Leaving

I’ve been wanting to read some of Karen Kingsbury’s books for years now, but haven’t ever gotten around to it. Recently, though, I wanted something light and a bit fluffy to add to my reading diet (too many heavy books get…well, heavy), so I picked up this story. This fit the bill perfectly for what I wanted at the time. It was entertaining, light, and sweet. It isn’t my typical fare, but created a nice break from some of the other stories I’ve been reading, which I appreciated!

This isn’t what I would consider outstanding fiction. But it’s a nice story, and I don’t have anything against it. The characters were fun and relatable, and although one character seemed to think about guys in a way that I believe could lead to show more an unhealthy focus, it never quite got there. Overall, not a bad read—not an excellent read. If you want something easy, sweet, and generally relaxing, I’d recommend this. show less

Leaving is first book in the Bailey Flanigan series. The characters were previously introduced in one of the author's many other series. I think I might have enjoyed it a bit more if I had read the previous books and was more familiar with the characters.

Apparently Bailey loves Cody Coleman, an Iraq war veteran who abruptly left her. Cody is teaching and coaching at a rural high school, his druggie mom is in jail, and he's trying to forget Bailey because he thinks she's safer without him.

I don't read much Christian fiction. This story is a vey clean read and one that could be enjoyed by teenagers as well as adults. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series and continuing Bailey’s journey as she lives out her dreams on show more Broadway.

Kingsbury delivers an entertaining story with memorable characters and a powerful message about faith and love. show less

Karen Kingsbury books are guilty pleasures for me. My mother and mother-in-law both kept recommending her books to me so I finally relented and gave one a try. That's all it took. I was hooked! In her new series, we are reacquainted with many familiar characters from her past Baxter series books. I must say I was a bit giddy when I saw that this series would bring us back to Baily Flanigan and Cody Coleman, two of my favorite characters. Baily Flanigan has a big audition in New York but if she gets the role, will she be able to leave her family and Bloomington behind? In the meantime, Cody Coleman is offered a position coaching and teaching at a small high school outside Indianapolis. Will this be what he needs to move on in his life show more and forget about Bailey? Many of the Baxter clan are involved in the story as well which is all about leaving and changes as one grows. As always, Karen's books are very inspirational and this one is no different. Her books always leave me feeling uplifted and I appreciate that her books are wholesome reads. I am glad Karen decided to bring back some of our favorite characters and look forward to the next installment in this series. I was able to read this book straight through. There was no way I could put it down until I got to the end! show less

The Bailey Flanigan series begins with Bailey leaving Bloomington for the adventure of a lifetime. She has won an audition for the ensemble of a Broadway musical in New York City. She's determined to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but is she really ready to leave family and friends for the loneliness of the city? And what of Cody? His disappearance has her worried about their future and praying that their love can survive. In order to be closer to his mother in jail, Cody takes a coaching job in a small community outside Indianapolis. New friends, distance, and circumstances expose cracks in his relationship with Bailey Flanigan. Love, loneliness, big opportunities, and even bigger decisions highlight the first show more book in the new Bailey Flanigan series that features members of the popular Baxter family and finally completes the Bailey Flanigan/Cody Coleman story. show less

This is the first book in the new Bailey Flanigan Series and I encourage anyone to start at the beginning of the Baxter family and friends saga and read through all the series. You will not be disappointed and you will fall in love with the Baxter and and Flannigan families.

This story kept me on an emtional roller coaster of emotions; it had me happy, sad, irritated, edgy, smiling, crying and wanting to shake some people up until they "opened up" until the very end. I found myself finishing the book very quickly and I was always wondering how the author would bring this story to a close (and although she did a great job of the ending, by leaving the door wide open for book two, I was hoping for a different ending!). And that is all I show more will say on the ending because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Let me just say that Bailey's Mom had some good advise for Bailey.

This story is about Bailey Flannigan who is all grown up and spreading her wings and wondering where the Lord will lead her; New York, Hollywood or right there in Bloomington, Indiana? And then there is Cody, the man Bailey has always loved, but has left her high and dry. There is also the Brandon, the Hollywood heartthrob who finally gets to Bailey's heart about how serious he is about her. This is a story of the Baxter family too, which you will have met in the earlier series. There are so many wonderful characters and you feel like you know them all and feel with them when there is sadness or joy. These books also have a great Christian message to them that is well done and appreciated by me. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Karen Kingsbury, you have done it again! Another great beginning to a series I am sure will not disappoint. show less

It did not take me long to read this book at all. Since first reading about Bailey in Take One (Above the Line series) I was fascinated and intrigued. Kingsbury does a great job of addressing anxieties of being a Christian in college. Andi Ellison really has a more realistic experience, or at least a more relatable experience to me personally. I think for me, Bailey is what I aspire to be. I desire to have God's word come in my thoughts as easily as my next breath. Needless to say, this first book in Bailey's series is very good. Ashley and Landon's story, while interesting and definitely not an easy one, seemed out of place in the novel to me. Every time I came to a chapter with their story it jolted me out of Bailey and Cody's story show more which felt unecessary. I look forward to the next 3 books!! show less

I'm a sucker for Karen Kingsbury's books and have read most of her series. However, this was not my favorite. It seemed like a TV soap opera where one of the characters continually makes irrational choices in order to keep the story going. That said, I will be finishing this series!