What is a slightly bad girl anyway? They’re women just like us—well-intentioned yet flawed. Liz Curtis Higgs, author of Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible (WaterBrook Press, September 2007) explains they are “women who love and serve God yet are unwilling to submit fully to God.” Sound like anyone we know?

Higgs continues her exploration of biblical women as well as vignettes of contemporary women in modern-day situations in this third book in her “Bad Girl” series. Her research is impeccable as is her ability as a storyteller. Throughout the book she reveals some of her own flaws and vulnerabilities using personal antidotes. Readers just may see a bit more of themselves in the pages of this book than is comfortable.

The skillful blend of well-researched biblical commentary and modern-day fiction are artfully woven together as Higgs reveals some of the bible’s often overlooked women: Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel. None of these women was all-bad. They were simply not perfect. Which means each of them were a lot like each of us!

The subtitle of this book is “Flawed Women Loved by a Flawless God.” Each of these ancient women as well as their contemporary counterparts is pretty bad in this reviewer’s opinion! Yet I found myself unable to fault any of them for what they did because they truly believed at the time they knew what was best. Sarah used and then banished her maidservant. Hagar detested her mistress for the mistreatment she endured at Sarah’s hand.

Rebekah, unable to manipulate her husband, used her influence over her son to draw him into her plan. Leah and Rachel, though sisters, envied and resented each other. The five modern-day women don’t exhibit the most virtuous qualities either! Adultery, manipulation and resentment are alive and thriving today just as they were in ancient times.

I enjoyed reading this book because Higgs provides a historical framework in which the biblical women live out their lives. The contemporary vignettes are readily relatable—if not regarding our own lives, certainly the life of some women we know. Higgs masterfully inserts herself and her own experiences into the pages of this book. I appreciate her willingness to display her own “bad girl” tendencies as they relate to the stories in this book.

Written in the informal language that one reviewer describes as “girlfriend talk,” this book offers a great introduction to five biblical women who are often overlooked. They were good women who had hard lives. They sought meaning and significance, if not for themselves, for their children. They are redeemed, as are we, by a God who loves flawlessly, completely and with the same reckless abandon of Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel.

Each chapter ends with a “Good Girl Thoughts Worth Considering” section which is ideal for individual or group study.

Reviewed by: Mary Moss who is the Founder and Owner of Divinely Designed, a ministry fueled by inspiration, imagination and faith. She and her husband of 30 years have two college age children.

Mary believes each person is uniquely and divinely designed for a specific purpose on this earth. Mary is called to create opportunities where people can experience how their stories interconnect with God’s story. She lives this out through writing, sermons and storytelling. Her desire is to encourage, support and uplift others on their journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and their pursuit of their own divine purpose. You can find Mary on the web at Divinely Designed.