A Seat at the Table: A Contemporary Christian Redemption Story with a Hint of Romance

by Michelle Nezat

Armed with nothing but a fresh graduate degree, her own self-assurance, and $50,000 of borrowed money, Joy Swallow is determined to start the marketing agency of her dreams.

As she's thrown into the fierce and competitive world of corporate marketing, Joy drowns out every voice but the voice of her dream. For Joy, this isn't just about business; it's about proving to herself--and to the world--that she's capable of more than anyone ever expected.

When she's betrayed by her most trusted mentor and trapped by an egomaniacal executive, Joy must decide what winning is worth and how far she'll go to secure her seat at the table.

"Michelle tells an important story, and she does it with heart. You can tell she has a deep love for her reader and for all of the Joys of the world!" Brad Pauquette, Best Selling author of The Novel Matrix

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2024

About the author

Michelle Nezat writes Christian fiction with a purpose. The themes in her novels mirror the themes in the Bible and serve as a jumping-off point to study Scripture and theology in a new way. She's a Cajun girl born in Idaho and living in Louisiana, and she has the best gumbo and sweet tea in the neighborhood (according to her husband and two daughters). Her passion is God's Word and inspiring others to discover and interact with Scripture for themselves. Drawing from over a decade of Bible teaching through her podcast More Than a Song, she's turned to stories to inspire readers to explore deep theological truths. Learn more about her and her books at https://michellenezat.com/books

Reviews

[Anna Catherine Muniz · Rating 1 out of 5]

So bad

[D'Anne McMillen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly well written for a debut novel, but I should have expected it because Michelle writes so well for her wonderful podcast, More than a Song. The novel shares the podcast’s goal of leading the listener to scripture. I enjoyed the story and characters and had many connections to my own life and spiritual journey. I love a book with strong themes and this one is chock full as the main character explores a biblical worldview and which “tables” are most important to sit at and with whom.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tale of Joy’s journey within her faith is one that resonates with me deeply. There were so many relatable situations and similarities within my own walk in faith. From the very first page to the last page I couldn’t put it down. It is a story of forgiveness and redemption. A definite recommendation to anyone looking for a thought provoking story that may tie in with one’s own faith and walk with the Lord.

[Rachel Cash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Seat at the Table is both thought-provoking and inspiring, filled with godly wisdom that can truly transform your life. The impact of this book will extend far beyond its words, leaving a lasting imprint on your heart.

[Gladys Maritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about it, from the characters to the scenery Michelle described for us. This book can be relatable in different ways, either through the characters or the dilemmas Joy faces. I personally saw myself in Joy's friend Beth and aim to be like Nanette. We all go through moments in life where we are blinded by our own righteousness and believe that our ways are good, but in fact, they are not. If you're looking for a book with drama, strong female characters, and God moments, this is the one!

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great debut novel! Michelle stuck to her story arc and kept me turning the pages. When a book, or other media, has me reflecting on the content even after I’ve finished it, it gets 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. Isn’t this how we want our Christian literature to be, to give us pause, challenge our beliefs, and bring us closer to our Savior?! Thanks for writing this book exposing how our secular world influences our biblical worldview and how easy it is to lose sight of it in today’s culture.

[Helen Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story of forgiveness and restoration! The characters were so well-developed and relatable that I felt like I was right there with them. The author did a wonderful job of keeping the reader engaged and wanting more. It made me reflect on my own life quite a bit. Highly recommend and look forward to reading more of Michelle’s work!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd half of the book was much better than the first. I found the beginning clunky and hard to keep all the characters straight. I loved Joy's transformation from claiming to be a Christian to actually living it out, but if I had to read "I tucked a curl behind my ear" one more time... I must have read one form of that at least 25 times.

[C.K. Slorra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story gave me some big feelings 😆 the protagonist, Joy, is full of spunk and bad decisions. Her contemporary struggles were all too relatable as I experienced her anger, desperation, and some vicarious embarrassment!

I'd recommend this book to anyone that loves a good contemporary underdog!

[Sarah Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read that takes you on a journey through Joy’s life. There are many characters, and you will find one you relate to in their life journey. It’s an easy read, and you will leave feeling inspired to check your own heart and intentions.

[Kendra Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little lengthy for the actual storyline. I also felt like it had some twists and turns that were not necessary, but kind of fun? It was a little “corny” but in the way that still refreshed my faith in some areas. A fun read nonetheless.

[Cathy Becnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - the characters are relatable, the storylines keep you wanting to know what happens & the Christian messages are not forced. Michelle’s writing style masterfully brings you through the ups & downs of the main character and gracefully shows you how your faith can make all the difference. A true “feel good” read: I always felt better when I put it down after reading a bit, then when I picked it up to start reading.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great REALISTIC Christian fiction book. I could actually see this happening to me or a friend. Also, this book is CHRISTIAN at its core. Although this book does not have characters talking to God and waiting for Him to communicate back as in most contemporary Christian fiction books, the protagonist in A SEAT AT THE TABLE is learning that it is important to anchor your life on the stability of God’s word instead of manmade religion. I have to say that I have not finished this book yet, but that has nothing to do with Ms. Nezat’s writing style. I just read a lot of books at one time … reading a little here and a little there. Ms. Nezat takes everyday situations and conflicts and crafts it into a very enjoyable story. Being a Christian school librarian, I am always searching for books that my high school students could read, but so much published for that age group is trash. Although this book is written for adult women, I am planning on purchasing a copy for my school’s library. It is the kind of contemporary fiction book that I am looking for and can seem never to find. Thank you, Ms. Nezat, for writing an engaging book about a common problem in our modern church culture.

[Basanti Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle does a really great job incorporating a new or returning believer of Christ into her first book. It is worth reading. Being a Christian teacher in a public school system, I saw how important it is to keep my light for Him as I teach.