When I saw the title for this book, I was very excited to read it. I’ve had more than my fair share of struggles (or as Niki says, “when the poop hits the fan”). I’m sure I’m not alone in this either. Life is hard, and Niki gets that, so very much. Her book is like a personal cheerleader, equipping us with the tools we need during these extra hard times in life. I love how practical it is. It’s about living in the midst of difficult times, and learning to not just survive them, but thrive. Niki gives the reader tools like meditating on who we are in Christ. There are great prayers and applications at the end of each chapter. Niki writes in a very relatable way. She discusses hard topics with grace, humor and wit. I found myself already putting a lot of her tools into practice and noticing changes in the way I think and how I approach rough situations. I want to be someone who lives well and chooses joy during the really hard times, and this is exactly the book I was looking for to help with that!

Content: This is a clean read.

Rating: 5 stars

I want to thank NetGalley, Niki Hardy and Revell for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

This book beautifully captured how to thrive instead of simply survive when life throws you the unexpected. As a current chemo patient, I could very much relate to both the struggles and triumphs mentioned throughout the book. One page I would be laughing and the next crying. The book is beautifully written - like having a conversation with a very close friend. From the relatable stories shared, to the beautiful prayers you can make your own, to the challenges that will push you to grow, this book is a must read for anyone who desires to thrive instead of just survive through whatever life throws you. I plan to come back to it again and again.

Niki Hardy found herself diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer only a short time after both her mother and sister had both died of cancer. She is a wife and mother, and even though she was (and is) a strong Christian she began questioning her faith. This book would be helpful for any person who is going through a difficult period in their lives, whether cancer or not. Hardy asks all of the hard questions that each person in that situation may feel and handles them with helpful, Biblical and empathetic answers. Each chapter concludes with a prayer and an application section.
I greatly enjoyed this book and I think it would be a great help to any Christian going through a tough time. This quote from the book's introduction, best sums it up: "At the heart of this book is my encouragement that thriving--living the full abundant life God has for us--is possible right in the middle of our heartache, tragedy, and yearning."

Breathe Again: How To Live Well When Life Falls Apart by Niki Hardy is a powerful book about Niki Hardy’s journey to not only survive bowel cancer but to thrive. This book is a great book for anyone going through tough times. It shows you that you are not alone and gives you tips to thrive. It is also a great book for those whose journey is smooth so that you will have the tools to help you thrive when the tough times come.
Niki Hardy writes in a very personable way. It felt more like reading a letter from a dear friend than reading a book. Niki Hardy offers so much wise advice. Each chapter has personal stories and ends with aids for you to self-examine and thrive on your walk with God. It finishes each chapter with a prayer.
Life is not just about surviving but thriving. “When I was knee-deep in grief and chemo, I needed someone to show me how to grab hold of the life Jesus came to give me.” Sometimes we need others to walk through the tough times with us and sometimes we need to help others and to reach out in love. “If love isn’t shaped like a cross, it isn’t really love” – Ann Voskamp. We need to remember that Jesus walks with us at all times, whether we ‘feel’ Him or not. “Jesus is not ‘I Might be’ or ‘I Used to be’, He is I Am.” Jesus can be trusted in all circumstances and “we march into the future focused on His past faithfulness.” We have to trust that there are good times ahead.
Life is about choices. We cannot always choose what happens to us but we can choose how we respond. “We can choose brave.” Bethany Hamilton said “Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.” We may still be fearful but courage is fear that has said its prayers. “Courage is not an absence of fear; courage is fear walking.”
Whatever we face we need others to walk with us. “Community is God’s plan.” We were never meant to do life alone. We also need to be real with others. If we are hurting, we need to tell them or how will they know? “Authenticity… it’s about the choice to show up and be real” – Brene Brown.
Jesus said we were to give thanks in all circumstances. At times life seems very bleak. We need to look for things to be thankful for to lift our spirits. Thankfulness is an action not a feeling.
Breathe Again is an amazing book. Niki Hardy has written a very honest account of her life as she faced cancer and learnt to thrive. She calls herself a ‘cancer thriver.’ Her heart is that we thrive as we journey through life hand in hand with God.
Breathe Again is a very powerful and helpful book. It would be great to work through either individually or as a connect group. It is ideal to dip in and out of too. Breathe Again is a book I will revisit again and again as I journey through life.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.