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Even If: Trusting God Through the Fire
The inspiration behind the major motion picture
I Can Only Imagine 2,
this true story of heartache and hope from MercyMe’s lead singer, Bart Millard, and his wife, Shannon, shows us how even our deepest wounds can become doorways to God’s grace.MercyMe was just a small worship band from Texas until January 2002, when Bart Millard’s song “I Can Only Imagine” swept the airwaves. Suddenly Bart, his bandmates, and their families were riding a wave of success beyond their wildest dreams. Then everything changed again. Bart and Shannon lost Shannon’s brother to a tragic accident. Their second child was born prematurely. Their oldest child was diagnosed with diabetes. Their marriage struggled as Bart spent more and more time on the road, feeling the weight of the band’s success on his shoulders. They wrestled with their faith. Is God still good, they wondered, even when our world is falling apart?Drawing on Bart’s powerful song of the same name, Even If is a beautifully raw exploration of what it means to follow Jesus when life doesn’t turn out the way we expected. With hard-won hope, Bart and Shannon invite us into their story—a story not of perfect outcomes because of what we do but a story of redemption because of who God is.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published February 3, 2026
14 people are currently reading
1849 people want to read
About the author
Bart Millard
25 books61 followersBart Marshall Millard is an American singer and songwriter who is best known as the leader of the band MercyMe.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 15, 2026
A great book. Everyone should read it. God is good!
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January 12, 2026A detailed review here: Musings on Even If: Trusting God Through the Fire by Bart and Shanon Millard
I received this book as an ARC, and I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read it.
Even If is an honest and deeply personal testimony about what it actually means to live a life of faith, not in theory, but in reality. It speaks to the moments when faith is stripped of guarantees and reduced to trust. Trusting God not because things are going well, but even when they very clearly are not.
The book openly addresses grief, illness, fear, marital strain, and professional uncertainty. The death of Shannon’s brother, their child’s medical struggles, a premature birth, a shaken marriage, and Bart’s loss of his voice all test their faith at every possible level. What makes this story especially powerful is that these trials come after years of blessing and success, raising difficult questions about doubt, abandonment, and suffering.
What I appreciated most is the book’s honesty. Faith here is not portrayed as perfect or effortless. It stumbles, resists, questions, and slowly learns to surrender. The authors reflect on how the outcomes they once prayed for would have been damaging, and how God’s way, even when deeply unwanted, proved wiser in the end.
I would recommend this book to believers as a reminder of what authentic faith looks like in hardship. But I would also recommend it to non-believers who are curious about how Christians approach suffering and loss, without the false promise that faith guarantees an easy life.
Despite some technical issues with the ARC format, I genuinely look forward to the book’s release and hope it finds a wide audience.
I received this book as an ARC, and I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read it.
Even If is an honest and deeply personal testimony about what it actually means to live a life of faith, not in theory, but in reality. It speaks to the moments when faith is stripped of guarantees and reduced to trust. Trusting God not because things are going well, but even when they very clearly are not.
The book openly addresses grief, illness, fear, marital strain, and professional uncertainty. The death of Shannon’s brother, their child’s medical struggles, a premature birth, a shaken marriage, and Bart’s loss of his voice all test their faith at every possible level. What makes this story especially powerful is that these trials come after years of blessing and success, raising difficult questions about doubt, abandonment, and suffering.
What I appreciated most is the book’s honesty. Faith here is not portrayed as perfect or effortless. It stumbles, resists, questions, and slowly learns to surrender. The authors reflect on how the outcomes they once prayed for would have been damaging, and how God’s way, even when deeply unwanted, proved wiser in the end.
I would recommend this book to believers as a reminder of what authentic faith looks like in hardship. But I would also recommend it to non-believers who are curious about how Christians approach suffering and loss, without the false promise that faith guarantees an easy life.
Despite some technical issues with the ARC format, I genuinely look forward to the book’s release and hope it finds a wide audience.
December 28, 2025
I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars. I read Bart Millard's first memoir when it came out years ago and loved it. I didn't like this one quite as much, but it was still a great, powerful story about trusting God even when it's hard. I loved reading about his family's story and everything they went through, even though a lot of it was sad. There were a lot of weird formatting issues throughout the book, but I chalk that up to it being a Word doc of an ARC that messed up on my Kindle. Despite that, the book was very readable and easy to get through.
Read my full review here: https://lyrat16.wixsite.com/read-it-a...
4.5 stars. I read Bart Millard's first memoir when it came out years ago and loved it. I didn't like this one quite as much, but it was still a great, powerful story about trusting God even when it's hard. I loved reading about his family's story and everything they went through, even though a lot of it was sad. There were a lot of weird formatting issues throughout the book, but I chalk that up to it being a Word doc of an ARC that messed up on my Kindle. Despite that, the book was very readable and easy to get through.
Read my full review here: https://lyrat16.wixsite.com/read-it-a...
February 4, 2026
“God, even if You don’t…I’ll still put my hope in You.”
The Millards have poured their hearts out in this continuing story since the success of I Can Only Imagine. I was completely absorbed in this book, following their journey from near collapse of their family and the band to complete trust in and dependence on God. Grab your tissues and prepare to be amazed by God’s power to fix us when situations are completely impossible on our own. You will never listen to the song Even If the same way again. I cannot recommend this book, and the upcoming movie, enough.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Millards have poured their hearts out in this continuing story since the success of I Can Only Imagine. I was completely absorbed in this book, following their journey from near collapse of their family and the band to complete trust in and dependence on God. Grab your tissues and prepare to be amazed by God’s power to fix us when situations are completely impossible on our own. You will never listen to the song Even If the same way again. I cannot recommend this book, and the upcoming movie, enough.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 14, 2026
Seeing the movie tonight felt compelled to read the book before seeing the movie.
Highly recommend both I can only imagine and this book. They both are pivotal in moving the book and movies along and tell exactly what the movies are about. Even though both are emotionally moving books and they tell very different stories about Bart millards life first when growing up with an abusive father that turns his life while dying of cancer to Christ and now Bart tackling his sons diagnosis with type 1 diabetes and finding his next hit maker while keeping his marriage intact .
Highly recommend both I can only imagine and this book. They both are pivotal in moving the book and movies along and tell exactly what the movies are about. Even though both are emotionally moving books and they tell very different stories about Bart millards life first when growing up with an abusive father that turns his life while dying of cancer to Christ and now Bart tackling his sons diagnosis with type 1 diabetes and finding his next hit maker while keeping his marriage intact .
February 3, 2026
Even If by Bart Millard is an honest, faith-filled look at what it really means to trust God when life doesn’t turn out the way we hope. Rather than offering easy answers, Bart and Shannon Millard share their story with vulnerability and humility, inviting readers into the tension of believing God is good even if prayers aren’t answered the way we expect.
What stood out to me most was the authenticity. The book doesn’t shy away from pain, disappointment, or hard questions, yet it continually points back to God’s faithfulness in the middle of suffering. The message is deeply aligned with the heart behind the song “Even If” and carries the same quiet strength and resolve.
Readers who are familiar with the new I Can Imagine 2 movie will recognize meaningful connections to Bart’s story and the themes explored in the film. The book adds depth and context to those moments while standing strongly on its own as a testimony of faith, perseverance, and trust in God.
Even If is a powerful reminder that faith isn’t rooted in outcomes, but in who God is. I finished this book encouraged, challenged, and reminded that trusting God sometimes means standing firm when nothing changes—and that kind of faith is both hard and holy.
I highly recommend this book for everyone ages 16+ whether they are Christians or not and whether they are fans of Bart and MercyMe or not. You will be encouraged. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. I plan to re-read it and share it with everyone I know!
Thank you David C. Cook for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
What stood out to me most was the authenticity. The book doesn’t shy away from pain, disappointment, or hard questions, yet it continually points back to God’s faithfulness in the middle of suffering. The message is deeply aligned with the heart behind the song “Even If” and carries the same quiet strength and resolve.
Readers who are familiar with the new I Can Imagine 2 movie will recognize meaningful connections to Bart’s story and the themes explored in the film. The book adds depth and context to those moments while standing strongly on its own as a testimony of faith, perseverance, and trust in God.
Even If is a powerful reminder that faith isn’t rooted in outcomes, but in who God is. I finished this book encouraged, challenged, and reminded that trusting God sometimes means standing firm when nothing changes—and that kind of faith is both hard and holy.
I highly recommend this book for everyone ages 16+ whether they are Christians or not and whether they are fans of Bart and MercyMe or not. You will be encouraged. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. I plan to re-read it and share it with everyone I know!
Thank you David C. Cook for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
February 14, 2026
So relatable
Bart, Shannon and Sam provide a real and raw story of their life struggles. Following God's purpose isn't always easy or clear, but inspiring to see how he's worked and continues to work through their family.
Bart, Shannon and Sam provide a real and raw story of their life struggles. Following God's purpose isn't always easy or clear, but inspiring to see how he's worked and continues to work through their family.
February 6, 2026
Yet another book about on of my favorite songs. I read this one in one sitting
February 10, 2026
Inspiring!
This book hit home with me in many ways. The truthfulness that it was told with helped me come to terms with some of my thoughts.
This book hit home with me in many ways. The truthfulness that it was told with helped me come to terms with some of my thoughts.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews