Messy Beautiful Friendship: Finding and Nurturing Deep and Lasting Relationships

I’d just like to say, I’m not even half way through this book and it’s changing my life. I grew up enduring lots of trauma and ZERO clue how to cultivate friendships as my divorced parents were basically loners and it was never modeled for me. I’ve encountered countless broken friendships where ghosting was a normal occurrence for both parties. I’m in my mid twenties, married and soon to be moving to a new state with a brand new thriving church community and I want nothing more than to have my “friendship do-over.” So I started with this book and it hits every single thing so dead on. I loveeee the biblical perspective and how it’s all really about God being at the center. Christine is so relatable too, especially bc my husband is on the pastoral track. I’m so grateful for this book.

Having just moved to a new city, I wanted to recalibrate my mind to ensure that I start off on the right foot with new friendships. Many women tend to have friendship expectations (Christine refers to them as “wish-dreams”) that often set us up for disappointment. True biblical friendship requires initiative, vulnerability, hospitality, genuine interest in others, speaking the truth in love, among other things. The introspective and prodding questions were really useful in diagnosing places where I struggle and can work on while building my new relationships!

Great read if you struggle to make friends as a Christian. It was a little bit difficult to get into the book as someone who is a “friend magnet” but glad the author touched on that! It’s definitely and easy read and has ample storytelling so if that’s something you like in a book then you’ll probably like this!

I ordered this book for a ladies study this fall. Read the whole thing and knew this would minister to the ladies. I am very grateful for this book.

I cannot recommend this book enough to adult Christian ladies. As a woman in her late 30s, I understand exactly what Christine is addressing in this book. Adult friendship is so challenging! For myself. For many other women I have talked to. This book is so helpful in vocalizing the struggles so many of us know exist but don't always know how to verbalize. She gives excellent advice that is grounded in the Bible. And, I feel she writes in a way that I can totally relate to her. I get her. I don't know if all women will respond that way, but I definitely felt Christine and I could be friends in real life. Highly recommend.

What an excellent book on friendship! One of my friends recommended it and I’m so glad I listed! It has helped me to really evaluate how I am a friend and what Godly friendship is. Initiating and having lifelong friendships is not always easy, but always worth it! This book has encouraged me to be more intentional, convicted me to be more vulnerable, and pushed me to be more gracious!

This book is absolutely amazing!! Christine covers almost every aspect of female friendships and does so with solid biblical encouragement all through out. It ministered to me personally as I have been trying to sort through various aspects with other women in my life. She hits on both the joys and challenges of good friendship over and over again.There are many amazing books for Christian women, but this one truly is a MUST read for all women. Wish I could give a copy to every one of my friends. Loved it and highly recommend it!

This book was an excellent read. I am still revisiting a lot of the points made with in it and honestly it has changed my view on friendship. There is also a series of podcasts based on this book where the author interviews guests who have also written material on friendship. It's a book that keeps on giving.

I’ve thought at different times over the years that even though there are many books on marriage and parenting, there really aren’t many books about friendship. I think friendship is a significant relationship in the Christian life and it’s one that I, and the church as a whole, often don’t navigate well.In Messy Beautiful Friendship, Christine Hoover does an excellent job of covering all the bases of these truly beautiful and sometimes messy relationships. She speaks of different relationships and circumstances in her own life, and I found myself remembering and thinking of all the gifts of friendship that the Lord has given to me over the years. It also occurred to me that this might be a good book to read along with a friend as it would open up many conversations and allow a friendship to grow through the process. She references the Bible, quotes from C.S. Lewis and Bonhoeffer. She encourages to push through when friendship is hard. She reminds of the sweetness of the gift of friendship and who the Giver of this gift is. It’s certainly worth a read.

Amazing book! Bought it second hand so has some notes written in it but doesn't affect reading it.

Very good book on friendship

Really thought provoking book. Unravels the realities of human relationships, friendships and the human heart