I truly relished this book to an extreme extent.

Stasi's description of the image that both men and women carry from God is simply captivating. It makes one reflect deeply on our inherent nature and connection to the divine.

Moreover, the portrayal of Jesus as our hero and our one true love is both inspiring and heartwarming. The fact that he fought for us, even at the cost of his own life, is a sacrifice that is truly beyond measure.

His death and subsequent resurrection, conquering death itself, set us free from the villain in our story. This liberation is a source of great hope and joy.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It has undeniably given me a fresh and new perspective on a plethora of things. It has opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of faith, love, and sacrifice.

There were certain aspects in here that I truly did appreciate, yet there were so many more that I did not.

John and Stasi claim that they understand women and that their personalities span a wide range, and that they endeavored to avoid stereotypes. Nevertheless, I had the distinct perception that a "real" woman would conform to an E*F* Myers Briggs-type. (Being an ISTJ myself, I naturally bristle at that.) I continuously felt that they were appealing to a woman's emotions.

They were so resolute in proving that women are defined by their beauty that they seemingly almost demonized efficiency and being task-oriented - two traits that are central to my own personality; thus, I walked away feeling profoundly misunderstood and as if my strengths remained unappreciated. Now, I do not dispute the fact that beauty (both inward and outward) is a defining quality of women, but I believe that a woman can embrace her God-given strengths (even efficiency and task-orientedness!) in a manner that showcases beauty.

A significant concern for me while reading the book was the way they referred to the reader as the Bride of Christ. This was repeated time and again, and I find it rather perilous. Nowhere in the Bible is a woman (or a man) individually called the Bride of Christ – the Church, as a whole, is the Bride of Christ. We cannot each be the Bride separately.

What else?

The authors persistently compared a woman's life to the romances found in books and movies such as The Titanic, Braveheart, The Last of the Mohicans, and The Lord of the Rings. Over and over and over, the same references were made. I somewhat wonder if they realized that those are all fictional?

They mentioned that they "didn't have the time" to delve into certain biblical accounts of women. But they expended so much time on fictional characters (see point above)! Argh!

John and Stasi did not always distinguish who was speaking when, or they would wait too long into a passage to clue the reader in. Frustrating!

Several times, John quoted himself from the book he wrote for men, Wild at Heart. I simply think it's odd to quote oneself.

Two quotes that I did like:

"What would it be like to experience for yourself that the truest thing about [God's] heart toward yours is not disappointment or disapproval but deep, fiery, passionate love?" -p. 113

"Unveiling beauty is our greatest expression of love, because it is what the world most needs from us. When we choose not to hide, when we choose to offer our hearts, we are choosing to love.... Our focus shifts from self-protection to the hearts of others. We offer Beauty so that their hearts might come alive, be healed, know God. That is love." -p. 147

Polarizing.

This book is truly polarizing. For those who have an aversion to anything related to the Bible, this concept would seem completely lost on them. They would likely find no value or interest in it.

Similarly, for people who despise the notions of the more simplistic and perhaps naïve romantic ideals that are sometimes presented, this book might also be a turn-off.

When it comes to hardcore feminists, they will likely be extremely critical. In fact, one might say that there wouldn't be enough pitchforks on Earth to express their dissatisfaction with this book. However, the more balanced feminists might actually enjoy it to a great extent, especially in certain passages or aspects.

On the other hand, for people who are seeking to read some soft and slightly inspiring material, something that is fluffy and comfortable to read, this book could be a winner. Especially if they are able to temporarily disconnect the rational part of their brain and just immerse themselves in the story.

Overall, this book has the potential to elicit a wide range of reactions depending on the individual's beliefs, preferences, and mindset.

This book truly astonished me in numerous aspects.

The manner in which it portrays Eve and women is not only beautiful but also offers a refreshing perspective that is quite distinct from most Christian books.

I have to say that I had a rather mixed feeling about this book. It was like a 50/50 split.

On one hand, 50% of it was truly incredible. The author's insights and the way the story was told were captivating and thought-provoking.

However, on the other hand, the remaining 50% seemed not applicable or perhaps didn't resonate with me as strongly.

Maybe it was due to personal beliefs or different expectations. Nevertheless, this book still managed to make an impact and left me with a lot to consider.

Overall, it was an interesting read that had its highs and lows.

Started reading this randomly one night after owning it for two years.

Perhaps it wasn't truly random at all. In fact, it seems as if this book was waiting for just the right moment to touch my heart and soul.

From the very first page, I was captivated by its beauty. The words seemed to dance off the page, painting vivid pictures in my mind.

It was like embarking on a magical journey, filled with emotions and insights.

The author's writing style is so engaging that I found myself completely immersed in the story.

Each chapter brought new surprises and revelations, making me eager to turn the page and discover what lay ahead.

This book is not just a collection of words; it is a work of art that has the power to move and inspire.

I am so glad that I finally took the time to read it and experience its beauty for myself.

Why on earth would my brother get this book for me?

It's really quite a mystery. I mean, I only enjoyed or found maybe 1 - 5% of it usable.

Perhaps he thought it would be something I'd be interested in, but clearly, he was way off the mark.

Maybe he didn't really know my tastes that well or he just picked it up on a whim.

Either way, it's a bit of a disappointment.

I wonder if he'll ever ask me how I liked it and if I'll have to break the news gently that it wasn't really my cup of tea.

Oh well, at least it gives me something to think about and write about like this.

Maybe I should give him a hint for next time and let him know what kind of books I actually enjoy.

That way, we can avoid this kind of situation in the future and he can get me something that I'll truly appreciate.

I was recommended this book by my twin sister.

At first, I wasn't exactly excited about reading it. I thought it might be just another ordinary book.

However, once I started reading, I couldn't put it down.

Captivating isn't a self-help book, or a sermon; far from either. Instead, it is a book about discovery.

It delves deep into the areas of a woman's heart that most people would dare not even look.

It gives the reader the permission to heal wounds that one didn't even know were there.

This book truly changed my life forever.

All it took was the first page and I was hooked.

I found myself completely immersed in the words and ideas presented in the book.

It opened my eyes to a whole new world of self-awareness and understanding.

I would highly recommend this book to any woman who is looking to discover more about herself and her inner world.

It is a must-read for anyone who wants to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth.

TERRIBLE!!

The title names alone should've given me a hint, but this book was so highly recommended that I chose to ignore them. "Arousing Adam" is especially distasteful when it comes to chapter titles. I've never felt less feminine in my life. I alternated between being on the verge of tears for falling so short of expectations and laughing because people still believe women want a knight in shining armor. I don't really desire any of the three things that are supposed to be "what every woman wants." Somehow, this made me feel inadequate. I identified much more with the "Question" that men ask than the one supposedly aimed at women. I hate the movies they listed as female favorites. Again, I liked the male favorites more. The same goes for the childhood games. I never had a "horse phase" like "most little girls do" (p. 12). I was going to tough it out and finish the book until I reached page 142. There, the authors praised not one, but two women for showing beauty by remaining in an abusive marriage. Last time I checked, there is nothing beautiful about a woman (regardless of her attitude and outlook) in an abusive marriage. That's just disgusting. I'm appalled that a man who claims to be a Christian could find beauty in a woman staying with a man who treats her poorly. It's no wonder Christian women today are so confused. For all the hype surrounding this book, it turned out to be just another "let your inner beauty shine through and you'll be at peace" book. I definitely wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

I was truly disappointed in Eldredge's "Captivating".

Taking a more objective stance, this book unfortunately failed to rely on evidence from the Bible. Instead, it used examples from our culture such as The Titanic and Cinderella to explain the roles of women.

There are indeed some lovely lines within it that I think every woman might admire. However, I couldn't help but notice major gender biases throughout the book.

Although it is a book about a “woman’s soul,” one would expect there to be some gender-specific aspects. But I felt as if this book simply reasserted the typical stereotypes of women in distress, and its main effort was to persuade women that they yearn for a man to complete them.

Oddly enough, Christ is presented as her romantic suitor, which I found rather strange. Does every woman really desire to be romanced and rescued? Is woman truly just the crowning glory, the ornament of God?

There is very little mention of a woman’s intelligence and mental capacity. I can't believe that women are actually okay with this. Was this book really written in the 21st century?

This book reinforces the gender stereotype of woman as the delicate sex, the “beautiful” sex. I fear it may have negative effects on impressionable young women, leading them to believe that they need to be beautiful and “captivating” in some way, and that they need a man to complete them.

Even if that man is Christ, the book still enforces the idea that women are incapable of autonomy.

From a modern woman’s standpoint, this book is a prime example that our culture is deeply steeped in typical gender roles, and the role of women in society truly needs to be addressed.

This book is truly amazing!

One of my male friends didn't have a great liking for it, perhaps deeming it too soft - though the interpretation of that word can vary.

However, I firmly believe it's excellent! It delves into a woman's journey in this world, but from a much broader and purposeful perspective.

It encompasses elements of romance, adventure, and childhood, among others. :)

This provides an insight into how God has made women unique and wonderful, in His own image (not suggesting that He is a female).

Our beauty reflects the glory of God. Our life is a narrative of how the enemy attempts to destroy us and our hero (God) comes to our rescue.

I highly recommend that you give this book a try. If you're like me, you'll find it impossible to put down. :)

A room painted in a vivid bubblegum pink, adorned with floral border wallpaper, and filled to the brim with an extensive collection of plastic unicorns - this is the perfect way to envision the tone of "Captivating." This book is penned by a husband and wife team.

I have a strong aversion to when men attempt to disclose the mysteries of the female heart to women. However, the wife's commentary was even more revolting. Perhaps it's because she should have known better. The underlying premise of the book held promise and was worthy of exploration.

Unfortunately, it ultimately ended up being completely botched by the authors. Their execution failed to do justice to the initial concept, leaving the readers disappointed and unfulfilled. It's a pity that such a potentially interesting idea was not realized to its full potential.

Overall, "Captivating" falls short of expectations and fails to deliver on its intended message.

The essence of a woman is Beauty. She is truly a remarkable being, meant to be the incarnation, our very experience in human form, of a Captivating God. This statement from the book is truly eye-opening, delving deep into the recesses of my heart. I never even realized that I needed to hear some of these profound passages until I had the opportunity to read this book. It has opened my eyes to a whole new perspective on the nature and significance of a woman's beauty. It makes me think about how a woman's beauty is not just skin deep but has a much deeper and more spiritual meaning. It is a beauty that can captivate and inspire, just like the presence of a God. This book has truly been a transformative experience for me, and I will carry these words with me always.