Preface :: Every now and then I get all crazy obsessive about a book or something and go ballistic on social media outlets. #Sorrynotsorry I just love sharing the things I love with you. But all that to say, I want to clarify again, this blog & my social media outlets are not for sale. I choose to NEVER get compensated for my reviews because I like to keep this space as authentic as possible. I want you to know and trust that when I say I love something, it’s because I REALLY LIKE IT, not because there’s an ulterior motive. This has been an intentional choice of mine… so carry on friends and know that I’m about to totally 186% recommend something, and regardless of whether you click on the link or not… I will still receive ZERO dollars at the end of the day. So you should probably just go ahead and click on the link and buy the book anyways. YOU’RE WELCOME.

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Y’all, I posted an article by Shannan Martin a few weeks ago YELLING at you to go pre-order her book and I wasn’t kidding. I have officially finished Falling Free, and I cannot tell you how much I love it. (But I can tell you that if you’re related to me, there’s a 100% chance you’ll be getting this book for Christmas. So SURPRISE! Get excited.).

if you know me well, you know I love to read. A lot. And I’ve noticed a trend in Christian literature as of late. There are a lot books about Jesus that are inspiring, self-help books that give tips on how to make our Christian lives better. This book isn’t that; in fact it’s opposite. Falling Free is a memoir about how letting go of the perfect Christian life freed Shannan to live the life Christ had always called her to. In Falling Free you’ll hear stories of infertility, adoption, loss, hard relationships, beauty, meals spent with people with addictions, jail records, and sending kids to that school with the bad reviews. You'll hear her successes and her failures, her dreams and her crushed plans, but mostly you get a front row seat to God wrecking her calling and giving her a new one. It’s funny, relatable, but mostly convicting.

In an age where the American dream is mixed together with Christian moralism, this book strips away our tendency for more and pushes for less. Shannan does a fantastic job at not writing a “how-to” book, but rather a collection of life experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly. Her storytelling inspires readers to pursue Jesus and his love for the marginalized, all the while examining our own hearts.

Here are a few quotes from the book that hit home for me:

“It’s hard to pine for heaven when you already believe you’re there.”

(Oh OKAY Shannan, don't pull any punches now.)

and...

“We so often say we believe that there is no safer place than the center of God’s will, but we refuse to believe he would ever lead us to places of brokenness or danger.”

(Welp, I had to sit on that one for a while & really evaluate my prayer for God's will in my life).

and...

Y'all, as you can see from just the quotes... this book kicked my tail in the best of ways.

So much of my hard-wiring as a southerner who values hospitality was challenged. Shannan’s realistic perspective about home, life, and community really convicted me to care less about what was served around the table and to care more about who should have a seat at the table. And as our family embarks on a move to Texas, it really has changed the way we look at the housing market, schools, church, and the many other choices we’ll make during this upcoming transition.

I could go on and on, but the truth is… you need this book. I need this book. The church needs this book. My only regret is that I haven’t lived a life that would qualify me able to write it.

So do yourself a favor and meet Shannan Martin and pre-order Falling Free. You won’t regret it.

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And BECAUSE I LOVE YALL & IT SO STINKIN MUCH. I'm offering a give away over on Instagram. The rules are pretty simple:

1. Follow me on Instagram.

2. Just comment on the post on Instagram and leave your email address in the comment below! If you don't want to post your email address publicly just DM it to me!

I'll post the winner on Friday by noon on Instagram.

Much love y'all,

Falling Free - A Book Review & Giveaway