Reviews

Of Mess and Moxie Collector's Set by Jen Hatmaker

barbaraskalberg's review against another edition

4.0

Listened to the audio, which was super fun as it was read by Jen herself and I am pretty sure we got a couple of random remarks that she ad-libbed as she recorded. Short essays ranging on topics from "how to have sexy time with the husband when you have a bunch of kids" to "the Sovereignty of God." I laughed like a crazy person walking my dog and listening in the car and waiting for my hair appointment.

tressaarb's review against another edition

5.0

I'm not religious at all but Jen Hatmaker is so relatable that I love to read/listen to all her stuff. This book had me laughing out loud and crying a little on my flights.

schray32's review against another edition

5.0

I love Jen Hatmaker. I laughed, I cried, and I also learned that I want to live a life filled with moxie. Her definition of moxie is a "throwback to women with pluck, chutzpah, with a bit of razzle dazzle. It says: I got this... we got this together."

Amen!

trayceebee's review against another edition

5.0

I saw Jen Hatmaker at the Farewell tour of Women of Faith. I had never heard of her before, but she thrilled me to my soul. I recently read some comments she'd made that got a bit of news.... I don't even remember completely what the comments were. I just remember seeing, "Oh, she's got a new book coming out, I'll watch for that." Next thing I know, it's available for me to listen to on Hoopla Digital. Yay!!!
I. LOVE. This woman! I want to be one of her BFF's out on her porch, drinking wine and laughing and crying and watching our kids run around and play. Jen's snarky-yet-sweet sense of humor sings to me. I found myself laughing out loud so many times, and then I'd be in tears minutes later, commiserating with her about one of life's many lessons. How refreshing it is to hear someone like Jen telling me I'm not doing this Mom/Wife/Christian thing wrong! I will come back to this book again and again!

kayceslitlife's review against another edition

5.0

I am a HUGE Jen Hatmaker fan and this is, hands down, her best book yet. As she says in the book: "I cannot even with this. I cannot even and I cannot odd." So full of wisdom and lessons and stories about life: motherhood, childhood, sisterhood, womanhood. LIFE. I'm not even a wife or mother yet but I loved every story. I regularly texted my best friend when I laughed out loud at certain parts which was unnecessary because she's reading the book at the same time and probably wanted me to stop sending spoiler alerts. Instead, she laughed with me and we talked about how real, laid back, funny and down to earth Jen Hatmaker is. And wondered how on earth we are not best friends with this woman. I didn't want the book to end because the entire time I felt like I was having a glass of wine while laughing and crying and empathizing and learning. Life is way too short to be so hard on ourselves, take ourselves so seriously and be scared to embrace life fully. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Grab some chips and salsa, some wine, and sneak away if you have to (I'm looking at you, moms) and laugh out loud and be encouraged that you are awesome and you're doing better than you think and your kids are crazy about you. And if you aren't a mom (like me), enjoy the heck out of it anyway. The entertainment and laughter is real. Enjoy!

brontejane's review against another edition

4.0

I don't agree with all her views, but I feel like she is the kind of person who would be willing to sit down and have a real discussion regarding those differences (and not be judgy). In some ways it felt like a hodge podge of topics, but I found them all interesting. There were several passages that I would have highlighted if it wasn't a library book! I enjoy her humor and realistic take on life.

nicoleankenmann's review against another edition

5.0

Audiobook: 7h. 58m.

This book is for women, but I think it's especially for moms. Jen writes so generously about the joys and challenges of mothering, and doesn't gloss or dismiss her own experiences. Listening to her read this work was like sitting down at her kitchen table for a couple of days. Loved it, will likely return. HAve already recommended to several other moms in my life.

ajreader's review against another edition

4.0

Read my full thoughts on this book and hundreds more over at Read.Write.Repeat.

Funny, vulnerable, and real - Jen Hatmaker's latest memoir is exactly what we've come to expect from her. Chances are, she'll make you laugh and cry as you read this one!

noraconradcom's review against another edition

3.0

I'd give this more of a 3 1/2 stars. I don't agree with everything Jen Hatmaker says and does, but nonetheless, I really enjoyed this book. There were a few things theologically that I disagreed strongly with. It was a bit disorganized and honestly there were times I felt like the book went off in a totally random direction. I did really love Jen's outlook on her family and her faith, though. Life is messy and imperfect. This book is a great reminder that between a hard week (or year, or season), an extra glass of wine and a total emotional breakdown - there is a whole lot of grace and truth to get us back up and living again. It's a good read if you aren't looking for a "Christian book" but more a fun book by a Christian author. It won't teach you anything about faith that will change your world but it might help you get through Tuesday with a little more optimism.

cammielawton's review against another edition

5.0

All the good feels and hard questions and just ALL THE THINGS!

"All the mess, because we tell the truth, and all the moxie, because telling the truth sets us free."

Incredibly thankful for an author that can at the same time so hilariously and eloquently describe our shared human experience.