This is a real, raw memoir. All I can say is thank you Jesus for being bigger than all our problems. And thank you to Lecrae for being vulnerable and being an example to men young and old who may think there’s no hope or they are too far gone to be made new!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

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Lecrae's story is the type of story that keeps you glued till the end. No sugar coating...just a raw rendition of his upbringing, fears, insecurities, struggles and the triumphs through his faith.

His upbringing seemed to set him up for a life of continuous disappointment but through a series of meeting the right people, rehab and understanding what the Christian faith means to him, he shares how he finds strength and confidence to be himself.

Rating: 4/5

Favourite Quote: "Old habits die hard, and if you’re not careful, the person you used to be can overtake the person you’re trying to become."

Lecrae, a man whos name I know, but music I dont shares some vulnerable truth about the battles he faced as a young boy through college. This was powerful and eye opening for me. The man is a gifted writer and has a way of communicating his difficulties and experiences that just seem to reaonate even if one may not be able to relate.

I hoped for a little more detail into the explanations of how he still struggles today with the environment he is in. It just seemed brief and almost rushed towards the end of the book. Perhaps one day; we can hear more, but I am grateful for what I got.

I received this book for free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a review. I was not required to share a positive review.

This is a heartfelt, transparent look at the life of Lecrae, a Christian rapper. He says, “Some of life’s struggles are so severe that even music is powerless to overcome them.” He knew he needed something more. He would later learn that the something more was Jesus.

He talks about the challenges of being raised by a single mom and how she worked hard to provide a good home. He spent summers with his grandmother so his mom could work two jobs. Growing up without a dad always made him wonder if he had done something to make his dad leave and/or stay away? Through the years, Lecrae realized he had hole in his heart no one could fill. Oh, He tried to fill the emptiness with all types of things. He tried to fit in and be accepted in a variety of ways but alas there was no place for him. But he kept searching!

Summers with his grandmother; who was the living example of the hands and feet of Jesus as she delivered supplies where needed. She never beat Lecrae over the head with the bible, instead she allowed him watch her share food and the love of Jesus her community.

When he was in college and desperate for something to do, he’d go to a bible study. He thought of church more as a social thing nothing more. Lecrae talks about the bible study he went to, “I thought I had heard it all, but I was encountering stories for the first time.”…(he discovered that ) ..people who came to the study weren’t lame like I thought Christians were. They didn’t look unpopular or dress weird and some of them were really cool. Over time, I kind of enjoyed going, but it was still more social than spiritual for me.”

My son’s listened to Lecrae’s music growing up. So, when I saw he had written a book I wanted to read it. I wanted to know more about this mystery man and how he got to be a rapper. I wanted to know the stories behind his rapping and lyrics. I listened to the audio book and read the book when I wasn’t in the car. I LOVED the fact that Lecrae was the reader on the audio book. I could hear his heart, pain and wonderment as he read. Another Bonus feature on the audio book was the fact that he actually had excerpts of his songs to listen to.

Bonus material in the hard back book was the fact he had lots of pictures to share. I liked seeing pictures of the people and situations he talked about. Having both of these book materials was a win win for me. This story touched and inspired my heart. It also reminded me that God can do far more than I can every imagine. He’s done that with this young man.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Netgalley and publisher. Audio book from the library. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com