toffishay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I found the book funny and really breezy to read despite the length. There are definitely parts that did not age well and there are points where it feels like the plot is just going in circles. I also was a little...annoyed by the way that the women talked about each other, like they weren't very good friends lol! Savannah was a favorite character of mine and I appreciated her journey of learning to love herself without romantic love. Robin was frustrating, seeing the toxic relationships and ways of thinking that she fell victim too. <SPOILER> I felt like she was being punished with pregnancy for being in touch with her sexual needs. Similarly, I felt like Gloria was being punished for being overweight and there was a lot of fatphobia being slung her way. And the relationship between her and her son Tarik was uncomfortable. At times I liked how open they were and how she tried to raise him well, but then there were times that she was like wondering what it was like when he was having sex and then walking in on him getting a blowjob. <END SPOILER> Bernadine has the most satisfying story of course, coming back to herself after an unhappy marriage and a difficult divorce. <SPOILER> I absolutely hated the part where she heard her son beating on her daughter and like smiled because he was defending her and was on her side! Like WTF! More uncomfortable mother and son dynamics. And I got the impression that this "fixed" the daughter's snooty attitude so like, we're supposed to think that was right...<END SPOILER>. It definitely is a book of ups and downs, a true down the middle 3-star read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexism, Homophobia, Dementia, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug abuse, Pregnancy, Medical content, Grief, Drug use, Terminal illness, Racism, Vomit, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
alyssamakesart's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was interesting to read as someone who never really dated as an adult and was born a few years after the book's setting. Though many themes and such feel timeless. Two of the less mature women (that didn't have kids to fret about) kind of ran together until I realized one was a crystal girly. So did most of the men. I'm looking forward to trying more of McMillan's books in the future.
Despite all my trigger warnings, overall it was a very warm book. The friendship and the other elements beyond (most of) the men in these women's lives balanced out the chaos of dating, infidelity, and child-rearing.
Despite all my trigger warnings, overall it was a very warm book. The friendship and the other elements beyond (most of) the men in these women's lives balanced out the chaos of dating, infidelity, and child-rearing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Cursing, and Gaslighting
Minor: Dementia, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Racism, Pregnancy, Classism, Drug use, and Medical trauma
thestudioussister's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
nicolewhopickedthisbook's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I listened to the abridged audiobook narrated by the author and it was really good. I do want to read the full length novel to experience everything, but even abridged, I still enjoyed the story. I really loved the found family aspect of this book and the fact that no matter what life, and good for nothing men, threw at these women, they still had each other to laugh with, cry with, vent to, and sometimes, that is all you need.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
literarylady1's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
After watching the 1995 movie, I had to read the book. The novel felt like experiencing a sermon directly for black women trying to survive the tumultuous world of dating & relationships as black women. Each character (Gloria, Savannah, Bernadine, and Robin) presented an archetype that women should/ shouldn't present themselves in love & life. The themes within the novel were relevant to any generation. I was was a little disappointed that the budding romance between Gloria & her neighbor like it was in the film. I think that like the film, some of the characters/ plotlines could have been condensed. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I plan on reading the sequel, Getting to Happy, in the very near future.
Nia's ~LiteraryLady~ Reviews
Nia's ~LiteraryLady~ Reviews
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Drug use, Infidelity, Medical content, and Sexual content
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