An Extra Mile by Sharon Garlough Brown was a fictional book that continues from another book about a silent retreat and the 4 women and beyond who participate in it. This book can stand alone if you have not read Sensible Shoes yet. She says in the book, “the first mile is demanded. The extra mile is freely given…” The characters in this book go the extra mile and we as the readers get to see what that looks like. All 4 women have a journey that they go on and we get to watch. Personally, I have participated, helped co-lead, and now lead silent retreats. I could relate to that part of this book and enjoyed those moments come to life. Cons: Unfortunately, there are parts of this book that don’t line up with the doctrine of the Bible.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

An Extra Mile was a lovely ending to the Sensible Shoes series. I deeply enjoyed each book and learned so much.

In An Extra Mile we see our friends from the Sensible Shoe club grieve, stretch and grow. Brown has written their story is such a relatable and uplifting way. I was encouraged to keep wrestling with my questions, to looking for God’s goodness, to trust God in the midst of pain, and connect with my sisters on the journey.

Another gift of this book (and the rest of the series) are the meditations. I’ll be returning to this book again and again.

I highly recommend this book and series!

An Extra Mile

A Story of Embracing God’s Call

by Sharon Garlough Brown

InterVarsity Press

formatio

Christian , Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 06 Feb 2018

I am reviewing a copy of An Extra Mile through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:

Mara is facing the turmoil of divorce and the chaos at home while listening to a call to serve others with both courage and creativity.

Hannah has lost her dear friend as well as her Chicago Ministry position. She has begun to embrace the joys as well as the challenges of a new marriage.

Charissa is overwhelmed by her pregnancy and the demands of her teaching schedule. She finds that she needs even more grace for herself as well as for others.

Becca is Bereft and filled with regrets. Will she be able to find her hope for the future, and a way home?

I give An Extra Mile five out of five stars!

Happy Reading

I have enjoyed everything about this devotional series. The exercises in how to study the Bible are welcome, along with the spiritual reflections. However, there's a story here about 4 women and their walks toward God. This is a continuation of Mara, Hannah, Charissa, Meg and Meg's daughter, Becca. These are real women with timely life issues. The reader can find themselves in the different characteristics of these women, making them relatable.
I will certainly be watching for more books by Sharon Garlough Brown. I have recommended this series to my book club.
Thanks to InterVarsity Press for providing me an ARC for a review in my own words.

Absolutely impressed with the book. Sharon successfully has brought the main characters through 4 books keeping up the momentum & anguish balanced. With various aspects of grief touched on successfully and continuing to offer spiritual aid in these times. The characters continue to be woven together featuring times of laughter, upset and reunion. As the reader becomes more aware of the characters weaknesses and strengths, ; they too can relate and feel their own pain/anxiety and weaknesses heard.

An Extra Mile is the fourth in the Sensible Shoes series. The earlier books in the series should be read before this one. There are many characters and their backstories are not properly explained in An Extra Mile.

I wanted to like this book. There were parts that held my interest. But none of the character’s stories made me want to continue reading. I finished the book, but I do not think I will be reading any of the earlier ones.

The meditations after some of the chapters was an interesting addition. While they were good and had some thought-provoking questions, they seem to have no bearing on the earlier section of the book,

Having read a few reviews on Goodreads, I realize there are many who loved the book. I am glad there is an audience for Ms. Brown’s writings

Indepth thoughts and discussions are the highlights of this charming book. Three ladies do life together, and learn a lot about faith on the way.

I jumped in to reading An Extra Mile without first reading the other three books in the Sensible Shoes series. While it took a moment to work out who the characters were, I was soon swept along in this tender and charming book.

This book is not just a novel, it is a book about spiritual formation cloaked in an easy to read format. I found it challenging but gentle, with topics which I was thinking about and applying to my own life in the days I read the book. The book really helped me in my journey with God. The only catch is the women in this book are painted so vividly I felt I knew them. I found myself wishing I could sit down and have a chat with Hannah, or at least eavesdrop on their Sensible Shoes Club.