*Releases August 5, 2025
Loved this book. In a world so focused on overworking itself, in a culture so set on hurry, this book is a burst of light and truth. I don’t know Tara, but she apparently knows me! Overbooked and Overwhelmed helped me in more ways than one, covering all the facets of distraction and the overwhelming results of people-pleasing.
I was going through a particularly busy season when I picked up this book. I felt overwhelmed and empty, knowing I had failed once again in prioritizing God first and giving Him more than a few minutes of my day. I’ve gone through this cycle before, and thankfully I quickly recognized the signs:
–Saying yes to everything social in fear I’d miss out or hurt someone’s feelings
–Feeling guilty for not doing “more” to prove I can work hard or love people
–Hitting burnout, mental, and spiritual exhaustion to the point where I was unmotivated to do anything
–Reverting to old mind-numbing habits like doom-scrolling to avoid exhaustion
And then I saw an ARC copy of Overbooked and Overwhelmed at my workplace and thought, “That’s exactly how I feel!”
Tara’s words are filled with a refreshing Biblical truth, reminding one that our ultimate purpose here on earth is not to do everything or overbook, but to glorify God in everything and to keep our eyes set on Him. This is a difficult task when the world around us is so loud, echoing the busyness of our schedules, but praise God we rely on His strength and not our own. Tara tackled all I’ve struggled with in the past and am currently battling with in the present, as well as opening my eyes to new things keeping me from diving deeper into my relationship with God. By His grace, God used this book to help me grow closer to Him.
I’ve been learning that saying “no” is okay and allowed. I even started to practice it. At first, there was guilt, questioning whether I had made the wrong decision or acted rudely and selfishly. I felt the fear of missing out. But then, a weight lifted from my shoulders, and I could feel my soul ease to a calm knowing I prioritized rest over overwhelm and striving to please others instead of God. There is balance to be found in rest and work. Both are important, and Tara’s book helped me see that. God didn’t call us to be distracted. He called us to be efficient, to work hard, but also to rest and be still in His presence.
Thank you for this reminder, Tara. I pray God uses this book to help people find comfort and satisfaction in Christ alone, teaching them to lay down the need to fill something only God can.
I had to return the ARC copy to the bookstore I work at. But as soon as it releases in August, I’m buying my own copy to annotate!! There are too many quote-worthy things not to highlight and underline, like these:
“The life we long for is found in spending our energy on assignments, callings, and situations that are worth it. The life we long for is found in putting our focus on the God things.”
“So when that time comes, remember that you don’t need to say yes to the things that everyone else is doing for the sake of being relevant or liked or approved. You’re only accountable to give your eyes to the One who called you to build, just like Nehemiah. You are here to please God, not man. Yes you’re here to love people, but true godly love does not give in to the fear of man.”
“The effort we put into our relationship with God, whether it’s a great effort, little effort, or no effort, will produce something.”
“Distraction opens the door to distancing ourselves from God, distance opens the door to disconnecting ourselves from God, and disconnection opens the door to complete soul overwhelm.”
“Burnout wasn’t the result of my busyness. Burnout was the result of putting God on the back burner and not allowing Him to sustain me.”
“One of satan’s tactics throughout Scripture is to get God’s people to forget what He has said and promised. When that happens, it’s easier for the enemy to convince them they continually need to do more and to be more. Yet Jesus reminds us in John 10:10 that ‘the thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.'”
This book felt like a hug from God. His faithfulness is astounding, and Tara’s book is a wonderful reminder of it. If you find yourself overwhelmed with everything going on in your life, if you feel exhausted and incapable of rest and stillness, if you wonder how you can balance the busyness of this life while still keeping God first, I highly recommend this book. Overbooked and Overwhelmed provides deep and lovely insight into the root of distraction and exhaustion, giving the reader hope in knowing that even in our burnout, God is still faithful. Even when we’re not all there, God is always here.
Final Rating: 5/5 stars
Recommended age group: all ages, but those in their teens and older may find this book the most helpful
Genre: Christian living, nonfiction, self-help
Julia Rose Books 