This was a great read filled with so many revelations/"Bevelations". Well written and tone felt like I was having a conversation with Bevy. Her words are motivational and inspirational and Bevy is a good example that you can walk away from money, power, and glitz in exchange for a more fulfilling life.

"I didn’t want my story to begin and end based on things I had purchased. Being a true inspiration to others comes from your core, not from a store."

I became a fan of Bevy Smith when I saw her on the show Fashion Queens alongside Miss Lawrence and Derek J. I was drawn to her infectious smile, bodacious bawdy, and her around the way beauty. That show didn’t last long but Bevy made her impact on my world during her stint on that show, so when I saw that she had written this book I couldn’t wait to find out more about who she was off camera.

This book is a very transparent look at her life from middle school until now in her early 50s, her career trajectory from being a former fashion advertising executive/salesperson to a TV personality at age 38. Bevy told us all about the “perks” of having a “dream” job (the salary, the trips, the luxury and access), but I love that she was also very real about how none of these things made her happy or fulfilled in life and these among other reasons were why she walked away to pursue her passions and creative calling. She gave us an inside glimpse at Big Bev from uptown, her “street” moniker and pics of her at various stages of her interesting life. Some people will gloss over the pitfalls in their lives, but Bevy kept it all the way real with us from beginning to end.

Along the way she gives us “bevelations”….gems that she has learned along the way while she was balancing her different personas while trying to find her authentic core, Lil Brown Bevy. Bevy has truly lived several lifetimes in one (and still going) and I thoroughly enjoyed reading all about it. Her wit, wisdom, and hilarious commentary made this one of the best self-help books I’ve ever read. (I actually didn’t go into reading this realizing it was self-help I thought it was more on the memoir side but I would say it’s part memoir/part self help). I would recommend this book ESPECIALLY to women in their 20s and 30s…women just getting started in their careers and trying to figure out this thing we call life, however this book will resonate with women of all ages and backgrounds, especially if you are a woman that does not really care for following the status quo. She tells a lot about things like keeping your integrity, building your personal brand, and what it takes to truly be successful (no matter what your industry is). Bevy is a mutha, auntie, and bestie all rolled up into one. The title couldn’t have been more fitting and the picture she used is Bevy in all her glory.

This was such a fun read with lots of words of wisdom (or ‘bevelations’). Reading it felt like catching up with an old friend and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Bevy. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Henry Holt for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Bevy Smith walks us through how she left behind a high powered (highly paid) job in fashion to find out what fulfills her.

Bevy's unique voice and Bevy-isms are motivational and inspiring, especially for an audience who might be finding themselves in similarly unfulfilling roles.

Bevy Smith’s candid, hilarious and heartwarming book ☛BEVELATIONS: LESSONS FROM A MUTHA, AUNTIE AND BESTIE [pub: Andy Cohen Books] drops next Tuesday, January 12th and this motivational memoir is not just a must-read, it’s a must-own and a must-gift. Pay 👏🏾 it 👏🏾 forward 👏🏾. I started nodding in agreement and highlighting with fervor during the first chapter, Evolution Of A Grown-Ass Woman—“Here’s a Bevelation for you: True luxury is access.” I laughed throughout with revelations like, “No. I’m not naming names. I’m going to save that for my fifth autobiography, Don’t Stop, Get It, Get It: The Bevy Smith Story. That will be published when I’m eighty-five and a lot of folks are dead—I’m going to “Quincy Jones” all you mofos!” And I boo-hoo cried towards the end when Bevy asked in the chapter Smitty’s Youngest—The Baby, “Do you understand what it’s like to be a full-grown woman of thirty-seven and see your daddy willing to risk his own well-being for you, for your safety? That is unwavering love.”

In Bevelations, there’s Mutha advice for my young nieces and nephews just starting college and/or entering the workplace, “Sometimes a job is just a job…Not every career opportunity will be monumental and life-changing. Sometimes it’s just a paycheck, and a stepping stone.” There’s Auntie wisdom for my daughter beginning her 30s and my son right behind her “…push yourself to write out your wildest, most outrageous people-will-think-I’m-crazy dreams. Remember, you don’t have to share them with anyone. Just dream about what your life would look like if you didn’t have insecurities or obligations.” And there’s Bestie inspiration for me and my peers, strutting through our early 50s “The best part about getting older is the confidence to live bolder, to be feisty and exuberant, damn what people think.” Truth be told, I’m applying all of ’em. #ItGetsGreaterLater indeed.

Omg.. This book was EVERYTHING i got this as an ARC but i started it a little late and didnt know it came out as i was reading it.

I did not know who bevy was and i love me a good memoir and the cover caught my eye and trust me im so happy i read this because this book was great. She talks to the readers the whole time i felt like she was reading it too me. She touches down on alot of stuff in her life etc and things she went through and brand deals and just alot of information for people who want to go into the field she is in. and she is just HERSELF the whole time and i just loved reading this story. She is super funny as well.

Im glad i found this book because now i know who this wonderful woman is! Great book bevy!!

If you like memoirs and self help books this one is great.

Bevelations is a witty, lighthearted self-help/memoir that’s filled with great words of wisdom (𝘢𝘬𝘢 𝘉𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴). Bevy provides a mega dose of optimism and humor in every chapter while delivering advice on a variety of topics.

What I enjoyed most about the book is that Bevy is very relatable. The title of the book is very fitting. Reading her stories really did feel like I was listening to my “bestie” as she talked to me about what’s been going on in her life.

One of the book’s most important lessons is that it’s never too late to change directions in life. If you’re not happy with where you are, or what you’re doing, try something new. Go after your dreams. Live authentically. Bevy does a great job of using her life as an example to show us exactly how this can be done.

It is good reading!
The book ends on a heavier note as Bevy addresses the extremely tough times the world is currently facing. She also shared the heartbreaking story of her late father who sadly lost his life due to COVID-19. That chapter was hard for me to read. My heart and prayers go out to Bevy and her family🙏🏽.

Overall, I found this book entertaining and filled with good practical advice. There were many laughable moments, along with a few that were emotionally touching. And it is for all the above reasons, that I give Bevelations: Lessons From A Mutha, Auntie and Bestie, 4/5⭐️s.


𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 @𝘏𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘺𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘵𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 for 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘷𝘪𝘢 @𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺.