I haven’t posted a book review in awhile, but I had to share this treasure with you.
As you may know, I am a bit of a fangirl for my friend Jen Hatmaker. She speaks so much truth, but does it with such humor and conviction that you want to sit at her feet and listen to everything she has to say.
Of Mess and Moxie is just that. A conversation between the reader and herself. It feels like a chat with your closest friend. Where you’re both in your yoga pants, hair ratted, coffee in hand- no makeup. Real talk, where you lay everything on the table and nothing is off limits.
The best part about this book is that it gives you permission to be a mess. In a world where we are all trying to appear perfect, like we have it all together- Jen reminds us that WE DON’T HAVE TO DO THAT. Embrace the mess- life is glorious and amazing, but also hard and trying. We’re exhausted, sometimes lost- and occasionally we need a sometimes not so gentle reminder that it’s okay.
And moxie- we’ve all got it. Whether we display it front and center or only bring it out around those close to us. It’s there. The sass, the character, the little morsel that makes us, US. Let’s celebrate that too.
I have never laughed and cried so much reading one book. Jen’s words are so endearing and charming, but also LAUGH YOUR HIND-END OFF hilarious. And then her chapters about accepting who we are, and that we don’t have to be the same person we once were- spoke so much truth to my soul.
Being in a new town and new chapter in our lives made me crave the friendship she speaks about in one of my favorite chapters- Bonus Moms. I was straight up sobbing remembering the Bonus Moms of my childhood, and crossing my fingers that I find the kind of friendships that she talks about.
There are just so many gems in this book that I cannot even go over all of them with you, because I’d go on forever.
With a dash of nostalgia, a sprinkling of humor, peppered with truth and even some delicious bonus recipes- this book is a must read. (In my best Oprah voice) You need a copy, your mom needs a copy, your sister, your best friend, everybody needs a copy. Like Jen said- this ones for the girls- and Y’ALL NEED TO READ IT!
Have you read it? Do you know someone who could use a good book in their life?
