been feeling when Chase is gone. I also think that having Bailey in the first book along with many of the Baxter family kept me from investing in the newer characters instead of helping me. This time, even though Bailey had a storyline, the book gave more info into the lives of Chase, Keith and their families. That enabled me to invest more in them. Guess we'll see how I feel after reading "Take Three." I know I will enjoy it, as I do all of Karen's books. I am hoping that I continue to invest more in this series.
January 14, 2017
If I could give this zero stars I would. Awful. Horrible. Cliched characters. Self-righteous and judgmental.
The author tries to draw conclusions for her readers by telling rather than just letting the text stand on its own and allowing readers to experience the story how ever they want to. For example, when she describes a situation in which a married man is having an affair and has gotten his girlfriend pregnant, the author describes the mother as a bad mother. I got the feeling that the woman dying in a car accident was supposed to be justified (because of the affair). I was horrified that it was just dismissed that the woman left behind two small children. And no mention of how awful for the man who survived the car accident. Neither is that man described as an awful person for his part. The author vilifies the woman.
The author tries to draw conclusions for her readers by telling rather than just letting the text stand on its own and allowing readers to experience the story how ever they want to. For example, when she describes a situation in which a married man is having an affair and has gotten his girlfriend pregnant, the author describes the mother as a bad mother. I got the feeling that the woman dying in a car accident was supposed to be justified (because of the affair). I was horrified that it was just dismissed that the woman left behind two small children. And no mention of how awful for the man who survived the car accident. Neither is that man described as an awful person for his part. The author vilifies the woman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2022
Disappointed in this series ! I have enjoyed reading the Baxter books. But I have to say I don't like this series. Chase is being selfish and Keith also. Kelly is a recycling of Luke's wife. Andi is a fool. And Bailey is selfish too ; why is she dating Tim when she has feelings for another guy and why is her mother going along with her ?? The mother is the grown up and knows is not honest to have a boyfriend she's not in love with. Is the writer dragging Bailey's story thru 6 more books !?? Cause she has her own 4 books. I wonder is Andi will get pregnant ( perhaps a recycling story again ? single mother ? adoption ? ) I'll read the next two books to find out , is good thing am borrowing them from the library ! Would not spend my $$.
August 2, 2017
Real life situations and true to life struggles, make this an excellent read.
Andi, a missionary's kid, now in college struggles to keep her purity.
Taz, in college with Andi, seeks to win more than Andi's heart.
Fillmakers, Chase Ryan, and Keith Ellison seek to make Christian movies in a hostile Hollywood arena.
Relationships and marriages are strained, while sin gradually creeps in with its subtle hints that all is okay.
Weaving all the broken pieces together was God. After finishing the book remained a strong sense of prayer for my family, friends and me. What lurked in the shadows? Ready to destroy.
Great story. I can't wait for the next in the series.
Andi, a missionary's kid, now in college struggles to keep her purity.
Taz, in college with Andi, seeks to win more than Andi's heart.
Fillmakers, Chase Ryan, and Keith Ellison seek to make Christian movies in a hostile Hollywood arena.
Relationships and marriages are strained, while sin gradually creeps in with its subtle hints that all is okay.
Weaving all the broken pieces together was God. After finishing the book remained a strong sense of prayer for my family, friends and me. What lurked in the shadows? Ready to destroy.
Great story. I can't wait for the next in the series.
September 6, 2023
I'm a huge Kingsbury fan but I'm not enjoying this series at all. I feel like she went into too much detail about Andi and Tax and could have simply left out the description of her basically starting in a porn film to get her point across. I'm only reading this series because I voted to read the Baxter books from start to finish. Hopefully Take Three will be better. I've borrowed Three and Four from the library so I will just read through them next.
I also feel like the Bailey/Tim/Cody story is dragging on, boring....
The Kelly/Chase thing is just weird too. Not Kingsbury's finest.
I also feel like the Bailey/Tim/Cody story is dragging on, boring....
The Kelly/Chase thing is just weird too. Not Kingsbury's finest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2023
I loved the first 3 Karen Kingsbury series that I read, but this one just keeps getting worse and worse. Among the manyyy eye-roll worthy storylines are Bailey’s constant, dramatic back and forth feelings, Andi’s sudden “head over heels” feelings for Taz, and the complete lack of accountability it seems there is for Chase.
Also…I know this is a series, but I still feel like there should be SOME resolution to the end of each individual book. The fact that there’s not is one of the only reasons I will finish out the last two books in the series.
Also…I know this is a series, but I still feel like there should be SOME resolution to the end of each individual book. The fact that there’s not is one of the only reasons I will finish out the last two books in the series.
September 17, 2009
Karen Kingsbury is my favorite author so I always look forward to a new book from her. This one was no exception. It is the second book of a 4-book series so it picks up where the first one left off and leaves many loose ends yet to be concluded in the next two books of the series. I will be counting the days till I can get my hands on Take Three when it comes out in spring 2010!
August 31, 2015
3.5...
December 27, 2016
Awesome! Loved every single word of it. And the final was G E N I U S!!!
February 7, 2019
I used to enjoy reading Karen Kingsbury's books, but right now, I kind of feel like she's written the Bloomington, IN group to death and is now flogging them. I don't enjoy them much anymore.
Andi Ellison doesn't seem to have learned anything from her previous experiences. She still seems to think she missed out on something growing up with such "strict parents" and she wants to experience life--never mind that trying to experience life almost got her raped in the past. She also wants the fame of being a movie star without putting in the work and the time. She seems to feel that she should get a shortcut because her father is in the process of becoming a movie producer--that he should give her roles--and when he wants her to wait, she figures she'll get the roles elsewhere. She uses this to rationalize a lot of her poor choices. She's flattered to be asked to star in a student film (and who wouldn't be) and she rationalizes her choice of partial nudity by saying things like "it wouldn't be any worse than being filmed wearing a bathing suit" or "it's true to the artistic process".
From the start, I wondered about this student film. I thought that Taz (the student film maker) had heard about Andi's fraternity incident and was going to use this film to exact a sort of revenge on her since she was able to escape being raped.
I understand Andi's disappointment that Cody Coleman didn't want more of a relationship with her, but instead of getting more involved with church or Cru or even theater where she might meet a nice guy with a similar belief system, she chooses Taz.
Bailey Flanigan doesn't seem to try to understand her roommate Andi's draw to this. She just pronounces "you're not going to do it". I think there are some off-writing attempts for Bailey to talk to Andi but it sounds like Andi thinks Bailey is a stick-in-the-mud and that Bailey talks everything to death. So rather than having a dialogue, it seems like the two just go their separate ways.
I was kind of surprised that Bailey's family took Tim along to New York with them when they visited and paid for him to go to so many Broadway shows. It seems like if Bailey really wanted to reach out to Andi she could have seen if her family would have included Andi in the trip.
Bailey's going out with Tim Reed, but she also keeps thinking about Cody. I do agree with Bailey's attempts to not bad-mouth Tim to Cody or to discuss the problems in their relationship with him (especially not before discussing them with Tim). It seems Bailey is starting to change her mind about what she wants out of life. Tim wants to go to New York City and seems enchanted by everything he sees in their visit there, but for Bailey, the city has lost some of it's allure.
Cody seems to avoid dealing with issues rather than confront them.
In the first book of this series, I thought that Tim might decide to date Andi though that never materialized. I still wonder if it might happen since both Tim and Andi seem to have goals of being in the entertainment industry moreso than Bailey seems to late in the book.
Meanwhile, Andi's dad Keith and his friend Chase Ryan are trying to edit their first film and get it into theaters rather than direct to DVD. This takes them away from their homes often. Keith and his wife's children seem to be older where Chase and Kelly's girls are young. I'm sure it is difficult for Kelly to raise the girls and keep the house mostly by herself, but Kelly seems to expect Chase to read her mind to know what she needs and wants rather than communicating to him how she's feeling and what she needs. Kelly's also turning to food rather than to God to cope with her problems. Keith and his wife seem to communicate better with each other.
However, both Keith and Chase seem to feel that their "mission from God movie producing career" comes first (well maybe second behind God)--even before their families. I was especially disappointed that Chase chose to stay in L.A. because he had meetings related to the movie even while his daughter was having surgery. Does he not trust Keith and/or Luke to take the meetings and make the deals? Certainly Keith and Luke would understand him saying "I have to leave for home due to a family emergency" even if the Hollywood-types didn't. I also didn't like the implied love triangle between Kendall-Chase-Kelly where Chase is drawn to Kendall because of her confidence and her support of their career. Though truthfully, I can't imagine Kendall making a play for Chase when she knows he's married--her character doesn't seem like it would allow that.
Andi Ellison doesn't seem to have learned anything from her previous experiences. She still seems to think she missed out on something growing up with such "strict parents" and she wants to experience life--never mind that trying to experience life almost got her raped in the past. She also wants the fame of being a movie star without putting in the work and the time. She seems to feel that she should get a shortcut because her father is in the process of becoming a movie producer--that he should give her roles--and when he wants her to wait, she figures she'll get the roles elsewhere. She uses this to rationalize a lot of her poor choices. She's flattered to be asked to star in a student film (and who wouldn't be) and she rationalizes her choice of partial nudity by saying things like "it wouldn't be any worse than being filmed wearing a bathing suit" or "it's true to the artistic process".
From the start, I wondered about this student film. I thought that Taz (the student film maker) had heard about Andi's fraternity incident and was going to use this film to exact a sort of revenge on her since she was able to escape being raped.
I understand Andi's disappointment that Cody Coleman didn't want more of a relationship with her, but instead of getting more involved with church or Cru or even theater where she might meet a nice guy with a similar belief system, she chooses Taz.
Bailey Flanigan doesn't seem to try to understand her roommate Andi's draw to this. She just pronounces "you're not going to do it". I think there are some off-writing attempts for Bailey to talk to Andi but it sounds like Andi thinks Bailey is a stick-in-the-mud and that Bailey talks everything to death. So rather than having a dialogue, it seems like the two just go their separate ways.
I was kind of surprised that Bailey's family took Tim along to New York with them when they visited and paid for him to go to so many Broadway shows. It seems like if Bailey really wanted to reach out to Andi she could have seen if her family would have included Andi in the trip.
Bailey's going out with Tim Reed, but she also keeps thinking about Cody. I do agree with Bailey's attempts to not bad-mouth Tim to Cody or to discuss the problems in their relationship with him (especially not before discussing them with Tim). It seems Bailey is starting to change her mind about what she wants out of life. Tim wants to go to New York City and seems enchanted by everything he sees in their visit there, but for Bailey, the city has lost some of it's allure.
Cody seems to avoid dealing with issues rather than confront them.
In the first book of this series, I thought that Tim might decide to date Andi though that never materialized. I still wonder if it might happen since both Tim and Andi seem to have goals of being in the entertainment industry moreso than Bailey seems to late in the book.
Meanwhile, Andi's dad Keith and his friend Chase Ryan are trying to edit their first film and get it into theaters rather than direct to DVD. This takes them away from their homes often. Keith and his wife's children seem to be older where Chase and Kelly's girls are young. I'm sure it is difficult for Kelly to raise the girls and keep the house mostly by herself, but Kelly seems to expect Chase to read her mind to know what she needs and wants rather than communicating to him how she's feeling and what she needs. Kelly's also turning to food rather than to God to cope with her problems. Keith and his wife seem to communicate better with each other.
However, both Keith and Chase seem to feel that their "mission from God movie producing career" comes first (well maybe second behind God)--even before their families. I was especially disappointed that Chase chose to stay in L.A. because he had meetings related to the movie even while his daughter was having surgery. Does he not trust Keith and/or Luke to take the meetings and make the deals? Certainly Keith and Luke would understand him saying "I have to leave for home due to a family emergency" even if the Hollywood-types didn't. I also didn't like the implied love triangle between Kendall-Chase-Kelly where Chase is drawn to Kendall because of her confidence and her support of their career. Though truthfully, I can't imagine Kendall making a play for Chase when she knows he's married--her character doesn't seem like it would allow that.
February 18, 2017
Keith and Chase have finished filming their movie, and now it's time for the editing and the promotion of the movie. It's good for them that they have a big time movie investor and his production assistant daughter on their side as they work on getting this movie put into theaters. Success beckons and they are on a constant loop between their homes in San Jose and their time in Hollywood.
Meanwhile, Chase's wife Kelly is struggling at home. Taking care of two small girls, dealing with a beyond tight budget and sinking deeper into depression by the day, she resents Chase's absence from their lives. Will their marriage survive the making of this life changing movie?
Keith's daughter Andi is also struggling. She is struggling because she longs for rebellion and adventure. She longs to be edgy and adventurous. She longs for danger and for love. She does not long for God and is pretty sure that she doesn't believe in him. She's on the verge of some dangerous choices. Will she return to Jesus? Will she slip deeper into sin?
This book is the second book in the Above the Line series of Baxter books. Kingsbury is sending out the plot that she's established in Take One, but nothing gets resolved as we go through the book. Instead, everyone is in stasis and very little gets solved. Here's a sampling of thoughts about each of the point-of-view characters. Don't forget that there will be spoilers ahead:
Kendall: Kendall is a new point of view character in this book. She is the daughter of the principal investor in Keith and Chase's movie, and she is a production assistant who is attempting to help get everything set up for their next movie. She's a young divorcee, and even though she's a Christian, she struggles with an attraction to Chase that she works hard to keep under wraps. I love her backstory and how it affects her life in this book, and I am glad that she works to keep her attraction from blossoming into sin. I hope to see more of her as we head into the next book of the series.
Bailey: I nearly forgot Bailey was in this book, even though she gets a good many point-of-view scenes. Most of her scenes are either focused on her lack of true feelings for Tim or her constant push and pull with Cody. I'm already exhausted by the Bailey/Cody thing, and if I'm counting right, I still have six more books to go before it's completely resolved. Enough all ready. Just put them together, or at least give them a chance and see if things really work out between them. Her other role in this book is to disapprove of everything Andi does. For a relationship that started out so promising, Bailey and Andi have really pulled apart over the course of this book.
Keith: He's still the solid rock of this project. He works. He interacts with his wife. Everything is on the up with him, even when things are down. He has a good head on his shoulders and realizes what is important in life. Because of his distance and his busyness, he does miss seeing what's truly going on with Andi, but I don't think he can be blamed for that. After all, Andi is a young adult in college, and she is pretty determined to keep him clueless.
Kelly: She's depressed. She's resentful. She feels like the weight of their whole family is on her shoulders, and she's not wrong. She turns to compulsive overeating as a way of escaping her problems. Although it's portrayed as exceptionally harmful, I found myself rolling my eyes because there are so many worse things to do when times are hard. So what if she's eating a little extra chocolate? I really felt a connection with Kelly because of my time as a homeschooling Mom and the way that I am often left to hold our home together while my husband is working or serving at church. (I'm not resentful, but the fact is that 24/7 parenting is exhausting.) I can totally get that except the overeating part is overplayed and cartoonish. I often found myself thinking that if she's worried over whether she's eating McDonald's or planning to eat Salmon and fresh veggies, her finances aren't nearly as tight as she imagines and her priorities are totally out of line. She's got so much more to focus on than her eating habits. It's just a ridiculous issue to be so magnified.
Chase: I don't like him. He's a jerk. He can't relate to his family. He doesn't even see them because he's so into his work. He finds himself flattered and attracted to Kendall. He finds himself not able to come home on his daughter's birthday or even rush home when his daughter breaks her arm. He just comes off as someone whose priorities are completely out of line. He doesn't even really seem sympathetic with his wife's depression because he's so into himself and his goals. How can he make life changing movies and leave his family to be a casualty along the way? How can the good of others come before the good of the very people that God gave him to care for and protect most of all?
Andi: Wow. . . She is making bad decisions in the spades. She pulls away from God and from godly friends like Bailey who can be a good influence in her life. She lies and tries to keep things from her parents. She's completely taken in by a young film student named Taz. She falls into sin of her own free will. . . And not to mention, the scenes with her that describe her feelings and what is going on are sensual. They're blushworthy, and as someone who has a past of struggling with romance novels, they led my imagination into sin. I lowered my appraisal of this book by a whole star because of the way that the sensuality in this book took me by surprise. . . I do occasionally read books with sex scenes in them, ones that aren't necessarily sexy, and books that don't make me feel sensual. Although this book is not as descriptive of a sex scene as many romance novels, it is very sensual and sexy, and this sinful sexuality is portrayed in a positive light by Andi's perspective narration. I try to prepare for temptation so that I am not taken in, so let the reader beware.
Cody: In this book Cody befriends Andi until he realizes that he's guilty of leading her own. Then, he cuts himself off from her. He is in a continual dance of "should he" or "shouldn't he" in being friends with Bailey. It's exhausting, and I hope that it ends soon. Painfully annoying storyline.
Lisa: If I remember correctly, Lisa only gets on point-of-view scene in the book. She is awakened in the middle of the night to pray for Andi because she can sense that Andi is getting into trouble. She is a great support system for Keith throughout the book, and I am so glad Keith has her. If she were as emotionally unstable as Chase, I can't imagine what these books would be like.
So, that's my assessment of the book. If it weren't for the couple of sexy scenes with Andi, it would definitely be a 3 star book, but when I read Christian fiction, I don't appreciate having sexy scenes in it. I also thought that Kingsbury does not have a good grasp on the financial situations and desperation that Kelly would go through. If she did, she would not have made such a big deal over M&Ms or McDonald's. So, I guess this book goes down as too sexy and out of touch with poor people. I plan to continue reading book three because I want to see how Andi ends up and if Chase and Kelly are able to reconcile their marriage. So, Take Three is next on my list.
Meanwhile, Chase's wife Kelly is struggling at home. Taking care of two small girls, dealing with a beyond tight budget and sinking deeper into depression by the day, she resents Chase's absence from their lives. Will their marriage survive the making of this life changing movie?
Keith's daughter Andi is also struggling. She is struggling because she longs for rebellion and adventure. She longs to be edgy and adventurous. She longs for danger and for love. She does not long for God and is pretty sure that she doesn't believe in him. She's on the verge of some dangerous choices. Will she return to Jesus? Will she slip deeper into sin?
This book is the second book in the Above the Line series of Baxter books. Kingsbury is sending out the plot that she's established in Take One, but nothing gets resolved as we go through the book. Instead, everyone is in stasis and very little gets solved. Here's a sampling of thoughts about each of the point-of-view characters. Don't forget that there will be spoilers ahead:
Kendall: Kendall is a new point of view character in this book. She is the daughter of the principal investor in Keith and Chase's movie, and she is a production assistant who is attempting to help get everything set up for their next movie. She's a young divorcee, and even though she's a Christian, she struggles with an attraction to Chase that she works hard to keep under wraps. I love her backstory and how it affects her life in this book, and I am glad that she works to keep her attraction from blossoming into sin. I hope to see more of her as we head into the next book of the series.
Bailey: I nearly forgot Bailey was in this book, even though she gets a good many point-of-view scenes. Most of her scenes are either focused on her lack of true feelings for Tim or her constant push and pull with Cody. I'm already exhausted by the Bailey/Cody thing, and if I'm counting right, I still have six more books to go before it's completely resolved. Enough all ready. Just put them together, or at least give them a chance and see if things really work out between them. Her other role in this book is to disapprove of everything Andi does. For a relationship that started out so promising, Bailey and Andi have really pulled apart over the course of this book.
Keith: He's still the solid rock of this project. He works. He interacts with his wife. Everything is on the up with him, even when things are down. He has a good head on his shoulders and realizes what is important in life. Because of his distance and his busyness, he does miss seeing what's truly going on with Andi, but I don't think he can be blamed for that. After all, Andi is a young adult in college, and she is pretty determined to keep him clueless.
Kelly: She's depressed. She's resentful. She feels like the weight of their whole family is on her shoulders, and she's not wrong. She turns to compulsive overeating as a way of escaping her problems. Although it's portrayed as exceptionally harmful, I found myself rolling my eyes because there are so many worse things to do when times are hard. So what if she's eating a little extra chocolate? I really felt a connection with Kelly because of my time as a homeschooling Mom and the way that I am often left to hold our home together while my husband is working or serving at church. (I'm not resentful, but the fact is that 24/7 parenting is exhausting.) I can totally get that except the overeating part is overplayed and cartoonish. I often found myself thinking that if she's worried over whether she's eating McDonald's or planning to eat Salmon and fresh veggies, her finances aren't nearly as tight as she imagines and her priorities are totally out of line. She's got so much more to focus on than her eating habits. It's just a ridiculous issue to be so magnified.
Chase: I don't like him. He's a jerk. He can't relate to his family. He doesn't even see them because he's so into his work. He finds himself flattered and attracted to Kendall. He finds himself not able to come home on his daughter's birthday or even rush home when his daughter breaks her arm. He just comes off as someone whose priorities are completely out of line. He doesn't even really seem sympathetic with his wife's depression because he's so into himself and his goals. How can he make life changing movies and leave his family to be a casualty along the way? How can the good of others come before the good of the very people that God gave him to care for and protect most of all?
Andi: Wow. . . She is making bad decisions in the spades. She pulls away from God and from godly friends like Bailey who can be a good influence in her life. She lies and tries to keep things from her parents. She's completely taken in by a young film student named Taz. She falls into sin of her own free will. . . And not to mention, the scenes with her that describe her feelings and what is going on are sensual. They're blushworthy, and as someone who has a past of struggling with romance novels, they led my imagination into sin. I lowered my appraisal of this book by a whole star because of the way that the sensuality in this book took me by surprise. . . I do occasionally read books with sex scenes in them, ones that aren't necessarily sexy, and books that don't make me feel sensual. Although this book is not as descriptive of a sex scene as many romance novels, it is very sensual and sexy, and this sinful sexuality is portrayed in a positive light by Andi's perspective narration. I try to prepare for temptation so that I am not taken in, so let the reader beware.
Cody: In this book Cody befriends Andi until he realizes that he's guilty of leading her own. Then, he cuts himself off from her. He is in a continual dance of "should he" or "shouldn't he" in being friends with Bailey. It's exhausting, and I hope that it ends soon. Painfully annoying storyline.
Lisa: If I remember correctly, Lisa only gets on point-of-view scene in the book. She is awakened in the middle of the night to pray for Andi because she can sense that Andi is getting into trouble. She is a great support system for Keith throughout the book, and I am so glad Keith has her. If she were as emotionally unstable as Chase, I can't imagine what these books would be like.
So, that's my assessment of the book. If it weren't for the couple of sexy scenes with Andi, it would definitely be a 3 star book, but when I read Christian fiction, I don't appreciate having sexy scenes in it. I also thought that Kingsbury does not have a good grasp on the financial situations and desperation that Kelly would go through. If she did, she would not have made such a big deal over M&Ms or McDonald's. So, I guess this book goes down as too sexy and out of touch with poor people. I plan to continue reading book three because I want to see how Andi ends up and if Chase and Kelly are able to reconcile their marriage. So, Take Three is next on my list.
February 18, 2022
Take Two is a great book because of the way Kary Kingsbury writes. Take Two is the 2nd book in the Above the Line series. There are 5 books in the series. She also has many other series and books that you can read from to experience her writing style. In this book, Keith and Chase had just finished editing and publishing their movie from the first book in the series Take One. Kelly is Chase’s wife and they are having problems with their marriage because Chase is away from home a lot and Kelly has to take care of their two daughters, Molly and Macey. Keith’s daughter, Andi, is a college student at one of the local colleges. She is in the theater at her college along with her roommate Bailey. Bailey and Andi are both very good christian college women. Andi gets into some trouble when she starts seeing another guy and doesn’t tell her parents about it. Bailey comes from a very good and loving home. She has a boyfriend, Tim, but after going on a trip she doesn’t know if she still has feelings for him. A huge disappointment hits Keith and Chase when they find out what they have been working for all goes to waste. Take Two is a great book because of the great message about God and the suspenseful drama that will keep you reading.
In this book, Take Two has a great message by talking about how God knows the plans for you and that you should not fear for he has it all in his hands. In the book, there is actually a passage that reads, “I am here, my daughter. All things work to the good for those who love me. Remember that.” In this verse it is saying that God will always be there for you if you stay true to him and love him. It also says in the book Jeremiah 29:11 which reads, “ For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This means you should not fear anything because God knows what is going to happen and he will not cause harm in his plans. Keith and Chase have to believe that God will provide for them and their family by being in the movie business.
In this book, it also has a lot of drama. There are many temptations in the book including, all women that Chase thinks about, nudity in film, another man for Bailey, and so many more. This causes a lot of drama in the book because of the choices some people make. Drama is a good way to keep you interested in the book.
The book, Take Two, has a great theme by telling people to believe in the plans God has for you and the drama is unmatchable. Kary Kingsbury is an author you won’t want to stop reading.
In this book, Take Two has a great message by talking about how God knows the plans for you and that you should not fear for he has it all in his hands. In the book, there is actually a passage that reads, “I am here, my daughter. All things work to the good for those who love me. Remember that.” In this verse it is saying that God will always be there for you if you stay true to him and love him. It also says in the book Jeremiah 29:11 which reads, “ For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This means you should not fear anything because God knows what is going to happen and he will not cause harm in his plans. Keith and Chase have to believe that God will provide for them and their family by being in the movie business.
In this book, it also has a lot of drama. There are many temptations in the book including, all women that Chase thinks about, nudity in film, another man for Bailey, and so many more. This causes a lot of drama in the book because of the choices some people make. Drama is a good way to keep you interested in the book.
The book, Take Two, has a great theme by telling people to believe in the plans God has for you and the drama is unmatchable. Kary Kingsbury is an author you won’t want to stop reading.
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