bobbiec's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up because in thought it sounded interesting. I’m not a country music fan, so I really had no knowledge of them or their story. It took me a long time to read due to activities on my end not because of the content. The story was well written and captivated me. It was beautiful to see how all the puzzle pieces fit together.
jdixon22's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn't put the book down. I've always loved Joey and Rory and I loved this book just as much. It's very raw and emotional and his love for his wife shines through. It's beautiful.
thatjamiea's review
4.0
I followed Rory's blog as Joey was dying. His story and the plain nakedness in the way he told it was unique and beautiful and awful. He never minced words or covered up the horrible things with pretty words. He just told it, plain.
I am not much for country music, so my interest in this story wasn't born from my being a fan, but falling into their story.
I was surprised that so much of this book was Rory's particular backstory. I wasn't disappointed, just didn't expect it. I liked having that perspective, though, about how much had gone wrong to get him to the place everything went right.
There is a lot of, what I call, god stuff. I'm not that kind of atheist that it bothers, so I wasn't bothered by the parts of the story that told his faith. It wasn't unobtrusive, but it wasn't overwhelming.
I am not much for country music, so my interest in this story wasn't born from my being a fan, but falling into their story.
I was surprised that so much of this book was Rory's particular backstory. I wasn't disappointed, just didn't expect it. I liked having that perspective, though, about how much had gone wrong to get him to the place everything went right.
There is a lot of, what I call, god stuff. I'm not that kind of atheist that it bothers, so I wasn't bothered by the parts of the story that told his faith. It wasn't unobtrusive, but it wasn't overwhelming.
bugbug03's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
books10's review against another edition
5.0
I rarely cry when reading a book. The last time was probably 5 years ago when I lost it over Where the Red Fern Grows, even though I’ve read it two other times and knew exactly what happens. This book about Joey and Rory was another one that did it. By the time it ended, I had tears in my eyes and immediately checked out the audiobook of Once Upon a Farm by Rory.
leessa's review against another edition
5.0
What an extraordinary testimony that Rory has written! Such a heartbreaking and beautiful story he has written. What a great life story about the changes God can make in your life. I throughly enjoyed the book. It was an interesting and easy read. I will be reading the next book soon,
bookish_eclecticism's review against another edition
4.0
As a love story, a really true, real-life love story, this can't be beat. It is an amazing account of a happy ever after, that ended way too soon.
The before part, the part that focuses on Rory's life, and why his love story is so unbelievably wonderful, is also very good.
Simple, very country, and very sweet. And also very Christian.
My one note is that I wish it hadn't begun to feel quite so much like a self-help book, and that it didn't seem like a sales pitch for Christianity (a single notation of YMMV could have helped a lot), but that wasn't who Joey was, and isn't who Rory is.
Still a very good love story, with tears along with the joy, and joy along with the tears.
Disclaimer: In case it isn't clear, I am not, in any way, against any religion, which is actually why I would prefer a YMMV.
The before part, the part that focuses on Rory's life, and why his love story is so unbelievably wonderful, is also very good.
Simple, very country, and very sweet. And also very Christian.
My one note is that I wish it hadn't begun to feel quite so much like a self-help book, and that it didn't seem like a sales pitch for Christianity (a single notation of YMMV could have helped a lot), but that wasn't who Joey was, and isn't who Rory is.
Still a very good love story, with tears along with the joy, and joy along with the tears.
Disclaimer: In case it isn't clear, I am not, in any way, against any religion, which is actually why I would prefer a YMMV.
brittanyae's review against another edition
5.0
The short chapters of this made it flow so naturally and quickly - it felt like sitting down with an old friend to ask them about their life story. And as heart-wrenching a story as it is, it's still a beautiful one. I'm glad he's been brave enough to share it (and keep sharing it) with all of us.
khoerner7's review against another edition
2.0
This is the autobiography of country music writer and singer Rory Feek. He was part of the duo Joey + Rory with his wife Joey Martin. She died of cervical cancer a couple of years ago. I would pass on reading this book. I think the story of their lives is much more powerfully told in their music, music videos and his blog posts.
katesbookishreads's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway and really honestly didn’t know what to expect. I had never heard of Rory and Joey Feek before. I think I may have read a blog post someone shared on Facebook back when Joey died but I never really researched this couple.
I was very impressed with this book. It was literally as genuine as you could get. Each chapter tells a different story in the life of Rory Feek and it’s as raw and honest as you can be. There’s no stone unturned and Rory just tells it like it is. He owns up to everything he’s done that he’s ashamed of, he apologizes to individuals he’s hurt in his life and consistently reminds you of how much he loves his wife.
I loved it. I loved the story line. I loved the characters and I loved the message. Great read!
I was very impressed with this book. It was literally as genuine as you could get. Each chapter tells a different story in the life of Rory Feek and it’s as raw and honest as you can be. There’s no stone unturned and Rory just tells it like it is. He owns up to everything he’s done that he’s ashamed of, he apologizes to individuals he’s hurt in his life and consistently reminds you of how much he loves his wife.
I loved it. I loved the story line. I loved the characters and I loved the message. Great read!