In a very open and honest way, Ben Higgins, makes himself open and vulnerable to show the reader that they are not alone in their feeling of disconnect, of being on the outside looking in. Never before has society been so isolated and lonely. Through personal experience and a number of actual accounts from others, he makes the point of a need for connections in our lives with others and with God. Though somewhat repetitive at times, he makes a great argument of our need for one another.

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!

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.

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.

This wasn’t what I was expecting from this book but I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you want a Christ-driven self-help book, then this is it. Finding someone in the spotlight who is so open and honest about the individual battles they face everyday is really eye opening. It was very well written and easy to digest.

I've followed Ben for years since I first learned of him on the Bachelorette so I was excited to read his book! This is a very uplifting and inspirational book. I loved when he shared his personal stories, especially when he talked about his Bachelorette/Bachelor days. However, this isn't a Bachelor tell-all. It's essentially a Christian self-help book. I've known he was religious so I loved reading this book where he shared his faith and did it in such an inspirational way. He had other stories from people he's met along the way and those were very touching. I enjoyed learning more about his Generous Coffee company that he founded back in 2017. I think this is the perfect outlet for him to share his message. I also really enjoyed the writing and I'm so curious how much of it was Ben versus his writer.

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Being a fan of The Bachelor and having watched Ben's season, I knew what kind of person he was and how much he stuck to his morals. The book starts where he mentions a girl suffering from cystic fibrosis and how her friend reached out to him to send her a message of encouragement and he did just that on her Instagram page and he later asked for her number and then they started messaging back and forth and became fast friends. I love how Ben makes a point to allow human connection in your life and just because you are single does not mean you have to be alone and if you open your heart, people will come. I knew he was down to earth but now reading Alone in Plain Sight I see how open he can be and how sincere and honest he is which made me even more of a fan. Regardless if our library community has seen the Bachelor, I think they will appreciate the honesty and sincerity Ben has to offer in this book.

We will consider adding this title to our Biography collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.