Two Weeks

Review: Two Weeks by Karen Kingsbury 4* 11/25/2022

This is an interesting story a bit stretched in places but it was entertaining. I have always liked Kingsbury's books. This one is about a senior teenage girl who finds herself pregnant by a guy who just used her. The sad part is she is in love with someone else, Cole Blake. This story is entwined with two other couples based on similar issues. Lucy and Aaron have had three miscarriages and still trying to have a child for a very long time so they decided to try adopting a baby. Then there is a third couple that had fostered children for years and did have one teenage daughter themselves and who are now grieving the loss of that daughter who was in an accident.
Kingsbury based her story show more on adoption which these couples were part of that subject matter. She did a great job entwining the lives of these people without confusing the reader. I enjoyed her development of these characters to fit the roles they played. show less

I am doing this for my "Sad Book Category" of Extreme Book Nerd.

So. I'm a sucker for Kingsbury. Even though I struggle with her novels these days, I still have to read every new one that comes out. I think this is in large part due to my love of the Baxter family. Coming home to Bloomington, Illinois truly feels like coming home.

Two weeks centers around the story of Elise, an unwed and pregnant senior who falls in love with Cole Blake (Ashley's son. Because, as we know, most books revolve around Ashley Baxter Blake. LOL) It's the story of Lucy and Aaron who long to adopt a child. And Theo and Alma who suffer a tragic loss. ALL of these paths converge into a beautiful story of adoption.

I love adoption stories. Adoption is something show more that I believe passionately in (maybe one day, I will adopt). Having characters go through real life scenarios (giving up a child because they need two parents.....people changing their minds.....) did make this book feel real and alive. I bawled in several parts because of the beauty and rawness depicted. I honestly hadn't felt that realness from Karen in awhile.

This book is also the story of leaving and lasts. Cole is a senior (which is crazy because I remember the book in which he was born!!). I never do goodbye scenes so I BAWLED like a baby. Again, I have read every. single. book with these characters. I felt Cole going off to college. It was a beautiful story of familial love.

There were the typical things I hate in Karen's writings nowadays
1.) Every story revolves around Ashley. It was nice to see Brooke get more mention but still.
2.) ENOUGH WITH THE LIBERTY UNIVERSITY REFERENCES!! It's like she is paid by LU to write their school into the books. I mean, I know her kids go there, she teaches a class every once in a while, and that she has drunk the Kool-aid. Still. It annoys me.
3.) The Christianity aspects feel very name it and claim it. Redemption stories happen in the span of a chapter. Prayers seem to get answered almost instantaneously. I want more substance.

In the end, I give this book 3.5 stars. This is largely because I love the adoption angle. And I did cry ;) show less

A Baxter Family series novel, this one focus most on Ashley's son, Cole, and a teen, Elise, whom he befriends after she moves from Louisiana to his high school mid-year during their senior year.
I read this one after reading another Karen Kingsbury, Forgiving Paris, which had some similar themes about unexpected pregnancy. It was interesting comparing Ashley and Elise and the choices they made.
It it heavy on faith and has themes/parallel stories of adoption, foster care, pregnancy loss and pro-choice.
I found Cole a bit irritatingly sweet/naive and with a savior complex too much for his young years.
There is a shocking tragedy in the story which I could have done without. I wish this portion of the story could have gotten its point across show more without the tragedy. show less

Karen Kingsbury writes emotionally heart gripping stories that wring every sense of emotion from you. This book is actually the story of three different couples and how they are brought together by one tiny baby.

Cole Baxter meets the new girl in school for the last semester. He’s planned his life out - college & medical school at Liberty, playing baseball while an undergrad & back to work with his grandfather. Shortly after meeting Cole, Elise finds out she’s pregnant. She doesn’t think she’s ready for a baby but what’s she going to do now? The baby isn’t Coles but he is in love with Elise. Will he change his plans to take care of her?

Aaron & Lucy Williams have been trying to have a baby for years. They’ve struggled with show more a miscarriage. Had their hearts broken with a couple of failed adoptions. Aaron still believes that God has a plan for them but Lucy doesn’t believe anymore. She’s so tired from the process & the toll it’s taken on their lives & marriage. Can they find their way back to each other or will they be broken apart?

Theo & Alma Brown were foster parents until they had their beautiful daughter, Vienna. Now, Vienna is growing up & feels her parents should go back to fostering kids. After a tragedy changes their lives for ever, will they fall apart or will they follow their promise & find a way back?

At first, I was confused by the different points of view & how they fit together. The story pulls you in from the beginning & starts you on the emotional journey. You feel Elises’s pain & fear deep in your heart. Cole’s faith, love & heart make you believe everything will be better. Theo & Alma pull you into their grief & confusion. Why them? What did they do wrong? Lucy & Aaron were a case of one spouse clinging to his faith & the other spouse discouraged, frustrated & tired. All are brought together to learn something by little Gracie. The ending isn’t what I expected but what I love most about this story. show less

Let me take a moment to tell you, if you have never, ever read a book by Karen Kingsbury, you need to remedy that right now. Right here,with this novel. With this novel, you will feel every. Single. Emotion. Every. Single. One. You will need 10 boxes of tissues, and a quiet, peaceful room to reflect after. Karen Kingsbury takes all that she has prayed about, all that God lays on her heart, puts her words to paper and delivers a novel that sends out hope and inspiration.

Once again, we get a glimpse into another Baxter family member. This time, it’s Cole’s story. Cole has been a long time favorite of mine since way back when, when I read Redemption for the first. In this book, however, he’s all grown up, about to graduate and has show more met the beautiful Elise.

Elise is beautifully chiseled. I loved her character from the start, seeing a lot of myself in her. She’s going through a rough spot in life, and not a lot of hope that it will happen when she gets dealt an unexpected hand. I loved how Ms. Kingsbury chiseled her, making her beautifully flawed and just right for her part in the story. Add to the story, two amazing couples, and this story will take you on the enormous roller coaster of highs and lows.

This story is beautifully emotional, magnificently gripping, heart wrenching-ly inspiring. God is felt from start to finish, and with 5 stars, and two thumbs up, this novel is highly recommended by me. There is a powerful message of what unconditional love means, and never losing sight of what’s right in front of you. Two Weeks to make one of the biggest decision of your life. Is it something you could do? Grab this novel now and find out.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, Howard Books and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.* show less

I have to say I've been disappointed in the Kingsbury novels I've read of late. They all seem pretty much the same.

POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT:

What I liked: Cole's character--he sees a person in trouble and is willing to help and he doesn't back away from his word even when he's feeling dragged down by his promises; Elise's willingness to consider adoption over abortion; the loving support that Landon gives Cole and that Cole gives Elise; the guidance that Ashley and Brooke give Elise; Aaron's refusal to give up asking God for a baby of their own; the Browns willingness to be a 2 week foster family to Gracie Ann; the Browns decision to work as house parents for teens without parents of their own.

What I didn't like: Ashley jumps to show more conclusions about the relationship between Elise and Cole and also judges Elise--which is a bit like the pot calling the kettle black since Ashley once found herself in a similar situation; the characters are just a bit too perfect--you know things will work out for them--you know Aaron and Lucy will get the baby they've been hoping for etc.; Elise's naivete--she thinks just because Ray forced himself on her that she can't get pregnant? Come on--in this day and age I can't believe a girl doesn't know that pregnancy doesn't work that way by the time she's a senior in high school! show less

I always love a good visit with the Baxter family. As someone who has read the entire series from the very beginning, I would recommend starting there even though this one could be read a standalone. Reading the whole series allows you to get to know the entire family so you can appreciate the visits and updates from the rest of the family in each new book.

This particular book centers around Cole, Ashley's oldest son. Cole is a senior in high school and falls for Elise, a girl he meets at school who is pregnant. This particular book focuses on the issues of unplanned pregnancy, infertility, and adoption.

As I have come to expect from a Karen Kingsbury novel, she has great characters and definitely tugs on the heart strings. Although I do show more love the Baxter series, I felt like this one was a bit more predictable than the others have been.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own show less