Characters from Kingsbury's Baxter family epic recur in the first of a new series about young actress Bailey Flanigan. Bailey, who has appeared in a film of Unlocked (a real novel by Kingsbury) and is awaiting a callback about her Broadway audition, has a problem: Hollywood hottie Brandon Paul, reformed bad boy and film co-star, is after her; star NFL rookie Matt Keagan is another potential interest. But Bailey really loves Cody Coleman, the regular-guy Iraq war veteran who abruptly left her. Ex-POW Cody is teaching and coaching at a rural high school, visiting his druggie mom in jail, and trying to forget Bailey, whom he left out of fear of his mother's unsavory connections. A parallel story involves firefighter Landon Blake, whose ground zero experience is affecting his health. Fans won't mind the self-promotional reference to Kingsbury's previous book as they enjoy the treacly confection of Hollywood and heroes the popular novelist offers. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review
After another audition,she waits anxiously to hear if she's made it. Bailey's parents brace themselves for the inevitable day when she leaves the family nest. Meanwhile, Cody, Bailey's once boyfriend, has disappeared without a word, leaving a hole in her heart...and in her family's. Why hasn't he contacted them? Ashley and Landon are friends of the Flanigans, and Ashley worries about Landon's cough. As a firefighter, he volunteered at Ground Zero, and Ashley wonders if he has suffered side effects. Their son, Cole, will soon be aging out of the Little League and is growing up. Leaving is about families and relationships and the different kinds of 'leaving' that occur in life. Well-drawn characters and hometown stories make this another Kingsbury hit. -- CBA Retailers and Resources
Description:
From Publishers Weekly
Characters from Kingsbury's Baxter family epic recur in the first of a new series about young actress Bailey Flanigan. Bailey, who has appeared in a film of Unlocked (a real novel by Kingsbury) and is awaiting a callback about her Broadway audition, has a problem: Hollywood hottie Brandon Paul, reformed bad boy and film co-star, is after her; star NFL rookie Matt Keagan is another potential interest. But Bailey really loves Cody Coleman, the regular-guy Iraq war veteran who abruptly left her. Ex-POW Cody is teaching and coaching at a rural high school, visiting his druggie mom in jail, and trying to forget Bailey, whom he left out of fear of his mother's unsavory connections. A parallel story involves firefighter Landon Blake, whose ground zero experience is affecting his health. Fans won't mind the self-promotional reference to Kingsbury's previous book as they enjoy the treacly confection of Hollywood and heroes the popular novelist offers. (Mar.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review
After another audition,she waits anxiously to hear if she's made it. Bailey's parents brace themselves for the inevitable day when she leaves the family nest. Meanwhile, Cody, Bailey's once boyfriend, has disappeared without a word, leaving a hole in her heart...and in her family's. Why hasn't he contacted them? Ashley and Landon are friends of the Flanigans, and Ashley worries about Landon's cough. As a firefighter, he volunteered at Ground Zero, and Ashley wonders if he has suffered side effects. Their son, Cole, will soon be aging out of the Little League and is growing up. Leaving is about families and relationships and the different kinds of 'leaving' that occur in life. Well-drawn characters and hometown stories make this another Kingsbury hit. -- CBA Retailers and Resources
(CBA Retailers and Resources )