From the first page I felt like this book was talking to you. Why did I say you? Because the theme of core lies is universal and it's for me and you. I couldn't put it down and I will revisit it again and again. Ultimately, the book says to recognise the spiritual battle going on inside of you and to shift to destroying those lies. It sounds almost trite and is well walked ground. But this author puts it better than any other I have read other than the secular book 'The mountain is you'. I cried, I worshipped. I feel hope.

Powerful and convicting. Jennie Allen digs deep into the hidden beliefs that shape our behavior and holds them up to God’s truth. It’s one of those books that makes you pause and self-reflect with every chapter. She writes with grace, honesty, and encouragement. Absolutely worth rereading.

Jennie is an expert writer. I've been a fan of her work for years. This latest title was exactly what I needed in my life. I have so many fears, and reading Jennie's words helped me sort through some of them. I was able to let go of patterns and began to see changes. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! It’s like a weighted blanket for the soul that switches on the light of truth and shows that God’s word about us is stronger than our darkest lies.

I loved the stories the author shared. They make the truths personal and it’s packed with takeaway notes you’ll want to go over again and again.

A few of my favorite quotes:

“The lie didn’t start with me. But it was trying to make a home in me. And unless I named it, I would keep living under its shadow. “

“Darkness doesn’t go around picking off the weak. It goes to battle with you because you carry the light.”

“We all carry something. And most of the time we don’t even know what it is.”

“Your angels are tired”

“The forces that oppose you are real. But there is One who is for you. And He is greater than the Darkness. In Him you are not helpless. You are seen, sealed, and surrounded.”

We all have believed lies about ourselves that have shaped us. Jennie Allen's book addresses these lies and calls us to replace them with the Truth. I found this book to be extremely helpful and encouraging.

Jennie Allen has done it again! The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe is filled with wisdom, encouragement and practical applications for wrangling all your rogue thoughts. This book is gold and a worthwhile, life changing read.

This book is so timely. Spiritual warfare has been a hot topic it lately and this book shows us one more way that we Satan uses the smallest things against us. It breaks down things that we believe that we thought were true but really it’s just a lie that we’ve repeated over to ourselves and fell in to believing it was true.

💥 Review: The Lie You Don't Know You Believe by Jennie Allen
Jennie Allen’s latest book, The Lie You Don't Know You Believe, is a powerful and necessary guide for anyone who feels stuck in a cycle of frustration, shame, or anxiety. Allen dives deep into the core, often subconscious, beliefs that sabotage our relationship with God and ourselves. It’s a compelling book that offers both profound insight and actionable spiritual tools.

What Makes This Book Shine
Identifies the Root Cause: The central thesis—that our destructive habits stem not from a lack of willpower, but from a deeply entrenched, often unrecognized "core lie"—is incredibly illuminating. Allen effectively pulls back the curtain on the enemy’s strategy to keep believers perpetually struggling.

Biblical Authority and Practicality: The book does a fantastic job of marrying deep biblical teaching (like tracing Jesus' temptation in the wilderness) with highly relatable, modern examples. Allen doesn't just tell you to "try harder;" she gives you the spiritual authority to fight the lies by replacing them with God's truth, which is a key to lasting freedom.

High Impact and Clarity: Allen’s voice is bold, compassionate, and crystal clear. The process of identifying and dismantling the three core lies she identifies is laid out logically, providing a clear path forward for the reader. This isn't just theory; it's designed for life-changing application.

Why Not a Full 5/5?
Pacing and Repetition: While the core message is vital, the book occasionally revisits the main concepts a few too many times. Some readers might find the conversational, highly anecdotal style slows the delivery of the theological framework, wishing for a slightly more condensed presentation of the material.

Focus on the Spiritual Battle: The book is laser-focused on the spiritual dimension of lies, which is its strength. However, a slightly deeper acknowledgment or integration of the psychological and emotional roots of these core beliefs could have added another valuable layer for readers coming from different backgrounds.

Final Verdict
The Lie You Don't Know You Believe is an excellent resource for spiritual growth. It successfully provides the tools and perspective needed to identify the hidden narratives that keep us from experiencing true joy and peace. It's a challenging, hope-filled, and ultimately freeing read that delivers on its promise to help you transfer your life from the kingdom of lies to the kingdom of light.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (A powerful, highly-recommended guide to finding freedom through truth.)

Jennie Allen is like the uplifting, cheerleader sister who never gives up on you. She is always there for you and always reminds you that you are deeply and unconditionally loved by God. As with her many books, essays, podcasts, etc, she has the goods and isn’t afraid to use them. Number one in her arsenal of support is her deep and abiding knowledge of scripture and of Jesus. If you are blessed enough to have discovered Ms. Allen then you will be additionally blessed by her latest book, The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe.

This book was just what I needed.
It gave me good reminders to focus on God. That God meets you where you are/ in your ache, etc.

Do not believe the LIES. You are worthy. You are beloved. God came for you and me.
Stop imagining defeat and start imaging the kingdom of God instead.

Do not be distracted by the enemies noise. Don't let the monsters steal your vision.... and to quote from the book, " The darkness doesn't always come after you because you've sinned. Sometimes the darkness comes being you're beloved."

What a wonderful read! I thank Netgalley to be able to read/review.
Highly recommend this read!!!

5 stars

How to Find It, Fight It, and Live Free by Jennie Allen felt like someone finally putting words to thoughts I did not even realize were shaping my life. It is honest without being heavy and deeply challenging without feeling condemning. As I read, I kept catching moments where I thought, This explains so much about why I get stuck in the same patterns.

Jennie has a way of naming the lies we quietly live under and then gently guiding you toward truth without shame. The book feels both practical and spiritual, grounding everything in Scripture while still speaking to real everyday struggles like fear, self doubt, and exhaustion. What stood out most was how actionable it felt. This is not just insight. It gives you tools to actually interrupt unhealthy thought patterns and walk in freedom.

It is the kind of book that makes you pause, reflect, and honestly pray differently. I walked away feeling clearer, lighter, and more aware of how God invites healing at the root level, not just behavior change. If you have ever felt stuck, discouraged, or spiritually tired, this book meets you right there and reminds you that freedom is not only possible, it is already being offered.

Gosh, this book was good! It helped me realize how the enemy is working in my life to distract me from God’s plans. His tactics aren’t new. He will just use the same lies over and over again until you think they are true. Jennie provided helpful guidance on how to fight back and not passively allow the enemy to win. Thankful for these reminders and the helpful truth that God not only loves me, but He likes me and anything that contradicts that is a lie straight from the enemy.

I loved this book! Took me awhile because I read one chapter per day. I really loved the way Jennie looks at lies we tell ourself, what Jesus thinks, and the stories she shared about herself and others. Always excited to read her books.

As always, Jennie Allen delivers a powerful, honest, hard-hitting message in this new book. She exposes three lies that are common to us that most of us don't realize are shaping our lives. Then she helps us uncover the why behind each one and work upward and outward from there with biblical steps. I enjoy her books because they have such practical takeaways and speak right to the heart of issues. This one was just as powerful as her other books. I know it will make a great impact on many like it has on me.

Jennie Allen has done it again. She mixes God’s teachings with our own terrible thought patterns and shows us how to overcome. There are so many nuggets of truth. You will feel like Jennie is really talking about you. This book shows you that you are not alone and there are things to do that combat the negative cycle. I am writing this review as an advanced reader reviewer courtesy of NetGalley.

I loved Jennie’s new book! So many good stories about believing lies about yourself, how we let them get us down, and how we can overcome it.

Wow! This book was amazing!

I forgot I was even reviewing this book as I was reading it - I was taking copious amounts of notes, not for the review, but for myself.

I learned a lot while reading this book. I didn't realize that everyone has a core lie that they don't even realize is a lie. Part of what Jennie Allen talks about in this book is that we have to name our lie, this way it loses power over us because we are no longer facing it alone, but with community (even if it's just one other person).

So - brave moment - I will name what I discovered is my core lie...but first, a little backstory... I have dealt with anxiety for my whole life and, as a child, didn't even know it was anxiety because it wasn't really talked about when I was little. I thought that the shaking; knots in the stomach; inability to breathe; being short of breath; heart pounding; feeling detached from reality; etc...was all completely normal (horrible, but normal). I had no idea that other people lived without these symptoms. As an adult, I learned about anxiety; have been on medications (trying to get the right ones for me); been in therapy; been on my knees in prayer (my whole life); reading self-help books; doing all the things.

So - what is my core lie? It is that I am my anxiety; I will never overcome it; and it will cripple me forever. What is the truth? I am not my anxiety; I can overcome it with the power of God; and it will not cripple me forever. I am a child of God, a daughter of the Most High King - this is no surprise to Him, He already has it all worked out.

Other gems from this book:
1. "If a lie is repeated enough, the brain starts to accept it as true".
2. "Naming means knowing. It means knowing what we're up against".
3. "Surrender admits the gap is too wide to cross alone; surrender kneels. When we surrender, the ground beneath us shifts. Jesus crosses that gap".
4. "God isn't tolerating me - He actually likes me"!
5. "Make space for grace - grace is how we fight".

This book is definitely NOT to be missed. Whether you read it for yourself or to help someone else, there is something for everyone in this book.

The Lie You Don't Know You Believe by Jennie Allen (Publishing March 30, 2026)

I picked this book up because I've loved Jennie Allen's other work, and this book felt very true to her voice and writing style. I was drawn immediately and love it from the opening paragraph.

This book was deeply encouraging, comforting, and convicting all at the same time. It met me exactly where I am , while also stretching me in ways that felt necessary and healthy. Jennie has a gift for speaking truth with both gentleness and clarity, and that really shows in this book.

One of the things I appreciated most was how consistently and thoughtfully she referenced Scripture. It served as a steady reminder of what God's Word says when our thoughts and beliefs start to drift. The book focuses on uncovering the lies we believe, particularly the core lies that we are worthless, unlovable, or helpless and then walking the reader toward the trough grounded in Scripture.

Jennie doesn't just name the problem, she gives you clear, actionable direction. The book helps you dig beneath the surface level thoughts and identify the deeper false beliefs that shape how you think, feel and live. Her writing voice feels loving and understanding, like a teacher who challenges you without shaming you.

This book includes tools and reflections that encourage real self examination, and it's definitely one I plan to return to. The process she lays out isn't something you rush through once and move on from. It's ongoing, which is why I plan to purchase a physical copy for myself. I want to be able to highlight, mark pages, and revisit the pieces to continue working on these truths.

I think this book works best as a personal read, where you can take your time and reflect honestly. That said, if friends are reading it together and willing to have open conversations, it could lead to meaningful discussions as well.

Ultimately, this book reminded me that we already have everything we need to fight the lies we believe (we just have to pinpoint the lies that have taken a stronghold). Scripture offers us truth, and this books helps point us back to it in a way that feels practical, compassionate and helpful. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to better understand the thoughts shaping their lives and learn how to replace the lies in their life with truths.

Such a powerful and impactful read. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! I love Jennie Allen, and this book is a perfect example of why—she has an incredible gift for delivering truth in a way that is both honest and deeply encouraging. She challenges the lies we don’t even realize we’ve accepted and gently but boldly reshapes the way we think about ourselves, God, and our faith.
What I appreciate most is how seamlessly she weaves Scripture into each lesson, grounding every truth in God’s Word rather than opinion. Her insights are eye-opening and practical, and I found myself reflecting long after I finished reading. This book truly changed my perspective in so many areas and drew me closer to Scripture. If you enjoy faith-based books that challenge you, encourage growth, and point you back to biblical truth, this one is a must-read.

Extremely relevant and helpful! Jennie Allen has been a mentor and inspiration to me for many years- through her teachings and books. This book was exceptional. Jennie helps us understand and identify the core lie or lies we are believing. These lies shape our identity and our relationships- with both people and God. She then provides powerful and practical guidance on how to replace lies with the truth- to find freedom. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Jennie, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this incredible book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are complete my own.

A great book with SO many truths. I really enjoyed Jennie's writing style. I have heard of her, but this is the first book I have read by this author. Very scripturally based and much helpful truth here. I appreciated all the personal examples in the book that helped me relate to this subject matter.
Highly recommend this book!

This was the book I didn’t know I needed. The author captured my soul and each page was filled with information that changed my thoughts.. I have spent decades believing lies that created patterns in my life that I was believing were —-just the way life was going to be. I found myself highlighting, journaling, re-reading and meditating on the words nestled on these pages. I highly recommend this read to anyone that has ever felt hopeless, not enough and thought even for a second they didn’t measure up. This book will transform you!

The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe is written just as if she was talking to me. I love how it uplifts and yet helps set you back on course in such a loving way! This books was everything I don’t know I needed! It is definitely worth some time to read it!

Going into The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe, I honestly didn’t expect to hear anything I hadn’t already read in other books about fighting lies in your mind. But Jenny Allen delivered some powerful truth bombs that stopped me in my tracks. I found myself writing down quotes I know I’ll return to again and again, and I loved how she paired practical steps with rich, Scripture-rooted encouragement. By the end, I walked away with a deeper understanding of God’s love for me and a clearer awareness of how to recognize and combat the lies I so easily believe.

What I liked:
- Jennie’s books are always written in an easy-to-understand, conversational tone. 

- How she broke down and covered the 3 common lies people believe about themselves: I’m helpless. I’m unlovable. I’m worthless. 

- The encouragement that always comes with her books, reassuring you about who God says you are!

- Overall, the book was fantastic! I would have liked to see a bit more practical applications for how someone might replace lies with truth.

❌What I didn’t like:
- 🚫

‼️Topics/themes/genres include: Christian nonfiction, confronting the devil’s lies

🌎 Location: 🚫

❤️‍🔥Spice level (out of 5): 🚫

📏Chapter length: long

🗣️Favorite Quotes
“Darkness doesn’t go around picking off the weak. It goes to battle with you because you carry the light.”

“Think of it this way: the Kingdom of Darkness maintains its power through lying to you about who you really are, then exhausting you with trying to become who you think you should be. And the Kingdom of Light comes to heal that division, to close that gap with grace rather than striving.”

📚 Thank you to @netgalley and @nelsonbooks for the opportunity to review this advanced reader copy!

I loved the title of this book and requested an ARC without looking closely to see that it was Christian self-help, not a genre I usually read or would choose to review but here we are.

The idea that no matter how good our lives are, there’s an underlying lie we believe about ourselves that we may or may not be aware of is intriguing and seems to be true. If I think about it, I have an underlying lie but years of personal development and exploration have quelled it. When I notice it, I realize it’s untrue and move on.

Jennie Allen helps readers identify their lie—there’s an online quiz to help if you don’t know yours—and then unpacks how to debunk it. Her approach is faith-based and scriptural, which for Christian readers likely provides a nice approach to psychology. The last section offers a guide to specific scripture passages to study and learn from.

Her writing is clear and swift. The examples are relatable and the tasks, actionable. For Christian readers who have an unidentified but jiggling sense that something’s wrong with them or that life could be better, this book may offer insight, comfort, and a way forward.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

#netgalley #thelieyoudontknowyoubelieve

Alright so someone recommended this to me and I was skeptical because I've read a lot of faith based self help stuff that sounds nice but doesn't really change anything. This one is different though. I started it before bed one night and ended up sitting in my kitchen at like 1 AM with a notebook out scribbling things down because it was hitting way too close to home.
She basically says there's a lie you've been believing about yourself for so long that you don't even recognize it as a lie anymore. It's just how you think. And when she walks you through how to find yours I'm not gonna lie it was uncomfortable. Like oh so THAT'S why I keep doing that. Cool cool cool.
The part about tracing back to where it started genuinely messed me up in the best way. You think you're reading a normal chapter and suddenly you're remembering something from fifteen years ago going oh. OH.
And she doesn't just leave you there which I appreciated. It's not one of those books that rips you open and says good luck. She actually gives you practical stuff to do with what you've just uncovered. Real steps not just pray harder and hope for the best.
I will say if you're not into the faith side of things this probably won't land the same way because it's very rooted in that. But if you are and you've ever felt stuck in the same patterns wondering why nothing changes just pick it up. Grab a notebook too. You're gonna need it.

Jennie Allen does an amazing job in showing us The Lie You Don't Know You Believe. She shares her own story interwoven throughout the chapters of the book while gently guiding you through your own discoveries, your own path. Jennie helps the reader face the lie(s) as well as the Truth(s). #netgalley, #nelsonbooks

Summary:
Have you ever thought something for so long that, to you, it became fact? What if it wasn't really fact, but a lie you told yourself for so long you began to believe it? How does this happen? Why does this happen? More importantly, how do make it stop? Jennie Allen's The Lie You Don't Know You Believe has some answers and would love to help you.

Buckle up, readers. We're all guilty of negative self-talk. We're all guilty of being hard on ourselves. But have you ever stopped and really paid attention to the things you tell yourself? Is it really true, or something you've just said so many times it morphed into truth? This book made me stop and analyze this within myself. Unfortunately, there are lies I didn't know I believed.

Jennie Allen informs you that we usually fall under one of a few core lies. Those core lies aren't true, but we decide they are. And before long, we've said/ believed them for so long they become hard fact in our minds. But they don't have to be.

As you read through The Lie You Don't Know You Believe, you are going to breakdown the lies, figure out how it got there, and learn what's the truth about it. Mistakes, flaws, insecurities are not truth of who you are. They are truth to feelings you felt in a given situation. However, lies have the ability to take on a life of their own and drive you down roads you never meant to be on.

While reading this book, I found a lie I'd been telling myself is a fact for decades, because once upon a time it my circumstances brought those feelings into my life. God never said I was what those lies did. But, nevertheless, 30 years later they were still prevalent when they no longer needed to be. This book helped me compare the lie to the truth, and allowed me to see things for what they really are- not what Satan encouraged me to think they were.

I encourage you to do yourself the favor of reading this book and exposing the lies in your life. Don't let shame, guilt or fear dictate your views anymore. Take the steps to reclaim your life and begin to stand on what's true.

Jennie Allen delivers yet another convicting but amazing book with "The Lie You Don't Know You Believe." In this world of constant distraction and constant numbing of all the darkness, it can be hard to see the light. In her book, Allen helps the reader to understand the lie that we so believe is the truth is not. With scriptures and breaking patterns, we can truly be free of those long and sometimes generational lies and be broken free from it all. She breaks it down in three parts, with how we can best fight those lies that we believe is our truth when it is just another way for Satan to confuse us and distract us. Overall, this was a very enlightening but also freeing book to help those who are stuck and not sure what the next step should be. I learned a lot while reading this book, so much so that I feel like I would need to reread it just to simply take the notes that Allen has given us on best steps to get rid of the lie that has taken a toll on ourselves. This book is to not be missed, whether you are a Christian or not, you will get something out of this wonderful book.

Title: The Lie You Don't Know You Believe
Author: Jennie Allen       
Genre: Christian  
Rating: 5 out of 5 

If there was a core lie sabotaging your life, wouldn’t you want to know what it is?

And wouldn’t you want to find the way to be free?

Most of us have been living inside a lie so long it feels like the truth. It has quietly shaped our identity, our relationships, and even how we see God. Until we see it, we’ll keep circling the same frustrations, the same shame, the same thoughts of I’ll never change. But freedom is possible. In The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe, Jennie Allen pulls back the curtain on the enemy’s oldest trick—and shows us how to dismantle it with the spiritual authority we already have in Christ. She guides us through how to:

    -Spot the three core lies everyone believes—and name the one running your life.
    -Trace the moment your lie took root and how the enemy’s been using it to keep you stuck.
    -Cut ties with your old narratives so they stop shaping your choices.
   - Challenge lies in real time and replace them with God’s truth.

This isn’t about behavior modification. This is about transferring your life out of the enemy’s kingdom of lies and into the kingdom of light—where joy, peace, and strength aren’t fleeting feelings but your everyday reality. Freedom starts here. Take hold of it.

I felt like the author was talking directly to me. The topic really resonated, and I feel it will with most people (and all people, if they’re being honest). This is well-written, with a personal tone, like you’re chatting with a smart friend or an older sibling. It’s a powerful topic, and the author handles it well, with grace and love.

Jennie Allen is a Bible teacher, author, and visionary. The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe is her newest book.

(Galley courtesy of Nelson Books | Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 3/3).