About the Book
Book: The Menu
Author: Steven Manchester
Release Date: June 16, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction
Blessed with a high emotional IQ, Phinn Reed enters the world with the 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. Evidence that love stories come in many different forms, The Menu is a spiritual journey involving more than just a man and a woman; it is a modern-day tale that reaches far beyond the boundaries of reason.
Click HERE to purchase your copy!
My Thoughts
If I had to describe this novel in one word that word would be “unique.” When I started this read I really had no idea what I was getting into as this is the first story I’ve read by this author. I am really glad I took the time to read this unique story as it is one that will stick with me long after the final page has been read. I have to admit that I did not care for the main character, Phinn, for about the first 40% of the story. I found him to be SO immature and self-centered and whiny, and I struggled with him as a “hero.” But then he meets Maddie and the story changes, Phinn changes. And that’s when I realized what the author was doing — his plot mimics life. Looking back on my life, I see that it wasn’t until I met my husband, my “one,” that I grew up and became an actual adult. Before my husband, I was pretty self-centered and often entered relationships that basically served my needs. If you asked me at the time, I would have been grossly offended by this assessment — of course, I was mature, of course, I cared about the well-being of others — but through the lens of time, I can see me for who I actually was — pretty self-focused. And the same goes for Phinn. Once he meets his soul mate, it’s like his immaturity goes by the wayside. He is a new man. His thoughts change, his actions change, his relationship with God changes. Without really knowing it or recognizing it, Phinn gets rid of childish, selfish ways and becomes a true selfless adult. I loved this illustration of immaturity to maturity, it really got me thinking and reflecting on my own past. And this is what I loved the most about this novel — this book got me thinking and reflecting and crying and laughing and all the other feels. I love when a book wheedles its way into my heart as The Menu did! Bottom line, The Menu is a gem of a story and I am SO happy I read this book. If you are in the mood for a well-written, highly engaging, unique Contemporary Christian story then I highly recommend The Menu.
***Note about the book*** The Menu is a Christian Fiction story, but it is very REAL. The characters are constant works in progress and they make real-life mistakes and they have real-life things hit them. Some of the real-life included in this story — language, abortion, cancer, marital relations, childbirth, and death. Nothing in this story is crude or disrespectful. But, this unique story is definitely not a stereotypical Christian Fiction narrative.
I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on February 23, 2021, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Christian Fiction Girl 