What a lovely idea for a mother and son to write a devotional together! Here is my experience with this read, a few things I want to mention, and some tips on enjoying this book to its fullest if it is indeed right for you.

Thanks heaps to NetGalley and the publisher for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review. Also bear in mind I'm reading this as a 22 year old who did not go through this level of anxiety or school life as a teen. Thank you!

What you get:
90 one-page entries featuring a bible verse, a paragraph from Olly, and a paragraph from Amber (his mom) featuring thoughts, personal stories and experiences with a verse or Biblical truth, and a short prayer at the end.

Each part ranged from YOU ARE KNOWN to YOU ARE PROTECTED, and I think the list of parts would make a good inspiration for an art project for teens hang up on their door or where they can see it each day. Though maybe “you can be hopeful” would be better worded as “you have hope”, because we have this Hope (Jesus) as a firm foundation. But I get what they mean as an attitude-switch. :)


Onto my thoughts!

Confetti elements:
It could be especially cool for teen struggling with anxiety, worry, and fear (or comparison, FOMO, confusion, etc) to have a book written BY a teen who’s been there, too. I’m not sure how old Olly is, but the experience vibe is somewhere between in-it-with-you and having grasped many Biblical truths to combat things that used to make him feel more anxious or stressed. His mini-stories about feeling left out, being unable to sleep, or just the overall overwhelm of life as a teen with school and social things to pile up could be very cathartic to readers. Each entry of his is very short, as his mom Amber writes the other half. I would have loved to be in his head for longer. This book may actually have worked better as a non fiction book than as a daily devo style!

The Bible verses are diverse and beautiful, and would be an awesome selection for a teen to commit to heart. The daily headers for each devotionals are powerful and can be chewed on along!

They style was preppy and blog-like, but not filled with jargon or slang. Yay!

From the 60 percent I read there was nothing really "dark" which I appreciated. Kids need these books, too.

Notes:
The term girlfriend is used once, and Ollie shares in ()s after sharing a few lines about a failed relationship that God did bring him an amazing girlfriend.
Again, I have not read the whole thing, so there could be a few other instances.


Respectful question elements:
Maybe updated later?

The mom elements were cool, and one does get to know these two after a while (nice!), but instead of bringing a motherly hope to the book, these parts were more echoes of Ollie’s but with different stories (such as feeling bad for shouting at her kids on season). I will say it’s important for kids and teens to know that turning 18 is not magic and nothing magically goes away when you’re a grown up! That it’s OK and normal for grown ups to feel stressed sometimes too. But I would have loved a little more “ let me add ON TOP of Olly’s revelation instead of building from the ground up all over again.” This was not always the case, granted. The two POVS don’t always match up in what they take from the daily verse: sometimes this rocked, other times it was hard to get into it. This is more formatting critique than anything else.

Didn't like Element:
The parts from the professionals sometimes tacked God on at the end. I didn't like how those parts came across as how to cope really well and did not point the teen to God alone, just shared calm down or mindfulness tricks. Mostly great stuff that will be super helpful, it was jus the WAY they were shared that did not sit right for me. Some were better than others. I can still see God really usign this book, sheesh, I don't have to see it. He will :)

My tips for reading this book:
*bear in mind its less of a devotional musing about God, and more of micro blog posts about biblical truths from two POVS
*have someone keep you accountable: this book in the triggers is deals with will not be for every teen, especially if you didn’t already experience the kinds of stress in this book. Make sure someone knows you are trying it out and let them know how it makes you feel. You do not need to read it if it’s not for you! Some people may need deeper, more linear, or differing experience-featured books or conversations and that’s OK.
*Really chew on the verses! Let that inspire you to read the Bible and search its treasure mines for yourself. Don’t stop with this book! :D


My warnings for reading this book: (for the teens who pick up other people’s emotions, take things to the extreme, and other such tendencies, just in case there are any out there like I would have been #literal)

*Be kind to yourself. The constant reminders of things teens can feel anxious about, every day, was a bit stressful (though I was reading more than one each day due to time limit for review). Be gentle, and if you’re picking up anxieties you didn’t have before, stop.
*In one of the professional sections, there is a tip to not let fears and worries take over every second of your day by mentally locking them in box that can’t be opened save when it’s a safe place, such as with a parent of a counsellor. Some teens may take this as permission to lock away their feelings as a “professionally recommended trick”.

My overall con is that this book feels more like how to cope really, really well, with the occasional gem and amazing reminder. My overall pro is that’s it’s a creative idea with perfect headers for both the parts and the daily chapters, that would make a great takeaway in and of themselves. You do not need to cope with anxiety forever, you can be free. But do not despise the small beginnings or the long process, either. Be patient with yourself. This book may really help!

Please bear in mind I read an ARC copy that may be altered before release date, and that this book may be just what you are looking for at this stage of your life. Just because I wasn’t the target audience for this, does not mean it will not bless you. I hope it does!!! There are a lot of great truths in here that were, esp at the beginning, really wonderful reminders and encouraging messages from both a teen and a grown up.

You Are Seen is a heartfelt devotional for teens dealing with anxiety, stress, or just tough seasons. Written by a mom and her son, it blends Ollie’s real, honest teen voice with Amber’s warm, encouraging guidance.

Each of the 90 devotions centers around truths like You are LOVED and You have PURPOSE, helping readers see their value through God’s eyes. It also includes tips from therapists, which adds a helpful, practical touch.

It’s a comforting, faith-based read that feels personal and genuine—great for teens who need a reminder that they’re never alone.