★★★★★ 5
Savor Theo -A Heart & Soul Dish
*No spoilers in this review
I found this book to be an unexpected banquet for my soul. I don’t read fiction very often, but as I read Theo of Golden, I realized I am hungry for what this story offers. Based on its swift and growing popularity, I believe the world is hungry for the gift of Theo of Golden.
When speaking on his book, Mr. Levi shared a quote from David Brooks, “ To write a book about kindness does not make you kind. To read a book about kindness does not make you kind… but to buy a book about kindness, that makes you kind.” 😄
This humor & humility — a “don’t take yourself too seriously” a welcoming accessibility is in the author and this book.
I love this spirit in the story —so much so, if I could hug this book any tighter— it would be behind me. (borrowing generously from Groucho Marx )
I started to do research on Allen Levi - who wrote this gift. He chose well, hundreds of little choices, keeping him close to beauty, kindness, meaningful relationships and community. His choices of early morning devotionals and prayer and regular visits to schools and coffee houses, to write songs instead of watch tv, all feeding the character of the author. I believe you cannot share beyond where you have traveled. He has traveled to deep places. A definite Ode to Joy prior to offering Theo was to write about the last 365 days of his brother’s life they shared after a cancer diagnosis entered. His brother’s early exit from here and entrance into heaven, I believe, prepared the way for one of the greatest fiction writings of our day.
Allen Levi’s habits to avoid technology and be fully present with the people in his life bleeds beautifully onto the characters of Golden. The environment is one which doesn’t talk about technology or politics. Just people connections. He firsts introduces us, then beautifully befriends us to a better way and a place, accessible to us if we would choose to allow mindful relationships to develop. All this making the community of Golden a place to cherish. Ultimately I believe the gift is to see Golden could be grown in a hometown, a neighborhood, with all people… It’s a heart posture- a posture that Theo bestows on the town.
In my ideal world, the author would meet another great songwriter, poet, storyteller: Ray Hughes. Ray is another gift to humanity, in creativity, intelligence, and accessing heaven on earth through words. I believe there would be a powerful explosion of hope, humor and generosity in their meeting, subsequent friendship & collaboration. I’m dreaming here, and lifting a prayer to the heavens- it would be awesome!!
With a grateful heart, I highly recommend Theo of Golden.
Humbly submitted,
Dawn Holley
Author, 22 Keys To Joy for the easily distracted
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Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2026
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