Thank you NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The coverart is definitely unique. It caught my eye immediately.
The book itself was... a tad of a letdown. I can't say I had high expectations, but I was hopeful it would be a fun and easy read. I struggled to get through some parts of the story unfortunately.
It was just okay overall..

I LOVE Scarlett’s story and her writing. She is vulnerable and real and calls us higher. She points us to truth and holds the tension of the now and not yet. So thankful she took her “afraid of all the things” message and tailored it to teens, it is much needed in our culture today!

I enjoyed reading several aspects of this book! The pacing was wonderful, characters were well drawn, and the reading experience on the whole was delightful.

As an educator of teens, I found this book approachable and helpful-- as an adult educator of teens. That is to say, the tone of the book seemed to be that of a comical memoir of a 30-something, sharing their coming-of-age tales to an audience their age. I'm not sure if the assumed target audience of teens (& pre-teens) would appreciate it as much as the peers of the author would. However, there were some valuable truths I would want all teens to be affirmed in-- chiefly, that their identity is not tied in their appearance.

It wasn't exactly my cup of tea. My teenage years are over, so there was nothing really interesting for me.

This was a quick and pleasant read. I found the content relatable, especially as I often found myself not really able to pull of the trends in school and not really understanding why! I found some parts to be a bit much in terms of their religiosity, but if readers are Christian they would likely not find it anything out of the norm. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this eARC.

I didn't understand that it talked about, and as a non-believer I didn't really care about what Scarlet Hiltibidal said because I can't relate.
But I think for the teen believers it's a great book ! It just wasn't for me.

He numbered the Pores on My Face was a very enjoyable read for me. I started college this month and I've been very stressed but as soon as I started this book the stress went out.

It was easy and light to read and I think it's perfect for everyone who wants to have a good moment.

Full review coming to my blog and bookstagram tomorrow. (Solsticereads on wordpress and amreadings on instagram)

Sooo fun fact: The author speaks of Eve saying “There were no other girls.” A wildly popular but inaccurate belief is that Adam and Eve were the only people God made and that is how the world expanded. However, Adam and Eve were the first but certainly not the only people and Cain did not have a sister in another town. He met a new woman. Unrelated to him. Therefore, Eve was not the only female on the planet whom God created from the rib of a dust man.

[16] And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. [17] And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. - Genesis 4:16-17 KJV

In fact, God called His created people Adams (Humans).
Male and female created He them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. - Genesis 5:2 KJV

And Eve didn’t bear a daughter until after Seth who came after Cain was married with children. Eve means mother, which actually means “divider of all living;” the name Adam gave her because of her sin. People think “mother of all living,” but it’s not the right context. However, Jesus’ bloodline leads back to them, which is why their story is important.

So the point is, saying Eve was the only female is not true.

Moreover, the author threw in a lot of questions Eve supposedly had in her head. It is stated as a fact and any girl who doesn’t know her Bible may assume these random thoughts took place. Also, the author refers to Adam as a boy and Eve as a girl rather than a man and a woman. She also said the “first girl and her first boy.” The reader may think, is there a second?

But I knew the author would take us down the pit as she rambled on about her imperfections and hopeless abilities: “I wish I’d realized sooner that the truest and most freeing thing on planet Earth is the fact that, as it says in Isaiah 64:6, our very best efforts are “like filthy rags” (niv).” Does the Bible really say our very best efforts are like filthy rags? No. This context is about repenting because no one called on God so He turned away. BEWARE THE CUTOFF SCRIPTURES AND THE NIV. Then, she says we won’t be put to shame by referencing Isaiah 54:4, but please read all the way to verse 17, which identifies us as servants of the Lord in His righteousness. So, how do we not do anything if we are servants who are given two commands up front and a doctrine from Paul? It is no wonder people leave the faith because they’ve been given nothing but “you’re loved” and “be free — and we don’t have a religion.”

Overall, this is another imperfect Christian book that tells the reader to embrace their flaws, don’t strive, and rest because Jesus did everything. Just look at Jesus because He loves you and there’s nothing more to do but be kind, unhurried, and unworried.

Here’s what the Bible says:
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. - Philippians 2:12 KJV

2 Peter 3:14 KJV
[14] Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: - 1 Peter 3:15 KJV

2 Peter 3:17-18 KJV
[17] Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. [18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV
[24] Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Hebrews 6:1 KJV
[1] Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Hebrews 6:11-12 KJV
[11] And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: [12] That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Romans 6:16-19 KJV
[16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? [17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. [18] Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. [19] I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

These teachings in many books and media to our children always float around “Jesus loves you and be you.” But what is the first commandment?

Mark 12:29-30 KJV
[29] And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: [30] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Although the author means well, I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to any girl who wants a true and sober foundation. That may not be important to some, but getting it right and how it’s shared with others is certainly important to me.

I enjoyed He Numbered the Pores on My Face and would recommend teen girls and up read this as it is a reminder that God made us perfect in His eyes. We are unique and that makes each of us special!

Thank you NetGalley and Publishers for granting me early access to "He Numbered the Pores on My Face".

I'm currently in the middle of a major move, but I will definitely come back at a later time and write out a full review and rating. Thank you so much!

This was a pleasant surprise! Funny and easy to relate to anecdotes about the author's teenage years, coupled with personal experiences of how it is to replace insecurity and irrational desires with acceptance through faith. Some parts, however, can be a little aggressive, but if reader is Christian, nothing would really be out of place

I love that this woman has written this book for her daughters and for teens everywhere who think that they aren't enough. The ones constantly com[aring themselves to others, who succumb to the pressures of the media and what they think is expected from them, from their bodies.

This book is all about body positivity, it shouts from the rooftop, that you are beautiful, that you are enough and that you are perfect the way you are, you don't need to dye your hair, unless you want to, you don't have to wax or shave, unless you want to and you don't have to be friends with people that put you down. Those people aren't there for you, they are there for themselves.

Well written and fast paced. A great read that teens everywhere need to read.

Rarely is the sequel as good as the first installment. While this book isn’t intended to be a sequel to her first, Scarlet Hiltibidal has knocked it out of the proverbial park. Again. In my review of her first book, I praised the conversational tone in which Hiltibidal writes. It makes me feel like she’s not teaching someone who she considers to be less than herself, but she makes me feel more like she’s a loving friend; reaching out with her experiences to encourage me to take the right path. Her ability to laugh—or more often, lament—at the exploits of her younger self is perhaps her greatest strength. It takes humility to confess struggles and ongoing patterns of sin (even past ones), and this is simultaneously the exact point that the book is making: bringing our sin into the light actually frees us.
As Hiltibidal shares her journey of striving to be loved in unhealthy ways, you truly feel like you’re hearing from someone who knows exactly how dangerous striving for love and acceptance in all the wrong places can be. But solidarity is only part of what Hiltibidal brings to all those who have suffered from eating disorders, unhealthy relationships, or any other kind of self-destructive people-pleasing. What Hiltibidal presents—and what is clearly her prayer behind writing the book—is a message of gospel hope that declares “only Jesus gets to tell you who you are, because you are his. He made you. He fought for you. He won.”
In He Numbered the Pores on My Face, Scarlet Hiltibidal writes of how she is thankful to God, who rescued her from the never-satisfying, always-heartbreaking pursuit of finding her worth in looks, accomplishments, and the opinions of people. Surely there is something in this book for all of us, and everything about Scarlet’s writing is wonderful. Buy her book, then buy another one and give it away.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.