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Strong-willed Ashley Baxter is trying to forget.

She has locked up her heart, convinced that no one—including God—could love her. Four unlikely people—Alzheimer's patients—find the cracks in Ashley's heart and slowly help her remember.

Then comes the nightmare of September 11, which forever changes the lives of the Baxter family, causing them to remember what is important and leading them to make decisions that are both heartbreaking and hope-filled.

Landon Blake, who has loved Ashley since he was a teenager, tries to dull the pain of her rejection by immersing himself in the rescue efforts at Ground Zero.

Tragedy and healing. Hurt and forgiveness.
Redemption.
And powerful lessons about remembering.

409 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

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7770 people want to read

About the author

Karen Kingsbury

208 books12k followers
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...

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5 stars
15,077 (59%)
4 stars
7,103 (27%)
3 stars
2,589 (10%)
2 stars
510 (2%)
1 star
210 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 643 reviews
Profile Image for Stephany.
1,044 reviews52 followers
June 12, 2011
This book. Oh, my goodness, this book. Tugged at my heartstrings more than any other book has. I am in love with the Baxter family. In love with their stories, their heartaches. I feel like they are a part of me now.

I knew beforehand that Karen Kingsbury does not write books that are full of fluffy Christianity, puppies, and rainbows. She writes about things that are tough and hard. Christians who are persecuted. Christians questioning their faith. Christians going through good times and bad times. I've been searching for an author who doesn't shy away from the hard facts about Christianity and Kingsbury is the best at giving the real picture.
Profile Image for Abigail Harris.
Author 51 books261 followers
Read
April 25, 2021
Oh goodness, I love this book!
For a few years, my family cared for the sweetest elderly lady and she had Alzheimer’s. Some days it was hard and others not so hard, she was so sweet and we were her honorary grandkids. But anyway, this story was so much better with the ladies and Bart as Ashley cared for them. I loved the book and seeing more abhor what made the Baxter the family they are on the latter books is basically kind of my more preferred book series. Luke and Ashley in this book make sense as to the relationship in the Firstborn series.
Profile Image for Tamara Tilley.
Author 10 books23 followers
January 23, 2016
REMEMBER, the second installment in the Redemption Series traveled at a quicker pace than it’s predecessor. While still keeping the reader in touch with the entire Baxter family, this book centered more on Ashley – the self prescribed black sheep of the family, and Luke – the perfect son whose life isn’t so perfect anymore.

Ashley has never felt like she’s fit in. Her close-knit Christian family is what others would consider ideal. But Ashley would call them “safe”. Ashley sought out to find more in life and traveled to Paris to make her mark in the art world and have some adventure. When she returns from Paris pregnant and tight-lipped, she drifts even farther from her family. She trusts no one, including God, and Landon Blake. Landon Blake has loved Ashley and tried to win her over since they were in their teens, but Ashley never returned that love because she felt Landon was just life her family – “safe”. Now, as Landon tries to woo her, she doesn’t allow herself to give in. Not because she doesn’t have feelings for Landon, but because he deserves so much more than she can offer. For his own benefit, Ashley keeps Landon at arm’s length.

Luke is riding high. Life is great, his steady girlfriend is great, and his future is looking bright. When his world comes crashing down around him–just like the twin towers on 911– Luke begins to doubt the power of God. His humanistic leanings cause strain between him and his family so he moves out and seeks solace from a classmate that’s more than willing to show him the errors of the Christian faith. Though he blames God for the turmoil in his life, he can’t ignore the fact that it was his own mistake that started his life spiraling downward.

REMEMBER was a quick read. Now, that could be because after reading REDEMPTION so much back story is already in your mind. Whatever the reason, upon finishing it, you can’t wait to pick up the next in the series, RETURN. The more you read, the more you feel as if the Baxter’s are your neighbors and you are genuinely concerned with their trials and circumstances.


Profile Image for LadyCalico.
2,311 reviews47 followers
September 20, 2010
An OK fast light read for when you are in the mood for a soap opera. YA level of writing makes it a good choice on evenings when you are too tired to concentrate or engage your brain, but it would be a more enjoyable novel if any of the characters would grow a brain and engage it--but that would make it a shorter, leaner novella. This sausage was made with too much filler and not enough meat.
Profile Image for Erynn McKelvy.
40 reviews
August 1, 2022
Heartbreak and inspiration and exhilaration all tied up in one book...just beautiful. ❤️
Profile Image for Danielle.
283 reviews4 followers
March 16, 2018
Convinced she could make it on her own, Ashley Baxter has kept the most important people in her life at a distance—her family, the man who loves her, and the God she is sure can never forgive her. Now, just as she begins to open her heart, the events of September 11 rip into Ashley’s world and she is led to heartbreaking and hope-filled decisions that will forever change her life. This story vividly illustrates that we must value others more than ourselves, and it drives home one of Gary Smalley’s key messages: Honor one another.

Series: book 2 in the Redemption series; book 2 in the Baxter family series.

Rating: 4 stars

This was a fascinating read. It isn't often that you read about either Alzheimer's or 9/11, but this book combined both subjects perfectly.
I'm actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this. Christian contemporary fiction can be a hit or miss (usually miss because of the fluffiness), but this was a solid book. A+ to the authors.
The main couple of the book is Ashley and Landon, but you get points of view from Kari and Ryan, tying up the loose ends from the previous book, and you also get points of view from Luke, setting up the next book in the series. You also get points of view from from John, their father, which was a cool way of seeing things, from the parental persepective of the outside looking in, kind of thing.
Anyway, I enjoyed this book and cannot wait to continue the journey of the Baxter's, seeing how there is like 20 other books featuring them or something.
Profile Image for Mayda.
3,829 reviews65 followers
June 15, 2013
The overly dramatic rendition in this audio version does nothing but add to the melodrama of this tale. The sad saga of the Baxter family moves ever onward in this second installment. Perhaps I would find this series more credible if the characters didn’t seem so stereotypical and plastic and didn’t constantly tear up and cry so consistently. I found myself focusing in on the characters, just trying to find one that could make it through to the end of the book dry-eyed. (I didn’t find one.) This story highlights Ashley and her problems. She is working in an Alzheimer’s ward and in love with Landon, firefighter extraordinaire. The tragic demise of the Twin Towers figure prominently in this novel. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the story revolves around Ashley and her work in an Alzheimer’s ward. In fact, the patients are far more interesting – and so are their back stories – than the main characters.
Profile Image for Thera.
242 reviews4 followers
June 22, 2023
Ik lees nog even door in deze serie… is binge reading een bestaande term?
Zie ook mijn review bij het vorige boek, the story continues…
Profile Image for Mikaela.
63 reviews12 followers
August 3, 2021
~ Audiobook Review ~

I’m heading back in the Baxter archives to meet this family and get the backstory. Whilst the newer Baxter Family series are all written as stand alone’s I definitely feel it’s been worth coming back to the beginning before continuing the newer books - it will make the newer books feel like coming back to dinner with old friends!

I’m also only listening to the abridged audio version which are 4hrs each, which will be helpful for getting through the 20+ books faster. But also means my review & experience might be missing things.

Characters: This book focuses on Ashley Baxter & Landon. Other characters with growing storylines: Kari & Ryan, Luke & Reagan, Erin & Sam

Series: This is book 2 in the Redemption Series which is the first series in the larger Baxter family story. This series is best read in order, though I skipped book 1 and still feel I got enough of a recap on Kari’s story.

Content: 9/11, Death, Dimentia, pre-marital sex, questioning Christianity, humanism, marital struggles, kissing, romance, redemption, strong Christian focus

Book recommendations:
Another book that focuses on Ashley as the main character: Forgiving Paris (2021) which can be read as a stand-alone.
Another book that focuses on Irvel and Hank: Just Once (2022) by Karen Kingsbury

Audio Performance: 8/10
In this Abridged version Sandra gives a fully voiced performance (meaning each character is given a unique sounding voice) she reads nicely and was relaxing to listen to.

Author: Karen Kingsbury & Gary Smalley
Narrator: Sandra Burr
Length: 4hrs (Abridged)
Book Published: 1-Jan-2003
Audio Released: 20-Aug-2005
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Platform: christianaudio.com
Profile Image for Bekah.
Author 11 books43 followers
October 25, 2014
Rememberis the second book in this series and I must say that it was just as good as the first. I really wasn't sure how much I would like Ashley in this story because of her attitude in the first book, but I ended up really liking her by the end of this book.

To read of Ashley's job at the Alzheimer's care facility was so sweet. The elderly have a special place in Ashley's heart and it was so sweet to read of her trying her best to make the patients at the facility feel comfortable and at ease.

I loved Landon's character, as well. He was so patient with Ashley and promised that he would love her no matter what she'd done. When Ashley finally trusted him, she was not disappointed. I also loved how Landon desired a relationship with Ashley's son, Cole.

This was a very sweet story of unconditional love and the deep healing that remembering can do.
Profile Image for Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe).
606 reviews48 followers
October 5, 2023
Another great book in the Baxter family saga. I had tears come to my eyes so many times throughout this story, for so many different reasons.

I was only 4 when 9/11 happened, so hearing the story from the perspective of a firefighter was new to me. It was also part of the reason this story made me cry.

Each moment of the book was powerful in so many different ways. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
266 reviews3 followers
April 5, 2017
What a good book, I liked it better than the first one in the series. It brought back memories of 9/11 and what a horrific day in our Nations history. Very well written, Ashley was so compassionate with the patients she cared for, thank goodness Belinda finally got her due. Now on to book 3.
Profile Image for ANNETTE.
1,119 reviews6 followers
May 17, 2021
This is the 2nd book in series. A wonderful story .Seems like most of the story centers around 9/11 New York City.
Profile Image for Autumn Slaght.
Author 6 books31 followers
February 2, 2023
Oh. My. Goodness.
I can't rave about this book enough.
Wow.
Let me take a breath.

I don't even know where to start. I am IN LOVE with the Baxter family. Can I start with a quote from John Baxter?
"I guess you don't know me very well. God isn't something I bring into a conversation. God is my life. When I talk to my son, a little bit of God is bound to ooze out." - John Baxter.
This is probably one of the best quotes I've read in a book. THIS! This is the epitome of real, genuine Christian faith.
I'm going to be honest. It's been a couple of years since I picked up a Karen Kingsbury book and I was honestly expecting the Baxter family to be a cheesy romance series where all 5 books end with the girls (and Luke, the only son) going through madness and heartbreak, but in the end, ending up with their prince charming and a happily ever after. But it's not! It's SO NOT and oh it is ever refreshing and...honestly, I love the characters more because it's REAL!
Team Landon, everyone. Ryan Taylor's great, but team Landon for me. Never pushed Ashley. Never did anything inappropriate with her (if you remember my review on "Redemption," it bothered me that Ryan practically asked Kari out on a fishing date, knowing she was still trying to make her marriage work. It bothered me about him, not about the book.) But Landon is the example of unconditional love. When Ashley unloads everything about Paris to him, he listens with love and responds with love.
I have never read a book that described the heartbreak of 9/11 like this one. One Tuesday Morning by the same author was fantastic, but this one?
I could feel it.
I was 3 years old when the terrorist attacks happened on the World Trade Center. I saw the planes fly into the buildings on TV. But Karen Kingsbury brought that vision to LIFE with this story and the heartbreak over the characters...I could feel it! Okay, Reagan and her dad? KILLED ME. Oh my goodness, it killed me.
And finally, the part that I loved most about the book.
Ashley's work at the nursing home.
The elderly is my passion in life.
I recently lost my grandmother back in 2021 to a stroke. I also lost an elderly friend back a few years ago. And do you know what she would tell me every time she saw me at church. I kid you not...I'm not exaggerating.
"You have the most beautiful hair of anyone I've ever seen. Has anyone told you that? So long, so beautiful...."
So when I read that that was Irvel's favorite phrase...I melted.
I'm going to say this as a trigger warning for some people. In this book, it mentions geriatric abuse. The hardest chapter to read. :'''( But guys, this stuff goes on in nursing homes. I have known more nurses like Belinda than I have who are like Ashley. And it's heartbreaking.
If you have an elderly patient either living with you or in a center, if you've seen firsthand how dementia or Alzheimers disease can destroy their lives or if you've seen or suffered geriatric abuse, then I will warn you that there will be times when this book will churn your heart...but it's so worth the read.
Just a few more things and then I'll stop gushing.
Hank and Irvel's relationship...that's what I want my relationship with my soon-to-be-husband to be like.
And on that note.
I won't get into details. I didn't know it, but this was the book that I needed at this time in my life. God sent this to me at a time when I needed to hear something the most. I've spent the last two weeks in kind of a crisis situation...but this book brought me hope and answers to such a crisis. Thank you, Karen Kingsbury.
Fantastic book. Loved it. And for the record, I'm in love with the Baxter family. I wish they were real! And I can't wait to see what happens next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Melissa Nichols.
51 reviews
May 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would when I initially read the description. I wouldn’t normally want to read about 9/11 or Alzheimer’s patients, but I was captivated but the storyline and the people involved. There was so much depth and character development that happened! So cool how Karen Kingsbury weaves their stories together and does it from each person’s perspective. I also really like how her writing all points to God. I’m hooked on the Baxter family and now I get why there are so many books about them! I have only just begun with this being #2 in the series but I feel like I know them all at this point and I love watching their stories unfold. Such a great book! I can’t wait to read the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Shannon The Co-Captain.
1,010 reviews
April 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

This book is much better than the first book. I like that we get stories from all the siblings and it doesn’t just focus on one family member. I think what happens to Luke is something that is a reality many people are not aware of. He was so judgmental of his sister Ashely and he ended up falling into the same situation. Where we do not show other’s mercy in their mark missing (sin), we often set a snare for ourselves. I definitely look forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Kammie.
587 reviews3 followers
February 20, 2024
This book has so many real life experiences that the characters are dealing with. You also get a story of how fire fighters dug out rubble and survivors coped or didn't cope with the after math of 911.

I am glad Ashley finally tells what happened to her in Paris. Ashley also shows how serving others ( her Alzheimer's patients) with kindness can make a big difference in lives.
Profile Image for Dakotah Thomas.
15 reviews
May 29, 2024
4.5🌟 wowza. this book really made my heart heavy. i love how this author brings in real time events such as 9/11 and shows different perspectives from different peoples pov. i’ve already learned to fall in love with all of the characters, which makes it such an easy decision to read the next book in the series!
28 reviews
August 5, 2024
Another wonderful book in the Baxter series. This one was definitely a harder topic with 9/11 being discussed in detail. But this series is just so uplifting even in the hard moments of life. Looking forward to the 3rd book in the series next!
Profile Image for Mariab.
42 reviews9 followers
December 5, 2024
I Love Ashley Baxter and her rediscovery for her faith. The Baxter family is so real. I wasn't ready for this book to end, i found myself in tears throughout. This is really an amazing piece of writing.
Profile Image for B.D.
268 reviews
November 14, 2025
3.85🌟
I enjoyed the faith content and the scenes in the old folks home almost made me tear up but it did move a little slowly and the romance was a bit cheesy. Even though this wasn’t a four star I am still very excited to continue the series and I can’t wait for the next book. For ages 14 and up.
7 reviews
January 11, 2023
I’m so happy there is much more to read in this series. I wasn’t ready for this book to end. The Baxter family is so real. Ashley’s life has changed so incredibly much in a year. God is so good!
Profile Image for Aimee Mattazaro.
150 reviews8 followers
June 24, 2024
Rounded up from 4.5. Better than the first book. I’m staring to get emotionally attached in a good way to the Baxter family. 😊
Profile Image for Sophia.
78 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2024
Seit langer Zeit musste ich bei einem Buch wieder viel weinen. Es ist ein schönes Buch.
Profile Image for Julie.
36 reviews
November 9, 2025
I didn’t love it as much as the first book, but still emotional.
44 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2019
I’ve always loved Karen Kingsbury books and this one was no exception. Pulled at my heart strings from the first chapter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 643 reviews

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