Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

20 reviews

abbyluvsfrogs444's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is such a stunning collection of short stories. I fell in love with all the characters. I adored the writing. I became absorbed in all the stories. I love this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Grief

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical content, Dementia, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol

lilybear3's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Beautifully written and every story is immersive and compelling.  It's hard to pick a favorite.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Abortion

kimveach's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book is about sexual relationships, not just the kind most Christian churches would like you to have. The writing was excellent, and you got to know these characters despite the short stories.

The narration was good, but it could have benefitted from having more than one narrator. While I enjoyed listening to her, it felt like it was just one character telling all the stories, which is not the case.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism

bootsmom3's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Dementia, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Alcohol

Minor: Terminal illness and Abortion

davidbythebay's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Greg (Supposedly Fun on BookTube & Instagram) was absolutely right: this is an amazing short story collection! I shy away from short story collections because I never feel they are or of similar caliber to each other usually. Here, however, Philyaw has created an entire universe of Black women who are strong, unapologetically powerful, and asserting how they wish to live their lives. From queer/lesbian or heterosexual perspectives, these nine short stories cover a wide ground of topic areas and perspectives. And I'm living for it all! Absolutely amazing! 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

kayschwe's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: Abortion

catherineclark's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Dementia, Murder, and Alcohol

Minor: Abortion

jeanniea's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Amazing writing and storytelling. Each short story told so much about the characters and their relationships and life stories. Great reads.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Cursing and Infidelity

Minor: Cancer, Death, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

rockyroadbutch's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Dementia, Grief, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Alcohol

rosalind's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Dementia, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Violence, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment