Blog Tour - Goodnight, Brian by Steven Manchester

Title: Goodnight, Brian
Author: Steven Manchester
Pages: 308 pages
Genre: Adult Fiction
Source: This title was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Rating: Sweet story!

Brian Mauretti was born healthy but when his pediatrician switched his formula,  his health took a turn for the worst. The food that was supposed to be nourishing him was actually make him sick. The doctors said that the damage was permanent but his grandmother, known as Mama, was full of faith that everything they said he won't ever do, he will do.

This was one of the sweetest stories that I have ever read. Although the writing was a bit more simplistic that I would have liked, his writing did make me feel for these characters. This story is full of life lessons and overcoming of obstacles but there was so much packed into the 308 pages, I wish some things had been left out. It could be a bit overwhelming.

It was full of interesting and well developed characters but Mama was the best. She was fiercely loyal, gave unconditional love, and taught everyone the lessons they needed to grow faith in God. Her love for Italy and her stories of her childhood rang so true that it was easy to get lost in her memories.

Brian overcame obstacles because of Mama's faith and her determination that nothing was going to keep her grandson from being who God wanted him to be....whole, and completely himself with no apologies. I loved that she believed so fully in him. That he was going to be ok and that even though Brian was written off by his doctors, she was never going to write him off.

The only things I had issue with were small. The parents seemed to be strangely absent. Mama seemed to have all four grandkids all on her own even though she seemed as if she would actually be too old to handle them all. Other than that, I found the story to be delightful. This was an emotional story about faith and family and love above all. That when it comes down to it, with God and our family by our side we can do or be anything we want to.  

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves stories that are filled with faith and hope or overcoming the bad that life sometimes deals us. Goodnight, Brian was an emotional roller coaster that ended on a satisfying note, leaving me with a full heart. 

About the author:

Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestseller TWELVE MONTHS and PRESSED PENNIES, THE UNEXPECTED STORM: The Gulf War Legacy, and JACOB EVANS, as well as several books under the pseudonym, Steven Herberts. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly N ews. Recently, three of Steven’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or his four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.