Sexism and patriarchy are baseless and harmful.

As I stated in my review of the penis version of this book, the idea that "All women want to be conquered, provided for, and protected; any signs of spirit, leadership, or wisdom are evil spirits" is extremely wrong.

This kind of thinking is only good for creating women who are victims of abuse in various aspects - sexual, emotional, physical, both in the domestic and public spheres, as well as in the spiritual and mental realms.

Statistics support this sad reality.

When I finished reading this book, I was actually sobbing because the weight of these abusive expectations that I was supposed to meet was so far from who I truly am. (Maybe you can tell that I've refused to stay silent when a man is out of line.)

I am truly grateful to God that I have learned about other positive, healthy, and wholesome communities of faith and love.

These communities offer a different and better perspective, one that respects and values women for who they are, rather than trying to fit them into a narrow and oppressive mold.

We need to break free from the chains of sexism and patriarchy and embrace a more inclusive and equal society.

I have certain misgivings regarding this, and I do not concur with all that was penned. However, the positives outweigh the negatives. Here are some of my favorite quotations.

“The wounds you have received have come to you for a purpose from one who knows all you are meant to be and fears you.” This quote implies that even the painful experiences in our lives may have a deeper meaning and are perhaps sent by a higher power who has a specific plan for us.

“We construct a life of safety and find some place to get a taste of being enjoyed or at least being “needed”. Our journey toward healing begins when we repent of those ways, lay them down, let them go.” It suggests that we often seek security and a sense of being wanted, but true healing starts when we let go of these constructs and turn away from them.

“No man can tell you who you are as a woman….only God can tell you who you are. Only God can speak the answer you need to hear.” This emphasizes the importance of looking to a divine source for self-identification and the answers we seek in life.

Another book that I read when I was 18 years old, freshly saved (converted from no religion to Christianity).

I was like a sponge, eagerly soaking up everything related to the Christian God. My freshman roommate, who had been a Christian since childhood, pointed out that parts of the book were repetitive, and I had to admit it was true.

However, at that time, I was so hungry for godly wisdom that this didn't seem like a big issue to me. I felt that many of the unknowns from my upbringing were being answered.

Although deep down, I couldn't fully accept the idea that my main purpose in life was to provide beauty to the world. I was raised by two brilliant scientists. One had a PhD in Pharmaceuticals and worked in biotech, while the other had an MD and did research in a biology lab at a world-renowned university.

I was taught that a strong work ethic was the most important trait an individual could possess. I was never taught to measure my value as an individual by my physical beauty, as this book seemed to suggest.

I believe the authors had good intentions in writing this book, and I also had good intentions when I tried to lead my small group through it. But the reactions were mixed.

I think if I had been saved at 18 and not read this book until my mid- to late-20s or even later, I wouldn't have taken it so seriously or to heart.

Don't get me wrong, I still love Jesus. I give this book two stars because it does break down some barriers, but not as effectively as originally intended.

I read this book as it was given to me as a gift.

My feelings towards it are rather mixed. I'm not certain whether my aversion to the words "beauty/beautiful" and "feminine/femininity" which are so liberally scattered throughout the book is a reflection of my own personal issues or an inherent problem within the book itself.

I do appreciate that the author repeatedly emphasized that a woman's beauty is more of an inner quality rather than a mere surface display. However, I still grew rather tired of hearing about it.

Also, I have a problem with so many of the examples regarding how a woman thinks and dreams being derived from movies. I'm sorry, but that's Hollywood, not reality. Although fantasy sells and what we fantasize about does reveal an aspect of our personalities, I believe that a book aiming to illuminate and inspire the character of women should be more firmly grounded in real-life examples.

I do believe that there are some inherent differences between genders and they should be accepted and valued in both men and women. There was some value in the observations shared here. I just felt a bit confined by what was presented.

I truly relished this book, yet with a few caveats.

It indeed compelled one to view God and Jesus from a distinct perspective, and it made me contemplate matters I had never considered before, particularly regarding Adam and Eve.

I also admired the authors' forthrightness regarding certain issues such as the role of women in the church, regardless of the denomination one adheres to.

However, one aspect I disliked was how Stasi generalized women as little girls who twirled their skirts, dreamed of being princesses, and put on mommy's pearls and heels. I was not like that. I was playing in the dirt, I adored sports, and I truly aspired to be some kind of world-renowned scientist, like the nerd I was. I felt that by making such broad generalizations, she did not do justice to femininity. The beauty of femininity lies in the fact that one can transition from glitz and glamour to getting dirty and loving math and science, and it is all still encompassed within femininity.

Nevertheless, I digress. The authors did compensate for this with their "warrior princess" chapter, bringing up pop culture women like Eowyn from LOTR and referencing true warriors like Joan of Arc.

I highly recommend reading this book with someone else to exchange ideas and thoughts. If I were reading it alone, some of their ideas might have really put me off. But hearing it from someone else's perspective forced me to view it differently, and I truly appreciated that.

As a Christian teenager, I had a deep affection for this book. It seemed to guide me on how to think and made me feel that I had value.

However, my perspective has completely changed, and now I despise it for two main reasons. Firstly, there is a lack of feminism within its pages. Secondly, it reeks of patriarchy. In fact, these two aspects might essentially be the same thing. I simply cannot tolerate this book anymore because it basically conveys the message to women that they need to be rescued and are just these delicate little princesses who have been hurt.

The part that I truly loathe about it is its counterpart, Wild at Heart. The Eldredges essentially assert that men and women are vastly different and instruct Christians on how to best fulfill their God-given gender roles. Everything is presented in such a binary way, leaving almost no room for the truth of gender fluidity. While the basic premise of both books - that you have worth - is good, everything else that follows continues the sentence with - as long as you abide by these standards. No, thank you.

I believe that we should move beyond such rigid and limiting views and embrace a more inclusive and accepting understanding of gender and identity.

I don't like it. I don't like it at all. I'm really struggling to get through it because I can't return it unless I finish it.

My impressions of this book so far and the things I didn't like are as follows:

- The authors seem to have a specific mold for women, and you have to fit into it as that mold is considered "Biblical femininity". But I just don't fit that mold. Thank goodness it's God who is in charge, not Stasi and John.

- Stasi's use of Ezekiel 28:17 to prove her point about Satan is concerning. She takes it out of context. This portion of Scripture is about the King of Tyre, who called himself "a god" but is merely "a man". While the Lord might be making a comparison and there can be different ways of interpreting this, there is nothing in the Scripture or footnotes to support Stasi's claims.

- I will never go around saying "Creation has reached its zenith in me" because that sounds conceited. Also, on page 44, it says "Eve was given to the world as the incarnation of a beautiful, captivating God". I'm not sure what Bible Stasi has been reading, but I'm pretty sure the ONLY incarnation of God is Jesus. We can be an Imago Dei (Image of God), but the repeated use of "incarnation" in the book is a bit worrisome. I don't think Stasi knows what she's talking about.

- If I read one more movie metaphor, I think I'll scream. Please stop comparing me to Rose from the Titanic or Cora from Last of The Mohicans. Instead, talk to me about Deborah, Rachel, Rebekah, Mary - you know, women from the Bible! I can't learn anything from Rose.

- There should be more Scripture and less movie references.

Well, that's all I've really read so far. I'll have more thoughts when I finish. Another thing I want to say is that this book is co-authored, and I find John very competent. I actually enjoy reading his portion of the book. Unfortunately, most of the writing is done by Stasi, and she worries me.

Ok, I'll do another review when I'm done. :-D

Peace & God Bless

J. Marie

Edit: Ok, I tried again a couple nights ago. Mia, you may never get your book back because I may never finish it.

This is truly a refreshing read. As I perused its pages, it felt as if the words were spoken ahead of their time.

They had a profound impact on me, making me realize that I am not alone in this world. The author's insights and perspectives have a way of softening the edges within us.

After finishing this piece, I find myself feeling less abrasive and more in tune with my inner self. It has given me a newfound sense of empowerment, inspiring me to go out and create beauty in whatever form it may take.

Whether it's through art, kindness, or simply living a more conscious life, I am now more determined than ever to make a positive difference.

This read has been a transformative experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have discovered it.

I'm not entirely certain how I managed to mark this as read on the 6th. In fact, I only just completed it this morning.

Let me begin with the negative aspects.

I didn't appreciate the way the author often presented her thoughts, opinions, and interpretations as if they were established facts. It seemed that there wasn't a great deal of in-depth research incorporated into this book. Additionally, I wasn't overly fond of all the movie references. While a few of them did serve to emphasize her points, overall, they felt a bit excessive. I also find myself in disagreement with her interpretation of Proverbs 22. Instead of seeing it as an either-or situation, I believe that her perspective can be considered as an addition to the truth of the Scripture. She discusses "training up a child in the way he should go" as meaning allowing the child to be their individual selves. However, I didn't entirely agree with this. Moreover, I didn't feel comfortable with the way she frequently referenced speaking out against oppressive forces. Although I'm a novice on this subject, I prefer to focus my thoughts on the Lord, on things that are pure, and so on. Another aspect that I didn't like was how she mentioned that daughters often have strained relationships with their mothers during the teen years. I choose to pray and believe in a different kind of family dynamic that the Lord can provide.

However, there were also some aspects of the book that I truly loved. Chapters 7 and 8, in particular, were very moving. When she talked about the beautiful romancing of the love of God for us, I was deeply comforted, encouraged, and inspired to reignite the intimacy I had with the Lord when I was single. Even though I now have a husband and two small children, this reminder was truly precious. I also loved how she asked God to move and then witnessed Him doing so.

I also think that this book can be a valuable resource for those who are struggling with their abusive pasts or have unresolved trauma, especially those who are having difficulty accepting the love that God has for them.

I almost didn't want this book to end.

I simply didn't anticipate being so deeply impacted by it. It was a remarkable blend of gentleness and profoundness.

It delved into numerous pains, fears, insecurities, and struggles that I encounter on a daily basis. Moreover, it explored the woman's heart and God's design for it in a truly unique way that I had never heard before.

Not shying away from taking you into your past and the hurts that lie within, it simultaneously offers an abundance of beautiful hope for your future, along with the love and redemption that can be found in Jesus.

Seriously, it has compelled me to reflect on the state of my heart and the things I'm clinging to that are hindering my progress. It has provided me with clarity regarding how my past continues to affect me in the present, and has led me to pray for even more clarity and healing from Jesus.

And it has also bestowed upon me a sense of comfort, for it has shown me that I'm not alone in my struggles and insecurities.

I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book. I don't make such recommendations lightly, but I firmly believe that every girl (teen and up) should read this wonderful piece of literature. ✨

This book was given to me by my mom, after she had read it.

It took me a while to get into the right mindset to have the patience to read it. However, when I did, what a jewel I found - not only in the book, but in myself as well.

The book is filled with metaphors and analogies. At first, I found it hard to identify with them because I was, as the book refers to, a woman striving and busying myself with all the worldly mundane tasks of life. I thought I didn't "have time" for this flowery mumbo-jumbo. I was a woman emotionally flat and depleted.

Once I found my calm space and made time to prioritize this (because after all, my mom has quoted it so many times this past year... it obviously has something to offer!), I found that this book is such a refreshing read. It truly did awaken my feminine spirit.

It focuses on the purpose and heart of a woman, and how she is called to a role that is both captivating and nurturing to the relationships in her life. It opened my eyes to the ways that I have learned to defend my heart by putting up barriers to it. And it made me realize that you cannot truly love without being vulnerable.

This is a word that has not even been in my vocabulary for so long that I honestly hardly recognized the concept until I found myself caught up in the examples the authors gave. Examples of hardships faced and innocent dreams dying when girls' fundamental questions go unanswered from their fathers: 'Am I lovely?,' and 'Am I enough?'

I've been going through life with my eyes wide open, but my heart quite closed off. There were many key insights offered into how a woman should be focused on her one true Father, and operate in a feminine way in the world so as to make it (and her own heart) flourish. It describes femininity in many ways - tender, loving, beautiful, fierce.

This book is inspirational, and worth a second read! Enjoy.

It took me significantly longer than I had initially anticipated to read this book. However, the process of note-taking and truly digesting its contents requires time.

To be perfectly honest, upon first glance, I was rather frustrated. There was a sense of pulling against the reins of feminine stereotypes and girlish-ness. I found myself uncomfortable with admitting and agreeing to the truths that this book presents.

For instance, the desire to be captivating, the need for a savior (Jesus), and the longing to be a part of something greater than myself. But, it turned out to be a truly fantastic growing period. I was able to experience the joy of the Lord in new lights and delight in His design.

Most importantly, I am encouraged to be humble. I've come to realize that I don't need to constantly strive in order to be worthy. Instead, I can rest in the peace and authority that the Lord offers me. This allows me to offer myself and my heart to others more authentically and tenderly.

I truly appreciate the Eldredge's determination in highlighting the importance of the life-giving warmth and strength of femininity, especially in a world that is in such dire need of people who can build and sustain relationships.

In fact, I've already purchased two copies of this book to give to my friends. I highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking personal growth and a deeper understanding of their femininity.