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Ultimate Makeover: The Transforming Power of Motherhood
Imagine receiving a makeover that not only promised to make you more beautiful, but softened the rough edges of your personality, helped you gain control of your emotions, better manage your relationships, and grow in wisdom. And what if it could actually make you happy?
Sounds too good to be true, right? Yet every woman can experience this makeover with the gift of motherhood. Along with your new bundle of joy, there are real rewards just waiting to be claimed.
Motherhood is difficult--there's no getting around it. And yet, the challenges a woman faces when she becomes a mother don't have to be in vain. Instead of a series of frustrating, exhausting, or exasperating experiences, author Carrie Gress (a mother of four young children) sees daily life as an opportunity to grow gracefully as a woman, mother, wife, and friend.
Sounds too good to be true, right? Yet every woman can experience this makeover with the gift of motherhood. Along with your new bundle of joy, there are real rewards just waiting to be claimed.
Motherhood is difficult--there's no getting around it. And yet, the challenges a woman faces when she becomes a mother don't have to be in vain. Instead of a series of frustrating, exhausting, or exasperating experiences, author Carrie Gress (a mother of four young children) sees daily life as an opportunity to grow gracefully as a woman, mother, wife, and friend.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2016
27 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Gress
16 books194 followersCarrie Gress is a Fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based think-tank, Ethics and Public Policy Center and a Scholar at the Institute for Human Ecology at Catholic University of America.
Carrie Gress has a doctorate in philosophy from the Catholic University of America and was the Rome bureau chief of Zenit's English edition. She is the co-author with George Weigel of City of Saints: A Pilgrimage to John Paul II s Krakow and the author of Nudging Conversions, published by Beacon Publishing in 2015.
A mother of four, she and her family live in Virginia.
Carrie Gress has a doctorate in philosophy from the Catholic University of America and was the Rome bureau chief of Zenit's English edition. She is the co-author with George Weigel of City of Saints: A Pilgrimage to John Paul II s Krakow and the author of Nudging Conversions, published by Beacon Publishing in 2015.
A mother of four, she and her family live in Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 6, 2017
“Hey, Mom! I want to read that book when you’re done!”
When my almost-12-year-old said that to me, I almost fell over laughing. After I invited her to read the subtitle, she quickly retracted.
But someday, I expect that she will have a copy of this book. This is a book that made my short list for every Catholic mom.
What Carrie Gress has done in Ultimate Makeover is wonderful: compiled 12 chapters of encouragement, down-to-earth advice and Godly wisdom for moms of all ages and stages.
Gress takes a look at feminine vices and points out that they “can only be transformed into virtues through challenges. … Similarly, the virtues can’t be attained without resistance. Motherhood offers opportunities to replace our vices with virtues, remaking us into the person God intends us to be.” To that end, she has structured the book as a way to view motherhood and its challenges “in light of God’s unique call for your life.”
This book reads like an older, wiser mom friend sitting beside you, sharing that pot of tea and putting an arm around your shoulders. Gress has a way of tackling the big, scary realities of motherhood, reminding you of the blessing, and pointing out the spiritual tools you’ll need to conquer the challenges. Oh, and she never ever lets you forget that it’s all God!
When my almost-12-year-old said that to me, I almost fell over laughing. After I invited her to read the subtitle, she quickly retracted.
But someday, I expect that she will have a copy of this book. This is a book that made my short list for every Catholic mom.
What Carrie Gress has done in Ultimate Makeover is wonderful: compiled 12 chapters of encouragement, down-to-earth advice and Godly wisdom for moms of all ages and stages.
Gress takes a look at feminine vices and points out that they “can only be transformed into virtues through challenges. … Similarly, the virtues can’t be attained without resistance. Motherhood offers opportunities to replace our vices with virtues, remaking us into the person God intends us to be.” To that end, she has structured the book as a way to view motherhood and its challenges “in light of God’s unique call for your life.”
This book reads like an older, wiser mom friend sitting beside you, sharing that pot of tea and putting an arm around your shoulders. Gress has a way of tackling the big, scary realities of motherhood, reminding you of the blessing, and pointing out the spiritual tools you’ll need to conquer the challenges. Oh, and she never ever lets you forget that it’s all God!
December 19, 2022
A friend gave this to me over a year ago. She and I have talked of motherhood together several times - how important it is, how we love it, our struggles. I love the premise of Ultimate Makeover by Carrie Gress. Motherhood is transformative- or it can be when you allow God to work through it.
What I liked about the book: I enjoyed the uplifting of the vocation of motherhood. The author speaks of motherhood with the utmost respect. She does not idealize motherhood, but she does not highlight the negatives of this role. I especially enjoyed the second and third chapters on the feminine vocation. I think it was refreshing to hear such gender specific encouragement. I love the quote at the beginning of chapter 2, "women don't need to imitate men, but simply to be themselves." I also just enjoyed how wonderful she made womanhood sound. I believe that mothers are special in the way that they relate to their children and others around them when they allow God to work through them.
What was challenging in this book was that it is a Catholic resource and I am not Catholic. It was a challenge to read such denominationally specific things, such as "each soul is given the very circumstances that will help her get to heaven." I believe the Bible is very clear when it says "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV. I do not believe that we help ourselves get to heaven by our works. It is a gift of God through faith that we are saved when we believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. God has set good works before us, like motherhood, but that does not get us to heaven. We are dead in our trespasses without Christ, and cannot do anything good enough to get there ourselves.
I very much struggled with this line: "as Catholics, sometimes we forget to rely upon Christ." I do not understand this at all, as a believer in Jesus Christ. I do not grasp how our religion is based upon Christ, dying for us to save us, and then we can forget to rely upon him. I know that I sometimes try to live life on my own instead of relying on Christ, but this seemed like a different line that meant maybe Catholics specifically don't rely upon Christ. Maybe because they rely on Mary? Maybe I am misunderstanding that line all together. But the author continues to say "any time Christ is made present, it is through the Holy Spirit and Mary." Nowhere in the Bible is Mary elevated to the same level as the Trinity. She is blessed among women, and very special to be the mother of our Lord but is not a deity or sinless (this book also claims this which, I believe, is Catholic doctrine).
So, basically, this book was great in that it was encouraging as a mom but difficult to read a Catholic book when not Catholic.
What I liked about the book: I enjoyed the uplifting of the vocation of motherhood. The author speaks of motherhood with the utmost respect. She does not idealize motherhood, but she does not highlight the negatives of this role. I especially enjoyed the second and third chapters on the feminine vocation. I think it was refreshing to hear such gender specific encouragement. I love the quote at the beginning of chapter 2, "women don't need to imitate men, but simply to be themselves." I also just enjoyed how wonderful she made womanhood sound. I believe that mothers are special in the way that they relate to their children and others around them when they allow God to work through them.
What was challenging in this book was that it is a Catholic resource and I am not Catholic. It was a challenge to read such denominationally specific things, such as "each soul is given the very circumstances that will help her get to heaven." I believe the Bible is very clear when it says "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV. I do not believe that we help ourselves get to heaven by our works. It is a gift of God through faith that we are saved when we believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. God has set good works before us, like motherhood, but that does not get us to heaven. We are dead in our trespasses without Christ, and cannot do anything good enough to get there ourselves.
I very much struggled with this line: "as Catholics, sometimes we forget to rely upon Christ." I do not understand this at all, as a believer in Jesus Christ. I do not grasp how our religion is based upon Christ, dying for us to save us, and then we can forget to rely upon him. I know that I sometimes try to live life on my own instead of relying on Christ, but this seemed like a different line that meant maybe Catholics specifically don't rely upon Christ. Maybe because they rely on Mary? Maybe I am misunderstanding that line all together. But the author continues to say "any time Christ is made present, it is through the Holy Spirit and Mary." Nowhere in the Bible is Mary elevated to the same level as the Trinity. She is blessed among women, and very special to be the mother of our Lord but is not a deity or sinless (this book also claims this which, I believe, is Catholic doctrine).
So, basically, this book was great in that it was encouraging as a mom but difficult to read a Catholic book when not Catholic.
May 20, 2025
A good read. Read some parts too quickly, but the whole book here and there. Could probably have better takeaways if I devoted more intentionally to reading it. The questions at the end of each chapter pose good reflection & could be taken to prayer.
I enjoyed reading this moving into my second year of motherhood. It gave me consolation in the hard moments where I might have been feeling isolated or lonely in my experience. I can see myself rereading this multiple times in my journey as a mother.
My biggest takeaway is being reminded that this everyday wrestling with my weakness is the purification of motherhood. The difficulties and places where I am selfish are being challenged and the Lord is calling me deeper into Himself through “motherhood as a type of martyrdom” (Bl. Archbishop Romero).
I enjoyed reading this moving into my second year of motherhood. It gave me consolation in the hard moments where I might have been feeling isolated or lonely in my experience. I can see myself rereading this multiple times in my journey as a mother.
My biggest takeaway is being reminded that this everyday wrestling with my weakness is the purification of motherhood. The difficulties and places where I am selfish are being challenged and the Lord is calling me deeper into Himself through “motherhood as a type of martyrdom” (Bl. Archbishop Romero).
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April 6, 2023I enjoyed this reminder of why motherhood is so valuable for our spiritual development. I have always told people that being a mother is my own personal spiritual bootcamp, and this book does a good job of showing the many ways that being a mother truly is the most sanctifying role we will ever have. Being married showed me a level of selfishness I didn't know I had, and motherhood took me deeper into dying to the many vices I had been holding onto.
December 14, 2025
Absolutely incredible! Cannot recommend this book enough. It was transformative for me personally and it speaks a lot to the heart of a new mom. If you’re a mom and you haven’t read it, you absolutely should!!
January 25, 2020
I really dislike this book. A breezy shallowness pervades it, all the more egregious given the topics of faith and motherhood have such depth. The theology ranges from mediocre to poor. That being said, there are pleasant saint quotes and faithful commentary as much as if not more than there is nonsense.
The picture drawn in it of women is most often a caricature. The way out of the caricature drawn of the modern woman is a faith that is mostly depicted as easier and more immediately self improving than the Catholicism with which I am familiar.
The author doesn’t seem to make any attempt to invite anyone who isn’t already a committed Christian to consider why they might wish to be - if I weren’t already this book would help keep me away - and explicitly rejects the possibility of explaining a Christian world view to a modern secular person. She is perhaps unfamiliar with both St. Paul and Bishop Barron, then.
The picture drawn in it of women is most often a caricature. The way out of the caricature drawn of the modern woman is a faith that is mostly depicted as easier and more immediately self improving than the Catholicism with which I am familiar.
The author doesn’t seem to make any attempt to invite anyone who isn’t already a committed Christian to consider why they might wish to be - if I weren’t already this book would help keep me away - and explicitly rejects the possibility of explaining a Christian world view to a modern secular person. She is perhaps unfamiliar with both St. Paul and Bishop Barron, then.
April 24, 2024
"Virtues are the muscles of our character. We know we have patience. We may have very little of it, and it may sting when we're forced to use it, but we can be assured it is there, ready to be used when necessary. All the virtues are like the muscles. When not used, they are weak, but when tapped, after the initial pain they become strong and nimble."
"Pain is weakness leaving the body."
These two quotes really changed my perspective about patience and other virtues we seem to think we lack. Carrie reminds us that they are there no matter how little of it we have but not only that, they can grow and the pain that we feel as they are being tested is proof that these spiritual muscles are growing.
The quote that seals it all:
"The virtues also bring out the best of our character... far from making us just like everyone else, they make us more of who we really are, pulling out our own interior genius, revealing that unique spark that each person has...they unearth the real you."
Sin on the other hand makes you like everyone else.
"Pain is weakness leaving the body."
These two quotes really changed my perspective about patience and other virtues we seem to think we lack. Carrie reminds us that they are there no matter how little of it we have but not only that, they can grow and the pain that we feel as they are being tested is proof that these spiritual muscles are growing.
The quote that seals it all:
"The virtues also bring out the best of our character... far from making us just like everyone else, they make us more of who we really are, pulling out our own interior genius, revealing that unique spark that each person has...they unearth the real you."
Sin on the other hand makes you like everyone else.
June 18, 2025
This book was free on a church give-away table. I picked it up, expecting to dislike it as much as the other books by Carrie Gress that I've read. But... it was Worse. I didn't even finish it. Ultimate Makeover is even more poorly written than the author's recent books. It's a vapid and phony book, with no substance to off at all.
I really wish that these modern anti-feminists could get one or two decent writers on their team..ok, I wish the feminists could too.. any recommendations? Feminists or anti-feminist writers, writing after 1995, who can: write well, think rationally, avoid over-using "I", and can actually defend an idea without resorting to obviously fake "Susan was a sad woman...but then she did the right thing..now she's happy and full of love" examples???
I really wish that these modern anti-feminists could get one or two decent writers on their team..ok, I wish the feminists could too.. any recommendations? Feminists or anti-feminist writers, writing after 1995, who can: write well, think rationally, avoid over-using "I", and can actually defend an idea without resorting to obviously fake "Susan was a sad woman...but then she did the right thing..now she's happy and full of love" examples???
May 11, 2020
Wow this was an unexpected little gem! I was gifted this book a couple of years ago by a friend but it sat neglected and forgotten on a bookshelf. I decided to read it this past Mother's day weekend and I'm so grateful that I did.
Beautiful reminders of the vocation God chose me for me - Motherhood - and the saving Grace that comes from it. The virtues that can arise from motherhood if you allow the Holy Spirit to work in you are treasures beyond measure.
Such a refreshing and reaffirming book on the power of being a mother in a culture where secular feminism has made one feel that we have made an inferior choice to stay at home and raise and educate our children.
Beautiful reminders of the vocation God chose me for me - Motherhood - and the saving Grace that comes from it. The virtues that can arise from motherhood if you allow the Holy Spirit to work in you are treasures beyond measure.
Such a refreshing and reaffirming book on the power of being a mother in a culture where secular feminism has made one feel that we have made an inferior choice to stay at home and raise and educate our children.
February 26, 2024
Often moms get a free pass to not do challenging things because their lives are already challenging enough. While this may be true, I’ve found in my life that this attitude leads to complacency and a lack of growth in holiness.
Carrie Gress cuts right through all of that and pinpoints the vices that mothers most easily fall into and offers encouragement and empowerment to grow in their opposing virtues. This book should be on every mother’s want to read list. It also has discussion/reflection questions at the end of each chapter which would make for a great group study.
Carrie Gress cuts right through all of that and pinpoints the vices that mothers most easily fall into and offers encouragement and empowerment to grow in their opposing virtues. This book should be on every mother’s want to read list. It also has discussion/reflection questions at the end of each chapter which would make for a great group study.
August 7, 2024
The author and I disagree on some significant points of theology and Christian belief but I LOVED her perspective on how God uses all of life, but motherhood specifically, to sanctify us and grow us in virtues. She explores specific ways women are called to mother in the world, whether that be our own children or others around us. It was a beautiful vision of what a woman’s specific call is and an urge to focus on the eternal rather than temporal.
July 7, 2018
Quick book on realizing and accepting our role as women and mothers. Perfect timing for me to read, at a time when school is out and I’m going crazy trying to have patience with the long summer days and keeping kids entertained.
June 11, 2019
I read it at someone's request. I thought I was going to hate it and was very skeptical and then suddenly
...LOVED IT. AMAZING! ALL MOMS SHOULD READ THIS!! It is Catholic based but the ideas are across the Christian board <3
...LOVED IT. AMAZING! ALL MOMS SHOULD READ THIS!! It is Catholic based but the ideas are across the Christian board <3
April 3, 2024
My rating is not a reflection on the content so much as the editing. I appreciated and agreed with the thoughtful ideas, but the writing itself was sometimes confusing and what is referred to as inconsiderate text.
April 9, 2024
Will return to this book for the reflection questions & to review my many highlights. There were some unfamiliar aspects for me as it is directed towards Catholics, so not as helpful directly, but I’ll use to ask questions to better understand the unfamiliar.
April 16, 2018
Read for book club at church.
January 15, 2019
Beautiful but oh so challenging.
July 17, 2019
I really wish I’d read this as a young mother—so much wisdom and insight into the beautiful vocation of motherhood.
December 6, 2020
This is the best book on the vocation of motherhood and the Catholic feminine contribution that I have ever read. So uplifting and edifying!
January 22, 2021
This is the book all mothers need to read. One to go back to again and again.
July 15, 2024
A must read for mom's! So inspiring and insightful. Talks about virtues and vices and how to try and overcome them through motherhood.
March 22, 2023
Every young mother needs to read this book. I absolutely loved it. It validated and brought to light so many struggles women have with being a young mom. She was honest and practical.
September 10, 2021
Recommend? No. It seems that Gress is working with the audience who are physically converting to motherhood as well as targeting those lukewarm Catholics. I didn't feel that this book provided me with anything I did not already know. It referenced Edith Stein's Essays so often that I felt I should just read those instead!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews