The Youngest Ducks Quack!

Jules Jeptha “Jep” Robertson and his wife, Jessica, share their life story in this book.  Jep is the youngest of four brothers who are part of the television show, Duck Dynasty.  As the baby in the family, Jep believes he got more attention from his dad, Phil, than his brothers.  That is because, by the time he came along, the family had begun stabilizing.  Part of that was due to starting their family business.  But the biggest reason for the better family life was due to changes his father had made.  After giving up a hard life of carousing and drinking, Phil was around his family a lot more.

Even though Jep has little, if any, memories of that dark time his father lived through, Phil has openly talked about it.  He emphasizes how hard that lifestyle was on him, and his family.  Becoming a follower of Christ was the only thing that gave him the strength to walk away from it.  He tells everyone to avoid living like that at all costs.

Does lightening strike twice?

 Unfortunately, as a teenager, Jep began a life of hard drinking, doing drugs and living dangerously.  He continued going down that self-destructive path, believing he was keeping it secret from his family.  But he was wrong.  The Robertson’s knew what was going on, and his entire family decided to do an intervention.   They told  Jep they loved him, but gave him an ultimatum.  Give up drinking, drugs, and wild living and move back home with his parents.  Or permanently part company with his family, and live his life away from them, completely on his own. 

Jep chose his family, and willingly abided by his parent’s rules.  He spent an intensive time with his dad and studying the Bible.  Like Phil, Jep credits the relationship he made with Christ during that time for turning his life around.

Life is harder than it looks on tv.

His wife, Jessica, shares her life before meeting Jep, including a bad relationship along with the self-destructive behavior she lived for a short time afterwards.  Jep almost let that knowledge destroy their relationship.

This book traces Jessica and Jep’s life together, including the difficult years trying to make ends meet while living in a little trailer with a small salary.  The two are very transparent about issues they have worked through, including the thing that almost broke their marriage apart–Jep’s use of pornography.

Recently, Jep experienced a life-threatening health crisis.  Jessica recounts how scary it was when the doctor’s weren’t sure what was causing his problems, so were unsure how to treat him. Once again, this close-knit family believes Jep’s recovery was due to God’s intervention.

I found it interesting to see a different side of this family than what is shown on television. This fascinating 5-star book about the youngest couple in the Robertson clan will appeal to those who like true stories from a Christian viewpoint, or who are fans of the family’s television series.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of The Good, The Bad, and the Grace of God through The Thomas Nelson Publishing BookLook Bloggers Program for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Author’s Website:  http://duckdynastyfanclub.com

Author’s Facebook Fanclub:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jep-Robertson-Fan-Club/145613955587689

Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/JepDuckman