This description captured me once the Cover design caught my attention:
"Alisha Illian knows how easy it is to feel overwhelmed by the distractions of a busy life. She understands the pull of comparison and impossible standards of perfection that taunt us with every social media swipe. And she wants you to know, you don’t need perfect. You need perfect surrender."

This was a book that really is all about timing and whether you will be present to read it with an open heart or mind. If you're not ready for a direct and heavy read that will challenge you - wait until you are, because this will deliver A LOT of questions AND solutions to questions you may have.

From another review that stuck out: "This book will challenge your faith, your commitment to Christ, and your death to yourself." Perfectly stated,

I want to thank NetGalley, the author Alisha Illian and the publisher Harvest House Publishers for providing me with an eARC of this publication. In return, I have promised to provide an unbiased review.

Chasing Perfect is not the Answer
The director of women's ministry at her local church and founder of Women (re)Purposed Alisha Illian presents her book "Chasing Perfect. Peace and Purpose in the Exhausting Pursuit of Something Better" published by Harvest House Publishers. The book contains twelve chapters with titles ranging from "Spent," "Brave Fear," "Meant to Be," to "Keeping it Real." Illian states as goal of the book and underlines that "Chasing Perfect" is a learning process: "If motherhood is kicking your rear, singleness is leaving you lonely, your job is monotonous, the expectations are endless, or your marriage is empty, this book is for you. If you feel grumpy, anxious, exhausted, irritable, and restless, my prayer is that the journey through these pages will spark a new hope for you. God has a purpose for each of us, and the satisfaction we seek isn’t found in retail therapy, self-help, and hustle. It’s found in a person, Jesus Christ. And the secret you are about to learn is that perfection isn’t found in chasing all the things, but in a relationship with the Savior of your soul. So grab a warm beverage and your comfy slippers. We’re going to learn how to start chasing Perfect" (p. 11).
The book is based on the Bible, indeed Illian starts every chapter with a quote from the Bible. Notes at the end of the book help for reference and for further study. Illian also asks questions, e.g., "How many roles can I truly handle?", "How am I nourishing my soul?", and "Am I listening to my soul?" (p. 18) to make the readers think. She talks about her personal experiences and is honest. Although the book is aimed at women I recommend it to everybody who is struggling with "Chasing Perfect."
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#ChasingPerfect #NetGalley

Overall concept was great and there are definitely a few golden nuggets in this book. Would recommend for those who are heavily into scripture.

Really enjoyed my time with this book and came away with a fresh perspective on growing and strengthening my faith walk with Jesus.

I received an ARC from Harvest House Publishers, via NetGalley. This review is my personal opinion.

In this book, Alisha Illian opens up about how she tried to chase perfection and how she realizes that she needs it to chase Jesus. I believe this is a must-read book for a woman of all ages. This book had me pause and take a moment, to be honest, she talks about the importance of the health of our soul and how that affects living and having a productive life. How our priorities reflect what you and I worship, it could be our family, jobs, even our service in ministry. I truly found an eye-opening what she says that “ our purpose should be found in him, not in appearance, but him alone. Alisha Illian, remind us that having a relationship we surrender through worship. “ Grow comes with a cost”, this is an important and powerful truth, especially when our lives are center on God. I like this practical advice for our daily life: rejoice, remember the Lord is near, Pray about everything with thanksgiving and seek a renewed mind.

This quote which I believe is a gem of wisdom will help you see as mention, why you need to read this great book “ The secret of a successfully busy life is to be joyful in all circumstances and anxious for nothing. A life constantly dependent on Jesus”

I believe that this book could be the answer to many prayers. Read it, shared it with a friend, and make this powerful truth part of your daily life.

I wanted to like this. I was hoping for some actual tips beyond "Turn to God in times of trouble" but that seems to be where it went with every issue. I felt like it was taking the easy way out almost. She outlined real problems but the answer was always "Trust that God has everything in his control" or something similar. That's easier said than done in most cases.

Wonderful book. Recommend to all. This book really stepped all over my toes. We are not perfect but we always strive to be.

When I read the description of this book I had a huge laugh (especially in the part about washing your face and the hustle). I like it when girls focus on God instead of themselves, culture or what other people say. Firstborns may benefit themselves a lot of this kind of topics, to grow in gratitude and have your priorities clear. It is not a very deep book but a practical one even people who don´t read a lot may understand.

Ladies who are chasing after the Lord and plans for your life - you want to read this book!
It is so encouraging, down to earth, and gets to the heart of the matter - we were not designed to "Do It All" on our own, we need Jesus Christ!

The author is inspiring and I felt as if I could have been sitting across the table from her enjoying a cup of coffee over a wonderful conversation about our Savior as I read this book.

Absolutely recommend!

***Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC of this book. All views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.***

Reading this book helped me to get to the root cause of my need to be perfect, polished and accomplished. It's because I grew up in a household where it felt like accomplishments were what made us valuable. I was always in competition with my siblings and cousins for the best grades, to be the best behaved and so one and on. This book is the gateway off the destructive perfection path and onto The Way. That is being who God designed us to pay and resting in His assurances only and not those of the world. This'll make a great small group book for women who are ready to get down and root out the ugly together.

Disclaimer: This review is based on the first 20% of this book. I did not read Chasing Perfect in its entirety.

Chasing Perfect is the very definition of "feel good" and "spiritual" without explicitly pointing to much truth. Illian panders to all audiences instead of being straight-forward, which is unfortunate because following Jesus is already unclear in and of itself. It's a lot of personal anecdotes and not much about God, to be honest. Overall, Illian stresses a focus on Jesus, which is great, but she doesn't discuss WHY that's important. There is no mention of why he is worthy to follow and trust in. I am not saying that this author is spreading lies, but only that this feels very surface-level. To quote Illian, "I'm a bottom-line kind of girl. I don't want all of the fluff—just tell me what I need to know." Unfortunately, this book felt like fluff.

Fans of Jennie Allen's "Nothing to Prove" may enjoy this book.

This book is packed with fantastic spiritual truths and wisdom for living. Chasing Perfect is about realigning the way we live to chase Christ instead of anything else (and there are so many things that distract from this all-important task, as the writer covers).

The writing style is open and easy, allowing the reader to relate to Illian as she talks about her own struggles. Illian also loves to list examples of all kinds for each little thing she talks about. Sometimes I found myself rolling my eyes at yet another mention of struggling parents, exhausted wives, and girls washing their faces. But, repetition is a good way to get a point across, and while it doesn't fit my style, it is very effective.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, opinions are my own.

Beautifully written. This is truly a wonderful spiritual book to read. This read would help people get the want the need to read the Bible, if they have not. Plus helps you reflect on your time and what you are doing for God. This has helped me given peace in time of need. You will enjoy this one so much that you will read it more than one time.

Favorite read of 2020 and a wonderful way to jump into this decade. This book is a rare volume of truth for our postmodern world. Illian knows how to study and exegete scripture for the benefit of a wide audience. She has done her homework and yet presents her findings with rich humility and practical application. Did I mention she is also witty? From the very beginning of this read, I was led along with her hand-in-hand, the way a friend might show you all the ins and outs of her favorite seaside town. I loved every inch of this soul respite! This is not the type of book a Christian of our day has quite read before. It's not superficial, fluffy, glossy, cringy or political. It's the stuff of life and the point of it all is Christ. Not on our terms, but His terms. This isn't a book that will reinforce your bedroom paint color decision because your enneagram made you do it. No. If every Christian author took their literary publishing opportunities as seriously as Illian did, the church would have fewer problems today. Because it's obvious that Illian didn't write this book so she could stroke people's feathers or get them to follow her "brand." The truths she presents in her work are all for the purpose of getting people to pick up their Bibles and do the hard and necessary work of living out the Christian life in truth. Can't recommend this book enough.

This was hard to read. Super full of spiritual resolutions and words, yet not enough words and resolutions to truly help in the right direction for those that might truly need help with perfection. Maybe this book just wasn’t the book for me. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.