Cover Image: Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire

Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

There are a lot of good things in this book. As Jen Hatmaker said of the book, some chapters really spoke to me, and some didn't at all.

Was this review helpful?

Jen Hatmaker continues to challenge her readers in areas and gives hope of growth and life in others. A new and intriguing way to look at life.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely LOVED this particular book! Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read and share my opinions!

First, I’ll start by sharing that this was my first book having been read by Jen Hatmaker. I was so intrigued that I purchased the Audiobook as well. I was immediately hooked. Her way of presenting a topic, her spirit, her tenacity......fell in love immediately.

Great book. I can’t see how anyone can not walk away a better human, with a better outlook on life, their body, their self-esteem.....something.....after having spent some time with this book. It will be one of those that I revisit often. And I recommend you purchase the audiobook as well. Has a lot of additional content, as she stops mid - read and presents additional feedback, thoughts that didn’t make it to the book and it’s just so much fun having her voice read to you!

Buy it.....share it.....enjoy it.....learn from it!

Was this review helpful?

Jen Hatmaker has gift for combining humor, insight and spiritual truth. This book is filled with humor and also raw truths. This is for women and anyone with women in their life who are just starting out, starting over, or who just need more. Over the 12 chapters, Jen Hatmaker gives us all the playbook to taking back the lead role in our daily lives.

Was this review helpful?

Hatmaker's latest is a thought-provoking, engaging, and honest read. It may encourage the reader to consider who they are and their place in the world.

There are five sections: who I am, what I need, what I want, what I believe, and how I connect.

The author tells it like it is, but there are some humorous moments, as well. Serious issues are addressed, including self-esteem, marriage, friendship, and eating disorders. There's likely to be at least one topic that will connect with each reader. I'd expected a bit more of a faith element than I found, which was more of a "have faith in yourself" angle.

Was this review helpful?

Where to start?! Jen Hatmaker does it again with her "Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire" novel. The motivational fire she lit inside me with key points spoke deep within my core. Almost as if she created that the five areas with me in mind, the "who I am, what I need, what I want, what I believe, and how I connect" - WOW. Her research to connect each point really provided numerous "Ah-ha" moments. Not only is the reading inspiring and enlightening, but also an unbelievable connection. Seems like Jen knew me and helped me with a spiritual and physical wake up call. With the humorous points weaved within the key points, it allows you to see the humor in your life and the simple questions to ask yourself. I highly recommend this wonderful piece of sunshine to allow a smile and to really take a deep look within your soul. Such an amazing read that allows you to feel the love and happiness that is pouring out of this book to you!
I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this fabulous book, provided to me by the publisher and Netgalley.

Was this review helpful?

Another winner for Jen Hatmaker. This was especially needed in today's world for women. I would recommend reading this book!

Was this review helpful?

“You are a spectacular gift to this world, and we need you. You have work to do, and you have to show up real to do it. The crafted version of you cannot pull it off.”

BOOK REVIEW - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I was on the #launchteam for this book and have read it and re-read it and taken so many notes! I love the vulnerability, the authenticity and the type of sass #JenHatmaker gives us in this book! I got to see her speak at a conference and I get to spend two more virtual events with her within the next couple of weeks and I’m pumped! This was a great read and I really enjoyed walking through the process of getting clarity on identity, needs, wants, beliefs and connection. So👏🏼 good👏🏼!

Was this review helpful?

I've read every book that Jen Hatmaker has ever read, and I've loved them all. But this was my all-time favorite. It was funny and heartfelt and inspirational and it gave me so much to think about. I loved every word of this book.

Was this review helpful?

Although this book could be considered religious due to the author's undertones and things that were mentioned, I would consider this a self-help book that would be appropriate for all. If you are worried that this book is 'too preachy', trust me: it's not.

Honestly, Jen writes in a way that's extremely relatable. There's swearing, there's imperfections, and there's immense humour. It's a relatable self-help book and as she even mentions herself, maybe you won't need help in all of the areas that are discussed. Not all areas may be applicable for everyone (but maybe they will be). Even if you feel that you are 'perfect' in all of the areas that she mentions, the book would still act as a helpful refresher and reminder.

I found this book to be incredibly inspiring. I actually read it faster than I wanted to because it was such an enjoyable read and I couldn't slow myself down. In order to really reflect on the content, I imagine I'll have to go back and look over certain sections.

If you want to read a self-help book that blends humour with an ability to be relatable, I'd highly recommend this one. I also would say the content is applicable to a variety of ages too. The author, being a wife and mother, is in a different period of life than me as a younger, single woman but the content was still just as applicable.

***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Was this review helpful?

I discovered Jen Hatmaker around the time she was dropped by her previous publisher (this story appears in the book) and I started reading her older, as well as her recent publications. This book is different. It has less of the wise-cracking best friend vibe, but it is a book that needed to be written and shared. Readers, particularly women, will identify with Jen's struggles as a believer in a world, and in some churches, where speaking up is frowned upon. I read this book more slowly than I usually read her work, but there was just so much to take it and reflect upon that it needed more time to digest. Like her previous books, this is one that I will reread and savour; I've already purchased another copy so that I can revisit it.

Was this review helpful?

This is a refreshing, reflective book that moved me to the core of my being. I appreciate the encouraging, heart-felt way Jen goes about sharing her story of how she came to be where she is today. She urges readers to stop, reflect and ask themselves some hard questions to help evaluate their thoughts and feelings.

Jen’s writing style is real, humorous, and honest. She shares her journey from elementary school to wife, biological mother of three, adopted mother of two, published author and speaker. She is sincere in sharing her struggles to stay true to what God has called her to do through life’s ups and downs. She has readers contemplate five areas of their lives as they seek answers to , Who I Am, What I Need, What I Want, What I Believe, How I Connect. She breaks down these categories into smaller bites per chapter, all the while uncovering the lies, we have believed about our self, God and others. This is a book that you will read and recommend your friends read it with you. There is so much to take in. This is a book to experience; it is almost like drinking water from a fire hydrant. Invigorating and all good.

They will know we are Christians by our love but if we are bound by unforgiveness, stuck in regret, and lies we believe, we are unable to love others or ourselves. The word says Love your neighbor as yourself. The author goes on to say, “…I decided that people-pleasing, fear, and politeness weren’t the hallmarks of a well-lived life, nor were their ugly companions: passive aggression, resentment, and dishonesty. I discovered the world is hungry for women who show up and tell the truth, unafraid and free, expanding to the very edges of who they were always meant to be…not afraid of herself, so she is unafraid of others. She is fierce. She is Free. She is full of fire….If you are new to me, then welcome. My space will be safe for you, and you are loved already. But if you’ve been with me for some time, you know I’ve done this work. You know it cost me. You also know it brought me to life, and I feel like I am breathing clean air for the first time. I’m not afraid anymore. In these pages I will offer you absolutely everything I learned, because I want this for you too.”

Thank you Jen for your vulnerability, and encouragement as you inspire women to answer the call the Lord has laid on their lives, knowing it’s OK to question, to have fun and to own up to your struggle. She tells it like it is sprinkled with cuss words throughout. She doesn't go overboard. No “F” bombs or “GD’S”, but with other colorful words. LOL! Please don’t get hung up with that. The message is positive and inspirational. This book is a gift, one that I’ll be reading over and over again. Of course, I’m happy to be sharing it with you and with my friends.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

Was this review helpful?

Compelling, thought-provoking, and a honest. Fierce, Free and Full of Fire, if nothing else, will spur readers on to evaluate who they are, why they are who they are, and what they will choose to believe about their place in the world.

Was this review helpful?

Jen Hatmaker takes a stand in this book for standing in your truth. A former speaker in the Evangelical Christian sphere, Hatmaker shares her journey to what she calls the freedom to be who she is. Hatmaker recently called for the complete inclusion of the LGBTQ community in the Christian community and was ostracized for her stance, losing much of her career. This book is the result of what she learned from the struggle to find her truth and what others need to know to honor their own truth. This is not a memoir or a self-help book, but more the result of self-discovery and research into social psychology.

Was this review helpful?

Oh Jen Hatmaker, how I adore thee. Thank you NetGalley and Jen for letting me eARC this book and I am sorry it took me so long to get to with my stack of to be read lately. Amazing as always and I just love how Jen uses the gospel to get several points across. I have read all of Jens books and this one is a masterpiece as all of the rest. This book was the energy I needed and I will recommend to every woman I know.

"No more hiding or people-pleasing up in here, sisters. No more being sidelined in your own life. It is time for us to be brave, to claim our gifts and quirks and emotions. You are set free and set up and set on fire."

Bravo!

Was this review helpful?

Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire
The Guide to Being Glorious You
by Jen Hatmaker
Nelson Books
Nelson Books
Thomas Nelson
Christian
Pub Date 21 Apr 2020





I am reviewing a copy of Fierce, Free and Full of Fire through Nelson Books/Thomas Nelson:





Now is not the time to hide or to people please. It’s time to stop being sidelined in your own life. Now is the time to be brave, to claim our gifts, our quirks and our emotions.





Now it is time to do what God has called us to do on this planet, that is to be honest, honest about everything, that includes the hard stuff, the humiliating stuff, and even the stuff we try to keep secret. Now is the time to walk in your convictions of Faith, and to ask new questions without being afraid. Now is the time for us to be free, because your values are not coming from someone else, instead they come from your beautiful soul, the beautiful soul that was made by God., the God who adores you and is ready to get on with the business of unleashing you into this world.



This book is broken down into five categories for reflective changes who I am, what I need, what I want, what I believe, and how I connect and by working your way through them, you will learn to.




I give Fierce, Free and Full of Fire four out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Was this review helpful?

I follow Jen Hatmaker on social media and have been excited to read this book. It arrived at the right moment with a voice and topic that spoke to me. Hatmaker writes with a friendly voice. If you have heard her speak, you'll likely be able to hear her speak to you through the pages. This isn't a simple book to breeze through; instead, it is designed to help you delve in and notice what your own cultures have taught you. Armed with thought and reflection, you can decide what to keep and what beliefs no longer fit. I appreciated Hatmaker's honest storytelling—revealing the pain and growth that she went through when sharing her beliefs. This book comes after her reflection time. While the book allows you to review your own past and thoughts, it is not, and doesn't claim to be a counseling book. Instead, it helps you look for counsel from the highest place while allowing yourself quiet reflection time to grow. I recommend it highly. It is honest, pure of heart, and inspires. Thanks, Jen.

Was this review helpful?

I so enjoy Jen Hatmaker's books because she writes for Christian women but without the closed-minded exclamation-point-laden patronizing tone that so many Christian women's books possess. Her writing is honest, inspiring, challenging, and funny. While geared towards Christian women, I think anyone could take something positive away from this book.

Was this review helpful?

This is Jen at her fiery and passionate best! As a woman in ministry I walked away from reading this book feeling like I had a cheer squad behind me helping me to take the next steps. It gave me the courage to stand in my own knowledge of myself, of God’s calling on my life, and my ability to direct the next steps following the Spirit’s lead. I had been sitting on the fence of a big life decision, doubting my own abilities, and Jen has pushed me off the ledge! Appreciate the push Jen!

Was this review helpful?

Jen Hatmaker‘s book is all about being the person God created you to be. She talks about five categories that you should reflect in, who I am, what I need, what I want, what I believe, and how I connect. Work your way through these areas to help regain your footing in order to be person you were meant, living your life without guilt. Jen’s Personal, raw, completely honest stories will help you connect in a way that you need to. She gives you permission to be who you are and move on from what you’ve been through.

Was this review helpful?