kerisreads's profile picture

kerisreads's review

4.5
emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

nightowlmama's review

5.0

This book will be in my top five this year. I could not put it down and I didn't want it to end. Katherine and Jay have such a unique voice and their honesty is so raw and tangible. This book was such a life changing blessing to me. Thank you!
dannb's profile picture

dannb's review

4.0

Incredibly transparent from beginning to end. Much more depth than might be expected. Read it slowly and savor its impact on you, the reader.

gail726's review

5.0

Wonderful story of courage

Heartbreak and sadness happened to this young couple and new parents, but God had other plans for them! Wonderful story of courage and hope and being joyful in all circumstances.

elizareads35's review

4.0

I had heard Katherine interviewed on a podcast and was struck by her perspective, wisdom and humor. Those elements are all hear, in this dual memoir with her husband about her massive stroke and what came after. A really good, encouraging, challenging read.
heidirgorecki's profile picture

heidirgorecki's review

5.0

As a 2 time stage 3 cancer survivor before I hit 40, there was so much that resonated with me on this. So much I understood how they felt in some moments on an emotional level, feeling their pain and disappointment with them at the losses and the joy and contentment as they gained hope and gave hope.

The Wolfs do such an amazing job explaining that hard-won hope and joy they found in their trial while also being real and honest. I think a lot of Christians have this insecurity about their vulnerability, feeling like they can’t tell the truths about their grief, fear, anger, and disappointment or it somehow reflects poorly on either their walk with God, or God himself. On the contrary, acknowledging their points of grief and despair gives other people the opportunity to see God in their situation and feel like they have a place in their own suffering to also find hope. Like they said, you just don’t hang out in that place, that’s the big difference. It exists, you absolutely acknowledge it and feel it, but you choose whether you live there.

Jay and Katherine did this beautifully and I have so much respect and appreciation for their story and for what God has done thru them and their losses.

jvos's review

4.0

I had first heard Katherine speak 2 years ago sharing an abbreviated version of their story. I didn't realize when I purchased the book that Jay had co-wrote it, what a pleasant surprise! I definitely gravitated towards his writings as they seemed to dive deeper into the painful side and not just gloss over it to get to the hope. Overall it was an inspiring book that brought on self identifying/reflection. I definitely would recommend this one!

laurenpedersen's review

5.0

This book was given to me for my birthday in 2016 by my aunt. Her pastor is the father-in-law of the woman whom this book is about - and suffered a stroke in her 20s. It’s difficult to read because it’s heart-wrenching. But it is an incredible story of hope and commitment.
challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
covergirlbooks's profile picture

covergirlbooks's review

4.0

This is a testimony from a couple who have tread a very painful path through suffering. Their words are honest and vulnerable as they share how medical crisis and life in the aftermath impacted their view of life and their understanding of the word healing. In gain and loss "we have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19)." Only through Christ.