While Jones does not proselytize, she assumes that her readers are already followers of Jesus to some extent (they may be wayward, but they are believers). That specificity is one of the book’s strengths. Jones draws from her own personal experience, selecting quotes, ideas, and prayers that are important to her—and that may prove important or impactful for those seeking to achieve peace through religion.
Jones pulls heavily from other texts and websites throughout each chapter; she’s not only an author—she’s a compiler. But the most compelling passages are not the biblical quotes or the prayers written by others. They are the personal anecdotes that Jones shares: how a period after divorce turned her into a true follower of God, how she learned to love her neighbor by first loving herself, how she has come to understand that “it is NEVER okay to behave in a disrespectful way toward others.” These sections, focused on the experience of a woman whose life has been changed by belief, are not only the book’s most engaging—they’re also its most urgent and persuasive. While some of the compiled material can be dry or familiar, these glimpses into the author behind the book are honest and memorable.
Takeaway: This inspiring collection of biblical quotes, prayer ideas, and anecdotes takes flight when it gets personal.
Great for fans of: Robert S. McGee’s The Search for Significance, Craig Groeschel’s Winning the War in Your Mind.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A
