Before I dive in and get all carried away with this review I think I should make it known that I am a huge fan of Chip and JoAnna Gaines. Whether or not that had significant influence on my opinion of this book, I’m not sure. Probably. Either way, I thought it was worth mentioning. With that being said…
I absolutely loved this book. I was looking for an easy read while I was home on vacation and America’s Favorite Husband delivered. His writing style was adorable. That’s the best word I know to use. If you are a fan of their show “Fixer Upper”, you’ll understand what I mean when I say that Chip writes almost exactly like he talks. It’s like I could “hear him” saying every word I was reading. The whole style had a down-home-good-ole-boy feel to it that felt relatable and understandable. It wasn’t a hard read at all and I was able to make it through this book in a little under three days. Like I said, it was just an easy read.
The story line was incredibly interesting. Again, I was already a fan before I decided to read this book so that may have had some influence. But learning the path taken by Chip and JoAnna was somewhat fascinating. I was surprised to learn that they weren’t always the business moguls they are now and JoAnna had actually pursued a different career choice altogether before landing on interior design and changing the way the whole field worked. He even lets us in on a few marriage secrets that were unexpected, but so sweet. I found this part particularly interesting because I had always read articles on marriage that were written by other women. Never men. And hearing about how a man may think about things proposed a new dynamic for me.
I would describe this book as part self-help/motivational, part memoir. What it says on the front jacket is exactly what it is about: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff. Chip Gaines is fearless. And he’s smart. Trying to build my own business myself, I found this book to be motivating, and heart warming. This book is filled with Faith and serves as a guide on how to have enough courage to lead a fearless life, trust your gut, and chase your dreams. You’ll also learn some “tell all” facts about the ups-and-downs that lead the powerhouse couple to where they are now, the history of and their passion for the city of Waco (apparently it’s not all cults and Kool-Aid), and the story behind the Magnolia empire.
If you are looking for a quick, easy read, this is the book for you. If you are looking for motivation, inspiration, and a different pace of “self-help”, this is the book for you. Especially if you are a fan of Chip and JoAnna Gaines. I don’t believe in coincidence, so when I saw this book three different times, in three different days, in three different states, I knew I needed to pick it up. I’m so glad I did.
Here is a link where you can purchase this book on Amazon for under $15. SCORE!
Click HERE to purchase now.
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