I was able to read It's Not All Downhill From Here By Terry McMillan for free from Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. It's about a beauty supply store owner named Loretha who loses her husband unexpectedly. She has a daughter with an alcohol problem, a granddaughter who cannot settle down, a son that lives too far, and friends who have their own issues.
I enjoyed reading the stories about being a senior citizen and not wanting to die. When Loretha finds out she has a health issue and refuses to take it seriously. The story picks up when Loretha refuses to let her health dictate how she's going to spend the rest of her life. I love the theme of the novel, triumph and sisterhood. The novel shows the complexities of life: love, loss, homosexuality, greed, substance abuse, suicide, and more.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this advanced review copy.

Although it has been a few years since I read Terry McMillen's, A Day Late and a Dollar Short, at times I felt I was reading an extension of that novel. particularly during the first half of the book when I was having trouble connecting with characters who felt familiar but in a "been there done that" kind of way. They had different names and stories but many of the same characteristics as previous characters

With that being said, although the themes and characters were not as inventive as some of her previous novels I still enjoyed the book. Ms. McMillen does a great job developing multi-dimensional characters who are REAL. And that means that they are no different than the everyday people in our own lives. Likable, frustrating, and shaped by real life issues such as mental health, substance abuse, ageing, grief/loss which were all themes presented throughout. McMillen also does a fantastic job taking the reader through the experience of being a black woman. and doesn't shy away from telling it like it is when she touches on important details through the eyes of her characters. Her ability to keep it real and create characters that do the same keeps has kept me committed to grabbing every new thing that she puts out.

Typical Terry McMillan book. Middle age woman hating her current life and looking for something different to give her profound perspective to reach a new milestones for her future.

I really enjoyed this book! Its a great read about beauty supply store owner named Loretha who loses her husband unexpectedly. She sort of gives up on life after that because her husband's death makes her think about her own mortality. She has a free spirited granddaughter who cant seem to settlw down, a daughter with an alcohol problem, and some friendw who have their own issues. I liked it because I enjoy reading stories about senir citizens who are not not just waiting to die. Loretha reminds me of my mom when she finds out she has a health issue but refuses to take it seriously. I enjoyed how Loretha takes back her life and refuses to let the bad stuff that happens to her dictate how she's going to spend the rest of her life. Loretha was very ooen minded about homosexuality and mental health and that made her my favorite character. I thought the beginning dragged a little and that Loretha was a typical old lady but it definitely picked up and ended on a high note.

It's possible that the main character of this novel is friendship. Although it's Loretha's story, her struggles and triumphs all happen with the cause and effect of her close-knit relationship with a group of friends from high school. As she turns 68, her world is rocked by an unexpected event, and her friends rally around her, as she does for them. The tone of the book is so optimistic, irreverent at times, sympathetic, and realistic, that any woman "of an age" will appreciate both the plot and the good humor.

I’m a huge fan of Terry McMillan’s older work but her newer books just don’t hit the spot for me. This book just doesn’t do it for me, reading a books from a seniors point of view was a little out of the ordinary, on top of of it feeling like of every other sad woman of color book. Depression, overwhelmed, headed downhill fast with no breaks and dynamite in the trunk. No thanks I’m done with these books for a while. Can you please bring back the old Terry M. books.

Thank you Netgalley and Terry McMillan for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

I"m a huge fan of Ms. McmIllan's work. She is an auto buy author and I'm always excited when she has a new book coming. I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this novel. I laughed aloud, I cried aloud, i shook my head. I can't wait to get this on audio, because the voice in this book is so strong I can already hear it! I love the theme of triumph and sisterhood in this novel; it's something that i like to mimic and bring out in my own work-- especially the perspective that sometimes friends that are like sisters get on each other's nerves but they always come back together. Grab this one, it's great!

Terry is back! Her latest release offers mature characters that are experiencing what life looks like as they enter retirement age. As the title implies, life doesn’t end at this point. There are new adventures to be had. Terry McMillan skillfully writes about those new adventures as a senior adult. The characters feel like people you know with their quirks and life challenges.

One weakness of the book is that the health challenges of the characters are described clinically as if in a textbook.

Fans of Terry McMillan’s previous novels will enjoy this one. As well as readers who crave stories of mature individuals.

I was given the opportunity to review an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.

Typical Terry McMillan book. Women friends, some married, some not. Deaths, children with issues,Yada, yada, yada, Yes, we may have read it before, but she still pulls you in. I could not wait to get back to reading about these older set of friends. Lessons from Lo’s mother is priceless. I enjoyed this book tremendously and recommend as a book club pick. I am sure there will be some good discussions. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

I will rate It's Not All Downhill From Here by Terry McMillan a 3/5 stars. This book read more like a diary of a senior citizen rather than an interesting and thrilling book. While it was different reading from the perspective of a senior citizen as compared to those in their 40s, 30s, or even 20s, this book seemed to be lacking flair. Loretha's character was not very loveable to me. In fact, I really didn't like her at all. For starters, she lied way too much and that was annoying. At 67-69 years of age, some point in your life you should just start being honest with your friends, loved ones and yourself. I was surprised at the amount of profanity she used, as well. While I am not offended by the usage of profanity because I also have my characters use it in the urban fiction books that I write, I felt that this seasoned character should have toned it down a bit more due to her age.

What I liked about this book:
It showed the complexities of life. There's love, loss, homosexuality, greed, substance abuse, suicide, and more all within the pages of this book.

What I didn't like about this book:
I couldn't relate to any of the characters at all and it wasn't because the majority of them were senior citizens. It was just because they all were annoying and far-fetched. This wasn't like Waiting to Exhale that I enjoyed in the 90s although I was a kid reading the book. It seems as if this book really was the thoughts of a woman writing in her diary and a lot of the times I was feeling or saying to myself "spare me the dramatics". I felt myself wanting to skip ahead so many times while reading this book because it droned on and on. Lots of repetitive scenes with Loretha and her daughter's, Jalecia, aunt Peggy. And the fact that it seemed as if Loretha was a pushover when people asked for money just because she was an entrepreneur annoyed me. I honestly wouldn't have kept giving Peggy money and running down to Western Union because it felt as if Peggy was lying about helping Jalecia, honestly.

I honestly cannot say that I will be able to recommend this book to anyone. By this being a Terry McMillan book, I am highly disappointed in it. I expected more from her.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Normally, I don't care about characters' ages, but this book is narrated by a 68-year-old and so far it's all about her age and what she can no longer do. Based on reviews (and the title), that changes. But I'm not interested in a play-by-play and get the sense I'm not the right demographic for this book.

Sorry, and thanks NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

I have read several Terry MacMillan and am a huge fan of her earlier work. I will say I was pleasantly surprised by the ages of the characters. It’s rare to get books about senior citizens not to mention realistic, sexy and funny one.

Loreatha or Lo the main character could have come off as lying and judgmental (she is) but there is also something endearing and regular about her. As are all the characters. So many issues were unpacked, aging, death, mental health, obesity and health and homosexuality. More than anything there was the unrobing of family stuff. There was jealousy, competition and estrangement but ultimately lots of caring if not always expressed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and seeing the growth of the characters and how family waxes, wanes and recovers.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this free review copy.

MY THOUGHTS: Terry McMillian has given to us a great conversation piece. I want to make this book a book club for me and my girls. I think we can all find a little bit of ourselves in the most relatable character of Loretha. Dealing with an unexpected loss near and dear to her heart she is left finding how to pick up the pieces. She reevaluates where her life has been and where she is going and I loved her relationship with her friends, albeit sometimes downright frustrating.

Women are in this struggle together, and if you find you a good group of girlfriends that uplift you and are there for you, hold onto to them.

Loretha learns to give herself grace throughout her decisions and we could all use a little bit of that.

Thank you to NetGalley, Terry McMillan and Random House Ballantine Books for this ARC.

I love all of Terry McMillan's books, and this was is no exception. An amazing story of friendship and family bonds. I loved it!

I love Terry McMillan because her books remind me that women are all in this struggle together. This book beautifully depicts motherhood, sisterhood, partnership, friendship and and aging — and the generosity amidst all of this, for oneself and others, that we sometimes have to go deep inside our wells to find. It’s also one of the first honest depictions of addiction and mental illness I’ve read, with some characters succumbing to their diseases and others able to recover with the right resources, and some grace and luck, at hand...just like in real life. And as with all her books, it made me laugh:

“Have you gone to Korynthia’s hip-hop class yet?” “Well, the doctor told me to take some yoga classes first, which would help me stretch better.” Of course, this was another lie. “Wow! And that doesn’t hurt?” I shook my head no. I didn’t know why I was lying. But once you tell one …  “Is yoga hard?” “Not really.” “What kind of yoga is it?” Why does she have to be so damn nosy? “Siddhartha.” “I heard that one’s really rough. But good for you, Lo!”

OMG ROFL, and crying, and thankful each time I see a new McMillan book because I know she will shed an honest and accurate light on modern womanhood, and those of us reading will feel a little more understood, and will maybe even take away some pointers.

When Lorettas life takes a sudden turn she has to figure out a new pathIbwas drawn right into this wonderful story Lorettas family friends all the love laughs warmth a book I didn’t want to end.#netgalley#randomhouse,

Fans of Terry McMillan’s vibrant characters and humorous but realistic story lines will not be disappointed by her latest novel, “It’s Not All Downhill from Here.”


Southern California native, Loretha Curry, is approaching her 68th birthday with her husband, Carl, her lifelong friends, her dog, B.B. King, and a thriving beauty supply business. Yet she is estranged from her daughter, Jalecia, who battles with depression, and would like a better relationship with her twin sister, Odessa.

Yet, Carl’s sudden death forces Loretha to evaluate her life and whether she’s content to remain cruising at the same speed or rather it is time to shift gears and take a detour.

McMillan’s writing is best when her focus is on friendship, and fans of the four women team portrayed in “Waiting to Exhale” and its sequel will not be disappointed in the bond between Loretha and her crew, Poochie, Korynthia, Lucky, Sadie. Readers will also meet Kwayne, who Loretha believes is Carl’s son, and her pregnant granddaughter, Cinnamon. And don’t forget Loretha’s mom, “Ma,” who has plenty of spunk still in her. Yes, it is a lot of characters to keep track of, plus many plotlines, but McMillan does a good job at keeping the reader moving through the different stories without being predictable.

Whether you are a devoted fan of “Waiting to Exhale” or are new to her writing, you will finish this book unable to stop thinking Loretha who reminds us that approaching seventy does not necessarily mean you need to stay in the slow lane. I'd like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy.

What a lovely story of friendship, family, loss, joy, forgiveness, and aging gracefully. And sometimes not so gracefully. I loved watching this group of people grow, change, and adapt--happily so.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

The same characters as always, just a half decade older and with five years less sparkle. None of it feels fresh any more. . For die-hards only.