Afternoon Rebecca by Mike J. Kizman

Scott Coleman

Thanks Sally. ... Welcome back to The Reading Lane, everyone. I’m Scott Coleman, and I’m here with my co-host, Kristen Reimer. Today, we’re diving into an amazing book called Afternoon Rebecca by Mike J. Kizman—a novel that, honestly, surprised me in the best way. Kristen, first impressions?

Kristen Reimer

Oh, I really loved it!

Scott Coleman

So, Kristen, we've been getting some great books to review lately, and Afternoon Rebecca just adds to the list, doesn't it?

Kristen Reimer

You're so right, Scott. But, with this book, I mean, it’s not every day you get a Christian romance that’s this quirky and heartfelt. The way Jeff and Rebecca meet—through the Church Chat app—felt so real. I kept thinking, “This is exactly how awkward and hopeful online dating can be, especially when faith is at the center.”

Scott Coleman

Absolutely. And I have to say, the whole bit with Jeff’s parrot, Sparrow, reciting “In the beginning was the Word”—that cracked me up. But it’s also such a clever way to weave scripture into the story. It’s not just a gimmick, is it? It’s like, even in Jeff’s nervousness, faith is just part of the air he breathes.

Kristen Reimer

Right! And Rebecca’s cautious optimism—she’s been burned before, but she’s still willing to put herself out there. I loved how she prays before uploading her profile pic. It’s so relatable. And the way they both want to keep some mystery before meeting in person, that felt honest. I mean, I’ve had students tell me the same thing about online dating—sometimes you just want to meet face to face and see if the spark is real.

Scott Coleman

You know, it reminded me of my own first online date, actually. I was so nervous I nearly wore a suit to a coffee shop.

Kristen Reimer

I wish I could have seen you that day.

Scott Coleman

I know ... I know. It wasn't a pretty site. Anyway, well, I might have quoted a Psalm by accident. The woman looked at me like I was about to start preaching. But honestly, that shared faith, even if it’s a bit awkward at first, it’s a foundation. It’s like Jeff and Rebecca—they’re both nervous, but faith is the common ground. And, I mean, the parrot quoting John 1:1? That’s just brilliant.

Kristen Reimer

It is! And it’s not forced. The faith elements are just part of who these characters are. Even the little details, like Rebecca’s John 3:17 painted on her nails, or Jeff’s prayer before dinner—it’s all so natural. I think that’s what makes their connection unique. It’s not just about romance, it’s about two people trying to honor God in the messiness of real life.

Kristen Reimer

So, let’s talk about the heavier stuff. Rebecca’s journey through grief and anger after coming out of a relationship with a cheating boyfriend, really hit me. The book doesn’t shy away from the pain, but it also doesn’t wallow in it. There’s this thread of forgiveness—of herself, of others, even of God, in a way. Did you pick up on that?

Scott Coleman

Definitely. I think the author,Mike J. Kizman, does an amazing job showing how faith can be both a comfort and a challenge in grief. There’s that moment when Rebecca talks about not wanting to be defined by her pain, but also not wanting to forget. And the church community—how they rally around her, even when she’s not sure she wants it. It’s very real. And the biblical references, like the parrot’s John 1:1, or Rebecca’s focus on John 3:17—“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”—that’s a powerful reminder of grace, right in the middle of her pain.

Kristen Reimer

Yes! And Jeff’s musical side—his ukulele, the Butterfly Ministry, even his silly “Can of Peas” song—there’s something healing about it. Music as a spiritual expression, as a way to process grief and hope. I actually thought about a case study I read on grief counseling in Christian communities. Sometimes, it’s not the big theological answers that help, but the small rituals—music, prayer, even laughter. This book gets that.

Scott Coleman

I agree. And I think the forgiveness piece is so important. Rebecca has to forgive her cheating boyfriend, herself, and even the people who try to help but don’t always get it right. There’s a humility in that. And Jeff, too—he’s not perfect. He’s awkward, he stammers, he’s got his own baggage. But there’s this sense that God’s grace is big enough for all of it. It’s not a neat, tidy healing, but it’s real.

Kristen Reimer

And that’s what makes it so encouraging. It’s not a story about people who have it all together. It’s about people who are willing to let God work in the broken places. That’s what Christian fiction should do, I think—show us that faith is for real life, not just for Sunday mornings.

Scott Coleman

So, let’s talk about hope. That scene where Jeff and Rebecca walk in Center Park, sketching sunsets and just being present with each other—it’s so simple, but it’s kind of profound. It’s like, after all the awkwardness and pain, there’s this quiet hope. Not flashy, but steady.

Kristen Reimer

Exactly. And the way the book ends—not with a big, dramatic declaration, but with a sketch, a walk, and a sense that maybe, just maybe, God is doing something new. It’s about second chances, and how Christian love can transform even the most ordinary moments. I actually had a student once who told me that reading faith-based novels helped her get through a really tough season. She said, “It’s not that the stories fix everything, but they remind me that hope is possible.” Afternoon Rebecca does that.

Scott Coleman

That’s so true. And I think that’s why books like this matter. They don’t offer easy answers, but they do offer hope. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need. I mean, I might not write a song about peas, but I get it—sometimes joy and hope show up in the strangest places.

Kristen Reimer

And that’s the beauty of Christian literature, right? It reminds us that God is present in the everyday, in the laughter, in the pain, in the new beginnings. Afternoon Rebecca is a great example of that. I’d recommend it to anyone who needs a reminder that faith can shape even the most unexpected stories.

Scott Coleman

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Well, that’s all for this episode of The Reading Lane. Thanks for joining us as we explored faith, grief, and new beginnings with Afternoon Rebecca. Kristen, always a pleasure.

Kristen Reimer

You too, Scott. And thanks to everyone listening. We’ll be back next week with another book to inspire your faith journey. Until then, keep reading, keep hoping, and we’ll see you down The Reading Lane. Bye, Scott!

Scott Coleman

Bye, Kristen. Take care, everyone!