Longing PB (Bailey Flanigan Series) [Paperback]

Once again Karen Kingsbury delivers a tale that keeps readers guessing as to what happens next. However, as with the first two books in this series, Longing falls short of being a captivating story. This fan just wants to know what happens next so we can move beyond this series. This story is moving slower than the proverbial molasses dripping uphill.

There are many faults with this writing that began with the Dayne Matthews story. The obvious fascination with fame and Hollywood is a bit suspect. You should write what you know not who you know. A fictional story should be inspired by not based on the lives of the people around you. Kingsbury has lost the distinction between her daughter, Kelsey, and the character, Bailey. If you follow her on Facebook at all you'll see all the similarities between the Flanigans and the Kingsburys.

The blinders are certainly on in telling the story of Bailey Flanigan. Bailey is a too perfect to live up to character. Her biggest struggle is choosing between two guys who both worship the ground she walks on. You could say that both of them put her first in their lives although both take the easy way. Cody chose to walk away putting Bailey's perfection above his desire to be with her. Brandon uses his unending money to court her but since his funds are unending it isn't like he sacrifices a lot for her.

There is a line that summarizes my problem with the entire series. "In Bailey's presence Brandon was clearly a new guy." Bailey did not save Brandon nor can she be the reason for his transformation. Brandon, Bailey, and Cody need to have personal relationships with Christ driven by their desire to pursue Him not their need to live up to the expectations of anyone else. If God is their priority there is no time nor need for Facebook stalking your ex, googling your ex, or having thoughts about an ex when you've committed yourself to someone that God placed in your life. It all plays out like a season of One Tree Hill with mentions of God thrown in.

Cheyenne's advice to Cody on her deathbed is wrong. We can make mistakes and chose the wrong person or not chose the right person. Just because we walk away doesn't mean that person wasn't God's will for your life. Just because you choose someone doesn't mean you are following God's will for your life. However, pursuing someone who is in a committed relationship is wrong. Both Cody and Brandon have pushed this boundary.

The compromise continued in Longing. A few well-placed words glosses over situations that should alarm any reader with its message.

I'm concerned for the message that this series sends to readers. Be a perfect Christian. To be a perfect Christian you must beautiful, pursued by every guy you meet, amazing at all you do, and of course never make a mistake. Never have an unkind thought. Never say an unkind word. Never say the wrong thing even accidentally. If you are that perfect Christian than your ex can't forget you, Zac Efron will fall in love with your headshot, and a pro NFL QB will be waiting in the wings if neither of the aforementioned guys keeps your interest.

Ladies, if you want to find your prince you don't wait/search/long for a man who pursues you like a dying man pursues water in the desert. You pursue God like a dying man pursues water in the desert. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Don't settle for a man who makes you his whole world. Pray and wait for a man whose whole world is focused on Christ. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." It won't matter if he has everything in the world or nothing at all. "For my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory." With all you do give the glory to God. Don't do things to attract a man's attention. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Give all your attention to God so when He shows you His will you won't miss it. "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."

I've been a Kingsbury fan for many years, but I am honestly considering giving up on this series. When did the lines between a fictional character, Bailey and the author's daughter, Kelsey blur so completely that they became one person. The thing that bothers me most about this book is that the Cody-Bailey relationship has been built over more than 10 books and was suddenly thrown away in one! How does that even happen? I understand the principle of character development, but this was too far a stretch for me.

I'm very disappointed in Bailey for falling for the cliche hollywood prince charming over someone who she has so much history with. It is completely unbelievable that the girl who pined over Cody for years would suddenly become so shallow to say, "I've found a guy who has tons of money and speaks like he's reading from the script of a romantic comedy. That's my true love." Sure...

I have nothing at all against Brandon. I'm glad that by meeting Bailey, Brandon changed his ways from a Hollywood playboy to a respectful young man, but I just don't get that feeling when she is with him as I always had with Cody. What does that have to say for the girls of this generation? That we'll marry the first rich guy who says they've changed for us and shower us with expensive gifts over someone who we have a longtime, deep emotional connection?

Finally, I'm not buying the patchy logic that Kingsbury constructed to justify the ending of Bailey and Cody. Basically Cheyenne tells Cody that if he kept on running away from Bailey it meant that he didn't really love her, but this contradicts Ashley and Landon's relationship (the reason why I started reading Kingsbury books). Ashley ran away from Landon's love for years, but eventually Ashley discovered who she was as a person and realized that she was good enough for Landon. So why couldn't Cody do the same?

If Kingsbury wanted to start a separate series based on her daughter and her fiancee's relationship I would have been completely fine with it and would probably have rooted for them, but since she completely messed up a basically destined love I'm beyond disappointed. Bailey would never have done what she is doing now. Kingsbury should have just changed the main character's name to Kelsey.

I already knew that Bailey was going to pick Brandon since Kingsbury has been advertising her daughter's engagement (congratulations Kelsey and Kyle) but I just hoped that my predictions would, for once, be wrong. I don't even plan on reading the next book because I feel like we left the real Bailey Flanigan at the end of Take Four. This isn't her story.

The writing of this book is classic Karen Kingsbury. Very well written. Five stars for "page turner" appeal. Twists and turns I TOTALLY didn't expect... and totally didn't like to be honest! I picked up the book last night and couldn't put it down until 1:30 this morning when I finished it. So obviously, I have nothing negative to say about Karen as a writer! She is fantastic, and I love that my Christian life and convictions are always challenged when reading her books! I often feel I have been more purged and refined after the reflections that her books bring about than any non-fiction book has ever brought about in me! I know it's a God-given gift, and I love that she uses it to God's glory!
Now to the book... I strongly disliked the conclusions drawn and was very disappointed that everything seems to make Brandon look more perfect (blah!) and Cody more flawed in the relationship with Bailey. Cheyenne's admonition to Cody was so weird to me. Suggesting that he must not be meant to be with Bailey--and should look for someone else--because he had always run from her in the past (apparently indicating that she couldn't be the "one") was strange. And then when Cheyenne said that he wouldn't be there with her if Bailey was the one for him.... I wanted to scream at her. LOL. Duh... he ran from Bailey because of a fear of getting hurt, and he was staying with her (Cheyenne) because he is a decent, godly man who wouldn't abandon a friend in a time of despair, even if it meant sacrifice on his part. The logical conclusion to me from his past with Bailey is that he has/had issues within himself that he needs to deal with before ANY conclusions can be made about Bailey. I certainly have never thought that this must indicate that his destiny is not to be with her. I thought that was a very odd chapter and turn in the book.
Reading this book was like watching a movie whose release you had been eagerly anticipating... but then every single thing that happens in it is the opposite of what the movie leads you to WANT to happen~!! I finished it very disappointed and trying to figure out how the next book could possibly not be a terrible disappointment as the end to the series on Bailey!! :( Team Cody for sure. If Karen has Cody end up happy and dancing at Bailey's wedding to someone else, I'll puke. :)