If You Loved Heaven Is for Real, Read This Next

Book Review: Rescue at the Reef by Jameson and Mary Catherine Reeder ​

Genre: Biography, Christian literature 

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Rescue at the Reef is one of those rare memoirs that gets you right in the gut from the first page. I mean it—go hug your people. Right now. I’ll wait. Because once you start reading this book, you’re not going to want to put it down, and by the end, you’re probably going to be crying and texting your group chat about how much you love them. 

The story opens with Jameson Reeder’s near-death experience (not a spoiler--it’s literally in the title), and from that moment on, the intensity doesn’t let up. But this isn’t some dramatized survival thriller. It’s real. It’s raw. And it’s told with so much honesty that it kind of knocks the wind out of you. What happens to him and his family is terrifying, but the way they move through it—with faith, love, and sheer emotional grit—is honestly inspiring. I don’t cry easily when reading, especially not in the first few chapters, but this one had me sniffly real quick. Like, iced-coffee-in-hand, blanket-on-lap, mid-morning ugly tears. It’s that kind of book. 

​But what really makes Rescue at the Reef special is how deeply spiritual it is without ever feeling preachy or exclusive. Jameson and his family aren’t just telling you what happened--they’re pulling you into their journey, into the fear and the hope and the moments where they had nothing left to hold on to but their faith. And somehow, whether you’re someone who’s super religious or someone who’s just kind of curious about spiritual stuff, there’s space for you here. The story doesn’t shut anyone out. It invites you in with open arms, like, “Hey, sit down, let me tell you something that changed my life.” 

I’ve read a lot of inspirational nonfiction that sort of leans too hard in one direction--it’s either all about the trauma and barely touches on the healing, or it’s so focused on the lessons that it forgets to feel real. This book balances both. The storytelling is grounded and personal, but also incredibly hopeful. It doesn’t shy away from the hard parts. In fact, it sits with them. It honors them. But it also shows you what it looks like to keep going even when things feel impossible. 

There’s a section at the end called Spiritual Reflections, and honestly, I adored this addition to the book. It gives you insight into why the Reeder family shared their story the way they did, and it makes the whole book feel even more intentional. They explain how they wanted the story to feel open and welcoming to everyone, no matter your background or beliefs—and they nailed it. For readers who do want more about the family’s personal faith and how it shaped them during and after the events, this section touches on the times they reflected on their faith throughout their journey. It’s not watered down or overly polished--it’s just real people telling their truth and hoping it reaches whoever needs it. 

There’s this one line that I cannot stop thinking about: “Hold on to your loved ones and trust that God will hold on to you.” I legit had to stop and take a breather after reading that. It hit me so hard. Like, life is scary and unpredictable and sometimes just flat-out unfair—but that quote reminded me that we’re not meant to carry it all alone. It’s one of those sentences that makes you pause, breathe, and feel everything all at once. 

If I had to sum it up, I’d say Rescue at the Reef is going to be the next Heaven is For Real but way more personal and modern. It’s not about being dramatic--it’s about being real. And it’s the kind of book you finish and immediately want to hand to someone else, like, “You need this.” Whether you’re feeling disconnected from your faith, need a good cry, or just want a reminder that miracles still happen—this book delivers. 

I’d absolutely recommend it. In fact, I already have. It’s perfect for anyone who loves true stories, who finds peace in personal testimonies, or who just needs to feel something real. It would make a great gift, too—especially for that one friend who cries at every faith-based documentary or, like me, sobs through every episode of NCIS. Either way, add this to your TBR. 
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I’d love to know what you thought if you’ve read it. Did it make you cry? Did you sit with the Spiritual Reflections section like I did? Will you be adding it to your TBR? Drop a comment—bring tissues. Let’s talk! ​

*I was given an advance copy of this book by the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review. This post reflects my personal impressions and was not influenced in any way. Please note that quotes or details may differ from the final, published version.