
Member Reviews

Now and not yet was such a sweet and encouraging book. Ruth Chou Simon’s shares a great love for her readers in this book and deeply encourages one who might be struggling during a season of hardship or waiting. She reminds us and gives advice in how to remain steadfast and positive during this season and also motivates her readers to continue in pursuit of the paths that drive us. God gives us those gifts or passions for a reason, and through every trial, we are blessed for persevering.

I didn’t know how much I needed this book in my life right now, let alone the first time I read it during it's launch. I love how much this book can apply to anyone’s life right now. I don’t know a single person who won’t get their cup filled by this book and walk away with applicable knowledge and skills to use right away. Highly recommend!

Now and Not Yet is a beautiful book by Ruth Chou Simons, giving hope to those of us who are living the not-there-yet days. She reflects on God and what God does through different seasons in our lives, and how hoping to be somewhere else just is not the best for us. There is compassion on the pages of this book, and yet it is full of encouragement for this season.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought Ruth did a great job explaining how to live in the tension of now and not yet. I appreciated her transparency and vulnerability.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Now and Not Yet by Ruth Chou Simons
A Beautiful, Hopeful Reminder to Lean Into the Present.
💛 I highlighted so much of Now and Not Yet on my Kindle that I lost count. Ruth Chou Simons has a way of speaking directly to the heart, reminding us that even in seasons of waiting, uncertainty, or hardship, God is fully present and at work.
Having just walked through my fifth cancer diagnosis and all the side effects that come with it, this book met me right where I am. It reminded me to focus on right now—not just what’s ahead—and to trust that God is in complete control. It also brought me so much understanding about the waiting in both my business and personal life. Being off work from my full-time job has been incredibly challenging, but Now and Not Yet helped me see this season with fresh perspective and renewed faith.
This book is inspiring, practical, and full of biblical truth. I can’t wait to purchase a physical copy when it’s published on April 9th. If you’re feeling restless in your current season, Now and Not Yet will help you see that God isn’t wasting a single moment. Highly recommend!
#read

Unfortunately I was unable to finish this book. It felt like a lot of saying nothing. Many words, not saying anything at all. All the chapters I did read felt the same. Me me me, I want I want I want, and then some Scripture thrown in there for good measure. I need to be seen, I need to be known, I’m so restless, diapers! But God! Now maybe the thoughts are less scrambled as you continue on but I just couldn’t do it. It wasn’t for me.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

This was such a captivating read. I really enjoyed reading something that wasn't fiction and helped uplift my thoughts!

I’ve yet to read a Ruth Chou Simons book that didn’t meet me exactly where I needed to be met! From unmet expectations and dreams to longings for “someday,” Ruth encourages us to press deeper into Jesus and reframe our thoughts on how God wants us to use and thrive in the less than ideal & often lonely waiting seasons we find ourselves in. A truly powerful and thought-provoking read!
*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

I had not read Ruth Simons and was presently surprised to read such a beautiful and powerful message. Being in the moment sometimes is hard to understand but if look at our situations with God at the helm of our moments we can get through anything. I have found a new author to read.

Great reminder of what to do when in a season of uncertainty and discomfort! A lot of the themes Ruth went over are ones my husband and I have been talking about recently as we think about our future aspirations. I liked her inclusion of life stories and Bible stories to make it more applicable. Also the cover is stunning!

Great short book about waiting and God's perspective on it. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! It is so hard to be patient but this book sheds light on the beauty in waiting on God

This book was such a comforting read, full of encouragement and reminders of the gospel for those who are dealing with disappointments in life. I was recently hospitalized for major health complications and grappling with a painful recovery has been more trying than I expected. This book came to me at the exactly right time. I definitely recommend it

I loved this writing style, but the content wasn’t it for me. Felt very surface level and not as in depth as if like.

I found this book much more relatable and enjoyable than similar books. It wasn’t full of overly cheery and optimistic support. It held a nice tone to meet readers where they are and the reassurance they need if they are feeling unfulfilled. I gathered many quotes from this book to keep as a daily reminder. Thank you for allowing me to read this.

An excellent read for anyone who feels frustrated or stuck in their season of life. My type A, overachieving personality really resonated with Ruth's writing style, and I found this book to be very encouraging and convicting.
One of the many quotes I highlighted: "Feeling restless and unsatisfied is exactly where we need to be in order for God to shape us and take us where he wants us to go."

Ruth Chou Simons explores the difficult topic of disappointment and waiting with a Christian lens in a way that truly is beautiful and encouraging to those who read this book. The tension and struggles we face on this earth are not unique to Christians, but she makes a point to encourage us to face these experiences with a trust in God's goodness and faithfulness. The now and not yet principle helps to remind us that we must hold on to the hope of God's promises through all things, even when He feels far away. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me access to this book as an ARC on NetGalley.

For anyone waiting, wondering, hoping... Ruth gives a loving shoulder and Biblical truth to help you through!

Now and Not Yet is a heartfelt and inspiring read that really resonates! 💖 Ruth Chou Simons dives deep into the struggle many of us face when our present moment feels far from our dreams and aspirations. Instead of pushing us to ignore our current struggles, Ruth encourages us to embrace them, reminding us that it's okay to feel restless and dissatisfied.
With her signature blend of biblical truth and personal reflection, she shares how the challenges we face can actually be gifts from God, helping us grow and learn. ✨ Her practical guidance, including five transformative ways to change our perspective on tough seasons, is incredibly uplifting.
Through guided liturgies and compassionate insights, Ruth helps us understand that our "right now" matters and encourages us to lean into it rather than check out. If you’re feeling stuck or anxious about your future, this book is a beautiful reminder that you’re not alone and that God is present in every moment. A must-read for anyone seeking hope and encouragement in their current season! 📖🙏

This is my first time reading anything by Ruth Chou Simon’s and I can say, this book is amazing. I recommend this book to everyone, no matter their season. But I will say I’m in my wilderness right not and this book puts things in such great perspective!
You definitely can use this book like a devotional or with a book club. Don’t simply read it….. Apply it!

I am a young mom with a baby and a toddler, so I’m right in the season to read this book. Maybe it’s because I read a different book on contentment that resonated with me more, but to be honest I found this book to be a bit repetitive and lacking a certain amount of depth. Most moms need to read a book like this, but maybe this one isn’t a necessity in itself. It’s fine, and I appreciate the author putting herself out there. I personally just didn’t find it to be greatly helpful.