I was able to read Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire by Jen Hatmaker for free from Netgalley for providing me with an advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It was a wonderful book that covers five major topics: who I am, what I need, what I want, what I believe, and how I connect. I enjoyed the advice she gave in her book and the personal anecdotes she shared. This is another great book for encouraging, inspiring, and motivating women.

This is the most important read of one's adulthood. It's about unashamedly walking out who you truly are, at your core, and living authentically in every sphere. It's power to release you from your own, or the world's expectations of yourself, is so liberating. This book is transformational for women in any walk of life (I'm single and in my 30's and Jen was reading my actual mail in every chapter). After reading Fierce, Free and Full of Fire, I have a newfound sense of freedom to show up as my full (highest) self in every sphere.. I cannot emphasize enough how mindset-shifting and transformative this book is! Highest praise.

I thought this was going to be a book on Christian life for women, but it is more about Jen's path to becoming an empowered woman with occasional spiritual stuff thrown in. I'm all for empowering women, but there was too much swearing in the ARC for the community my library serves. Hoping they fix that before publication.

I’ve read most of Jen Hatmaker’s books and I occasionally listen to her podcast. I enjoy her brand of sarcasm and humor and enjoy her writing style. When I hear she has a new book out, it automatically goes on my reading list.

In this book, Jen details living an honest, whole, and integrated life. The chapters are grouped into these headings: Who I Am, What I Need, What I Want, What I Believe, and How I Connect.

I felt like this book meandered a bit. It didn’t feel extremely cohesive for me until the very end when she listed her 12 statements relating to the categories listed above. That’s when it all came in to focus for me. Also, I didn’t read the table of contents beforehand, so I had no idea where we were going. My bad. *Smile*

There are always gems to mine from her books. I particularly agree that Christians need to reignite and follow their spiritual curiosity and child likeness. We have no need to hold to dogma so tightly. Let’s not be pricks or prudes. Let’s be lifelong learners and listeners. I particularly liked this quote from Peter Enns, “...discern God’s presence here and now.” This is more important than getting our spiritual ducks in a row. We’ve gotten way too skilled at shutting each other down and shutting each other out. It’s such an easy behavior to emulate. Listen to God. What is He speaking right now? Jen wonderfully leads by example in this regard. She has been honest about her past struggles to listen and find spiritual evolution, but now she is all ears and humbly leading the charge. We are not meant to be the same people 20 years from now.

Along those same lines of thought, “I am convinced that maturing faith doesn’t get smaller and tighter but wider and freer.” Amen sister! 100%! “In whatever faith community we’ve chosen, our questions should evolve. We no longer ask: What are the rules? What is the line? Who is in and who is out? Who is right and who is wrong? What do we do with dissenters? What is allowed? How do we maintain what is? Wonderfully, we begin to ask instead: Where is the life? What does a flourishing faith system look like? What feels and sounds and looks like actual good news? Where is there more joy and less fear? What is kind? What is generous? What feels like Jesus? Where are people coming back to life, coming back to God?” I wholeheartedly agree. There’s a whole lot of effort spent maintaining what was when we would do better chasing what is.

I also loved this quote, “He [Jesus] doesn’t subscribe to our human hierarchies and systems of power, no matter what powerful people say. Jesus loved women and children and sick people and, irrationally, Roman leaders oppressing his people...His grace knew no bounds, which people loved and hated and ultimately killed him for...” I love the part about loving the Roman oppressors. I love her use of the word irrationally. Bam! If we are being like Jesus, it’s gonna tick a lot of people off. May it be so.

There is a lot of great stuff to delve into. Enjoy!!

I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

A wonderful book that covers five major topics: who I am, what I need, what I want, what I believe, and how I connect. These break down to include our relationship with our bodies, our personality (enneagram talk), asking for help, connecting, our dreams, faith, important causes/issues, honesty, and boundaries.

I love Jen’s openness with her life experiences and struggles. She doesn’t pretend to have it all together but invites us to join her on the journey, imparting hard earned truths about what has brought her freedom. I can’t wait to read and discuss this book with others.

This was a great read. This author has a way with words. There were things that I will definitely be implementing in my day to day life. I feel a sense of calmness after reading this book. Like my life is somewhat less chaotic.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Be the most glorious you that you can be! Jen Hatmaker guides readers in being Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire. As women, we are quick to people-please. We put others' needs and wants before our own sometimes. Until we wake up one day and realize we have put our own goals and dreams aside. Stop shape-shifting! It is time to start living out our purpose, showcase our gifts and be empowered to say no all while being genuine.

I am a big fan and follower of Jen Hatmaker, having read all of her books. I am beyond picky when it comes to spiritual / Christian / Bible books. The author has to be knowledgable, trustworthy and relatable. She meets all of my criteria. In fact, her modern girl Bible Study series is my absolute favorite. So when I saw a new book to be released, I jumped on the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Oh, Jen. What happened here? Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire was like a summary of all previously published books. It offered the same guide, advice and similar essays. It is a great recommendation for those unfamiliar with Jen Hatmaker's non-fiction work. But if you are a faithful fan like myself, unfortunately this new release will be the same 'ole pep talk.

Happy Early Pub Day, Jen Hatmaker! Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire will be available Tuesday, April 21.

LiteraryMarie

I've enjoyed reading Hatmaker's books in the past, but this one doesn't feel cohesive. It feels like she's trying to provide an answer to the backlash she received but it feels like she's going off on too many tangents.

In true Jen fashion, this book did not disappoint. I enjoyed listening and can't wait for it to be available on audio because I find it feels like I'm having a conversation with a good friend when I listen to Jen read her books.

Read. This. Book. When you do, you’ll leave every chapter feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to take on the world. This is the perfect book to read in these times of uncertainty; I can’t recommend it highly enough.

If you’ve followed Jen for awhile like I have and wished she would come give you a pep talk- this is it. She delivers hard truths with a firm yet gentle approach. She is authentic and approachable, vulnerable and loving. She pulls back the curtain and allows the reader to see her heart. This is well written and every woman will find an aspect that speaks to her. My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

Another Hatmaker home run! Jen dives deep into some topics that can be incredibly difficult for women today, and explores the dichotomy between who we're told we should be, and who we feel we really are or want to be. But she does it in her typical homey, big-sister/best friend kind of voice, never making us feel wrong or lesser, pushing just enough to inspire, and baring her own hard truths in the process. This is the book we women, all women, need, right now.

In today's world, women and men need a champion like Jen Hatmaker! Her conviction, concern, compassion and faith shine through. I was impressed with this powerful work and felt inspired to be a champion of women.

I requested a review copy of this book because the author, Jen Hatmaker, declared it her manifesto. I'm aware of some of the backlash she's faced over the past few years and was curious to see how she'd address it, and what she'd share about how it has informed her faith and her life going forward. Indeed, the one chapter where she describes her then-publisher's swift response to some of her most controversial comments is by far the best in the book. She was honest about what that cost her, both in financial terms but also in terms of relationships. It was interesting to see how she navigated the losses - money, friends, professional associations...and also her trust in other people. But that chapter goes long with vague descriptions of other, marginally related topics. And (like the rest of the book) is filled with platitudes and what stands in for bold opinions ("We must do better! We can treat each other with kindness!")

The rest of the book is just...uneven. Each chapter has a topic, but the pages read more like a literature review loosely linked to a vague description of some experience in her life. She quotes other peoples' research and writing extensively, but never delves all that far into her own experience. I wanted more scenes from her life. More stories, more honest accounts of growth and learning, and more moments of God coming through in unexpected ways. I was disappointed by how often, just as she might have gone deep in her exploration of a topic that excited or troubled her, Hatmaker defaulted, almost reflexively, to silly humor. "Jesus take the wheel!" or some Southern saying designed to bring the conversation back to a nice neutral place where everyone can take a sip of their tea and no one will be offended. It made the book tedious. And frustrating - I think she has a lot more to say - I wish she'd just say it.

I'm a long-time fan of Jen Hatmaker's. I love her writing, her attitude, her snark. To Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire, she brings all those things and the compassionate wisdom of a big sister. As I read the book, it felt like she was holding my hand, encouraging me that there is a better, healthier way to live as a whole woman in this crazy, frequently hostile world. There are chapters that I'll be revisiting repeatedly because there was so much goodness packed in.

There's something almost uncommonly courageous about Jen Hatmaker's new book "Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You" that dwells underneath the foundation of Hatmaker's usual weaving together of wry humor, heartfelt storytelling, and encouraging, almost cheerleader-like affirmations for herself and for her readers.

"Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire" brings us a feistier Jen Hatmaker who manages to bring on the feisty without compromising many of the qualities that have made her one of America's most beloved Christian writers for women.

Hatmaker is one of a growing number of Christian writers writing from a place of what I refer to as a "wider net" theology, not so much progressive though that's a term often used, but simply a theology that allows for inclusion of diverse voices, including persons who are LGBT, into the Christian community. The difference with Hatmaker, or so it would seem, unlike a good number of these writers Hatmaker's feet were planted squarely within the evangelical community when, in 2016, she made a couple of statements based upon a significant period of prayer, searching, researching, and exploring theological discussion points before she and her husband reached their unified decisions.

These statements led to a former publisher ending their relationship with her and reportedly led Christian retailer LifeWay to remove her books from their shelves.

Hatmaker spends a very brief few moments in "Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire" addressing this period in her life yet, I'd dare say, these few moments are among the best writing moments of Hatmaker's writing life. They are easily what take "Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire" from a strong 4-star reading experience to a 5-star reading experience and turn this collection into my favorite of Hatmaker's works yet. There's hurt. There's anger. There's clarity. There's conviction. There's sadness.

There's simply so much in what amounts to probably being less than two pages of an over 200-page book. Yet, in these two pages Hatmaker claims her theological space and beliefs and declares them holy and good. She briefly explains her journey of research and study and exploring both the history and context of Scripture, things we're all called to do but so many of us like to simply plop our butts down in the pew and let someone tell us what to believe. Hatmaker fiercely claims her faith, a reclaiming that frees her and adds fire to everything else that unfolds in this passionate, fun to read, relational, spirited, encouraging, and genuinely entertaining book that also feels like a book of transformation for Hatmaker.

Quite honestly, if you've ever received one of Hatmaker's mom hugs you'll likely read these words and tearfully realize "She meant it. She really, really meant it."

95% of "Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire" is far more typical Hatmaker. Freed of the burden of theological expectations and firmly planted in her own well formulated, well expressed beliefs, Hatmaker's walk through the fires of judgment, at times equally from both evangelical and progressive "sides," seemingly fuels a sort of faith-based manifesto that is fearless and uncompromised. In one brief paragraph of "Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire," Hatmaker does what can only be described as a monologue of self-worth that reminded me an awful lot of Edward Norton's mirror-fronting monologue from the Spike Lee film "25th Hour."

"Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire" explores five self-reflective categories:

1) Who I am;
2) What I need;
3) What I want;
4) What I believe; and,
5) How I connect.

Using this basic framework, Hatmaker encourages women to explore the ways they pretend and offers up encouragement and strategies for becoming more consistently genuine. She encourages women to learn how to say both yes and no without guilt and, of course, again utilizes personal examples and tools to practice this often difficult skill. She passionately encourages women to learn how to verbalize their theological questions and convictions and, as well, to opt out of drama-based relationships in favor of healthier relationships.

Hatmaker works hard to write as inclusively as possible, though she's certainly a writer whose primary target audience is women. There are times she seems to write from a place of privilege, something I get the sense she intentionally tries to avoid but she always comes back to relating well because she remembers those years of financial struggle, literary rejection, and struggle before she broke through in 2004 with "7" and grew into one of the nation's most recognized Christian writers, speakers, podcasters, and all-around good folks.

There are a couple times in "Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire" when I felt like Hatmaker could have broadened her perspective a bit more - so much of what she writes, especially in this book, is powerfully applicable to the disability community but there are really only two minor references to disability in the book and one involves a personal friend of Hatmaker's who dances. It just felt like a missed opportunity to lift up a community.

Admittedly, as a paraplegic/double amputee with spina bifida who was literally sitting at home healing from a leg amputation I'm extraordinarily sensitive to this right now. However, even in some of the writing about the issue of need I found myself questioning how she'd address someone whose needs were chronic or for whom friendship might inherently be imbalanced (at least physically).

However, these are truly minor quibbles for what is easily my favorite of Hatmaker's books. "Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire" is, indeed, a fierce piece of literature that brings to wondrous life a freer and more fiery and feisty Jen Hatmaker who has discovered a more glorious life for herself, her husband, her family, and her circle of life and she's applied those often difficult life lessons to this book in a way that is rich, honest, natural, and accessible. She brings forth mountains of encouragement, passionate enthusiasm, an abundance of research, and an approach that is far less prescriptive and far more communal in presentation.

I still remember the first time I read a Hatmaker book, "Interrupted" was my first, and feeling like she wrote with such a clear voice that I instantly looked up her podcast and looked up Youtube videos to see what she sounded like. I just laughed and laughed because that voice comes alive in her writing. Indeed, I could hear Jen Hatmaker's voice coming to life in "Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You" and it brought an already wonderful book to life in an even more wonderful way.

Hatmaker gives her readers and her book club members and her "community" the room to grow, to question, to show up "as is," the room to doubt, the room to simply not believe and, in turn, she creates a wonderful safe space for exploring spirituality, belief, Christ, and the journey of faith that never really ends. She brings this safe space, or maybe more appropriately it should be called a brave space, into the pages of "Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire" and inspires, empowers, and educates with both arms held wide open.

I usually love Jen Hatmaker - her books make laugh and think and I've included them on my Summer Reading Guides (https://everyday-reading.com/2018-summer-reading-guide-fantastic-non-fiction/). But this one fell a little flat for me. It felt much less story-based and more preachy.

Once again, Jen Hatmaker has authored another book for women that is encouraging, inspiring, and motivating! I greatly enjoyed the advice she gave in her book and the personal anecdotes she shared. Jen Hatmaker is one of the best writers, and I always enjoy her books!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I literally WHOOPED out loud when I got this ARC. I ditched my other books, filled the bathtub to the brim with hot water and lost myself in Jen Hatmaker's most recent thoughts.

At the conclusion of the book, she tells the reader that "some of these chapters hit you squarely between the eyes and others didn't apply at all." In some ways, I felt this but....its Jen Hatmaker.....so all of it was thought provoking, hilarious and a contemporary love letter to the modern woman.

She essentially writes us permission slips for all the times and places we may have not been fully ourselves.. She wants us to be FIERCE, FREE and FULL of FIRE in ALL the important areas of our lives. For this alone, it is worth a few good hours reflecting and musing along with her. I loved the big stories of love, family, and boundaries. I too want to be a champagne runner - Don't you?!?!
#NetGalley #FierceFreeandFullofFire

Jen Hatmaker knocks it out of the park again. This is a quick read but packs a punch. This is for all the women. All. The. Women. And men - pick it up, too. Jen works out her passions on paper. She lays out her advice, beliefs, struggles, victories, and urges all of us to do the same in our own lives to move toward wholeness and freedom and enthusiasm and authenticity through embracing what is true. True about us collectively and as individuals. Her words almost literally reach out of the book to push us to better love of self and others. I'll read it again, for sure.