One of the most impactful books that I’ve read in my life is truly a remarkable piece of literature. I first encountered it when I was 16 years old, and it has since left an indelible mark on my soul. I have read it repeatedly, each time uncovering new layers of wisdom and inspiration.

This book means so much to me that I have given away probably around 20 copies. In fact, I just gave away one today. I firmly believe that every woman and man should have the opportunity to read this book. It has the power to transform lives, to open minds, and to touch hearts.

Whether you are seeking guidance, looking for a source of motivation, or simply in need of a good read, this book has something for everyone. It is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire generations to come. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a profound and life-changing experience.

This book restores my soul.

As a woman, it is far too easy to become trapped and enamored by what this world deems "beautiful" and "worthy."

I, too, have followed the empty train headed towards a wasteland of so-called redemption.

I was in hot pursuit of the shoes I simply MUST have, the makeup that promised to transform me, and the sparkly adornments designed to make me stand out and shine.

But this book serves as a refreshing reminder that there is more to a woman than meets the eye.

Our beauty has everything to do with how God sees us, not how we see ourselves.

It makes me realize that true beauty lies within, in our hearts and souls.

We should not be so easily swayed by the false standards of the world.

Instead, we should focus on our inner qualities and let our true selves shine through.

This book has truly opened my eyes and given me a new perspective on what it means to be a beautiful woman.

I read this book when I was in middle school.

It was around the time when I first began to suspect that Christianity might be patriarchal and suppressing women's complete selves. The husband and wife coauthors put forward the argument that women should be "soft" and are most attractive when they are doing nothing.

I even considered taking it off my bookshelf because it was rather embarrassing. However, at that time, I was religious and searching for anything related to gender. Moreover, it is a part of my budding feminist history.

Nowadays, I wonder what the modern Christian woman would think about this book. Would she still agree with the ideas presented? Or would she have a different perspective, perhaps influenced by the changing social and cultural context?

It is interesting to consider how our understanding and perception of such issues can evolve over time. Maybe the modern Christian woman would see the flaws in the argument and strive for a more equal and empowered role within the religious and social framework.

Only by engaging in discussions and reflecting on these topics can we hope to move forward and create a more inclusive and just society for all.

I could not get through this book. It is truly a disappointment.

The authors seem to be blatantly ignorant of the very things they claim to be experts on, such as art. When they discuss Adam's actions and Eve's stance, it is clear that they have not delved into history at all. They assert that the tone of the pieces they refer to transcends cultural boundaries, yet all the art they mention is Catholic and European. They really should have studied art history and the concept of the male gaze before making such sweeping generalizations.

The tone of the authors is smug and snooty. Their constant questions like "Who's buying all the romance novels?" and statements like "You know this to be true" are off-putting. I don't appreciate being told how to feel by an author. Their stance is that they are always right, as if they are the teacher and the reader is the student. If you don't fit their mold, they imply that there is something wrong with you as a woman.

They also advertise and quote themselves way too much. It's all about "Buy our guided journal we wrote!" and "Make your friends buy the book too and read it together!" and "Look what John wrote in 'Wild at Heart!'"

Moreover, they base what women want on what little girls want. Apparently, the only thing girls want to do is put on skirts and twirl in front of Daddy and grow up to be a princess. But that's not the case for everyone. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a janitor or a farrier, and I was inexplicably uncomfortable with my dad until I was 12. Am I broken because I didn't fit their narrow view?

The quote "nature is not primarily functional. Nature is primarily beautiful" drove me insane. It suggests that a woman's first job is to be beautiful and not functional. But have the authors ever considered the functionality in nature? Like why vultures pee on their feet or why sunsets have so many colors? Nature's beauty lies within its functionality, and we see beauty in nature because we recognize God's glory in it.

The most grievous fault of this book and John's "Wild at Heart" is that it slaps in the face the creativity of God. It pigeonholes women into one box and men into another. Those who don't fit? They're just considered wounded. The God I know is not that bland. The authors claim there is no blueprint for a woman right before they outline one. I cannot recommend this book to anyone and I truly wish I could give negative stars.

I'm not really a huge fan.

The book had some interesting perspectives, and it was cool to see things from a woman's side. However, at times it felt repetitive, and it was very similar to "Wild at Heart" obviously.

I also read it at a weird time of my life. So maybe I would have liked it more in different circumstances, but I didn't think this was all that great.

Perhaps if I had read it at a different stage, or with a different mindset, my perception of it might have been different.

But as it stands, while it had its moments, it didn't really leave a lasting impression on me.

It seemed to lack that certain something that would have made it truly outstanding.

Maybe it was the predictability of the plot, or the fact that some of the themes were a bit overdone.

Either way, it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.

I picked up Captivating after reading (and loving) one woman's response to the "Christian princess culture" that has emerged from it and similar books. (You can read "A Crown of Thorns: Why I'm Exchanging Princess-ship for Discipleship" by Laura Robinson here.) I have to admit that, although Captivating isn't my favorite book, I didn't hate it as much as I initially thought I would.

The good:
The Eldredges take great care to emphasize the long-term effects of physical, emotional, and spiritual abuse that cause women (and men, too, although that's not the main focus of this book) to become either "dominating" or "desolate." I appreciate the absence of victim-blaming and the focus on turning to God for healing, as well as the emphasis on forgiveness as "a choice...an act of will." They encourage women to seek validation from God, stating, "Only God can tell you who you are." They also affirm that each woman has her own unique path to God and to fulfill her purpose, saying, "Our true places as women in God's Story are as diverse and unique as wildflowers in a field. No two look quite the same." I also liked their description of the Hebrew term ezer kenegdo and their definition of worship. And, of course, the multiple references to The Lord of the Rings warmed my fantasy-loving heart.

The bad:
This book is extremely repetitive and reductionist. I strongly object to being told what I am or what I want based on my gender, as if all women are the same. The authors make broad generalizations about what women are or what they really desire, with only anecdotal "evidence" to support their claims. Their use of scripture on this point also seems lacking. Additionally, there is no recognition that some of these characteristics and desires may be socialized preferences rather than God-given traits. The Eldredges claim that my three great desires as a woman are to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to unveil beauty. However, their descriptions of these desires seem to contradict each other, creating a sense of passivity. They also talk about women as "warriors," but then there are other passages that give a more passive impression. And while they are careful to mention "inner beauty," they also discuss the beauty of nature, which is an "outer" beauty. I kept getting mixed messages.

Captivating does have some valuable insights, as mentioned in the "The good" section, and I'm sure it has helped many people. However, for me, it relies too much on gender stereotypes to be truly useful.

For more book reviews, visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.

For every ten pages that are filled with lucidity and offer truly helpful ideas, there are a hundred pages that are filled with horrifically shallow spirituality, a kind of Hollywood fluff worship, and truly absurd concepts of gender roles.

It's quite concerning to see such a disparity. One would hope that the majority of the content in a book would be of value and substance. However, in this case, it seems that the good is outweighed by the not-so-good.

A long review is coming soon to further dissect and analyze these aspects. Alas, books of this sort are often assumed to be holy and might be very damaging to the wrong reader at the wrong time.

It's important to be discerning when choosing what to read, especially when it comes to topics that deal with spirituality and social constructs like gender roles. We need to be cautious not to be misled by the superficial and the absurd.

This statement, "This is just as bad as the male version Wild at Heart," really sums it up. The summary's quote, "The message of 'Captivating' is this: Your heart matters more than anything else in all creation. The desires you had as a little girl and the longings you still feel are telling you of the life God created you to live. He offers to rescue your heart and release you to live as a fully alive and feminine woman. A woman who is truly captivating," is completely off the mark. I wholeheartedly disagree with every bit of it. It is most definitely not in line with what the Bible teaches. The Bible has its own clear and distinct message about life, love, and the role of women. It doesn't focus on such subjective and perhaps even self-centered ideas. We should look to the Word of God for our understanding and guidance, not to these kinds of books that seem to deviate from the truth. We need to be discerning and not be misled by such false teachings.

This book presents a truly grotesque misinterpretation of femininity.

It firmly reinforces age-old paradigms that confine a woman to a pedestal, suggesting that beauty, whether it be in her canoeing skills or her ball gown, is her very essence.

It completely negates the need to explore the hearts of wild, wilful, and untameable women, simply decreeing that if you belong to that ilk, you are broken, desolate, and lost.

The concept of seduction, within a so-called "Christian" sense, plagues this book.

Women are expected to be pretty, needy, and petty in order to make themselves alluring, and being alluring or captivating is presented as the key.

It is your supposed duty to make your man feel like a real man, which apparently means not allowing him to lounge about the bed naked and half covered by a sheet. Otherwise, you have failed.

There is no place in this picture for a woman who does things on her own. However, it should be noted that this book is not targeted at strong women.

Rather, it is aimed at lost women within the church who are searching for a sense of self. Herein lies its own failure.

What Stasi Eldredge perceives as herself, whether as a woman or a creation of God, is not the essence that defines every other woman in her heart.

I, for one, am not romantic. I do not enjoy being romanced. I prefer Stevenson to Austen and Tarantino to Cameron, but that does not make me any less of a woman.

When I grew up, I didn't aspire to be beautiful. Instead, I wanted to be wise and knowledgeable.

I have memories of dressing up as a cowboy, Darth Vader, or even vaguely as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, but never as a bride or a princess.

Personally, I believe the greatest misunderstanding in this book is the severe distinction it makes between the sexes. Because, quite frankly, there isn't such a stark divide.

Ultimately, "Captivating" is a narrow, inconsiderate jumble of modern Christian ideology.

Perhaps it can be seen as inspiring to women who are searching for their identity. However, finding an identity in someone else leaves them no healthier than being lost.

God won't love you any less if your heart is fierce. God knows that some of us need a fierce heart, and who's to say that isn't alluring?

Wow.

I came to this book with a hint of skepticism. About 10 years ago, I had attempted to read it but didn't make it very far before abandoning it.

I believe it's a book that we are meant to read when God prepares us to receive the message it conveys. This time around, I was truly ready. I connected with it on a deep level and found it to be extremely powerful.

I adore the way it links our identity as women to the very heart of God Himself. It reveals that our longings are implanted in our hearts by Him. We are created beautifully because we are made in His image.

And as we discover our life, our rest, our healing, and our peace in Him, our God-given beauty can radiate out, guiding people towards Jesus.

This is a profound book, and I sense that I still have a great deal to process and contemplate. There is a companion journal that I possess, and I hope to utilize it to continue reflecting on these matters and allowing God to work within my heart.

I look forward to further exploring the wisdom and insights this book has to offer.

Ummm, it is an absolute no-no for any man to ever dare to write a book about uncovering the mystery of a woman's soul. This particular book was not only dreadfully boring but also completely impossible to connect with on any level.

Later on, when I delved deeper into other works he has penned, I realized that he has some outrageously wrong preconceived notions and ideas about women. He seems to have a skewed perception of the roles that women should play, how they think, and how they feel. It's truly astonishing how off-base he is.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend that you do not waste your precious time on this author or his books. There are far better reads out there that can offer more accurate and meaningful insights into the complex world of women. Save your time and energy for something that is truly worth it.

This book was truly outstanding.

The Eldredges have done an amazing job of delicately uncovering the inner mechanisms and blueprint of a woman's heart.

I felt completely understood by every aspect of it (even those parts that might have seemed a bit embarrassing haha).

It was extremely valuable in providing a better understanding of the design that God had when He created Eve, and how the Fall has contributed to the brokenness that women experience in the world today.

It is an incredible source of comfort, a useful tool, and a valuable resource that I want to explore again and again.

I highly recommend it.

The mystery of the feminine heart was intended to be a wonderful thing, a source of joy.

However, it has become a source of shame, as women almost universally feel that they are both "too much" and "not enough" simultaneously.

Men often shy away from the deeper aspects of a woman's soul, unsure of what they will discover or how to deal with it.

Consequently, we have missed the treasure that is the heart of a woman, the richness that femininity was meant to bring to our lives, and the way it reveals the heart of God to us.

Most women define themselves in terms of their relationships and the quality they perceive in those relationships.

I am a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend.

Or perhaps I am alone, not seeing anyone at the moment, or my children aren't calling, or my friends seem distant.

This is not a weakness in women; it is a glory that reflects the heart of God.

The great desire and capacity a woman has for intimate relationships tells us about God's own great desire and capacity for such relationships.

As a result, you'll observe that women are endowed with intense devotion, the ability to endure great hardships, and a vision to make the world a better place.

Unveiling beauty is our greatest expression of love because it is what the world most requires from us.

When we choose not to hide, when we choose to offer our hearts, we are choosing to love.

Jesus offers, He invites, He is present. That is how He loves.

That is how we love—sincerely, as the Scripture says, "from the heart" (1 Peter 1:22).

Our focus shifts from self-protection to the hearts of others.

We offer Beauty so that their hearts might come alive, be healed, and know God. That is love.

Redeemed women of God have tender, merciful hearts, unyielding backbones, and hands that have been trained for battle.

There is something incredibly fierce in the heart of a woman that must be contended with—not dismissed, not despised, but recognized, honored, welcomed, and trained.