Karenkingsbury.com
Leaving If you've never read a Karen Kingsbury book before - DON'T START WITH THIS ONE.
This is far from Karen's best. As a matter of fact I'd say she can't see the forest through the trees and has wandered aimlessly lost. Bailey, patterned after Karen's daughter, is an impossible character. She is impossible to live up to. Impossible to like. Impossible to empathize with. Impossible to cheer for.
I also take issue with the behavior exhibited by Bailey and condoned by her parents. Brandon Paul (prior to being saved) regularly came onto Bailey and she allowed it and her parents never cautioned her about it. While Bailey was in a relationship she allowed herself to be in situations with Brandon that Cody could misunderstand. Overall Bailey is the victim of Cody's decision but her own actions played a huge part in his decision. However, now Bailey is being pursued by the hottest actor in Hollywood with unlimited funds and charm to bring a smile to coldest of hearts. Ahem. Of course she fell for Brandon. She facebook stalked her ex and now he is in a relationship and Brandon is always there to cheer her up when Cody breaks her heart one more time. Of course she fell for him he made her feel like Cinderella.
These stories leave the realm of reality and travel into a mother's fantasy wish for her daughter. The problem is that "Jenny" can't guide her daughter down a path that is honorary to God. This book condones allowing feelings to override God's will. Was Bailey supposed to be with Cody? Was that God's will for her life? She forgot to stop and ask God while Brandon was flying her all over the country and whispering in her ear. I get Learning and Leaving confused but at one point Brandon and Bailey are alone together in an apartment. For real? What mother condones that? Why would you promote that to your readers? Temptation abounds when you don't protect yourself by avoiding all appearances of evil. Besides what kind of testimony is that to the people who read the magazines that the paparazzi that chased them sold the pictures to? Great way to promote the Christian faith. "Yes, we disappeared into the apartment together for four hours and we were alone but I swear I never touched her. I'm a good Christian now. You have to believe me."
Overall the Bailey Flanigan series is a compilation of compromise. God is a convenient thread but we can work in two young adults being alone together for the purpose of the story, Facebook stalking (and not having a private profile), eating disorders, and many other "white" sins that seem so innocent but in reality are a bad influence on the pre-teens and teens that may read and look up to Bailey Flanigan. There was plenty of exposition about what a wonderful girl Bailey is but that just made her seem unreal when the action parts of the story left so much to be desired in showing us.
I'm also quite concerned with the Team Cody and Team Brandon that has become popular and so reminiscent of Twilight. My feelings on Twilight besides it being a big pile of poo is that Bella should have thrown both Jacob and Edward to the curb and found someone truly good for her. Twilight had no faith element in it so let's draw the comparison to Bailey. Cody/Edward left Bailey/Bella to "protect her" rather than be honest and work it out together. Cody/Edward made the decision. The friend Brandon/Jacob manipulated the situation and the feelings afterwards to weasel into Bailey/Bella's life where they probably don't belong. Bailey Flanigan, the girl who loved, served, and pursued God, should have trusted Him. If Cody is the one for her then she should have never given into Brandon's manipulation. If Cody wasn't for her then she should have given him over to God and pursued God for His will. This team stuff is scary because it has nothing to do with looks, history, who is better for Bailey, or anything of the sort. It is about who God would have her be with.
I feel that Bailey Flanigan series is off the mark. It has become the Win A Date With Tad Hamilton of the Christian literary scene. A fantasy allowed to play out like a daydream. Very disappointing as the opportunity was ripe to challenge readers young and old, duaghter and mother, to take a good long look at relationships (romantic and familial) and honor God in all they do.
