I did not realize this was a Christian fiction book when I downloaded it. I’m sure it’s lovely but it’s not my type of reading.

Book Review with Personal Reflection: Already Whole: 90 Devotions for Being at Home in the Body God Gave You by Ellen Wildman

Ellen Wildman’s Already Whole offers a refreshingly honest and theologically grounded approach to body acceptance through daily spiritual practice. This devotional stands out in the crowded Christian living genre by addressing body image struggles with compassion and biblical depth.

Key Strengths and Insights:

Practical Spirituality for Real Bodies
The book’s greatest strength lies in its ability to translate profound theological truths into daily, actionable practices. Each devotion follows a thoughtful structure:
-A Scripture passage anchoring the theme
-A reflective meditation connecting faith and embodiment
-Practical designation portions offering concrete ways to embrace wholeness

Countercultural Message of Worth
Wildman boldly challenges prevailing cultural narratives that tie human value to appearance or productivity. Instead, she presents a radical alternative: our bodies are sacred simply because God created and dwells in them. This perspective offers genuine healing for readers burdened by shame or self-rejection.

Accessible Yet Transformative Content
The devotions strike a perfect balance between being approachable for daily reading while still offering substantial spiritual nourishment. Wildman’s writing avoids trite platitudes, instead providing fresh insights into familiar scriptures that speak directly to modern struggles with body image.

Personal Impact:
As someone who has wrestled with body acceptance, I found particular value in how Wildman frames our physical selves as an integral part of our spiritual journey rather than obstacles to it. The discussions prior to the embracing wholeness parts stood out as especially helpful - these practical applications transform abstract concepts into lived reality.

How would I describe this book?

-A devotional that meets you where you are and lovingly guides you toward wholeness
-Finally - a faith-based approach to body image that feels authentic and achievable
-90 days to discover what God already knows: you are wonderfully made

Gratitude:
Thank you to NetGalley and Our Daily Bread Publishing for providing an advance review copy. Already Whole arrives at a critical time when so many need its message of embodied grace.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
This book will benefit anyone seeking to make peace with their body through the lens of faith. It would make an excellent resource for small groups, counseling ministries, or personal spiritual formation. Wildman has created something truly special - a devotional that doesn’t shy away from hard questions while consistently pointing readers toward divine love and acceptance.

What I liked: Well formatted and easy to read devotional book that includes daily reminders (affirmations).

What I did’t like: The opinion of the author was occasionally presented as a biblical truth, which is something to be aware of. There were also a handful of topics included that didn’t really seem relevant to body image (such as vowing to fight racism).

While I enjoyed much of this book and think many women would benefit from reading it, I recommend reading it with a grain of salt.

Age rating: Teen and adult.

“Your body is good because it is part of what it means to be created in the image of God.”

Ellen Wildman’s Already Whole is the kind of devotional you didn’t know your soul was craving. In 90 beautifully honest and grace-filled reflections, she gently leads us to undo the lies we’ve believed about our bodies and return to the truth: we are fearfully and wonderfully made right now; not someday.

Each devotion is short yet profound, pairing Scripture with lived experience and quiet conviction. Whether you’re wrestling with body image, disordered thinking, or simply longing for peace with yourself, this book feels like a tender conversation with a wise friend.

What I loved most? Ellen doesn’t rush healing. She honors the process. She reminds us that wholeness isn’t something we achieve; it’s something we remember.

A beautiful and gentle devotional written with inclusivity, kindness, self-love inspiration, and compassion. Body positive and wholesome, this is a wonderful book that embodies healthy Christianity. (Coming from a Priest’s daughter who is rather liberal in her beliefs, and believes love and kindness to all people - regardless of gender or sexuality, or race etc. - are the most important principles of Christianity.)

I also loved the chapter on sustainability and taking care of the planet, as we live in a low waste/mostly non-toxic household.

Thank you Netgalley and Our Daily Bread Publishing for the ARC of this book. That being said, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

<i> Already Whole </i> is a book, rather devotional, that based on the fact is a devotional, is completely outside of my comfort zone for reading lately. As someone who was raised Catholic, spent many years in a wonderful Presbyterian church, and is now in a weird grey zone when it comes to religion (spiritual, but looking for a new church), I haven't really picked up a devotional in many years. Wildman created a wonderful devotional that was a contemporary re-introduction into religion and devotional that I really appreciated.

In the past, I have struggled with devotionals that are marketed towards women, many of them focusing on marriage, motherhood, or simply do not fit my life or the life that I believe we should live based on the teachings of the Bible. However, with Already Whole, it was different. It felt applicable, relevant, and a refreshingly healthy take on self-acceptance that might not always be present in other Christian teachings (I'm looking at you rose metaphor). While this might not be the official beginning of my journey back to faith, this was a really lovely reintroduction to what faith and Christianity can be.

Already Whole by Ellen Wildman is a heartfelt devotional with a clear message of identity and wholeness in Christ. The writing style feels very approachable and easy to follow, which makes it an accessible read for younger audiences. In fact, I felt like the book’s primary target is more toward a YA (young adult) audience ex. teens and early twenties since much of the tone, examples, and encouragement seemed geared toward people just starting to work through questions of faith and self-worth.

While the content is good and uplifting, I sometimes wished it went a little deeper and gave more practical applications for readers who are further along in their faith journey. That said, the short chapters and relatable voice do make it a good devotional for someone who wants encouragement without feeling overwhelmed.