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Even If: Trusting God Through the Fire
The inspiration behind the major motion picture
I Can Only Imagine 2,
this true story of heartache and hope from MercyMe’s lead singer, Bart Millard, and his wife, Shannon, shows us how even our deepest wounds can become doorways to God’s grace.MercyMe was just a small worship band from Texas until January 2002, when Bart Millard’s song “I Can Only Imagine” swept the airwaves. Suddenly Bart, his bandmates, and their families were riding a wave of success beyond their wildest dreams. Then everything changed again. Bart and Shannon lost Shannon’s brother to a tragic accident. Their second child was born prematurely. Their oldest child was diagnosed with diabetes. Their marriage struggled as Bart spent more and more time on the road, feeling the weight of the band’s success on his shoulders. They wrestled with their faith. Is God still good, they wondered, even when our world is falling apart?Drawing on Bart’s powerful song of the same name, Even If is a beautifully raw exploration of what it means to follow Jesus when life doesn’t turn out the way we expected. With hard-won hope, Bart and Shannon invite us into their story—a story not of perfect outcomes because of what we do but a story of redemption because of who God is.
- GenresChristian
240 pages, Hardcover
Published February 3, 2026
36 people are currently reading
1875 people want to read
About the author
Bart Millard
25 books65 followersBart Marshall Millard is an American singer and songwriter who is best known as the leader of the band MercyMe.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 25, 2026
Holding grief in one hand and gratitude in the other ❤️ anyone dealing with grief right now, this book will definitely help. It for sure helped me. 🥲
Even if God doesn’t, He is STILL good and ALWAYS will be 🙌
Even if God doesn’t, He is STILL good and ALWAYS will be 🙌
February 15, 2026
A great book. Everyone should read it. God is good!
February 25, 2026
WOW! What a story! You always wonder about the personal lives of "celebrities" and just assume that they are living the grand life of ease. That couldn't be further from the truth in this case. They open the front door and let you into their lives and bare it all. They faced so much tragedy and struggle and pain...and through it all found hope and grace. What an amazing story...so inspirational and hopeful!
February 23, 2026
Such a wonderful book. Everything Bart Millard does is wonderful in my eyes, but this book is fabulous!How he, his wife, his son Sam, and even a little bit about Tim Timmons can share their story through such heartache and trials is amazing! Thank you Millard family for sharing your story to help others in similar circumstances. Thank you for the song Even If-it has always been a favorite and even more so now! God bless you all!
February 19, 2026
An absolute must read
February 14, 2026
Seeing the movie tonight felt compelled to read the book before seeing the movie.
Highly recommend both I can only imagine and this book. They both are pivotal in moving the book and movies along and tell exactly what the movies are about. Even though both are emotionally moving books and they tell very different stories about Bart millards life first when growing up with an abusive father that turns his life while dying of cancer to Christ and now Bart tackling his sons diagnosis with type 1 diabetes and finding his next hit maker while keeping his marriage intact .
Highly recommend both I can only imagine and this book. They both are pivotal in moving the book and movies along and tell exactly what the movies are about. Even though both are emotionally moving books and they tell very different stories about Bart millards life first when growing up with an abusive father that turns his life while dying of cancer to Christ and now Bart tackling his sons diagnosis with type 1 diabetes and finding his next hit maker while keeping his marriage intact .
February 14, 2026
So relatable
Bart, Shannon and Sam provide a real and raw story of their life struggles. Following God's purpose isn't always easy or clear, but inspiring to see how he's worked and continues to work through their family.
Bart, Shannon and Sam provide a real and raw story of their life struggles. Following God's purpose isn't always easy or clear, but inspiring to see how he's worked and continues to work through their family.
February 3, 2026
Even If by Bart Millard is an honest, faith-filled look at what it really means to trust God when life doesn’t turn out the way we hope. Rather than offering easy answers, Bart and Shannon Millard share their story with vulnerability and humility, inviting readers into the tension of believing God is good even if prayers aren’t answered the way we expect.
What stood out to me most was the authenticity. The book doesn’t shy away from pain, disappointment, or hard questions, yet it continually points back to God’s faithfulness in the middle of suffering. The message is deeply aligned with the heart behind the song “Even If” and carries the same quiet strength and resolve.
Readers who are familiar with the new I Can Imagine 2 movie will recognize meaningful connections to Bart’s story and the themes explored in the film. The book adds depth and context to those moments while standing strongly on its own as a testimony of faith, perseverance, and trust in God.
Even If is a powerful reminder that faith isn’t rooted in outcomes, but in who God is. I finished this book encouraged, challenged, and reminded that trusting God sometimes means standing firm when nothing changes—and that kind of faith is both hard and holy.
I highly recommend this book for everyone ages 16+ whether they are Christians or not and whether they are fans of Bart and MercyMe or not. You will be encouraged. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. I plan to re-read it and share it with everyone I know!
Thank you David C. Cook for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
What stood out to me most was the authenticity. The book doesn’t shy away from pain, disappointment, or hard questions, yet it continually points back to God’s faithfulness in the middle of suffering. The message is deeply aligned with the heart behind the song “Even If” and carries the same quiet strength and resolve.
Readers who are familiar with the new I Can Imagine 2 movie will recognize meaningful connections to Bart’s story and the themes explored in the film. The book adds depth and context to those moments while standing strongly on its own as a testimony of faith, perseverance, and trust in God.
Even If is a powerful reminder that faith isn’t rooted in outcomes, but in who God is. I finished this book encouraged, challenged, and reminded that trusting God sometimes means standing firm when nothing changes—and that kind of faith is both hard and holy.
I highly recommend this book for everyone ages 16+ whether they are Christians or not and whether they are fans of Bart and MercyMe or not. You will be encouraged. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. I plan to re-read it and share it with everyone I know!
Thank you David C. Cook for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
February 10, 2026
Inspiring!
This book hit home with me in many ways. The truthfulness that it was told with helped me come to terms with some of my thoughts.
This book hit home with me in many ways. The truthfulness that it was told with helped me come to terms with some of my thoughts.
February 6, 2026
Yet another book about on of my favorite songs. I read this one in one sitting
Read
January 12, 2026A detailed review here: Musings on Even If: Trusting God Through the Fire by Bart and Shanon Millard
I received this book as an ARC, and I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read it.
Even If is an honest and deeply personal testimony about what it actually means to live a life of faith, not in theory, but in reality. It speaks to the moments when faith is stripped of guarantees and reduced to trust. Trusting God not because things are going well, but even when they very clearly are not.
The book openly addresses grief, illness, fear, marital strain, and professional uncertainty. The death of Shannon’s brother, their child’s medical struggles, a premature birth, a shaken marriage, and Bart’s loss of his voice all test their faith at every possible level. What makes this story especially powerful is that these trials come after years of blessing and success, raising difficult questions about doubt, abandonment, and suffering.
What I appreciated most is the book’s honesty. Faith here is not portrayed as perfect or effortless. It stumbles, resists, questions, and slowly learns to surrender. The authors reflect on how the outcomes they once prayed for would have been damaging, and how God’s way, even when deeply unwanted, proved wiser in the end.
I would recommend this book to believers as a reminder of what authentic faith looks like in hardship. But I would also recommend it to non-believers who are curious about how Christians approach suffering and loss, without the false promise that faith guarantees an easy life.
Despite some technical issues with the ARC format, I genuinely look forward to the book’s release and hope it finds a wide audience.
I received this book as an ARC, and I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read it.
Even If is an honest and deeply personal testimony about what it actually means to live a life of faith, not in theory, but in reality. It speaks to the moments when faith is stripped of guarantees and reduced to trust. Trusting God not because things are going well, but even when they very clearly are not.
The book openly addresses grief, illness, fear, marital strain, and professional uncertainty. The death of Shannon’s brother, their child’s medical struggles, a premature birth, a shaken marriage, and Bart’s loss of his voice all test their faith at every possible level. What makes this story especially powerful is that these trials come after years of blessing and success, raising difficult questions about doubt, abandonment, and suffering.
What I appreciated most is the book’s honesty. Faith here is not portrayed as perfect or effortless. It stumbles, resists, questions, and slowly learns to surrender. The authors reflect on how the outcomes they once prayed for would have been damaging, and how God’s way, even when deeply unwanted, proved wiser in the end.
I would recommend this book to believers as a reminder of what authentic faith looks like in hardship. But I would also recommend it to non-believers who are curious about how Christians approach suffering and loss, without the false promise that faith guarantees an easy life.
Despite some technical issues with the ARC format, I genuinely look forward to the book’s release and hope it finds a wide audience.
March 24, 2026
Even If by Bart Millard is one of those books that feels a little strange to say you “enjoyed”… because it’s filled with so much heartbreak and hardship. And yet, I truly did.
What stood out to me the most was the authenticity. It’s not often you see Christians—especially someone in the spotlight—willing to be this honest about the struggles, the doubts, and the questions that come when life feels like it’s falling apart. Bart and Shannon don’t gloss over the hard moments; they invite you right into them.
This book is deeply relatable. We’ve all had seasons where we’ve asked, “God, where are You in this?” or wrestled with whether He is still good in the middle of pain. Even If doesn’t tie everything up in a neat bow—but that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.
I’m incredibly thankful that Bart chose to share his family’s story so openly. The message he lands on—even if You don't, my hope is You alone—feels both grounding and challenging in the best way.
If you’ve ever walked through a hard season or wrestled with your faith, this is a book that will meet you right where you are.
Thank you, NetGalley and David C. Cook, for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Loved it! Would reread… if my TBR wasn’t out of control. Highly recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Great read! Really enjoyed it and would recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Good read! Glad I picked it up.
⭐️⭐️ – Just okay. Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it.
⭐️ – Not for me. Wouldn’t recommend.
What stood out to me the most was the authenticity. It’s not often you see Christians—especially someone in the spotlight—willing to be this honest about the struggles, the doubts, and the questions that come when life feels like it’s falling apart. Bart and Shannon don’t gloss over the hard moments; they invite you right into them.
This book is deeply relatable. We’ve all had seasons where we’ve asked, “God, where are You in this?” or wrestled with whether He is still good in the middle of pain. Even If doesn’t tie everything up in a neat bow—but that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.
I’m incredibly thankful that Bart chose to share his family’s story so openly. The message he lands on—even if You don't, my hope is You alone—feels both grounding and challenging in the best way.
If you’ve ever walked through a hard season or wrestled with your faith, this is a book that will meet you right where you are.
Thank you, NetGalley and David C. Cook, for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Loved it! Would reread… if my TBR wasn’t out of control. Highly recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Great read! Really enjoyed it and would recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Good read! Glad I picked it up.
⭐️⭐️ – Just okay. Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it.
⭐️ – Not for me. Wouldn’t recommend.
March 2, 2026
Even If is an encouraging book that challenges readers to grow in deeper, more resilient faith during difficult times. Bart and his wife do an excellent job of showing us what it looks like to trust God during struggles and many hardships that come along the way, sometimes one right after the other.
One example is when Bart talks about losing his voice and the fear he faced as a singer. Instead of focusing on the outcome, he focused on God’s provision to take care of him regardless of the outcome.. The book all around is a strong testament of faith as he describes the “Even If” title coming from Daniel 3 where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the furnace for telling the king no. Bart took this title because he trust God, not for what he does, but because of who he is.
Overall, the book is a wonderful read and very encouraging with all the challenges we face,, not to give up but keep trusting God, even if things don’t go our way..
Thank you NetGalley and David C Cook publishing for sending this book to me. All opinions are my own.
One example is when Bart talks about losing his voice and the fear he faced as a singer. Instead of focusing on the outcome, he focused on God’s provision to take care of him regardless of the outcome.. The book all around is a strong testament of faith as he describes the “Even If” title coming from Daniel 3 where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the furnace for telling the king no. Bart took this title because he trust God, not for what he does, but because of who he is.
Overall, the book is a wonderful read and very encouraging with all the challenges we face,, not to give up but keep trusting God, even if things don’t go our way..
Thank you NetGalley and David C Cook publishing for sending this book to me. All opinions are my own.
December 28, 2025
I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars. I read Bart Millard's first memoir when it came out years ago and loved it. I didn't like this one quite as much, but it was still a great, powerful story about trusting God even when it's hard. I loved reading about his family's story and everything they went through, even though a lot of it was sad. There were a lot of weird formatting issues throughout the book, but I chalk that up to it being a Word doc of an ARC that messed up on my Kindle. Despite that, the book was very readable and easy to get through.
Read my full review here: https://lyrat16.wixsite.com/read-it-a...
4.5 stars. I read Bart Millard's first memoir when it came out years ago and loved it. I didn't like this one quite as much, but it was still a great, powerful story about trusting God even when it's hard. I loved reading about his family's story and everything they went through, even though a lot of it was sad. There were a lot of weird formatting issues throughout the book, but I chalk that up to it being a Word doc of an ARC that messed up on my Kindle. Despite that, the book was very readable and easy to get through.
Read my full review here: https://lyrat16.wixsite.com/read-it-a...
March 22, 2026
This is an inspiring and faith-filled story told through the eyes of Bart, Shannon, and Sam Millard. Bart is the successful lead singer of the Christian band MercyMe. Shannon is his wife and Sam is their son that was diagnosed with diabetes when he two-years-old. In this book, they tell of the trials and tribulations that they faced as MercyMe rose to stardom. They dealt with the loss of several family members and Sam's diabetes. No matter what was going on in their lives, they turned to their faith to see them through the rough times. This book mirrors the recently released movie "I Can Only Imagine 2". Both the book and movie are well done. Also not to be missed is the first "I Can Only Imagine" movie and the companion book by the same name.
February 4, 2026
“God, even if You don’t…I’ll still put my hope in You.”
The Millards have poured their hearts out in this continuing story since the success of I Can Only Imagine. I was completely absorbed in this book, following their journey from near collapse of their family and the band to complete trust in and dependence on God. Grab your tissues and prepare to be amazed by God’s power to fix us when situations are completely impossible on our own. You will never listen to the song Even If the same way again. I cannot recommend this book, and the upcoming movie, enough.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Millards have poured their hearts out in this continuing story since the success of I Can Only Imagine. I was completely absorbed in this book, following their journey from near collapse of their family and the band to complete trust in and dependence on God. Grab your tissues and prepare to be amazed by God’s power to fix us when situations are completely impossible on our own. You will never listen to the song Even If the same way again. I cannot recommend this book, and the upcoming movie, enough.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 26, 2026
What a great book, behind the scenes from the movie, expanding on their story in ways movies don't have the time to do. I was immersed in this book from the beginning. I loved the first movie (didn't know there was a book with it) and this one picked up where that one left off. I can't wait to see the movie now too. I love how transparent Bart, Shanon and Sam were in sharing their stories with us.
I received this book complimentary from netgalley but was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly my own.
I received this book complimentary from netgalley but was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly my own.
March 30, 2026
I have been a fan of Mercy Me since the early 2000's when he released the famous "I Can Only Imagine." I have seen them in concert and have watched his first movie. This book starts after the first movie and proceeds to describe the trials he and his family faced the following several years. It was a beautiful book and I enjoyed it immensely. I have the e-arc, but I listened to most of it. I do wish the other people in the book would have narrated their own parts.
March 24, 2026
I really liked it. It's nice to have a movie-companion book that fleshes out more of the story than the movie can. This covers the territory that I Can Only Imagine 2 cannot.
If you liked the first one, I think you will like this one!
If you liked the first one, I think you will like this one!
March 15, 2026
Inspiring story of God’s steadfast love as the Millard’s navigate very trying times. Solid companion to the movie I Can Only Imagine 2. Includes insights from Millard’s wife and oldest son Sam
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews