Coming Home: A Story of Undying Hope: The Baxter Family

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Coming Home: A Story of Undying Hope: The Baxter Family

by Karen Kingsbury

4.29 of 5 stars 4.29 · rating details · 1,626 ratings · 314 reviews

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published June 26th 2012 by Zondervan (first published January 1st 2012)

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Jun 16, 2012 JoyAnne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Kingsbury has such a way with words, the characters are more like friends than people you're reading about in a book. This is probably the saddest book I've ever read, you'll need two boxes of tissue for this one. In spite of the sorrow it is a very well written conclusion of the Baxter family series.

The Baxters have survived several tragedies and this one tops the list. I won't give anything away but it took me by surprise. As the family gathers to celebrate the father's 70th birthday they all...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Sara rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. ******CAUTION SPOILERS*****

I used to really like Karen Kingsbury. I really did. I liked how emotional her books were, and how there always seemed to be some good lesson found there. But this book really made me upset with her. Mostly because I do not understand how an author can kill off an entire family in one book. I mean, how can you do that? I could see maybe one person dying in this book, or maybe the "famous Baxter house" burning to the ground, but killing off an entire family is just too...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Julie Barrett rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury
Elizabeth and John Baxter are the parents of the group they call a family. Through prayer and faith they have raised a handful of children who've gone and raised some of their own.
The plans for John's 70th birthday was on. Most would write a letter that would be read at the party. A scrapbook would be made with each of the children having a page.
Erin and her husband Sam have adopted 3 girls and have one of their own. The agency called and the mother wants to see the...more

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Dec 07, 2012 Jodi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Oh dear. I think I cried through most of this book. The book was about the Baxter family. They were planning a family reunion for their fathers 70th birthday. All the family lived their own married lives with children. One daughter, Erin lived in Texas. She was struggling with an open adoption where she adopted three girls from a mother who went to prision. The woman was out and wanted custody again of the girls. Erin was able to go on the trip back to Indianapolis but had this on her mind. Erin...more

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Oct 08, 2012 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Like many KK fans I was excited about this book. I couldn't believe that we were going to have to say goodbye to the Baxter's. I too have read each book that the Baxter's have been featured in. While the first several chapters are a "review" of the Baxter children and their struggles, it was nice to look back at their lives. This "review" also allows new readers or someone picking this book up as a stand-alone to read and have a little bit of a background. Chapter 10 or 11 pulls you into KK's us...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Alicia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, christian-fiction

This was a quick read, I finished it one Sunday afternoon. This is the final book in the Baxter family series which I have enjoyed over the past few years. I'm a sucker for family sagas and have enjoyed most of the books chronicling the Baxter family. I was pretty sure I knew the plot but turned out I was wrong and there was an unexpected turn about halfway through the book. I also didn't believe the person would die, so that was a shock too.

For the most part the books is pretty repetitive. Each...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Cafelilybookreviews rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Die hard Kingsbury fans, will already know what to expect when they pick up this book. Karen writes stories that are wholesome, heartwarming and centered around family and faith.

I had mixed emotions reading this book, because so much of it focuses on the past, and gives so much back story on the Baxter family. It takes almost ten chapters to get to what I consider the "meat" of the story. If this is the first book you've read by Karen, then it will be a great summary, but if you've read most of...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Gabrielle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I cannot say enough beautiful things about this book. Actually, adjectives fail me. I have followed each and every one of Karen Kingsbury's tales of the Baxter Family--from Redemption to Loving and everything in between. Sure, there were moments in which I wasn't always on board (Bailey Flanigan, as much I loved you in the beginning, your story was not the conclusion that I wanted or the one I thought readers were going to get when Karen first began your story) However, I was always more in love...more

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Aug 10, 2012 Tamara rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: karen-kingsbury

COMING HOME by Karen Kingsbury . . . why did I do this to myself? With each new spin-off series from the original Redemption Series, my review ratings have either gone down or stagnated. I constantly brought up the fact that so much back story was filtered into each of the subsequent books, that I felt I was only getting half a book each time I bought one. So, why did I think COMING HOME would be any different?

I cringed out loud as I read the first twelve chapters of the book. Not only was it a...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Renn Shearin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"The Baxters make plans to come together for a summer lakeside reunion, a celebration like they haven't had in years. But before the big day, the unthinkable happens. As the Baxter Family rallies together, memories come to light in the grief-stricken hours of waiting and praying, memories that bring healing and hope during a time when otherwise darkness might have the final word. In a season that changes all of them, the brilliance of family love overshadows even the valley of heartache as the B...more "The Baxters make plans to come together for a summer lakeside reunion, a celebration like they haven't had in years. But before the big day, the unthinkable happens. As the Baxter Family rallies together, memories come to light in the grief-stricken hours of waiting and praying, memories that bring healing and hope during a time when otherwise darkness might have the final word. In a season that changes all of them, the brilliance of family love overshadows even the valley of heartache as the Baxters draw closer to God and each other. "

Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury is supposed to be both a conclusion to the Baxter family and all of the series surrounding them (Redemption Series, Firstborn Series, Sunrise Series, Above the Line Series, and Bailey Flannigan Series) as well as serve as an introduction to new readers before they dive in to the above series. However, if I read this novel before I read any of the other series, I would not pick up a single one of those books. Coming Home simply rehashed EVERYTHING that happened in all of the other Baxter series. If I had read Coming Home first, there would have been no point in reading any of her other series because I would have already known about all of the twists, tragedies, and love stories that occurred. Any suspense would have been gone. As it was, half of Coming Home was a condensed version of every other novel concerning the Baxter family, and half was spent over a pointless tragedy. The tragedy made me cry, certainly, but the grief in the Baxter family was non-existent and what was there was extremely fake. The novel was simply too short to cover the subject properly.

If Coming Home was the first Baxter book that a reader read, the characters would have seemed fake, insincere, emotionally dry, and too ''Christian'' to be real. Even though I have read all of the other Baxter books, the connection to the characters in Coming Home was hard to establish. If any readers read Coming Home before picking up the other Baxter books, PLEASE do not think that the characters are like that in all of the other novels. For the most part, as is partially glimpsed in Coming Home, the Baxters are very realistic characters, having marital struggles, sexual temptations, struggles with grief and addiction, and runaway from God.

Overall, I was disappointed with this book as both a conclusion and beginning to the Baxter family. If you are new to the Baxter family, PLEASE start with the Redemption series instead. It is the first series, and is by far the best.

I received an eBook copy of this novel for free from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. (less)

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Jul 09, 2012 Pam Burke rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ten years ago, Karen Kingsbury first introduced us to John and Elizabeth Baxter and their family in the Redemption series. Throughout five series and twenty-two books, we've shared in the great highs and the deep sorrows of this family and their friends who have come alive off the pages of fiction. Many true KK fans would admit to thinking about inviting some of the Baxters to a special event in their lives . . . that's how real Karen's characters have become!

In Coming Home, we have the opportun...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Rachel Sides rated it 5 of 5 stars

Karen Kingsbury is my favorite author and I'm her #1 fan. I have every book she has published, most autographed. So, I might be a little predisposed to give her a 5 star rating; however, trust me on this, I could have gone for more. If you are have read all of the Baxter family series and the ones which featured the Flanagans with the Baxters as occasional background characters, then you have to read Coming Home. I'm among the fans who have begged for more Baxter family books, so Karen complied...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Tanya Brunnelson rated it 3 of 5 stars

I love Karen Kingsbury and the real life situations she uses to speak to people about God's love and mercy. This story would have been no different, but at best I felt the pieces she could have used to really highlight God's faithfulness and glory were rushed. She spent the first 100+ pages of the book reviewing the backstory behind each character. I ended up skipping all of it because it was so repetitive and completely unnecessary.

The tragedy this family suffered was tragic and this was by fa...more

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Jun 24, 2012 Iola rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, christian-fiction, kindle, netgalley

Ashley is planning her father's seventieth birthday party, and has the idea of each child writing a letter to him to read out to him at the party. So, Ashley calls each of her siblings to invite their families to a surprise barbecue at the Baxter homestead (giving us a nice entry into the information dump of their personal histories). Dayne and Katy will be flying in from LA, and Erin and Sam are going to make the drive from Texas. Erin is pleased to be making the trip, because the birth mother...more Ashley is planning her father's seventieth birthday party, and has the idea of each child writing a letter to him to read out to him at the party. So, Ashley calls each of her siblings to invite their families to a surprise barbecue at the Baxter homestead (giving us a nice entry into the information dump of their personal histories). Dayne and Katy will be flying in from LA, and Erin and Sam are going to make the drive from Texas. Erin is pleased to be making the trip, because the birth mother of three of her adoptive children is out of prison and wanting visitation rights, a touchy subject that she wants to discuss with brother Luke in person.

The first half of the book is like a composite episode of a TV series - 22 episodes condensed into one, a roller coaster of emotion, reliving the highlights and tragedies of the early Baxter stories. Although Kingsbury does a good job of reviewing the personal histories of each character, those stories are so extensive that I don't know how easy it would be to keep up with all the characters without having read a good number of the preceding books.

Yet anyone who has read all the Baxter books is going to find the first half of Coming Home very repetitive (although that does make it a quick read, for anyone who doesn’t want or need to relive the relationship problems of each of the Baxter siblings). I also found much of the backstory to be overly contrived: couples going for a walk and talking about how they got together, as though they didn’t know that.

But, of course, it wouldn't be a Kingsbury novel if everything went right. While the first half of the book dragged with all the repetition, the second half contained the trademark Kingsbury emotion, as a tragedy pulls the Baxter family together and tests their faith as never before. It sounds corny, and it was, but it brought tears to my eyes even as I reminded myself that these are not real people (well, I hope they are not. After all, the last four books have been loosely based on Kingsbury’s daughter, so who knows).

With its themes of faith, life, death and heaven, I’m sure Coming Home will speak to many people. Kingsbury has the gift of being a word in season to many people through her writing, and I commend her for that. But personally, my Kingsbury season is over.

Overall, this was a good novella that was uncomfortably stretched to novel-length through the addition of a lot of repetitive and unnecessary backstory, and a cheesy ending that just made me thankful it was over.

Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.
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Jun 17, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have read the entire Baxter series (all 22 books) and consider the family members some of my all-time favorite characters. After being very disappointed with the Bailey series, I was nervous to read this book and anxious to see if it would follow the trend of the Bailey series or return to the life-changing tales fans have come to appreciate from Karen. This book did not disappoint.

The first part of the book is a walk down memory lane for fans of the Baxters (and can catch up a new reader) as...more

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Jun 10, 2012 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-literature, christian-fiction, christian-inspirational-fiction, contemporary-fiction, religion

In my personal opinion, if a book can make me feel emotion so deeply that I feel a part of the story, it's a winner! This one, moved me to tears many, many times and shows just how we go about dealing with loss as a Christian in a world where all we want is answers to the question why.

In Karen Kingsbury's latest novel, Coming Home, the reader is immediately invited to join the Baxter family as Ashley, one of the daughters, begins to make plans for her father's seventieth birthday party. Like mos...more In my personal opinion, if a book can make me feel emotion so deeply that I feel a part of the story, it's a winner! This one, moved me to tears many, many times and shows just how we go about dealing with loss as a Christian in a world where all we want is answers to the question why.

In Karen Kingsbury's latest novel, Coming Home, the reader is immediately invited to join the Baxter family as Ashley, one of the daughters, begins to make plans for her father's seventieth birthday party. Like most family's that are grown and beginning families of their own, it is hard to coordinate a surprise for her dad, John with all his kids present but that is exactly what Ashley has planned. They all want to surprise their dad and be present to show him just how much they all love and care about him, even though they all lost their mom to cancer a few years ago. John has since remarried and doesn't expect anything more than an invitation to attend a bar-b-que with Ashley and her family.

Not expecting all her brothers and sisters and their families to be able to be there, Ashley's husband, Landon suggests that each of them should write a letter to their dad explaining what he means to each of them. They could read the letters out loud at the birthday celebration and each of them share how much their father's life has impacted them. They all agree to do this and set to work on their own personal letters.

Much to Ashley's surprise, all of her brothers, sisters and their families make plans to be there moments before her father and his wife show up, and all agree to do their best to keep it a secret. They all are touched that the man who has impacted their personal lives will receive the ultimate surprise that day, unfortunately it will not be the surprise any of them ever expected. You'll have to read this one to know the outcome of the story and see just how their own personal faith will be tested.

I received Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury compliments of Zondervan Publishers and NetGalley for my honest review. This is my second time experiencing a Karen Kingsbury first and if you never have, you have to try one. It is truly a life changing experience. There is a safe harbor to be sitting in while watching a family go through one of the most challenging and difficult times for anyone but being a family of believers in Christ, makes this one truly unique to watch and feel. This is a true testament to the faith of a believer in Christ and what lies behind this life when we breathe our last. I think Karen did an exceptional job at bringing the Baxter family series to a beautiful conclusion. Even though I haven't read any books in the series, I immediately felt like I already belonged to this wonderful family. You can pick this one up and begin the experience all over again, it's such a perfect stand alone story!

This book rates for me, a 5 out of 5 stars. Not only did it increase my own personal faith through this book, but it strengthen me, to understand how it all plays out so eloquently together, with hope, unconditional love, and an eternal future promised to all who believe in Jesus Christ. That this life will not end when we leave this world. (less)

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Apr 02, 2013 Lyndi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My next book, I checked with someone who has read, will NOT have main characters that die! This is the second book in a row I have cried over. And let's get something straight, I am NOT a crier! But after twenty some books with these characters, I really do feel like I know this family. So what they have been through has been heartbreaking. But yet, true to life. As no ones life is perfect, no matter what you think looking from the outside. There was something abut this book, after reading other...more

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Oct 09, 2012 MaryAnn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: net-galley

All I can say is WOW! I've followed the Baxter Family over the years and I couldn't wait to read the final chapter. There are times I've related their experiences to those in my own life. I have a brother fighting pancreatic cancer and the whole feeling of loss is very real to me. The way they handled the loss in their family was inspirational to me and I hope to have half of the grace they have if I end up in the same place n my life.

This book shows the life we have in Christ even when everythi...more

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Feb 04, 2013 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

One of my first Karen Kingsbury books (if not the very first one, can't remember!) was a book featuring the Baxter family. Since then, I've enjoyed reading all of Karen's work, but most especially the books featuring the Baxters. They were a family I could identify with: real people with real problems, trying to trust in God despite difficult situations.
This book was written as an introduction of sorts to the Baxter family (for those who might not have read any previous Baxter books), or as a fa...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Diane rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: summer-12

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 06, 2012 Dena rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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Jun 21, 2012 Cheryl Olson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Coming Home. Ah, those two words for many of us evoke thoughts of family, safety, warmth, togetherness. In Karen Kingsbury’s last Baxter book Coming Home- A Story of Unending Love and Eternal Promise, I would say the descriptors are more like heartbreak, battle, loyalty and eternal hope. This book opens with Ashley Baxter rallying the troops (her siblings and their families) to pull off a 70th surprise birthday party for their father and patriarch of the family John Baxter. And so all of the sib...more Coming Home. Ah, those two words for many of us evoke thoughts of family, safety, warmth, togetherness. In Karen Kingsbury’s last Baxter book Coming Home- A Story of Unending Love and Eternal Promise, I would say the descriptors are more like heartbreak, battle, loyalty and eternal hope. This book opens with Ashley Baxter rallying the troops (her siblings and their families) to pull off a 70th surprise birthday party for their father and patriarch of the family John Baxter. And so all of the siblings are invited and heading back to Indiana to take part in this special celebration with each one asked to write a special letter of love for their father. In the process the reader gets to take a walk down memory lane as each sibling recalls their own story and how their Dad was influential in it. For me, a true blue Baxter family fan, I found it enjoyable to look back on each character’s story and journey and how love of family and faith in God brought them through. The Baxter’s weren’t perfect, in fact some of their choices along the way were choices that were not what we would hope they would make, but no matter what, their love for each other and trust and faith that God was working in the midst of the rebellious times proves to be what gets them through. For a new reader, you could actually learn about each character’s back story in a condensed fashion and so I believe you could engage in this story. I thought it was well done.

The tragedy in this story, and there is tragedy, was pretty heartbreaking. I can’t give it away as that is too much of a spoiler. But, I will say that the Baxter family rallies around each other as they have never had to do before and it is hard, heartbreaking and yet in that way that Karen Kingsbury always has with her storytelling, it is filled with heart, faith in God and their deep abiding love for each other that actually leaves you with tremendous hope and faith. I thought this ending was very fitting and there is a hope that Karen Kingsbury will still give us certain little sneak- peaks into the Baxter’s lives in the future through other books. I will have to say that for some reason this series has struck a chord with me and I know many other’s as her books are often NY times bestsellers. There is just something about the Baxter family that you just really care about these characters and what happens to them. And so with this last book, as I began to read it, I thought that the title was so apropos “Coming Home” as that is how you feel about the Baxter’s that they are real and could be your next door neighbors, and what wonderful neighbors they would be.

5 stars

I received a free digital copy if this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.
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Mar 02, 2013 Becky Seabaugh rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nook-books

I think Karen Kingsbury and Puffs must have a deal going. I promise you I cried through 80% of this book.

I was constantly in awe of the Baxter family. They were able to cling to God in the midst of such a horrific tragedy. God was certainly one of the main characters in this story, and I was left thinking of Him each time I had to set this book down. I complain of such minimal things in life, and while the events in the story don't occur often it is a reminder that tragic things can/will happen...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Chrissy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, read-in-2012

So, I had *no* idea when picking up COMING HOME that this was the end of a 20+ book series by Karen Kingsbury about the Baxter family --- but when the description promises that this can stand perfectly well as a stand alone novel, you can trust that this is true. I've never before read a single one of these Baxter books and I had no trouble whatsoever following the story or falling in love with these characters -- so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one not only to the die-hard Baxter famil...more So, I had *no* idea when picking up COMING HOME that this was the end of a 20+ book series by Karen Kingsbury about the Baxter family --- but when the description promises that this can stand perfectly well as a stand alone novel, you can trust that this is true. I've never before read a single one of these Baxter books and I had no trouble whatsoever following the story or falling in love with these characters -- so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one not only to the die-hard Baxter family fan but also to those who just adore a sweet, heart-warming tale to remind them the importance of family, love, and living life to its brightest every day of the week.

But, stepping back just a tiny bit, I'll do a quick rundown of the plot. All of the Baxter children are gathering to surprise their dad at his 70th birthday party -- and everyone is beyond excited for the fabulous occasion! Each Baxter has written a heart-felt letter detailing to dear Dad the trials, tribulations, lessons, heart-aches, joys, and amazements of being part of the family -- but none of them are prepared for the devastation and tragedy that will mark that special day and change the lives of each of them forever.

As the Baxters recount their memories, fight their legal battles, and struggle to find joy in the darkest night, they are reminded of the true importance of love -- love for family, love for enemies, and love for God above all else.

Honestly, I went into this novel really expecting nothing and knowing nothing of the plot. I can't deny that the first several chapters, undoubtedly intended for those like me who know nothing of the Baxters and need rundown of each of their lives and back-stories, felt a tiny bit tedious at times. I almost pushed this book aside, deciding instead that I'd rather read something with a bit faster pacing than a lengthy description to fill in the gaps of books I may never get around to reading.

But, the story definitely got my attention as it veered more towards the travel and arrival of the party, complete with a tragedy that I completely wasn't expecting from the book's description. I really think this is one of the saddest books I've had the pleasure of reading -- so I can't imagine how much sadder it would have been had I grown to know these characters over the course of twenty or more books.

Despite the devastation, COMING HOME does radiate with an overall message of joy and hope. I'm sure that I'll go back to the beginning of the Baxter clan's story and see what I've missed up until this point. I think Kingsbury has a way with words and she certainly knows how to tell a heart-warming story. I'd recommend this to anyone and everyone I know who loves Christian fiction, especially those already familiar with this author and her style.

** I did receive an e-copy of this book for the purposes of providing an honest review. All thoughts are my own and are wholly uninfluenced by the cost, or lack thereof, of the words **(less)

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May 09, 2013 Lis Ann rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was another heart-wrenching book from Karen Kingsbury! I will try my best not to add any spoilers until the end. You're welcome. :)

This book was not at all what I expected it to be. As I stated in my review for the Bailey Flanigan series, I've been following the Baxter family since the beginning of time. If this is your introduction to the Baxters, and you read this as a stand-alone book like the description says, then you'll probably just view it as a drama you could read for a good cry....more This was another heart-wrenching book from Karen Kingsbury! I will try my best not to add any spoilers until the end. You're welcome. :)

This book was not at all what I expected it to be. As I stated in my review for the Bailey Flanigan series, I've been following the Baxter family since the beginning of time. If this is your introduction to the Baxters, and you read this as a stand-alone book like the description says, then you'll probably just view it as a drama you could read for a good cry. As for me, like the Bailey Flanigan series, it goes a bit further than that.

Karen Kingsbury has been one of my favorite Christian authors for a very long time and I would recommend most of her books to anyone because they reach the reader straight to the heart. They are so real. I know that Karen is transitioning to a new publisher, and I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps they are requiring her to write more books in less time. Since the Bailey series it seems like her books have become rushed and far away from what made them real and wonderful. Coming Home is a good read, and I feel like Karen reached some of her roots again. Although, the parts with Bailey and Brandon still made me cringe! I tried to get through them as fast as possible so I didn't have to go through that despair all over again!

So, Coming Home. Although it took up some space in the beginning, I liked the recollection of everyone's pasts and how they got to where they are. That was nice for nostalgia's sake, and it's also nice for new readers who need some of the back-story. It was heart-felt and reconnected the characters with the story and each other. As for the events that took place after that, I understand tragedy happens when we least expect it, and it was another journey Karen took us through the life of the Baxters. I think the worst part about it, is that this wasn't just another book within the series, it was supposed to be the wrap-up for the entire series. Honestly, I just don't think is was a good way to wrap it all up to a close. It felt unfinished. It felt like there needed to be more, and it felt like it ended way too soon. Perhaps she has yet another Baxter installment up her sleeve, but I just didn't find this to be a good ending to the entirety of the Baxters.

****WARNING - SPOILERS****

In the beginning it seemed like such a big deal to be celebrating John Baxter's birthday with everyone writing letters to him. The direction I expected this book to go was something was going to happen to John Baxter and he would pass away, "going home." When I entered into this book, I was thinking that actually would have been a great way to wrap up the journey we've taken with the Baxters, because in a way, it all started with John and Elizabeth. However, it was so far away from that and in the end, all those letters and John's birthday didn't seem quite as important as we entered into the story thinking they were. It was kind of disappointing. It also seemed out of place and inconsistent to kill off an entire family (or I guess "sub-family") the way Karen did. Like I said before, it all felt incomplete. I miss Karen's old writing, and from other reviews I see that I'm not the only one.

****END SPOILERS****

So if you're looking for a tear-jerker and you haven't read any other books by Karen, this is a pretty good book. If I hadn't read them all I would probably give it 4.5 stars. But because I have, I have to give it 3.5. I would advise that you start from the "Redemption" series, because those are all top-notch.(less)

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Jul 06, 2012 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Since the Redemption series by Karen Kingsbury is one of my favorites, I thought it would be only fitting to read the conclusion of the Baxter family saga. I originally hadn't planned on reading it, but thought I'd go ahead and give it a go.

The first nine chapters catch everyone up to speed on the lives of the Baxter family, up to the point where they are coming together to celebrate their father's 70th birthday. I appreciated the "refresher" of the previous books, and I found myself saying, "Oh...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Stefanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: karen-kingsbury

This was a good way to tie up a 23 (yes, 23) book series. I especially liked this book over many of the others because while it DID have a storybook happy ending of sorts, it wasn't without its grit. Sometimes KK's books can be almost a little 'too' soft for my taste, and the first 125 pages or so made me think this one was going to be that way, but there was a lot of meat to the middle half (and beyond) of the book.

The only thing that bugged me was the aging of some of the characters. For it to...more

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May 27, 2012 Janet rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was the 24th book Karen wrote about the Baxter family.

It made me cry more than once but it was so well written and so touching that if you haven't read the rest of the series, read this one and then go back to the beginning.

Karen does an excellent job of allowing people who do not have the full back stories of the Baxter children to be able to read this book and love it and then want to read all the others to get the details of everyone's life.

The Baxter family is reuniting for John's 70th...more

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Jul 15, 2012 Angela Bycroft rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-to-re-read-again

Coming Home is a novel about tremendous victory and unprecedented loss, a story of faith and a forever kind of love, love that will stay with you long after the last page. This stand-alone novel will serve as either a grand introduction or a beautiful conclusion in the saga of the Baxter Family. The Baxters make plans to come together for a summer lakeside reunion, a celebration like they haven't had in years. But before the big day, the unthinkable happens. As the Baxter Family rallies together...more Coming Home is a novel about tremendous victory and unprecedented loss, a story of faith and a forever kind of love, love that will stay with you long after the last page. This stand-alone novel will serve as either a grand introduction or a beautiful conclusion in the saga of the Baxter Family. The Baxters make plans to come together for a summer lakeside reunion, a celebration like they haven't had in years. But before the big day, the unthinkable happens. As the Baxter Family rallies together, memories come to light in the grief-stricken hours of waiting and praying, memories that bring healing and hope during a time when otherwise darkness might have the final word. In a season that changes all of them, the brilliance of family love overshadows even the valley of heartache as the Baxters draw closer to God and each other. Along the way, secrets are revealed and the truth about the Baxter Family history is finally made known. Ultimately, in this portrait of family love, the Baxters cling to each other and to God's promise of forever.
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Karen Kingsbury does it again (and in some ways - one last time for the Baxters) and warmly invites us into the world of the Baxter family. For this final outing we are treated to a family get together to celebrate an important milestone, only to be throw head first into some pretty horrendous circumstances the family could never have prepared for.

The different branches of the Baxter clan have appeared in at least 22 books - so it's little wonder that they feel like people we know and love and not mere characters in a book. For those of us fortunate enough to have shared their many adventures, it's an emotional roller coster to say the least.

With a story line such as this it's extremely hard to review without giving away too much of the plot - surface it to say that somehow it all come together in the end but things will never be the same. The title is a clever clue that you don't truly understand until the end.

A truly fitting conclusion to an epic family saga. (less)

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Jul 17, 2012 Andrea rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sadly, I was hoping for more than this book delivered. I started reading about the Baxter family when I was in college, so while yes, they are a fictional family and there have been more tragedies and recoveries and "happily ever afters" than realistically would happen, I was hoping for something profound to tie up the 4 or 5 or more different series that have spanned the years with these characters. A tragedy I could have predicted, but it did bother me that it wrapped up so fast - not with yea...more

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About Karen Kingsbury

FROM AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America’s #1 inspirational novelist. There are more than 15 million copies of her award-winning books in print, including several million copies sold in the past year. Karen has written more than 40 novels, ten of which have hit #1 on national lists.

Karen has a true love for her readers, and she has nearly 1...more FROM AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America’s #1 inspirational novelist. There are more than 15 million copies of her award-winning books in print, including several million copies sold in the past year. Karen has written more than 40 novels, ten of which have hit #1 on national lists.

Karen has a true love for her readers, and she has nearly 100,000 friends on Facebook along with more than 7,500 followers on Twitter. The popular social networking sites have allowed Karen daily interaction with her reader friends.

Karen is best known for her Life-Changing Fiction (TM) and for creating unforgettable characters. When speaking before women's groups - some with more than 10,000 in attendance - Karen makes audiences laugh and cry with her compelling story-telling. She likes to tell attendees they have, "One chance to write the story of their lives," and her talk focuses on reminding women to live every day loving well, laughing often, and finding true life in Jesus Christ. Karen routinely speaks before more than 100,000 women each year.

Karen's latest novel, Above the Line, Take Three, released March 23rd, 2010. Take Three is the third in the Above the Line Series. Look for the final installment in this series, Above The Line, Take Four to hit stores June 22nd, 2010. Shades of Blue, Karen's latest stand alone title, hit stores in October, 2009. Karen's newest series, Above The Line Series began with Take One, which released in March, 2009. The second book in this series, Take Two released in June 2009.

Karen's recent title, This Side of Heaven landed in the #5 spot on the CBD Bestselling Fiction List. Also, Karen's novel, Sunset landed #2 on the New York Times Best Seller's List. Karen has also written many best selling series including The Redemption Series and the Firstborn Series. Her fiction has made her one of the country’s favorite storytellers. Several of Karen's novels are being considered for major motion picture movies. Her emotionally gripping titles include the 9-11 Series, Even Now, Ever After, and Between Sundays.

Karen is also a public speaker, reaching more than 100,000 women annually through various national events. Karen and her husband, Don, live in the Pacific Northwest with their six children, three of whom are adopted from Haiti.
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“This last year... I learned something about family. Like it's not about blood alone. It's being connected... it's growing up together and loving each other. It's believing in the same God and knowing you'd do anything for the person across from you at dinner.” — 11 people liked it

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