Melanie Dale - Its Not Fair: Learning to Love the Life You Didnt Choose

Melanie Dale is funny, which is a trait that I highly value in a person. But, even more than that, shes authentic. She isnt afraid to say the things we all think, but wonder if theyre okay to say out loud. And thats exactly what she does in Its Not Fair. As she shares her own stories, you will laugh hard, nod your head, and feel like maybe shes looking right into your heart. You wont regret the time you spend reading her words and will walk away relieved that someone understands exactly how you feel.

Melanie Shankle, New York Times bestselling
author of Nobodys Cuter Than You

I love this book. Melanie has the rare gift of being able to encourage you through our hardest days while making you laugh until tears stream down your cheeks.

Alli Worthington, author of Breaking Busy:
How to Find Peace and Purpose in a World of Crazy

Its great to have friends who cheer you on when life is shiny and happy and Pinterest-y, but its invaluable critical, even to have friends who cheer you on, empathize, and encourage when life takes a turn and looks nothing like you imagined. Fortunately for all of us, Melanie Dale is that friend. Shes hilarious, wise, and boasts an uncanny ability to relate Doctor Who to any situation (its one of the lesser known spiritual gifts). In Its Not Fair, Melanie is at her very best because (1) shes a crazy-gifted writer and (2) she gets it. Whatever your it is, youll walk away from this book (which is delightful to read) feeling like youve found a new friend, and as an added bonus, youll also feel like youve found some new perspective that just so happens to be grounded in and covered with Truth. Melanies fancy like that.

Sophie Hudson, author of Giddy Up, Eunice
and Home Is Where My People Are

Melanie never fails to make me laugh, and in Its Not Fair she turns her hilarity to one of lifes hardest subjects: suffering. Sharing her own stories of disappointment and challenge, she offers no easy answers but leads us on a path to hope, stopping for laughter along the way. She is the friend you want beside you when life gets hard.

Sandra Stanley, North Point Ministries

Melanie Dale is the most hilarious, real, non-cheerleader, Bible-believing, movie-quoting cheerleader you would want to stumble into during your lifes toughest struggles. She doesnt try to give you the perfect answer or ten tips to take away your pain she simply reminds you that you arent alone. She shares her own junk through hilarious tales and sometimes tear-jerking tales and inspires us all to take one step to love the life we didnt choose.

Courtney DeFeo, creator of Lil Light O Mine
and author of In This House, We Will Giggle

The best time for comic relief? When youre going through a trial, of course! And only Melanie Dale, with her quick wit and big heart, can weave both hilarity and compassion into those hard seasons of life we all know in some form. Its Not Fair is a funny, entertaining, and highly relevant read. Whatever your circumstances are, this book will remind you that laughter is medicine to the soul and hardships are always more bearable when you have a friend who understands.

Kari Kampakis, blogger and author of Liked: Whose Approval Are
You Living For? and 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know

Melanie Dale is as good as it gets. Shes a wise, tiny Buddha trapped in a comedic shell; the fearless, oh-so hilarious girlfriend we all wish we had. Luckily, we get to keep her on our nightstand now. (In the not creepy way.)

Erin Loechner, writer & stylist

Understood. Thats exactly how I felt while reading Its Not Fair. Finally theres a voice with the courage to talk about the tough reality of what its like when your dream doesnt come true, or the tough reality that happens after your dream comes true and isnt what you thought it would be. Not only does Melanie dare to speak the truth, she does it in a way that keeps us laughing and going deeper in faith at the same time. So grateful for this read!

Jamie C. Martin, author of Give Your Child the World:
Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time

Heres the thing, life isnt fair. Our parents said it, weve said it to our own kids, and weve thought it plenty of times too. But when Melanie Dale says it, shes not blanketing hardship in a statement that fixes it without really fixing it at all. In her me too relatability, readers find in Melanie a sister, a friend, and a delightful guide to find the beauty in the hardship, the gifts in the midst of pain, and even fulfillment in the longing. Ill read Melanie Dale till the cows come home because I know that this gal is as real as they come and in her words I find not only camaraderie, but more importantly, I find Jesus.

Logan Wolfram, author of Curious Faith: Rediscovering Hope
in the God of Possibility, speaker, and Mels real life friend

With a writing style thats both side-splitting funny and heart-healing real, Melanie Dale is an author whose life-giving words stay with you like those of your most trusted friend. Her writing matches her personality: sparkling and engaging. Read Melanies words and be encouraged in every way possible.

Kristen Strong, author of Girl Meets Change:
Truths to Carry You through Lifes Transitions

If you ever wonder, am I the only one who? or does anyone understand? then grab this book and youll discover you are not alone and youll find a true friend whos funny and honest and who will encourage you.

Susan Alexander Yates, author of many books
including the new Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough
to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World

Laughter isnt a typical response to suffering, but Melanie shows us why laughter is not only one of the acceptable but essential ways to cope with the unfair and unexpected potholes in life. Even better, she reacquaints us with a God who not only welcomes our anger about our suffering but a God who remains ever present and faithful in it.

Melanies wicked sense of humor makes this a must read for anyone who needs a refreshing take on the familiar topic of suffering. I absolutely loved this book.

Jeannie Cunnion, author of Parenting the Wholehearted Child

First of all, Melanie Dale had me at her menstrual cramps emoji. I think weve all been waiting for years for that to be developed. Second, shes just so real, and funny, and warm, in a heres me sitting next to you way. Life can be fun, joyful, and buoyant it can also be a real mess. When we feel disappointed, angry, and like shredding something with our bare hands, Melanie gets it, and she points us in the most winsome ways to the One who also sits next to us, getting us, holding us, and healing us.

Lorilee Craker, bestselling author of thirteen books,
including Money Secrets of the Amish and Anne
of Green Gables, My Daughter and Me.

ZONDERVAN

Its Not Fair

Copyright 2016 by Melanie Dale

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

ePub Edition July 2016: ISBN 978-0-310-34216-8

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Dale, Melanie, author.

Title: It's not fair : learning to love the life you didn't choose / Melanie Dale.

Description: Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 2016.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016010860 | ISBN 9780310342144 (softcover)

Subjects: LCSH: Christian women--Religious life. | Expectation (Psychology)--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Christian life.

Classification: LCC BV4527 .D245 2016 | DDC 248.8/6--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016010860