You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be [Paperback]

Holley Gerth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2012

Women feel enormous pressure to be perfect. To have the perfect body, to be a perfect woman, to have the perfect career, and to have the perfect attitude. All the time. Under all that pressure and all those expectations are women carrying burdens they were never meant to carry and suppressing the dreams they were always meant to live.

In You're Already Amazing, popular blogger and cofounder of (in)courage helps women understand and embrace the fact that they don't need to do more, be more, and have more--because they're already amazing just the way God created them to be. As a licensed counselor and certified life coach, Holley knows what readers need to hear. Like a heart-to-heart talk over coffee, reading this joy-filled book encourages women to forget the lies and expectations the world feeds them, instead believing that God made them for a purpose and that he loves them right now, at this moment, and always. Holley takes readers on a journey of the heart to discover their strengths and embrace all God created them to be.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Psst . . . pull up a chair and I'll tell you a secret. You'd better lean in close for this one.
Ready?
You don't have to do more, be more, have more.
I'm sure there are security alarms going off somewhere. You should probably hide this book when your in-laws come over.
But it's true.
It's the kind of true that will change your life, set you free, and make you wake up smiling for the first time in a long time. I know because that's what it did for me. . . .
So watch out, sister. If you keep reading you just might be next.


With this heart-to-heart message, Holley Gerth invites you to embrace one very important truth--that you truly are already amazing. Like a trusted friend, Holley gently shows you how to forget the lies and expectations the world feeds you and instead believe that God loves you and has bigger plans for your life than you've even imagined.

"This is a book for every woman who needs to find her way back to hope, Jesus, and everything she was made to be in Christ. Holley Gerth is a fresh voice for every woman--she echoes the voice of our Father."--Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author of One Thousand Gifts

"Holley invites you to settle in with her, to hear the words of Christ, and to walk away changed. I have a feeling you'll be calling her your friend by the time you finish the first chapter."--Angie Smith, Women of Faith speaker and author of I Will Carry You and What Women Fear

"Holley Gerth turns words like a poet. Warm and personal, You're Already Amazing is a biblical, practical handbook for every woman's heart."-- Emily P. Freeman, author of Grace for the Good Girl

Holley Gerth is an award-winning writer, licensed counselor, certified life coach, and speaker. She is a cofounder of (in)courage, a popular blogger at Heart to Heart with Holley, and lives in the South with her husband, Mark.

A portion of the author's proceeds will be donated to the Compassion International Leadership Development Program (www.compassion.com).

About the Author

Holley Gerth is a bestselling writer, certified life coach, and speaker. She loves connecting with the hearts of women through her popular blog and books like You're Already Amazing and You're Made for a God-Sized Dream. She's also cofounder of (in)courage and a partner with DaySpring. Holley lives with her husband, Mark, in the South. Hang out with her at www.holleygerth.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Revell (March 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800720601
• ISBN-13: 978-0800720605
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,244 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Holley Gerth is a best-selling writer, licensed counselor, certified life coach and speaker. She is cofounder of (in)courage, an online destination for women, which received more than one million page views in its first six months. She also reaches out to readers through her popular blog, Heart to Heart with Holley and through a partnership with DaySpring. Holley lives in the South with her husband, Mark.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book about YOU being Amazing March 3, 2012

By J. Short

Format:Paperback

I like reading books for Christian women. I honestly do, but many times I feel I can't relate to them. I don't struggle with wondering if I'm "good enough" (I am), if I'm pretty enough (If looks matter that much, that person isn't someone I would want to have in my life), or if my feelings are okay (My mother always taught me you can't help your feelings. They are what they are.) So many times I am thinking, "Are these the biggest issues facing Christian women today?" (I do think they are, but I just can't relate!) That's how this book started -- me enjoying reading the book, but not much in it for me until. . .

I perked up when this book helped you define your life purpose. Holly Gerth has such a simple way of helping you do that. (I never thought writing out your life purpose could be easy, but she has it down to a nutshell that if you wish to expand it later you can!)

The next chapter was where I really started to become more interested, as it was more applicable to me. Fear. What do we do because we feel we "should" and not because it adds to our life purpose? That was a major question asked in this chapter. Many times we do good things when something better could be awaiting us just because we have a case of the "shoulds" or we fear quitting that committee for whatever reason.

I would highly recommend this book to any woman. Some parts you may not relate to, others it may seem like you are the one sitting down with coffee with the author. It is written in such a style that it seems like you are chatting over coffee. At times I very much enjoyed the informal style of the book (and I would love for the author to send me some of her ugly truffles, but she did include a recipe for them), other times, I felt it was a little too informal, so I think it depended on my mood when I would pick up this book.

There is a study guide in the back, making this perfect for a women's group or book club.

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Stop striving to be "enough" and discover how amazing you really are! March 13, 2012

By Amy E. Sondova

Format:Paperback

Since Holly Gerth writes for DaySpring cards (and co-founded (in)courage) it seems cliché to say that her book, You're Already Amazing, is like receiving an unexpected greeting card saturated with wisdom and thoughtfulness only a dear friend could write. But that's exactly what reading You're Already Amazing is like! Gerth engaged me with her girlfriend language, stunning insights into the heart of God, and helpful exercises that encouraged me to learn more about who I am and what I mean to my Creator.

What I appreciated most about You're Already Amazing were the exercises that Gerth, also a trained counselor, included at the end of each chapter. Instead of just telling me how great I am because I was created by God and proving her point with Scripture, Gerth's tools helped me discover my strengths (and weaknesses) and how I can best use them for the glory of God! Not only am I already amazing, I am also already uniquely gifted! It's nice to get a pep talk, but even better to take that encouraging energy to the next level--to actually live it out.

In some ways this book is similar to Captivating by John and Stasi Elderidge, but Gerth's work is more reader-friendly, and her charm is enticing, page-turning, and life-changing. This is a book for the weak and the strong, the lost and the found, the hopeless and the hopeful. Really, You're Already Amazing is a book for every woman in every walk, on every journey to discover who she is, what she was created to be, and how she is desperately loved by her Father. Stop striving to be "enough" and discover how amazing you really are to the One who loves you more than you can fathom.

*Thanks to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for providing me a review copy of this book.*

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book March 9, 2012

By A. Amber

Format:Paperback

Life has a way of wearing and tearing at a person's soul, doesn't it?

When the to-do list becomes longer than the "accomplished" list and the counters are piling up with stacks of paperwork and bills to be paid. When the day seems ten hours too short and the night not long enough for a good night's sleep.

When you look around and feel like everyone but you is getting ahead. And you're just wondering when that peace that is supposed to be yours in Him is going to arrive wrapped up pretty on your doorstep.

When you look at yourself in the mirror and see a failure for all the things you aren't instead of the beautiful daughter He made you to be. When you can't even stand to look in the mirror because you're ashamed of what you will see.

If you're reading this and knowing exactly what I'm talking about, then, sister, it's time you step back, relax those tense muscles, and take a deep cleansing breath.

And then listen to this breaking news...

You are already amazing. Yes, you are. Just the way you are right there, right now. Without the face makeup, the soul makeup, the frills and lace. You, all naturale. Amazing.

Amazing as you are fresh born in the Spirit. Made just as He spun together.

And no amount of trying to impress Him or others is going to change the way He already feels about you.

He loves you.

And He wants you to know that you don't have to earn His love.

It's free and for the taking.

You were made to be full in Him. But the filling is not for you to accomplish.

He simply wants you to come to Him and let Him pour Himself into you.

He's an expert at filling the empty places and making them abundantly overflowing.

So stop striving to be perfect. Stop exhausting yourself in an attempt to impress others.

Stop and rest. Rest in Him. In knowing that He has created you just as you are.

And He has all you need to live this life abundantly.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.*