Bo's Cafe

Bo's Café is a Christian book, written by Christian authors with a Christian message. You knew it when you picked it up and read the word Grace on the cover. Publisher Windblown attached their wagon to this book after their blockbuster hit The Shack. Author's Lynch, Thrall, and McNicol are asking the reader to believe, using a sufficiently differently style from The Shack, that the God of the Universe loves us so much that there is nothing we can do to run or hide from that love. This love manifests itself in the form of people our protagonist dares to interact with outside his family. The book takes us through a few weeks in the life of a guy named Steven. He is a go-getter; a guy who can make things happen in the world. He has a beautiful wife and daughter but there's a catch, often seen with novels about relationships, and it's not a good one. The fact that this book has such a message doesn't mean the book isn't for anyone else.The book has a clear message, pointed right at the heart of the bulk of a Christian society that seems to be focused on trying to peddle the bike as hard as they can themselves, wrapping themselves in their own works for someone to look at and see those works as a sign of their own worth, all while calling themselves `Christian' and believing in forgiveness--except for themselves. The authors gently touch on the fact the God these people are trying to impress, has no care for that type of self-flagellation. The God they are trying to show their worth to, only cares about their hearts. Their worth, as the book subtlety depicts, has already been established. They are already the sons and daughters of this God that loves them beyond their imagination. The book takes us to Steven's dark side--then it gets darker. The story is cleverly presented to us in Steven's first person perspective as he interacts with a guy named `Andy' and a group of people acting out what the message of grace might look like, taking place in a café named Bo's. This underlying message could take place anywhere, a home, a church, a bar, a break room at the foundry, where people who dare to believe in an identity of a god calling them `his kids' can look at each others stuff and not run from it, but to it. Just when you think you have hit the climax of the book, there's more--right to the end.I guess if you are trying measure a book's reading value, whether it is good or great, you ask yourself this question: `Do I talk about it later to my friends and if so, am I talking plot or setting. Or, do I talk about it and what it is saying--to me, what it meant, how is it possible--is it possible, to achieve what the book portrays? I think that, to me, is the difference between a good book and a great book, not necessarily the writing and the prose, but when I go to sleep at night, as I drive in my car, am I wondering what it would be like to have a fifteen year old scotch with a plate of shrimp on a deck of a place like Bo's with some friends I could truly share my ups and downs with. Hmm, what if?

I’m not normally a person who reads novels… in fact, prior to finishing Bo’s Cafe, I honestly believe it’s been over a decade since the last time I read one (or even listened to one) from beginning to end. But this book got to me in a very deep way, and hit some profound truths. I see so much of myself and my own struggles in the protagonist of the story, Steven. There were many points where the book got uncomfortably real for me, to the point I had to put it down and take a breather before continuing. There were also many points where I just had to stop and weep, as profound truths became apparent to me.I won’t go into a summary of the story, because really the best way to experience it is to just read it for yourself. Or listen to the audiobook if you prefer — the narrator did a fantastic job during the portions I listened to it.Clearly, the authors of this book have drawn from experience in penning this story, because this is not the kind of thing that a simple imagination can dream up. This story is born out of real life, that faced real struggle, and found real authentic community and the amazing grace of Jesus.In church life today, it’s easy to talk “about” authentic community, but this story paints a picture of what it could actually look like. I agree with Carlos (one of the characters in the story): this is the kind of thing the church needs more of. We put up walls and barriers around each other so easily, even as Christians— no, *especially* as Christians. We feel like we need to perform to keep up God’s love and each other’s respect, even though Jesus keeps reminding us He already performed perfectly on our behalf. We fear vulnerability, because we don’t want to appear weak. We falsely believe we have enough of the answers to fix ourselves. But we don’t, and this book shows it well. God has created us to be a community faith, centered around the completed work of Christ for us.I’m grateful for this book, and that God arranged the circumstances in my life that led to me reading it at just the appropriate time I needed to.

This is more than just a novel, this book is packed full of real life examples of how we become trapped within ourselves acting out our pain & shame, wearing masks to keep people at a distance to us & not realising we lose sight as well of the God who loves us unconditionally. This story reveals truths about real freedom in relationships with others & God where we learn to be safe with the worst of us with those who love us helping us live lived and free

This book is excellent, The story is so real and anyone can relate to it> worth every penny and I would Recommend to anyone. Fantastic one of the best books i have ever read.

Great book which leads to deep thought on personal development needed and relationships to help along the way

This is a great book a must read!

Fantastic book