Leaving By Karen Kingsbury

I found this book on the sale rack at Books A Million. I noticed that this book was part of a 4 book Bailey Flannigan series and three of them were on the Sale rack. I haven't ever read any books by Karen Kingsbury but I know she's written a ton of them and so, some of them are bound to be good right? 

Well, thankfully I was right. The setting starts in Bloomington, IL. Though the series follows Bailey Flannigan mostly, there are several other stories that are woven in and you end up with 4 or 5 main characters. First there's Bailey, finishing up her last year of college and pursuing her dream to perform on Broadway. Then there's Cody Coleman, a few years older than Bailey who leaves Bloomington to the small town of Lyle to be closer to his mother (who is incarcerated) and teach football. Bailey and Cody have never seemed to be on the right page at the right time when it comes to love and a relationship. Will they ever be able to make it work?

Then there is Brandon Paul, famous actor who Bailey co-starred with on the film Unlocked. Something is changing in him and Bailey begins to notice him. Next there is Landon and Ashley Baxter... now to be honest...I'm still not sure I fully understand the connection of them to the Flannigans but I believe the Flannigans bought the old family home that the Baxter family grew up in. Something along those lines anyway...  

The book flows very well. So well in fact that I read it in about 3 days. Kingsbury writes the characters thoughts out and their prayers to God. I find that I can easily identify with Bailey, not so much in the Broadway dream sense, but in the fact that life is confusing (especially in relationships) and that it's important to look for the little ways that God speaks to us throughout the day. It reminds me that I need to be in the Word more not only to be ready for Him to speak to me but for me to have the words to be able to speak to others. 

4.5 of 5 Flamingos.