I always find my way to Lexington, Alabama just to see what those folks are up to! BENT BUT NOT BROKEN has an all-new cast of characters with main character Naomi Simmons leading the charge. Always made to feel as though she's unwanted and in the way, she jumps at the opportunity to marry Jacob Purcell. Committed to her marriage and abusive husband, Naomi often wonders when she will find happiness. A chance encounter with a new man in town sends her down an adventurous path of deception. I enjoyed this tale but not as much as the other by Mary Monroe.

I already knew this authors work so I was excited to read this book. But I failed to see that this book was a series so I don’t think I got its full effect. I really liked how Naomi tried to be a good mother, wife, & employee for those in her life in spite of the hand she was dealt. The husband in this book was beyond disgusting & trash to her and her daughter was insecure and out of control. She did seem to have some good friends around her but other then that it was just a sad kind of life she seemed to live. She definitely didn’t seem to have much growth from the time she was young looking to get married to the very end which was disappointing. I like the authors writing style because she has a way with words & getting her story across to where you can see it. Plenty of ups and downs in this book so I do think this was worth the read. Appreciative for this complimentary copy for my honest review.

Special thanks to the author & @kensingtonbooks #Dafina for my gifted copy and ALC‼️

After book 3 I just knew this series was finished but nope Monroe said let me spin the block two more times we ain’t done yet‼️I can honestly say I’m not one to finish a series but this series is one of a kind and I live for the mess so let’s just say book 5 didn’t completely disappoint me.

Set at the backdrop of the Depression era Mary Monroe takes us back to Lexington, Alabama with new characters and more drama. Book 5 follows Naomi Simmons recently married to smooth talking Jacob Purcell who was also a woman beater, manipulator, and the town’s community D (that man stressed me out for her). Naomi didn’t love Jacob one bit but she took a chance simply to escape the pressure her father and his wife were putting her under. They had a daughter Ethel Mae who took right after her daddy. Do with that what you will!!!When Naomi meets Homer Clark they become real close and soon fall in love. But when Jacob has a stroke and Naomi decides not to leave him (just stupid) Homer isn’t pleased and his TRUE colors begin to show.

Mary Monroe has a knack for creating the messiest characters, showcasing the good and bad sides of marriage, and revealing just how shady and ungodly some church folks can be. I don’t think I’ve ever read one of her books that didn’t make me laugh. This book was definitely wild I’m not sure what was worse the way Jacob treated Naomi or what Homer did after the fact.

Overall, the book was okay it was a complete mess from beginning to end just one twist after another. The pacing was very slow in the beginning and throughout the book things get a little repetitive. But Mary knows how to keep you entertained and engaged so it was easy to push through it. Every book in this series will hit different and it’s one that I will always recommend especially if you love historical fiction.

Rating: 3.75/5⭐️

Thank you to Mary Monroe and NetGalley for this advance title.

Bent But Not Broken tells the story of Naomi, a Black teen in the south, who is not-so-subtly forced out of her father‘s home and into the arms of the first man to show her interest, Jacob. Not long after they say their vows does Jacob wait to show Naomi his manipulative, cheating, abusive ways.

Many years into the marriage an adult child later, Naomi meets another man, Homer, and is quickly swept off her feet and effectively love bombed into delirium. Their secret whirlwind romance comes to an unexpected yet abrupt end and Naomi finds herself stuck between a rock and a psychopath, in a sinister, odd twist.

Naomi spent all of her life being spoken down on by nearly everyone in her life…that was admittedly tough for me to get through. She was hardly ever pretty, smart or valuable enough to anyone to truly respect her.

I like the tone that the author used throughout the book…made it an easy conversational read. Even the main character's inner thoughts smoothly told the story. The pacing was a bit slow for me in terms of the twist at the end, but the author developed characters well. I would have liked to see more of Ethel Mae’s childhood…something to help set the foundation for her growing up to thirst for male attention at any cost. Perhaps watching her mother bear the brunt of Jacob’s anger her whole life did a number on Ethel Mae’s self worth. I spent the whole book rooting for Naomi to finally be happy. The circumstances that made her escape possible were so catastrophic and tragic…but at least she’s free now.

Mary Monroe delivered yet another unforgettable tale with Naomi’s story and the vibrant cast surrounding her. Packed with Lexington’s signature drama, outrageous gossip, and next-level audacity, this book had me hooked from start to finish. Just when I thought I had it all figured out—*plot twist!*—the surprises kept coming. I laughed, I yelled, I gasped—this story took me on a wild ride. The narrator’s performance was phenomenal, breathing even more life into an already gripping story. Fingers crossed for a *Book 6*—I need more!

THis was a great book. I loved the twists and turns and revelations about one of the main characters

Bent but Not Broken by Mary Monroe is a gripping and powerful tale that follows the life of Naomi over two tumultuous decades. Set in the American South during the 1920s and 30s, the novel explores themes of love, domestic violence, motherhood, and resilience.

Naomi's journey is shaped by the two great loves of her life—both of which begin with promise but quickly descend into chaos. Her marriage to Jacob, though once filled with hope, becomes a prison of violence and infidelity. When Naomi finally chooses herself and finds solace with Homer, she discovers she has merely traded one nightmare for another. Homer’s true nature is disturbingly unhinged, and the plot twist that follows is genuinely shocking.

Monroe’s storytelling is delicate yet powerful, drawing readers into Naomi's struggles with vivid, emotive prose. The depiction of motherhood is particularly raw, as Naomi raises an unruly child while battling her own emotional and physical suffering.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are richly drawn, and the narrative is both captivating and heartbreaking. Though some parts are difficult to read due to the harrowing subject matter, Monroe handles them with sensitivity. The unexpected twists kept me hooked until the very end.

Overall, Bent but Not Broken is a compelling and emotional read that showcases the strength of the human spirit. I would highly recommend it and happily give it 4 stars.

Mary Monroe outdid herself with the fifth installment in her Lexington, Alabama series. This might be my favorite of her novels, though Mrs. Wiggins and Double Lives were both good reads.
Monroe crafts a rich, complex story set in Depression-era Alabama that grabbed me from the first page. The story follows Naomi Simmons, a young woman who marries the first man who shows interest to escape her father's home, only to find herself trapped in an abusive marriage with the cruel Jacob Purcell.
When she meets a charming widower, Naomi finally sees a chance at real love and happiness. But when Jacob suffers an emergency just before she plans to escape him, Naomi's sense of duty compels her to stay. What follows is a page-turning tale of revenge, manipulation, and a woman fighting to protect what matters most.
Monroe excels at creating realistic characters. I was rooting for Naomi throughout the book, even when her choices frustrated me. The relationship between Naomi and her best friend Lula provides a bright spot amid the darkness, showing the power of true friendship during impossible times.
The dialogue rings true to the period and the Southern setting, often making me laugh out loud despite the serious themes. Monroe balances moments of drama with touches of humor that depict small-town life in 1916 Alabama.
Then there are the twists I never saw coming. Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, Monroe pulled the rug out from under me. The final act builds to a stunning conclusion that left me reeling-- I will say had hoped for something a little more spectacular, but it'll do as-is.
While this is part of the Lexington series, it works perfectly as a standalone, though I recommend reading the entire series to fully appreciate this world. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong Black women characters facing impossible choices, Bent but Not Broken delivers on all fronts.
I'm already looking forward to her next novel.

This storyline takes place in a small town in Alabama during the early 1900’s. Naomi is the youngest child in her family whose mother passed away while giving birth to her. That leaves Naomi and her older siblings for there father to raise them.
After Naomi hears from other town folks saying that her father wants her to get married and move out the house so he can live his life with his girlfriend. Naomi meets Jacob at the market one day and he asked her to marry him so she does not know that Jacob is a wolf in sheep clothing. Jacob started abusing Naomi verbally, physically and mentally while cheating on her with other women.
One day while fishing at the river Naomi meets Homer and begins an affair with him, which lasted until Jacob had a massive stroke and Naomi broke up with Homer to care for her husband.
Homer became threatening to Naomi and promised revenge on her. That’s where there were so many plots twist and turns that made this a page turner just to see what happens next and how far Homer will go to get his revenge.
I highly recommend this book to read.
I received an arc from NetGalley and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts.

In her undeniable style Mary Monroe brings us the story of Naomi. With no mother to look after her and a father who wishes to get rid of her, she rushes into a marriage of convenience. However, this marriage proves to be nothing but heartache and hardship because her husband Jacob is a bad man who shows her nothing but contempt and pure vile abuse. She tries to find love and refuge in her daughter Ethel Mae, but  that too backfires when her daughter seems to be going down the wrong path every single time. Naomi later find some respite with a man named Homer. But that relationship won't come to fruition once Jacob has an accident and Naomi decides to stay and take care of him.

Bent But Not Broken is a story about resilience, unconditional love and the need to survive.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for another masterpiece by the great Mary Monroe.

Mary Monroe’s Bent But Not Broken is a nice read. True to her style, Monroe brings plenty of drama, secrets, and unexpected twists.

The book follows Naomi, a woman who’s been through a lot but refuses to let life break her. Monroe does a great job making the characters feel real, even when their decisions are frustrating.

That said, the book has its ups and downs. The pacing is up and down—some parts drag, while others feel rushed. It’s definitely a slow burn, and just when things get really intense, the ending comes. But, to be fair, Monroe does tie everything up nicely, which I appreciated. Some characters could have been fleshed out more, and a few plot twists were predictable, but the drama keeps things entertaining.

Overall, Bent Not Broken is a solid read, but not my favorite in the Lexington series. If you’re into a character-driven stories with plenty of ups and downs, you’ll probably enjoy it. It’s worth a read, but not necessarily a must-read.

3.5 ⭐️

This is the second book that I’ve read from the author’s Lexington, Alabama series. I highly recommend checking out her book, Mrs, Wiggins. Bent but Not Broken had the potential to be a 5 star read, but fell a little flat. Throughout the book I was hoping that Naomi would stand up for herself, but she never did. Jacob wasn’t just a bad husband to her, he was a bad person in general. I understand his health declined, but I hated how she acted as if he hadn’t been down right disgusting towards her. He never changed and only asked for forgiveness when he was at his lowest. I’m not saying she should have walked away, but I found myself side eyeing the way she pretended like their marriage has it’s good moments when it really did not. At least, that’s not what was presented to us. I found myself siding with Homer initially. I’m not justifying all of his actions toward her, but I understand his frustration.

The star characters for me were Lula and Martha Lou. I loved how they supported Naomi. I wouldn’t mind reading about Martha Lou’s backstory. Although there were a few plot points that I didn’t care for as much; overall, I liked this book and look forward to reading more from Ms. Monroe.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for review consideration.

🎧 Audiobook +📗 eBook: Bent but Not Broken- A Lexington, Alabama Novel #5-I read it as a standalone

✍🏾 Author: Mary Monroe -I read Double Lives and gave it 5 ⭐

📃Page Count: 288

📅Publication date: 3/25/25 | Read: 3/23/25

🏃🏾‍➡️Run Time: 9:30

🌎 Setting: Lexington, AL 1916

👆🏾POV: 1st person single-Naomi

Genre: Historical, AA Interests, Women's Fic

Tropes: small town, family drama, marriage, age gap 16/26

⚠️TW: SA, abuse, cheating, DV, murder, stalking, animal cruelty, racism/segregation

🗣️Narrator: Shari Peele voices all the characters with standouts from Naomi, Ethel Mae, Reverend Spivey, and Lula. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.

Summary: Naomi agrees to marry for financial security after overhearing her father and his girlfriend Maddie talking about her. They want her to get married, get a job, and move out so they can be alone. Once married, Naomi deals with a cheating husband, an unruly daughter, and an obsessive lover.

👩🏾 Heroine: Naomi Simmons/Purcell-gets a job cooking for wealthy, white family Reverend Spivey, his wife, and half-black sister Annie Lou passing as white.

🎭 Side Characters:
*Willard-Naomi's father, married to her mother for 20 years, had thirteen kids. Wife died in childbirth having Naomi.
*Jacob Purcell-Naomi's husband, an injured army vet w/ money for a nice house
*Ethel Mae-Naomi's daughter, promiscuous
*Reverend Garth Spivey-Naomi's employer
*Lula Pittman-Naomi's BFF
*Homer Clark-a widower Naomi meets

🤔 My Thoughts: This had twists and turns I didn't see coming. Naomi dealt with so much from Jacob, Ethel Mae, and later Homer. Lula was the MVP for me because she supported Naomi through everything.

*Spice 3/5 🌶️
*Rating: 5/5 ⭐

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing| Dafina, RB Media| Recorded Books, and Mary Monroe for this ARC & ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

I was provided this ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion. I am a fan of Mary Monroe's books and I was pleased to see a new story featuring Lexington, Alabama. The main character Naomi throughout the book faces tremendous trials first as the only child left to be raised by her father to an abused wife and mother. In hopes of finding real love Naomi makes decisions that can ultimately cost her everything she holds dear.

I recommend this book for the many twists and turns and the reality of consequences that can come from decisions such as the ones Naomi makes.

You will root for Naomi who is first trapped by her awful abusive husband Jacob, bedeviled by her teen daughter Ethel Mae, and in love with Homer who might provide an out for her. There's a lot of drama here, especially after Jacob has a stroke and Naomi feels she must stay with him rather than run away with Homer. Is Homer who she thought he was? No spoilers but you. like me, will probably guess. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Monroe's fans will be pleased.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Bent but Not Broken is the fifth book in Mary Monroe’s loosely connected Depression-era Lexington, Alabama series, and once again there’s a blend of messy characters and soap-opera levels of intrigue, drama, and even murder. I was particularly moved, however, to see this one grounded in a more poignant reality, back then and now, with the story revolving around domestic violence and the cyclical nature of abusive relationships, especially with Monroe’s disclosure about her own personal experiences with being in these types of relationships in the past. Ultimately, this felt like a beacon of hope and empowerment, even as someone who hasn’t been in this situation myself, and I hope that this book reaches people that it needs to, provided they’re in the right headspace to handle the intense nature of it.
Monroe doesn’t necessarily write the most likable characters, and this is no different. Naomi is sympathetic in how she reckons with the awful situation she ended up in with her marriage to Jacob who physically abuses her and is unfaithful to her, but she is deeply flawed, and this gets her into trouble. While distraught over all this, she is seduced by another man, and justifies her own infidelity, but then, jumps back to Jacob when the situation changes and he’s no longer a threat due to him being incapacitated by a stroke. I understand her being conflicted to an extent, but the other guy Homer’s reaction was also justified.
And the whole subplot with her daughter Ethel Mae was just wild. Ethel is fat and insecure because of it, and seeks out the attention of the boys in the community from a young-ish age, including acting out sexually. I did not anticipate Naomi’s reaction to catching Ethel in the act, which was to “whup” her in such an intense manner, it really made me struggle to empathize with Naomi. She tried to justify it by showing she cares and how she wants Ethel to value herself, but it just felt like the wrong way to go about it, even taking into account both historical and cultural context.
Plot wise, it was a mixed bag. The timeline covering a number of years meant the pacing was inconsistent. In some ways, it’s a typical Monroe book, full of gossip and backstabbing, but Naomi felt very toothless, and this contributed to a dampening in the intrigue, especially as the story went on.
While I had a lot of issues with this book, in some ways it’s typical Mary Monroe historical soap-opera drama fare, and provided you proceed with caution if you find domestic violence triggering, I think you might enjoy it.

📖 ARC Book Review 📖

Bent but not Broken - Mary Monroe
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: March 25th, 2025

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the ARC on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This novel tells the story of Naomi, the youngest child in her family raised by a single father. To escape her Dad she marries the first boy to pay attention to her. Naomi’s husband turns out to be abusive.

Naomi meets and falls in love with Homer and you begin to think her life will turn around. Until something terrible happens to her husband

I loved the many twists in this novel

Ｅｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
🌟🌟🌟🌟.2
As a young woman, Naomi Simmons grabbed her one chance to escape the overwhelming demands of her selfish family by marrying devout older man Jacob Purcell. But it only landed her with a controlling, unfaithful husband who delights in hurling insults at her and their troubled now-teenage daughter, Ethel Mae. So, Naomi is amazed and touched when Homer Clark sees her for the vibrant, intelligent woman she truly is.

This book will take you on a roll coaster of emotion. I felt so bad for Naomi this entire book. I would have fought my husband back, but I know back in that time. The women took a lot of beating and etc. And the fact she had to deal with daughter who was acting grown since she was 13. *wipe forehead* Those whooping weren't doing anything for her. Overall, I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! Check trigger warning. This book could he a trigger for DV. Mary Monroe has done it again. I am hoping this is not the last book in this series.

Thank you, Netgellay, and Kensington Publishing for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Mary Monroe delivers another drama-packed story that kept me entertained from beginning to end. While some parts were predictable, it was still a fast-paced, entertaining read packed with secrets, betrayal, and twists.
Naomi’s journey was emotional, and while I rooted for her, there were times I wanted to shake her and tell her to stand up for herself. Her choices frustrated me, but they also made her story all the more gripping. Even though I saw some twists coming, there were plenty of surprises that kept me turning the pages. If you love drama, scandal, and characters that stir strong emotions, this book is definitely worth reading!

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing | Dafina for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

📖 ARC REVIEW (Some Spoilers) Bent but Not Broken by Mary Monroe (Lexington Series Book 5)
🔥 Drama. Betrayal. Mind games. This novel brings all the messy twists and turns of a daytime soap opera—some jaw-droppingly good, others so over-the-top they’re laugh-out-loud absurd.
Mary Monroe delivers another page-turner with Bent but Not Broken, a story about Naomi Simmons—a woman desperate to escape her selfish family, only to find herself trapped in an unfaithful and controlling marriage. Just when she dares to dream of a fresh start with a charming widower, life throws her a curveball that keeps her bound to her ailing husband. But trust, nothing in this book is ever that simple!
👀 What I Liked:
✔️ The fast-paced, juicy drama—there’s never a dull moment.
✔️ The Southern grit and layered family dynamics Monroe is known for.
✔️ The unexpected twist that left me reeling in the final stretch.
😩 What Had Me Shouting at the Pages:
🚨 Naomi’s lack of backbone —Sis was letting folks walk all over her like she was the welcome mat at Walmart!
🚨 The outrageous situations—like catching your husband in your bed with another woman and just… sitting outside waiting for them to finish?! Girl, where’s your inner Miss Sofia from The Color Purple?! I needed her to fight first, think about heaven later!
🚨 The mind games—at times frustrating, but undeniably entertaining.

💭 Final Thoughts:
If you love scandalous family sagas with larger-than-life drama, Bent but Not Broken will keep you entertained from start to finish. I do think there are parts where the author got a little wordy and I felt like let’s speed this up. While Naomi tested my patience with her passive nature, the sheer messiness of it all kept me flipping pages.

If you haven’t read the first book in the series Mrs. Wiggins, run to read it.. I repeat run to read it. I’m hoping at some point this character returns in one of the other books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️— I had a hard time rating this book initially but if you are a soap opera fan (like me) you will love it. It is also perfect for fans of juicy, over-the-top drama with a touch of psychological suspense!
Thanks Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC!!!
📚 Would you read this? Drop a comment if you love books with messy boots, characters who act like they don’t have good sense that the author gave them that make you want to throw the book across the room but keep reading anyway! 😂 #BookReview #ARCReview #BentButNotBroken #MaryMonroe