Manly Man of God

by Katharine Strange

No one sets out to join a cult. No one except for Kassandra. She knows Renewal, the Seattle megachurch led by Pastor Keith Wright, had something to do with her sister, Maria's, suicide. Kassandra is determined to prove it, all while exposing the church's racist, misogynistic, and exploitative underbelly.

But when Kassandra infiltrates Renewal, the last thing she expects to find are good people—especially not a cinnamon roll like Matt Lyons. Kassandra plans to use his attraction to her to help her gain access to the church's inner workings; she doesn't count on falling for him in the process. Kassandra knows she has to choose, her mission or the guy, because she can't have both. Right?

Examining the positive and negative of Christianity in today's sociopolitical climate with humor and care, MANLY MAN OF GOD asks readers to think about community, faith, and grief, all while cheering on its heroine as she tries to avenge her sister's death and find what she's family.

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel earned a solid five-star rating for its exceptional quality and narrative power. The writing is incredibly polished and well-edited, with clear sentences and a smooth flow that never gets bogged down in unnecessary details. The pace is brisk, carrying the reader through nearly 300 pages with an effortless, enjoyable speed.
The author's depiction of a high-control religious environment is what makes this book truly stand out. The character portrayals, their motivations, and the complex arguments they use are disturbingly accurate to anyone with experience in similar situations. This realistic and unflinching look at power dynamics within a mega-church setting makes the story feel both far-fetched and terrifyingly real.
What truly sealed the deal was the payoff at the end. It's a testament to good storytelling to have a conclusion that feels both earned and genuinely happy. In a world of ambiguity, there is a certain comfort in seeing justice served and a sweet, wholesome romance blossom. This novel is a powerful, fast-paced dive into a captivating world—perfect for those who enjoy a detailed plot, an accurate portrayal of cult dynamics, or a feel-good ending.

[tayylums · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who grew up in a religious world, Katharine Strange is SPOT ON with so many aspects of this book. From the language used on stage at a service (& coincidentally by the followers) to the “spirit” felt during a key change during worship, the reader is provided with an immersive experience that helped bring the setting to life.

At first glance, I thought this book would just be kind of poking fun of cult-like Mega Churches for some giggles, but it was so much more. I was pleasantly surprised with the storyline. As it intertwines throughout the (extremely realistic, iykyk) setting, you stay engaged. I was truly invested in the characters and their individual stories.

I can see where maybe someone still drinking the kool-aid might find it slightly offensive, but again I found it HILARIOUSLY accurate. I had so much fun reading this book!

I appreciate BookSirens providing me with this ARC and the opportunity to voluntarily post this review. I cannot wait to read more books from this author!

[Catie Monks]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I was intrigued by the plot of this story and the setting (Seattle) which is what initially drew me in. I tend to be wary of a plot that pits atheists against Christians but in this case it was justified. The author’s background and Substack writing centers around marginalized populations and Seattle has a reputation as a not particularly church going place, so all of this makes for a tale of megachurch and mega pastor gone wrong. She has a tendency to put her characters in black and white camps. You’re either an ignorant cult member who has no ability to think for themself or a hacker with purple hair who longs to bring down the church. Either way, it was an enjoyable read for a Seattle resident and an introduction to a new voice in a subject that deserves some attention. I wish it had a somewhat different title.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kassandra is fixated on the Renewal church and it's leader Keith Wright. She believes her 1/2 sister's suicide is related to her involvement with the megachurch. She sets out to inflitrate what she believes is a cult in order to prove her theory and expose the seedy underbelly of the organization.

This is Katharine Strange's debut novel which thoughtfully explores Christianity, community, faith, obedience and what happens if you follow a leader professing to be a disciple of Christ without question.

I thought the topic was well done and the book well written. It was suspenseful and you begin to wonder how far either side will go to prove their point. I would recommend this.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Glitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the first chapter, complete with the phallic eggplant emoji on the cover, I was nearly convinced I had stumbled into some Christian satire. Color me intrigued. I was wrong.

The story starts out strong. The midsection, however, blurs into a string of teenage behavior that feels repetitive and unfocused. Thankfully, the ending pulls things back together and delivers a solid conclusion. The writing itself is consistently well crafted.

Also, if your book includes quotes from Fight Club, you're headed in the right direction. Thank you for letting me read your book!