Cover Image: Love Riot

Love Riot

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Member Reviews

Love Riot is a relevant and thought provoking read that will appeal to teens as it deals with questions they have likely asked themselves. What makes the book even more interesting and appealing is Sara Barratt has clearly asked these questions herself and then at the age of 19 put them all together in a thoughtful and coherent way to help others.

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Thank you publisher and netgalley for this early copy. It was well-written read by Sara Barratt that deals with spirituality as a teenager and why young people are walking away from the church. It was an interesting read.

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This book can be a game changer. At only 19 years old, Sara Barratt writes a fantastic book that can challenge someone of any age.

The book starts with some old cliché lines: "I choose Christ," "The church is not a building," "Do you hear Him calling."

Then she lands a solid punch: "The truth is that it's easy to create an illusion of Christianity."

That's her struggle. How does she, her friends, and her readers own a Christianity that is real?

She discusses this with examples from life. She uses her own experiences and also brings in heroes of the faith, some not so well known but still just as courageous as the martyrs of Scripture.

I find this book tugging my heart, not to be a missionary, pastor or activist, but to be a real Christian with a real faith in a real God.

This would make a great group study book. There are 14 chapters and a conclusion, each with "Going Deeper" questions that will make you rethink your love for God and your neighbor.

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How passionate are you in your spiritual journey with Christ? That's exactly the challenge author Sara Barratt is throwing down, and she's speaking directly to teens. In this world that is confusing and conflicting, Sara speaks to an age bracket so often overlooked and underestimated. Through life experiences of those who have impacted her directly and her own personal experiences, Sara shares practical tips and applications for living a life of faith in a season of life that can be fraught with drama and peer pressure. And truth be told, this book will challenge not just young believers but seasoned believers as well. Definitely worth the read!

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I became interested in this book written for teens, after reading an article by the author. I didn’t expect too much from a nineteen year old author. Love Riot, however, exceeded my expectations. It can be a book for any age. Practical and encouraging.

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Love Riot is a stirring message of faith. This well written book includes great examples from heroes of the faith, as well as, contemporary people from which to learn. The chapters are well organized with practical application questions which would lend well to discussion, making it ideal for a group setting. I found Sara Barratt’s message refreshing and relevant. I personally enjoyed her thoughts on the use of social media and technology. I think that her call to be committed is a challenge that young people need to hear. Although this book is geared toward teenagers, it is a good read for people of all ages. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Before starting this book, I had heard it was a combination of Crazy Love and Do Hard Things. I totally agree with that assessment. I’d even throw in Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. Though intended for youth, I, as a mom, youth worker and author, found the book to be fantastic! Parents and Youth Workers need to get this book and read it with your kids/students. Brett & Alex Harris wrote Do Hard Things as older teens back in 2008. Ms. Barratt’s message is in the same vein as that book of teens not only getting off the bench and rejecting low expectations, but also to make a choice to be Christ followers. And to become not just a Christian in name but in heart and in deed.

But don’t take my word for it. Read some of the quotes that I found most impactful.

“The church isn’t made up of perfect people but forgiven people.”


“Being a picture-perfect Christian might build our egos, but being a Jesus follower isn’t about building our egos but building His kingdom.”


“He meets us where we are and says we’re never too far gone. He turns a mess into a message, a failure into a conqueror, an outcast into a child of God.”


“I’ve learned my comfort zones may feel safe, but in reality, they’re a prison keeping me from fully following Christ.”


“Friends can lift you up or pull you down. Choose friends that challenge you to read your Bible, pray for you, and inspire you to follow Jesus.”


“We keep on creating little pockets of heaven on earth when we offer grace instead of wrath. Forgiveness instead of hatred. Purity in a world of impurity.”


“My prayer for our generation is that we fall deeply in love with Jesus and grow passionate about the gospel. I pray He sweeps us off our feet with the beauty of His sacrifice and sets a fire in our souls to share Him with others.”

Though intended for youth, this young lady convicted me, taught me and inspired me. This is a must read for this current generation.

I received an ARC from the publisher and this is my honest review.

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In Love Riot, Sara Barratt, with wit and humility shares her story, and those of teens past and present-of their development and growth in a passionate, meaningful relationship with their Savior, Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Sara speaks with insight, calling forth the genius, enthusiasm, and beautiful uniqueness of Gen Z to live and love boldly, through the peaks of spiritual joy and the troughs or suffering and difficulty. With wisdom beyond her years, Sara challenges us to love Him, seek Him, and embrace His Love Riot.

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A battle cry; remember your first love; time to take yourself off the shelf - this is what I felt in reading Love Riot. Do you remember when you first felt that tug to follow Jesus? Do you remember the excitement, the passion you felt to follow him? I appreciated Sara Barratt's honest and humble questions. I read her own discovery with Jesus and the passion that soon follows. It encouraged me to wake up and live for Jesus - no matter the cost. (Posted on Goodreads.)

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One thought kept reoccurring as I read this book: the author is so young! In fact, at a mere 19 years of age; she's realizing things that many people far beyond that age haven't discovered.
In this stunning debut book, Barratt challenges young people to stand against peer pressure, forsake trappings of society and commit their lives and hearts totally to Jesus Christ.
She opens by stating that young people need to experience a genuine relationship with the Lord. Her moment of realization that her faith was superficial arrived during a gimmicky youth event. Each attendee had been given an amount of money and were allowed to spend it at the local mall. The 'gimmick' was well intentioned, surely attracted a large number of attendees but she found herself feeling guilty about it. She longed for more. More of a sincere, close relationship with Christ.
I eagerly soaked in each chapter of this book and several left me searching inward. The author wisely chose to speak with several other young people who had various issues: a life that was devoted to Christ but spiraling out of control; a person seemingly filled with faith but inwardly struggling and seeking and so many others. Sara included her personal faith journey as well in candid, raw terms.
This book should be part of every youth group curriculum and be read by parents and grandparents. Teens and preteens are encountering issues that are foreign to the majority of us. In an easy to read and non-judgemental manner, Sara Barratt speaks on their behalf.
She is the lead editor for the website TheRebelution.com and it's easy to see why this book is so very important and needed, especially now.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
@ReadBakerBooks @SaraBarrattAuthor @bakerpublishinggroup #bookstagram #LoveRiotBook

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With riveting stories and relevant illustrations, Sara Barratt has written Love Riot with teens at the forefront, but there was something for this 40-something Mama of teens to learn. I was reminded of some things I’ve learned along the way as well as convicted by her passion and forthright manner. There are questions at the end of each chapter which are perfect for journaling and self-reflection, but would also work in a small group discussion setting! Well written and a book for anyone who wants to be reminded of what our priorities should be. I heartily recommend Sara Barratt’s Love Riot. 4 1/2 stars!

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WOW, WOW, WOW!

This book is tremendously timely for this generation and I cannot say just how much I enjoyed reading it.

As I read this book, I could not help but see that the author has a passion not only for the Savior, but to see her peers live out their Christian walk to the fullest as well and as a woman in my 30's and in ministry with my husband - that is so refreshing and encouraging. To see one so young on-fire and not scared to share it, is fantastic!

She is not afraid to tackle the hard parts of Christianity head on and she leaves you with the want to reevaluate your relationship with the Lord, she challenges you to go deeper than you have ever been before and it's beautiful!

Those in ministry - I encourage you to tell your youth groups about this book and to read it yourself!

The chapters are to the point and not overly long, so it would make a great book to read through as a Bible Study group.

I was an early reader thanks to the author and Baker Books Publishing.
All views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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This is a must read for teens/youth and youth leaders. Love Riot will help you see that living completely for Jesus isn’t only the best way, it is the only way.

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The author wants her generation for fall deeply and passionately in love with Jesus, and this book provides practical action steps for doing that. Barratt shares her story, as well as the stories of others, to show how life would be different without Jesus. Following Jesus is a daily choice which requires passion and commitment.

The book is divided into five sections:
1. The Call
2. The Change
3. The Challenge
4. The Crux
5. The Commission

I enjoyed the "Going Deeper" questions at the end of each chapter.

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