Leaving is book 1 of the Bailey Flanigan series by Karen Kingsbury. Those familiar with Kingsbury's work will know Bailey from the various Baxter series. I believe that this is the 5th series of books that are set in Bloomington, Indiana. Bailey Flanigan is now a young adult, a college student intent on pursuing her dream of acting on Broadway. Intertwined with Bailey's story is that of Cody Coleman, a young man who spent part of his teenage years living with the Flanigans. He and Bailey have a romantic past, but Cody has done his best to distance himself from her in order not to hurt her. He is an Iraq war vet, a college student finishing his teaching degree, wishing to coach high school football and mentor those the way he was mentored by Bailey's father.
I think if you are to really read and enjoy Kingsbury's books I would go right back to the first series set in Bloomington and work my way through them from there. Because the characters are so closely related, I think it's much more enjoyable to start at the beginning and read all of their stories, not just pick up and try to fill in gaps as you go along. I'm sure this series would be fine to read on it's own as well, but I prefer it the other way around.
FYI - Kingsbury's Books set in Bloomington in order:
Redemption Series (Baxter series #1)
Redemption
Remember
Return
Rejoice
Reunion
Firstborn Series (Baxter series #2)
Fame
Forgiven
Found
Family
Forever
Sunrise Series (Baxter series #3)
Sunrise
Summer
Someday
Sunset
Above the Line Series
Take One
Take Two
Take Three
Take Four
Bailey Flanigan Series
Leaving
Learning
Longing
Loving (March 2012)
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