This is great book to help you understand reconciliation, whether that be for yourself or your child. Because it is written to help you talk about reconciliation with a child, the language used is easy to understand and follow. I feel like it takes a topic chock full of questions and misunderstandings and breaks it down into digestible discussion points that make sense. Whether you just want to learn more about reconciliation or you are preparing to lead your child/family, this is a great resource. I love the dual perspective of both parents and their own lessons from real life experiences; this makes the content relatable and applicable.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

I wish this book had been around when my children made their First Reconciliations, or even when I made my own during my adult conversion to the faith. Katie and Tommy's advice is sound and practical. I will incorporate some of their ideas into my preparation for reconciliation and for my adult special needs' son's preparation for reconciliation. It's a must have for any Catholic family's library.

Great resource for sacrament prep!

I am an academic, an educator, and a homeschooling mom who is preparing a child for the sacrament of first reconciliation. In my quest for teaching about reconciliation, I have done a fair bit of research and reading through books on reconciliation and preparing kids for first reconciliation. Katie and Tommy’s book is a practical resource for parents, making the theology of reconciliation accessible to kids receiving the sacrament and to families looking to live out Jesus’s teachings on forgiveness in everyday life.

While the authors’ vignettes of their own parenthood journey are well-written and very relatable, my favorite part of the book is the practical discussion recommendations at the end of each chapter. There is a reflection for parents, recommended scripture readings, and questions for kids and parents to talk through together.

This book is a useful tool primarily for parents—whether your child has already experienced reconciliation or is preparing to do so—looking for ways to make reconciliation and the love of Christ more tangible and understandable to kids. Katie and Tommy’s book also can help parents deepen their own appreciation of reconciliation and would be useful to Catechists or religion teachers looking for resources on reconciliation.

The McGradys do an outstanding job of explaining reconciliation from a parent point of view! Their storytelling weaves personal stories with deep truths that will inspire parents everywhere! This would be a wonderful gift for parents of children preparing for first reconciliation!

I’ve followed Katie and Tommy literally for years. The way that they write is always down to earth, honest, and right on the money.

In this book, Katie and Tommy talk about preparing Rosie, their daughter, for the sacrament of reconciliation (confession). It’s always interesting how, when we watch our kids go through huge life events like developing a personal faith, it will always impact us personally.

I cried, no joke, every single chapter. I’m talking tears streaming, snot falling on the kindle, gasping for breath kinda crying. I didn’t know I needed to read this, and I’m so glad I did.

I am blessed to have received this book as an ARC through NetGalley for free, and all opinions are my own.

What a joy it was to read and ponder this book! I thought I knew everything there was to know about Confession, but I gained new insights by meditating on this incredible work. The examples shared from the McGrady Family’s lives are memorable and illustrate well the points made in the book. This is a true spiritual treasure which I am eager to share with others.

This was full of great stories and personal/family anecdotes that will make you reflect on God’s influence in our lives (in both an overarching sense as well as a daily basis).

I feel like the title could have maybe been clarified a little as labeling it as a reconciliation guide evokes something different than what I found here. I expected the entire book to be a more in depth version of what the appendix ended up being. Again, that doesn’t negate the merit and value of what the book is — but it did leave me wishing the guide portion would have been more developed and expanded.