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. This inspirational love story is heartfelt evidence that love stories come in many different forms.
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.
I have read several books by Mr. Manchester. One common theme throughout all of the books is what life Mr. Manchester infuses into his characters. So much that they transform from just characters in a story to people that you can relate to. Mr. Manchester is a prolific writer.
The book starts out with God speaking to Phinneas Michael Reed aka Phinn. He let’s him pick all of the different human traits like love, faith, etc. Although, God lets him know he will have to take the bad with the good.
Phinn is born into the world. We see him grow up from a baby, teen, young adult, to a grandfather. Throughout his life, Phinn is tested. Yet, he is not alone. He meets Mr. Tetreault and his wife, Maddie.
Mr. Tetreault is like the physical form of “God”. He helps to guide Phinn with words of wisdom. For example, when Phinn first meets Mr. Tetreault. He tells him “We become the company we keep.”
Later in life, at different moments Mr. Tetreault tells him “All you can do is be honest with yourself and with God, and do your best to walk that truth every day.” “You’re going to stumble, Phinn. We all do. But have some faith that you’re not alone in your walk.”
and
“Some people live an entire lifetime in one moment, Phinn,” Mr. Tetreault whispered. “It’s what you make of it.” He looked hard into Phinn’s eyes. “Don’t waste another moment.”
The Menu is just what my soul was craving. I felt more rejuvenated while reading this book. God is great. I recommend everyone read this book.
The story is very unique and does give readers pause to think about their lives. I thought it was okay but there were some troubling spots in the book which concerned me. I do appreciate the creativity the author uses but I think he took liberties in areas that should have been toned down. His choice of words in some places were not what I would expect in a Christian book. I thought the overtone of sexual intimacy was a little too much for my taste.
I did like the message of living your life to the fullest and helping others. The author does give readers a glimpse into heaven and how glorious it is. God watches over His children and knows everything about us. I think the author was trying to point out that we have free will and make our own choices. I continued to be uncomfortable with the alcohol freely pouring and the far fetched premise that a menu was what we get to choose how our lives go.
There are some good parts where the characters have happy moments and do try to turn their lives around. I think I got the author’s point of the story that he was trying to convey. We will have ups and downs throughout our lives and choose how to respond to them. I guess in a perfect scenario an aborted child can be reunited with a parent but I struggled with this part of the story. How can the baby that was aborted by another woman be the unborn child that became the two main character’s child? Maybe I’m thinking too deep but overall I had a very hard time with the concept of the book.
I will leave it up to readers to draw their own conclusions and I will warn you that there could be offensive language and triggers in the story. Death shows himself several times in the book and warns that time is near for several characters. In the next paragraph we see God calling Death to stand down so to speak. Why use scare tactics to get someone to obey God? I didn’t like the majority of the book and it really made me stretch my thought process.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
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.
Imagine being in Heaven with God and being able to pick from a menu what traits and characteristics you want. Phinn Reed enters the world from Heaven and shows how our hearts often see clearer than our minds. The book illustrates how even if the darkest times, God always walks with us.
Walking through life with someone you love brings joy, but separation offers pain and trauma. Yet during those times, we can rely on God. The beauty and faith found in this book drew me as I read further into the book. So if you enjoy inspirational, heartfelt, and moving books, check out this novel for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
I am very disappointed in this book. All the hype made me think I was in for a great story, but from the beginning I couldn’t really connect. The opening premise is far-fetched, but this is fiction. Then the unbiblical theology included in the story raised a red flag. I thought this was Christian fiction but it contained too much drinking of alcohol, which didn’t further the plot, plus private physical relations I don’t care to read about—keep it off the page and let the reader understand. I do appreciate that the characters chose to wait this time until married, but details are not needed. I finally had to quit reading because the novel seemed unhealthy for my mind and spirit. The author does create realistic characters and makes the setting feel authentic, but that wasn’t enough for me to engage with a powerful story. If you prefer clean fiction, this is not for you. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
I thought The Menu by Steven Manchester was a pretty good read. This is the first book I have read by this author and it definitely will not be the last. I enjoyed getting to know the Phinn Reed. His story is full of faith and inspiring. I enjoyed watching him grow throughout the book and had to keep reading to find out where he would go. I enjoyed taking this journey with him and I was entertained from the start to finish.
The Menu is getting four and a half stars from me. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean and inspirational romance. I will be looking for more by Steven Manchester in the near future.
I received a digital copy of The Menu from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
This is one of those books that will give you something to think about and maybe question what you believe.
The story starts with Phinn having a conversation with God about what he wants to experience on earth as a human and God let him know that life cannot be all good things, that there are some tribulations that you have to experience to appreciate the good things that happen. It is presented as a menu that he chooses his desires/wishes for his life. I thought that was a good analogy because who wouldn’t choose all of the good things in life to experience? But do we appreciate those things if we do not have to go through some challenging times to get to the good times? I think probably not because if everything in life came easily we wouldn’t appreciate what we have or what it took to get to that stage in our life.
There are mentors for Phinn along the way including a young boy that tells it like it is without any hesitation. As they say, “out of the mouths of babes.” Sometimes the answer is the simplest thing or thought and we tend to overthink or put too much pressure on ourselves to create the perfect outcome.
I appreciated the honest feelings that are portrayed throughout the book and that Phinn struggled with events at different times in his life. I think most people will be able to relate to his experiences, maybe not specific ones but how he acts and reacts to his life.
Pick up this book next time you want to be inspired and reflective at the same time. We give this book 5 paws up.
This novel is a unique look at the life of the fictional Phineas Reed. An inspiring story of love and faith, it is sure to touch your heart.
It is the love story of Phinn and Maddie and the choices they make in life. A menu is used as an allegory of choices one makes throughout life and how those choices determine the outcome of one’s life.
Well written, emotional, easy to read. Heavy on religion; written for those of the Christian faith. It is a nice story, but not one I could easily relate to.
The Menu, by Steven Manchester, takes the reader on an inspirational journey that explores the enduring cycle-of-life questions of love and death, faith and man’s relationship with God, and ultimately, hope and redemption. Moments of happiness and heartbreak are served up with equal intensity, each guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings. You will be thinking about this thought-provoking tale long after you’ve read the final page.
THE MENU is a book that speaks to the heart. In fact, it will break your heart and put it back together. This is a book about hope, love, and life. I laughed, I cried, I thought about the profound messages of life and I could barely put it down.
This story is based on the idea that, before He sends our souls into their earthly life, God presents us with a menu from which to choose what we want out of life. The choices are ours, but God explains that each one will come with a price – a learning experience that may be difficult or painful.
Steve illustrates this idea clearly, using Phinn and Maddie’s love story; in a way that was both poignant and humorous. Although the book carries a profound message, the story itself is written in simple prose that conveys situations many people will relate to.
Steve presents us with a quote from God which stands alone on one of the front pages of the book: “You are never alone-not ever. Nothing could be more impossible.” With this story, he presents a convincing case that this is true. If his purpose was to bring some healing light into the world with this book, I can honestly say he succeeded.
Imagine you’re in heaven. You’re waiting for something, but you’re not sure what. Then God comes to you and says that it’s time to make your mark on the world. He hands to you what looks like a menu and says that you should choose those things that you want for your time on earth. And when you pick those items from the list, the worthy ones that you think will make the most impact, you realize that to have those items means that some not-so-great things have to be paired with them. Because life isn’t always perfect, is it? And as you experience your time on earth, through the good things and the bad ones, you realize that you don’t have to do it by yourself. Most importantly, through it all, you learn. Steven Manchester has crafted a beautiful story told through the eyes of Phinn and Maddie, both of whom are flawed but well-intentioned, as they live a life not unlike what any of us might live while we try to do the best we can. Through triumph and tears, you will walk alongside them as they find their way through trials and tribulations and toward ultimate faith. This is a relatively fast read, an absorbing one, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone. Thank you to Mr. Manchester for my copy.
How can you possibly read a book with tears pouring out of your eyes and your nose running with snot? It’s not easy. That is exactly what happened to me while trying to read The Menu by Steven Manchester. I gave this book 5 stars but would gladly give it more.
This book brought me closer to my faith. Not my religion but, my faith. I love his descriptions of our eternal journey and how we enter life on earth and return back to our home with God, the father. This book was so beautifully written!
The main character was Phinn and I could sympathize and relate to his journey. His wife was Maddy and boy was she a sweetheart! There were other great characters that I enjoyed. I found the story plausible and believable. I can’t tell you how much this book meant to me and how much I love it.
If you read The Shack and loved it, you need to read this one too. They are not exactly alike but, you could say they are in the same family. I don’t reread books but, I may have to make an exception with this one. There is a lot to absorb.
I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Menu” by Steven Manchester, 2020
Steven Manchester, the author of “The Menu” has written a unique, memorable and thought-provoking novel. This certainly would make a powerful screen-play. In these difficult days, this is a book of hope, love, and life. As each of the characters is ready to descend to earth, the Big Man upstairs, (God) has a personal conversation about the importance of choices, and that one is never alone. Each person gets a large menu of life.(Literally)
Phinn Reed enters the world hoping to find a soul mate. He doesn’t remember too much of heaven, and as he negotiates the current world, he painfully encounters the pain and joy of living.
I would highly recommend this compelling and captivating novel to other readers.
The Menu by Steven Manchester is a beautiful allegorical tale about the great love of God for all His children for all eternity.
Life is short. Eternity is long. We are all born and we all die, we need to make sure we live well between the dates. The most important and powerful thing that we can do is to love. Live a life of love. Make a difference as you live out love in action.
There are some heart-warming conversations with God in Heaven before birth and after death. God declares “I will be with you in your most joyous moments and unspeakable pains.” This echoes God’s promise in the bible to never leave us nor forsake us. When we cry out to God, He always hears and He always answers.
We need to exercise our faith muscle. “Fear is for the faithless.” When we have faith, we need not fear because God is in control no matter what our circumstances appear to say.
Our earthly parents may fail us, God never will. As parents we try our best but it is not always good enough because we are only human. I loved these words from a new Dad: “You’ll always be the only person you can be – my son. And regardless of the roads you travel, I’ll be proud.” These are God’s thoughts too. He loves us all equally and unconditionally. God is love. His character is love. He urges us to love as He has loved us.
We all make choices in life. We have a menu of choices. We want to choose wisely and live well.
The Menu is a very beautiful book about love. It reveals the heart of God. The Menu is a work of fiction but God’s love and truth shines through. The Menu is beautifully written. It will fill your heart with love and leave you feeling peaceful.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Can you find exactly what you want without ordering the perfect thing from the menu?
I’ve not read anything before by Steven Manchester, so this was a new to me author. This story is original. Phinn is in the world and trying to find his way. The writing moves along just fine and the characters are interesting.
This book does deal with abortion, so it might be a trigger for some readers. It’s inspirational in that the character of Phinn talks to his version of god while going along his way, but it’s also a bit of a fantasy story in that he’s allowed to order what he thinks he wants for a love story.
I liked that the characters aren’t perfect and I appreciated that they can’t always get what they want. It made me wonder while I read what I might have chosen had I the opportunity to pick from a menu. So in that respect, it does make one think.
This book isn’t what I’d normally pick for my reading. I like a distinctive line with the romance. The injected spirituality and religion is good, but not my cuppa. I also had a bit of an issue with this being listed as inspirational when there is discussion of romantic relations. I won’t give away spoilers, but this isn’t a sweet book. It’s more of a sensual story and might not be for some readers wanting purely sweet romance.
If you’re looking for a book that makes you think and look at the life, mostly your choices, a little differently, then this might be the book for you. Check it out.
Before you open this book and lose yourself in the touching story, make sure you grab at least one box of tissues.
While partly a romance, it’s more an adventure of living life, making choices, faith, and redemption. There are so many lessons shared throughout the pages. What choices do we make from the menu of life? And what price must we pay for those choices?
The relationships will touch you deeply. The lives are intertwined and their stories will move you emotionally and, at times, in heartwrenching sobs. We are reminded that we are never alone. God is always there.
Thank you to the author and Luna Bella Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
This is the first book I have read by Steve Manchester and I am so glad I won his giveaway. It had such a profound impact on me and I was in tears by the time I finished the book. The book has such a healing message especially in times like we are living in today. It awakens the concept of spirituality, love, kindness as well as faith. The book gave me a new perspective on how to look at life as an individual. Thank you Steve for this wonderful and meaningful book which will stay with me for a very long time. It was truly UPLIFTING!!
Will stir your soul
The Menu is an inspirational masterpiece of love, loss, faith, skepticism, achievements, and challenges-all stages of life. It’s emotional and heartfelt. It brings a new perspective to the questions of what happens when we die and where is God? The journey Steven takes you on in The Menu stays with you long after you close the book. Beautifully written.
Have you ever read Steven Manchester? If this is your first book or you are a true fan, like me, you will love The Menu. Before each person starts their lives they have a meeting with God to choose what will be important to them, which characteristics in life they want to embody, and then as they live their lives God helps them embrace those characteristics. Choosing their characteristics doesn’t mean their lives are easy, with each choice they make there is anguish or hurt they must endure to find the good.
As I read The Menu, I wondered what I would have chosen. Am I reaching the goals that I set for myself before I was even born? Has the pain I have experienced given me the opportunities to make myself a better person?
In true Steven Manchester style he has enlightened me, he has made me think, and he has made me feel. Steven has given me characters that touched my heart, a storyline that made me feel, and a book that I will remember.