Publishers Weekly
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Kingsbury (When We Were Young) follows the senior year of Cole Baxter Blake, the 18 year-old son of Landon and Ashley Baxter Blake, in this winsome inspirational drama. During his final semester, Cole falls head over heels for Elise Walker, a new student from Louisiana who moved to Indiana to escape an abusive boyfriend. But just as they are getting to know each other, Elise learns she is pregnant, so Cole vows to put his plans of studying to become a doctor on hold in order to help her. While Elise considers her options, she meets prospective adoptive parents Lucy and Aaron Williams. Lucy and Aaron, from nearby Bloomington, have suffered through years of infertility and are overjoyed to finally be welcoming a child. As the story builds predictably, Elise and Cole form deeper bonds over Elise's rediscovered relationship with God-something she had abandoned before moving. Kingsbury does throw in an unexpected twist that puts everyone's faith and fortitude to the test, though it unsurprisingly brings out the best of everyone in the end. Kingsbury doesn't stray from her signature style of creating scenes charged with emotion and characters that sparkle as paragons of virtue. Her fans will love this uplifting romance. Agent: Rick Christian, Alive Literary Agency. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

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After months of rebellion, Elise Walker is ready for a fresh start and plans to leave Bloomington for New York City to become an artist once her senior year is done. Until she discovers that she's pregnant. Cole Baxter is willing to be her hero, to marry her and raise another man's child, just as his own father did for Cole and his mother. But as the due date approaches, and Elise meets the perfect couple hoping to adopt, her decision's certainty and Cole's resolve to change his life plans for her falter. Kingston has created a deeply heartfelt standalone novel that fits well into the Baxter Family series for which she is well-known. This tale captures the multifaceted emotional complexity of unexpected pregnancy and infertility as well as the ups and downs of the foster and adoption systems. As the characters struggle to define themselves in terms of choices rather than circumstances, the pervasive theme of trusting in God and the promise for a hopeful future balance the heartbreaking disappointments. A forthright and compelling inspirational drama.--Kate Campos Copyright 2019 Booklist