“This powerful memoir blends raw, heartfelt storytelling with deep spiritual insight. Kristen Smeltzer shares her family's intense battle (…) Using the beautiful butterfly metaphor, it encourages readers to embrace the dark seasons of struggle without shortcutting God's process of renewal.”

“I must say, this book is a powerful and transformative read, offering deep biblical wisdom on overcoming offenses with God for our hardships, while also embracing our true identity in Christ. The author beautifully weaves Scripture with real-life insights, challenging readers to let go of bitterness and step into the freedom God has for them. It’s both convicting and encouraging—a must-read for anyone seeking spiritual growth and lasting peace!

Also, the audio book sounds great! Sometimes I can’t get into an audiobook based on who’s narrating, but she was so easy to listen to.”

“This book impacted me on two levels. First, the author’s testimony is profound. Second, the Biblical truths shared are deeply thought provoking and spiritually transformative. (…) Each chapter ends with steps for application and a prayer for the reader. The large bonus section at the end is great for further study and spiritual growth. Would be a great choice for a church homegroup study or book club. Don’t Cheat the Butterfly is a unique and page turning read. Highly recommend!”

“This book is filled with nuggets of wisdom and hope in the midst of what seems an impossible victory. The author takes you on her journey with her son as they walked through the edge of darkness (…) She humbly reveals her vulnerability and shares her struggles. However, she doesn’t stop at the struggles but shares with the reader how an intimate relationship with God increased her strength to conquer the loudest giants in her life as well as her son’s, and how the same can happen in each of our lives. The book inspired me to keep on believing. And it reminded how close God always has been even in seasons when I felt dark despair. I would encourage you to take time to read Don’t Cheat the Butterfly and apply these inspirational truths into your own situations as you find victory.”

“This book blessed me! So many beautiful truths that spoke to my heart and reminded me that great is His faithfulness. Highly recommend, whether you are in a wilderness season or just need encouragement, Don’t Cheat the Butterfly delivers a powerful testimony along with a strategy that points you to Jesus.”

“Don’t Cheat The Butterfly is an excellent combination of storytelling and spiritual teaching. I’ve never read a book quite like it. Every chapter had another deep spiritual reminder I needed to hear. I’m convinced we all can learn from Kristen and her son’s story. I encourage you to check it out! You won’t be disappointed you did.”

“Reading Don't Cheat the Butterfly felt like sitting down with a friend who's been through an extremely traumatic season and is willing to share the raw, real parts-along with the light at the end of the tunnel. Kristen tells her family's story with such honesty and heart, it makes it hard not to be moved to tears while reading.

(…)Kristen doesn't just offer encouragement, but she shares practical tools and faith based truths that genuinely helped her family heal and grow during a time of spiritual warfare/battling lies. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for reassurance that they're not alone in their struggle. (…)

This book is a reliable reminder that the hard seasons aren't wasted—they’re often where the transformation happens. God can use anything to turn it for your good and bring you in closer understanding and relationship with Him. Read this book if you want to be encouraged, feel grounded in the midst of a chaotic season, and learn how to trust God greater in your process.”

“This book came into my life at the perfect time. My husband and I found ourselves faced with some unsurmountable challenges. As we stepped into Kristen’s story, we felt seen, heard and not so alone. Though her son Zachary faced an impossible season of deep dark pain, the season miraculously ends in victory and triumphant breakthrough. (…) Kristen follows each chapter of this impossible journey with beautiful wisdom from the pages of scripture. (…) This testimony of God’s faithfulness in such a dark season is one that everyone can relate to and must read! It brings hope, healing and peace to those who have searched and tried everything when all hope seems lost. (…) Please read! It will change your life and fill you with hope for what is possible when we partner with a loving and restorative God!”

“Don’t Cheat the Butterfly genuinely impacted me. Kristen’s story gave me language for things happening in my own family around identity, waiting, and trusting God’s timing. I realized that sometimes God isn’t only doing a good work in someone else — He’s using that same work to change you too.

This book reminded me that God forms us at the pace that actually prepares us, not the pace we prefer. It was beautiful and deeply clarifying. (…) I also invited Kristen to share her testimony at a summit I hosted with hundreds of women and the response was incredible.

If you’re navigating identity, obedience, or seasons where God feels slow but strategic, I can’t recommend this book enough. (…)”

“The Lord quite literally sent me to this book. I truly believe it is something that every believer should read. It shifts your entire mindset and is so freeing (especially as a parent). Thank you, to the author for sharing her experience. My relationship with Abba has significantly shifted due to your obedience. I yearn to “yada” Him. I have already passed the book along.”

“I loved this practical book on how to press through trials and come out the other side looking like our truer selves. Kristen's book is approachable and weighty. The principles God revealed to her and her son will carry you through any trial, and encourage in you that fight to not cheat the process required. Learned so much here and will use these principles as I walk forward.”

“As a mother, reading Kristen's account of what happened with her son was deeply touching. I cried throughout. My husband read it and couldn't put it down. He read the book in one sitting. He came out of the room and said, "Wow. I never knew God was like that." I highly recommend this book for both women and men, alike. We own both the paperback and Kindle versions. It's not only an excellent read, but also a beautiful book!”

“An honest story about a mother's journey walking with her son to overcome demonic oppression through identity in Christ. I was grateful for the way Kristen openly shares the struggles she had. Not everything fits neatly in our Christian box. Candid but uncompromising in faith.”

“Don't Cheat the Butterfly is an EXCELLENT testimony of God's overcoming power in spite of the challenges of spiritual warfare. In this book, you'll discover a true mother of the Christian faith that goes to great lengths fighting for her child until she received the full breakthrough of his freedom. Filled with stories, strategies, and insights, this combination is a deadly punch against the spiritual obstacles many face today. Raw and Real, Don't Cheat The Butterfly will encourage, strengthen, and nourish your spiritual identity in Christ, helping you lay solid foundations for future generations.”

“I received this book from a friend as a gift. What a gift indeed!! The deep understanding of God’s love for us and the deep spiritual care we can be empowered with from Him is well covered in this book. Victory can be found and this book gives you the tools to get there!”

“The Lord led me to this book at 4 am one morning when my son was going through the most difficult time of his life. It gave me a truth-filled, effective strategy to help him through his terrifying ordeal, and most importantly, it worked. Today my son is healed, set free, spiritually sensitive, and walking with God in a powerful way. Kristen Smeltzer and her son are precious people who made themselves personally available to us when we were grasping for answers. This book deserves to be on the shelf of every Counselor, Pastor, and Ministry leader, as well as any mom, dad or kid dealing with mental illness. It is a life-changing guide to discovering the power of identity in Christ to overcome the evil one and the havoc he can play on our minds. Knowing who God is and who He says we are brings a freedom nothing else on earth can touch. The truth sets us free!!!”

“This is a very helpful and informative book. Not only for those undergoing spiritual attack, but also very relevant for all those experiencing identity crisis. Gives us valuable strategies to fight and pray our way through dark attacks. I can confirm that these spiritual attacks are real, and this book offers a shining light of encouragement and hope. Kristen’s experience offers spiritual healing, encouragement and words of wisdom for those going through, or recovering from trauma.”

“This book is medicine for the soul!”

“I would like to express my review of this extraordinary book Don’t Cheat The Butterfly. This book inspired me on so many levels. (…) Her obedience to trust God in the midst of fear and her son’s torment is challenging to us all. It made me examine my own limitations of obedience. (…)
The extensive scriptural references and study guides are not only provoking but helpful to someone who wants, no needs to walk this path for themselves and for someone that they care for. Our understanding of who God is and who He says we are is foundational to our overcoming walk in Christ.
I wholeheartedly endorse and encourage the reading and applying the principles of truth represented in this book. Well done, mother and author, Kristen Smeltzer.”

“This insightful can book can be read on two levels. First, for the story itself, that of a mother and son’s duel with unimaginable horror. Second, to be read as a spiritual guide for dealing with devastating circumstances, when anger, or fear, or questioning one’s beliefs upend. The author writes with humility and courage; she’s earned her wisdom not only by experiencing hard times, but also through years of study, practice, and teaching. The book quotes supportive text from the Bible throughout; each chapter-end offers prayer and suggestions for taking action. This is a book to be used as a reference, shared with others, and discussed. Highly recommend!”

“I read Don't Cheat the Butterfly in its original publication, and it changed our lives. This authentic account of standing with our young adult children in the darkest of days gave us practical tools as we experienced a similar situation. The heart and soul of this book is a must-read to understand how our identity in Christ can overcome all situations. Mainstream Christian thinking has not prepared us for the spiritual battles we face. Kristen Smelter is a breakthrough author in this area.”

“This book is a must read for anyone dealing with spiritual warfare. You need to understand your enemy, that he is a coward, and that he will take advantage of every opportunity you give him. Kristen and Richard endured one of the hardest things parents can deal with, as they watch their son suffer and could do little about it. This book is filled with faith, God's provision, and His ultimate victory in their son's life. It's a captivating read!”

“I’m intimately familiar with the fierce, often invisible, spiritual attacks that target our children and us. That’s why this impactful and thought-provoking book was a challenging yet necessary read. My son fought his own spiritual battles and ultimately paid with his life when God allowed a single bullet to kill him instantly. (…)

This book offers a wealth of biblical wisdom and verses to help you face your battles. Once I started listening to this captivating audiobook, I couldn’t stop, so I stayed up late into the night. I loved seeing how God can turn ashes into beauty, and I highly recommend Don’t Cheat the Butterfly. I’ll frequently reference the bonus PDF; its contents are key to recognizing the difference between my flawed human perception of myself and the truth of my eternal existence as God’s child.”

“Wow. What a story of faith-full of obedience, tenacity and perseverance. I found it very encouraging and at the same time challenging to my own Christian walk. Don’t Cheat the Butterfly has practical application steps at the end of each chapter which presents the reader an opportunity to study and grow. I highly recommend this book no matter where you are in your faith journey.”

Life changing!!