With so many distortions of the essence of a woman, today more than ever, women need to ruthlessly examine their perceptions and reality of being a wife, and then align them with Truth so that they may become the best version of themselves as God had intended them to be.
In The “Sorta” Good Wife, Kim Hess explores how A Good Wife, as described in Proverbs 31:10-31, beautifully portrays the dignity of being a spouse as a wife. However, this expectation gets warped by trauma, sin, fears, and lies, and many women do not know how to embrace and enjoy this vocation. A woman must align herself to Truth and rely on His power, not her own. The Lord desires to be a part of every aspect of daily life and every season of her life, so that she may reach her full potential.
Kim Hess is a quirky, inquisitive, and compassionate child of God. She rocks being a homeschool mom and teacher, but freely admits to learning more from her students than teaching them. Kim has raced enduro karts, soared on a flying trapeze, and passed the motorcycle license class, but now prefers to take adrenaline-free walks with her husband. Her favorite pastime is being a prayer minister who relentlessly asks, “Do you want prayer?” Connect with her at KimHessBooks.com
Disclosure: I appreciate being part of the iReadBookTours and getting the chance to review this book. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
The Sorta Good Wife devotional provides Biblical insight in an easy-to-digest format. Kim doesn't come across as judgmental or pushy in her viewpoints. She shares her perspective on what she has learned about the Proverbs 31 kind of wife.
She ends each devotional with Reflections, which allow the reader to consider how that devotional applies to them. The questions are not overly heavy but strong enough to make you want to dive into your thoughts and Bible to learn more.
Two of the questions she asked in one of the devotionals made me ponder. I'm still determining how to answer these questions fully, but I'm praying for the answers. One of the questions was, "Which unique gifts and talents has God bestowed upon me?" I have several skill sets, but I always need clarification on which ones I should focus on using.
How I handle customer service calls at my day job has changed since reading this devotional. Just yesterday, a woman told me that she could tell I genuinely cared about helping her. It was the strangest call I've ever had, but it made me feel amazing!
The Sorta Good Wife devotional provides small devotionals filled with powerful insights on how wives can improve their actions to be better wives and parents.
I was quite nervous starting this one, but my fears were unfounded. the sorta good wife doesn't take itself too seriously, but also doesn't take itself too lightly. despite drawing from the religious beliefs, the lessons and bottom line don't feel rigid, but feel empowering in their own way.
this book explores how personal experiences, such as trauma and fear, can impact one's ability to fulfill this ideal, offering practical insights on how to overcome these challenges. hess presents a blend of religious reflection and personal growth, making the devotional not just a guide for wives but also a broader spiritual journey for women aiming to align their lives with faith-based principles.
the book has a straightforward, faith-driven approach that appeals to readers looking for encouragement through scripture, especially those navigating personal struggles or seeking a deeper connection with their spiritual roles.
it was short (116 pages), and offers valuable reflections even for someone who isn't of the same religion and can serve as a daily reminder of faith, inner strength, and growth. I found the experience enjoyable in its own way, venturing out of my own beliefs to observe what is the core of other religions, beliefs and faiths.
This was a great read! I was hesitant at first but I loved the way the author broke it down and it didn't turn into a "Wife submit to your husband" vibe. It gave beautiful explanations and had very thoughtful reflection questions! Definitely recommend!
I really enjoyed this breakdown of Proverbs 31. I’m usually highly critical of any book breaking down a “wife’s role” in marriage. They usually elicit a lot of eye rolls and sighs from me… But this devotional really hit all of the marks for me! It was empowering, truthful, and insightful. I was reminded to slow down and actively chose to love my husband, friends, and community better every day.
Hess Offers a Relatable Devotional for Women. I generally have a Christian book or devotional in my stack of "to-be-read" books. Devotionals are my go-to books and resources to find that little bit of daily time to spend with God--and reconnect with Faith when the days are challenging (as they frequently are, it seems!) I picked up this devotional because the title made me smile. While I am not sure that I'm consistently a "good" wife and mother--I can align with "sorta good" most days! I will say that I wasn't sure that I was ready for a devotional focused on Proverbs 31:10-31. The verses are sometimes offered in a fairly patriarchal interpretation that I am not always a fan of devoting my focus toward--or encouraging others to do either. Having said that, the first thing the author did was discuss being "ready to receive" messages. Just like the title, this fit me--and was relatable enough to pull me into the author's discussion of Proverbs. As the author moves through the pages, she does so in a way that is relatable and accessible to Christian women at various stages of life and faith. The book takes a tone that offers modern perspectives and even some practical, unexpected revelations from the verses. From beginning to end, the devotional offers conversational, relatable reflections and ideas that make the book less about being a "good wife" and more about a woman growing in faith and self-discovery.
Readers will Find Short Passages and Points for Reflection in Each Section. The author packs a lot into each short section of the devotional. Readers will find some guidance on each verse, some relatable dialogue and discussion lending themselves toward the author's perspectives on the verse--and a few questions for the reader to consider as reflection on the verse and the ideas in the section. These devotionals are not preachy in tone but conversational and real. The author's writing style creates a devotional that offers insights and perspectives in an encouraging way that both educates and inspires.
Would I Recommend The Sorta Good Wife: A Devotional of Proverbs 31:10-31 by Kim Hess? I found the author's writing style interesting and encouraging, providing some perspectives related to the verses that I hadn't considered--and allowing the realization that "sorta good" is sorta okay, too. There were times that the "good wife" phrasing felt a little limiting and cringe-worthy--but, once I set the phrase into a deeper context related to my life and roles as a wife and mother--and took note of some of the author's modern interpretations and considerations, I found the book quite valuable and insightful. Is the book right for every Christian woman? It depends on the woman. I think this is the perfect book for a Christian woman of any age who is trying to grow in Faith and find a path in her roles as a woman navigating a marriage, life and family--if she is ready to receive the messages.
I received a copy of this book for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.
This devotional is a refreshing and relatable exploration of the well-known passage in Proverbs 31. Rather than presenting the “ideal woman” as a perfect, unattainable standard, it offers a thoughtful reflection on what it means to live out the qualities described in those verses in today’s world.
What stands out the most is the approachability of the content. Each devotional offers practical wisdom and encouragement for women navigating the challenges of marriage, self-worth, and faith. Rather than pushing for perfection, the focus is on growth, grace, and embracing your role as a wife and woman of faith. The message is clear: it’s about learning, evolving, and living with wisdom and joy, not being a “superwoman.”
The devotions are short and easy to read, making them perfect for daily reflection or a month-long study. They offer a balance of scripture, personal stories, and practical takeaways, making it easy to apply the principles to everyday life. The writing is warm and inviting, making you feel supported rather than pressured to meet an idealized standard.
This is an encouraging read for anyone looking to grow in their role as a wife and woman of faith. It celebrates the beauty of embracing God’s design for relationships and personal growth, while acknowledging the real struggles we face. A wonderful reminder that, through grace, we can continue to grow, learn, and feel loved no matter where we are in our journey.
I am a sucker for a devotional. I almost never make it all the way through, but I love the excitement of it. I love the idea of reading a short section each day and growing closer in my relationship with God. I love the way you can take pieces of that devotional with you throughout the day. I love receiving a devotional as a gift, and I also love giving them! This devotional is focused on a small set of verses in Proverbs 10 - The Good Wife. It takes each of these verses and explores the questions of what makes a good wife, how can you improve as a wife, and what is God asking of us as wives. It’s not a how-to book or a book that just says “do whatever your husband says.” The author even makes sure to make a caveat in the beginning that this is not meant to condone abuse of any kind. I enjoyed reading through it. No, I’m not 100% finished with it yet. But I like the way it’s arranged, I like that it’s on a short set of verses that you really feel like you can dive into, and I like the applicability to my life since I am someone’s wife. Thank you so much to iReadBookTours for my copy!
I found this book very thought provoking and convicting. It’s made me think as a mother what kind of spouse I’d want for my children and resonate that my mother-in-law, who passed before I came into my husband’s life, would want a wife that would treat her son with respect, dignity, and as royalty. I’ve learned a lot on how God wants to transform me to the best version of me. How that happens over time as we grow in wisdom and not immediately when we said I do, not knowing how our lives would unfold as one body and not two individuals. I highly recommend to any wife who wants to grow spiritually, or may want to simply enrich her marriage. To the young mother who feels incompetent and can’t live up to God’s plan, this book is also for you. We can’t do this in our own strength, but God’s. Be encouraged.
The Sorta Good Wife by Kim Hess is a refreshing, down-to-earth devotional for women juggling marriage, family, and faith without the pressure of perfection. With a lighthearted tone, Hess encourages readers to embrace their imperfections while still striving to grow in their relationships and spiritual lives.
Each entry blends personal stories, biblical wisdom, and practical advice, making it both relatable and uplifting. The sections end with a chance to reflect on the verse and how it can be interpreted to fit the reader’s circumstances.
This devotional stands out for its message of grace and self-acceptance. It reminds us that being “sorta good” is more than enough on this journey. It is perfect for anyone looking for encouragement, real talk, and a little faith-filled humor!
The Sorta Good Wife is inspiring, truthful, insightful and extremely empowering. It teaches you how to love yourself making you be in the moment for your husband and family. I enjoyed the little bit of humor throughout making it feel more like a casual chat than a lesson. The proverbs are used to accentuate the story and feel in touch with Christ. It is written for a wife but I think any woman will find it to be a useful tool.
The Sorta Good Wife: A Devotional of Proverbs 31:10-31 is a wonderful and inspiring book of faith from new to me author, Kim Hess. I found this devotional style book to be a different one than those I have read in the past. These devotionals goes into depth on each verse for Proverbs 31, which begins on verse ten and ends with verse thirty one. I found it to be easy to read each verse on a daily basis. Each devotional is only four to six pages long and I had no problem adding it to my busy daily schedule. I thought it was a great way to help smooth out a day of chaos. Every day I was introduced to new commentary and many Biblical scriptures. Even though my husband has passed on, I was still inspired as a woman by the words of faith.
I am going to The Sorta Good Wife: A Devotional of Proverbs 31:10-31 a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading or are inspired by devotionals, prayer books and / or searching for a new book on Christian Marriage. I would be interested in reading more like this one from Kim Hess in the future.
I received a paperback copy of Kim Hess' The Sorta Good Wife: A Devotional of Proverbs 31:10-31 from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Spirit filled, anointed devotional on female nobility.
I am thoroughly enjoying the Sorta Good Wife book. It is clear how much time , prayer and effort went into each chapter of this devotional/study of Proverbs 31. Kim has opened up new ways and deeper understanding of Scripture and shown us how much God loves and values women. This book helps create and build confidence. It is reassuring and gives women/wives/moms motivation and dare I say permission to take time to learn, time to dream, time to abide in Christ so that we may produce more and better fruit for our families and community. There is a casualness and humor throughout the book that I love. Kim doesn’t take herself so seriously that I felt like she was the all knowing teacher and I the student. Rather, it feels like a journey where I am learning new things and new ways of thinking from her experiences and research. I love the Vanna White reference. Nice visual! This book is helping to change my mindset which will help me to remember to spend more time abiding in Christ so that I am able to produce more and better fruit for my family and community… my “field”. Thanks, Kim.