Awake

A Memoir

By: Jen Hatmaker

Narrated by: Jen Hatmaker

Read by the author with appearances from family and friends.The program also features bonus commentary and clips from her wildly popular podcast, For The Love.

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES, OPRAH DAILY, GOODREADS, KIRKUS REVIEWS, AND MORE

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“I can’t imagine any woman reading this without feeling seen, inspired, and totally empowered.” —Mel Robbins, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A MASTERPIECE, you guys. This memoir by the great Jen Hatmaker *cannot* be missed. I was riveted as if to a thriller and touched/moved/inspired in ways I can’t quite articulate yet. Just please read. You’ll thank me.” —Elin Hilderbrand

From Jen Hatmaker—beloved New York Times bestselling author and host of the For the Love podcast—a brutally honest, funny, and revealing memoir about the traumatic end of her twenty-six-year-long marriage, and the beginning of a different kind of love story.

At 2:30 a.m. on July 11, 2020, Jen Hatmaker woke up to her husband of twenty-six years whispering into his phone to another woman from their bed. It was the end of life as she knew it. In the months that followed, she went from being a shiny, funny, popular leader to a divorced wreck on antidepressants and antianxiety meds, parenting five kids alone with no clue about the functioning of her own bank accounts. Having led millions of women for over a decade—urging them to embrace authenticity, find radical agency, and create healthy relationship—she felt like a catastrophic failure.

In Awake, Jen shares for the first time what happened when she found herself completely lost at sea—and how she made it to shore. In candid, sur­prisingly funny vignettes spanning forty years of girlhood, marriage, and parenting, Jen lays bare the disorienting upheaval of midlife—the implosion of a marriage, the unraveling of religious and cultural systems, and the grief that accompanies change you didn’t ask for. And, drawing on all resources—from without and within—Jen dares to question the systems beneath the whole house of cards, and to reckon with the myths, half-truths, and lies that brought her to this point.

More than one woman’s story, Awake is a critical analysis of the story given to all of us: the story of gender limitations, religious subservience, body shame, self-erasure. With refreshing candor, Jen explores a midlife renaissance—grieving what’s lost, cherishing possibility, and entering the second half of life wide awake.

Critic reviews

"If social media numbers and my math are correct, Jen Hatmaker has 1,518,500 combined followers on Facebook, Instagram, and X—and they will love this book. Those who have watched her videos or listened to her podcasts will immediately recognize her distinctive speaking style in this memoir recounting her journey from the trauma of divorce and evangelicalism to the healing and rebuilding of her life. Her cadence is energetic, and listeners will be captivated by her combination of gravity and humor overlaid with forthright sincerity. Also, featured in the audiobook are asides voiced by friends and family, as well as audio clips of interviews from Jen’s podcasts (not found in the print edition). It all adds up to a candid, earnest, and engaging portrayal of her life."

10/10

Jen Hatmaker is an auto-buy author for me. She never misses, and Awake was another example of her genius, excellence and authenticity. I would read her grocery lists.

The honesty!

Jen, this old girl in SC just painted 2 huge rooms in our 135 year old house while listening to your amazing book! I hate painting rooms, but somehow, I just kept going because I could not stop listening to your book! I may even re-listen to it tomorrow and paint two more rooms. Every one should listen to your story. You taught me so much, as did your friends and family about being there for your people. You are a warrior and you sure do make me smile.

6 stars!

I loved this book so much. I loved that it was the author who read it. having the audio clips of The author's friends and family & interviews made it extra special!

Real life Parallel

At a time in my life where things are vastly changing, this book was a much needed guide in looking at balancing me in life in different ways than I have considered. Thank you Jen for bringing your truth to a book and teaching others how to care for themselves.

Such incredible insight

Jen’s honesty and insight is an absolute gift to the reader. I learned SO much from her. Thank you Jen!