Let me start with a personal comment - after finishing the book, I went online to google the authoress - only to see that much of the book is not "valid" anymore (changes in her theology thinking, divorce with the husband etc.). I am not saying that these things make what she hasd said in the "For the Love" invalid (some are accurate, interesting or simply human), but it got me thinking about the Christian wife bloggers/authoresses in general (she has similar messages as another popular authoress Glennon Doyle, who definitely has changed her life and views). There might be something about that - I mean, is their message (or part of it) to be found different later in their life? Some of it is a natural process of growing and maturing, but I think that some of it shows certain kind of superficiality.
Because Ms Hatmaker´s book of essays is uneven - some chapters ring true, some less. Part of it might be because I find her less believable when she is trying to be funny, as she actually comes across as trying too hard. I find the more vulnerable passages being more appealing. In some parts she goes deeper (like when she shares her own personal experience), but some essays are promoting the vague message of kindness, community, women, love...but nothing seems like a hard work here, like fighting ourselves or actively bettering ourselves. All is about veranda dinners with food and easy, embracing love to all. While I like some of the ideas (like the chapter on church, there is an unique perspective), I do not find some of the content being original (for example Brené Brown does it better).
This is not a bad book, but also this is not a good book. I am curious, though, what would Ms Hatmaker say about her work here when looking back, with the wisdom of the latest years under her belt?

The author shared many personal stories and comedic moments. I think her message was good, but people who already know her would probably like the book better. I found I didn't relate to most of it.
However, this line gave the book a whole star for me:
"Love God and follow Him. Really, nothing else matters."
Amen.

Jen Hatmaker is a great author and this is another winner. She tackles a variety of subjects and life issues with humor, honesty, solid advice and Biblical content. It's probably something to re-read often and different times in your life. I would rate this book 5 out of 5 and recommend to anyone who would like to stretch their thinking, be challenged to grow and maybe sometimes be offended. We need voices like Jen Hatmaker to push our buttons and make us think.

I don't even have kids, and this book made me literally laugh out loud. I've read both the copy and the audiobook, and just absolutely loved both. Jen is funny, compassionate, passionate and outright hilarious. Jen has a way of using her humor and realness in a way that really draws you. You'll think of her books as a chat with a BFF that leaves you with nuggets of awesome. "A worthy life involves loving as loved folks do...restoring people, in ordinary conversations...Every good, meaningful possibility is yours today. You have access to the kingdom now."

Three stars seems kinda low, but I’m going with it. Maybe because I’d isn’t know what to expect with this book, and it wasn’t at all was I thought it would be. Not necessarily in a bad way, but it just wasn’t. I haven’t been e posed to much Jen Hatmaker, so it was a good intro to her work, I suppose.
The chapters were essay-like, which maybe fed into the disillusionment of my expectations. Each of them were completely different, leaving the book feeling scattered and unfocused. Some of the essays were hilariously funny. Some were theological serious and heavy. But it was so broad in is spectrum that I kinda felt disconnected.
I’ll admit that I didn’t read the recipe chapters because I have no interest in cooking braised lamb or any fancy meals at this time in my life. While I found her cooking club thing interesting, I’m not a foody and I just don’t care.
I also only skimmed the missions essay. I believe everyone is called to either sow or go. And until I am called to go (maybe never), I will continue to sow.
Her parenting and marriage chapters were hilarious and insightful.
Her chapters on the church and the next generation were heavy-handed and from an interesting perspective.
Her chapter on women was FIVE star.
So it was kind of all over the place for me. But I will probably continue to read books of hers, or at least some because her overall style kept me reading.


Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book to review. My opinions are my own.

Jen Hatmaker is awesome and hilariously relatable again in this book! I love Jen Hatmaker she is a great example of non-judgmental Christian love so very appropriate for her to write a book on love. From the description: "For the Love leads our generation to reimagine Jesus' grace as a way of life, and it does it in a funny yet profound manner..."

Jen Hatmaker is a delight in everything she writes and in her podcast. I have begun going through her backlist, including this book, and always feel seen and understood by her words.

Unfortunately I was not able to read the book. I did not have the correct reader link to download this book.

I’m a huge fan of Jen Hatmaker’s. This book wasn’t my favorite of hers, but I still really enjoyed it. I’ll read everything she writes. 🙂

Laughing, then crying, back to claughing.... this book is relatable! It feels as though it is written as a conversation with a close friend instead of reading a complete stranger’s thoughts. Jen opens up about awkward, understandable, and scary moments in so many of our lives - you feel as if your head will fall off from shaking it -yes yes yes the entire time! This book is easy to sit down and finish in an afternoon yet also great to go back to for reference - to remind women to just EASE up. Don’t put so much pressure on ourselves and for the reader to realize that we are all just trying to survive day to day and that our thoughts, opinions, and views may change and evolve with age and experience.

This is a collection of essays by Jen Hatmaker. The first chapter, “Worst Beam Ever” is sooo amazing! After reading it, the phrase “Off the beam!” is now permanently in my vocabulary. I have felt freedom from striving for perfection and been released to just be me. This chapter talks about not concerning ourselves with doing it all but to decide what is most important to us in this season, what is necessary for ourselves and families, what adds value to our lives, and say “no” to the extras that steal our time and our joy. After reading it, I immediately implemented it by choosing not to have party favors at my child’s upcoming birthday party. It’s a small thing, but it was one less thing to have to think about or spend time on. I doubt anyone missed them either. There are many wonderful chapters that contain wisdom and freedom to be who God created you to be.
There are also some chapters that provide a type of comic relief (but still have truth in them). As if that were not enough from this amazing book (which I describe to others as being like potpourri – a little bit of everything), there are also some recipes to help sharpen your skills and invite other people over to grow relationships. I made the Beef Bourguignon which was delicious and very rich. I also made the Pad Thai and agree with Jen wholeheartedly that fish sauce stinks when cooked and permeates the entire house, but it did help create another oh-so-tasty dish. My family actually did share both of these meals with friends and had a great time!
This book really does have a little bit of everything. It offers encouragement, truth in love, humor, sympathy, wisdom, fashion advice, parenting comfort and frank talk about real issues. It is a book you could read once a year (or more frequently) and find things to apply to grow in your spiritual and personal relationships. I highly recommend this book and would love to hear your thoughts after you’ve read it. For the love, just go buy it already!

I very much want Jen Hatmaker as a new friend. I'd love to be invited to supper with her supper club! This book made me laugh out loud so many times. I feel like I really know her and her thoughts on the world after reading this book. I have to say, it was a bit eclectic. Sometimes it was just funny "thank you" letters to random situations in life, other times it was very serious advice on how to be a missionary who can actually help the very people you are trying to help.

She has good advice for married people. She has some good recipes. She has expressions I will certainly be adding to my list of phrases. This was the first book of Jen's that I have read, but it surely won't be my last!

*I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This was my first Jen Hatmaker book, and honestly I don't know what took me so long to pick one of her books up! This was more than your average Christian self-help book. Not only was it encouraging and sometimes convicting, but it was also super funny. If you enjoyed Girl Wash Your Face, then this book is also for you, very similar writing styles (in my opinion). The only thing about this book was that it didn't necessarily all follow the "theme" of the book. However, I enjoyed all of it, so that didn't bother me too much.
Rating: 4/5 Stars

I loved parts of this (marriage and parenting) and was apathetic about others (faith). As usual, Jen Hatmaker made me smile and feel like I was catching up with an old friend.

Jen Hatmaker is one funny, relatable gal. Reading her books is much like a conversation with a friend. This book is a series of essays, almost like reading through a blog, so it's easy to digest in chunks. While the overarching theme of the book is grace, that topic isn't addressed directly all that much. This is *not* a bible study, devotional, or anything of that sort. In fact, much of her theology and viewpoint is probably outside standard beliefs of the evangelical world. (And that is her target audience and culture.) This is a humorous, entertaining read, but if you're looking for any serious Christian spiritual guidance, this is probably not the right book.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this title.

This book was interesting and was not what I expected it to be. I expected it to be more of a Christian self-help book about loving others and extending and receiving grace. Instead, it was a book that used humor and relatable stories to help women navigate the craziness of life. I found many parts of the book to be funny and relatable, and it was a quick read. However, I did not agree with some points that the author made. What bothered me the most was when she talked about changing the church to meet the needs of the next generation. To me personally, that is not Biblical. It is one thing to integrate different types of music, but we are not to change the doctrine of the church to suit the lifestyles of people today. I would try another book by this author, because I did enjoy her voice and style of writing, but just three stars for me based on some of her views.

I couldn't put this book down. Jen writes as if she was talking to a friend. I enjoyed this fun book full of tales of friendship, loss, and everything in between. It was uplifting and encouraging, but real.

First I'd like to say thank you to NetGalley for an ARC Copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

3.5 Stars

This book truly took me out of my "reading rut." I needed something light but also with some punches in the mix, and this book was exactly that. I laughed out loud at some points and cringed and said "ouch" at other points and of course moments of disagreement but also loud "amens."

It basically reads like compiled blog entries covering things from recipes, kids and being a mom, to Church politics, spiritual abuse, confidence, humility, grace and the like. There were a lot of parts I just skimmed but it was also filled with some great power paragraphs and one-liners.

"Love God and follow Him. Really, nothing else matters. If you are ever unsure what to do, remember how Jesus loved people. He was the best at it. You can trust Him anywhere He asks you to go, He has been there too. This is not an easy path, Lovies. Jesus went to hard places and did hard things; He loved folks everyone else hated or despised. But if you trust us at all, believe me; This is the life you want, this Jesus life."

Jen Hatmaker writes a self-deprecating, funny, insightful, and realistic book that deals with women's issues and thoughts on life. A worthwhile read for moms and women in general.

I do love Jen Hatmaker but I found this book was not quite what I expected. It is light and funny but not educational or deep.