Cover Image: Love Riot

Love Riot

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Member Reviews

I'm so glad that Sara Barratt wrote this book and wish it had been around when I was younger. Young adults all over need to read this book! It's full of great reminders of keeping our eyes on the Lord, and share the passion of our faith with others. Honestly, I think adults could benefit from this too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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This book is an inspiring and encouraging book about loving God and putting him first in your life. Sara is young, but she shows her faith and letting God lead her life. This book is filled with alot of information that is geared towards the younger generation, but everyone should read. It talks about how society and acceptance has taken over our feelings and way we live, when we should be following God's lead and doing what he calls us to do. Sara gives us examples of what today's world is like and how we can make the change for the better and step out of our comfort zones and let God take over. This book is about transformation and how you can make a difference in your life and others lives.

I would recommend this book to any age and encourage everyone to read, study and share with others. This is about today's world and how we can change for the better. I like how Sara puts today's issues into the book and how society is controlling the way we see each other. This is a small book, but it is filled with so much information that you can't stop reading and then when you do, you just have to go back and re-read to take it all in. This would be a great book to give to family, friends, churches, etc......I just can't say enough good things about this book and it's content.

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It is amazing to me read books written by teenagers for teenagers. May this young and wise voice continue to lift others eyes to Jesus. Even if you are not a teen or if you don´t have teens you will enjoy this book. It remind me don´t waste your life and also the Rebelution content. It is convicting, sincere and challenging. If you hate riots you will love this one. I can´t wait my little girl to grow up, 2 more years to gift it to her. "We think we're seeking hard and coming up empty, but in reality, we're hardly seeking." I ask myself: Am I seeking?. "We can't fall back on God's Word only when we need it or we'll be clumsy and unfamiliar with our spiritual sword". I ask myself am I using the sword enough? "As we focus on Christ, we're taking hold of the weapons He has provided. Praise is one of the most beautiful ways to fix our eyes on God, and it's also one of the most powerful weapons against Satan!" "to start a riot against our own apathy." Ouch. Our own apathy.

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Perfect voice to connect with Christian youth today
Sara Barratt writes in a passionately conversational way to speak to teens about love, grace, and action. I loved sharing this with my teen who has challenges sometimes with our church youth group (which is really doing a great job, but not always making the connections).
Thanks so much for this ARC!

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Excellent book! And I'm not even close to being a teenager anymore. I would highly recommend for all teenagers, however, and will be passing this book on for my two boys to read.
I love Sara's heartfelt stories and the way she engaged the reader, asking them to step up and be who God created them to be.
I have a tendency to be afraid, to convince myself God couldn't possibly want to use me. Love Riot gave me the kick in the pants I needed to stand up and put on the whole armor of God.

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A book directed to teens, this helpful guidebook offers spiritual challenge and inspiration for any believer. The text has been divided into five sections, addressing the call, change, challenge, crux, and commission. Be prepared to be confronted and charged with following Christ more radically and more realistically. We can’t just sit on the sidelines and expect to make a difference. But first He has to make a difference in our own lives. This book will help with that transformation. Join the youth as they step up to live as sold-out ambassadors for the Lord of the universe. Each of the fourteen chapters close with some reflection questions for going deeper and applying what you learn to your own life. I especially liked the final chapter that shared a missionary story to pattern your own life after, with no reserves, no retreats, and no regrets, as lived out by William Borden. This would make a great book for group discussion with youth. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

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This is an excellent book for all ages! I think that it is wonderful for young people, but also a great reminder for some of us who may have lost some of our zeal.

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Love Riot is geared towards teenagers. Our culture today is losing our faith. Children grow up in the church and then walk away from it all. This book is geared to change that. To reach those teens who are leaving. We have to do something before the entire church is lost because without the new generations there is nothing.

This is written by a teen for teens. She knows how they think. Right now she is the same as they are except for her faith. And that’s what she’s talking about. How they can join her in being the church and holding fast. She is challenging them to live all out and totally devote themselves to Christ.

I’m not a teen. I haven’t been for many many years. But I still appreciated this book. I felt convicted for myself to sell out more, to be more devoted. Definitely, one I’m keeping on the shelf for my teens to be reading.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

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I love when a teen is fired up about God. They want to share the good news with others and are not ashamed to say they are a Christian. I loved the author’s sold out to Jesus attitude. She admits that there are things she needs to work on, but she is teachable and willing to share her knowledge with others. She wants her generation to succeed and follow Jesus on their journey to becoming an adult.
The author is very grounded and I enjoyed reading how passionate she is about her generation changing the world in a positive way. She gives great examples of how to overcome obstacles and the book is very encouraging. I love her biblical examples and personal ones as well to illustrate how God can change your life. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I would recommend every youth pastor to read this book. It would be an excellent bible study for a group setting. I don’t want to overlook the fact that I learned a lot from this book and it made me realize how comfortable I have become in my faith. I don’t have that fire like I use to. After reading the book, I could feel myself getting excited about Jesus again.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

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Even though Love Riot is intended as a call to action for today’s teenagers, the lessons and Sara Barratt shares inside are deep enough to challenge any person who calls themselves a Christian.

In the convenience of today’s world, many of us (including myself) have grown comfortable, and dare I say, apathetic at times, in our faith. Barratt challenges that with stories of people who have been lit on fire to share God’s love with the world.

Whether she’s talking about the church, giving, loving others, relationships, or using our time wisely, Barratt writes with a depth and wisdom beyond her years. She’s never condescending, even point out some of the wrong steps she’s taken in her own walk.

Each chapter ends with some questions that call for a deeper commitment to Christ. Whether you’re sixteen or forty-six, Love Riot is sure to shine a light on the dark and shadowed areas of your faith. And I, for one, am looking forward to what is to come for Barratt.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

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This is a timely book that I feel ALL Christian teens should read. It has a powerful message that will not leave you unaffected. The author tackles some tough bits of Christianity in an explains them in an easy to understand and practical way. Each chapter ends with "Digging Deeper" questions to let readers explore and learn more about what they just read. Jammed pack with tons of useful insights to help teens with their spiritual walk.

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Barratt has wisdom well beyond her years. She has a vision to see this generation rising up as the most devoted, most committed, most passionate generation for Jesus. She has practical teaching and great insights into what it means to be such a passionate follower of Jesus, including the cost it may mean in activities and even friends.

This is a great book for teens. It is well written and captivating. It is a challenge to live sold out for Jesus, to follow Him beyond your comfort zone, and to use your sphere of influence. There are good questions at the end of each chapter so this would be a good book for a teen reading group or a youth group study.

Food for thought: “...there's no such thing as a complacent follower of Christ. … You're either living for yourself or living for God.” (Loc 1110/2998)

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

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Wow! This book from Sara Barratt about how to truly love Jesus is a game changer. It's directed to teens, but anyone can benefit from reading Love Riot. I am a 55 year old grandmother and I have learned a lot. I always felt like I'm not sure I know how to truly love God (and Jesus), and then a 19 year old writes a book and shows me how!

One of the things I've taken away from this book is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter. Love is described as an action word, not a feeling. Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy. It does not boast, etc. None of the descriptions of Love in this chapter involve feelings. They are all action words. That was mind blowing for me. Sara also shows us how to truly love God, and it's so simple I am kicking myself for not realizing it much sooner. I was raised in a legalistic church, which was all about what you do and don't do, and relationship with God was not really taught. I wish I had had a book like this when I was a teen.

Sara, a teen herself, reaches out to other teens and gives them advice, that, if they take it, will guide them into a loving relationship with God early in life.

No matter what our age, if you want to learn to truly love Jesus, you will love this book. If you are a parent or grandparent of a teen, this could be a great gift for your teen.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers and Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

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A Timely Read For The Rising Generation
Love Riot is a fantastic book that will both inspire and convict. It’s a book our generation definitely needs.

Sara dispels the idea that Christianity should be easy or convenient--and rightly points us back to what Jesus says: following Him isn’t comfortable, but it’s worth it. She cuts away the distractions to bring us back to the core message of the gospel that teenagers, and really all of us, need to hear. Church isn’t about youth group games. It’s not about flashy entertainment or inspirational messages. It’s not about making yourself look good. It’s not a box on a checklist. It’s about Jesus--something we forget shockingly often.

One of the great strengths of Sara’s writing is its relatability. As teenagers, we often feel like we’re not expected to be seriously committed. The book shows teenagers that we don’t have to, and shouldn’t, wait to go all in. We can do it right now--even if the world can’t understand. “Some people might say we’re wasting our youth--and our lives--by not conforming to cultural norms. But if culture says that living all-out for Jesus is wasting my life, then I can think of no higher calling than to “waste my life” for the cause of Christ.”

I liked the stories sprinkled throughout the book, both of teenagers living out their faith and of extraordinary people throughout history. Sara does a great job of making these relevant and showing us what a life pursuing Jesus looks like.

All in all, it was a great read that constantly made me think. I hope more teenagers read this book and consider their own priorities.

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This was a good book, my daughter and I really enjoyed getting a chance to read together and felt challenged to live a better Christian life because of it. I enjoyed the questions at the end of each chapter which would make this book a very good small group study to go through. What a wonderful book by such a great book by a young author.

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Love Riot: A Teenage Call to Live with Relentless Abandon for Christ, by Sara Barratt, is an absolutely relevant book for all generations in all seasons. With brave vulnerability, genuine faith, and bold purpose, Ms. Barratt has written a book that is timely, engaging, affirming, edifying, and vitally important.

Throughout Love Riot, Ms. Barratt thoughtfully uses scripture, personal reflection, and true stories from young people of the past and the present to strengthen her urgent appeal for teenagers to pursue with purpose and conviction the narrow path of living wholeheartedly for Jesus. With writing talent and spiritual insight beyond her years, Ms. Barratt offers page after page of sincere encouragement, undeniable truth, and practical strategies for following Jesus with unwavering devotion. With evident grace and skill, she sets forth a daring challenge for teens to reject excuses, renounce apathy, and refuse mediocrity in their journey as Christ-followers.

Easy to read, yet powerful in its scope, Love Riot profoundly proclaims the value of choosing a Christ-centered life. Love Riot is an excellent resource that definitely has the potential to motivate and inspire teens, parents, leaders, and all Christians. I recommend this book enthusiastically.

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

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This book was written for teens but it is for everyone. There are such great topics in this book that remind us to Go spread the word of Jesus. It is a call to realign ourselves with the Word of God and what God has called us to do. It is a call to truly allow God’s Word to transform your life and then share it with the world.
At the end of each chapter there is a going deeper section that I highly recommend people taking the time to work through.
I am so thankful to have received an advanced copy and share my own opinion.
I look forward to reading more by this author. What a wise young lady she is.

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Yes, yes, YES! Finally, someone in my generation is standing up and saying, “I’m not going to bend to all the spiritual shallowness, apathy, and complacency in the American church. Come join me in rejecting the status quo.” How refreshing! Sara Barratt’s passionate heart for Christ makes her a rare gem in our generation. And her book is truly for such a time as this when many, including myself, have been discouraged and appalled at the state of the church.

Even though last year I committed to pursuing Christ more intentionally, Sara has really convicted and challenged me to keep going deeper in my walk with the Lord.

Due to chronic health issues, I haven’t finished the book yet (I’ve been reading it before its release because I received an advance reader copy from the publisher). But what I’ve read thus far has been so excellent that I highly recommend Love Riot without any doubts to anyone. Although the message is tailored for teens, I think it’s still perfect for twenty-somethings (like myself) and even for older people because the core message is what every generation needs.

On a final note, my ruthless inner editor has been virtually silent on this book—a rarity indeed for me! Sara’s writing is stellar and has a pleasing rhythm. It’s easy to read, yet sparks a lot of deep thought and soul-searching.

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Love Riot is going to be a game changer for Christian teens that read it! Sara gives examples and stories that you can relate to, specific steps to deepen your walk with God, and challenges you to be disciplined in studying God’s Word! I teach middle school at a Christian school, and I would love to have every student read and discuss this timely book! The length and depth is perfect! Don’t miss out on reading this book! ❤️

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Sara Barratt provides plenty of challenges, surrounded with grace, for a young Christian. How will you be completely sold out for Jesus?

Love Riot does a good job of covering many real life issues that teenagers face today and offering wise advice for how to walk through these problems and still pursue God. At times, I wish scripture was used with more frequency, but this book still has a strong basis.

If you're young in your faith and ready to be challenged, this one is for you.

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