Questions linger about Theo, a pleasant but mysterious stranger, after his arrival in the southern city of Golden.
Who is he, and why is he here?

He arrives early one spring and by chance – or is it? – he visits a coffee shop where 92 framed pencil portraits are on display. Inspired, Theo sets out on a mission of purchasing all the portraits one at a time and quietly bestowing them on their ‘rightful owners.’

Stories are told; friendships are born; and lives are changed.

Theo of Golden is a beautifully crafted story about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the far-reaching possibilities of anonymous kindness.

What a beautiful gem of a story this book is. It’s such a sweet, charming, and heartfelt read that truly left a lasting impression on me. I honestly cannot believe this is a debut novel. Bravo to the author for bringing such an impactful and heartwarming story into the world. There are so many universal messages and life lessons woven throughout this book that I think almost anyone could resonate with them in some way.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a wonderful job, especially with Theo. Theo has an accent, and I absolutely loved listening to his chapters and hearing his voice brought to life. I highly recommend experiencing this story in audiobook format if you can. Also, for readers who care about content, there is no language and no spice.

I truly think this is the kind of book that is best enjoyed going in blind. It’s a slow, thoughtful story that unfolds gently, and I recommend simply allowing yourself to absorb the messages and emotions that come through as you read. This is not a book to rush through. It’s a book to curl up with under a blanket, with a cup of hot tea or coffee nearby, and just settle into. You might also want to keep a journal nearby for reflection while reading it. While I think it would work beautifully any time of year, I read it during the spring, and it felt especially perfect for the season.

This would also make an incredible book club pick because there are so many relatable themes and meaningful discussions that could come from it. Personally, I already want to buy a physical copy for my library so I can go back and annotate all the passages and messages that deeply spoke to me. This feels like the kind of story you could reread multiple times and walk away with something new every single time. I also think this would make a great movie adaptation, and if one is ever made, I will absolutely watch it. 

Theo is one of the most memorable characters I have ever read about. He is genuinely one of the sweetest, gentlest, and kindest older characters I’ve encountered in fiction. He touched my heart with how generous and giving he was, especially when he bought people’s portraits at the coffee shop only to give them away without expecting anything in return. I loved how he listened to people’s stories with pure curiosity and compassion, never judgment. There was something so comforting and beautiful about the way he observed the world and noticed the little things in life.

I can understand why some readers might find parts of this story slow or uneventful, but I personally never felt bored for a second. I was completely captivated by Theo as a character and loved spending time in his mind and getting to know him more deeply. There’s also a subtle layer of mystery surrounding him that kept me engaged and eager to keep reading.

By the end, I was absolutely sobbing. This is definitely a tearjerker, so keep tissues nearby. But even through the emotional moments, this story felt like such a warm hug to my heart that I didn’t mind the sadness at all.

While this book is not categorized as Christian fiction, it does contain some Christian themes and messages throughout. I’ve seen some readers criticize it for being too religious or preachy, but as someone who has read quite a bit of Christian fiction, I personally did not find it preachy whatsoever. Yes, there are mentions of God, a few Bible verses, and Theo attends church, but it never felt heavy-handed to me. It was more of a gentle presence woven naturally into the story, and I actually thought it added a lot of warmth and meaning. As a Christian myself, I really appreciated those elements and found them comforting and uplifting.

If you love slow stories you can fully sink into, enjoy character-driven narratives over plot-driven ones, and want a story that leaves you with a little more hope for humanity, then you absolutely need to pick up this powerful book. I truly cannot say enough good things about Theo and his story. This will, without a doubt, be one of my top ten books of the year. Will it end up being my Book of the Year? Only time will tell, but it has already become a new all-time favorite that I know I’ll reread again and again. Highly, highly recommend!!!

**This book is part of a contemporary fiction real-time reaction episode, which you can listen to here.