ARC - The Secret Lives of Church Ladies - Deesha Philyaw

 

The Secret Life of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

I recently joined Net galley as a reviewer and already I am receiving advanced reader copies (ARC's) digitally on my kindle. This is the second one I have received for the week. After binge watching the five seasons of Green leaf on Netflix I have a new interest in what goes on behind the scenes in a church setting. I am looking forward to reading this one. See the description below

Description:

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies explores the raw and tender places where Black women and girls dare to follow their desires and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good. The nine stories in this collection feature four generations of characters grappling with who they want to be in the world, caught as they are between the church’s double standards and their own needs and passions.

There is fourteen-year-old Jael, who has a crush on the preacher’s wife. At forty-two, Lyra realizes that her discomfort with her own body stands between her and a new love. As Y2K looms, Caroletta’s “same time next year” arrangement with her childhood best friend is tenuous. A serial mistress lays down the ground rules for her married lovers. In the dark shadows of a hospice parking lot, grieving strangers find comfort in each other.

With their secret longings, new love, and forbidden affairs, these church ladies are as seductive as they want to be, as vulnerable as they need to be, as unfaithful and unrepentant as they care to be, and as free as they deserve to be.

https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/189451

UPDATE:

REVIEW

This is my first review of an ARC on Net galley and my first time reading this author.

I read this book in one sitting it was definitely a page turner, All the characters were relatable and the struggle with respect to relationships, family, sexuality and religion were so vividly expressed in every single story.
What stood out for me with these short stories is the role that Christianity plays in the lives of these women especially in their decision making.

My favorite story was Peach Cobbler I think that story alone could have been an entire novel. it was so well thought out. I also liked Eula and How to Make Love to a Physicist,
I hope this is the first of many things to come from this author.

I highly recommend this book