Quick background on why I’m doing this review: I’ve been a
fan of Kyle since his Anthem Lights days and have been a fan of Karen
Kingsbury’s books since college and got a glimpse of Kelsey in the Bailey
Flannigan series, and I’ve gotten a preview of Kyle and Kelsey’s love story. I
remember seeing Kyle’s thoughtful and fairytale proposal video with Taylor
Swift’s “Love Story” playing and have been following the release of “The
Chase.” I was stoked to be able to be a part of the Street team, I got to read
the book and can tell you without a shadow of a doubt, I can tell you how
awesome, encouraging, uplifting and refreshing this book it.
I
want to take a few minutes of your time to share with you the unique
layout/perspective of this book, some of my story and why I believe you should
get and gift this book =)
This
book is written in a unique way because Kyle and Kelsey wrote it in a joint
effort. Each chapter title, like many chapter titles, gives you an idea of what
it will be about. Since this book
is geared towards females (I believe it can be helpful and insightful for guys
as well) Kelsey starts each chapter. After Kelsey is done Kyle tells about the topic
from his perspective. Both of them tie in individual stories as well as ones
that have touched them, and throughout all of it there are encouraging words
from the Word. At the end of each
chapter, as one, as husband and wife, they close it together. I think that is extra special and
meaningful given the topic of the book. While reading their individual parts
of the book, you honestly feel as though you are sitting down across the table
from them at your favorite coffee shop or café and they’re pouring our their
love, encouragement, and story to you. Then they write together and it feels
like both of them are there. It is
written in a very kind and personal way.
Question:
Ok, that’s all cool but what is this book even about??
Answer:
Chasing God with your happily ever after=)
I
found myself relating to both Kyle and Kelsey in different ways. I can relate
to being a hopeless romantic and wanting that fairytale reality, I didn’t date
in high school because I view the point of dating to be to find your future
spouse, my hearts been broken, I’ve hung onto a relationship longer than I
should have because I genuinely enjoyed spending time with him and being
together and tried to dream of the future but… I realized I was more in love
with the idea and dream of being in love and future more than the person. I
have been judged (at multiple points of my life) for having a close
relationship with my family, I cried when I wasn’t invited to “prom” or
another couples dance, I’ve made a commitment to stay pure, I’ve made a list of
character qualities, I’ve prayed for my future husband, this last year on
Valentine’s Day I (single Jess) wrote a love letter to my future hubby and am
planning on making it a tradition that lasts the rest of my life.
I’ve
prayed for him, longed for him, but aside from all that, I feel like I’ve
slowly been losing faith in having the Prince Charming of my dreams and having
to settle instead. For example, this guy has all these great qualities, but
there are some BIG red flags- yes no one’s perfect, I’m not, but there are bit
“no-no’s” that could really hurt your marriage and relationship. One thing that Kelsey said on having a
list was
“Never think your list is too long or that
your standards are too high… and never ever for one second think, my list is unrealistic, or, this guy that I’ve created on paper isn’t
out there…God knows, and His timing is perfect."
-
Kelsey
Kupecky
In other words, don’t compromise what you’re looking for.
I
learned another lesson in this book. It was in a chapter about letting the guy
take the lead. I don’t have a problem with the guy leading, but in my last
relationship I loved when he’d open doors and was chilvarious, but as time went
on I felt bad that he was always doing those things, even though I appreciatedi
t, I felt like he didn’t have to do that “extra work” because I was capable of
it, so I started to “race” him to those things so he didn’t have to do it. I now realize that letting him do that is a form of respect, it’s letting him
take the lead, be a gentleman. To my
future love, I will respect you and love you and let you open doors etc. I also
learned different tips on how to treat guys that I feel I haven’t intentionally
thought about, as well as learned things “not to do” from this book.
During
my last relationship I realized I wasn’t chasing God the way I wanted to for
when I’m dating my future husband and when I’m married. And to be honest, I really struggled with that. I know we can always
grow closer to the Lord, but I want to be secure, strong, confident in my chase
with the King (that will forever continue), before I meet my prince.
I
also learned it’s ok to have “sad days. While you’re in the “waiting” period,
Kyle had some great advice.
“waiting sounds verry passive… there’s no
action to it…better advice is to wait
and chase God.”
-Kyle Kupecky
This time of waiting may be one of the most important
periods of your life because it gives you time to fall madly in love with
pursuing and chasing God. During those times you’re longing for your future
hubby-> pray for him, and “run to God.” The last sentence of the book I
found extremely powerful.
“TRUST
GOD & PRAY BELIEVING”
-KYLE
& KELSEY KUPECKY
I
highly recommend this book to you, a friend, sister, daughter, grand-daughter,
niece, the list goes on. The book is truthful and has a refreshing look on
love, dating and chasing after God, the most important thing in the world. It
also offers hope and redemption if regret, shame or guild exists in your
life/story. It helps show girls what is really important about who they are as
well as things to look for in a guy. Honestly I think guys could learn a lot
from this book as well, they could be encouraged by Kyle’s stories and learn
about different qualities to look for through Kelsey’s parts.
Star
recommendation: ***** (5 of 5).
Here are some places you can buy The Chase:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book, LifeWay, Books-A- Million, iBooks and more!!!
Love,
Jalynn- (Jessica Lynn) !!!
p.s. Feel free to spread the love, write reviews for the book and gift to friends =)
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