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The Baxters #31
Truly, Madly, Deeply
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTELLER
In love for the first time, a son’s decisions about the future divides his family in this fearless and thought-provoking novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of life-changing fiction.
When eighteen-year-old Tommy Baxter declares to his family that he wants to be a police officer after graduation, his mother, Reagan, won’t hear of it. After all, she’s still mourning the death of her own father on September 11 and she’s determined to keep her son safe from danger. But Tommy’s father, Luke, is proud of Tommy’s decision. He would make a kind and compassionate cop.
Meanwhile, Tommy is in love for the first time. His sweet relationship with Annalee Miller is almost too good to be true. Tommy begins seriously thinking about the far off day when he can ask her to marry him but she hasn’t been feeling well. Tests reveal the unthinkable.
While his girlfriend begins the fight of her life, Tommy is driven to learn more about the circumstances surrounding his birth and the grandfather he never knew. Secrets come to light that rock Tommy’s world, and he becomes determined to spend his future fighting crime and bringing peace to the streets. Or is this just his way to fight a battle he cannot win—the one facing Annalee?
Blending romance and family drama, Truly, Madly,Deeply shows us that, in the shadow of great loss, the only way to live with passion is truly, madly, deeply.
In love for the first time, a son’s decisions about the future divides his family in this fearless and thought-provoking novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of life-changing fiction.
When eighteen-year-old Tommy Baxter declares to his family that he wants to be a police officer after graduation, his mother, Reagan, won’t hear of it. After all, she’s still mourning the death of her own father on September 11 and she’s determined to keep her son safe from danger. But Tommy’s father, Luke, is proud of Tommy’s decision. He would make a kind and compassionate cop.
Meanwhile, Tommy is in love for the first time. His sweet relationship with Annalee Miller is almost too good to be true. Tommy begins seriously thinking about the far off day when he can ask her to marry him but she hasn’t been feeling well. Tests reveal the unthinkable.
While his girlfriend begins the fight of her life, Tommy is driven to learn more about the circumstances surrounding his birth and the grandfather he never knew. Secrets come to light that rock Tommy’s world, and he becomes determined to spend his future fighting crime and bringing peace to the streets. Or is this just his way to fight a battle he cannot win—the one facing Annalee?
Blending romance and family drama, Truly, Madly,Deeply shows us that, in the shadow of great loss, the only way to live with passion is truly, madly, deeply.
368 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2020
1778 people are currently reading
3777 people want to read
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 526 reviews
October 28, 2020
Truly, Madly, Deeply by Karen Kingsbury is an emotional Christian, women’s fiction novel.
I enjoyed Truly, Madly, Deeply because of how emotional it was. This book really focuses on family, love, and faith. I really enjoyed the family aspect. The Baxters are a tightknit family always looking out for each other. It was interesting to see what happened when Tommy announced he was thinking about being a cop and seeing how his mom reacted.
I recommend Truly, Madly, Deeply to fans of Karen Kingsbury, The Baxters series, and Christian fiction.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books/Simon & Schuster for Truly, Madly, Deeply.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
I enjoyed Truly, Madly, Deeply because of how emotional it was. This book really focuses on family, love, and faith. I really enjoyed the family aspect. The Baxters are a tightknit family always looking out for each other. It was interesting to see what happened when Tommy announced he was thinking about being a cop and seeing how his mom reacted.
I recommend Truly, Madly, Deeply to fans of Karen Kingsbury, The Baxters series, and Christian fiction.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books/Simon & Schuster for Truly, Madly, Deeply.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
April 10, 2021
3.5 stars
Truly, Madly, Deeply was my first Karen Kingsbury book and I enjoyed Tommy and Annalee’s story. I especially loved Tommy’s chapters because I found them most interesting and they were narrated by Kirby Heyborne (the narrator for Josh Bennett in TSOT) and he has an amazing voice. This book was full of emotion and heart. I felt like a few of the storylines were tied up a little too nicely, and a few others I wanted so much more from .Overall, I liked it a lot and I’ll definitely check out more from this author in the future.
Truly, Madly, Deeply was my first Karen Kingsbury book and I enjoyed Tommy and Annalee’s story. I especially loved Tommy’s chapters because I found them most interesting and they were narrated by Kirby Heyborne (the narrator for Josh Bennett in TSOT) and he has an amazing voice. This book was full of emotion and heart. I felt like a few of the storylines were tied up a little too nicely, and a few others I wanted so much more from .Overall, I liked it a lot and I’ll definitely check out more from this author in the future.
Audio book source: Libby (library borrow)
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Kirby Heyborne and January LaVoy
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Christian Fiction
Length: 8 hours and 38 minutes
October 30, 2020
I’ve read almost every Karen Kingsbury book. I’m slowly growing my own library of KK books (many of her oldest titles are on my parent’s bookshelves) and just this week, I purchased one that I originally read several years ago. So what I’m about to say isn’t a critique for the sake of being mean and it certainly isn’t coming from someone who is not a KK fan — but it *is* my honest review.
This is one of the worst Karen Kingsbury books to date, if not the worst.
I could touch on the grammatical errors, the misspelled words, and the missing words throughout the entire manuscript. But quite frankly, that’s the norm. I’m not sure who edits her books, but there are dozens of errors every single time.
My problem with this one is two-fold: it’s grossly unbelievable and filled with choppy sentence fragments. Kind of like this. And also this. It’s hard to read. Difficult. Poorly written. And it just keeps happening. Over and over.
There are multiple overarching themes that aren’t believable and/or don’t have much depth, but I’ll stick with this one. I’m sure the most loyal of KK fans will love this story as it sheds light into Tommy Baxter’s life and what he’s up to now. However, does anyone actually believe high schoolers talk to one another this way? If Kingsbury wrote Tommy and Annalee as college seniors instead of high school seniors, sure. But their dialogue is, to put it nicely, a stretch. Every time I remembered that they’re 17 or 18 (Except wait, she messed up the years/timeline. Tommy is somehow supposed to be both 17 as a senior, according to the “Yesterday and Today” pages, and also will graduate high school as a 19-year-old based on the dates in this story.) I was frustrated all over again. I’m a decade older than this, but much closer to high school than Kingsbury. *NO ONE* talks to one another the way Tommy and Annalee do here.
This doesn’t even touch on the problematic spiritual themes, of Tommy’s words at the end saying everything he wanted would come together in the next few years because he’d pray that it would (actually, that’s not what Scripture says), or the multiple instances that present God as transactional and only good if He does exactly what You want Him to do.
I’ve loved Kingsbury’s books since I was in middle school. I know and love the Baxters. But this never should have made it through publishing and editorial. The manuscript and storyline was far from ready and I’m honestly very disappointed. It could have been a great title. Instead, it was choppy, immature, unbelievable, written with what felt like an agenda (in multiple ways), and pushes faith in a way that doesn’t align with Scripture. I hope her next title goes through a different group of editors and first readers who are willing to be honest before it’s printed.
This is one of the worst Karen Kingsbury books to date, if not the worst.
I could touch on the grammatical errors, the misspelled words, and the missing words throughout the entire manuscript. But quite frankly, that’s the norm. I’m not sure who edits her books, but there are dozens of errors every single time.
My problem with this one is two-fold: it’s grossly unbelievable and filled with choppy sentence fragments. Kind of like this. And also this. It’s hard to read. Difficult. Poorly written. And it just keeps happening. Over and over.
There are multiple overarching themes that aren’t believable and/or don’t have much depth, but I’ll stick with this one. I’m sure the most loyal of KK fans will love this story as it sheds light into Tommy Baxter’s life and what he’s up to now. However, does anyone actually believe high schoolers talk to one another this way? If Kingsbury wrote Tommy and Annalee as college seniors instead of high school seniors, sure. But their dialogue is, to put it nicely, a stretch. Every time I remembered that they’re 17 or 18 (Except wait, she messed up the years/timeline. Tommy is somehow supposed to be both 17 as a senior, according to the “Yesterday and Today” pages, and also will graduate high school as a 19-year-old based on the dates in this story.) I was frustrated all over again. I’m a decade older than this, but much closer to high school than Kingsbury. *NO ONE* talks to one another the way Tommy and Annalee do here.
This doesn’t even touch on the problematic spiritual themes, of Tommy’s words at the end saying everything he wanted would come together in the next few years because he’d pray that it would (actually, that’s not what Scripture says), or the multiple instances that present God as transactional and only good if He does exactly what You want Him to do.
I’ve loved Kingsbury’s books since I was in middle school. I know and love the Baxters. But this never should have made it through publishing and editorial. The manuscript and storyline was far from ready and I’m honestly very disappointed. It could have been a great title. Instead, it was choppy, immature, unbelievable, written with what felt like an agenda (in multiple ways), and pushes faith in a way that doesn’t align with Scripture. I hope her next title goes through a different group of editors and first readers who are willing to be honest before it’s printed.
October 16, 2020
Karen Kingsbury is an inspirational Christian writer and is an auto-buy author for me. I’ve loved all her work and was excited that the story of the Baxter family was continuing in this book. This book is part of a series, but can also be read as a standalone.
In this book, Karen Kingsbury touched on many hard and emotional subject matters. The book brings out all the feels when talking about first and everlasting love, the worst days of life dealing with a life- threatening illness, the struggles of parenting, the history and aftermath of 9/11 and the difficult decision of choosing a career for the first time and how that can affect the family. It’s a story about real life, joys and challenges. The challenges may seem overwhelming, but the Baxter family’s strong faith in Christ is what gets them through it and makes them stronger as a family. It was a breath of fresh air to read a faith-based story. It gives us hope in a time when many Christians may feel like they are being tested. We may have struggles and we may fail, but if we keep faith front and center, things will work out in the end. A good reminder during the difficult times of 2020.
It’s been about two weeks since I’ve read this book and it is still with me. I still think of the characters and everything they went through. I’ve had a few hard days lately, and I find myself thinking about how the characters in the book would have handled it. It has brought me much peace and renewed my faith just a little bit more.
I really liked this book and would highly recommend it to anyone that likes inspirational books.
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Karen Kingsbury for providing me an Advanced Reader Copy of Truly, Madly, Deeply in exchange for my unbiased review.
In this book, Karen Kingsbury touched on many hard and emotional subject matters. The book brings out all the feels when talking about first and everlasting love, the worst days of life dealing with a life- threatening illness, the struggles of parenting, the history and aftermath of 9/11 and the difficult decision of choosing a career for the first time and how that can affect the family. It’s a story about real life, joys and challenges. The challenges may seem overwhelming, but the Baxter family’s strong faith in Christ is what gets them through it and makes them stronger as a family. It was a breath of fresh air to read a faith-based story. It gives us hope in a time when many Christians may feel like they are being tested. We may have struggles and we may fail, but if we keep faith front and center, things will work out in the end. A good reminder during the difficult times of 2020.
It’s been about two weeks since I’ve read this book and it is still with me. I still think of the characters and everything they went through. I’ve had a few hard days lately, and I find myself thinking about how the characters in the book would have handled it. It has brought me much peace and renewed my faith just a little bit more.
I really liked this book and would highly recommend it to anyone that likes inspirational books.
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Karen Kingsbury for providing me an Advanced Reader Copy of Truly, Madly, Deeply in exchange for my unbiased review.
November 1, 2022
On the day I started reading this book that starts off with sex trafficking in Thailand, the headlines in the SMH screamed about sex trafficking in Australia. Although that issue does feature again later in the book, it is not the main focus of the story which largely concerns two families. The Baxters and the Millers.
Tom Baxter is in love with high school girlfriend Annalee Miller. The future for them looks to be rosy and mapped out until a diagnosis of cancer rears its ugly head. Both families are strong in their Christian faith, but it is certainly severely tested.
Tommy's decision to become a police officer rather than go to college and end up a doctor or lawyer as per the original plans is another major theme. His mother, Reagan, fearful of the dangers that go along with being in the police force, is dead against this idea. Reagan is still mourning the death of her father who died as a result of September 11.
With the cancer, the suffering undergoing chemotherapy. I was right there with Annalee and her family. This year our family had a loved family member facing the same situation. So much of this book is achingly familiar. It was a long tough time going through it all, doubting at times and wondering if God even heard let alone cared enough to answer. So the feelings and emotions and treatment in this book all rang true. Our family experienced first hand God miracle of healing in answer to many months of prayers. Our loved one is now cancer free. Now I am not saying that it always happens when Christians pray. I know it does not. But that healing miracle came in our case.
This book is unashamedly Christian, but that’s expected with Karen Kingsbury. It is also about love, both romantic love and family love. A welcome change these days to read about families that, despite some issues, mostly get along and support each other.
I have read and enjoyed a number of this author’s novels in the past, some featuring the Baxter family and other characters in this book, but mostly before I joined Goodreads so only one other reviewed. They are always a great emotional read. This one is no exception. From the start I was emotionally invested. It pressed all the emotional buttons, providing smiles, anger, and tears at differing times. I absolutely loved it and never wanted to put it down but powered through it. This can easily be read as a stand alone but why not try ore of the Baxter series? A highly recommended read. Now back to the other book I had started to read before this took called and hold of me and wouldn't let go till I finished it.
Tom Baxter is in love with high school girlfriend Annalee Miller. The future for them looks to be rosy and mapped out until a diagnosis of cancer rears its ugly head. Both families are strong in their Christian faith, but it is certainly severely tested.
Tommy's decision to become a police officer rather than go to college and end up a doctor or lawyer as per the original plans is another major theme. His mother, Reagan, fearful of the dangers that go along with being in the police force, is dead against this idea. Reagan is still mourning the death of her father who died as a result of September 11.
With the cancer, the suffering undergoing chemotherapy. I was right there with Annalee and her family. This year our family had a loved family member facing the same situation. So much of this book is achingly familiar. It was a long tough time going through it all, doubting at times and wondering if God even heard let alone cared enough to answer. So the feelings and emotions and treatment in this book all rang true. Our family experienced first hand God miracle of healing in answer to many months of prayers. Our loved one is now cancer free. Now I am not saying that it always happens when Christians pray. I know it does not. But that healing miracle came in our case.
This book is unashamedly Christian, but that’s expected with Karen Kingsbury. It is also about love, both romantic love and family love. A welcome change these days to read about families that, despite some issues, mostly get along and support each other.
I have read and enjoyed a number of this author’s novels in the past, some featuring the Baxter family and other characters in this book, but mostly before I joined Goodreads so only one other reviewed. They are always a great emotional read. This one is no exception. From the start I was emotionally invested. It pressed all the emotional buttons, providing smiles, anger, and tears at differing times. I absolutely loved it and never wanted to put it down but powered through it. This can easily be read as a stand alone but why not try ore of the Baxter series? A highly recommended read. Now back to the other book I had started to read before this took called and hold of me and wouldn't let go till I finished it.
July 25, 2020
Thank you net gallery for this book in exchange for an honest review. I love Karen Kingsbury and have read most of the books in the Baxter series. I didn’t love this one. My main problem with it was that it was so preachy. I don’t mind religious books but not when just about every page has me feeling like it’s being shoved down my throat. I ended up DNF it because I just couldn’t take it anymore. I really wanted to like this book because it sounded so good and Kingsbury writes great characters. I’m sure others will enjoy this book, it just wasn’t for me.
October 29, 2020
Truly, Madly, Deeply by Karen Kingsbury is another great book about the wonderful Baxter family. I find each of the Baxter books can easily be read separately, but you won't be disappointed by going back and reading them all.
In this chapter, Tommy Baxter and his girlfriend Annalee have the whole world at their feet. They want to change the world and fight human trafficking. Then they get news that rocks them to the core when Annalee is diagnosed with cancer. Tommy is also making serious decisions about his future at this time, and those decisions are causing a conflict with his mother, Reagan.
This book touches unflinchingly on so many sensitive subjects. The horrors of human trafficking are discussed, as well as the tragedy on 9/11, and the current dangers of a career in law enforcement. The fight of Annalee's family and friends against her cancer rang very true to me, as I have had nephews in this very fight. The way her family, friends, and community gathered around her to fight cancer, pray, and support her is something I have seen with my own eyes regarding my own family members. The faith of the Baxter family and their reliance on God reminds me of my own family. Kingsbury writes this all so well and it's very true to life.
Fans of Karen Kingsbury will love this new chapter in the lives of the Baxter Family. If you are interested in reading Christian novels about fighting cancer and fighting human trafficking, you will enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book from Atria Books via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
In this chapter, Tommy Baxter and his girlfriend Annalee have the whole world at their feet. They want to change the world and fight human trafficking. Then they get news that rocks them to the core when Annalee is diagnosed with cancer. Tommy is also making serious decisions about his future at this time, and those decisions are causing a conflict with his mother, Reagan.
This book touches unflinchingly on so many sensitive subjects. The horrors of human trafficking are discussed, as well as the tragedy on 9/11, and the current dangers of a career in law enforcement. The fight of Annalee's family and friends against her cancer rang very true to me, as I have had nephews in this very fight. The way her family, friends, and community gathered around her to fight cancer, pray, and support her is something I have seen with my own eyes regarding my own family members. The faith of the Baxter family and their reliance on God reminds me of my own family. Kingsbury writes this all so well and it's very true to life.
Fans of Karen Kingsbury will love this new chapter in the lives of the Baxter Family. If you are interested in reading Christian novels about fighting cancer and fighting human trafficking, you will enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book from Atria Books via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
December 28, 2020
I have read all of Karen Kingsbury's books about the Baxter family, following them through countless heartaches, triumphs and joys.
The events of 911 almost ended Luke and Reagan Baxter's relationship, but with God's help they reconnected and have been married for close to twenty years. Their oldest son Tommy will soon graduate from high school and they have big dreams for his future. When Tommy brings up his desire to become a police officer, Reagan is gripped by fear and anxiety over Tommy choosing such a dangerous profession, impacting their close bond. Luke is supportive and proud, introducing Tommy to his friend on the Indianapolis police force, putting a strain on their marriage. Can Reagan find peace and accept Tommy's choices?
Tommy is deeply in love with his sweet girlfriend Annalee, looking forward to a future together. But when Annalee goes to the doctor for fatigue and shortness of breath, the diagnosis is grave and she finds herself battling for her life. They pray fervently and cling to the faith they've centered their lives around. Will they get the miracle they seek?
Another emotionally charged story to remind us God is great and always by our side.
The events of 911 almost ended Luke and Reagan Baxter's relationship, but with God's help they reconnected and have been married for close to twenty years. Their oldest son Tommy will soon graduate from high school and they have big dreams for his future. When Tommy brings up his desire to become a police officer, Reagan is gripped by fear and anxiety over Tommy choosing such a dangerous profession, impacting their close bond. Luke is supportive and proud, introducing Tommy to his friend on the Indianapolis police force, putting a strain on their marriage. Can Reagan find peace and accept Tommy's choices?
Tommy is deeply in love with his sweet girlfriend Annalee, looking forward to a future together. But when Annalee goes to the doctor for fatigue and shortness of breath, the diagnosis is grave and she finds herself battling for her life. They pray fervently and cling to the faith they've centered their lives around. Will they get the miracle they seek?
Another emotionally charged story to remind us God is great and always by our side.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2023
A very heartwarming, emotional and captivating story.
November 12, 2020
How do I sum up my feelings of this book and of my feelings in regards to Karen Kingsbury's latest offerings? It is hard and yet here I am, another book read, and ultimately, another time I am left disappointed.
There is so much that was going for this book. Tackling the topic of sex trafficking is one I don't really see in fiction--let alone in Christian fiction. Then acknowledging that it is just as big of an issue in the United States as it is abroad....also a big deal.
I know Karen Kingsbury got a LOT of crap because this book is pro police. Guess what? That is okay! I personally feel it was nicely done. Having Tommy Baxter (so Luke Baxter's son) wanting to be a cop but his parents wrestling with A.) "throwing his life away" or B.) the safety factor are two arguments that I believe happen a lot.
Then you have the 9/11 storylines--the visit to the 9/11 Memorial, illnesses received from Ground Zero, a family member who died in the attacks. As someone who remembers that day vividly, I appreciate how much light and love Karen brings to that period in time.
Lastly, as someone who battles mental health, anxiety, and panic attacks myself, I truly appreciated Karen writing a character who had them! And the Bible passages she shared are ones that truly have ministered to me in some of my darkest times.
Okay. You might be wondering what my issue is. Well, I struggled with the cancer storyline of Tommy's girlfriend, Annalee. Now, it had potential and wow, Karen gave us the closest thing to a "sex scene" I have ever read in Christian fiction. (Heck, even acknowledging sexuality and a girl WANTING sex doesn't really happen in that world. So her thinking about her wedding night....scandalous ;)) BUT in typical fashion, I knew Annalee's cancer battle was going to end just fine.
And it did. A character who had stage 4 non-hodgkins lymphoma prayed, had faith, and thanks to that (and the chemo), by the end of the book the cancer is GONE! Y'all. I knew that was going to happen. It's kind of like the Joel Osteen line of Christianity...."If you have enough faith, you will be fine." That irks me. Because it isn't real life. Same with the cop that got shot......Karen had him be on life support for a little bit and then....HE WAS FINE.
This has become my issue with Kingsbury. I feel she sells an inauthentic brand of Christianity. Because while her characters go through trials, nine times out of ten, there are no consequences. Everything ends like the end of a Hallmark movie. But guess what? I don't want a Hallmark movie from her. I want life. Nitty gritty. Honestly, I think either Annalee needed to die or the cop needed to die. I know that sounds harsh, but really, life hurts. It stings. We live in a fallen world and as a result, there is pain and death and challenges to faith.
We talk in secular literature about #ownvoices and how it is paramount to see oneself reflected in the narratives they read. Honestly, that needs to happen in Christian literature too. I don't want to read a book where characters have crisis of faith and yet, everything gets better, cease to suck, prayers are answered. I want to see characters to have to deal with pain....struggle with their faith for even a book or two....not get a happy resolution. Karen has the ability for that depth of writing and character building. I just need to see it start happening sooner rather than later.
There is so much that was going for this book. Tackling the topic of sex trafficking is one I don't really see in fiction--let alone in Christian fiction. Then acknowledging that it is just as big of an issue in the United States as it is abroad....also a big deal.
I know Karen Kingsbury got a LOT of crap because this book is pro police. Guess what? That is okay! I personally feel it was nicely done. Having Tommy Baxter (so Luke Baxter's son) wanting to be a cop but his parents wrestling with A.) "throwing his life away" or B.) the safety factor are two arguments that I believe happen a lot.
Then you have the 9/11 storylines--the visit to the 9/11 Memorial, illnesses received from Ground Zero, a family member who died in the attacks. As someone who remembers that day vividly, I appreciate how much light and love Karen brings to that period in time.
Lastly, as someone who battles mental health, anxiety, and panic attacks myself, I truly appreciated Karen writing a character who had them! And the Bible passages she shared are ones that truly have ministered to me in some of my darkest times.
Okay. You might be wondering what my issue is. Well, I struggled with the cancer storyline of Tommy's girlfriend, Annalee. Now, it had potential and wow, Karen gave us the closest thing to a "sex scene" I have ever read in Christian fiction. (Heck, even acknowledging sexuality and a girl WANTING sex doesn't really happen in that world. So her thinking about her wedding night....scandalous ;)) BUT in typical fashion, I knew Annalee's cancer battle was going to end just fine.
And it did. A character who had stage 4 non-hodgkins lymphoma prayed, had faith, and thanks to that (and the chemo), by the end of the book the cancer is GONE! Y'all. I knew that was going to happen. It's kind of like the Joel Osteen line of Christianity...."If you have enough faith, you will be fine." That irks me. Because it isn't real life. Same with the cop that got shot......Karen had him be on life support for a little bit and then....HE WAS FINE.
This has become my issue with Kingsbury. I feel she sells an inauthentic brand of Christianity. Because while her characters go through trials, nine times out of ten, there are no consequences. Everything ends like the end of a Hallmark movie. But guess what? I don't want a Hallmark movie from her. I want life. Nitty gritty. Honestly, I think either Annalee needed to die or the cop needed to die. I know that sounds harsh, but really, life hurts. It stings. We live in a fallen world and as a result, there is pain and death and challenges to faith.
We talk in secular literature about #ownvoices and how it is paramount to see oneself reflected in the narratives they read. Honestly, that needs to happen in Christian literature too. I don't want to read a book where characters have crisis of faith and yet, everything gets better, cease to suck, prayers are answered. I want to see characters to have to deal with pain....struggle with their faith for even a book or two....not get a happy resolution. Karen has the ability for that depth of writing and character building. I just need to see it start happening sooner rather than later.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2020
Gosh! I can't say enough about how much I love this book! I think it is my favorite all of the Baxter books!
I started the book this morning and could not put it down! I just lived the characters of Tommy and Annie and the struggles that they go through throughout the book. I love how the author weaves in the characters from previous books as well!
I can't wait to be able to share the published book with family and friends when it comes out! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
I started the book this morning and could not put it down! I just lived the characters of Tommy and Annie and the struggles that they go through throughout the book. I love how the author weaves in the characters from previous books as well!
I can't wait to be able to share the published book with family and friends when it comes out! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
January 3, 2021
I have never read any of the other Baxter family books before, and in all honesty I probably never will after this one. The book itself was very choppy in the way it was written, and read almost like a soap opera as things like a car crash with an exploding car and an attempted robbery at gunpoint were brushed off as if they occur almost every day. I was also very irritated by the fact that the author felt the need to not only describe the race of any characters, but specifically only POC and they were all police officers. There was no need to describe the race of any character, especially the police offers in line for coffee, this just made me feel like the author was attempting to cover racism by saying "I'm not racist, see I made the cops black!".
Additionally, I was extremely annoyed by the complete lack of research that went into any medical situations in this book. The type of cancer which Annalee had is one of the biggest peeves of mine, as lymphoma very rarely presents as a mass in the chest wall (<2% according to a quick google search) and the vast majority of these are Hodgkins. I feel like saying she had a mass in her chest wall and was stage 4 NHL was just to sound scary (despite the high survival rate). Additionally, as a speech pathologist who completes swallow studies I was absolutely infuriated reading how Landon's doctor did an esophageal scope through his mouth to look for lunch damage, because "lung damage often shows itself in the esophagus". To start THE ESOPHAGUS AND THE LUNGS ARE NOT CONNECTED. The esophagus attaches to your stomach and viewing it helps show GI and pharyngeal damage, your trachea attaches to your stomach and damage is often from the lungs. Additionally, scopes travel through your nose in order to bypass the gag reflex, not your mouth. I understand that I have extensive schooling in this, but a 30 second google search could have the basics.
Plus, the timeline made very little sense. The medical treatments outlined when Annalee was first diagnosed did not correlate with the actual timeline that happened and the events all seemed completely jumbled together in order to ensure that 9/11 occurred. (which, I am legitimately offended that she had the audacity to have a character claim that schools "don't really teach it" because growing up it was always taught in depth and when I was an intern in school the lesson went on for a week. This bothered me so much I actually spoke to my friends and family who are teachers and every one was equally offended as they explained it is taught in depth over several days. And for the sake of saying "oh, maybe it's just the perspective of kids" I asked my cousins who range in age from 9-23 and every one discussed how much it is taught in schools).
So, ultimately, I wanted to like this book, but instead it just made me angry for its treatment of 9/11 in schools and race, and became a joke as I sent screenshots of the botched medical explanations to my my coworkers and old classmates.
Additionally, I was extremely annoyed by the complete lack of research that went into any medical situations in this book. The type of cancer which Annalee had is one of the biggest peeves of mine, as lymphoma very rarely presents as a mass in the chest wall (<2% according to a quick google search) and the vast majority of these are Hodgkins. I feel like saying she had a mass in her chest wall and was stage 4 NHL was just to sound scary (despite the high survival rate). Additionally, as a speech pathologist who completes swallow studies I was absolutely infuriated reading how Landon's doctor did an esophageal scope through his mouth to look for lunch damage, because "lung damage often shows itself in the esophagus". To start THE ESOPHAGUS AND THE LUNGS ARE NOT CONNECTED. The esophagus attaches to your stomach and viewing it helps show GI and pharyngeal damage, your trachea attaches to your stomach and damage is often from the lungs. Additionally, scopes travel through your nose in order to bypass the gag reflex, not your mouth. I understand that I have extensive schooling in this, but a 30 second google search could have the basics.
Plus, the timeline made very little sense. The medical treatments outlined when Annalee was first diagnosed did not correlate with the actual timeline that happened and the events all seemed completely jumbled together in order to ensure that 9/11 occurred. (which, I am legitimately offended that she had the audacity to have a character claim that schools "don't really teach it" because growing up it was always taught in depth and when I was an intern in school the lesson went on for a week. This bothered me so much I actually spoke to my friends and family who are teachers and every one was equally offended as they explained it is taught in depth over several days. And for the sake of saying "oh, maybe it's just the perspective of kids" I asked my cousins who range in age from 9-23 and every one discussed how much it is taught in schools).
So, ultimately, I wanted to like this book, but instead it just made me angry for its treatment of 9/11 in schools and race, and became a joke as I sent screenshots of the botched medical explanations to my my coworkers and old classmates.
January 2, 2021
If you are looking for typical Karen Kingsbury, this is it. It feels like coming home when you read one of her books that always contain romance, but also a struggle or issue. This one deals with cancer.
March 21, 2021
I used to love KK and she was one of the first Christian Fiction writers I read. At one time I could not put her books down. But I have since moved on to other Christian Fiction authors and have enjoyed reading novels where every other page is not literally quoting scripture. I was so disappointed with this book for many reasons. To start, Tommy's character was too perfect. It was like the author tried to invent the perfect "son". Tommy had the highest test scores, the best grades, was wanted by Ivy League schools, had natural leadership abilities, was the best potential police candidate etc.... This got very old. Additionally his relationship with Annalee was very unrealistic. I understand the author was trying to promote a chaste teenage relationship, but his refusal to kiss his girlfriend, and only sharing two or so kisses over their entire high school relationship seemed abnormal.
Annalee was a nice and sweet girl, but receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnoses is often a death sentence and like many of KK books, she gives the impression that good Christians can just pray the illness away. I was not surprised a "miracle" happened and she survived. The author hinted at least in my opinion she was cured. This is too neat and tidy. Also too neat and tidy was how Landon was able to get an appointment the next day with a specialist in NYC for 911 related illnesses. For normal patients, this would take months. Past readers know the stuggles Landon has had with his lungs. The story line regarding Reagan's Dad was also a little over the top.
The Baxters used to be a family I really enjoyed reading about, but I had a hard time finishing this book. I will probably move on from the Baxter family at this time.
Annalee was a nice and sweet girl, but receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnoses is often a death sentence and like many of KK books, she gives the impression that good Christians can just pray the illness away. I was not surprised a "miracle" happened and she survived. The author hinted at least in my opinion she was cured. This is too neat and tidy. Also too neat and tidy was how Landon was able to get an appointment the next day with a specialist in NYC for 911 related illnesses. For normal patients, this would take months. Past readers know the stuggles Landon has had with his lungs. The story line regarding Reagan's Dad was also a little over the top.
The Baxters used to be a family I really enjoyed reading about, but I had a hard time finishing this book. I will probably move on from the Baxter family at this time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2020
I don’t know if words can express how beautiful this book is. Karen did it again with her passion, love, inspiration and beauty. She sees more beauty in those around than most people and her glass is definitely half full! This story is about Tommy Baxter. He is is Luke and Reagan’s son, all grown up...well finishing high school. He met the love of his life and tragedy strikes so hard it shook his faith, or maybe not. I loved Tommy’s strong faith even though it was challenged in many ways, but he stood firm in his faith. I saw one comment saying it is preechy and I don’t get that. It is a beautiful story of true to life events and placing your faith and trust in God, is this not why we read Christian fiction? I love Karen’s stance and including Bible, faith, love and so much more in her books. This is my honest opinion and honest review. If you want to be blessed read it If not go back to secular fiction cause this is what I want in my Christian fiction, life changing, hard issues addressed and turning to God. Thank you netgalley and the publishers for giving me this beautiful book to review!
January 29, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this book. On the positive side, there is a strong Christian message in parts of the book. This is also a deeply emotional story. It will tug at your heartstrings in several places.
There were some aspects of this novel I found deeply troubling. It was apparent Kingsbury had some opinions she wanted to communicate. One was a very pro police attitude. There was so much about their passion to help others, all the good they did, on and on. The message being communicated was obvious and pushed regularly. Another message was the bias of the terrible nature of public education. We are informed public schools are hiding the true story of 9/11. Really. And Kingsbury does one of my pet peeves, the technique of starting a section with a suspenseful dream but not letting the reader know it is a dream until much later. I do not like that deceitful way of eliciting temporary emotion from the reader.
The most disturbing aspect of this novel was the emphasis on the physical aspect of a teen romance. The high school seniors come close to crossing the line several times. We read how her senses were filled with the presence of him and how he worked his fingers along her neck. The most shocking scene was her imagining their wedding night to the point of removing their shirts before her thoughts are interrupted. Having owned a Christian bookstore for 33 years, I've sold and read thousands of Christian novels and have never before seen such an intensity in in skirting impropriety in writing romance scenes. Decades ago, such a scene would have never been allowed in a “Christian” novel.
I also felt the novel had a mixed message when it came to humans or God for support. There are times when the parents lean on God, but rarely. Most of the time the teens lean on each other for support and say so. At one point the boy memorizes the scene of him and his girlfriend saying that will get him through the future, not his trust in God. There were frequent mixed messages like that.
There were some aspects of this novel I found deeply troubling. It was apparent Kingsbury had some opinions she wanted to communicate. One was a very pro police attitude. There was so much about their passion to help others, all the good they did, on and on. The message being communicated was obvious and pushed regularly. Another message was the bias of the terrible nature of public education. We are informed public schools are hiding the true story of 9/11. Really. And Kingsbury does one of my pet peeves, the technique of starting a section with a suspenseful dream but not letting the reader know it is a dream until much later. I do not like that deceitful way of eliciting temporary emotion from the reader.
The most disturbing aspect of this novel was the emphasis on the physical aspect of a teen romance. The high school seniors come close to crossing the line several times. We read how her senses were filled with the presence of him and how he worked his fingers along her neck. The most shocking scene was her imagining their wedding night to the point of removing their shirts before her thoughts are interrupted. Having owned a Christian bookstore for 33 years, I've sold and read thousands of Christian novels and have never before seen such an intensity in in skirting impropriety in writing romance scenes. Decades ago, such a scene would have never been allowed in a “Christian” novel.
I also felt the novel had a mixed message when it came to humans or God for support. There are times when the parents lean on God, but rarely. Most of the time the teens lean on each other for support and say so. At one point the boy memorizes the scene of him and his girlfriend saying that will get him through the future, not his trust in God. There were frequent mixed messages like that.
November 23, 2020
Eighteen-year-old Tommy Baxter declares to his family that he wants to be a police officer after graduation. His mother, Reagan, won’t hear of it since she’s still mourning the death of her own father on September 11 and determined to keep her son safe from danger. But Tommy’s father, Luke, is proud of Tommy’s decision. Tommy is in love with Annalee Miller, who is diagnosed with cancer.
As usual, Karen's stories are emotional, this one no different. Pain is apart of our world. It's a bonding agent like no other. With God, we can go through the tragedies of life. Without God, it's darkness, turning to anger. In this story, we see the characters struggle, hurt, and triumph. I love the Baxter family, having read every book. I can't get enough of this family. So good.
As usual, Karen's stories are emotional, this one no different. Pain is apart of our world. It's a bonding agent like no other. With God, we can go through the tragedies of life. Without God, it's darkness, turning to anger. In this story, we see the characters struggle, hurt, and triumph. I love the Baxter family, having read every book. I can't get enough of this family. So good.
February 24, 2021
I've read every one of KK's books, and I used to love them. I felt like she really knew how to depict real life and how God interacts with people. I'm not sure if her writing has gone downhill, or if I am just losing patience with reading the same story over and over. With this book, I felt like there was some potential to break out of the mold and really do a deep dive into how Christians can deal with those situations when God chooses not to answer prayers in the way we hope. As sweet a character as Annalee is, I was really hoping that the author was going to let her die and show how a teenager can grapple with that kind of grief, losing the person he planned to spend the rest of his life loving to cancer, with God's help. I wish she had been brave enough to tell that story. I was pulled in enough to read the book in just a few days, but it left me disappointed, and I worry about those who read her books and think she is saying God always answers our prayers the way we want him to. But He doesn't. What then?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2020
This is one of my very few DNF's of the year, I have read 330 other books before this thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. I do not mind religious books, in fact I am a huge fan of the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Those books were great! I had read other books by this author and have enjoyed them even though they follow the same predictable storyline and issues. I could not take it with this one. Every page was beyond preachy about being a Christian and leading a Christian life. It was just too much and off-putting AF.
I will not be recommending this but may someone more religious or a strict Christian will enjoy this more. IT'S A HELL NO FOR ME!
I felt one star was more than generous.
Thanks to Netgalley, Karen Kingsbury and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 12/2/20
I will not be recommending this but may someone more religious or a strict Christian will enjoy this more. IT'S A HELL NO FOR ME!
I felt one star was more than generous.
Thanks to Netgalley, Karen Kingsbury and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 12/2/20
July 14, 2020
Another great addition to the beloved Baxter series. I’ve read all of the Baxter series, along with most of Karen’s other books (only 3 more stand alone to go!). They always have just the right amount of hard times combined with (sometimes) happy endings. I loved how this book focused on issues that are going on today with the police force. I love reading about all the Baxter kids’ kids now! Tommy and Annalee’s relationship was so sweet. I also liked that this book revisited 9/11 and the circumstances of Reagan’s father’s death. It was good to catch up on Ashley and Landon (which are probably my favorite Baxter couple). I highly recommend the whole Baxter series. They always bring me comfort and fill my faith tank back up. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
December 16, 2025
Ok, you're going to need the whole box of tissues for this one! Beautiful story. Love the Baxter family!💕
*2nd reading was equally impactful as I am also battling cancer right now. Love this series! (Chapter 27...Who is Frank??)
*2nd reading was equally impactful as I am also battling cancer right now. Love this series! (Chapter 27...Who is Frank??)
November 4, 2021
Karen Kingsbury is known for her heart warming and Christian stories, especially the Baxter series. This is part of that series, but despite not having read all the others, i was still able to enjoy it and not knowing their backstory didn’t take anything away from the story that was told here.
Tommy and Annalee are high school sweethearts who are looking towards their future together when they go on a mission trip to help young children being swept up by sex traffickers. On the trip, Annalee starts to get sick and they think it’s just jet lag or something she ate, but when they get home, she’s no better, yet she’s still determined to help in any way she can with those being trafficked even in her own state, despite how she feels. She goes to see the doctor and their world gets turned upside down. They and their families have to rely on their faith now more than ever before and both families face life in a post 9/11 world, which has also deeply affected their families.
Overall, this was moving and heartfelt, even if at times if felt like everything was just a little too perfect. But that’s what books are for-to escape reality. So I take that for what it is. I was able to read it all in one sitting as I was wrapped up in the story.
Thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
Tommy and Annalee are high school sweethearts who are looking towards their future together when they go on a mission trip to help young children being swept up by sex traffickers. On the trip, Annalee starts to get sick and they think it’s just jet lag or something she ate, but when they get home, she’s no better, yet she’s still determined to help in any way she can with those being trafficked even in her own state, despite how she feels. She goes to see the doctor and their world gets turned upside down. They and their families have to rely on their faith now more than ever before and both families face life in a post 9/11 world, which has also deeply affected their families.
Overall, this was moving and heartfelt, even if at times if felt like everything was just a little too perfect. But that’s what books are for-to escape reality. So I take that for what it is. I was able to read it all in one sitting as I was wrapped up in the story.
Thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
July 12, 2023
Okay, so I'm entering a Karen Kingsbury phase, I think. After re-reading "The Baxters", I found out that Ms. Kingsbury had written a whole bunch of other stand-alone novels surrounding the Baxters lives that are set in current times (AKA the last three-ish years). So far, her books are constructive and engaging, and the Baxter family already feels like real live people that I know and love!! The stories are so rich and - okay, I should probably talk about this book specifically at some point I guess. ..
I really enjoyed reading Truly, Madly, Deeply. Tommy and Annalee's relationship was so sweet, and their story had me invested to the point where a couple times I forgot that this was a fictional story and started actually praying for Annalee's health!! And then I was like "whoops I forgot she's not a real person...um"
This book focuses a lot on true love, what it means to be a good boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse, growing up, and facing fears. It was really a good book and I especially loved that it was about Luke Baxter's family, because after reading The Baxters I wanted to see where his life went. Don't worry about reading other books in the series (well okay it's not really a series but...you know) before this one, because it catches you up on everything very easily (though I would suggest reading "The Baxters" before anything else because it sets up literally everything). :)
I really enjoyed reading Truly, Madly, Deeply. Tommy and Annalee's relationship was so sweet, and their story had me invested to the point where a couple times I forgot that this was a fictional story and started actually praying for Annalee's health!! And then I was like "whoops I forgot she's not a real person...um"
This book focuses a lot on true love, what it means to be a good boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse, growing up, and facing fears. It was really a good book and I especially loved that it was about Luke Baxter's family, because after reading The Baxters I wanted to see where his life went. Don't worry about reading other books in the series (well okay it's not really a series but...you know) before this one, because it catches you up on everything very easily (though I would suggest reading "The Baxters" before anything else because it sets up literally everything). :)
February 10, 2023
This would have been a DNF if I didn't have to read it for my book club.
October 12, 2024
Continuing the Baxter series we follow Tommy and the need to put his trust in the Lord when the love of his life gets cancer. We follow his ups and lows with his journey. It was beautifully written as Karen Kingsbury does. I related to his journey since my mother died of this terrible illness. Karen is a master storyteller and I was touched by her writing as always. A 4 star read which I highly appreciated and will recommend!!
August 5, 2020
I am and will forever be a huge fan of the Baxter Family, so when another book about the family is released I immediately sit and read it cover to cover. Each book is a chance to catch up with the entire clan.
This book was written with the authors entire soul, I loved that 9/11 was part of the story even all these years after !
I loved this story and as always I anxiously awaiting the next family reunion!
This book was written with the authors entire soul, I loved that 9/11 was part of the story even all these years after !
I loved this story and as always I anxiously awaiting the next family reunion!
August 6, 2020
Is it possible to read a Karen Kingsbury without kleenex? They should come with warning labels!
I always read her forwards, and afterwards, and learn a lot from them. I agree that this story is about fear, and it deals with very well. I love all the tie ins to the other families, and to actual history.
But seriously, sniff!
I always read her forwards, and afterwards, and learn a lot from them. I agree that this story is about fear, and it deals with very well. I love all the tie ins to the other families, and to actual history.
But seriously, sniff!
December 4, 2020
This book was okay. I don’t know what it was that I didn’t really love. I think sometimes the whole Baxter family seems a bit too perfect, but they aren’t. They have their share of problems but it seems like the only people around them are all Christians, which isn’t realistic.
Also, as far as I know the high school the kids attend is a public high school and the principle lead the school in a prayer. That couldn’t happen in a public school, no matter the principle’s personal beliefs. Maybe I’m wrong and it is a Christmas school, but it didn’t sound like it.
Definitely some heartwarming and tugging moments, which Karen is good at. But this wasn’t one of my favorites.
A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Also, as far as I know the high school the kids attend is a public high school and the principle lead the school in a prayer. That couldn’t happen in a public school, no matter the principle’s personal beliefs. Maybe I’m wrong and it is a Christmas school, but it didn’t sound like it.
Definitely some heartwarming and tugging moments, which Karen is good at. But this wasn’t one of my favorites.
A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
February 9, 2021
I thought this was a good look at what fear can do to us, how it can overshadow our faith if we allow it to. Trusting God in our extremities is so very difficult, yet so very vital to our emotional and spiritual well-being, and I think Karen Kingsbury captured that struggle quite well in this novel.
I thought the way Tommy and Annalee's story played out was very well done. I loved that their relationship grew from a friendship that had been nurtured over time and shared beliefs.
After having been highly disappointed in the last KK novel I read, it was nice to be able to rate this one 4 stars.
I thought the way Tommy and Annalee's story played out was very well done. I loved that their relationship grew from a friendship that had been nurtured over time and shared beliefs.
After having been highly disappointed in the last KK novel I read, it was nice to be able to rate this one 4 stars.
November 29, 2020
I love Karen Kingsbury but I didnt think this was one of her best. For me, its such a refreshing break to read one of her novels because of the heavier novels out there that I tend to migrate towards and although her endings are predictable, this was too predictable.....I was waiting for it to end and that hurts me to write because I am a big fan. It wont deter me, I will read anything she writes, but if you're new to her novels, dont read this first. Read the angels walking series....it was AMAZING.
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