LONGING

Bailey Flanigan Series Book #3

By Karen Kingsbury


Thanksgiving has come and Bailey and her new boyfriend Brandon Paul are spending it with the Flanigan family in Bloomington, Indiana. It’s been a while since Bailey has seen or talked to Cody, but when she hears that he is coaching the Lyle Buckaroos in Friday’s State Championship her emotions are mixed. Does she want to see him or avoid him as he’s been avoiding her for the last year.

At the State Championship, Cody’s eyes are drawn to the stands, looking for Bailey. When he sees her they connect just as if they are the only two in the stadium. But while Cody looks for Bailey, Cheyenne notices him watching Bailey. After the game which the Buckaroos win, Bailey avoids Cody and heads straight to the car and waits for her parents.

With Jenny Flanigan’s permission, Cody heads over to the Flanigan home for a talk with Bailey. They talk about what drove them apart, and Bailey tells Cody that she has moved on and now loves Brandon. As he leaves Cody realizes that he hasn’t moved on, that he still loves Bailey and his fear of losing her is what made him distance himself from her. Cody heads home determined to have a talk with Cheyenne the next morning, but he receives a phone call from Tara. Cheyenne is being admitted to the hospital – something is terribly wrong! When it is discovered that Cheyenne has an aggressive brain tumor, Cody decides to not tell her about his feelings for Bailey.


Because of work schedules Brandon and Bailey have to spend Christmas in New York. On Christmas Eve acting on an impulse Brandon decides to buy an engagement ring for Bailey, but Tiffany’s is closed for the holiday. So instead of proposing Brandon, Bailey and 5 of her Hairspray cast members go to Christmas Eve service. There Gerald is moved by the message and takes a step closer to God.

As Cheyenne get weaker from the cancer and chemo, Cody’s talent as a coach is recognized by both ESPN and Sports Illustrated. Cody and Demetri are invited to New York for a series of interviews. After the interviews are over they are given tickets to see Hairspray. Cody is startled to realize that this is the first time he has ever seen Bailey on stage. This realization causes him to be angry at his indifference to her passion when he still loves her deeply.

When Cody is offered the coaching job at Clear Creek High he feels lead to accept it. But just as everything starts looking up for Cody, Bailey learns that Hairspray has been cancelled. Brandon tells Bailey that his agent has just told him about a part that Bailey would be perfect for and the audition is in February.

When Hairspray ends Bailey goes home for a couple of weeks. But just as she gets ready to leave, Cheyenne dies and Cody wants to talk. He tells Bailey of a talk that he and Cheyenne had before her death. Cheyenne thought that they were not meant to be together, because if Cody truly loved Bailey he wouldn’t keep running away from her. Though what Cody is says hurts, Bailey agrees with Cheyenne’s assessment of their relationship.

When Bailey finally gets to L.A. her mother begins to wonder if Brandon is who God has in mind for Bailey instead of Cody.

Longing is more than longing for the perfect someone in your life or for the perfect life. Longing is instead about longing after what God wants for your life.

I am eagerly awaiting the fourth and final book of the Bailey Flanigan series LOVING.

Advanced Reader Copy in Digital Format provided by the Publisher for review purposes only.