The latest emotional rollercoaster of a novel from a master of tearjerkers and family fiction.Mac Anderson holds life in the palm of his hand. He has a beautiful wife, three loving children, a comfortable home, and a successful career. Everything is perfect—or so it seems. Tragically, Mac is destined to learn that any sense of security can quickly prove false. Because an invisible enemy called … enemy called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has invaded Mac’s fragile mind and it is about to drop him to his knees. He does all he can to conceal his inner chaos, but to no avail. Left to contend with ignorance, an insensitive justice system, and the struggles of an invisible disease, he loses everything—most importantly his family.
One shoebox might store an old pair of sneakers. Two shoeboxes might contain a lifetime of photographs. But in Three Shoeboxes, a father’s undying love may be just enough to make things right again.
“Compelling and emotional, Three Shoeboxes takes readers on a heart-wrenching journey through some of life’s toughest challenges, always with the ever-present sense of the transforming power of love and hope. Three Shoeboxes is Steve Manchester at his finest.”
– Carla Neggers, New York Times bestselling author
“In Three Shoeboxes, Steven Manchester chronicles a seemingly strong marriage and loving family that suddenly begins to crack and fragment under the weight of guilt and old secrets. It’s psychologically accurate, well-plotted, and a sensitive, honest portrayal of what it’s like to have a long-buried past finally surface, and what that reckoning does to everyone involved.”
– Mark Sullivan, #1 New York Times bestselling author, Beneath a Scarlet Sky
“Raw, moving, and brutally honest—Steven Manchester takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Grab your tissues for this heart-wrenching story—better yet, grab a box full!”
– Tanya Anne Crosby, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, The Girl Who Stayed
“Three Shoeboxes is a compassionate, accessible portrait of a vitally important topic, PTSD, how it affects the sufferer and the family—and how to find hope and healing.”
– Jenna Blum, New York Times and international bestselling author, Those Who Save Us and Storm Chasers
“Three Shoeboxes will linger in your thoughts long after that last page. Steven Manchester has brilliantly woven a story that will touch your heart, twist your emotions, and remind you why he is easily one of your favorite authors.”
– Steena Holmes, New York Times and international bestselling author, Emma’s Secret: A Novel
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Steven Manchester has the talent to get right to your heart and soul. Three Shoeboxes tells the story of an amazing husband and father, Mac Anderson, who suddenly changes and becomes not so amazing. He is fighting with everyone including himself, lashing out at people for no reason, and seeing trouble where there isn’t any. I love that his wife doesn’t just throw in the towel and call it quits. She wants to work with him, wants to support him, and wants to continue loving him. Until she can’t. She has to make changes in their lives to protect herself and their children.
Three Shoeboxes had me in tears, full of hope and thankful for this families strength. Anytime PTSD is brought into a story it becomes a tough story. Steven Manchester has the heart, soul, and understanding to tell the story with gentle care and love. He tells the truth, doesn’t cover it up and make it pretty but yet he keeps in real. There are families that suffer from members that have PTSD every day and this story would give them the help, the support, and knowledge that there is help out.
I am adding Three Shoeboxes to my must re-read list.
A well-written, honest, painful portrayal of how Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can destroy a strong family bond without warning. Believable, yet mind blowing, that an event, perhaps meaningless at the time, can trigger a reaction that effects a life and tears it down to the bare core. Written with souls in the characters that come off the pages. An emotional read, absolutely heart-wrenching, as a family is torn apart and the slow recovery to healing. Steve writes thought provoking novels that I am always left feeling I’ve read a powerful work of art and I’m a better person for it. They lead me to question what I would do in that situation, leads me to strive to better myself.
This book really helped the reader see inside the mind of someone experiencing PTSD. In addition, you get a glimpse of life for the family of that individual.
While it was not initially obvious what caused the panic attacks, once it comes to light, you understand how this could cause such a stress-related reaction. The author does a great job of allowing you to see and experience the anxiety for all of the family members.
I even think I like the fact that the book ends the way it does…and I won’t spoil it for you! A lot of issues are covered and dealt with in a reasonable way.
I would definitely recommend this book.
Three Shoeboxes by Steven Manchester
Have read other works by the author and have totally enjoyed them so was happy to read a review copy.
This one starts out with Jen and Mac celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary one night where he has a lot of surprises for her and her for him.
Next day is his sons birthday but on the way home they witnessed a car crash but emergency vehicles had arrived to help them. The family also has 3 kids and they live an ideal family life.
Jen wants to go back to work as a journalist as the kids will all be in school in a few weeks time. She gets the job and Mac gets to spend time with his kids on the water.
Love the memories of going through NH as my husband and I have travelled the path there.
A misunderstanding of something Mac finds at home on the counter and he just losses it and is charged with domestic assault. He ends up in jail and then comits himself as he’s also a drunk.
Jen holds her own secrets and how she holds the family together and feels the empty spot in her heart with him gone. The doctors are able to find out the real problem to Mac’s problems and are able to control them with meds.
Now the hardest part-to get to visit with the kids… Such detailed descriptions of events and also medical parts that made me understand a lot more about the symptoms.
Couldn’t understand why the title of the book is what it is til very end…the whole book was working up for them.
Moral of the story is to keep your faith, never give up.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
“Hope has always been the only escape.”
I recommend this book for everyone. It will bring you to your knees to say Thank You for all you have, and help you to pursue all you may wish for.
Mac has three great children,a wonderful wife, job and home. All is perfect in the world.
Then, he begins having personality changes, anxiety and paranoia, nearly destroying himself and his family.
When he loses all parental rights, his only thoughts and hopes are that he will one day reunite with his family.
Will he get better and be able to resume any semblance of his life with his children? Will they even remember him after so many months?
This is a beautiful, novel of love, sadness, anger and love.
One not to be forgotten!