“It’s just small talk that kills me. The superficial cliches. I’d take a deep, one-on-one conversation with anybody—shoe salesman or serial killer—over a room full of people speaking on autopilot.” Reclusive college Professor Will Thomas doesn’t know he’s soon gonna have some of those deep one-on-one conversations with someone who knows him better than he knows himself.

Will’s life isn’t exactly going how he planned. For one thing, he’s gonna be alone on Christmas this year. Or maybe not. His impulsive fourteen-year-old niece shows up on his doorstep on Christmas morning and announces that she needs to stay for a while. But her presence brings to mind stuff from the past that Will doesn’t want to revisit. Then Will starts slipping into moments even farther into the past, moments from the life of a guy named Yeshua. Yeshua can see him there, but no one else can. Talking with this guy kinda helps Will sort some stuff out, but he’s not ready to become a member of the “Jesus club” just yet. Maybe ever.

I grabbed a copy of this Bill Myers book because I knew of him from reading my kids the hilarious Wally McDoogle series. I figured the book would be good for an interesting story and some fun wit, and it was. What I didn’t count on was how meaningful the story would be. Can I say life-changing? The author uses a modern (and ancient) narrative to reveal truths about the depth of love, the gift and price of free will, and what eternal hope really is. I love how he portrays Yeshua as so real and relatable. I love the witty and sometimes snarky remarks in Will’s conversations with him. I love the powerful reminders about the grace that is available to everyone if they’ll just receive it. I think I’ll never forget this book. Now I want to read everything else that Bill Myers has written. Highly recommended.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Fidelis Publishing through NetGalley. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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