I've been trying to read about fun and joy and kindness lately because I believe that joy is the real antidote to fear, and I want to embrace what God has given me to enjoy my life. (Long story.) So this book seemed to be right up my alley.

I'll confess - I've never heard of this guy. I'm deliberate about the way that I engage with social media, which is to say that I do it very little, and I had no idea this guy existed. But I've been blessed in my life to meet a few persons like him.

I was uplifted by the free-spiritedness of the writing in this book, by the stories of kindness and generosity and fun. Just as I had hoped that I would be. But I got more from this book than I even bargained for because these stories that I was looking for were wrapped in the package of a very human existence - a real life, just like mine. An invitation and an encouragement all at once. And I think that's one of the things that's too sorely missing from our social media world.

We all cultivate our lives. We slice and dice them to present the best version of ourselves, and we're all out here comparing our practice reels to everyone else's highlights and thinking we're falling short, that we're missing something, that we're defective, perhaps. And then someone like Jimmy comes along and tells his real story, and all of a sudden, the gap doesn't seem so wide. We're reminded that we're all just humans being and doing our best and trying to enjoy and honor God with this one wild, crazy life that we're given...even when it doesn't make sense or doesn't work out like we thought it would or...whatever shortcoming is holding us up.

I needed this book in this season. I may need to read it again. And another time after that until it really sinks in that this is possible.

I don’t like i couldn’t finish it. I don’t think was the target audience for this book. It sounded more self promoting than really focus on what God can do.

Before reading Undercover Kindness, I didn’t know much about Jimmy Darts or his viral videos. The heart of this book; encouraging compassion, generosity, and stepping out of your comfort zone to help others is something I fully agree with. I’m all for raising money for worthy causes and supporting people in need, and I can see how his videos might inspire others to do the same.  There is no doubt that he is a kind and inspirational man.

That said, I found myself grappling with a few unresolved questions throughout the book. For example, while it’s called Undercover Kindness, the acts of giving are then broadcast to millions of followers. Is it still 'undercover' when it’s shared across platforms, monetized, and tied to personal branding? Do we need to advertise our good deeds for them to count?  Jimmy does talk about many times in his book when he has done random acts of kindness without monetary gain.

I also found myself wondering about the process behind the scenes. What happens if someone doesn’t want their interaction to be posted? Do they still receive the money or help? The book doesn’t explain much about consent, privacy, or the many interactions that probably don’t go to plan. I would’ve appreciated more transparency about interactions with vulnerable people and how often things don’t work, and how those moments are handled with respect.  A great deal of time must go into setting up these interactions, and I really wanted a more behind the scenes look.

The tone of the book is very religious, which may resonate deeply with some readers but might be too much for others. While the faith element clearly motivates Jimmy Darts, I would’ve liked more reflection on the ethical complexities of public kindness in a social media age. For example, does this encourage everyday kindness, or just kindness for likes?

Overall, the message is positive and uplifting, and there’s no doubt that people have received life-changing help through his work. But I’m still left wondering; when kindness becomes content, what gets lost in translation? In a world where Jimmy Darts is already all over social media, I find myself thinking, is a book really necessary?

These are my own opinions, and I understand some will disagree.  I received a free advanced review copy, and this is my honest review.

A wonderful read!
Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I'd never heard of Jimmy Darts, but found his story to be an interesting one. Not all of us have the financial capital to be able to run around handing out money, even at a tender age like he did, but we can all do small things everyday to make someone's life a little better. Words of encouragement and kind actions are free. Whether you are a small-scale or grandiose do-gooder, infectious kindess ripples far and wide.

I will admit that I started off my journey with "Undercover Kindness" by Jimmy Darts a bit resistant to its enthusiastic charms. I feared I was giving myself to some self-promoting do-gooder (fully recognizing that some have called me the exact same thing due to my own community work).

Ultimately, Darts's charm won me over.

Darts is a social media sensation known for viral "random acts of kindness." He visits thrift shops, laundromats, street corners, and a myriad of other places in search of unsung good Samaritans willing to help a total stranger. When he finds them, he discovers their stories and often rewards them immensely with kindness in return.

I will confess that on some technicalities, I nearly gave "Undercover Kindness" a 4-star rating. It's the earnest heart of the book that won me over, Darts's faithful spirit infectious and his ability to focus less on himself and more on the ordinary generosity of total strangers that has encouraged me to bump this rating up.

Truthfully, I wanted to know me about how Darts pulls off these simple yet epic episodes. It's clear that he follows a spiritual nudge, a sense of who he wants to approach with a simple ask - for example, entering a thrift store a tough-looking Honduran and asking for a buck to help purchase something desperately "needed." When the man enthusiastic gives, Darts learns his story and eventually crowdsources major surgeries to help the man's son.

But, how did Darts develop that crowdsourcing? While he seems somewhat befuddled himself that so many people show up and give when he presents an offer, there's a great mystery to how Darts has developed this following and how it so consistently shows up time and again.

As someone who has traveled over 6,000 miles by wheelchair offering simple tours of tenderness and kindness, I both get the "mystery" of it all and want to hear more about the actual organizational aspects. In other words, I wanted more.

However, I still loved this book.

A lot.

"Undercover Kindness" is infused with Darts's immense faith and almost childlike sense of wonder about hope, love, kindness, and simply showing up. At times, Darts has shown up for these acts of kindness even when he himself was making very little. He's not some billionaire giving from his excess. He's someone who sacrifices in order to fulfill what seems like a deep calling for his life.

The result is a book about truly saying yes to love, rejecting fear, and embracing the ability we all have to say yes to ordinary, everyday generosity.

I've long believed the vast majority of people are kind and generous. As an adult with significant disabilities, I've long experienced this over and over and over again. I believe it's why I'm alive and thriving in my 50s with spina bifida.

Despite my initial resistance, "Undercover Kindness" won me over with its infectious spirit, generous spirit, and gentle, warm storytelling filled with thoughtful insights and infinite possibilities.

I doubt you'll read anything like it this year.

This is a fun uplifting story. It tell's lots of mini experiences of bringing joy to others . It made me reflect on the things I could do others. It won’t be as big of an impact but can make an impact. So many without quickly gave all the could when they saw someone in need. What an example to try to be like.