For the Love By Jen Hatmaker

Having read bits and pieces of Jen's blog, I was exciting about reviewing this particular book. My instagram was definitely filled with various ladies enjoying it & so I was extremely excited when I saw it listed for review. 

This was definitely a fun, easy read. She had me laughing in many places & also ready to try the few receipes she included throughout. I did enjoy seeing the author's heart behind the message she was trying to put across. My biggest complaint with the book however is I didn't really feel that it focused on comparison or fighting for grace at all. A few chapters in it began to feel like a series of essays or blog post entries thrown together into a book. While still very enjoyable and amusing to read, I don't really feel the title was appropriate as this was not the focus of the book. There is also practically no mention of scripture references or discussion of grace in general in the book which felt a little misleading based on the title. 

I would still say it is a fun read and thought the author had a great personality. But perhaps a different title would have been more appropriate for the book?

Have you read any great books lately? 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review from BookLookBloggers, however all views expressed are entirely my own thoughts and opinions 

Second-Trimester Bump Progress

Well I seem to be great at posting these when entering the following trimester, oh well better late than never right? I also want to be able to look back on these and see the progress clearly. Seems hard to believe in just a few short months I will be full term!?!?! When did that happen?? 

The Second trimester was definitely much easier in so many ways compared to the first. The energy burst was super helpful at getting the nursery decorated, buying baby clothes & working in general. Only frustrating part has been the painful stretching while the bump has grown - nothing a little lotion couldn't help with :) 

Food cravings: ice cream & mexican

Well to those who requested pictures, enjoy! 

Thanks to my sweet sis for the awesome maternity dress!

Hannah very kindly did some gender reveal pictures for us around this time!

See them here.

Best tip ever: these are rocking my world as they support the ever-growing bump. 

More soon on the bump progress! Unless she arrives before I get a chance to update here.

Much Love!

Make It Happen By Lara Casey

I was curious to read Lara's book since hearing the incredible responses from her talk at the Influence Conference several years ago. A lot of amazing tweets and quotes came from that session, so when I was given the opportunity to review her book, I couldn't resist.

I learned a lot more about Lara from reading this book than I had seen through just glimpses of her life on Instagram, she has a great story with a lot of examples of trusting God with your circumstances. While she did have some great things to say, I will admit that I expected more to this book than was perhaps there. It is pretty much just her story with some wisdom interspersed so it does make for an easy read. 

I did like that there were journaling questions throughout, and while I did not complete them at this time, I do wonder if perhaps I would have got more from the book by completing them. I guess my other main criticism was that being a christian author, I had expected there to be more of a scripture focus. It is obviously written from a christian perspective in places, but still reads very much like a self-help book which just isn't really my thing. 

I still think it is perhaps worth the read for the encouragement and wisdom throughout anyway. But I can't say it is on my top list of books ever read. 

What have you guys been reading lately? 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review from BookLookBloggers, however all views expressed are entirely my own thoughts and opinions