After struggling to find words to describe feelings I’ve wrestled with for years, I found this book that opened my eyes to the realities of why many of us crave to be loved, understood and seen. This book was a literal answer to prayer. Whitney took the time to include psychology studies, and deep dive word studies giving me new insight to life struggles. Overlooked offers a perspective that is fresh and relevant to the current culture that is saturated in self promotion. This book includes biblical truths referenced throughout its pages as well as practical ways to walk confidently with Christ. Through vulnerable stories from Whitney’s own journey, biblical stories, and studies, I learned more about God being a God who sees and knows me. Anytime an author is able to inspire me to walk in a way that honors the truths of God, I can’t help but recommend it to everyone I know. This is one of those books! I have now read it three times and it’s covered in highlighter.

As I close the final pages of this book, I'm left feeling like the author never really made her point. Overwhelmingly, I'm left with the sense that she believes we are all insecure human beings seeking approval in very specific ways and not getting it, then she peppered the book with references to the idea that God sees us...without elaborating on that truth anywhere near as much as she lingers on the psychology of brokenness. The truths about God feel like simple statements of fact that are intended to comfort us, but if you don't "get it" on your own, then too bad. She could just have easily said, "The sky is blue" as "God sees you" and the effect would have been the same. "You're longing to be seen; the sky is blue. You want to know you matter; the sky is blue." It was just an incredible disconnect that I couldn't seem to find resolution for.

There are places where the author uses words that are painfully not the right word, not the word that makes the most sense for what she is trying to convey, and it's distracting. There are other places where she latches onto a single word (sometimes, the wrong word) and uses it excessively until you feel like that's the only word you've read in the past four pages.

I also confess that I have a bit of a bias here. I am weary - and I mean WEARY - of books where the author talks excessively about how God called them to be a writer. Where they talk about all the writing they do and how they work really hard to make sure their heart is on the pages and the process of their writing and the challenge of their writing. Where they continue to make reference to themselves on the public stage. It creates an immediate distance between author and reader when the author keeps talking about the stage they are stepping up onto; you always feel yourself as a reader just sitting in the regular chairs like a bump on a log while they go off into a life of performance. And then, you feel like their life of performance diminishes the quality of their words - are they just performing on this page? (I will also add, I don't think God calls ANYONE to be a writer; I think God calls us to tell His stories and ours, and if you think you're a writer but your major emphasis is not on your story or God's story but on you being a writer...you're not a writer. You're a performer, a poser, and there's something immediately inauthentic about you. That's why books like this bug me.)

One more note: I'm also not sure why women think they have to write books just for women. I don't get into the whole "girls club" thing. If you have a truth, speak a truth, and don't temper it by claiming it's for other women. Truth is for everyone. When authors try to create a sisterhood, I'm out. We're not besties. We should not assume friendship or some kind of unspoken camaraderie, and in fact, I don't relate to much of this author's experience in dealing with the issues presented in this book; we are wired differently. So the assumption that my life and heart are much like hers just because we're both women - because she's a woman talking to other women - was a big miss for me.

The book has potential. It just fell short in too many ways to connect with me on a meaningful level in this season.

You are seen by God and you don’t need to work or fight for the attention of anyone else. Rather than living to be seen, walk in meekness and seek to serve, despite feelings of inadequacy. That is the general message of this lovely book. A message that I think is very timely in a day and age where social media and getting likes are so prevalent.

Thank you NetGalley and Leafwood Publishers for this Advance Reader Copy. All views expressed in this review are my own.

I very much enjoyed the author’s exegesis of the name “El Roi” (God who sees) and the different verses that are all about seeing. I also enjoyed going through the stories of different Biblical characters and noting the pattern in the way God saw and then led them.

Unfortunately for me, this book mostly addresses the more common issues of people who feel overlooked: feeling unqualified, lacking confidence, feeling like God doesn’t care about you or sees you, shyness, comparison, insecurities, etc. Things you can learn to walk through with God, stepping out more and more into what He has called you to do. It is all solid advice, but it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting from the book. It does not really address the issue of feeling overlooked due to isolating circumstances that are beyond your control, like debilitating illness; circumstances that halt opportunities for social interactions and serving altogether.

But despite that, some of the general ideas still apply to everyone: God sees you, look to Him to guide you, intimacy with Him is key.

The author was very open and honest about her own insecurities and experiences of feeling overlooked and the way God led her through it, which I think will be very helpful for those who struggle with similar issues to hers. If you are not shy or insecure, this book may feel a little like a sermon that just wasn’t for you but still made some solid points.

Overlooked.
I am loved by the God who sees. I have read Chapter 2 twice, and before my time expires in accessing it freely on NetGalley, I will need to read it again.

I am where I am, as I am, in the plan of God. I do not direct my own steps, any more than Adam and Eve directed their own way. They made foolish decisions; and as a consequence had to leave the garden paradise that was their home. Their relationship with God was radically altered. BUT….

The Lord God provided for them in their present need, clothing them in their nakedness, and promising them provision for their greater need in the future. Indeed, the defeat of the serpent was foretold in the earliest chapters of the historical record.

Please know I love You, Father. Please know I welcome Your seeing eye upon me all my days. I thank You for such grace and mercy, for You are good, and do good to all.

Another reflection:

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:14,16)

“We reconcile our need to be seen, and our fear of being seen, in Jesus.” (page 31 of Overlooked.)

Without the reality of the gospel of salvation, we will always be open to comparing ourselves with another- sometimes favourably, often unfavourably, depending on the wiring of our individual personalities. Sadly, it’s not only common in the world, but among God’s people, which prompts Paul to write to the Roman church, “not to think of himself (yourselves)more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

Jesus Christ has opened up the way for us to God his Father, and taught His disciples the Lord’s prayer, and has taught us what it really means to love God with all our heart in the first sermon he ever preached.
The author to the Hebrews encourages his persecuted brethren to “remember Jesus” in their affliction. Remember what? For one thing, that He was approved by God, and that through resurrection and ascension He has been reunited to the Father, there to be our faithful High Priest.

His intimate knowledge of each one of his children ensures that His prayers are appropriate and practical, and the help that we need in our weakness will be given. We will not be overlooked! We cannot be overlooked!.
However, in those times I feel overwhelmed, confused, lonely and afflicted, and am stabbed with the loneliness of regret and shame, I can remember Jesus.

“What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear,
O what a privilege to carry,
Everything to God in prayer..”

I can recognize the times of temptation to worry and be downcast as moments of spiritual warfare. I can pray. I will pray. I determine to pray, and to stand firm in the faith, knowing that painful times will come, when my identity as Your child will be under attack. Mercy and grace is at my disposal from the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

I am a child of God, beloved by the Father, redeemed by the Son, being molded by the Holy Spirit. I am the object of my Father’s love that knows no limits. I will see myself “through Your eyes”, Heavenly Father. Blessed be Your Name.

( I have posted this as a review. If a book prompts a reader to reflect earnestly on his own life, and draws him to pray and to worship, it is surely a book to strongly recommend.)

This book is a must-read for all who have ever felt overlooked and unseen. Overlooked is a thoughtful, biblically based reflection on the reality, causes, and remedies when our need for attention is coupled with insecurities and social withdrawal. “Does anybody see me?” is a heart-cry addressed with empathy, kindness, and transforming biblical truth. The author brings a fresh perspective by sharing her own struggles and skillfully weaving the stories of biblical personalities to reveal the “God Who Sees.” Finally, she voices a message on behalf of younger generations who face accelerating pressures from social media. This a valuable resource for women’s Bible study groups, personal reflection, or mother/daughter conversations.

It's always nice to read a book that confirms that God sees us and is always there for us. I enjoyed Akin's story of Overlooked because of this. I am giving it three stars. The writing is good and the message is clear! I think my favorite takeaway is how she came up with the title! It summed up feelings I have had from time to time during my life.

Thanks a bunch to NetGalley for the ARC.