Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path
With dozens of interconnected books spanning multiple decades, the Baxter Family saga can feel overwhelming. The safest and most rewarding path is to read the books in publication order. This allows you to experience the characters' lives, marriages, trials, and spiritual journeys exactly as Karen Kingsbury wrote them, keeping you safe from spoilers.
The core narrative is broken into several distinct subseries. We recommend starting with the Redemption series (beginning with the 2002 novel Redemption) rather than the prequels, as it provides the classic introduction to Bloomington, Indiana, and the Baxter clan.
Publication Order and Subseries Breakdown
Here is how the main subseries fit together in publication order:
1. The Redemption Series (2002–2004)
Co-authored with relationship expert Gary Smalley, this five-book series serves as the foundation of the entire saga. It introduces John and Elizabeth Baxter and their five adult children: Kari, Ashley, Erin, Luke, and Brooke.
- Redemption (2002)
- Remember (2003)
- Return (2003)
- Rejoice (2004)
- Reunion (2004)
2. The Firstborn Series (2005–2007)
This series continues the family drama, focusing heavily on Ashley Baxter and the challenges of fame, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
- Fame (2005)
- Forgiven (2005)
- Found (2006)
- Family (2006)
- Forever (2007)
3. The Sunrise Series (2007–2008)
This arc introduces the Flanigan family and sets up important romantic and personal paths for the next generation of characters.
- Sunrise (2007)
- Summer (2007)
- Someday (2008)
- Sunset (2008)
4. The Above the Line Series (2009–2010)
While introducing new characters pursuing filmmaking dreams, this series remains deeply connected to the Baxter family universe.
- Take One (2009)
- Take Two (2009)
- Take Three (2010)
- Take Four (2010)
5. The Bailey Flanigan Series (2011–2012)
This four-book series focuses on Bailey Flanigan's life, career, and relationships as she moves from Bloomington to New York and Los Angeles.
- Leaving (2011)
- Learning (2011)
- Longing (2011)
- Loving (2012)
6. Coming Home (2012)
A pivotal standalone novel that acts as a bridge and emotional focal point, wrapping up key storylines from the preceding subseries.
7. The Baxter Family Collection / Standalone Novels (2016–2022)
These books continue the family's journey in contemporary times. While they can technically be read as standalones, they are best enjoyed after the main series:
- A Baxter Family Christmas (2016)
- Love Story (2017)
- In This Moment (2017)
- To the Moon and Back (2018)
- When We Were Young (2018)
- Two Weeks (2020)
- Someone Like You (2020)
- Truly, Madly, Deeply (2020)
- Forgiving Paris (2021)
Chronological Caveats and Prequels
In 2022, Kingsbury published The Baxters: A Prequel, which takes place before the events of Redemption (focusing on Kari's wedding). While chronological purists might want to start here, reading it first can spoil or lessen the emotional impact of the mysteries and character developments that unfold in the original publication order. We recommend reading the prequel after you are already familiar with the family, or right before starting the series if you want to align directly with the Prime Video television adaptation.
Spin-Offs and Younger Reader Editions
For younger readers (ages 8–12), Karen Kingsbury co-authored the Baxter Family Children series with her son, Tyler Russell. This series explores the childhood of the Baxter siblings and includes titles like Best Family Ever and Finding Home. Additionally, related standalone novels like Just Once (2023) feature minor characters from the Baxter universe but stand entirely on their own as separate historical dramas.