I had a copy of this book as an ARC from NetGalley, the cover drew me right in, and the blurb seemed like it could be a very well timed book for me:

” How do we get through dark times when we feel like giving in to fear and despair, and when existential dread has convinced us of our smallness? “

Unfortunately, the style of the book was not my cup of tea. It was written kind of like a stream of consciousness, and I found that the author changed the subject what seemed like quite randomly at times. I found it quite hard to follow and even harder to find a connection to the book to keep me enthused to keep reading.

I think this is a reflection on me, not the book though. I can definitely see how for some people this would be a lovely book with a lot of insight to bring.

Part memoir and reflection on life following her recent marriage, and part a lesson on hope and restoration in turbulent times, the author had many good points that I saved as quotes into my notes as I was reading.

The author talks a lot about her experiences in Sunday school which I could definitely relate to, and I loved this quote:

“If you want to help kids fall in love with God, help them fall in love with nature”

For me though, I don’t feel like the book quite lived up to what I was expecting from the blurb. I was expecting to come away with some techniques for coping with dark times, but I think because of my lack of connection to the book I just didn’t get that.

I’m giving this book 3 stars because I can see how it could be the perfect book for other people, but it just wasn’t for me unfortunately.