Leaving (Bailey Flanigan Series)

by Karen Kingsbury

Paperback, 2011

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Series

Bailey Flanigan (1)

Redemption (Original Baxter Family) (19)

Genres

Publication

Zondervan (2011), Edition: Bailey Flanigan Series, 328 pages

Description

Bailey Flanigan leaves Bloomington after winning an audition for the ensemble of a Broadway musical in New York City. In order to be closer to his mother in jail, Cody takes a coaching job in a small community outside Indianapolis. But new friends, distance, and circumstances expose cracks in his relationship with Bailey.

User reviews

LibraryThing member ashleymcquirk

It did not take me long to read this book at all. Since first reading about Bailey in Take One (Above the Line series) I was fascinated and intrigued. Kingsbury does a great job of addressing anxieties of being a Christian in college. Andi Ellison really has a more realistic experience, or at least

a more relatable experience to me personally. I think for me, Bailey is what I aspire to be. I desire to have God's word come in my thoughts as easily as my next breath. Needless to say, this first book in Bailey's series is very good. Ashley and Landon's story, while interesting and definitely not an easy one, seemed out of place in the novel to me. Every time I came to a chapter with their story it jolted me out of Bailey and Cody's story which felt unecessary. I look forward to the next 3 books!!

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LibraryThing member judyg54

This is the first book in the new Bailey Flanigan Series and I encourage anyone to start at the beginning of the Baxter family and friends saga and read through all the series. You will not be disappointed and you will fall in love with the Baxter and and Flannigan families.

This story kept me on

an emtional roller coaster of emotions; it had me happy, sad, irritated, edgy, smiling, crying and wanting to shake some people up until they "opened up" until the very end. I found myself finishing the book very quickly and I was always wondering how the author would bring this story to a close (and although she did a great job of the ending, by leaving the door wide open for book two, I was hoping for a different ending!). And that is all I will say on the ending because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Let me just say that Bailey's Mom had some good advise for Bailey.

This story is about Bailey Flannigan who is all grown up and spreading her wings and wondering where the Lord will lead her; New York, Hollywood or right there in Bloomington, Indiana? And then there is Cody, the man Bailey has always loved, but has left her high and dry. There is also the Brandon, the Hollywood heartthrob who finally gets to Bailey's heart about how serious he is about her. This is a story of the Baxter family too, which you will have met in the earlier series. There are so many wonderful characters and you feel like you know them all and feel with them when there is sadness or joy. These books also have a great Christian message to them that is well done and appreciated by me. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Karen Kingsbury, you have done it again! Another great beginning to a series I am sure will not disappoint.

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LibraryThing member jdy

Love the Karen Kingsbury books. This one is no different. Love following the life of Bailey. My only problem... the Brandon/Cody relationship seems to be dragging out. Still not resolved in this book, doesn't sound like it will be resolved in the next book, Learning, either. This is still such a

small issue, and will continue to read the following books in this series.

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LibraryThing member bookaholicmom

Karen Kingsbury books are guilty pleasures for me. My mother and mother-in-law both kept recommending her books to me so I finally relented and gave one a try. That's all it took. I was hooked! In her new series, we are reacquainted with many familiar characters from her past Baxter series books. I

must say I was a bit giddy when I saw that this series would bring us back to Baily Flanigan and Cody Coleman, two of my favorite characters. Baily Flanigan has a big audition in New York but if she gets the role, will she be able to leave her family and Bloomington behind? In the meantime, Cody Coleman is offered a position coaching and teaching at a small high school outside Indianapolis. Will this be what he needs to move on in his life and forget about Bailey? Many of the Baxter clan are involved in the story as well which is all about leaving and changes as one grows. As always, Karen's books are very inspirational and this one is no different. Her books always leave me feeling uplifted and I appreciate that her books are wholesome reads. I am glad Karen decided to bring back some of our favorite characters and look forward to the next installment in this series. I was able to read this book straight through. There was no way I could put it down until I got to the end!

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LibraryThing member SherylHendrix

Fans of Karen Kingsbury's books about the Baxters will love this first in a series regarding the adult life of Bailey Flanagan, one of the kids who was a member of the Christian kid's theatre group in Bloomington, Indiana. Karen has a breezy, light style that makes for quick and enjoyable reading

and her books promote Christian faith without ramming it down the reader's throat.

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LibraryThing member kittycrochettwo

Karen Kingsbury is one of those writers who always seems to write a good book. She uplifts and inspires while allowing us a peek at the lives of the characters she creates,and with her series books she always leaves us wanting more.
Learning is the second book in the Bailey Flanigan series, and

while I think it could be read as a stand alone book, you will certainly want to read the first book in the series titled Leaving. The plot revolves around Cody Coleman and Bailey Flanigan young adults who are following their dreams while following God as well. In this book Bailey has landed a role on Broadway while Cody is teaching. The author tells their stories making us feel like we are following along with our friends, allowing us to experience their ups and downs their hopes and dreams, and she does it in such a way that allows us to realize how God can work in our lives. If your looking for a book that you wouldn't mind sharing with your teen daughter or just want an uplifting story that will make you laugh and cry, then pick up this book, although I must warn you once you start reading Karen Kingsburys' work you won't be satisfied until you have read everything she has written.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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LibraryThing member Coranne

Let's start with what I liked about the book. It was a well written and engaging book. I enjoyed the characters and I thought the plot line was creative and believable. I liked the pace that she set for the book- especially knowing this was going to be a multi-book series.What I wasn't a fan of.

Well, it reminded me of the first time I watched the tv show One Tree Hill. It was engaging, entertaining, but by the end of the show- I still had no idea who anyone was. I felt like I missed a lot (and from not reading the Baxter series- I know I did). I wish she would have put some sort of 2 page summary in the beginning of the book explaining who everyone was. The other thing that really confused me.... what was the point of Landon's plotline? Are they even related? Why are there two separate stories going on at the same time that are completely unrelated?PS- I am glad the author toned down the self praise about Unlocked by the 3rd chapter. I get it was supposed to be tongue in cheek, but it was a little overdone.So that is what I thought- not a good Kingsbury story to start with, but a decent read.

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LibraryThing member Nebraska_Girl1971

I always enjoy reading books by Karen Kingsbury. It is a refreshing christian book that feeds my soul - and sometimes your just need that! I recommend any of her novels.

LibraryThing member jnut1

Spoiler Alert!

I feel bad that Cody and Bailey never seem to get a break. It seems like every book they are in love but something is keeping them from each other.

I love the updates of all the Baxter families but again feel like Ashley and Landon don't deserve what they are having to deal with. They

have a special place in my heart and it makes me sad to think what might happen next.

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LibraryThing member 400mom

I'm a sucker for Karen Kingsbury's books and have read most of her series. However, this was not my favorite. It seemed like a TV soap opera where one of the characters continually makes irrational choices in order to keep the story going. That said, I will be finishing this series!

LibraryThing member SABC

First book in The Bailey Flanigan Series begins with Bailey leaving for an adventure of a lifetime, leaving family and friends. Will love and relationships survive?

LibraryThing member Olivermagnus

Leaving is first book in the Bailey Flanigan series. The characters were previously introduced in one of the author's many other series. I think I might have enjoyed it a bit more if I had read the previous books and was more familiar with the characters.

Apparently Bailey loves Cody Coleman, an

Iraq war veteran who abruptly left her. Cody is teaching and coaching at a rural high school, his druggie mom is in jail, and he's trying to forget Bailey because he thinks she's safer without him.

I don't read much Christian fiction. This story is a vey clean read and one that could be enjoyed by teenagers as well as adults. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series and continuing Bailey’s journey as she lives out her dreams on Broadway.

Kingsbury delivers an entertaining story with memorable characters and a powerful message about faith and love.

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LibraryThing member sunshine608

Not sure how I came across this book, but I needed something good to read, quickly and I found this started reading. I kept feeling like I was missing something and after reading the reviews, apparently I was missing the backstory between Bailey and Cody. Even without it was an enjoyable read.

LibraryThing member EstherFilbrun

I’ve been wanting to read some of Karen Kingsbury’s books for years now, but haven’t ever gotten around to it. Recently, though, I wanted something light and a bit fluffy to add to my reading diet (too many heavy books get…well, heavy), so I picked up this story. This fit the bill perfectly

for what I wanted at the time. It was entertaining, light, and sweet. It isn’t my typical fare, but created a nice break from some of the other stories I’ve been reading, which I appreciated!

This isn’t what I would consider outstanding fiction. But it’s a nice story, and I don’t have anything against it. The characters were fun and relatable, and although one character seemed to think about guys in a way that I believe could lead to an unhealthy focus, it never quite got there. Overall, not a bad read—not an excellent read. If you want something easy, sweet, and generally relaxing, I’d recommend this.

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