A little to much religion for my taste. The cover fooled me to believe that it was a cosy chiclit.

What if people knew all the moments of my past that I am not proud of? What if you really knew me, the parts that I’ve hoped to forget and worked to conceal? For so long, I was so afraid that if you only knew the mess I am so good at creating in my life, then things would be different. In many ways, my greatest fear was what you might think of me if you only knew the whole story.

These are the thoughts going through Jamie Ivey's mind as she become vulnerable in her memoir If You Only Knew. I am a huge fan of Jamie Ivey and her podcast The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey. It was so interesting to learn more of her journey of faith and where she has come from. I really appreciated how she kept coming back to the truth of the gospel. It was refreshing, encouraging and engaging to read. It was a fantastic reminder of the truth of who we are in Christ.

I received a copy for review of NetGalley and the publisher.

Full disclosure: I received a free e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mrs. Ivey tells her personal story of God’s redemption through her wandering, lapses, and growth. Because we are often our worst critics, she ultimately forgives herself and acknowledges God’s grace.

Recommended for public libraries, small group discussions, or on your own.

This book had me thoroughly hooked from the beginning! I am a huge fan of Jamie Ivey and her The Happy Hour podcast. Her book has that very same authentic and raw quality that listeners love about her podcast. Jamie gives readers insight into the beautiful story that is her walk with Jesus. She chronicles the messy and broken pieces of this life that resonate with each and every reader because we all have our own struggles and obstacles that have been part of our stories as well. She also shares the beauty and freedom that can only be found in a life lived for Jesus. I appreciate Jamie's willingness to be vulnerable as she shares "the big things in life, the little things in life, and everything in between." Jamie's journey to freedom in Jesus is a reflection of His love for His children and will speak life to all who read this beautiful work. I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends and family!

I am a big fan of Jamie Ivey's podcast so I wanted to read her book to learn more about her. I did not expect the book to speak to me in the way that it did. The book awoke in me feelings that bubble under the surface that I don't like to acknowledge. The book is loving reassurance for anyone who has struggled with feeling that their "tarnished" past makes them less of a Christian or not as loved by Christ as other people. Jamie bravely shares her own past and comforts the reader with the reassurances of Christ's love for us. The book reads in a very conversational style but was not lacking in content. I plan to reread the book and gift it to others.

I was so very lucky to be picked to be on Jamie's launch team. This book was so raw and vulnerable. I have loved "getting to know" Jamie on her instagram stories so while I was reading I could hear her voice. This is a must read for those of us who are sinners (all of us) and think we still need to live with that sin hovering over our heads (all of us). God's grace and forgiveness is enough. This can be a tough read - Jamie is very honest about some really tough subjects. Thank you Jamie for being real.

Jesus is better.

That's the theme of Jamie Ivey's book, If You Only Knew. In her memoir, Jamie recounts her struggles with sin and shame, inviting her readers in to her life's story.

"Being vulnerable—sharing our need for a Savior—points people to Jesus and not ourselves," writes Jamie.

This is exactly what she does. Jamie vulnerably and beautifully shares her story—the good, bad and ugly parts—and by reading it, you see a clear picture of Jesus.

Jamie reminds her readers that no one is too far gone to be rescued by God's love and grace. She urges her readers to find their identity in Christ, not their sin.

Though written for women, I would encourage both women and men to read this book. Through sharing her story, Jamie explains the gospel and gives a beautiful picture of God's love, mercy and grace.

In "If You Only Knew", podcaster and author Jamie Ivey explores the topic that many (if not most) Christians tend to avoid, shame. In an open and honest look at her past and present, she tells the reader about some of the struggles she has faced in her Christian walk. With great candor, she points to the fact that "Jesus is Better". As an avid listener of The Happy Hour podcast, I was greatly looking forward to this book. It did not disappoint. I hope that through the podcast, more stories such as hers can be told, so the stigma of shame can begin to be addressed.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

The easiest thing to think that the way things are is the way they are supposed to be. That we have no choice in how things in our lives will go. Though I do believe in some destiny I also believe that we can make choices to direct what that destiny will be. I believe we must listen the to guidance in our hearts. Reading through Jamie's story made me realize how much hiding we do in this world. We hide the feelings we have about what we really want, really believe. We hide the way we feel about ourselves.
Jamie gets real in telling her story. She has opened her heart to see that others need to read what she has gone through and still goes through and that we can all make a difference and be there for someone going through something.
Life should never be done alone.

Read this book. Just read it. You will not regret it.

As many of you know I love to read. I read many books and especially love books that point me to Jesus and remind me of truth. This is one of those books.

Through sharing her own story Jamie Ivey talks about the freedom that comes with sharing our stories. We all have them. She talks about the importance of vulnerability and community. Above all she shows us that Jesus is Better and points us to Him.

Beautiful, honest, encouraging, uplifting and convicting. This book is worth a read.