THE FIVE TIMES I MET MYSELF

A man meets his younger self in his dreams and tries to change the past in this novel from Rubart (Spirit Bridge, 2014, etc.).

Brock Matthews feels like his life is falling apart. After devoting himself to his family coffee business, Black Fedora, he’s dismayed when his brother tells him the company is in trouble. Brock has managed to neglect his wife and son while focusing on the company, and the distance between them is growing wider and wider. When he begins having cryptic dreams about his late father, his friend Morgan suggests he try lucid dreaming, a technique that allows him to control his dreams. As he sleeps, Brock meets up with his younger self and imparts advice about love, work, and family. He discovers that the conversations he has are actually changing his present-day life—and not necessarily for the better. Even when he tries to improve his relationship with his wife or gain business knowledge, the results get worse and worse. The book feels slow-paced at times, and the structure of Brock’s dreams gets a bit repetitive. However, the clear message about loving others, relying on God, and focusing on your family leads up to an emotional conclusion.

A spiritual and family-centered book that will appeal to readers of inspirational fiction.