The first 2 or 3 chapters in, I REALLY did not think I was going to like this book. It was way too treacly sweet for me and felt very fake. But then things changed and pretty rapidly.

Overall this was a good and quick read. I don't know a lot about PTSD and while I don't have panic attacks, I am close to some who do and this allowed me some insight into how that might feel. It sounds awful.

I shed a few tears at the end.

I enjoyed Three Shoeboxes. This was my first book by Steven Manchester and I want to read more books by him. Not knowing much about PTSD, he pulled me in and made me believe in this horrific disease. Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

In a world filled with emotional pressures and personal expectations, one family will fracture as it precariously teeters on the hidden fault line of P.T.S.D. Steven Manchester’s THREE SHOEBOXES is a heart-wrenching rollercoaster ride that is raw, brutally honest and as painfully tender as a gaping wound.

Mac Anderson’s family is strong, dedicated to each other and his marriage is the cornerstone that holds everything meaningful together. He never expected that repressed memories from a horrific event long ago would bring him to his knees just as he has the world in the palm of his hand. As Mac slowly devolves into an insecure, mentally ill shadow of himself, he will lose all that is dear to him, including his three children and his life’s partner.

Before he is legally ripped from his family, the depression, anxiety and panic attacks, will weaken Mac enough to alcohol. But the monster within will not be quieted and society will give him no quarter as he struggles to survive one more day, alone and broken.

His journey will be long, the battle horrendous, but Mac’s love for his family and hopes to be reunited prove to empower him to take each step forward. Will his family be waiting for him? Will the love they all share be enough?

Steven Manchester has taken a compassionate look at PTSD and its victims, while telling a story of faith, hope, love and regaining trust and self-respect. A master storyteller, Mr. Manchester takes us into the heart and soul of one family as it is crushed, founders and is rebuilt anew on a foundation of healing.

From start to finish this tale will have readers caught up in the both the worst and best life has to offer. The struggle is real and through the heartfelt words of Steven Manchester, the struggle comes alive and the characters breathe. Powerful reading with an eye-opening message of hope!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Fiction Studio Books and Steven Manchester!

Publisher: Fiction Studio Books (June 12, 2018)
Publication Date: June 12, 2018
Genre: Romantic Drama | PTSD
Print Length: 262 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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I had a lot of trouble getting into this story. I finally gave up and skimmed through to the end. Disappointing.

wow, I know people with PTSD and I know their lives are lije riding a rollercoaster. Something as simple as thunder and lightning can lead to endless nights of fear and stress. If you want to see inside this disorder, read this book. It is an honest, believable and painful look at what a lot of returning soldiers are living every day. It shows how your perfect neighbors may be suffering inside. Not sure if I loved this book or hated it but I am glad I read it. Thanks netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this. the review is solely my opinion

PTSD and family life

Mac and Jen are blissfully happily married. They adore their children, Mac's job is going a bit easier and Jen is thinking of going back to work. All is perfect until Mac's panic attacks start.

As Mac finds his world crumbling around him, so he turns inwards. Failing to get the help he needs, things continue getting worse. Can Mac conquer these attacks, and win back everything he is losing?

This is the first book by this author that I have read. I found the themes - panic attacks, PTSD and knock on effects - disturbing to read about, but certainly involving. It was an eye-opener as to how a traumatic event in someone's past can come back to haunt them with such devastating consequences.

3*s from me, as though a very well written book with strong themes, I found the book a bit too short! I would have liked more detail about treatment and long term outcomes etc. Perhaps I went into the book with incorrect expectations. However, I did enjoy the writing so I have already lined up another book by this author to read!

A well-written, honest, painful portrayal of how Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can destroy a strong family bond without warning. Believable, yet mind blowing, that an event, perhaps meaningless at the time, can trigger a reaction that effects a life and tears it down to the bare core. Written with souls in the characters that come off the pages. An emotional read, absolutely heart-wrenching, as a family is torn apart and the slow recovery to healing. Steve writes thought provoking novels that I am always left feeling I’ve read a powerful work of art and I’m a better person for it.

I would like to thank the publisher for giving me an advanced ecopy of this book via netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have never read anything by Manchester before and was intrigued the by the title and the description. I enjoyed the story, but was a little disappointed in the writing. It took a little away from the story for me. The beginning was written so overly positive and cheerful, that sure is nice, but read too much to be real and connectable. It was cloying sweet. Then all of the sudden the father starts having panic attacks and its a total Dr Jekyll, Mr Hyde. It seemed so abrupt and was hard to tell how much time was actually passing- in fact, the timeline throughout the book seemed off to me. Anyway, he all the sudden became this horrible, abusive, alcoholic monster and the writing became dark and negative with stronger language. The middle of the book was hard to read and made me want to give up on the book. I'm glad I did keep up with it as the ending saved the book. I enjoyed the ending the most, both in story and in writing. Overall, there's a good story here, but the book as is just didn't work for me.

This book really helped the reader see inside the mind of someone experiencing PTSD. In addition, you get a glimpse of life for the family of that individual.

While it was not initially obvious what caused the panic attacks, once it comes to light, you understand how this could cause such a stress-related reaction. The author does a great job of allowing you to see and experience the anxiety for all of the family members.

I even think I like the fact that the book ends the way it does...and I won't spoil it for you! A lot of issues are covered and dealt with in a reasonable way.

I would definitely recommend this book.

"Hope has always been the only escape."
I recommend this book for everyone. It will bring you to your knees to say Thank You for all you have, and help you to pursue all you may wish for.
Mac has three great children,a wonderful wife, job and home. All is perfect in the world.
Then, he begins having personality changes, anxiety and paranoia, nearly destroying himself and his family.
When he loses all parental rights, his only thoughts and hopes are that he will one day reunite with his family.
Will he get better and be able to resume any semblance of his life with his children? Will they even remember him after so many months?
This is a beautiful, novel of love, sadness, anger and love.
One not to be forgotten!

This is a true portrayal of someone who hits rock bottom and loses everything but managed to rebuild due to hope. A bit hard to read at the beginning but I was hooked after a few chapters.

Three Shoeboxes by Steven Manchester
Have read other works by the author and have totally enjoyed them so was happy to read a review copy.
This one starts out with Jen and Mac celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary one night where he has a lot of surprises for her and her for him.
Next day is his sons birthday but on the way home they witnessed a car crash but emergency vehicles had arrived to help them. The family also has 3 kids and they live an ideal family life.
Jen wants to go back to work as a journalist as the kids will all be in school in a few weeks time. She gets the job and Mac gets to spend time with his kids on the water.
Love the memories of going through NH as my husband and I have travelled the path there.
A misunderstanding of something Mac finds at home on the counter and he just losses it and is charged with domestic assault. He ends up in jail and then comits himself as he's also a drunk.
Jen holds her own secrets and how she holds the family together and feels the empty spot in her heart with him gone. The doctors are able to find out the real problem to Mac's problems and are able to control them with meds.
Now the hardest part-to get to visit with the kids... Such detailed descriptions of events and also medical parts that made me understand a lot more about the symptoms.
Couldn't understand why the title of the book is what it is til very end...the whole book was working up for them.
Moral of the story is to keep your faith, never give up.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.