Learning

Karen Kingsbury continues to be probably the most-read and well-loved Christian fiction writer and you can tell why by reading this book - it's like ice cream - it's smooth and it just slides down your throat with minimal effort. I continue to read but luckily her books are available in the public library because they are not worth the $10.00 to buy them.

By the third page I was wincing a bit... she used the phrase "in addition" twice in the same paragraph. It's either poor writing or poor editing - whichever, perhaps publishing a book every three months is too much when you want to produce a quality product.

I gave up reading another one of her books because she preached about how wonderful and "right" it was that the US was fighting a show more war in Iraq... this one I almost tossed aside because she preaches about how true Christians would be vocal against homosexuality. I wouldn't mind it so much (although I don't agree) if she wouldn't use one dimensional characters (Gerald) and a really poor plot device (how in the world does Bailey have time to dance 8 times a week on Broadway and do all the other things, like lead a Bible study and run around New York with her boyfriend?) to advance her agenda. Apparently Kingsbury has never watched "The West Wing" and thus heard the argument that the Old Testament has a lot to say on a lot of issues (including touching pig skin) and you cannot pick and choose which ones you want to hold up as absolute. Her plot B, high school football, is lovely irony.

If you are looking for shiny, happy people and Christians who hardly ever struggle with anything significant (Cody is a marvelous character who becomes THE high school football coach - a la "Friday Night Lights - by ignoring religious freedom and overcoming PTSD and a mother in prison for drugs so easily and quickly) this is your book. If you prefer a little more depth and realism, check out Melody Carlson's older, stand-alone fiction or something by Jamie Langston Turner. show less

3.5 stars (rating shown may vary depending on review site).

I used to read Karen Kingsbury often, but have gotten away from it in recent years. A friend (MH) sent me this book in a box of books. I thought she'd gotten it from another friend and then passed it on to me, but I don't see a review on here by that friend, so perhaps that was a different Kingsbury book.

In this book, Bailey Flanigan realizes her dream of performing on Broadway--but is it all that she thought it would be?

There are some good lessons on listening to God's direction within Bailey's story--speaking up or acting on direction before there is no more time to do so, etc. I did appreciate Bailey's attempts to study the Bible with her castmates and to make them not feel show more judged--that we all have some sin that we struggle with, but we can't just give up and say, God made me this way, so I won't struggle against what I know is a sin.

I appreciate that Kingsbury has Bailey struggle because in many of her novels, my complaint was that everything was too perfect--everything always turned out--etc.

Cody Coleman takes over coaching a high school football team and they have a transformative season. (Talk about that perfect storytelling aspect of Kingsbury's writing!)

I'm a little disappointed that Bailey and Cody, who were friends for a long time, totally cut off direct communication with each other--at least for this novel. show less

Bailey Flanigan is growing closer to her dream to be an actress and dancer in New York while Cody coaches a small high school football team ... on and off the field. But neither feels complete without the chance to share their dreams with one other. Can distance truly make the heart grow fonder? Or will Cody learn to turn to others to share in his happiness? And when tragedy strikes, who will be there to provide comfort in the face of loss? As Cody's past catches up with him, he must learn to reach out for help or risk withdrawing permanently inside himself. Both Bailey and Cody find themselves learning significant life lessons in this poignant love story, featuring members from Karen Kingsbury's popular Baxter family.

Bailey Flanigan is living a dream. She living in New York City, has a role in the Broadway musical ‘Hairspray’, and she has the attention of Brandon Paul, a popular movie star. But she can’t seem to forget Cody, the first man she has ever really loved.

Other than some innocent Facebook stalking, Cody and Bailey do not have any interaction with one another throughout the book. Both are aware of the other’s new romantic relationships and have decided to move on with their lives in spite of their lingering love for one another.

Bailey’s journey as a single Christian woman and her desire for fame on the Broadway stage at times seem at odds with one another, and she faces problems in trying to stay active in her faith with a group show more that finds her religion at odds with their own lives.

All the romantic elements in this book are very tame and appropriate for a younger audience. The Bailey Flanigan series is my first foray into Christian fiction and I have to commend Karen Kingsbury for the way this series reaches out to young people who enjoy Christian fiction with a YA focus. show less

Another great book in the series. I am, however, getting a little tired of the flip-flop between both Cody and Brandon for Bailey's love. I wish it would just move on and actually get to the point at which there is a final decision about who Bailey is supposed to be with. I like how this books showed a little bit more of Bailey's independence and wasn't so stuck in the Bloomington "bubble". Overall, another wonderful book.

This is book 2 in the Bailey Flanigan series and it picks up right where book 1 leaves off. It has been several months since I read book one, but it didn't take me any time at all to remember the characters and the story line. It is like reading about a family that you feel you could meet someday, because they seem so real. I have to remind myself that they aren't. Karen Kingsbury does such a good job of making her stories very personal, down to earth and real. She also does a great job of sharing what makes her main characters the people that they are and that is because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a joy to see these people share their faith by just being themselves and the testimony they can and do have towards show more others. These people struggle, have hardships and disappointments, but they also have a strong faith which helps them through it all.

Bailey Flanigan finds herself on Broadway, fulfilling her dream, but it doesn't come easy and she must constantly battle with her feelings as the cast members don't exactly make her feel welcome. But Hollywood star Brandon Paul is always showing up and helping her laugh, feel good and letting her know how important she is to him. I liked his spontenaity when it came to surprising Bailey. Then there is Cody Coleman and his new job as a high school football coach and trying to take a team with a losing record, to just a group of boys who beleive they are truly a team. He also must decide where his relationship is going with Cheyenne, who is fighting to recover from a near fatal car accident.

Although this story line didn't go the way I thought it would, I must say I enjoyed the story very much and look forward to seeing where the next story in this series goes with these characters. There is still alot of unresolved issues between two people who must, I believe, come to terms with each other sooner or later. Looking forward to book 3! show less

I continue to enjoy keeping up with the Flanigans and Baxters, though I tend to go a long time between series. I can't imagine New York City being the first place to live away from one's parents. Thankfully, Bailey has a wonderful couple to live with and keep her accountable. I felt bad for Bailey when she was unable to reach her fellow cast mate before she died. I'm looking forward to finding out if Bailey and Cody can ever be friends again, let alone in a serious relationship, now that they are in other (possibly rebound,) relationships. Like a long running drama, tune in next week.