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Above the Line #4
Take Four
The Above the Line Series follows two dedicated Hollywood producers as they seek to transform the culture through the power of film. In Take Four, after Chase Ryan returns to his family and a job in his hometown, filmmakers Keith Ellison and Dayne Matthews finally ink a deal to have the nation’s top young actor star in their current film. But at the same time, the actor takes a very public fall that threatens his reputation among his fan base. Meanwhile, healing happens for Andi Ellison in her relationship with God, her family, and those she loves, but is it too late? The new producers find they must truly act as missionaries in order to help save the film, their families, and the young movie star. Breakthroughs take place that the public will never know about, as the possibility of saving the world through film is finally a very real possibility.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 2010
299 people are currently reading
2868 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 275 reviews
August 1, 2010
There will always be a special place in my heart for Karen Kingsbury's novels. Particularly her older books. Though I still read everything she releases, I have noticed her new novels now carry more of a saccharine tone to them. And her characters, particularly Bailey Flannigan, often feel a little too good to be true.
When the Baxter series first started, I was entranced by this family. I wanted to BE a part of the family, or at least a friend of the family. They were just that real and that wonderful. And then Dayne came along and the stories started focusing more on Hollywood and movie making and I just felt the series lost a lot of the realism that made the family so special. I continued to read the books, though I admit I skipped most of the Sunrise series, and even with the Above the Line Series I found myself basically speed reading through it and skipping over a lot of the movie stuff, and even a bit of the Bailey/Cody relationship because of the dejavu aspect. I also thought the transformation of Brandon Paul was a little too unrealistic as well. And I've also noticed the author uses the same scriptures and God's answer's to prayer over and over again for her characters, which is a little tiresome because I do like her Bible insights, I'd just like to see more diversity so repeat readers can glean new things too. I did like the storyline with Andi and the baby though. That brought a sense of the realism back that I was talking about earlier.
All in all, I'll still pick up a Karen Kingsbury novel. I think her Life Changing Fiction books are important. I just wish they were a little more realistic and less sugarcoated. And I know I'm in the minority on this, but maybe, just maybe, it's time to move on from the Baxter's. It's definitely time to move on from the Hollywood aspect.
When the Baxter series first started, I was entranced by this family. I wanted to BE a part of the family, or at least a friend of the family. They were just that real and that wonderful. And then Dayne came along and the stories started focusing more on Hollywood and movie making and I just felt the series lost a lot of the realism that made the family so special. I continued to read the books, though I admit I skipped most of the Sunrise series, and even with the Above the Line Series I found myself basically speed reading through it and skipping over a lot of the movie stuff, and even a bit of the Bailey/Cody relationship because of the dejavu aspect. I also thought the transformation of Brandon Paul was a little too unrealistic as well. And I've also noticed the author uses the same scriptures and God's answer's to prayer over and over again for her characters, which is a little tiresome because I do like her Bible insights, I'd just like to see more diversity so repeat readers can glean new things too. I did like the storyline with Andi and the baby though. That brought a sense of the realism back that I was talking about earlier.
All in all, I'll still pick up a Karen Kingsbury novel. I think her Life Changing Fiction books are important. I just wish they were a little more realistic and less sugarcoated. And I know I'm in the minority on this, but maybe, just maybe, it's time to move on from the Baxter's. It's definitely time to move on from the Hollywood aspect.
September 23, 2010
Wasn't thrilled with this one. Yeah, it's Karen, but so much angst is driving me bonkers and the whole Cody and Bailey storyline is dragging on WAY too long! Finish it already!!
June 11, 2018
I so wanted to like this book more than I did. That said, in a series this long, it's likely that some of the books just won't resonate as much as others do.
I know she's just setting things up to start her new Bailey series, but dragging the Cody/Bailey relationship out and rehashing basically the same storyline over and over with them is getting old.
The other storylines are touching and great though, so it's definitely a worthwhile read if you've read others in the series.
Review below originally from RT BookReviews:
The final book in the Above the Line series is a fitting conclusion. It’s frustrating that Bailey and Cody are still not together, but the message is meaningful, the storyline touching and after so many books, the characters are like family.
Dayne Matthews has joined Keith Ellison to make a movie of the book Unlocked. Bailey Flanigan auditions for a role in the film, not understanding that in addition to acting in the flick, God has other plans for her. Brandon Paul, the actor hired to work with her, is known for his anti-Christian stance and his wild partying ways. Will Bailey’s influence help lead him to God? What will the future hold for Bailey and her family?
I know she's just setting things up to start her new Bailey series, but dragging the Cody/Bailey relationship out and rehashing basically the same storyline over and over with them is getting old.
The other storylines are touching and great though, so it's definitely a worthwhile read if you've read others in the series.
Review below originally from RT BookReviews:
The final book in the Above the Line series is a fitting conclusion. It’s frustrating that Bailey and Cody are still not together, but the message is meaningful, the storyline touching and after so many books, the characters are like family.
Dayne Matthews has joined Keith Ellison to make a movie of the book Unlocked. Bailey Flanigan auditions for a role in the film, not understanding that in addition to acting in the flick, God has other plans for her. Brandon Paul, the actor hired to work with her, is known for his anti-Christian stance and his wild partying ways. Will Bailey’s influence help lead him to God? What will the future hold for Bailey and her family?
January 31, 2017
Ugh... really? This series is so over-the-top with Pollyanna tones. Nothing ever works out so perfectly in real life, even when people pray and live right. The parents are overreaching into their adult children's lives. The utter lack of descriptive detail is lazy writing. To describe a woman as kind, she looked kind...? really? I find it insulting as a reader to have an author tell me what I should think about a character. Just show me through good writing and let me generate my own conclusions about the characters.
This story line puts entirely too much value on a young person's innocence. The characters harp on and on over the loss of innocence (and once lost is gone forever), the lack of purity, and once such things are lost, that seems to plunge a character's value into a pit of no return. The loss of innocence is not that black and white. Nor is it all or nothing. We can all lose a sense of innocence in certain areas and maintain it in others.
Also, there seems to be an inferred scale of sin, as if some sins are more egregious than others in God's eyes. A sin is a sin, and nobody is free from sin, even, and especially the most 'innocent' despite this author's attempt to cram that idea down our throats. People fall. God's grace and mercy are enough to restore. Period. We don't live in the dark ages anymore where a woman's worth was tied to her purity, innocence, or virginity. (Yes, I understand the morality taught in the Bible, and Christians striving to live to that goal, but once a line is crossed that does not make a person a bad person.) The heavy undertones of blame, shame, guilt, and especially the embarrassment of the father are archaic. To have college students making fun of a pregnant student on campus is unrealistic. College campuses are full of students that come from all walks of life. It is impossible to tell where a student is coming from. The notion that an unwed mother would be shamed on a college campus is about 5 decades too late. (As a former college instructor, I have never seen any students making fun of another college student for being pregnant.)
One last thing: Stop using a characters full name each time he is referred to. Why do we need to be reminded of his full name?
This story line puts entirely too much value on a young person's innocence. The characters harp on and on over the loss of innocence (and once lost is gone forever), the lack of purity, and once such things are lost, that seems to plunge a character's value into a pit of no return. The loss of innocence is not that black and white. Nor is it all or nothing. We can all lose a sense of innocence in certain areas and maintain it in others.
Also, there seems to be an inferred scale of sin, as if some sins are more egregious than others in God's eyes. A sin is a sin, and nobody is free from sin, even, and especially the most 'innocent' despite this author's attempt to cram that idea down our throats. People fall. God's grace and mercy are enough to restore. Period. We don't live in the dark ages anymore where a woman's worth was tied to her purity, innocence, or virginity. (Yes, I understand the morality taught in the Bible, and Christians striving to live to that goal, but once a line is crossed that does not make a person a bad person.) The heavy undertones of blame, shame, guilt, and especially the embarrassment of the father are archaic. To have college students making fun of a pregnant student on campus is unrealistic. College campuses are full of students that come from all walks of life. It is impossible to tell where a student is coming from. The notion that an unwed mother would be shamed on a college campus is about 5 decades too late. (As a former college instructor, I have never seen any students making fun of another college student for being pregnant.)
One last thing: Stop using a characters full name each time he is referred to. Why do we need to be reminded of his full name?
April 1, 2017
wow the times like these where I reflect back on my life, even when I only finish a book. this book ends the "above the line" book series and it has me emotional? as many of you may know, there are only 6 more Baxter/Flanigan family books left in print at the moment. Karen has seen the need, and filled the need, for my novels in the realm of the Bloomington, Indiana town. she is indeed coming out with two more novels this year but it still feels sad and very emotional for me. I was doing the math earlier and I spent 7 months already, plus 2 more months when I will actually finish the series. 9 months! you can imagine being attached to these people. hard times lay ahead, when I won't have a next Baxter novel to read.
September 20, 2020
It was a good conclusion to the series. Although, this series was a little slower than Kingsbury’s others.
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April 6, 2025Wonderful story about the gift of adoption. The decision process of all families involved.
December 18, 2017
The final book in the Above the Line series. Inspiring Christian book. Sometimes things turn out too well, but taking it as inspiration makes it a good read.
July 16, 2019
One question:
What happens to Bailey and Cody?!?!
What happens to Bailey and Cody?!?!
September 11, 2022
What a joyful and heart wrenching book! You dive into Brandon’s beginning to his faith and the heartbreak of Bailey and Cody for different reasons but also the grace of God
April 9, 2024
What a beautiful ending to the series. Each book got better and better. So many goosebumps.
October 17, 2024
A wonderful conclusion to the Above the Line series. It left on a cliffhanger so I need to start the next series to where the story will lead us. Karen Kingsbury did not disappoint with this series. I’m so glad I decided to continue to read about the Baxters and I hope I will never be done reading about them!! A definite 4 stars!!!
April 4, 2018
This last book in the Above the Line series has some endings...Andi gives birth to a boy who will be adopted by Luke and Regan Baxter. They actually meet by accident when Andi and her parents go over to the Flanigan’s house for Thanksgiving dessert and the Baxter family is there too. It’s truly a miracle that out of all the adoption agencies and all the families Andi could have picked for her son, she chose Luke and Regan. It was very emotional giving up the baby, but maybe Jonathan will want to meet his biological family one day. The Ellison’s will be moving to California.
Keith and Dayne have finished filming another soon-to-be successful film, Unlocked. The male lead, Brandon Paul, is a super star, but his life is far from being Christian. As a matter of fact, drinking and partying at clubs is only part of it. Brandon knows something has to stop when he wakes up with a woman whom he doesn’t even know. God leads him in the right direction when a picture of Bailey Flanigan, the female lead in Unlocked, is sent to him. Infatuated, he can’t turn down the part in this movie. Brandon is fascinated by Bailey, who brings out the goodness in him. Brandon opens up to her about his past, and after filming is completed, and he’s with Bailey at her parents’ house on New Year’s Eve, Brandon is ready to give his life to Jesus. Bailey’s dad baptizes him, and hopefully a new and better life will begin for Brandon. Brandon’s feelings for Bailey have grown and he hasn’t given up, even though Bailey only loves Cody Coleman.
After Bailey and Tim broke up, Cody and Bailey started spending more time together. But right when Cody wanted to ask her to be his girlfriend, he gets a call from his mom. She’s gotten herself into drugs again and the police are going to take her away. Apparently, the man she was dating got her back into dealing and using drugs. Not only that, he’s killed before and is threatening to kill her and her family. Cody’s mom gets put back in jail, and Cody sits between a rock and hard place. He loves Bailey, but yet again, he thinks he’s not the one for her...if the tabloids found out the guy she’s dating has a mother in jail, that would definitely tarnish her image. Plus the guy his mom was dating could harm Bailey and her family! So Cody chooses not to tell Bailey about his mom, and on Thanksgiving, after the day is over, Cody tells Bailey he’s moving to Indianapolis and taking a full time coaching position at a Christian school. (As I was reading this, I was wondering, how far is Indianapolis from there anyway? Cody was visiting his mom at the jail there. Couldn’t Bailey handle a long distance relationship? Couldn’t she tell him they could see each other on weekends?) Anyway, it’s now New Years, and Cody and Bailey haven’t been in touch. Bailey decides to go over Cody’s mom’s house to see if she can figure out what’s gotten into Cody. The house obviously is vacant. A neighbor tells her where Cody’s mom has been. Bailey goes with her mom to the prison to visit, not seeing Cody there...but he saw her.
So the next series will answer what will happen not only to Cody and Bailey, but what about Brandon and Bailey? So this is just the beginning...
Keith and Dayne have finished filming another soon-to-be successful film, Unlocked. The male lead, Brandon Paul, is a super star, but his life is far from being Christian. As a matter of fact, drinking and partying at clubs is only part of it. Brandon knows something has to stop when he wakes up with a woman whom he doesn’t even know. God leads him in the right direction when a picture of Bailey Flanigan, the female lead in Unlocked, is sent to him. Infatuated, he can’t turn down the part in this movie. Brandon is fascinated by Bailey, who brings out the goodness in him. Brandon opens up to her about his past, and after filming is completed, and he’s with Bailey at her parents’ house on New Year’s Eve, Brandon is ready to give his life to Jesus. Bailey’s dad baptizes him, and hopefully a new and better life will begin for Brandon. Brandon’s feelings for Bailey have grown and he hasn’t given up, even though Bailey only loves Cody Coleman.
After Bailey and Tim broke up, Cody and Bailey started spending more time together. But right when Cody wanted to ask her to be his girlfriend, he gets a call from his mom. She’s gotten herself into drugs again and the police are going to take her away. Apparently, the man she was dating got her back into dealing and using drugs. Not only that, he’s killed before and is threatening to kill her and her family. Cody’s mom gets put back in jail, and Cody sits between a rock and hard place. He loves Bailey, but yet again, he thinks he’s not the one for her...if the tabloids found out the guy she’s dating has a mother in jail, that would definitely tarnish her image. Plus the guy his mom was dating could harm Bailey and her family! So Cody chooses not to tell Bailey about his mom, and on Thanksgiving, after the day is over, Cody tells Bailey he’s moving to Indianapolis and taking a full time coaching position at a Christian school. (As I was reading this, I was wondering, how far is Indianapolis from there anyway? Cody was visiting his mom at the jail there. Couldn’t Bailey handle a long distance relationship? Couldn’t she tell him they could see each other on weekends?) Anyway, it’s now New Years, and Cody and Bailey haven’t been in touch. Bailey decides to go over Cody’s mom’s house to see if she can figure out what’s gotten into Cody. The house obviously is vacant. A neighbor tells her where Cody’s mom has been. Bailey goes with her mom to the prison to visit, not seeing Cody there...but he saw her.
So the next series will answer what will happen not only to Cody and Bailey, but what about Brandon and Bailey? So this is just the beginning...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2010
I have read all of Karen's books, and I love this series because the characters feel like friends. I have read about their lives for three different serieses, and I feel like I know them.
Without giving away too many spoilers, I want to say how pleased I am with the way the movie production storyline is progressing! It's encouraging for characters to make the right decision. In addition, the Bailey love triangle storyline took a turn in the right direction.
I should not have read any reviews of Karen's books on Amazon because I have now noticed that every new character Karen describes has blue eyes and/or blond hair! No other eye or hair color is discussed as the blue eyes and blond hair are!
Another complaint I have is that every girl who has sex before marriage ends up pregnant. Realistically, this is not the case. Careless sex leaves emotional scars, and I would love to see Karen deal with those issues with a character instead of just having the girl end up pregnant.
Overall, I reallly enjoyed reading this book. It was my favorite one out of the three so far in the series.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. The character of Bailey is one of my favorite, and I enjoyed the contrast of Andi and Bailey, teaching an important lesson about how choices at the college age can determine someone's life path.
www.laurathebookworm.blogspot.com
Without giving away too many spoilers, I want to say how pleased I am with the way the movie production storyline is progressing! It's encouraging for characters to make the right decision. In addition, the Bailey love triangle storyline took a turn in the right direction.
I should not have read any reviews of Karen's books on Amazon because I have now noticed that every new character Karen describes has blue eyes and/or blond hair! No other eye or hair color is discussed as the blue eyes and blond hair are!
Another complaint I have is that every girl who has sex before marriage ends up pregnant. Realistically, this is not the case. Careless sex leaves emotional scars, and I would love to see Karen deal with those issues with a character instead of just having the girl end up pregnant.
Overall, I reallly enjoyed reading this book. It was my favorite one out of the three so far in the series.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. The character of Bailey is one of my favorite, and I enjoyed the contrast of Andi and Bailey, teaching an important lesson about how choices at the college age can determine someone's life path.
www.laurathebookworm.blogspot.com
January 19, 2012
Does the author's apology for not resolving things (in FOUR books) make it o.k.? Not really. Cody has become obsessively humble and seems to have an inferiority complex, or he just doesn't trust Bailey to be mature and understanding. Or both. She should be furious at his attitude. I am tired of the whole drama with them and his goody-goody-only-what's-best-for-her idealism. It is just too much.
That being said, I still enjoyed the book very much. Just wanted the series to be over with in the four books, as it appeared it would.
Will I read the next one? sigh. Probably so. But I am adept at creating my own endings when I'm unhappy with an author's choice, and I may just do that and let it go!
That being said, I still enjoyed the book very much. Just wanted the series to be over with in the four books, as it appeared it would.
Will I read the next one? sigh. Probably so. But I am adept at creating my own endings when I'm unhappy with an author's choice, and I may just do that and let it go!
November 15, 2010
Love it just like the entire series. I was sad to find out that this was the last in the series but glad to hear that she is going to continue with Bailey's story which ofcourse will still talk about the Baxter family and Flannigans so that's good. I wonder if I will ever get tired of reading this series. What I love most about them is how much I feel God's presence when reading them. It is the best form of Bible study for me than any Bible studies I have ever done. I recommend them to EVERYONE! They are so uplifting and talk about real situations which both belivers and nonbelivers can identify with.
June 29, 2014
Ok, I know many people really like Karen Kingsbury and maybe I started out with the wrong series, but holy cow, this is just waaayyyy too sugar coated, predictable, 21st century evangelical with a bow on top for me. I've read Amazon reviews and perhaps some of her earlier books have depth, but this series was a doozie! This notion that the world will be changed for Christ through a movie, the way Andi is treated as a pregnant young woman, the constant unsaid words and passive drama between Bailey and Cody - aack. Very saccharine. I did make it through the series but I need a high quality fiction book to get over this one - and stat! :-)
August 7, 2017
i loved this series im sad that it ended but this book had you on a roller coaster... so happy for luke and reagan and there new baby... sad for andi and her parents but they did an amazing thing for lukes family.... poor bailey and cody i really thought they would be together... now im torn between her and cody or her and Branden cant decide all i know is im looking forward to reading the next series with bailey I'm super excited....
July 1, 2010
This was not my favorite Karen Kingsbury series; too many plot lines, and the story seemed contrived (even for Christian fiction).
January 17, 2011
Not my favorite KK book. Disappointing end to the Above the Line series. Not what I have come to expect from this author.
July 1, 2024
3.5 stars.
I'm finally starting to enjoy the Baxter Family series again. This book was a perfect close to the "Above the Line" series and just what I was looking for. Bailey is probably my favorite character in the entire series and this book details how she got a part in a movie, which is one of my favorite things in the world. I like how the book wasn't so much "this miracle-that miracle" like most of the Baxter family series has been so I felt that this one was a little more relatable and realistic.
The rest contains spoilers, so if you intend to read, read no further.
I loved the change in Brandon Paul's life! I feel like out of the entire Baxter Family series from Redemption to Take Four, this was by far the most realistic. There were no visions, no miracles, no hearing God's voice, it was just a young man who felt empty, haunted by his past and had a bitter taste in his mouth for Christianity because of something that happened to him because of it, and then he met this girl, Bailey Flanigan and saw the joy and peace she had and wanted that, too. So she led him to Christ and told him about Jesus and from her testimony, he became a Christian. I cheered, I whooped, thank you, THANK YOU for this realistic portrayal of this young man coming to Christ.
Also...I'm done with Cody.
I'm so over the Bailey-Cody saga. I was hopeful upon beginning the series that Take Four and the Bailey Flanigan series would not be some torturous long-drug-out love battle between Cody not feeling like he's worthy of Bailey and Bailey being confused...but I guess it was too much to hope for.
Okay, if I were Bailey? And this guy that I had feelings for started hinting at dating me after a draining relationship, we got together, talked, kissed, etc like Bailey and Cody did and then suddenly without explanation, he starts ghosting me? Making me guess why he suddenly stops answering my calls and keeps his distance? That's it. Done. I would be done with him playing with my heart if I were Bailey. Yes, yes, I know, Cody did this to protect Bailey from potential harm but the least he could have done was given her a vague explanation. "I can't be around you right now but I will explain everything in time" type of conversation would have sufficed instead of ghosting her. If Cody had been honest about his mom being in jail rather than just leaving Bailey...um, on Thanksgiving day of all days, then he would have gained a lot more respect but instead, no, he made his life's decisions and then told her he was done with her. Bailey should not have had to feel bad for not being there for Cody during the worst time of his life. He pushed her away and there comes a point when you have to stop forcing yourself on people.
Personally, Cody needs to get over himself. I hope Bailey winds up with Brandon Paul. He treats her a thousand times better than Cody every has and I hope that Bailey and Brandon wind up together. I'm doubting it, but I hope they do. Brandon is a much better guy.
Other than that, glad the series is behind me and I'm starting to enjoy the Baxter Family again. Can't wait to read Bailey Flanigan.
I'm finally starting to enjoy the Baxter Family series again. This book was a perfect close to the "Above the Line" series and just what I was looking for. Bailey is probably my favorite character in the entire series and this book details how she got a part in a movie, which is one of my favorite things in the world. I like how the book wasn't so much "this miracle-that miracle" like most of the Baxter family series has been so I felt that this one was a little more relatable and realistic.
The rest contains spoilers, so if you intend to read, read no further.
I loved the change in Brandon Paul's life! I feel like out of the entire Baxter Family series from Redemption to Take Four, this was by far the most realistic. There were no visions, no miracles, no hearing God's voice, it was just a young man who felt empty, haunted by his past and had a bitter taste in his mouth for Christianity because of something that happened to him because of it, and then he met this girl, Bailey Flanigan and saw the joy and peace she had and wanted that, too. So she led him to Christ and told him about Jesus and from her testimony, he became a Christian. I cheered, I whooped, thank you, THANK YOU for this realistic portrayal of this young man coming to Christ.
Also...I'm done with Cody.
I'm so over the Bailey-Cody saga. I was hopeful upon beginning the series that Take Four and the Bailey Flanigan series would not be some torturous long-drug-out love battle between Cody not feeling like he's worthy of Bailey and Bailey being confused...but I guess it was too much to hope for.
Okay, if I were Bailey? And this guy that I had feelings for started hinting at dating me after a draining relationship, we got together, talked, kissed, etc like Bailey and Cody did and then suddenly without explanation, he starts ghosting me? Making me guess why he suddenly stops answering my calls and keeps his distance? That's it. Done. I would be done with him playing with my heart if I were Bailey. Yes, yes, I know, Cody did this to protect Bailey from potential harm but the least he could have done was given her a vague explanation. "I can't be around you right now but I will explain everything in time" type of conversation would have sufficed instead of ghosting her. If Cody had been honest about his mom being in jail rather than just leaving Bailey...um, on Thanksgiving day of all days, then he would have gained a lot more respect but instead, no, he made his life's decisions and then told her he was done with her. Bailey should not have had to feel bad for not being there for Cody during the worst time of his life. He pushed her away and there comes a point when you have to stop forcing yourself on people.
Personally, Cody needs to get over himself. I hope Bailey winds up with Brandon Paul. He treats her a thousand times better than Cody every has and I hope that Bailey and Brandon wind up together. I'm doubting it, but I hope they do. Brandon is a much better guy.
Other than that, glad the series is behind me and I'm starting to enjoy the Baxter Family again. Can't wait to read Bailey Flanigan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2017
Andi Ellison is nineteen and pregnant. She's committed to giving up her baby for adoption, but the myriad of emotions that she experiences during pregnancy makes her begin to wonder if she's doing the right thing. Will she continue with adoption or will she decide that it's time for her to be a mother?
Everything seems to be going Bailey Flanagan's way. She has a big audition and a promising beginning to a real relationship with Cody Coleman. Will she find all her dreams come true or will all her hopes be dashed?
This is a book that truly played on my emotions. There were so many good emotional payoffs in this book. This has been a difficult series to read because of all the things that happen that just left me feeling brokenhearted and disappointed. This book kept me in the broken hearted camp, but allowed me to get some closure and happiness from what has gone on in these stories. I truly loved many of the things that happened and how they were resolved, so this was an excellent book to me.
I will go through each point-of-view character briefly. Don't forget that there will be spoilers ahead, so read at our own risk.
Bailey: Bailey actually starts this book off with a little disappointment. Her Broadway audition doesn't go quite the way that she hopes, but at the same time, a door opens for her to get the lead part in a major Hollywood movie. That's kind of a great second opportunity. She attempts to start a relationship with Cody Coleman, only to find that he distances himself from her, leading to her broken heart. She does have a life beyond Cody though and great things are happening for her in that part of her life. I can't wait to see more of her in the next book series, so I've completely changed my view on this character over the past couple of books.
Keith: Keith is in a dual position. He is experiencing success as a producer and is very up from that, but his daughter's pregnancy is devastating for him. He is especially devastated that Andi is giving the baby up for adoption because he longs to love his grandson. Yet, as always, he handles everything remarkably. He's this series' John Baxter. Even when he has emotional turmoil, he is centered and puts God first.
Cody: Cody Coleman is continuing to coach football with great success. He's found his calling and it's an excellent thing for him! He starts a relationship with Bailey Flanagan, only to find himself distancing himself from Bailey and breaking up with Bailey after his mother is put back in jail for dealing drugs. He still loves Bailey, but his life is so crazy that he feels that he can't even ask her to be a part of it. After all, she has a lot going on and her life is really picking up. He breaks up with her because he loves her. I'm not positive that's what he should do, but I really feel bad for him.
Andi: She's pregnant and exhausted. She continues with school and leans on the support of her parents. She loves her unborn son, and briefly considers keeping him, but realizes that he is not meant for her to raise. It's really upsetting for me, as a mother to read her son's birth and all the emotions that go through her head as she prepares to say good-bye to him forever. I'm still upset as I sit and write about this book, and yet, they are some of the most beautiful scenes in the book. I'm glad to have gotten to hear her perspective.
Brandon: Brandon is the delightful surprise for me in this book. He's determined not to be touched by Jesus and even parties and around in rebellion against the idea that he's about to make a Christian film. He finds himself thinking about pulling out of making the movie Unlocked. However, he finds himself pulled into the movie by both his love for the book and by the allure of young Bailey Flanagan. His scenes in the book with Bailey and their developing friendship is undeniably charming. His eventual salvation is even better. I hope to see more of him in the next series of books.
Luke: Luke has very few point of view scenes in the book, but as luck would have it, Luke and Reagan are adopting Andi's baby. We get to see, through Luke, their excitement over the new baby, their mourning when the birth mom changes her mind, their excitement when they realize that the baby really will be theirs, and their surprise to find out that the woman who picked him out was Keith Ellison's daughter. Happy times for their family.
That's about it for this book. Great story and a great payoff for reading through the series. I look forward to starting to tackle the Bailey Flanagan series now.
Everything seems to be going Bailey Flanagan's way. She has a big audition and a promising beginning to a real relationship with Cody Coleman. Will she find all her dreams come true or will all her hopes be dashed?
This is a book that truly played on my emotions. There were so many good emotional payoffs in this book. This has been a difficult series to read because of all the things that happen that just left me feeling brokenhearted and disappointed. This book kept me in the broken hearted camp, but allowed me to get some closure and happiness from what has gone on in these stories. I truly loved many of the things that happened and how they were resolved, so this was an excellent book to me.
I will go through each point-of-view character briefly. Don't forget that there will be spoilers ahead, so read at our own risk.
Bailey: Bailey actually starts this book off with a little disappointment. Her Broadway audition doesn't go quite the way that she hopes, but at the same time, a door opens for her to get the lead part in a major Hollywood movie. That's kind of a great second opportunity. She attempts to start a relationship with Cody Coleman, only to find that he distances himself from her, leading to her broken heart. She does have a life beyond Cody though and great things are happening for her in that part of her life. I can't wait to see more of her in the next book series, so I've completely changed my view on this character over the past couple of books.
Keith: Keith is in a dual position. He is experiencing success as a producer and is very up from that, but his daughter's pregnancy is devastating for him. He is especially devastated that Andi is giving the baby up for adoption because he longs to love his grandson. Yet, as always, he handles everything remarkably. He's this series' John Baxter. Even when he has emotional turmoil, he is centered and puts God first.
Cody: Cody Coleman is continuing to coach football with great success. He's found his calling and it's an excellent thing for him! He starts a relationship with Bailey Flanagan, only to find himself distancing himself from Bailey and breaking up with Bailey after his mother is put back in jail for dealing drugs. He still loves Bailey, but his life is so crazy that he feels that he can't even ask her to be a part of it. After all, she has a lot going on and her life is really picking up. He breaks up with her because he loves her. I'm not positive that's what he should do, but I really feel bad for him.
Andi: She's pregnant and exhausted. She continues with school and leans on the support of her parents. She loves her unborn son, and briefly considers keeping him, but realizes that he is not meant for her to raise. It's really upsetting for me, as a mother to read her son's birth and all the emotions that go through her head as she prepares to say good-bye to him forever. I'm still upset as I sit and write about this book, and yet, they are some of the most beautiful scenes in the book. I'm glad to have gotten to hear her perspective.
Brandon: Brandon is the delightful surprise for me in this book. He's determined not to be touched by Jesus and even parties and around in rebellion against the idea that he's about to make a Christian film. He finds himself thinking about pulling out of making the movie Unlocked. However, he finds himself pulled into the movie by both his love for the book and by the allure of young Bailey Flanagan. His scenes in the book with Bailey and their developing friendship is undeniably charming. His eventual salvation is even better. I hope to see more of him in the next series of books.
Luke: Luke has very few point of view scenes in the book, but as luck would have it, Luke and Reagan are adopting Andi's baby. We get to see, through Luke, their excitement over the new baby, their mourning when the birth mom changes her mind, their excitement when they realize that the baby really will be theirs, and their surprise to find out that the woman who picked him out was Keith Ellison's daughter. Happy times for their family.
That's about it for this book. Great story and a great payoff for reading through the series. I look forward to starting to tackle the Bailey Flanagan series now.
June 12, 2022
This book continues after Bailey and Cody kiss and Andi decides to keep her baby after thinking about getting an abortion. Brandon Paul also is more of an actual character than just an actor that is mentioned in the other books.
I was disappointed that after Bailey and Cody are getting together, Cody's Mom drug addiction has gotten out of control. This causes Cody to cut off communication with her because he doesn't want her dealing with his situation. I think he should have told Bailey and maybe she could have helped him. Since they were good friends I thought he could have told her anything.
Andi's story is very sad considering she decides to put her baby up for adoption. She also has some tough conversations with her Dad. The last scene of her in the hospital is really sad although she had peace about the decision.
Brandon Paul was a character that I thought was a cocky actor who thought he could get any girl he wanted. Bailey working with him changed him into a more caring person. The scenes where they go to New York City are really cute. I'm not sure if he is based on a real person or a combination of people. I thought his story also will help witness to someone who seems to have it all or a famous person. He was the character I thought changed and is one that I wanted to get to know more. It sounds like Bailey and Brandon's story continues into another series.
I was disappointed that after Bailey and Cody are getting together, Cody's Mom drug addiction has gotten out of control. This causes Cody to cut off communication with her because he doesn't want her dealing with his situation. I think he should have told Bailey and maybe she could have helped him. Since they were good friends I thought he could have told her anything.
Andi's story is very sad considering she decides to put her baby up for adoption. She also has some tough conversations with her Dad. The last scene of her in the hospital is really sad although she had peace about the decision.
Brandon Paul was a character that I thought was a cocky actor who thought he could get any girl he wanted. Bailey working with him changed him into a more caring person. The scenes where they go to New York City are really cute. I'm not sure if he is based on a real person or a combination of people. I thought his story also will help witness to someone who seems to have it all or a famous person. He was the character I thought changed and is one that I wanted to get to know more. It sounds like Bailey and Brandon's story continues into another series.
August 29, 2022
This is the fourth book from the Above the Line series and the 18th book from the Baxter Family series.
This really has three stories in it. The first is Keith and Dayne working on the movie Unlocked starring Brandon Paul, the latest heartthrob who is a little bit of a partier, and Bailey Flannigan, the new pure actress who can help Brandon straighten his life out. Well, Brandon wants to bed down Bailey. Will Bailey fall for Brandon or stick with Cody?
This brings us to the never-ending soap opera of the Bailey/Cody relationship. You think they are back together but then Cody has to deal with his Mom and her issues. The problem is he doesn't tell Bailey. He just disappears from her life. What girl wouldn't like that?
The final story involves Andi who got knocked up by Pax. Will she keep the baby or let Luke and Regan adopt him? Kind of fun when Luke and Bailey are at the same party and realize who each other really are.
This is the last book in the Above the Line series. On to the Bailey Flannigan series.
This really has three stories in it. The first is Keith and Dayne working on the movie Unlocked starring Brandon Paul, the latest heartthrob who is a little bit of a partier, and Bailey Flannigan, the new pure actress who can help Brandon straighten his life out. Well, Brandon wants to bed down Bailey. Will Bailey fall for Brandon or stick with Cody?
This brings us to the never-ending soap opera of the Bailey/Cody relationship. You think they are back together but then Cody has to deal with his Mom and her issues. The problem is he doesn't tell Bailey. He just disappears from her life. What girl wouldn't like that?
The final story involves Andi who got knocked up by Pax. Will she keep the baby or let Luke and Regan adopt him? Kind of fun when Luke and Bailey are at the same party and realize who each other really are.
This is the last book in the Above the Line series. On to the Bailey Flannigan series.
September 26, 2023
I did not like this fourth book in the series mainly because I wanted the story to end a different way. I felt that And I should have kept her baby because she had given her life back to God and had parents who were there to support her.
The Baxter family was held in such high regard as to seem like they were the only choice for the baby, and the best choice at that. Karen portrayed them as superior to Andi and her family and I did not like that at all
Also, Bailey, seriously??? She kept saying Brandon Paul was sent there so she could influence him for Christ. What a self righteous girl! I hated the way Bailey was in this book. I really wish Karen had taken a different route and had Brandon meet Andi instead of falling for Bailey. He and Andi were alike and I felt like she could have pointed him to Christ. They were both coming from the same horrible mistakes. He could have fallen in love with her and they could have raised the baby instead of giving him to the Baxters. Nope, didn't like this series at all.
The Baxter family was held in such high regard as to seem like they were the only choice for the baby, and the best choice at that. Karen portrayed them as superior to Andi and her family and I did not like that at all
Also, Bailey, seriously??? She kept saying Brandon Paul was sent there so she could influence him for Christ. What a self righteous girl! I hated the way Bailey was in this book. I really wish Karen had taken a different route and had Brandon meet Andi instead of falling for Bailey. He and Andi were alike and I felt like she could have pointed him to Christ. They were both coming from the same horrible mistakes. He could have fallen in love with her and they could have raised the baby instead of giving him to the Baxters. Nope, didn't like this series at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2017
Andi struggles with giving up her baby.
Keith Ellison pairs up with Dayne Matthews to film unlocked. (A book by Karen that I absolutely love.)
Brandon Paul, movie star, teams up with Bailey Flanagan to play in the movie.
Cody deals with his mother who can't seem to let the drugs alone. He also deals with his past military days.
There's so much I love about Take Four, the last book in the above the line series. The characters work through their problems the Biblical way. I found myself cheering them on as they neared their crisis and went beyond it.
We've adopted several children, and worked with those who had to make a decision of their babies. This book became personal to me.
Cody has a tough time expressing his feelings. That probably describes a lot of guys, including myself. Another point of identification.
Great book, wonderful series.
Keith Ellison pairs up with Dayne Matthews to film unlocked. (A book by Karen that I absolutely love.)
Brandon Paul, movie star, teams up with Bailey Flanagan to play in the movie.
Cody deals with his mother who can't seem to let the drugs alone. He also deals with his past military days.
There's so much I love about Take Four, the last book in the above the line series. The characters work through their problems the Biblical way. I found myself cheering them on as they neared their crisis and went beyond it.
We've adopted several children, and worked with those who had to make a decision of their babies. This book became personal to me.
Cody has a tough time expressing his feelings. That probably describes a lot of guys, including myself. Another point of identification.
Great book, wonderful series.
November 9, 2022
This series has me so amazed.. I have cried with every book.. At one point I even told my son these book (I read a lot of book) have me searching my inner self so much.. Reading these in the season that I am in at this point in my life and the struggle that I deal internally every day with my faith has me shaking my head.. Like how, how do I get there from here.. Needless to say I want more so I am starting from the beginning and picking up the Redemption series.. I have never read Karen Kingsbury but now I can't imagine not reading every single one of her books! 💜
July 11, 2024
Most people who don’t love this book say they don’t like how much angst is in it. You have to keep in mind that the whole Bailey Flanagan arc was inspired by Karen Kingsbury’s very real relationship with her very real daughter in a time of very real angst. It has more of a coming-of-age feel to it than a typical Kingsbury novel, but why shouldn’t it? I thought it was very well managed, and it’s one of the few books I’ve been so invested as to have shed literal tears over fictional characters. Major props to the author and 10/10 would recommend.
January 17, 2018
Chase Ryan gets a job working with his best friend Keith Ellison. Dayne Matthews, the nation's top young actor, is to star in their current film. Andi Ellison is one of my favorite characters in this series. The question is, is it possible for a Christian based film to be successful? The story allows the readers to get a gimps of what is actually involved in making a move.
I would recommend this series.
I would recommend this series.
September 10, 2019
I’ve been reading this series starting with Redemption. I don’t mind the movie making plots. I’m not familiar with the business end of them and this was interesting. I’m missing the Baxters. But like how they work them into the story. The adoption decisions tore at my heartstrings. I so felt for Andi’s parents. The editing in this book was poor. Many typos. Still, the story was good and I’m still pushing through the series.
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