I enjoyed reading Lynne Spears book "Through the Storm"

“Through the Storm” by Lynne Spears

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I was sweetly surprised that I very much enjoyed reading Lynne’s Story!

I did not intend to enjoy reading Lynne Spear’s book, “Through the Storm”. Like others I expected a sort of tell all Mother, writing a book to make money off the sensationalism that surrounds her daughters Jamie Lynn and Britney Jean Spears.

First, let me say that I was immediately taken in by Lynne’s story. I connected with her in such a way through reading her book that I believe we could have been close friends. I found her to be authentically desirous of telling the story of her life not to exploit her children but to leave a written legacy about their lives growing up for them and their children. She felt that if she didn’t write this story the paparazzi and tabloids would have.

Lynne’s sister died young and I think this placed the passion in Lynne to get her story in writing.


And in the early years of her marriage Lynne did not spend any extra amount of time sharing details of Britney or Jamie Lynn over their older brother Bryan James Spears. Just as any other Mother would share her memoirs. There were chapters of her life that dealt with one child being born and their needs and then the next child and then 10 years later the last. So nearly a third of the way through the book I was only enjoying the story of a young family with three children.

Also Jamie’s battle with the bottle was a difficulty that Lynn shares about with heart-felt honesty as she talks about “the other woman in their lives”. She often spoke of the fact that when Jamie was sober, they enjoyed the best years of their lives. Jamie had the best recipe loved by all and was charming and delightful. I felt transported inside of the Spears household; I was watching first hand how Lynne would hold on to the good times when things were bad. During periods of Jamie’s drinking Lynne doesn’t spare the effect that she knew this was all having on her children. Some wonderful memories and some deeply wounding memories are shared.

Lynne was passionate about being a mother. It was clearly evident that Lynne loved her children so much. When she became pregnant with her third child after Britney was nearly 10 years old, I was excited for her as she so quickly became joyous about the prospect of having another precious baby in her arms.

Later when Lynne becomes a Grandmother ultimately to three little children. She clearly loves these little ones too. I connected on a personal level there as well because her grand kids refer to her as MeMaw and this is what my Grandchildren have chosen to call me!

Lynne includes some serious times in her life too, an especially traumatic time when Bryan became seriously ill after suffering a seizure. And the time some young boys on bicycles pulled out in front of Lynne’s vehicle when she was driving her brother to the emergency room. One of these boys was killed when Lynne hit him. (I cannot imagine enduring just this one storm and getting through -how difficult this must have been for her)

Another deep emotional crisis she endured was when her Momma died at a fairly young age after suffering with rheumatoid arthritis. She was so very close to Lynne and all three of her children. This was a huge emotional storm in itself.


Around this time Lynne does get in to sharing how she was involved with getting little Britney to dance classes and competitions. Much like you would be hauling your son around to basketball practice and basketball games. Little Britney excelled in performing: Singing and dancing from a very young age. Lynne had no idea where this might lead Britney. She is just living one day at a time helping Britney move towards her dreams. Lynne felt fortunate that Britney was doing so well and wanted to facilitate her as well as any Mother would. I did not get the opinion that Lynne ever felt caught up in the whole stage Mom thing. In fact I think she says later on in the book that she wished she had maintained a more “hands on approach” towards the advice Britney was getting etc. Feeling that maybe she could have at least kept her daughter around the right people.

Later in the book Lynne deals with death of her sister Sandra, who dies after a long battle with cancer. Lynne and the kids were especially close to Sandra. I came to realize that her death had a big impact on Britney’s behavior as a young adult. Grief is hard enough on adults. It would be nice if children could be spared. But of course this affected them all deeply. Indeed Britney suffered quite a lot of emotional grief for such a young woman. Lynne does a great job of sharing how she felt each of the children were affected by the great heights and deep lows this family experienced.

Like I said at the beginning of my review. This is a Mother’s book. It is from her perspective a written record of their lives as a family.

But Above all else, “Through the Storm” is a testament to the grace and love of our Lord Jesus and His transforming power.
As a Christian myself… I am so encouraged. By knowing of Britney’s solid Christian upbringing and the Christian body guard who cared for her (and may still) even to the point of a precious Christian woman who lives with Britney to help with housework etc. God is protecting this young and talented lady. I feel confident that she will ultimately sing for the Lord. Certainly when Britney comes through her “storm” and chooses to use all of her experiences for the kingdom of God she will have a profound testimony of our Lord’s love and protection towards her.

There are so many facets to this 211-page book. I think these things:

You will really enjoy your time reading it.

I believe you will come away feeling endeared towards this woman who has weathered some big Storms yet remains steadfast in her faith. You will see a woman of great sincerity and faith.

You’ll very likely be reminded of how deep a Mother’s love can be taken down and instead of relenting only grows deeper.

Thomas Nelson Publishers, thank -you for allowing me the opportunity have this book to read. In exchange for my agreement to blog about it good or bad.