Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC of Mercy House. Sister Evelyn is a strong, take-charge nun who is a champion for the women who seek refuge at Mercy House until an abusive priest from her past interferes. I really enjoyed this story, it had great character development and setting descriptions. As a non-Catholic, it was an interesting read. #NetGalley #BookClubGirls #HarperCollins

Mercy House by Alena Dillon is a story about the power men have over women as well as the privilege they exert. It is gritty and gruesome also heartbreaking. Evelyn has been a Catholic nun for over 40 years. He father convinced her to join the order after he promised God that she would if he brought her brother, Sean, home from war. Sean came home; Evie went to the convent. That is where it started. There was a priest there who sexually abused Evie and convinced her it was her fault: she tempted him; that if she told she would be the guilty one, not him. Some years later, after nuns took off their habits and could live away from the convent, Evie and two other nuns opened a home for battered women. It was a non-descript house on a non-descript street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant portion of Brooklyn. For twenty-five years they saved lives in that house. Sometimes part of saving a life was taking another one in the form of abortion. Sometimes they just accompanied the woman; sometimes they paid the bill. They did many other things in this home that the Church didn't approve of but they kept a low profile and helped women. Until one day when the Bishop came to call.

Men do have power and privilege but not all men use it to hurt women. We are seeing the worst of the lot in this story. We are also seeing the power of the Catholic Church at its worst, sadly a place it has been for many years. This book was painful to read...it was one horrendous thing after another...but realistic, especially in this neighborhood. It is the story of humankind; of women; of families; of lack of communication. Would I choose a diet of this book, which I'm sure is possible? No I would not. Am I glad I read it? Absolutely. It shows the triumph of love over evil. I recommend it, but not on a day you are already depressed.

I received a free ARC of Mercy House from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations expressed herein are solely my own. #netgalley #mercyhouse

Unlikely heroines are at the core of this convent based story. Sister Evelyn is a nun like no other. She is fearless in her outreach and protection of her charges. Her confidence and the work of her order are threatened by the visit of a nemesis from her past. The transformation of the characters as they face this powerful bully are uplifting.
Thank you Netgalley for the provision of this egalley,. All opinions are my own.

Victims and survivors! A stunning tribute!

Sister Evelyn runs a woman's shelter in Brooklyn along with her sister nuns. The work is challenging and often rewarding. Over the years Evelyn's concepts of Catholicism, her working faith have been confronted by the women's needs. This does lead her down a different path to that proscribed and opens up many questions. The crux however is that Sister Evelyn harbors a secret just as wretched as her charges. When the author of that secret, the vengeful Bishop Robert Hawkins targets their work for his "nun-quition" Evelyn's repressed past bubbles to the surface.
Confronting issues involved with abuse and power within the church, I found this a powerful read. As well as the way the nuns must face the reality of their charges circumstances. I applauded the residents of Mercy House and I loved the way the nuns had become part of the local community. That their work quietly has earned the support of their neighbors is telling.
Evelyn herself is a rather contrary character who goes from being a confident and brash lioness to a fearful rabbit when the Hawk comes. The rhythm of confrontation between them leaves Evelyn more and more devastated as the Bishop targets her and the Refuge and the women who are on a healing journey. Until Evelyn breaks through her own victimization nothing changes, and when that moment comes I was standing in the pews in solidarity alongside Mei-Li, Desiree, Esther, Lucia and Katrina when Evelyn "was joined by a line of soldiers who had seen the belly of combat and had survived—a small but fierce army." Yes!!
A powerful read leavened with moments of humor and love!

A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley

Wow, just wow! Thoroughly enjoyed this charming story. I had just finished a book that was not my jam and was a bit didactic, so I was ready for one that sounded interesting, but ultimately positive. Watched Virginia Stanley recommend this one on Library Love Fest awhile back, and she has never led me astray!

I was totally engrossed in the first fifty percent of Mercy House. I thought Sister Evelyn was a strong character. Dillon did a good job showing the changes for nuns in the Catholic Church from the 1960s to the 1990’s. The nuns of Mercy House were truly caring and believed in their mission to help women who were abused. I felt the second half went in too many directions and felt the ending was weak. Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mercy house was place of refuge, a place of healing for broken girls. I saw an inside glimpse of the faithful ministry of nuns. They had gone through years of change and were committed to staying the course helping anyone who came to their door. They were brave, determined and not perfect. It was refreshing. It was also brutal and unfair. Life is like that isn’t it?
Some people will think this book is about the Catholic Church, but it was about abuse to women. And it also was about shame, fear and guilt. Trying to learn how to live with it. And hopefully heal from it and being brave enough to tell someone you trust what happened.
I also experienced this in my life and still suffers after all this time. I’ve been talking openly about it for a couple of years now and I’ve received healing because of it. It still hurts me but it doesn’t control me anymore.
I thought this book was excellent. And I highly recommend it. It isn’t a light read but it necessary for us to understand the depth of abuse that’s still happening today. And how wonderful it is that there are people willing to meet you where you are. Willing to take a chance on you and listen to your story.

This was a NETGALLEY gift. And I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for this digital ARC.

This debut novel is about three aging nuns who operate a safe house for abused women in Brooklyn, but the focus is on the story of Sister Evelyn. Her relationship with the Catholic Church has always been rocky, and when Mercy House and its sometimes nontraditional approaches to healing come under scrutiny by an unscrupulous bishop, everything she has believed in and worked for is threatened. More than a tale of this battle to save this one shelter, this is about a crisis of faith and a lifelong search for identity.

This book does require some content warnings: sexual assault (mostly not graphic, but only mostly), domestic violence, and institutional corruption/conspiracy to commit abuse. Dillon relates the backgrounds of Mercy House's residents, and as you might expect, they are not pleasant. The presentation did not seem prurient or gratuitous, however, which can be a difficult balance to maintain when writing scenes meant to provoke outrage on behalf of their victims. That these victims are then made vulnerable to additional abuses by the patriarchal system to which they have turned for help then piles on layers of tension that make this a challenging yet worthwhile and moving read.

I questioned some of the narrative decisions that Dillon made. I would have chosen very differently, but, well, I'm an atheist. An atheist who was brought up in a Christian tradition and who still appreciates people who live their faith to the benefit of others, but an atheist all the same, and that made it difficult for me to accept some of the directions Dillon took her characters. On the other hand, this made me examine why I have made some of the decisions I have made in my own life, so that's pretty effective writing. I also think that casting the Church itself in the role of an abusive parent was a deliberate move and made everything else make a lot of sense.

I'm giving this only four stars because some of the pacing felt a little off to me and sometimes the internal consistency was lacking. For example, the whole Angel conflict had a strange story arc, and the much-touted secrecy of the Mercy House took a flying leap out the window at one point, never to return, and that was not addressed at all. I think I was also expecting more of a mystery subplot about Evelyn's "secrets." But that could be just me.

The ending was a little too neat in some ways, I thought, but it was balanced by some reasonably ambiguous loose threads. If you liked Sister Act but didn't think it was dark enough, and you're looking for a character study of a mature woman exploring what her faith means to her, and you can handle a narrative that often casts the Catholic Church in a negative light, you will probably like this.

Sister Evelyn is the driving force at Mercy House, where she works with two other nuns, to provide shelter and a little rehab to women who have fled abusive situations. Things go off the rails when Bishop Hawkins, a man who raped Evelyn repeatedly when she was in the novitiate, is assigned to review the operation. The strongest part of this are the stories of the young women. What's problematic is that it goes over the top so often- when the Bishop searches the rooms of the residents, when Evelyn is confronted and excommunicated, in Evelyn's discussions with her family, and so on. Others can argue about Church canon and Evelyn's actions; I read this as a novel and kept reading because I wanted to know what happened. The prose is sometimes purple but it clearly bears the weight of Dillon's emotions. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well developed and the story was well written. I recommmend this book.

Mercy House by author Alena Dillon really took me by surprise. When I first started reading it I didn’t think it was a story that would hold my interest but was I ever wrong. Not being of the Catholic faith, I knew nothing about their religion so I actually learned a lot from reading this. The things that happened were quite shocking to me. Sister Evelyn was an amazing person and one that I felt deserved respect. There were many lessons that you take away from reading this book. Towards the end there was something that shocked me about Evelyn but did not change my feelings towards her. Everyone deserves to love and to be loved. After reading this, I strongly recommend that everyone tries reading outside of their comfort zone. You just might be surprised at what you enjoy. I know I was! I’d like to thank Book Club Girl and NetGalley for the arc to read and review. All opinions are my own. I give this 4 stars.

This story is about a group of women...some down on their luck and the nuns who try to help them.
One nun, Sister Evelyn, has a story all of her own. She keeps a secret most of the book and it is this
secret that influences every thing she does. Without giving anything away I can say this story is very much about many of the things we read in todays newspapers. In summary...it shows the strength and will power of women and how the accomplish the goals in their life. Read it..I think you will enjoy

At Mercy House, Sister Evelyn and two other nuns rescue women from abuse and violence, helping them on the path to becoming independent. Her calling is in ministering to these women and Mercy House is her pet project, until a visitor from her past, Father Hawkins, arrives at Mercy House on a mission of his own, with no qualms about ruining Evelyn's dreams. Evelyn's priority is with her charges and she will go to any means necessary to protect them.

I would definitely consider this one of the few 5 star reads I've read recently. The characters are well developed and the author has done an extraordinary job of outlining the (many) flaws of the church. One can't help rooting for Evelyn and the sisters, especially considering the good they do in life compared to the rather useless Hawkins. I've already recommended it multiple times for when it releases and will continue to do so.

Evelyn was never wanted. Her father even bargained with God to bring his son home from the war, and he would put Evelyn in a convent. Evelyn's brother did come home, and she did go to the convent.

Her time in the convent wasn't pleasant. Evelyn saw and endured unpleasant things.

After a few years, she and a few of her fellow nuns opened a shelter in Brooklyn that housed girls suffering from domestic abuse and abandonment. The red door with the angel knocker was a welcome refuge.

This refuge is threatened when one of the bishops from Evelyn's past who holds a grudge against her arrives to see exactly what they do at the women's shelter and threatens to shut it down.

We follow Evelyn as she worries about the fate of the house and about the girls inside....what if they say the wrong thing while Father Hawkins is interviewing them? How will she keep them safe and keep Mercy House open if he finds damning evidence whether real or made up?

Evelyn was a very strong, feisty, but sad woman who would do or say anything to protect the girls she was helping. I really liked her.

Sister Maria and Sister Josephine were very likeable.

The girls at the home were rough but likeable.

Bishop Hawkins was despicable.

Be aware that there are some upsetting and coarse situations addressed in MERCY HOUSE, but it was an educational read and one that will be enjoyed by women's fiction fans. Historical fiction fans will also enjoy this book.

Well written with authentic characters. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sister Evelyn, along with Sisters Maria and Josephine, run a shelter for physically and sexually abused women in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. In their work they often deviate from the strict Catholic doctrine but do so with compassion and mercy to help those in need. Sister Evelyn has personal experience that contributes to her understanding and comes up against the very person who caused her incredible pain. His nature hasn't improved and turns into a vendetta against her. Evelyn must face her actions and come to learn what she tells every woman who passes through the doors - you deserve to love and be loved. Mercy is in every aspect of the book. Excellent

3.5 stars
I received this an ARC from Netgalley through The Book Club Girls Facebook page. Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read it.
It is about Mercy House, a shelter for abused women in Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, NY. The author introduced to the Sister Evelyn who helps run the house with 2 other nuns and its inhabitants. As Sister Evelyn does what she can to help the members of the house on the road to recovery from the abuse in their past, the reader finds out that Sister Evelyn has her own demons and abuse that she suffered at the hands of a priest in her years as a young initiate.
Positives: Engrossing story with flawed, real characters including a bad-ass nun who understands, loves, and knows the community in which she lives and works, plot line that shows that there can be mercy, forgiveness, and healing in the face of sexual abuse, and brings to light that the abuse within the Catholic Church and attempts to continue to cover it up.
Negatives: Details of the abuse suffered can be a bit heavy at times and the fact that many of these people seem to keep getting away with it. I often felt like the nuns were operating under the premise that the ends justify the means rather than remaining true to their belief system.

What an amazing book! Mercy House by Alena Dillon is an excellent read, highly recommended. I like the premise of the nuns who run a home for victims of domestic violence and the character of Sister Evelyn was extremely well rounded and enjoyable.

Synopsis:

In the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn stands a century-old row house presided over by renegade, silver-haired Sister Evelyn. Gruff and indomitable on the surface, warm and wry underneath, Evelyn and her fellow sisters makes Mercy House a safe haven for the abused and abandoned.

Women like Lucia, who arrives in the dead of night; Mei-Li, the Chinese and Russian house veteran; Desiree, a loud and proud prostitute; Esther, a Haitian immigrant and aspiring collegiate; and Katrina, knitter of lumpy scarves… all of them know what it’s like to be broken by men.

Little daunts Evelyn, until she receives word that Bishop Robert Hawkins is coming to investigate Mercy House and the nuns, whose secret efforts to help the women in ways forbidden by the Church may be uncovered. But Evelyn has secrets too, dark enough to threaten everything she has built.

Evelyn will do anything to protect Mercy House and the vibrant, diverse women it serves—confront gang members, challenge her beliefs, even face her past. As she fights to defend all that she loves, she discovers the extraordinary power of mercy and the grace it grants, not just to those who receive it, but to those strong enough to bestow it.

This is one of those books that isn’t a traditional suspense/thriller but you keep reading and turning the pages because you want to know what’s going to happen next and the characters are all sympathetic and your heart goes out to them.

Coming out on Feb.11, get it here!

As with all big corporations, it starts out with an idea that needs to be taken to the next level but those that believe in this passion. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way greed, power and ego rear its ugly head and man takes over. In view of the recent troubles within the Catholic Church, I found this book compelling, well researched and extremely sad. Years ago, boys and girls entered the convent before they could figure out who they were or to squelch who they were, or put in the church due to too family obligations.

Mercy House is a safe house for battered and abandoned women, run by 3 nuns, headed by Sister Evelyn, a kick-ass renegade, who understands that the role is not back or white, but many shades of grey. I fell in love with these forward-thinking older women, so unlike the nuns I remember from my parochial school days. This debut novel is not for the faint-of-heart, or for those looking for a light read. It will evoke many emotions...anger, sadness, disgust, redemption. It held my attention from start to finish. Please read with an open mind! Born and raised Catholic, this story ripped my heart out. I am happy to say that I have not know anyone like the hierarchy in this book, but believe wholeheartedly these problems exist and are just now coming to light. I thought the Mother Superior was to point. I am a ambivalent about the ending, but you can decide for yourself.

Thanks to Harper Collins Publishing, William Morrow Paperbacks, Alena Dillon and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

Sister Evelyn became a Catholic nun after her father made a vow that if his son (her brother) came back alive from the war, he would give his youngest daughter to God, and she never knew her life could go any other direction. After a tough beginning, Evelyn founded Mercy House with two of her fellow nuns--and friends--around 25 years ago, and together they have helped hundreds of women escape domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Mercy House is an unassuming house, known as a safe haven for some pretty rough neighborhoods. But, the Catholic Church is cracking down on more liberal nuns, and when Bishop Hawkins arrives to inspect Mercy House, everything starts to fall apart.

This book is a strong (and valid) criticism of the problems of any organized religion that covers up sexual molestation and rape, treats women as second-class citizens, promotes immoral criminals within the ranks, and protects itself and its reputation at all costs.

I really liked the character of Sister Evelyn even as I was frustrated at her lack of action sometimes and her seemingly complete indoctrination into a religion that she fundamentally understood had major flaws. And Bishop Hawkins was just so evil, there was no question about right and wrong in this book, although it is probably Father John's character was created since at least he somewhat humanizes the male priesthood.

Be prepared to be angry when you read this book, but it is one to pick up. Just make sure you have blocked out enough time to read since it will suck you in.

Thank you to NetGalley, Book Club Girls, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review. It had not influenced my opinion.

Really, really loved this book. Learned about some of the inner workings of the catholic church, both good and bad. The characters were so strong and well developed by the author. The very end was a bit stereotypical for me, but other than that a GREAT read. Have already recommended it to friends