Afternoon Rebecca by Mike J. Kizman is a heartwarming romance that includes the themes of faith and the search for genuine love. Jeff Linn is a shy and thoughtful man from a small town in Indiana, and Rebecca Firkins is a college graduate and minor league softball bullpen catcher from St. Sister. Jeff decided to join a church chat Christian dating app to meet women in a way that would help reduce his nervousness around them. There he met a woman called “Afternoon Rebecca,” and they decided to go on a date. Their first dinner date at a charming local restaurant showed the awkward silences, heartfelt conversations, unexpected connections, humor, vulnerability, warmth, memories, and slow-burning romance that developed. Throughout the book, the characters feel hopeful for their future together, not knowing the fate of their relationship.

This is one of the few books I have read where I connected so much with the characters. The gentle, faith-driven, and warm conversations between the characters felt so endearing. I was impressed to see that Kizman did not rush the romance; instead, he focused on the exciting stages of first impressions and connecting with people. The pacing in Afternoon Rebecca flowed smoothly, with no boring moments. The stylish font used for chapter titles is appealing. I also enjoyed the other supporting characters like Hannah, Elise, Aliki, and Jerry, and how their roles or life experiences helped in sending a message of love and friendship. I recommend Afternoon Rebecca by Mike J. Kizman to readers who enjoy lighthearted Christian romance with relatable characters and faith-based themes. It is a reminder that love can blossom in simple moments and that even awkward beginnings can lead to something beautiful.

Afternoon Rebecca by Mike J. Kizman is a light Christian romance that revolves around Jeff, a 28-year-old truck driver, and Rebecca, a 26-year-old recent college graduate, as they meet for their first date at Fred's Fine Dining in Centerville. They connected via a Christian dating app and are cautiously exploring the potential for a relationship. During their meal, they share personal stories about their lives and faith, with Jeff revealing his past in a children’s choir and Rebecca discussing her role in youth ministry. As they bond, others in their orbit, such as Fred, the restaurant co-owner, Hannah, a waitress and single mother, and Ariti, a high school graduate working as a busser, divulge their own lives while Jeff and Rebecca’s developing connection is detailed. Rebecca, uncertain about the future, calls her friend Max for advice.

Afternoon Rebecca by Mike J. Kizman offers a uniquely layered storyline, and Kizman's writing shines through in his ability to mix faith, introspection, and heartwarming moments with ease. The dialogue feels authentic, and everyday interactions are portrayed organically. I thought the meaning behind Rebecca’s app username, Afternoon Rebecca, was a cute revelation. There are more serious situations that come up, and Kizman manages these sympathetically, and they are balanced through lighter moments, like Jeff’s whimsical musical musings. The pacing is pitch-perfect, and while I was initially skeptical of a setting without much diversion, it is both intentional and effective, given the story's formula. Overall, the book’s charm lies in its ability to weave together seemingly ordinary moments into a meditation on life and love. It’s an enjoyable and thoughtful read. Recommended.

Anyone who has dabbled in the perils of online dating will relate to Mike J. Kizman’s Afternoon Rebecca. Readers meet Jeff Linn, a not-so-lucky-in-love guy who lives alone with his pet African grey parrot, and Rebecca Lynn Firkins, who is ready to move on from an unfaithful ex-boyfriend. The tale is told primarily in a detailed narrative, supplemented with insightful dialogue from a range of characters. When Jeff and Rebecca meet on their first dinner date, the storylines and observations of the restaurant’s dining room staff and patrons also come into play. Readers will laugh, sigh, nod, and laugh some more through a story gently interspersed with Christian thoughts and behavior.

Afternoon Rebecca easily engages readers in its play-by-play description of Jeff and Rebecca’s first date. Their story is cleverly revealed before, during, and after the course of that one date. Author Mike J. Kizman creates a fun-to-experience look at nervous Jeff and self-assured Rebecca’s first get-to-know-you dinner engagement with chapters such as “Soup,” “Appetizers,” “Entrée,” and “Dessert.” Rebecca keeps her roommate Max (short for Maxine) up-to-date via clandestine texting underneath the table, and she allows Jeff to believe that Max is a male for just a little too long, which some readers may find a bit rude as opposed to funny. In between, readers learn about each of the primary characters on a more personal level, as well as the hostess, waitress, bus staff, co-owners of Fred’s Fine Dining and Baker, and the couple at a nearby table. Their stories spice the pages.

Afternoon Rebecca by Mike J. Kizman is a heartfelt faith-based novel set in the small town of Beach City, Indiana. It is a modern-day romantic tale that revolves around Jeff Linn, a shy man searching for a compatible romantic connection through a Christian dating app, Church Chat. He shares a 67% match with Rebecca Firkins on the app, and they agree to meet at Fred's Fine Dining and Baker to get better acquainted. Rebecca is a young woman with a zeal for life and a passion for softball and youth ministry. She recently ended a long-term relationship with her unfaithful ex and is just as uncertain as Jeff as to how their interaction will evolve. As they navigate their budding relationship, a series of hilarious, quirky, and compelling human exchanges unfold during their meet-up, creating a memorable experience for them and us.

In Afternoon Rebecca, Mike J. Kizman convincingly depicts the many challenges of 21st-century dating. The story beautifully explores Jeff's and Rebecca's spiritual lives, dating history, and interpersonal development. Their thought-provoking and candid dialogue paints an authentic picture of their unique personalities and individual experiences, making readers admire these relatable and engaging characters with each new revealing piece of information. The book's themes flow flawlessly thanks to Kizman's evocative and detailed writing style. This iconic tale is undoubtedly one that touches on the importance of honesty, trust, self-doubt, self-discovery, failures, growth, faith, transformation, and new beginnings. Jeff and Rebecca's journey is a thoughtful reminder about the significance of building a relationship with God, not merely rushing through the different stages of one's life. I recommend this book to fans of Christian literature and character-driven narratives.