Here For It (the Good, the Bad, and the Queso)

From the moment I saw the title of this book, I knew I was going to love it. Because this is me! This is my friendships. In my maid of honor speech at my best friend’s wedding I even referenced our M&M nights- Margaritas and Mexican Food. It’s always our default mode when we need some time together, we call emergency M&M nights. That’s how I knew ‘Here for It (The Good, the Bad, and the Queso)’ was going to be a hit!

Let’s break this review down into a few items of business, shall we?

Who is this for?
Anyone! While I would say this is more directed for women in the thick of being the family Uber driver and asking questions like can my kids survive on a third night in a row of frozen chicken nuggets, it has various sections that can meet you where you are at in your friendship journey. I especially thought Part 1- Recipes for Working on Yourself and Showing Up, held a lot of valuable information for my younger self. Don’t be afraid to share this with the teenager or college student in your life.

General Comments
The layout of this book was great! Broken down into two parts, with multiple supporting chapters. Each chapter includes relatable stories from the authors followed with ‘the good’, ‘the bad’, and ‘the takeaway’ on how to apply or reflect on each teaching. Really though, this felt like grabbing an iced coffee at a favorite local café with my new friends Amy and Jess. I mean- you know you're friends when you talk about chin hairs, right?

Of course, some parts of the book resonated more with me, than others. But that’s understandable, we all have different experiences, and are in different places in our lives.

While this is clearly focused on building quality friendships, I think there is a lot of practical advice for ANY relationship in your life.

Personal Favorite Chapters
Chapter 7: I Would Rather Eat Soggy Cheetos Than Admit I’m Wrong (A Recipe for Humility)
Chapter 13: Well, That Went Over My Head (A Recipe for Speaking Someone Else’s Love Language) – This one was good, y’all!
Chapter 19: We Share a Fence, But I Don’t Even Know Your Name (A Recipe for Knowing Your Neighbors)
Chapter 20: Well, You Just Honked at Me, So Now I’m Going to Sit at This Stoplight for All Eternity (A Recipe for Handling Confrontation)
Chapter 21: How to Walk Through Pain With Your Friends (A Recipe for Loving Well, Even If You Feel Unqualified)

Favorite Quotes
“But sometimes the most beautiful things slip through our fingers. It doesn’t mean they didn’t matter. It doesn’t mean they weren’t important. Sometimes it’s the opposite.”

“Remind yourself that one person in your corner is enough- it’s actually more than enough. Sometimes I think we get so focused on who we don’t have that we forget to treasure who we do.”

“Trying to control somebody else is like running a race with no finish line. It’s going to leave you exhausted and anxious.”

“I think we lose out on so much connection when we try to fit people in a box they were never meant to go into in the first place. We are different. We’re supposed to be different. It is so very easy to see the world through our own limited view and criticize people who do things differently.”

“Every good and lasting friendship requires intentionality, whether they live next door or on another planet. --- It means you care enough to focus on them and, like a plant you really want to survive, you water them and tend to them regularly.”

“The most important thing you can do is be there. That’s it. Just be there. I believe (and I could be wrong) that when we choose to be present in those moments, God uses us as a conduit of his love and presence, his nearness. Our shoulder against their shoulder becomes his shoulder against their shoulder. Our hand on their hand becomes his. We’re a space-holder, a vessel of comfort, a present reminder of peace.”

Final Thoughts
Buy this book. Then take your sweatpant wearing, messy hair self over to your friends house and just be.
Maybe grab some queso and margs on your way for good measure.
It’s all nourishment for the soul.

This book goes beyond the surface level of friendships and delves into the intricacies of strengthening and deepening these relationships. While it may require you to take a closer look at yourself and the people in your life, this introspective journey is ultimately a positive one. The process of improvement can be intimidating, but it can also be immensely rewarding, and this book serves as a catalyst for personal growth.

What sets this book apart is its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions. It has the power to make you laugh with its humorous anecdotes, cry with its poignant stories, and stir up a mix of other feelings along the way. It offers a raw and authentic portrayal of the complexities that come with interpersonal connections, leaving no stone unturned. By the end, you will likely be left with a newfound understanding of your relationships and a renewed motivation to work towards bettering them.

If you are open to experiencing a range of emotions, seeking an introspective reminder, and yearning for a deeper understanding of your relationships, then this book is a must-read. It offers a captivating journey that will push you out of your comfort zone and encourage growth in your connections with those around you.

I follow the Sister I am With you Facebook page, so I thought this would be a fun book on friendship. This was a GREAT book on friendship. It was relatable and funny. It had great tips and stories that resonated with me. I want to be friends with Amy and Jess. AND it had a queso recipe!!

I'll be recommending this to all my friends!

These two ladies have written another great book about friends, This book will have you captivated from the beginning. Each of these ladies are raw and real when sharing about their live experiences. A really good read.

"Here For It" feels like you are sitting down with a good friend over a beverage. It is warm and uplifting while delving into more complex friendship dynamics. The authors give great advice on navigating friendships and relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC.

I have been following Sister I Am With You for some time now. When I saw that Jess and Amy were writing a new book, I had to read it. The encouraging posts I see across my FB feed completely continued as I read this book. Beyond that, they get into the realness of friendship and situations that can arise and give some great ways of dealing with those things. It felt like I was chatting with my closest friends. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Nelson Books for providing me with an electronic advance reader copy.

"Here for It: The Good, The Bad, and The Queso" by Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston (from the Sister, I Am With You online community) exceeded my expectations and went beyond what I had hoped for! Having thoroughly enjoyed Jess and Amy’s first book, "I’ll Be There (But I’ll Be Wearing Sweatpants)," this one added even more valuable life advice about friendships.

As an adult, I've faced challenges in forming and sustaining friendships, and this book addressed those struggles with relatable stories that resonated deeply with me. Whether it's navigating the complexities of adult friendships or sharing practical tips, both authors provided insights that felt genuine and applicable. "Here for It" is an amazing, easy-to-read book for anyone seeking to cultivate and maintain more meaningful friendships in their lives. I found myself highlighting multiple sections with valuable tips that I anticipate referring back to for years to come!

Here for It: The Good, The Bad, and The Queso, by Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston (from Sister, I Am With You online community). This book was exactly what I was expecting and even more than I hoped for! I absolutely loved Jess and Amy’s first book — I’ll Be There (But I’ll Be Wearing Sweatpants), and this one just added on to even more life advice about friendships. I’ve struggled with friendships as an adult — it’s so much harder making and keeping friends than when I was younger. And the stories both women share were relatable and resonated with me. This is an amazing, easy to read book for anyone looking to create and maintain more meaningful friendships in their lives! I highlighted multiple sections with tips that I will refer back to for years to come!

A special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to have an advanced copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, Nelson Books & the authors for the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own. I am a member & a big fan of Jess & Amy’s online community “Sister, I Am With You” so I was very excited when I found out that this book was coming out. This books goes so much deeper than just working on friendships, but explains the importance of working on yourself first. Being the mom of two little girls, the life lessons in this book are ones that will definitely stick me.

Favorite Quotes:
“You are in charge of you - your words, your behavior, your thoughts, your attitude. Do your best. Treat people well. Love with all you have & then leave the rest out there.”
-Amy Weatherly
“For every mountain there’s a valley, & for every rose there are numerous weeds. For every rainbow there’s storm.”
-Amy Weatherly

I really enjoyed this book!

I didn’t know about these authors prior to reading this book but loved them and this topic.

i loved reading about “ distrusting between different types of friendships and recognize when a seasonal relationship has run its course”

I recently had a friend break up, and this book helped me understand and feel better about a hard situation!

An easy read, not because it's simple but because it's relatable. The amount of puns/mentions of queso took it too far for me (after a dozen it's hard not to think "we GET it, and this now only distracts from the powerful message)... but there's a lot of goodness in this book. One portion brought tears as I thought "Wait, this happened to someone else too? It's like she's in my head, giving voice to thoughts and feelings she couldn't possibly know." Do you have a friend? Do you want to be a good friend? Have you been hurt by a friend? Have you hurt a friend? If you answered yes to any of the above, consider reading this book.

Amy and Jess are in my top 8 social media creators. This book felt like sitting and talking to my best friends and was just all in all an enthralling read. I feel like I’m a better friend, daughter, sister, and spouse after reading this

Here For It (the Good, The Bad, and the Queso) is such a great book about friendships and how to navigate them as an adult. We are taught in school about how to be a good friend, but as we get older friendships get harder. Thankfully this book is here to help us understand what to do to make maintaining and dealing with friendships easier.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.
This was a quick, easy read that felt good! It hit some hard topics about friendship but gave both practical advice and grace in a lighthearted way. It felt like pulling up a chair and talking with a friend about friendship, and I’m here for it!

Amy and Jess are the real deal so I was so excited to read their next book, and it did not disappoint! This book is like a warm hug, and it makes me want to be friends with them in real life. I love how they broke down each chapter with the good, the bad, and the takeaways, and they included some thought-provoking questions, too. Their words are seasoned with compassion and grace, but they don’t shy away from the sometimes-hard-to-swallow truths either. I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who is struggling to show up as they are, anyone who is on the search for deeper community, and anyone who needs a little extra TLC while on the journey to find their people.

This is not the kind of book that I normally like. I was drawn in by the title, but in the first few pages, I noticed some of the flags that normally turn me away from a book (that "oh my goodness, we are both women and so that means we have exactly the same understanding about everything...with lots of !!!!!! thrown in"). But...I'm in a bit of a weird season in my life, so...I was here for it. All of it.

And I actually wound up not only enjoying this book, but appreciating it. I was able to read past the tone that assumes a bit of overfamiliarity and engage the book on the level on which I needed to, and I reaped great benefits from doing so.

This is a lonely season for me. It's a season in which God is pruning me for something else that I haven't quite figured out yet. It's a season of a lot of transition and a good measure of figuring out things I haven't had to be deliberate about before interpersonally and trying to figure out where I fit in, and hearing the experiences and wisdom of others who are honest about such seasons was encouraging.

It's a little strange because as I think back over this book, I get the sense that it said a lot without saying anything specific, and that's the best kind of book for me - the kind that hits you right at the heart but with such a tender touch that it's really yours and not something someone else has shoved into your life.

I will recommend this book quite a bit.

What a great read on adult friendships. With all the chaos of life as an adult, friendships while needed tend to take a back seat and this book really dives into those intricacies. Sometimes we aren’t a perfect friend. The stories are very real and emotional and I would highly recommend this book to anyone needing a boost.

Warm and uplifting book about friendship dynamics. The authors give great advice on navigating friendships and relationships, and for those like myself hoping to find true friends, it's inspiring that some do find these friendships worth keeping.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I enjoyed it and look forward using the methods.

"Here For It (the Good, the Bad, and the Queso)" by Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston offers a refreshing take on the dynamics of friendship that feels like an intimate conversation with your closest confidantes. What sets this book apart is the authors' willingness to candidly share their own experiences navigating various aspects of friendship. Through their stories, readers discover a comforting reassurance that they are not alone in facing the complexities of different relationships.

While the perspectives presented may not be groundbreaking, Weatherly and Johnston offer valuable reminders scattered throughout the book. Their insights serve as gentle nudges for readers to reflect on their own friendships and consider how to nurture them more effectively. Particularly beneficial are the practical suggestions provided at the end of each chapter, offering tangible steps for improving and deepening connections with others.

Overall, "Here For It" is a warm and relatable guide for anyone seeking to enhance their understanding of friendship dynamics. While it may not introduce entirely new concepts, its authenticity and practical advice make it a valuable resource for those looking to strengthen their bonds with others.

I truly appreciated this one. I loved the focus on love languages in one of the chapters. I saved/highlighted so many great quotes and pieces of advice. I feel they covered every type of friendship in here and it's packed with useful information that I think reaches all of the different personality traits in a person. Truly awesome and highly recommended!

I am typically not a fan of non-fiction but this is my second from them and I adore it each and every time! They are real life, normal moms with real, relatable struggles/feelings. They help put life in such great perspective. I truly love this book and every thought these two come up with have me nodding my head, and squeezing my heart.

Rating 4.5 stars rounded off to 5

A great hand-holding read for nurturing everlasting female friendships!

Thanks NetGalley , Nelson Books, Thomas Nelson for this ARC! I am so glad I read this.

I rarely pick self-help books, but this one was enlightening and so simple to adapt in our daily lives as we navigate one of the most important facets of it – ‘friendships’.

The authors are the bestselling authors of “I’ll Be There” and the founders of the hugely popular “Sister, I Am with You” online community.

Focusing on adult friendships and how complicated/tricky they can be in our chaotic, busy worlds, the authors give us pragmatic, easy to follow ‘recipes’ in the form of chapters, for various situational circumstances in a friendships. These are followed by ‘the good’, ‘the bad’ and ‘the takeaways’ from each of them. I thought these were excellent as they made it all so relevant, relatable with anecdotes that help us visualize these aspects.

They cover almost every kind and flavour of female friendships - long-distance, differing in capacities, the unique love language of it, dealing with confrontations, finding friends in neighbors, seasonal relationships, setting healthy boundaries and right priorities, being self-aware, knowing when to show up (of course with ‘queso’) or give space and many more that help us to understand or correlate to our own experiences.

These made me reflect on my own friendships both from the past and in the present- the estranged ones, the lost ones and the ones that truly make a difference to my life now. I never thought any of the suggestions sounded preachy - they are all extremely practical and adaptable. They are invaluable in a world where we are constantly wired and hooked to the internet rather than the person sitting in front of us.

Having made such close connections and great friends here on booksta myself, I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to further ‘deepen’ their friendships, transform an acquaintance to a true sisterhood and form lifelong bonds.

This book is about as real and authentic you can get! Every chapter spoke to my heart! I came away with a lot of wisdom and spot-on advice. It is a very thought-provoking, soul-searching book. I give the authors thumbs up for keeping it real and addressing some hard issues. Bonus- the recipe for queso! I can't wait to try it!!

I was provided a copy of the book by Nelson Books via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Friendship is always a priority with me. Through the years my friends have had a huge influence on the woman I've become. So, any book on friendship catches my eye. Here For It is a book I would have enjoyed more in my late 20s or early 30s when I was figuring out who I was and what role my friends would have in my life. The authors have a breezy, light style and offer some good insights. If you're a young woman or mentor younger women, this might be a good fit for you. It's got a positive, Christian viewpoint.

This was really fun, easy to read and contained lots of tools to help me with adult friendship, by first helping me to look at myself! The religious element was a bit of a surprise as I didn’t notice the category but it wasn’t overt. I really enjoyed the regular references to regular snacks and I’d definitely read another book by these girls!

Great book, really helps to open your eyes to friendships and understand which ones you should value and when to walk away for your own self feelings. Lots of little tips and hints on what to look out for with friendships as well. Help to understand those friendships that are going to help you in life and make you feel good not sad and depressed.

The subtitle of this book says it all ... "The How-To Guide for Deepening Your Friendships and Doing Life Together". These two fun friends present heartfelt advice to really encourage and support you in your quest to build and keep meaningful friendships in your life.
Yes, Amy and Jess are young, cute and lots of fun, but they share great lessons and suggestions for women at all ages and stages. As a "seasoned" woman of 60, some topics were more relatable to me than others, but I really feel like I have gained valuable, insightful ideas to improve my relationships. I have jotted down several quotes to look back on. (In fact, although I read the e-book, this is one of those books
I will be buying a copy to keep.) Here are a couple of my favorite quotes ...
"To invite someone is a gift. To include someone is a gift. To ask them to hang out is a gift. To check on someone is a gift. To initiate a conversation with someone is a gift."
"(S)how up for your people. Reliability is everything to a relationship."
Thank you to NetGalley and the authors for an Advance Copy

The grownups guide to friendship.

As an adult I have move around a great deal and often find myself starting over in social circles and maintaining distant friendships. This book was very insightful about help me evaluate what exactly I’m looking for in a friendship, and what relationships were worth building, and maintaining.

I feel like this has helped me grow stronger, more meaningful relationships, and I have actually bought this book as a gift for my closest friend as it spoke to my heart.

Jess and Amy did not shy away from the hard stuff and the book challenged me to think about what I really want out of my relationships.

I highly recommend this for people who are looking to strengthen and deepen their friendships.

Thank you so so much for this copy. This was the book I didn’t know I needed. As a mother in her early 30s dealing with changes in life and new phases I really appreciated the books discussion of adult relationships. It really is making me take a look inside and reevaluate myself as an individual and friend. Also, it will definitely help guide me be there for friends having a difficult time. I can’t wait to go back and read their first book now. I’m also recommending this book to my other mom friends as well.

Here For It (the Good, the Bad, and the Queso): The How-To Guide for Deepening Your Friendships and Doing Life Together
By Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
****
I was here for all the cheesy Queso Dip references! ~See what I did there?

I’m not the only person with no friends?!?!~ I thought it was just me.

I love a good self help book! This one was particularly interesting because, as an adult, I have had such a difficult time making and maintaining friends. I have recently had yet another friend “breakup” and I was left confused and thinking I was alone in my lack of friendship. I understand we are all busy with our families and careers. I long for a deep connection with another person but for whatever reason, am unable to maintain it. For so long, I’ve felt like there was only one type of friendship and if people weren’t living up to it I would let the relationship go.
The book was so helpful for me! It explained different types of friendships and different ways to look at friends. The authors gave great examples of ways to protect yourself from possible negative friends and also examples of how to be a good friend. The chapter that resonated with me the most was the theme ‘Everyone is doing their best’. It is important to believe that everyone is doing the best they can. It can make a much happier life.
In my opinion the book would be good for all age levels, teen through adult. I would have no hesitation recommending this book to a patron.

Here For It (the Good, the Bad, and the Queso)
The How-To Guide for Deepening Your Friendships and Doing Life Together
by Amy Weatherly; Jess Johnston
Pub Date 30 Jan 2024
Nelson Books,Thomas Nelson
Christian| Nonfiction \(Adult\)| Self-Help


Nelson Books, Thomas Nelson, and Netgalley sent me a copy of Here For It for review:


It's hard to make friends as an adult! It can seem overwhelming, it's tricky, and it's weird. Making those friendships last and taking them to the next level can be challenging as well. With I'll Be There (But I'll Be Wearing Sweatpants), Amy and Jess gave readers a road map for finding real, authentic relationships; now they provide a toolkit for building them up. In Here For It (The Good, the Bad, and the Queso), the reader will explore the whys and hows of living together in a culture that constantly tries to separate us. Readers will learn how to:
distinguish between different types of friendships and recognize when a seasonal relationship has run its course;In this book readers will learn how to recognize when a seasonal relationship has run its course and distinguish between different types of friendships; understand the importance of self-awareness, healthy confrontation, and differing love languages in friendship; and Understanding self-awareness, healthy confrontation, and differing love languages in friendship is essential; maintain long-distance friendships, foster real relationships with your neighbors, and establish traditions that strengthen your connections. Establish traditions that strengthen your relationships with your neighbors, foster long-distance friendships, and foster real relationships with your neighbors.


In this new book, Amy and Jess give readers the tools they need to lay a strong foundation and build relationships that stand the test of time.


I give Here for It five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

I really enjoyed this book. It rings true for me with my lifelong friendships. The author has a knack for writing about emotional topics with humor and skill.

4.5 stars for me! I really liked this book- I relate to the content, the chapters are short and feature multiple perspectives. I appreciated the takeaways and enjoyed the humor! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review

A recipe for a good book.

Their cute unique way of telling this story was something I enjoyed. Easy read & relatable!

I was a fan of the reminders to

•use your voice, that’s why you have one
•fight for the relationships that make you feel good, not that make you feel bad
•listen more
& so much more!

•here for it(the good, the bad, and the queso)•

Here For It is well written and easy to read. It’s hard to develop friendships as an adult and sometimes that makes it harder for adults to let go of friends. This book speaks to building and maintaining healthy friendships. I love that two girlfriends are talking about their lives and their relationships. Amy and Jess let the readers in on their story’s and their suggestions. Reading this book felt like discussing life with good girlfriends. They share the good, the bad, and what we can learn. I recently had a friend who lost her mom and loss of a family is always hard. It’s hard to know how to react and reading a section about a death in the family reminded me that all I really need to do is be there. “Be there for the long haul…. Always let them know their grief is legitimate, and never make them feel like they should be over it.” This book was worth the read, there are many takeaways.

Thank you to Amy and Jess, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Loved this!! Don’t sleep on the recipe, either! The dialogue was impeccable!! Friendship is so important, it keeps you grounded. A life without a bestie is unimaginable.

This is such a great book! I’m in a place where I’m really evaluating the quality of my friendships. I want real and authentic. People who lift me up and that I can do the same for. I’ve got several amazing friends in my life, for which I am grateful, and I no longer feel the need to “chase” friendships I “wished” I had. This book shows you how to establish a deeper connection. Love it!

I feel like a lot of us are in the same position after the pandemic. It’s like we got a reset. With that reset, we had time to reevaluate a lot of things. And with that reset, came a lot of grief. In all forms, but it seems that everyone suffered many loses over the last few years. In that grief, I feel like we value time more and we understand that it’s a commodity. Like the book states, “I want to be friends with people that want to be friends with me”.

I found out which tables were not my tables, and I’m grateful for that now, but starting over is weird. And hard. I’ll just keep praying the right people come into my life. And the friendships I DO still have, will grow. And I thank God for this new season, even though it’s unfamiliar. And lonely, growing in faith with the Lord.

I’m LOVING this book!!! It’s like a guidebook to new adult friendships. It’s so good! I can see the “old” me and how I would trauma respond to situations in old friendships. Unhealthy conflict resolution. (Thankful for therapy!)

The new me is nodding “Yes, girls!!” to all of this!! I feel like it’s a Godwink that this book came at this exact moment in time. God’s timing!

This book is a must read for any woman, young or old. My younger self would have appreciated the “friend” advice given in this book! I would have stopped wasting so much time trying to fit in where I didn’t belong. My present self is reminding me to give myself grace. I did the best I could with what I was given. I now know my worth in Christ and my friends are not my identity. We are all unique and we deserve to stay that way! Friends enhance our world!

Looking forward to making new, more meaningful, authentic, real, Christian friendships where my friends don’t care that I’m only good at bringing the chips when getting together for queso! ❤️

My “Word” for 2024 is REST. In resting is healing and restoration. And growth. (I’m sure there’s a great verse to go here, but I’m new to the Bible, so I don’t have one yet.) Jeremiah 29:11 keeps popping up, so I’ll go with that one. “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.

This book felt like a fun conversation with friends over a margarita. It was lighthearted while also balancing tough conversations about friendship and how to find (and keep) your people. I enjoyed the mix of writing styles between both authors and the humor and “realness” mixed in to each chapter.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC of this book.

This book was an amazing self help book. I loved the humor between the two and I loved that it really made me help to be a good friend. I think everyone should read this.

I requested the book Here for it the good the bad and the queso because I red the authors first book and because I follow them on Facebook. I think they are amazing women who make other women feel loved and understood. This book demonstrates that same thing. Writen in the pages of this book is a journey of understanding yourself better and how your relationships with your friends shape who you are. This book will help you navigate the feelings you have surrounding some of the most important connections you have in your life. FRIENDS! Relationships can be hard. The author shares personal and authentic stories. Some are funny and some are heartbreaking. You feel the raw honesty as the author shares ways to deepen bonds of relationships and also how to let go of past hurts and self doubts that may be hindering you from growing in surface level friendships. This book is beautifully written and so inspiring. This book will call you to be vulnerable at times. Show yourself grace as you go through this book. Take your time as you read it. Become aware of things that you feel need changing in areas of your life. Be open and honest with yourself allowing yourself to process feelings you didn't know you had. This book should be read and experienced. Thank you netgalley for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.

OMgouda this book was great! Jess and Amy (& their queso recipe) really go beyond just the surface level and dive deep into the different layers and eras of friendship. It’s so relatable and easy to read, I absolutely devoured it. To anyone who’s experienced a friend breakup before (heartbreaking!!), this should be recommended reading.

Such a refreshing book to know that I am not alone in friendship struggles. I love how Amy and Jess use humor but also real talk to get you through these troubles. I loved the part about how sometimes friendships are just for a season and there is nothing wrong with that.

Women friendships can be complicated any time in life. The authors of Here For It (the Good, the Bad, and the Queso) have written their second book on friendship and that we all share the same good and bad they bring.
The authors are honest about their own friendships and how they have been blessings but can also be hurtful. They share the simple steps of how to go deeper in a friendship to when you may need to apologize. Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston do a good job of making the reader feel like she is their friend and experiences she may have had in friendship are normal.
All readers will enjoy the writing style of this book and the personal stories they share. All readers will come away from this book with advice on making a friendship better, regardless if they have many or want to make one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.

I love these ladies. I have been following them on social media and read their first book. There aren’t enough discussions around the reality, complexity, and necessity of female friendship. These 2 do a great job breaking it down while boosting the readers confidence up.

HERE FOR IT (THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE QUESO) by Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston is the warm hug and chair at the kitchen table with lively, smart, really fun friends I have never met in real life, but who have shared an incredible queso recipe with and who speak right to my heart about friendships, both beginnings, endings, and the marvelous middles. I loved every moment with them, felt like I was listening to my best friends on a night when we're alone with the queso, the realities of our lives, and the chips are flying -- such great ideas and so engaging. A rousing wonderful read I cannot wait top share with my real friends, the ones close and the ones miles away. A standing ovation for an essential, life-affirming and really fun read. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

Such a great book and a fun read! It was so comforting to realize, it’s not just me; other people have these same thoughts and emotions! Adult friendships are hard and if you have ever experienced a friend breakup or struggles, you must read this. Amy & Jess share their good and bad, sometimes ugly or funny personal experiences and offer practical steps to improve your friendships.

I was so excited for this book after reading I'll Be There a few years ago. As an awkward 30-something where friendships have been difficult, I've treasured the wisdom and tips from Amy and Jess. Highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles with, yet desires, deeper friendships.

I’m a momma of four and this book hit home for me! Friendships have come and gone and are great and are awful. It’s been HARD! And I felt like it was just me- busy with kids. But this book gave all of the reassurance of friendships as moms and later in life when life is busy and opinions matter and trying to surround yourself with like minded friends are in the thinking. Highly suggest this book!

Here For It (The Good, The Bad and The Queso) is a good book about adult friendships. Jess and Amy tell lots of relatable stories about their hits and misses with friendships. They include tips on how to strengthen current friendships, start new ones and how to know it it’s time to let a friendship go. I laughed and cringed in the appropriate places. Overall this is a good book but did feel like some places were a bit too drawn out and dragged the point.

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

A sweet and funny book about adult friendships! The authors are relatable and don’t hide their flaws. Some of the humor felt forced, trying too hard to be funny, but overall I appreciated their candor and practical advice.

One of my favorite facebook influencers and now authors. This book held my heart. As someone in their late thirties it is so hard to find friendships.... to meet people in the trenches. This is exactly that. There is no fluff to it and it fills your heart. I'm here for it.

I enjoyed this book. I would genuinely buy this for myself or a friend! I didn’t know it was also a Christian book, which made me enjoy it more and made me so happy! I read this as an e-book and I screenshotted so many good quotes, so many good nuggets of truth! I laughed, I cried, I reflected - all things a book like this should do for their reader! I loved how real and vulnerable the authors were. They were so authentic.
For me, I was really looking for more in this book. I’m not claiming to be a friendship expert (and neither are the authors), but I know we have seasons of friends, and not all of them are made to last. I know not every person you want to be friends with wants to be friends back, and that’s okay. We fade out and truly wish those people nothing but the best, but we put our time and energy in other relationships and get to see those blossom. I knew all of this before this book, and didn’t feel like this book was super revolutionary for me. It was nice to hear their experiences, their struggles, their back stories. It’s nice to know this happens to everyone, and isn’t an isolated occurrence. I just don’t feel like I needed this book to understand that.
Despite all that, I would still recommend it! If you’re in a friendship slump or feeling alone, this is an amazing read. Even if you feel secure in your friendships, there are so many great pieces of advice on how we can love our friends better - just maybe this isn’t a “guide” for you.
Still, overall a good book! I would love to go to a Mexican restaurant with Amy and Jess and laugh til we cry over chips and queso, so I would say the book was solid.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Nelson Books, for this fruitful, witty, and sincere ARC!

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Here For It (the Good, the Bad, and the Queso)” by Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston is a refreshing take on the complexities of adult friendships. The authors, known for their bestselling work and the “Sister, I Am with You” online community, delve into the intricacies of nurturing and deepening relationships that go beyond the superficial.

The book is structured as a practical guide, offering readers a toolkit for fostering friendships that are not only meaningful but also resilient in the face of life’s inevitable challenges. Weatherly and Johnston address the awkwardness and difficulties of making friends as an adult with humor and honesty, acknowledging the weirdness and the overwhelming nature of it all.

What sets this book apart is its focus on the “how” rather than just the “why” of friendships. It’s not just about finding people who “get” you, but also about maintaining those connections and taking them to a deeper level. The authors provide actionable advice on distinguishing between different types of friendships, understanding the importance of self-awareness, healthy confrontation, and love languages in friendship, and even maintaining long-distance relationships.

The book’s title, “Here For It”, encapsulates the authors’ message: being present and committed to the friendships we value. The addition of “the Good, the Bad, and the Queso” adds a playful touch, suggesting that true friends are there for each other through life’s ups and downs—and perhaps over a shared love of queso.

In a culture that often emphasizes individual success and self-reliance, Weatherly and Johnston offer a counter-narrative that champions the power of community and collective joy. Their writing is accessible, their advice is grounded, and their anecdotes are relatable. This is a book for anyone who has ever felt alone in a crowded room and wondered how to bridge the gap between acquaintance and confidant, which is exactly why I read it..

Overall, “Here For It” is a heartfelt reminder of the importance of friendships and a call to action to invest in them. It’s a must-read for those looking to deepen existing relationships or forge new ones in the complex dance of adult socialization. With its blend of wisdom, wit, and warmth, this book is a valuable addition to the conversation about the art of friendship in the modern age.

I loved this book. Loved. What a gem! I've enjoyed Amy & Jess on their 'Sister, I am with you' Facebook page for a few years and was very excited to read this book. This is a fantastic read on friendship. As one who tends to be a people pleaser, social introvert, confrontational avoidant, and has a hard time saying no, this book was written for me. It's honest, real, humorous, and chalked full of wonderful truths and ideas causing me to examine my friendships and my role as a friend. Everyone who values friendship should read this book!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, Amy Weatherly, and Jess Johnson for the eARC in exchange for my review.

This book is a great follow up to their first one, I'll Be There, but I will Be Wearing Sweatpants. Both of the authors are so real, transparent, and relatable. Meeting and making friends is very different and can be difficult as an adult so the authors do a great job offering practical advice while keeping the reader in stitches. There is a great balance in the book of humorous stories as well as great questions to help you self-reflect and evaluate friendships in your own life. I would highly recommend this book and definitely check out the first one if you haven't already.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Enjoyed this read, very digestible and well written, almost like you’re talking with good friends. Had great advice for maintaining friendships which can be hard to do as an adult

I feel personally attacked! In a good way though! I felt this book hard. Everything seemed to be explaining my life. I have realized I have falled into a lonely bubble and pushed friendships away and I needed to read this. This book came into my hands at the exact right time. It explained who I am exactly I swear and it gave me some great advice of things to start doing to fix those friendships and get myself out of my bubble. I really think anyone who likes self help books and wants to be the best friend they can be should read these. yes some stuff didnt apply to me but alot did and it made me think about things a little deeper.

The book is centered around the topic of friendships and recipes to make lasting friendships. Some of these enclosed a recipe for grit, speaking up, listening well, humility, grace, self-awareness, and much more. One of the chapters discussed being offended. Amy shared how she dealt with rejection and not being invited to an event she thought they would have included her. She felt left out and she felt hurt. Her hurt turned into bitterness. She began to try and figure out why and she took it as a direct insult. She took the wound to heart and let it fester into bitterness. She finally realized that this was getting her nowhere and her offence was a choice she was making. She explained how we can’t allow our feelings to run the show. She worked with a therapist to discover hidden roots and her experiences with bullying. She learned the importance of letting things go and not being offended. Each chapter she breaks down the good and the bad and the takeaway for each lesson in this book. The book also contained a special recipe on how to make the best queso. One of their suggestions was to buy cheese from the deli because it makes this recipe with better.



I would recommend this book to women who are seeking a book too build their friendships and relationships with others. There are tons of recipes on how to connect and go deeper with others. The book will help readers to distinguish the different types of friendships, learn when a friendship has run its course, and help you to maintain and make lasting friendships.



“I received this book free from Thomas Nelson for my honest review.”

This made me pick up the phone and call my best friend simply to hear her voice. Being in a long distance friendship is hard and these ladies do such a good job of explaining that.

Here For It (The Good, the Bad, and the Queso) by Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston is a heartwarming and practical guide to cultivating and deepening the friendships we all crave, especially in adulthood. Building on the success of their previous book, I'll Be There (But I'll Be Wearing Sweatpants), Weatherly and Johnston offer a roadmap for navigating the challenges of real, authentic relationships in a world that often leaves us feeling isolated.

This book is part self-help, part love letter to friendship. The authors, founders of the popular online community Sister, I Am with You, blend humor, vulnerability, and wisdom to explore the complexities of friendship. They tackle everything from recognizing when a relationship has run its course to maintaining long-distance bonds and learning to communicate effectively across differing love languages. What sets this book apart is the combination of practical advice and relatable anecdotes, making it feel like you're sitting down with a friend who’s been through the highs and lows of friendship and is now sharing the tools to help you thrive.

One of the standout features of Here For It is how the authors break down various aspects of friendship, such as understanding the difference between casual acquaintances and deep, life-changing connections. They don’t just offer feel-good advice but provide actionable tips for setting boundaries, confronting conflict, and fostering meaningful relationships that can withstand the test of time. They even go beyond traditional friendships to include advice on connecting with neighbors and establishing traditions that can strengthen your social circle.

Whether you're struggling to make new friends as an adult, dealing with the complexities of long-term relationships, or simply looking for ways to show up more authentically in your friendships, Here For It delivers the encouragement and guidance you need. Amy and Jess emphasize the importance of grace—both for ourselves and for others—and how showing up in our friendships with honesty and vulnerability can transform our lives.

With humor and insight, Here For It makes the often-overlooked subject of friendship feel accessible and essential. Weatherly and Johnston’s down-to-earth writing style and positive, inclusive tone will make you feel supported and understood, no matter what stage of life you’re in. If you’ve ever felt lost in the challenges of adult friendship or wondered if you're truly building the connections you want, this book offers both clarity and a sense of community.

In short, Here For It is a refreshing, uplifting guide to cultivating friendships that are real, lasting, and full of grace. It's the perfect read for anyone looking to deepen their relationships, build new connections, or simply find more joy in the friendships they already have. Whether you're a fan of queso, a lover of deep conversation, or someone simply trying to figure out how to maintain friendships in a busy world, this book will leave you feeling inspired and ready to show up for the people who matter most.