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It's More Fun to Believe: Finding God When Faith Gets Complicated
One woman’s spiritual odyssey from belief to unbelief to understanding how belief invites us to learn how to sit in uncertainty and face our doubts.
In this candid, refreshingly honest exploration of faith and grief, Julie Taylor takes us on her transformative journey of walking away from belief—and choosing to come back on her own terms.
With a blend of science and storytelling, Taylor reveals how our beliefs act as the ultimate gatekeepers of our brains, determining how we process every single stimulus. Through both heartbreak and hope, she shows how these gatekeepers shape not just our thoughts, but our experience of reality itself.
From cynical skeptic to reluctant believer, Taylor’s spiritual ping-pong match will resonate with anyone who’s ever thought:
With humor, science, and surprising vulnerability, Taylor navigates both faith transitions and grief with uncommon wisdom, showing us that our beliefs can be our greatest source of strength when facing life’s most painful challenges.
Whether you’re firmly planted in faith, happily doing your own thing, or somewhere in the messy middle, this book offers refreshing permission to examine where you are and where you want to be. Like Julie, maybe you’ll discover that making room for questions is actually your secret superpower!
In this candid, refreshingly honest exploration of faith and grief, Julie Taylor takes us on her transformative journey of walking away from belief—and choosing to come back on her own terms.
With a blend of science and storytelling, Taylor reveals how our beliefs act as the ultimate gatekeepers of our brains, determining how we process every single stimulus. Through both heartbreak and hope, she shows how these gatekeepers shape not just our thoughts, but our experience of reality itself.
From cynical skeptic to reluctant believer, Taylor’s spiritual ping-pong match will resonate with anyone who’s ever thought:
“I don’t fit in this faith box anymore.”
“How do I find hope when everything feels hopeless?”
“Can I believe without dismissing all my doubts?”
“Is it possible to find peace even when nothing is okay?”
With humor, science, and surprising vulnerability, Taylor navigates both faith transitions and grief with uncommon wisdom, showing us that our beliefs can be our greatest source of strength when facing life’s most painful challenges.
Whether you’re firmly planted in faith, happily doing your own thing, or somewhere in the messy middle, this book offers refreshing permission to examine where you are and where you want to be. Like Julie, maybe you’ll discover that making room for questions is actually your secret superpower!
224 pages, Paperback
Published April 7, 2026
About the author
Julie Taylor
1 book9 followersJulie Taylor is a writer, thought leader, and firm believer in the magic of believing. Through her candid reflections on faith, loss, and living in the messy middle—both in her writing and on Instagram (@thejulietaylor)—she inspires others to embrace the unseen and trust in life’s twists and turns. She loves to teach about the power of belief, proving that even in our darkest moments, hope and joy are always possible.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 12, 2026
I did not expect to identify so strongly with Julie’s experiences but man did this book shake me (in the best day). Someone else voicing what it feels like to quantify your worth by all the things you are accomplishing felt so validating
Her ability to hold nuance with religion and talk about having faith without pushing a certain view or rhetoric was so so comforting and warm
Will be listening to this again and again
Her ability to hold nuance with religion and talk about having faith without pushing a certain view or rhetoric was so so comforting and warm
Will be listening to this again and again
April 7, 2026
There were some parts that really made me think deeply and opened my eyes to some things in my life. I wouldn’t say I agreed with everything in the book and that’s ok, I still felt like it made me really ponder some of my actions and gave me new ideas on the future and my perspective.
I absolutely sobbed my eyes out with chapter 4😭
Ok I sobbed my eyes out in so many parts of this book because it hit so close to home for me!
This book will have you rethinking things you thought you knew and gives a whole new perspective on others. A great read and definitely worth checking out!
- “You are enough today, exactly as you are.”
- “You are worth prioritizing, you are worth investing in, and providing for your basic needs is where this starts.”
- “As soon as you can, you will”
- “Comparing suffering is never helpful for anyone. Whatever you are facing, you are worthy of divine assistance.”
- “As you get deeper and more honest with yourself you will discover that nothing is worth pretending in order to stuff yourself into a role that you aren’t meant to play.”
- “Our joy will be greatest when we are able to give freely and willingly without making it about us.”
- “Faith is not shame, control, or a misuse of power. Faith is not fear. Faith is not only for eternity-faith is for now! It is hope and joy and resilience and trust and personal power. It is safe and expansive.”
- - “Don’t let your present inability to see a path forward convince you that there isn’t one.”
♥️Self Help
✨LDS
♥️Christianity
✨Non Fiction
🌶️: None
🤬: 3 uses of h*ll
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely sobbed my eyes out with chapter 4😭
Ok I sobbed my eyes out in so many parts of this book because it hit so close to home for me!
This book will have you rethinking things you thought you knew and gives a whole new perspective on others. A great read and definitely worth checking out!
- “You are enough today, exactly as you are.”
- “You are worth prioritizing, you are worth investing in, and providing for your basic needs is where this starts.”
- “As soon as you can, you will”
- “Comparing suffering is never helpful for anyone. Whatever you are facing, you are worthy of divine assistance.”
- “As you get deeper and more honest with yourself you will discover that nothing is worth pretending in order to stuff yourself into a role that you aren’t meant to play.”
- “Our joy will be greatest when we are able to give freely and willingly without making it about us.”
- “Faith is not shame, control, or a misuse of power. Faith is not fear. Faith is not only for eternity-faith is for now! It is hope and joy and resilience and trust and personal power. It is safe and expansive.”
- - “Don’t let your present inability to see a path forward convince you that there isn’t one.”
♥️Self Help
✨LDS
♥️Christianity
✨Non Fiction
🌶️: None
🤬: 3 uses of h*ll
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 16, 2026
So comforting, empowering, actionable, and refreshing. She can speak on so many things because she has so much lived experience. The first time I’ve read many of my own beliefs from someone else’s mouth. I loved this!!
May 10, 2026
This book was really enjoyable and warm, like you’re talking to a friend. I really love her nuanced perspective. We tend to talk about everything like it’s black and white when really most of life is lived somewhere in the gray. I especially loved her comments about Thomas- “blessed are they that have not seen, and have yet believed.” Our church puts so much emphasis on knowing that it sometimes unintentionally discounts choosing to believe, or makes it sound less worthy than knowing, but choosing to believe is like… the whole point. “If you only ever believe what you know, you won’t get to believe very much.”
May 6, 2026
What a great read! The fun, whimsical cover had me expecting more of a jaunty, pep-talk, self-help sort of book. And there’s some of that for sure. But this book has real depth. I laughed, and I also bawled my eyes out. One I will read again.
May 2, 2026
3.5 stars! I like her outlook on belief. It was interesting to hear her story!
April 18, 2026
Faith is pretty complex for her, and it didn’t feel as “fun” as the pink cover and title might suggest. I do think this book will be helpful for many people.
May 15, 2026
4.5 stars. “If you only ever believe what you know, you won’t get to believe very much.” This book was a joy to read. Julie shares her journey of faith (in and out of the church multiple times) with nuance, humor, and reason. She is genuine and relatable—someone I would love to be friends with because she has my favorite combo of inspiring and humorous. She shares her lessons learned both in and out of religion, and offers insight to both sides, helping increase understanding and empathy. Her experiences have taught her beautiful truths that have led to view herself and others with more love and compassion, and taught her that faith is personal journey that is strengthened by choice. She lives and speaks in the gray area, so if you are black and white, you might not like this book (but you also might need it the most).
My favorite thoughts of hers (so many great one-liners):
Chapter 1
-Her grandmas response after Julie told her that she’s had a really hard life (single widow after husband died in house fire with 13 children) “Oh Julie no, I’ve had a beautiful life with some really hard things in it.”
-“Researchers found that our beliefs are what determine how our brain processes any stimulus…Beliefs are the gatekeepers of our brains. They scientifically determine how we experience everything.”
-But with the power of beliefs, we must take ownership of them
-Our experience is controlled by our beliefs and we need to optimize our beliefs to positively impact our perception
-The power of faith over knowledge; I like how she says she refuses to give knowledge the moral high ground … Jesus backs this up by teaching more blessed, are them that believe without seeing
-The dream and reality of her son Simon … her act of faith in believing and being prepared
Chapter 2
-“When we require knowing, we dismiss the believers. When we demand knowing, we stop believing. You don’t have to know to believe.”
-After leaving the church she realized she couldn’t get to a place of knowing on that side either. There is uncertainty on both sides of faith.
-Terryl Givens – “God chooses to affirm agency above all else. You are not free to believe or disbelieve the law of gravity. The evidence is so abundant that you are intellectually compelled to accept it, so there is no virtue that attaches to your belief in that law. Faith is what operates or unfolds in the middle ground between the compulsion to confirm or deny. I believe that God has structured our lives here on earth in such a way that when it comes to those issues of eternal import, we have to be free to affirm or deny, and therefore there has to be a balance of evidence for and against the veracity of the gospel. It is essential to God's purpose and the flowering of freedom itself that there has to be compelling reasons to reject the existence of God. But they have to exist alongside compelling reasons to affirm those things. Only in those circumstances can we call upon our will and choose to believe or not to believe. In those moments, our choices reflect the most important things about ourselves, what we love, and what we choose to affirm.”
-“Faith demands more from me and I like that. I like who I am, how I show up, and how I prioritize my life better when I choose to believe.”
-“I am not trying to convince you to believe what I believe. Sincerely. That defeats the whole purpose of belief. Belief is meant to be personal, unique, and individually experienced. No two people live it the same way. It is like our own private universe we get to shape, full of nuance and contradiction. A forest only you get to explore.”
-“If you only ever believe what you know you won’t get to believe very much.”
-“I claim to know very little, but I choose to believe in a lot.”
-“If we can’t find faith in the ordinary, we will never be converted by the extraordinary”
Chapter 3
-Self-care vs self-indulgence
-“The more we learn to trust and believe that our own worth is nonnegotiable, the more we are able to love other people. It isn’t only about loving ourselves. The only point of loving yourself is to set you up to love other people better.”
-“Worth is not found, it is remembered. Worth is not earned, it is fixed. Worth is not proven, it is believed.”
-“Building an unshakeable foundation rooted in knowing your worth and understanding nothing can touch it is the very thing that facilitates limitless capacity for growth.”
Chapter 4
-“I knew” and Ryan responding “I know”
-The words coming to her “I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you”; “I understood those words at that moment as an oath
-Strengthened from choice and the evidence came after
-Grief is something we are meant to learn to hold …
-Adjacent hope
-“My faith wasn’t strengthened from getting the miracle or because I felt saved and delivered from pain and hopelessness. It was strengthened through choice. Even the biggest miracle doesn’t have the conversion power that choice welds. As I have chosen it the evidence has come.”
-“If I believe divinity mourns with me, then I believe divinity mourns. If I believe God weeps with me, then I believe God weeps. If I believe divinity has been sitting next to me in the most impossibly dark moments, if I believe divinity never leaves me, then I believe divinity grieves. Joy is not an absence of sorrow. Peace is not an absence of sorrow. Godliness is not an absence of sorrow. Grief is not something we are exalted out of. It is something we are meant to learn to hold, I believe, because we will be holding it for ourselves and others for eternity.”
Chapter 5
-“If we’re all going to be delusional then let’s be delusional in a way that serves us.” (Instead of believing negative self-talk—choose to believe in the opposite)
-Flexible prioritization depending on your season
-If you want a “village” you have to be willing to be a villager
Chapter 6
-If you want to keep your own beliefs in check, diversify your circles; lean in with curiosity and you’ll gain understanding
-Establishing what your personal values are will help you be less critical, motivate you, inform what to put your time into, and help you stop comparing yourself to others actions (who have different values)
Chapter 7
-“Desperation brought me back to God. Community brought me back to church.”
-“Instead of asking God to change me to fit into the box, I would start asking what new boxes he needed me to create.”
-You don’t have to fully align with everything to practice and receive benefits of certain aspects
-“God is not afraid of your doubts and He is not threatened by your wandering.”
Chapter 8
-“How do I not lose God in this?”
-We can leave God, but God never leaves us.
-Worthiness is readiness.
-“I don't see it as a reward for good behavior. I see it as gaining access and being able to receive things that were already there but remained out of reach because I wasn't ready for them.”
Chapter 9
-“Believing doesn’t come naturally to me. I’ve had to fight for it. I’m a choose-to-believer.”
-Practicing the skill of believing “What we have to work the hardest for we tend to appreciate the most, and often it’s what we become best at.” Sacrifice
Chapter 10
-“It never was the result that would heal me, it was the effort all along.”
-Power of sacrifice, even if we don’t get the results we want
-“Our experiences are limited. God is not.”
My favorite thoughts of hers (so many great one-liners):
Chapter 1
-Her grandmas response after Julie told her that she’s had a really hard life (single widow after husband died in house fire with 13 children) “Oh Julie no, I’ve had a beautiful life with some really hard things in it.”
-“Researchers found that our beliefs are what determine how our brain processes any stimulus…Beliefs are the gatekeepers of our brains. They scientifically determine how we experience everything.”
-But with the power of beliefs, we must take ownership of them
-Our experience is controlled by our beliefs and we need to optimize our beliefs to positively impact our perception
-The power of faith over knowledge; I like how she says she refuses to give knowledge the moral high ground … Jesus backs this up by teaching more blessed, are them that believe without seeing
-The dream and reality of her son Simon … her act of faith in believing and being prepared
Chapter 2
-“When we require knowing, we dismiss the believers. When we demand knowing, we stop believing. You don’t have to know to believe.”
-After leaving the church she realized she couldn’t get to a place of knowing on that side either. There is uncertainty on both sides of faith.
-Terryl Givens – “God chooses to affirm agency above all else. You are not free to believe or disbelieve the law of gravity. The evidence is so abundant that you are intellectually compelled to accept it, so there is no virtue that attaches to your belief in that law. Faith is what operates or unfolds in the middle ground between the compulsion to confirm or deny. I believe that God has structured our lives here on earth in such a way that when it comes to those issues of eternal import, we have to be free to affirm or deny, and therefore there has to be a balance of evidence for and against the veracity of the gospel. It is essential to God's purpose and the flowering of freedom itself that there has to be compelling reasons to reject the existence of God. But they have to exist alongside compelling reasons to affirm those things. Only in those circumstances can we call upon our will and choose to believe or not to believe. In those moments, our choices reflect the most important things about ourselves, what we love, and what we choose to affirm.”
-“Faith demands more from me and I like that. I like who I am, how I show up, and how I prioritize my life better when I choose to believe.”
-“I am not trying to convince you to believe what I believe. Sincerely. That defeats the whole purpose of belief. Belief is meant to be personal, unique, and individually experienced. No two people live it the same way. It is like our own private universe we get to shape, full of nuance and contradiction. A forest only you get to explore.”
-“If you only ever believe what you know you won’t get to believe very much.”
-“I claim to know very little, but I choose to believe in a lot.”
-“If we can’t find faith in the ordinary, we will never be converted by the extraordinary”
Chapter 3
-Self-care vs self-indulgence
-“The more we learn to trust and believe that our own worth is nonnegotiable, the more we are able to love other people. It isn’t only about loving ourselves. The only point of loving yourself is to set you up to love other people better.”
-“Worth is not found, it is remembered. Worth is not earned, it is fixed. Worth is not proven, it is believed.”
-“Building an unshakeable foundation rooted in knowing your worth and understanding nothing can touch it is the very thing that facilitates limitless capacity for growth.”
Chapter 4
-“I knew” and Ryan responding “I know”
-The words coming to her “I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you”; “I understood those words at that moment as an oath
-Strengthened from choice and the evidence came after
-Grief is something we are meant to learn to hold …
-Adjacent hope
-“My faith wasn’t strengthened from getting the miracle or because I felt saved and delivered from pain and hopelessness. It was strengthened through choice. Even the biggest miracle doesn’t have the conversion power that choice welds. As I have chosen it the evidence has come.”
-“If I believe divinity mourns with me, then I believe divinity mourns. If I believe God weeps with me, then I believe God weeps. If I believe divinity has been sitting next to me in the most impossibly dark moments, if I believe divinity never leaves me, then I believe divinity grieves. Joy is not an absence of sorrow. Peace is not an absence of sorrow. Godliness is not an absence of sorrow. Grief is not something we are exalted out of. It is something we are meant to learn to hold, I believe, because we will be holding it for ourselves and others for eternity.”
Chapter 5
-“If we’re all going to be delusional then let’s be delusional in a way that serves us.” (Instead of believing negative self-talk—choose to believe in the opposite)
-Flexible prioritization depending on your season
-If you want a “village” you have to be willing to be a villager
Chapter 6
-If you want to keep your own beliefs in check, diversify your circles; lean in with curiosity and you’ll gain understanding
-Establishing what your personal values are will help you be less critical, motivate you, inform what to put your time into, and help you stop comparing yourself to others actions (who have different values)
Chapter 7
-“Desperation brought me back to God. Community brought me back to church.”
-“Instead of asking God to change me to fit into the box, I would start asking what new boxes he needed me to create.”
-You don’t have to fully align with everything to practice and receive benefits of certain aspects
-“God is not afraid of your doubts and He is not threatened by your wandering.”
Chapter 8
-“How do I not lose God in this?”
-We can leave God, but God never leaves us.
-Worthiness is readiness.
-“I don't see it as a reward for good behavior. I see it as gaining access and being able to receive things that were already there but remained out of reach because I wasn't ready for them.”
Chapter 9
-“Believing doesn’t come naturally to me. I’ve had to fight for it. I’m a choose-to-believer.”
-Practicing the skill of believing “What we have to work the hardest for we tend to appreciate the most, and often it’s what we become best at.” Sacrifice
Chapter 10
-“It never was the result that would heal me, it was the effort all along.”
-Power of sacrifice, even if we don’t get the results we want
-“Our experiences are limited. God is not.”
April 9, 2026
Ok, I wasn't for sure what I was going to think about this. It sounded good, wholesome, uplifting, thought provoking, and look at that cover!!! It's pink! It's adorable!!! It's eye catching! So I said why not, I'm going to grab it and read it. Then as it was moving its way up my reading schedule list I was having some hesitancy, but then I'd tell myself to not judge it until I've read it. And that's the best advice I'm going to give everyone else! Don't judge it until you try it!
As you can see I gave it 5 stars. I loved it! I was on a long drive with family and thought I'm going to read it now. I actually put my air buds in, turned on the accessibility feature on my phone and had it read to me (yes, AI voice, but there are so many I can choose from that sound fairly realistic). I was completely engaged from the beginning to the end. I cried! Like a lot! My husband at one point was like what is going on? What are you listening to that's making you cry? I just looked at him and just wiped the tears and shrugged like how can I explain this. He just laughed and kept on driving while I told him I'd tell him more about it later. I saw a different perspective and had some aha moments of understanding. I just loved how much it all made me think and loved how it is so important that we don't know what each other are going through and to have compassion and love for each other, friends, family, and strangers alike.
I loved how the author kept it to just a whatever you believe in, find something. She kept her religious beliefs very basic/vague and really focused on science and showing how those who believe in something bigger than themselves were happier. It was so interesting. She does talk a little bit about her religious affiliation but nothing that was pointed and telling people to believe as she does.
I loved her vulnerability is sharing her own journey of belief and faith from when she was younger, a teenager and throughout her adult life. Especially with the struggles and heartbreaks of life, and even the joys and healing! And let me tell you there are some hard struggles she had. But oh my heart, how she shared about it, how she showed searching for healing and help and love, it was beautiful. Heartbreakingly beautiful!
This next part is definitely a spoiler for one such heartbreak that hit really close to home and brought on a lot of the tears that I shed. She touches on it in different spots of the book and connects it all together. So read on if you want to know. Skip it if you don't. Read the book first then come back and read this if you really want to know.
My thoughts are going on a lot more than I had planned for this review but I really just loved this one! I think it will definitely resonate with many readers, no matter what your own personal beliefs are, religious or not. I loved where she pulled the title for the book from.
While I was reading(listening) to it, I wrote down some initial thoughts, as in just a couple of words to describe the book and writing of the author. The words that I used were; Snarky. Funny. Real. Raw. Emotional. Encouraging. There were several other similar words that I thought but as I looked at other readers' reviews I loved seeing them using these same words that I had jotted down in their thoughts about the book and writing. I hope if you pick this one up that you enjoy it. That you find answers to your questions or just in shaping your own personal ideas of belief and faith, whether that be in God or something else. And that you come away inspired that life is messy and complicated and hard, but through all of that, it's beautiful and wonderful, and joyful, and meant to be lived and journeyed on and ventured through with our loved ones and friends by our side!!!
Content: Talk of Faith and Belief. The author talks about postpartum depression, a stillbirth, and healing.
I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
As you can see I gave it 5 stars. I loved it! I was on a long drive with family and thought I'm going to read it now. I actually put my air buds in, turned on the accessibility feature on my phone and had it read to me (yes, AI voice, but there are so many I can choose from that sound fairly realistic). I was completely engaged from the beginning to the end. I cried! Like a lot! My husband at one point was like what is going on? What are you listening to that's making you cry? I just looked at him and just wiped the tears and shrugged like how can I explain this. He just laughed and kept on driving while I told him I'd tell him more about it later. I saw a different perspective and had some aha moments of understanding. I just loved how much it all made me think and loved how it is so important that we don't know what each other are going through and to have compassion and love for each other, friends, family, and strangers alike.
I loved how the author kept it to just a whatever you believe in, find something. She kept her religious beliefs very basic/vague and really focused on science and showing how those who believe in something bigger than themselves were happier. It was so interesting. She does talk a little bit about her religious affiliation but nothing that was pointed and telling people to believe as she does.
I loved her vulnerability is sharing her own journey of belief and faith from when she was younger, a teenager and throughout her adult life. Especially with the struggles and heartbreaks of life, and even the joys and healing! And let me tell you there are some hard struggles she had. But oh my heart, how she shared about it, how she showed searching for healing and help and love, it was beautiful. Heartbreakingly beautiful!
This next part is definitely a spoiler for one such heartbreak that hit really close to home and brought on a lot of the tears that I shed. She touches on it in different spots of the book and connects it all together. So read on if you want to know. Skip it if you don't. Read the book first then come back and read this if you really want to know.
My thoughts are going on a lot more than I had planned for this review but I really just loved this one! I think it will definitely resonate with many readers, no matter what your own personal beliefs are, religious or not. I loved where she pulled the title for the book from.
While I was reading(listening) to it, I wrote down some initial thoughts, as in just a couple of words to describe the book and writing of the author. The words that I used were; Snarky. Funny. Real. Raw. Emotional. Encouraging. There were several other similar words that I thought but as I looked at other readers' reviews I loved seeing them using these same words that I had jotted down in their thoughts about the book and writing. I hope if you pick this one up that you enjoy it. That you find answers to your questions or just in shaping your own personal ideas of belief and faith, whether that be in God or something else. And that you come away inspired that life is messy and complicated and hard, but through all of that, it's beautiful and wonderful, and joyful, and meant to be lived and journeyed on and ventured through with our loved ones and friends by our side!!!
Content: Talk of Faith and Belief. The author talks about postpartum depression, a stillbirth, and healing.
I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
April 7, 2026
It’s More Fun to Believe is not your typical book to help you find happiness in life. The author does not have all the answers and will not claim that her way is the only way to find happiness. It is not research-based. The book is more of a memoir of different experiences Taylor has had personally to shape what/how she believes and how she can have peace not knowing all the answers in life. Although the book is loosely organized, the author writes in a conversational way that is engaging. Nothing she said was new or earthshattering, but her insights were interesting and really thought provoking.
I like that Taylor acknowledges that life is hard, but belief and hope do make life more bearable. I also like how she taught that we don’t need to prove our worth. As we find peace in who we are we can decide what we value most. This will help us work to become who we really want to be without feeling the guilt of not being perfect or always making excuses. I especially liked her pendulum example of avoiding extremes of both perfection and victimhood. Instead, it is important to strive to be realistic in life, but hopeful.
In all, Taylor wrote a wonderful compilation of thoughts to share with others. Unlike other “happiness” books, I didn’t feel the guilt about trying to do or be better. It’s More Fun to Believe is definitely worth a read.
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
I like that Taylor acknowledges that life is hard, but belief and hope do make life more bearable. I also like how she taught that we don’t need to prove our worth. As we find peace in who we are we can decide what we value most. This will help us work to become who we really want to be without feeling the guilt of not being perfect or always making excuses. I especially liked her pendulum example of avoiding extremes of both perfection and victimhood. Instead, it is important to strive to be realistic in life, but hopeful.
In all, Taylor wrote a wonderful compilation of thoughts to share with others. Unlike other “happiness” books, I didn’t feel the guilt about trying to do or be better. It’s More Fun to Believe is definitely worth a read.
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 11, 2026
It’s More Fun to Believe was such an inspirational read. Julie Taylor shares her unique, personal experience with raw honesty, humor, insight, & relatability. I felt a full range of emotions while also gaining a deeper understanding & compassion for those who struggle to believe.
Through stories from her own life, she walks us through her journey from belief to non-belief & back again, touching on profound loss, anxiety, perfectionism, & self-acceptance. I loved how open she was about her doubts & struggles, and how she ultimately found peace with God, religion, & believing on her own terms. I enjoyed her engaging humor that shines throughout, making even the heaviest topics feel approachable & relatable.
While I may not share her struggles, her portrayal of anxiety felt especially spot-on. Her experiences gave me new insight into the fears my loved one has faced. I also appreciated her thoughtful suggestions for loving, supporting, & accepting those navigating anxiety, loss, or faith struggles.
This is a must-read for anyone struggling or who loves someone who is struggling with faith, anxiety, or loss. Highly recommend! I received an advanced copy with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are completely my own and provided voluntarily.
Through stories from her own life, she walks us through her journey from belief to non-belief & back again, touching on profound loss, anxiety, perfectionism, & self-acceptance. I loved how open she was about her doubts & struggles, and how she ultimately found peace with God, religion, & believing on her own terms. I enjoyed her engaging humor that shines throughout, making even the heaviest topics feel approachable & relatable.
While I may not share her struggles, her portrayal of anxiety felt especially spot-on. Her experiences gave me new insight into the fears my loved one has faced. I also appreciated her thoughtful suggestions for loving, supporting, & accepting those navigating anxiety, loss, or faith struggles.
This is a must-read for anyone struggling or who loves someone who is struggling with faith, anxiety, or loss. Highly recommend! I received an advanced copy with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are completely my own and provided voluntarily.
May 16, 2026
From the title and cover I thought this book would be more sparkly feel good. In actuality it was a bit heavy but in a good way. I loved her raw honesty and perspective. It did feel loosely organized but she has a great way of saying things for the most part. I loved how she talked about religious faith and also examining our little beliefs/values such as what we worry about, how we spend our time, and how we react to life. She makes it clear she is not trying to convert anyone to anything and I feel like that is a really important aspect of her argument yet at the same time it made me a little sad because that was where the lack of “sparkle” came for me. I wished she would have testified of the Holy Ghost and spent more energy on the joy that Jesus Christ brings us. I believe that you can do that without trying to convert someone. But as I read I definitely had people close to me come to mind who I think would strongly resonate with the book exactly the way she wrote it. We are all different! It felt a little lecture-y at times. Overall though I would definitely recommend it to others and I think she is great. A much needed perspective in a world that doesn’t like gray or even compassion for black and white. ✨
April 11, 2026
It's More Fun to Believe by Julie Taylor is raw, skeptical, humorous, honest, and empowering.
Those words may sound like they wouldn't go together in any way, but she really hits them and more. While I can't relate to the things she went through and felt personally, it helped me understand those who can and do.
It is a Christian based, faith crisis memoir that will have you laughing in one chapter and holding back tears in another. Her journey is a rollercoaster of epic proportions; I loved her discoveries about herself along the way, and her decision to lean on belief and hope even when she doesn't feel like she fits in. The ultimate discover is that she is enough just how she is. We don't all have to be the same and fit in the same box- there is room for individuality and questions.
“Don’t let your present inability to see a path forward convince you that there isn’t one.”
“Faith is not shame, control, or a misuse of power. Faith is not fear. Faith is not only for eternity-faith is for now! It is hope and joy and resilience and trust and personal power. It is safe and expansive.”
I loved the term 'Circumstantial Happiness'. Learning to be okay, even when nothing is okay. I think that is something that anyone in any situation- religious or not, can learn from.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher for my opinion.
Those words may sound like they wouldn't go together in any way, but she really hits them and more. While I can't relate to the things she went through and felt personally, it helped me understand those who can and do.
It is a Christian based, faith crisis memoir that will have you laughing in one chapter and holding back tears in another. Her journey is a rollercoaster of epic proportions; I loved her discoveries about herself along the way, and her decision to lean on belief and hope even when she doesn't feel like she fits in. The ultimate discover is that she is enough just how she is. We don't all have to be the same and fit in the same box- there is room for individuality and questions.
“Don’t let your present inability to see a path forward convince you that there isn’t one.”
“Faith is not shame, control, or a misuse of power. Faith is not fear. Faith is not only for eternity-faith is for now! It is hope and joy and resilience and trust and personal power. It is safe and expansive.”
I loved the term 'Circumstantial Happiness'. Learning to be okay, even when nothing is okay. I think that is something that anyone in any situation- religious or not, can learn from.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher for my opinion.
April 9, 2026
Julie Taylor has written a beautiful book on Finding God When Faith Gets Complicated! This book was really such a refreshing and honest read! Julie opens up about her own spiritual journey, from questioning belief to stepping away and eventually finding her way back The book feels real, raw, and deeply personal, and I loved how she shared her struggles with doubt, faith, and the messy middle of life in a way that made it feel like she was right there talking to me, not preaching at me!
Julie was so open and vulnerable about the complications of faith! She blends tough stuff, with storytelling, and a bit of humor to explore how belief shapes the way we experience life! She doesn’t shy away from the tough questions many of us wrestle with! Whether you’re firm in your faith, questioning everything, or somewhere in between, this book offers encouragement and plenty of honest reflection! And I agree, it is ‘more fun to believe’ :)
Thank you SO MUCH to the author and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
Julie was so open and vulnerable about the complications of faith! She blends tough stuff, with storytelling, and a bit of humor to explore how belief shapes the way we experience life! She doesn’t shy away from the tough questions many of us wrestle with! Whether you’re firm in your faith, questioning everything, or somewhere in between, this book offers encouragement and plenty of honest reflection! And I agree, it is ‘more fun to believe’ :)
Thank you SO MUCH to the author and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
April 9, 2026
I was intrigued with the title and topic of this book. I found it to be a little bit like a memoir-self help book. A book of dealing with and healing after trials and tragedy. Finding what you are taught as a youth may not be what you choose or not to choose to believe in as an adult. A spiritual journey between doubt and faith. There were parts that resonated strongly with me. I have always been a believer, but I have grown children that have fallen into doubt and disbelief. I appreciated the authors candid insight into her journey. I often ask myself where would I be if I didn’t believe? Where would I be if I was raised differently? I think everyone could glean something from this book. It is not preachy, it is an honest perspective of one person’s journey. I received a complimentary copy of this book, and a positive review was not required.
April 23, 2026
Such a refreshingly personal and heartfelt story about one person's journey in and out of faith. I'd say something made me cry in every one of these chapters, even though not all of it was about things I could relate to personally. It covered faith crisis, postpartum depression, death of an infant, and yet it came out as a good case for finding and holding onto faith and hope. It had lots of good advice about women's issues, motherhood, self-esteem, education and career choices, and more. I'd recommend it to pretty much every woman I know, not just LDS women either. It was written by a woman in my neighborhood who I hope to meet soon!
April 30, 2026
I would pay large amounts of money to make it possible for every single person I love, to read this book. One of the best books I have ever, ever read! And I honestly didn’t know how much I would get out of it, given the author’s podcast is my very favorite and I've listened a whole lot of her episodes (which have helped my life more than I can convey). So I guess I just assumed it would be more of the same--which isn’t a bad thing--but I was most definitely wrong. Tremendous, tremendous, tremendous book. I’m just SO grateful I read it. It has changed so much of my thinking, for the positive, profoundly.
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May 9, 2026I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this one, which makes it hard for me to rate. Going in, I expected more of a memoir, but it leaned much more into self-help/spiritual reflection territory … very reminiscent of Utah fireside culture vibes. Some of the self-help sections didn’t fully connect with me personally, though I can absolutely see how they would resonate with others.
That being said, I genuinely loved the parts about Julie Taylor’s actual life story. Those moments felt personal, compelling, and I found myself most invested when she was simply sharing her experiences. I almost wished there had been even more of that woven throughout the book.
That being said, I genuinely loved the parts about Julie Taylor’s actual life story. Those moments felt personal, compelling, and I found myself most invested when she was simply sharing her experiences. I almost wished there had been even more of that woven throughout the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is written in a conversational style that is real and unapologetic.
The author is upfront with her faith journey from believing to agnostic and
back to faith again.Through her trials, she has learned that it is better to
turn to God rather than turn away from Him. She shares the grief of losing
her son and how she was shown in a dream that he wouldn't be with her
for very long and sharing her story has brought her peace even though she
still has hard days.The author chooses to believe during the hard times
and to share her story to help others
The author is upfront with her faith journey from believing to agnostic and
back to faith again.Through her trials, she has learned that it is better to
turn to God rather than turn away from Him. She shares the grief of losing
her son and how she was shown in a dream that he wouldn't be with her
for very long and sharing her story has brought her peace even though she
still has hard days.The author chooses to believe during the hard times
and to share her story to help others
April 11, 2026
If you haven’t listened to Julie Taylor’s Get Ready with God podcast, please do! It’s such a great way to start your weekdays!
I picked up Julie’s book because I love her message. She’s relatable, she’s thought provoking, and her message resonates. We all face difficulties in life and how we handle them is what makes us, us. I underlined so many lines in this book that I want to remember. At the end of the day, faith is believing what we can’t see. And for all life has to throw at all, isn’t it more fun to believe?!
I picked up Julie’s book because I love her message. She’s relatable, she’s thought provoking, and her message resonates. We all face difficulties in life and how we handle them is what makes us, us. I underlined so many lines in this book that I want to remember. At the end of the day, faith is believing what we can’t see. And for all life has to throw at all, isn’t it more fun to believe?!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you @shadowmountainpub for the gifted copy! It’s More Fun to Believe by Julie Taylor is about one woman’s journey of leaving her faith and finding her way back, after the loss of her son. She’s still a skeptic, but her journey of transformation allowed a shift in perspective.
The conversational writing feels aimed at Gen Z, and I’d recommend this one to moms, people of faith, or those who have struggled with religion.
The conversational writing feels aimed at Gen Z, and I’d recommend this one to moms, people of faith, or those who have struggled with religion.
April 9, 2026
I’m not typically one to read self-help or overtly religious books, but I am so glad I read this one! It is witty, raw, and relatable. There are parts that spoke to me and others that I appreciated the differing point of view.
Regardless of religious affiliation (or lack thereof) this is a great read! It focuses on hope, readily admits it does not have all the answers, and focuses on the journey for each individual.
Regardless of religious affiliation (or lack thereof) this is a great read! It focuses on hope, readily admits it does not have all the answers, and focuses on the journey for each individual.
April 20, 2026
This was one of the most relatable books I’ve ever read, in so many different ways. I appreciated her honesty about motherhood, postpartum depression, grief, and the unraveling of her faith. Her experience with what we’re told motherhood should feel like versus the reality of struggling through it was especially powerful and validating.
Her writing is conversational, witty, hopeful, and engaging—like a best friend just chatting candidly with you. I absolutely loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC.
Her writing is conversational, witty, hopeful, and engaging—like a best friend just chatting candidly with you. I absolutely loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC.
April 22, 2026
I love books like this but they take me time and quiet to absorb so this took me too long to finish. I’ve been listening to Julie’s podcast “Get Ready with God” for almost a year now. I found it not long after it started and the short daily devotionals are such a highlight in my day. Julie is real and relatable and I loved getting more of her story through this book. I love her perspective and I agree that it’s more fun to believe. I want to listen to the audiobook version soon.
April 18, 2026
4.5 stars. I honestly did not think I would like this book as much as I did. I read it at the perfect time in my life while I am trying to reclaim my spirituality without using religion as a blueprint. I love the inside of Julie’s mind and want to be her best friend lol
April 30, 2026
There were a lot of nice messages and insights, especially for women and people of faith, but I couldn’t get through it. The conversational writing style really threw me off, and I often couldn’t follow the authors train of thought. Maybe the audiobook would’ve been easier to digest?
May 1, 2026
I love Julie and her vulnerability/honesty. I appreciate her willingness to share her faith journey. I'm pondering how I can sit with the gray more instead of demanding black and white (of myself and others).
May 6, 2026
Julie’s realness and sense of humor has long been a breathe of fresh air for struggling women. Chapter 7 is a message I wish more people could hear. This is a book worth purchasing a physical copy to highlight and come back to the things that stand out to you.
May 11, 2026
I appreciate anyone who is willing to share their experience of nuance in faith, and struggling when it does get complicated. Permission to be exactly where you are, and to know it's okay. It's okay to be in the middle, to change your mind, and to be unsure.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I really enjoyed aspects of this one. I liked some of the ideas that were shared. It’s a generic faith and based so more can enjoy it.
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