Bri

This book is packed with personal, raw stories from the author's own life. It was a powerful, inspiring read that shifted a lot of perspectives for me. It was engaging from the very beginning, and I actually listened to the audiobook, and would like to get a hard copy so I can highlight and take notes on some of the most meaningful passages! She weaves scripture into the stories very naturally, seamlessly incorporating great wisdom into the insights she gained. Loved this!

The title of this book really jumped out at me when I saw it, and I immediately wanted to read it. While it is clearly geared toward mothers, it really focuses on who we are as women first. It's truly about how to reclaim our sense of self – which most of us tend to cast aside the moment we become mothers and there's somebody else more important than us.

Reading this book really helped me to see all the places I'd gotten stuck over the years as a mom. It also showed me some of where I'd further neglected myself when I became a stepmom. I realized some of the unconscious habits and excuses I'd developed that are not serving anyone in my family, least of all me!

Unlike many inspirational books, this doesn't just leave you with a fistful of “aha” moments and a shrug. Rachel actually walks you out of the stuckness, and gives you tangible action to take to move you forward.

I honestly want to buy a copy of this book for each of my mom friends, because it is truly life changing – and I don't use that term lightly!

I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher as part of its launch team, but I was under no obligation to post a review, positive or otherwise.

Liberating and refreshing

Heather does an incredible job of releasing creativity from captivity in this book. Dismantling the history of art and creativity, she points to the social and economic factors that hold it captive from us mere mortals. I'm a hardcore creative-or-bust type, and apparently I've been dragging around some heavy expectations I've inherited from a broken society.

I should add that I'm autistic, ADHD, and have a disabling genetic disorder. My own creative practice has been greatly challenged by my disability, and Heather gives some amazing advice and encouragement that helped me see the many ways I'm still being creative even when I can't make art. She's given me permission to see the “both, and” of my situation and drop the angst my brain has been churning up.

This is the PERFECT gift for a mom of littles, or to create your own adorable family heirloom. Each day has a question to ask your child, then lines for you to record their responses over three years. What a treasure to see their answers change as they grow older, and to record the quirky, thoughtful responses kids often give.

I think this is a perfect bedtime bonding exercise, one that you and your child will treasure for years. It's such a sweet concept.

I received an advanced copy of this book as part of the publisher's launch team, but I was under no obligation to give a review, positive or otherwise.