Member Reviews
Fierce, Free and Full of Fire is broken up into 5 sections - Who I Am, What I Need, What I Want, What I Believe, and How I Connect. In classic Jen fashion she writes powerfully, with a sense of humour and with an occasional well-placed curse word. Thoroughly enjoyed her honesty and the way she shared stories throughout each section from her personal life. This book felt relatable and empowering. |
This book is all the things you would expect from Jen Hatmaker, and so much more. This is the book we have been waiting for. If you know even a little of what Jen has shared of her story publicly, this is the book you have wanted to get your hands on. I know I had been waiting for it. She showed up and laid it all out for us. This is the conversation we have with our closest friends when we are feeling brave and vulnerable. And some of the chapters are the conversations we wish we were brave enough to have. I was crying before I finished reading the dedication and I knew that this would be my favorite book written by Jen of all time. Chapters 1&2 spoke so deeply to my heart and chapter 3 was the one I wanted to send to every woman I have ever met. A few paragraphs into the at one, I knew I was going to buy this book for my teenage daughter to read with me. This is the book I wanted and I had no idea how much I needed it at this precise moment in time. As soon as I finished it, I started reading it all over again because there is too much that I need to carry with me. There are few books that have meant this much to me. If you are a woman close to me you can expect to hear about it every day until you read it for yourself and then we will laugh and cry together as we talk about our experiences. Jen Hatmaker, Thank you. The publisher provided an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for me to read. This is my honest review. |
(I received this book from the publisher before the pub date.) This book is so so good! Jen Hatmaker is FOR women, for a loving Jesus, for inclusion, empowerment, and all things good. She wants her readers to shed their learnt negative self-talks and replace them by love, compassion, and grace. She wants us to be all we can be -without judgment or limits. I loved this book for Jen's sincerity and her well timed sense of humor. I sometimes wished that she talked more about how each chapter applied to herself -she does that at the beginning of each chapter but I wanted a bit more. How did she change, what resources did she use? I understand she wants people to pave their own way -she says she doesn't want to create a bunch of "Jenions"- but her influence is so great that her recommendations would be completely welcome. I will never stop loving Jen Hatmaker and wanting to read her work, listen to her, and learn from her. So yeah... I'm an avowed Jenion! |
Jessica J, Reviewer
I finished Jen Hatmaker's newest book this morning and it has blown me away. The title is a bold one and the content delivers on that promise and then some. Each chapter has a different subject ranging from finding our voices, body image, examining our religious and humanitarian beliefs, all the way to setting boundaries and honest, clear communication. Jen shares her experiences in open, honest vulnerability that left me feeling like each chapter was a conversation with my closest friends. She says she wants others to learn from her doing an amazing job of walking the line between providing guidance and giving an overly simplified prescriptive form letter to solve all the problems. She doesn't tell anyone what or how to be, but rather shares ideas for how each reader can navigate their own journey of growth and maturity of self. I have taken so much from this book and know I will keep returning to it as I continue to work becoming a better, stronger whole woman. |
This is the book I’ve been longing for. My life has radically changed in the last year. I’ve discovered who I am and what authenticity really means. I’ve learned what it looks like to live lovingly and unapologetically. And I’ve longed for a way to explain what’s happened to me to others. AND THIS BOOK DOES IT. I love Jen Hatmaker with a deep love that will last for eternity. Always have, always will. But she’s outdone herself. This is a life changing book. An absolute must read, whether you identify as a Christian or not. 10/10. |
This book felt more like Jen than any other. She's somewhat in your face, and each chapter could almost be a stand alone essay (which feels more like reading her streams of thought on facebook and I love it). This was a good and hard read and I appreciate her so much for it. |
Mary M, Reviewer
Simply put, Jen Hatmaker channels every ounce of earnest love for all the sisters of the world into her latest book. A lifetime in the making, Hatmaker steps fully into her purpose with inspiring encouraging perspective in the funny, sincere sometimes-vulnerable, sometimes-uncomfortable, this-is-real-life, style that is signature Jen Hatmaker. In Fierce Free and Full of Fire, without casting unfair stones at the patriarchal churches of her foundation, Hatmaker pulls exactly no punches and tells it exactly like it is in her call for every woman to cut the crap, be kind, love each other, love ourselves, and love Jesus. This one is a true gift to readers. Enjoy! |
Suzanne K, Reviewer
I have been a fan of Jen Hatmaker for a while. Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire does not disappoint. There is a chapter in this book that will speak to every woman. I love her use of humor and her candid, no-nonsense style of writing. The chapter "I Want to Choose My Yeses" really spoke to me. I highly recommend this book. It would be great choice for book clubs or a group of friends to read and discuss. I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this fabulous book, provided to me by the publisher. |
Lindsey C, Reviewer
Fierce Free and Full of Fire is an anthem call to women to be one's self. Not who we think we should be, could be or need to be, rather who we really are. In an era where women are reaping the rewards of paths plowed before us by women, like Jen Hatmaker, who have stopped hiding their true selves and stepped into their identities - Fierce Free and Full of Fire is a guide book to self discovery through investigating five areas; who I am, what I need, what I want, what I believe and how I connect. Hatmaker reminds us "...we don't need to be like our neighbour, we already have her..." and that we are "well put together exactly [as] we are...," "...because there is an abundance of everything: joy, talent, love, dreams, hope, goodness, triumph, creativity, delight. Every one of these is a renewable resource....Someone else's space does not diminish [mine]." Hatmaker dives deep and addresses some controversial topics that may be incredibly difficult for women today, but does so in her typical down to earth, lovable, big sister relatable way leaving you laughing and crying all in one sitting while also lighting a fire beneath you to go out and do the hard work so you too can come out stronger on the other side. This is a must read for all women! |
Lisa C, Educator
Jen is a great writer. I don’t necessarily agree with some of her views and my beliefs are a bit different than hers but I do think there is a place to taking the time to take care of Ourselves and this book is a lot about that. I appreciate the advanced copy from The publisher and net galley. |
Denise T, Reviewer
From the first few pages of this book, Jen Hatmaker nailed it! She spoke to my heart pop on finding myself and being the glorious me I’m meant to be. Jen’s down to earth writing is sure to resonate with all women who are struggling with who they really are and how to find that fierce woman that lives within ourselves. We are all full of fire and fierce. This is a must read! |
I cannot say enough about how this book is life-changing and affirming. I was sad when I finished. It was like having to leave a friend behind and can't wait to start the audio version. Jen gave me the final push finally figuring out my enneagram number. I am a 3 and have a lot more to dig into learning all that it implies. The chapter on being strong in my body took my infertility journey to a whole new level. I not only came to terms again with forgiving my body. I also took a cue from Jen and wrote down all of the wonderful things she (my body) has done for me. I'm taking her advice, did the deep dive into my strengths and weaknesses and shared my authentic self, terrifying as it is on my blog post's book review https://denisegruzensky.com/2020/04/1... Through Jen's encouragement, we started family meetings even though our children are small 3, 4, 5 and 6. Providing a safe place for open communication and fun. We chose to start the lessons early hoping they'll last a lifetime. I've preordered copies as gifts and will order the audio version as soon as it is available. Friends, what can be better than getting to have Jen read the book to you herself? Preorder before the book's release April 21st and you'll receive a bunch of extra goodies including free registration to her, previously live event, turned webcast. I promise, and don't say that lightly, you won't be disappointed. |
Fierce, Free and Full of Fire will leave you feeling just that! Jen delivers such a powerful message about being unapologetically you, letting your insides match your outsides. She encourages you and builds you up! Highly recommend this book! Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to review this ARC. |
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy of this book. Overall, I really liked it and recommend it! I give it 4 stars ... I might would have given 5, but there was a lot of quoted material; it felt like parts were copy and paste. The message is a good one: be unabashedly yourself. We all need this reminder sometimes, don’t we? I loved, loved the 12 statements at the end of the book- it makes for a powerful way to apply being fierce, free, and full of fire to the readers’ own lives! |
Julie K, Reviewer
Having read the last few books written by Jen Hatmaker, I was familiar with her style: funny, inviting, relatable, talking about stuff in her life that mirrors the stuff in mine, like family, faith, work, etc. Reading "For the Love" and "Of Mess and Moxie" were like sitting down with a friend for coffee (or maybe wine) and chatting. Jen's newest book, "Fierce, Free and Full of Fire" is like your friend calling you and saying, "We need to talk. There are things you need to hear." That girlfriend would go on to say, "I love you, which is why I want you to be able to live into the version of you that you were created to be. I've done this work in my own life, and now I want to show you how to do it in yours." The book is structured around five topics: This Is Who I Am, This is What I Need, This Is What I Want, This is What I Believe, and This Is How I Connect. Within those topics are chapters that address how to come at these main topics, and they cover so much of what has, for good or for ill, influenced and tempered the lives of women everywhere. Topics like personality, experiences from childhood, body image and acceptance, finding help and connection, learning how to dream and how to make dreams happen, and identifying what really matters are all addressed in Jen's characteristic funny-but-serious approach. This book has an urgency about it that I have not found in her previous books. It's like she's saying to her readers, "I want you to have a great life and I want that to start right now! So here are some tools I used, or found, or made up along the way, to help you do this." This book will be released on April 21, 2020. I was provided with an advance copy in order to review it. It has been eye-opening to read and study and evaluate this book just as so many of us are sheltering-in-place due to COVID-19. For many, this is a unique chance to do the work Jen invites us to do (in between laundry and online school and working-from-home and all.the.meals and general bouts of anxiety). But the time, the work and the introspection are worth it. We are worth it. I have loved all of Jen Hatmaker's books that I have read. I have identified with her stories and her lessons she has taught. But this is the first one where I am making a list of women in my life who need to read it, and wondering how many copies I can afford to buy to give away before DH goes, "What did you do with the credit card?" I cannot rate the book highly enough. Not only will you love this book, you will realize how much you needed this book. Enjoy. Grow. Learn. Find yourself to be Fierce, Free and Full of Fire. |
Fans of Rachel Hollis will enjoy this energetic, encouraging book about embracing who you are as a woman. Jen Hatmaker delivers an honest, revealing look at the many stereotypes which have historically limited women. The author uses examples from her life to point out many of the ways women can overcome their circumstances to reach their full potential. Much can be found to admire about Hatmaker's enthusiasm and energy, even if the reader does not always agree with the author's viewpoint, This title is worthy of inclusion in any inspirational, motivational nonfiction collection. |
This book is exactly what I needed right at this moment in my life. And I'm sure it will be just what most women need, no matter their particular moment. Fierce, Free and Full of Fire is challenging. It's convicting. Jen isn't afraid to dig deep and to challenge readers to do the same. The book is divided into five sections: Who I Am, What I Need, What I Want, What I Believe, and How I Connect. Within each of those there are chapters involving personal development, connection, spiritual development, and growth. As she fully admits in the introduction, "My hypothesis is that ever reader will need some of these in a crucial way, some in a medium way, and some not at all." And those things may change over time depending on our personal journey. Right now, I'm at a stage of changing connections, of learning, growing, and exploring spiritually, and trying to discover and really engage in the causes that are important to me. Other readers may be at completely different stages, and this book provides food for thought and action no matter where you might be at the moment. If you're ready for a challenge, ready to jump in with both feet to discover exactly how you are fierce, free, and full of fire, this is a gorgeously written, humorous book that will help you to explore yourself and where you fit into this world. |
Cassie F, Reviewer
This book is incredible. It made me think about many different areas of my life and encourages me to be fierce and free when it comes to living my life in the best way for me, no matter what anyone else says. I will recommend this book to everyone! |
This book, this author - it's a must read! It definitely hit close to home and some of it literally brought me to tears, but I already want to read it again to absorb more wisdom. Jen writes as if she is your best friend. She doesn't hold back and gives us the truth we never knew we needed. |
Alana A, Reviewer
This is a crown jewel of a book. It doesn't get better than this. Fierce, Free and Full of Fire is jam=packed with practical, life-giving, words that guide you to becoming GLORIOUS YOU! Every woman, or person who has ever felt self doubt about their personality traits, their dreams, their spiritual curiosity, their desire for connection and finding their tribe.... this is message you need to read and digest and apply to your life. Jen has walked this path and has shared it with all of us so that all readers can have access to the tools and and the mindset to do the work and come out Fierce, Free and Full of Fire! I have always wondered at what age I can expect to feel comfortable within my own skin and feel worthy and own confidence and be my glorious self. What age was that going to happen for me? It's not a matter of age or experience. It's having this, the message, the tools and the belief I can put in the work and come out Glorious ME! Thank you Jen Hatmaker for walking through this in your own life and crafting it into this book and sharing it with the world! Well done sister! |








