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Unplanned
(Kennedy Stern #1)
by
When Kennedy Stern’s childhood pastor asks her to volunteer at his new pregnancy center, she carves time out of her rigorous college schedule to promote the cause of the unborn.
After receiving a disturbing call from someone far too young to carry a child in the first place, Kennedy can no longer blindly hide behind the pro-life platitudes she grew up believing. She resol ...more
After receiving a disturbing call from someone far too young to carry a child in the first place, Kennedy can no longer blindly hide behind the pro-life platitudes she grew up believing. She resol ...more
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Kindle Edition, 287 pages
Published
May 13th 2015
(first published March 31st 2015)
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Start your review of Unplanned (Kennedy Stern #1)

I was under the impression when I started this book that it was a Romantic Suspense, but upon reading it, I found that my impression was horribly wrong! I would definitely classify this story as a New Adult novel, which I really hate, but this one was actually rather engrossing! There is a definite mystery element to the story, but it is a very rudimentary one. In fact, the entire story felt rather simplistic!
We only get broad strokes when it comes to Kennedy, we don't get a lot of detail when i ...more
We only get broad strokes when it comes to Kennedy, we don't get a lot of detail when i ...more

2.5 stars
I’m really not sure what I think of this book. I liked it but at the same time I didn’t like it. It was intense, but not enough to make me nervous, which was nice. It had a mystery, but I pretty much figured it out early on. It dealt with really tough topics like “is abortion ever okay?” and “what do you do when you find a 13-year-old girl pregnant?” But it was also pretty detailed with blood and bleeding in parts. A new crises pregnancy center is opened up, but the one who was giving t ...more
I’m really not sure what I think of this book. I liked it but at the same time I didn’t like it. It was intense, but not enough to make me nervous, which was nice. It had a mystery, but I pretty much figured it out early on. It dealt with really tough topics like “is abortion ever okay?” and “what do you do when you find a 13-year-old girl pregnant?” But it was also pretty detailed with blood and bleeding in parts. A new crises pregnancy center is opened up, but the one who was giving t ...more

Unplanned by Alana Terry is a fast paced contemporary Christian suspense which I really enjoyed. At its heart the focus is pro life and recognising that God has His hand on us, even when we are still in the womb.
God, too was at the centre. For some, trusting God is easy. For others, life can intrude. "What was the point in worshipping a God who wouldn't lift His finger to rescue these precious souls?" God sees us all. He sees us before we are born. His rescue plan may not be ours but no one slip ...more
God, too was at the centre. For some, trusting God is easy. For others, life can intrude. "What was the point in worshipping a God who wouldn't lift His finger to rescue these precious souls?" God sees us all. He sees us before we are born. His rescue plan may not be ours but no one slip ...more

This book drew me in right away cause it's about a TCK (Third Culture Kids), and TCKs are one of those things in life that I'm passionate about.
There were times when I wasn't exactly sure what to think about this book. The cover made it look like a mystery or thriller, but then it started out with a really nice, calm pace. (I had nothing wrong with the pace - in fact I liked it a lot. It just wasn't what I was expecting from the cover.) But then part way through the pace really picks up and the ...more
There were times when I wasn't exactly sure what to think about this book. The cover made it look like a mystery or thriller, but then it started out with a really nice, calm pace. (I had nothing wrong with the pace - in fact I liked it a lot. It just wasn't what I was expecting from the cover.) But then part way through the pace really picks up and the ...more

This book was a good read, it didn't have twist and turn of others but it was intriguing till the end. Loved the main character and the story flowed easily and the writing style made you want to continue to the end!
...more

Christian suspense. I'd like to rate this more highly, because I respected that this was about the topic of abortion. However, I felt there were far too many implausibilities and repetitious elements. For example, it's unbelievable that a crisis pregnancy center would begin operation with no trained staff, or that the main character would have been asked to man the phones with no training, and take the phone off premises. Also, no good reason was given for the main character's being abducted. It
...more

Well, that was interesting for sure. This book started out slow and concluded quickly. This is the first time I've read a book by this author and I have to say it was ok. I'll still read the next book in this series. So we'll see how that one progresses.
...more

Unplanned⭐️
Kennedy comes back from studying and living abroad and finds it hard to adjust to being an american again.
Shes in the early admissions program at Harvard studying biology when Kennedy starts volunteering at a pregnancy center. Her fathers friend and the local pastor and his wiferun the center. On Kennedys first weekend manning the phones she gets a call from a young girl who she feels in danger. The girl says her name is Rose and that a friend needs help. Soon Kennedy finds out that ...more
Kennedy comes back from studying and living abroad and finds it hard to adjust to being an american again.
Shes in the early admissions program at Harvard studying biology when Kennedy starts volunteering at a pregnancy center. Her fathers friend and the local pastor and his wiferun the center. On Kennedys first weekend manning the phones she gets a call from a young girl who she feels in danger. The girl says her name is Rose and that a friend needs help. Soon Kennedy finds out that ...more

Unplanned is set in America and follows Kennedy Stern, the daughter of foreign missionaries, as she adjusts to life back in the states as a college student. When I read the book’s synopsis a while back, I don’t know why I didn’t put together the fact that this is the daughter who is mentioned as being away at college in Torn Asunder. If you have read the books set in China and North Korea, then this is a fun tie-in to them and I enjoyed hearing her perspective on growing up in the Stern househol
...more

After Kennedy signs up to answer phone calls from a pregnancy center, she finds herself talking to a very young pregnant girl. Kennedy determines to discover who this girl is in order to help her, but soon finds herself in danger because of her knowledge of the girl herself.
Unplanned was a whirlwind. I expected as much from Alana Terry, whose books have often brought me to stress or tears over the horrible situations the characters had to face. This one, however, also made a larger impact on my ...more
Unplanned was a whirlwind. I expected as much from Alana Terry, whose books have often brought me to stress or tears over the horrible situations the characters had to face. This one, however, also made a larger impact on my ...more

Unplanned is the opening novel in Alana Terry's newest Kennedy Stern series. She drew me into the story immediately and I couldn't stop reading. Kennedy is a first year pre-med student at Harvard and away from her missionary parents in China.
She reconnects with old family friends and becomes a volunteer for their pregnancy hotline before she can bat an eye.. She has very little time to spare and no idea what she is involved with and no idea what to say if someone were to call on her watch. She ...more
She reconnects with old family friends and becomes a volunteer for their pregnancy hotline before she can bat an eye.. She has very little time to spare and no idea what she is involved with and no idea what to say if someone were to call on her watch. She ...more

I was so intrigued by this book, though the cover captured my attention first. I had never heard of the author either, but since the reviews on Amazon were so good, I decided to give her a try. So glad I did! I enjoyed this book so much. I didn't read pages and pages of fluff; she had a story to tell, and she told it. I LOVED this. Every word mattered, for the most part.
The plot was heart-wrenching but so real. I was surprised at the end to find myself crying with the characters. Especially, the ...more
The plot was heart-wrenching but so real. I was surprised at the end to find myself crying with the characters. Especially, the ...more

Just when I think Alana Terry can't be better, she does it again!
This book is SO GREAT! I can't believe I read it in less than two hours!
Really addictive and full of meaning. I love the honesty of the words and I'm SO looking forward to read the next book! ...more
This book is SO GREAT! I can't believe I read it in less than two hours!
Really addictive and full of meaning. I love the honesty of the words and I'm SO looking forward to read the next book! ...more

A heart wrenching story filled with dedication and determination. Would you know how to help someone in a crisis? What would you say? Who would you trust? From the first page of this story, the author takes the reader on a journey that touches the heart and gives hope for the future. Bring the tissues when you read this one. I received a copy of this story from the author and this is my personal honest opinion.

Good book, but too dark & too violent for my taste. The book made me sad to the point I couldn't finish it soon enough just so I could close it & be done w/ such a dark book.
...more


RESEÑA COMPLETA EN ESPAÑOL
In every book of Alana Terry there’s a lot to process once you finish reading, and this time wasn’t the exception. This novel puts into question the rights of the unborn in a unique which feels real and not fiction.
Furthermore, the novel moves at a good pace and has no parts in which you can take a break.
Something that I liked was to know from some characters of other novels of the author; and although each of her books can be read separately and are perfectly under ...more

Goodreads has a 2 star at "it was ok" and that's what I thought of this novel. It's ok. If it was marketed as a young adult or new adult novel then the ranking could have been higher which is why I'm giving it 3 stars.
The theme is relevant and clean. The topic is brutally honest but slightly glossed over. The plot didn't have much depth to it but it did have a fast pace to it. The character needed a little more development, especially her rash judgement of people who had not lived where she had ...more
The theme is relevant and clean. The topic is brutally honest but slightly glossed over. The plot didn't have much depth to it but it did have a fast pace to it. The character needed a little more development, especially her rash judgement of people who had not lived where she had ...more

This is an amazing story of a young girl, Kennedy, who grew up as the daughter of Missionaries in Yanji, China, but who is now at Harvard University in the States in her first year of Med school. Kennedy has had a Christian upbringing but she has never really had her faith tested or tried. This exciting and sometimes terrifying story gives her an opportunity to be truly tried and tested in some very unexpected ways. The story is well done, the characters developed to a point where one can almost
...more

Riveting, emotional, gripping and unique story.
The author weaves the pro life issue both pro
and con into the story tactfully. The author
addresses the differences in the cultural ways of
life in China versus the ways of life in America
by having the main character present them.
Kennedy Stern has spent ten years in China with
her foreign missionary parents. Kennedy is now
starting college at Harvard.
Kennedy is introduced to a pregnancy center her
childhood Sunday school and his wife are about to
ope ...more
The author weaves the pro life issue both pro
and con into the story tactfully. The author
addresses the differences in the cultural ways of
life in China versus the ways of life in America
by having the main character present them.
Kennedy Stern has spent ten years in China with
her foreign missionary parents. Kennedy is now
starting college at Harvard.
Kennedy is introduced to a pregnancy center her
childhood Sunday school and his wife are about to
ope ...more

I've been a fan of this author since her first book. This one is my favorite yet, with The Beloved Daughter now a very close second. I could not put this book down. From the moment I read about the first phone call, I was driven to find out what will happen to the caller.
This book tackles the very difficult issue of abortion. I am 100% pro-life without exceptions, but I am often dismayed by the dismissive attitude of some who share my conviction on the issue. There can be very complex and painf ...more
This book tackles the very difficult issue of abortion. I am 100% pro-life without exceptions, but I am often dismayed by the dismissive attitude of some who share my conviction on the issue. There can be very complex and painf ...more

Wow!
As a pro life person and someone whose pregnancy was unplanned, this book really hit home for me. It is Christian, but incredibly honest about doubts and not "preachy". This is a heart wrenching story chock full of adrenaline, and I was hooked from the start. ...more
As a pro life person and someone whose pregnancy was unplanned, this book really hit home for me. It is Christian, but incredibly honest about doubts and not "preachy". This is a heart wrenching story chock full of adrenaline, and I was hooked from the start. ...more

Okay, let's get started.
I read this book in one whole sitting, and even after I'd read it I was still genuinely frustrated with this book. The writing was not good. It felt like every single Christian book I've ever read; bad. It's not that I don't just agree with what the book is pushing, I just don't agree with the writing. If you're going to write about a heavy topic like this you have to do it with rich, descriptive writing that can really captivate the mind of the reader, not mediocre writ ...more
I read this book in one whole sitting, and even after I'd read it I was still genuinely frustrated with this book. The writing was not good. It felt like every single Christian book I've ever read; bad. It's not that I don't just agree with what the book is pushing, I just don't agree with the writing. If you're going to write about a heavy topic like this you have to do it with rich, descriptive writing that can really captivate the mind of the reader, not mediocre writ ...more

Realistic thriller
Kennedy's parents are covert missionaries in China, under cover of his having a business there. Lennedy has made fr8ends at the Americanschool, taken AP courses, gotten an early admission to Harvard premed. She has a kookie theatrical.roommate who always seems.tp.be going.out and having fun while.she struggles through Russian Literature, cbemostry, calculus, biology, and other heavy duty subjects.
She knows a pastor and his wife who have a church near the uni, and they've just o ...more
Kennedy's parents are covert missionaries in China, under cover of his having a business there. Lennedy has made fr8ends at the Americanschool, taken AP courses, gotten an early admission to Harvard premed. She has a kookie theatrical.roommate who always seems.tp.be going.out and having fun while.she struggles through Russian Literature, cbemostry, calculus, biology, and other heavy duty subjects.
She knows a pastor and his wife who have a church near the uni, and they've just o ...more

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This was a totally different novel from any I've read. Lots of suspense, questions, and cultural shock. Kennedy is starting her first year in premed and studying and keeping up her GPA is all that's on her mind. She's spent ten years overseas with her missionary parents and coming back to the U.S. is a big shock and adjustment for her. In spite of her reservations, her former pastor and his wife talk her into volunteering in their new pregnancy crisis center. Her first phone call is from a scare
...more

Unplanned is a unique take on the abortion debate. Kennedy is trying to adjust to being back in the States, having spent years as a missionary kid in a foreign country. Overwhelmed by cultural differences, her pre-med courses at the university, and the noise that makes up America, she allows herself to be persuaded into answering the hotline for a brand new crisis pregnancy center.
I struggled with this, because I've volunteered at more than one CPC, and I felt like the author should have done mo ...more
I struggled with this, because I've volunteered at more than one CPC, and I felt like the author should have done mo ...more

I had heard about the Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense Series by Alana Terry and had wanted to read them for quite a while now. During the Thanksgiving holiday, I was able to read four of the five books, only because the 5th wasn’t available yet. That one is on my Christmas list.
There really are two sides to every story. There are a few characters in this series that I think make the entire series: First of all, Kennedy, the main character, who is a young adult (college age) and she struggles i ...more
There really are two sides to every story. There are a few characters in this series that I think make the entire series: First of all, Kennedy, the main character, who is a young adult (college age) and she struggles i ...more

Alana Terry is a writer who deals with difficult topics, and this one is about a young girl who is pregnant and her uncle is trying to force her to abort her baby.
Kennedy is working at the pregnancy crisis center that her church has started and she gets a call from a 13 year old girl. She won't give Kennedy all the information that she needs to give her good counsel, in fact, Kennedy wasn't even supposed to be in a position to talk to girls like this, she's just supposed to be the receptionist ...more
Kennedy is working at the pregnancy crisis center that her church has started and she gets a call from a 13 year old girl. She won't give Kennedy all the information that she needs to give her good counsel, in fact, Kennedy wasn't even supposed to be in a position to talk to girls like this, she's just supposed to be the receptionist ...more

The is the first book in the Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense series. I was looking forward to reading it since I love suspense/mystery books and being a Christian book I know it won’t have a lot of profanity. It to me awhile to get into the book. It was a little slow in the beginning but then it picked up and I enjoyed it. I’m thinking since it’s a new series, the author had to go more in depth with the character.
In the story, during the time Kennedy and Jodie were being held hostage, I really ...more
In the story, during the time Kennedy and Jodie were being held hostage, I really ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alana Terry & Fri...: Pro-Life Novel? | 4 | 10 | Jan 11, 2017 06:23AM | |
Alana Terry & Fri...: Moral Dilemmas | 4 | 7 | May 12, 2015 02:55AM |
When Alana isn't writing, it's likely that she's on the floor wrestling with her kids. Or playing outside with her kids. Or chauffeuring her kids. Or trying some random science experiment with her kids. But she's probably not cooking or cleaning.
Alana is a homeschooling mother of three who loves to write, hates to cook, and enjoys reading a good book almost as much as she enjoys writing one.
Alana ...more
Alana is a homeschooling mother of three who loves to write, hates to cook, and enjoys reading a good book almost as much as she enjoys writing one.
Alana ...more
Other books in the series
Kennedy Stern
(9 books)
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