Sign-In
Cart
If Only I Were Pretty
Paperback
Biographies GeneralReligious Biographies
Publisher Price: $29.99
Publisher: Forest City Publications
Published: Nov 17 2026
Pages: 446
Weight: 1.31
Height: 0.90 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Are we defined by our desires, or do we have the power to shape who we become?
Bestselling author Robert Bautner has spent a lifetime wrestling with that question.
For anyone who has ever wondered whether desires, traumas, or diagnoses have the final word, this book offers a different answer, one rooted in a unique combination of personal agency, pure authenticity, and triumph over circumstances.
Robert's story began with wounds no child should endure. Raised in an environment of physical and emotional abuse, suffering a sexual assault at age seven and a suicide attempt at age ten, Robert navigated a complex and hostile world as an autistic boy searching for love, safety, and belonging. To survive, he learned to analyze the world around him. He longed for his mother's love-a love that only existed for his brother, the pretty one.
He transformed that desire into passion and drive to achieve his destiny. In the aftermath of his suicide attempt, he made three promises to himself that became his guide to creating a life worth living. First, he would turn every negative in his life into a positive. Second, he would be a mom someday, one who loved his children and raised them in a home that was secure and safe. Third, he would be a millionaire, a successful businessman who owned land.
From this beginning, Robert set out on a journey of self-realization, of transformation, and ultimately of fulfillment through his family, his farm, and his faith and eventual membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
If Only I Were Pretty is the story of learning to navigate the space between desire and destiny.
Desires are powerful.
Destiny is shaped by who we choose to become.
1 different editions
Also available
Also from
Bautner, Robert
Also in
Religious Biographies
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy: A Righteous Gentile vs. the Third Reich
Metaxas, Eric
Paperback
American Pope: Leo XIV's Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City
Burke, Daniel
Detrow, Scott
Hardcover
The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby: Inside a Billionaire Family's Quest to Craft a Christian Nation
Blanding, Michael
Hardcover
Minute by Minute: A Pivotal Question from God, My Response, and the Remarkable Miracles That Followed
Moody, Joanne
Paperback
A Thousand Shall Fall: The Electrifying Story of a Soldier and His Family Who Dared to Practice Their Faith in Hitler's Germany
Mundy, Susi Hasel
Paperback
The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom
Boom, Corrie Ten
Sherrill, John
Paperback
Another Life: Discovering the Healing Power of Purpose on My Long Journey from Player to Preacher
Strawberry, Darryl
Hardcover
Dreams of a White Snow Lion: The Remarkable Life, Vision, and Deeds of the Dalai Lama
Dhargye, Sherab
Bianca, Mariateresa
Hardcover
Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of the Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux, with Additional Writings
St Therese of Lisieux
Hardcover
The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today
Bream, Shannon
Hardcover
Joy Isn't Canceled: What Grief Taught Us about Pain, Peace, and Purpose
Penavega, Carlos
Penavega, Alexa
Hardcover
He Leadeth Me: An Extraordinary Testament of Faith
Ciszek, Walter J., S. J.
Flaherty, Daniel L., S. J.
Paperback
Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries
Sittser, Gerald L.
Paperback
On Fire for God: Fear, Shame, Poverty, and the Making of the Christian Right - A Personal History
Hesse, Josiah
Hardcover
America's Apostle: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen
Ewtn Publishing
Hardcover
The Priest Who Stayed in Gaza: A Witness to Hope in the Ruins
Romanelli, Fr Gabriel
de Dieuleveult, Guillaume
Paperback
Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an Actual Cult!)
Lenz, Bethany Joy
Paperback
The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist
Day, Dorothy
Paperback
Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of the Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux, with Additional Writings
St Therese of Lisieux
Paperback
New International Encyclopedia of Bible Characters: (Zondervan's Understand the Bible Reference Series)
Zondervan Publishing
Paperback
I Met God in Hell: The True Story of a Rocker's Unexpected Rescue from Eternal Death Into the Arms of God
Ehmann, Tim
Paperback
If Only We Could See: Reimagining Creativity, Compassion, and Calling Through the Extraordinary Life of Lilias Trotter
Trafton, Jennifer
Hardcover
Even If: Trusting God Through the Fire (the Official Book for I Can Only Imagine 2)
Millard, Shannon
Millard, Bart
Noland, Robert
Hardcover
Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices That Brought Peace
Moreland, J. P.
Paperback
The Missionary: A Memoir of Superheroes, Sin & Saving Souls for the Mormon Church
Hudson, Greg
Paperback
Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II
Rose, Darlene Deibler
Paperback
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas: A Life Story of Faith, the Hippo, and a Song That Endures
Peevey, Gayla
Paperback
Holy Disobedience: Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows
Spiers, Melissa Duge
Paperback
Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an Actual Cult!)
Lenz, Bethany Joy
Hardcover
John G. Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides: An Autobiography (History of Vanuatu)
Paton, John G.
Paperback
Run Baby Run (New Edition): The True Story of a New York Gangster Finding Christ
Cruz, Nicky
Paperback
The Shot Caller: A Latino Gangbanger's Miraculous Escape from a Life of Violence to a New Life in Christ
Diaz, Casey
Paperback
Living Water: Powerful Teachings from the International Bestselling Author of the Heavenly Man
Yun, Brother
Paperback
The Mothers and Daughters of the Bible Speak: Lessons on Faith from Nine Biblical Families
Bream, Shannon
Hardcover