Member Reviews

Life can go astray and leave us on a different path than we planned or dreamed for ourselves. We all have disappointments, struggles,  failures or unmet dreams. Embrace Your Almost is a book on rising up from our disappointments and discovering what is important in our lives. It is a book about learning to see our disappointments, pain, and unexpected path of life as a chance to grow and become who God created us. This book is Jordan's journey through her disappointments and unexpected path. Jordan is open and transparent about her life struggles, thoughts, and feelings. Jordan walks us through steps to change our focus from our struggles to seeing through eyes of hope and possibilities even in the midst of confusion, pain, or longing for something more. Jordan shows us that " achieving stuff is not the pinnacle of success" and that "your job isn't to achieve everything or reach every dream.  it's to become who God made you to be, even if that's through the refining fire of suffering,  and to keep your eyes fixed on eternity."
Embrace Your Almost is practical, easy to read, and full of gold nuggets to pursue and use in examining our lives for what is really important to us. No matter what season of life this book can bring encouragement and speak to you, because we all have some disappointment, broken or unmet dream, or longing for something else at some point during our lives. This book is a tool to, as the subtitle states. Find Clarity and Contentment in the In-Betweens, Not-Quites, and Unknowns. Pickup a copy today and start changing your focus.
I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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I knew most of Jordan's story from listening to her podcast, but reading it all was a good reminder of how much she's been through and how she keeps pushing toward her goals. She's inspirational and encouraging when things aren't going the way we want, and shares advice on how to keep moving forward despite adversity.

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This book will bless those in college or their twenties and have experienced their first major heartache or roadblock on their goals and dreams. I respect Jordan for being vulnerable and sharing her journey. If you have lived a lot of life with many trials and/or studied several personal development books, this book may not be for you. I found myself taking a supporting role in smiling for Jordan versus having my life challenged for the better, as I do with many personal development books. There are a few times Jordan mentions a thought that sat with her for a long time. I smiled at her revelation, but none of them were new to me. She mentioned having this big long plan drawn out that had to be altered twice and my thought was “Wow, my life only allows for planning 90 days max.” Then she described how she only plans 90 days at a time now. I’m thankful she will encourage and challenge a younger generation. Jordan falls right on that border between Generation Z and millennials. She will bless Generation Z greatly.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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I honestly cannot put this book DOWN! I'm a big-time dreamer who recently had to put aside my goals to step into a new journey as a single mom. I've had to completely recreate my life, giving up the path I was walking down to begin a brand new one. And many, many times I've felt stuck wondering, "Can I do this?" "What does my next move need to be?" "Did I fail?"

This book, so far, has felt like a big warm hug; it's comforting to be able to relate to someone who also had to switch paths here and there and learn how to enjoy the in between moments. It's helped me to slow down and just rest in the present, accept my "almosts", and simply rest in what I have NOW. It's also been giving me fuel to push through and know that just because I'm not exactly where I hope to be right now, it doesn't mean I'll never get there.

I'm so, so excited to finish it and can't recommend it enough to anyone else suck in that awkward valley right now who's not sure of the best way to climb out.

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This message came in my life at the minute I needed it most (on a flight to Montana nonetheless!). I can’t recommend this book enough for anyone in a season of in-between’s & almost’s. Jordan’s message is encouraging & uplifting, while also humbling & necessary. I feel like we watch Jordan grow as both an author and a person in this book, and I’m forever grateful for the new perspective and outlook on life that her story has given me. Not to be dramatic, but this book changed my life in more ways than one. Thanks Jordan!!

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As someone who has often felt like they’re in a season of waiting while they watch everyone around them successful with their dreams, this book felt like it was written with me in mind. I’m sure I’m not alone in those feelings. Jordan was able to perfectly explain why we should keep pressing on and embracing the ever day. A must read for anyone who feels the same.

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This book is full of really practical tips on how to live a more intentional life despite disappointments that we face.

As someone who has miscarried like the author, I felt like the pain of this experience was glossed over. She made a comment about how that was intentional to avoid triggers, but I just don’t find that helpful.

Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for practical tips on being present & finding contentment in difficult seasons.

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What I liked most about “Embrace Your Almost” by Jordan Lee Dooley is that it’s a topic not often addressed. She writes candidly about her experiences throughout the in-between. Times you feel you’re almost there, but stuck in not quite or are almost there and it all comes crashing down.

Jordan offers practical advice on how to embrace disappointments and take steps to like where you are. She documents how she’s moved forward and how her experiences helped re-evaluate her goals.

“Embrace Your Almost” is a quick, encouraging read that will leave you thinking about your own life and areas to improve it.

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Very quick and easy read. Felt like I was talking to a friend or big sister! I loved the practical advice and fun stories Jordan shared! She feels so authentic and down-to-earth. I highly recommend this book and don't have any complaints!

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Everyone has likely had dreams and plans that didn't work out as expected. The author addresses those "almost" situations and reminds the reader that it's still possible to move forward because life is still good, and we still have a purpose. There's a lot to ponder in this book.

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In a culture that is constantly telling us to dream big, hustle big, and achieve big, this book was an invitation to exhale and reconsider what it truly means to run our races well, setbacks and all.

Jordan vulnerably shares her stories of grief and disappointment with raw honesty. She opens up deeper conversations about our “almost but not quite” stories: when we encounter failure, unexpected change, or life-shattering loss. She sits right in the messy middle and offers readers a glimpse of hope as they make sense of their own stories.

Jordan’s words are empathetic and encouraging. Profound and practical. She invites us to process through painful obstacles, refocus on what matters to us, and run OUR race at the pace that is right for us.

This isn’t a book about society’s definition of success: it’s about getting back to our roots, nurturing the soil of our souls through the setbacks, and being brave enough to grow and embrace our “almosts”.

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★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Maybe you had big dreams and thought your plans were certain to work out. What if they didn't? What happens when disappointment or less-than-success is the result of your efforts instead?
Dooley examines the "almost" accomplishments that can derail our hopes and make us feel stuck. He offers options for moving on from what didn't go as planned.

Is life still good? Can you still contribute and feel that life has purpose and meaning. He says a resounding yes, and asks you to consider what you may have learned, grown in, and clarified by failures and pain.

Get this if you're stuck or in transition.

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This book needs to be more clearly labeled as Christian Nonsense. I would not have requested it had I known it was religious.

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