Jen Hatmaker Opens Up About Marriage Collapse and New Memoir Awake

Jen Hatmaker, bestselling author and speaker, is preparing to release her highly anticipated memoir Awake on September 23, 2025. The book reveals intimate details about the end of her marriage to Brandon Hatmaker, a story that has drawn widespread attention.
Jen Hatmaker Biography and New Direction
Known for her earlier advice-driven books, Jen Hatmaker shifts to a raw, personal narrative in Awake. She shares fragmented reflections, poems, and stories about faith transitions, identity, and personal reinvention. Unlike her previous works, the memoir focuses less on guidance and more on vulnerability.
The Night Everything Changed
According to Jen Hatmaker, her world shifted on July 11, 2020, when she overheard Brandon Hatmaker whisper words to another woman. Hours later, she asked him to leave their home, marking the end of their 26-year marriage.
Key Details from the Memoir
Event | Date/Detail |
---|---|
Discovery of affair | July 11, 2020 |
Marriage length | 26 years |
Counseling attempt | April 2020 |
Memoir release | Sept. 23, 2025 |
Brandon Hatmaker Response
Brandon Hatmaker has since admitted responsibility for the affair, calling it the lowest point in his life. He described years of emotional distance and loneliness before the marriage finally collapsed, though he does not excuse his actions.
Life After Divorce
Jen Hatmaker has embraced healing, becoming a grandmother and starting a new relationship with author Tyler Merritt. She continues to explore faith outside traditional church structures, reflecting a broader journey of growth and reinvention.
Jen Hatmaker Awake Memoir Impact
With Awake, Jen Hatmaker offers more than a personal story—it is a testament to resilience. Readers can expect themes of betrayal, grief, forgiveness, and the beauty of rebuilding a life after devastation.