Family by Karen Kingsbury

Blurb: Some of the major things in this book that happened were centered around Dayne and Katy. Katy goes to Los Angeles to testify against the stalker/fan that tried to kill Katy. The fan is found guilty. While Katy is in Los Angeles, she and Dayne spend some time together, and try to avoid the Paparazzi. They both realize their true feelings for each other, and desperately try to tell themselves that a relationship would never work for them because their lifestyles are so different. After some soul searching, and a talk with his friend, Bob Asher, Dayne makes a list of things that are most important in his life. The first thing on his list is having Katy in his life. The second thing is having a relationship with his birth family.

That was the other major thing that took place in this book. Dayne has known about his birth family, and has met his father, John Baxter, and talks to him on a regular basis. John has been struggling with telling the kids they have an older brother, and also telling them WHO that older brother is. One night, he decides to call each one of them and tell them about their older brother. At that point, the shock that they even have an older brother is enough, so he doesn't tell them who he is. They are all anxious and surprised, but seem pretty accepting of the news. I'm not sure who was the most shocked. Probably Erin, because she seemed to have the closest relationship with their mother. Later, during the trial, Luke Baxter happens to be the defense attorney. Katy realizes how closely he and Dayne resemble each other, but shrugs it off. Dayne knows the whole time, but doesn't say anything. Then, one day Ashley is at her father's house painting. John's cell phone rings and it is Dayne calling him for Luke. Ashley is curious to know why her dad has Dayne's cell phone number in his phone. But she, too, shrugs it off, until she is at the Flannigans talking with Jenny who tells Ashley that she's surprised that Dayne didn't come to Opening night of Narnia, especially since his birth family lives in Bloomington. Ashley puts two and two together and figures out that this must be their brother. She calls him herself and asks him, and Dayne admits that he is, in fact their brother. Ashley and Dayne make a plan for Dayne to come to the 4th of July picnic and spend the day with the family. That is when the rest of the family will find out who Dayne really is. That day arrives, and Dayne brings Katy, who he has just asked to marry him, to the picnic. Everyone is shocked, once again, but accepts Dayne into the family. They all have a great day getting to know one another. Unfortunately though, Luke, Erin, and their families could not be there..

My thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, just like all the others. I'm really going to miss this family when I'm done reading this saga. Luckily, I still have several books to go. I can't wait to hear more about Dayne and Katy getting married and starting their life. And I'm anxious to see how Dayne will fit into the Baxter family, and how Luke and Erin will accept him as their older brother. As always, I loved hearing about Landon and Ashley. I think theirs is my favorite relationship to read about. I plan to get right to the next book, Forever, as soon as I finish a couple other books I'm reading right now.

This was book #58 for 2008 and I finished it on 11/2/2008.