The Seat Beside Me by Nancy Moser

The Seat Beside Me by Nancy Moser
Series: The Steadfast Series, Book One
Publisher: Mustard Seed Press, 2nd Edition (April 5, 2016)

Review by Mae Clair

I was unfamiliar with Nancy Moser’s work, but after completing this book, I quickly purchased and read three other of her titles, including the remaining two in this series. I don’t read a lot of contemporary Christian fiction, tending more toward Biblical, End Times or Thriller/Suspense, but after finishing The Seat Beside Me, I developed a new appreciation for familiar settings. In this case—sitting in a plane, awaiting takeoff, something most of us have done before. More than once.

Moser introduces us to five people and their seatmates. All strangers with diverse backgrounds ranging from student, salesman, plastic surgeon, wife/mother, teacher and more. As the minutes tick by, these individuals find themselves learning about each other, minutes that will have a drastic impact as their lives entwine in ways none could suspect.

It’s hard to talk about this novel without giving away spoilers, but I can say it’s heartfelt, well-plotted, inspirational, and… emotional. Sometimes very emotional. Moser doesn’t shy away from difficult circumstances, nor from talking about faith and God’s directing hand in our lives.

All the characters are flawed in one way or another. One, especially, made me grit my teeth. But lives change over the course of the book and seeing that happen left me with a healthy sense of appreciation.

The Christian teaching is strong, but layered into character discussions and plot, never preachy.  One of the Bible verses the author uses as a key point is now forever lodged in my heart—Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21 NIV)

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But he still had a choice. God wouldn’t force him to do it. God was big on free will. He gave opportunities, He gave chances for excellence. He gave encouragement for goodness. But God did not push. He offered.

This is the way… will you walk in it?

The Seat Beside Me, Nancy Moser

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Although this is book one of a series, it reads as a complete standalone, with all threads concluding satisfactorily. If you enjoy novels with fully fleshed out characters and plots that make you think “what would I do?” don’t miss this incredible story from an incredible author. I shed more than a few tears, but I also laughed, cheered, and marveled at what an amazing and caring God we have.

I give The Seat Beside Me five passionate fish!

I purchased the Kindle version of The Seat Beside Me.