Wow. You're Already Amazing is an incredible book that every woman I know needs to read. While it may seem from the title that this is going to be a rah-rah, feel good back, that's simply not true. Instead, it's obvious from the outset that Holley desires for women to know who God created them to be and to use the strengths and skills that He has gifted them with to honor Him!

"We are chosen, cherished, created women who have all we need to fulfill God's plans for our lives. He has made us just as he wants us to be. We have something to offer that no one else can bring . . . and the world is waiting" (p 40).

Holley writes in such a way that reading the book feels more like having a conversation with a close friend. The exercises throughout the book and the "Go Deeper Guide" at the end make this a great book for individuals or groups to go through. [4 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from Revell Books in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Available March 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

It was all Holley's idea from the start when she said to me (on the back of her book) "Psst...pull up a chair and I'll tell you a secret."

So I sat, notepad in hand, ready for a business lunch. You see I had received a copy of You're Already Amazing in exchange for an objective review and I was here and ready to get the facts and "just the facts ma'am". Was it well written? (Yes) Was it engaging? (Yes) Does it apply to the deep heart issues and just regular kind of living issues that we as women have? (Yes and yes)

But it wasn't long (page 16 in fact) that we (and I quote) "... settle into a quiet corner. Order our favorite drinks. Swap small talk over mochas or tea. Sip by sip we go deeper, until we land at the level of the heart...that place it's hard to go in the middle of the busy and the broken."

I put away my notepad, took out my highlighter, and began marking into golden the truths nestled in those words; precious treasures for my heart.

"Most people don't do what you do, love what you love, feel the kind of passion you feel about that thing...if most people don't do what you do, and you're passionately pursing Jesus with your life, then it's probably not just a human plan. The heartbeat of God is probably somewhere within it. We need you, just you, to fulfill that purpose, complete that project, bring that gift to the world in a way no one else can. "(page 18)

"Our divinely created strengths (fueled by God's power) are actually supported by our weakness, because if we were good at everything, we wouldn't focus on much of anything." (pg 27)

"God will use you in a lot of different ways throughout your life." (pg 32)

"The road He's carved out for you is yours alone. It's always the road less traveled because you're the only one who is ever going to walk it" (pg 79)

"God knows we're human. He knows we get worn out. Sometimes He simply says, 'Take a break, child.'" (pg 84)

"God promises that when you trust Him, He'll take care of you wherever you are and get you to where He wants you to go." (pg 98)

This was not some clinical discussion — not a one-sided expert talking to a needy one. This book is a heart to heart with Holley. Throughout her words of wisdom and ideals she adds (in parentheses, a lot!) her own reactions, doubts, and struggles. It truly is like having coffee with a good honest friend who has found the most incredible way of living a life of faith and cannot wait to let you in on the secret.

This book is Amazing... I must say!

This book is very powerful for women. I am not usually a big fan of self help books because they usually loose focus on the main point, which is to lean on God, not do it your self.

But this book keeps focus on God as your strength. I really love this book. Its very positive for women, Christian or not.

I found my self taking a lot of notes while reading. I actually will be reading it again, slower, so that I can use it more as a study and share it with my daughters as part of our homeschool bible curriculum. It will be empowering for them as well, as a primer to women hood and what we as women deal with.

This book is just full of information that we as women need to be armed with. Like truth about who you are in your eyes and God's eyes.

Your going to grow by reading this book. You may also, like me, have emotions stirred so you will have to deal with them. It may bring up things from your past that you have forgotten and you need to deal with.

I would like to finish with a quote that I underlined. I am not sure what it was about it, but it stuck with me, maybe to meditate on.

Pg 42: "We have a choice between living in the truth or giving in to the flesh. And what we pick ultimately shapes us and the course of our lives."

Just to show you how much I loved this book, I wish I could show you my copy. It has writing on every single page with tons of sentences underlined and highlighted. You would even see a few hearty Amens with little arrows pointing to, "This is so me!"

I curled up with this book and learned so much about myself and about my walk with the Lord. I loved every chapter. There was something in each chapter that grabbed hold of my heart and said, "Lets just sit here for a while and soak all this in before we move forward".

This is in my top five Non-Fiction loves. I couldn't put this book down once I began reading. I had every intention of just doing a chapter a day, but my heart was aching for more. I found myself reading a few chapters a day. I could have read it all in one day, but I heard the Lord say, "Just take it slow", and that is exactly what I did.

This book would be great for a Sunday school lesson, or a group of ladies joining one night a week. This would be such a blessing for you to grab a girlfriend and just take a heart dive into this gem of gold. I would just say this book should be in the hands of every woman and of every man who loves her. This would be a perfect gift for that high school girl, searching for who she is in the Lord.

Holley takes us on a journey back to Jesus. Back to the simple truth that we are loved. Loved no matter what. The message here is we don't need fixing for the Lord to love us. He loves us today just as we are! That is enough to make us stand up and shout!

This gifted writer goes on a journey with us. She is personal and heart warming. I found myself giggling throughout the book as well as wiping my tear stained cheeks. She speaks about emotions and how each and every one are gifts from God. I was always taught to hide my emotions. After reading this book I knew how important it was to share my emotions and allow others to see my bad days as well as my good days.

"God, the ultimate designer, has custom created an emotional wardrobe for you. And it's beautiful. It's also essential to accomplishing His purpose for your life. So lets explore together."

You really do feel as though Holley is right there with you for the journey. I loved the questions. I found myself really pondering my answers, which it turn, brought me to prayer.

I too learned I had been carrying with me "Emotional Hand Me Downs".

"Since our families are important influences in our lives, let's start by exploring what emotional hand-me-downs they passed on to us. They might be quality vintage, or it could be time for a new look. This isn't about right or wrong or blaming anyone-it's simply about understanding."

I learned what my strengths are and how to use them to bring glory and honor to God. I too learned how to walk in peace by simply being me.

You're not only amazing.

You're enough.

You're beautiful.

Your wanted.

You're chosen.

You've got what it takes...not just to survive but to change the world.

This book was a gift from Revell for it's review.