Until a few months ago, I had never applied to be on a book launch team before.

For one thing, I don’t especially like writing book reviews (though I do love reading them). And then there’s always the uncomfortable (though probably remote) possibility that I might not want to endorse a book wholeheartedly after reading it, no matter how much I’ve enjoyed the author’s work in the past. (As one who prefers not to hurt other people’s feelings, I’d just rather avoid that situation entirely.)

But when the opportunity came to be on the launch team for Tricia Lott Williford’s fourth book, Just. You. Wait.: Patience, Contentment, and Hope for the Everyday, I had no such reservations. I’ve loved Tricia’s writing since I read her first book, And Life Comes Back. While I normally get books from the library, I buy hers without hesitation. She’s funny, genuine and—perhaps most importantly—able to impart solid biblical truth in way that is gentle yet unwavering.

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I’m terribly behind schedule when it comes to fulfilling my launch team obligations for Just. You. Wait. I received the review copy right around the time my dad died in late May (five weeks after my mom died on Good Friday). I got the published version of the book (which I had preordered in February and completely forgotten about) after it released on July 9.

I read both copies—rushing through the review copy during the numb-yet-extremely busy days leading up to my dad’s funeral in mid-June, and slowly working my way through the final version after we returned from our family vacation to Alaska in July.

Now here it is, the third full week of August, and I’m finally getting around to finishing this book review. It’s been on my to-do list for weeks, obviously, but I just haven’t had the energy to tackle it.

I have a feeling Tricia would understand, though. She knows a thing or two about the aftereffects of loss, about what happens when life catapults you in directions you weren’t expecting and often have no idea how to handle.

More than anything else, Tricia’s other books taught me to empathize. Her transparent recounting of her own experiences showed me what it’s like to lose a spouse suddenly and navigate life as a single, widowed mom of two young boys. Her earlier works were inspiring, engaging and often encouraging, for sure, but mostly from a distance.

On the other hand, Just. You. Wait. met me precisely right where I am right now. It’s not a book about grief or loss, per se, but the author’s story—together with vulnerable glimpses into her new husband’s past struggles—permeate the pages.

Along the way, she bravely tackles topics such as the “Great Waiters of the Bible,” what God is up to while we’re waiting, what to do in the meantime, and how to respond when it seems as if the wait is never going to end (or when it ends differently than we had hoped it would).

Her message is as applicable to people who are waiting for a new chapter in their lives to unfold or a difficult season of life to be over as it is for those who are longing for the pain of loss to subside or for God to answer fervent prayers for a loved one. I usually dog ear pages rather than mark them up, but I nearly bled my green highlighter dry on the chapter titled “Where is the Sunshine? Waiting to Heal.”

Sometimes, I get done reading a new book and I’m left wanting more—more depth, more empathy, more structure, more editing, more solid theology. With Just. You. Wait., I was sad when it was over because I wanted to read more.

I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation, even when it made me cry, and I didn’t want it to end.

For me, that’s the mark of a wonderful book. And Just. You. Wait. truly is a wonderful book.

♥ Lois

Note: I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.