Hopeful-ish: Sadness, Weariness, Donkey Attacks, More Sadness, and Other Stuff You Need the Gospel For

by Scarlet Hiltibidal

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Faith

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2025

About the author

Scarlet Hiltibidal is the author of Afraid of All the Things and He Numbered the Pores on My Face. She also writes a regular column for ParentLife Magazine and enjoys speaking to women around the country about the freedom and rest available in Jesus. Scarlet lives in Middle Tennessee, where she loves sign language with her daughters, nachos by herself, writing for her friends, and learning how to raise ducks with her husband for no reason other than cuteness.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up because Scarlet is usually funny and I'm tired of the heavy. Well I should have noticed the word "sadness" multiple times in her book. it was heavy with suicide, cancer and more. But I was nevertheless encouraged and Scarlet is still funny and a kindred spirit (thanks for quoting Anne of Green Gables)and probably needed this book right now.

[Anna Brubacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like a conversation with a dear friend. Hiltibidal shares some really heavy stories, but she writes with warmth, humor, and humility. Instead of offering shallow, easy answers to life’s hard questions (I hate when people do that), she writes from the middle of grief and uncertainty and points to the steadfast hope of the gospel throughout.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlet is an amazing writer! She isn’t afraid to share her struggles in life which I appreciate because we are all in the same boat. She cries out to God and gives us verses to hold on to as we tackle life’s difficult situations alongside her. She always points us back to the HOPE we have in Jesus!

[Erin Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how Scarlet tackles life heaviness with such a refreshing picture of the hope found in the gospel and God’s Word. It made me feel warm and cozy, and reminded me of verses I need to be meditating on daily.

[Ali Grinnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully real book