I finished this book late last night but needed to sleep on it before reviewing. It seemed to take me forever to finish, yet I did enjoy it. The subject matter and ‘what if’ actually kept me awake several nights, it played on my mind, and I think it drives home the whole religion v science argument. It was possibly an unsettling read during our current Covid-19 pandemic. At one point in the book, the protagonist says God (collective) gave us evolution! Who knows!? This story incorporates global warming and many worries / current affairs of the world, and it was an intriguing read. It flowed well, I enjoyed Joe and Sophie’s story, and although needed, I felt the prime minister(s) parts dragged a bit - I think that’s because of the romantic in me, I wanted back to the main characters!
This was a very different type of novel which manages to pull fact and fiction together quite nicely. I know I am left thinking and deliberating (with myself!) over it. There is plenty food for thought on all levels. I’m not sure that everyone in my book group would enjoy this book (or read it!), but I think it would be a great book club read as there is a lot to talk about. I didn’t actually realise this story was written by a ghost writer until the end. I’d like to say 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.

I just couldn't get in to this book- I didn't like the characters and abandoned it after 100 pages- life is too short to read a book I'm not enjoying- there are so many that I want to read.

This is quite good even though it's not always realistic. Well written characters and interesting situations made this mostly engaging. There are some thought-provoking aspects, which I also enjoyed. Recommended.

Thank you very much for the review copy!!

Fans of the Netflix series The Messiah will find this just as gripping.
When I started reading 'Call Me Joe' I was excited to see what the author Martin van Es saw as the second coming. The opening scene is with a school teacher called Sophie and an overzealous headmaster. Whilst receiving a telling off for being too familiar with the pupils the world turns black for twelve minutes. The Sun, Moon and Stars have all disappeared. I was gripped. The story switches to Yung, in her ultra-modern house in Christchurch, New Zealand. Yung is beyond wealthy, a human rights activist and a top AI scientist.
When the Sun reappears, Sophie spots a man in white in the school grounds. Jesus has come again. There are lovely moments, especially when ‘Joe’ is talking with the children.
The book has a very deep message, and environmental issues are splashed across the pages.
Andrew Crofts has done an excellent job at ghost writing this book; it is easy to read and flows really well.
Unfortunately, for me there is a but… I got so far as the 10 Commandments being re-written and I gave up. It just didn’t sit well with me, and that is the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars. Please don’t let this put you off. It is a book trying to share a powerful message, and I take my hat off to Martin for being so passionate.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. It is not the sort of book I would usually read but I really enjoyed it, it certainly makes you think about the future of the planet and what we need to do as individuals to preserve it. I would definitely recommend this book.

On what appears to be an ordinary day, the whole world suddenly goes dark for twelve minutes.

When the sun reappears, Sophie, a teacher, sees a man appear in the school playground. As she approaches him she is irresistibly drawn to him in a way that she cannot explain. He claims to be the Son of God. One of her pupils, Hugo, decides to name him Joe. Hugo's parents are important activists in a group of twelve who have been tirelessly working to change the world before it is too late and man destroys himself. Joe may just be the figurehead they need to engage the whole world with their vision.

As Joe performs miracles that cannot be explained by science, people begin to believe he really is the Son of God, sent to save mankind. Political leaders, security services, bankers, pharmaceuticals are all horrified at the thought of losing their power and money. But it soon becomes clear that they have lost their grip over the citizens of the world who are more than ready to vote for a new world order that sees fairness for all.

A really interesting book that could not be more timely. It's message is one that everyone needs to hear. And to read more go to www.thejoeproject.eu

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced copy for review.

I am not completely sure how I feel about this book. I found it easy enough to read and despite the different characters and locations, it was straightforward enough to follow. The core characters were clearly expressed and as someone who works in a boarding school, there were elements that I recognised in terms of some of the leads in that setting. At the same time, there were some bits that, despite this being a work of fiction (maybe science-fiction?), I found kind of unbelievable - like going to stay at the house of a kid you teach... Nope. Like it was set in a real life backdrop but it seemed a bit naive. I don't know. It's hard to explain. I kind of guessed right from Joe's first appearance who he was going to end up being, but then the relational aspect of him seemed inappropriate and off kilter. It was like Jesus Christ Superstar...without the songs. I sort of felt that although some good points could have been explored it was too heavy handed in its approach and resulted in something that didn't feel quite right. Anyway. It was fine, but not really my thing.

What would happen if Jesus returned to Earth today?
A man walks out of the woods, shoeless and dressed in a white robe. Hopefully, he is not too late to save mankind.
Most people will know the story of Jesus and of his time on Earth.
The story deals with some of the most challenging matters of our time from unscrupulous leadership, different religious beliefs, environmental issues including climate change, Artificial Intelligence, the outcast and poverty-stricken, etc..
An interesting thought-provoking read.
I want to thank NetGalley and RedDoor Press and author Martin van Es; Andrew Crofts for a copy to review.

Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC
I wanted to read this book as it was so out of my comfort zone and wanted to give it a try.
I honestly dont know how I feel about this book, I didnt not like it and I can totally see where it is trying to go with it and the Joe Project and I think it's a great idea, but the story was so far fetched I just couldn't get into it to believe it enough.
I found Sophie completely gullible and naive, falling for a man she had just met, regardless of who he actually was.
When they went to the club and Joe acted the way he did it just didnt seem real or to fit with his character and I found myself just not being drawn into the story, I was constantly thinking really??
I'm glad I read it and gave it ago but it wasnt for me.

I actually loved this story way more than I thought I would. It was great to see how fiction and religion have been intertwined and how religion was put across. Would highly recommend

<i>Call Me Joe</i> asks the question what would happen if Jesus returned to help to put everything right? Jesus and the many protagonists in this story take us on a ride through solutions to corrupt leadership, diverse religious beliefs, climate change, Artificial Intelligence, the homeless, etc. etc. This is the first novel by Martin van Es with the help of ghost writer Andrew Crofts.

The world goes dark for 12 minutes. Out of the darkness a longhaired man walks up to a private school where Sophie works as a teacher. When Sophie’s students ask his name he tells them Jesus. He can see that that makes people uncomfortable so he suggests that he should use a different name. The students come up with Joe and he agrees. One of Sophie’s students, Hugo, befriends Sophie and Joe and invites them home for the weekend. Hugo’s mother is a world renown scientist who lives in a very large house where Joe meets 12 of her colleagues who are trying to decide how the world can become be a better place. Joe ends up working with this group, as well as, church and political leaders around the world. Joe makes as everlasting impact on all the groups and significant change begins to take place.

The authors do an excellent job of following each of the characters as they go through the process of recognizing Joe and then dealing with their skepticism. Joe’s character is very interesting. Although he is the sons of God, he is also a man and exhibits many of the traits that one would expect from an ordinary man. This dichotomy keeps the story from falling flat.

The plot is also compelling. The story deals with some of the most difficult issues of our time. Although most people know the story of Jesus on earth, this story has unexpected twists and surprises and is presented in such a way that it almost seems plausible. Joe’s way of dealing with the church and political leaders who oppose him is interesting and unexpected.

I recommend this book to religious and non-believers alike because it starts a discussion about what would happen if…? Are these solutions feasible? I give it a 4 on 5. I want to thank Net Galley and Literally PR Ltd. for providing me with a digital copy of the novel in exchange for a fair review.

Sophie is in the playground with her pupils when suddenly everything turns black, she ushers the children back into school. When the light appears twelve minutes later a man walks out of the woods. Dressed only in a white robe and without shoes. This is a man like no other, charismatic and kind with a message that the world should listen to. Hopefully he is not too late to save mankind.
This is a book about faith and the dangers of global warming and greed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Literally PR Ltd for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.