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roseleaf24's review
4.0
I appreciated the grace and peace in the words of this book, and in Emily's voice. The first section of the book, relieving the "good girl" from the pressures of perfectionism rang the truest for me, but some theological differences with the author made the rest more of a challenge. A list of things to do, while trying to sound like they're not really doing, undoes a bit of grace.
aka_1923's review against another edition
5.0
If there ever was a book that described my life.....A must read for those who struggle with trying to "Have it all together".
freckleduck's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. I found the author's words to be timely and reflect my current life stage. I really needed to hear this now.
sarahhyatt's review against another edition
3.0
This book started out promising, and ultimately ended up disappointing. It came so close to breaking out of the mold of traditional "Christian living" books, only to hop right back in and settle for the status quo.
The author's personal stories and confessions of her own fear and the "masks" she wears rang true. I was highlighting a decent amount in the beginning, as she initially did a good job of sharing her own experience in a way that genuinely connected with her readers - her willingness to share about her own imperfections struck a true note. It was easy to identify with her stories.
I found myself getting bogged down, though, when the tone of the book shifted into a preachier tone, because it felt less sincere and less meaningul. It took on the feel of another book just giving advice or telling readers what to do. A book like this, which could so easily connect with so many readers on a personal level, only gets dragged down by the information-heavy exposition. Also, the author's word choices began to gradually push me away - I realized I was getting increasingly irritated at her use of the term "believers" and had to stop and ask myself why. Aside from realizing I despise that word (would "Christians" be so difficult?), it also seemed to contradict the entire message of the book. It places the emphasis solely on the person in question to be responsible for the action that connects them to God (they are doing the BELIEVING, rather than accepting the grace the author talks about) and it also brings to mind the idea of a person who is "in" because they are doing the right thing - believing - or because they are believing the right thing. Especially for a book like this, the word seemed inappropriate.
I ended up skimming the second half of the book for this reason. It just couldn't hold my attention. I would love to read about the author's personal experience and how she is learning to let go of her need to always be the "good girl," but this book instead seemed to settle for TELLING how to break out of that persona rather than showing what that would truly be like.
The author's personal stories and confessions of her own fear and the "masks" she wears rang true. I was highlighting a decent amount in the beginning, as she initially did a good job of sharing her own experience in a way that genuinely connected with her readers - her willingness to share about her own imperfections struck a true note. It was easy to identify with her stories.
I found myself getting bogged down, though, when the tone of the book shifted into a preachier tone, because it felt less sincere and less meaningul. It took on the feel of another book just giving advice or telling readers what to do. A book like this, which could so easily connect with so many readers on a personal level, only gets dragged down by the information-heavy exposition. Also, the author's word choices began to gradually push me away - I realized I was getting increasingly irritated at her use of the term "believers" and had to stop and ask myself why. Aside from realizing I despise that word (would "Christians" be so difficult?), it also seemed to contradict the entire message of the book. It places the emphasis solely on the person in question to be responsible for the action that connects them to God (they are doing the BELIEVING, rather than accepting the grace the author talks about) and it also brings to mind the idea of a person who is "in" because they are doing the right thing - believing - or because they are believing the right thing. Especially for a book like this, the word seemed inappropriate.
I ended up skimming the second half of the book for this reason. It just couldn't hold my attention. I would love to read about the author's personal experience and how she is learning to let go of her need to always be the "good girl," but this book instead seemed to settle for TELLING how to break out of that persona rather than showing what that would truly be like.
ajreader's review
3.0
Read my full thoughts on this book and hundreds more over at Read.Write.Repeat.
A great reminder that the pressure to be perfect is often self-imposed and not an accurate indicator of our worth.
A great reminder that the pressure to be perfect is often self-imposed and not an accurate indicator of our worth.
aberry's review
3.0
First book of 2020
Didn’t like there wasn’t enough solution/ biblical backup to this issue. Did find it really relatable though in a world of radical conversion stories
Didn’t like there wasn’t enough solution/ biblical backup to this issue. Did find it really relatable though in a world of radical conversion stories
emilyamills's review against another edition
4.0
Good book for me personally, and one I'll probably need to keep on hand to re-read. Great discussion questions at the end of each chapter.
clairereads123's review against another edition
3.0
This was a worthwhile read but fairly shallow in depth. Not my preferred writing style with many anecdotes and analogies but some may find that enjoyable/relatable. I would recommend this book to a woman just getting out of a legalism background or struggling with perfectionism. Could be a good stepping stone resource for someone just starting out on their journey from legalism to grace.
brendaclay's review against another edition
5.0
I've been telling people about this book constantly since I started reading it. I am a Good Girl in the bone, and this book highlighted truths that God has already taught me through experience, as well as lots of things I still need to claim for myself. It's freeing, encouraging, and life-changing.
kecb12's review against another edition
5.0
This book spoke straight to my soul. At times it felt like EPF had read my journals and my thoughts. I am so grateful that she wrote this book, and I sincerely recommend it to anyone who believes that it’s up to them to be good so that they can be lovable.