This is a very vulnerable and personal account rather than a tell all book. It touches on the importance of connection and hope in times when we feel alone or unwanted. Heavy Christian themes throughout but even as someone not Christian-identifying there was value in the messages behind them.

“We may may alone in plain sight, but none of us are, we can be here for one another. All we have to do is reach out”

So full disclosure I was hoping for some semi-juicy gossip but of course Ben is too good of a man for that - so Bachelor fans: if you're looking for any insider information... it's not in here. Not even in the "Lauren" Chapter - he just explains that it fell apart quickly and they didn't even want to see each other in person and one time he ran the other way when he saw her.

This is Ben's journey for accepting himself, connection and faith. He is raw and authentic and a really good human (and I mean that, not sarcasm). He has so much kindness, poise and you can really tell he's trying to spread positivity and help people.

Full disclosure: this is very much a self-help, spirituality book and there is a heavy emphasis on religion/God.

Overall, a nice read. Ben is a great human and this is a very uplifting book which I think will connect deeply to many.

ALONE IN PLAIN SIGHT
By Ben Higgins

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ @simplytroy - #BookedBySimplyTroy

Being vulnerable in any facet of this world can be an overwhelming and stifling expenditure of energy, but in his first book, “Alone in Plain Sight” Ben Higgins handles his inspirational stories with welcoming ease to the reader. He’s a fully realized person as you dive deeper into Ben and his innate desire for society to appreciate making meaningful connections in life and with one another. He’s a deeper individual and more than just “The Bachelor” from ABC’s hit show and reading about the experiences he allows us in on provides a deeper understanding of the kind and decent man he strives to be in his daily life.

I’m lucky enough to have actually spent time with Ben when I did Ashley Iaconetti and Jared Haibon’s wedding in August 2019 as their wedding planner and without a doubt, Ben is not only an excellent and inspiring public speaker, but he genuinely radiates a caring and appreciative spirit that is felt from old friends to new acquaintances.

You will discover stories that hit your heart, provide you with “AHA” moments that shine a light into your own life story, and make you stop to think about what YOU want out of your own life.

I’m a more spiritual person and the book is categorized under CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ISSUES, but I think it would be best to call it a Christian Inspirational Story.

There are many Bible passages and mentions about God and Jesus throughout and don’t be disappointed when you don’t get a ton of dishy gossip on THE BACHELOR franchise if that’s what you think it will be about because it is not.

The nuggets of inspiration sit in my heart and I’m thrilled that he used his platform for good and to bring inspiration and light to many in our world right now as we all deal with the loneliness of being in a global pandemic.

I loved the piece of advice from Ben’s friend that he includes that I think can be used for anything in life from broken relationships to failed business ventures and more when she said, “Man’s rejection is God’s protection.” I loved that quote and now it sits in my head when something doesn’t go the way I think it should have played out.

Also, right at the end of the book, he mentions a bunch of life anecdotes in a paragraph that he didn’t cover in the book and I was like “Wait! What? I want to hear all of these stories!!!” That definitely left me wanting more.

It’s a fast read and without a doubt, you’ll find something within the book to connect to your own life and help you connect with others once you put the book down. Don’t allow yourself to be alone in plain sight in this lifetime. Reach out and connect. Your heart and life will be better for it.

Happy reading, ya’ll!

Simply Booked,
Troy
@simplytroy #BookedBySimplyTroy

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for my copy of Alone in Plain Sight in exchange for my honest review.

Ben Higgins, star of the 20th season of the Bachelor is known by many, but is HE really known. Alone in Plain Sight is Ben’s completely vulnerable memoir of how he found his authentic connection with others, with God, and with himself.

If you’re looking for a “Bachelor Tell-All”, this isn’t the book for you. However, if you’re a fan of fan-fave Ben Higgins, then I’d definitely recommend this book. I will note, this book is a little more faith-based than I expected, not in a bad way at all, but important to know before you dive into this one.

I’ve always been a fan of Ben and what I’ve seen for his kind soul and ability to give grace to others. His IG bio has one of my favourite quotes, “Be kind, for everyone you know is fighting a hard battle,” and this book is essentially Ben’s “battle”.

There’s something about Ben’s storytelling that makes you feel less alone and his memoir showcases his true vulnerabilities behind “the perfect Ben”. Sharing experiences of his own life and the lives of his friends, Ben recounts how he lost and found God. As genuine and kind as Ben seems, his writing and his experiences are raw and an excellent portrayal of his personality.

Content warnings: Cancer, car accident, addition, cystic fibrosis, fertility problems

If you're just looking for a Bachelor tell all, this book isn't it--it's so much better. Ben's authenticity shines through every page of Alone in Plain Sight. While reading about how Ben went from feeling seen but not known to realizing that he wasn't the only one feeling that way, I came to the same realization. How powerful? It was moving to join Ben as he relived the journey he's been working through with God. His transformation from the inside out and the way he's using his platform for good is inspiring. Alone in Plain Sight feels like a deep and honest conversation with a friend--the kind that Ben wants us to have in our lives. This book is challenging and comforting at the same time. I would definitely recommend it. Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC.

Bachelor Nation rejoice! Today Ben Higgins’ book finally hits the shelves!

Higgins, known for when he said he felt “unlovable” and then split from the winner of his own season, brings forth a book about feeling like an outsider- there, but not completely connected with others. Higgins, in his own vulnerability, discovered a common thread of the human experience- otherness. This common thread begs the question, are we really outsiders? Or rather is otherness something we perceive to be true when it isn’t? Higgins digs deep and delves into connecting with the self, others, and God in this soul searching work.

The biggest thing I loved in this book was Higgins’ willingness to share his experiences. From his questionable moments to his successes and everything between, Higgins allows himself to be an open book to the reader. This gave me a sense of realistic honesty that was refreshing. Higgins wasn’t pretending to have all the answers, but he is able to point out the important features in his own walk that could benefit someone else who is struggling.

Higgins also makes connections in a variety of stories through a variety of people. This was helpful to see that he himself has made an effort to connect differently with all kinds of people. As Higgins’ faith grew, so did his ability to connect. This is interesting because it shows the overall connectedness of each part of his work. Each connection is helped by the others, again and again.

Sometimes Higgins is a little wordy to get to his point in the stories he shares, however this is less a critique and more an observation. Higgins is a storyteller and seems to find story as his main method of connectivity, so it seems fitting that when sharing about connecting this would be the method he would use. Higgins doesn’t need to spell things out for readers if he can use a story just as effectively.

In the end, I gave this book 5 stars! Higgins really hit on something for me, so the reading was easy and engaging (and the little bachelor comments here and there certainly didn’t hurt). I would definitely recommend this book to bachelor fans and christians alike!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was the perfect way to start 2021!! The past year has been such a trying time for many reasons, and reading Ben's book created a sense of community and and understanding that was so needed. I've always struggled with imposter syndrome in every area of my life and have felt constantly out of place and different that my friends. To learn that someone I respect so deeply has felt the same things, provided me so much comfort. This book offers incredibly personal testimonies from Ben and the people in his life that are both affirming and encouraging. I love his transparency about the depths of his loneliness, while also bringing light and hope to the conversation without being too preachy. The faith-based foundation of the book and has inspired me to add prayer and spirituality back into my daily life! If you're feeling lonely, seriously go read this book!

I really enjoyed reading Alone in Plain Sight by one of my favorite Bachelors, Ben Higgins.

In the book he talks about rejection, relationships, real life struggles and stories from him and some of the people in his life.

I recommend to anyone that feels the struggle of being alone. Very inspiring, Christ-driven, very open and honest.

One of my favorite paragraphs/quotes that I have read over and over from the book is: “A true friend extends grace by accepting me where I am. They listen without being shocked and speak truth to me without judgement. A real friend sees through my excuses and gently confronts me with truth. It is easy to love me at my best, but real love and true relationship love me at my worst. That’s the hardest and most necessary type of grace. A friend doesn’t have to approve of what I’ve done to accept me as a person. Grace accepts without having to approve. Then real grace works to help me move past my failures and become the person I was created to be.”

I received an ARC from the publisher and being on the book launch team for my honest review.

#aloneinplainsight

This is a book of hope. Ben gives so many situations from multiple people who have gone through trying times and shows how they overcome those tough situations. Times when it felt like they should have no hope but they did. We all struggle with feeling seen and we all go through dark times, but if we keep God close to our heart we are never really alone and never fully in the dark. Ben does a great job through this book to show that and give anyone who may be struggling a lens to look through to tell them, you are not alone. You are seen!

The author starts out by telling of an incident when he felt rejected by all of his peers when he was only 7.
As an adult, he participated in the Bachelorette Show and publicly opened up to a girl about his feelings of vulnerability and people responded on the show and on social media that they too felt alone and not accepted by others.
Then we are introduced to the Biblical story of the Samaritan woman at the well and how Jesus talked to her as a human and offered her a fresh start.
Annie, a 22 year old with deadly cystic fibrosis tells Ben (the author) that life is short and a gift and asks "How will we use it?" This makes Ben question how he faced life and how life is a gift from God and it should be savored.
He then introduces us to Brandon who lost his mobility in a skiing accident and decided to be a "victor" in life instead of a "victim" and decided that he was an active participant in his own survival and that he would open up his life to other people to help them and receive help from them.
Ben then tells about a missions trip he took to Honduras where the people in the village lived in shacks made of plastic bags and drank and bathed in filthy water. He and a group of people developed a group called Humanity and Hope to help people in places like Honduras with a mission:
1.Infrastructure (shelter and clean water)
2. Economy (through developing income-producing opportunities)
3. Community
4. Health
5. Education
6. Leadership development
This organization works in places like Honduras to provide people with clean water and opportunity.
You will learn what one person learned to do in the face of loneliness and rejection to give his life meaning and hope.

Learning more about the man behind the scenes was fascinating. Ben writes a candid and honest book about his faith and it was an inspiring read. If you're part of bachelor nation, then you'll love this book. And if you're not, you will relish in hearing the story of how this man came to be!

Even if you aren't familiar with the ins and outs of the hit TV shows "The Bachelor/Bachelorette", you know enough to know that the show shines a bright spotlight on it's cast.

When Ben Higgins confessed to the world that he felt ‘unlovable’ during his time on "The Bachelorette", he became America's favorite bachelor. Now, in his book, "Alone in Plain Sight", Ben shares why he felt unworthy along with what has shaped him into the man he is today.

In this very honest and personal memoir, Ben shares the lessons he has learned about connecting with yourself, others, and religion. He shares insights on asking hard questions, even when no real answer is always available. Ben doesn’t use his celebrity status to push simple fixes, but instead uses his familiar face and name to let his readers know that they all have a live that matters.

As a fan of the Bachelor franchise, I have been following Ben for years now and also listened to his podcast for some time. I always knew he was a great guy, but reading this book made it even more clear. It was a relatable and quick read. He starts by sharing about how he always felt like an outsider- truly felt like I was reading about my life in this section. He shares stories of incredible friends of his, that are both inspiring and challenging. Throughout the book, he intertwines stories from the Bible into each section, and devotes a full two Chapters to it as well. I am not as deep in my Faith as him, but it definitely didn't ruin the book for me, but rather increased my desire to dig deeper.

The entire time he speaks about the importance of connection which is so needed especially in these times. Ben's stories of how others have inspired him to do better and give back will no doubt inspire readers towards kindness, connection and generosity. Great work Ben!

I received a free copy of this book as part of being on the book launch team.

How many of us feel unlovable? Misunderstood? Alone? In this book, Ben shares his raw and vulnerable thoughts and stories, intertwined with the journey’s of others. He explores connection within the context of relationship with self, others, and God and challenges the leader to courageously step into those connections. I really enjoyed this book and think there were many important concepts explored in this book!

Alone in Plain Sight is an honest, relatable piece by Ben Higgins. Through this book, I laughed and cried but most importantly, I realized that I wasn’t alone. Ben’s ability to tell stories and make others feel seen is one of my favorite aspects of this book. He grapples with many things that people are constantly questioning, but don’t know how to talk about it. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “Life matters most when shared, both the joys and the pains, the profound moments as well as the most ordinary. That’s what connecting looks like. It is being present without having an agenda, loving another both at their best and their worst.”

While Ben does talk about his experience on the Bachelor, I appreciated that was not the majority of his book. Instead, he used the platform that he was given to provide readers with more important things. With that being said, this book is more religious than I expected but Ben’s wisdom and ability to get his message across effectively contributes to the brilliance of the book.

Thanks for a great read, Ben. If you are contemplating reading this book, I highly recommend it.

This is a fantastic, relevant, emotional memoir. Yes, there is a little about his time as a bachelor on Jojo's season of Bachelorette and then when he was the Bachelor but it was so much more than that. Everything Ben says about loneliness and being the outsider is exactly how I have felt and still feel my whole life. His stories are gut wrenchingly honest and truthful; I really appreciate that he has shared this part of himself with everyone, that takes guts and courage.

This is not just a biography. It is also a motivational and self help book that you are not alone in feeling alone or different from other people. Well written and filled with compassion, and I even like the Bible study too. A highly recommended read from a Bachelor Nation favorite that is not a tell-all book.

I am definitely purchasing this at publication because it echoes my life.

Thanks to Netgalley, Ben Higgins, and Nelson Books Thomas Nelson for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 2/2/21

I am a fan of the bachelor and have listened to Ben’s podcast for a few years now. This book was so much better than I expected. It is not a bachelor tell all but instead Ben’s reflections and lesson he has learned and their connection to Christianity. I think this book has a lot of potential to introduce bachelor fans to Christianity, but they may be disappointed if they are expecting a tell all book. I was pleasantly surprised and proud of Ben for using his platform to share about Christ.

Ben has always fascinated me as a person, as he has always portrayed an unblemished and cookie cutter persona to fans of the Bachelor, which I thought I couldn’t relate to and made me hesitant to read this.

This book proved me wrong! Ben bares the depths of his soul and shows a raw, vulnerable and unfiltered version of himself. His authenticity and passion made it hard for me to put the book down!

Although I don’t share Ben’s Christian faith as an agnostic/humanist, many of the theologically derived lessons and biblical revelations discussed in this book can be broadly applied across the scope of beliefs and lifestyles.

If you feel like an outsider or feel as if you are suffering from a form of “imposter syndrome” in certain parts of your life, then I definitely recommend giving this book a read!

Don't be misled by the emphasis of The Bachelor on the cover of Ben Higgins's first novel, Alone in Plain Sight. This "naked and unashamed" memoir focuses heavily on the stories of those who have most impacted his life, his views on the world, and his faith. Ben manages to navigate the telling of his story in a way that is incredibly relatable and real, as if he is standing beside you, reading his story aloud over your shoulder.

Born into a life that seems perfect on the outside, Ben reveals how struggling with identity can deeply impact everyone. His honesty about everything from doubts in his faith to disappointments in missionary work only help the reader invest more into what he has to say. He's not here to say that his life is great and here's what he did. Instead, Ben reminds us that we are all sinners, fallen short of the glory of God, and we are all alike. All of us.

Once I started Alone in Plain Sight, I could not put it down. Part autobiography, part self-help, and part Bible study, this novel is both eye-opening and challenging. Ben does not hold back on sharing his Christian faith and beliefs as he delves into the life of Jesus, our need for God, and beauty of His Creation. As a Christian, it was a lovely reminder to stop, "slow down" as his friend Matt had to do, and listen for God's whisper in our lowest moments.

I would HIGHLY recommend Alone in Plain Sight which is available for pre-order now. My book club will be reading this for sure :) When you have a chance to read it, please leave your thoughts below!

I have been a fan of Ben Higgins since his Bachelor(ette) days, but I wasn't expecting to connect so deeply to his words. While Ben does share some BTS stuff that Bachelor Nation fans will love, his book speaks to a much larger audience. Ben is a gifted writer who shares his personal struggles that I feel will resonate with every reader in some way, especially in this incredibly isolating time. I felt my own lifelong struggle with human connection reflected in his words, and I left his book feeling hopeful and very inspired by the journey that led him to where he is today at the head of a successful for-purpose company. Personally, one of my biggest reservations about his book is that I didn't think it would be for me, as I do not share Ben's faith; I am pleasantly surprised by how wrong I was. While his book has some references to Christianity that I am sure will be meaningful to those in this community, as an atheist/agnostic, I firmly believe that this book is for everyone. I am honestly so impressed with Ben's writing (where has he been hiding this talent?) and his humility that jumps off these pages. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.