All the Scary Little Gods

By: Natalie Hoffman

Narrated by: Natalie Hoffman

"You don't know God." The church elder’s eyes locked on me from across the conference table. “He’s absent from your narrative.”

The room went woozy, and I struggled to bring my brain back online, managing to sputter, “God is the center of my narrative!”

But he wasn’t listening. He already had his story about me.

Here’s mine.

©2024 Natalie Hoffman (P)2024 Natalie Hoffman

Critic reviews

“Natalie's writing is vibrant and deeply intimate. The innocence, honesty, and humor (seriously, she is so funny sometimes) that Natalie breathes into her storytelling makes All the Scary Little Gods both deeply personal and remarkably universal. If you have struggled with reconciling the harmful ways that twisted theology has entrapped you while simultaneously struggling to embrace the beautiful and freeing parts of your faith, this book will guide you.”—Tiffany Yecke Brooks, PhD, Author of Gaslighted by God: Reconstructing a Disillusioned Faith

“Natalie not only shares with us a clear understanding of her past trauma in poignant and sometimes even humorous vignettes, but she then brilliantly pairs those alongside her present view of God in a safe, inviting, and therapeutic method; this book is like a therapy session in a memoir.”—Emily Elizabeth, Founder of Thriving Forward

“What a journey. Thank you, Natalie, for taking us readers on such a heartbreaking liberation journey. Truly, the words in this book come from a bruised and wise sage who has lived through hell to speak to such heaven. All the Scary Little Gods helps me believe more deeply in the truth of the gospel.”—Dr. Andrew J. Bauman, Author of SAFE CHURCH

A story of love’s bravery and courage

Natalie tells her story through the voices and perspectives of herself at different ages and of all her emotional parts. I heard some of myself through my life and many of my own parts in the narrative. But most of all she writes about discovering God for herself. It is a treasure and a gift to the rest of us.

Raw & Healing

I can’t express how helpful and healing this book was for my soul. A must read, especially in better understanding how IFS can be used in your own story.

I loved this book!

This memoir is an honest and authentic account of Natalie’s life journey. She is funny and relatable. I also really enjoyed her presentation of the book as she narrates her own story. I felt like I was having coffee with a friend who has walked a similar journey.

You will want to binge listen to this book!

Natalie Hoffman is such a great storyteller and writer. I felt like I was right there with her, able to feel how she felt. Her story is relatable, and it helped make me feel like I’m not alone. She is transparent and her experience is so human. Thanks for pouring your heart out and sharing your story, the good, bad, and the ugly. It gives me hope for my journey. Also, you won’t be able to stop listening to this audiobook!!

Making Sense of our Experiences

This book helps us leave space for all the different emotions we experience when living in unhealthy relationships. It’s entertaining and relatable. I found that it expertly provides examples for how to learn how to self-parent and self-love through all of our life experiences. And in doing this, it also points see much more clearly the loving relationship that Jesus wants with us.

Evangelical Rachel Bloom, riveting read!

I was directed to this book by neurodivergent people. I read along, gobsmacked and completely sucked in, while wondering why this was somehow related to developmental disabilities and neurodiversity. Well, it paid back every recommendation and then some. Like a Stephen King novel, it's a slow burn and set up, then the dominoes fall into place.

Vulnerable & Thoughtful

I loved hearing Natalie share her story! I laughed and cried right along with her as she recounted the transformative events of her life. I am so thankful that she was brave enough to write this book!

Amazing

I love how Natalie reads the book in her kid voice and adult voice and the changes. Natalie did well in this memoir I’ve been listening and relating how churches sometimes have toxic teachings instilled on their members and the kids as well. I grew up in a strict church environment and this book has been a blessing shows what I went through at a young age.

Someone understand my pain & confusion!

Natalie has a gift of painting a picture of what many of us have lived through but could never articulate! Finally, an empathetic witness! I am not alone! I am heard! Thank you for your bravery in representing all of us on the path & Flying Free!

A story of pain, healing, and freedom

This is a beautiful, heartbreaking story that I could connect with. There are sad, difficult moments but in the end, love wins! if you grew up in church, and now are facing a life that didn't add up like you thought it should, were told it would, this book may be for you.