I can't quite put into words how much this book touched my heart. I sat down and read it in one sitting and was not able to put it down. I am so thankful to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me the opportunity to read an early release. I had tears in my eyes throughout reading and could see Lauren's words already working in my life. It was so beautifully refreshing to read about her relationship with God, family, marriage and motherhood. I found I could really relate to her as someone who also married young. I know and understood the struggles she wrote about in putting her husband's career first and being on the sidelines. I love how honest and real she is throughout all the trials and tribulations. This is a fantastic book for anyone at any age. In an age where people believe Instagram is reality this book does a beautiful job of pulling back the curtain. This book was a light to me and I know it is going to move mountains in many lives. Lauren said it so beautifully, "we are blessed to be a blessing." I am going to take these poignant words and live with them everyday! This book is truly a blessing.

"This is the real story of who we are, what we believe, what our passions are, and why we do what we do. I hope it’s a reminder that having faith is a good thing, that a healthy marriage is a good thing, that standing up for one another is a good thing, and that valuing one another as human beings is a very good thing."

I'm not really a celebrity person, but because I also "went out" with my now husband when we were teenagers, Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins have always intrigued me. Lauren specifically has always been a bit of a mystery to me, like I'm sure she is to many women. How can she be so down-to-earth in an industry that is a lot of smoke and mirrors? How is she just so impossibly cool and chill? Where does her giant heart come from? Her memoir answered alllll my questions. I read this book in less than 24 hours! I was HOOKED, from her idyllic childhood, to discovering her faith, through her dating years and her marriage to TR, all the way to Uganda and her journey now as a mother. I'm just totally in awe! There are so many things to love about Lauren, her parents, her incredible friends and family. I'm inspired by her dedication to her values, and how she allows her faith to inform her decisions and her standards for herself. What a great woman for young girls to look up to. If I had a daughter, I'd consider myself immeasurably blessed if she turned out like Lauren 💕

"It is our job as humans to take care of each other, and it does not matter if it’s in Haiti or right in our hometown. And when we recognize needs in other human beings but then turn a blind eye to it, we are not living the way we were created to live."

Review to be posted at the link below on pub day 8/18/20.

I have been following Lauren Akins for a couple of years now on my personal IG. I can honestly say I am a huge fan of both her and her husband, famous country singer @thomasrhettakins. I love everything about them as a couple and their little fam bam. While their marriage looks picture-perfect on social media, I was surprised how much Lauren acknowledged it is far from it. They struggle with common issues most of us married couples go through - who would’ve thought right? Lauren was super honest and raw on sharing their personal journey through marriage counseling (pre/post children) and coping with the spotlight and fame.

Lauren begins the memoir by taking us through her amazing childhood memories, falling in love, and starting a family. I enjoyed the small passages from Thomas Rhett - it was sweet to hear both sides of particular events, especially about the Ugandan adoption process for their daughter Willa Gray (she’s the cutest). They truly went through a long vigorous process with multiple obstacles while never losing faith in God. I have so much more respect and admiration for the both of them! Highly enjoyed and recommend this delightful memoir.

This book is a memoir of Lauren Akins. She's the wife of the famous country singer, Thomas Rhett. We learn about her childhood, the first time she ever met her husband in 1st grade and their relationship through the years. I thought this book was absolutely adorable. I loved it. It captivated me from start to finish. Not only do I love fiction romances, but apparently I adore real life ones as well. I could "hear" Lauren's voice inside this story. She tells tales of her childhood memories and speaks fondly of her parents and her neighborhood "crew". She's extremely religious. Even though I'm not a religious person, it didn't take away from the story in any way for me. After seeing her life on instagram, it was so fun to read about inside of her life and marriage. I loved how in certain parts it had Thomas Rhett's POV. Such a great book. There was raw emotion and all the feels. I loved every second.

This is a book about love, hope, faith, friendship, and miracles. Overall this book, gives hope to people who are completely lost. The writing is perfect, there are no difficult words and it’s easy to comprehend. Once i started reading the book I could not put it down! I got sucked into the world and this is a story that I want to keep on reading.

I have always been a fan of country music and this opens a whole new side to Thomas Rhett’s music and family life. I love how Lauren is supportive of her husband but also she has her own dreams and aspirations in life. Also I love how open this book is; it gives you something to believe in!

I cannot recommend this book enough to my friends. I tell them “even though you don’t like country music, you will love this book” because it is relatable!

When I saw Lauren Atkins's book on Netgalley to read, I immediately requested it! Crossing my fingers that the publishers would allow me to read an early readers’ copy. 🥰 I have loved following her and Thomas Rhetts' relationship since he wrote a song for her called Die A Happy Man. Where you could see how much he truly loves her from not only the song but also the music video she starred in with him. Their relationship has always seemed so genuine and they seem like a down-to-earth couple. In her memoir, I liked that she included old family photos and had Thomas write a few words of his own. So you get the memories not only from her POV but also Thomas’. Throughout, I loved hearing her journey from how her and Thomas met as kids, dating on and off over the years, and the adoption journey of Willa Gray to the birth of their daughter Ada James. From her writing, you get the sense that Lauren seems like such a level headed, honest, and big into faith type of woman who has become a role model to so many.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early readers’ copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Live in Love feels like a big sister (even though she's younger than me) is sitting you down and trying to help you learn from her life experiences. While that could be obnoxious, Lauren does it well and it comes across as a conversation with a wise friend.

Like most others who will pick up this book, I know who Lauren is because I'm a fan of her husband's music career. I already knew a lot of their family's story from following both of them on social media. What social media doesn't give you is the feelings behind the different events of their lives. This book does that really well. It shows you the values her parents instilled in her and her sister as children. It also does a fabulous job of showcasing how recent events have strengthened the couple's faith in God. I took away one star because of the negativity of the effects of TR's career. When she first started describing her feelings, the reasons behind them made perfect sense. After awhile, it seemed like she was just whining. I realize there is no way the reader has the full picture, but that small aspect became tiresome. The ending brought home the overall theme of the book and wrapped up well. Overall, I'm glad I read it and would definitely recommend it to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy to read and review.

I have been counting down the days until this book comes out and y'all, it didn't disappoint. I've been a fan of TR, Lauren and their family for several years now and loved getting a peek behind closed doors. While I had heard a few of the stories in podcast interviews, there was so much I didn't know and I loved getting to learn about them even more. It may seem small, but I really applaud Lauren for saying she had a co-writer instead of it looking like she did it all by herself.

I'll admit, I was one of those people who labeled TR and Lauren relationship goals, but I loved seeing how honest and raw she was talking about their struggles and how they're just two normal people. I admire their values and loved how much they've stayed true to them. This is a great read for not just any fan of theirs, but for all people. These two are great role models for anyone.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review. The title was perfect because the book was love and living in love. From the time she was a child to today. That love, she carries with her and she spread it around where ever she goes. She was so proud and happy for her husband but she asked what about my dream. I had to ask that question too. Her husband always included her in his life and career, and that love comes through in his songs. She has so much to offer and she had dreams. We find out in the book how it all went. This book is refreshing, hopeful uplifting, and inspiring. Thank you for writing your story.

Oh my gosh this book! By the first page I knew this book was going to be special. I love Thomas Rhett’s music it’s always filled with how grateful he is for the love of his wife and his family and how happy he is. I follow both him and his wife on Instagram,so when I saw her book I knew I needed to read it. His wife gives up a peek into their private world. From her time growing up with her amazing close knit family and close group of friends, staring at the sky filled with stars in Tennessee, to her first meeting Thomas Rhett and starting as friends , to deciding to date and then breaking up. She goes college and becomes a nurse and then having him pour his heart out and admitting he loved her since the first time he saw her at summer camp and yes I did cry at that moment. Graduating college and they get married and her wanting to be more than just Thomas Rhett’s a country stars wife, she wanted to find a purpose in life and this just made me love her more. She goes to Haiti and then Uganda and meets a baby that she and Thomas Rhett decide to adopt, when they could have given up when so many obstacles appears during the adoption process, they relied on their faith and could finally take baby Willa Gray home , soon they add another baby, Lauren who was pregnant while trying to bring Willa home gives birth, so now she’s a mom to two! Lauren admits that marriage counseling saved their marriage and isn’t ashamed to admit it! Through every step Lauren relies on her faith in God. I never wanted this book to end. Their love story is amazing and I loved how she says it’s not perfect they work on it every day, she’s honest and tells the stories behind Thomas Rhett’s songs. She opens the door to how their marriage needs work like everyone else’s . Lauren pours her heart out in every page and I found myself crying at parts. This book is like sitting down with a wonderful friend and listening while she tells her story and sharing a glass of wine Five stars!

This book was fabulous.
The realness that Lauren throws out there is insane.
It brought me every emotion possible.
I would read this book over and over again.

"Live in Love" by Lauren Akins; Mark Dagostino
In Live in Love, Lauren offers beautiful details about her childhood growing up in Tennesse and her friendship with Thomas Rhett. Yes. That Thomas Rhett. From her parents' relationship and how their love for family & faith brought her to find love. Pure and genuinely happy memories of her childhood adventures are also shared. Even the heartbreaks and disappointments are offered in Lauren's book. Her humor and her positive energy are palpable through her private experiences.
She shares her heart-breaking details about her life-changing experiences during her mission work (with Love +One) in Haiti, and in Uganda, where she is introduced to a precocious baby girl, Willa Gray, that would become their daughter. The private moments documented in photographs and including their handwritten wedding vows. Sharing her struggle as a supporting wife and becoming a mother of two baby girls, she shares her path to her calling. The struggles of sharing her husband with the world and fighting for her faith and her family. I highly recommend this beautifully written memoir about friendship, love, heartache, and finding love again.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have been following Lauren Akins on Instagram for a couple of years now and followed her husband, Thomas Rhett, shortly after. Let’s be honest — we all need to see adorable family photos like theirs grace our social media feeds 🤩

In Lauren Akins’ memoir Live in Love, she details her childhood and the amazing family and friends she grew up with. Her friendship with Thomas Rhett was so sweet, and their story of dating was even sweeter. It’s seriously a real-life romance movie story!

Lauren covers a lot of topics in this book— faith, love, loss, adoption, fame, and more. There were moments that made me smile and moments that made me tear up — which rarely happens for me when I read books!

I could definitely relate to Lauren as someone who also does not like to be in the spotlight — and it was so interesting to then read her journey of marrying a musician who begins rising as a country star. I’ve always been a big music fan — although never country music until recently — and I’ve always wondered what it’s like for the spouses of those famous musicians. Lauren was very raw and real when sharing her personal journey and how it affected their marriage, both before and after children were involved.

While their marriage and family always looks picture-perfect on social media, Lauren acknowledges that their life has definitely been imperfect. I loved this book so much and all of the cute family photos were just an added bonus!

I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would! I love Thomas Rhett's music and think he and his wife are a sweet couple, but that's about as far as my knowledge goes. This book is really enjoyable and easy to read, and I was shocked at how much I could relate to Lauren and her life. The format is nice and clear and easy to follow, and the tone is perfect - not a lecture, just a conversation with a friend.

Live in Love is Lauren Akins's memoir. Lauren Akins is Thomas Rhett's wife. Thomas Rhett is a country singer. The book goes from Lauren's childhood with many stories about her family and friends. It talks about how she met Thomas Rhett as a child, and their families became close. The book discusses the first time they dated in high school and their breakup. It discusses their relationships with other people and getting back together. After graduating college and getting married, Lauren has to figure out what her purpose in life is and how to be more than just Thomas Rhett's wife. Then, Live in Love goes through the adoption process of adopting Lauren and Thomas Rhett's oldest daughter Willa Gray and how marriage counseling saved their marriage. Lauren is very religious and turns to God throughout the book.

I really enjoyed this book and have been looking forward to reading it since I first heard about it. I am a huge Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins fan. After hearing Thomas Rhett's story about how they were supposed to marry different people and Lauren's dad told her either you tell her how you feel or I will, I was a fan of Lauren and their family. The book was very honest and provided more of a story behind Thomas Rhett's songs. It talks about Lauren and Thomas Rhett's relationship ship problems and how they went to counseling to have the loving marriage they have today. I thought they always had the perfect marriage, but Lauren discusses how bad things got after becoming a mom of two and basically doing everything alone.

My favorite parts of the book were hearing the story of how Lauren and Thomas Rhett got together. Hearing the whole adoption story about Willa Gray's adoption was another one of my favorite parts. I enjoyed reading about Willa Gray's life in an orphanage and how hard her parents fought to bring her home. Lauren talks a lot about struggles to find her purpose and how difficult it was at times to see Thomas Rhett living his dreams while she was just living them with him after giving up on her dreams. Then you read about Lauren's mission work, meeting Willa Gray and finding her purpose.

I recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of Lauren Akins and/or Thomas Rhett. Anyone that is a fan of Thomas Rhett's music and wants to hear the other side of the songs he writes about his wife and family will love this book. Anyone that is interested in learning about a celebrity couple will love this book. I think anyone feeling lost and struggling to find their purpose will find hope in this book. Anyone that isn't religious and doesn't want to read about how praying and God got someone through difficult times will probably not like this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for Living in Love in exchange for an honest review.

Nice, easy, cute read. A little to Christian heavy for me, but I knew that was the genre and wanted to give it a try anyways. Any country/ Thomas Rhett fan will enjoy this book.

I wanted to read this story as I am a huge fan of both Lauren and Thomas. I was touched by Lauren’s personal stories and the photographs that she included. This autobiography is one of a kind as it includes the photos along with her writing throughout. I’m a huge fan of autobiographies and this one hit the mark!

Full disclosure. I have followed Lauren Akins and her husband Thomas Rhett on Instagram for years. So, when I saw she was writing this book, I knew I would have to read it. In this book, she talks about her life, from childhood through the present day, and we get to know her, and by extension, her husband and family in ways that we didn't before. She is very open about everything. Her loves, her losses, and her faith. I really enjoyed that she did not try to sugarcoat anything and make it so that her family seemed perfect, like so many people think they are. I really enjoyed this look into her life and found myself especially captivated on the chapters that dealt with the adoption of their daughter, Willa Gray, from Uganda. I will say that her Christian faith plays a big role in her life and in this story, so I know that may be a turn off for some people.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC.

Lauren Akins is the wife of Thomas Rhett Akins. I did not know who Thomas Rhett was though I realized after reading this moving memoir that I know his music.
This memoir recounts the author's childhood experiences growing up in a very close Christian family. She met the man who would become her husband when she was only 15, but she only thought of him as a friend for many years.
After their marriage as Thomas Rhett found fame, Lauren was determined not to lose her own dreams. Among those dreams, was one of serving as a nurse in third world countries and of raising a family like the one in which she grew up. In spite of his great success, their life has not been without its challenges.
Lauren, with great frankness, tells of these challenges to their relationship and how they have worked through problems. I highly recommend this inspiring book to young women of all ages and to country music fans.

I absolutely love Lauren Akins and her sweet family. Everything about them. So when i heard she had this book coming out i got ao excited.
I loved to hear her journey and her story. It was a joy! Thank you for the arc!