Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me to read this!

This book instantly drew me in, I really enjoyed this book. This author did amazing. I loved the writing style. I highly recommend picking this up!

A mother's love is truly unmatched. This book follows Meg Apperson as she fights for her daughter, born with a whole list of complications. This book teaches readers a lot about what it truly means to have faith. Great read! Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media and christianaudio for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Grab your tissues and be prepared for a beautiful, redemptive story of God’s grace and perfect plan. Thank you to @meg_apperson for being the author of this masterfully written story, and for a lovely narration from @christianaudio . Also, thanks to @netgalley for the complimentary audio. It is probably my favorite book of 2020!

Five stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

A Sky Full of Stars: Learning to Surrender to God’s Perfect Plans is about blogger Meg Apperson’s poignant journey of pain and loss. As a young person, her suffering took the form of sexual abuse, a teenage marriage and divorce. As a mother, she watched two of her children fight rare diseases that nearly stole their lives.

Meg Apperson grew up trusting God, but it wasn’t until her daughter was born with a litany of life-threatening birth defects that she began to truly comprehend what it means to trust Him with everything. Amid heartbreak, she not only discovered her own voice, she discovered that God is faithful.

Review

Although I am a Christian and professional memoirist, I have never been a fan of Christian memoirs. Figure that one out and you’ll get a gold star. The problem is that so many authors proselytize rather than tell their story. Apperson, however, invited me into her world without an overabundance of Scripture or Christian jargon. I stood alongside her in emergency rooms, surgical suites, and doctors’ offices. I saw her on her knees. I felt her Mama’s heart breaking. I sensed her despair.

I’m in awe of the author’s ability to see Jesus despite unimaginable challenges. It would be easy for her to have a “poor me” victim’s mentality, but she never sounded sorry for herself. Instead, she accepted and overcame her circumstances by giving God all praise, honor and glory despite them; a feat that is nearly impossible to do while during an epic storm.

If you've ever questioned how God is at work in the darkness, A Sky Full of Stars will inspire and reassure you. Peace CAN be found in suffering. I listened to the audio version, and the narrator was excellent. Brava!


Audience

This memoir will appeal most to parents. Because the author shares insight on being abused, some content is not appropriate for teens or young adults. The book contains a fair amount of medical terminology, but it is not overwhelming.

This is a review of the audiobook narrated by Emily Ellet.

A Sky Full of Stars is the honest, straightforward story of a mother raising a special needs child. Meg and Cody Apperson's daughter, Avery, was born with extensive, life-threatening birth defects. Meg outlines Avery's diagnosis prior to birth, her birth, and all of the obstacles she faced. Then her son was diagnosed with a heart defect and needed surgery. Meg, a Christian, talks of not getting the answers to prayers she wanted, and then of how God taught her perfect peace in every circumstance. She talks of her earlier life, of childhood sexual abuse and a failed marriage, and how Jesus helped her to heal.

This is a story of faith. It is also a story of how someone who had already learned to have faith in God found her faith increasing exponentially in terribly hard times. It is a story that everyone needs to read, and with which everyone who has been through extremely hard times can identify.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a story of faith and God's love.

Emily Ellet does a great job with the narration of the audiobook.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

A SKY FULL OF STARS was sent to me by Net Galley, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review.
Salem Publishers published A SKY FULL OF STARS, Christian Audio and RB Media put out the audiobook, that I listened to. The author of this book is Meg Apperson, and the narrator was Emily Ellet…who I very much enjoyed listening to.
Oh Wow! Where do I begin!?! This book was so inspirational to me! I cried so many tears. But, I was so proud of Meg Apperson, because she went through so many heart wrenching episodes and always stayed close to God. My favorite quote from her was, GRIEF GIVES US JESUS’S EYES!! Wow! Wow! Wow! I just watched my brother struggle through over a month of COVID-19, SEPSIS, & SEVERE DOUBLE PNEUMONIA, and later a STROKE. It was gut wrenching…especially the fact that I couldn’t be there. Thinking of it this way, even though what she went through was much worse, helped me.
I don’t want to give away spoilers about this book, but Meg went through so much, even before she married. She was married twice, and had four babies. Two of her babies had to have major surgeries…Her third baby had debilitating disabilities. She had to watch them hurt and still stand strong for them…AND, SHE DID IT ALL WITH GRACE!!
I did pull out one more quote that I wanted to mention… HE (God) ALLOWS, EQUIPS AND EXPECTS US TO DO THE WORK, SLAY THE BEASTS, AND WIN THE VICTORY.
I only had one problem, that bothered me about this book…Her timeline seemed to be mixed up. We learned about her first marriage after her second marriage…without transition. And, there was nothing to let us know it was a flashback…kind of confusing.
Still, I would MOST DEFINITELY recommend this book/audiobook to any adult!

I loved the title of this book, and I really enjoyed A LOT the voice of Emily Ellet, she did a great job encapsulating the feelings and emotions in this book, great narrator. This is a real story and it is full of unexpected news for a mom. Is the story of her delivery and choices with doctors. Exasperation, disbelief, expectations crushed, you will get all her feels. I think this book could be a great gift for moms who deal with unexpected issues with the life of their children. It may be a little bit annoying if you don´t like to read about medical conditions, the author shares in-depth what they were going through. Expect 5 hours 37 minutes of pain, hardship, and a mom who tries to endure news after news of trials. Expect to be amazed by her sincerity, endurance and faith. All the time you will remember this: you can not do anything to sustain someone´s life or health, you are not in control... and to know that is to rest and know who really holds life together, yours and your family´s too.

This is an absolutely stunning and relevant memoir on trusting God and letting Him in our lives. It teaches you how to see God in the darkness and difficult times and let Him guide and lead our hearts. I adore this book!

Wow. This is a book the world needs.
A gripping memoir of unknowns, grief, and redemption, Apperson’s journey of faith and motherhood will keep you captivated, and leave you basking in the glory of the King. Apperson walks us through what many would consider a pure nightmare, and teaches us how God can and does work all together for good. I love how real the author is about all aspects of her life. She doesn’t sugarcoat how she felt, what she said, or how she struggled internally. She gives us the raw, real, painstaking moments of her journey. In doing so, we fully get to enjoy the fruit on the other side of grief. Her days are not magically better nor has all pain and difficulty left her life. The Lord has refined her, and she has found joy in the path He has given her to walk. No matter what storm we are facing (and let me tell ya, everybody’s got something), Apperson’s faith has something to teach us all. I was so encouraged by this book, and felt seen, despite reading through someone else’s story. Thank you, Meg, for documenting your heart and life for all of us to learn from.
I received this audiobook, via Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

“Do you trust me?” This simple line used through Meg Apperson’s new release speaks volumes and gripped me from the beginning. Having a medical background, I was immediately intrigued by the diagnosis Avery had and how Meg and her family were able to triumph even through difficult times.

Sometimes as a Christian, I find that I expect all unicorns and rainbows. Meg’s ability to show that God hasn’t left us even in the darkest of days helped me realize that struggles can lead to the brightest times. Meg speaks about Averys complications from day one and how she felt like she was failing as mother. Her writing is so raw and authentic it made my heart ache right along with her. Having to make life and death decisions for not one, but two children simultaneously, is something I cannot fathom. Yet, Meg shows us that you can find light by sitting through the darkest of days and allowing God to lead you through. As she says to us in this book, you cannot deny the pain to make it go away, sometimes you need to live it. God will be there to bring you through.

While listening to this audiobook, I sometimes wondered if the large amount of medical jargon and complex terminology may limit the understanding of a lay person’s reading. Don’t get me wrong, I loved that it was written this way as I am a highly trained medical professional. But, I do worry some of the severity of Avery’s condition will be left misunderstood. You can still get so much from this book without knowing all of those things, but I do think more explanations or use of layman’s terms would have made it more beneficial for some readers.

I was moved by this memoir. The two things that struck me the most were your lines “Do you trust me” and “God doesn’t care how happy you make others if you do it by telling lies.” I know I need to listen more carefully to what God says and learn to trust Him more. Avery’a life and struggles will move mountains. Thanks for taking the plunge and writing this book. Thank you and God Bless!

Wow. Where do I even start? I have followed Meg for many years. I have followed Avery's journey and grown to love this family that I have never met. When Meg said she was writing a book, I jumped as soon as I could click pre-order. I was not disappointed. Meg has suffered. She has faced some of the worst things that any mother can ever face.. things that no one should have to endure. She has suffered and come out stronger. I am inspired and reminded of how much God still holds us even when the oceans are rising.

The narrator was 5 stars. I would listen to anything she is reading.

As for the book..... POWERFUL!!! MOVING!! I need to buy this immediately for my mother on publication day

Where do I even begin. If I could buy this for everyone I would! The words within this book are filled with so much hope, strength, humbleness before God & the reminder that we are not in control but that God is & He knows what he's doing we just need to TRUST him with ALL things even when that mean we let go of even our kids into his hands. Meg Appersons words are truly a blessing to have heard & are such an encouragement that we have a God of miracles who will see us through each and every season never leaving our side. I absolutely loved this book & very much plan on buying a copy because I need this on my self. A beautiful book.