Grace for the Good Girl

Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life

By: Emily P. Freeman

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

You're strong. You're responsible. You're good. But…as day fades to dusk, you begin to feel the familiar fog of anxiety, the weight and pressure of holding it together and of longing left unmet. Good girls sometimes feel the Christian life means doing hard work with a sweet disposition. We tend to focus only on the things we can handle, our disciplined lives, and our unshakable good moods. But what would happen if we let grace pour out boundless acceptance into our worn-out hearts and undo us? If we dared to talk about the ways we hide, our longing to be known, and the fear in the knowing? In Grace for the Good Girl, Emily Freeman invites you to release your tight hold on that familiar, try-hard life and lean your weight heavy into the love of Jesus. With an open hand, a whimsical style, and a heart bent brave toward adventure, Emily encourages you to move from your own impossible expectations toward the God who has graciously, miraculously, and lovingly found you.

©2011 Emily P. Freeman (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"If you struggle with trying so hard, being so good, and hoping so much for joy and grace in the mundane, savor this book." (Mary DeMuth, author of Thin Places)

Honest and helpful

Loved her honesty and I wrote so many notes down that can help me. Great book.

Wonderful book!!!

This was very well written book. It tells us exactly what we are with and without resting in God. One of the best descriptions I have ever read about living in Him and not in ourselves. Love it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a simple explanation to the challenge of living in Christ.

Self awareness

The narrator's monotone voice. Would be much better for if it was narrated by Emily herself.

I didn’t realize how much I was strangling myself in expectations

As a “good girl” I didn’t know how to be vulnerable. I didn’t realize how much I was forgoing God’s Grace towards me by trying to manufacture my own goodness until Emily named it openly in her story, and until my husband told me repeatedly to stop being so hard on myself. I finally connected the dots. Overall, I needed this biblical reminder. Sometimes Coleen’s voice sounds repetitive, but I could still listen to the whole thing without falling asleep or straining to understand what she’s saying. If you are like me and often hide behind masks of formulated perfection without realizing it or knowing how to stop, you need to hear Mrs. Freeman’s story.

Amazing book!!!

This book brought life to my soul. I was that good girl always looking for
Approval. But I know now I can rest in the arms of my Heavenly Father and not have to strive for acceptance.

Wow! Exactly what I needed!

I wish I could hug Emily and tell her thank you! I am going to put to practice the things she taught me in this book immediately. I will probably buy a paperback version and put it on my shelf of best and favorite books. Would recommend to everyone even men could learn from this book. Love Love Love!