Love and Justice

By: Jonathan Irons, Maya Moore Irons, Bryan Stevenson - foreword, Travis Thrasher

Narrated by: Jonathan Irons, Maya Moore Irons

In the tradition of Just Mercy, an inspirational memoir by WNBA star Maya Moore Irons and her husband, Jonathan Irons, who she helped free from a wrongful conviction.

A journey for justice turned into a love story when Maya Moore, one of the WNBA's brightest stars, married the man she helped free from prison, Jonathan Irons. Jonathan was only 16 when he was arrested for a crime he did not commit. Maya Moore's family met Jonathan through a prison ministry program in 1999 and over time developed a close bond with him. Maya met Jonathan in 2007, shortly before her freshman year at the University of Connecticut, where she became one of the most heralded women's basketball players in collegiate history. She visited him often throughout the years, as well as sending him letters and books as he fought for his freedom; ultimately, she became a strong voice for prosecutorial changes. She stunned the sports world when she announced in February 2019 that she would step away from her career in women's basketball, in part so she could help Jonathan in what they hoped would be his final appeal. In March 2020, his conviction was overturned by a state judge in Jefferson City, Mo.

In this inspiring memoir, the couple will explore their unwavering faith, their deep connection, and how Maya stepped away from basketball to pursue justice both to prove Jonathan's innocence and inspire activism in others. Just like Maya and Jonathan asked themselves, listeners will ask themselves one of the most important questions they can after hearing this book: "Am I living out my purpose?"

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Jonathan Irons, Maya Moore Irons, Bryan Stevenson, Travis Thrasher (P)2023 Hyperion Avenue

An Amazing Journey!

I loved everything about this audio book! It’s an incredible story about America’s corrupt judicial system, the lack of value placed on young, poor Black men, and the difficult task of correcting injustices, even when they seem quite obvious by following the story of Johnathan Irons who was sentenced to 50 years in prison at the age of 16 for a crime he didn’t commit. It’s also the story of unbelievable success and opportunities made possible to Maya Moore as a result of hard work, a loving and supportive family and an unwavering love of and faith in God. The two narrate their story that eventually intersects and develops into a beautiful demonstration that, with God all things are possible.

Such a great story

2019, WNBA all-star Maya Moore shocked the sports world by announcing she would step away from basketball to concentrate on other part of her life that were important to her – her faith and justice for a man that was wrongly imprisoned. That man, Jonathan Irons, was released from prison about a year later and the two of them were married. Their remarkable journey to come together from two very different sets of circumstances is shared in this wonderful book written by the two of them

I listened to the audiobook and that was a fantastic experience. Hearing their stories brought out many emotions – whether Maya’s road to becoming one of the greatest female basketball players of all time to the injustice of Jonathan’s conviction of a crime committed in an area where he was not located was time well spent. While a reader of the print or e-book may have the same experience, I felt that hearing their voices made their messages more powerful. This was especially true for Jonathan’s story of his conviction on incorrect eyewitness testimony and his means of surviving in prison, especially at the start when he was still a minor incarcerated with grown men.

Throughout the book, both Maya and Jonathan talk about their Christian faith and at times also quote Bible passages. They both give credit to the strength of their faith for helping achieve their goals, whether it is championships for Maya’s basketball teams or making it through another day in solitary confinement (“the hole”) for Jonathan. If nothing else, his strength and determination to prove his innocence should be an inspiration for all. That is not to discount the importance of Maya’s work or her love for Jonathan in this journey. But already knowing most of Maya’s story and learning about Jonathan’s brough me so much respect for that man that I believe he is a role model any man, of any race or creed, can look upon as a role model.

Many romance stories, especially those with a sports theme, tend to have a happily ever after ending. This one, that happened in real life, is certainly more satisfying and any reader of any genre will enjoy this.

Great story !

I would recommend the read!
Captivating voices, I liked his voice better. You will like the book

Great

Great book and also great audio. I always wanted to know what happen with Mya and this was great to hear. Glad for them both

Excellent Read!

What a powerdul testament and testimony to God's relentless grace... out of what appears to be no way... God makes a way! Thank you for sharing your amazing story.

God (Jesus) is faithful he’s always on time

This book brings tears to my eyes because I’m going through small things and acting petty then God (Jesus) said read this book and I said forgive me Lord Jesus Christ I’m sorry thank you for everything and I don’t read books believe me or not this is the first book I have ever read because I just read the Bible but I had a bad day and was being petty with my neighbor she keeps parking in front of my house and I hate that so I have to let that go because of your story my God keep y’all safe and in his hands because we know that all things work together for good of them who love the Lord and are the called according to his purpose in Jesus name stay in Gods word keep God #1 don’t forget about him.

Phenomenal story!

I highly recommend reading this book. It shows the power of overcoming through perseverance in difficult circumstances. Jonathan Iron’s life exemplifies Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death,” (KJV)

This book was heartfelt and inspiring. May God continue to bless Jonathan and Maya.

This book was heartfelt and inspiring. I felt their anguish, sadness, love, expectations and triumphs.

Emotional story

I am not a huge basketball fan so I had never heard of Maya Moore until a casual conversation with my friend last week. He mentioned that she had married someone who had been in jail. He then googled her and we watched a brief interview with the couple. In that interview they mentioned this memoir. I was intrigued and knew I wanted to read it.

I chose to listen to the audiobook which I loved. It is narrated in alternating chapters by both Maya Moore and Jonathan Irons. Hearing the story in their own voices made it all the more powerful.

Maya was a phenom basketball player who through her family was introduced to a man who had been in jail since he was 16 years old. At the time he was sentenced to 65 years. He insisted that he was innocent. They developed a friendship which became a romance. This book discusses her life as a pro basketball player running parallel to his life in a maximum-security prison for a crime he did not commit.

The book details his years of fighting to prove his innocence and her eventual help until he was finally freed after 23 years behind bars. Both are very devout Christians. The book is very heavy on religion which could be a turnoff for some readers.

This book was an emotional experience for me. I was angry as I listened to the shenanigans of the people who are supposed to uphold the law. Even when it's clear there is an injustice there was no real motivation to correct it. The need for criminal justice reform is so clear in accounts like this. Even if he had been guilty, 23 years would have been a long sentence for a 16-year-old kid. I just think that this person has spent more than half of his life incarcerated. Years of his life that he will never be able to recover. I cannot imagine all that he endured for no reason other than being poor and not having the means to fight for himself.

There was also so much joy in the final outcome. The fact that love was able to triumph, that justice triumphed was uplifting. I found myself rooting for him, for her, for their family, for love, for truth and justice.

There was also so much sadness because you can imagine how many other people (especially poor people) who are wrongly imprisoned but they don't have anyone on the outside who cares enough to fight for or with them.

I listened to the final hour on my ride to work this morning and I cried the entire time. I literally had to stop and pull myself together before I went into my class. This was one of several times where anecdotes in this story moved me to tears.

Overall, this is an engaging, emotional story. I am so glad I was introduced to this couple and so glad I decided to listen to them tell their story. This story helps to restore faith in humanity and the power of faith, love and support.

horribly sad injustice with a happy ending

Thank you for sharing your story. I am sorry there was such a story to tell, BUT I'm so glad for your happy ending. I pray the next chapters of your life hold nothing but abundance of health, happiness, and wealth.