Jameson and his family swam at Looe Key Reef before, the underwater world full of adventure to be seen. Ten-year-old Jameson was following a sea turtle when he was attacked by a “massive” bull shark. When Mary, Jameson mother heard the screaming she knew it was very serious. Nine miles off shore Jameson is raced to shore before it is too late.

What an amazing true story of love, perseverance , and courage. A ten year old boys suffers an enormous life changing event and yet he never loses site of his faith, his hope, or his outlook on life. Jameson’s story sends a powerful message to us all to never lose yourself and it’s only you that holds you back.

I enjoyed this book and its message. It made me think and re evaluate some of my own perspectives on life. I only gave 4 stars instead of 5 because there were more than a handful of typos in the text. Great story to read though

My thoughts are my own, I would like to thank Worthy Publishing and NetGalley for my eARC of this book in an exchange for an honest review.

Rescue at the Reef is one of those rare books that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page—not because of drama for drama’s sake, but because of the raw honesty, strength, and hope woven into every word. Written by Jameson and Mary Reeder, this book recounts the harrowing day their young son, Jameson Jr., was attacked by a shark while enjoying the waters of Looe Key Reef—a place the family knew and loved.

From the opening chapters, the story draws you in with vivid imagery of a beautiful day that turns into a nightmare. But what’s most striking isn’t just the event itself, but everything that follows—the people who were in the right place at the right time, the calm and compassion of little Jameson Jr., and the way God’s hand is seen moving throughout, even in the darkest moments.

This isn’t a preachy book. Faith is central to who the Reeders are, but they’ve done a thoughtful job of making this a book for everyone. They’ve even included a special section in the back with more in-depth reflections for those who want to explore the spiritual side more intentionally. That balance makes this story accessible whether you’re someone of faith or not.

Two things, in particular, stood out to me. First, Jameson Jr. himself. His attitude, his empathy for others—even in the face of unthinkable pain—are nothing short of remarkable. It’s not hard to believe God has something huge in store for him. Second, the way the Reeders have embraced this experience. Instead of shrinking from it, they’ve chosen to see their story as something God entrusted them with, and they’re doing their best to steward it well. That kind of perspective is rare—and deeply inspiring.

If I’m being honest, I kind of wish I knew the Reeders in real life. They come across as people full of kindness, courage, and humility. You get the sense they’re not sharing this story for attention but because they genuinely believe it can bring hope and healing to others.

This book is for everyone, though I would gently caution that if you have trauma connected to water, sharks, or medical emergencies, you might want to approach it with care. That said, for most readers, Rescue at the Reef will be a powerful and life-giving read. It’s a story of tragedy, yes—but even more, a story of community, faith, and resilience. And in the end, it’s a beautiful reminder that even in the most terrifying moments, we are never alone.

Thanks to NetGalley and Worthy Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This story is filled with miracles that is a testimony to God’s power. Jameson’s outlook on life, his strength and courage along with his strong belief in God is such a blessing to all. In this interview like story, Jameson’s parents give a clear account of the shark attack and life before and after. Although repetitive at times, readers will not want to miss this story. Recommended.

Thank you to Worthy Publishing and #netgalley for the ARC of this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.

The story told in this book was absolutely astounding. I couldn’t put it down. The most powerful parts of this book was toward the end when the family talks about their faith during this tragedy. I wish these snippets could have been incorporated more throughout the book. This story is a witness of faith that despite tragic circumstances God never abandons us and will pull us through.

Powerful, moving, and a true testament to the power of God.

Thank you to @worthypub and @netgalley for the advance copy of this incredible book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The events in this book took place in 2022 while the Reeders were on vacation in Florida with their four young children. The Reeder’s son, Jameson Jr., was only 10 years old at the time. What was supposed to be a pleasant, enjoyable day at Looe Key Reef turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.

In waters where no shark had ever been seen Jameson Jr. was violently and viciously attacked by a massive Bull shark.

The book was written from the point of view of both parents. Each one recounted their thoughts and feelings and shared their perspective. I read this aloud with my four children. When we got to the section with the attack it was very emotional. My youngest is 10 years old and just thinking about him being attacked like that brought tears to my eyes.

I appreciated that despite the terrible circumstances the Reeders found themselves in they never lost their faith and trust in God. They acknowledged His hand leading in every step of the way. After the attack happened there were people placed in just the right places at just the right time to help save Jameson Jr.’s life.

I appreciated that the Reeders were very honest as they shared all that transpired and how through the worst time in their life God never left them. I learned a lot from them about experiencing difficulties, remaining faithful to the Lord, and facing fears with God’s help. Swipe through the pictures to read some of my favorite quotes from the book.

As a mother who has prayed her child through a traumatic experience, I highly recommend this read. Mary and Jameson have navigated faith, emotion, and truth well through their writing. It did read a bit like an interview transcript, but that didn't put me off.

Rescue at the Reef is a deeply inspiring and emotionally rich story that follows the life-changing experience of a young boy who survives a shark attack—and how his unwavering faith and positivity become a lifeline not just for himself, but for his entire family.

Rescue at the Reef is an incredible story of the Reeder family's faith, resilience, and drive to persevere in the face of unimaginable difficulty. It was truly incredible to hear how God put all the right pieces into place to save Jameson's life, and how He used the story of their experience to reach so many other people. It's a beautiful illustration of how God use all things for our good and His glory!

I really enjoyed the dual narrator style of the book. The reader alternates hearing from Mary and Jameson Sr, and it really feels like you're sitting down with them to hear their story over coffee. They didn't spend a lot of time on extraneous background information or drag things out, it was succinct and to the point. As a result, every chapter of this book is very impactful and I really just tore through the pages.

I've really been enjoying all the memoirs I've been reading this year, and this one has been one of the best ones yet!

Many thanks to Worthy Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

“Hold on to your loved ones and trust that God will hold on to you.”

This is going to be the next Heaven Is for Real story!! The first few chapters sharing the story and faith of the family were honestly so moving and made for such an emotional read. I also loved the “Spiritual Reflections” feature at the end book that goes into more detail about the authors wanting their story to be geared towards individuals of all faiths and backgrounds and why they withheld many stories regarding their own faith (these stories follow this section for those that do want to read them). Truly an amazing story and family, highly recommend!

What a beautifully hopeful story! On August 13, 2022, Jameson and his wife Mary and their four children were on vacation at the Florida Keys. The Reeders knew and loved the water and were playing in the ocean. They were not doing anything risky whatsoever when ten-year-old Jameson Jr. suddenly screamed. His leg had been destroyed by a bull shark while several miles from the nearest hospital. However, God had orchestrated miracle after miracle every step of the way. A nurse was nearby and another prayed with him before surgery. A chiropractor offered free care for life. Amazingly, though his leg was amputated and he was in much pain, Jameson's absolute trust in God was consistent and unshakeable. He was at peace and had the wisdom to reassure his dad the accident was not his fault. No one was to blame. In the hospital, his goal was to serve and cheer others around him. He had several surgeries and requires more while he is growing. It has not been easy but he allows God to carry him. I love that.

Jameson and his parents are such an inspiration! As Mary writes, our reactions to situations reveal a lot about us. God creates good out of bad. We know His timing is not one minute too early or too late and His plans are bigger than our limited imagination. My takeaways are God's loving kindness, hope, and ways He works through people and situations. Not only that but the story is riveting, well written and emotional. A win-win! I hope to hear or read more about the Reeders in the future.

“Rescue at the Reef” is a powerful and gripping testimony of faith and perseverance.

While it was definitely an emotional read with everything Jameson Jr. and his family went through, I also found myself in awe of all the miracles that took place following the tragedy. What really stood out to me was Jameson’s bravery and the strength he (and his family) found in Jesus. Truly a testament of how Jesus can take the most nightmarish situations devised by the enemy and use it for good.

I also enjoyed getting to read the story from both parent’s perspectives (it alternates throughout). Though this did lead to some overlap in information, I loved how it highlighted their different thoughts and reactions to what they experienced.


Thank you to Worthy Publishing who gave me the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. All opinions are mine.

This was a fantastic book about a young boy overcoming a horrific event and his faith in God. I laughed, cried, and felt their devotion, love, and faithfulness to God. It was wonderfully written and read smoothly. I had a hard time putting it down. May this family continue to be blessed by God and I believe Jameson Jr will grow up to do great things through God.

In the vein of #1 New York Times bestseller Soul Surfer, this inspiring story of loss and resilience follows the Reeder family after a horrific shark attack.

This is a true story of an amazing young man and how his life changed in a second. It tells of grace, miracle after miracle events, and will touch your heart. (Make sure you have kleenex nearby.) An amazing story and uplifting story of faith, trust in God and perseverance.

A must read!

I was sent an advance rough draft copy to read from the publisher but was under no obligation to give a favorable review. This is my honest opinion of the book.

I really loved this book. I had not heard about this story prior to reading it and I had a hard time putting it down. The point of view jumps between the mom and dad but I did not find this distracting, I actually think they did a good job of filling blanks in for each other. Most importantly, I really enjoyed reading out their faith in God through out the whole story. Thanks for NetGalley for the ARC.

Wow! This was an amazing book about a small boy's faith and courage! No one expects a shark attack in a safe area, especially as it had never happened there before. It was a nightmare for the family when the incident happened, however, as the authors later recall, help was immediate, as both strangers and friends went out of their way to provide first aid and support them during those first few horrible hours. It is inspiring to see the little boy's faith pulling them along, as he talks about seeing Jesus and sings a worship song even though he had already lost a lot of blood.
The authors talk a lot about the practical problems they faced during their hospital stay, keeping Jameson occupied and handling the media and curious people. There is also a bit about how the authors met and such.
I am truly surprised to read about such calm acceptance of the situation in Jameson Jr. In the last few chapters, they talk about how he gets back on his feet using the prosthetic leg, and does not let anything stop him, even going back to the very place where he was attacked, as he wanted to get over his fear. Both the authors did an great job narrating the story from their points of view.
Its a book filled with encouragement on facing one's fears. A truly wonderful testimony! Prayers for the family.
Thank you, Netgalley and Worthy Publishing for the ARC!

I requested this title thinking it was more about the day of, as opposed to the journey of healing. Regardless, this was a moving story. I thought the dual narration might put me off, but it really didn't! I love to read about the way God works in the lives of everyday people. He is so good! Junior has spirit and a heart of gold. What an experience this must've been to live through.

An incredible story of the strength of a little boy and his family. Told through the perspectives of his parents, we are told the story of the day their son was attacked by a shark. The writing goes back and forth between mom and dad, almost as if you are watching a documentary. It's an inspiring story full of hope! Thank you, Netgalley for the ARC!

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and Worthy Publishing for an ARC of this book. my review and opinion of what I read are my own.

This book tells the story of Jameson Reeder, Jr, told by his parents. Jameson was attacked by a bullhead shark in August 13, 2022. Jameson and his family have a strong faith in Jesus and Christianity. Through the telling of Jameson's story, Jameson Sr and Mary really portray an excellent portrayal of their faith and how their belief helped their son and family overcome the shark attack.

I loved the pace and straight forward telling of Rescue at the Reef. Jameson Sr and Mary mention how their faith in Jesus and being Christian played a role in what happened, but this story can be read comfortably for anyone of any faith. I love how they share Jesus's love without forcing their views on the readers.

I love how strong and faithful Jameson Jr is. He was so brave to get through his trauma. He doesn't let his amputated leg get him down, and still plays baseball and does everything a normal kid does. He has such a big heart! I love how he isn't afraid to share his story or faith with anyone.

I think this story can be read by anyone of any age. It's a great book about survival and overcoming your fears and getting back out there.

First of all, beautiful story, tears were shed for sure. I loved getting to know the Reeder family throughout this emotional read.
I will say though it was a pretty confusing read. Without much rhyme, reason, or context we were thrown around the story’s timeline. There was even a section right in the middle that randomly jumped to Mr and Mrs Reeders love story.
I felt like all the information was pertinent and added to the story, it just felt a little like whiplash when you went back and forth without warning. It also contributed to a fair amount of unnecessary repetition of information.
I did honestly enjoy this book though! It is a powerful reminder about how big God really is, and he will always be with you. Through thick and thin. We may not all have a story quite as crazy as this, but he’s with you in things as big as a shark bite, and as small as nudging you in the right direction!