An excerpt from the writings of St Catherine of Genoa on the topic of Divine Love. This is a book which needs to be read and re-read to be appreciated. The passages are each rather short but contain a depth which requires further study. Fortunately the author has included some suggested passages and points to meditate or journal on to aid the reader moving deeper into understanding the text.
Personally I would have preferred the archaic language to have been maintained

LOVE'S GUEST: REFLECTIONS OF INSPIRATION AND WONDER by Saint Catherine of Genoa and edited by Marc Aronoff is a book to treasure -- heartfelt, simple, beautifully illustrated, its quiet power is a powerful antidote to the crazy-making lives so many of us live. The illustrations and the simple, searing words are lyrical calls to the better part of us, inspiring kindness toward others. I will never forget the time I spent with this incredible, rich book and imagine that it's one that will be different every time I read it, lovely and thoughtful, but also from a slightly different angle to enrich my experience of being alive. I received a copy of this book and these thoughts are my own, unbiased opinions.

Love's Guest: Reflections of Inspiration and Wonder is a beautiful collection of thoughts and experiences of Saint Catherine of Genoa, an Italian saint and mystic. This book features an annotated selection from her original work, The Spiritual Dialogues, which captures Saint Catherine's spiritual transformation and how she converted to God.

Although I have yet to read the original Spiritual Dialogues and was unfamiliar with this saint before reading this book, I found her story and spiritual journey to be inspiring. The book is well-organized and designed to be read as a daily entry for reflection and prayer. Additionally, its included reflection workbook provided me with food for thought for journaling, reflection, and prayer.

Overall, Love's Guest is an excellent introduction to the life of Saint Catherine of Genoa. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about her and her journey towards spiritual enlightenment.

Great book that helps the reader understand the love of God in a deeper way. It is encouraging and inspiring.

I really liked this short meditative book and believe that I will go back to it often. The book includes a short history of Saint Catherine, a prelude and discussion to her writings about love, her actual text, and then an afterword with a reading guide. I learned a lot, and really enjoyed it. I could see this easily being used for readings at weddings and for quiet meditation.

A beautiful little book that introduces Saint Catherine on a short biography and then let's you explore some of her writing before a section of ways to pray or meditate on her thoughts.
I think this would be lovely little book to have on hand and dip into. It's definitely a book that would be better in physical form than e-reader form.
Thank you to #netgalley and Monkfish Publishing for this advanced reader copy.

I want to give thanks for allowing me to read this ARC.
This is a short book that you can definitely carry with you everywhere you go. Turn to any page and get immerse with the life and words of Saint Catherine. Enjoy her meditations. I read this slowly and enjoyed how the words just flowed like rivers of life and hope. It is heartfelt and you'll appreciate the illustrations included.

I just reviewed Love's Guest by Marc Aronoff, Illustrations by Jan Richardson. #lovesguest #NetGalley

Interesting book with art to go along with the meditations. Very short and odd. Not anything if what I expected from the descriptions. Are you spiritual and looking for something easy to read? Maybe this is for you. It’s definitely not my cup of tea.

I really enjoyed the curation of this collection.

It’s very heartfelt and I appreciated the visual storytelling/illustrations.

I found myself highlighting quite a few sections of the original texts and the Q&A was very introspective.

I think the author put a lot of care and attention into this piece and it’s very evident in his work.

It’s so important to include pieces like this in day to day reading. Very thought provoking and refreshing.

The intricate tapestry of Christianity, both as a religious and political force, unfolds in Love's Guest by Mark Aronoff across the backdrop of history, reaching back to the late Middle Ages. At the heart of this captivating narrative is Caterina Fieschi Adorno, a woman born into a lineage deeply entrenched in devotion to God. Her life, marked by a tumultuous and challenging marriage at a tender age, eventually takes a profound turn, leading her on a transformative journey. What lingers beyond Caterina's mortal existence are enigmatic mysteries, unanswered questions that intrigue the curious mind. Yet, within the pages of Love's Guest, Mark Aronoff masterfully weaves a narrative that skillfully connects the dots, presenting a coherent and compelling exploration of the profound shifts in Caterina's life.

Aronoff's message resonates deeply, urging us to embrace the awakening process and place our trust in it. To me, this resonates profoundly with the common human experience, making his words all the more impactful. In essence, the author acknowledges the Love of God as an invaluable gift, a wellspring of untouchable knowledge that lies within our reach. At the heart of Aronoff's work lies the concept of "The God Chord," a rich tapestry of wisdom and presence that is intricately woven through the divine connection. Through Caterina's perspective, Love's Guest emerges as a narrative of immense significance, brimming with invaluable insights. Aronoff's prose guides readers through the pages, drawing them closer to a profound appreciation of God's boundless love. This book is a treasure trove of wisdom and a testament to the power of faith, making it a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual connection.

“Faith sees at Jesus Christ is present in everything and works through all history to the end of time; that every fraction of a second, every atom of matters contains a fragment of His hidden life and His secret activity.” Pg. 17.

As a Christian, I really enjoyed this “book”. I would say this is more of a compilation of devotions or love synopsis’ that should be read once a day as a devotional or spiritual reminder.

I enjoyed the reflection guide at the end that included meditation and prayer. Then they even added multiple daily prayers with questions to help you dive deeper in thought and love.

I received a free copy of, Love's Guest, by Marc Aronoff, illustrations by Jan Richardson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is an annotated selection from St. Catherine's spiritual dialogue. This is a beautifully written and illustrated book about love. Love for God, and God's ,love for us. I really enjoyed reading about St. Catherine, who Ive never read about before.

Love’s Guest was a simple and beautiful introduction to the writing of St Catherine of Genoa. As promised in the book’s introduction, this concise volume was approachable and accessible to the everyday reader. Although I am familiar with the writings of many Christian mystics, this was my first time reading St Catherine’s meditations on love and as Love’s Guest was so brief, it led me to add both The Spiritual Dialogues and The Treatise on Purgatory to my reading list. It was a lovely surprise to read thoughts from Br. Paul Quenon at the end of the book, though they could have made a brilliant addition to the introduction.

While the text and subsequent meditations would be enjoyed in any format, I believe this release will be best enjoyed in hard cover– my eReader didn’t do the beautiful illustrations justice!

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.