Everything Beautiful in Its Time: Seasons of Love and Loss

by Jenna Bush Hager

Jenna Bush Hager, the former first daughter and granddaughter, bestselling author, and coanchor of the Today show, shares moving, funny stories about her beloved grandparents and the wisdom they passed on that has shaped her life


To the world, George and Barbara Bush were America’s powerful president and influ­ential first lady. To Jenna Bush Hager, they were her beloved Gampy and Ganny, who taught her about respect, humility, kindness, and living a life of passion and meaning—timeless lessons that continue to guide her.

In Midland, Texas, Jenna’s maternal grandparents, Harold and Jenna Welch—Pa and Grammee—a home builder and homemaker, lived a quieter life outside the national spotlight. Yet their influence was no less indelible to their granddaughter. Throughout Jenna’s childhood and adolescence, the Welches taught her the name of every star in the sky, the way a dove uses her voice—teaching her to appreciate the beauty in the smallest things.

Now the mother of three young children, Jenna pays homage to her grandparents in this collection of heartwarming, intimate personal essays. Filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable stories, Everything Beautiful in Its Time captures the joyous and bittersweet nature of life itself. Jenna reflects on the single year in which she and her family lost Barbara and George H. W. Bush, and Jenna Welch. With the light, self-deprecating charm of the bestselling Sisters First—cowritten with her twin sister, Barbara—Jenna reveals how they navigated this difficult period with grace, faith, and nostalgic humor, uplifted by their grandparents’ sage advice and incomparable spirits.

In this moving book, Jenna remembers the past, cherishes the present, and prepares for the future—providing a wealth of anecdotes and lessons for her own children and all of us. Poignant and humorous, intimate and sincere, Everything Beautiful in Its Time is a warm and wonderful celebration of the enduring power of family and an exploration of the things that truly matter most.

“As long as I’m alive, my grandparents will not be forgotten. . . . I hear their voices in the letters they sent me and in my memories. They offer comfort, support, and guidance, and I will listen to them always.”

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography, Biography Memoir, Family, History

Audiobook

First published September 8, 2020

About the author

Jenna Bush Hager is a co-host on NBC’s TODAY Show and an editor-at-large for Southern Living magazine. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope, written after she served as an intern with UNICEF in Latin America. She also co-authored the children’s books Our Great Big Backyard and Read All About It! with her mother. She lives with her husband and two daughters in New York.

In March 2019, she started the #ReadWithJenna Book Club. Our current book is "The School for Good Mothers" by Jessamine Chan. Click here to get your copy and join us today!

Looking for all of Jenna's book club picks? Find them here!

Reviews

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Everything Beautiful in Its Time" is like a fire hose helping to douse the flames of the dumpster fire that is 2020.

Say what you will about the Goodreads Choice Awards, but I'm so grateful that this year's list of memoir/autobiography finalists led me to this book. I'm predisposed to like it given how much I love Jenna Bush Hager, the Today Show, and the Read With Jenna book club, yet I was going to pass it up. It just seemed... unnecessary.

As it turns out, I really needed this book. I needed to read the writings of someone just being PLEASANT. I needed to spend time with someone trying her hardest to "walk on the side of love." I needed a reminder that despite its ups and downs, life can be gentle if we're gentle with each other and ourselves.

Despite her maiden name, politics are left at the door. Yes, large segments of this book are dedicated to members of the Bush family, but the emphasis here is on FAMILY. She loves hers to be sure, and her essays about and letters to them are highly relatable and human. I had a lump in my throat nearly from start to finish.

All the stars for Jenna Bush Hager, not only for this uplifting collection but also for her efforts to lift up other authors and their books.

[Terrie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much love of family in Jenna's writing and essays..

Everything Beautiful in Its Time is a book I didn't know I needed and one I didn't want to put down. It caused me to miss my maternal grandparents, whom I never met, and my paternal grandparents, whom I only met once.

The handwritten letters to and from Jenna's grandparents brought me back in time to my mother's preferred form of communication with me. Her beautiful, unique handwriting was always the gift I looked forward to inside an envelope. Her words would be chosen carefully, with a purposeful message in mind. And, most always, a newspaper clipping would be enclosed with an article she was sure I needed. I miss those letters now...

I wish this moving book were just a little bit longer...

Everything Beautiful in Its Time is a book I read while feeling the profound loss of a family member. After reading, I continued to sit for a while, sipping my cup of Earl Grey tea, and reflecting on this book. My thoughts rush to the love of family, spreading kindness, the joys of living, and the celebrations of life—the simple things.

4.75⭐

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenna Bush Hager’s poignant and beautifully written memoir, a collection of reminiscences, is a tribute to her family and the love and respect they share for each other. It’s a story of love, kindness, self deprecating humor, faith, and gratitude.

Within a year’s time, Jenna lost her three remaining grandparents. These losses inspired her to reflect back on her life and her place in her very close knit family.

Reflecting on the words from Ecclesiastes, “He has made everything beautiful in its time”, this memoir traces life from beginning to end, with its joys and sorrows through the years. She shares the wisdom and guiding principles she learned from her parents and grandparents, and how these have given her strength to aspire to live a life of meaning and to move forward with confidence.

This moving and uplifting book, reflections on what truly is important in life, is well worth reading and one you soon won’t forget.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins Publishers, and Jenna Bush Hager for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this inspiring book.

[Emily G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Jenna Bush Hager and couldn’t put this down! I feel privileged that she shares her personal journey through grief and healing in this lovely book. I lost 3 of my grandparents at a young age, so it was a joy to live vicariously through many of her family stories. Her descriptions and emotion are beautiful and despite the rawness of the book, I finished it feeling uplifted, hopeful, and heart-warmed. Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read an early release copy!

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful tribute to the Bush family by Jenna Bush Hager!! Her love for her family saturated every page of this moving book. I laughed, I cried.....I felt every emotion under the sun. At times, I felt like I was reading George HW Bush and Barbara’s love story, two of my most favorite people ever!! Their relationship with each other is what we should all aspire to achieve. Jenna shares her most personal thoughts about love, loss, marriage, sisterhood, motherhood, and friendships. Everything important to her, she shares with us and invites us into the Bush family. Their family is easy to relate to because they are so “normal” as you will see through the letters, photos, and memories Jenna shares with the reader. Of course, Jenna and her sister Barbara had to live this life in front of the millions of people and they did it with grace. We can learn a lot from the Bush family. They are all a class act!

Here’s one of the tidbits Jenna shares with us that she learned from her Granny, Barbara Bush:

“I have learned the gift of uniqueness and authenticity: from wearing mismatched Keds to your signature pearls and snow what hair! You taught me that humor, wit, and grace are the best accessories and that worrying too much about looks is (in your words) boring. Words matter, kindness matters. Looks fade.”

These little gems are scattered throughout the book and I just devoured them all!!

*For a little more insight into Gampy and Granny Bush, I recommend searching on YouTube for Barbara Bush Wellesley Speech and Bush’s Tribute to Bob Hope (this one had me in tears it is so funny),

I highly recommend this to book to anyone who would enjoy reading a feel good collection of stories that everyone can relate to. It’s a love story of marriage, family and life. Being it’s almost Valentine’s Day, it would be a perfect read. This book has nothing to do with politics, so it doesn’t matter what party you align yourself with because this is a story of love above all else.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything Beautiful in Its Time
Now this is how you write a memoir


Jenna Bush Hager with her husband Henry and kids.

Everything Beautiful in Its Time written by the daughter of the former president of the United States George W. Bush. Jenna Bush Hager.

In Everything Beautiful in Its Time Jenna writes about her beloved grandparents and parents, the things that she learned from them, the virtues that they shared to each other, to embrace motherhood, sisterhood, fatherhood, to see what are the things that actually matter. In this very special memoir Jenna writes about the importance of family relationships, the importance of love in the family. The courage, love and virtue and to set a good example for everyone especially to your kids, to do what you want to do, whoever you are, the importance of Thanksgiving and everything.
I have very little knowledge about the Bush's political history, but they are a very very good parents, they are excellent grandparents. They raised a wonderful confident happy woman. This is a very special memoir that will make you cry and think about how fortunate you are to have a family. The most important things are the little things, just little things is enough to make us happy and satisfied.
Everything Beautiful in Its Time is a memoir that you don't want to miss!

As long as I'm alive my grandparents will not be forgotten. I'll tell their stories to my children so that their spirit lives on in our family. And they will be by my side as I walk through life. I hear their voices in the letters they sent me and in my memories. They offer comfort, support and guidance, and I will listen to them always.

Jenny Bush Hager
5 loving stars!!

[Kerrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of Jenna Bush Hager’s 2020 collection of essays is taken from Ecclesiastes 3:11-13

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live, and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.…"

This is such a fitting title for this book which includes tributes to her beloved grandparents, three of which died within a year of each other. Not only does she grapple with the loss of her grandparents, but she must also find a way to explain their deaths to her young children.

The essays are told with heartfelt love, grace, and a sprinkling of humor. They give us an honest look at the lives of not only her grandparents, parents, and sister but also her own husband and children and her Today Show coworkers who are dear friends.

5-Stars. I listened to the audiobook which is read by the author. It was a wonderful way to pass a snowy day as I felt warmed by the stories.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

With the recent GR polls for best books, I am trying to read the ones in my possession so that my vote will go for something I actually read. This was one of those. I didn't care for this one and it will not get my vote. Some of it was endearing (hence the 2 star rating), but everything else was irritating me SO MUCH. All of the 5 star reviews have me somewhat baffled.

I'll mention one big issue. First, when an opportunity came to get "real", the author would stop short of making an impact. If she could have just let just peeled back one more layer, I think this would have been 4 stars. It felt superficial....more like a press release. I kept wondering where was the editor in this. Anyway, not my favorite....so 2 stars.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about this absolutely beautiful book? For those of you who know me, I really don't love non-fiction. It really has to be special. This one has been on my list for a while, and I have felt called to it. This turned out to be the perfect time.

Yes, I saw that it had an "E" it the title which fit the challenge this month. But I have been thinking a lot about the changing relationships in my family, and about current and anticipatory grief. I just felt like I wanted to read something with values and life lessons. And this was chock full of that. Plus, our own Jenna Bush Hager is something of a reader's reader. She runs a nationwide bookclub, and is an American treasure. I sort of wanted to hear what she has learned over her life, and take something of that in. Admittedly, I also wanted to hear about a time where we could be proud of our presidential figures and a time where politicians stood for families and values. Watching all the recent divisiveness and negativity, (coming really from one disgusting direction that really colors the whole sea of our American Political Climate) I really wanted to see and remember a more wholesome and pure time. And I also admit I thought it would be nice to hear it from the Republican side, so we can remind ourselves that there is more than the current filth and slime we see. That was Jenna's hope too, not just to present her family, all of it and from every side, known and unknown, but that in the parts of her family that were political figures, that we see them the way she does. Which is beautiful. My knowledge of her father "Dubya" and mother comes from the completely fictional perspective American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld, but also from one of my favorite non-fiction books, How's Your Faith by David Gregory. I think these days, its not about differing politics anymore. Its about figuring out how even if how to get there or how to think about it is different, we need to return to a time where we can trust that all of the candidates are coming from love and from a desire to do good, and import the values they live by as guides for how we think about progress and help and establishing a fair and beautiful country for all. Reading this re-established the history of that premise for me, but also gave me something I was really seeking. A beautiful book about the values that are passed between grandparents, parents, siblings, friends, how we raise children and think about the world. Jenna's family came from love. They were not perfect, but they were perfect together. They prized their family and values over everything. That was how they lived in every way that each of the individuals comprised in the book did what their calling was to do. And it was simply beautiful. It brought me every wholesome feeling I desired. I laughed, I cried, I related, and I felt. That is what reading and shared experience is - we are supposed to be moved. There is a right timing for everything, and that is what the title was supposed to convey. So this was my right timing for me to share a little bit with the Bush and Hager family, and Laura's parents as well. Thank you for sharing them with us. I do see them as you do - you got your wish. And it seems like I got mine.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading and enjoying Jenna Bush Hager's Sisters First, co-written with her twin Barbara Pierce Bush, I was very excited to win a copy of her upcoming release from Goodreads giveaways! Jenna's writing is warm and sincere, and her personal stories are always so heartfelt.

In her new book, Jenna Bush Hager invites us in to learn even more about her family. She tells stories about her daughters and new son; dedicates a chapter to her husband, Henry; and shares more stories about her sister Barbara. The bulk of the book is spent reliving memories of her grandparents, particularly former President and First Lady George and Barbara Bush, but also her maternal grandmother (and namesake), Jenna Welch. As she lost all three of these family members in the span of about a year, it is a particularly poignant book.

Even though the Bush family has been in the public eye for decades, Jenna manages to include many little-known memories and stories of her famous relatives. It's obvious from her writing that the family is extremely close and have many happy traditions. I loved reading about her grandparents' house rules, and they were never stingy with praise. They taught Jenna that it's okay to show emotion, even tears. From writing letters back and forth, to spending hours fishing, to meeting their great-grandchildren, the memories included in the book's several essays were sometimes humorous, sometimes heart-wrenching, but always touching. I actually found myself tearing up many times while reading this book.

Although I wish there were more stories about her maternal grandparents, this was a beautiful tribute to Jenna Bush Hager's beloved family members and one I think I will return to again and again.

4.5 stars

[Janis Rich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some cute memories about the Bush family. I guess I go a bit against the grain on this one because I didn’t, despite such great subject matter, feel it had as much substance as I had hoped. Nevertheless, some insight into the Bush family life.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put aside politics. Jenna Bush Hager has not been overtly political, and isn’t a member of the Republican Party. Take this as a family memoir. And take it on its accord, from a highly successful television journalist and author.

This book is a love letter to her grandparents and to her own children. She discusses the life lessons they taught through words and deeds. It is truly a *nice* book, about people trying to be the best humans they could be. It discusses how strong and amazing, but how completely different, her grandmothers were. It praises her rather soft-spoken mom. It shows other sides of her famous grandfather and father that are not available to the public. Do I agree with those men’s politics? No. Can I appreciate them as the human being she portrays? Absolutely.

This book is a balm during 2020. It made me think kindly of my ancestors, and contemplate the legacy I want to pass to my children - and the universe willing, further down the line some day.

I listened to the audiobook, and her voice is soothing and stirring.

And PS - she supported Hillary.

[Caroline David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so special and I felt myself welling up with tears many times. Jenna Bush Hager is such a wonderful writer and orator. This book that honored her grandparents in such a wonderful way was so sweet. I loved learning about Harold and Jenna Welsh, her maternal grandparents, who we often don’t hear about enough and I also loved the inside stories about “Ganny” (Barbara Bush). I appreciate that Jenna opened up her memories of these great people and allowed us to take a look into her fondest memories.

[Drew Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are grappling with loss, especially the loss of a grandparent, Jenna’s words will remind you over and over how their lives formed yours and how they continue to impact your life. Her words are poignant, comforting, funny, and uplifting. The Bush Family feels like they could be any of our families through this book. Jenna reminds you humor, kindness, and family love carry you through all seasons of love and loss. Highly recommend, and know I’ll be revisiting this one frequently.

[Brei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything Jenna puts out. I found myself crying every other page with this one. Cathartic happy tears. I felt for her with each page as she spoke about the people that meant most in her life.

Do yourself a favor and preorder this one. I loved hearing the stories about the people Jenna loved most.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! Seeing George H Bush and Barbara Bush as Gampy and Ganny in Jenna’s eyes truly was heartwarming as she honors them through essays and stories of her precious memories. I found the stories moving, emotional, intimate, and beautiful. I highly recommend.

[Annissa Joy Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Jenna shared so many lovely stories about her family in this book. It is about love, family, loss, taking chances, learning from mistakes and so much more. I highly recommend!!!!

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This absolutely delightful and deeply heartwarming book is difficult to read—for one reason only. Almost every chapter made me cry. And it's hard to read with tears pooling in my eyes and running down my cheeks! Have the tissues ready.

Beautifully written by Jenna Bush Hager, this inspirational book focuses mostly on the wisdom she and her twin sister, Barbara, received from their four grandparents, along with lots of memories of her childhood and sage advice for busy mothers.

And I'm not the only one crying! Jenna herself does it so frequently, there is even a chapter titled "Times I Have Cried (a Partial List)," and I think almost every woman can relate to it.

Poignant and profound, this is a wonderful book to read and share with those you love.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this book being touted on the Today Show earlier this year. When I got the opportunity to listen to it, narrated by the author, I grabbed it. This is a book of anecdotes and reminiscences from Jenna Bush Hager's perspective. It tells stories of growing up as the granddaughter and daughter of US presidents. It also deals with a lot of issues that young girls deal with whether in the spotlight or not. She humanizes her grandparents and shares simple stories that taught her to become the person she has become today. When she reads letters that she has written to her grandparents, it felt like I was eavesdropping. I am not American and do not have a lot of preconceived notions about either of the Bushes. I do know that this was a nice book to listen to and I enjoyed hearing a bit about the family side of the George Bush Sr. The narration was well done as it felt like I was sitting and listening to Jenna Bush Hagar telling these stories. I usually enjoy when an author narrates their own work, as they add emotions and expression at all the right spots. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m trying to keep in mind that Jenna Bush Hager’s lived experiences are SO different than most people’s based on who her family, but there are a few times it appears that had detached her from reality a bit. While this was at times a charming read, she often seems to somehow miss the lesson she was trying to teach in lieu of some superficial Other Point. I enjoyed parts of it but overall don’t think I’d recommend it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a neat book about some very public figures in our history. I loved hearing Jenna's stories and memories of all her grandparents. They had such an amazing family legacy.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

America watched Jenna Bush and her sister , Barbara grow up in the glow of WashingtonDC during the presidency of grandfather George and later, George Jr. Recounting fond memories of her family, Jenna works through her grief of witnessing the passing of 3 grandparents within 18 months. There are tender scraps of love and memory held up to reexam . There is thoughtful musings of a spiritual nature seeking order and purpose for the lives we get to live. Letters and stories round out parts of the private world of the famous Bush personalities. Overall, a pleasent time spent reminiscing and reaffirming being alive!

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful book of Thanksgiving! It’s a reminder of the permanence of family and friends in this season. Jenna is one those people that exudes love. This book is her foundation for this love. So many stories of love between generations are within these pages.

As we enter a season of no Thanksgiving gatherings in Minnesota, this book will help carry me through to a new day and remember Everything Beautiful in Its Time.

P.S. Jenna has gone out of her way to make this a non-political book and everyone should pick it up just one would pick up the Obama books despite political affiliation.

[Lynette Calleros · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short (5 hours on audio) and sweet book of thoughts, memories and essays by Jenna about her grandparents, mainly. The love she has for her grandparents can be heard in her voice as she reads the narration. It sounds like a wonderful childhood and she is blessed by a loving family.

Overall, this book was ok for me as the thoughts and essays seemed to jump around from past to present a lot and there wasn’t a lot of continuity.

I agree with another reviewer who thought Jenna took a few cheap political shots at others while not giving the same grace that she and her family have since received.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this book on audio. She reads it herself. I just didn’t think the humor landed for me and I also think she tries to relate with everyday people but hard to do when you are the grand daughter and the daughter of two US presidents. I also cringed every time she said ‘Gampy’ and it happens about once every few minutes. Maybe this is better read.

[♥readingfiend♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our success as a society depends not on what happens in the White House, but on what happens inside your house.”
― Jenna Bush Hager, Everything Beautiful in Its Time: Seasons of Love and Loss

Wholesome and touching book about the love and loss within a family.

This was a very short read that I am so happy to have read. What a wholesome and beautiful family from the perspective of Jenna Bush Hager. It truly was touching and made me yearn to create a family with the morals and beauty that the grandparents passed down to generations. There are so many things that we as a society assume of a family due to headlines and media, which is why books like these are so important. With memoirs and autobiographies we can learn from one another and see things from others perspectives. This book held value to me because I have a family of my own and I had the most amazing relationship with my grandparents growing up and lucky for me, two of my grandparents are still alive. Life is precious and short and this book reminds us of that. If you have grandparents that mean so much to you that are still alive, hold them tightly. If you have grandparents that you loved that have passed on, continue their memory by living your life surrounded by their values, love, and teachings. This book reminded me these things.

Remember, the most important work that you will ever do is within the walls of your own home.

[Claire King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this one as an audio book and enjoy Jenna Bush Hager’s story telling. Many neat stories about her grandparents and family that made me think about mine and often brought tears to my eyes. So very thankful for family!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love listening to Jenna’s books in her voice- with that soft Texas twang. She tells so many beautiful stories about her grandparents and they lives they lived and the love they shared. A beautiful tribute to the place she is at in her life and those who shaped her. If she keeps writing books, I’ll keep reading/listening.

[Amy | Foxy Blogs]

Everything Beautiful in Its Time is Jenna's reflection of her growing up into adulthood. I really enjoyed hearing the stories of her childhood and the letters she shared.

Audiobook source: Library/Overdrive
Narrator: Jenna Bush Hager
Length: 5H 1M

[Heidi Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, basically, this book had me in tears on the regular, which is challenging bc I read much of the book while walking on a treadmill.