This was the first book that I've read by a Pastor/Preachers wife where they had a REAL past . Jamie shares her very real very flawed and very forgiven past - and it truly gives hope to the rest of us. She doesn't try to explain it away or sugar coat it - just gives us the hope to overcome our pasts and reminds us of our Loving FORGIVING Father. I absolutely loved this book!!!

I discuss this book with the author, Jamie Ivey, on episode 74 of What Should I Read Next: "WSIRN Ep 74: Finally falling in love with reading – at 30!"

So happy to be given a whole budget to replenish our senior shelves in the school library. The books in there are far from appealing at the moment and I have been delighted to find books here that will intrigue, captivate and engross my senior students.

This is a fantastic read that will provide plenty to talk about and make them think harder about their own lives and the circumstances they find themselves in.

It's great to read a book that does not feel formulaic and gives some credit to their reader's intelligence too. Young people are very fussy about the books they choose to read and in this time-precious day and age it really has to be something above and beyond the ordinary to get them to put down their devices and get their noses stuck in a book.

I think this is one book that will capture their imagination and keep them turning the pages until the end. This is definitely going onto my 'must-buy' list and I really look forward to seeing what the young people themselves think of this unusual and thought-provoking read.

We all have moments in our lives that we are not proud of. Times where we made the wrong choices, times where we felt less than worthy of God’s love. These are the things that we don’t want anyone to find out about. We fear what would think of us if we told them every little secret we had.

In If You Only Knew, Jamie Ivey tells us her story of becoming free. Free from those exact fears of her past becoming known to everyone. Her story of failures and coming out of hiding, to have a true and rewarding relationship with Jesus Christ and with others.

I love how her story is helping others to break the walls down and come out of hiding. She tells us that when we quit hiding, God gets all the glory and we can have an honest, true relationship with Him. The relationship that you’ve been longing for.

This is a great book, one that I highly recommend to anyone that is hiding and feels like they are the only one suffering with this issue. Break down the wall, come out of hiding and embrace the relationships we are meant to have.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for free. A favorable review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview this ARC of If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey.

I always feel bad reviewing books when I know I am not the right audience. I didn't know when going into this what a HEAVY religious and Christian theme that this would have. But, the kind of religion and Christianity that I can't stand. The peer policing, judgmental, confess your sins type of Christianity. The kind that tore our family up when I was a kid. The kind that is shame inducing. So nope I didn't not enjoy this and it certainly did not help me find Jesus.

I’m such a Jamie Ivey fan. I’m not sure I’ve read a more honest memoir. Jamie lays it all out – her past mistakes, unplanned pregnancies and miscarriages, and even current sin struggles – which makes this book really profound. It reads conversationally, and I love that, because I hear Jamie’s voice so clearly. Her big message is vulnerability and how when one person shares her mess with her people, it makes it easier for others to share. Ultimately, she drives home the truth that no matter our pasts, we as Christ followers have a new identity that makes it so possible to share the ugly parts of our stories that God has redeemed. Preach it girl.

A year or so ago, I started listening to a podcast called The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey. I became addicted to Jamie's fun-loving, funny, honest, and completely sincere podcast. I binged on it, which is all the rage these days, and when she mentioned that she had a book coming out I pre-ordered one.

Have you ever met someone for the first time and thought, "oh if you only knew what I've done in the past"? Or have you avoided subjects all together because you might be expected to share your thoughts or experiences? I know I have! Did you grow up in a legalistic church and think you were most definitely going to hell for what you have done? I did! Jamie went through these things too. But don't get me wrong, I'm not near brave enough to talk or write about all my past like she has done. I am thankful for honest women like Jamie, who are willing to be vulnerable, open and honest about their lives so that others will know that we are not alone.

Jamie shares her story of struggles, but then points us to scripture time and time again. Pointing out how God sees us despite all of our messy parts. She encourages everyone to trust in Jesus, and shares her walk with Him so that we can see that it isn't always sunshine and rainbows. Your struggles might not be what hers were, but you can approach them all about the same. Remember God's grace!

She has an amazing testimony, a messy one, but amazing. I loved reading how God worked in her life, and still does. I know you will too!

Jaimie's book is real, raw, and so needed in the Christian world. To talk openly about sin, without shame, is so hard, and If You Only Knew breaks down the barrier with grace. Too often, sin can be hidden and pushed away, but Jaime asks us to tell our story and not be ashamed of who we are. The resounding message of this book is that we are loved and our stories matter. God is good. Jaime writes with humor and I just felt like I was listening to her weekly podcast. I loved it!

This book is compelling because of the author’s openness in telling her story; but also for her compassion for others that permeates the whole book. She knows what it’s like to have sinned; grieved over her sin; and to have received the overwhelming love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all of us. This book is a call to the church to have a renewed sense of compassion for those who are hurting because of sinful choices. I am glad to have read her story. It’s developed that renewed sense of compassion in me.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion about this book.

In this book, Jamie Ivey encourages us to embrace our whole story - not just the pretty parts - and allow God's grace to cover those chapters we'd rather keep hidden. She writes it like she is having a conversation with you at the kitchen table. Her writing isn't spectacular, but it's personal and she speaks truth over you, as a reader. She shares a lot of inspiration along with some stories that will make you laugh. This is a heartfelt and honest look at why we keep ourselves from allowing God to cover us with His grace and set us free. *ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

One thing that I like about this book is the author is being true to her reader and also her self.
I can relate with the guilty feeling, the shame, and also the thoughts of not being good enough but feels okay about that.
However, for my personal preferences, I needs more dialogue, interactions, not just personal thoughts that author poured. I understand it's kinda for self-reflection, but it's kinda make me hard to really enjoy the book.

Jamie Ivey is honest and vulnerable in her book, If You Only Knew. She speaks God’s truth into the lies we often believe about our own sin and worth and give the Church things to think about (and hopefully change) when it comes to confession of sin.

This book has encouraged me as I've walked the isolating path of struggles, sorrow and pain. I've been reminded that community is important, that I need to be vulnerable with people around me. But most importantly that "Jesus is better", he is the only way I can get thru my pain & embarrassment.

Jamie Ivey writes shares about the less talkable parts in life. She shares her story of how God has transformed the parts of her life that most if not all people keep quietly tucked away in the dark. She opens up with her readers to the prospect of God Getting the glory when we are able to share the dark parts of our life and the power of God to transform us. There is freedom in getting past our “Scarlett letters” and the relief of being known that God loves us. In sharing with close safe friendships there is freedom that in our deep dark secrets we aren’t alone.

She tackles the shame one feels and covers the importance of being able to share what we are ashamed of. We are able to share the power and testimony of Christ. Because in sharing our past even through our mistakes and the negative labels we have pinned onto ourselves we are able to share the redemption power of Christ in the present and find how God sees us.

She has a gift of writing that draws the reader right there into her past stories. She is relatable and with each chapter I am able to feel like we are having a conversation face to face!

I was amazed by Jamie’s candor - she is far braver than me! A great reminder to be yourself and remember that God loves us no matter what.

An excellent book dealing with guilt, shame, and secrets we keep from people because we're too embarrassed to bare our souls honestly to other Christians. I could relate to much of Jamie's struggles and commend her for sharing them openly.

I knew about Jamie Ivey because of her podcast, The Happy Hour, a podcast some of my favourite bloggers/ writer were guest on. She is bubbly and funny. You can tell right away that she is authentic (something she mentions people say about her all the time) and blunt. She tackles a rather taboo subject in her book/ memoir, but she is open with the readers, clear and concise in sharing her message so as to understand where she's been, what she's in the process of, and where she's going.
I closed the book feeling encouraged and pushed to get closer to Jesus. Not many books can do that.

I loved the illustration she used with the letters: for every thing we think we are, every bad thing, we usually pin a letter on us. It's a "The Scarlet Letter" thing. We are not the letters we pin, but the stories we tell. "We are not our letters anymore. We belong to a new Storyteller." As a lover of a good story, her words carried weight. What's I walked away with was that we are all a walking story that could point to God and what He does in us.

The things you learn in the book, what she shares is not something new. She knows this and she says it. Her book is just one more story that can show and testify to what God is able to do. It's a quick read, but not because it's an easily read story. What makes it accessible is that it's written in a friendly tone and it's relatable no matter your Christian background or lack of it. I left with this nudge: "God uses the stories of His people to change the world. It’s true. Your story can change the world, but you first must be willing to share it."

Love her story and how she was able to find happiness and purpose through it. She writes honestly and openly , will be kept on my reread shelve

Wow. This book is a beautiful version of how us women need to stand together with our arms linked and say yes “Me too.” If you’ve ever needed a friend to hold your hand and listen to your struggle with sin, loneliness, strongholds then you need to read this book because Jamie sits down at her backyard table with you and shares directly from her heart the story of God’s redemption in her life. She makes you feel as though your sitting right there with her. At the end you want to wrap her in a hug and say “me too.”

This book was such an amazing read! The truths spoken here will be life changing for anyone who reads it. This is the gospel, simplified and spoken in our every day language. This is important. We are not defined by the things we have done in our pasts. We are defined by what Jesus has done for us.