The Recommended Reading Order for the Sunrise Series
The Sunrise series is a subset of Karen Kingsbury's massive, multi-series epic known as the Baxter Family Drama. Within the Sunrise block itself, the narrative is strictly chronological and linear. Because the plotlines carry over directly from one book to the next, you must read them in their exact order of publication to avoid major spoilers and understand the characters' growth.
- Sunrise (2007)
- Summer (2007)
- Someday (2008)
- Sunset (2008)
Where Sunrise Fits in the Greater Baxter Family Saga
While the four books of Sunrise tell a self-contained arc focusing on Hollywood star Dayne Matthews, Katy Hart, and the Flanigan family, they are also part of a much larger chronological saga. The Baxter family saga features several distinct sub-series. If you want the complete, uninterrupted narrative experience without spoilers, you should read the overarching saga in this order:
- The Redemption Series (5 books: Redemption, Remember, Return, Rejoice, Reunion) — This is the foundation where we first meet the Baxter siblings and their parents in Bloomington, Indiana.
- The Firstborn Series (5 books: Fame, Forgiven, Found, Family, Forever) — This series introduces Dayne Matthews and his search for truth, setting up the exact dynamics that explode in the Sunrise series.
- The Sunrise Series (4 books: Sunrise, Summer, Someday, Sunset) — The central focus of this guide, resolving Dayne and Katy's relationship while opening up new stories.
- Above the Line Series (4 books: Take One, Take Two, Take Three, Take Four) — Focuses on filmmaking, Hollywood struggles, and missionary work. Note: Read the standalone novel Unlocked before Take Three.
- Bailey Flanigan Series (4 books: Leaving, Learning, Longing, Loving) — Follows the adult life of Bailey Flanigan as she pursues her dreams in theater and navigates her love life.
- Coming Home (2012) — A pivotal standalone novel that acts as a major bridge and emotional climax for the entire 22-book original run.
A Closer Look at the Books in the Sunrise Series
1. Sunrise (2007)
The series opens with Hollywood sensation Dayne Matthews and Christian theater director Katy Hart planning a secret wedding. Desperate to keep the paparazzi away, they seek shelter and assistance from the Baxter family. Meanwhile, the Flanigans face a desperate crisis when their boarder, Cody Coleman, spirals into a life-threatening struggle with alcohol addiction, forcing him to confront his past and his faith.
2. Summer (2007)
In the second book, Dayne and Katy are now married but must navigate the intense pressure of their new life. They agree to collaborate on a film and a television project, putting their quiet life back in the spotlight. In Bloomington, the Baxters deal with emotional health scares involving Ashley and Kari's pregnancies, while teenage Bailey Flanigan navigates her feelings for Cody Coleman as he decides to enlist in the Army.
3. Someday (2008)
The spotlight on Dayne and Katy intensifies, and separate movie projects force them apart. The physical distance leads to aggressive tabloid rumors of infidelity, testing their marriage and faith. At the same time, the Bloomington community faces the loss of the beloved Christian Kids Theater (CKT) program, prompting the Flanigans and their friends to rally together to save it.
4. Sunset (2008)
The series reaches its emotional conclusion as patriarch John Baxter prepares to remarry, choosing Elaine to share the next chapter of his life. As the family gathers to say goodbye to the iconic Baxter family home, they face new trials and closures, demonstrating once again the power of forgiveness, faith, and family bonds in the face of change.
Key Characters and Subseries Connections
Understanding the relationships in Sunrise helps readers navigate the complex web of characters:
- Dayne Matthews and Katy Hart: Their romance begins in the Firstborn series. Dayne's secret connection to the Baxter family is a central plot element that finds resolution in Sunrise.
- Cody Coleman and Bailey Flanigan: Cody starts as a troubled young man boarding with the Flanigan family. His relationship with Bailey, which begins as a mentorship/friendship, evolves into a central romantic arc that continues directly into the Above the Line and Bailey Flanigan series.
- John Baxter and Elaine Vance: Following the death of his wife Elizabeth in the Redemption series, John's journey toward finding love again reaches its peak in Sunset.
What to Know Before You Start: Practical Reading Advice
Can you read Sunrise as a standalone? Technically, yes. Karen Kingsbury writes with enough recap and emotional context that you won't be entirely lost. However, doing so is highly discouraged. You will miss the deep emotional resonance of Dayne’s acceptance into the Baxter family, and the events of the Redemption and Firstborn series will be heavily spoiled. For the best experience, start with Redemption.
For readers interested in adaptations, the Baxter family books have also been adapted into a television series (The Baxters), which covers the early arcs of the family drama. Watching the show can be a fun companion, but the books offer the deepest character exploration and spiritual themes.