Sister Monica Clare is the Sister Superior at the Community of St. John Baptist, an Episcopal convent based in New Jersey, and a spiritual counselor specializing in religious trauma, mental illness, and addiction.

In this moving memoir, Sister Monica Clare tells her story of how she became a sister. Her story starts with a troubled childhood. Her father Clyde was a very violent man who terrorized the family, especially her mother. As a child, she saw the movie The Nun’s Story starring Audrey Hepburn, which sparked an interest in her to become a nun. Before becoming a nun in 2012, she was married, and she worked as a photo editor in L.A. and performed in an acoustic rock duo and an improv comedy troupe. But her true calling in life kept calling stronger.
Sister Monica has a beautiful way of telling about her life before she became a nun, with jobs that paid the bills , while she was also in a unhappy marriage. She tells what it takes to become a nun, which seems an easy step, but actually is not easy, as it takes years and many offical rites of passage to become a nun.

It was very moving to read her way to become a professional sister, while she was also worried she would never reach that level. In the end she is even voted for to become a Sister Superior, and she also tells us what it is like to live daily as a nun. I found the end part, just like the rest of the book, very moving as she was called to work ministering in New York City to poor and homeless people at St Mary's.

I found this book very beautiful, like many of us, Sister Monica Clare found it difficult in life to fit in, something that is recognizable for many people, just as coming from a difficult childhood with a parent that isn't suitable to be a parent, in this case her father. When she truly felt she belonged, it reminded me a bit of the musical Sister Act, wherein Deloris sings about her sister community who always got her back and where she truly is home. I found it so beautiful to read that Sister Monica Clare found her true belonging and reached what she wanted in life. Overall I found this a beautiful and very personal memoir, that is also entertaining and fun to read, and I truly recommend reading it!!

I'm not a religious person but I find myself drawn to non-fiction stories like this that are so different from my own lived experience they almost feel fictional. The story was surprisingly delightful and deeply human. Sister Monica Clare tells her story with humor, honesty, and a reverence that never veers into preachiness. This isn’t just a story about becoming a nun—it’s about choosing purpose, finding unexpected joy, and holding space for complexity. A gentle, hopeful book for these weird times.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this memoir by Sister Monica Clare. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Claudette Powell's childhood was tough, filled with abuse, addiction, and neglect by those charged with caring for her. But even from an early age, she felt a religious calling to be a nun. She went out into the secular world, was married and divorced, worked in advertising and comedy, and still felt that pull. She found the Episcopalian church and a group of nuns living in a religious order that she longed to join. It took much perseverance to clear all her debts and be accepted, and still her childhood issues and low self-esteem threatened.

This is a powerful and inspiring book of a strong woman who stuck to her calling and found the perfect home. She even pushed to get training to become a priest as well as mother superior in her order. It's a fascinating look into both religious life and personal fortitude. Loved the pictures as well.

I really wanted to like this memoir of a woman finding her life calling as an episcopal nun, but I just didn't connect with the main character. I think one of the things that I was most interested in is the part of the description on the cover of the book that she gave up her marriage to pursue this calling when the way she tells the story the marriage would have ended either way it wasn't even the last obstacle to her joining the convent. I found some parts of the book moved at a good pace, but some parts were really too slow and bogged me down. I was interested to see some of the inner workings of the convent that she joins and the later part of the book was definitely most enjoyable, but I wouldn't return to this.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was a good and really interesting memoir of a woman who gave up everything to become an Episcopalian Nun [a calling she'd had since childhood; a childhood fraught with pain, abuse, and poverty], and how that commitment changed her and ultimately, everyone around her.

Filled with straight-forward storytelling and littered with twisted humor [the Sister is very funny, and often is self-deprecating, in the "Chandler Bing" sort of style. The humor was very welcome especially after some of the tear-filled parts], this was a really great read and really encouraged me overall. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sister Monica Clare, and Crown Publishing/Crown for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sister Monica Clare's heartfelt memoir about becoming a nun really speaks to you. The book manages to talk about faith and God in a relatable manner that manages not to be preachy at all. She doesn't try to sway anyone to choose her faith or preach as to how it is better than others. Her writing voice is fresh and engaging and kudos to those who realized her potential as a writer.

As someone who isn’t deeply religious, I wasn’t sure what to expect from A Change of Habit—but what I found was a compelling and deeply human story that transcends any one faith or lifestyle. Sister Monica Clare’s journey toward becoming an Episcopal nun is not only fascinating, it’s a moving testament to the universal search for purpose, meaning, and ultimately, happiness.

What makes this memoir resonate is how honestly and openly Sister Monica shares her path. Her voice is both accessible and grounded, making it easy to connect with her as she navigates questions of identity, career, love, and faith. Even for those unfamiliar with religious life, her story offers insight into what it means to truly listen to one’s inner calling—whatever form that might take.

Reading this book reminded me of why I read in the first place: to expand my understanding, deepen my empathy, and engage with lives that are different from my own. A Change of Habit does all of that, while gently challenging assumptions and offering a unique window into a life rooted in service and reflection.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

What an interesting read! I loved looking into the life of the nunnery, with its spoken and unspoken rules. It was interesting how one courageous and late blooming nin was able to make such positive and life altering positive changes

It is always so interesting to read about the life and faith journeys of others. This one is especially interesting as the author finds herself going from comedy to a convent. It is a slowly moving character focussed story that is written in a very straight forward way and so if you need flowery, emotional prose you may find it a little bit lacking but if you are looking for a love story of a different kind you may enjoy it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read it in exchange for my honest thoughts

3.5 stars rounded up! This was an interesting peek into the life of a nun. I definitely found the second half and even the last quarter most interesting. The pacing was a bit choppy, but there was enough good that I’m glad I read this one!

Thank you so much to the author, Crown and Net Galley for the eARC!

This is a powerful memior following Sister Monica Clare through her traumatic childhood, difficult young adult life, and to her reaching her true life's purpose by entering the sisterhood. It is an inspiring tale even reading as someone who has left religion. This is a vulnerable tale and doesn't hold back on the situations, feelings, and reflections being told. The audiobook is easy to follow and understand. Overall, I feel like I don't have much to say, but just to highly encourage readers to pick this up! Look at the trigger warnings just in case.

An engaging thoughtful memoir. Sister Monica Clare has lived an interesting life-and not an easy one but she's determined, resilient, and committed to her faith. We don't often read about Episcopal nuns so this was also enlightening, This is imbued with humor and good vibes, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

A beautiful, vulnerable read. Coming from the most unlikely circumstances for becoming a nun, Sister Monica Clare tells her story of God’s call for her to become a nun. A beautiful story of faith and obedience.

This memoir is so unique and heartfelt. For me, I was so fascinated I couldn't put this book down ! Sister Monica came from such a sad , poor, and violent background. Even unexpectedly learning compassion for Clyde, whom she could never call Dad. I don't blame her. Instead, I am impressed and inspired by Sister Monica's life story. I love how God kept finding a way into her heart and calling her to Himself, but slowly and gently. Her triumphs over poverty, lack of religious guidance, lack of responsible parents, and lack of support, just make this an astonishing story.

Her life of becoming an Episcopalian nun was interesting for me since I am Roman Catholic, from the cradle. I didn't agree with some things , especially when she and another sister wanted to be able to go to church on Sundays, and were refused the priviledge for years. In my Catholic church, I am a daily communicant as much as I can. We have Mass available every day of our lives if we want it, with Communion ! The real presence of Christ , every day. So I was sad for her.

I was fascinated to read all about Sister Monica's life ministering in New York City to poor and homeless people at St Mary's. She lived a challenging life there similar to Mother Theresa, for awhile. Particularly poignant was the story she told of her struggles to accept all the homeless and her occassional fears for her safety, until one day, the Lord opened her heart in a unique way. Suddenly she saw them all as the small children they once were, needing her help. Her heart bloomed with love and compassion for them. Her response invigorated me. It was in these years that the Lord broke open her heart to forgive and have new found compassion for the struggles of Clyde. She realized his humanity. That was really powerful.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. God works in mysterious ways. This book uplifted me and made me feel more hopeful about God's actions in my own life. I went on a vocation retreat to Cullman, AL to a beautiful Benedictine convent when I was 22. I realized my desire to be a mother was much stronger. God did call me to become a teacher, and mother. I am now retired after a 35 year career in public schools. This book will encourage people to pray more for God's will to be made known in their life.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC before publication in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this memoir of Sister Monica Clare. It was very interesting to see how events in her life led her closer to God instead of away from him as some might do. This is a huge life commitment and it was great to watch it play out.

While I'm not religious in any sense of the word, I have always been fascinated by nuns. I'm not sure why. A Change of Habit is an insightful but surprisingly funny romp through Sister Monica Clare's journey toward becoming a nun, with all the detours on the way. She is refreshingly honest about her explorations and missteps, the insecurities and triumphs. She also is genuine about the realities of living as a nun in a community- both the delights and the expected conflicts that inevitably arise with many people living together.

Refreshing and entertaining!

I picked up this book because I love spiritual journeys. As I read I discovered I had watched Sister Monica previously on tiktok. While our faith walk is different , I loved the reality of seeking God can include pain and struggle. Sister Monica is relatable and it was interesting to get a view into Episcopal religious life.

This was a well-written memoir. It was so conversational that it was quite a page-turner.
What a life!
Although this book is about a woman who became a nun, it's not a particularly religious read. Claudette/Sr. Monica Clare details the circumstances of her life and how she felt a calling to become a nun and the twists and turns her life took to get there.
I would have given it 5 stars, except that many things were mentioned out of the blue. Although, I imagine it's incredibly difficult to condense anyone's life into one book, some of things were a little jarring. For example, out of nowhere, she reveals that she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia years before and now it was taking a toll on her, requiring further medical treatment. She'd never mentioned it before. Several things like that happen which just prompted a feeling of, "Wait...what?" while processing this information and trying to insert it into the timeline of the story.
Despite those moments, this was a very enjoyable read and would be good reading for anyone who wants to read about a woman forging her own path in life. No religious affiliation or interest necessary to enjoy this book.

Sister Monica Clare's life started out tragic and at times I did't want to keep reading due to the harshness of her early life. I am glad I read to the end of the book though. She is a strong and devoted woman who kept seeking God and working through her struggles. Thank you for allowing me to read this book. The title and description led me to want to read it to see if I would use it as a gift.

I loved this book, every page. It was a fascinating glimpse into the world of Episcopalian nunnery, but it was also a beautiful journey of a woman discovering her place in the world. All of us are looking for 'home' and this was a well-crafted story of finding your way there. It was a refreshing read -- different, interesting, enlightening, inspiring, and well-written. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest feedback (and thanks for publishing this delightful read).