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A Single Life to Live: Stop Waiting for Your Life to Begin and Thrive Where God Has You Today
Hannah Schermerhorn was months away from getting married when her wedding was called off. She absolutely loathed being single again, but in the following years, God taught her many hard lessons that transformed her from bitterness to authentic joy. Now she shares what she's learned from other singles (who wish they weren't).
Drawing from the diverse experiences of single people in the Bible, Hannah debunks common myths and misunderstandings about singleness, including the pervasive feeling that a person can't really begin their life until they're married. She guides the lonely, hopeless, and impatient through the internal battles they face and the external pressures they feel in order to discover that a single life is a life worth living, and it's worth living well.
God has a special purpose for singleness, whether it lasts only a season or for a person's whole life. Let Hannah help you discover God's best for you in your single life.
Drawing from the diverse experiences of single people in the Bible, Hannah debunks common myths and misunderstandings about singleness, including the pervasive feeling that a person can't really begin their life until they're married. She guides the lonely, hopeless, and impatient through the internal battles they face and the external pressures they feel in order to discover that a single life is a life worth living, and it's worth living well.
God has a special purpose for singleness, whether it lasts only a season or for a person's whole life. Let Hannah help you discover God's best for you in your single life.
208 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2023
11 people are currently reading
1466 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Schermerhorn
1 book7 followersHannah Schermerhorn lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her cat, Fritz. She is an electrical engineer who has worked in legal, business, and global marketing. Hannah enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her nieces and nephews. Learn more at www.hannahschermerhorn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 23, 2023
This one was a mixed bag for me. I’ll start with the positive. I loved Hannah Schermerhorn’s heart in this book! You can tell that she really wants single people to understand the love that God has for them and divorce their understanding of that love from their relationship status.
Hannah does this by choosing a particular theme to focus on every chapter and tying that theme to an individual from the Bible. She does a character study on the individual and their circumstances, weaving their experiences with the readers’ and helping them to see God’s goodness in it all.
The book has a reflective element to it as well. In many of the chapters, Hannah encourages the reader to answer some questions or do some exercises that go along with the chapter’s theme. Each chapter also ends with “deeper dive” questions to help the reader process their experiences of singleness and what they’ve learned in the chapter.
All that said, I found myself struggling to finish this. Here’s the main reason: while she spotlights single people from the Bible and shares parts of their stories, I felt she played up certain elements of those stories that fit the point she was trying to make. It seemed really forced at times. I fear that this could set the reader up to evaluate the Bible based on their own circumstances and the relatability of a Bible passage versus its true meaning and intent if they don’t know any better.
Honestly, I think the book would have been stronger if she’d just sought biblical wisdom on singleness versus trying to make biblical stories fit into the theme of the chapter in order to encourage the reader. As I said earlier, I love Hannah’s heart—the book just fell flat for me.
I received a copy of this book for free from NetGalley and Baker Books in exchange for this honest review.
Hannah does this by choosing a particular theme to focus on every chapter and tying that theme to an individual from the Bible. She does a character study on the individual and their circumstances, weaving their experiences with the readers’ and helping them to see God’s goodness in it all.
The book has a reflective element to it as well. In many of the chapters, Hannah encourages the reader to answer some questions or do some exercises that go along with the chapter’s theme. Each chapter also ends with “deeper dive” questions to help the reader process their experiences of singleness and what they’ve learned in the chapter.
All that said, I found myself struggling to finish this. Here’s the main reason: while she spotlights single people from the Bible and shares parts of their stories, I felt she played up certain elements of those stories that fit the point she was trying to make. It seemed really forced at times. I fear that this could set the reader up to evaluate the Bible based on their own circumstances and the relatability of a Bible passage versus its true meaning and intent if they don’t know any better.
Honestly, I think the book would have been stronger if she’d just sought biblical wisdom on singleness versus trying to make biblical stories fit into the theme of the chapter in order to encourage the reader. As I said earlier, I love Hannah’s heart—the book just fell flat for me.
I received a copy of this book for free from NetGalley and Baker Books in exchange for this honest review.
February 14, 2024
This book took me almost a year to read for a few different reasons.
Some of it was really hard for me to read because it hit so many things right on the nose and I cried multiple times…almost every single chapter.
I had to be in a certain frame of mind to read this one because I knew it would hit deep, I’d probably cry, and I needed the time and right attitude to allow it to sink in and not just read through it.
Some parts I was laughing out loud and then sobbing the next sentence because of how much I related to it. The page about online dating/messaging was perfection! It described it better than any other attempt I’ve ever seen! I wish every person who has never had to go through that experience could read it!
This book did a phenomenal job at continuously pointing me back to my Savior’s love for me. 🥰 I will never be able to comprehend God’s love for me. I hope it’s never something I become used to or take for granted, but instead stops me in my tracks and causes me to praise God and be filled with awe, gratitude, and joy. That’s what Jesus brings.
I don’t think I can put into words all that I got out of this book, but God knew when I needed it and that I needed it to take me almost a year to read because it definitely helped me in my frame of mind. Being single at 32 was nowhere in my plans, and it’s still incredibly hard a lot of the time, but the last few years have really shown me God’s love, that trusting His plan and timing is what I want and need, and that He is my one true desire and everything else is extra blessings. 💕
Some of it was really hard for me to read because it hit so many things right on the nose and I cried multiple times…almost every single chapter.
I had to be in a certain frame of mind to read this one because I knew it would hit deep, I’d probably cry, and I needed the time and right attitude to allow it to sink in and not just read through it.
Some parts I was laughing out loud and then sobbing the next sentence because of how much I related to it. The page about online dating/messaging was perfection! It described it better than any other attempt I’ve ever seen! I wish every person who has never had to go through that experience could read it!
This book did a phenomenal job at continuously pointing me back to my Savior’s love for me. 🥰 I will never be able to comprehend God’s love for me. I hope it’s never something I become used to or take for granted, but instead stops me in my tracks and causes me to praise God and be filled with awe, gratitude, and joy. That’s what Jesus brings.
I don’t think I can put into words all that I got out of this book, but God knew when I needed it and that I needed it to take me almost a year to read because it definitely helped me in my frame of mind. Being single at 32 was nowhere in my plans, and it’s still incredibly hard a lot of the time, but the last few years have really shown me God’s love, that trusting His plan and timing is what I want and need, and that He is my one true desire and everything else is extra blessings. 💕
February 15, 2023
Whether you are single, in a time of waiting that is testing your patience, or looking for some general encouragement on thriving in your current situation, this book is an excellent option! Hannah shares her life experiences with brutal honesty, humor, and Christian love while providing useful tools and questions to apply to our own lives. I highly recommend this for anyone and everyone and truly believe we would have a kinder world if more people viewed it from this perspective.
January 24, 2023
A Single Life to Live
Stop Waiting for Your Life to Begin and Thrive Where God Has You Today
by Hannah Schermerhorn
Pub Date 14 Feb 2023
Baker Books
Christian
I am reviewing a copy of A Single Life to Live through Baker Books and Netgalley:
A Single Life to Live reminds us that God has a great life planned for us. But what you may not realize is that if you are single you are already living it. Right now. Today. Your God-designed life doesn't start when you say "I do" or when you get engaged or even when you meet "the one." It's been happening as long as you've been alive even if you're still single and wish you weren't.
Hannah Schermerhorn knows exactly what it's like. She was months away from getting married when her wedding was called off. She hated the idea of being single again, but in the following years, God taught her many hard lessons that transformed her bitterness to authentic joy
In this book Hannah Schermerhorn draws from the diverse experiences of single people in the Bible, she debunks common myths and misunderstandings about singleness, including the pervasive feeling that a person can't really begin their life until they're married. If you are lonely, hopeless, or impatient, let Hannah be your guide through the internal battles and external pressures you're facing.
Readers are reminded that God has a special purpose for singleness, whether it lasts for only a season or your whole life. Let Hannah help you discover God's best for you in your single life.
I give A Single Life to Life five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
Stop Waiting for Your Life to Begin and Thrive Where God Has You Today
by Hannah Schermerhorn
Pub Date 14 Feb 2023
Baker Books
Christian
I am reviewing a copy of A Single Life to Live through Baker Books and Netgalley:
A Single Life to Live reminds us that God has a great life planned for us. But what you may not realize is that if you are single you are already living it. Right now. Today. Your God-designed life doesn't start when you say "I do" or when you get engaged or even when you meet "the one." It's been happening as long as you've been alive even if you're still single and wish you weren't.
Hannah Schermerhorn knows exactly what it's like. She was months away from getting married when her wedding was called off. She hated the idea of being single again, but in the following years, God taught her many hard lessons that transformed her bitterness to authentic joy
In this book Hannah Schermerhorn draws from the diverse experiences of single people in the Bible, she debunks common myths and misunderstandings about singleness, including the pervasive feeling that a person can't really begin their life until they're married. If you are lonely, hopeless, or impatient, let Hannah be your guide through the internal battles and external pressures you're facing.
Readers are reminded that God has a special purpose for singleness, whether it lasts for only a season or your whole life. Let Hannah help you discover God's best for you in your single life.
I give A Single Life to Life five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
April 30, 2023
What's next in your life?
We are always looking toward the future instead of focusing on the "now."
It's hard to be content with the life God has given you. You think that your life should be going on a certain path, and a few curve balls later, you have no idea where to turn.
Hannah Schermerhorn has written a fantastic book, filled with real life experiences on singleness. A common misconception is that a single person won't be at their happiest until they are married. However, Hannah combats this misconception and many more while using Bible lessons to apply real truths to our lives.
This book is a great read no matter if you have been single your whole life, you are recently single, or you want to empathize with those that are single. The best part of the book is how the author goes on the journey WITH you instead of telling you what to do. It feels as if you have a friend along for the ride through the pages of the book.
Enjoy reading this book as you see how you can thrive where God has planted you!
We are always looking toward the future instead of focusing on the "now."
It's hard to be content with the life God has given you. You think that your life should be going on a certain path, and a few curve balls later, you have no idea where to turn.
Hannah Schermerhorn has written a fantastic book, filled with real life experiences on singleness. A common misconception is that a single person won't be at their happiest until they are married. However, Hannah combats this misconception and many more while using Bible lessons to apply real truths to our lives.
This book is a great read no matter if you have been single your whole life, you are recently single, or you want to empathize with those that are single. The best part of the book is how the author goes on the journey WITH you instead of telling you what to do. It feels as if you have a friend along for the ride through the pages of the book.
Enjoy reading this book as you see how you can thrive where God has planted you!
June 5, 2024
Having finally finished this book I want to start by saying that I am clearly not the target demographic for this one, being in a longterm relationship for many years, and not being a religious person. Stories of single people from the bible are used as inspiration and motivation for living life as a single person to the fullest, while following God's unique plan for you regardless of relationship status. There was not much I liked about this book aside from the positive and uplifting vibe and few scraps of sound advice for anyone feeling stuck, lost or otherwise unhappy with their status or place in life. Many eyerolls were given throughout the course of reading.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
April 12, 2025
I think Hannah and I would have a lot to talk about if we were to meet up at a coffee house! This book was very relatable to me and my experiences. It took me a while to read because I tend to only read small chunks of nonfiction between fiction marathons.
I don’t agree with all of her theological views, for example, her take on communion being a reminder that Jesus chose me. I don’t believe communion is about me at all. But overall I enjoyed reading about her experiences and the different things we could learn from people in the Bible.
This book is a good reminder that our singleness is not what defines us. It doesn’t limit us either. We must shift our focus to doing what brings God glory.
I don’t agree with all of her theological views, for example, her take on communion being a reminder that Jesus chose me. I don’t believe communion is about me at all. But overall I enjoyed reading about her experiences and the different things we could learn from people in the Bible.
This book is a good reminder that our singleness is not what defines us. It doesn’t limit us either. We must shift our focus to doing what brings God glory.
January 19, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! As someone who has never been partnered up, I often feel inadequate. There are times I have felt lonely and left out, and other times, especially within my profession, that I feel like a bit of a fraud. There is an expectation that as a romance author, I must be married or in love, or have some epic love story of my own. Sadly, that isn't the case.
This book really opened my eyes and allowed me to set my own definition of what I want single to look like for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
This book really opened my eyes and allowed me to set my own definition of what I want single to look like for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
February 13, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Baker Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great resource for brothers and sisters in Christ who struggle with their “gift” of singleness. It had scriptural backing and was careful not to be too self-centered. I wish a few parts had gone a bit deeper, but I applaud that this book wasn’t super repetitive. This book definitely gave me some good things to think about and some spiritual truths to be reminded of! The author also had me laughing quite a few times.
4.5 Stars rounded up. :)
This is a great resource for brothers and sisters in Christ who struggle with their “gift” of singleness. It had scriptural backing and was careful not to be too self-centered. I wish a few parts had gone a bit deeper, but I applaud that this book wasn’t super repetitive. This book definitely gave me some good things to think about and some spiritual truths to be reminded of! The author also had me laughing quite a few times.
4.5 Stars rounded up. :)
March 18, 2023
What an authentic, encouraging, and truth-filled book! Full of biblical wisdom, relatable anecdotes, and real talk about singleness, this book felt like a conversation with a big sister who "gets it." I'd highly recommend it to any single Christian women looking to embrace the season they're in with joy and contentment.
April 25, 2023
I appreciated Hannah’s vulnerability and as a single girl in my 30s I could relate a lot to her struggles and thoughts with singleness. Her book provides good examples, reflections/journaling prompts & practical steps you can take to achieve both purpose and contentment. I’ve ready many Christian books on dating and this was is a nice one more focused on You and your walk with God!
May 6, 2023
I felt so seen in reading this book, like I wasn't just reading it but was sitting with a friend who has felt the hardships of being single. This came at such a good time, and I loved that it was filled with examples from the Bible.
June 22, 2023
I rather enjoyed this book about finding joy during the single experience. It was not about how to date or get married, but looking beyond a relationship to still lead a fulfilled life. I also liked the mix of biblical examples and author experience.
February 29, 2024
I loved reading this book. I felt so seen and validated in my feelings and saw some of my favorite Bible stories in a different light in regards to singleness. I love the mix of personal stories and practical faith based application.
March 5, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy of "A Single Life to Live," by Hannah Schermerhorn. I liked the story and it resonated with this stage in my life. I liked how it was short and to the point. I felt very connected, uplifted and "seen." I would be interested to see what other books the author writes in the near future.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews