You’re Loved No Matter What

Author, counselor, and life coach Gerth (You’re Already Amazing) encourages women to give themselves grace rather than wallow in guilt over their perceived shortcomings as wives, mothers, friends, and Christians. Living up to unspoken but widely understood cultural standards of physical beauty, financial success, and parental perfection is exhausting and unnecessary, Gerth asserts. She uses Bible passages to illustrate her points throughout the book, never engaging in any finger-pointing or lecturing. Instead, she writes as a close friend would speak—gently, lovingly, and honestly. “Don’t let ‘perfection’ paralyze you. Get in the car and enjoy the ride, my friend,” she writes. The book includes a “Go Deeper Guide” for individuals and groups to dig deeper into the subject. Women of all ages and stages of life, from teens to empty-nesters, will feel empowered and relieved by Gerth’s reminders that we’re not all perfect, nor do we need to seem so. (Mar.)