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The Baxter Family #5
Two Weeks
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes a heart-wrenching and redemptive new story in the Baxter Family series about a couple desperately waiting to bring their adopted child home and a young mother about to make the biggest decision of her life. Cole Blake, son of Landon and Ashley Baxter Blake, is months away from going off to college and taking the first steps towards his dream--a career in medicine. But as he starts his final semester of high school he meets Elise, a mysterious new girl who captures his attention--and heart--from day one. Elise has her heart set on mending her wild ways and rediscovering the good girl she used to be. But not long after the semester starts, she discovers she's pregnant. Eighteen and alone, she shares her secret with Cole. Undaunted by the news, and in love for the first time in his life, Cole is determined to support Elise--even if it means skipping college, marrying her, and raising another man's baby. When Elise decides to place her baby up for adoption, she is matched with Aaron and Lucy Williams, who moved to Bloomington, Indiana to escape seven painful years of infertility. But as Elise's due date draws near, she becomes focused on one she has two weeks to change her mind about the adoption. With Cole keeping vigil and Lucy and Aaron waiting to welcome their new baby, Elise makes an unexpected decision--one that changes everyone's plans. Tender and deeply moving, Two Weeks is a story about love, faith, and what it really means to be a family.
453 pages, Library Binding
First published April 2, 2019
1450 people are currently reading
6494 people want to read
About the author
Karen Kingsbury
213 books12.3k 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 528 reviews
May 19, 2019
I have followed the Baxter family through thick and thin.
Cole, Ashley (Baxter) Blake's oldest son is months away from attending college, with plans to pursue a career as a doctor, following in his grandfather's footsteps. Ashley and her husband, Landon, are proud of Cole's accomplishments, but are feeling sentimental about Cole's graduation and departure for college.
Elsie Walker has moved to Bloomington to live with her Aunt and Uncle to escape an abusive relationship and finish her senior year. She's relieved about having a fresh start, and plans to apply to NYU to study art.
When Cole meets Elsie in science class, he is immediately infatuated. They begin spending time together and Cole's manners, understanding and compassion are a balm for Elsie's soul. But when Elsie discovers she is pregnant by the boy she left behind, her world is tossed upside down. What will she do? Cole vows to support her, even at the expense of his own future.
Aaron and Lucy Williams have spent the last ten years desperate for a baby. Aaron's faith is strong, but Lucy has her doubts about God's plans for them.
Yet God's goodness and grace hold the answers for all of them.
Karen Kingsbury's books always leave me feeling uplifted and inspired.
Cole, Ashley (Baxter) Blake's oldest son is months away from attending college, with plans to pursue a career as a doctor, following in his grandfather's footsteps. Ashley and her husband, Landon, are proud of Cole's accomplishments, but are feeling sentimental about Cole's graduation and departure for college.
Elsie Walker has moved to Bloomington to live with her Aunt and Uncle to escape an abusive relationship and finish her senior year. She's relieved about having a fresh start, and plans to apply to NYU to study art.
When Cole meets Elsie in science class, he is immediately infatuated. They begin spending time together and Cole's manners, understanding and compassion are a balm for Elsie's soul. But when Elsie discovers she is pregnant by the boy she left behind, her world is tossed upside down. What will she do? Cole vows to support her, even at the expense of his own future.
Aaron and Lucy Williams have spent the last ten years desperate for a baby. Aaron's faith is strong, but Lucy has her doubts about God's plans for them.
Yet God's goodness and grace hold the answers for all of them.
Karen Kingsbury's books always leave me feeling uplifted and inspired.
May 27, 2020
Two Weeks gets two stars for its two dimensional portrayal of a multifaceted issue. The novel centers around one question: If you’d been a senior in college when you got pregnant...what would you have done?” It presents a binary perspective setting up abortion as the evil beast versus pro-life as the valiant prince. It is a saccharine sweet Christian fiction fairy tale, in which the dialogue between characters consists of, “Every have one of those days? Where everything goes right?” “You know, baby, that’s what I love about you. You don’t know how to have a bad day.” Consistent with its genre, Two Weeks reinforces the fundamentalist misogynistic notion of female subordination, damsel in distress, incomplete and in need of a male savior, preferably in the form of a chaste husband.
In this novel that character is 18 year old, high school senior Cole Baxter (Prince) on a quest to rescue damsel in distress Elise Walker (self-condemned bad girl determined to mend her “wild ways” and return to good girl status). Unfortunately, this modern day Belle is impregnated by a high school rebel (aka Beast). He had always pictured marrying a “good girl from a good family.” “He saw her pretty face and waves of hair, and how she looked like a Disney princess in need of a prince. A rescue. That could be him, right?...His dad had stepped in and saved the day for his mother...He and Elise could get married and he would be the father her tiny baby needed...And that was when another thought hit him...He not only liked Elise Walker. He loved her.”
The distorted epiphany that equates love with “a rescue,” a legacy of men “stepping in and saving the day” for women, marriage and parenthood is disturbing. Is love not a reciprocal relationship between two equal partners? Are marriage and motherhood necessary to fulfill our identity as human beings and/or Christ followers? In her novel Two Weeks, Kingsbury underscores these assumptions as truths.
Ironically, it is Cole’s mother, who interrogates these notions as unhealthy. “Ashley ignored Cole’s statement about Belle. She had heard him make the comparison more than once. How Elise looked like the Disney princess. It was true, Elise was beautiful. And yes, she favored the sweet girl who befriends a beast. But it wasn’t healthy for Cole to think this was some fantasy playing out around him.” However, she also blatantly condemns abortion, “The truth is that when a woman goes into an abortion clinic, there are two victims. One doesn’t come out. One does.” She encourages this high schooler with an unplanned pregnancy to keep the baby or if that doesn’t work out, “you could always place your child up for adoption.”
In her adoption profile, Lucy was quoted saying “she would stop working if they had a baby. She believed in being a full-time mom – at least at first. Elise smiled. That meant the baby inside her would be loved.” Because of course women that work outside the home aren’t “full time moms.” Kingsbury equates staying at home with love and, by default, any type of career outside the kitchen as substandard. So sad, single and entrepreneurial women; motherhood is not for you. Two Weeks is the archetype for the Pharisaical laws the modern day Christian subculture imposes on new believers. These implied expectations of Christian religion cull away the square peg of our unique God given gifts and dynamic desires to fit the round mold of prescribed duty.
Potential adoptive parent Lucy also communicates a judgmental, condescending, two dimensional perspective on heroin. “Lucy couldn’t fathom taking deadly drugs while pregnant....How could a woman feel her baby kicking inside her and then shoot up with heroin? As if the life and future of her child didn’t matter at all. The fact that the drug was going to cause the baby pain and harm and possible brain damage and death--of no concern to the mother...most pregnant users had probably lost the ability to make a decision for anyone but themselves. So sad. Lucy couldn’t fathom any of it.” And neither could the author. So sad.
Perhaps the most reprehensible passage in all the book is when Kingsbury explains that Theo “worked the chains on the sidelines of every home game. His way of compensating for the fact that he’d never had a son to play the game.” Here she blatantly reinforces the misogynistic and outmoded concept of the desirability of a male children over females. Untenable.
Christianity as I understand it offers a Prodigal Gospel. Biblical Christianity promotes not self-righteous and good works but redemption from sin. Biblical Christianity is not VIP only but an open invitation, “Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God’s people” (Luke 14:13-14).
In this novel that character is 18 year old, high school senior Cole Baxter (Prince) on a quest to rescue damsel in distress Elise Walker (self-condemned bad girl determined to mend her “wild ways” and return to good girl status). Unfortunately, this modern day Belle is impregnated by a high school rebel (aka Beast). He had always pictured marrying a “good girl from a good family.” “He saw her pretty face and waves of hair, and how she looked like a Disney princess in need of a prince. A rescue. That could be him, right?...His dad had stepped in and saved the day for his mother...He and Elise could get married and he would be the father her tiny baby needed...And that was when another thought hit him...He not only liked Elise Walker. He loved her.”
The distorted epiphany that equates love with “a rescue,” a legacy of men “stepping in and saving the day” for women, marriage and parenthood is disturbing. Is love not a reciprocal relationship between two equal partners? Are marriage and motherhood necessary to fulfill our identity as human beings and/or Christ followers? In her novel Two Weeks, Kingsbury underscores these assumptions as truths.
Ironically, it is Cole’s mother, who interrogates these notions as unhealthy. “Ashley ignored Cole’s statement about Belle. She had heard him make the comparison more than once. How Elise looked like the Disney princess. It was true, Elise was beautiful. And yes, she favored the sweet girl who befriends a beast. But it wasn’t healthy for Cole to think this was some fantasy playing out around him.” However, she also blatantly condemns abortion, “The truth is that when a woman goes into an abortion clinic, there are two victims. One doesn’t come out. One does.” She encourages this high schooler with an unplanned pregnancy to keep the baby or if that doesn’t work out, “you could always place your child up for adoption.”
In her adoption profile, Lucy was quoted saying “she would stop working if they had a baby. She believed in being a full-time mom – at least at first. Elise smiled. That meant the baby inside her would be loved.” Because of course women that work outside the home aren’t “full time moms.” Kingsbury equates staying at home with love and, by default, any type of career outside the kitchen as substandard. So sad, single and entrepreneurial women; motherhood is not for you. Two Weeks is the archetype for the Pharisaical laws the modern day Christian subculture imposes on new believers. These implied expectations of Christian religion cull away the square peg of our unique God given gifts and dynamic desires to fit the round mold of prescribed duty.
Potential adoptive parent Lucy also communicates a judgmental, condescending, two dimensional perspective on heroin. “Lucy couldn’t fathom taking deadly drugs while pregnant....How could a woman feel her baby kicking inside her and then shoot up with heroin? As if the life and future of her child didn’t matter at all. The fact that the drug was going to cause the baby pain and harm and possible brain damage and death--of no concern to the mother...most pregnant users had probably lost the ability to make a decision for anyone but themselves. So sad. Lucy couldn’t fathom any of it.” And neither could the author. So sad.
Perhaps the most reprehensible passage in all the book is when Kingsbury explains that Theo “worked the chains on the sidelines of every home game. His way of compensating for the fact that he’d never had a son to play the game.” Here she blatantly reinforces the misogynistic and outmoded concept of the desirability of a male children over females. Untenable.
Christianity as I understand it offers a Prodigal Gospel. Biblical Christianity promotes not self-righteous and good works but redemption from sin. Biblical Christianity is not VIP only but an open invitation, “Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God’s people” (Luke 14:13-14).
March 25, 2019
Two Weeks
Karen Kingsbury
TWO WEEKS is the fifth book in the Baxter Family Series by Karen Kingsbury. It is the story of Cole Blake, Ashley Baxter's son and how he is anxiously waiting to leave home to attend college and peruse a career in medicine. In his final semester of high school, he meets Elise and his heart and mind thinks of nothing else but her! Elise comes with lots of trouble including the fact that she is pregnant by her abusive ex-boyfriend and she's not sure what she is going to do.
Karen Kingsbury sure knows how to make the reader feel as if they are right there at the kitchen table with the family dealing with all their troubles and TWO WEEKS is exactly that! She made me sad, then the next moment I was smiling and giggling out loud! You can never go wrong with a Karen Kingsbury book if you are a fan of the Christian fiction genre. All of her characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again. You will also wonder how much heartache a family can stand before it completely breaks down and splits.
TWO WEEKS is a heart tugging story filled with grief, loneliness, heartbreak, and love that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once I started this heartwarming story, it was very hard to put down! I really prayed that Cole would be able to convince Elise that she wasn't damaged and deserved to be loved and cherished. Karen Kingsbury isn't afraid to write about subjects out of the norm as far as the Christian Fiction genre goes. Oh, as a warning to the reader, keep the tissues handy and do not read the ending in a public place unless you don't mind crying in front of strangers! I'm so excited to continue catching up on all of Karen Kingsbury's previous books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Karen Kingsbury
TWO WEEKS is the fifth book in the Baxter Family Series by Karen Kingsbury. It is the story of Cole Blake, Ashley Baxter's son and how he is anxiously waiting to leave home to attend college and peruse a career in medicine. In his final semester of high school, he meets Elise and his heart and mind thinks of nothing else but her! Elise comes with lots of trouble including the fact that she is pregnant by her abusive ex-boyfriend and she's not sure what she is going to do.
Karen Kingsbury sure knows how to make the reader feel as if they are right there at the kitchen table with the family dealing with all their troubles and TWO WEEKS is exactly that! She made me sad, then the next moment I was smiling and giggling out loud! You can never go wrong with a Karen Kingsbury book if you are a fan of the Christian fiction genre. All of her characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again. You will also wonder how much heartache a family can stand before it completely breaks down and splits.
TWO WEEKS is a heart tugging story filled with grief, loneliness, heartbreak, and love that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once I started this heartwarming story, it was very hard to put down! I really prayed that Cole would be able to convince Elise that she wasn't damaged and deserved to be loved and cherished. Karen Kingsbury isn't afraid to write about subjects out of the norm as far as the Christian Fiction genre goes. Oh, as a warning to the reader, keep the tissues handy and do not read the ending in a public place unless you don't mind crying in front of strangers! I'm so excited to continue catching up on all of Karen Kingsbury's previous books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 26, 2023
This was a sort of "meh" book in a sense....did had some lovely spiritual elements included, some realistic aspects, and eventually happier ending but sort of left hanging somewhat. It is a stand alone but yet a part of a series so I was a confused as to who was who here and there. I have read several other of her books before and was thoroughly taken up with/enjoyed immensely as they stayed with me long after so she is a great author otherwise.
May 28, 2020
I was starting to think that I was going to give up on Kingsbury's books. Other than To the Moon and Back, I have not really cared for the books in this series. This one was a bit better than the last one though!
What I liked: Kingsbury truly knows how to capture emotion, especially when it comes to dealing with untimely death. The picture of God's faithfulness and care for those experiencing unimaginable pain is fantastic and will bring needed hope. The depiction of the "lasts" that everyone goes through when watching their children grow up is also very heartfelt and meaningful. I loved the three storylines and how they meshed together in the end. Beautiful. Finally, Cole's struggles to do the right thing after making a promise was realistic and a contrast to his otherwise "goody-goody" personality.
What I didn't like: 1. The preachiness is over the top. Why mention Elise's aunt and uncle's drinking of a bottle of wine per night if not to get a dig in there against those who choose to drink? It had zero to do with the plot yet the author felt the need to put it in the the story as a "very bad thing" anyway.
2. Cole's naivete and classification of Elise as a "good girl" because she sang Jesus Loves Me to a patient was sappy and made me almost want to stop reading.
3. The mentions of Liberty University are SO frequent it almost reads like a commercial for the college. In fact, the author rarely if ever just uses the word college or phrase like "go away to college this fall," it is ALWAYS "go away to Liberty this fall."
4. Finally, maybe it is the stage of life I'm in and the fact that I have kids who just went through college applications, acceptance, going away, etc., but all mentions of NYU and Elise absolutely grated and made me roll my eyes so much it hurt. NYU has a 19% acceptance rate. Even the kids with top resumes, top grades, top test scores, top recommendations, top extra-curriculars, etc. do not get in easily, if at all. Elise's admittance would not have come down to completing a few volunteer hours at a hospital to complete an admission checklist and wow, she's in. It is so incredibly unrealistic and actually made me knock the rating down an entire star. If you are going to use a real place in a story, do your research and make it authentic.
As I've said before, I keep reading this series because I'm invested. Sometimes there's an awesome plot or part of the book that makes me remember why I like this series and keeps me coming back for more.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
What I liked: Kingsbury truly knows how to capture emotion, especially when it comes to dealing with untimely death. The picture of God's faithfulness and care for those experiencing unimaginable pain is fantastic and will bring needed hope. The depiction of the "lasts" that everyone goes through when watching their children grow up is also very heartfelt and meaningful. I loved the three storylines and how they meshed together in the end. Beautiful. Finally, Cole's struggles to do the right thing after making a promise was realistic and a contrast to his otherwise "goody-goody" personality.
What I didn't like: 1. The preachiness is over the top. Why mention Elise's aunt and uncle's drinking of a bottle of wine per night if not to get a dig in there against those who choose to drink? It had zero to do with the plot yet the author felt the need to put it in the the story as a "very bad thing" anyway.
2. Cole's naivete and classification of Elise as a "good girl" because she sang Jesus Loves Me to a patient was sappy and made me almost want to stop reading.
3. The mentions of Liberty University are SO frequent it almost reads like a commercial for the college. In fact, the author rarely if ever just uses the word college or phrase like "go away to college this fall," it is ALWAYS "go away to Liberty this fall."
4. Finally, maybe it is the stage of life I'm in and the fact that I have kids who just went through college applications, acceptance, going away, etc., but all mentions of NYU and Elise absolutely grated and made me roll my eyes so much it hurt. NYU has a 19% acceptance rate. Even the kids with top resumes, top grades, top test scores, top recommendations, top extra-curriculars, etc. do not get in easily, if at all. Elise's admittance would not have come down to completing a few volunteer hours at a hospital to complete an admission checklist and wow, she's in. It is so incredibly unrealistic and actually made me knock the rating down an entire star. If you are going to use a real place in a story, do your research and make it authentic.
As I've said before, I keep reading this series because I'm invested. Sometimes there's an awesome plot or part of the book that makes me remember why I like this series and keeps me coming back for more.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
November 27, 2018
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Karen Kingsbury is an author that does not sugar coat anything related to hardships and has a unique way of turning fictional characters into family members that we really feel like are our own.
Elise has one goal in mind. NYU. She's a painter through and through and nothing is going to stop her from accomplishing her dream. That is, until she finds out that she's pregnant by her abusive ex-boyfriend. That's when her world crashes and she's faced with a decision...let the baby live and raise it, let it be adopted out, or get an abortion.
Cole has never felt anything like the way he feels for Elise. He sees her struggling with decisions and wants to help her. Even if it means giving up his own dream to marry her and raise another man's child. He's determined to stand by Elise no matter what she decides to do.
Lucy and Aaron have unsuccessfully tried to adopt or get pregnant for ten years with no results and endless heartbreak. Aaron knows that God has timing and in due time, they will have a baby of their own. Lucy, however, finds her faith waning.
This is a very moving story of love, faith, and family. Heartwarming to the core and a great new addition to the Baxter series. If you've been a Baxter fan since the beginning or just picking up with them for the first time, I'm sure you will like this as much as I have.
This book is appropriate for ages 16+ for mature content involving teenage sex (non-graphic) and teenage pregnancy.
Karen Kingsbury is an author that does not sugar coat anything related to hardships and has a unique way of turning fictional characters into family members that we really feel like are our own.
Elise has one goal in mind. NYU. She's a painter through and through and nothing is going to stop her from accomplishing her dream. That is, until she finds out that she's pregnant by her abusive ex-boyfriend. That's when her world crashes and she's faced with a decision...let the baby live and raise it, let it be adopted out, or get an abortion.
Cole has never felt anything like the way he feels for Elise. He sees her struggling with decisions and wants to help her. Even if it means giving up his own dream to marry her and raise another man's child. He's determined to stand by Elise no matter what she decides to do.
Lucy and Aaron have unsuccessfully tried to adopt or get pregnant for ten years with no results and endless heartbreak. Aaron knows that God has timing and in due time, they will have a baby of their own. Lucy, however, finds her faith waning.
This is a very moving story of love, faith, and family. Heartwarming to the core and a great new addition to the Baxter series. If you've been a Baxter fan since the beginning or just picking up with them for the first time, I'm sure you will like this as much as I have.
This book is appropriate for ages 16+ for mature content involving teenage sex (non-graphic) and teenage pregnancy.
September 13, 2022
Two Weeks
This book is extremely devoted to God. I usually don't mind reading a Christian Novel. But on every single page a reverence to faith, praing, talking, wishing, just saying the name, frases from the bible is way to much for me.
Apart from that was it an okey read. The plot could have been clearer and maybe less focused on the whole 'we want a baby now' thing. Adoption is such a blessing, I am grateful for all the parents out there, that take care of someone else's child like they are their own.
I also would have like for Elise, to see her mother visiting her. After she talked to her on the phone explaining the situation she is in.
I couldn't get use to the writing style of the author. It felt to "off age". I think this would have been a book for my grandmother to adore if she was still with us.
This book is extremely devoted to God. I usually don't mind reading a Christian Novel. But on every single page a reverence to faith, praing, talking, wishing, just saying the name, frases from the bible is way to much for me.
Apart from that was it an okey read. The plot could have been clearer and maybe less focused on the whole 'we want a baby now' thing. Adoption is such a blessing, I am grateful for all the parents out there, that take care of someone else's child like they are their own.
I also would have like for Elise, to see her mother visiting her. After she talked to her on the phone explaining the situation she is in.
I couldn't get use to the writing style of the author. It felt to "off age". I think this would have been a book for my grandmother to adore if she was still with us.
May 29, 2019
(I do not normally read this author, did not know she wrote overly christian fiction either so take my review with a grain of salt) I picked this up because it had a really long wait list at the library for awhile and I thought well it must be good then! No. Nope. Way too unrealistic and overly preachy in a weird way not a natural christian fiction way. (and I am religious!) It rubbed me the wrong way in the same way a few other reviews read, the way they talk about Elise portrayed as some damsel in distress bad girl and how Cole is the savior. I can say the author knows how to pull at your heart with tragedy, there was a lot of that!
June 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you have been following the series of The Baxter Family this is a must read. If you’re not following the series I definitely recommend it.
If you have been following the series of The Baxter Family this is a must read. If you’re not following the series I definitely recommend it.
December 3, 2024
Riveting! This book kept me glued to the pages the last 2 days. It was heart wrenching at times and had many poignant moments. The sweet teenage romance brought tears to my eyes many times. I have been reading the Baxter family books for the last 18 years and have seen Cole grow up. He is the hero in this book, and what a fine man of God hero he is. He is so much like his adoptive dad, Landon, who I absolutely adored because of his great love for Ashley that was told in the earlier books. My heart went out to Elise (heroine) and the heartbreaking situation she was in. I had to keep reading to see what happened!! I love KK's book and this one is definitely a winner. I can't wait for the next book to see the continuation of Cole and Elise's story. Very highly recommend!!
Update: I just read this book for the 2nd time and it again had me absolutely enthralled. It had been so long since I read it the first time that I had forgotten most of the plot points….so it was like a first time read for me. This beautiful love story will wrap around your heart ♥️ It is a very emotional read that is captivating!
Update: I just read this book for the 2nd time and it again had me absolutely enthralled. It had been so long since I read it the first time that I had forgotten most of the plot points….so it was like a first time read for me. This beautiful love story will wrap around your heart ♥️ It is a very emotional read that is captivating!
December 9, 2018
Seriously crying ;)
September 18, 2023
3.5 ⭐ I read this book in a single day - so good! Definitely recommend if you enjoy Christian fiction. Karen Kingsbury's books are always encouraging.
May 22, 2019
I did not enjoy this book. The plot was good however there was no character development, it was very predictable and SO cheesy. I love Christian Romance books (Denise Hunter, Courtney Walsh, Becky Wade, Beth Vogt....) but this book was over the top. It was also very unrealistic....The way the book ended also implied there was going to be another book (Karen Kingsbury I feel like is just punching out books....) Sorry to say but I was very disappointed......
May 28, 2024
I started reading the Baxter series many years ago & it’s been awhile since I picked up her newer books about the Baxters but so good to catch up with the Baxters and their faith journey. The Baxter series has many books in them & they are all such good reads!!!
May 17, 2024
The way i sobbed so many times during this book and like Cole, man he raised my standards. Elise has my heart too, as I struggle a lot with trusting. If you are not sure if you want to read this, go ahead and read it. I promise you, your faith will grow.
July 2, 2019
3.5 stars
Don’t let the Baxter name keep you from reading the latest from Karen Kingsbury. Two Weeks is Elise Walker’s story. While Cole Blake, son of Landon and Ashley Baxter Blake, plays a pretty big role, this book is not a focus on the Baxter family and can be read as a stand-alone. If you haven’t read the 25+ Baxter books prior to this one, starting here will not be a problem.
Cole Blake is months away from graduating high school and going off to college. But as he starts his final semester he meets Elise, a girl who captures his attention from day one. Elise is the new girl in town and soon discovers she’s pregnant. As her and Cole grow close, she shares her secret with him. Undaunted by the news, and in love for the first time in his life, Cole is determined to support Elise.
Will Elise keep her baby or put it up for adoption? Readers are introduced to two other couples as Elise’s story plays out. What role will these couples play in this story? You’ll have to read Two Weeks to find out :)
If you follow my reviews, you know Kingsbury is a fave. However, this book was not a favorite of mine, so let’s jump into what I liked and didn’t.
What I liked about Two Weeks were the messages I gathered from its pages. When it comes to Kingsbury books, the message(s) are ultimately what I’m after and they were delivered. The little bits of wisdom I took away from this book were that everyone has a story AND you have to trust God’s timing. Your story will not match mine, but no matter the circumstances, God stands with us. We have to remember that during the hard times, especially when the answers we seek may not be the answers God has for us.
Unfortunately, the things I didn’t like about Two Weeks outweigh those I did.
1 - Having never experienced anything that these characters had, I couldn’t completely feel or understand them. Karen usually manages to pull at my heart-strings, but I didn’t feel that emotional pull this time around.
2 - I would love to have seen the other couples mentioned explored further. I wanted more about the new characters and less Baxters (see #5).
3 - Too many mentions of Liberty University became off putting. I became pretty frustrated that Cole planning to attend LU when he graduated seemed to be mentioned every other page.
4 - Elise’s come to faith moment. I feel like I didn’t get the full faith transformation, as it felt glossed over and abrupt. I’m not saying that accepting Jesus into your life is hard, but that more attention paid here would have been appropriate.
5 - I’m experiencing Baxter family overload and would love to see a book full of completely new and fresh characters.
While I didn’t relate and feel the pull of this story, there are many out there who will. It may leave you sobbing for hours. I believe that life experiences play a huge role in how we respond to books. This review is my opinion and my opinion alone. While Karen will always remain a favorite, every book she writes will not be 5 stars, every book is not going to hit me straight through the heart. If we all loved and disliked the same things, the world would be a less interesting place. So, grab a copy of Two Weeks and dive in. I hope it hits you over the head with emotion!
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
Don’t let the Baxter name keep you from reading the latest from Karen Kingsbury. Two Weeks is Elise Walker’s story. While Cole Blake, son of Landon and Ashley Baxter Blake, plays a pretty big role, this book is not a focus on the Baxter family and can be read as a stand-alone. If you haven’t read the 25+ Baxter books prior to this one, starting here will not be a problem.
Cole Blake is months away from graduating high school and going off to college. But as he starts his final semester he meets Elise, a girl who captures his attention from day one. Elise is the new girl in town and soon discovers she’s pregnant. As her and Cole grow close, she shares her secret with him. Undaunted by the news, and in love for the first time in his life, Cole is determined to support Elise.
Will Elise keep her baby or put it up for adoption? Readers are introduced to two other couples as Elise’s story plays out. What role will these couples play in this story? You’ll have to read Two Weeks to find out :)
If you follow my reviews, you know Kingsbury is a fave. However, this book was not a favorite of mine, so let’s jump into what I liked and didn’t.
What I liked about Two Weeks were the messages I gathered from its pages. When it comes to Kingsbury books, the message(s) are ultimately what I’m after and they were delivered. The little bits of wisdom I took away from this book were that everyone has a story AND you have to trust God’s timing. Your story will not match mine, but no matter the circumstances, God stands with us. We have to remember that during the hard times, especially when the answers we seek may not be the answers God has for us.
Unfortunately, the things I didn’t like about Two Weeks outweigh those I did.
1 - Having never experienced anything that these characters had, I couldn’t completely feel or understand them. Karen usually manages to pull at my heart-strings, but I didn’t feel that emotional pull this time around.
2 - I would love to have seen the other couples mentioned explored further. I wanted more about the new characters and less Baxters (see #5).
3 - Too many mentions of Liberty University became off putting. I became pretty frustrated that Cole planning to attend LU when he graduated seemed to be mentioned every other page.
4 - Elise’s come to faith moment. I feel like I didn’t get the full faith transformation, as it felt glossed over and abrupt. I’m not saying that accepting Jesus into your life is hard, but that more attention paid here would have been appropriate.
5 - I’m experiencing Baxter family overload and would love to see a book full of completely new and fresh characters.
While I didn’t relate and feel the pull of this story, there are many out there who will. It may leave you sobbing for hours. I believe that life experiences play a huge role in how we respond to books. This review is my opinion and my opinion alone. While Karen will always remain a favorite, every book she writes will not be 5 stars, every book is not going to hit me straight through the heart. If we all loved and disliked the same things, the world would be a less interesting place. So, grab a copy of Two Weeks and dive in. I hope it hits you over the head with emotion!
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
April 21, 2020
I knew going into this book that it might be a hard read for me. A few of the topics dealt with (infertility, adoption/adoption loss) are things I've gone through in my life, so reading about Aaron and Lucy's journey definitely brought up some poignant feelings for me, though it wasn't as 'triggering' as I might have expected.
I feel like, overall, KK did a good job with treating the issues surrounding this story with sensitivity and grace. I did feel a few times like I wanted to somehow shake some sense into both Cole and Elise though . . . and get them to actually TALK to each other about what they were truly feeling, but I kinda think maybe that's just the teenager part of the characters? Especially ones so close to being adults . . . wanting to be mature enough to make the hard choices, but also being unsure of what that might look like?
As always, God's grace and love, as well as trusting in His timing are themes in this Baxter family novel, and I always appreciate that.
I feel like, overall, KK did a good job with treating the issues surrounding this story with sensitivity and grace. I did feel a few times like I wanted to somehow shake some sense into both Cole and Elise though . . . and get them to actually TALK to each other about what they were truly feeling, but I kinda think maybe that's just the teenager part of the characters? Especially ones so close to being adults . . . wanting to be mature enough to make the hard choices, but also being unsure of what that might look like?
As always, God's grace and love, as well as trusting in His timing are themes in this Baxter family novel, and I always appreciate that.
April 24, 2019
Cole is a senior in high school and falling in love with a girl that doesnt have her life together, in fact Elises life is completely falling apart until she meets Cole.
Aaron and his wife want nothing more than to have a baby but they cant to they try adoption but the child they most desperately want keeps slipping away from them
All the while Ashley and Landon are trying to raise their children right and keep them safe.
I love them I love the world and I need more Baxters soon please!!
Aaron and his wife want nothing more than to have a baby but they cant to they try adoption but the child they most desperately want keeps slipping away from them
All the while Ashley and Landon are trying to raise their children right and keep them safe.
I love them I love the world and I need more Baxters soon please!!
September 15, 2019
This book two weeks is an amazing read. You feel everything all these family's go through in this book and whats not to love about the Baxter's i have read all her books with the Baxter's. This book well take you on a whirl wind of Emotions. From love to Loss and Friendship and i could go on and on. This is a must read. You don't have to know the Baxter's to read this book but you wouldn't be disappointed if you did :) I can not wait for the next Karen Kingsbury book to come out :)
January 20, 2020
I got halfway through and abandoned this book. I used to love all the Baxter books, but I feel like the characters are just too perfect. It was very predictable. I think this family saga is like a TV show that just goes on too long.
February 28, 2020
Such as amazing book. It's been awhile since I've read a book by Karen Kingsbury and it was nice to be back. I really loved how she weaves characters and storylines together.
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January 22, 2022My first book of 2022! (and yes, I had it read in a day 😂)
RTC
RTC
May 25, 2025
3.5!
I love a Karen Kingsbury read. She makes you feel all the emotions with each character and proceeds to intertwine each storyline. I was a little disappointed in the ending— felt like it ended abruptly and too picture perfect. But I loved reading the rest of the book!
I love a Karen Kingsbury read. She makes you feel all the emotions with each character and proceeds to intertwine each storyline. I was a little disappointed in the ending— felt like it ended abruptly and too picture perfect. But I loved reading the rest of the book!
April 21, 2019
Always Amazing !!! Loved it !!
December 15, 2018
Karen Kingsbury writes emotionally heart gripping stories that wring every sense of emotion from you. This book is actually the story of three different couples and how they are brought together by one tiny baby.
Cole Baxter meets the new girl in school for the last semester. He’s planned his life out - college & medical school at Liberty, playing baseball while an undergrad & back to work with his grandfather. Shortly after meeting Cole, Elise finds out she’s pregnant. She doesn’t think she’s ready for a baby but what’s she going to do now? The baby isn’t Coles but he is in love with Elise. Will he change his plans to take care of her?
Aaron & Lucy Williams have been trying to have a baby for years. They’ve struggled with a miscarriage. Had their hearts broken with a couple of failed adoptions. Aaron still believes that God has a plan for them but Lucy doesn’t believe anymore. She’s so tired from the process & the toll it’s taken on their lives & marriage. Can they find their way back to each other or will they be broken apart?
Theo & Alma Brown were foster parents until they had their beautiful daughter, Vienna. Now, Vienna is growing up & feels her parents should go back to fostering kids. After a tragedy changes their lives for ever, will they fall apart or will they follow their promise & find a way back?
At first, I was confused by the different points of view & how they fit together. The story pulls you in from the beginning & starts you on the emotional journey. You feel Elises’s pain & fear deep in your heart. Cole’s faith, love & heart make you believe everything will be better. Theo & Alma pull you into their grief & confusion. Why them? What did they do wrong? Lucy & Aaron were a case of one spouse clinging to his faith & the other spouse discouraged, frustrated & tired. All are brought together to learn something by little Gracie. The ending isn’t what I expected but what I love most about this story.
Cole Baxter meets the new girl in school for the last semester. He’s planned his life out - college & medical school at Liberty, playing baseball while an undergrad & back to work with his grandfather. Shortly after meeting Cole, Elise finds out she’s pregnant. She doesn’t think she’s ready for a baby but what’s she going to do now? The baby isn’t Coles but he is in love with Elise. Will he change his plans to take care of her?
Aaron & Lucy Williams have been trying to have a baby for years. They’ve struggled with a miscarriage. Had their hearts broken with a couple of failed adoptions. Aaron still believes that God has a plan for them but Lucy doesn’t believe anymore. She’s so tired from the process & the toll it’s taken on their lives & marriage. Can they find their way back to each other or will they be broken apart?
Theo & Alma Brown were foster parents until they had their beautiful daughter, Vienna. Now, Vienna is growing up & feels her parents should go back to fostering kids. After a tragedy changes their lives for ever, will they fall apart or will they follow their promise & find a way back?
At first, I was confused by the different points of view & how they fit together. The story pulls you in from the beginning & starts you on the emotional journey. You feel Elises’s pain & fear deep in your heart. Cole’s faith, love & heart make you believe everything will be better. Theo & Alma pull you into their grief & confusion. Why them? What did they do wrong? Lucy & Aaron were a case of one spouse clinging to his faith & the other spouse discouraged, frustrated & tired. All are brought together to learn something by little Gracie. The ending isn’t what I expected but what I love most about this story.
April 18, 2019
This is the 5th book from the Baxter Family series. It should be required reading for all ladies who get pregnant in a less then ideal situation. I have known ladies who have gone through the same or similar situations and each made a different decision choosing one of the three options. The first is to have an abortion, the second is to have the baby and put it up for adoption, and the third is to have the baby and raise the baby. I didn't know them when they faced that decision but I know what each went through in making the decision and living with that decision years later.
In this book Elise has a not so great boyfriend who she is abused by. She moves from Louisiana to Bloomington, Indiana to live with her Aunt and Uncle the last semester of her Senior year to to get away from him. When she goes to high school the first day she meets Cole and they really fall for each other. Elise then learns she is pregnant. Cole seems too good to be true. He won't leave Elise and offers to be with her through her pregnancy skipping his college plans.
This book also shows the sadness a couple goes through when they can't get pregnant and have infertility issues. Lucy and Aaron have tried everything. Aaron hasn't given up his faith in God through it all but Lucy is struggling with God because He doesn't seem to be listening and won't answer their prayers.
Elise gets hooked up with Lucy and Aaron regarding the possibility of adopting her baby. In Indiana the mother has two weeks after the baby is born to change her mind. What will Elise do? What will Cole do?
Good read with God at the center.
In this book Elise has a not so great boyfriend who she is abused by. She moves from Louisiana to Bloomington, Indiana to live with her Aunt and Uncle the last semester of her Senior year to to get away from him. When she goes to high school the first day she meets Cole and they really fall for each other. Elise then learns she is pregnant. Cole seems too good to be true. He won't leave Elise and offers to be with her through her pregnancy skipping his college plans.
This book also shows the sadness a couple goes through when they can't get pregnant and have infertility issues. Lucy and Aaron have tried everything. Aaron hasn't given up his faith in God through it all but Lucy is struggling with God because He doesn't seem to be listening and won't answer their prayers.
Elise gets hooked up with Lucy and Aaron regarding the possibility of adopting her baby. In Indiana the mother has two weeks after the baby is born to change her mind. What will Elise do? What will Cole do?
Good read with God at the center.
November 16, 2018
This is another book about the Baxter family. The main Baxter in this one is Cole who is Ashley's son. We first met Cole when he was a toddler some 15 years ago. Cole is all grown up and has an instant attract to Elise, a transfer student from Louisiana. She had moved to Indiana to finish high school to escape an abusive boyfriend. Soon after their friendship is under way Elise discovers she is pregnant. The majority is the book is Elise suffering turmoil on whether or not she will keep the baby or give her child up to a loving childless couple. She waffles back and forth about what she wants to do. There is a tragic event in town that affects some of her decision making however I wish the author had used some other means rather than this tragic event to affect her way of thinking. This tragic event was just too sad for me. Anyway the title of this book is Two Weeks and this means that Elise has two weeks after the birth of her child to decide whether or not to keep the baby or give it up. This book was well written and I connected with the characters quickly. I hope we see Elise and Cole again. I would love to know what is in their future.
: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Howard Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Two Weeks will be published on April 2, 2019.
: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Howard Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Two Weeks will be published on April 2, 2019.
August 25, 2019
I enjoyed listening to the unabridged CDs of TWO WEEKS by Karen Kingsbury and read by January Lavoy and Kirby Heyborne. There are several stories about family and love entwined in this novel - teenage pregnancy, sudden death, infertility, single parents, adoption and foster parenting.
The last semester of school Cole Blake is smitten with Elise the moment he lays eyes on her. It was fun to watch their friendship grow. Cole excelled at sports, was intelligent and appeared to have the patience of Job.
I liked the way Ashley and Landon welcomed Elise and included her in their conversations with Cole, and prayed for her.
"If only she could go back and paint the picture of her life differently. Elise never would've talked to Randy at that party. And she wouldn't be pregnant."
- Quote from back cover
Although I liked the story, I would have given it a higher rating if it was not so repetitive.
3.8 rounded up to 4 pregnant stars ⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️
The last semester of school Cole Blake is smitten with Elise the moment he lays eyes on her. It was fun to watch their friendship grow. Cole excelled at sports, was intelligent and appeared to have the patience of Job.
I liked the way Ashley and Landon welcomed Elise and included her in their conversations with Cole, and prayed for her.
"If only she could go back and paint the picture of her life differently. Elise never would've talked to Randy at that party. And she wouldn't be pregnant."
- Quote from back cover
Although I liked the story, I would have given it a higher rating if it was not so repetitive.
3.8 rounded up to 4 pregnant stars ⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️
May 5, 2019
This was another story into the life of a Baxter family member. Cole’s story
As he is about to go to Liberty University- his final semester in high school.
Here he meets and befriends Elise Walker who has moved from Louisiana
And is living with her aunt and uncle but wants to be an artist in N.Y. after
She attends NYU.
After a few months Elise finds herself pregnant. How she deals with this
And her decision make for a deeply tender and moving story about love,
Trust, faith, acceptance and growing . There are several storylines that
Add to the tale and keep the reader engaged and turning the pages.Each
Book is beautifully written and brings tears to the eyes. I enjoy reading
About the Baxter’s and look froward to the next story in their lives.
As he is about to go to Liberty University- his final semester in high school.
Here he meets and befriends Elise Walker who has moved from Louisiana
And is living with her aunt and uncle but wants to be an artist in N.Y. after
She attends NYU.
After a few months Elise finds herself pregnant. How she deals with this
And her decision make for a deeply tender and moving story about love,
Trust, faith, acceptance and growing . There are several storylines that
Add to the tale and keep the reader engaged and turning the pages.Each
Book is beautifully written and brings tears to the eyes. I enjoy reading
About the Baxter’s and look froward to the next story in their lives.
February 17, 2020
Another spectacular and heartbreaking novel from Karen Kingsbury! She has such a way of telling a story that just makes you fall completely in love. The Baxter family is by far my favorite fiction family, the relationship with one another is authentic and real, but oh so heartwarming. You find yourself wanting to be one of them! Absolutely loved this story!
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