I love reading Lisa-Jo’s writing. She is always fun and engaging and encouraging, and this new book about friendship is sure to be helpful to many women. In Never Unfriended, Lisa-Jo shares many stories from her real life, both the good and the painful. The reader knows that the author is someone who “gets it.” She understands the difficulties women face in friendship, and she has the encouragement we need to press on in friendship. After reading this book, you will know that you can be brave and risk friendship again. Because of Jesus, the One who will never unfriend you, you can be courageous and love others lavishly.

I received an advance reader’s copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It starts with the idea that with one right or left swipe we can make or break a friendship. Completely agree. The topic is not bad. Although this is not the first book I've read on the topic, there were some new insights the author shared that made sense. I have never read a Lisa-Jo Baker signed book before, but I like her writing style. She's funny, but without distracting from the point she's trying to make, she's honest in a comforting way that helps you as a reader relate, she's encouraging and ready to give a pep talk.

There were a lot of quotes from other authors. It was nice to see what they had to say, but at times it felt as if there were too many and she kept repeating their words. Yes, they fit the context, but maybe less quoting? However, this was mostly seen in the first part of the book. The second part was focused more on a practical side of friendship, on the author's experiences, on snippets of her life and her friends'. I am all for an author sharing concrete pieces of life to make a point clearer.

I don't know why this book was a slow read. I do recommend it mostly as a group read among friends, but not exclusively. The observations she makes and the new to me angles she looks at friendship from make this a timely book.

**BEST NON-FICTION OF 2017**

Pursue Friendship On Purpose. Here’s To Me And You

This book starts off with a firm grounding in Scripture. The author asks, “What is the greatest commandment?” Well, we know the answer to that, because Jesus stated it clearly: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

I especially appreciated the author’s sound Biblical basis for this book. Starting with the greatest commandment—you can’t do any better than that.

And what does it mean to “Love your neighbor as yourself?’ Again, we have a clear answer—this time, illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan told by Jesus. The author correctly notes that the Good Samaritan parable “isn’t about identifying your neighbor; it’s about being a neighbor. In essence, it’s about being the kind of friend you wish you had. “

But what does this have to do with “unfriending?” Everything, as it turns out. This book is all about--the “call back to friendship,” even when it’s awkward or scary. This book isn’t just about being a nice person or having lots of friends; that’s not the theme. Instead, it’s about being the Good Samaritan—about living out your life exemplifying the principles in that parable. Or as the author puts it: “Being willing to be a neighbor in the heart sense of the word is being willing to connect with the people who God puts in our path.”

The author notes that you can just skip around; there’s no need to follow it slavishly section by section. I took the author’s advice and skipped around, looking at sections that seemed especially interesting. Perhaps my favorite section was the one on “Giving the benefit of the doubt to someone.” It can be a big price to pay, but “its reward can be priceless.”

I love this point: “Our business is to believe the best about people. We are not their judge, their jury, and we are certainly not their god. We are intended to be their blessing.”
Bravo, Bravo! Isn’t that one of the core truths of the Gospel? Be a blessing to others.

So all in all, I found this to be a marvelous book. Solid Biblical principles, plus a compassionate view of the world. Okay, okay, it’s for women mostly. Nevertheless, the Biblical principles presented here also apply to men. Everyone should reach out to be that Good Samaritan. However, I am mad that the author has not penned a similar book for men. In the meantime, men, let us support our wives and girlfriends as they navigate these tricky waters! Let us all be an encouragement to others.

As the author so nicely suggests, let us all “Pursue friendship on purpose.”

I am happy to include NEVER UNFRIENDED in my list of BEST NON-FICTION OF 2017.

Advance Review Copy courtesy of the Publisher.

Never Unfriended

The Secret to Finding & Keeping Lasting Friendships



by Lisa-Jo Baker,

B&H Publishing Group (B&H Books, Holman Bibles, B&H Español, and B&H Kids)

Pub Date 04 Apr 2017

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Never Unfriended through the publisher and Netgalley:

Have you ever felt guilty for spewing out throwaway sentences to someone in the heat of anger or hurt?

From the start Friendship is breathed into our DNA.

Friendship is not always easy, and we need to be willing to go first.

Never Unfriended is a great read for all women.

I give Never Unfriended five out of five stars.

Happy Reading!

Wow! This books speaks to me! If you are tired of seeing "perfect" posts on social media from friends and acquaintances and are feeling less than perfect, left out or excluded from events this book is for you. I wish every woman would read this book and then choose to friend the unseen, the "new girl" or someone not in their circle.