More Than Pretty: Doing the Soul Work that Uncovers Your True Beauty

by Erica Campbell

Grammy Award–winning gospel singer, television star, and radio host Erica Campbell speaks to women of all shapes and sizes, demonstrating that true beauty is found not in external appearances, but in celebrating the person God made you to be.

So many young women struggle with issues of low self-esteem, depression, self-degradation, and other unhealthy habits that manifest on the outside what’s happening on the inside. And the rise of social media and the emphasis on beauty as validation for self-worth have only added fuel to the fire. But Erica Campbell—Grammy-winning gospel star, reality TV star, and nationally-syndicated radio host—believes that we need to redefine beauty. We need to start to see ourselves the way God sees us—beautiful and perfectly made. True beauty, Erica believes, is about embracing who God made you to be.

In More Than Pretty, she turns the mirror around, reflecting God’s Word, His affirmations, and His design for every woman. This book explores issues of self-esteem, identity, and God’s design for love and intimacy. She is candid about her own struggles, sharing honestly about her battle to feel “good enough” in an industry that fixates on outward appearances.

Covering topics such as being honest about who we truly are, reflecting on what we have internalized about our appearances, uncovering and exposing the plan of the Enemy, and accepting God’s will for your life, Erica offers thoughtful, hard-won wisdom and encouragement to women from all walks of life, helping build confidence in and through the power of God.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Memoir, Audiobook, Self Help, Biography, Inspirational

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2019

Reviews

[Kieshaboo Mays · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really gave me strength about myself. I use to think how I feel no one understands until I read this not only she a singer but a woman. She really help me

[Marilyn Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Woman of God intrigued me because I listen to her radio station when time allows and she prays from the heart. After being a avid fan of hers and her sister for years I had to read the book. It's in my personal library. She spoke about her life for her daughters because of insecurity in the color of her skin and people's assumptions. Her daughter thought the same thing for opposite reasons. Young women need to know that they matter regardless of the color of there skins. Mrs. Campbell poured into my Spirit with her affirmations and scriptures. However because of lack of time due to being a reviewer I could not finish the book. However, it is fascinating, loving, realistic, down to earth good read..

[sakina ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Praise

This book held so many lessons that I will put in my daily walk with the Holy spirit. I'm so thankful.

[(Adri)ana | TenPieceLemonPepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

the ONLY member of Mary Mary that i acknowledge. iykyk. sorry not sorry. 😌

this book had some really good gems! i’m not entirely sure who the target audience was, as some chapters felt like it was written with teenagers in mind, and some felt like it was written with established wives and mothers in mind.

but overall the book is very well done. the “purple buffalo” analogy will stick with me forever!

[Angela M. Artis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by More Than Pretty: Doing the Soul Work that Uncovers Your True Beauty. It was uplifting, encouraging and moving. This book allows you to search yourself, to be what purpose God created you for.

[Book Reviews by Tara aka Queen of Memoirs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was just okay. I couldn’t t give it more than 3⭐️s because a lot of what I read I had previously known from watching Erica’s reality tv show Mary Mary. Also, there were moments that were kind of boring to me.

However, I must admit it does contain some great words of wisdom. I think this is a great book for girls and young women ages 15-28.

[Sipho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erica Campbell was one half of the popular gospel music duo, Mary Mary. In this book, Erica shares a little bit of the story of her life, the group and lessons she has learned about beauty and God's purpose.

There are a lot of elements to this book. Sadly, this makes it less coherent. The writing shifts from narrative (describing events in her life) to prescriptive (offering advice) and at other times, borderline theological.

For me, this doesn't work all that well. It seems like this book ends up being a patchwork of seemingly unrelated topics and ideas.

This would arguably have been a far better read if it was merely Erica's memoirs; her life story is certainly intriguing enough for it.

[Stephanie R Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

 EXCELLENT... 

easy to listen to. Inspiring. It's always a joy to hear real people, sharing their real life journeys. with the purpose of helping others live their best lives. Soul work is not easy but most definitely worth it. I'm grateful to God for helping Erica to become the woman that she's becoming so that other women may do so as well.

[Draya G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! With the loving and faithful tone of Erica Campbell. She is a dynamic woman, with a gift to share her life and lessons with others. I appreciate the balance of truth and love. This is a worthwhile read.

[Constance Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was meaningful but I assumed it would have been a step by step instructional book. Still awesome though!

[Lolita · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Diva Review 📗
💚💚💚
More Than Pretty is a book written by Grammy Award Winning Singer Erica Campbell. It’s an inspirational journey through Erica’s life. The Good & Bad. Erica Campbell is married to Warryn Campbell, an award winning producer & Pastor of California Worship Center. Mrs. Campbell is mostly known for her duo group with her sister Tina, called Mary Mary. Erica Campbell leads a very busy life. She is a Singer & First Lady. She has her own TV show & Morning Radio Show. She is the mother of three, Krista, Warryn III and Zaya. The book explores a woman’s beauty from the inside and out and gives you scriptures to follow along. Erica addresses the positive and negative aspects of her life. She talks about life without Tina as her singing partner and why they decided to try different things. Tina had written children books (she has 6 children), and Erica of course has recorded CD’s. It’s an easy read but I expected more. I think she should have just written a total autobiography instead of giving us small samples.
Diva Reviewer - Jo

[Nyasha Tarlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be pretty.”

I’m not always a fan of faith based books, they can be overwhelming and extremely critical. But this one is an excellent balance for me. It had more of an impact on my mindset than I thought it would… and I definitely needed it. It succeeded it helping me find some inner strength and hidden confidence I forgot I had.

“To live in your fullest beauty, you have to dig deep and look with open eyes at every part of yourself, even the ugly stuff.” (P.g. 16)

As a female I often find myself feeling ugly, or feeling like nothing more than a pretty face. I’ve found myself seeking human validation in numerous toxic situation that wasn’t helpful for me. This book was a big reminder to forgive myself, to be gentle with myself and to love myself.

“Your desire for validation can get mixed up with your human need for love.” (P.g. 50)

I think this is an excellent book for anyone Christian or not. I don’t think this book will be for everyone, but it was definitely for me.

[Tammie Fowlkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed listening to this audio book by Erica Campbell. I love Mary Mary because they are both beautiful women inside and out. Erica was very open and honest about her insecurities and talked about how she had to work at her marriage I loved how she provided scriptures to support everything she talked about in the book. After, listening to her book it made me realize that my body is a temple that God has given me and I need to make sure I'm taking care of it both inside and out. Erica made me realize that you can't let what people say or think about you cause you to become negative towards yourself and family. This book showed me that how you think about yourself or carry yourself will show in your children. Also, what you put into the world will come back to you. All, women should read this book so that they can share it with their daughters, friends and sisters to help them learn that we're all more than pretty.

[The Book Distiller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simon and Schuster gifted me this audiobook, and it was so fun to hear the author narrate her own book. I always love reading memoirs and hearing about people's lives, and I appreciate Erica's honesty through it all. The reason I rated it 3 stars (instead of my initial thought of 4 stars; I save 5 stars only for "I WANT to reread this book!") is b/c not everything she says is Biblically accurate, with some hints of "prosperity gospel" sprinkled throughout (ie, work really hard and God will reward you with success. Not biblical. But unfortunately that is what is commonly preached in Western civilization today). But overall, I can see this being an encouraging book to women, especially the younger generations. And Erica sounds like a fun, sassy, wise, outgoing person :)

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great book to read . It is full of wisdom and real life and shows how you can grow and change , and how that is necessary for you to reach your goal and really walk in who god created you to be .
One of my favorite chapter was look in God mirrorI did a lot of underlining in this chapter and it has 3 pages full of affirmations that you can say to yourself daily I really enjoyed that .
Over all this was a wonderful book even if you not familiar with Erica Campbell career or who she is you would really enjoy and benefits from this book there is something for everyone in this book and each chapter gave me something I finished and had a smile on my face .

[Living My Best Book Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

An uplifting and conversational self-help book that reminds women that true beauty is inside us all and how being true to yourself takes a weight off your shoulders to give you the confidence you deserve to have. Erica speaks from her heart, giving personal accounts to show how change is possible no matter how hard it may seem. The author's theme of 'being pretty/beautiful' is so relatable and reminds readers that the work starts from within. If we would only focus on our appearance, we'd all be the same, and Erica tells us to embrace ourselves whatever that may look like. Beauty is more than how much makeup we wear or the clothes we wear. Beauty means acceptance. Because when we accept who we are, the pressure of society fades to the back and lets our happiness and confidence shine!

[Lesley Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erica Campbell this book was everything that i needed especially where I am right now. She is so relatable on so many different levels. She talks to all different types of women. She has felt like not confident at some points in her life she keeps it real in her walk in God. She has had struggles trials and everything. It is not only feeling pretty on the outside but also on the inside as well. I am so glad that i got to hear her in the audiobook cause i felt it everything

[Yolisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and recommended it to my friends and family.That's what you do with a good book.People are super sensitive about a lot of things.It's very important to look at why you do things.Look within you to find the answers.
You are more than what people see on the outside,you beauty is inside.
Work it out.
Thank you Erica

[Rosaundra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Erica Campbell. She is a beautiful person inside and out. I love that this book tells us that we are all more than pretty. I feel like all women should read this book because it offers motivation and aspirations in so many forms.

[Mrs C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the retrospective view of pretty and how we can learn and grow from what society says pretty is

[Cassandra Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add it.

[Sierra Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for every woman

[Cherita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, inspirational and easy read.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️

[Janae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

I loved this book, so inspiring and the real, unfiltered Erica Campbell! Definitely a good book for young and older women.

[Kimberly A. RIce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Book! A must read for all woman.

[Mikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate her for being transparent. Sharing all the things most are afraid to speak about. I felt like we were having a girl talk...I loved this book a lot

[Terri Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, so inspiring. This book I will read over and over along with buying a copy for my daughter and granddaughter.

[Sharla Elcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started slowly but by the later chapters salient points were made.

[Xoashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

At some times it was Pretty hard to focus some of the writing was all over the place but overall it was a decent read about seeing yourself how God sees you.