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I've Never Been to Vegas, but My Luggage Has: Mishaps and Miracles on the Road to Happily Ever After
NOW A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!!!!
Wrong turns, humiliating flops, painful heartbreaks--and happiness? Yes, believe it or not, they can go hand in hand. Blogger and author Mandy Hale, affectionately known as "The Single Woman" to her half-million social-media followers, is living an adventurous life that proves even our lowest lows and messiest mess-ups can point us toward our joy-filled destiny as single women.
In I've Never Been To Vegas , But My Luggage Has , Mandy delivers heart-to-heart, often hilarious stories from a life filled with love and loss, glamour and goose bumps, faith and friendship, big dreams and battle scars. She shares the bittersweet euphoria of her high-school romance, the panic-stricken cluelessness of her first day on a stressful job, and the foot-in-mouth horror of her red-carpet interview with a music legend.
Along the way, Mandy dollops personal anecdotes with encouraging insights. From thrilling first kisses to crushing break-ups, from soaring career milestones to promising flights that never quite got off the ground, she unfolds in often uproarious detail the zigzags along the path toward a pinnacle sharing a table and a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming conversation with her lifelong hero.
In the end, Mandy turns Sin City's infamous marketing slogan on its What happens in her life doesn't stay in her life. She shares even her darkest moments in witty, winsome ways that make us not only feel her pain, but also laugh with her and apply her hard-won nuggets of inspiration to our own lives.
"Happily Ever After" might not look or feel quite like what we expect, but as Mandy is discovering--and as we can discover along with her--it is well within our reach.
Wrong turns, humiliating flops, painful heartbreaks--and happiness? Yes, believe it or not, they can go hand in hand. Blogger and author Mandy Hale, affectionately known as "The Single Woman" to her half-million social-media followers, is living an adventurous life that proves even our lowest lows and messiest mess-ups can point us toward our joy-filled destiny as single women.
In I've Never Been To Vegas , But My Luggage Has , Mandy delivers heart-to-heart, often hilarious stories from a life filled with love and loss, glamour and goose bumps, faith and friendship, big dreams and battle scars. She shares the bittersweet euphoria of her high-school romance, the panic-stricken cluelessness of her first day on a stressful job, and the foot-in-mouth horror of her red-carpet interview with a music legend.
Along the way, Mandy dollops personal anecdotes with encouraging insights. From thrilling first kisses to crushing break-ups, from soaring career milestones to promising flights that never quite got off the ground, she unfolds in often uproarious detail the zigzags along the path toward a pinnacle sharing a table and a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming conversation with her lifelong hero.
In the end, Mandy turns Sin City's infamous marketing slogan on its What happens in her life doesn't stay in her life. She shares even her darkest moments in witty, winsome ways that make us not only feel her pain, but also laugh with her and apply her hard-won nuggets of inspiration to our own lives.
"Happily Ever After" might not look or feel quite like what we expect, but as Mandy is discovering--and as we can discover along with her--it is well within our reach.
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 11, 2014
102 people are currently reading
1217 people want to read
About the author
Mandy Hale
14 books951 followersMandy Hale is affectionately known around the world as "The Single Woman.” In just over three years, Mandy has garnered a massive Twitter following of a half a million people from across the globe. With a heart to inspire single women to live their best lives and to never, ever settle, Mandy cuts to the heart of the matter with her inspirational, straight-talking, witty, and often wildly humorous take on life and love. She’s also not afraid to talk about the many realities of being single in a world that still asks “And WHY are you still single?”
Recently invited by Oprah to cover her “Lifeclass: the Tour” events in St. Louis and New York City as part of OWN’s “VIP Press Corps,” and featured at the Women of Faith conference in Hartford, Connecticut, Mandy has also been named a “Twitter Powerhouse” by the Huffington Post, a "Woman of Influence" by the Nashville Business Journal, and a “Single in the City” by Nashville Lifestyles magazine. She has also been featured in Forbes magazine, Cosmopolitan magazine, the Huffington Post, and is a featured guest blogger for Lifetime’s The Conversation. With followers from all over the world, Mandy has made a name for herself as the voice of empowerment and sassiness for single women across the globe.
Mandy released an e-book in February of 2012 that has gone on to garner rave reviews, and recently signed a two-book deal with Thomas Nelson Publishers. Her first published book, The Single Woman: Life, Love & a Dash of Sass hits shelves this summer.
Recently invited by Oprah to cover her “Lifeclass: the Tour” events in St. Louis and New York City as part of OWN’s “VIP Press Corps,” and featured at the Women of Faith conference in Hartford, Connecticut, Mandy has also been named a “Twitter Powerhouse” by the Huffington Post, a "Woman of Influence" by the Nashville Business Journal, and a “Single in the City” by Nashville Lifestyles magazine. She has also been featured in Forbes magazine, Cosmopolitan magazine, the Huffington Post, and is a featured guest blogger for Lifetime’s The Conversation. With followers from all over the world, Mandy has made a name for herself as the voice of empowerment and sassiness for single women across the globe.
Mandy released an e-book in February of 2012 that has gone on to garner rave reviews, and recently signed a two-book deal with Thomas Nelson Publishers. Her first published book, The Single Woman: Life, Love & a Dash of Sass hits shelves this summer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
June 17, 2023
What a marvelous book! The more I kept going, the more intrigued I was to find out what happened to her mysterious love interest "Mr.E" in that scenario....but mostly was thoroughly enjoying reading how she learned so many valuable lessons and insights through the sometimes dangerous territory she found herself within one of her relationships. The many spiritual elements were sprinkled throughout and so wise after she got her life back on track with the Lord:) She shared at how God had been so merciful and gracious towards her even when she had drifted away from her walk with him during a wrong relationship. Her changes and fascinating experiences were a pleasure to read, it encouraged my heart many times as I underlined umpteen sections and rejoiced knowing she was growing stronger emotionally, spiritually, as her confidence through even anxiety attacks. It was also quite humorous in various places besides. I am so glad to have read an early book of hers as I wouldn't want to have read a recent one only to go back to the beginning for a "restart". ...I am checking out her other books to buy as I definitely want to continue reading about her life and advice for single woman ,even though I am married ;) Certainly reccomendable!
April 13, 2014
While I've never read Mandy Hale's blog, The Single Woman, nor even heard of her before reading I've Never Been to Vegas but My Luggage Has I thought that it sounded like a fun read.
Her bio states that she has a heart to inspire single women to live their best lives and to never ever settle. Apparently, she writes a lot about how it's okay to be single.
I did not get that from this book at all.
While it was well written and interesting (I finished it the same day I started) the whole point of it was confusing. By page 10 I was already annoyed by Mandy when she wrote "Most people's stories resemble those of a popular "chick lit" book: Girl meets boy, girl marries boy. Girl has 2.5 kids, buys a minivan, and lives happily ever after. My journey, however, has plot twists and dozens of rewrites that have left the ending more than a little uncertain."
What world does she live in where everyone but her has a perfect life? That left a bad taste in my mouth to start off the book.
She goes on to profile a few dates and a serious relationship. Then she reads the book I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris and decides to forego typical dating, which lasts five years for her. Her feelings after that are profiled on page 47 where she states "I feel as though I missed out on very vital and formative dating years in the five-year gap when I kissed dating goodbye. The period from ages twenty to twenty-five is when most people really come into their own and figure out what they're looking for in love - and get their hearts broken enough times to learn a few lessons along the way. I have none of that knowledge or experience to fall back on."
Really? What were all the dating references she wrote about in the previous chapters then?
The following chapters again deal with job changes and relationships. Throughout here Mandy gives her life over to God again and prays that He directs her path to the right guy. Yet she falls into such detrimental relationships and excuses the reasoning, such as on page 105 when she talks about a relationship that doesn't feel as though it's progressing. "A lot of people might argue, 'If the relationship wasn't moving forward, why did you stay in it?' And the reason was simple. I was only in my late twenties, and I wasn't looking to get married anytime soon anyway. Since I missed out on so many dating experiences between the ages of twenty to twenty-five, why shouldn't I have a good time now, since I felt absolutely no pressure to be married?" So was she or was she not letting God lead her to the right man?
On page 155 she writes how she came about writing about single life "If I knew anything, I knew single life. I had spent five very formative single years in my twenties learning to stand alone." Wait, so in previous chapters that was a bad thing. Now her time being single was a good thing? Sense a pattern here?
When she went back to the same dysfunctional relationship, on page 228 she writes how she prayed about it and asked God to take away her feelings for this man, but how he kept coming back. She feels that "if God, in His infinite wisdom, gives you another shot at love, you should take it." Who says it was God that kept bringing this man back - the devil also plays at this game. All Christians need to be discerning and if it is a man that shows no commitment, no responsibility, and no sense of the Biblical type of love, you can be fairly certain that it's not God who is bringing him back to you.
This pattern goes on, and on, and on in this book. I continued reading, assuming that the end is where Mandy would have this big revelation and the point of the book would be revealed. Though she ends the book where she is single and she acts like that is okay, I never got that feeling from her. Throughout the whole book she would tout that it's freeing to be single during the moments she was single but when the men in her life came back around she seemed to jump back in head first without little or any regards to what God wanted for her.
That, too, was a recurring theme in the book. This is a Christian book. She writes a lot about God and what He wants for her. It's hard not to judge, and we really can't judge someone else's walk with God, but this book was so confusing because almost every single thing she did seemed to be what she wanted to do and then she would stick God in there later.
She also gets new-age, very "The Secret"-like in parts of the book. If you think it, it will happen. On page 170 she writes "As crazy as it might sound, I firmly believe we spoke our CMT after-party adventure into existence that night. " She jumps between saying God brought it into her life and thinking it will make it. It seemed out of place in a Christian book.
All-in-all my review is that it's confusing as a Christian book. She contradicts herself in different areas of the book. If it had not been from a Christian publisher, nor listed as a Christian book I think it would have been more interesting than confusing.
Disclaimer: This book was given to me by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest opinion.
Her bio states that she has a heart to inspire single women to live their best lives and to never ever settle. Apparently, she writes a lot about how it's okay to be single.
I did not get that from this book at all.
While it was well written and interesting (I finished it the same day I started) the whole point of it was confusing. By page 10 I was already annoyed by Mandy when she wrote "Most people's stories resemble those of a popular "chick lit" book: Girl meets boy, girl marries boy. Girl has 2.5 kids, buys a minivan, and lives happily ever after. My journey, however, has plot twists and dozens of rewrites that have left the ending more than a little uncertain."
What world does she live in where everyone but her has a perfect life? That left a bad taste in my mouth to start off the book.
She goes on to profile a few dates and a serious relationship. Then she reads the book I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris and decides to forego typical dating, which lasts five years for her. Her feelings after that are profiled on page 47 where she states "I feel as though I missed out on very vital and formative dating years in the five-year gap when I kissed dating goodbye. The period from ages twenty to twenty-five is when most people really come into their own and figure out what they're looking for in love - and get their hearts broken enough times to learn a few lessons along the way. I have none of that knowledge or experience to fall back on."
Really? What were all the dating references she wrote about in the previous chapters then?
The following chapters again deal with job changes and relationships. Throughout here Mandy gives her life over to God again and prays that He directs her path to the right guy. Yet she falls into such detrimental relationships and excuses the reasoning, such as on page 105 when she talks about a relationship that doesn't feel as though it's progressing. "A lot of people might argue, 'If the relationship wasn't moving forward, why did you stay in it?' And the reason was simple. I was only in my late twenties, and I wasn't looking to get married anytime soon anyway. Since I missed out on so many dating experiences between the ages of twenty to twenty-five, why shouldn't I have a good time now, since I felt absolutely no pressure to be married?" So was she or was she not letting God lead her to the right man?
On page 155 she writes how she came about writing about single life "If I knew anything, I knew single life. I had spent five very formative single years in my twenties learning to stand alone." Wait, so in previous chapters that was a bad thing. Now her time being single was a good thing? Sense a pattern here?
When she went back to the same dysfunctional relationship, on page 228 she writes how she prayed about it and asked God to take away her feelings for this man, but how he kept coming back. She feels that "if God, in His infinite wisdom, gives you another shot at love, you should take it." Who says it was God that kept bringing this man back - the devil also plays at this game. All Christians need to be discerning and if it is a man that shows no commitment, no responsibility, and no sense of the Biblical type of love, you can be fairly certain that it's not God who is bringing him back to you.
This pattern goes on, and on, and on in this book. I continued reading, assuming that the end is where Mandy would have this big revelation and the point of the book would be revealed. Though she ends the book where she is single and she acts like that is okay, I never got that feeling from her. Throughout the whole book she would tout that it's freeing to be single during the moments she was single but when the men in her life came back around she seemed to jump back in head first without little or any regards to what God wanted for her.
That, too, was a recurring theme in the book. This is a Christian book. She writes a lot about God and what He wants for her. It's hard not to judge, and we really can't judge someone else's walk with God, but this book was so confusing because almost every single thing she did seemed to be what she wanted to do and then she would stick God in there later.
She also gets new-age, very "The Secret"-like in parts of the book. If you think it, it will happen. On page 170 she writes "As crazy as it might sound, I firmly believe we spoke our CMT after-party adventure into existence that night. " She jumps between saying God brought it into her life and thinking it will make it. It seemed out of place in a Christian book.
All-in-all my review is that it's confusing as a Christian book. She contradicts herself in different areas of the book. If it had not been from a Christian publisher, nor listed as a Christian book I think it would have been more interesting than confusing.
Disclaimer: This book was given to me by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 14, 2014
As you read, you will be challenged at least once by your past actions or choices in life. You will gain a sense of peace to realize that life is a journey not one destination. If you reach this one goal, will you be happy? If only you reach the 2nd and 3rd you’ll be really happy. Once you get the famous – house, children, husband, job then you will have your Happy Ever After – The End?
Life is a continuation, always moving forward so why not find the happy in the movement. Moves usually equal change, growth and pain. All parts of life. A move to a new place, a move to a new job, a move into a new relationship. It’s how we learn to emotionally and spiritually handle the moves in life that will give us our “happy” during the journey.
This is what Mandy Hale, The Single Woman’s new book is about. She is gracefully transparent about her journey as a single woman. Revealing her own lessons, risks, and successes. You will find yourself reading through quickly to find out what happens to her and that come into her life, how her dreams on her vision board come to life.
You will be inspired to dream, to love, and to live your own journey, one day at a time, embracing that the happy ending, is really just continuous beginnings and new chapters of your life.
I would recommend this book to anyone trying to find their purpose, anyone confused about a current relationship, anyone dealing with letting go, and any single woman.
Life is a continuation, always moving forward so why not find the happy in the movement. Moves usually equal change, growth and pain. All parts of life. A move to a new place, a move to a new job, a move into a new relationship. It’s how we learn to emotionally and spiritually handle the moves in life that will give us our “happy” during the journey.
This is what Mandy Hale, The Single Woman’s new book is about. She is gracefully transparent about her journey as a single woman. Revealing her own lessons, risks, and successes. You will find yourself reading through quickly to find out what happens to her and that come into her life, how her dreams on her vision board come to life.
You will be inspired to dream, to love, and to live your own journey, one day at a time, embracing that the happy ending, is really just continuous beginnings and new chapters of your life.
I would recommend this book to anyone trying to find their purpose, anyone confused about a current relationship, anyone dealing with letting go, and any single woman.
August 21, 2014
I got stuck in the Las Vegas airport one time; Only time I've ever been there. I was flying on a buddy pass and kept getting bumped. Finally, 27 hours after arriving in Vegas, I was leaving.
So when I had the opportunity to review a book titled I’ve Never Been to Vegas but My Luggage Has, I jumped at the opportunity! I figured since I’d been to Vegas (while my luggage traveled home without me) and the author’s luggage had been to Vegas without her, it was a match made in heaven!
Written by Mandy Hale, I’ve Never Been to Vegas but My Luggage Has tells the story of how Mandy became known as The Single Woman. It is her story of accepting…no, embracing…this season of singleness.
The subtitle of Mandy’s book is “Mishaps and Miracles on the Road to Happily Ever After” and I can relate to both the mishaps and the miracles. As Mandy transparently wrote about how the dream of being married overrode common sense at times, I was reminded of my own misadventures on the dating scene. You know the ones: dating the guys you would never marry so you didn’t have to sit at home alone, lowering your standards because no one is perfect anyway, or making decisions you never would have imagined you would make in order to stay in a relationship.
What makes this book so readable is that we’ve all had mishaps in life that weren’t dependent on our marital status. We’ve hurt people, made bad decisions, gotten ahead of God, or maybe walked off His path altogether. Mistakes in life are not simply the purview of the single. And as Mandy found out and relates in her book, life can be very full and very satisfying regardless of your marital status!
It doesn’t matter your age or life stage, your marital status, your profession, your background, your wealth or lack of, we all want the Happy Ending. Mandy’s lesson for all of us is to give it all to God, the hopes and dreams, the good and bad choices, the missteps and miscues, and then watch Him turn them into miracles. It sometimes takes gut-wrenching honesty and bravery. But as Mandy found out, when you are honest with yourself and God about the mishaps, He can use them to work those miracles. He can take you to places you never dreamed of, and even some of the ones you did.
So when I had the opportunity to review a book titled I’ve Never Been to Vegas but My Luggage Has, I jumped at the opportunity! I figured since I’d been to Vegas (while my luggage traveled home without me) and the author’s luggage had been to Vegas without her, it was a match made in heaven!
Written by Mandy Hale, I’ve Never Been to Vegas but My Luggage Has tells the story of how Mandy became known as The Single Woman. It is her story of accepting…no, embracing…this season of singleness.
The subtitle of Mandy’s book is “Mishaps and Miracles on the Road to Happily Ever After” and I can relate to both the mishaps and the miracles. As Mandy transparently wrote about how the dream of being married overrode common sense at times, I was reminded of my own misadventures on the dating scene. You know the ones: dating the guys you would never marry so you didn’t have to sit at home alone, lowering your standards because no one is perfect anyway, or making decisions you never would have imagined you would make in order to stay in a relationship.
What makes this book so readable is that we’ve all had mishaps in life that weren’t dependent on our marital status. We’ve hurt people, made bad decisions, gotten ahead of God, or maybe walked off His path altogether. Mistakes in life are not simply the purview of the single. And as Mandy found out and relates in her book, life can be very full and very satisfying regardless of your marital status!
It doesn’t matter your age or life stage, your marital status, your profession, your background, your wealth or lack of, we all want the Happy Ending. Mandy’s lesson for all of us is to give it all to God, the hopes and dreams, the good and bad choices, the missteps and miscues, and then watch Him turn them into miracles. It sometimes takes gut-wrenching honesty and bravery. But as Mandy found out, when you are honest with yourself and God about the mishaps, He can use them to work those miracles. He can take you to places you never dreamed of, and even some of the ones you did.
February 5, 2020
Not a bad book. Just not worth keeping in my library.
September 19, 2018
Mandy Hale is a self-described “edited-for-TV version of Carrie Bradshaw, with a little Joyce Meyer tossed in for good measure," and her memoir is all about transforming your wishbone into a backbone.
“...the only examples I saw of single life...were endless shows warning women about the ‘dangers’ of being single past a certain age. (‘Your eggs are drying up!’ ‘You’re past your prime childbearing years!’ ‘You’re more likely to get struck by lightning than to find love over the age of thirty!’)...the ‘reality’ dating shows depict women pawing and fighting and scratching each other’s eyes out to get a guy who wasn’t even that great...I wandered the aisles of bookstores and found endless books with candy-colored covers offering to help women ‘find a man’ and ‘keep a man,’ and my personal favorite, ‘make any man fall in love with you!’ But I found absolutely nothing offering to help women simply become better women. Was this what the single journey was truly about in the eyes of Hollywood, literature, and pop culture? Either wringing your hands in desperation as you tried anything and everything to end your singleness, even if it meant settling for a relationship or a life far inferior to what you deserve?”
“It was interesting to watch how other people reacted to my aloneness, like it was something to pity or fear. When did spending quality time with oneself become a bad thing in our culture?”
Hale encourages her readers to “Remember that the next time the object of your desire dances just beyond your reach. It might be best to drop your arms and let whatever it is dance away." She inspires us that “the true meaning of it all isn’t to settle for merely a Happy Ending, but to hold out for a Happy Everything." I’ve Never Been to Vegas but My Luggage Has is a must read for singles and marrieds alike, men and women and anyone in pursuit of making the most of their life!
“...the only examples I saw of single life...were endless shows warning women about the ‘dangers’ of being single past a certain age. (‘Your eggs are drying up!’ ‘You’re past your prime childbearing years!’ ‘You’re more likely to get struck by lightning than to find love over the age of thirty!’)...the ‘reality’ dating shows depict women pawing and fighting and scratching each other’s eyes out to get a guy who wasn’t even that great...I wandered the aisles of bookstores and found endless books with candy-colored covers offering to help women ‘find a man’ and ‘keep a man,’ and my personal favorite, ‘make any man fall in love with you!’ But I found absolutely nothing offering to help women simply become better women. Was this what the single journey was truly about in the eyes of Hollywood, literature, and pop culture? Either wringing your hands in desperation as you tried anything and everything to end your singleness, even if it meant settling for a relationship or a life far inferior to what you deserve?”
“It was interesting to watch how other people reacted to my aloneness, like it was something to pity or fear. When did spending quality time with oneself become a bad thing in our culture?”
Hale encourages her readers to “Remember that the next time the object of your desire dances just beyond your reach. It might be best to drop your arms and let whatever it is dance away." She inspires us that “the true meaning of it all isn’t to settle for merely a Happy Ending, but to hold out for a Happy Everything." I’ve Never Been to Vegas but My Luggage Has is a must read for singles and marrieds alike, men and women and anyone in pursuit of making the most of their life!
April 21, 2017
I see life in a different and new (better) perspective after reading this book. This is such a huge inspiration for me, and I could see myself rereading this book again and again.
May 21, 2014
Real, Hilarious, Refreshing
Mandy Hale, thirty-four, writes a very readable autobiography that highlights events in her life from her senior year in high school to the present time. She tells of her different jobs, the relationships in her life, and her walk with Christ.
Mandy is very transparent when telling about her past relationships. She gives details about her first love which began her senior year in high school. Later, she tells of a long-term love relationship she had with another man, Mr. E (pronounce it mystery). Mandy loved Mr. E for years, but his inability to commit broke her heart over and over. Additionally, she describes a very dysfunctional relationship she was in with another man that became dangerously abusive. Mandy shares how quickly an abuser can worm their way into another's life, and even manipulate the abused person to feel responsible for the destructive behavior aimed at them.
She writes of the struggles she has had accepting the end of relationships, and that her dream of being married with children has not yet taken place. Mandy shares what she has done to live life joyfully as a single person. Through all her ups and downs, Mandy has received support from family and friends for which she much appreciates and counts as blessings and lifelines.
Mandy also shares her career journey. She has had some hilarious things happen to her in her work history. There have also been some difficult things occur, that were so painful, panic attacks and other emotional issues resulted. Mandy shares all the good, the bad and the in-between. Her current career, "The Single Woman," the on-line sensation she created, which has over half a million followers, is discussed from its beginning to what it is today.
By the time one finishes this book, Mandy feels like a close friend. She lets you into her mind and heart with her well-written accounts of her life. Reading Mandy's story will cause you to laugh with her, cry with her and feel her disappointments. She shares her love of Christ, and honestly reveals the times she has messed up. But she also tells of how God has stood by her, even when she hasn't stood by Him. Looking back on her life, Mandy traces God's hand in everything she has experienced. From the beginning, she has dedicated "The Single Woman" to God, and credits him for its phenomenal success.
This is a very readable book. Some of the things she writes about are sad, some incidents are fall-off-your-chair laughing, but all of her writings are worthwhile reading. This book will encourage you in your walk with God, and convict you if you don't have one. I highly recommend this 5-star book.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Thomas Nelson Publishing for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.
My Blog: http://bookreadingtic.com/2014/05/21/...
Author's Blog: http://thesinglewoman.net/category/blog/
Author Information: http://thesinglewoman.net/ive-never-b...
Author's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSingleWoman
Author's Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheSingleWoman
Mandy Hale, thirty-four, writes a very readable autobiography that highlights events in her life from her senior year in high school to the present time. She tells of her different jobs, the relationships in her life, and her walk with Christ.
Mandy is very transparent when telling about her past relationships. She gives details about her first love which began her senior year in high school. Later, she tells of a long-term love relationship she had with another man, Mr. E (pronounce it mystery). Mandy loved Mr. E for years, but his inability to commit broke her heart over and over. Additionally, she describes a very dysfunctional relationship she was in with another man that became dangerously abusive. Mandy shares how quickly an abuser can worm their way into another's life, and even manipulate the abused person to feel responsible for the destructive behavior aimed at them.
She writes of the struggles she has had accepting the end of relationships, and that her dream of being married with children has not yet taken place. Mandy shares what she has done to live life joyfully as a single person. Through all her ups and downs, Mandy has received support from family and friends for which she much appreciates and counts as blessings and lifelines.
Mandy also shares her career journey. She has had some hilarious things happen to her in her work history. There have also been some difficult things occur, that were so painful, panic attacks and other emotional issues resulted. Mandy shares all the good, the bad and the in-between. Her current career, "The Single Woman," the on-line sensation she created, which has over half a million followers, is discussed from its beginning to what it is today.
By the time one finishes this book, Mandy feels like a close friend. She lets you into her mind and heart with her well-written accounts of her life. Reading Mandy's story will cause you to laugh with her, cry with her and feel her disappointments. She shares her love of Christ, and honestly reveals the times she has messed up. But she also tells of how God has stood by her, even when she hasn't stood by Him. Looking back on her life, Mandy traces God's hand in everything she has experienced. From the beginning, she has dedicated "The Single Woman" to God, and credits him for its phenomenal success.
This is a very readable book. Some of the things she writes about are sad, some incidents are fall-off-your-chair laughing, but all of her writings are worthwhile reading. This book will encourage you in your walk with God, and convict you if you don't have one. I highly recommend this 5-star book.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Thomas Nelson Publishing for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.
My Blog: http://bookreadingtic.com/2014/05/21/...
Author's Blog: http://thesinglewoman.net/category/blog/
Author Information: http://thesinglewoman.net/ive-never-b...
Author's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSingleWoman
Author's Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheSingleWoman
March 16, 2015
This had been a nice read, and there were many things that I had also been through and/or realized along the way. For many this wouldn't be a bad read. The relationship isn't limited to that of a romantic nature with a "partner" for what the lessons and knowledge pertains too.
My only main issue with the book is that it is heavy with the religious aspect to an extent that it can make a non-gung-ho-Christian want to turn away for the book, practically reads like a Christian inspirational. This will limit her audience greatly.
If one is able to push past that aspect, and remember that it is a story of her, the author, going through her own ordeal of getting The Single Woman created and going. There are many points that many of us, regardless of our status and gender, can relate to. Even in our own personal forms.
Needless to say, due to the heavy tone in the Christian aspect, I'm more reluctant to pick up another book of her's.
My only main issue with the book is that it is heavy with the religious aspect to an extent that it can make a non-gung-ho-Christian want to turn away for the book, practically reads like a Christian inspirational. This will limit her audience greatly.
If one is able to push past that aspect, and remember that it is a story of her, the author, going through her own ordeal of getting The Single Woman created and going. There are many points that many of us, regardless of our status and gender, can relate to. Even in our own personal forms.
Needless to say, due to the heavy tone in the Christian aspect, I'm more reluctant to pick up another book of her's.
January 10, 2015
Encouraging life lessons for every woman
"I've Never Been To Vegas, but my Luggage Has" is an honest, profound look at the life of The Single Woman aka Mandy Hale. She holds nothing back in this candid often times vulnerable book where she touches on issues we all face as women from job loss to heartbreak over a relationship to anxiety and disappointment over circumstances. I commend her for sharing her life and heart with us and thank her as well. I saw myself many times through the chapters of her story and at the end was left filled with hope and inspired to get out there and live life to the fullest. Thanks a Mandy for writing this book! God bless your ministry and I look forward to reading your next book!
"I've Never Been To Vegas, but my Luggage Has" is an honest, profound look at the life of The Single Woman aka Mandy Hale. She holds nothing back in this candid often times vulnerable book where she touches on issues we all face as women from job loss to heartbreak over a relationship to anxiety and disappointment over circumstances. I commend her for sharing her life and heart with us and thank her as well. I saw myself many times through the chapters of her story and at the end was left filled with hope and inspired to get out there and live life to the fullest. Thanks a Mandy for writing this book! God bless your ministry and I look forward to reading your next book!
May 15, 2014
I was so excited when I heard that Mandy Hale was releasing a new book because I loved her previous ones, plus I love following her on social media. Maybe, my expectations were too high because this book fell short for me. It seemed like the same old recycled material with a little different wording.
“Because at the end of the day, sometimes it takes opening a door to get to a new place. And sometimes it takes closing one.”
See, nothing new. I’ve Never Been to Vegas does share some more of Mandy’s personal stories and those were the only bright spots in the book for me. Maybe, if I hadn’t read her previous books, then I would have found this book to be more effective.
“Because at the end of the day, sometimes it takes opening a door to get to a new place. And sometimes it takes closing one.”
See, nothing new. I’ve Never Been to Vegas does share some more of Mandy’s personal stories and those were the only bright spots in the book for me. Maybe, if I hadn’t read her previous books, then I would have found this book to be more effective.
August 31, 2014
The book started out well, with good quotes and Bible verses, but as I read on, it wasn't exactly what I expected.
The author is single as in not married but she's been in a few (bad and good) relationships in her life, not alone for long stretches of time.
Maybe I was expecting more of a book on how to be a strong, single Christian woman. At times this book seemed like bragging on the life she's led rather than encouraging other single women.
She made a lot of mistakes, mishaps, as the title says and now I know what NOT to do as I wait for God's best.
The author is single as in not married but she's been in a few (bad and good) relationships in her life, not alone for long stretches of time.
Maybe I was expecting more of a book on how to be a strong, single Christian woman. At times this book seemed like bragging on the life she's led rather than encouraging other single women.
She made a lot of mistakes, mishaps, as the title says and now I know what NOT to do as I wait for God's best.
May 2, 2015
Excellent book. Mandy's story both mirrored my own and inspires me to not give up on this journey we call life.
On my second read-through, I would like to add that this book comes off a little braggy and ended up making me feel like I haven't done enough with my life instead of inspired on this journey called life. Do I still recommend it? I do because it is a strongly written book and very nice flowing story.
On my second read-through, I would like to add that this book comes off a little braggy and ended up making me feel like I haven't done enough with my life instead of inspired on this journey called life. Do I still recommend it? I do because it is a strongly written book and very nice flowing story.
January 17, 2021
An insightful, encouraging, and at times laugh-out-loud funny read. I appreciated so much of this as a fellow single woman (especially as I continue to, well, age haha!). I honestly also appreciated that it didn't have the "happily ever after" ending ... that in itself was so relatable and powerful.
While we may have different views on some theological points, this still made for a very good read with a number of quotes I'll return to in the future.
While we may have different views on some theological points, this still made for a very good read with a number of quotes I'll return to in the future.
September 18, 2014
while well written, this was way too much Yay God for me. Everything in her life stems back to a born again christian view point, which is a bit overbearing and not in line with how I relate to the world. There was enough story line that made me skim through overly religious parts, but I won't be seeking out her blog or reading her other book
April 22, 2014
This book hit home for me. So many great lessons that we shared. What a great resource for single ladies. Mandy is so spot on.
November 4, 2015
Book notes to follow.
Will definitely write something about this.
Will definitely write something about this.
September 3, 2021
I’d like to thank Mandy Hale for writing such an wonderful piece that has driven my mind to be ready for the obstacles that might come on the way in my journey. Her battles with her job, love, friends etc, brings an collective effort after drowning to learn to swim after all. This swimming sounds scary surely, it’a going to being a hell of a ride for sure!
People often neglect the idea of being single just by the idea of watching others being happy in one. It’s probably a phase of life where you wait until you achieve, chasing behind something is doing to take your further away. The equation of life is simple that “it does not exist”.
I don’t have words to express my emotions for reading the book, I was sad with her battle of job crisis and depression, happier with Mr.E in New York, sad to realize he wasn’t really the one, and excited to see read that her dreams came true. It’s all about the life’s journey that’s going to be filled bag full of surprises. Her stories are the live examples of a time that single life at a point gets to us. A women of dreams is always the succeeder without any fail, the exact words I felt after completing his book!!
A totally inspiring book I’d like to recommend, this book has surely gotten into my mind to contemplate about my life thoroughly *nokidding*
People often neglect the idea of being single just by the idea of watching others being happy in one. It’s probably a phase of life where you wait until you achieve, chasing behind something is doing to take your further away. The equation of life is simple that “it does not exist”.
I don’t have words to express my emotions for reading the book, I was sad with her battle of job crisis and depression, happier with Mr.E in New York, sad to realize he wasn’t really the one, and excited to see read that her dreams came true. It’s all about the life’s journey that’s going to be filled bag full of surprises. Her stories are the live examples of a time that single life at a point gets to us. A women of dreams is always the succeeder without any fail, the exact words I felt after completing his book!!
A totally inspiring book I’d like to recommend, this book has surely gotten into my mind to contemplate about my life thoroughly *nokidding*
December 15, 2019
i picked this book up without having any idea what the book was about. originally i thought it might be a fiction book but learned within the first few pages that it was the author’s personal memoir meant to inspire women. had i known beforehand, i wouldn’t have picked it up since it’s not my usual genre, so i’m glad i didn’t know because it was cute and ended up being a good read. the author has a lot of wisdom to share that’s applicable to all women and gives you some great perspective. the only thing that jumped out to me and i could see being hard to look past if you’re not of the same faith is that the book was very heavy with christian and religious messages. i am not a religious person, so it was a little odd at the beginning. but, as a reader i think it’s important to be mindful that the book is the author’s life story, and christianity and god is a big part in her life, so it’s fitting. she isn’t preaching you become christian. if you aren’t christian and can look past the language at times, there’s a lot of beautiful messages and nuggets of wisdom the author shares that are worth hearing.
December 17, 2022
I have not read too far, eight pages, but she has already explained the title. The story is that she was twenty-five years old, living and working in Nashville. An opportunity came up where she could go with some co-workers for a short business trip to Las Vegas. She was not moving to Las Vegas; it was just she was part of a team going out there and then returning home.
Preparing for this visit, she packed all of her underwear. Jamming every single piece of underwear she owned into a couple of suitcases, she was ready to go. Then, at the airport when she decided not to go and ended up separated from her luggage (as per the book title) this turned into a huge problem. She was there, at home, in the city where she lived, full time, Nashville TN, without clean underwear and nowhere to turn. She writes, "Each day, the situation seemed more and more hopeless,"
Fortunately, on the fourth day, the airline returned her luggage. She wept with joy. True story of course, and one, she says, serves as a metaphor for her entire life.
Preparing for this visit, she packed all of her underwear. Jamming every single piece of underwear she owned into a couple of suitcases, she was ready to go. Then, at the airport when she decided not to go and ended up separated from her luggage (as per the book title) this turned into a huge problem. She was there, at home, in the city where she lived, full time, Nashville TN, without clean underwear and nowhere to turn. She writes, "Each day, the situation seemed more and more hopeless,"
Fortunately, on the fourth day, the airline returned her luggage. She wept with joy. True story of course, and one, she says, serves as a metaphor for her entire life.
August 4, 2021
I LOVED this book! I know I'm a little late to the party, but better late than never.
Usually Christian books about singleness are the worst. They're written by married people, who usually got married in their 20's or even early 30's, so they actually have no idea how to speak to those who are still single in their 30's, 40's, etc. Mandy is fun and engaging, and is one of the most relatable authors I've ever read. I laughed, I cried, and I was extremely encouraged. I was sad when the book ended. Mandy's ability to write a funny book about singleness and God's heart for His people is fantastic. I can't wait to read another one of her books!
Usually Christian books about singleness are the worst. They're written by married people, who usually got married in their 20's or even early 30's, so they actually have no idea how to speak to those who are still single in their 30's, 40's, etc. Mandy is fun and engaging, and is one of the most relatable authors I've ever read. I laughed, I cried, and I was extremely encouraged. I was sad when the book ended. Mandy's ability to write a funny book about singleness and God's heart for His people is fantastic. I can't wait to read another one of her books!
Read
September 26, 2020Mandy Hale is one of the worst “self help” authors EVER. Her writing lacks truth in the stories she tells. I have known her personally for several years. The advice she gives is anything far from how she behaves and handles her dating relationship world. She is in fact one of the most narcissistic, mirror worshiping, can give advice and criticism but can’t handle it when thrown back in her face, FAKE person I have ever known. She doesn’t live a “Christian” lifestyle as she likes to claim. Quite honestly, save your money. It’s better spent on a pack of cigarettes.
May 9, 2017
Couldn't finish it
Writing was okay, but I guess I misunderstood what I was buying. She might be up front and transparent, but I have a hard time seeing her as Christian. When the author has a sexual relationship with a guy and then lives with him without being married and doesn't want to condemn others who are doing the same she...IMHO she has nothing to share of value.
Writing was okay, but I guess I misunderstood what I was buying. She might be up front and transparent, but I have a hard time seeing her as Christian. When the author has a sexual relationship with a guy and then lives with him without being married and doesn't want to condemn others who are doing the same she...IMHO she has nothing to share of value.
March 27, 2019
I lost track of the plot and was not expecting this to be a book about someones life, was expecting more of a funny romantic read. Might be good for someone who likes reading about people struggling with relationships or is going through a hard time in their lives. I could relate to some of the things in the book but it just got bland around the end of the book.
September 18, 2019
I love the single woman’s blog and this has been on my TBR shelf for a long time. I’m glad I finally read it. Basically it was a story about Mandy’s life and the trials of dating and her career. It was enjoyable to read.
September 14, 2018
I couldn't get through this book. Too much repetition.
June 27, 2021
I absolutely loved this book!! Mandy is so relatable and is a breath of fresh air.. hilarious too!
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January 29, 2022DNF
October 1, 2022
"Not a faith-based book" but God is brought up the entire book
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