You’re going to need tissues to read this book! Lots and lots of tissues!
Like many Kingsbury fans I was excited to read Coming Home. I’ve read each book written about the Baxter’s (this is book #23) and couldn’t believe it was time to say goodbye to this family that I felt like a member of. (*Note – This was to be the final book in the series. Keep reading until the end for an update).
While the first several chapters of Coming Home are a “review” of the Baxter children and their struggles told in previous books, it was nice to look back at their lives. This “review” allows new readers or someone picking this book up as a stand-alone to read and have a little bit of a background. Chapter 10 or 11 pulls you into KK’s usual writing. The family is together to celebrate John Baxter’s 70th birthday when the unthinkable happens. I love that Karen sends this family through real life struggles. That just because they are Christians they are not given the happy ending and easy lives I think some people expect Christians live. They struggle like we all do but with faith and the support of their family and strength from God they get through.
I cried through the entire book. As I remembered the struggles of the past and family’s current heartaches, I sobbed. After finishing the book, I lay awake for a long time trying to process all that had happened. I felt like I was with the Baxter’s through the whole book and was an emotional wreck with them!
Pick up this book and read it! I don’t think you’ll regret it! Well, you may regret it a little bit when your eyes are swollen and red and your nose is stuffy after the ugly crying I’m sure you’ll experience 😉
*Note – Coming Home was released in 2012 and was intended to be the final book in Karen’s beloved Baxter Family series. If you spend anytime on Karen’s social media sites you know her fans LOVE the Baxter’s and are constantly asking what the Baxter’s are up to now. Karen’s finally granting the wish of many of her fans. A new Baxter book, A Baxter Family Christmas, will release October 25th. I’m torn because I miss the Baxter’s but I said goodbye to them when I read Coming Home. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that they’re coming back.
Already a fan of the Baxter’s? What do you think of their return? Are you excited for the new book? I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’ve never read the Baxter’s and would like to, you can find the series reading order here.
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewer: Jennifer
Title: Coming Home
Author: Karen Kingsbury
Release Date: June 26, 2012
bookish devices 
Chat with us