“People Pleaser” focuses on helping individuals break free from the burden of imaginary expectations and people-pleasing tendencies. Jinger shares her personal experiences and struggles with people-pleasing and provides a gentle approach to addressing this issue. I found this book to be very informative, hopeful, and inspiring. I appreciated the biblical references as well.


Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I guess I didn’t realize this book was more of a self help book than a book about her life. I didn’t love it but I don’t like books in that format usually.

I went into "People Pleaser" blindly believing it to be an extension of Jinger's previous memoir but found it to instead be categorized as self help. While I am not quite the religious demographic this book caters to, I can very much relate to always doing my best for others before taking care of myself. This was a refreshing look at what it's like to let go and let others see you and embrace the true you, flaws and all.

**Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**

Jinger Duggar's third book offers a personal exploration of her childhood and upbringing in a strict, religious environment, focusing on how it shaped her identity, particularly as a "people pleaser." For those who work with or identify as people pleasers, this book provides some interesting insights, though it doesn’t introduce new information and is more of a semi-memoir/self-help piece. While fans of the Duggar family will likely appreciate it, the book is highly religious and may not resonate with those opposed to or indifferent to Christianity. Although the book doesn’t offer concrete advice for breaking free from people-pleasing tendencies, it provides valuable reflection on how difficult it can be to reconcile this behavior with faith, and the importance of community and connection in overcoming burnout. The audiobook, narrated by Jinger herself, adds a personal touch. However, for those expecting an exposé or deeper motivational content, the book may fall short. Still, for readers seeking a better understanding of the challenges faced by someone with a people-pleasing nature, it can be helpful.

There's no question that most of those who are going to be drawn to "People Pleaser: Breaking Free From the Burden of Imaginary Expectations" will be drawn by their familiarity with the life and ministry of New York Times bestselling author and longtime reality television presence Jinger Duggar Vuolo, one of 19 siblings featured in "19 Kids and Counting" and "Counting On."

The sixth child in her family, Vuolo is now only a few years away from the end of her reality television life and the now 31-year-old is married to husband Jeremy with two daughters. In the years since her time on television ended, Vuolo has been on a journey of discovering her own faith and becoming a bestselling author. While it's clear she still loves her family, Vuolo speaks openly about the dysfunctions of Bill Gothard's teachings (on which she and her siblings were raised) and mentions, though somewhat briefly, the well known issues of one of her brothers.

Vuolo, however, still very much identifies as Christian and attends Grace Community Church. Her husband, a former professional soccer player, is employed by The Master's Seminary.

"People Pleaser" seems to be Vuolo's continued effort to put away the remnants of her unusual childhood and early experiences with what many would call abusive religious practices. In "People Pleaser," Vuolo shares her personal journey of constantly seeking approval of others and how she began to turn away from that and found her own identity.

Essentially, "People Pleaser" is about Vuolo's journey toward relying on God for her approval and sense of self-worth and how she discovered the beauty of community, learned to identify how sin can hinder one's ability to be in community, embraced being able to diagnose oneself with honesty but not judgment, and ultimately figuring out who we are in God's eyes.

There is a quiet simplicity in "People Pleaser" that is refreshing and it's clear that Vuolo writes with sincerity and an open heart. While "People Pleaser" is less memoirish than most of her writing, Vuolo still uses examples from her own life and invites others to join her on this journey. Each chapter ends with questions, reflections, and discussion points for consideration and one can easily see "People Pleaser" serving as an experiential small group reading experience. While I think the book is appropriate for anyone, there's little doubt that Vuolo's intended audience is Christian women and/or those who've likely read her other books to which she references fairly regularly.

I will confess that I was hoping for more of a deep dive from Vuolo. "People Pleaser" keeps it fairly simple and straightforward and more than once I found myself mumbling "That's sure a first-world problem." While it's natural that Vuolo would write from what she knows, and in many cases that's a childhood and young adulthood caught on film, the simple truth is that a lot of these examples feel separated from the harsh realities in which so many people live. This is not, for sure, to minimize the trauma associated with the Gothard experience - I have a couple friends who were raised with that and it's hardcore and undeniably traumatic - however, time and again it felt like the examples in "People Pleaser" were really just skimming the surface.

Ultimately, I'm not sure that "People Pleaser" was written for a reader like me, however, I'd imagine Vuolo fans will appreciate this latest literary journey. I'm not sure that "People Pleaser" will attract Vuolo new fans, however, longtime fans and readers will likely appreciate her insights and theological reflections on this relevant subject.

Based on the title, I could tell this was going to be a self-help book. It’s also verrry religious. If you’re against religion or aren’t really fond of Christianity… you may want to avoid.

I am not religious, but I really like how Jinger confronted her people-pleasing behavior and how it was hard to put it into her religion now and as a child. Another part of people-pleasing is overdoing it until you burn out, dont want to connect, and end up depressed and worse off. Jinger does a good job of explaining how community has helped her in her adult-life, and how even when things are tough we really need connection.. after all, it does keep us young. Also really enjoyed the questions given at the end.

People Pleaser was less like an autobiography and more towards a Christian life book. It was not stories of her life as much, but perhaps a bridge into writing other types of nonfiction. She did a fairly good job with it. Lots of references to scripture and what the Lord would want people pleasing to look like.
There were aspects of it that felt choppy and didn't quite flow as well as I would have liked but overall it was an enjoyable book and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

This book is about and for those who struggle with pleasing others. Some cannot imagine this struggle, but for those who battle with the unnecessary feelings of anxiety and disappointment, sadness and constant frustration of wondering what others are thinking of us, it is definitely an obstacle we must work at recognizing and fighting against. This is not a book about the Duggar family or any current real or imagined scandal or angst going on in Jinger's life. It's just her attempt to help others with a spiritual struggle she battles herself.
I find her approach very genuine and also gentle. She does not belittle or berate, but rather gives examples of people pleasing in her own life, past and present, and suggests ways to help overcome the feelings and consequences of this familiar pattern. It is certainly appropriate if you are a Christian, but also applicable if you or someone you're close to finds themselves prone to this type of personality. I left with valid reminders of why constantly seeking to please others is actually a sign of pride and over-focus on self, without feeling condemned...but only motivated to change.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

I used to watch the Duggar family when they had their first series on television. I also enjoyed reading Jill's memior and was hoping this book by Jinger would be similar in talking about the difficulties of growing up in a cult like family. This is definitely more of a Christian self-help book, instead of a memior. Jinger gives good advice and offers bible verses that relate to her experiences. I think it is organized in a proper manner and written as a conversation piece.

Thanks to NetGalley, Jinger Duggar Vuolo, and W Publishing and Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of People Pleaser in the return of an honest review.

People Pleaser • Jinger Duggar Vuolo
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Thank you @netgalley @thomasnelson for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review!
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19K&C missed me, but I did enjoy watching Counting On when it aired. Ever since, I have followed some of the Duggar Family as they have journeyed beyond the IBLP and their upbringing to make their lives and their faith their own.
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As my buddy reader @emilylovesreading_ said in her review, this book takes a step beyond sharing about her past on TV, and is more of a Christian growth nonfiction look at people pleasing (even though she does share stories and references from her past).
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I enjoyed this book, though I do wish there had been a little more practical application. Jinger shares stories, scripture references and a look at how she has struggled with people pleasing and how she is working to grow out of that tendency. If you’re someone who is a fan of Jinger’s previous books, I think this would be for you!

Thank you for letting me read this ARC. The format was a little hard for me to concentrate. But a decent read. I love the Duggar family. And love seeing the girls come into their own in life.

As someone who watched every episode of 19 Kids and Counting as a kid and later learned about the Duggar family’s history with IBLP (a cult-like religious system), I was interested in hearing Jinger Duggar Vuolo’s take on people pleasing.

She begins her latest book with a story about how people pleasing made some of the things she loves (like hosting friends and family over) nerve-wracking and how some of her perfectionistic beliefs came to be. In each chapter, Jinger explains a different aspect of people pleasing and ways to reframe the negative thoughts behind it—usually by taking an honest look at our own motivations.

As a Christian, I liked how she connected familiar Bible verses and stories to themes like decision-making, fear and authenticity. Jinger was able to frame how certain kinds of people pleasing can be damaging for us and others, even to the point of being sinful. I’ve always known that people pleasing feels bad, but now I know why!

All in all, I thought People Pleaser was well-structured and engaging. Jinger’s personal stories are accessible and lighthearted, making this a fast read.

I drifted a bit toward the end when she focused more heavily on developing a relationship with Jesus because I felt secure in that already.

People Pleaser: Breaking Free from the Burden of Imaginary Expectations is available now! Thank you to Thomas Nelson for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review ♥️

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