What do you think?
Rate this book
Flying Solo: A Journey of Divorce, Healing and a Very Present God
For one year following her painful divorce, Denise Hildreth chronicled every emotion, every new discovery, and every moment of God's unyielding presence. Flying Solo, the diary of that roller-coaster year, begins on the day Denise sat in court to hear a judge end her 13-year marriage and follows her through twelve months of soul-searching, heartbreak, and healing. With vivid stories, raw emotion, and unwavering honesty, Denise opens a window for divorced or divorcing readers to breathe in the fresh air of God's Spirit. For, among many surprises in store for Denise during her first year of flying solo, one of the most startling was God desires to be with us through our pain. She writes, "Flying solo isn't about being alone. It is about living a life that may hurt at times, wound at times, betray at times; but there is still an incredible unobstructed view of heaven, and an opportunity to discover God in the middle of it." Readers struggling to stay afloat in the wake of a marriage's end will hear from a fellow traveler that they don't have to settle for treading water . . . they can learn to fly.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2010
15 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Denise Hildreth Jones
19 books248 followersDenise Jones is a southern girl who loves Jesus, SEC football, family, friends, good food and cold Coca-Colas. She is the mom of one shih-tzu, the bonus mom to five kiddo's and the husband of one Mr. Jones. She spends her time leading Reclaiming Hearts Ministries in her home of Franklin, TN. And every now and then she writes a few books.
You can email her at:
denise@reclaiminghearts.com
You can email her at:
denise@reclaiminghearts.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 10, 2011
I've been struggling to find the right words to write about this amazing book.
How does one give the proper weight and importance to a book that means so much to me? How much it has affected my life so positively and in such a short matter of time?
A week before Christmas 2010 I was desperate. The enormous range of emotions, up and down, up and down, that I was experiencing from my August 2010 divorce had left my life in a tailspin. One minute I'd be happy, the next crying buckets of tears; I thought myself crazy!
I had no expectations of a merry Christmas and it bothered me endlessly because I've two young girls to consider. I did not want to make their holiday bleak by my constantly fluctuating emotions.
Then one day, my mother and I happened into our local Christian gift store on the search for Christmas presents. It is a store that has been in our community forever, yet I've never stepped foot inside. I wandered over to the book section and was instantly drawn to this book.
What really snagged me was the first page, the introduction: "Grief has no etiquette. It is slobbery and mean. Obtrusive and inopportune. Smothering and rude. And it had taken up residence in every cell of my body."
I knew this book was meant for me by those words alone. This book is meant for so many people who are on the verge of divorce, who are in the midst of a divorce, who are done with a divorce but still struggle against the mountain of emotions that comes with it.
I read this book in about two days. I cornered nearly every page as they seemed to speak directly to me.
I cannot speak highly enough over Denise Hildreth Jones' honesty and amazingly strong, unwavering faith shared within the pages of this book.
In less than two weeks my life has been immeasurably changed, by a wonderful author who took a huge leap of faith in sharing a year's worth of emotions following her painful divorce. How can one thank such an individual enough?
If you are struggling with a divorce, please read this book and if you know someone who is struggling, get them this book.
No matter where their faith may stand, no matter where your faith may be, I truly believe this book will make all the difference. It is going to change lives.
How does one give the proper weight and importance to a book that means so much to me? How much it has affected my life so positively and in such a short matter of time?
A week before Christmas 2010 I was desperate. The enormous range of emotions, up and down, up and down, that I was experiencing from my August 2010 divorce had left my life in a tailspin. One minute I'd be happy, the next crying buckets of tears; I thought myself crazy!
I had no expectations of a merry Christmas and it bothered me endlessly because I've two young girls to consider. I did not want to make their holiday bleak by my constantly fluctuating emotions.
Then one day, my mother and I happened into our local Christian gift store on the search for Christmas presents. It is a store that has been in our community forever, yet I've never stepped foot inside. I wandered over to the book section and was instantly drawn to this book.
What really snagged me was the first page, the introduction: "Grief has no etiquette. It is slobbery and mean. Obtrusive and inopportune. Smothering and rude. And it had taken up residence in every cell of my body."
I knew this book was meant for me by those words alone. This book is meant for so many people who are on the verge of divorce, who are in the midst of a divorce, who are done with a divorce but still struggle against the mountain of emotions that comes with it.
I read this book in about two days. I cornered nearly every page as they seemed to speak directly to me.
I cannot speak highly enough over Denise Hildreth Jones' honesty and amazingly strong, unwavering faith shared within the pages of this book.
In less than two weeks my life has been immeasurably changed, by a wonderful author who took a huge leap of faith in sharing a year's worth of emotions following her painful divorce. How can one thank such an individual enough?
If you are struggling with a divorce, please read this book and if you know someone who is struggling, get them this book.
No matter where their faith may stand, no matter where your faith may be, I truly believe this book will make all the difference. It is going to change lives.
April 6, 2011
These are excerpts from Denise's journal during the year after her divorce. I give it 5 stars because it's so close to my own experience - I've said/thought/prayed some of the things almost verbatim - and subsequently hits deeply in a way no other "divorce book" has. I also admire Denise for being so honest and candid, but never slandering her ex-husband. That's a tough line to walk.
May 15, 2017
Surprisingly engaging children/ youth adventure story. Enjoyed it very much.
September 25, 2020
I’ve done several Bible Studies with this author, and while I have not and am not planning on going through a divorce, I wanted to read this book to learn more about the steps Denise took to draw closer to God during a very painful time in her life. In this world there will be trouble, and my prayer is that God will use each of our times of trouble for our benefit and a closer walk with Him. Thank you Denise for the courage to share your story and may it lead many to the love that only God can give.
October 9, 2025
My circumstances aren't the same as Denise's but there were a few similar things. I like the idea of journaling the journey and her feelings and experiences through that and her faith in God. I think it's a good book for any woman who is going through divorce or who has gone through a divorce. She shares moments with her therapist also that were very insightful. Throughout it all she held on to her faith in God and learned to walk alone with Him.
August 24, 2025
Honest and thoughtfully written. I so appreciate the writer sharing her journey.
December 3, 2014
If you, or anyone you know has ever been through a divorce, this is the book to read. I've read my fair share of divorce books, and this is by far, the best. I feel like she literally ripped pages out of my own journal, and just pasted them into her book. That's how real she is.
I started reading this book when I got it out from the library, and wanted to highlight something on almost every page, so I just ended up buying it. The author's faith and dependability on God inspired me.
I started reading this book when I got it out from the library, and wanted to highlight something on almost every page, so I just ended up buying it. The author's faith and dependability on God inspired me.
July 17, 2014
This book was amazing to me. It helped me to see things that I wasn't able to express in my own life and learn from. It is an emotional book, but helped me to see God's continual hedge of protection and watch over her life and mine. I consider this a must-read for those going through a divorce or have been through one!
Read
July 28, 2016Denise is a very different person than I am, so sometimes it was hard to relate to her experience even though I am literally in the middle of a divorce. But it was beautiful to see how God loved her so personally in the middle of her journey, and loves me so personally too! He is a truly intimate God who brings us exactly what we need and teaches to our individual hearts. How lovely!
January 16, 2014
I loved everything about this book. I loved they way Denise was totally in love with God and searched to follow and listen to him even if it wasn't what her plan would have been.
I gained so much insight into my own life through this book. I will be reading it again soon.
I gained so much insight into my own life through this book. I will be reading it again soon.
November 9, 2014
This book was instrumental for me while recovering from divorce. An honest look for a Christian at divorce.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews