By iamsandykay on September 22, 2019 ( 2 Comments )

Book Review – Prodigal Daughter

Prodigal Daughter by
Rob Koke and Danielle Koke

I joined the book launch team for Prodigal Daughter because I was

Very interested to see how this father and daughter co-wrote a book;
Excited to learn their story; and
Wanted the opportunity to share this story with others.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
All opinions are my own.

Prodigal Daughter by
Rob Koke and Danielle Koke

Book Description:

A gripping true story, Prodigal Daughter narrates a family’s darkest time through addiction and their journey toward healing. Father and daughter team, Rob Koke – founder and Senior Pastor of Shoreline Church – and Danielle pull back the curtain on the mind-numbing power of addiction and offer hope and real strategies for those longing for freedom.
Unashamed and heartwarming, Danielle shares intimately about her teenage alcohol abuse and dependence on marijuana and Adderall. She offers a rare, first-person insight into the mental and emotional effects of addiction, and what it takes to get and stay clean. Rob tells about his struggle with his daughter’s addiction, dealing with its effect on their family, and the reality of what it looks like to love someone battling addiction in your own home.
With transparency, Rob and Danielle disarm the shame factor, and share lessons and resources to prevent and overcome setbacks.
This book is your field guide in the battle of addiction. Whether you’re longing for freedom, or helping a loved one along the journey toward recovery, you’re not alone. Danielle and Rob’s story will challenge you with truth, equip you with strategies for the journey, and infuse your heart with hope.

My Take:

What did I expect?

Something straightforward and simple with this happened, we did this, here’s how you can do it too! *all said in the best infomercial voice ever*

What I didn’t expect?

The depth and breadth of emotions so plainly conveyed by the authors and inspired in me through their writing. Their writing on Dealing with Tragedy (Ch. 5) is amazing and made my heart twist and brought tears of understanding and empathy to my eyes.

The layout of the book works SO well. We get a story/episode from one point of view and then the corresponding one from the other. This may sound tedious and “why would I want to read the same story twice?” But, it isn’t in the least. The structure used is an amazing device clearly illustration how we each experience an event differently, even if it’s the same event, situation, or conversation.

Favorite Line(s)

"I didn't see this as a formula for addiction, but as a prescription to be authentic." - Prodigal Daughter Pg. 20 — “I didn’t see this as a formula for addiction, but as a prescription to be authentic.” – Prodigal Daughter Pg. 20

While the guilt slowly slithered away, I was burdened by the responsibility of the truth." - Prodigal Daughter pg. 25 — “While the guilt slowly slithered away, I was burdened by the responsibility of the truth.” – Prodigal Daughter pg. 25

"The pretending is so deeply interwoven into the facade you've built that the mask you've been wearing starts to feel like your actual face." - Prodigal Daughter Pg. 23 — “The pretending is so deeply interwoven into the facade you’ve built that the mask you’ve been wearing starts to feel like your actual face.” – Prodigal Daughter Pg. 23

Favorite Chapter

Hitting Rock Bottom. That’s when the change can start. It’s not until that point, when you admit this is not where you want to be, that you make a CHOICE to do differently. Rock bottom is not the same for everyone. In the movies, it’s lying naked on the side of the road not sure how you got there. In reality, it’s you seeing your life as it REALLY is, setting aside the lies you’ve been telling yourself, and saying, “This is not okay/enough anymore.” It’s that personal epiphany that you don’t want to eat that, drink that, go there, take that, be with them, accept this relationship or life is as good as it gets. Rock bottom is your starting point.

We’ve all been there.
This chapter shares their story with us. But, my head was nodding away the whole time.

The Final Verdict