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. ( )

The Menu
By Steven Manchester
2021
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 5 stars

Chapter one has readers meet Phinneas Michael Reed before he is born through his birth. Not the normal course in a novel, but one that sets the tone of this inspiring story.

“Through the veil of fog, the taller shadow handed the other a thin book and patted him on the shoulder. The gold embossed, burgundy cover was the approximate size of a menu…. 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.”

In chapter two Phinn is just about to turn 25 when his girlfriend Tina tells him she is pregnant.

“Although the small token was hardly wrapped by a professional hand, Phinn was excited to see Tina’s face when she opened it.
After a long yawn, she peeled off the wrapping paper and stared down at the tiny pair of booties. “Oh Phinn,” Tina said, “they’re…”
He handed her a piece of paper. “This is the real gift,” he said, excitedly. “It’s a poem.” He smiled. “The first one for our child.”
“You wrote a poem?” Slowly—almost reluctantly—she accepted the paper. “Unborn Child,” she read, already choked with emotion.”

Readers journey with Phinn, with whom they easily will connect, from this start to all the events in his life: the good, the bad, the unexpected. They meet the people he meets in his life, watching him experience not only his choices, but the choices made by them. Each choice impacts not only the one making the choice, but additionally those in their lives.

The author’s note shares the purpose in the writing of this story.
“The spiritual journey is a personal one for me; I am not only a believer but a follower. That said, I did not write The Menu to recruit. I penned The Menu to connect, while also sharing my vision of “going home” and how the miracle of death should be no more feared than the blessing of birth.”

And connect is what he so superbly did! No matter one’s beliefs, readers will connect to Phinn and to all that transpires during his life. They will laugh with him and cry with him. They will most likely see something that parallels their own life in at least one thing that happens to Phinn. Phinn’s poems shared in the story beautifully bring this book to an even higher level.

This book is a gift of love from the author that readers will cherish.

https://amzn.to/371kmCb

Angie Mangino currently works as a freelance journalist, author, and book reviewer, additionally offering authors personalized critique service and copyediting of unpublished manuscripts. www.AngieMangino.com ( )

There isn't a title of Steven Manchester that I haven't enjoyed and taken away some thought provoking bit of wisdom and this title did not let me down. I haven't been a big reader of "Christian Fiction", I am more of horror, fantasy, science fiction, thriller reader. However, this author has drawn me into his books quite a few times now and I highly recommend his books. The Menu had a few lines in it that definitely made me look at things from a different perspective. ( )