What if God came to you in one of your darkest hours, even if you didn't believe. What would you ask of him? Would you believe that it was him? When the Galaxy goes down and only 10 people are able to survive in a life boat "God" appears amongst them and tells them that if they believe in him they will be saved. Can those who don't already have a relationship with God be able to find and believe in him during some of the worst struggles they have ever faced? Will the journal of one of the survivors help others find peace and a path to God?

Overall a very good book, not one of my favorite Mitch Albom books. However the story and the message was very clear. As always his writing sucks you in and enchants. I am so excited to share this title once it comes out. Thank you so much Harper and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy.

Nine survivors from a Yacht sinking are stranded on a raft in the ocean, and pull a man on board who claims to be the Lord. I will leave it at that, so as not to reveal too much.

The book is formatted into three parallel storylines (one told from the perspective of one of the survivors, another from the point of view of the inspector who is investigating what happened, and lastly from the perspective of the news media that is reporting about the Yacht before and after the incident.) The way these storylines connect to one another is incredible, especially considering that this book isn’t very long in the first place. It is a fast and simple read, but with so much depth!

This book touches on spirituality and faith, but is in no way religious. It is uplifting, captivating and left me thinking about it and it’s message long after finishing it.

Thank you to Harper Collins Publishing and NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy!

A group of travelers are stranded on a lifeboat and rescue does not seem to be coming. Their trials and challenges make for an exciting read.

This is the third book I have read by Mitch Albom (I read his first two book). As always, his books make you think. I found this to be a very fast and enjoyable read (bouncing between past and present). Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Another thought-provoking novel from Mitch Albom. We meet the survivors of a boating accident. After pulling aboard another survivor, he announces that he is God. Kept me engaged and guessing. Will be interesting to discuss when more people get a chance to read it.

This book was tough for me. I enjoyed it and feel into the story line immediately, but the ending fell short. I felt like it was wrapped up to quick and didn't explore what Jesus did for all of the people on the ship. I guess maybe it's a great read because I am still thinking about it, but I feel the need to discuss it with others before I decide fully. Thank you for letting me have a free read for a review.

Mitch Albom’s lastest novel, The Stranger in the Life Boat, is thought provoking and well written.  It is the story of ten people on a lifeboat trying to survive the explosion and sinking of the luxurious yacht, the Galaxy.  When they pick up an eleventh man, he tells them he is the Lord and he is there because they called to him.  The chapters are labeled Sea, Land or News.  The “Sea” chapters are the diary entries of Benji, one of the ten survivors on the lifeboat.  The “Land” chapters are told from the viewpoint of Jarty, a detective who is looking in to the discovery of a lifeboat one year after the sinking.  The “News” chapters are from a reporter who follows the story from start to finish.  The labeling of the chapters in this way made it easy to follow the different points of view and timelines.  The characters were very authentic and the plot line interesting.  I would think this book would appeal to fans of Richard Paul Evans.  Worth the read.

A book by Mitch Albom is always thought provoking as he makes us ponder our beliefs. The storyline is intriguing as we try to figure out the circumstances of the boat’s explosion and lives of those remaining on the raft. A thoughtful book as we are forced to examine our own religious beliefs. Mitch Albom books are never the same but they are always a little meditation on life.

Imagine yourself adrift at sea and a stranger suddenly appears beside the raft. Improbable but not impossible. Mitch Albom’s latest book is a ‘customized” novel. The interpretation is personal, private and unique to every reader. While the narrative appears uncomplicated there is a mysterious, intriguing aspect to the story. Ten lost troubled souls adrift in a lifeboat evaluate their situation. The appearance of a man professing to be God is both alarming and troublesome. A year later, island Detective LeFleur stumbles upon a notebook hidden in an empty, battered life boat. Two scenarios, two time periods and added to the mix are frequent newspaper reports providing background information.
Another ingenious, thought-provoking hit. Sure to be on everyone’s list.

Intriguing story about the aftermath of the destruction of a yacht, the Galaxy, which held great thinkers and celebrities meeting for what the billionaire owner called the "Grand Idea" to effect change worldwide. There are two timelines, told in alternating chapters, one narrated by Benji, a survivor of the accident, writing entries in a journal about his fellow lifeboat passengers; and the other following Montserrat police inspector Jarty LeFleur as he investigates the wrecked raft located a year later. As he examines the lifeboat, he discovers a notebook that he conceals and reads secretly. Sprinkled among the chapters are news reports starting at the time of the accident and connecting the timelines.
The story begins when the ten souls in the life raft rescue a man from the ocean who tells them that he is the Lord; everyone reacts differently to this revelation. Benji's narrative describes the desperate days following the accident, as hope of salvation dwindles along with the number of passengers. Both Benji and LeFleur are grappling with personal losses that affect their actions.
Beautifully written and thought-provoking, this one stayed with me.
Thanks to Booklist and NetGalley for the arc!
Highly recommended

A book by Mitch Albom is always thought provoking as he makes us ponder our beliefs. The storyline is intriguing as we try to figure out the circumstances of the boat’s explosion and lives of those remaining on the raft. A thoughtful book as we are forced to examine our own religious beliefs. Mitch Albom books are never the same but they are always a little meditation on life. #TheStrangerInTheLifeboat #MitchAlbom
#NetGalley

I think this book, like a number of Albom books, will stay with me for quite some time. I don’t know how to put into words the comfort I feel after reading this book.

The chapters are number, but also titled as Sea, Land and News. The reader immediately knows which part of the parallel storyline is to follow.

The Sea: where the survivors and their struggles while floating together on a life boat.

The Land: where Inspector LeFleur tries to unravel the mysteries written in a notebook discovered on a beach in Montserrat.

The News: where a reporter, Tyler Brewer, reports on and memorializes guests of the billionaire Jason Lambert’s luxury yacht, the Galaxy the night of the accident.