God Bless This Mess: Learning to Live and Love Through Life's Best (and Worst) Moments

by Hannah Brown

"My life was a complete mess, and God bless all of it. Because it's in the messes where we learn the most--as long as we slow down enough to realize what God is trying to show us."

Suddenly in the spotlight, twenty-four-year-old Hannah Brown realized that she wasn't sure what she wanted. After years of competing in beauty pageants, and then starring on The Bachelorette and Dancing with the Stars, she had become incredibly visible. There she was, in her early twenties, with millions around the world examining and weighing in on her every decision. She found herself wondering what it would mean to live on her terms. What it would mean to stop seeking approval from others and decide--for the first time--what it was she wanted from her own life.

An honest and earnest examination of her own mid-twenties, God Bless This Mess is a memoir that doesn't claim to have all the answers. Hannah knows she doesn't have all the answers. What she does have is the insight of someone who has spent critical years of her youth under public scrutiny. Thus what emerges is a quarter-life memoir that speaks to the set of difficulties young women face, and how to move through them with grace. By pushing against her engrained need to seek approval, and learning how to think critically about her own goals and desires, Hannah inspires others to do the same - and to embrace the messiness that comes hand-in-hand with self-discovery (even it that sometimes means falling flat on your face).

Using her time on The Bachelorette as a launching pad, Hannah doesn't shy away from the most painful experiences of her life: moments when her faith was tested, when she feared it was lost, and the moments when she reclaimed it on national television. "And Jesus still loves me." Fans will be inspired by the never-before-told stories: the ones about facing depression and anxiety during her pageant years, the ways in which therapy and journaling have proven to be a saving grace, and the previously private moments - both at home and on television - that have shaped the star's outlook.

Honest and emotionally urgent, God Bless This Mess is a reminder that true growth doesn't come without strife--and it's through those dark, messy moments that self-acceptance and love can bloom.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Self Help, Christian, Biography Memoir

277 pages, Hardcover

First published November 23, 2021

About the author

Hannah Brown is a television personality, lifestyle expert, podcast host and New York Times bestselling author of God Bless This Mess. After winning Miss Alabama USA in 2018, she went on to star on season 15 of ABC’s hit reality series The Bachelorette, win season 28 of Dancing with the Stars, and compete on FOX’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, where she ended up being one of two women who completed the course and outlasted the other 16 contestants, most of whom were professional athletes.

Brown’s authenticity and charismatic personality have captivated her millions of followers, and she continues to inspire and empower others by instilling beauty goes beyond just what’s on the surface, advocating for mental health awareness, and emphasizing the importance of self-love.

Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Brown currently resides in Nashville.

Reviews

[Annie Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

I came for the tea & all I got was…Jesus

[Kelly (Simply Kelina) C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not going to be for everyone, but I am a huge fan of Hannah Brown so I was excited to read this. I also like that she is the narrator for the audiobook.

I liked learning a little more about her when she was younger. The stories around her family were heartbreaking. I did not know some of what happened to her Aunt and cousins when she was little.

I really have not watched the Bachelor series the last few years, but I liked hearing a little behind the scenes from her seasons. Yes, there was some fun stories and some “tea”, but do not expect the whole book to be around this. It is around Hannah herself and this was one stepping stone in her journey. It is not the main focus of the book. I found almost everything talked about was used was talked about for the pre-lease of the book.

Hannah has always been open around her faith, and she does talk a lot around that throughout the book. I appreciated that she stayed true to herself and left all of that in.

Some of the body image issues, acne, and other stuff has been talked about on her YouTube channel. Other stuff was new. I enjoyed the balance of both for those of us who already follow her on social media.

I was surprised that she did not talk about Adam at all. I am not sure if she wrote this prior to their relationship, but I would have liked to hear a little more around that.

Overall, I enjoyed this for what it is.

[Allison Riding Larsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5ish — not enough tea and boring ghostwriter :/

[Kennedy Larson]

Highly recommend on audio! There will always be something so special about someone telling their own story.

Everyone goes through something, and it’s so interesting to find what shapes people into who they are!

[Reggie Ann]

A class act!! You truly never know what people are going through. I am so impressed by her.

[Caitlyn Browning · Rating 1 out of 5]

This felt too much like I was reading a high school journal. She’s gone through some crap in life which is sad and I feel for her, but she majorly plays the victim in life. She also just about outed anyone who’s done something to her in life that she didn’t like and I don’t think it was very tastefully done either. I honestly feel embarrassed that I even read this book I’m not a big fan of Hannah, or even the bachelor franchise anymore.

[Kyleigh | alltheroseyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give every memoir a 5 star rating because of the courage it requires to put your story out there in such a vulnerable way.

That being said, I feel like I have a responsibility to note that I do not agree with much of Hannah’s theology. I completely respect her journey & can relate to so many things she has gone through, but as Christians, we gotta be picking up our Bibles more than Glennon Doyle’s next self-help book.

She was one of my favorite Bachelorettes & I really loved learning more about her life. And I hope she continues to seek Jesus in all that she does.

[PETRA · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Hannah Brown when I watched her season because she was funny and real so I was excited to read her book. Unfortunately it fell flat for me. It felt like a journal of all the people that have wronged her more than anything else.

[Oceana Reads Co. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow Hannah!
This was not what I expected. She talks about Jesus on almost every page. I was so encouraged. She is honest and straight up about every mistake we saw on TV and the ones we didn’t. I knew some of them but not all. And in every moment she was reflecting on where her heart was with Jesus. I feel hope for her. And I look up to her. God is good.

[Haylie DeForrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good! Read in a day practically😂 if you like bachelor nation drama, I would recommend reading! I also just love how real and authentic Hannah is!

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this novel and it introduced me to a different side of Hannah Brown. I had some preconceived thoughts of her because of her beauty, her persona on tv. But there is more to her. The trauma and tragedies from her childhood, the broken hearts she had growing up and her openness made me want to be her friend

Hannah thanks for sharing

[The Story Girl (Serenity) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not it. It was rather poorly written, even with a ghostwriter, and I'm one who generally enjoys almost any type of memoir. Hannah Brown clearly doesn't have much to say, and I also don't like what she stands for (or rather, doesn't stand for). She pretended to be all about Black Lives Matter after she took a small hit to her reputation last year, but after a couple of weeks, it was back to all things blonde and southern Baptist type of Christian. And I see no point in supporting someone with my money who doesn't care about people who are different than her.

[Rachel | rachelturnsthepage · Rating 5 out of 5]

want a relatable memoir with a side of bachelor tea? this it it!

[Cassidy · Rating 2 out of 5]

a truly horrible book that I can’t give a lower rating too because it’s my fault for reading the book written by a reality tv star. it’s mostly jesus and growing up in the south — the gossip was good but simply not enough. still, hannah brown could write normal people but sally rooney could NOT write god bless this mess.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

🦁 Hannah Beast gets a Roaring 5 ⭐️

Don’t know why I’m calling her that? You’ll have to watch Colton’s season of the Bachelor.

“...That’s what I want to do with this book, to give you a hurt-so-good experience that allows your own soreness & pain to go away for a while & maybe make you feel a little bit better about yourself while we do it.”

If there is one thing that Hannah does in this book is keep it 100% real; I can’t imagine much that she shies away from. She even throws her own insecurities at us, to let us know she’s a human being too; not just TV star. I’m re-watching Colton’s season now after this tell-all & seeing things that I typically wouldn’t notice, like acne, her wardrobe; her belly button (yes, she goes there). Those dimples that we all think are adorable, have always made her feel like there was something wrong with her.

“My friends didn’t have big, squishy indents on their faces...my dimples made me different & I did not see that as a good thing.”

Hannah goes into great detail of what makes her who she is today & includes everything from a graphic family tragedy & her surviving childhood cancer to understanding her brother’s behavior problems & overcoming the need to be perfect all of the time. At times there was so much turmoil surrounding her family, she felt that maybe doing everything right would make it better. But, it was just a coping mechanism.

“Why was I so exhausted? Because I was performing all day.”

“I’m painfully aware now that my smile..rarely stopped being my mask, a weapon; a shield.”

She takes the reader through competing in beauty pageants & yes of course her experiences on The Bachelor & as The Bachelorette. But also dives into so much more than you’d ever expect! This girl has depth!

“The thing that came to me when I was 10 is that I wanted to do something BIG.” You did it girl.

🎧 Listen on audio, but buy the physical for the pictures!

💭Do you enjoy Reality TV?

🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m hopelessly addicted!

💭 On Colton’s season who were you rooting for?

🤦🏻‍♀️ Sorry Hannah, but Caelynn (her rival.)

💭 On Hannah’s season were you #teamjed #teamtyler or #teampeter ?

🔥Team Peter🔥

Talk Bachelor to me in the comments !

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always weary on bachelor star books but I was always a fan of Hannah and this book really dug into so much more of her than I would have ever known. We all knew she was a pageant girl when she starred on the shows - but we had no idea of the mental and physical health struggles she was going through, long before pageants and long before the Bachelor world. Reading about the childhood trauma she has always carried with her from her aunt and two YOUNG cousins being murdered in their own home was absolutely heartbreaking to read. I never knew that at 11 years old she had pancreatic cancer - one of the deadliest types of cancer there are. I mostly was just so impressed with the way she spoke about mental health and was so honest about reasons for feeling certain ways and her struggles even after the shows. I’m not religious but she talks about her relationship with religion quite a bit, and while I can’t relate to it I understood. Definitely recommend to anyone who is feeling really stuck in a hard time or just fans of Hannah in general.

[BPC · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve been avoiding this review. I read this because Hannah Brown is clearly becoming a role model in the Christian Church (for better or worse), and I wanted to see what she truly has to say.
I’m so tired of Christians going on shows like the bachelor and then being shocked there aren’t Christian values instilled in the making of the show. Madison Prewett handled her faith better in this situation, but I still just don’t think it’s the place for Christians to find “love” (but really to become famous lol).
“Jesus still loves me.” that sentence alone makes me want to vomit. because yes, of course He does. He’s perfect. but He doesn’t love our sin. He doesn’t love that Hannah continually has sex with guys on tv then uses His love to attack other people who point out her sin. Jesus is perfectly grace and truth. grace in, of course He loves Hannah, but truth in her needing to stop intentionally choosing to live a sinful life. the Christian Church has become way too comfortable in the mindset that “everyone sins so don’t judge anyone else.” no, we are not supposed to judge, but pointing out sin and suggesting repentance, prayer, and right connection with God isn’t judging, it’s incredibly helpful.
off my soapbox now. the writing was boring, but I did appreciate her honestly in a lot of hard situations. I genuinely hope she’s living a more faithful life and pursuing God wholeheartedly because she is such a role model for young girls and new Christians.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a refreshing read. I was not Brown's number one fan after watching her on the dating shows. But after reading God Bless this Hot Mess I have fallen in life with her. Her honesty and her opening her heart and pouring all out to us in this book, I have to say she is one girl I would love to spend time with. I am hoping that one day soon we will hear she has found her soul mate and that she finds her happy every after. this is a book all young girls should read. No one is perfect and they all need to hear Brown's story.

[Brandon Foster]

Did I really read a memoir by a former Bachelorette? Yes, yes I did.

[Meg Harmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like an ✨attempt✨ at a memoir.

I was excited when she announced she was releasing a book— I loved her on The Bachelorette and loved following her post-show on socials.

The audio book felt like a long-winded blog post. Writing was stunted, had no flow, and I’d like to have a few words with her editor. 🥲

Contained a small amount of tea, and a wholllllle lot about her relationship with Jesus. whomp whomp.

[Marissa Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/3

Better than I expected it to be actually. Hannah was dealt a tough hand and I enjoyed getting to learn a little bit more about her and obvi the bachelorette tea. The writing was pretty cringey tho

[Alex Gerling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this embarrassingly quick during my quarantine. loved the bachelor drama and gossip.

[Julianna Cox]

*audiobook - autobiography - no rating*

If you’re a Hannah Brown fan or even Bachelor fan, you will NOT be disappointed. Hannah got real and shared everything (EVERYTHING) that she’s been through pre and post bachelor.

I love that she didn’t only focus on her bachelor experience but the book had a lot to do with self-awareness, faith, and prioritizing your mental health.

I think she had great messages for women and ultimately I enjoyed listening to her story.

[Kaitlin Dosman · Rating 2 out of 5]

*listened to as an audiobook* I didn’t enjoy this book like I thought I might have. Some chapters were whiny and she made small moments seem like very big things. I did like the chapters where she reflected and shared about her time on the bachelor franchise and DWTS.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing read. What a perfect way to start off my reading this year.

Hannah's book is a memoir of her life up until now. At 26 Hannah is best known for her appearances on 'The Bachelor', "The Bachelorette' and 'Dancing with the Stars', and while through this book she shares a lot about how she was feeling going through each of these experiences, she also shares a lot about how she got there. What her childhood was like, some of the trauma her family endured when she was a young child, the way that her parents relationship impacted her, when she began her habit of chronic people pleasing. She shares about some of her hardest relationships and the depths of her struggles with mental health. So honestly, these accounts are so raw and personal. She shares about where she is going, who she is becoming and how these experiences, her relationship with God, and a good therapist, have led her to desire to become not only what she wants to be, but far more importantly, who she wants to be.

I will be honest, I was not surprised to like this book, I have been seeing Hannah's promotions for it on instagram for months and knew that it would be something I would love. It is one thing to have anticipation, and another to have a book fulfill all of these hopes and expectations.

Truly, I think that what I liked about this book was the author. Hannah's stories were very moving, she has been through a lot in her life up until this point, even before being in the public eye. While these stories were very entertaining, her honestly about the way that she handles these circumstances was so comforting. As an instagram follower and youtube subscriber of Hannah's, I have always felt comforted by her realness, while the internet often seems to be a place of competition, creating the perfect image, crafting this perfect page that hides the hard moments or unfiltered photos, Hannah's social media has always felt safer to me. And this book felt the exact same way.

I loved being able to relate to some of Hannahs struggles. While I have never stood on stage and competed in a pageant, I too have struggled with many of the body image issues and self confidence issues that she has. Even her upbringing in a Christian family in Alabama is something I can relate to, there are days when I feel that Alberta is the Alabama of Canada, I too have felt the pull on my heart to respond differently to the world than my family might or the rest of Alberta seems to. I so resonate with the way that Hannah has worked to please people and craft the person she thought others wanted to see. That is my life. What a relief to see someone else struggle with this. What a blessing to be able to read about the ways that she has changed and experienced success without this habit.

I am so proud of Hannah, inspired by her, and excited to see how she continues to get closer to the person she wants to be.

Nothing but love for this book.

[Savannah Breedlove · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is complicated for me to rate, and here I am once again asking Goodreads for half-scores.
Content: 3.5-4
Gossip: 4.5
Memorability: 3
Love for Hannah despite her messiness: 4.5

Y'all know I love a Bachelor-related book because I can't get enough of people who go on TV for "love" or endorsements or whatever they say they're looking for. I think Hannah is the most entertaining and relatable Bachelorette there is, and things really haven't been good since her season. No, I don't condone all of her actions, but she's funny, seems like a genuinely nice person, and never tried too hard to be "the Bachelorette".

So many times listening to this I would pause, face-palm, and wonder what was going through her head as she described 85% of her "messes". Especially in terms of men, the number of times she said "but I loved him, and I thought he loved me" and I said, "No he didn't! It's obvious!" are too many to count. Hence my opinion that she brought a lot of the mess on herself.

That being said, I think she has tried to right a lot of her wrongs and it can't be easy to be in the public eye all the time when most people who play the lead on this show fade in popularity not long after the show wraps. I learned a lot about her family background and some sadder parts of her life not publicly discussed, which gave insight to some of her decisions.

A bit asinine at times, but overall sweet and best consumed in audio since she reads it herself.

[Madison Tate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering I read 22/23 chapters today alone I think that speaks for this book. Hannah Brown takes you right into her life. She gets deep, she gets personal, and she blows you away. It’s a book that’s beautifully written about who she is and what’s made her into who she has become today. It’s messy, it’s funny, it’s lessons learned, and it’s amazing. I never realized how much we had in common, God Bless This Mess..

[Emma Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I feel that I can relate to some of Hannah’s messages throughout the book and loved to hear some of the behind the scenes information from her season. I really respect Hannah and her journey!

[Lexi Thill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed getting to know Hannah a little better. It felt really repetitive at times which I expect from celebs who aren’t authors to an extent, so it didn’t bother me too much. I appreciated her outlook and vulnerability on sharing her story.

[Carly Blaho · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her. The tea was good and I enjoyed hearing about her relationship with Christ. I WISH I found out how her brother ended up marrying Jed’s ex because I think about that at least once a week and I NEED to know how that happened. But I’m so happy for her 🥰