About the Book

From New England’s Storyteller Steven Manchester comes a soul-awakening novel about love, faith and family. During Phinn Reed’s romantic quest, he discovers that even through great suffering and loss, he is never alone—not ever—and that we are all eternally connected.

Phinn Reed enters the world with God’s promise of finding his soul mate. With heaven’s memories erased, his romantic quest teaches him that the heart often sees clearer than the eyes—and that not everyone has ordered the same items from The Menu. This inspirational novel is heartfelt evidence that love stories come in many different forms.

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MY THOUGHTS.....

'Gently and lovingly, God wrapped his arm around Phinn's shoulder. "This is your life. Order whatever you wish, but keep in mind----whatever you choose to taste, you have to finish." He told Phinn before sending him into the world.'

I have such mixed emotions about this book. It really made me think about the stages of our lives, and I found Steven Manchester's concept interesting. He shows Phineas Reed in a conversation with God before he was born, and Phineas is given a chance to choose what his life will be like. I believe that life begins at conception and that there is eternal life, but being able to choose how our life will play out???

The Menu offers a realistic portrayal of Phin's life, and we see him in joy and sorrow, in acceptance and denial. I also enjoyed that Phin writes poetry to help him cope and this poetry alone makes this book worth reading. The Menu has a beautiful love story that will appeal to romance lovers, and it proves that Maddie and Phi were truly meant to be together. It also confirms that through it all, in the good and the bad, we are never alone, and it suggests that our connections do not end with our physical death.

Steven Manchester is a new-to-me author and I am impressed with his writing skills. He has written an intriguing book, but I must warn that there are also several scenes of sexual intimacy between this couple. They aren't overly graphic but I mention this for those who prefer to imagine these acts instead of read them. Swear words and drinking alcohol are also a part of the plot and these are also a detriment to readers who prefer clean, Christian fiction.

I voluntarily accepted a digital copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

About the Author

New England’s Storyteller Steven Manchester is the author of the soul-awakening novel, The Menu, as well as the 80s nostalgia-fest, Bread Bags & Bullies. His other works include #1 bestsellers Twelve Months, The Rockin’ Chair, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island; the national bestsellers, Ashes, The Changing Season and Three Shoeboxes; the multi-award winning novel, Goodnight Brian; and the beloved holiday podcast drama, The Thursday Night Club. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show and BET’s Nightly News. Three of Steven’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. He is a multi-produced playwright, as well as the winner of the 2017 Los Angeles Book Festival, 2018 New York Book Festival and 2020 New England Book Festival. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing. Visit: www.StevenManchester.com

More from Steven

“None of us are ever alone.” I believe this truth in every fiber of my being. For me, few things are more tragic than a fellow human being who is feeling alone. It’s the reason I wrote my new novel, THE MENU.

The premise of THE MENU is a simple one. If you believe in an afterlife, do you also believe that your spirit existed before you came to this Earth? And what if you had a say…what if you actually picked everything you’d experience in this life from a MENU?