**I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

There are parts to this book that are hard to read - the abuse faced by multiple characters and the plain hatred some have for others. But, there are signs of hope and forgiveness in the narrative. It‘s a study in faith, perseverance, living one‘s truth, and knowing everyone deserves “to love and to be loved.” Recommended - a good read.

Mercy House by Alena Dillon is a solid debut novel that follows a group of nuns living in Mercy House, a safe haven for abused women located in Brooklyn. It was refreshing to read a story about strong, older women helping younger women. I grew to love the the gruff Sister Evelyn who hides her softer side and I routed for all of the women.

Mercy House was founded by 3 Catholic nuns (Sisters Evelyn, Josephine and Maria) to help protect, rehabilitate and supply a safe place for women who are victims of violence. Over the years, they served hundreds of abused women, often having to cross the lines of Catholic beliefs to give them unlimited futures. Unfortunately, an evil, hypocritical, self righteous,
predator Bishop Hawkins is investigating them with the intent to shut them down.
Sister Evelyn personally knows the Catholic Church has a history of protecting male religious figures, even when their acts are despicable. The church seems to find a way to mute the truth and often threaten the women who are the backbone of the communities they service.
But, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned or nuns with a plan! Will the years of being Catholic and respecting her vows break her or will she gain strength and take on this repugnant little man with his perceived power and overblown ego? Can Evelyn find her true calling?
Being raised Catholic and educated Jesuit, I have to admit I don’t have any love lost for the Catholic Church and their patriarchal, misogynistic ways. I have encountered many Nuns some fabulous like Evelyn with a grasp on reality and others from the old school who were terrifying and down right mean. Mother Superior and her guilt, ugh like the boss who blames you when your hard owned bonus is given to someone less deserving.
Fortunately, most of the priests I met were good, kind souls. I imagine if I had me one like “the hawk” we would have come to blows. I’m sure some will be offended by this book, but I felt it was well researched and well written. Laugh, cry, get angry, be sick to your stomach, my Irish ire soared too many times to count, but root for these women!

If more nuns had been like Sister Evelyn instead of Bishop Hawkins the Catholic Church may have held some credibility for me. I loved everything about this book and I wouldn't hate to see a sequel written letting us know what happened to the fierce ladies of Mercy House.

This is such a well written book. It's a fascinating story with amazing and strong female characters..

Mercy House, a women's shelter run by three tough unconventional nuns. These ladies of God take on more than I even had considered!! It has lots of back history and some of the Catholic news present today. It was heartfelt and heartbreaking at the same time. Very passionate and intense at times and I grew to love Sister Evelyn! I look forward to more from this debut author!!#MercyHouse#NetGallely

I am not exactly sure how to feel on this book. I am conflicted. On one hand I love the idea of helping abused women. But this read very much like a political statement on the Catholic church. I have a real hard time feeling like I can give a review either way. I will probably fall in the middle with a 3 star review. I enjoyed the writing and the characters but had obvious problems.

Before I started reading this book I wasn't sure i wanted to read a book about the Catholic Church. I'm so glad I decided to read it. I'm so glad I did read it.

What a formidable character is Sister Evelyn is. She runs Mercy House, a safe haven for abused women in downtown Brooklyn.

Thru out the book we learn about her life, her abuse by a priest when she was a young nun, and her running of the women shelter.

Sister Evelyn is a heroine defending battered women. Don't be fooled with her witty personality, charm and vulnerability, they mask a fierce and strong woman who will do anything to protect those who are under her care, even going against the Church she loves so much.

Wonderful read who makes you question and debate about some of the decisions of the Catholic Church.

I received a complimentary copy in exchange of an honest review.

MERCY HOUSE is a refuge for abused women in the rough side of New York. A group of elderly nuns run this refuge with compassion, and without judgement. They seek out girls who need their help and give them a safe environment. They are are sometimes at odds with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Bishop Hawkins, who has a personal grudge against Sister Evelyn, is trying to close Mercy House. The Sisters and residents fight to keep it open. The term MERCY, is the backbone of this book. The Sisters show mercy to the girls who need their help, regardless of the consequences. Sometimes the Sisters have to learn to forgive themselves for all they have to do to protect their girls.
They have to liberally interpret their beliefs to be effective in the community. This is a well written book which exposes the conflicts between religious dictates and truly helping those in need. This book is not easily forgotten.

Not a usual storyline at all and all the more compelling for it! Mercy House, by Alena Dillon is a treasure. Set in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stu) neighborhood, the story revolves around a women’s shelter, called Mercy House, run by Catholic nuns. The main character, Sister Evelyn, has a tough exterior but a great caring side, too, and will go to great lengths to protect the women inside Mercy House. While I did grow up going to a Christian church, I have not been exposed to catholicism too much and I wasn’t sure I would understand some of the nuances of the Church but Alena Dillon did a great job explaining the way things work in the Catholic church just enough to give background when needed but not get boring. The explanations mostly came by way of Sister Evelyn’s back story, which is compelling in and of itself. I really enjoyed this book. I found myself on the edge of my seat at certain pivotal points, rooting for Sister Evelyn and the occupants of Mercy House but also found myself sad, angry and very much rooting against other characters! I learned a lot and I find this book timely in the current climate of Catholic Church scandals. I think this book leaves room to still have respect for the many people who dedicate their lives to this institution while also questioning some of its practices. I gave this book 4 stars and I recommend it to people of any religious background.

This book was so different from the other books I read in the past. The plot deals with so many topics: domestic, sexual abuse, women's struggles, etc. It was a book that every woman should read. It left me puzzled and it left me shocked after reading it. Recommended!

Women all over Bedford-Stuyvesant in New York know Mercy House. Run by a group of “progressive” nuns, it provides a safe haven for women escaping abusive men, dangerous living situations and, often, themselves. Leading them is Sister Evelyn, an older nun with a dark history of her own --- one that not only helps her empathize with her charges, but propels her forward with the grit of a woman who has seen things.

In MERCY HOUSE, Alena Dillon’s powerful debut novel, readers will follow along as Mercy House faces its most terrifying event yet --- the stern, watchful eye of the Church. Battling her own demons, her girls’ fears, criminal elements from the outside and corruption from within, Evelyn must have faith not only in her religion, but in herself, if she is to save Mercy House.

At the start of the book, Evelyn is awakened once again to the knock of a desperate young girl escaping a violent man. Though she is old, tired and has more body to move around than she used to have, Evelyn is dedicated to her cause and quickly welcomes in Lucia, even giving up her own bed so that the girl can enjoy what is likely her first restful sleep in a while. When morning comes, Evelyn is on the case --- half social worker, half detective --- as she questions thugs, homeless men and local criminals to learn the history behind Lucia’s abuse. What she discovers is as startling as it is terrifying: Lucia has been abused by her boyfriend, Angel, who just so happens to be a leading member of a violent street gang. Evelyn shudders when she remembers the initiation rite: murdering a stranger.

As Evelyn and her sisters take measures to keep Lucia and their other charges safe, readers see that Evelyn is plucky, inventive and full of gumption. Her faith is more tenuous than you might expect from one who has taken such serious vows --- she longs for a cold beer, laughs at jokes about sex, and converses with criminals in their own languages and shorthands. But she is thoroughly devoted to her cause: protecting those who need God most. In this way, she seems to define Christianity in its most pure form, and yet the patriarchal Vatican has begun to crack down on sisterhoods. The same organization that has excused pedophiles is now coming for the blood of its female members --- and with her dark past, brash manner and charitable yet questionable acts in her community, Evelyn has brought the eye of the Church upon Mercy House. Enter Bishop Richard Hawkins.

Bishop Hawkins is known to Evelyn and her sisters as a man who means business. Given that the sisters have frowned upon ways to support the girls they house, and the fact that they are currently providing a safe haven for, among others, a brash prostitute, Evelyn fears for the community she has built and the congregation she has found in even the darkest corners of her beloved Bed-Stuy. And even worse, Hawkins knows the truth behind every last one of Evelyn’s slip-ups.

I believe it is easy for readers to be turned away by a novel dealing with faith. Believer or not, it is too complicated for most works of fiction to handle seamlessly without coming off as preachy. But MERCY HOUSE is a different sort of book altogether. Dillon crafts her prose with such pitch-perfect suspense and dialogue that it reads more like a whodunit, propelling readers along as Evelyn tackles big baddies, cares for the weak and nurses her own tragic backstory. She is, in every definition of the word, a literal superhero. Dillon has infused her with such wit, ingenuity and all-encompassing empathy that even the most atheistic of readers will have faith in her and her motives.

Alternating chapters share the backstories of the female residents of Mercy House, from Mei-Lin, who was raped by a family member, to doe-eyed Katrina, who was tortured by a foster father, and, finally, Lucia, who struggles to see a way out of a life that seems predestined to destroy her. Dillon crafts her characters with an unflinching but sensitive eye --- her descriptions of violence are never gratuitous, even when they expose the worst of humanity. And through it all, our fearless leader Evelyn bears the tremendous emotional weight not only of her girls, but of her sisters and her past.

Dillon has spun a thoroughly engaging and compelling plot line in MERCY HOUSE. I was immediately taken by Evelyn and adored her sharp, witty inner monologue, as well as the dialogue she shared with her fellow sisters --- often over cigarettes. I do feel, though, that Dillon gives away too much of Evelyn’s history too soon. With her sharp eye and keen mind --- not to mention some serious detective skills --- Evelyn felt very much like Sherlock, Batman or even Dr. House, but this sense of suspense and tension was often overpowered by Dillon telling more than she showed.

Weaving together faith and advocacy is not always easy, and Dillion’s protagonist presents the full breadth of the complications implicit in trying to both live a Christian life and be a Christian. Written with heart, compassion and incredibly strong prose, MERCY HOUSE is an impressive first novel from a promising talent. Dillon has a long career ahead of her.

This book was so unexpected! It was on my shelves for a few months since I was given an advanced copy. Pushed it aside since it was about the Catholic Church but how wrong I was! Such a treat reading this debut - I really felt these characters and want to always remember Evelyn as a strong woman filled with hope! Highly recommend!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45135035-mercy-house

Sister Evelyn runs Mercy House, a haven for abused women. Sister Evelyn and her fellow nuns provide a much-needed service for these damaged, yet persistent women. However, they don't always follow the strict guidelines of the Catholic church that is their overseer and sponsor. It isn't until a new Bishop comes to town that their work may be in jeopardy. This story brims with compassion, emotional strength, and gumption, even as outside forces work against the main characters. It is a tale ripe for our times.

Mercy House is an amazing and complex investigation of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and the physical and psychological pain and healing that are necessary for women from all walks of life. Alena Dillon wraps years of abuse, repression, and, most importantly, care into this novel and her research shows she knows what she is talking about. READ THIS BOOK!

this Story may be a trigger for some. However it shows the resilience and strength of women in hard circumstances. Thanks to the help of three string spunky and caring nuns.

Heard lots about this one and looked forward to reading it, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. Too many books too little time! Heard positive things from other readers so will most likely add to our collection despite not finishing it.

Mercy House is the story of 3 nuns who run a shelter for women in abusive situations and what happens when a bishop comes to evaluate their house. I am not Catholic and really don't know very much about the Catholic church or the lives of nuns. I found the story well written, very interesting and it kept my attention. It sheds light on the abusive behavior of Fathers and Bishops, etc. My reason for a 4 star rating is the end. I would have liked to have known what happened to Sister Evelyn and not leave it up to your imagination. But all in all, it was a story worth reading. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

A story told from multiple points of view who start off quickly and is a real page-turner of a book. Truly enjoyable and would make for a great book club read. Mercy House is a story about three nuns who run a shelter for victims of domestic violence. A powerful book that shows the strength of women in difficult times. A great book to demonstrate the impact of the #metoo movement. Highly recommend. Than you to Netgalley and Morrow Publishing for my review copy.

Loved this book! Didn't want it to end...was so interested in every character! As a Catholic, I was a little uncomfortable at first, and then I realized it wasn't bashing the catholic faith at all, just bringing to light some of the rules and how we are all human. Even nuns!